In August of 1953 I was still in San Diego, studying for the California Bar. A big law firm in Phoenix wanted to interview me, so they sent me a first class airplane ticket. I had never flown first class before and it was quite thrilling. And I was excited about the possibility of joining a really important law firm.

When I told my dad about the possibility of joining this firm he said, Remember its not your firm. Well, not yet, anyhow. So listen, learn, and work hard. Dont be a know-it-all.

Gee, Dad, have I ever been a know-it-all?

When I told Jane about this conversation she said, Johnny, are you kidding? Youre sweet, but you have a tendency to butt in on everything:

Maybe so, but at least now I shall get paid for it.

I had decided to completely throw myself into getting a good position with a law firm. And I forced myself to keep open to girls other than Anne. Yes, I loved her, but Todd had been released from East German prison and married her a month ago. So that was that. Or as my friend, Mike Jones, often said, What is, is.

Just before we took off from San Diego a most attractive girl, or lady if you choose, sat down next to me. She looked like a movie star, beautiful face, teeth, dark brown hair immaculately set. She looked at me and smiled. I smiled back.

I hope youre not married, she said.

I was absolutely flabbergasted. I thought that when two people of the opposite sex met, and if one was interested in the other, the question of who is married is usually put off for a while. I guess thats because the one asking doesnt want to seem too interested or aggressive.

I just looked at her. Then she said, Im a single girl. Though you might be nice to talk to for the hour it takes to get to Phoenix, I certainly dont want to waste time on you if you are married.

I figured I could play her game, so I took her hand as I said, All right, Im single. I have just passed the Arizona Bar and am going to Phoenix for an interview with a very big law firm. Shall we get married today, or would you rather wait until we know that I have the job?

She looked at me in amazement. So I added, If we get married today, youll have to pay for the license, as I have no money.

Damn! she said. I think we should get married just as soon as the plane lands. Then she stopped and put on a very serious face. By the way, what is your name?

John.

John what?

John Schiller.

Thats a relief. I saw the initials, J.S. on your briefcase and thought it might be John Smith. John is bad enough, but if it had been John Smith, it would also have been goodbye, John.

And that was my introduction to Liz. Did we get married? Yes, but not for three months after that.

She told me that she was going to Phoenix to see her ex-roommate from college. She lived in La Jolla, a member of a very prominent, rich, she meant, family there. She told me later that she was just reciting lines from some play when she asked me if I were married.

The law firm hired me and gave me a generous moving allowance. Generous because all I had to move was some law books, two suitcases of clothes, and a box of junk. But I put the moving allowance to good use renting an apartment, buying a car, and taking Liz to dinner every night. I never knew a girl who so loved going out to dinner.

I never forgot Anne, but the attention Liz gave me helped me to push the pain of losing her into the back of my mind.

Liz went with me to pick out an apartment. She pushed me to rent one way beyond my ability to pay without sacrificing other expenses. If you want to be successful in this game, you have to look it. Look it, feel it, and you will become it.

I knew she was right. Of course I had to work very hard to get the billable hours to pay for everything. This impressed the partners and so I did become successful and eventually quite well off.

At Lizs urging I rented a great four-bedroom apartment. Four-bedroom apartment for just me? Ha, Liz moved some of her stuff into one bedroom. When I asked her about it, she said, Its so Ill have a place to dress and make myself beautiful after I spend the night with you.

Once I was in my apartment I was quite content with my life. I had work that I liked, money coming in, and Liz was with me every night that she was in town. She was still living with her folks in La Jolla, at least for the record. A month later she took me to an expensive jewelry store to buy her a ring. I never formally proposed, but she assumed that we were going to get married. After all, she said, Men dont have much to say about it.

The ring she wanted put me in hock for a long time. It bothered me to be so far in debt so soon, but she said, Look at in as an investment in your future. When I told my dad, he said, I told you many times, John, not to spend money you dont have.

Six weeks after we met, she returned from a trip to La Jolla and announced that the wedding would be October 15th in La Jolla. She and her mother had made all of the arrangements, picked the bridal colors, the flowers, the orchestra, the church; all I had to do was show up.