Vanessa Richardson

He made them gather extra supplies and even taught them desert survival techniques. However, all of this cost money. Money Charles and the Manson family didn't have. Most of the time, they got by with panhandling around L.A. and scavenging around grocery stores. But if Charles' plan was going to work, they needed a lot more. So he turned to a more reliable income stream. Drug dealing.

To do this, Charles connected with a biker gang called the Straight Satans. They were happy to help him get the drugs he wanted, as long as they could come to the ranch and enjoy them. Before long, the Straight Satans were a constant presence at Spahn Ranch, and so were their drugs. But the bikers used substances more potent than marijuana and LSD.

To do this, Charles connected with a biker gang called the Straight Satans. They were happy to help him get the drugs he wanted, as long as they could come to the ranch and enjoy them. Before long, the Straight Satans were a constant presence at Spahn Ranch, and so were their drugs. But the bikers used substances more potent than marijuana and LSD.

To do this, Charles connected with a biker gang called the Straight Satans. They were happy to help him get the drugs he wanted, as long as they could come to the ranch and enjoy them. Before long, the Straight Satans were a constant presence at Spahn Ranch, and so were their drugs. But the bikers used substances more potent than marijuana and LSD.

They especially liked amphetamines, and they gladly shared them with the family. Charles didn't seem happy about it. These new drugs made his followers moody and tense, harder to control. But with Helter Skelter on its way, he was willing to put up with it.

They especially liked amphetamines, and they gladly shared them with the family. Charles didn't seem happy about it. These new drugs made his followers moody and tense, harder to control. But with Helter Skelter on its way, he was willing to put up with it.

They especially liked amphetamines, and they gladly shared them with the family. Charles didn't seem happy about it. These new drugs made his followers moody and tense, harder to control. But with Helter Skelter on its way, he was willing to put up with it.

However Charles felt about what was going on at Spahn Ranch, it's possible he was starting to doubt his prophecy, because even with an apocalyptic race war to worry about, he was still trying to get himself a record deal. Charles had stayed in touch with Terry Melcher, the producer who was friends with the Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson.

However Charles felt about what was going on at Spahn Ranch, it's possible he was starting to doubt his prophecy, because even with an apocalyptic race war to worry about, he was still trying to get himself a record deal. Charles had stayed in touch with Terry Melcher, the producer who was friends with the Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson.

However Charles felt about what was going on at Spahn Ranch, it's possible he was starting to doubt his prophecy, because even with an apocalyptic race war to worry about, he was still trying to get himself a record deal. Charles had stayed in touch with Terry Melcher, the producer who was friends with the Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson.

Terry came by Spahn Ranch sometimes, mostly to fool around with some of the women. Charles was all too happy to oblige him, as long as Terry gave his music another chance. And in March of 1969, Terry finally agreed to come over and listen to some of his songs. Charles was certain this would be his big break. But the day of Terry's visit to Spahn Ranch arrived, and he never showed up.

Terry came by Spahn Ranch sometimes, mostly to fool around with some of the women. Charles was all too happy to oblige him, as long as Terry gave his music another chance. And in March of 1969, Terry finally agreed to come over and listen to some of his songs. Charles was certain this would be his big break. But the day of Terry's visit to Spahn Ranch arrived, and he never showed up.

Terry came by Spahn Ranch sometimes, mostly to fool around with some of the women. Charles was all too happy to oblige him, as long as Terry gave his music another chance. And in March of 1969, Terry finally agreed to come over and listen to some of his songs. Charles was certain this would be his big break. But the day of Terry's visit to Spahn Ranch arrived, and he never showed up.

Charles was furious. This was supposed to be his moment, and Terry had blown him off. On March 23rd, he headed to Terry's house to give him a piece of his mind. The house was atop Cielo Drive, a winding road in LA's Benedict Canyon. But when Charles got there, Terry wasn't home, because he'd moved out months earlier.

Charles was furious. This was supposed to be his moment, and Terry had blown him off. On March 23rd, he headed to Terry's house to give him a piece of his mind. The house was atop Cielo Drive, a winding road in LA's Benedict Canyon. But when Charles got there, Terry wasn't home, because he'd moved out months earlier.

Charles was furious. This was supposed to be his moment, and Terry had blown him off. On March 23rd, he headed to Terry's house to give him a piece of his mind. The house was atop Cielo Drive, a winding road in LA's Benedict Canyon. But when Charles got there, Terry wasn't home, because he'd moved out months earlier.

Eventually, Charles did get a hold of Terry, and the producer promised to come back out to Spahn Ranch on May 18th. This time, he showed up, but it was clear he wasn't interested in signing Charles to a deal, and nobody else was either. There would be no music career for Charles. His dream was officially dead.

Eventually, Charles did get a hold of Terry, and the producer promised to come back out to Spahn Ranch on May 18th. This time, he showed up, but it was clear he wasn't interested in signing Charles to a deal, and nobody else was either. There would be no music career for Charles. His dream was officially dead.

Eventually, Charles did get a hold of Terry, and the producer promised to come back out to Spahn Ranch on May 18th. This time, he showed up, but it was clear he wasn't interested in signing Charles to a deal, and nobody else was either. There would be no music career for Charles. His dream was officially dead.

So when dealing with self-centered people or narcissists, are they ever capable of learning from a reality check like this? Or do they tend to double down and only get worse?