People Tell Their Stories:
Disater

The Fire  Larry Newman
 
At 7:26 AM on October 1st, 1987, the Whittier earthquake hit the Los Angeles area. That moment is etched in my mind forever because the quake caused a short circuit in my apartment's wiring. The resulting sparks quickly ignited a fire that completely destroyed my apartment-and changed my life.
 
I was sitting in my living room, reading the paper, when I became aware of my neighbor's shouts of "FIRE." When I ran to the bedroom, I was terrified. The whole room was ablaze. I knew that the only thing to do was to get out-and fast.
 
Since I had no clothes on, I grabbed my bathrobe and ran to the front door. Suddenly, I realized that I didn't see my cat, Max, so I ran back into the hallway. But by that time, it was fully engulfed with flames-so I just ran out of the building.
 
When I reached the street, I could hear sirens getting closer. Neighbors were gathering and some of them put more clothes- on me-and also some shoes.
 
So there I stood, watching fire pouring out of my bedroom, burning up everything I owned. As I watched, the impact of what was happening hit me and my mind started to reel. Not only was my past melting before my eyes, but my future was less certain than ever.
 
You see, over the previous year, I was struggling along as a non-union movie extra, and aspiring to an acting career, But I was unable to accumulate enough money to join the Screen Actor's Guild. Becoming a member would open doors for me, triple my income, and greatly further my career. And now, my wardrobe, which is crucial for getting acting jobs, was turning to ashes.
 
After filing out the necessary paperwork with the fire department, I called my dear friends Alissa and Jonah and said HELP. They welcomed me with open arms, a bed, food, and love.
 
After I arrived at their place, I started right in thinking about what was going to happen to me, and my mind began racing with the "whys" "whats" and "hows" of my situation.
 
But, ten minutes later, a great calm descended upon me-almost as if a giant hand was reining in a runaway horse. I realized that I was in one piece, and all I had to do to stay on an even keel was to deal with one thing at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time.
 
And this is what happened next:

• My apartment manager called the next morning and told me that my cat Max was found hiding in the bushes. I went to get him and couldn't wait to gave him a nice bath.
   
  
• The Federal Emergency Mangement Agency(FEMA) surveyed my apartment, and within 10 days, a letter arrived with a check for $5000!!!
   
  
• I stayed with Alissa and Jonah for six months while I regrouped.
   
  
• I got a new wardrobe-even better than what I had before
   
  
• And--I joined the Screen Actor's Guild.

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