Found: Flat Conner’s Camera

I just got back from the strip. I sped over to Saddle Ranch and talked to one of the bartenders about Flat Conner. I showed him a picture and he totally recognized the kid. The bartender said Conner was raging really hard last night, and it was hard for him to remember whether or not my missing friend left alone. A couple salty dudes at the bar, regulars, asked me who I was looking for, and when I showed them a picture of Conner they instantly recalled meeting him early this morning. They said Conner was completely trashed when they encountered him, but he was definitely with somebody else. The guys at the bar said Conner left before 1am, and that he mentioned heading south towards Santa Monica Boulevard as he was closing his tab. Their story coincides with mine, as the last phone call from Conner came just before midnight. It’s safe to say that if he was really as intoxicated as the guys at Saddle Ranch say he was, that it took him almost an hour to pay his bill and leave. I thanked them profusely and went on my way.

I took La Cienaga to Santa Monica and started driving west. I parked near the Starbucks at Santa Monica and Robertson and began to investigate. Could Conner have gone to Hamburger Haven for a late night snack? It felt like more activity was occurring east of that intersection so I slowly made my way towards San Vicente. I don’t know why, but I was compelled to look around the Bank of America ATMs on Santa Monica. My heart stopped. Wedged between a trash bin and the brick exterior of the bank was Conner’s digital camera. The case was cracked but I got the flash card out easily so I could see what if any photos he took last night.

The last pictures appears to be…uh…wait a minute…what the fuck!? is that RAGE? Did Flat Conner get abducted from a gay bar in West Hollywood!? Aw, fuck. Now I’m starting to feel really uneasy about this. Please don’t let Conner’s kidnapper be some Dahmer-type freak that’s going to send me a pinky or a tooth in the mail tomorrow. I just want my little buddy back. Shit, shit shit. This is the worst feeling ever.

Waiting for this phone call is killing me. I just want to know that Conner is okay. I want him back. I’ll do anything. I don’t think I’m going to sleep tonight. I told Nicci I couldn’t see her until this thing plays itself out. I feel like I’m being pulled in twenty different directions. I don’t know what more I can do. Pray for Conner, please.