The Monocle Trio: Mason & Aaron's Journal

Part Two: Venice Beach

4:00 p.m. - Evidently the folks in Beverly Hills had seen plenty of monocles before so we visited Venice Beach to be among the common people. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous again. I expect to be accosted. Beautiful day though, just plain wonderful.

(Photos by Mason Gentry)

4:06 p.m. - Five minutes after we arrived to Venice Beach, a couple of transients confronted me unexpectedly while my monocle was out.

TRANSIENT #1: Hey, weirdo.

AARON: Hey, what's doin'?

TRANSIENT #2: What's doin' yourself?

AARON: Oh, I'm just hangin' out, you know?

TRANSIENT #2: You gotta dollar?

AARON: Nah man. I'm actually looking for money myself.

TRANSIENT #1: No? [touches my chest] You don't have five dollars? Ten?

AARON: No. Like I said, I don't have any money today.

TRANSIENT #2: You got a credit card man?

AARON: Wait. What? No. I'm not from here, so…

TRANSIENT #2: You got nothin'? Five bucks? A credit card? A necklace?

AARON: No way. I'm not from here, so all my stuff is at a friend's place.

TRANSIENT #1: Alright. See ya.

AARON: Cool guys, have a good one. I'm outta here.

4:16 p.m.

PAINTER: This is my work

AARON: Oh yeah? You made these?

PAINTER: Yeah. I painted them and I burned the wood too.

AARON: Wow! I try to make stuff, but I can't. I think it's cause my eyes are off.

PAINTER: You need dark glasses.

AARON: Oh, 'cause it's bright?

PAINTER: Yeah. The key is patience. Never say you can't do something.

AARON: Thanks. I'm working on that whole patience thing. Do you know where I can get a dark one of these? [points to monocle]

PAINTER: Sure. You can find that stuff at the ninety-nine cent store.

AARON: Seriously?

PAINTER: Yeah. Or sometimes I find stuff there or at kids' schools.

AARON: Wait. What? Kids' schools?

PAINTER: You know those stores at schools where they sell stuff to the kids and teachers?

AARON: Ooh, right. Sure. Wow. Is that Catalina? [points to painting]

PAINTER: Yup. First time I did that one. I made it for someone who said they'd be back to get it and never did.

AARON: Well, you know…have a nice day. I like the paintings. Lots of colors.

PAINTER: Thanks. You, too.

4:23 p.m. - I bet this guy had some stories to tell but unfortunately he was pretty incoherent.

All in all, I'd say the people at Venice were much more approachable than those in Beverly Hills. So what if they just wanted my money.