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HERE THEY ARE! WILL UPDATE AS RECEIVE MORE.
======================================================================
Melvin Edwards:
Father Gonzaga was taking the old man with enormous wings to see the
Supreme
Pontiff, when they notice an old man sitting by himself in front of
a cafe.
Since they had been walking for a long time, Father Gonzaga asked, "can
we
sit here with you."
The old man nodded as saying yes.
As they sat down Father Gonzaga began to introduce him and the old
man with E.W.
"Hi i'm Father Gonzaga and this is," he looked at the man with E.W.,
"this is, well might be
an angel."
The old man with E.W. looks at the deaf old man and in his hermetic language, "I am an angel, I have been sent to cure."
Not understanging, Father Gonzaga and the deaf old man looked in awe,
as Father
Gonzaga never heard him speak. The deaf old man said nothing, just
nodding
his head in agreement.
When the waiter came over the old man said, "another brandy for me and two for my guests."
"Oh no, we won't be having any of that today" said Father Gonzaga. "We have to go see my superior, He will know if the old man with E.W. is an angel or not."
Father Gonzaga is told that the deaf old man is deaf.
'How can you talk and cannot hear?" Father Gonzaga looked with a confused face.
The deaf old man sip on his brandy as if ignoring Father Gonzaga. "Maybe you should come with us, my superior has all the answers."
The deaf old man ordered one more brandy, drunk it,and they all
headed out to see the Super Pontiff.
=====================================================================
KATHY PHAM:
Tessie: Paul, stop rocking on that horse!
Paul: Mother is that you? (dazed with still blue eyes)
Tessie: No! (surprised and confused)
Paul: Can I run beside you with my horse? Why are you running anyway?
Tessie: You see boy, the rocks, I tell, you, the rocks.. (franticing)
Paul: Where?
Tessie: It's coming you see? (pointing behind the distance, still running)
Paul: (still riding beside Tessie) I see, it's huge.. RUN!!
Tessie: screaming, why me? It's just never fair!
Paul: Fair? why is it not fair?
Tessie: I've been pick to be the unlucky one!
Paul: I'll bring you luck, I have plenty of it!
Tessie: (looking over her shoulder, still the large object is
coming
toward her) Luck?? say boy.... hmmm
Paul: Yes, I have luck, God told me. (The large object came
closerand
closer as Tessie ducked her head with both arms over her)
Paul: It's huge, coming right at us, but but... it's not stones,
it'smy
friend horse, it's chrysanthemum, pulling a wagon!
Curious man: Hi, there strangers. In a rush off to somewhere?
Tessie: Yes, you see, it's not fair, the stones are still coming!
Paul: Yes, I still see them, (straining his eyes form afar)
Curious man: I'll help you, if you provide me with food, I havn't
ate
supper you know.
Tessie: You are worry about supper, when I'm running for my life!
Mylife
is at sake, and you're worrying about supper? (blabbering, running
outof
breathe)
Curious man: (with huge excited eyes) okay miss.. calm down. Without
supper, I too can die of starvation.
Paul: Did I tell you, I have luck here!
Curious man & Tessie: LUCK!! Give us luck now! (both eager)
Paul: (Concentrated on this horse, he yelled) Take me where
there isluck!
now take me!
Tessie & Curious man: Tessie now seeing the crowd at an distance
withtheir
rocks. The curious man offered a ride for exchange of some work for
aride
on his wagon away from the village.
Paul: (still screaming) Now take me!
And ther, he rode off into a far, strange forbidden land with his twonew
"friends".
=====================================================================
MOLLI MEADOWS:
Late one cool fall afternoon, a curious old man in a covered wagon wondered off of his trail. He ended up in a small village that he did not recognize at all. He stopped his horses and decided to get out and take a look around.
The old man did not realize that he had stopped right next to an old graveyard. He hopped down from his covered wagon and tripped over a long forgotten about gravestone. He pushed the tall grass away from the face of the stone to read the inscription. He quietly mumbled the words to himself.
“Here lies Tessie Hutchinson, Beloved mother and wife,” he read.
Suddenly, from literally out of nowhere, he heard a woman’s voice say, “I didn’t die in peace, so you at least let me rest in peace!”
A foggy apparition of a woman materialized in front of the old man, and he quickly jumped back.
The old man stuttered in shock, “W-w-w-well I’m sorry ma’am. I was just off of my general road, and I thought I would just stop and rest for a minute being that I ain’t in any hurry.”
“Well next time you need to watch where you step,” replied the woman that was apparently Tessie Hutchinson’s ghost.
“I am sorry, ma’am. I ain’t tryin’ to cause any trouble. I s’pose I’ll be heading down the road now. Gotta try to find some dinner before night fall,” the old man said as he turned to walk away.
Then, it appeared that a person fell straight from the sky and landed directly in the old man’s path.
The person was face down on the ground, so the old man thought he would help him to get up. As the old man walked closer to the fallen person, he realized that it was a very old man with enormous wings.
The old man turned back to the ghost of Tessie and asked, “Is this your angel, ma’am?”
Tessie began to sob, “It just isn’t fair. First, I get stoned to death, and then I get asked if that parasite infested thing is my angel.”
“I’ll take that as a no,” the old man said, more to himself than to her.
He then focused his attention back to the winged man. He helped him up and asked him, “Are you okay, sir?”
The man with enormous wings did not reply, but instead just flapped
his wings a couple of times.
This time the old man repeated his question very loudly, thinking that
maybe the old man with wings was deaf.
At the sound of the loud voice, the very old man with the enormous wings began ranting in a language unrecognizable to the old man.
The old man decided that he had had enough of this town. He turned one last time to the ghost and said, “He may not be your angel, but he is your problem from here on out.”
Tessie shouted, “It just isn’t fair, I tell you!”
The old man jumped back into his covered wagon and continued down the trail he was on.
In the distance, he could still hear the ghost screaming, “It just isn’t fair!”
The old man quietly whispered to himself, “I s’pose this has got to be the strangest day I’ve ever seen in all my days.”
======================================================================
JEAN ARP:
Sammy and his grandfather spent as much time together as possible. It was okay, but sometimes Sammy really did not want to be bothered with him. But after all he was Sammy’s grandfather and all they had were each other. So Sammy thought he would make his day this time by allowing him to go shopping with him. Sammy thought, “Go to a store, pick something up, bring him home. Good enough. He’ll be happy”.
Old man Warner/grandfather walked into the room, “Come on son, I am ready to go.” Sammy was picking up his keys as they both headed toward the door. Before Sammy open the door he turned to his grandfather and said with a stiff neck, promise me you will not embarrass me today. “Let’s go if we are going,” grandfather said, taking authority over Sammy.
Sammy drove into Wal-mart’s parking lot. All right grandfather /Old Man Warner we are here. They got out of the car and headed toward the store.
Sammy gave his warning once more, “Now remember what I said because I might meet the girl of my dreams today”.
Yea, sure, said grandfather. Do you kids ever think of anything else? It’s a shame we can’t go somewhere without you thinking about “girls”.
Look grandfather, they are selling something near the front door.
“A table is set up there”, Sammy said with an anxious tone.
Grandfather/ Old man Warner gave him a look of discouragement, knowing he would stop. Is this what we came here for, Sammy?
Sammy simply ignored him looking with amazement at the table, as they got closer. They both finally had the table in full view. A lady sat there. She had dark shoulder length hair with bits of gray in just the right places, a gold band tied around her head, clear bright eyes, she worn a full length dress and sandals. She sat behind a small square table with three chairs in front of it. A sign hung from the front of the table that was written out in perfect letters. It read: The Wise Woman.
“Have a sit curious ones”. “Let me tell your fortune today”, said the Wise Woman in an inviting voice.
Sammy sat immediately. How about you old man, as she looked up.
I don’t have time for foolishness said Old man Warner.
“ Oh! Sit down, you will be amazed”, said the wise woman. Try something different for once in your life. Sit down! She insisted.
Old man Warner sat in the chair very reluctantly. She laid her hands out on the table with her palms up and asked them each to place their hands in hers. She held her head back and closed her eyes. Sammy waited anxiously to hear the words that would make his day.
Old man Warner sat there in disgust shaking his head. Is there an end to this nonsense, wise woman? He said her name as though it was a joke.
She ignored him and said, “Sammy, young man….”
“You know my name”! Sammy yelled out!
She continued, “You will meet the girl of your dreams today”.
Sammy jumped up and yelled, “I knew it”! What did I tell you grandfather! The wise woman took grandfather’s other hand that was resting on the table.
She looked in his eyes and said, “And you, my friend." Old man Warner looked at her with a big sigh of relief, waiting for her to finally end this absurdity so he could get up.
The wise woman said, “You have met the girl of your dreams”. Old man Warner froze in his seat. Some small part of him wanted to move, but he just sat there.
Sammy began walking toward the entrance with a big smile on his face.
"Grandfather, let's go inside. I’ve got things to do. I am meeting the girl of my dreams today! Hurry up! "
Grandfather/Old man Warner looked up at Sammy and took a deep breath and said, “I’ll be right here waiting on you when you come out.”
======================================================================
TASHA DOTSON:
On a warm sunny day, June 27 to be exact. three men
found themselvesin
the mall for no particular reason. A man was sitting on a bench
by himself
in the middle of the mall when he was approched by another man.
"Sir do you mind if I share this bench with you?"
"Sure, sit, take a load off."
The first man starts off saying,"I'm Herny Allen and yo are?"
"Oh, I'm Old Man Warner. What brings you to the mall today?"
"My wife is out doing whatever it is that girls do. I was her
way out here,
I don't shop and that's why I'm here on this bench with you.
What brings you
here?"
Old Man says,"I come here sometimes just to look at the people.
Todays'
date used to be something special, but now I must live it like any
other
day."
"
What happened on this date in the past?"
"I just used to play the lottery with some old friends, but they'er
allgone
now, and there is no need to play anymore."
"That sounds very sad," replied Mr. Allen.
"Well. it isn't sad. Not one bit. The lottery was fair, they all
got what
they deserved."
Looking rather confused, Herny noticed a man headed towards the bench.
"Do you men mind if I join you," Father Gonzaga emplored.
"Sure," the two men already sitting, replied in one voice.
Old man warner leaned forward and asked," what brings a man of the clothto
the mall today?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, I'm here to buy a pair of black pants.
I tore
my last pair at a community function."
"Do you come here often sir," asked Henry.
"No, for the most part I hate ah, I mean I don't like malls. I
cometo get
what I need and I get out of here."
After the Father expressed how he felt about malls, all the man lookedat
each other and laughed.
"Have you found a suitable pair of pants yet,"asked Mr. Warner
"Yes, I just wanted to sit and talk wiht you men for awhile. I
talk to
people who are needy and have all the drama all day long. It's
nice to talk
to people who don't need or want anything from me," he repied.
"isn't that what you are supposed to do," questioned Henry?
"Of course it is, but I don't want to hear about other peoples problemsall
day everyday. It weights on the spirit."
"Oh," Mr. Allen replied
After that, there was a long awkaward silence among the three men.
Instead
of looking at each other, the three men started looking at everythingeles.
Then all at once the men started talking at the same time.
"Well, I'll get going now," hurried FAther Gonzaga.
"I should go check oin my wife," said Mr.Allen.
"I'm tired,I should got home," went Old Man Warner.
The men stopped and laughed. Mr. Allen was the first on to leave.
"It was nice meeting you two. Have a nice day."
And he was off.
Father Gonzaga was the next to get up. He shook the Old mans had
and said,"Good
day sir."
Mr. Warner was the laat to leave, and once again the bench was
all alone.
======================================================================
SINOYA JACKSON:
The curious man is riding in his wagon through the rocky mountain village,
he sees a guy dressed as a priest with a cross and a big pair of scissorsin
his hands.The curious man stops and quickly hops out of his wagon.
Curious man: excuse me sir do you need me to sharpen those tools foryou?
Father Gonzago: Yes please, I am looking for a spider and I must killhim.
Curious man: well if you give me .50 cent then I will kill any pest
you
have.
FG: well this isn't just any pest this is a huge spider
Curious spider: he can't be to big for me and besides I an't no ponke,I'll
get the job done for you, where is this huge spider?
Spider woman: looking for me?
Father gonzago and curious man both point at each other but before they
could run she tramples right over them killing them at that moment.
Don't treat me like a spider, treat me like a spider, she exclaims.
====================================================================
RONNIE WILLIAMS:
“A Conversation In A Retirement Home For Retired Characters”
Somewhere in America, in a non-descript
retirement home- three old characters whose stories have been told, share
a room. In a plain, antiseptic hospital ward-the kind where every bed is
enclosed in metal rails, abide three old men.
“Anybody need an extra lottery ticket?”
old man Warner inquired.
“Huh!! What did he say?” said the old
deaf man. The old waiter in the 2nd bed always felt somewhat sorry for
the not-so-young deaf man in bed three. Waving his I.V. pole backwards
and forwards to get the deaf man’s attention, the old waiter then said,
“Do you want a lottery ticket?”
“Do I want a rubbery biscuit?!!” the
old deaf man asked. This only made old man Warner meaner than normal.
“Forget about him,” old man Warner said
to the old waiter. “You don’t have to wait on him hand and foot! His ticket
is just about up anyway.”
“Don’t you remember,” asked the old
waiter to old man Warner. “Don’t you remember how it feels to depend on
other people for help, to need other people’s compassion maybe?”
“Nawww!” said old man Warner. “You know
I’ve waited all my life for my big chance- but, for some reason, my ticket
never gets called.” Shaking his head, the old waiter breathed a ragged
sigh and said,
“Well- you know the old deaf man’s health is so bad, that their- the doctors-
I mean, are thinking about unplugging his
heart machine.”
“So let them! That’s what he gets for being
an alcoholic all his life,” said old man Warner- in his typical cruel fashion.
Later that same day, as the three old men are asleep- a couple of male
orderlies enter the room.
“Alright-Mr. Warner,” said one of the orderlies,
“Its time for you to meet your maker-that is, uh—give up your pace-maker.”
“What!! No! No! You don’t understand! You’ve
got the wrong man. Hey, old deaf man, you’ve got company. Hes the one you
want! Not me! For Christ’s sake, say something—you old deaf goat!”
“Huh! What? Did someone say something?” the
old deaf man asked-a bit perplexed. The young orderlies then turned to
the old waiter, who replied quite innocently, “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I
have nothing to say. You see, young gentleman, an acquaintance recently
advised me to stop waiting on people, especially old fools—so, I’m leaving
this matter in your capable hands.”
“C’mon, Mr. Warner. No more delays. I’m afraid
your numbers been called.” As the orderlies wheel a struggling Mr. Warner
into one of the many operating rooms, old man Warner spies a very ominous
looking wooden crate in the corner.”
“Whats that?” a nervous Mr. Warner asked the
orderlies.
“Oh, don’t you be concerned about that,” the
orderly replied. “That’s just some old black box.”
====================================================================
DAVID SAMPSON:
Open mic night at a local cafe
Spiderwoman- (is a regular at the café; hearing other people
express their feelings and
through poems and songs helps her cope with her horrible affliction)
Curious man- (is also a regular at the café; he thinks chicks
dig guys who are poetic and
hopes he can absorb some the charisma that the poets exude, plus
he figures he
can pick up a few nifty lines that can help make him better at
his craft, selling of
services)
Tessie Hutchinson- (after suffering a near fatal stoning, she hopes
to relieve some of the
mental and emotional anguish suffered at the hands of those she
feels betrayed
her)
(Tessie Hutchinson has just been booed off of the stage after performing a poem that read more like a eulogy.)
Tessie Hutchinson: (approaches the bar next to the Spiderwoman)
Two Hennesseys
straight.
Spiderwoman: They could have at least thrown you some meatballs.
Tessie: So you didn’t think it was bad?
Spiderwoman: Oh, it was bad alright, but they could’ve shown some
gratitude for your
time and effort.
Tessie: But they didn’t give me a chance. You saw it, didn’t
you? (gesturing towards
the bar tender)
Curious Man: (approaches Tessie slowly as if he were a lion and
she a gazelle) You’ll
get ‘em next time sweetheart. The poor souls just don’t
recognize your face or
your style yet.
Tessie: But it wasn’t fair. They should have clapped and
cheered. It should not have
like this.
Curious Man: Damn right they should have cheered. You were
something else. That
was some real deep stuff.
Tessie: Really?!
Spiderwoman: Are you serious?
Curious Man: As a heart attack. Poetry comes from the heart.
It’s who you are(speaking
slowly and gently as if he were an expert on the matter).
Tessie: How do you know so much?
Curious Man: Experience baby. I’ve had to overcome many
things in my life. When the
stress and pain gets to be too much, I start to write.
Maybe you’d like to hear
some.
Tessie: I guess.
Curious Man: Well would you like to go somewhere and talk, I’m
a good listener and
this crowd can sometimes get as hostile as a mob.
(After envisioning what the booing members of the audience would have
been like with objects to hurl to show their dissatisfaction, Tessie quickly
agrees to leave with the Curious Man.)
Spiderwoman: He always gets the ones who can’t take rejection.
========================================================================
ANICA DEGGINS:
A Crispy Day
Curious Man (CM) or
Julian (J)
Julian’s Mom (JM) or Mable
The Curious Man, Julian, and Julian’s mom, Mable, get into Julian’s mom’s car that is an off white 1996 Lincoln Town Car to go to the Department Store.
J: Mother, don’t you want me to drive?
JM: No, I can do it, I’m not that old.
J: Yes you are, Julian screamed as he took his place in the back sit
and slammed the car door.
CM: Mable, if you would of just let me fix the toaster then we wouldn’t
of have to go to the store.
JM: Um Huh, she said as she begins to back the car out of the driveway.
J: Stop, Julian yelled.
His mother slammed on brakes.
J: Put on your seatbelts, the both of you.
JM: Ok, my baby.
CM: For what?
J: For if you run into somebody that you can’t see.
JM: I can see just fine.
J: If you can drive just fine, then why do you drive like there is
always invisible people in the street that only you can see?
As they approach Super Wal-Mart, Mable is peering around the parking lot to find a vacant space. She parks, they all get out of the car, and Julian retrieves an empty basket from the other row of cars.
JM: Could you hurry, I am missing the save-a- child telethon on PBS.
They enter the store.
CM: I told you I could fix the toaster.
JM: You can’t fix anything; why didn’t you take a bath this morning,
you stink.
CM: I do not stink, I smell natural.
JM: You stink; why do I even bother with you and your filthy ways.
J: You should know yourself, mother. He receive Social Security
every mouth, has a handicap parking tag that you use religiously, and you
use his food stamp card every chance you get. Is that enough reason
for you to put up with him?
JM: Yes, I guess so.
CM: While let’s just get the damn toaster and leave.
J: Well I will see yall at home, I’m taking the bus home.
JM: Be careful darling.
CM: Good riddance.
=========================================================================
PEGGY LIM:
MOTHER’S DAY
The lawn had been manicured, the welcome banners were in place, and Breckinridge loomed ominously against the pale, blue sky. The boarding school stood unchanged through the passage of time. It served as a harsh, stark reminder of bygone days. The banners, which had been used for generations, heralded the day. To their dismay, Mother’s Day seemed to have arrived much too quickly.
As Julian readied himself for the event, Paul appeared at his doorway. Since enrollment, Paul had become quite attached to him. He looked upon Julian as the big brother he never had—his confidant, his counselor, and his best friend. Julian rather enjoyed his role, because he was an only child. Over their years together, they had shared their innermost secrets.
From the moment Paul appeared in his doorway, Julian knew there was something on his mind. He had seen that look of desperation and frustration so many times before. There in only one thing it could be—Paul’s mother would be arriving soon.
Julian struck up a conversation. “What’s on your mind, Paul?” as if he did not know. Paul replied, “You are lucky your mother is dead.” How so, he questioned. “You do not have to put up with her demands!”
Julian’s heart vibrated with pain. How he wished his demanding mother was still alive; although, he certainly did not feel that way before her death. His mother, as Paul’s, was extremely demanding. She was steeped in tradition, and Julian despised everything about her. Her childhood days of plantation life were deeply etched in her memory and seeped through to the very core of her being. She was grounded in ancient behavior that Julian simply could not tolerate. On the ghastly day of her death, Julian had made his feelings abundantly clear. Thus, visions of his mother haunted him to this day.
“My mother is never satisfied,” said Paul. “No matter what I do, it is never enough. She always wants more and more.” Julian replied, “You should learn to be more tolerant and understanding.” “But what about my feelings, my needs, my desires? Am I to just push them aside? After all, I am a person too.”
Julian could see the pressure mounting with every passing word. What could he say? How could he console his “little brother?” “Perhaps,” said Julian, “we could speak to your mother together. You know, sort of clear the air.” At first, Paul was stunned by his suggestion. Yet, he had faith in Julian and trusted him with his own life. Maybe he was right—it just might work.
No sooner than Paul had reached this mental decision, the inevitable happened; he caught his first glimpse of her. The Lincoln was slowly winding its way up the elaborate circular drive. He watched her as she stepped down from the car and strolled up to the front entrance, as if she owned the place. She loved to put on a good show, even if it meant living beyond her means. Naturally, there was not enough money in the world to squelch her insatiable desire for material things. At all costs, she must make a good impression.
Paul turned suddenly to Julian and blurted out, “O.K, let’s do it before
I lose my nerve.” “That’s the spirit,” Julian replied. They
clutched each other as if Paul’s life depended on it. “Buck up,”
said Julian, “you are man enough to face her. Remember, I will be
right by your side.” With that, hand-in-hand they proceeded down
the ornate stairway to greet Paul’s impatiently waiting mother.
“Paul, what took you so long?” Surely you were expecting
me! It is not proper to keep your mother waiting.” Before he
could catch himself, Paul had been reduced, once again, to a babbling child.
“Sorry, please forgive me,” he replied.
At that instant, Julian interrupted and extended his hand to Paul’s mother. “Hello, my name is Julian, and I am very fond of your son. I know you must be very proud of him.” “Well, Paul never mentioned you before,” she replied. “Why is that Paul?” Her words were cold and harsh and made the hair bristle on the back of his neck. Paul started to cower down to her when he remembered his resolution.
“Well, Mother, maybe because I was ashamed of you.” Outraged, she replied, “How dare you talk to me like that! I did not travel all this way to be subjected to your insults!” Consumed with anger, she quickly turned on her heels and proceeded to storm out when Julian grabbed her by the arm. “Please, don’t leave like this. Why don’t we all catch a breath of fresh air? I am sure that Paul is just a little upset.” Although her heart was cold, she needed her son’s love. “If you insist,” she replied.
Julian knew the perfect place. By the lake, under the shade of the oaks, one could experience calm and serenity. Of this he was certain, because he and Paul had spent many an hour at the lake discussing this thing called life. Here, perhaps, they could establish mutual ground and smooth the ruffled feathers of Paul’s mother.
The walk to the lake was awkwardly quiet. The atmosphere was so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. Mercifully, it was not very far, and soon they were all sitting comfortably in the shade.
Paul broke the ice. “Mother, I should not have spoken to you in that manner. But, I so desperately need you to listen to me.” Desperate, she thought this was such an odd word for her son to use. How could such a young boy have such deep emotion? For the first time in her life, Paul was a stranger to her. He was no longer another one of her possessions. He seemed to have become his own person.
Paul continued, “Why do you feel so unlucky? Do you not feel blessed that you have a husband, a son, and two daughters? Are you not content with a normal, comfortable life? Why do you fill your world with material possessions? Do we not bring any joy to your life?”
Paul’s mother was speechless. Her momentary loss of words was the golden opportunity for Julian. “I know how he feels,” said Julian. “You see, my mother was very much like you. Somehow I never seemed to measure up to her standards. Unfortunately, for me, it is too late to talk to her about my feelings. On the day of her death, in my own sick way, I too was desperately trying to get her to notice me. I wanted her to understand how I felt, to see what my needs were, and most of all, to include me in her world. Somehow, though, her world was to small to encompass mine.”
As she listened to Julian, some inside her seemed to break. A tear rolled gently down her cheek. Paul was sad and happy at the same time. Maybe, just maybe, her heart was not made of stone. Timidly, Paul whispered in her ear, “Mother, I need you and I love you.” Hearing these words, his mother hugged him tightly and began to cry.
For Paul and his mother, it was not too late. Through courage, love, and the risk of change, they found each other. They both knew that without love life is nothing.
======================================================================
SHERRY JOHNSON:
Scene: (In The Hospital Julien’s mother lay dying waiting for her son
to come in).
Julien’s mom: If you were the son that I always wanted, I won’t have to keep scolding and going over the same thing that I’ve told you before.
Julien: Mom, I have a right to think as I want; after all you don’t control my thoughts. Therefore I am tuning you out!
Spider Woman: Careful Julien, if I had not disobeyed my parents, I would not look like this. Now there is no hope of a second chance for me.
Julien’s mother died without him saying “I’m Sorry.”
Now the guilt sets in......
===================================================================
HAZEL BRADLEY:
A Conversation between Henry Allen, Paul and Curious Man.
Curious Man: hello Mr. Allen
Henry Allen: hi
Curious Man: I meet your wife Elisa in her garden the other day did she tell you?
Henry Allen: no!
Curious Man: She seems to be very interested in her chrysanthemums
Henry Allen: yes she has been doing this all of her life.
Curious Man: are you going to the derby today?
Henry Allen: yes
Curious Man: will you bring Elisa?
Henry Allen: no she does not like to go to places like that.
Henry Allen: I will bring my nephew Paul.
Paul: hello Uncle Allen. How much do you think I should bet on the horse today?
Henry Allen: 300 pounds.
Paul: who is the man coming in the wagon Uncle Allen?
Henry Allen: That is Elisa friend Mr. Jim bob.
Paul: Hello Mr. Jim Bob is you going to bet on a horse today?
Mr. Jim Bob: yes
Paul: what horse and how much?
Mr. Jim Bob: Daffodil and 100 pound.
Paul: that is the same horse I am going to bet on you must have a rocking horse at home.
Mr. Jim Bob: no! But I can sense that horse is going to make us lucky today.
Paul: We Won!
======================================================================
KRIS BILBO:
One sunny afternoon at Life Hospital three people from three different lives were going to meet for the first time. Paul a child who was around the age of nine was growing up in a family where the only thing that mattered was money. His parents were greedy and showed no love unless it had to do with money. Paul was in Life Hospital on the 15th floor for several weeks for high fever and a coma. But today he was going to be released.
Paul was waiting for someone from his family to pick him up from the hospital so that he could go home. After hours of waiting no one showed. Paul decided to leave his room and head for the elevators. Paul got in the elevator and pressed to lobby button. He was ready to leave the hospital but had a strong feeling that he was about to encounter something that would change his life forever. As the elevator stopped on the 13th floor an old man who was dressed very nice was getting on. Paul said hello but the man did not answer. The elevator stopped again on the 10th floor and a woman with a crazy hat got on to the elevator. She reminded Paul a little of his mother but did not know why.
As the elevator continued to the lobby all of a sudden it stopped between the 6th and 5th floor. It stopped with a big jerk and through everyone on the elevator to the floor. The woman began to panic and the old man started to push the emergency button. The elevator phone began to ring and Paul answered it. It was the maintenance man telling him that the elevator is stuck and that the repair men will be there within the hour to get them out. Paul did not know what to do, the woman was still screaming and the old man was acting like he could not hear anything. Paul knew that this was going to be the longest hour of his life. All of a sudden the old man looked at the woman and yelled SHUT UP! The woman and Paul looked at him with fear. He said, “ I can’t hear what you are saying but I know that you are starting to scare the kid.”. The woman look at him and said we are stuck and don’t know when we will get out.” Paul turned to her and told her what the maintenance man had said. The three people all gathered a seat on the floor of the elevator and began to wait.
After about 10 min of silence the woman could not handle it anymore, she knew that the old man could not hear her so she talked to Paul.
“Young man, why are you hear alone?”
Paul said,“My family did not have the time to come and pick me up from here to bring me home. I have been here for several weeks and no one had the time to come and get me."
The old man looked at both of them and said, “Since you are going to talk will you please look at me so that I can read your lips instead of begin ignored.”
Both Paul and the woman agreed.
The woman looked at the old man and said, “ If you can’t hear then why can you speak?”
“Why you are quit nosy!”, the man said.
“No, I am not, for if I must stay in this elevator with you and the child then I would like to find something to talk about.”
"Then why don’t you tell us why you are here.” The woman looked shocked as someone was interested in her life.
“Well,” she said, I have been here recovering from a stroke.
“What happened?”, said Paul.
"I was on the bus with my son, Julian, and I was being entertained by a colored child. When got to our stop, I tried to give the child a penny and his mother hit me. The shock from the hit caused me to have a stroke."
“So you are always nosy?” said the old man.
“I am not, I always give money to children.”
“ Have you ever thought that they don’t want your petty and to stay out of there life.”
“You sound like my son!”, she said as her voice was now starting to show anger. “My son always tell me not to talk to people but I never listened to him before. I guess that I am like you when it comes to Julian.”
The old man gave her a cold look and said, “Don’t compare your life to me for I might not actually hear with my ears but I can hear with my soul.”
The woman turned to Paul, “You remind me of my son.”
Paul did not know what to say.
“Why?”
“Well my son Julian is a wonderful son, he graduated from college, and he is going to be a famous writer soon. Right now he is an entry level writer.”
“ How can you be an entry level writer”, Paul said.
"He is a typewriter sales man and that is were you have to start, but he will be famous and have all the money in the world."
“He was born lucky,” Paul said to her. “Well, yes!”, said the woman as her face began to glow with joy.
“Luck has nothing to do with it.”, said the old man.
“Yes it does.”, said Paul. "My mother told me that you can be born rich, or you can be born with luck and it is the luck that will get you money."
“Your mother told you a lie son.”, said the old man. “ I was born with money and I still have plenty of money, but luck has not given me in Santa. You see son, She lied."
Paul looked at the old man, “ Then why don’t you have Luck?”
"I do have some, luck it is just that people can’t see it on the outside. I go to this cafe and people think that I should die that I am a pain to them, because I just like to sit there and look at the waiters. One waiter tries to throw me out, while the other thinks he understands me."
The woman looked at him and said, “Explain that because it seems to me that you have no one to talk to so now you are rambling.”
“ Why, lady, you sound like the young waiter at the cafe.” said the old man. “ You see, he thinks that since I don’t have a wife, children, or friends, that I don’t have luck.” “ What he does not understand is that I have more luck then he does.”
“ But I still don’t understand what you are trying to say”, said the woman.
“ Ok then, the young waiter at the cafe has a wife waiting for him to get home, maybe he is in school getting an education, and maybe he has lots of friends. But what he does not have is the understanding of life. He rushes around that cafe like a mouse in a maze, but he is stuck. He does not take the time to understand people, life, or himself.
“ Oh you are just rambling.” said the woman who was getting aggravated at him. “ No said the old man, you don’t understand either.”
“ The way that you glow when you talk about your son, makes me think that you have given him everything in life to make him a successful person. But did you teach him about life? You said that you got hit because you gave a child who was a different race then you were a penny, but did you understand that made that mother was think that you were giving her child money because they did not have any. Have you never stopped and think that you and your son are not the only ones in this world who need to be understood.
“ Well, no, I never had thought about it this way.”, she said. “ Why don’t you start picking on the child for a while then and leave me alone.”
The old man looked at Paul looking deep into his eyes, he whispered to him, “ you understand”
Just then the woman yelled, “ WHAT DID HE SAY!”
The old man looked at her so that he could read her lips.
“ What I said was that he understands life.” the old man said. “ This child does not think of himself but of other people, he gives and gives till he can’t give anymore, and yet gets nothing in return.
For the first time in Paul’s short life someone finally understood how he felt.
The old man turned back to Paul and said, “ You give to anyone who is in need, you understand there situation, and you don’t judge them for the wrong they show you for son you have all the luck in the world.”
“ That’s right,” said Paul.
The old man and Paul both turned towards the woman who had a look on her that she had just committed a crime.
The old man said to her, “ Woman take the heart of this child and the wisdom from a lonely deaf man, and understand life while you still have a second chance.
Just then the elevator began to move. It landed softly on the floor lobby and as the doors opened, the old woman looked at both Paul and the old man and said in a soft tone, “ Thank you,”.
All three of them departed from the elevator going there separate ways, knowing that they will never see another one again, but that the time in the elevator changed their life forever.
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JARED SMITH:
I have Queenie, Father Gonzago, and Henry Allen. I will abbreviate
their names to identify them.
They have justed arrived at a little cafe just outside of Tijuana.
This was the middle ground between them to discuss a few things on their
mind. Henry Allen made it to the cafe first followed by Father Gonzago
and then teenage heartthrob Queenie.
HA started the conversation as any well respected Southern will do. He said very confidently, "I am so pleased that everyone could make it here."
FG proclaimed, "It was by the grace of God Himself, that we have gathered here today..."
QU snobbishly interrupts, " You are not going to,like, start that stuff again are you."
FG sharply replies, "The youth of today has no respect for the elders of today. Just look at what she is wearing. Do ya'll call that bathing suit nowadays."
" Yes old praying dude," she said very emphatically as if he had questioned her maturity in life. Although she was only a teenager.
Meanwhile, HA was thinking to himself how much this sounds like him and his wife. Tessie, although submissive now, was quite an aggressor before the drawing of the "Lottery." He intrudes into their conversation trying to get their minds off of what they were arguing about in the first place. He says, "How about we order something to eat. I am starving."
They all agreed that something to eat would be good. HA lets QU start her order. " I would like to have the veal parmagian with the spaghetti and cheese," she said to the waiter with like she had done this before, but it was really her first time to order anything other than a hamburger by herself. She had just seen her mom do it too many times.
FG then ordered. " I will have bread and water," he smiled humbly.
HA watched and listened in awe. He retorted in a rather hick way " Ya'll are the very typical characters that have been written about you. Why can't we change and expand our characters farther? Maybe we can talk about this matter more after we eat. I am really starving now. I would like to have the ribeye steak and a glass of water. On second thought I would rather have my wife and three kids drink the water to see if they get Montezuma's revenge."
The looked at each other dumbfounded. Nothing ever changes
about the characters except possibly the setting.
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KAREN GEORGE:
It was late at night in the airport, and there were
only a few people waiting around for the late night
flight. There was a weary mother with her small
child, a tired businessman on his way home from some
important conference, a priest, and a young couple
leaning on each other in the corner. The only noise
came from the one open airport restaurant near the
gate.
The silence was disturbed by a young man bustling into
the area and making quite a racket with his bags. He
frightened the small child, disturbed the young
couple, and then woke the sleeping priest as he sat
next to him. The drowsy priest turned to him and
mumbled something in some language the boy did not
understand. The boy gave him a confused look, and
again the man repeated himself. After another vacant
look from the young man, the priest finally refrained
from using the Lord’s language and asked in English if
the insolent boy knew how to greet his elders.
The young man apologized and introduced himself as
Julian, and the priest in turn announced himself as
being Father Gonzago. Julian said that he was headed
back home after a vacation he had taken from the money
he inherited due to his mother’s death. As he talked,
he clutched an awful piece of green and purple cloth
in his hands. Julian got up and walked a couple of
feet away to the window. “That airplane right there,
the one with the blue wings, that one is taking me
home.” The priest turned to him and said, “Just
because it has wings doesn’t mean it’s an airplane.
Don’t let yourself be easily deceived by carnival
tricks for the unwary.” Julian looked at him with
confusion, not understanding how the comment had any
meaning to him.
He turned and wandered over to the last open café
adjacent to his gate. As he sat down at a small table
near the doorway, the priest got up and headed over
toward his direction. He pulled up a chair at the
same table right as Julian was ordering a brandy from
the waiter watching over the area. He shot a
discouraging look in Julian’s direction; brandy was
not a holy drink. Then ordered a glass of wine when
the waiter returned with the drink. Julian and the
priest talked for some time, passing away the time
waiting for their plane to arrive.
Julian was in the middle of a sentence, “…of course
and airplane has to have wings to fly…” when he
noticed that the businessman, a middle aged black man,
had risen from his chair and was approaching the café.
Julian stopped mid-sentence and quickly invited the
gentleman to join the table. The man paid no
attention to him and sat at the opposite side of the
floor, opened up is magazine, and was quickly absorbed
back into his own world. The waiter came back with
the glass of wine and handed it to the Father. “What
time does your flight leave?” he asked as he set it
down. “Not for over an hour,” was the reply. Julian
ordered another brandy and continued talking as the
waiter walked off mumbling.
After a couple more glasses, Julian and the priest
were having a grand time telling stories of ladies
with obnoxious hats, dirty men with wings, a lady like
a spider, gossiping ladies in awful red sandals and
other such things. All the while, the waiter mumbled
unhappily as he refilled the glasses. Julian turned
back toward the waiter to order another glass. The
young waiter approached the table, but instead of
pouring another drink, he collected the empty glasses
and left the bill on the table. He told them they’d
had enough, and he was tired of waiting around in a
café for a couple of drunks when he had better things
to do. He took their money and sent them on their
way, locking the door behind them.
Julian headed to the restroom as the priest took his
seat back in the waiting area. As Julian returned to
the waiting area, he looked around and saw that the
priest had already fallen asleep again. Then he
looked over to the weary mother. The young child had
ran over and sat next to the businessman, offering an
cheery “Hello!” The mother quickly collected her
child from the stranger and firmly scolded him.
Suddenly a tear formed in Julian’s eye, and he quickly
wiped it away with the green and purple velvet he held
in his hand… not wanting to remember the lesson he
learned to late.
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ASHLEY DEDON:
(Old man with enormous wings, Wise woman, Queenie)
Takes place in the mall. There is a conflict between Queenie and
theold
woman because the old woman does not want to go. The old man does
notcare
because he is kind of curious.
WISE WOMAN- I told you we should not have come here. Look at all
these
people, they are up to no good.
QUEENIE- Of course they're up to no good, thats why they're at the mall.
OLD MAN- Ish nevar sawd ting lark dis bevar. (I've never seen anythinglike
this before)
WISE WOMAN- Quiet down you, we should have left you in the coop wherethey
had you. So Queenie, this is what you do?
QUEENIE- Yeah, during the summer. When school is in I go to school.
Why,
what else am I gonna do?
WISE WOMAN- You shold never waste your time doing such as this youngun.
Plant a garden of vegetables of something. Do some good with your
free
time.
QUEENIE- Right, we have gardners that do that. Why get my hands dirty?
OLD MAN- Tis go get ya hend dir, kes you cin. (Its good to get your
hands
dirty, It keeps you clean)
OLD WOMAN- The old man is right you know.
QUEENIE- You don't understand, my family does not work that way.
Oh look,
theres versace.
WISE WOMAN- Who?
QUEENIE- Only one of the most fab designers. Good thing I brought
daddy's
credit card.
WISE WOMAN- Oh no, I ain't goin in there. Theres bad things a brewinin
there.
OLD MAN- le gul gos naw. Mebe te buniw soat. Mise she gotta tatled.
(Let
the girl go, maybe she will buy me a new coat, mine is kind of tattered)
WISE WOMAN- I will not go! I tell you theres a bad brewins in that
store.
I'll sit right here. My feet are tired, worn right through to the
bone.
QUEENIE- Oh all right, fine then! Do you always have to have your way?
OLD WOMAN- When you've lived as long as I have youngun. Now lets
go sit
over yonder on that bench.
OLD MAN- Was she won sha dat? (Pointing at the escalator) (What in
the
world is that)
QUEENIE- Oh, you people are wierd. Your both dirty, one of you can'ttalk.
OLD WOMAN- Yes child, maybe we are not so fresh and maybe we don't
speak
perfect english, but we can see the world where you can see designer
clothes and crystal.
QUEENIE- My world is designer clothes and crystal and I have seen
plentyof
my world. Your world is poverty and you have seen that world. Now
I am
going shopping. There are exits all over the mall whenever you want
to
leave.
OLD WOMAN- Come angel, lets go back to our world.
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