EXIT STAGE LEFT

Waiting in the wings, the Zodiac Killer was not content with a supporting role and yearned to have his name in the spotlight, determined to act out his deep seated desire on a much grander scale - but unlike the theatrical tragedies that had gone before him, this one was to be performed on the very real stage of Northern California, with dark consequences. This analysis probes into the mindset of the Zodiac Killer and his influences as the driving force behind the numerous communications he orchestrated over a period of nearly five years, to narrow down a profession that, above all, takes center stage. It has been noted on countless occasions that the Zodiac Killer had leanings toward the dramatic, His early correspondence included part inference to The Most Dangerous Game, a short story by Richard Connell, published on January 19th 1924, as well as several references to the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, The Mikado, first viewed by the paying public on March 14th 1885. The Mikado featured heavily in his 'Little List' letter, mailed to the San Francisco Chronicle on July 26th 1970 and was resurrected in the 'Exorcist' letter, his last confirmed correspondence, mailed on January 29th 1974.

In the counterculture revolution of the 1960s, a new breed of expressionism emerged, in alliance with the already existing forces of cinema and theater that permeated the San Francisco culture and provided the backdrop for a diverse cocktail of literary and visual freedom.​

From an early age, it is possible the Zodiac Killer longed to take the leading role, but rejected from his yearnings, took solace in the wings and waited, knowing that one day his time would come. When it arrived the 'performance' was brief, and the final act was never far away, as tragedy would have it, when Paul Stine picked up his final passenger from the theater district, near the intersection of Mason and Geary Streets on October 11th 1969. Many researchers have suggested a plausible link to the theater due to traits in the Zodiac Killer's correspondence.

The Lamplighters, hailed as one of the oldest companies in the Bay Area and specializing in Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas, performed at the Harding Theater throughout the 1960s - and were performing The Mikado in San Francisco in 1969, opening on April 20th. Many have speculated that the Zodiac Killer may have been a cast member or had viewed the production, prior to his version, when he mailed the Little List letter to the San Francisco Chronicle on July 26th 1970. However, it is equally likely he may have been a theater technician, employed in the area of stage management, lighting, electrics or quite possibly wardrobe. He could have trained in costume design, as a tailor, or more specifically wardrobe crafts involving masks and disguises.

He claimed in his Bus Bomb letter of November 9th 1969 "The police shall never catch me, because I have been too clever for them.  I look like the description passed out only when I do my thing, the rest of the time I look entirle different. I shall not tell you what my descise consists of when I kill". He also made a grand appearance at Lake Berryessa on September 27th 1969, having purchased, borrowed or crafted a black executioner's hood and a waistline bib, emblazoned with the Zodiac crosshairs - but either way, his entrance was of theatrical proportions.

One thing evident throughout his correspondence, was his use of the word shall, leading to speculation that he may have been of British origin, as the word shall, is infrequently used in American English. However, another option exists. As a member of theater production, his exposure to the word shall would have been far more frequent in the performance of stage plays, particularly in traditional works of English origin, which he would seek to take to the next level when he started crafting his own scripts. Embittered by rejection, he mailed his work to the heart of the American people via the San Francisco Chronicle, seeking literary recognition, but sadly only succeeded in creating a tragedy of epic proportions, while hiding behind a pseudonym and mask of sanity.

In his fourth and final act, the Zodiac Killer departed the theater district of Union Square on October 11th 1969 for the short journey to the intersection of Washington and Cherry Streets in Presidio Heights, with the unsuspecting taxicab driver Paul Stine at the helm. Thirteen minutes later the final act was upon us, when the brutal slayer claimed his fifth and final confirmed murder victim.

The killer was observed by three teenagers from a house across the street, as he wiped down the vehicle to remove any incriminating evidence. He then calmly walked away into the night. His 'exit stage left' was complete, but the memories he left behind, still haunt us today.