After Forty

Something happened after I turned forty. This age is a milestone age for any man. It is the age where you take stock of what you have done, and, what you haven't. Every man shudders with this age. But, forty never really bothered me. I have a strong sense of myself and what I can and can't do. It does not bother me that I am very unhandy. I know guys who spend weekends putting up drywall and adding rooms to their house. Not me. I live the old-fashioned way of lying on my couch and watching football games until the two or three naps I take seize me. No, being worthless with my hands feels just right in my psyche. And, the fact that I am not a rich man doesn't really shake me. I have never had a love affair with money. As long as I can pay my bills and have a little fun is all that I need to get along. I don't need fancy homes and sports cars because they seem a waste for me. Those are showboating toys to cover personal insecurities. No, I am happy with my dick size........ What happened to me when I turned forty was a complete physical change in my body. Suddenly, the healthy person I have always been turned and ran away and Mr. Unhealthy showed its evil self. It started with my blood pressure. Now, high blood pressure is something that runs in my family. Both my parents had it, along with both my grandfathers, whom I never knew because they died so young. So, the hypertension swimming around my body is nothing earth shattering. A couple of pills in the morning take care of this problem. But, when you have been blessed with good health up until this point, is a bummer to be brought down to reality. I never had any of the childhood diseases: mumps, measles, etc, all passed over me. Suddenly, something life-threatening was brought to me. It is under control and my pressure is fine. But, my first thought I had when the doctor told me I would be under medication [ by the way, I hadn't seen a doctor in twenty years. I was healthy!] was, ''Oh, boy, there are a lot of things I can't do now like I used to.'' Damn....... The next thing that reared its ugly head was my hair. I started getting gray hair in my twenties, but, it was a sprinkling amongst my thick brown, curly hair. I had a lot of hair my whole life. As anyone who has curly hair can tell you, you can't grow it long. It grows up into an Afro. But, me, being me, had to be different. I wasn't able to grow a traditional Afro. No, my hair growth was uneven. It went into different areas when long. I looked like Peter Brady on acid. A favorite trick when I was a kid was hiding pencils and various other small objects under my curls and see if people could spot them. Most times, people couldn't. Jimmy Hoffa could have been buried there and no one would have been the wiser. As an adult, however, with hairstyles changing, I cut the big rock candy mountain of bristle, and had a sensible haircut. But, in my thirties, the brown turned to gray. There were many horrible things going on around me during my twenties and thirties, so, I figured the gray was a byproduct of all of the stress and sadness in my life. By forty, this once brown-haired guy could have done a commercial for hair-dye. I have no problem with gray hair. I like to tell people that I earned every one of them. However, the true mortal enemy of every guy also showed up with the gray. It was hair loss. While hair sprouted from my ears, nose, and toes, it took a most unwelcome retreat from my head. Every morning in the shower these hairs would go down the drain, never to reappear. I wept openly during these moments. I still have a good chunk of my hair covering about eighty percent of my noggin, but, it is not the same. I hope I won't be one of these goofy looking bald guys. You know, the guys who have the Neil Diamond swirl of hair that they flop over to the other side of the head. Thankfully, toupees seem to be going away as guys shave their heads, which I think is a good idea. I don't know how I would look with a shaved head if it came to that. Probably, like a bald Iranian lesbian woman...... Forty also saw the explosion of my stomach muscles. I have never had a washboard stomach or been fat-free. Who wants that? I always liked having a little spare tire around my waist. I called it ''Fun Fat''. And, it was. A lot of fun went into that fat. In my twenties and thirties, my fighting weight was around 185 pounds. Some years I was heavier, some I was lighter. Then, after forty, the fat took flight and migrated into other sections of my physical form. Instead of a little spare tire, now I had an SUV around my torso. My gut hung over my waist, and there were days when it was difficult to see my genitals. In the past, I have always ridden my stationary bike to keep some kind shape. Now, after forty, it wasn't doing the job. Even my yearly sit-up---- so beloved by the public--- failed in its attempts in the Scoleri War Against Fat. Now, I have a nice little volleyball of fat that greets me everyday. There is an obvious solution to this, of course. I could start eating healthier. Well, I do. I eat my fish and vegetables and chicken. I stay away from the glorious fast-foods that I love dearly. I am not an eating animal. However, it seems to be a losing battle. I will still fight this battle but I fear the ultimate sacrifice is coming up fast on the horizon. Yes,''diet''. This word has always chilled me to the bone. This word and concept must have its origins with the Devil himself. Soon, I may have to make a pact with Satan......... After forty came the sinus problems. Suddenly, I had allergies to contend with. Where the fuck did this come from? My doctor, who I think cares about me as much as an IRS investigator does, told me that my body is changing. I said, yeah, not for the better, Sawbones!! Apparently, I have post-nasal drip. I never knew I had pre-nasal drip. Without getting gross, I have a little hole in my sinus that drips mucus. Nice. It drips in my throat and tingles some part there. That is why I am, at times, coughing or clearing my throat. To clear this mess. Mucus!!! I used to have steak going down my gullet, now I have my sinuses throwing up down my throat!!! Doctor Compassion tells me that it is the age process again. No shit, Sherlock. Go play with your fuckin HMO'S........ Arthritis in my legs. Yep, got that too. My should hurts at times. I even am sore when I wake up in the morning. I'm lying there for hours not bothering anyone and my body still kicks my ass!!!...... This is nothing new for any of us. We have turned into our parents in every way. Even, health-wise. I am proud to be like my parents but not when it comes to health issues. But, what can you do? It catches up with us. The key, which I practiced for many years, is to give your body a good-ole boy time before age comes at you. My body is hurting now, but, it was rockin-and-rollin when I was a younger man. When I think back on some of the best times of my life, none of them have been for my own good health........ I would write more now, but, I haven't peed in an hour and my bladder is calling me........

Blood In The Hills Part 2

10050 Cielo Dr was a secluded house. It is at the end of a long and winding road that ends in a dead end. The grounds of the property are perfect for any couple wanting a ''love nest''. There is a protective gate at the entrance. A simple push of the remote control button next to it allows the visitor to drive up a fair-sized driveway. At the end of this driveway is the main residence. It is mostly a ranch style home, but, does boast a spiral staircase when you are in the residence. These stairs take you up to the attic. So, most of the house is one level. There is a main door, along with a side entrance. Twenty yards behind the main house is a guesthouse. This small shack is little more than a walk in closet. But, it does do the job of lodging a single visitor comfortably. Behind the guesthouse is a breathtaking view of Los Angeles. The hills swoops out to a steep drop. Perhaps, the main attraction to this property, aside from its nice layout, is the feeling of privacy. When you are in the house, you feel safe and secluded, as if the outside world cannot intrude......... Around 9pm, Sharon Tate and her friends, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, and Abigail Folger, decide to get something to eat. They drove a short distance to a favorite Mexican restaurant, El Coyote, where Sharon is well-known. The group grabs a table in the corner and are soon enjoying the fine Mexican food. Witnesses later reported that the party did seem happy that night, enjoying a Friday Night outing like many in the city. Around 10;30, the group finished their dinner and headed back to Cielo......... Somewhere, in the city, Charles Manson's minions were zooming towards the destination that Charlie had picked out for them. There was much excited chatter in the car about what might happen. Above all, the occupants in the car had one common goal: to fulfill Charles Manson's prophecy of ''Helter Skelter''........ At 11pm, Sharon Tate and her friends were back safely at home. Jay Sebring had a private conversation to share with Sharon, so, the two of them settled in Sharon's bedroom. Sharon was lying on the bed, clad in her bra and panties because of the heat. Jay was sitting at the foot of the bed. Meanwhile, Frykowski had stretched out on a couch in the living room, while Folger went to read in her bed.........Around 11:30pm, a car approached the front gate. The driver of the car was Steven Parent, age 18. He had come to see the caretaker of the residence, William Garrettson, who was staying in the guesthouse behind the main house. Garrettson had met Parent the previous night at a party. They both discovered that they shared a love of stereos. Garrettson told Parent that he should come up to the residence and take a look at a clock radio that Garrettson was ready to sell. So, with nothing to do on a Friday Night, Steven Parent drove up to Cielo to talk to the caretaker. He was unknown to everyone in the main residence. Had fate been different, he would have stayed unknown....... Midnight. August 9, 1969. The property was quiet. Most of the neighborhood was in bed. It was families that surrounded the area, not the fast-moving Hollywood crowd that Roman and Sharon were used to. One thing about the area: It was strange for its acoustics. Some sounds fifty feet away might not be heard at the shortest distance, but, might be heard hundreds of feet away by someone. The air was hot that night, still simmering from the heat wave. Many neighbors slept with the windows open........ Shortly after midnight, another car approached the gate. It turned off its lights and parked to the side. Its occupants got out of the car. Charles ''Tex'' Watson climbed the gate at the entrance. He cut the phone wires. Then, he slowly opened the gate to let the others in. The group was armed with several knives and a gun and a rope. Soon, the Manson Family was quietly walking up the driveway towards the main residence...... At about this time, a car came from the backway. Steven Parent had just finished talking to William Garrettson about the radio. Steven had decided to not buy the radio and made a quick exit out of the guesthouse. When Parent was driving towards the gate, he was stopped by one man and three girls blocking his way out. Curious, most likely, he rolled down his window to ask what was wrong. At that moment, ''Tex'' Watson placed a gun next to his head. Not knowing what was going on, Steven Parent, nonetheless, started pleading, ''Don't hurt me! I won't say a thing!'' Watson then tried to stab him with a butcher knife. Parent, out of reflex, held up his arm defensively, and, the knife slashed his wristwatch. Watson then fired two quick shots into the head of Steven Parent, killing him....... All of this happened in mere seconds. And, no one in the house heard a thing....... ''Tex'' decided to not go in the main door, thinking it was locked. Therefore, he decided to climb in a side window. He cut the screen and climbed into the house. He walked around to the front door and let Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel in. Linda Kasabian stayed outside. She had developed a phobia about going in and wanted nothing to do with what was gonna happen........ ''Tex'' Watkins approached a man lying on the couch, who was dozing. He kicked the couch and awoke the man. When Wojciech Frykowski came to consciousness, he was told by this stranger, ''I am the Devil and I am here to do the Devil's work!'' While Frykowski was trying to figure out what was happening, Krenwinkel and Atkins went around the house looking for other people. Krenwinkel found Abigail Folger lying on her bed reading. Folger saw this visitor and smiled a friendly smile. Soon, the smile turned into fear as she was led knifepoint into the living room. Susan Atkins found Sharon and Jay in the other bedroom and ordered them at knifepoint to the living room also........ At first, there was more confusion from the residents than actual fear. They must have assumed that they were about to be robbed. They soon found out otherwise. Watson ordered Tate, Sebring, Frykowski, and Folger onto their knees. The girls were loosely tied up with the rope, along with Frykowski. When Sharon was ordered to lie on the ground, Jay Sebring protested that she could not do so because she was heavily pregnant. When Watson made a move towards Sharon, Sebring stepped in the way to protect her. It would be his last act of love for Sharon because he was immediately shot by Watson in the chest. Sebring went down as Sharon and Abigail started screaming........ Pandemonium....... As the women screamed, somehow, Frykowski freed himself from the rope and ran outside screaming for help. He was quickly followed by ''Tex'', who shot him twice. Frykowski fell to the grass on the lawn, right in front of Linda Kasabian, and kept crawling. Watson then took his butcher knife and proceeded to stab Frykowski dozens of times. Police later stated that Wojciech fought hard for his life as he tried to defend himself against the stabbings. Finally, the life went out of him and he laid still. All told, his wounds numbered: stabbed 51 times, bludgeoned in the head 13 times  [most likely, with the head of the gun] and he was shot twice. Rarely had such savagery been inflicted on a human being...... In the house, Abigail Folger also freed herself from the rope. She ran for her life out the side door of the house, pursued by Patricia Krenwinkel. Running past the pool---- which, was near the guesthouse--- she finally got caught by Krenwinkel under a tree. She then was viciously stabbed. At some point, Linda Kasabian, who also witnessed this slaughter, heard Abigail ask her killer, ''Why are you stabbing me? I'm already dead!!'' Soon, she would be. Police would count her stab wounds as being 28 inflicted. She had been wearing a white nightgown to bed. Now, it looked like the nightgown had been dyed red in blood........ Meanwhile, in the guesthouse, William Garrettson heard nothing, he was later to tell the police. He was playing his music very loud and heard no screaming or any other disturbance. This seems odd. If the music was blasting, as Garrettson claimed, surely, the murderers would have heard it and investigated it. In fact, Krenwinkel was ordered by Watson to check out the guesthouse but she only got to the front door of the guesthouse before she turned around and went back to report no one was there. William Garrettson was lucky. Had she gone in, he would have been another casualty......... Sharon Tate was the only one left alive. ''Tex'' Watson, Susan Atkins, and Patricia Krenwinkel were around here. Linda Kasabian had retreated towards the car waiting for the others. Sharon started crying and begging for her life. And, she begged for the life of her unborn child. She asked them not to kill her and to take her hostage instead. Susan Atkins looked her right in the eye and said, ''Look, bitch, I don't care about you or your baby at all. You are going to die''........... Then, Sharon was held down by the others as Susan stabbed her repeatedly. Soon, the others would stab her. Sharon screamed in agony until she could scream no more. Her last word was, ''Mother''......... The murder of Sharon Tate did not involve her having her baby being cut out, or, her breasts being amputated, as rumors have stated. She was lying in the fetal position, protecting her baby until the end. The baby, a boy, did not survive........ All of this had happened inside of a half-hour. The killings had gone smoothly, the killers thought. But, on the way out of the Tate house, they thought of what Charlie said about leaving a message to the world. Susan Atkins went back into the house and found a towel. She dipped the towel into the bloody body of Sharon Tate and took it towards the front door. In Sharon's blood, she smeared the word ''PIG''....... The killers left the property and drove back to Spahn Ranch and Charles Manson. When Charlie saw them arrive, he asked them why they were back so early. Then he asked each of them how they felt about the murders. Each one, except Kasabian, said they felt ok about it. There was no remorse in them....... The next day, the bodies at the house of Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate were found by the housekeeper. The police were called, and, searching the property, they came across the caretaker, William Garrettson. He was handcuffed and brought in for questioning. He told the police that he heard nothing. He played some loud music and went to bed. The police were skeptical about this alibi. How could he have not heard anything? Neighbors down the canyon---- but, not next door because of the bizarre acoustics in the area---- had heard sounds of screaming and gunshots. How could Garrettson not hear anything? William Garrettson stuck to his story and the police, since they had no evidence to charge him with anything, released him. It wasn't until thirty years later, in a television show about the murders, that Garrettson changed his story. He admitted in 1999 that he had heard screaming and carrying on. But, he chalked it up to the party frolics of those in the main house. He thought nothing but fun was coming from within less than a hundred feet from him. This new story was also thought of with skepticism. Still, he was not involved with the actual murders. He must have been in fear of his life, which is understandable. He was probably hiding until the coast was clear. Again, this is understandable but, if he had made some kind of move to help, he might have saved one or more lives in the main house........ The following night, August 10, 1969, the killers would go out again. This time it was a couple named LaBianca. I have written about this night in a March, 2012 blog called, ''Giving Out Justice''......... In time, the murders would be solved. Susan Atkins was arrested on another charge of disturbing the peace, and, in prison, she would tell fellow inmates about the Sharon Tate murders. The inmates told the police about what Susan said, and, soon, Charles Manson and his ''Family'' would be arrested and tried for murder. Linda Kasabian, who did not murder at all in any of the killings, was the star witness for the prosecution. The whole theory about ''Helter Skelter'' and the coming race war was spelled out to the jury in the trial by the brilliant prosecutor against the Manson Family, Vincent Bugliosi. In the nine month trial, all the world got to see the bizarre and frightening story of these hippies who dabbled in murder. The killers, Charles, ''Tex'' Watson, Suasn Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houton --- who had helped murder the LaBiancas the following night----- were all found guilty and sentenced to death in early 1971, along with Charles Manson. The following year, the State Of California overturned the death penalty and all of the killers, and their guru, Charles Manson, were given life sentences. Susan Atkins would die of cancer in 2009 in prison. The others are still in prison to this day.......... It has been said repeatedly that the spirit of the Sixties, the ''peace and love'' movement, died on those nights in August, 1969. The feeling of hope and desire for a better world thru the hippie mantra died when the first wounds went into the bodies at the Tate house. Maybe. But, the human condition is powered by hope and love. Most people live their lives preaching to themselves the idea of not hurting anyone. We may not be all love, but, it does flow thru most human beings......... And, in some, there is no love. There is hate and murder. For an example of this, visit the grave of Sharon Tate........ And, her unborn son........

Blood In The Hills Part 1

Charles Manson listened to the album because it was his Bible. In fact, he was never shy telling his disciples that there was a tremendous connection between the verses in the Bible and the famous singing group. But, in this glorious album, named simply, ''The Beatles'', but, quickly known to the public as the ''White Album'' [ because of its stark, white cover] Charlie found that The Beatles and he were synched up in thought. In several songs, Manson heard what the Fab Four was really saying. They were proclaiming their approval for a worldwide revolution. Whites fighting the blacks. The rich and the poor slugging it out for world dominance. Charlie told his followers that the race war would be the ultimate last war, an apocalypse to a new order. In Charlie's way of thinking, the blacks would beat the whites and have world domination. Then, as stated in The Gospel According To Charlie, the blacks would be incapable of leading the world by themselves. Therefore, they would need someone attuned to their thoughts and anger. After the revolution, Charlie and his chosen ''Family'' would rise up from the pit they had been living in while the race war was being fought. Charlie would be the new Leader Of The World and the blacks would follow him because they would need a Messiah, the newborn version of Jesus Christ. And, that would be Charlie and the Family. It was all predicted in that magic song on the ''White Album''. That telling version of what was to come to only the people tuned into The Beatles message. All the people who would embrace ''Helter Skelter''........ Sharon Tate was a beautiful woman without much talent. But, to those who knew her, she was a childlike waif in a stunningly attractive body. Sharon was as sweet in personality and soul as she was beautiful. In a town as bitchy as Hollywood, no one had a bad word about her. She had attained a certain level of celebrity by appearing, in 1968, in the film ''Valley Of The Dolls''. It was a poor movie based on the popular novel. While the film was no blockbuster, she did attract a certain amount of attention for the role. Well, it was her beauty that got the attention, not her acting ability. Sharon probably always knew that she was no great shakes as an actress. Just another stunner in a town of stunners. Sharon did have a successful social life. She had married Roman Polanski in 1968, the same year he became a sensation by directing ''Rosemary's Baby''. They were a much admired and popular couple in Hollywood. This was the late 1960's, where ''Flower Power'' and the whole ''Hippie Movement'' was at its peak. There were a constant stream of parties among the young. Everybody loved each other. There was open sex among the community, along with heavy drug usage. Roman and Sharon seemed to be the center of all activity during this period. Famous friends, including Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jackie Bisset, Mia Farrow, all gathered around the charismatic couple. No one ever asked whom you brought to your parties. The houses were always open to the ''Beautiful People''. The future seemed very fine. Live and Let Live. There was peace and love in the air, so, why would you even bothering locking your doors?............ In 1967, a two-bit con named Charles Manson had been released from prison. Manson, a lifelong criminal, who had spent nearly two-thirds of his life behind bars, was a highly disturbed human being. It was more than anti-social behavior, there was something very wrong with this character. By turns charming and deadly, Manson had been thrown out of various homes as a child. He had even failed at the famous ''Boys Town'' orphanage. He was a thief, everything from cars to minor holdups with a knife. But, most of his life he was incarcerated behind prison walls, where, strangely, he felt most comfortable. In fact, when he was released on parole in 1967, he begged his parole officer to keep him locked up. Prison was his only home. As much as his parole officer wanted to keep this explosive person behind bars, the P.O. was handcuffed by bureaucracy. He had to let Manson out on to the mean streets. Charles Manson would land in San Francisco, smack dap in hippie central, during the famous ''Summer Of Love''. Soon, Charlie, who had a deep love of music, would gather around him a group of fellow wanderers. They were the castoffs of middle-class households. These kids, mostly women in their early twenties, had low self-esteem and were easily led by a dominant male figure. Charles Manson would become their God. Manson would preach his theories to them constantly. Add into a daily helping of LSD and other mind-altering drugs, Manson was able to have his half-assed ideas become full-blown visions and  the words of the new Messiah. Throughout 1967 to 1969, Charles Manson, with his ever widening ''Family'' of followers, controlled the minds of his faithful. He foretold of his idea about ''Helter Skelter'' and all that would happen. These disturbed kids bought whatever he said. Charlie was all truth.  By the summer of 1969, they would do anything Charlie asked. Even kill for him......... Terry Melcher was the highly successful producer of The Beach Boys, among other artists. He was always looking for fresh blood in an industry that used and spat out talent every few years. He was good friends with the drummer of The Beach Boys, Dennis Wilson. Dennis recently introduced Melcher to his new friend. This guy has some good musical talent, said Wilson. He played the guitar and wrote strange but interesting songs. His name was Manson. Dennis Wilson got to know Charlie after picking up two hitchhikers one night and taking them home for sex. The girls, Ella Jo Bailey and Patricia Krenwinkel, talked about their idol, who had a last name made up of both ''Man'' and ''Son''.  He was the Head Of Family of tuned in people. Dennis, always anxious to meet the enlightened, one day met this Manson guy. Dennis was charmed by him and soon, the whole large brood of the Manson Family had taken up camp in Wilson's home. There was a constant stream of orgies at the house, along with rampant drug taking. Of course, there was music being played. Dennis was so impressed by Manson, he told Charlie he would be a rock star soon. This was Charlie's dream. To finally be a Somebody in a world of Nobodies. The only hitch was that Terry Melcher was not impressed. After having Charlie out to his house--- which Melcher shared with his girlfriend, Candice Bergen---- Melcher decided that Manson was nothing special and told him that a recording career was not gonna happen. Charles Manson, true to form, was furious at what he perceived as betrayal by Melcher and Wilson. Soon, both would become so frightened of Manson and his rage that they cut off all contact with Charlie and the Family. They were kicked out of Dennis Wilson's house. And, there would be no more invites up to Melcher's house. The address of this residence was 10050 Cielo Drive. In time, Terry Melcher and Candice Bergen would move to the beach. They needed to rent the Cielo house out in the meantime. In early 1969, Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate moved in.......... One day in March, 1969, Charles Manson went looking for Terry Melcher at the house. Charlie went to the back cottage behind the main house thinking Melcher might be there. He was told by the actual owner of the home, Rudi Altobelli, who happened to be staying in the guesthouse temporary, that Melcher no longer lived there and that there were new tenants in the main house. Charlie was not happy. Altobelli finally told Manson to leave the property. As Charlie stormed out towards the main gate, Sharon Tate came out the front door. For one moment, Sharon Tate and Charles Manson looked into each others eyes........Sharon and Roman had their share of marital problems. Roman never let his married life interfere with his bachelor fun. He fucked around and was not discreet about it. Sharon, a good girl, did not swing like Roman. In early 1969, right after they moved into Cielo Drive, Sharon learned that she was pregnant. She was overjoyed. Her career, what there was of it, was gladly put aside while she planned on being a mother. Her only worry was Roman. She was unsure on whether Roman would want the baby. She waited a couple of months to finally tell him the news. At first, he wanted nothing to do with being a father. But, as the months rolled on by into the summer of 1969, he grew enthusiastic about the concept of fatherhood. It was hoped that the baby would bring Roman to his senses and stop womanizing. It didn't. It put a deep strain into their marriage. In July 1969, Roman went to England to work on preparations for a new movie. Sharon accompanied him for a while. Finally, late in the month, she said goodbye to Roman and sailed to America. He told her he would be back soon, around his birthday on August 12.......... August 8, 1969. Sharon Tate got up around 10:00am. She was sleeping very irregularly lately. The fact that there was an incredible heat wave the last week made this eight-and-a-half-months pregnant lady very uncomfortable. Sharon was also unhappy that Roman was still in England. She talked to him that morning from Los Angeles. Roman later said that Sharon was annoyed at her houseguests, Abigail Folger and Wojciech Frykowski. The former was a friend of Sharon's. The latter of Roman's. The couple had agreed to stay with Sharon at the Cielo house until Roman arrived back in L.A. Although she was grateful for the company, she wanted them out. Folger, an heiress with the famous coffee company, was a good-hearted woman who liked to volunteer working with the poor. Frykowski, however, was a jet-set leech. Although he claimed to be a filmmaker in Poland, he showed no evidence of having any talent or ambition. His main pleasure seemed to be getting high almost every night on Sharon's couch. As day went into evening, Sharon became jittery. She invited her old fiancée, Jay Sebring over to the house for company. Sebring, a famous hairdresser to the stars [ his friend, Warren Beatty, would later base his character in the movie ''Shampoo'' on Sebring] was still very much in love with Sharon. Those who knew him always speculated that Jay knew that the Polanski-Tate marriage was strained and he wanted to stay as close to Sharon as possible in case the couple folded. He was a good family friend, however, and was liked by Roman, too. So, when Sharon needed company that night, to break the monotony of Frykowski and Folger, she called Jay to come up to the house. He came willingly around sunset........... Out at the Spahn Ranch, in the desert where the Family lived, Charles Manson told his followers that now was the time for ''Helter Skelter''. He was tired of waiting around for the blacks to start the revolution. Charlie would do it. His plan was to murder white people and have the police blame the blacks for the crime. In doing so, Charlie reasoned, the whites would become so paranoid that war would break out. But, Charlie was stumped on where the war should start. Finally, he hit on the idea of starting the killing at a house he knew so well. Terry Melcher's old place. It did not matter that Manson was aware that Melcher no longer lived there. Whomever lived at the house would be the sacrificial guinea pigs in the war to shake up the establishment. Manson picked out his people carefully. By studying his ''Family'' all of these months, he knew who would kill for him. Thus, he chose Charles ''Tex'' Watson to be the leader of the bloodletting. With Watson would go Susan Atkins, perhaps, the most dangerous and unstable of all of the ''Family''. There would be Patricia Krenwinkel to go with them. And, a new member of the ''Family'' that Charlie was unsure about, Linda Kasabian. In the early evening of August 8, 1969, Charles Manson gave his four disciples specific instructions. They would go up to where Terry Melcher used to live and kill everyone there as viciously as possible. Charlie told them to ''get your hands dirty and leave something witchy''. With these instructions, the four got in the old car the ''Family'' had stolen and drove off into the night looking for blood........