Jake Randolph in "Requiem For A Stripper" Pt. 30
The name and number were in the same handwriting as the poetry and the mailbox name.
It said Madame Helga - Edgewood 6745.
Edgewood, or ED, was the telephone exchange for West Covina. I was going to have to ask Jen Ann if she knew that telephone number or if she'd ever heard of this Madame Helga.
I kept looking and found a business card for a dance studio called Hoofers in Hollywood. I took one of the pencils I found and wrote Madame Helga's name and the phone number on the back of the business card and left the apartment...
- Category: Crime, Murder & Mystery
6 comments add one below
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Christopher 11 months ago
I actually did research on Los Angeles telephone numbers in the 1940s. I knew from watching old movies that they would mention letters or even a word before they gave the numbers to the operator. That was the actual telephone exchange for West Covina at that time (1948).
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Neville Hunt 11 months ago
It was the same in London, the most famous telephone number in the UK way back in the 40s/50s was Whitehall 1212. This was the number for Scotland Yard, the Westminster home of the Metropolitan Police. Very well researched, Christopher (as always!).
Back to the plot... I guess Jake now has no option but to call in next door to check things out with Jen Ann. 😜
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Christopher 11 months ago
Thanks. I was going to try and write one on the fly (inspired by your recent Time And Time Again series), but I realized I have to stop writing periodically and do too much research, being a period piece. So I opted to get partway in the story and then start posting, that way I'd have some breathing room to finish it.
I may try that one day with a contemporary-set story, though.
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Neville Hunt 11 months ago
Thanks for the reminder/kick up the jacksey... I must complete Time and Time Again🥴
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Christopher 11 months ago
And don't forget about Fedelta either!
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Neville Hunt 11 months ago
OK! You got me banged to rights, guv! 😨. I’ll do them! 🙃
