This is an excerpt of Chapter 21 and to set it up: Izzy is on one of her ” lost weekend” episodes and can not be found. The publisher Jahnie, of the magazine Vinyl, is freaking out since he went out of his way to convince Dustin Hoffman to be photographed for the cover of the magazine by Izzy. Tensions are mounting for Tiny; Sam and Jahnie since Izzy is not returning her calls and Hoffman and his entourage are on their way to the studio. Izzy finally makes an appearance and declares to Sam that she does not feel like taking any photos today and tell him to call off the shoot with Hoffman, but it is too late …..

                                                            Chapter 21

Dustin Pays a Visit

“Good morning, Tiny. Have a good weekend?” 

“Not bad. Went to CBGB’s and saw this band called Blondie. The lead singer was smokin’.” 

“Sorry I missed it. So, what’s happening this week? Any traveling?”

“Izzy left a note for you that she wanted you to start pulling out these images from her archive and taking them to the lab to make 8” x 10” work prints.” 

Tiny handed me a sheet of paper with the names of famous people 

Izzy had photographed. 

“What’s this about and anyway shouldn’t you be on it?” I said, looking at the list.   

“She is putting together a book and I have better things to do.” Tiny turned away and stared at the calendar on her desk. “She does have a big a shoot in the studio on

Friday for Vinyl and wants to have these images printed up by tomorrow. So, get busy.”  

“Are you going to tell me who is coming by this Friday, or am I going to have to guess?” I tried to see what was written on the calendar.  Tiny looked up at me. “Dustin Hoffman.” 

“Seriously?” I said. 

“Seriously,” she said. “He’s between films and Jahnie met him at a party last week and someone convinced him to have his portrait taken by Izzy,”

“Benjamin from The Graduate for fuck’s sake! Great movie!”  

“Personally, my favorite was Kramer vs. Kramer. Nailed the divorced dad and I should know.”  

“OK,” I said. “I’ll track down these chromes and get prints made. Is Izzy coming in today?” 

“Nope. Not till tomorrow. She’s off on one her lost weekends. Probably see her on the side of some milk carton one day.” Tiny let out an unexpected snort.   

Izzy didn’t show up till Wednesday afternoon and Tiny was not happy. The phone never stopped ringing. Jahnie was freaking out, wondering what had happened to Izzy. He was responsible for getting Hoffman to the studio that Friday and according to Tiny was having doubts if that was a good idea. 

Izzy entered the studio as if her absence was never noticed. As soon as she entered Tiny jumped out of her seat. “Where the fuck have you been? Janie’s been calling for the last two days!” 

The presale of the book ©LeavingCleveland will be January 14th, 2023 and can be purchased at all your favorite booksellers 

Launch of the book March 14th 2023