More Strange Encounters with Odd Twists

I wrote here a little while ago about my experience in the late 1980's of having a fundraiser for the United Way whom I met by chance at a work occasion telling me all these ways the Fund was badly run and served the interests of rich people who were involved with it...

Other people have told me of stories they have heard or encounters they have had. Here is one from a writer friend:

"Here’s my anecdote:

One day back in the 1980’s, I was hanging out alone in Harvard Square, when I encountered an old, eccentric man who claimed that he was a special political advisor to the likes of New York City Mayor Ed Koch and President Ronald Reagan. He also claimed that he had taught the two their symbolic hand gestures: thumb up in the air or both arms outstretched, etc… Supposedly these gestures were instrumental in getting both politicians elected. I never bothered to confirm whether any of this was true, but the memory and weird ring of truth have stuck with me all these years. "

Craig R. Bayer  

Another friend, George Rosen, just remembers meeting while young an embittered veteran of World War II who had had all sorts of unpleasant dealings with the Red Cross at the end of the War that reflected very badly on that charity ( and hated them with a passion for it).

Here is a story of an odd encounter from my (also writer) friend Goddard Graves about a gay friend of his and a strange experience:

" On the matter of brief, unrepeated, or indeed unrepeatable encounters..Just the other day Suzy and I were recalling a story told to us by one dear , flamboyant friend, Don R.  

He was on a cross country train trip with a private compartment. In the club-car he met an attractive young man who was, however, on a shorter trip , ticketed to an intermediate stop.
One thing led to another and the next morning Don awoke alone
, but replete with good memories of a night full of love and laughter with the mysterious stranger. 
On a shelf by his folding bed, Don found an ornate ring with a simple note of thanks and affection.

  He put the ring on his finger and shortly afterwards, the attendant came to make up the bed. Don had previously had a friendly, easy relationship with this member of the train's crew, but this morning the other man ( African American, as they all were well into the Eighties) was noticeably nervous and eager to be done with the tasks and be gone.

  Observing this, Don-- who who was as kind as Santa Claus-- asked the man whether something was wrong. Then man sputtered, then pointed to the ring. Don held it up with pride, "Pretty, isn't it?"
  The man asked in a low voice-- " Are you-- KKK?"Don was astonished and said in all truthfulness that he certainly wasn't KKK, and that the ring had been a surprise gift. 

Evidently trusting Don's integrity, the attendant said the the item in question was a Grand Dragon ring from the Klan. Don was horrified and asked how the other man knew...The reply was both tantalizing in its lack of specificity and , but utterly convincing in its implicit wisdom:" Mister, when you are black, there are just some things you know."

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