The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

By Gerard Exupery

“Truth is stranger than fiction because fiction has to make sense.”
–  My Flight Instructor

I’ve got a lot of 35mm negatives, which have suffered quite a bit of damage over the years. My ex had a penchant for purchasing houses that were prone to basement flooding. So my pix got flooded out precisely the same way in two different locations two years apart. Seeing my negatives go floating by gave me a feeling, which was the exact polar opposite of seeing my sons being born. Twice.

The amount of damage was difficult for me to comprehend. The first time, trying to put the debacle into perspective, I thought this must be what it is like to fall out of an airplane without a parachute. The second time was like being drawn and quartered. It took months (both times) to salvage what I could and grieve for the lost images. Even today, if I dream about it, and I do, I wake to yell, “Son of a bitch. Mother F***er, C**k S**ker.” Or something just like it.

Thank God for Photoshop.

I mention my negative misfortune because it’s the long way around why that picture up there is in such lousy condition. I could have just said that “My negatives got damaged in a flood.”

But how interesting would that be?

That girl sitting opposite me in the picture above is Candia. Her boyish good looks and delicate features reminded me of the 1960s British model Twiggy. If you don’t know who Twiggy was, look it up. I found her quite fascinating.

I met Candia on her 18th birthday at a party given by her parents in their Fifth Avenue apartment. I crashed the party, inviting myself along with my friend Louis and his girlfriend Suzy. Candia and Suzy were classmates at the Brearly School. It was where rich people sent their girl children. My mother used to say to me, “It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich girl as it is a poor one.” It was easy falling for Candia.

Suzy told me that Candia was into photography. When I was finally able to corner her, that’s all we talked about. Except when a girl with very long hair caught on fire. This was a girl who had totally ignored me when I tried to talk to her earlier. She had been standing too close to a candle. I remember it so clearly because of how fast she lost all composure.  I remember thinking, “See? See what happens when you are mean to me?”

Hey, I didn’t say it to her.

After that excitement, I asked Candia if she would take pictures with me the following week. She said yes, and we did. I don’t remember where we went to, probably Central Park. She had a Pentax SLR, and I had my Nikon F2. I always liked that Pentax. It was small compared to the Nikon and less obtrusive for street photography.

Candia and I dated casually for about 10 years. Most of that time I thought she was just tolerating me as she was rarely what one would call warm and fuzzy.

Still, I would do just about anything she asked. That’s how we ended up seeing “Saturday Night Fever” 13 times. She didn’t like disco, nor John Travolta as far as I could tell, and she didn’t own the soundtrack. I asked her many times what the draw was, but she never explained. I thought it was “our thing,” but it really had nothing to do with me.

One summer evening, Candia became unusually affectionate and stayed the night at my place. It was her “first time.” During our awkward breakfast the following morning, she said I was acting weird. Followed by, “Look I’m 18 and I’m going to college at the end of August. I just didn’t want to be a virgin when I got there. I appreciate your helping me, but I did not suddenly fall madly in love with you or anything like that.” She was always full of surprises.

She didn’t give a crap what you thought of her, an attitude that comes from money, a sense of entitlement, and never having to worry. For her, “living in the moment” was going to see “Saturday Night Fever” whenever she happened to think of it. If I didn’t go, she would just go by herself.

As the years went by, she would show up for a week and be gone for 3 months. Then she would show up for a month and disappear for a year. She didn’t talk much about her adventures. “I was roaming around Europe with Gaby,” she would say. Or, “I took a few classes at Alaska State.” That sort of thing. Around the 10-year mark, she disappeared from my life for good. But, not before this happened…

Playing with the Pentax 1976

On a Thursday morning in the spring, Candia called and asked if I would meet her for lunch at The Museum of Modern Art’s Sculpture Garden. I hadn’t seen her in almost a year and I was looking forward to hearing about what she had been up to.

She told me about going to Egypt and riding bicycles all over France with some guy named Aubrey. It took me 3 nanoseconds before I had that guy pictured. She had her Pentax slung over her shoulder. The same one she had when we met. It was a mess.

My cameras are a tool, not a jewel, so wear and tear does not bother me. Of course, you should take care of your gear, but if you don’t use it, what’s the point?  I’ll take the occasional dent or ding along with some good images any day.

As long as we’re talking about this… that $7 filter in front of the $800.00 piece of glass?  Really?   Give me a break.   On second thought, let’s not do this.

Candia and I talked for a bit, and then she asked me if I could help her with her filthy camera. I suspected this was the real reason she got in touch as she had been home for 3 weeks and was leaving for somewhere in 2 days.I take pride in my ability to figure out how to service my cameras over the years. I’ve read a few books, and I have all the tools. If you take your time and work slowly, you can do a lot. Now there are a ton of videos on YouTube about repairing old cameras that are quite good.

Her Pentax was a mess, and I was proud of her and it. She used the hell out of it, and she made good images as far as I could tell. The polarizer on the lens had a dent and a crack, and it wouldn’t come off. Taking the lens off, the mirror was filthy, and the viewfinder was like looking through an old garage window.

When she saw the look on my face she said, “Don’t ask…can you help me?” She knew I couldn’t refuse her. I said I could make it comfortable and maybe give it another year or two of life. Eventually and sooner than later, she was going to have to purchase a new one. It would cost more than a new body to overhaul this one. We had some lunch, and I told her I would call when it was done.

I put my Nikon in my bag and slung the Pentax over my shoulder. I didn’t want them banging together. We said goodbye and headed off in different directions.

Me with Candia’s Pentax 1976

I switched for the Astoria train at Queensboro plaza. It was near rush hour, but I was lucky enough to get a seat. After a few stops when the car had emptied out a bit, I noticed that I was sitting directly across from Nestor. Nestor was married to Heather.

Heather was a graphic artist in the Creative Services Group of the bank I had worked for. We were located on the 83rd floor of One World Trade Center. She was cute, both prim and proper, interesting and she had a mustache.  It was blond and bushy, and difficult to not look at. It looked like a little toothbrush or baby caterpillar. Nestor was a new hire, a freelance graphic artist who apparently went for that type of thing, and they began dating.
Nestor and I frequently took a mid-morning smoke break together. We would ride the 83 floors down (don’t forget to change elevators on 78, “The Sky Lobby”) and exit the building onto West street. We usually ended up talking about what a sweet gig we had or our co-workers. A conversation you would have with an acquaintance.

When Nestor saw me sitting across from him he got up and sat down next to me. After the standard greeting, he said, “I got married to Heather.” “I thought I had heard something about that, congratulations” I replied. He then asked if I would like to come over for a drink.  The hesitation I was feeling disappeared when he said: “I’ll make us some martinis.”  I asked if Heather would be there, and Nestor told me that she was having drinks with friends. I was relieved. As interesting as I thought Heather once was, there was something about her that was dark and hinky.

Nestor’s one-bedroom apartment was in a pre-war building. Clean and decorated in a way that no guys apartment ever was. I put my bag down on the kitchen table and the Pentax right next to it. We walked into the living room where there was one of those mini-bar carts with the mirrored shelves. Nestor picked up the ice bucket and walked back into the kitchen. When he returned, he told me he had moved my camera, placing it on a chair as it seemed close to the edge of the table. Nestor rolled the cart to where we were sitting and proceeded to make 2 killer Martinis.

After the first few sips, Nestor opened a little silver case on the coffee table and took out a neatly rolled joint. He put it in his mouth and took a deep toke. Then he handed it to me.

At first, I hesitated, because I often got paranoid smoking weed. But what the hell? The drinks were relaxing, and Nestor was excellent company. As long as Heather wasn’t going to suddenly pop in, it would be cool.

A few minutes passed, and Nestor pulled a vial out of his pants pocket. He then proceeded to layout 4 lines of coke. At first, I hesitated because coke could make me incredibly anxious. It would give me an anxiety attack if I wasn’t in the right mood. I didn’t usually do it, but of course, I didn’t want to be rude.

After another round of martinis, Nestor asked me if I wanted to see his Goliath Pinkfoot Tarantula… I think that’s what he said, but he could have said anything.

Of course, he would have a pet Goliath Pinkfoot Tarantula. Without waiting for an answer, Nestor got up and walked over to the bookcase that had a terrarium on the middle shelf. Reaching in, he picked up a big brown furry leggy thing the size of my face. He put it on his shoulder and sat back down again.

I am pretty good at things that usually freak other people out. I’ve had several snakes at once, which nobody ever seemed to like. I’m good with blood and all sorts of accidents and mayhem. But spiders were another thing. I did not like spiders very much at all.


After relighting the joint, Nestor asked me if I wanted to hold Alphie. I started to say, “No, thanks.” but I was interrupted by Nestor taking Alphie off his shoulder and placing him on mine. “Raise your arm,” he said, and Alphie walked down to the palm of my hand. I could feel the little hairs that covered his legs. It tickled, and it wasn’t that bad at all. Yeah, this was OK. I was holding a tarantula named Alphie, who was the size of my face, and I was feeling only slightly terrified and mildly interested.

Then Nestor handed me the joint and at the same time exhaled a big cloud of smoke… the brunt of which hit Alphie in the nose… wherever that was. The tarantula raised 2 front legs in protest.

Up until the very next moment, I had no idea that tarantulas could jump. Alphie launched himself straight into the air and directly down onto my head. “Holy crap”! I yelled.

Of course, Alphie wasn’t just going to sit there like a good little spider. He headed down my neck, and I FREAKED THE F*** OUT. I screamed like a little girl and shook my head so hard that Alphie flew off in the direction of the bookcase.

My hands and arms were flailing at imaginary crawling things in my hair and Nestor was laughing his ass off. I looked over toward the bookcase but didn’t see Alphie. I turned back to Nestor and began to apologize for killing his bug. Nestor interrupted my apology, “Alphie is fine he’ll hide for a bit. Eventually, he’ll show himself… Don’t worry it’s OK.”

Then Heather came home.

When Nestor heard the door open, he grabbed the vial of coke off the coffee table and shoved it into his pants. In the most futile of gestures, because the place reeked of weed he started waving a copy of Vogue in the air. I knew right then who was in charge of this house.

As soon as Heather came through the door, I became even more paranoid and felt an anxiety attack coming on. I didn’t think I could talk because my tongue kept sticking to the inside of my mouth. I stood as she entered the room, worked up a smile, and said, “Hello.” The tenuous smile on Heather’s face completely disappeared when she recognized me. With a glance, she told me I had better not try the cheek kissing thing. I sat back down.

Once she got a good whiff and saw the martini glasses her face went crimson. I thought of a new stop sign. She joined Nestor on the couch and began saying something but I couldn’t pay attention. There was a caterpillar on her lip and I wanted to see what it would do next.

It was clear that it was time for me to leave.

I asked where the bathroom was and excused myself. I had trouble walking at first but I got it sorted out quickly. I flipped on the light and shut the door. Standing alone in the bathroom, I relaxed and chuckled to myself about how whipped Nestor must be. Yep, Heather was the one who cracked the whip in this house.

There were green and black tiles everywhere, and the bathtub had a sliding door made of green-tinted rippled glass. The toilet was very close to the tub, and I leaned on the sliding door as I took care of business.

After having consumed 3 martinis, smoking half a joint, and inhaling 2 lines of coke, of course, I imagined that Heather and Nestor were serial killers, or cannibals, or even Satanists. I laughed to myself. I thought that Heather was probably so displeased to see me she was going to lock Nestor in the closet. Perhaps she worried that I would find the body that she had Nestor stash in the bathtub last night. I giggled.

After I flushed the toilet, I turned and looked at the green rippled glass of the sliding door. It gave nothing away as to what was behind it. “Hey, maybe there is a body in there.” I thought, and I slid the rippled glass door over.

I’m sure you know about the fight or flight reaction… You see, the body will immediately want to shed any excess weight in the form of urine or feces to run faster. At that moment, I found myself fighting with at least 2 sphincter muscles.

THERE WAS A BODY IN THE GOD DAMN BATHTUB! “HOLY FREAKING SHIT”!

Nestor called out, “Are you OK in there”? Paranoia and fear were taking over. “I’ll be out in a moment,” I croaked back. These people were going to murder me and cut me up into pieces! My brain was moving a mile a minute,  I glanced back at the bathtub.

When I realized what I was looking at, I thought I would plotz. It was a black rubber suit. Not exactly like a scuba diver would wear. The rubber hood and ball gag confirmed it was a Gimp suit. He looked as if he had been taking a bath, and someone came in and poked a hole in him. It was kind of sad too and, it smelled like a Port Authority restroom.

2016  Latex Fetish Christmas Party East Village

 

Suddenly fragments of conversations with Heather and something disturbing I had seen as a child came flooding into my consciousness. Things were a bit more apparent to me. At least about Nestor and Heather.

Then there was a knock on the door which startled me. I tried to say “Hold on a minute,” but what came out sounded more angry mallard than anything else. I felt like my head was going to explode. I started doing calculations as to the trajectory and speed needed to grab my jacket and bag, say thank you and goodbye, and keeping the speed up, lose no forward momentum hitting the door and freedom in less than 5 seconds.

I didn’t care what water sports or BDSM that Gimp suit was used for. But, they must have known that I saw it! It would be the only thing that would account for my “unusual behavior” and the apparent problem with leaving their bathroom.

All I could do was pretend I didn’t see it, and maybe we all could pretend that the situation wasn’t as bizarre as fuck and then… Adiós Amigos!

I took a step towards the bathroom door.  As I put my foot down, I heard a “puffett” sound like stepping on a partially deflated balloon.  Looking down I could see furry legs sticking out from under my shoe, a small puddle of something forming around them.

I had located Alphie.

I thought I was going to yack, and I was whimpering like a little girl. The panic kicked into overdrive. I could tell Nestor I had killed his spider by accident… After discovering the Gimp suit in the bathtub… No… I could flush it down the toilet… No… I’m not picking that thing up.

I looked around the bathroom and saw the little carpet that went around the base of the toilet. The one used to catch a guy’s bad aim. I slowly lifted my foot. Alphie was more of a pulpy wet spot than a tarantula. I shoved Alphie with my foot over to the rug, pushed him under it, and straightened it out. There was a little bump that I took care of with my heel. I then wiped up the trail of spider juice and flushed it.

I opened the door. Nestor and the boss were standing there staring at me silently. I jumped on that silence and I was off: “I’m really wasted, I guess I had an upset stomach, but I had a wonderful time, great to see you guys, we should do it again.” I didn’t give them the chance to say anything as I grabbed my jacket, and my bag, and was out the door home free in seconds.

I walked as fast as I could until I was confident they couldn’t see or catch me. God, the air was so sweet and… Shit!

Candia’s Pentax was sitting on a kitchen chair in Heather’s kitchen.

Shit!

Shit!

Shit!

I turned around to go back but thought better of it and turned around again. I did that 2 more times before finally heading towards the subway.

Screw the camera.

 

 


Help Me Print “Women Hold Up Half The Sky” my Second Book.

 


My book ‘Subway New York City ‘1975-1985’ is available on Etsy.

 

Gerard Exupery Website

Gerard Exupery has been a New York City Street Photographer for 40 years, He attended the School of Visual Arts and studied with Lisette Model at The New School. He has also worked as an oil rig roustabout, a photographer’s assistant, custom printer, motorcycle mechanic, audio engineer, video engineer, producer, and Mr. Mom.  Exupery also drove a New York City taxi which he considers his post-graduate work.

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About The Author

By Gerard Exupery
I've been a New York City Street Photographer for 40 years, I attended the School of Visual Arts and studied with Lisette Model at The New School. I’ve worked as an oil rig roustabout, a photographer's assistant, custom printer, motorcycle mechanic, audio engineer, video engineer, associate producer, and producer. I also drove a New York City cab which I consider my post-graduate work. I have an Indiegogo Campaign for my new book: "Women Hold Up Half The Sky." Launching soon. My personal website is: http://gerardexupery.com
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Comments

David on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

That was fantastic!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you.

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Scott Edwards on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!! !! !! Thank you for the ride.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

I've got a few more "rides" in me which I hope Hamish will approve of. So far he's let me have a lot of rope. Glad you liked it.

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Leo Tam on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

The stories you can tell !
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Tobias Eriksson replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Don't ever repair a busted Pentax!

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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Everybody has stories to tell. I just made a lot of questionable decisions and I have a good memory. Glad you enjoyed it.

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phodographer on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Great story. And I believe it.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Considering that you know the main cast of characters, I take that as high praise. Thanks, Mark*. *Mark wrote the forward for my book and has been a good friend for too many years.

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Heather Spergel on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

This has me on a rollercoaster of emotions! Laughing and at the edge of my seat! Love it!!!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Then my job here is done. So pleased you enjoyed it.

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Roy Thompson on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Best tale I've read in ages. Whatever happened to those involved
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Glad you liked it. I just found out yesterday that "Nestor" and "Heather" live close by a good friend of mine in Connecticut. I'm not sure if I should be worried. Candia lives in the same apartment that she grew up in on 5th Avenue. I ran into her once in 1995 and haven't had any contact since.

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Marius on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Absolutely excellent read.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Thank you.

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George Middlebrooks on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

This was INCREDIBLE. Sitting here at my desk laughing my ass off at the escalation of events. Thanks for sharing!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Thank you for your wonderful comment.

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Huss on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

I wish you had picture of Heather!
Wow. Awesome.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

I am just skirting the line already, I wouldn't want to run into Nestor even without publishing an image of the caterpillar.

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Mary on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

You have a knack for storytelling. :)
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

And you have excellent taste.

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Ben Garcia on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Holy f... dude. I feel like I just read the weekly feature from VICE. That was amazing!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Your comment is wonderful. Thank you. More to come.

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Ted on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

That’s a hell of a story. Made excellent bathroom reading. Well done!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

An activity I enjoy greatly. Not enough good bathroom reading out there. Thanks.

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Steve Brooke on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

Thanks for this. Being young, being wasted and thinking you are in over your head and not realizing at the time that this experience will over time take on a life of its own. I used a Pentax SP500 for several years and have fond memories of it too.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

All the things I thought would scar me for life didn't and a lot of small things turned out to be very significant. As long as I have to get old I might as well share. I think the only reason I had "adventures" is the same thing that allows me to do street work: A willingness to see how far something will go knowing full well that my Fairy Godmother while not allowing me to have too much fun will still prevent me from being maimed.

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Daniel Sigg on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

That story is fantastic. Now I have a question: your name is Exupery, Antoine de Saint Exupery was also a pilot I believe. And you have a flight instructor quote above.

Are you related to Antoine by any chance?
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 03/06/2020

If I am related I'm not sure how. If you go back far enough of course but Exupery is not an uncommon name in France. I did read a book of his while learning to fly "Stick and Rudder" I think. He was an extraordinary individual. I am happy that you liked the story.

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Shubroto Bhattacharjee on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Gerard, you really are the works. Never stop!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Thank you. I've got plenty more coming.

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D Evan Bedford on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Bravo! 35mmc needs more writer/photographers like you!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Thank you so much. One of the best comments I've received.

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John Bailey on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Great story. I hope to hear more of them.

Buckle up!

*And thanks for reviewing it and suggesting edits. I had limited time to edit the piece before publishing but I hope you will continue to proofread and suggest.


*I love JB's work. Take a look:https://www.flickr.com/photos/real-figments/
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Fasten your seat belt!

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Louis Sousa on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Thank you!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Thank you for reading and enjoying it.

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Aivaras on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Now that was something! :)
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

All in all, I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks.

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CJ on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

That was WONDERFUL, thank you! You had me squirming and laughing in equal measure. What a tale, and masterfully told.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

I do believe sir that you have given me an attack of the vapors! Thank you.

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brian nicholls on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Compelling reading. Once started, I was unable to stop. Refreshing change from f stops, shutter speeds, focal lengths and ISO settings. Fact or Fiction - who cares ?
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

I loved your comment. Thank you. I was worried when I first started writing for Hamish that my stories weren't going to be a good match for the website. It appears that I was wrong. Photography has given me entre to so many situations and people that I never would have had without it. People are why I take pictures so I've accumulated a lot of "adventures" with them. For many of those adventures only now can I step back and pretty much laugh my ass off. Geez, you just gave me an idea for my next piece. Thanks.

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thorsten on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Fantastic, Gerard, this kicks 35mmc to an entirely different level. It's like SNL popped in here. Keep it coming ;))
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Thank you. That's high paise.

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Huss on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Did anyone tell you your young self looks like Mark Ruffalo?

I am so looking forward to your next pieces.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

Thanks. Buckle up. It's going to get weird around here.

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Marc Wick on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 04/06/2020

What a great story! You made my day! I really enjoyed it! Thanks a lot!!!
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Mike on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

I loved every paragraph and can't wait to receive your book.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

Thank you for your comments and thank you for buying my book. Would you like me to sign it?

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Stephen McCullough on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

So here's a thing. In a world smothered by pandemic news and the crushing of American ideals this was a wonderfully entertaining story of life. You can really write. Don't stop.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

I am happy that you enjoyed it and thank you for the encouragement.

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Reece on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

What an engaging and immersive read, I can't wait to read the next chapter!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

Thank you so much. You won't have to wait long.

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Julian Love on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

Wonderful!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 05/06/2020

Thank you.

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Aaron Gold on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

This might be my favorite 35MMC story ever. And I own a tarantula.
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

That is High Praise. I appreciate it, thank you.

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Jon Shenfine on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

That. Was. Gold. Thank you Gerard for taking us with you on your ride. Currently trying to find your book for sale to Australia!
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

I have been shocked by shipping cost for the book outside of the United States. I am trying to find another way however I don't think I can make that many friends amongst to the flight attendants of Qantas. I am glad that you enjoyed the story.

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Alan Chin on The Waitress, the Tarantula, the Body in the Bathtub and Why I Had To Buy My Girlfriend a New Pentax

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

In that era, why did you go to B&H to get her a new camera? Surely there was something used but excellent condition from the Camera Barn, or Brooklyn Camera Exchange, or Wall Street Camera, or any of the many wonderful, now long gone, camera stores ...
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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

In that era B&H was on 47th Street. I bought a lot of equipment there. Including my first enlarger. I hope that the story made more of an impression then my desire to purchase from B&H.

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Alan Chin replied:

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

No no B&H was on west 16th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. You are thinking either of 47th Street Photo or Calumet? I mention this only as fact-checking and continuity/anachronism watching. Beautiful story — I grew up in the NY of that era too — and let me just say I also knew a lot of Brearley girls and spent my share of nights in funny apartments. For some of that I was shooting with a Nikon F2 also :)

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Gerard Exupery replied:

Comment posted: 06/06/2020

You are absolutely right I stand corrected it was 47th Street. That was a great era for camera stores and I miss it. Thank you for your comment. Oh by the way did you notice that when they had the pooper-scooper law came into effect that it really did change the smell of the city? I think that was during the Summer of Sam

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