"The Summer of 1960" and "The Watchman Cometh"

Thank you for checking out my gofundme page. Welcome!  I am Helen O’Donnell. I am an author, writer and producer. I am asking for support immediately to complete the stories and move me from this moment to a publishing & film deal for these new projects. I am asking for help to make it the last few yards. If you can help by making a donation to the gofundme page, we would appreciate it greatly. We plan to secure a publishing deal & develop the film through my production company Cobra Productions. But to "finish the fight' we need your help.
For a bit of inspiration and a taste of the stories below is a small excerpt from each story. If you can donate you can do it directly through this gofundme link below.

Thank You!  Onward, Helen O'Donnell

Excerpt From:  “The Summer of 1960” By Helen O’Donnell

“It was Frank and Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin and Peter Lawford . . .and Joey Bishop when they let him and Jack Kennedy and Sam Giancana tables full of cronies and who knew how many broads. . . .It was the Rat Pack and it was beautiful.”

EXT: The Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, Late Night

 “This was not like the Rat Pack show downstairs at all. These were people letting loose of their moors, having fun, unconcerned about acceptable behavior. And the party, as Frank Sinatra might say “sizzled with gas.” It had what could only be described as an element of danger just lurking around the edges. It was a mixture of Hollywood types, beautiful dames, the monied, the gamblers, the politicians, some hoods and a sprinkling of hookers thrown in for good measure.

Only Kenny seemed oblivious. He cut through the swaths of people on his way to find Jack Kennedy.  He was a man very much the man in control while being surrounded by a crowd that has let loose, was having fun and didn’t give a shit about the rules.

The bartender, Matt, handed a drink to the piano player, who is a friend of Franks. He laughed. Nods to his band and they begin playing “Papa loves Mambo” as if all were perfectly normal. Clink drinks. Start snapping their fingers to the music. Pierre Salinger shook his head. He poured himself another glass of expensive French Red.

            “Bobby is not going to understand any of this,” Pierre mumbled. RJ laughed.

Shit he hadn’t had this much fun since the war. These Kennedy guys just broke all the rules, the only person he knew like that was Frank Sinatra. No wonder he and Jack Kennedy got along. . . . bolts of lightening shooting across the sky. Neither one gave a damn about the rules.”

Excerpt From “The Watchman Cometh” By Helen O’Donnell

“Bobby waited. Jack took a deep breath. He was still trying to master his anger at Bobby bringing Kenny down to Washington without asking.

            “Explain to me,” Jack said coldly. “Why you need Kenny down here in Washington, D.C. helping you with the investigation into labor when you know damn fuckin well I need him in Massachusetts to get me re-elected to the Senate, a run that will be the set up for the White House race in 1960. Why the hell should I give you my best guy?”

            Bobby didn’t waste time in his reply.

            “Kenny is smart, tough and takes no prisoners. I need him to have my back. The guy pisses ice water.”

            Jack nodded.  “Ok. But only for a year, then no matter what happens to you, I get him back.""
 


Books by Helen O’Donnell:

. My books include,  A Common Good, The Friendship of Robert F. Kennedy & Kenneth P. O’Donnell (William Morrow); The Irish Brotherhood, John F. Kennedy, His Inner Circle and their Improbable Rise to the Presidency (Counterpoint Press); and Launching LBJ, The story of Kenny O’Donnell and Bobby Kennedy from November 22, 1963 to March 1965 and a new president (Skyhorse Press).