ON THE ROAD WITH UNCLE AL
Thomas Mahon
My uncle, Al Kane, was a world traveler for 40 years. He was an engaging, charming fellow and would always visit the most distinguished bar in whatever town he was in: Raffles (Singapore), Harry’s (Rome), Redwood Room (San Francisco).
One night in the latter bar, a fixture in the Clift Hotel (before the recent ‘modernization;’ gag me with a spoon) he got in a conversation with a couple who were as interesting as Al was.
Turns out, the were the chief butler and housekeeper at the Hearst Castle on the Central Coast of California. They had guest privileges, and so invited Al to come visit some weekend.
He took them up on the offer (no fool he) and spent a fabulous weekend there in the late 1940s, enjoying all the amenities of the legendary place.
As he was departing on Sunday evening, the old man happened along. The couple introduced my uncle to their employer, “Mr William Randolph Hearst, this is our friend, Mr. Al Kane.”
Hearst harrumph’d, “Kane!” Then he stormed away.
© 2021, Thomas Mahon
