Decca, p.36
Decca, page 36
Dearest old Donk, you are so nice to be a good writer. Do write again soon…. Lots and lots of love from all of us,
Dec
To Virginia Durr
Oakland
October 6, 1960
Dearest Va,
…We’re moving. For some time we’ve been realizing that now the children are growing up, we need more space. After the termite thing, we found another, terrifically nice and much larger house, close to this neighborhood. The real estate person is a friend of Bob’s, and has been scouting possible houses for us; found out that the seller, a certain Mr. Barros, was planning to move eventually. The house wasn’t on the market, so we were the only prospects. We went around, liked the house very much, and Mr. B. was there—said significantly (I thought) “What’s the name? Treuhaft? How do you spell it?”; I mentioned to the real estate lady that I betted he was thinking we were fronting for Negro buyers; she pooh-poohed the idea, said I was reading things into his questions. Since she is married to a Negro, I assumed for the moment that she would be normally more sensitive about such things than I. How wrong I (and she) were.
Next thing, wanting to avoid another hopeless termite situation, we went back, this time accompanied by an architect to tell us what condition the house was in. He did, said exceptionally good, so we put down an offer. The offer was accepted, with a number of annoying provisos: one, that we couldn’t get occupancy till next June (because the seller, Mr. Barros, figured it would take him that long to find the lot of his choice and build), two, that he wouldn’t sign the accepted offer until Oct. 15—for the same reason as #1. Are you with me? Because all these boring preliminaries are necessary in order to understand subsequent developments.
Forgot to say, Mr. Barros also asked significantly for the name of the architect. I at this point mentioned to the Real Estate lady that I was sure he feared we were fronting for Negro buyers; and that perhaps we should line up some exceptionally white people to front for us. Again, she pooh-poohed.
So, the legal status is now that described above. No real contract, all depends on what HE decides (Mr. Barros) as of Oct. 15.
Then the architect calls us. Says Mr. Barros has called him, to ask whether in his opinion we are really planning to occupy the house, or to turn around and sell to Negroes. Bob and I flipped—over-reacted, possibly, we were damned annoyed at the whole way this thing had been developing. So we called the Real Estate lady, and told her the whole deal was off. Almost 5 minutes later, Barros called the real estate lady to say he wanted now to close the deal, as he had found the lot he wanted, was counting on the cash from sale of his house to buy it. So he was told the sad news; that his behaviour had made it impossible for us to buy the house at all. Next thing, he called Bob (with the explanation that he didn’t want to cause a “situation” in the neighborhood). Bob gave him a terrific tongue lashing, said he couldn’t do business with such as Barros, couldn’t let him occupy OUR house until June as he would contaminate it, by his presence. Barros called back, asked “under what conditions WOULD you complete the purchase of the house?”; Bob answered, only if you get out right away. So Barros is getting out right away, and we are getting the house. There was quite a bit more to it; but the main (corny) point that we drove home to Barros, is that Crime Does Not Pay. Because now he’s going to have to rent a house for his family, fearful expense, between now and June.
Eventually, after the whole thing was legally a water-tight contract, we went round to give Barros hell. Turned out to be one of those rather awful, seemingly innocuous types, who “only wants not to cause troubles and rows.” Catholic. Five small daughters who he wouldn’t want to marry a etc. etc. So we told him he is a bad Catholic, and a few other things; he almost seemed to agree. So we are moving in, shortly.
It’s a lovely house, much nicer than any heretofore. Special little room for my writing things, so they won’t overflow the living room, and v. nice living room, dining room, kitchen etc. Also, masses of rooms, and a huge attic….
Dreading the move, that is all the packing etc. But longing to be in the new house.89
Fondest love, Decca
To Constancia Romilly
Oakland
December 1, 1960
Darling Dinkdonk.
I can’t understand why you never write. Are you OK? Please, please let us know
Here, we are very much occupied with the new house. Various crises: the sale of this house fell through (because the buyer was laid off from her civil service job) and fell back non-through again (because she got the job back) thank goodness. … I am heard these days saying quite naturally things like “water-soluble paint” and “vinyl is more durable than linoleum.” …
I was at the PTA board meeting today, oh dear. To liven things up a bit, I suggested—or rather, made a motion—that we should send a letter of support and encouragement to the 2 white people in New Orleans sending their kids to the Frantz school.90 I brought the front page of Chronicle with picture of screaming mobs etc. So, usual thing; absolutely no soap because “the district” would have to approve. I changed my motion to direct the suggestion to the district; failed for lack of second. Enough to feed one up, don’t you think?…
Your loving Mother
To Constancia Romilly
Oakland
February 1, 1961
My Darling Dinkdonk,
I’ve been terribly remiss about writing, and am awfully sorry…. I think I dimly see the light on the direction of the bloody article; but never have I had such trouble with anything…
I was on a TV program the other day, called What Kind of Funeral For You? On Profile Bay Area.91 It was great fun. There were two gloomy ghouls from the Funeral industry, a great mound of blubber called Mr. Brown who is a funeral director and (get this) the dean of the local embalming college! On our side, Rev. Bartlett (Unitarian type)92 and me. I think we won. Pele came along to put on me eyes (eyebrow pencil, eye shadow etc) and Benj came. I asked him which was prettiest, me or Mr. Brown, and he gave the right answer for a change. I flashed pix from Mortuary Management, and read bits from same on some of the gorier practices. There was a full-scale write-up in O’Flaherty’s column.93 …
Fondest love and lots of kisses, Decca
To Constancia Romilly
Oakland
February 4, 1961
Darling Dinkdonk,
More mental telepathy—yr. letter and postcard crossed mine. Your letter was simply marvellous, v. interesting…. My impression in these parts is that the students are about now coming up with a bang against forces they hardly knew existed, let alone knew the strength of—FBI etc.94 How they’ll react is an interesting question. The thing that’s now under hot discussion is, should they issue a non-Communist disclaimer? Arguments for: they are non-Communist, they disagree with CP tactics and the way it is organized etc. Arguments against: it will weaken the free-speech fight by unnecessarily capitulating to pressure. (Needless to say, I’m for the latter position.) …
Goodbye dear. Must get back to my morne95 work. I shall be giving you a hit with the telephone as the Fr. say on yr. birthday, so be there; I’ll keep trying till I reach you. Be thinking of something to say, and so will I. (“How are you dear?”; “Fine.” “How’s the weather?”; “Freezing.” That sort of thing.)
Your loving Decca
To Constancia Romilly
Oakland
February 10, 1961
Darling Dinkdonk,
It was lovely chatting with you. Didn’t you think I did a bit better this time? I was most delighted to hear of the good work you’re doing, and you did sound all cheerful and Donklike. I’m a bit more cheerful, too, as me article is ploughing out of the doldrums…
Dear I got a letter from my mother enclosing a huge bill for repairs to the Isle (jetty etc). It says in part, “Laying concrete floor. Forming steps to laundry. Picking and pointing at Piggery.” Are you roaring? I think I’ll write back and say I’m not sure I want my piggery picked and pointed at….
A Satevepost man96 is in town, he’s going to do an article on Bob’s funeral thing—based on my TV program! Sort of odd Mitford pursuits or some such. We’ve had a couple of meetings with him, and he got an OK from the Post to go ahead. As a result of the program, and O’Flaherty’s columns (he did two, the one I sent you and another) the funeral co-op is simply booming, they got 93 letters in one day, are averaging about 80 a day, and masses of new memberships. Bob’s delighted. I’m longing to see if Mortuary Management comes out with some blasts—oh dear do you think we’ve driven them underground?…
Well dear I must dash along. Do write dear. Are you a little bit older?97
Your loving Mother
To Robert Treuhaft
New York
April 25, 1961
Darling old Bob,
…Yesterday, went with Edith to get a pair of comfortable Beck shoes. Cab driver, on being asked to go to a shoe shop, immediately volunteered fact that his wife wears size 9 ¼A, and his 14-year old daughter size 9. His wife is 5’8, and the 14-year old is 5′6″. Since it was only a few blocks drive, that’s about all he had time for—but you must admit, not everywhere would one be able to get such information thrown in with 450 cab fare. I think they see me coming.
Aranka seems fine. Had break. with her Sunday, am checking into the shop daily between appointments. Told them all the ash-scattering bit, Mr. R——’s ashes and the odd procession to Sacramento, and they all absolutely split sides. I mean absolute gales of laughter rang. Aranka says if we put her through the coffee grinder she will haunt us through eternity.98 …
One would have to practically dictate into a tape recorder to keep up with pace of things, letters hardly do it. …
Had lunch with Candida99 and Harold Hayes, feature ed. of Esquire. Status is now as follows: Lovell Thompson100 wrote a charming, amusing, flattering letter to Candida, the actual upshot of which is that he does not think much of the idea of the book, just as he told me. According to C., she has spoken to some other publishers who think it is a dandy idea. This doesn’t worry me anyway, as I don’t blame Lovell, one will only be able to tell whether or not [his judgment is] valid after the trip and after some writing has been done. However, Mr. Hays (young, 3 years out of Harvard, a North Carolinian) is mad for the idea, thanks mainly to YOU—the thing that hooked him was your phrase, U-All and Non- U-All. So, he wants about a 20 page article, to be done as soon as I get home!! He’s getting some intros. together for me. Spoke to Dave Scherman101 today, trying to arrange dinner with them tonight … and HE was mad about the book idea—and wants to do a pic. story in Life based on it. If either one of these possibilities come off, ‘twill pay for the trip at least. NY is so extraorder…
Today’s cab driver had a nail clear into his foot, was laid up quite a while and is just back to work. You can’t be too careful about these things as they are apt to turn very, very nasty, and if it weren’t for the new drugs, where might he be today? …
Wednesday: Having lunch later with the Lifeslady re. the $500 article.102 I’m really scared about that article, have very few ideas for it; but obviously must have a crack at it. They tell me contract is in mail. Ask Marge if she can think of any bright and jolly incidents for it. Also if she can think of any jokes about Yellowstone Park and/or the Grand Canyon as they are going to make me do those, too, and of course I’ve never even been to either place.…
Goodbye darling, keep writing. Fondest love to you and Benj,
Dec
To Robert Treuhaft
New York
April 28, 1961
Darling old Bob,
Just taking out a few minutes from writing my article for Overseas Life Mag. to send you the following article about writing an article for Overseas Life Mag.103
I never did give you all details on how it came about. Pat McManus104 arranged a dinner with “our little gang” at H-M. Met said little gang…. With them, downing martinis at a great rate, was somebody called Iola Haverstick—just tagging along for a drink, about to take off. Everyone said do stay for dinner, so she did. Due to martinis, and perhaps personality, she gave me a good deal of gratuitous advice about me South book; it mainly consisted of repeating at regular intervals, “Have fun with it. I mean, have great fun with it.” Pat at one point happened to mention our last year’s drive across country, dinner at Detroit, etc., which convulsed Iola. That was about all for that, because after dinner we dispersed; till next day, the call about the article, which you know about.
Day before yesterday, had lunch with Iola to discuss article. She wasn’t too specific, but did say I should have fun with it. This, I rather unhappily agreed to try to do. Her job is Research Lade105 for the whole U.S. Tourismo issue they are doing, so she promised to send me some interesting stuff that might be useful: I suggested ads. about motels, specific info. about the Howard Johnson chain, possibly, if she could get it, a glossary of English/U.S. automobile language (which I once saw, issued by an auto club)…
This morning, very early (six-ish) was awakened by special del. letter. Proved to be me research material from Iola, consisting of 1 (one) Esso road map of the U.S., and a letter which said in part: “Be sure and let go and have as much fun with it as you can.”
Decided to do a bit of research on me own. Called Howard Johnson’s NY office (feeling rather grand) and said, “I’m doing an article for LIFE Overseas Edition” (by the way, I still don’t know if that’s the right name for it, or if it’s Foreign Edition or Continental Edition—I had asked Iola, but she wasn’t sure either) “and would so much like to bring in the Howard Johnson restaurants.” I then outlined certain things I’d like: Menu, how many H-J’s there are, when built, a list of all the facilities they offer, etc. etc. Memory refreshers, so I won’t say “Jumbo New Orleans Shrimps” when it should be “Extra Sweet Double Fried Jumbo New Orleans Shrimps.” The lady there said they don’t give out any such information from the New York office and that I should contact their publicity director in Boston. His name is Mr. Robert Parks. I was pretty amazed, but called Mr. P anyway, as all on me new-found LIFE account. He wasn’t there, but Miss Solomon was. Outlined to her the same request, giving same credentials. She rather unresponsively responded, “When will this story appear?”; I said I had no idea; why did she want to know? She answered (honestly, I am not kidding) “For reasons that cannot be disclosed.” Trying to get back on even keel, I reiterated that all I was asking for was a menu and a couple of things I could easily get by just getting them, but I didn’t have time to be dashing off on freeways to out-of-town Howard Johnson’s. She said she would call me back after consulting Mr. Robert Parks, but that meanwhile, I should find out date the story would appear.
I settled down to other aspects of the article, and a few hours later Miss Solomon called back. Her first words: “Did you find out what date the article will appear?”; I said coldly, “No. It will probably never appear. How about my menu?”; She softened up a bit at that point and said, “Well the real fact is, we can’t give out any publicity material whatsoever for any article that might appear before June 1st, because Howard Johnson’s is going on the stock market on that date.” Utter confusion. I said, “But—I thought I was talking to the Howard Johnson’s that’s a chain of restaurants. What could that have to do with the stock market?”; She said something about stock now privately owned, some shares about to be released—I didn’t really get it. I asked if the restaurants were being auctioned, but apparently not. So, since I hadn’t found out the date the article would appear, by mutual consent we rang off…
Later, Iola called me back. I didn’t want her to think I was having too much fun, for fear they’d cut my wages, so merely told her I had been unable to secure Howard Johnson menu. She said, “Oh there’s a Howard Johnson’s right across the street. I’ll send one of our messengers for it, and he’ll bring it right up to you.” At dinner time, messenger arrived—with menu from Howard Johnson’s, but the wrong one. Not a word about the clam rolls etc—different set-up entirely. Iola sent covering note saying, “This isn’t much help, I know. It comes from the store across the street. However, I have been in touch with a man in Wollaston, Mass., and hope that I can get some or all of the things you want sent to you. Will call Monday. Best, Iola. ps. I think they are the supidest bunch I have ever dealt with.” Supidest spelt as I gave it. I have all the originals of these, old Bob, and am filing them for yr. edification. Only wish I had transcript of phone calls.
Have fun, Decca
To Robert Treuhaft
New York
May 1, 1961
Darling Bob,
I worked hard, and miserably, all weekend, since last in touch…. The rudiments of an East Coast committee formed by magic. By Monday morning, it did look much better. Took me hours to type it all neatly, then, by 12:30 I was down at Life, and tremblingly gave it to Miss Saint. She said they would call me back by 3. Went over and had lunch with Aranka, got home a little before 3. By 3:05 I could almost hear them (the Life editors) talking over how to break the news that it was n.g.106 They didn’t actually call till 3:10; then ‘twas glorious Mr. Whipple, saying they loved it. Would I have any objections to very minor word changes here and there? And if they left out the bit about long-distance telephoning? (I knew they would but Dave S.107 made me put it in, including Checkbookunderseat.) Mr. W. loved the telephoning bit and kept asking just how it’s done, but for policy reasons….108
