The Summer Of 1993

Part I: The Beginning. You Can't Even Clean Your Own Room

    It was the summer of 1993 and my friend Jamie from high school had an "opportunity".    She cleaned celebrities homes, celebrities like River Phoenix, Johnny Depp, Billy Idol, Tom Cruise, and my friend cleaned Christina Applegate's and River Phoenix's homes.   "It's so fun Susan, you have to come out and do this.    You'll stay in shape and make lots of money.  Ask your mom.   My aunt owns the service and needs a few girls.  She makes us stay in line except the weekends. You just broke up with Mafuz.  You're young.   You're cute.   You have a gorgeous body!   You'd go back to school with all of these stories!   I think you'd have fun.   Think of it, the summer before your internship!!  You have to have SOME FUN before you go into law!"

     It sounded fun.   Johnny Depp was on the list?   I'd probably get Blowfish or someone  like that, but he knew Johnny.   "Ask your mom," kept playing in my heard.   My parents, it was like selling swampland.   We just didn't hobknob with celebrities.    We were a conservative people. So, that night over steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans and chocolate cake, I asked them.  

      "Mom, Jamie has a job for me this summer."

"Good.  Is it good paying?"

"Yes, but the thing is, it's in California."

"What would you be doing?"

"Cleaning."

"You can't even clean your own room. Why would you be any different? I mean really?"

"Mom, I want to. Maybe I would learn to clean better?"

"Don't you want to work in a law firm.   You want to be a lawyer. I mean, really? A cleaner?

"Let her.  Next summer she can do it."

"So, it's a yes?"  I asked.

"Yes.   Pay for your ticket and have the time of your life."

   That night she called Jamie and said it's a go.   She said, "Perfect, I have one for you.   He's very eccentric.   Look, it starts in June and i can  give you the juicy deets then!"   She was sure it was an old Hollywood star ready to die.  

    I was shocked my mother let me, but my dad overrode my mom's veto.   My mom never let me do anything fun.   "Look, kiddo we just don't want you going after every silly idea,  but maybe this job will have you learn some humility.   Being in a sorority has made you a bit snooty.  Maybe wiping a puke covered toilet will help you."  

I had no clue what I was in for/. I guess her Aunt Ingrid had her cleaning for the Hollywood Madam but realized she would put me to work instead of working for her aunt. There was a lot of time spent on the phone. Lots of rules like no snooping around, no pictures and no fraternization. However, her aunt would look the other way.