Johnny Frank Garrett was a young man who was convicted and executed for the rape and murder of a nun in Texas in 1981. However, many believe that he was wrongly convicted and that he was a victim of the criminal justice system. The case of Johnny Frank Garrett has been surrounded by controversy and has gained significant attention over the years. The main idea behind the "Johnny Frank Garrett curse" is the belief that Garrett placed a curse on those involved in his arrest, conviction, and execution. According to the legend, Garrett proclaimed his innocence until his last breath and vowed to seek revenge on those who played a part in his conviction. In the years following his execution, several people involved in the case, including the judge, the district attorney, and the medical examiner, experienced misfortunes, illnesses, and even death.
In the years following his execution, several people involved in the case, including the judge, the district attorney, and the medical examiner, experienced misfortunes, illnesses, and even death. Many people attribute these misfortunes and deaths to the curse placed by Garrett. They believe that he somehow had the power to inflict harm on those who played a part in his unjust conviction.
Sushi is delivered by ‘bullet train’ with a Magic Touch in Cerritos
I recently spent a couple of weeks in Japan, where I rode a bullet train many times, a wonderful trip, made all the better by the amazing bento boxes sold in even the smallest of train stations.
Bento — more properly referred to as ekiben — are wonderful things. They’re edible Joseph Cornell boxes of tasty treats and happy bites, going for about $10 a box.
Curiously, when I got back, I went to the newly opened Magic Touch Bullet Train Sushi restaurant, situated in yet another of the many South Street Cerritos food malls, where they do not offer ekiben. Which is a pity, because it would certainly add to the sense of being Over There.
But still, the high-tech style of the eatery does have a Tokyo Modernist/Robot Restaurant sense to it. Though in this case, the food isn’t served by robots. It’s served by miniature “bullet trains” (properly shinkansen) that come zipping out of the kitchen (or whatever is in the unseen back of the restaurant) bearing your nigiri, your sashimi and your rolls along with a sundry of appetizers and small dishes.
I should explain that there are humans working in Magic Touch. They bring you beverages and other items that might not do well on a miniature train. But for the most part, you’re on your own, following the “Easy Steps for the 1st Time Comer” on the plasticized menu, which guides you to the iPad in front of every diner, from which you order your food.
A fun way to dine
The order is then transmitted to the back, where the dishes are loaded on the train and shot out (well, not really shot; they move a lot slower than the full-sized bullet train), somehow stopping right in front of where you’re sitting.
It’s a clever system, allowing you to keep track of what you’ve ordered on the iPad, though there is something a bit alienating about sitting at the counter, staring ahead at the very brightly lit “track,” waiting for your food to arrive. There are several tables where you can interact with others. Otherwise, this is dining in a world of white space, a bit lonely, a bit cold. Once I got past the novelty, I fell into a bit of existential angst.
And I do need to mention that the food doesn’t come out especially fast. Unlike Magic Touch’s cousin restaurants, the somewhat less mechanistic revolving sushi bar (of which there are many in Japan, where it was invented, and where the proper name is “kaikan”), you don’t have the fun of watching an endless parade of dishes march on by. In this case, the train arrives, the food is taken, the train withdraws. In between, you’re on your own. It’s Concept Uber Alles, or however that would be said in Japanese.
Priced well
But there is a good side to all this high-tech obsessiveness: the prices are low, really low. Nigiri sushi — the slices of fish atop rice — run from $1.75 to $2.75. Sushi rolls fall into the same range. Hand rolls are $2.25. You want a sushi combo, it will run between $6.25 and $10. The sashimi combo is $5.25. Which is so far below the usual price, it’s hard to cavil about the lack of humanity.
Indeed, nothing costs much: edamame is $1.75, miso soup is $2.25, seaweed salad is $2.25, so is seafood gyoza. Fried chicken is $2.75. Fried soft shell crab is $5.25. All of which is way below market. Even discount sushi shops, like the Sushi Stop chain, cost more.
And the quality is better than you might expect. The 16 rolls are well-assembled, if not elegantly so. For $2.75 you can sample exotica like the Tiger Roll, the Hamachi Roll, the Dragon Roll, the Soft Shell Crab Roll.
The fish is fresh. The turnover is fast. The restaurant is busy most of the time. And when you’re finished, you clock “Check Out” on the iPad, and a human will bring you your check. Or as the menu says, “Your servers will bring you the cheek (sic).” Check or cheek, it won’t add up to much.
Merrill Shindler is a Los Angeles-based freelance dining critic. Send him email at [email protected].
Magic Touch Bullet Train Sushi
Rating: 2 stars
Address: 11900 South St., Cerritos
Information: 562-402-5177
Cuisine: Japanese
When: Lunch and dinner, every day
Details: Soft drinks; no reservations
Atmosphere: High-tech setting, where you order from iPads and watch in wonder and puzzlement as your sushi zips out of the kitchen on a Bullet Train. Not as efficient as you’d expect but still fun. And very inexpensive.
Prices: About $20 per person
Suggested dishes: Sushi Rolls ($1.75-$2.75), Hand Rolls ($2.25), Nigiri Sushi ($1.75-$2.75), Combo Platters ($6.25-$10)
Cards: MC, V
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Some even claim to have witnessed supernatural occurrences or experienced strange phenomena related to the curse. These stories and beliefs have further perpetuated the legend of the "Johnny Frank Garrett curse." However, skeptics argue that the misfortunes and deaths can be attributed to natural causes or simple coincidences. They view the curse as nothing more than a superstition or an urban legend. They point out that many years have passed since Garrett's execution, and people involved in other high-profile cases have also experienced misfortunes without any connection to a curse. Regardless of whether one believes in the curse or not, the story of Johnny Frank Garrett and the controversy surrounding his case raises important questions about the criminal justice system and the possibility of wrongful convictions. It highlights the flaws and biases that can lead to innocent people being convicted and sentenced to death. In conclusion, the "Johnny Frank Garrett curse" is a legend that revolves around the belief that Garrett placed a curse on those involved in his conviction and execution. While some view this as a supernatural phenomenon, others dismiss it as mere superstition. The story and the controversy surrounding Garrett's case shed light on the flaws in the criminal justice system and the need for safeguards to prevent wrongful convictions..
Reviews for "Johnny Frank Garrett: A Falsely Accused Innocent or Just a Curse?"
1. John Smith - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "Johnny Frank Garrett's Curse" as the concept seemed intriguing. However, I was left disappointed with the execution. The acting felt forced, and the storyline dragged on for way too long. The scares were also predictable and lacked the intensity that I look for in a horror film. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and underwhelming experience.
2. Emily Johnson - 1 star - I personally did not enjoy "Johnny Frank Garrett's Curse" at all. The plot felt convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to stay engaged. The character development was also lacking, leaving me feeling indifferent towards the outcome. Additionally, the special effects were subpar and took away from any potential suspense. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for a satisfying horror experience.
3. Michael Thompson - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "Johnny Frank Garrett's Curse", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow and it took too long for anything interesting to happen. The scares were also predictable and failed to elicit any genuine fear or excitement. Furthermore, the characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to invest in their fates. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre horror film that failed to deliver on its potential.
4. Samantha Wilson - 1.5 stars - "Johnny Frank Garrett's Curse" was a major disappointment for me. The storyline was weak and lacked any originality. The scares were poorly executed and failed to create the intended tension and suspense. The acting was subpar, with certain performances feeling forced and unnatural. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and lackluster horror film that I would not recommend to others.
5. Robert Davis - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Johnny Frank Garrett's Curse", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them. The plot felt disjointed and failed to keep my interest throughout the film. The scares were predictable and lacked any real impact. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this horror flick, and it failed to leave a lasting impression.