Chapter One

Quinton “Squint” Dangerfield takes a quiet moment in his office at K-SAW Radio and TV station to reflect how things had taken shape for him in Stagbluff, California.

His first films were documentaries, called “School Of The Sea”, later expanding to “Safaris With Squint”. Next came the comedy series, “Life With Cap’n Squint”, then all the feature movies. His biopic, “Life Should Be WIDE Screen”, centered on events leading to his settling in Stagbluff.

God, it was all so PERSONAL. Had he revealed too much? Now people KNEW, and couln’t UN-KNOW all this. But what was the sense in being expressive if you didn’t EXPRESS. After all, wasn’t that his assignment in life? Still… Would he do it all again?

“Yeah!” he concluded. Given the same facts, how could it be otherwise?

On the station’s mic, Squint proceeds to record the story of how he and pal, Reuben Hopper, wound up in Stagbluff, CA.

“Ahoy, mates! Squint speakin’–”

“So ya want ta know the nosy stuff? I always do. Aye, where ta begin…”

“Best ta start by readin’ ya this page in me diary, written in April, 1976–just before me and pal, Reuben Hopper, launched out. Reuben always keeps a journal. A diary’s more personal–which can lead ta trouble. I can always burn it later, if it gets out of ‘and. It will. Everything about me runs excess.”

“We’d just quit our merchant marine jobs. We left Brisbane, Australia for jungles of New Guinea. Tomorrow we start our trip ta see a shaman they say discovered a youth potion.”

“It may be a tom-fool quest, but I’ve seen worse. Who’s ta say what’s ‘idden in strange leaves, roots, vines, etc.? I love anything that ‘elps people look and feel top notch. Or even slightly buzzed.”

“The trip could be dangerous–But life’s ‘azardous ta health. So relax, and enjoy it. I’m in ‘igh spirits! Get me while I last.”