I have to eat cereal everyday. I don't remember exactly how much. I got the measurement and then figured it out in a bowl and just use the same bowl daily.
In my box of Cheerios there was a free book. I used to like free stuff in cereal. I remember getting a set of navy frogmen that you filled with Baking Soda and they would bobble up and down in the pool, and then a submarine with a balloon inside that you pumped up to make it surface.
As an adult I think books are better but I know I got a lot of pleasure out of the cheap plastic stuff and probably learned some elementary physics as well.
This book was called "No Dogs Allowed" and was written by the woman who plays Maria on Sesame Street; a woman I probably still secretly lust after.
I was hoping that the book would be an indictment of the nastiness of making dogs something less than animal in the US. It bypassed that issue and seemed to advocate, well, scoff law; ignore the stupid rules and have fun anyway.
I am determined to finish the story of my "big" student film. The drama of whether or not I will succeed is probably bigger than the drama in the story.

Billy, tortured and bleeding is sitting unconscious atop his horse when he encounters a strange French brother and sister. They look at the beaten kid with the mildest of curiosities and calmly see him fall to the ground.
They pick him up, tend to him. Billy hasn't ever known or expected kindness so he reacts boorishly.
As they ride along together, Anton, the brother, playing his harpsichord and Colette, the sister, sunning herself; Anton explains that they are Heugonaughts come to America to be left alone. Anton is open about it but Billy doesn't grasp that Anton is gay and his sister is a prostitute.
They drift. Billy mends. Billy is in awe of meeting people who talk to him. They drift, until in the middle of the desert they see a boom town of tents and scaffolding. They drift in and set to work. Anton plays piano at the big saloon and Colette turns tricks.
Billy doesn't have a "career" so he does all the house work and chores. Billy is overjoyed. He has friends, he has something of a life. He's not chasing or killing. He's happy.
Until Sunday. (There has to be an until in all stories like this).
Anton and Colette are going to church. Anton explains that in their line of work it is important that at least once a week they be repentant. It makes the solid citizens feel more comfortable. Anton and Colette that having a man with them who looks good with a gun, as Billy does, never hurts. Solid citizens can get violent.
Billy has never been to church before. This church is just the framing, a floor and a roof. the people sit on barrel and plank benches in their finest clothes. Of course the townsfolk all turn and stare at our trio. the sheriff shows particular interest in Billy, actually to Billy's guns and how he wears them like they were the most important part of his clothing.
The preacher starts the service. he is a die hard testifying crowd pleaser, exhorting people to cast out the devil to cast out sin.
Billy listens confused. As he stares at the preacher his confusion turns to agitation.
And that's when the drama begins.

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