Diary March 31, 1960: No Base, No Talent!

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"Dear Diary--

I read two books today, and most of a third. I can probably finish it by tomorrow morning.

I made a painting in art, which I showed to Mr. Lussier along with 'Parade' and 'Trumpets in the Wind.' Alma & Tina had some too, but just circles and lines. No base, no talent! I ended the day with a creepy hour of 'The Bat.' It was different, anyway. When they unmasked the Bat there was no triumphant pause, the roll of drums, and the slow lifting of the mask. No music at all, in fact, and they picked off the mask so fast! (It was the man who had been impersonating Mr. Anderson, the stranger at the end was the real one)."

I am aghast as I read these lines I wrote so many years ago. "No base, no talent!" Ha ha ha! Whatever happened to Tina I have no idea, but Alma went on to acquire not one but two degreees in art and assemble an impressive portfolio. She's a set dresser and costumer, a member in good standing of IATSE (the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada). She's worked at Yale Repertory Theater, Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, New York Shakespeare Festival, City Stage, MIFA, etc. etc. As I type this she's in New York City, working on the movie Men in Black III. Good thing I wasn't one of her teachers, saying that to her face. I might've ruined a stellar career!