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Clark & addison EpisodE XXiii - “wEEgham’s rEturn“

ANOTHER BIG SEASON IS UPON THE CHICAGO CUBS. ACROSS THE STREET LIES WEEGHMAN’S PARK – A SMALL CUB FAN HANG OUT THAT SERVES MOSTLY WISCONSIN TYPE FOODS AND BEER AS WELL AS ZUERCHER CHEESE FROM CHICAGO AND GREEN COUNTY, WISCONSIN. THE TWENTY SOMETHINGS ARE STILL AROUND ALTHOUGH MOST HAVE MOVED ON TO LOFTIER LIFESTYLES. JOSH HAS MARRIED KERI AND THEY NOW LIVE IN LAKE FOREST – PURCHASING A FORECLOSED HOME ON THE CHICAGO LAKEFRONT. THEY ARE EXPECTING. WILL HAS MARRIED A HISPANIC FLIGHT ATTENDANT, AMY. AMY FINALLY GAVE INTO WILL’S MULTIPLE PLEAS FOR MARRIAGE. MELANIE, THE RN, STILL WORKS AT COOK COUNTY HOSPITAL IN THE OPERATING ROOMS, AND OFF AND ON DATES SAM. SAM IS THE OLD WRIGLEYVILLE QB WHO THREW BOMBS TO WILL YEARS AGO. ELLIOTT IS QUITE ESTABLISHED IN CHICAGO AS A FIRST RATE ACTOR, PRESENTLY PERFORMING IN THE “ROCK OF AGES” MUSICAL DOWNTOWN IN THE WATER TOWER PLACE.

WEEGHMAN’S PARK AT CLARK AND ADDISON UNDERWENT CHANGES IN THE OFF SEASON. THE OWNER WHO HIRED JOSH WAS SEVERELY INJURED IN A CAR WRECK ON I-94. PAYING THE MEDICAL EXPENSES REQUIRED THE SALE OF THE INCREASINGLY PROSPEROUS WEEGHMAN’S PARK. THE CITY’S FINEST AND UP AND COMING NORTH SIDERS ARE ATTENDING WEEGHMAN’S BEFORE AND AFTER CUB GAMES MORE AND MORE. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SPECULATION REGARDING THE CHICAGO CURSE OF THE LAST 104 YEAR, SINCE 1908 WAS THE LAST WORLD SERIES WIN FOR THE CUBS. AMAZINGLY THE RED SOX BROKE THE BABE RUTH CURSE IN THE 2000’S WITH TWO WORLD SERIES WINS – AN 86 YEAR CURSE DATING BACK TO THE BABE RUTH SALE. THE CHICAGO CUBS CURSE IS PURE, DEEP, AND SEEMINGLY FUTILE AT TIMES FOR THE FANS. CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION AT WEEGHMAN’S PARK OCCURS REGARDING THE CUB’S LONG STANDING INABILITY TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES. THE CHICAGO CUB CURSE IS FOR REAL AND HAS NO END IN SITE. RECENTLY HISTORICAL ARCHIVES AND WRITERS NATIONALLY AND WITHIN CHICAGO HAVE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THE TRUE SOURCE OF THE CURSE: LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN.

THE DEAL FOR THE SALE OF WEEGHMAN’S PARK FELL THROUGH AT THE LAST MINUTE WITH A REPUTABLE CHICAGO FINANCIER. A MAN CALLING HIMSELF WEEGHMAN CAME UP WITH THE CASH THE NEXT DAY. HIS PURCHASE ALLOWED WEEGHMAN’S PARK TO REMAIN OPEN AND CATER TO CUB FANS FOR THE 2012 SEASON. WEEGHMAN CLAIMS HE IS THE GRANDSON OF CHARLIE WEEGHMAN. WEEGHMAN STATES HE PURCHASED WEEGHMAN’S PARK IN AN EFFORT TO RECLAIM THE CUBS AND WRIGLEY FIELD - WHICH WAS FORMERLY WEEGHMAN’S PARK. WEEGHMAN’S GRANDDAD ORIGINALLY OWNED THE WHALES OF THE DISBANDED FEDERAL LEAGUE. HE THEN PURCHASED THE CUBS AND BUILT WEEGHMAN’S FIELD. THIS VERY FIELD (SITUATED ON HALLOWED GROUND!) BECAME CUBS PARK AFTER ITS 1919 SALE TO WRIGLEY

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AND EVENTUALLY WAS NAMED WRIGLEY FIELD IN 1925. FOLLOW ALONG INSIDE WEEGHMAN’S PARK AT CLARK AND ADDISON WITH WEEGHMAN IN THE FIRST PERSON TALKING TO FANS, PLAYERS, MANAGEMENT AND EVEN HISTORICAL CUB GHOSTS FROM THE PAST. THE LIVE DIALOGUE IS BETWEEN GRANDSON WEEGHMAN, WHO RECENTLY PURCHASED WEEGHMAN’S PARK AT CLARK AND ADDISON AND LUCKY WHO IS THE REAL CHARLIE WEEGHMAN STILL LINGERING AROUND CLARK AND ADDISON AS THE TRUE GHOST OF THE CUBS PAST. LUCKY PLACED THE TRUE CURSE ON THE CUBS AFTER THE WEEGHMAN NAME WAS REMOVED FROM THE FIELD WE ALL KNOW NOW AS WRIGLEY. THE CURSE IS NOW OVER 100 YEARS OLD AND WITH THIS YEAR’S SLUGGISH START, APPEARS TO HOLD TRUE TO THE WEEGHMAN’S PARK NAME CHANGE CURSE THEORY.

INT. WEEGHMAN’S PARK, A CUBS HANG OUT, AT THE CORNER OF CLARK AND ADDISON -- AFTERNOON

WEEGHMANROUGH SEASON SO FAR FOR THE CUBS. WE HAVEN’T PUT TOGETHER THE HITTING AND PITCHING FOR 9 COMPLETE INNINGS CONSISTENTLY.

LUCKYDON’T PANIC WEEGHMAN.

WEEGHMANWHO IS THAT? AM I HEARING THINGS?

LUCKYNO YOU DON’T NEED A HEARING AID. IT’S JUST YOUR FRIENDLY GRANDFATHER COMING BACK AS A GHOST. THOUGH I’M PHYSICALLY GONE, MY SPIRIT TRULY LIVES ON. I’M ACTUALLY HERE WITH YOU - NOT JUST AT MASS OR IN YOUR DREAMS.

WEEGHMANHOW DO I KNOW IT’S YOU? PEOPLE WILL THINK I’M TALKING TO MYSELF. OUR VOICES ARE VERY SIMILAR - AS IF WE’RE FAMILY? BUT YOU’RE NOT REAL. YOU’RE A GHOST FROM THE PAST THAT ONLY I CAN HEAR. I’M GOING CRAZY!

LUCKYYOU TALK TO YOURSELF ANYWAY WEEGHMAN. PEOPLE WILL NOT NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE. THE FANS IN WEEGHMAN’S PARK UNDER-STAND THE CURSE. REAL – AND I MEAN REAL – CUB FANS KNOW I’M STILL AROUND. THOUGH I DON’T OWN ANYTHING NOW, WENT BANKRUPT, GOT DIVORCED, TOOK OFF WITH 29 YEAR OLD CAROL OSMUND AND ALL THE REST, I’M STILL AROUND. THERE IS MORE AND MORE BEING WRITTEN EVERY DAY ABOUT THE CURSE PLACED ON THE CUBS. I’M FINALLY BEING GIVEN THE CREDIT I DESERVE.

Keri & Josh

Cubs vs Nationals, April 2012

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WEEGHMANHOLY COW! HARRY CAREY AND EVEN JACK BRICKHOUSE WOULD BE JUMPING UP AND DOWN IF THEY KNEW YOU WERE A GHOST AND THE CAUSE OF THE CURSE!

LUCKYHARRY KNEW. JACK FIGURED IT OUT AT THE END. HE JUST NEVER SAID ANYTHING. WHY DO YOU THINK HARRY SANG “TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME” IN THE SEVENTH INNING STRETCH? IT’S TO ENJOY LIFE AND TAKE PEOPLE’S MINDS AND HOPES AWAY FROM A WORLD SERIES WHICH WILL NEVER HAPPEN UNDER THE CURSE. WHY DO YOU THINK OUR CUBS TEAM UNDER PERFORM? IT’S ME. I’M STILL THE CURSE. IF THE PARK WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN NAMED WEEGHMAN’S PARK, WE WOULDN’T BE IN THE MESS WE ARE PRESENTLY IN. CHANGE THE NAME AND WE’LL START WINNING. I THINK LOU PINI-ELLA FINALLY GOT IT. THAT STUFF ABOUT LOU’S FAMILY, GETTING OLD, RETIRING AND FRUSTRATED IS ALL A BUNCH OF BUNK. LOU FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT. MOST DON’T. THE CURSE IS REAL; IT’S NOT THE GOAT IN 1945 THAT WRIGLEY DEMANDED SIANIS TO REMOVE FROM THE STADIUM. THE CURSE IS FLAT OUT ME!

WEEGHMANSO WHERE DO WE GO WITH THIS CURSE? A BUNCH OF WRITERS IN CHICAGO ARE NOW STATING IT IS YOU, MY GRANDFATHER. NOW THAT YOU’VE TOLD ME IT IS YOU AND THE WRITERS ARE AGREEING, I FEEL WE NEED TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW. YES, YOU – LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN – ARE THE EXACT CAUSE OF WHY THE CUBS HAVEN’T WON IN OVER A HUNDRED YEARS. WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

LUCKYYOU HAVE THE ULTIMATE POWER VESTED BY ME TO DO AWAY WITH THE CURSE. PURCHASING WEEGHMAN’S PARK HERE AT CLARK AND ADDISON IS A GREAT START. THE CLUB MUST HOWEVER RENAME THE FIELD TO WEEGHMAN’S PARK FOR THE CURSE TO BE TOTALLY LIFTED.

WEEGHMANGIVE ME A BREAK LUCKY. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WILL WRIGLEY FIELD CHANGE ITS NAME BACK TO WEEGHMAN’S PARK. THE ENTIRE TOWN LOVES THE WRIGLEYS AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR. THE CURSE WILL CONTINUE UNLESS YOU CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

LUCKYWELL I COULD MAYBE GET A FEW SHARES OF STOCK BACK FROM THE RICKETT’S FAMILY, MAYBE HAVE BLEACHERS NAMED AFTER ME. HOW ABOUT THE SCOREBOARD OR A FOUL POLE NAME AFTER THE WEEGH-MANS? BETTER YET CALL THE BLEACHER BUMS, WEEGHMAN’S BUMS. YES, I COULD SEE MYSELF LIFTING THE CURSE TRHOUGH YOU WEEGH-MAN!

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WEEGHMANYOU KNOW LUCKY, ALL THE CUSTOMERS ARE ACTING LIKE I’M REALLY CRAZY TALKING TO MYSELF. MY SPOKEN WORDS ONLY MAKE SENSE IF PUT IN THE CONTEXT OF SPEAKING WITH YOU. THE FANS HERE AT WEEGHMAN’S PARK ACTUALLY ARE LAUGHING AND THINK THIS IS PRETTY COOL.

LUCKYDON’T PANIC! THE CLIENTS AT WEEGHMAN’S PARK AT CLARK AND ADDISON ALREADY KNOW YOU ARE DIFFERENT. I CAN ACTUALLY SEE THIS. IT’S JUST NOT ANYONE THAT CAN CONNECT TO A GHOST. AGAIN, YOU HAVE THE POWER TO END THE CURSE. BUT GOOD THINGS MUST HAPPEN TO RESTORE THE WEEGHMAN NAME. PURCHASING WEEGH-MAN’S PARK AT CLARK AND ADDISON IS A GREAT START. THE BUSINESS SENSE YOU HAVE WAS INHERITED FROM ME. YOU – YES YOU WEEGH-MAN - ARE ONE OF THE FEW LIVING RELATIVES WHO ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT OUR FAMILY. THAT’S WHAT GOT ME OUT OF THE GRAVE TO COME VISIT.

WEEGHMANOK, I’M COOL WITH THAT. I’M MAKING MONEY. I HAVE CUSTOMERS WHO ARE RAVING OVER THESE ZUERCHER CHEESE PLATES. I BET YOU KNEW THE ZUERCHERS BACK IN THE TEENS AND 20S?

LUCKYYES I KNEW ALL OF THEM. GREAT FAMILY FROM SWITZERLAND AND GREEN COUNTY WISCONSIN. THEY ALL MAKE CHEESE. THESE WERE THE EARLY GIANTS OF CHICAGO ALONG WITH LASKER OF ADVERTISING, ARMOUR OF MEATPACKING, ROCKEFELLER WHO STARTED THE UNIVER-SITY OF CHICAGO, AND MARSHALL FIELDS. A GUY LIKE ZUERCHER WAS OF HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, BUT A PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE A LIVING FOR HIS FAMILY AND BETTER THE OVERALL COMMUNITY IN MANY WAYS. I HEAR THE BUSINESS IS RUN BY THE GRANDSONS UP IN SKOKIE THESE DAYS. THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. AND THE ZU-ERCHER BUNCH THAT MOVED TO GREEN COUNTY WAS OF PURE SWISS STOCK. NEVER BETTER CHEESE IN ALL OF ILLINOIS.

WEEGHMANSO WHERE DID LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN FIT IN WITH ALL THESE CHICAGO FOLKS BACK IN THE BUILDING DAYS OF THE WINDY CITY?

LUCKYI WAS CHASTISED FOR INDISCRETIONS WITH ANOTHER WOMAN - YOU KNOW CAROL WHO WORKED FOR ME AT THE DINER. NOWADAYS NO ONE WOULD THINK TWICE, BUT BACK THEN IT COULD DESTROY A MAN. YOUR EMPIRE FALLS AND YOU BECOME BANKRUPT. MY DINERS WENT INTO BANKRUPTCY, THE CUBS DIDN’T PROVIDE ENOUGH INCOME BASED ON WHAT A FAN WOULD PAY AND WHAT WE WERE FORCED TO PAY PROFESSIONAL BALL PLAYERS BACK THEN. I WAS BASICALLY SCREWED.

WEEGHMAN

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THE STORIES ARE SKETCHY REGARDING YOUR TIME WITH THE CUBS. WHAT REALLY HAPPENED LUCKY?

LUCKYBASICALLY THE BASEBALL EMPIRE WHICH I STARTED WITH THE WHALES AT CLARK AND ADDISON ALL ENDED WITH THE CUBS AFTER THEY MOVED TO WEEGHMAN’S PARK FROM WEST SIDE PARK. AFTER BUILDING WEEGHMAN’S PARK IN 1914 IN A FEW WEEKS, WE WERE ON A ROLL BY PICKING UP THE CUBS AT A CHEAP PRICE OF $250,000. I OVERSPENT MYSELF WITH THE CUBS SALARIES ON TOP OF WHAT I OWED THE WHALE PLAYERS OF THE FEDERAL LEAGUE. UNDERSTAND THE FEDERAL LEAGUE WAS PAYING HIGH SALARIES TO PLAYERS FOR DEFECTING FROM MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. THE FEDERAL LEAGUE ONLY LASTED ONE YEAR! I WAS QUICKLY SQUEEZED OUT OF THE CUBS BY MONEY DEMANDS, AND WRIGLEY PURCHASED MY SHARES FOR WHAT IS NOW A REAL BARGAIN.

WEEGHMANTHEN WHAT HAPPENED?

LUCKYI WENT TO ST. LOUIS AND TRIED TO GET A PORTION OF THE CARDI-NALS, BUT THEY WOULDN’T HAVE ME. I THEN WENT TO NEW YORK CITY AND FAILED AT DINERS AGAIN. I RETURNED TO CHICAGO AFTER CONSIDERING RICHMOND, INDIANA WHERE I WAS BORN. I STRUG-GLED ALL THE WAY TO MY DEATH. I’M ACTUALLY A GOOD GUY WHO GOT SQUEEZED OUT BY RISKING MY ASSETS ON CHICAGO NORTHSIDE BASEBALL. I’M THE GOOD GUY WHO PURCHASED THE CUBS AND BUILT THE STADIUM, YET ENDED UP LOSING!

WEEGHMANI GET IT. I’M FEELING A TOUCH SORRY FOR YOU - EVEN THOUGH YOU REALLY ARE NOT AROUND AND IT DOESN’T MATTER BECAUSE YOU ARE DEAD. BY THE WAY, DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL YOU LUCKY OR GRANDPA?

LUCKYLUCKY IS WHAT ZUERCHER, WRIGLEY, TAFT, AND EVERYONE ELSE CALLED ME. THANKS FOR ASKING. WE’LL GET ALONG JUST FINE. LET’S GET INTO BASEBALL. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE CUBS THIS YEAR?

WEEGHMANIT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE DALE SVEUM GETS GOING. THE ENTIRE TOWN IS HUNG UP ON THE INEVITABLE RYNO RETURN. BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER. THE ANSWER IS BEATING CINCIN-NATI. MILWAUKEE AND ST. LOUIS WILL SELF DESTRUCT IN THE CEN-TRAL. PITTSBURGH NEEDS TO SPEND A BIT. IT’S WIDE OPEN IN THE CENTRAL. WITH PUJOLS GONE FROM THE CENTRAL DIVISION IN THE NL, WHAT MORE COULD WE ASK FOR? YES, THE BEGINNING ISN’T GOOD, BUT IT IS A LONG SEASON. EXCUSE ME LUCKY. SIR, I WILL GET THAT ZUERCHER CHEESE PLATE FOR YOU ASAP. YES, JOSH IS GONE. HE

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TOOK A HIGH END JOB DOWNTOWN ON TOP OF THE HANCOCK. KERI AND HE MARRIED AND ARE NOW EXPECTING THEIR FIRST BABY. THEY LIVE ON THE GOLD COAST.

LUCKYIT’S CALLED LAKE FOREST, ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST SUBURBS IN THE UNITED STATES. BIG MONEY UP THERE. JOSH WAS OFFERED A JOB HE COULDN’T REFUSE, KERI PUT THE CLAMPS DOWN, AND HIS MOM WAS IN HERE ONE NIGHT SAYING THE CURSE WAS FOR REAL. JOSH INTENDED TO WORK HERE UNTIL THE CUBS WON A PENNANT AND WORLD SERIES. I’M ON TOP OF IT.

WEEGHMANHOW DO YOU KNOW ALL THIS STUFF LUCKY? LAKE FOREST IS A BIT FAR AFIELD FROM YOUR GRAVE SITE. SEEMS YOU’VE BEEN IN HERE QUITE A BIT IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

LUCKYYES, KERI IS EXPECTING IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS. THEY WERE JUST HERE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO TO WATCH A GAME. SHE DEFINITELY HAS GAINED SOME WEIGHT. THEY ARE GETTING A NEW VAN FOR THE BABY, CAR SEAT AND ALL THE REST OF THE LITTLE GUY STUFF.

WEEGHMANJOSH CERTAINLY MISSES THE CUBS, WEEGHMAN’S PARK, AND ALL THE GLITTER OF CLARK, ADDISON, AND EVEN WAVELAND. THERE IS NOTH-ING LIKE SEEING THE CUBS LIVE - WHETHER THEY WIN OR LOSE. THIS IS REALLY A FUN TEAM WITH SOME REAL GUSTO. THEY JUST NEED TO GET ON A WIN STREAK AND WE’RE FINE. WE HAVE GREAT PLAYERS LIKE CASTRO, REED JOHNSON, DEMPSTER, AND SOTO BEHIND THE PLATE. SA-MARDZIJA IS PITCHING WELL. WOOD WILL CONTRIBUTE HOPEFULLY. AND THE HITTING OF CAMPANA AND LAHAIR WILL HOPEFULLY CONTIN-UE AND BE CONTAGIOUS. WE’RE A BASEBALL TEAM IN TRANSITION, AND WE ARE DEFINITELY GETTING THERE.

LUCKYSAMARZDZIJA IS FINALLY BREAKING THROUGH. OUR GOAL IS TO FIGHT TO THE FINISH. WE WANT A PENNANT RACE BECAUSE NO ONE EXPECTS US TO WIN. MY HEART WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE CHICAGO CUBS.

WEEGHMANLEINENKUGEL ON THE WAY OVER. TWO PITCHERS OF FRESH BEER BECAUSE YOU’LL NEED IT. WE HAVE ALL THE SUMMER BRANDS IN STOCK THIS YEAR INCLUDING ON TAP SUMMER SHANDY, ORIGINAL, AND EVEN THE 1888 BOCK.

LUCKYWE’VE EVEN GOT ALL THE BRANDS FROM NEW GLARUS HERE THIS WEEK. EVEN THE NEW GLARUS BEER IS IN HIGH DEMAND. THESE SPECIALTY WISCONSIN BEERS ARE TREMENDOUS FOR BUSINESS. LEINES IS SOLD AT WRIGLEY ALL SEASON, AND HAS DONE WELL IN CHICAGO. OUR BRATS FROM SHEBOYGAN HAVE CONSISTENTLY DONE WELL ALSO.

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WE HAVE STARTED MELTING ZEURCHER SWISS ON TOP OF ALL THE DISHES WE PREPARE AT SPECIAL REQUEST. THIS HAS GONE OVER QUITE WELL.

WEEGHMANLUCKY - YOU ARE LIKE TAKING OVER. CHILL A BIT PLEASE! I’VE GOT TO DELIVER A ZUERCHER PLATE OVER TO THE CORNER TABLE. I REALLY CANNOT KEEP THE GREAT ZUERCHER CHEESE IN STOCK. WE HAVE OUR CHICAGO SOURCE FROM SKOKIE, AND OUR SECONDARY SOURCE FROM GREEN COUNTY, WISCONSIN. DID YOU KNOW THAT THEIR GREEN COUNTY FACTORY HAS WON NATIONAL AWARDS? KIDS LOVE THEIR CHEESE CURDS. I CAN’T KEEP THESE IN STOCK. EVEN THE BORDER PEOPLE COME DOWN HERE TO EAT CHEESE CURDS.

LUCKYWE’RE STILL STAYING WITH THE WISCONSIN THEME FOOD. OUR BASE THESE DAYS IS JUST A TON OF WISCONSIN BORDER PEOPLE COMING DOWN NOT JUST FOR BREWER GAMES. WEEGHMAN’S PARK IS FOR EVERYONE. WE EVEN HAVE CARDINAL AND CINCINNATI FANS IN HERE. PITTSBURGH FANS ARE ALL POOR. I DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING OVER THERE. BUT THEN AGAIN WE STILL SEE A FEW COME IN HERE AFTER GAMES FOR BRATS AND BEER. OCCASIONALLY THE BRASS OF THE TOWN INCLUDING RAHM EMANUEL, THE MAYOR, POPS IN. I’M CERTAIN HE IS BALANCED AND HANGS AT THE DREADED SOX PARK EQUALLY.

WEEGHMANIT’S THE BEER AND CHEESE. I KNOW THAT KEEPS FANS AND CLIENTS COMING BACK - IN ADDITION TO THE CUB CHATTER. IN FACT WE HAD THE MAYOR IN HERE THE OTHER DAY. CITY OFFICIALS REALLY GET A KICK OUT OF COMING DOWN TO CLARK AND ADDISON, TAKING IN AN AFTERNOON GAME, AND THEN HAVING A GREAT MEAL FOR A PRICE FAR BELOW TUSCANY’S. I DON’T MEAN TO KNOCK TUSCANY’S. I’VE EATEN THERE AND IT’S GREAT - IT JUST CATERS TO A HIGHER END CLIENTELE. I’M GLAD THEY ARE HERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IN FACT WHEN FANS LOOK AT OUR MENU AND SEE IT DOESN’T HAVE CALZONE OR LINGUINI, I RECOMMEND TUSCANY’S.

LUCKYWILL IS NOW MARRIED. HE ASKED THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT GAL, AMY, FOR HER HAND MANY TIMES. SHE FINALLY SURRENDERED TO A GREAT GUY. THEY WANT TO HAVE 5 KIDS. AND ELLIOTT’S MUSIC AND ACT-ING IS REALLY DOING WELL. HE’S DOWNTOWN IN ALL THE BIG PLAYS. HE HAS BECOME A VERY SOUGHT AFTER ACTOR. HIS JUNIOR HIGH BAND COMPETES NATIONALLY. ELLIOTT IS NOW THE STAR OF ROCK OF AGES DOWN AT THE WATER TOWER PLACE.

WEEGHMANI’VE GOT ANOTHER ZUERCHER PLATE OF CHEESE ON THE WAY. MUEN-STER, SWISS, COLBY, AND CHEDDAR ARE ALL FRESH AND CANNOT BE BEAT. THE BRATS ARE ALL COOKED IN BEER AND THEN GRILLED TO PERFECTION. I CANNOT FATHOM A BETTER BRAT IN CHICAGO. EVEN

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FOLKS FROM INDIANA COME IN HERE FOR A BEER. MANY CUB FANS EAST OF THE INDIANA LINE. WHEN MILWAUKEE PLAYS, THE PLACE IS STUFFED.

LUCKYWHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR FAMILY? I HAVEN’T KEPT UP WITH EVERYTHING. IT’S TOUGH WHEN YOU ARE DEAD.

WEEGHMANTHE FAMILY HAS DISAPPEARED. REMEMBER ALL THE FOSTER HOMES I WAS IN. I WAS A LOST CHILD. IT SEEMS I WAS LOST TO FAMILY FOLLOW UP. I’M YOUR TRUE GRANDCHILD LUCKY - BUT NEVER REALLY BELIEVED IT. HOW COULD I BE A FAMOUS HEIR AND BE IN A FOSTER HOME? IT SEEMS I WAS THE END PRODUCT OF AN INDISCRETION - AN OUT OF WEDLOCK CONNECTION.

LUCKYI WAS READING SOME BASEBALL TRIVIA AND FINALLY IT ALL MADE SENSE TO ME ABOUT MY FAMILY TREE. I CANNOT PROVE YOU’RE THE GRANDSON. THERE ARE NO BIRTH RECORDS. I JUST KNOW BY SPIRITUAL METHODS, VOICE, LOOKS, DEMEANOR AND YOUR LONGING FOR YOUR FAMILY BY PURCHASING WEEGHMAN’S PARK WITH EVERY LAST CENT YOU HAVE. SOME WOULD SAY WE NEED DNA TESTING.

WEEGHMANI’M NOT WORRYING ABOUT THE FAMILY ANCESTRY. I’LL JUST DEAL WITH-OUT BIRTH RECORDS. ANOTHER PITCHER OF CLASSIC AMBER LENIES ON THE WAY. AND THE TABLE OVER NEAR THE FRONT HAS SOME SPOTTED COW ON TAP THAT NEEDS A REFILL. I THINK WE’VE GOT A GOOD DEAL GOING WITH THE NEW GLARUS BREWERY IN GREEN COUNTY ALSO. WE’VE GOT KEG ACCESS TO ALL THEIR BRANDS. I MAY EVEN TAKE A VACATION TO GREEN COUNTY AND VISIT THESE ZUERCHERS FROM WISCONSIN AND THE NEW GLARUS BREWERY. ANYWAY I’M HAVING A GOOD TIME MANAGING WEEGHMAN’S PARK AMIDST ALL THIS CUB EXCITEMENT.

LUCKYYOU’RE DOING OK FOR YOURSELF WEEGHMAN. IT SEEMS LIKE MY EARLY DINER BUSINESS IN CHICAGO BEFORE I WAS OVER MY HEAD IN DEBT. I WAS WORTH OVER 8 MILLION AT ONE TIME, AND CAME UP WITH NOTHING IN THE END. THAT’S HOW I CAME TO BE KNOWN AS LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN.

WEEGHMANWE HAVE MORE AND MORE FANS PILING IN. I HOPE PEOPLE DON’T MIND ME TALKING TO MYSELF AND BACK TO YOU LUCKY. I ACTUALLY DID KNOW MY FATHER BRIEFLY. THEY SPOKE A TON ABOUT YOU. YOU WERE THE AMAZING ENTREPRENEUR – QUITE THE GUY. WITHOUT LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN WE’D BE WITHOUT WRIGLEY FIELD AND THERE WOULD BE NO NORTH SIDE CHICAGO BASEBALL TEAM MOST PROBABLY. AND THE NEAR NORTH SIDERS WOULD BE TRAVELING DOWN TO THE DREADED ENEMY IN COMISKEY - OH EXCUSE ME - WE’RE IN THE

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GADGET AGE - IT’S U.S. CELLULAR FIELD. I CANNOT FATHOM THAT. I HAVE RESPECT FOR THOSE GUYS, BUT AGAIN IT’S THE SOUTH SIDE WITH THEIR DESPICABLE FANS. IT’S ALMOST LIKE PLAYING A TEAM CONCEIVED BY A GROUP OF DEVILS. YES, THEY ARE THAT BAD WHEN COMBINED WITH THEIR FANS. THE THOUGHT OF THE SOX MAKES ME NAUSEOUS.

LUCKYSPOKEN LIKE A TRUE CUB FAN. YOU’RE SO VERY BUSY HERE AT WEEGHMAN’S PARK. BUT YOU’LL TAKE IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE MY GRANDSON WALKED INTO THIS DEAL. AND IT’S ALL INDIANA LOTTERY MONEY - ONLY A FRACTION OF THE POT, BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE A GOOD SOLID BUSINESS RISK. THANKS TO THE TRIBUNE, ALWAYS THE GREATEST PAPER IN THE COUNTRY, WRITING ABOUT CLARK AND ADDISON HAVING A GREAT LITTLE CUB HANG OUT FOR SALE.

WEEGHMANI COULDN’T BELIEVE IT WAS NAMED AFTER MY GRANDFATHER - WHO I NEVER MET. BOOM! IT HIT ME TO PURCHASE THIS PLACE WHEN OUR ASSEMBLY LINE PURCHASED A WINNING TICKET THAT WON A FEW BUCKS. SINCE THE DOWNTOWN CHICAGO GUY HAD TIED UP ASSETS, I WALKED IN AND PLACED LOTTERY MONEY IMMEDIATELY DOWN. SINCE THE PRIOR OWNER HAD HUGE MEDICAL BILLS HE COULDN’T SAY NO. HERE I AM - THE DIRECT DESCENDANT OF CHARLIE WEEGHMAN.

LUCKYOH MY GOD. MORE CROWDS ON THE WAY IN. WE MAY NEED TO EXPAND. I’M ENJOYING ALL THE ATTENTION YOU ARE RECEIVING. A FEW THINK YOU ARE CRAZY AND TALKING TO YOURSELF, BUT AGAIN THE REAL CUB FANS KNOW I’M AROUND. BESIDES WE ACTUALLY NEED A NEW WAY OF COMMUNICATION. IF FOLKS DON’T WANT TO TALK TO EACH OTHER, THEN WE’LL JUST TALK TO OURSELVES - ANSWER AND REPLY TO OUR OWN QUESTIONS AND CARRY ON OUR OWN DIALOGUE. PRETTY COOL!

WEEGHMANMORE FOOD ON THE WAY. YES! IT’S COMING. IT’S SO BUSY TODAY WITH THE CARDS COMING TO TOWN. I HAVE A WEEK’S SUPPLY OF WISCONSIN BEER, FOOD AND CHEESE IN THE BACK FRIDGE. WE’VE GOT ZUERCHER’S MAKING AN EMERGENCY SHIPMENT TOMORROW. WE CAN’T KEEP THIS GREAT CHEESE IN STOCK. IT’S THAT SIMPLE. MAYBE ZUERCHER’S NEEDS TO HEAD OVER HERE AND SET UP SHOP WITH ANOTHER CHEESE FACTORY IN WRIGLEYVILLE.

LUCKYWHAT ARE YOUR LONG TERM PLANS WEEGHMAN? MEETING ANY IMPORTANT PEOPLE?

WEEGHMANI DON’T KNOW THE WRIGLEYS - BUT I’D LIKE TO GET TO KNOW THEM. BUT MAYBE I’LL MEET THEM SOON. I KNOW THEY HANG IN LAKE GENEVA SOME. BUT WHO DOESN’T? GREAT LAKE WITH SUPER WATER

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SKIING, FISHING, AND SUN BATHING. MOSQUITOES ARE AS BIG AS HAWKS UP THERE. WHO KNOWS - MAYBE I’LL BECOME A CHICAGO CELEBRITY. I KNOW THIS THOUGH. I’VE ALWAYS LOVED THE CUBS AND IT HAS INTENSIFIED SINCE I FOUND OUT I WAS THE TRUE DESCEN-DANT OF THE ACTUAL BUILDER OF THAT PARK. OH YES, IT’S BEEN MODIFIED SOME THROUGH THE YEARS. BUT THE ORIGINAL ARCHITEC-TURAL PLAN IS STILL THE GREATEST EVER. I LOVE THE FOUL POLES DEDICATED TO BANKS AND WILLIAMS. AND THE THROWING OF THE BASEBALL BACK ONTO THE FIELD AFTER THE OPPOSING TEAM HITS A HOMER. HOW COOL IS THAT!

LUCKYMORE LENIES BEER IS ON THE WAY. SUMMER SHANDY IS JUST IN. WE’VE GOT TONS, AND IT GOES SO WELL WITH THE BRATS. FOOD IS A BIG DEAL IN CHICAGO. AND WE HAVE TRUE WISCONSIN FOOD - EVEN THOUGH I RESPECT – BUT TRUTHFULLY HATE – THE BREWERS. YES, I KNOW WHO WON THE CENTRAL LAST YEAR - AND IT WASN’T THE CUB-BIES.

WEEGHMANI REALLY NEED MORE HELP IN HERE. I’M PUTTING A COUPLE JOB POSTINGS IN THE TRIBUNE TOMORROW. I HOPE THEY GENERATE A FEW GOOD PEOPLE APPLYING. I WON’T HIRE SOUTH SIDERS. THESE PEOPLE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH SOX BLOOD IN THEM. I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THE SERIES THIS YEAR. I’M ACTUALLY FEELING GOOD ABOUT THIS TEAM. I’D RATHER STUMBLE EARLY THAN LATE. LET’S NOT BRING BACK 1969.

LUCKYOH I’M WELL AWARE THE METS BEAT US THAT YEAR. THE CUBS REALLY HAD A GREAT TEAM THAT YEAR WITH FERGUSON JENKINS, BILLIE WILLIAMS, ERNIE BANKS, RON SANTO, AND RANDY HUNDLEY BEHIND THE PLATE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN THAT THROW SEPTEMBER 9TH IN PHILLY BY SELMA, THE PITCHER. A PICK OFF PLAY WITHOUT SANTO EVEN ON THE BAG ALLOWED THE GAME TO JUST SLIP AWAY. AND THE BLACK CAT BEHIND SANTO ON DECK. BUT THE METS NEVER LOOKED BACK - OUTPLAYING THE CUBS BY 17 AND A HALF GAMES THAT YEAR IN SEPTEMBER. THE NEW YORKERS WERE ON A TEAR AND NEVER LOOKED BACK, WINNING THE NL EAST BY 8 GAMES.

WEEGHMANI LOVE TALKING CUBS BASEBALL. IN FACT BETWEEN SERVING ALL THESE GREAT NEW GLARUS BEERS, I DO FIND TIME TO ACTUALLY HAVE A GLASS OR TWO. I LOVE THE BELGIAN RED, MOON MAN, AND RASPBERRY TART. TWO WOMEN AND FAT SQUIRREL HAVE PRODUCED REPEAT CUSTOMERS. THE SPECIALTY BEERS WHICH ARE THE FAVOR-ITES INCLUDE NAKED LADY FOR GALS – AND FOR GUYS CABIN FEVER HONEY BOCK.

LUCKYIN FACT I SEE A COUPLE THAT COMES IN HERE EVERY WEEKEND WITH OR WITHOUT THE CUBS PLAYING AND ORDERS ZUERCHER CHEESE

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PLATES, AND SHE HAS THE NAKED, AND HE HAS THE CABIN FEVER HONEY BOCK.

WEEGHMANYES, IF THESE BEERS ARE IN SEASON. EVERYONE LOOKS AT ME WHILE I JUST KEEP TALKING - MY FAVORITE PAST TIME. BACK TO MY PARENTS: THEY ALL LOVED THE CUBS SO MUCH. THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW LUCKY CHARLIE MAY HAVE BEEN SCREWED ROYALLY OUT OF THE STADIUM AND THE CUBS TEAM ITSELF. BUT WE KNOW SO VERY LITTLE OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. I ONLY KNOW NOW AFTER TALKING TO YOU LUCKY THAT THE CUBS CURSE IS YOU AND NEEDS TO BE LIFTED. CAN YOU IMAGINE CLARK AND ADDISON WITH A PENNANT RACE?

LUCKYWHY THE CURSE, EVERYONE HERE IS ASKING? SIMPLY IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PARK BEING NAMED AFTER LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN - THE RIGHTFUL BUILDER AND ORIGINAL OWNER. I BUILT IT AND THE WRIGLEYS, THE TRIBUNE, AND NOW THE RICKETTS FAMILY BENEFITS. WHAT A DEAL FOR EVERYONE BUT GOOD OLD CHARLIE. THIS LITTLE HANG OUT ACROSS THE STREET FROM WRIGLEY IS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE CURSE IS AND WHERE IT CAME FROM - ME. CHANGE THE NAME OF THE PARK BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL NAME AND THE CURSE IS LIFTED. IT’S THAT SIMPLE.

WEEGHMANYES, WE HAVE THAT SUMMER SHANDY - IT JUST CAME IN. BERRY WEISS AND THE 1888 BOCK HAVE BEEN BIG SELLERS SO FAR THIS SPRING. THE ONLY LENIES WE DON’T HAVE IS OCTOBERFEST. I’LL KEEP TRYING TO GET SOME BECAUSE MANY CUSTOMERS CAME IN HERE AND REALLY ENJOYED IT WITH THE SPECIALTY ZUERCHER CHEESE PLATES.

LUCKYYOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CURSE? THE BOSTON CURSE AS YOU KNOW WENT BACK TO RUTH’S BEING SOLD BY BOSTON TO THE YANKEES IN 1919. THE REST IS HISTORY WITH RUTH. BOSTON RE-QUIRED NEARLY 100 YEARS TO RECOVER FROM THAT TRADE - BEING SO CLOSE SO MANY TIMES TO WIN THE SERIES. LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN IS THE GUY WHO STARTED ALL THIS CUB FERVOR IN CHICAGO BY PURCHASING THE CUBS AND BUILDING WEEGHMAN’S PARK. WELL, EVERYONE THINKS NO BIG DEAL. BUT CHARLIE GAVE UP HIS DINER BUSINESS FOR BASEBALL AND THEN NEEDED MONEY TO PAY FOR THE CUBS SALARIES, THE NEWLY BUILT BALL PARK, AND A DI-VORCE. THE CUBS WON PENNANTS IN 1908, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, AND 1945. WEST SIDE PARK WAS HOST TO THE CUBS WORLD SERIES WIN IN 1908. THOUGH WRIGLEY AND I WERE PARTNERS IN THE CUBS PURCHASE, I JUST COULDN’T AFFORD TO STAY IN AND SOLD OUT TO WRIGLEY. THE ULTIMATE CURSE CAME DOWN IN 1926 WHEN WEEGH-MAN’S PARK WAS RENAMED WRIGLEY FIELD. I WAS STILL ALIVE, AND THIS LEFT A SMUDGE THAT WILL NEVER BE RELIEVED EXCEPT BY A

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FAMILY MEMBER GETTING THE NAME CHANGED BACK TO ITS ORIGI-NAL NAME - WEEGHMAN’S PARK.

WEEGHMANI’M HERE TO DO THAT VERY THING. REMOVE THE CURSE. I HAVE THE POWER TO REMOVE THE CURSE AND ALLOW THE CUBS TO WIN A SERIES. IT IS THAT SIMPLE. THOUGH SUBTLE, IT IS VERY EVIDENT THAT MANY PLAYERS HAVE CAREER ENDERS IN CHICAGO. BY CAREER ENDING I MEAN THEY DON’T PRODUCE, FIGHT, GET TRADED, BECOME INJURED, AND THEIR LIVES GO SOUR.

LUCKYI’LL HAVE THAT SUMMER SHANDY OVER THERE IN A MINUTE. LOOK AT WOOD AND PRYOR. TWO HALL OF FAME PITCHERS WHO WENT TO POT OVER WEIRD INJURIES THAT NEVER QUITE RECOVERED. FANTAS-TIC PLAYERS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN PERENNIAL ALL STARS WITH THE YANKEES OR CARDS, BUT NOT HERE. Z FOUGHT HIS WAY OUT OF CHICAGO. EVEN THAT 1969 TEAM WAS UNSTOPPABLE, BUT THE CURSE KICKED IN AND SETTLED IT CLEARLY BY THE LAST WEEK OF THE SEASON - REMOVING ANY HOPES OF A SEASON ENDING PENNANT RACE. WE WON MANY PENNANTS WITH GREAT PLAYERS, MANAGERS AND FANS. BUT WE COULD NEVER GET OVER THE HUMP BY BEATING OTHER TEAMS IN THE SERIES.

WEEGHMANMANY CHICAGO FANS ALLUDE THE CURSE TO BILLY SIANIS IN 1945 - WHO CAME TO WRIGLEY FIELD WITH A GOAT AND TWO BOX SEATS. WRIGLEY KICKED HIM OUT OF THE STADIUM, AND SIANIS APPARENTLY CURSED THE TEAM FOREVER. BUT I’VE GOT NEWS FOR EVERYONE. THERE WAS A CURSE LONG BEFORE THAT. EVEN THOUGH THE CUBS WON THE PENNANT WITH HACK WILSON, ROGER HORNSBY AND MANY OTHER GREATS EVERY THREE YEARS AROUND THE THIRTIES, THEY WERE NEVER TO WIN THE SERIES. EVEN THE 1945 CUB TEAM PLAYED GREAT - TAKING IT TO SEVEN GAMES, BUT STILL COULDN’T BEAT THE CURSE PUT ON BY LUCKY CHARLIE FOR HIS FORCED SALE OF THE CUBS AND WEEGHMAN’S PARK. THE CURSE FELL WITH THE NAME CHANGE. IT’S THAT SIMPLE.

LUCKYYES, I DO HAVE THE POWER APPARENTLY TO END THE CURSE THROUGH LIVING DESCENDANTS. IT’S OVER 100 YEARS. BOSTON’S WAS ONLY 86 YEARS. THE CUBS CURSE DATES BACK TO 1908 AND WILL CONTINUE UNLESS THE WEEGHMAN FAMILY PULLS IT OFF. CHANGE THE NAME OF THE PARK BACK TO WEEGHMAN’S PARK AND YOU’LL GET A SERIES WINNER.

WEEGHMANDON’T WORRY MAM. I TRULY AM CHARLIE WEEGHMAN’S GRANDSON. I DON’T HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE. MY DAD WAS LOST AFTER BEING BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK AND ENDED UP IN EAST CHICAGO FOR YEARS - NO ONE REALIZING HE WAS AN OFFSPRING OF LUCKY CHARLIE WEEGHMAN. MY DAD LIVED A GREAT LIFE. HE WAS THE ULTIMATE

Charles Weegham at Left, Opening Day

1914

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CUB FAN. WE NEVER HAD MUCH MONEY, AND I WAS REMOVED FROM EVERYONE WHEN I WAS A CHILD FOR REASONS I DON’T KNOW. IT’S JUST HOW IT IS. BUT I REMEMBER VIVIDLY THAT I AM A TRUE WEEGH-MAN. AND I NOW OWN WEEGHMAN’S PARK AT CLARK AND ADDISON. THE CURSE WILL BE LIFTED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE THE POWER. FOR NOW LET’S PLAY BALL.

End Clark and addison Xiii