“He has a treat in store,” Stone said.

“Yes, he does,” Peter agreed. “He’s gotten very excited about film. I don’t think he’d given it much thought until we met, but now he wants to see everything.”

“You’re a good influence,” Stone said. “If Ben weren’t seeing so many movies with you, he’d be getting into some sort of mischief. That’s what his father says, anyway. Dino is very happy about your friendship.”

“So am I,” Peter said.

21

The lights came up at Film Forum after Citizen Kane, and Peter and Ben rose and shuffled out of the theater with the crowd.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Peter said.

“That’s because I’m stunned,” Ben replied. “I want to see it again.”

“I have it on DVD,” Peter said. “Come on back to the house, and I’ll rack it up for you.”

They took a bus back to Turtle Bay, and Peter let them into the house with his key. Stone was standing just inside the door taking off his overcoat and hanging it in the hall closet.

“Hey, fellas,” Stone said. “How was the movie?”

“Movies,” Peter replied. “Ben liked them.”

“Especially Citizen Kane,” Ben said.

“We’re going to go upstairs and watch it again on DVD,” Peter said, “so please excuse us.”

“Of course, go on up.”

The boys ran up the stairs to Peter’s room, and he found the disc for Citizen Kane.

“Did you say Welles was twenty-four years old when he directed this movie?” Ben asked.

“That’s right, and he was already a big actor and director on Broadway and on the radio.”

“That’s unbelievable,” Ben said.

“We can beat that. Sit down.” He pointed Ben at a chair, then sat down himself. “Ben, I think you’re a smart guy.”

“That’s true, but I’m not as smart as you.”

“If that’s true, it’s an accident of nature, so don’t worry about it. What’s more important is, you’re a good guy, too.”

“Thanks, Peter. I feel the same way about you.”

“For the next four years or so, I’ve got to keep you out of trouble.”

Ben laughed. “You’ve been talking to my dad.”

“No, I’ve been talking to my dad, but he feels the same way about it as your dad. The thing is, they’re both right.”

Ben looked sheepish. “Yeah, I have been in a few scrapes, but I had some fun, too.”

“We’ve got to find some new ways for you to have fun,” Peter said, “because I’m not going to get involved in any scrapes. There’s too much at stake.”

“What’s at stake?”

“Have you ever noticed when some young celebrity gets into drugs or gets arrested for drunk driving, how long it takes him to get over those things? I mean, they end up in jail, then in court, then in rehab, then in community service, and most of them have to go through that two or three times before they finally get it. The ones who don’t get it end up in prison or dead.”