So, if you "read me" you might know I'm into signs and symbols and metaphors and synchronicity and harbingers and portents and all that stuff.  Recently, I've gotten into "signs" for the New Year, as I can remember to, much better now; as the years seem to come faster and faster.  But that's just life.  Life has it's happinesses and it's sadnesses.  And it didn't take long to come across the first sadness; within the first few hours of the first day of the New Year.  The tragedy in New Orleans.  I can't not address it.  And I truly pray that that is not a harbinger for the days to come.  But we must acknowledge it and hope that the fellow humans we lost--that their suffering was at the very least, brief.  And as you may have also noticed that lately I'm getting into "GIF"s (hey, better late than never); let's light a GIF candle for those who perished.  And as New Orleans and Bourbon Street are associated with Mardi Gras and that is associated with the Virgin Mary, how about a memorial candle?

So, nowadays, on the first of the New Year, I notice things.  Like birds and songs and sometimes songbirds.  This year, though, I'm going to do this in groups of 3.  That's a great, magic number.  So the first bird I saw was a downey woodpecker.  And I heard a blackcapped chickadee and finally, saw a mockingbird:

The mockingbird (far right) is about the size of a robin.  The chickadee in the middle is about the size of a sparrow and the downey woodpecker would be slightly larger than the chickadee.  Now, I'm sure that if I do some research on these birds, each of them will be fraught with meaning.  And I will do that later; but in this case, I just want to talk about the mockingbird, who can also be seen in the GIF at the top of the blog.  The mockingbird is known for two things, I think.  It's fierce protectiveness and it's amazing song.  And I will get into that.  But speaking of song...
I usually listen to a song on New Year's Day in the car.  That is, I snap on the radio and hit buttons until I hear a song and then that song will be a message about the coming year.  This year I did it in the wee hours of the morning and used a Random Song Generator on the computer.  And the first song that hit was The Bellamy Brothers "Let Your Love Flow," from 1976.  I was delighted; and I'll tell you why, after we all listen!

The other two songs are as follows; and I cheated a little.  The next two are legit rando/Uni songs, from the only two top 40 radio stations in the Roanoke area.  They are, as follows, in the order heard:

And then:

Now, "Time After Time" I think doesn't need an explanation, as to it's import.  "Hurts So Good," has quite a bit of significance to me.  When I wrote my first book, it was set in 1983--the summer, specifically--so I tried to be careful that every pop-culture reference was temporally correct.  That is, if say a song had come out in September of '83, I couldn't use it.  There's a scene in the book based on a real experience I had when I went to a "Girls Night" at a Boston gay bar, with two ladies I barely knew.  Mr. Mellencamp's song, "Crumblin' Down" came on the car radio and I recalled discussing it.  Well, in the book, I couldn't use that song because it was released in October of that year.  So, I went with "Hurts So Good," instead.  Anachronisms really bug me.  And today, I used the random generator until I found a song I loved.  It too was from the 80's.  So, bonus song for 2025?  What does it mean???

So, I keep getting commecials in front of these videos and Dr. Drew Pinsky is constantly popping up and spitting out food.  So, when did he become a douche-bro?  I used to listen to him when he was just a voice on "Loveline."  Life is odd, isn't it?
Now, the portent of the Bellamy Brothers is thus.  That song (they were kind of "one-hit-wonders") was used in the movie Little Darlings. Now, that movie is decidedly on the prurient and crude side.  However, in my humble opinion, I think it has the best performances of teens in a teen movie in The History of Teen Movies.  Maybe because they were all clearly real teens.  Kritsy McNichol, I think, gave a truly great performance in it.  Let's take a look!

"Now, you may be asking yourself: "Gee, is Christopher Reidy obsessed with teens?  Does he have a problem?"  Well, my first two books are about teenagers, so obviously, the subject is front of mind.  And I've been writing about "The B**t P**k" quite a lot lately; and we know that was full up with teens; or, rather, twenty year-olds who played teens.  A lot.  And how weird is that?  But basically, my teen experiences were as intense as anyone's I suppose; and they still resonate with me as though they happened yesterday.  Maybe that makes me weird.  But personally, I don't see it as a problem.  I try not to live in the past, but the past happened.  I don't understand people who try to dismiss it.  And look what happens so often, when we do.
But speaking of John Mellencamp-Cougar etc.  Let's watch the "Crumblin' Down" video (I managed to get a whole thing about this song in my second book!),  I think this is the archetypal moment of "Dance Like No One Is Watching."

Well, I guess that's it.
One last thing.  I want to look up the symbolic meaning of the mockingbird.  Please hold...

Well, the first three descriptors for the mockingbird that popped up were: INNOCENCE, BEAUTY AND HARMLESSNESS.
The mockingbird hardly seems "innocent."  They are firece and agressive.  But perhaps they are protecting some basic truths.  And beauty is true.  They will often sing for no other reason than for singing's sake.  For the beauty of it.  They are the one bird that will sing in the dead of night.  Have you heard that?  It's spooky.  It has a kind of terrifying beauty.  And I don't think science really has a good explanation for it.
"Harmlessness."  That's an interesting word.  I think bravery should be one too.  I mean, that mockingbird at the top is standing its ground with a hawk that is like ten times bigger than it is.  It won't back down, either.  It's speaking truth to power, even though that "power" seems immovable.  And interestingly, I think that one thing the past has shown us, is that power is most decidedly not immovable.  In time.  Time after time.  In time it all comes crumblin' down, doesn't it?
Happy 2025.  Stay safe out there.

I don't even want to know what that means.
Which brings us back to John Hughes.  But first I wanted to query you...
Query, away!
Did you know that you sent me a message that was simultaneously from the future and the past?
I haven't really been keeping track of Earthly matters.  But do tell.
Well, this one time I found a book of your reviews at a thrift store and I bought it.  When I got it home, I found a signed message to "Chris" in the book.  I took it as a sign!
​May I see?
Well, no...you see, I went to look for it in my studio; so, of course as I'm rearranging everything, it's the one thing I can't find.  But Nothing Is Lost In Christian Science (says it aloud, three times).
Well, perhaps you can paraphrase?
Sure.  I think it says: "Chris, good luck in film school."  -Roger Ebert.
Well, obviously you're not the "Chris" I signed it for.
Are you sure about that?
Did you have good luck in film school?
Actually, I kinda did.  I mean, I went into debt paying for supplies and a lot of the rest of my college experience was--well, that's for another blog.  But in the actual film school I did quite well, grades-wise and several professors I really admired really liked my work.  Of course, all the technology I learned on is now like, laughably outdated.  But I can load a reel of 16mm film into a Bolex camera inside a black-bag!
You never told me what you think of Beyond the Valley.
Well, it was an experience.  It's fun, for the most part.  But Russ Meyers is so extra, it's a bit headache inducing.  And I absolutely hate the editing and a lot of the framing.  And I could've lived without the gun in the woman's mouth part.
Me too.  But in my defense, that's what he wanted.  And he wanted a lot and wouldn't cut anything; so I crammed in everything as best as I could.  
I liked that it had quite a bit of homoeroticism.  Sometimes I think Mr. Meyers was overcompensating in the breast department, know what I mean?
I do.  John Waters is a huge fan of Mr. Meyers work as well.  So tell me, speaking of homoeroticism; do you think making the males in Pretty In Pink polyamorous is the way to go?
Well, it is for me.  Let's check out this scene at the Cats Club, which is, in fact, the name of the club in the movie:

​INT. CATS BAR -NIGHT
It's hump day.  No, not Wednesday. Thursday.  "Leather Night" at Cats, which means it's gay night.  The bar is packed with men of all stripes.  Many in full leather get-ups to make Tom of Finland blush.  Tight jeans.  Chaps with no jeans.  A lot of shirtless guys. A dance floor. A pool table.  Duckie pushes slowly through the crowd, towards the bar.  He's in tight Levi's, engineer boots and a Schott leather jacket.  He's wearing a small black eye mask, kind of like The Boy Wonder's with his trademark glasses on top of that.  The BARTENDER approaches him and looks at him expectantly.  Duckie nervously clears his throat.
DUCKIE
Juice box, straight up.
BARTENDER
I don't have juice boxes.
DUCKIE
Club soda with a twist.
The bartender rolls his eyes and makes the drink. Duckie hands him a dollar.
DUCKIE
Keep the change.
He leans back on the bar, removes his sunglasses and watches the goings-ons as driving music plays over the scene: Judas Priest's "You've Got Another Thing Coming."

CUT TO:
INT. LEATHER BAR -NIGHT
Duckie's POV.  
The sole lamp hanging above the pool table illuminates it like a Hopper painting.  One of the POOL PLAYERS leans far across the table for a difficult shot.  The man is well built and knows it apparently; as he is wearing nothing but a jock strap and chaps, which as we can only see his back side, we and Duckie can really see his backside,  He easily sinks the shot and resumes his stance.  He turns and starts conversing with a SECOND LEATHER MAN.
REVERSE on Duckie as a look of recognition crosses his face.  He quickly puts his shades back on.  The camera closes on the first pool player and we see that it is Coach Harris.  Harris puts a friendly arm around the other man, who is dressed in tight, black leather pants, knee-high, motorcycle-cop boots and a black leather vest.
DUCKIE
(To himself) ...and Mr. Byron?
The other man is Duckie's English teacher, Mr. Byron, who we've already met, when he was wearing tweed pants and a Fair Isles sweater-vest.  Actually, he still appears to be wearing a vest, what with all that dark chest hair. The two men kiss and it's not just a peck on the cheek. Duckie is beside himself and inexorably drawn towards the pool table.

So, what do you think so far Mr. Ebert?
I don't know...outtakes from Cruising?
No.  That movie presented the leather scene as something akin to the nine circles of Hell.  I want this to play "fun."
I just gotta ask a few things.
Shoot!
So, Duckie is seventeen and he's in a bar that serves alcohol?
Well, he's a senior in hight school, so he could very well be 18; as I was during the last five or so months of my senior year.  And he might easily have snuck in or gotten in with a fake ID.  Or maybe the drinking age in Elgin, Illinois in 1985 was 18...?
Probably not.  And would a Chicago suburb really have sustained a gay bar that would be that crowded?
That's a good question.  Probably not.  Maybe "Cats" bar is in the city.
Elgin is a forty-five minute drive from Chicago.
Well, we gotta blame Hughes for this.  I always thought the kids in that movie having a nightclub to hang out in was a bit of a stretch.  And I never felt like they were in the Chicago area, which I guess they were supposed to be.  I mean, if it's the tail end of their senior year, wouldn't it be freezing cold in the Chicago area?
Frozen solid until about late May.  Let's continue.
Right Rog!
Mr. Ebert.
Sorry.

CUT TO:
INT. LEATHER BAR -NIGHT
Duckie moves towards the pool table and takes a position behind Msr. Harris and Byron, and leans against a drink rail.

Oh, Mr. Ebert, do you mind if we do a quick casting sesh for these two characters?
Okay; but I'm a little behind on the current crop of "hot" actors.
No worries.  You can just appraise them on their hotness!
I'd rather not.
Really?
Fine.
So, I've already nominated James Wolk as Coach Harris.

Mr. Payne, seen second from right--no, left.

Okay. Moving on.  Duckie has spotted his gym teacher and English teacher under decidedly extra-curricular circumstances.  And as he's incognito, he feels emboldened.

CUT TO:
INT. LEATHER BAR -NIGHT 
Duckie reaches in his pocket and pulls out a quarter and strides over to the table.  He conspicuously slaps down his quarter on the corner of the table and hangs back.  He retrieves a pool cue from the rack and suggestively chalks the tip.

Why am I picturing Jerry Lewis?
I know.  I am too.
What would Paul Verhoeven do?
Well, he'd probably do something like this:

Mr. Byron sinks his ball and when Coach Harris moves to take his shot, Duckie leans over the table so far that his butt is protruding provocatively ceilingward.
DUCKIE
(Looking up at Harris)  I can't seem to reach the balls from this angle.

​How about Lewis Tan as Mr. Byron?
Works for me.
He will give you armpit!
Apparently.
And so will I, when I sing the praises of the armpit in an upcoming blog.
I'm looking forward to it?

INT. LEATHER BAR -NIGHT
(CONTINUED)
Mr. Byron
Maybe I can help...
He flips his pool cue and slides the wide end between Duckie's legs.  Duckie jumps forward and finds himself on all fours on the red felt.  Coach Harris walks to the edge of the pool table and puts his hands on Duckie's shoulders and pushes his head down as Mr. Byron reaches in Duckie's back pocket and finds his fake ID and peers at it.  INSERT SHOT of ID.  It's Duckie's picture, but the name is "Alfred Manoogian" and the D.O.B. is 12/19/1950.
MR. BYRON
From this angle, Alfred, you look more like an Aries...
He hands the ID to Harris and then grabs the seat of Duckie's jeans and unceremoniously rips--*
Chris, I think this is may be turning into your high school fantasy.  Isn't Blane supposed to be in this scene?
Oh, he's watching from the shadows.
I think this is, perhaps, getting away from you.
You're right. And that's why you have a Pulitzer. I'm gonna do the scene as it might "realistically" play out, if this scenario had transpried in 1985/86 and basing it on the canon of the original screenplay as well.
That's probably best.
I guess this is going to go into an 8th blog.
You take as many blogs as you need, Chris.  And I'll check in later.
Where are you going?
I'm meeting Gene Siskel for a matinee.
Oh...a matinee, huh...(CLICKS his tongue).
A movie.  Saturday Night Fever.  It was his favorite.
Whodathunkit?
I know.  I don't get it either. Ciao!

Okay, before this gets too pervy; let's get back to our scenes.  We left off with Blane confronting Steff about asking Andie to the prom...

INT. BOYS LOCKER ROOM -DAY
Duckie is sitting on the bench between the rows of lockers in his gym clothes.  He takes off his t-shirt and wipes his armpits and sniffs the shirt and shrugs.  Boys in various states of undress are coming from or heading to the showers.  Blane turns the corner and stops short when he sees Duckie.  He knows Duckie is Andie's friend and he knows Duckie doesn't like him.  But he tries anyways, as he opens his locker.
BLANE
(To Duckie)  Hey...
DUCKIE
Hey.
BLANE
You're really good with the b-ball.
DUCKIE
You mean the basket ball?
BLANE
Yeah.  Couple of times it was nothing but net, man.
DUCKIE
Does that surprise you?
BLANE
I--well, no. I just meant that--
DUCKIE
Look. Please don't try to be nice to me.  It won't work.
Duckie rises from the bench and takes his shorts off.  He's standing there in a jock and Chuck Taylors.  Blane looks at him a little longer than he should; and now he really is suprised.  Duckie is usually under twenty layers of clothing. Who knew "all that" was under there?  Blane looks away.
BLANE
Sorry.  I'll just shut up.
Two boys come into the space.  They are perfect physical specimens with even more perfect hair.  The first boy, ALAN, 17 sits.
ALAN
Hey Blane.
BLANE
Hi.
The second boy, JOSH, 17 opens his locker and looks at himself in the mirror.
JOSH
(To Alan) You have chem with Steff, right?
ALAN
Yeah, fifth period.
JOSH
I heard he asked that girl to the prom; the one who's always in the crazy dresses and funky hats...
ALAN
Yeah, she's his partner.  She's quiet but she's actually really cute.  What's her name?
JOSH
Sandy or Candy or something?
Blane and Duckie exchange a glance.  Blane storms off.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM SHOWER AREA -DAY
Blane, still dressed, comes charging into the area, his head turning left and right.  He spots Steff in the showers and rushes towards him.  Steff is talking to another BOY who montions towards Blane.  Steff turns and looks Blane up and down.
STEFF
(Smiling, not understanding) Hey Blane.  You know, most people usually do this part in their birthday suit.
BLANE
Did you ask Andie Walsh to the prom?
STEFF
Blane, this isn't really the time or place--
BLANE
Just answer the question.
STEFF
Yes.  Yes I did.  Benny has--
BLANE
I don't care about Benny.  Why?  Why did you ask Andie?
STEFF
Well, not that it's your business; but she hasn't given me an answer--
BLANE
But it is my goddamn business Steff.  I told you I liked her.
STEFF
Well, if we waited for you to make a move, Hamlet, she'd be a sophomore in college.
He LAUGHS and some of the other boys join him.
STEFF
(To Blane) You're all wet my friend.
BLANE
You're not my friend.
Blane pushes Steff agressively, and stands his ground.  Steff has placed the final straw in their relationship and knows it; and knows Blane wants a fight.  Steff assumes a boxing stance.
STEFF
Blane, you know I'm the club champ.  You don't want to do this.
Blane doesn't answer and charges at Steff, nearly taking him down.  CRIES of "A FIGHT!"  "FIGHT" and the SHOUTS of excited boys ring out through the locker room.  Duckie, now dressed, looks up and sees other boys running towards the showers.  He drops his book bag and goes to see.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOWERS -DAY
Blane is a lover, not a fighter and he's really no match for Steff.  Steff is more or less holding him off. but he's also on a tile floor with running water, and is thusly more concerned with not falling.  He pushes Blane who reels backwards and slips.  He goes down.  Steff stands over him and offers him a hand up but Blane, now as much emabarrassed as enraged, lunges for Steffs legs.  Steff goes down and Blane stradles him, getting in several blows, enough to draw blood.  
STEFF
Thanks Blane, now I'm gonna get athlete's foot of the ass.
Blane gets in another punch.  Steff is over it.  He pushes Blane off and his pals help him up.  Blane comes at him again and this time Steff puts an end to it with a precise left hook.  Blane falls backwards dazed, nearly cracking his head on the floor.  
ALAN
Here comes Coach!
Once the boys hear this, most of them go scampering back to their lockers.  Steff tries one last time to make amends.
STEFF
Is this settled?
Blane doesn't answer.  Steff strides off.  Blane, now soaked to the skin, GROANS.  Maybe he's really hurt.  Duckie goes into the shower and kneels next to Blane.
DUCKIE
Are you okay?
BLANE
Kay-oh'd maybe...
Duckie helps him to his feet as the ATHLETIC COACH comes into the area.  He is COACH HARRIS, 40ish.
COACH HARRIS
What the hell is this?
Boys are milling around.  Nobody speaks.  The coach turns to Steff, who is toweling off like nothing happened.
COACH HARRIS
(To Steff)  I know you had something to do with this, McKee.
STEFF
You would be wrong coach.
COACH HARRIS
Then why is your nose bleeding?
Steff touches his finger to his nostril and looks at the blood.  He shrugs.
STEFF
The air is really dry in here?
COACH HARRIS
The three of you get dressed and come to my office.
He shakes his head and walks off.  The three boys look at one another.
CUT TO:
INT. COACH HARRIS' OFFICE -DAY
Steff, Blane and Duckie, looking like three bedgraggled hunting dogs are standing in front of Harris' desk.
COACH HARRIS
Who started it?
He is met with silence.
COACH
I'd put money on it that it was you, McKee.  And McDonagh why are you even here?  Why did you decide not to skip class today?  
BLANE
I--
COACH
Your father may have the electrical contract for this school; but this is the last time I'm looking the other way.  I have a good mind to--
DUCKIE
It was me Coach.  I started the fight.
Coach Harris looks at him, incredulous.
COACH
​You really expect me to believe that, Dale?

How about James Wolk as "Coach Harris"?  I know he'd get me to P.E.!  Perfect attendance.  Extra Credit even.  Did somebody say "ball boy."  Stop.  Stop, Chris.

DUCKIE
Well, he said I was staring at his body and called me "queer."
Harris considers this a moment and looks at Steff.
STEFF
("Taking the win") I never used that word, Sir; but he was staring at me...(gestures to his personhood)...I mean, come on, right?
Steff takes his cigarettes out and puts one between his lips.  The coach stands and steps in front of Steff.  Steff offers him a smoke and matches. With amazing speed, Harris decigarettes Steff and tosses them on his desk.  He turns to Blane.
COACH HARRIS
And how were you involved in this?
STEFF
Blane came to my defense when Luckie here tried to touch me in my bathing suit area.
The coach looks from one to the other.  He doesn't even want to know if any of it's true. He SIGHS.
COACH
McDonagh, McKee,  if either of you infracts one more rule, there will be repercussions.  And it looks like you're actually going to be issued a cap and gown this year Mr. McKee.  Congratulations.
STEFF
Thank you, from the bottom of--
COACH
Get out.  Both of you. Philip stay.
Blane and Steff leave.  Coach turns to Duckie.
COACH
Is any of this true?
DUCKIE
Yeah.  It happened.
COACH
Uh-huh.  By the way; why didn't I know you were so good at basket ball?  You could've--
DUCKIE
You never asked.
COACH
(SIGHS again)  Go.  And close the door.
Duckie leaves, closing the door.  Coach looks down, considers, picks up the cigarette and lights it.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM -DAY
Duckie is zipping up his book bag.  Blane steps around a locker.  They are alone.
BLANE
Thanks for that.  I owe you one.
DUCKIE
Really?
BLANE
Yeah.
DUCKIE
Then stay away from Andie.
BLANE
Come on, that's not fair--
Duckie pushes past him. Blane stops him with a hand on the shoulder.
BLANE
Can we talk about it?
DUCKIE
(Considers)  Yeah.  Meet me tonight at Cats.*
BLANE
When?
DUCKIE
Midnight.  Or do you have a curfew?
Duckie jerks his shoulder away and is gone.  But he's forgotten a book.  Blane picks it up from the bottm of the locker.  It's a small journal, decorated with band stickers: The Smiths, Pretenders, The Cure etc.  The hand written title reads: POEMS/LYRICS.  Blane slips it into his jacket pocket and heads out.

*The club in the movie is not named in the script I read.  It's just called "Club."  In the finished film, I'm pretty sure there is a sign above the door that says "Cats" or "Cat Club" or something like that.  I'll have to look at the movie again.