"Imagine if you will" (aka Rod Serling- for you old timers!) the date is July 3, 1972 and a young Michael is in his bedroom entertaining a couple of guest. Two buddies are with me in my room, it's pre- Fourth of July time, and the boys are lighting punks sticks and telling stories about how many and how big of fireworks they plan to set off tomorrow (July 4).
Michael is demonstrating how he'll use his punk to light a smoke bomb, when all of a sudden he actually lights the bomb (mind you the fuse on a smoke bomb is about an inch long). Instead of throwing it in the toilet (about 5 steps away or 8 steps and out the garage door, Michael thinks looks and stuffs the smoldering smoke bomb into his cigar box full of firecrackers, snakes, and more smoke bombs. Did not take long and the firecrackers caught on and bam bam bam bam............ Burns a hole in the bed blanket and comforter about 2 feet wide and 4 inches deep. Smoke fills the room and boys are scurrying about, and then Dad (Mac- JR) walks in.
Dad was napping on his hammock in the backyard. He looks inside the room, surveys the damage, and a oh so sad Michael and friends. He finally speaks (with a look of I'm ashamed and dismayed at you!)..... and says, "you better clean this up before your Mother gets home". Then goes back to his nap.
That was cool, calm, and collected JR for you. Vintage. Needless to say my punishment was to have Dad announce to the whole family- that since Michael already had his 4th celebration, there'd be no fireworks for anyone on the actual day.
Ah the memories, and the smell of gunpowder for weeks in my room.
