Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #56

Dear KK,

"We covet what we see every day."

Before reminding you where the above quote comes from, consider it the classic explanation for Don Draper's reckless affair with the teacher Ms. Farrell, which even she realizes in not Don's usual M.O. [Be advised, Kelly: trying to give you the male point of view without (God forbid!!!) mentioning S-E-X: most men have a fatal weakness for attractive teachers of their children, especially young children. Several gay male friends have told me the same applies to gay elementary teachers. (See the Jennifer Aniston film where she falls in love with a gay school teacher!)]

More on tonight's "Mad Men" in a little while. Welcome to winter in the Rockies--and still early October. Had one of those 50-car pileups on an ice-coated I-25 just north of here yesterday. Closed for 3+ hours. And higher up in the elevation, major snowfall. A bit early, but not at all unusual. Knowing how much you love cold, dark, icy weather, I hope your Columbus Day weekend was a little more fall-like...

Much to get to, Kelly--from your most recent letter plus your earlier letters, plus tv and films. So with my "Kelly Addiction", let me get started:

Your Reid blog titled "ENSURE" was, I must say, most convincing, KK. You're right, no one buys "Ensure" let alone drinks it in public, who is under 75 years old! Let me see, the "episode" would probably end with a voiceover by Kristin Bell something like this: "Spotted at an Upper East Side Starbucks...If the look on her face is accurate, this will be "K's" last soiree with the once-eligible Reid. Not only is he still with "her" but what is that he's drinking? Probably good that "K" found out now... You know you love me/XOXO/Gossip Girl.

Once again mentioning the unusual number of celebrity deaths this past spring & summer: South Park's new fall opening did a brutally funny takeoff on this, with the soul of Michael Jackson preventing all the others from leaving Purgatory. David Carradine came off particularly badly-portrayed in black lingerie & fishnet stockings--with a noose around his neck.

Turning to your most recent letter... Begin where I left off: You are way too hard on yourself, but then, most of us are, especially when it comes to how we appear (or think we appear) in public. It is akin to listening to your own voice. I can assure you, Kelly, that as you go about your day, looking as you do in your photos, you are lusted after and thought about many times by many men. You are just fine, KK. I could tell you exactly what those men think about when they see you or meet you briefly, but that would cross your artificial line. Suffice to say that when one of these men turn into a relationship (non-Reid-like!) sexual chemistry & passion will not be a problem...

The middle paragraph of your letter regarding the Bush years was a perfect encapsulation of my feelings as well. And a majority of Americans. I am sure. I would add that as an ex-Marine, myself, and with a close relative recently out of the Marines---the incredible mismanagement and utterly needless thousands of dead soldiers & Marines in the Iraq War simply astounds me.

And now Obama has to deal with the colossal mess in Afghanistan--completely ignored by Bush & Rumsfeld for eight years. Despite my past, Kelly, the man I am today totally relates to each and every one of those "Names of the Dead" from Iraq & Afghanistan.

This is a topic I can "soapbox" on for quite a while. I will spare you that today.

***

[Ed.: the next section--which I am omitting--is about movies.]

The affairs consummated (Don) and unconsummated (Betty) are par for the course [in Mad Men]. Betty can't quite pull the trigger; Don't can't wait to pull the trigger (no pun intended!)

Final note: I hope no one has the image of Don & Ms. Farrell in a sedate missionary style sex act. With Don, Ms. Farrell will do thing she has never done with any other man; and I assure you, Don will insist on nothing less than total surrender & total access to every part of her body...

Hope to hear from you again very soon. Be well, be good and be safe. Thinking of you..don't get discouraged re the Slam!

Yours,

Michael

P.S. "We covet what we see everyday" is what Hannibal Lecter told Clarice. Starting to help her catch "Buffalo Bill" in Silence of the Lambs--both the book and movie.

The phrase is far more revealing than one realizes. Think about it...