Part 6. A Note!

(The story so far: I've traveled back in time, from 2015 to 1972, only to find that I've somehow stumbled into an alternate past, where the Bonanza star who's just died was Michael Landon, not Dan Blocker; and Lorne Greene was just about to make a surprise announcement!)

"I'm so pleased to announce," said Mr. Greene happily, "that after long discussions and negotiations with the writers, with the network, and with Mr. David Dortort, our special guest star for next week's episode will be - PERNELL ROBERTS!"

A shocked chorus of gasps arose from the cast and crew, then scattered applause and a few boos.

"Yes," Mr. Greene continued, ignoring the boos, "I knew you'd all be just as pleased as I was! Most of you don't know this, but Pernell and I have remained close, close friends since he left the series, and after Michael's unfortunate demise" - (he paused to wipe away a tear) - "he phoned and asked if there was anything he could do to help us out. Well, one thing led to another and ..."

Just at that moment, a man wearing a multicolored leisure shirt and a colorful shirt opened to an obscenely hairy chest (this was 1972, remember) strode into the room and walked up to Mr. Greene, waving his hands and making "shushing" noises. He handed Mr. Greene a note and whispered something in his ear, then shrugged his shoulders and walked out.

Poor Mr. Greene looked shell-shocked. He opened the note, which I could see from here was handwritten and only a few short lines (kinda like the Third Secret of Fatima, for you Catholics in the crowd).

He looked up, and all the joy had gone out of his face. I would have run over and hugged him, if it weren't for all the security guys.

"I -- I regret to say -- "

He couldn't finish, and walked away, dropping the note on the floor.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the ugly redhead, Mitch "Jamie" Vogel, eying the note, and it was pretty obvious what he was thinking.



But I beat him to it! Yes, that's right -- I didn't get the tear-stained photo of Dan Blocker (or Michael Landon).

However, I DID get the tear-stained, handwritten note from Pernell Roberts to Lorne Greene! Which read as follows, verbatim:

"Dear Lorne,

I'm sorry, I won't be able to do the show after all, as I've just been arrested for Michael Landon's murder.

I didn't do it -- honest!

Can you get me a good lawyer?

Love and kisses,
Pernell"

Wow! Now THIS just might be of some value, even back in good old 2015!

(TO BE CONTINUED!)