Chapter 58: Mandela

Mon, Dec 7, 1970 (Pearl Harbor Day)

We spent the day arranging to be away again, as we were on another Mission From God.

“Joseph’s face was black as night
The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked his days
Under African skies
This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain

In early memory
Mission music
Was ringing ‘round my nursery door
I said take this child, Lord
From Tucson, Arizona
Give her the wings to fly through harmony
And she won’t bother you no more

This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain

Joseph’s face was black as night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under African skies”

“Under African Skies”
By Paul Simon

Tue, Dec 8, 1970

Jesus Christ Superstar, Day 1 of 6, RCMH, NYC, 8pm.

Yes! JC Superstar was here!

Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice were ready for the big time. The 1st Stage Musical Cast, was about to start a Long-Run Production, in London’s West End, London’s Broadway. Soon, a 2nd Cast, would Open on Broadway, in NYC. Both Productions would be sensational, huge hits.

But before the London Troupe would Perform the Musical in London, they were going to have a 2-Week Run at Radio City Musical Hall, Tue-Sun, with both Sunday Shows, Live @ Radio City, Broadcast to the Nation, giving all a taste of JC Superstar. Each Sunday Night Show, on CBS, would have different intros, showcasing different aspects of JC Superstar.

After 2 Weeks of JC Superstar at Radio City, we would have 2 Weeks of the Traditional Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular. There would be daytime Matinees, as well as Evening & Late Shows. We’d have 3 Shows each Day. These were special for Parents & Kids, often the 1st time a kid went to a Show in NYC, being mesmerized by all the Lights, Sounds & Smells, of Manhattan.

Radio City was 1 Block west, from the Huge Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, just above the Sunken Ice Rink. I’m sure Santa was around too, so kids could get the full package. Special Times.

“In many a time,
In many a land,
With many a gun
In many a hand,
They came by the night,
They came by the day,
Came with their guns
To take us away

With a knock on the door, knock on the door.
Here they come to take one more,
One more.

Back in the days
of the Roman Empire,
They died by the cross
and they died by the fire.
In the stone Coliseum,
the crowd gave a roar,
And it all began with that knock on the door

Just a knock on the door, knock on the door.
Here they come to take one more,
One more.

The years have all passed,
we’ve reached modern times,
The Nazi’s have come
with their Nazi war crimes.
Yes the power was there,
the power was found,
6,000,000 people
have heard that same sound

That old knock on the door, knock on the door.
Here they come to take one more,
One more.

Now there’s many new words
and many new names,
The banners have changed
but the knock is the same.
On the Soviet shores
with right on their side,
I wonder who knows how many have died

With their knock on the door, knock on the door.
Here they come to take one more,
One more.

Look over the oceans,
look over the lands,
Look over the leaders
with the blood on their hands.
And open your eyes
and see what they do,
When they knock over there friend,
they’re knocking for you

With their knock on the door, knock on the door.
Here they come to take one more,
With their knock on the door, knock on the door.
Here they come to take one more,
One more.”

“Knock On The Door”
By Phil Ochs

As Ralf, I had a beautiful friend, named Joycee Patrion. She had the most upbeat Personality & Viewpoint, that I’d ever met, as Ralf, or now Pug. In fact, I’ve used Joycee as the Model, or Template, for my MGF’s, MyGirlFriday’s. My Wife, Ali, was about the same, & that’s why I love her with all my Heart, Mind & Soul.

As Ralf, I met Joycee in 1974, but now in 1970, I was going to look her up. Joycee was just 22yo in 1970, but she was already Running the Human Resources Department, for a Chain of Department Stores, HQ in Salisbury, Rhodesia, Africa.

Salisbury was the Capitol of Rhodesia. The Store was called Meikles. Salisbury is now called Harare, & Rhodesia is now Zimbabwe.

Joycee had started at the Flagship Store of Meikles, & in just a few months, she was promoted to head the Personnel Department. She had started as a lowly Salesgirl.

Joycee was a natural Salesperson though, so much so, that people begged Joycee to Sell to them. She could Sell Ice, to an Eskimo.

Joycee was incensed though, by the way her Black Co-Workers were treated. Remember, in 1970, Apartheid was in full force, in Rhodesia & especially in South Africa. Joycee was Paid double what Black Workers earned, & Joycee had just been hired, whereas, many Black workers had been with Meikles for years.

Joycee was pissed-off, & fearless, & marched right into Meikles’ HQ Office, which was located above the Flagship Store, that Joycee was working at.

John Moxon, 26yo, had just been Promoted to become Meikles Inc’s new CEO, which included the Department Store, as well as the Meikles Hotel Chain. John’s the one who Joycee had complained to. Being young, at 26yo, John could relate to Joycee, who was 22yo.

John had just Graduated from Cape Town University, in South Africa, & had a much more Worldly View than most White Rhodesians. He knew that the Whites of Rhodesia, & their neighbor to the South, South Africa, were in for Deep-Shit, if they didn’t loosen up, & start treating the Majority of their populations better. The Blacks of Rhodesia & South Africa, vastly outnumbered the Whites.

As Ralf, Joycee had told me, that the Meikles’ Family, & especially John’s Mom, had pressured Joycee into Marrying John. Joycee thought that John had feelings for her too, which was probably why he had Promoted Joycee so fast. John was possibly wooing Joycee to become his Wife.

Instead of Marrying John though, Joycee moved on, all alone. After Rhodesia, Joycee next Toured North Africa & Europe, in a VW Van. She almost Died of Food-Poisoning in Morocco, after eating Camel Meat. She didn’t know it was Camel, until later.

While in Europe, as a 23yo, Joycee was put in charge of Running the US Air Force Officer’s Club. The funny thing though, was the the US Air Force Officer’s Club, was located inside a British Air Force Base, which was in West Germany. It was a NATO Base. Very cornfusing.

Everyone who met Joycee, wanted to be with her, as she was such an inspirational person. Joycee’s the one who told me this Truism:

Never, I repeat NEVER say:

“No Comment”

By saying “No Comment”, you let yourself be vulnerable to your opponent’s View’s 100%, which is rarely to your benefit. You’ve given up your chance to defend yourself.

Instead, answer this way, by 1st admitting to any Wrong, you or your Company did. That would take any High Ground away from your adversary.

Then you change the Focus, by announcing a great new Partnership, with a Foundation or Government, or some Good, you or your Company will do.

That would change the narrative, so instead of being on your heels
You now were in Charge.

You have to be totally transparent though,
or others will think you are hiding something,
being full of shit.

Joycee did that naturally. Not the Full of Shit part, but the Public Relations part.

Ali, Barbie, Bambi, Ryder, Pug Red, & I, had Flown to Salisbury, as I was taking a chance that Joycee was already Working at Meikles. We were Flying in a Pan Am Boeing 707 Luxury Jet, with Long-Range Tanks.

Juan Trippe was having our Jet Aviation-BSL Refurbishing Center, Renovate the best 707’s he took Out-Of-Service, as he Bought more Boeing 727’s. The 727’s had only 3 Engines, as the 707 had 4. Each Engine required Maintenance, so the more Engines you had, that added to the Maintenance Costs.

Both the 707 & 727, required 3 Pilots: the Pilot, Co-Pilot & Flight Engineer. All 3 were Pilots though, so the Flight Engineer could Fly the Plane if necessary.

We had a 4th Pilot with us on Overseas Flights. He would act as a Navigator, since we were Flying over Oceans. We had enough Fuel aboard, so with 4 Pilots, all could take Naps, being Sharper. All 4 were on the Controls, while Taking Off, or Landing, though.

When we got to the Meikles Department Store, all of us had Jet-Lag, & a little Loopy. I had shared my Nite-Time Doozies with my Mates, on the Flight over. We slept most of the way, on the Drop-Down Bunks.

Once in Salisbury though, I had us take my version of 5-Hour Energy, B-12, Caffeine & Sativa Edibles. It perked me up, right away.

At Meikles, I asked the HQ Receptionist, if a Joycee Patrion was working there? It turned out that she was, & the lady Paged for Joycee immediately.

Joycee walked out with John Moxon, & they were laughing. It seems like they were already Bonding.

I introduced ourselves, explaining U-Corp, & asking if John would consider joining up as another Partner. He was intrigued, but Joycee immediately told John he should do it. Joycee caught on immediately, that U-Corp was becoming a huge Conglomerate, with unlimited potential.

John invited us to the his Family’s Hotel, that John’s Grandfather, Thomas Meikles, had built, in 1924. Since then, the Hotel had had additions added on to it, but it had always been THE Hotel to stay at in Salisbury.

We had a nice Dinner there, getting to know each other. I was giddy, being around Joycee again.

Both Joycee & John had Suites in the Hotel, since both were w/o a Home. Joycee insisted that Ali, Barbie, Bambi, Ryder, Pug Red & I, share her 2 Bedroom Suite with her, as it was huge.

Joycee was a Free-Spirit, & Stripped & Hopped in the big Tub, with Ali, B&B, taking a Bath together. I was told to Hop-In, the Water’s nice & warm. It was a tight fit, but enjoyable.

I was put to Bed, spent & blissful.

Wed, Dec 9, 1970

Jesus Christ Superstar, Day 2 of 6, RCMH, NYC, 8pm.

“How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
How many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they are forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
How many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see?

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
And how many death’s will it take ‘til he knows
That too many people have died

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

The answer, my friend,
The Answer is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind...”

“Blowin’ in the Wind”
By Bob Dylan
aka Robert Zimmerman

As Ralf, I knew that Joycee would Marry 3-Times, having 2 great Boys, both from Husband #2.

Instead of that, now as Pug, I was hoping to influence Joycee, into Marrying John Moxon.

I wanted them to eventually move to NYC with us, as we were also joining Forces with the old guy who had Retired from Macy’s as their CEO.

Joe Andrews, 72yo, was still the largest Shareholder of R.H. Macy & Co. Joe & Ali had been Pals, ever since we had 1st met Joe on Horse Island. Ali had convinced Joe to let her save Macy’s. Joe knew that Macy’s was in trouble, having lost focus, & needed a deep Spring-Cleaning, plus Fresh-Blood running it. He thought that Ali just might be the new Leader that Macy’s needed.

Both Ali & I, now wanted Joycee to help Run Macy’s too.

John & Joycee showed us around Salisbury. It was a nice sized city, but Ali, B&B & I were appalled at the difference between the White & Black sections.

We had a nice Dinner, at Independence House, the Rhodesian Prime Minister’s Residence. Ian Smith, 51yo, had been Prime Minister, since 1964. He seemed like a nice guy. He & his Wife, Janet, 55yo, Hosted us for an intimate meal. Ian had been the 1st Rhodesian Leader to be Born in Rhodesia.

The Meikles & Ian Smith were great friends, so Ian warmly greeted us. Janet whisked Ali, B&B away, to Tour the Grounds. Joycee & John stayed with me, to talk to Ian Smith.

We were also being joined, by the new President of Rhodesia, Clifford Dupont, 65yo. Clifford, was the 2nd Rhodesian Government Leader, to have been born in Rhodesia. All Leaders were appointed by the British Government.

In 1970, the President was mostly a Ceremonial Position though, with the Prime Minister really in charge. Clifford’s wife, Armenell, 52yo, was with us too.

John had introduced me to Ian & Clifford, as an influential Partner, of a huge new Company, that could really help Rhodesia. John begged Ian to listen to me, Pug, as he thought I could help to Heal Rhodesia, as all knew it had a bad Cancer in Apartheid.

During Dinner, I explained how the White’s of Rhodesia, could share Power with the Majority Black Population. The Meikles Family were the top Company in Rhodesia, & since John Moxon, was the new Scion of the Meikles Family, Ian & Clifford listened to us.

Since I knew the Healing Process would take time, I asked Joycee to be the Spokesperson for Change in Rhodesia & South Africa. I just knew that she would always say the Right Thing, always Diffusing any Situation, chilling everyone out.

I was also wanting Ian Smith, to introduce me, to the Leader currently running South Africa, so I could get them to do the same thing.

1st, I wanted to get Nelson Mandela out of the South Africa’s Robben Island Prison. Nelson would be in his 7 Ft x 8 Ft, Jail Cell, from 1964-1982.

Robben Island, was a small Offshore Island, at the very SW Tip of Africa, facing the Cape of Good Hope, that has f/u many a Ship. It must have been brutal in South Africa’s Winter Season, which would be in America’s Summer. The Winds must have really whipped around, getting into his 7x8 Cell, keeping him perpetually Cold.

Ian Smith was sold, soon became our #1 Ally, as he was convinced to Trust & Work with Joycee, as she would be the Point Person For Change. Everyone would use Joycee as the go-between, between all the sides. Ian appointed Clifford Dupont, to work with Joycee, representing Rhodesia.

Joycee would help Rhodesia begin to reverse the f/u Apartheid Systems of Laws & Behaviors. As Ralf, Apartheid was finally overturned in Rhodesia, in 1980. I wanted it stopped now, in 1970!

The problem was, how could the White’s turn over Power, w/o the Majority Black Population from becoming ruthless themselves, getting revenge on the Afrikaners, who were Dutch Settlers, that had come to South Africa in 1652. The British eventually took Control, & helped implement Apartheid, as the British had no problem with suppressing their Colonial Peoples over the years, especially if they were Colored.

The 3 Meikles Brothers, who had Founded Meikles, weren’t from the Netherlands though, instead, they were Scottish. The Brother’s had always obeyed Apartheid, but never liking it. The Scottish, traditionally resisted British Rule, so the Meikles Brother’s, were much more tolerant of diverse opinions.

We played Cribbage for the rest of the Night, with all openly taking my Doozies. I did use a little MindBending on Ian & Clifford, just to get him to relax & listen to me & Joycee.

We made plans to check out Victoria Falls, in the morning. The Falls were on the Border with Zambia, which was to the West of Salisbury. We’d take a Bush Plane, Landing on the level area, atop the Falls, on Rhodesia’s Side.

In the meantime, Ian Smith would arrange for a meeting with his good Friend, the President of South Africa, John Vorster, 55yo. Vorster had been President since 1966. Ian assured me, that Vorster wasn’t a bad guy, just afraid of change. I was overjoyed with our progress so far.

We spent another Night in Joycee’s Suite, but w/o Joycee, as she joined John, in his Penthouse Suite, which took up the entire Top Floor of the Hotel’s newer Tower Wing.

I was happy for Joycee & John, as it looked like my little nudge had worked. They were Holding Hands, as they said Goodnight to us.

Thur, Dec 10, 1970

Jesus Christ Superstar, Day 3 of 6, RCMH, NYC, 8pm.

The Odd Couple, ABC-TV, 9:30-10pm, Episode #11, “Felix Is Missing.”

“Come gather ‘round people where ever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
Accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone
And if your time to you is worth saving
Well you better start swimming or sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’

Come writers and critics
who prophesize with your pen
Keep your eyes wide
the change won’t come again
Don’t speak too soon
when the wheel’s still in spin
The old road is rapidly aging
And the losers now
will be later to win
‘Cause the times they are a-changin’

Come senator,
congressmen,
please heed the cause
Don’t stand in the doorway
or block up the halls
For he who gets hurt
will be he who has stalled
And the battle outside that is raging
Will soon shake your windows
and rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is Rapidly aging
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin’
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin”
—
“The Times They Are a-Changin’”
By Bob Dylan
aka Robert Zimmerman

We were Flown West, to Victoria Falls, in a Twin Otter, on big Fat Tires. Livingston, Zambia, which was named for, “Doctor Livingston, I presume?”, was just across the Falls. It was about 450 Miles, from Salisbury to the Falls, so it took 3 hours or so, with us Sightseeing along the way.

It was a beautiful Flight, as all of Rhodesia was gorgeous. When we got to the Falls, WOW, what a Wonder of Wonders The Zambezi River was wide, & the Falls were as wide. The bottom of the Falls had eroded out a huge Valley, where the River then seemed to disappear into the Soil. It did continue on though, as the Zambezi River, but at a much lower elevation, & much narrower. The Zambezi River is one of the few Rivers in Africa to Flow East or West. The Zambezi Flows East, dumping into the Indian Ocean, on the East Coast of Africa.