LETTER TO CASTRO BAR OWNERS


May 25, 2014

Dear owner of [ castro bar ],

As the proprietor of [ castro bar ], I think you should be made aware of a possible drug dealer frequenting your premises. I suspect this person of using your locale to sell hard drugs to patrons…such as meth, crack and heroine. His name is Larkin Kelsey, a very handsome and charismatic fellow around 50 years old. We’ve been on-and-off good friends since I first met him at the old Hole in the Wall Saloon back in 2006. Due to recent conflicts with him, I now realize he was probably a dealer at that saloon, which is (as you probably realize) the best gay bar to sell speed. But back then, I had no idea he was involved, though I should’ve figured it out before now.

Anyway, since he’s moved to the Castro about three years ago, he’s suddenly turned hostile towards me. Our friendship till then has been very sweet to the point I’d call us “platonic lovers.” I’ve lived in the Castro since 1983, and was at first overjoyed to discover he’s moved just one block from my own residence. Unfortunately, things turned sour quickly. He has driven me out of all the bars in this neighborhood, telling bartenders and patrons alike that I’m his stalker. When in truth, I only showed up now and then to enjoy his company, just as I did when he lived South of Market. And he always welcomed me until this sudden attack. So I was shocked and heartbroken over his accusation.

He has also shoved me hard, once (on the sidewalk near Twin Peaks Tavern), tossed a lit cigarette onto my lap (at Pilsner Inn), humiliated me before other patrons (at various bars), and screamed at me upon my approach numerous times in order to make bystanders think I was causing him trouble. An example of his humiliation game happened at Pilsner Inn where I was having a friendly conversation with a woman there. He suddenly barged in on us from the pool table and declared: "Zeke! Leave the lady alone!" This resulted in her shunning me, as if I were some sort of nut case. One more example:

Larkin does not let me enter Twin Peaks Tavern if he's there. He is not a bouncer (let alone a bartender) yet acts as if he is. And the people who do work there allow him to get away with it. One day I had a letter to deliver to Larkin, and found him at the tavern. But the moment I set foot inside, he announced in a booming voice: "Zeke, you are not allowed in here!" The place suddenly went silent and all the patrons looked up at me. Of course I had no choice but to return outside and wait for him to approach me on the sidewalk.

One evening I showed up at the Mix for a quick drink, not knowing Larkin was also there. But at that time I thought we were still friends. Turns out Larkin told the lesbian bartender, Frankie, that I was stalking him. Though she saw no evidence of this, she kicked me out. I tried to talk with her about it when she stepped out after her shift, but she retorted: "See? You're stalking me now, too." Though she also admitted to me (before I was 86'd) that Larkin is a difficult customer, and doesn't need my presence to add to it. I think they call that "scapegoating." (By the way, I am sure I'm not the only person he's offended at this or that gay bar.)

I’ve spent many months trying to resolve our conflict, but he continues to avoid me, and has never rectified the gossip he spread against me. My letter here is not a vendetta, but a sincere regard for a friend who I cherish dearly. And it recently occurred to me that his hateful behavior to drive me out of all the Castro bars, may be to establish a new drug network. And as a consequence, he must push out of his world anyone who gets to close to him (such as myself).

There are other possibilities I’ve considered, regarding his sudden betrayal…but nothing makes sense except that he deals hard drugs in the Castro, since he’s been driven out of SOMA. My worry is that he’ll eventually get busted and wind up in prison…which will cause me more grief than I’ve already borne. I want him to stop, though trying to speak with him on this matter has proven futile.

Mr. Kelsey is incredibly charismatic, possessing not just outstanding good looks, but a charming personality that would knock anyone’s socks off. Therefore, he pretty much can get away with anything. He’s even a wonderful man, in spite of this dark side. It is therefore my hope that driving him out of the gay bars will compel him to seek a legal source to earn a living. Though his solution may simply be to create a new network in the Polk Street corridor. Certainly, I hope not, but even a best friend can only do so much to direct a loved one onto a better path.

I’m sure that Larkin is well connected with various bartenders, managers, and perhaps owners…such that my letter to you may prove fruitless, and even cause me harm. But I do not shrug from any repercussions, as my intent is sincere, and comes only from great regard for someone I consider my best friend of all time, no matter what.

In case you don’t already know him, I now describe: 6-foot-4, on the skinny side but very strong, funny, handsome and pretty much the life of the party wherever he goes. He has gorgeous fiery-orange eyes, and a ruddy head of dark-brown hair that now shows a little gray. He often changes his hair style: one week a buzz cut, another week a fluffy halo, and yet another week a trim yuppie appearance. Sometimes he alters his hair color. In other words it is hard to resist such a gracious personality. In fact, you may have already been charmed by his sociable talent and good looks…thus view me as a nuisance at best. I am willing to take that risk, for the sake of a man who I believe is worth all the trouble in the world. I even published a book about him (for the most part), which you may read here:

http://www.gay-bible.org/free

After reading chapter 1, you’ll understand why Mr. Kelsey means so much to me, and why I am willing to stick my neck out, that he may change his life around for the better. I can’t imagine any other reason than being a drug dealer, why he pushed me out of his life and banned me from all the bars in my own neighborhood. Only because (I conclude) he can’t afford to have anyone get too close to him, or they’ll discover the truth.

This book is the first in a trilogy. There is a link to the sequel at the bottom of that page. Chapter 1 opens with Larkin's betrayal, which runs a deep thread through the entire work. Book 3 completes this trilogy, which I will not finish until or unless it has a happy ending.

FYI: Larkin's name in book 1 is "Arwyn Miles." Because he suddenly refused to give the publisher signed permission to use his real name, after I completed the final draft. This incident marked the beginning of his betrayal, followed by other actions such as shoving me, et cetera.

The owners of the Hole in the Wall Saloon 86'd him permanently...and that is what I believe drove him to the Castro. So I advise you to contact them, to find out why, and perhaps confirm my suspicion. Not every bartender likes him, so I suggest you also talk to those particular employees, to find out why. He has been kicked out of bars now and then, such as Pilsner Inn for almost three years. One barkeep there named Matty can't stand Larkin, who has been known to be hostile to patrons at times.

He did finally give me signed approval to use his real name for Book 2. Enclosed is a copy of that form, as proof of our association. Which you may also view online:

http://tinyurl.com/larkin-sig

Perhaps you have the resources/connections to offer Larkin lucrative employment that will free him from any illegal ways to keep a roof over his head (if such be the case). I know I'm hoping for a miracle, but I also know this: Mr. Kelsey is an excellent ice breaker at the bars, making everyone feel welcome and cared for...especially wallflower types and those with physical disabilities (wheelchair bound for example). I believe he'd make a fantastic social mixer at gay parties and other events...he works a crowd like magic. It is my great hope that my novel will become a bestseller, so I can do precisely that for him. But time drags on, and I am most concerned for Larkin's future.

Obviously his present income is too meager to afford dental care (like myself), so he needs to have his teeth repaired before he embarks on this career. He once had an incredible smile, which I hope very much to see once again in the near future.

I sent a letter to the editor I wrote in 2006 (the first year of our friendship) entitled "Larkin: A Hidden Treasure". You may read it online:

http://tinyurl.com/larkin-treasure

I am not afraid to give you my real name, phone number and address, even if you consider Larkin a friend. I am only doing this from the sincerest regard for a man who means the world to me. I have lived in San Francisco since 1973, and been a prominent gay activist since 1983. A record of achievements can be found on my web site at:

http://www.gay-bible.org

Thank you so much for your attention. Please feel free to contact me, if you wish.

Most sincerely,

Ezekiel J. Krahlin

Enclosure: Larkin's signed permission

P.S. - I will soon file a police report on Mr. Kelsey for ongoing bullying and defamation of character, plus two assaults. Much of which happened outside any bar.