A letter to RIchard we love
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:37 pm
Richard,
I have a little story to tell you and I hope that whomever screens your mail will be gracious enough to make sure you receive it. In 1967 I was a private in the Marine Corps on my way to the NAM; in my dressed greens and lookin' bad, for a honky that is. I was walking on Sunset Strip enjoying the sights; didn't know if I would make it back alive, so I wanted to see as much as possible. Saw the Whisky A Go Go, Playboy Club, Pandora's Box and then I came upon a club called the Sea Witch. The place was packed but whoever was jammin' caught my attention. I looked out of place, you know, like tits on a bull, but I went in and there was no where to sit except for one chair by the back wall. The only problem with that; all these big ugly black dudes where sittin' around and there was no way in hell I was goin' to put my white ass on the line. There was this skinny guy sittin' there and he looked up at me gesturing for me sit down, I have to admit I didn't have the balls at first but then he smiled, got up and told me "come on man". He had a lot of questions about where I was goin' and we spoke for awhile. About a half hour later the band stopped playing an announcer came on stage and said that he wanted to introduce the hottest comedian on the planet. He said ladies and gentleman let me present Richard Pryor, well this skinny guy that I been talking to stood up; big shit eatin' grin on his face and waved to a thunderous applause. I didn't know who the hell Richard Pyror was but I did stand up and also clapped so I wouldn't look like an idiot. The skinny guy seemed to be embarrassed with so much applause going on 'cause his skin turned a rust color. After he sat down we again continued the conversation. A little while later he said that he had to leave, shook my hands with both of his and told me that he hopped I would make it back. I left the club still not knowing who Richard Pryor was but so thankful that this skinny guy took the time to offer me his companionship for a couple hours. I think you know the rest of the story, but you'll never understand how much that meeting means to me, I am certainly one of your biggest fans; ya you're funny, no doubt the funniest man I'll ever see. But forget about the funny 'cause you were the kindest man that I ever met, you gave this honky a memory that brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Richard and God Bless.
Ray
I have a little story to tell you and I hope that whomever screens your mail will be gracious enough to make sure you receive it. In 1967 I was a private in the Marine Corps on my way to the NAM; in my dressed greens and lookin' bad, for a honky that is. I was walking on Sunset Strip enjoying the sights; didn't know if I would make it back alive, so I wanted to see as much as possible. Saw the Whisky A Go Go, Playboy Club, Pandora's Box and then I came upon a club called the Sea Witch. The place was packed but whoever was jammin' caught my attention. I looked out of place, you know, like tits on a bull, but I went in and there was no where to sit except for one chair by the back wall. The only problem with that; all these big ugly black dudes where sittin' around and there was no way in hell I was goin' to put my white ass on the line. There was this skinny guy sittin' there and he looked up at me gesturing for me sit down, I have to admit I didn't have the balls at first but then he smiled, got up and told me "come on man". He had a lot of questions about where I was goin' and we spoke for awhile. About a half hour later the band stopped playing an announcer came on stage and said that he wanted to introduce the hottest comedian on the planet. He said ladies and gentleman let me present Richard Pryor, well this skinny guy that I been talking to stood up; big shit eatin' grin on his face and waved to a thunderous applause. I didn't know who the hell Richard Pyror was but I did stand up and also clapped so I wouldn't look like an idiot. The skinny guy seemed to be embarrassed with so much applause going on 'cause his skin turned a rust color. After he sat down we again continued the conversation. A little while later he said that he had to leave, shook my hands with both of his and told me that he hopped I would make it back. I left the club still not knowing who Richard Pryor was but so thankful that this skinny guy took the time to offer me his companionship for a couple hours. I think you know the rest of the story, but you'll never understand how much that meeting means to me, I am certainly one of your biggest fans; ya you're funny, no doubt the funniest man I'll ever see. But forget about the funny 'cause you were the kindest man that I ever met, you gave this honky a memory that brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Richard and God Bless.
Ray
