In the series Part 20 D I spoke about going into bankruptcy in November, 1992 , and
as I look over my diaries from that period I get a mixed message as to
how it happened. Though I was changing jobs I was working on a 
consistent basis: Corky's, Sizzler, Bageland, Who Song and Larry's, The
Crabhouse and by the end of the 1990s I was at Big Louie's so I had
money coming in. At the beginning of the decade I had an IRA of $3,000 (from Holiday Inn?) and $500 in the bank. Yes I was gambling at Jai Alai but I was mostly breaking even.

The
car was costing me money and I was having dental work done so I guess
that accounts for some of the cash going out. Going through the pages of
1990- 1992 I guess I was, once again, spending more than I was making
or had in the bank and I really started going crazy with charging things
on my credit cards.

Ordered
tickets for the Ann White production of "A Chorus Line"--had apartment
cleaned for $30--sending out a lot of scripts to agents and
publishers--had to get new door on car--new hose for car--sent out
queries to publishers (trying to get published was different in those
days--spent a lot of money mailing scripts and enclosing self-addressed
stamped envelopes, etc.)-- spent money on tickets for the touring
company of "Les Miserables"--car stolen and have to replace steering
column--insurance covered most of it--closing night tickets for ACL in
NYC are $500 for good seats--really thought about going but know it
could never equal that longest running performance-- bought the book
"Creation of 'A Chorus Line'"--saw "Pretty Woman" April 14 and enjoyed
it--Bob and I went to see "Oba-Oba"--been eating out a lot at Spots,
Chuck's Steakhouse, Bagel Place, Wings 'N Things, Olive Garden, Shell's,
2 Guys Pizza, La Cabana, Catfish Dewey's, Georgie's,justtomention a few
places and I was paying or charging to my credit cards.

On
May 3, 1990, Bill and, his lover at that time, Richard came into town
and we had lunch at Dan Dowd's--I had taken an ad in Hot Spots and was
getting a lot of responses--rent is going up--I have $1,169 left in
checking account--Bob, Jim, Bud and I went to see "Hay Fever" at the
Caldwell Playhouse--we had lunch at Bennigan's and dinner at Bavarian
Village--went to see Joe Napia sing with the Nova Choir--got $500 out of
the bank--cashed in my IRA and netted $2,100--Bud and I went to dinner
at Giovanni's on Los Olas--expensive--$97-- I picked up the check--my
car is being worked on so I rented a convertible to go to Orlando.

June
2-9, 1990, I went to meet Chuck and Chris up at Disneyworld---after
coming back I went to see "Lifetime Companion" with Bud--tore me apart
--went back to see it 4 times with other people--I was seeing a lot of
David and we were going out for dinner--seems I was picking up
(charging) the check going to places like The Raindancer, Fisherman's,
Chuck's, etc., all expensive places--went to see "Bent" at the Caldwell
Playhouse--excellent production--went to dinner at Houston's--went to
see the production of "A Chorus Line" at the Hollywood Playhouse--Bud
and I went to see Chita Rivera at the Coconut Grove Playhouse.

How
do you go broke? Eating out, going to the theatre a lot, car problems,
taking your time to look for a job when you are 'in-between' jobs, going
to Jai Alai and losing, picking up checks for others, living as if you
have an endless supply of money and you do--credit cards!
What is life like after declaring bankruptcy? Do you (I) smarten up or continue on the same path?