THE GROUP

 

THE GROUP

 

They would get together every night during the long hot summer in New York City. They met on the roof on the top of a six-story tenement on the upper west side; 109 W. 97^th Street, a block or so away from Central Park.

The size of the group varied from six to ten people. They were mostly actors, working at odd jobs (waiting on tables was the number one choice), waiting for the big break they were sure would come. They were all young, attractive and driven. Making it on Broadway or in Hollywood was their main goal in life.

Lola Wigge was a freckled-faced, strawberry blond from Boise, Idaho. She possessed an incredible body, honed on her parent’s cattle ranch.

Austin Swift (real name Arnold Dershowitz) was a New York native from Fort Tryon in the Bronx. He was tall, skinny and, at twenty-three, shaved only once a week.

London Pugh hailed from Butte, Montana. He was expected to follow in the family business, raising buffalos. Instead he studied art history and was presently the resident expert at a mid-town art gallery.

Dr. Celeste Fontenac was a pediatric cancer surgeon at the Sloan-Kettering facility.

Josiah Johnson was a professional football player for the New York Jets at six-foot-four-inches tall. He weighed three-hundred-forty-five pounds. A severe knee injury ended his career.

Minnah Thornberry was employed at the MOMA as a ticket-seller.

The diversity of the group was astounding. The sole common denominator was the fact they all resided at the same address. Before the pandemic, they hardly spoke, just an occasional nod as they passed in the foyer or picked up their mail or rode in the elevator.

Covid-19 got them together. They fast became good friends, finally getting quite devoted to each other. Their gab-session lasted longer and longer, sometimes lasting into the wee morning hours. They each discovered that they share a great deal in common.

Once the viral threat abated, each member of the group went his or her separate way.

Lola pursued an acting career. She auditioned for several roles, but the best she could do was a commercial gig, selling hemorrhoid cream.

Austin graduated NYU, continuing to Columbia Law School, where he graduated at the top of his class. He became the lawyer for the Gaetti

Crime family. One day he disappeared. His body was found lying face down in the Central Park reservoir. The crime was never solved.

London made an incredible discovery at the art gallery. He found an original Monet, believed lost to the Nazis in WWII. He is still at the gallery, but now owns it.

Dr. Fontenac discovered a new drug that was successful treating childhood leukemia. She won a Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Josiah finished his career, before the injury, with two Super Bowl rings and three rewards for most valuable plyer. He, his wife and three kids currently reside in West Orange, New Jersey, where he is the line coach at West Orange High School.

Minnah met a man while selling tickets. They hit it off and eventually married and had two children. Minnah still works at MOMA.

Ten years later, London emailed each member of the group, proposing a reunion.

He received no replies…