It Happened One Knife Read Online Free PDF

other is a nursing home, where we provide more complete health care.”
    At the moment, Harry Lillis was one of forty-two residents in assisted living, Walt said. There were sixty-seven others on the nursing home side. While the Home’s residents were predominantly from the New York stage scene, mostly actors, dancers, writers, technicians, and others, anyone who had spent at least twenty years in the entertainment industry was eligible for a room in the Home, when there was an opening.
    “Of course, Mr. Lillis is best known for his film work, and he would have been welcome here because of that alone,” Walt said as we walked through a hallway that I believe was dedicated to Colleen Dewhurst. “But he and Mr. Townes also worked on the stage in New York before they started making movies.” It was true; Lillis and Townes had headlined a Broadway revue in 1950 called You’re Making It Up .
    Dad was a few steps ahead of us, which was interesting, seeing as how he had no idea where he was going. I’d rarely seen him this excited. “Why don’t we step into the dining room?” Walt suggested.
    At eleven in the morning, there were barely any people in the dining room, but the only thing that mattered to us was that one of them was Harry Lillis.
    Slightly less tall than (his official-studio-bio-inflated) six foot three, Lillis was leaning against a post in the center of the room, and I knew immediately that Vic had been right: with the sun hitting him the right way, from far enough away, and making allowances for hair color, that was the same Harry Lillis I’d seen play Waldo Krunsacker in the classic Peace and Quiet (1957).
    He was talking to a small woman, who had surely been very attractive in her day, since today she still looked good, and she had to be in her midseventies. She was seated on a sofa facing away from the large-screen television, and laughing at whatever Lillis said.
    “That’s Harry Lillis,” my father said, not to anyone in particular.
    Walt nodded, and walked to Lillis. He spoke quietly to the legend of my childhood, who looked in our direction. He must have been reminding Lillis that he’d agreed to meet us today. Harry Lillis nodded, and Walt beckoned to Dad and me.
    We stood rooted to the spot. So rooted I wouldn’t have been surprised if leaves sprouted from our arms and heads. I couldn’t move, and I knew Dad felt the same way.
    That was Harry Lillis!
    After an eternity or two, it was obvious we wouldn’t be able to traverse the fifteen feet to the great man, so Lillis stood up straight and walked toward us. I had now regressed to the age of eight, and he kept getting taller as he approached.
    I’m told that some men have a strong reaction when they meet boyhood idols from the ball field or the gridiron. I like to watch a baseball game now and again, but my heroes have always been comedians. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to speak. Ever again.
    However, I was able to move my arms, which I know because I held out a hand for Lillis to take. He didn’t.
    “I’m the decrepit old man,” he said. “You’re supposed to walk to me .”
    Walt, trying to keep the peace, chuckled, as if we didn’t know Lillis would make jokes, likely at our expense. “Now, Mr. Lillis,” he said. “You don’t have any trouble walking, and you know it. It’s good for you.”
    “Yeah, so is broccoli, but you’re not going to find me eating that,” Lillis responded. He looked at Dad. “You’re no kid,” he said. “The younger one clearly thinks I live in a television set. What’s your excuse?”
    Dad, always more resourceful than I am, had recovered. “I think you live on a movie screen,” he told Lillis. “I’m still awestruck. Mr. Lillis, I’m a big fan.” He stuck out his hand, and Lillis took it.
    “It’s a warm day,” Lillis said. “I could use a big fan. I’d prefer an air conditioner, but you’ll do. You got a name?”
    Dad grinned and nodded. “Arthur Freed.”
    “I thought you did a