"We have cops on both ends" said Gary. "We have to figure out a way to get out of here."


We escaped with ease. We took another tunnel, walked several miles and emerged someplace close to Culver City.  We pooled our money, hired a taxi, and rode home.   

A day later, Gary and I met up with Richard, and he filled us in.
"Our group made a lot of noise that night and someone called the cops.   They told the police that they saw a bunch of men with tools climb into the storm drains.  I think that they were sure that someone was going to tunnel into a nearby bank.  They called the City Engineers office and had engineers pull out maps of the entire system."
Richard continued: "The cops that picked us up were part of their elite Robbery Division.  They were really pissed when they found out that we were just a bunch of kids and not bank robbers."
Richard sort of smiled:  "They wanted to know who everyone else was.  I didn't tell them a thing."   Richard paused for effect:  "Chuck had a breakdown.  He spilled his guts to them. He was so scared that he even made things up.  I think you might expect a call from the Police."

Interestedly enough I didn't get any telephone calls.  I was living by myself in a house trailer (not a mobile home) in Hawthorne, and I didn't have a telephone.  Gary was not so fortunate, and his parents, once again, told him that, I was trouble and that he was not to associate with me any more.

"Richard is nice," said Gary's mother.  "He is not a troublemaker like that Bill Eagle."

Despite Gary's mothers opinion of me, Gary and I still remained friends.  We were good friends… friends to the very end.

I will always remember my friend Gary.  He was my pal, and he will always live in my heart. 


Note: My friend Gary Lee Trompeter died Monday May 15, 2006.