No Longer As You Are

Modern Literature Magazine an international online magazine that has published writers who have been published in The New Yorker has published my short story, No Longer As You Are.  To escape the pandemic,  I wrote this story inspired by a memory I have from my teenage years working on Old Benny Smiths Farm.  It is my second published story.

Below is the link . I’d love to hear your responses.

No Longer As You Are – By Daniel Beer

Here is a review.

You are such a wonderful writer. I couldn’t stop reading this. Your attention to visual details made me feel like I could see the whole story. Did this really happen ? I always tell my girls that everyone has a story and while reading this I could see that Finn (you) was wise for his age and had a heart maybe not like others his age and took the time for someone who needed it . Thank you for sharing this with me!

Robin Lambert Mcintee

Finally! Flirting!

I’m in the liquor aisle deciding on what beer to buy. A woman in the cutest little jean shorts is sorta trailing me. She passes and stops in front of the Vodka and Gin. We both have our masks on. Boy, how do I flirt with masks on during a pandemic? But there’s a sexiness about her.
“I’d go with the vodka, ” I say. ” It works great against COVID, but I’d stay away from Lysol and Clorox.”
She laughs, a real laugh, and says “right.”
Even with her mask on I could tell she was blushing.
The masks added something, an unknown anticipation of what I don’t know. I took a picture of her in my head, her presence in case I would see her again without masks. Then and only then we would know.
Daniel Beer

ELEVATOR WITH A SIX-YEAR-OLD

 

In the elevator at the grocery store, I shared the ride with a family of three. The daughter, holding a pink lunch box was no higher than my waist. She quietly announced, “I’m six.”
“Me too, ” I said, ” I grew really fast.”
She glanced at her mom. The elevator door opened, and by chance, we were parked next to each other.
“If I’m six, am I allowed to drive?”
“Yes, because you’re big,” she answered.
“Then, you can drive too, because your six.”
“No, I’m little.”
“No, you’re not you’re big and strong,” I said. “You know why?” She shook her head, and her mom and dad paused as they were packing their groceries into the car. “Because in the elevator you started to talk to me, and that means you’re confident and strong, and big.” I could tell by her expression that she liked that. Her parents did too. Then, the girl told me she was going to the beach. That must be why she had her lunch box.

Little Lost German Boy, Found.

 

I received an email from the German Consulate Los Angeles that read.  “I am pleased to inform you that we have received your Certificate of Citizenship.”   A two year process to regain my German Citizenship that was given up by my parents at the age five to become a United States Citizen.  I remember wearing a suit, which meant it was an important day.  Bare white walls, white ceiling,  the lights bright.   I remember that moment, but I don’t remember your name.

At the age of two and a half Mom and I came to America from Germany.  Before our connecting flight to Rochester N.Y., where my new father was waiting, we landed at JFK.   I remember looking out the egg shaped plane window.   My second birthday was in Peising Germany a Bavarian village with only an onion domed church I could see from my Tante Hilda’s window.  I remember pedaling the green plastic  hollow bodied tractor truck I received for that birthday.  I remember this, but I don’t remember your name.

When I applied to regain my citizenship, I discovered that I was technically still a German Citizen.  It wasn’t my choice at the age of five to become an American Citizen.  Therefore it wasn’t my choice to give up my German Citizenship.  None of this guaranteed me regaining my citizenship.  Many times I had asked Mom about becoming a German Citizen again. “Oh no, I don’t think you can do that,” she said. “It would be impossible.”  She never talked about the old country, nobody in our family really did, which sends the message to a kid that is must be, “not okay.”   Much later I found out why the silence.  Mom had secrets back across the ocean that she had hoped were left under blankets of lies.  A child will lose who they are to  be a part of a family held together by secrets and lies.  Because that is its purpose,  that is how one survives.  With time the questions get answered,  the true pieces of the puzzle show the real picture.   The episodes of all the questions are too long to list.  Maybe this is why I remember these things.  But I don’t remember your name.

The German Consulate is on Wilshire and Crescent, a short drive from where I live.   I wore my best dress shirt, and was clean shaven.  Surprisingly, I was calm and excited.  I hadn’t told anyone in my family.  I didn’t want it to be taken away again.  Today was my day, I was moving forward by going back. I didn’t come to America in steerage.  I came here on a plane as a boy who lost his first language, which I was learning again.  In the waiting room everyone spoke German, and much to my delight I understood  most of it.  When it was my turn to approach the glass divider,  I greeted the woman in German.  Then in English I told here why I was there.                                                                          “How cool  is that?” she asked.                                                                                                            I almost laughed, I was smiling so much.

She handed me the light yellow certificate of citizenship.  I recognized at the top of the document the BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSHLAND, and the coat of arms of the Black Eagle for “Federal Eagle.”   It’s on my child passport I still have from when I came to America.   I remember this.  In the middle of the certificate above my birthdate, and the city where I was born Regensburg, I see it. I’ve seen it a million times, but it felt like the first time I see the whole of it.  Mein Name.

Ich heisse Christian Daniel Beer

 

 

Creepshow 2, Stands The Test Of Time

Groovy

Thought you all would dig this. For some reason, I’m seeing a lot of Creepshow 2 on my FBook.  Anyone know why?  Yes, I was in this film. Yes I froze my butt off.  Oh, it was released 31 yrs ago around this time?   Fright Rags is doing these T’s in honor of the release. Fright Rags does high quality stuff, and they are located by coincidence near where I grew up, Rochester N.Y.   I grew up in Honeoye Falls.  Fright Rags did a Raft T years ago, that I’ve signed a few times.  Hopefully, I’ll get to sign one of these. No, I do not received any royalties from sales of these T-Shirts.  Posting this for any fans of the film, who would like this.   Crazy how long ago it was.  So much fun that the film keeps being rediscovered.

It’s an honor to be immortalized on a T-shirt!

21 Jump Street

Nemesis.  Toadman

Here are some great memories of guest starring with Richard Greico, and my fellow cast mates.  The show was filmed in Vancouver.

The director Ken Wiederhorn had to fight for me to get the part of Toadman. The network didn’t see a  young leading man playing the part who’s name comes from doing too many mushrooms. They saw the part going to a weird character actor. The director said, “Wait till you see this kid Daniel act.”  Ken told me that on the set. Television moves so fast that seldom does a director fight for an actor.  That day I thanked him. Thanks again Ken. Love you for that.

I’m a highly trained actor. An Actors Studio member. I started training at 18 yrs of age, and I still study at The Studio.  For Toadman I worked on an animal exercise. What kind? A gorilla.  A friend of mine saw the episode and said, “you don’t walk like that.”  Exactly I was slightly using a gorillas walk.  Also, I was so much taller than the other actors, Ken kept asking me to slouch, so a gorilla is slouched.  Acting is so much, when you have training.  Yes, I worked on other things for the character too.

Richard Greico and I hit it off. It was his first solo episode; he had a lot riding on it. He made sure we were okay with everything on set.  You can see in our scenes that Richard and I were really having fun. Richard is so unaffected by stardom. Down to earth guy.   He’s a helluva artist, you should see his paintings.

The photo of all of us sitting on the picnic table takes place in the morning at the high school.  You can see in the photo that I’m holding a book. It’s the book Less Than Zero, which I was reading at the time. And I was drinking a coke. None of which was in the script. I added it, thinking what would I be doing in this scene before school starts. I remember the stoners from school would be drinking soda. I wanted Toadman to be smart, so I added the book.  The director loved it, but right before we shot he had to clear the coke with the network. If coke sponsored the show?  Yes they did.  Another scene I start by writing in my journal.  I wanted Toadman to be smart.  I added so many little things like that to Toadman.  The director gave me free reign.   At The Actors Studio West Martin Landau would always tell us, ” eighty five percent of an actors work is never seen.”  I miss you Martin.  In the episode Nemesis I got to really use many things I learned studying as an actor.  I thought you all would get a kick out of these behind the scenes photos and stories.  Oh I have more, like partying in a stretch limo. But some memories I’ll keep for myself.

 

 

Creepshow 2 Reunion.

The Coolest Cats.

When I saw the director Michael Gornick for the first time in thirty years, I almost cried. It was so great to get to know Mike as an adult, and share our experiences of making the film.  I’m trying to get Mike back behind the camera, directing again.  It felt like a class reunion.    I never would have thought shooting that little movie Creepshow 2 would stand the test of time.    Lee karr in the white shirt and his girlfriend Renee Mclamb organized and made everything run smoothly.   Thanks. And thanks Chiller Theater for a great time.

Daniel Beer,  AKA Poncho.

On The Mic for Creepshow 2

Creepshow 2 Panel Discussion.

One of the many highlights of my Chiller Theatre Convention experience.  On my left is Michael Gornick, the director, Don Harvey, Domenick, who played Billy.  Every time I meet fans,  I learn so much about my profession.  I get so much from you all. I appreciate it.  And thanks for making me feel special.

Daniel Beer

P.S. Special thanks to Lee Karr, for making this all happen.

Creepshow 2 Reunion

 

Excited to announce I’ll be with these groovy cats Oct 27-29 Chiller Theatre convention at the Hilton Parsippany NJ Swing on by, love to meet you all there.  It’s so great meeting fans of the film, and hearing your experience with the film.  It is always humbling.    Hey it’s right before #holloween that makes it even more groovy. Oh yeah, we’re going to have lots of fun.

P.S. So looking forward to seeing M. Gornick.

Martin Landau

Being a member of The Actors Studio, I’ve had the great good fortune to have known Martin. He was, and always will be a mentor, role model, acting coach, and an example of “kindness.”   He made all of us at The Studio feel cared for, “you are all my children.,” he said. “The room is packed with your friends.”  He had a gift for showing people that he cared.  He was so supportive, and understanding.  He influenced countless, actors, writers, and directors.  Not only is his legacy that of a great actor, but one of the most influential American Dramatists.   My heart goes out to his family.  It is a devastating loss.  I’m a lucky man to have been influenced by Martin, as an actor and as a man.   Martin, I will miss you greatly.  I want you to come back.