With perfect timing (for me), Bob Mitchum walked into the bar. Conversations stopped, and as he passed by, people, even jaded Hollywood types, smiled and nodded. He recognized us, came over, gave me a quick, insincere kiss on the cheek, shook Jonathan’s hand, and moved on. After that our waiter was more attentive.

“One day,” said Jonathan, “when I walk into a room, people are going to halt and stare just like that. But in the meantime, I’m still waiting to get offered roles like they give to Marlon Brando or Monty Clift. Natalie got me into a special screening of Rebel Without a Cause last week, and I have to say, I could have done anything James Dean did.”

We clinked glasses, sadly acknowledging Dean’s death just the week before in a car crash. In a Porsche—a fact not lost on me. I moved the conversation back to Jonathan’s favorite topic. “You’re too sociable to be Marlon Brando, a brooding actor. All those Casa Fiesta parties? That’s hardly the mark of Hamlet.”

“I’ve quit the parties. Bongo’s moved out.”

“Really! Are you serious? When?”

“Oh, a couple of weeks ago. I’m sick of feeding the leeches. People have been using me my whole life. I’m going to see an analyst now twice a week.”

These revelations struck me as a vast change in Jonathan’s life, and I said so.

“The shrink has made me see myself in a whole new light. I’m an Oedipal mess, ignored by Daddy, abandoned by Mummy. Oh and remember my father’s third wife? The one who seduced me.”

“Please, don’t remind me.”

“The analyst said I should quit trying so hard to please others.”

“But your charm is one of your great assets, you Duckling.”

“Charm I wax on old ladies like Elsie,” he scoffed. Then he brightened and did a scathing mimic of Elsie flirting with Phil Tobin at a recent Summit Drive dinner party. “Elsie’s so hot to get laid, even Denise thinks it’s hilarious. She makes fun of her all the time.”

This was a sobering thought. “I thought she adored her mother. They were always a united front.”

“I didn’t say she made fun of her to her face. Behind her back, of course. Sometimes school has to let out, and Denise just needs to play a little.”

“Who with?” I asked, alarmed.