Dino and the Queen Concert Extravaganza /or/ A Night At The Cop Stop

Growing up in the Bronx,

Now Dino was one of my tight buds in high school, we never ventured far from the school together, but still I liked Dino, and I think he liked me. Now as I tell these tales of my life don't get the impression that I would approve of the things we did and said back then, and don't think i couldn't water them down a bit. But if you want an accurate , (or semi) account I gotta tell it like it was. Dinos real name if I remember correctly was Rendino Degiacomo. He carried himself tall, wore a cut off leather jacket, or a cut off levis jacket. Red bandanna folded neatly hanging out his back pocket, MC boots, and a long chain that hooked to his wallet. While most of us at Columbus had a small tattoo or so Dino had those devils on his inner forearms, one one pointing saying " hey you" the other saying "who me?. You just couldn't miss them there. The other thing that struck you about him was that his looks and mannerisms were a sort of cross between Spicoli from Fast Times At Ridgemont High, that kinda stoner thing, and DiNero's subtle but sure toughness. One thing for sure if something was gonna go down I wanted Dino on my side.

As I said we rarely ventured far from the high school together until this one particular evening. Queens album The Game had just been released and they were playing Madison Square Garden in September I think it was. Somehow we decided to met that evening at the train station at White Plains Rd. and Pelham Parkway, which was about equal distance for each of us and was close to the High School.

So at the appointed time we both arrived on the street below the station. Up we went to catch the train. As Dino hit the top I saw him just jump the turnstile, and at the same time a Transit Cop reaches out and grabs him. Well, I didn't hesitate and jumped it too right in front of both of them. Dino kinda smiled, the cop, well wasn't so much smiling and says, "stop right there". Now I did not want to get him mad so I held it in but I was like "dah, I'm with him and we got a concert to go to so we sticking together".

The officer perceiving that we were not a threat proceeded to take us into the station bathroom, i figured for a beating but he wasn't up for it that night I guess. The first thing he did was ask if we had money to pay the fare, which we both did. Second the search began. Me first, 1 slightly large Schrade folding knife, a pack of Bamboo rolling papers, some cash, cigs, two tickets for Queen at MSG. Now Dino's turn. Oh wait, I forgot a crucial point earlier on the street Dino pulls out a little container with microdot mescaline, or at least thats what we knew it by. we each popped about 3 on the way up. Now Dino, one nickle bag weed, a zippo lighter, a assortment of knives,several quite large, a small plastic container with these tiny cylindrical objects of a purple color, assorted other things. First up was the weed, would your father approve of this? no sir? "I should just call him now see what he says' "please no sir" ."and what about all the knives' "well sir it's dangerous on the subway at night and..." "and this what is this in this little container flints for your lighter" yes sir, yes sir thats exactly what they are".... "Now you boys take all your stuff go pay your fare and don't ever let me catch you jumping the turnstile while you have plenty of money in your pocket, and spending money on Rock concert tickets". "Ah sir can we have our weed back we are going to the concert and all"...."right, right we are going, thank you again sir"

We did as told thankful we didn't get sent to the #5 line gulag and were on our way. To be honest I don't remember much of the concert or coming home. I'm gonna blame it on the flints, maybe someday I'll enjoy the show in a flashback.

Dino, I don't know where or how you are but, love ya bud..one of the best.