Date with Sally

We were to meet with Sally around two o’clock under the clock at the Biltmore. Before our date I went to Broadway and bought two tickets for I Know My Love. I was pretty sure that Sally would love it. I was a bit earlier under the clock at the Biltmore so I sat down on one of those leather couches. When I finally saw Sally she seemed to be such a beautiful girl that I decided to marry her. I know, I’m crazy. After we greeted we got a cab and went to the theater. I told her we were going to see The Lunts and of course, as I had told you she was amazed. The show wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. When the first act ended we went with other people for a cigarette. Suddenly Sally noticed a guy and said she knew him. That wasn’t something unusual because Sally always knew somebody when we were out. The boy was standing on the other side of the lobby next to the wall, smoking cigarette. When he saw Sally he came over to say hello. His name was George. Sally and this George started talking about friends they both knew. They were talking and talking. Nothing changed when the second act was over. When the play ended I thought he would go with us as he was fallowing us. He didn’t even care that I had invited Sally for that stupid play and it was my date! Finally when we were alone in a cab I really hated her. I didn’t feel like going anywhere else with her that night. All of a sudden Sally asked me if we could go ice- skating at Radio City. I agreed. We rented skates and then went on ice. To be honest we were the worst skaters on the whole rink. Other people were looking at us which was pretty annoying. Then we decided to go to a bar and drink something. We had a weird conversation about life, education and school. While we were talking I said a curse. I don’t usually say crude things to girls and I was aware of the fact that I shouldn’t have told her such rude things. I apologized like a madman. She didn’t accept it and she was even crying. That situation was pretty funny for me, so I started laughing. That made Sally madder than before. She kept on telling me to leave her alone. So finally I did and left the Radio City. I didn’t know why I had started all that stuff with her. 

'Sallly' author: Alicja Cwalina

Nuns

It was the day after I left Pencey. I didn’t sleep very long. When I woke up it was about ten o’clock. I didn’t have any plans so far so I decided to call Sally Hayes. After I had made the date with her I left the hotel. I was pretty hungry so I got a cab outside the hotel and went to Grand Central Station to leave my bags in one of those strong boxes. Then I went into the sandwich bar and had a very large breakfast which consisted of orange juice, bacon, eggs, toast and of course coffee. I’m a very skinny person and I don’t usually eat that much. While I was eating eggs two nuns came in. They sat next to me. I guessed they were waiting for a train to move to another convent. Both of them had inexpensive- looking suitcases. I know it doesn’t matter if one’s luggage isn’t leather or just new, but to be honest I hate people with old and cheap suitcases! The nun who was sitting next to me had a straw basket. I asked her if she was collecting money for poor people or charities. She said that no and she had this basket only because when she was packing she couldn’t get it in her suitcase. I decided to make a small contribution in case they were taking up a collection. The nun next to me smiled and was very grateful. The second nun was reading a small black book and drinking coffee. First I thought it was a Bible, but then I figured out that it was too thin. Then we had a conversation. We talked about their destination, occupations, literature and Pencey. I was glad that they didn’t ask me if I was a Catholic. If someone asks me that question it really drives me crazy! When these two nuns finally got up to set off I did something embarrassing, stupid and immature. I was smoking a cigarette when they wanted to say goodbye. By mistake I blew some smoke in their faces. I was really sorry and apologized to them more then thousand times! They were nice and polite and said it was no problem. I was so sorry and embarrassed! 

'Nuns' author: Alicja Cwalina

Bad news.. :(

Tomorrow I’m going to visit D.B. in Hollywood so I won’t blog for some time. Sorry guys! Hope you understand. Thank to all of you for a piece of helpful advice and help! Stay connected!

Ernie's

It was late and I was too bored to stay in the hotel a minute longer. I decided to go to Ernie’s pub. Although it wasn’t early anymore old Ernie’s was crowded. When I was already inside there was unusual silence because Ernie was playing the piano. Everybody was so impressed with Ernie’s show that they were all hardly breathing and standing on tiptoes to see him playing. When he finished people started clapping their hands. They were really amazed with Ernie’s performance. I couldn’t understand that. For me his talent wasn’t anything special and I got sick when I saw people’s  reaction.  Besides me, about three couples were waiting for tables. I felt depressed and sad. I even wanted to go back to the hotel, but then I decided to stay as I didn’t have anything else to do. I finally got a table. It was a small table against the wall and behind the post where I couldn’t see anything. While I was sitting in that horrible place I was looking around at girls. Some of them were really ugly. It makes me feel sorry when I see such girls. Sometimes I can’t even look at them. All of a sudden Lillian Simmons came up to me. Lillian used to go out with my elder brother D.B. .That night she was with a Navy officer. Lillian introduced me to that guy. His name was Commander Blop.  We talked for a while about my brother and then she invited me for a drink. I told her I had to go because I had a date. I knew that she wanted to be nice so that I could tell D.B. about it. when I met him. When I turned down her offer she told me to tell my brother that she hated him. Then she left. I told her that I had a date so I had to leave the pub. I even couldn’t wait for Ernie’s next performance. 

'Ernie's' author: Alicja Cwalina

Lavender Room

When I got to the Edmont Hotel the first thing I did was checking in. They gave me a small room with an awful view, but to be honest I didn’t care. It was still early. I wasn’t tired so I decided to go and check what was going on in the Lavender Room. Lavender Room was a night club in Edmont Hotel. Although it wasn’t crowded I got an awful table in the corner. Three girls around thirty were sitting next to me. They were pretty ugly with an exception of that blond one who wasn’t so bad. I started giving her the old eye. I really felt like dancing so I decided to ask the blond girl if she would care to dance with me. When we were already on the dance floor I couldn’t believe that she was such a good dancer. I can say she was the best I have ever danced with. I told her that she was really good and something about dancing and the most famous dancers, but she ignored me. I gave up and just danced with her. Then I danced with two others, but they were not only stupid as their blond friend, but also horrible dancers. Later I found out that their names were Marty, Laverne and Bernice. We were sitting at their table and drinking on me. When they had finished their drinks they stood up and told me they had to go to bed. They were closing the club so I had to leave not long time after they did. Anyway it was pointless to sit in Lavender Room alone without any good company to dance with. 

'Dance' author: Alicja Cwalina

Taxi driver

I got off the train at Penn Station. Going to the phone booth was the first thing I did. I really felt like phoning somebody. I decided to leave my luggage outside the phone booth so that I could have kept an eye on it. That day I felt very lonely and had a feeling that giving somebody a buzz would make me feel better. The only problem was that I couldn’t think of anybody to call up. My elder brother D.B. was in Hollywood and my younger sister Phoebe was already asleep as it was pretty late. Of course I could have called her but I was afraid that my parents would pick up the phone and find out that I wasn’t in Pencey Prep anymore. To avoid that situation I started thinking about my friends Jane, Sally Hayes or that guy from Whooton School where I used to go. After thinking about giving a buzz to them I decided not to call anyone. I spent about twenty minutes in that booth and then took my bags and went to look for a cab. When I was already in the vehicle by mistake I gave the driver my parents' address. I completely forgot that I planned to stay in hotel. I was really absent- minded that day. I figured out that I gave the taxi driver the wrong address when we were halfway through the park. I asked if he minded turning around back downtown. The man was pretty wise and answered that he can’t do it because there was a one- way. I just nodded and then asked him whether he knew where those ducks  in lagoon near Central Park South go when it freezes. He turned around to look at me and asked if was kidding him. After a few minutes of silence I invited  the driver for a cocktail on me. I was loaded and alone so the taxi driver seemed to be a good company. Unfortunately he turned down saying that he can’t. What a terrific personality! Finally we reached the Edmont Hotel.   

'Taxi' author: Alicja Cwalina

Train

I like riding trains at night. I usually buy coffee, sandwich and magazines that normally I wouldn’t read. I was on my way to New York. I felt very sad and depressed. Suddenly lady about forty-five got on the train at Trenton station. Although there were many empty compartments she sat next to me. She saw a Pencey Prep stocker on my suitcase and asked if I went to that school. We talked for a while and finally it turned out that she is Ernest Morrow’s mother. I knew that guy. He was the biggest bastard in my class. Of course I couldn’t have told his mother that her son is awful boy and he is always  snapping his soggy towel at others people’s asses so I decided to lie. I introduced myself as Rudolf Schmidt as I didn’t want to tell her my history. Rudolf Schmidt was a janitor at Pencey Prep. I started telling Ernest’s mom that her son is very modest, popular and sensitive boy. I told her also that Pencey is very good school. Then I imagined a story about election in our class and added that Ernest was to modest and shy to agree to be the president of our class. Finally I decided to stop lying and invited her for a drink. Unfortunately she refused. In the end of our journey she invited me to visit Ernest at Gloucester, during the summer. She was a very nice and polite woman. 

'Train' author: Alicja Cwalina

Thanks! :)

I would like to thank all the readers for comments and help. I really appreciate that guys! I’m glad that I can rely on all of you. Promise to write something new soon. 

Escape

I don’t really remember when Stradlater got back from his date with Jane. Before he came I had been so worried that I was looking out of the window and thinking. I didn’t like the idea of Stradler dating Jane at all. I knew Jane very well from my childhood. She wasn’t the prettiest girl in the world but there was something amaizing and special about her. While my roommate was getting undressed I started asking him questions about his date with Jane. He told me that they had spent the whole night in Ed Banky’s car. Ed was the basketball coach at Pencey. That depressed me even more. I stared attacking Stradlater. The more questions I was asking, the more pissed off he was. Finally he hit me in the face and knocked me out. I was mad as hell and felt pain. When I finally got up from the floor I decided to go to Ackley’s room. Believe me – you have never been in a room which stinks like Ackley’s room. He was a bit mad at me for waking him up when I came into this terrible stinking bedroom. I sat down on Ely’s bed and told Ackley about the tiff with Stradlater. Then I asked whether I can stay, but Ackley said that wasn’t a good idea because he didn’t like other guys sleeping in Ely’s bed. After a couple of minutes I was in the corridor thinking what to do next. There wasn’t anybody there and the atmosphere was very depressing and sad. Finally I decided not to visit any of my friends in their rooms as it was pretty late but go back to New York. I wanted to go there and then stay in a hotel till Wednesday when the vacation was starting. So I went back to my room to start packing. When I was ready to set off I took a last look down the corridor and yelled at the top of my voice to sleeping guys. After that I reached the station and found out that I would have to wait only ten minutes for my train. I was cold and my nose hurt. I had blood on my face and felt horrible.

'Holden in Ackley's room' author: Alicja Cwalina

Dear readers ! :)

I’m really surprised and happy to hear from you guys that you enjoy reading my blog. Hope that you’ll still follow and comment it. I promise I won’t let you down! :)

Mr Spencer

It was a cold December afternoon, the day I left Pencey Prep. It was Saturday the day of a big deal around Pencey due to the football game with Saxon Hall which was the last game in the year. I remember it was about three o’clock and I was standing on the top of Thomson Hill. I was freezing because I had my coat and gloves stolen. Although quite a few guys from Pencey came from very wealthy families crooking wasn’t something unusual in this school. I didn’t watch the game with others as I was on my way to my history teacher’s house. Old Spencer had a grippe so he invited me to his house. He wanted to say goodbye because he knew I wasn’t going to come back to Pencey after Christmas vacation. He even left me a note saying he wanted to talk with me before I leave. When I reached Old Spencer’s house I rang the doorbell as fast as I could. I was so cold that I could hardly move my poor fingers. Finally Mr Spencer’s wife opened the door. She was a really nice woman. I think she even liked me and was glad to see me. When I came in I asked her how she was but she didn’t hear me asking due to her bad hearing. I think she was almost deaf. When she finally heard my question she said she was fine and told me to go to Mr Spencer’s room. His door was open but I decided to knock anyway as I wanted to be polite. He was wrapped up in his old Navajo blanket that together with his wife he had bought in Yellowstone Park from some Indians. He was sitting in a chair. It was big and leather. After few seconds he yelled that I can come in. It wasn’t something unusual or new because he was yelling very often outside class. Old Spencer was reading the Atlantic Monthly. It was very depressing to see all sorts of medicines around him. My teacher asked me to sit on his bed and then wanted to find out what had Dr Thurmer told me. I told him about the chat that we had had. Mr Spencer was nodding all the time. I guarantee you that none of you have ever seen someone nodding as often as my history teacher did. Then he started picking his nose. It was pretty disgusting to watch that old man pick his nose. I regretted that I came to visit him. Not only because of his weird behavior but also because of the smell of Vicks Nose Drops and the fact that he was wearing his pajamas. I don’t like the sight of old people’s legs and other parts of their bodies. Suddenly Mr Spencer asked me  how many subjects I had carried that term. He also wanted to make sure if I knew why he had flunked me in history. My teacher told me that he did it because I knew nothing and added that he doubted whether I have ever opened my textbook. He was right. My knowledge was pretty  poor and I had only glanced through my textbook. Then Mr Spencer read out loud my essay from exam paper. I didn’t want him to read it but he didn’t care. I am aware of the fact that my essay consisted of 5 sentences and wasn’t long at all nor good enough but it wasn’t necessary to read it! I will never forgive my history teacher for doing it! He also read the note that I drooped him at the bottom of the page. After reading my exam he asked me whether I blamed him for flunking me and how I felt about my current situation. He was also interested in my previous schools and plans for the future. While he was asking all these questions I was thinking about ducks living in Central Park. Finally I deiced to leave. I told my teacher that I really appreciate that he cared about my future and told him there was no need to worry about me. I lied that I had to pick up my equipment from the gym. We shook hands and said goodbye. After I shut the door I heard him yell ‘Good luck!’. I hope I was mistaken. I never tell anybody ‘Good luck!’ as it sounds terrible!

'Holden with Mr Spencer' author: Alicja Cwalina

Let me introduce myself .. :)

Hi! My name is Holden Caulfield. I decided to set up this blog because I would like to share my thoughts on stuff that happened to me with others around last Christmas. I hope all of you will enjoy my blog. Some time ago I had no idea what blog was. Now I’m really into blogging and I hope to develop this interest. I count on you guys! Comment my blogging and write down whether you like my story. To be honest I don’t feel like boring you with lousy stuff like my childhood so I’ll focus only on the most important things. I live in New York with my parents and sister Phoebe. I love Phoebe very much. She’s only ten but she is so smart, beautiful and talented! I’m very proud of my little sister and missed her very much every time I had to leave for boarding schools. I won’t tell you much about my parents as they are touchy people. They are good parents but their defect is that they are very nervous and sensitive. There is also D.B.- my elder brother who lives in Hollywood. He is a scriptwriter. To be honest I hate movies and all these stuff connected with cinema! I used to have a younger brother too… .His name was Ally. Unfortunately he died when I was younger. I still rely on Ally and sometimes I talk to him although I’m aware of the fact that he is dead. Maybe it is because I haven’t got over his death yet. As I have already mentioned I used to attend boarding schools. There were many of them. My parents really care about my future and education. Unfortunately school and learning doesn’t interest me at all. I was kicked out from the last school because I flunked four subjects and didn’t apply myself. English was the only subject that I liked and wasn’t bad at. To be honest Pencey Prep wasn’t a good school for me. I didn’t get on well with teachers and other students. So when I found out that I wasn’t supposed to come back to Pencey after Christmas vacation I wasn’t sad or even depressed. Now you know everything about my family and previous schools. What you have to know is that unfortunately laziness isn’t my only defect. My bad habits are also smoking and drinking. Sometimes I’m also impolite and naughty but nobody is perfect! You probably wonder how I look like. Well, I’m tall for my age- at six feet, two-and-a-half inches. Can you believe that I already have some grey hair despite my age? I usually wear fashionable and expensive clothes that my parents buy me.  If you want to find out something more about me I would like to encourage all of you to read and follow my blogging! I promise you won’t regret it!

'Holden Caulfield' author: Alicja Cwalina