Erratic emotions
By LoganMcInnes
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Section1:PolishedShortPieces
TheSnake’sBite
PRESENTDAY-LATENIGHT-11P.M.
Amaleofficerpatientlywaitsinhisvehiclerightofftheinterstatewithhislightsoffand laptopout,justwaitingandwaitingforonedaringindividualtoflypasthimabove55milesper hour.
Zoom!
AredMustangfliespastquickerthanlightning,andtheofficerpullsouthisspeedgun thatreads97milesperhour.Heimmediatelyputsonthered,white,andbluesandsetsoutonhis speedypursuitoftheredMustangvehicle.
THREEDAYSAGO-EVENING
Beforetakinghisseatatthedinnertable,34-year-oldMasonBradley,5’8”withshort brownhairandgreeneyesdressedinagreen-coloredpoloandkhakidresspants,straightensup hiscollarandcombsthroughhishairwithhishandyetanothertimetomakesurehelooks perfectforthenight.Inhiseyes,Masonhasthemostbeautifuldateandthetrophywifeofhis dreamsforthespecialoccasion.32-year-oldLisaBradley,5’4”withshoulder-length,blondehair andblueeyesdressedinagorgeousblueskirttoilluminatethebeautyofhereyes,sitsdown withMasonatthetable.
“IcannotbelievethatIhavegottentospendthebest10yearsofmylifewithyouand thatour10thanniversaryisalreadyuponus,”saysMason,lostinLisa’socean-blueeyes.
“Iknow,honey!I’msothankfulforyou,andIcouldn’thaveaskedforabetterhusband. YoutreatmelikeI’mtheonlygirlintheworld,”uttersLisa.
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“Awthanks,babe.Ireallydotry.”
“You’reperfectinmyeyes,honey.Iknowyouprobablydon’tseewhatIseeinyou,butI knowittobetrue,”declaresLisaconfidently
“Thatmeanstheworldtome,especiallycomingfromyou.I’mlookingforwardto enjoyingthislovelysteakdinnerwithyou,especiallyfordessert,”insistsMasoninahumorous, seductivetone.
“Thatsoundsgreattome,”saysLisawhilewinkingbackatMason.
ThetwoenjoytheirexpensivesteakmealintheheartofdowntownChicago.Mason ordershistypical12-ounceNewYorkStripwithaugratinpotatoesandaglassofredwine,while Lisaordersherfavored6-ouncefiletwithgarlicmashedpotatoesandaglassofredwine.Mason andLisacontinuetoreminisceovergreattimes,whiletheyslowlysavortheir cooked-to-perfectionsteaks.Laughsareshared,precioustimeisspenttogether,andatlast,they getupfromthetabletoheadhome.
THREEDAYSAGO-NIGHT-MOMENTSLATER
Mason’sredMustangpullsupthedrivewaytoastunning5,000square-foot, white-brickedhome,about20minutesoutsidedowntownChicago.Masonmakesverygood moneyasalawyer,whileLisamakesclosetonothingasabaristaatthelocalcoffeeanddonut shopdownthestreet,“BrewsandDoughs.”AsMasonturnsthekeyoutoftheignitionandexits hisdoor,Lisawaitsforhimtobethegentlemanthathehasalwaysbeentoher.Masonopensthe doorforLisa,andsheexitsthevehiclewhileholdingMason’shand.MasonleadsLisatothe frontdoor,anditdoesnottakelongforhimtoleadheruptothebedroom.Kissesareshared, clothescomeoff,andtheactionscertainlyspeaklouderthanthewords.
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Afterthetwohavefinishedtheirlove-makingsession,Lisa’sphonebeginstoding.
“Who’sthat,babe?”
“Idon’tknow Probablyjustsomescamcaller,”answersLisa.
Immediately,Lisabendsovertothebedsidetabletomutetheringeronherphone,hoping thathewillnottrytocontactheragain.Lisaputsherphonebackdownonthebedsidetableand fallsasleepwithinminutesduetotheexhaustionfromminutesprior.JustasLisabeginstosnore, herphonebuzzesagain,andMasonhearsit.Hegetsuptousetherestroomandsensessuspicion assomeoneistryingtogetaholdofhiswife,sohebringsLisa’sphonetothebathroomwithout herknowing.Hefiguresthatheshouldnotneedpermissiontoaskherbecausetheyhavenow beenmarriedfortenyearsandtrusteachotherwitheverything,orsohethinks.
Masonclosesthebathroomdoor,unlocksLisa’sphoneastheybothknoweachother’s passwords,andseesmultipletextmessagesfromanumberthathedoesnotrecognizewithouta nameattached.Hescrollsthroughthemessages,andthereareapparentexplicitmessagesand inappropriateflirtingthatshouldonlybeforhimandLisa.Masonreadsthroughallofthe messages,ashisfacebeginstoboilmoreandmoreateachonehestumblesacross.Masonreads anaddressthatthemanhaslistedinthetextsforLisatomeethimathishouse,“5902Lakewood Drive,”whichisjustaboutfifteenminutesfromtheirhouse.Masonthrowsthephonedownon thetilefloorashardasanMLBpitcherandshattersit.Heburstsintotearsandslamsopenthe bathroomdoor.Lisaabruptlywakesuptothecommotionandnoticesherphoneisnotonthe bedsidetable.Sheputsasimpletwo-and-twotogether:Masonnoticedhewastryingtoreachher.
“Youliedtome!Getout!We’redone,youcheatingbitch!AtleastIknowyouhavea placetostay!Ican’tbelieveyouwoulddothistome!Packupyourthingsbecausewe’redone,” screamsMason.
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TWODAYSAGO-EARLYAFTERNOON
Thenextday,MasondrinksaglassofJackatthelocalpubdownthestreetfromhis house.Asheissittingatthebar,inwalksanoldbuddyfromhighschool,Randall(“Randy”)
Elrod,whomhehasnotseeninyears.Randy,5’10”withlong,greasyhairpasthisshoulders,a shaggybeard,andastainedt-shirtandrippedjeans,immediatelyrecognizeshim.Randywas knowntobequitethecharacterinhighschool:drinker,potsmoker,troublemaker.
“Hey,stranger!Howyoudoin’,oldbuddy,”saysRandyinhiscoarse,southernaccent.
“Nottoogoodtobehonestwithyou,Randy.”
“Why’sthat?”
“Lastnight,IjustfoundoutmywifeoftenyearshasbeencheatingonmeforGodknows howlongandwhothehellwith,”expressesMasontryingtoholdbackanintenserageandwave oftears.
“OhGod,man.That’sawful.I’mterriblysorrytohearthat.Can’tbelieveshe’ddothatto ya.”
“Trustme,man.Iknow.”
“Iwasgettin’readytoaskhowyouweredoin’,butyouansweredthatonealready Not muchhasbeengoin’onwithmelately Justcallmyselfahandyman,pickin’upwhateverjobsI canfind.Money’sbeenrealtightlately,”saysRandy.
“Doyouhaveanythingonyourplaterightnow?”
“No,I’veactuallybeenonthesearchforsomethin’tobehonestwithyou,”repliesRandy inahopefultone.
MasonleansintowhispertoRandy.
“Yourjobsdon’talwayshavetobeonthelegalsideofthings,dothey?”
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“Theysuredon’t.However,youbetterpayupbigtimeiftheyaren’t,”answersRandy.
“Youdon’thavetoworryaboutthat.I’vegotajobforyou.”
ONEDAYAGO-MORNING
Earlythenextmorning,Lisaopenshereyesandstretchesinbednexttothemanshehas beenhavinganaffairwith,Aaron.AaronandLisabothrolloutofbed,getreadyforworkand kisseachothergoodbye.
“Haveagoodday,babe!”
“Youtoo,honey,”repliesLisa.
ONEDAYAGO-LATENIGHT
“5902LakewoodDrive,comin’uphereontheright,”muttersRandytohimself.
Bynow,itispitchblack,andRandyparksagainstthecurbinfrontofyetslightlytothe leftofthehouse.Randyquietlyopensthedoorofhisredandwhite1990F-150pickuptruckand pullsouthis12-gaugepumpshotgunfromthepassenger’sseat.RandybeingRandynever thoughtthisoutexactly,sohehopesthatthiswillworkoutjustfine.
Hesneaksaroundbackasquietlyasamouse,andluckily,thereisawindowaroundthe backofthehousewiththeblindsonlythree-quartersofthewaydown.Throughthewindow,the manappearstobeontopofLisahavingsexwithher.Randyjumpsonhischance,quietlywalks tothesideofthewindow,andaimsthebarreloftheshotgunattheman.
Chick-chick!Boom!
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Aftertheshotisfired,thereareimmediatescreams,andRandyrunsasfastashecanto histruck.Withthekeyintheignition,Randyputshisfoottothefloorandmakeshisoldshitbox truckgoasfastasitwillgo.
ONEDAYAGO-LATENIGHT-MOMENTSLATER
Randyarrivesbackathis“homesweethome,”ElmwoodParkMobileHomes.Heparks histruckonthecurbinfrontofhistrailer,grabshisshotgunfromthepassenger'sside,andwalks intohis“oldbeaut.”Withbeercansandtrashalloverthefloor,thesmellofsweatandpissroams theair.Randysitsdowninhisstainedlazy-boychairinfrontofhissatellitetelevisionandtries togiveMasonacall.ItgoesstraighttovoicemailbecauseMasonisasleep,andRandywaitsfor the“tonetoleaveavoicemail.”
“It’sdone.Igotaway.He’sdead.Wheneveryougotthemoney,I’llbewaitin’withopen arms.”
PRESENTDAY-MORNING
Thenextmorning,Masonwakesuptoavoicemailonhisphoneandclicksonit.
“It’sdone.Igotaway He’sdead.Wheneveryougotthemoney,I’llbewaitin’withopen arms.”
MasonputshisphoneonthebedsidetablenexttohisbottleofJack,picksuptheJack, andtakesaswigbeforerestinghisheadonthepillow.Thoughtsbegintotakeoverhismind aboutwhathasgoneonthelastcoupleofdays.Why,God?Howcanlifeturnfromperfectionto hellinonlyamatterofdays?WhathaveIgottenmyselfinto?HowamIgoing...?
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PRESENTDAY-LATENIGHT-10P.M.
Laterthatevening,Randyliesinhisfavoredspot,the“ol’lazyboy,”infrontofhis satellitetelevision.WithacanofBudLightinhislefthand,hereachestograbthetelevision remotewithhisrighttofliponthe10o’clocknews.
“Goodevening,everyone.We’vegotsomebreakingnewsforyou,”saysthetypicalnews anchor,CampbellParker.“Lastnightatabout11:30P.M.shotswerefiredat5902Lakewood Drive,resultinginthedeathof32-year-oldLisaBradleyand45-year-oldAaronHolloway, whommanyofyouknowastheSuperintendentofChicagoPoliceDepartment.Therehasbeena $250,000rewardputonthekiller,andwhoeverturnsthemin...”
“Oh,shit,”Randymutterstohimself.
HeimmediatelypicksupthephoneandringsMason.
“Hey,buddy,”saysRandy.
“What’sup?”
“We’vegotabitofaproblem,tosaytheleast.Youminddrivin’tomytrailertotalk?”
“Yes,sure.Iseverythingokay?”questionsMason.
“Notreally I’minElmwoodParkMobileHomesoffElmwoodBoulevard.I’mintrailer
31.Canyoumeetmeinthenext20minutes?”
“Yes,”repliesMasoninthemidstofrubbinghissweatypalmstogether.
Randyhangsupthephone.
PRESENTDAY-LATENIGHT-MOMENTSLATER-10:20P.M.
AshepullsintoElmwoodParkMobileHomeswithaflashyredMustang,Masonfeels outofplace.Hepullsupinfrontoftrailerthirty-oneandseesRandyinhisdrivewaywithhis
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phoneuptohisearappearingtomakeaphonecall.AsMasonturnsthekeyoutoftheignition andexitshisvehicle,Randyendsthecallandslipshisphoneintothebackpocketofhisjeans.
“Whatthehellisgoingon,man?”asksMason.
“We’vegotabitofaproblem.”
“Hopefullythisresolvesyourproblemalittle.Ibroughtthe$15,000Ipromisedyouto killthatsonofabitchthatwassleepingwithmywife,”saysMasonwhilepullingoutawadof $15,000incashwrappedinrubberbands.
“I’mguessingyoudidn’tseethenews.”
“No,what’sup?”asksMason.
“Um,didyouknowthefellayouhadmekillwastheSuperintendentofChicagoPolice Department,AaronHolloway?”
“Oh,God.You’vegottobeshittingme!”
“Nope,I’mafraidnot.Theyputa$250,000rewardonthekiller’shead,”respondsRandy.
“Oh,shit!”
“Yeah,andthatunfortunatelyain’ttheonlything.Yousee,Ibroughtmy12-gaugeforthe job,andthewindowwasabout15to20feetorsofromthebed.Let’sjustsay,theshells might’vespreadalittlefartherthanthejobrequired.”
“Whatthehelldoyoumean?”
“IguesstheshellsmustnothaveonlyhitAaron,buttheykilledyourwifeaswell,” expressesRandy,hopingthatMasonwillnotkillhimrightthereonthespot.
“Youdumbass!”screamsMason,beforeheballsuphisfistsandlaysmultiplehaymakers onRandy’sface.
“IsweartoGod,man!Ididn’tmeanit!Quithittin’me!”yellsRandy
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MasonstopshittingRandy.
“IsawyouonthephonewhenIwasgettingoutofmycar.Whowereyoutalkingto?”
“ChicagoPoliceDepartment.The$15,000wasn’tenoughfortheSuperintendent.The copsareontheirwayovernow,”declaresRandy
“You’renodifferentthanLisa,yousnake!”
Masonpullsouta9-millimeterpistolthatwasclippedonhisbeltunderneathhisshirtand firesintoRandy’stemple.Hescurriestograbthe$15,000incashandsprintstohiscar.Mason putshisfoottothefloorandgunsitthroughthedeadman’sblood. PRESENTDAY-LATENIGHT-MOMENTSLATER-11P.M.
Amaleofficerpatientlywaitsinhisvehiclerightofftheinterstatewithhislightsoffand laptopout,justwaitingandwaitingforonedaringindividualtoflypasthimabove55milesper hour.
Zoom!
AredMustangfliespastquickerthanlightning,andtheofficerpullsouthisspeedgun thatreads97milesperhour Heimmediatelyputsonthered,white,andbluesandsetsoutonhis speedypursuitoftheredMustangvehicle.
JustasMasonbeginstomakehiswayontotheinterstate,thesoundofsirensfollowedby theflashingred,white,andbluelightsinhisrearviewmirroralertshim.Masonpullsovertothe sideoftheroad,andtheofficer’swhitevehiclewiththeradiatingarrayoflightspullsupbehind him.TheofficerexitshisvehicleandwalkstoMason’sdriver’sside.Theofficerisinhis ChicagoPoliceDepartmentuniformandappearstobeabout5’10.”
“Hello,sir Licenseandregistrationplease,”demandstheofficer
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Masonopenshisglovecompartmentandgrabshisregistrationthatalongwithother itemsisconcealingthe9-millimeterpistoland$15,000incashwrappedinarubberband.He promptlyshutstheglove,getshislicenseoutofhiswallet,andhandstheofficerhislicenseand registration.
“AnyguessesastowhyIpulledyouover?”
“Iwasspeeding,”answersMason.
“Anyideahowfastyouweregoing?”
“No,ifIweretoguess,I’dsayabout80milesperhour.”
“Howabout97?97milesperhourona55isconsideredrecklessdrivinginChicago.35 milesperhourandabovethelimitdeemsrecklessdrivingbyIllinoisstatelaw.”
“Okay,”respondsMasonhesitantly
“I’mgoingtotakeyourlicenseandregistrationbacktomyvehicletofilloutsome paperworkonmycomputer.Stayinyourvehicle,anddon’tmove,”insiststheofficer.
Thewords“don’tmove”replayinMason’shead.Duetohisprintednameonhislicense, MasoninfersthattheofficerwillknowheisthewantedmanforthemurderofAaronHolloway, theSuperintendentoftheChicagoPoliceDepartment,andLisaBradley,hisdeadwife.
TheofficerlooksupMasonBradley’slicenseandregistrationonhiscomputer,andsure enough,herealizesthatMasonisthewantedcriminalwith$250,000postedonhisheadforthe murderofAaronHollowayandLisaBradley.Straightaway,theofficernonchalantlyspeaksinto hiswalkie-talkietoavoidMasonrealizingthatheknowswhoheis.
“OfficerShaneLonghere.I’mgoingtoneedimmediatebackup.I’vejustpulledovera speedingredMustangonI-190,KennedyExpressway.Thedriver,MasonBradley:isthesuspect wantedforthemurderofAaronHollowayandLisaBradley Over.”
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OfficerLongexitshisvehiclewithMason’sdriver’slicenseandregistrationandcasually walkstowardthedriver’ssidehopingthatMasondidnotnoticeorsensesuspiciousactivity.
However,whileOfficerLongwasinhisvehicle,Masongrabbedthe9-millimeterpistolfromhis glovebox.
“Hereisyour...”
Pop!
OnebulletfromMason’s9-millimeterpistolisfiredintoOfficerLong’stemple,andhe fallslikeasackofbricks.Hiscorpsebeginstopourbloodallovertheroad.Masonquicklygrabs hislicenseandregistrationfromthedeadman’shands,clickshispistolonhisbelt,andgrabsthe $15,000incashandapairofglovesfromhisglovebox.Masonputstheglovesonandthrows OfficerLong’scorpseintothedriver’sseatoftheMustang.Hesprintstothenow-deadofficer’s vehiclewithhislicenseandregistration,the$15,000incash,andhispistolattachedtohisbelt concealedunderneathhisshirt.Heentersthedriver’sseat,turnsofftheofficer’slightsonthe vehicle,andcalmlydrivesoffintheofficer’svehiclewhilegoingthespeedlimittoappearasa regularofficeroutonlate-nightpatrol.
PRESENTDAY-LATENIGHT-MOMENTSLATER-11:30P.M.
AS.W.A.T.vehicleandfourcopvehiclesarriveatthescene.TheredMustangispulled overonthesideoftheroad.AgroupofsevenS.W.A.Tmembersexittheirvehiclearmedwith heavymunitions,andthefourofficersexittheirvehicleswiththeirgunspulledreadytofire.
“Getoutofthevehiclenowwithyourhandsup!”
Afterthedemandgetsrepeatedmultipletimeswithnoresponse,allS.W.A.Tmembers andofficerssurroundthevehicletofindOfficerShaneLong’sdeadbodyinthefrontseat.
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OneoftheS.W.A.Tmembersspeaksintotheirwalkie-talkie.
“We’vearrivedatthescene.OfficerLongisdeadinthefrontseatoftheredMustang.
OfficerLong’svehicleisnowheretobefound.NoMasonBradley PutoutanA.P.B.(All-Points
Bulletin)onOfficerLong’svehicle,immediately.”
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TheLotusFlower
Duetotheradiantbeamsofthesummersun,thefluorescentshadesoftherainforest greensarerevealed.AJapanesewildboarprancesthroughtheforestgreensandhislongingfor foodisbecomingdesperate.Ithasbecomesodesperatethathewouldeatanythinginsight.The foodsearchseemstobegoingonforaneternity.However,thetimehasfinallycomewhenanew sensefillshisnostrils,andthesightofperfectionbuildssalivainhismouth.Thecravingwill soonbesatisfied,theboarthinks,asayounggirlinabeautifulreddressappearscarryinga basketofHakataAmaou,oftencalledthe“kingofstrawberries.”Lunchhasarrived,andtheboar beginshispromptpursuitofhisfeast.
Astheboarapproacheshisfeast,theyounggirl’sfacebecomespale.Theboarsoon realizesfromthedepictionoftheyounggirl’sfacethathehasbeenspottedcomingafterhis favoritefood,berries,andheisdeterminedtodowhateverisnecessarytogettothoseberries.If bloodhastobespilledtoretrievetheberries,hebelievesthathemusteattheyounggirl.Because theboar’spresencehasbeenspotted,heapproachestheyounggirlinaslyattempttogivehera falsesenseofhopethatheisnotaftertheberries.
“Hello,younggirl.Youmustn’tbefrightened.Iamnotheretoattack.Iamsimplyona searchformyyoungins’whomIseemtohavelosttrackof.Ipermittedthemtogooutintothe foresttoplayhideandseek,butnowIseemtobetheseeker,”retortedtheboarinaslymanner.
“Oh,thankyouforclarifying.Howstereotypicalofmetothinkawildboarmustbeafter metoinjureme!Iapologizeforreadingyourintentionswrong,”repliedtheyounggirl.
“There’snoneedtoapologize.Icompletelyunderstandwhereyou’recomingfrom.Most humanswhocomemywayarejustasscaredasyou.But,noneedtoworry.”
“Alrightythen,Iwillbeonmyway!”exclaimedtheteenagegirl.
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“Holdon,younggirl.Noneedtobenosy,butwhereareyouheaded?I’veonlyever stumbleduponafewpeople,whichmakessenseconsideringweareintheforestinthemiddleof nowhere,”utteredtheboar
“IamjustheadingtomyGrandmotherSobo’shouse,whichisjustacrossthatgorgeous Lotusflowerfield,todelivertheselovelyHakataAmaoustrawberries.Soboisnotfeelingwell, soIambringingthemovertomakeheroneofherfavoritesweetstocheerherup.I’mgoingto makehersomeHakataAmaouStrawberryMochi.”
“Thatsoundsdelicious,”remarkedtheboar.“Well,anyway,itwasnicetomeetyou! What’syourname,bytheway,incaseyouwanderalonginmyneckofthewoodsagain?”
“MynameisBashira,”utteredtheyounggirl.
“Well,itwasnicetomeetyou,Bashira!Ihopethatyouenjoythestrawberrymochi withoutme.”
AstheboarandBashirapartedways,theboarnoticedfromhisperipheralvisionthe barrelofariflepeekingaroundatree.Whenitwasapparentthattheboarwasinsightofthe rifle’sscope,hedartedasfastashislegscouldkeepup.Thehunterthenbegantopursuethe escapingboarwithvigorousdetermination.Eventhoughtheboar’slifewasnowatstakewitha hunteronhisheels,hecouldnotescapethethoughtofindulginginthatsweet,delightfultasteof theHakataAmaouStrawberryMochi.Hewasadamantaboutescapingthehunterandkilling SoboandyoungBashiratogetthestrawberrymochialltohimself.
30MinutesLater...
TheboarhadfinallyescapedthehunterandhadarrivedatGrandmotherSobo’shouse. Thesmellofthefinishedstrawberrymochiheightenedthesenseofhungerinhisstomach.
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Becauseofthescentofthestrawberrymochi,theboargatheredthatBashirahadalreadyarrived atSobo’sbeforehimandthattheyweregettingreadytodevourthesweethehadbeencraving.
Whenallhopebegantowainoutfortheboarinhispursuitofthedeliciousstrawberrymochi, thefrontdoorburstopen.TheboardisguisedhimselfintheshrubwhileyoungBashiracame outside.
BashirahadmeanttogrababeautifulLotusfloweronherwayhomeforher grandmother,soassheexitedthefrontdoorandwalkedtothenearbyLotusfield,thedoorwas leftopen.AsBashirabegantowalkfurtherfromthehouse,theboardecidedtopounceonhis chancetoenter.Theboarboltedforthefrontdoor,enteredtheJapanesecountryhouse,andhid behindthedoorinanticipationofBashiracominginsidewiththeLotusflower
Bashiraenteredbackinthroughthefrontdoor,andtohersurprise,sawtheboarthatshe hadrunintoearlierassheshutthedoor.Bashirashriekedinfright,andtheboargobbledherup!
Soboracedtoseewhatwasthematter,andwhenshesawtheboarwithbloodalloverhissnout andonthefloorwithnosignofBashira,Sobowailedingriefandterror.Theboarthenmutedthe grandmotherbyeatingheraswell!TheboarwenttoextremelengthstogettotheHakataAmaou StrawberryMochiandnowhadhischancetoindulgeafterdisposingofthetwoobstaclesinhis way,youngBashira,andSobo.
Theboarinvadedthegrandmother’skitchenandgorgedonthestrawberrymochi.Life couldnotbebetter,hethoughttohimself.Theboarthenheardthenoiseofquicklyapproaching footsteps,andherushedtothefrontdoortoescape.Asheopenedthefrontdoor,the grandmother’shusbandhadarrived.Littledidtheboarknowthatthegrandmother’shusband wasthehunter!Thehunterfiredashotattheboarashewasescapingthefrontdoor,andthe boar’slifelessbodycollapsedonthegroundnexttotheLotusflowerthatBashirahadintendedto
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givetohergrandmotherbeforeshedied.Theboar’sbloodspilledlikeastreamasdroplets soakedtheLotusflower.
Becausetheboarhadkilledtheyounggirlandthegrandmother,hehadgottenwhatwas comingtohim.Somemightcallthis“fate,”whileotherscallit“karma.”InmanyAsian traditions,theLotusflowersymbolizesjustthat:karma.
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Jaws
Jaws.Oneword,yetsomuchmeaningtome.EversinceIcouldwalk,Ihavealways beenfascinatedbysharks.Oneofthefirsttoysmygrandparentsgavemeasababyboywasa sharkstuffedanimal,whomIcalled"Sharky."Asayoungboy,mymomanddadreadmy favoritebedtimestory,"SharkInthePark"byPhilRoxbeeCox.Asyouwouldimagine,thestory wassimplyaboutasharkinthepark.However,thisstorymeantsomuchmoretome!The colorful,animatedpicturesofthesharkinthebodyofwaterattheparkcaughtmyattention.But why?
Movingonfrom"Sharky"and"SharkInthePark,"Igrewmoreinlovewithsharks, primarilyduetomyfascinationwithGreatWhites.Ihadalwaysbeentooyoungtowatch Jaws becauseIwastoldbymyparentsthatIwouldhavenightmaresandthatitwastoobloodyand goryformyage.Finally,thetimecamewhenmyparentsletmeseethelong-awaited Jaws, directedbyStevenSpeilberg.
IvividlyrememberthenightandthefirsttimewatchingthemovieabouttheGreatWhite thatforeverchangedmylifeandtheworld.IstayedatmyfriendHugo'shouseoneSaturday nightinfourthgrade.Ifmemoryservesmeright,therewasagroupofaboutfourorfiveofus.
Thetypicalsleepoveratthatagealwaysendedwithamovieuntileveryonefellasleep, sometimeswiththefilmturnedofforlefton.Rightbeforebed,Hugo'sdad,Greg,daredusto watch Jaws withthelightsoutbeforebed.Sureenough,wetookonthedare.
Withallthelightsoutinthehousejustbeforemidnight,allfourorfiveofuslayonthe couchesorthefloorinoursleepingbags.Theexcitementinsidewasbeginningtotearmeapart asIhadwantedtoseethismovieallofmylifeupuntilthispoint.Oncamethevisualsofthe
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cameragoingthroughthewater,throughtheoceanvegetation,andintothedeepblue,frantic, unknownwaters.Iwasintriguedfromtheverybeginningofthemovietotheverylastsecond.
Sincethefirsttimewatching Jaws,myfascinationwithsharkmoviesandGreatWhites hasonlyheightened.Nosharkfilmwillevertop Jaws,andyes,Isaidit."Bruce"theshark,the lifeless,beady,blackeyes,theblood,thegore,themaincharactersChiefBrody,CaptainQuint, andMattHooper,theOrca,thediscussionthatQuintleadstalkingaboutthesharkattacksduring thesinkingoftheUSSIndianapolis,and"thehead,thetail,thewholedamnthing,"asCaptain Quintsaysbest.Inowhave Jaws FunkoPopsinmyroom,anofficialmovieposterwithallthe castonitandthereleasedateofthemovie,andIevenhavecustomizedAirForce1'swith Jaws inbigredlettersononeshoeandasharkthatisbitingofftheendofabloodyNikesignonthe other Yes,IknowIamamovienerd,especiallywith Jaws Thefilmindustryhasgotmebythe teeth.WhatcanIsay?
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LoveatFirstSight
IwaswalkingintoStarbuckscoffeelikeanaddictinneedoftheirnexthitofcaffeine.As thedoorswungopen,thestrongsmellofthearrayofcoffeebeansfilledmynostrils.The
abundantvarietyofcoffeebeansremindedmeofWillyWonkaandtheChocolateFactory,allthe smellsandsightsofchocolatesandsweets.Iimmediatelywalkedintothelinewithaladyin frontofmewhomIhadneverseenbefore.Theladyorderedamochalatteandimmediately turnedaround.
“Whatwouldyoulike?I’mbuyingyourcoffee,”shesaidwithabrightsmileonherface andredcheeks.
“Thankyouverymuch!Ireallyappreciatethat.Youdon’thavetodothat.I’lltakewhat yougot.”
Fromthatmoment,sheandIhavesincebecomehusbandandwife.
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Section2:PolishedPoems Perfection
Iamsoakinginabeautifullysunny,partlycloudy,blueskyinSpainatthebeachinSalou.Palm treeslinealongthestripofshopsandarangeofrestaurants.Iamtakinginthesmellofthearray ofdeliciouseateries,thesoundoftheoceanwavescrashingupontheshoreoftheMediterranean Sea,andthepicturesqueviewofhundredsoffriendsandfamilychattingandcherishingquality timetogetheratthebeach.Iamtakingallthisinwhilerelaxinginasunbedwitharefreshing cider.Inmyeyes,thisispicture-perfectperfection.
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HypocrisyHurts
Itwastoomuchtodealwithasafreshmaninhighschool.It’shardtodealwithevennow asanadult.Ifeltlikeanoutsidertrappedwithinacult,anenvironmentthatwassotoxic,so cruel,sofuckedup.EverymorningspentwithmyfacestuckinmyphonewhileIwasallalone inthelockerroom.Alltheclickygroupslinedupinthehallsandwaitedforthebelltoring,and IwassodamninfuriatedIdidn’thavetheenergytospeaktoanyonenorcouldIunderstanda thing.Oh,howIjustlongedforthebelltoring,soIcouldgotoclassanddistractmyselffrom theaching.
Hypocrisy.Awordandwayoflifethatstillleavesmeuneasyandcarrieslotsofheavy baggage.Thewayateachergetsfiredforbeinggay,whilethedooracrossthehallhousesaman who’soutlateinbedwithanotherwomanwhodoesn’tsharehislastname.Orthewayapriest getsshovedundertherugafterhehasvictimizedafifth-gradeboyforyearsonlineandnowyou don’tevenhearhisname.Noneofusknowwherethehellhewent.He’sprobablybeensenttoa conventtorepentandwassenttoanotherparishafterhavingbeen“forgivenbyGod”andis currentlyonhissearchforhisnextyoungboyundertheageofconsent.
JesussaidtoloveeachotherasIhavelovedyou.Didhenot?Jesusdidnotsaytolove eachotherasIhavelovedyou,onlyifyou’restraightandfuckthosewho’renot.Jesusalso mentionedremovingtheloginyourowneyebeforeremovingaspeckinanother’s.Iknowwho myJesusis,butwho’syours,sistersandbrothers?Whynotletpushcometoshove,unveil what’sundertherug,andfollowwhatJesussays:actinlove?
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AprilShowers...
TheysaythatAprilshowersbringMayflowers.Isayhardtimestransformlives.Difficulttimes arewhatcauseourspiritstosigh,butIpromiseit’sworthittotry Keeppushing;there’sbeauty ontheotherside.
Iloveyoumorethanwordscandescribe, Iloveyouwithallmyheart.
Iloveyousomuch;we’llnevergrowapart. Iloveyoutothemoonandback, Iloveyouwitheverythinginside.
Iloveyousomuch,higherthanthesky.
Love
Loveisawordandfeelingthat’simpossibletodescribe.
Awordthathassomanymeanings, Yetisn'tsosimpletodefine.
Loveisthefeelingweallstriveforaslongaswe’realive.
Loveiswhatweneedtosurvive.
Loveisourslightestglimpseofparadise.
Love.
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Purple
Whatdoesitmatterifyouareredorblue?Youareacountrysofullofhate.You’remoredivided thanyou’veeverbeen,starsandstripes.Whenwillyoube“onenation,underGod,indivisible, withlibertyandjusticeforall”?Whencanyouhosteventswithouthavingpeoplewhowantto brawl?Whencanyouhostcookoutsandbonfireswithoutpeoplefeelingtheneedtobasheach other’sthoughts?You’vegottentoapointwhereyourcitizenscan’tevenlookateachotherany longer.Theredsandbluesabhoroneanother.You’reinaconstantstateofhellishcivilwar.
Don’tyouknowthatyourcolorsredandbluemakepurple?Whydon’tyoufinallyabidebyyour pledge,givePurpletheedge,andmakeyourselftrulygreat,despitewhatyourprevious presidentshavesaid?America,ohAmerica,whenwillyoutrulybewhatyousaid?
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Section3:PolishedSong
We’veGotaFuture,MeandYou(Inspiredby“TheWayYouDotheThingsYouDo”byThe Temptations)
Yougothairsoblonde, Youknowyoulooksogood.
Wegotsuchaspecialbond, Youknowyougotmehooked.
Thewayyoustolemyeyes, Youknowthey’reallyours.
Andhoneyyou’remyprize, YouknowI’mallyours.
Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell,
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
Asgorgeousasyouare, Youknowyoucould'vebeenamodel.
IfIcouldcallagenie, You’dcomerightoutthebottle.
Thewayyoutakemytime, Youknowyoucould’vebeenastopwatch.
Andhoney,you’resofine,
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Youknowyou’retop-notch.
Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell,
We’vegotafuture,meandyou. We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
Youmakelifesospecial,
Youknowyoucould’vebeenamemory.
Andhoney,you’reanangel,
You’remyEmily
Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell,
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou. We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
Asgorgeousasyouare, Youknowyoucould'vebeenamodel.
IfIcouldcallagenie, You’dcomerightoutthebottle.
Thewayyoutakemytime,
Youknowyoucould’vebeenastopwatch.
Andhoney,you’resofine, Youknowyou’retop-notch.
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Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell, We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou. We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
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Section4:OriginalDrafts
ShortStories
OriginalDraftofTheSnake’sBite:Cutthroat 2A.M.
OfficerShaneLongpatientlywaitsinhisvehiclerightofftheinterstatewithhislightsoff andlaptopout,justwaitingandwaitingforonedaringindividualtoflypasthimabove55miles perhour.
Zoom!
AredMustangfliespastquickerthanlightning,andOfficerLongpullsouthisspeedgun thatreads97milesperhour Heimmediatelyputsonthered,white,andbluesandsetsoutonhis speedypursuitoftheredMustangvehicle.
10MINUTESPRIOR
Agroupoffourmensurroundanindividualkneelingontheground.Theman'sfaceis blackandblue,andhelongsindesperationforthefourmentosparehislife.
"What'syourguys'problem?Ididn'tdoanything,youknow?"
"Yeah,right!Youcan'texpectusnottoblowyourbrainsout.Youtriedtoturnusintothe Feds,"remarkedthegroupleader,MasonBradley.
"No,Ididn't!YouknowIwouldn'teverdosomethingstupidlikethat!"
"Yeah,wordcamearoundtomethatyouputmynameintotheFedstogetthat$250,000 theyhavepostedonmyhead.That'llbethelastdecisionyouevermake."
Bradleypullsouta9-millimeterpistolandfiresintotheman'stemple.Thethreeothers assistBradleyinthrowingtheman'sbodyintothetrunkofthecartodisposeofit.Allfourjump
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inthecar.Oneisatthewheel,oneatthepassengerside,andtwointheback.Oneofthetwo seatedinthebackisBradley.Thedriverputshisfoottothefloor,andthetiresskirtthroughthe poolofthedeadman'sblood.
PRESENT
Justasthehigh-speedvehiclebeginstomakeitswayontotheinterstate,thesoundof sirensfollowedbytheflashingred,white,andbluelightsalertsthedriver.
"Shoot!We'vegotanofficeronus.You'rewanted,Mason,andwe'vegotthatguy'sbody intheback!"
"Shutup,Ben!Justplayitcool.Pulloveranddowhattheofficersays."
Thewhitecopcarwiththeradiatingarrayoflightspullsupbehindthevehicle.The officerexitshisvehicleandwalkstothedriver'sside.Benisinthedriver'sseat,Dylaninthe passengerseat,RandyandthewantedMasonBradleyintheback,andthedeadman'sbodyisin thetrunkoftheredMustang.
OriginalDraftofTheLotusFlower
Duetotheradiantbeamsofthesummersun,thefluorescentshadesoftherainforest greensarerevealed.AJapanesewildboarprancesthroughtheforestgreensandhislongingfor foodisbecomingdesperate.Ithasbecomesodesperatethathewouldeatanythinginsight.The foodsearchseemstobegoingonforaneternity.However,thetimehasfinallycomewhenanew sensefillshisnostrils,andthesightofperfectionbuildssalivainhismouth.Thecravingwill soonbesatisfied,theboarthinks,asayounggirlinabeautifulreddressappearscarryinga
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basketofHakataAmaou,oftencalledthe“kingofstrawberries.”Lunchhasarrived,andtheboar beginshispromptpursuitofhisfeast.
Astheboarapproacheshisfeast,theyounggirl’sfacebecomespale.Theboarsoon
realizesfromthedepictionoftheyounggirl’sfacethathehasbeenspottedcomingafterhis favoritefood,berries,andheisdeterminedtodowhateverisnecessarytogettothoseberries.If bloodhastobespilledtoretrievetheberries,hebelievesthathemusteattheyounggirl.Because theboar’spresencehasbeenspotted,heapproachestheyounggirlinaslyattempttogivehera falsesenseofhopethatheisnotaftertheberries.
“Hello,younggirl.Youmustn’tbefrightened.Iamnotheretoattack.Iamsimplyona searchformyyoungins’whomIseemtohavelosttrackof.Ipermittedthemtogooutintothe foresttoplayhideandseek,butnowIseemtobetheseeker,”retortedtheboarinaslymanner
“Oh,thankyouforclarifying.Howstereotypicalofmetothinkawildboarmustbeafter metoinjureme!Iapologizeforreadingyourintentionswrong,”repliedtheyounggirl.
“There’snoneedtoapologize.Icompletelyunderstandwhereyou’recomingfrom.Most humanswhocomemywayarejustasscaredasyou.But,noneedtoworry.”
“Alrightythen,Iwillbeonmyway!”exclaimedtheteenagegirl.
“Holdon,younggirl.Noneedtobenosy,butwhereareyouheaded?I’veonlyever stumbleduponafewpeople,whichmakessenseconsideringweareintheforestinthemiddleof nowhere,”utteredtheboar.
“IamjustheadingtomyGrandmotherSobo’shouse,whichisjustacrossthatgorgeous Lotusflowerfield,todelivertheselovelyHakataAmaoustrawberries.Soboisnotfeelingwell, soIambringingthemovertomakeheroneofherfavoritesweetstocheerherup.I’mgoingto makehersomeHakataAmaouStrawberryMochi.”
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“Thatsoundsdelicious,”remarkedtheboar.“Well,anyway,itwasnicetomeetyou!
What’syourname,bytheway,incaseyouwanderalonginmyneckofthewoodsagain?”
“MynameisBashira,”utteredtheyounggirl.
“Well,itwasnicetomeetyou,Bashira!Ihopethatyouenjoythestrawberrymochi withoutme.”
AstheboarandBashirapartedways,theboarnoticedfromhisperipheralvisionthe barrelofariflepeekingaroundatree.Whenitwasapparentthattheboarwasinsightofthe rifle’sscope,hedartedasfastashislegscouldkeepup.Thehunterthenbegantopursuethe escapingboarwithvigorousdetermination.Eventhoughtheboar’slifewasnowatstakewitha hunteronhisheels,hecouldnotescapethethoughtofindulginginthatsweet,delightfultasteof theHakataAmaouStrawberryMochi.Hewasadamantaboutescapingthehunterandkilling SoboandyoungBashiratogetthestrawberrymochialltohimself.
30MinutesLater...
TheboarhadfinallyescapedthehunterandhadarrivedatGrandmotherSobo’shouse. Thesmellofthefinishedstrawberrymochiheightenedthesenseofhungerinhisstomach.
Becauseofthescentofthestrawberrymochi,theboargatheredthatBashirahadalreadyarrived atSobo’sbeforehimandthattheyweregettingreadytodevourthesweethehadbeencraving.
Whenallhopebegantowainoutfortheboarinhispursuitofthedeliciousstrawberrymochi, thefrontdoorburstopen.TheboardisguisedhimselfintheshrubwhileyoungBashiracame outside.
BashirahadmeanttogrababeautifulLotusfloweronherwayhomeforher grandmother,soassheexitedthefrontdoorandwalkedtothenearbyLotusfield,thedoorwas
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leftopen.AsBashirabegantowalkfurtherfromthehouse,theboardecidedtopounceonhis chancetoenter.Theboarboltedforthefrontdoor,enteredtheJapanesecountryhouse,andhid behindthedoorinanticipationofBashiracominginsidewiththeLotusflower
Bashiraenteredbackinthroughthefrontdoor,andtohersurprise,sawtheboarthatshe hadrunintoearlierassheshutthedoor.Bashirashriekedinfright,andtheboargobbledherup!
Soboracedtoseewhatwasthematter,andwhenshesawtheboarwithbloodalloverhissnout andonthefloorwithnosignofBashira,Sobowailedingriefandterror.Theboarthenmutedthe grandmotherbyeatingheraswell!TheboarwenttoextremelengthstogettotheHakataAmaou StrawberryMochiandnowhadhischancetoindulgeafterdisposingofthetwoobstaclesinhis way,youngBashira,andSobo.
Theboarinvadedthegrandmother’skitchenandgorgedonthestrawberrymochi.Life couldnotbebetter,hethoughttohimself.Theboarthenheardthenoiseofquicklyapproaching footsteps,andherushedtothefrontdoortoescape.Asheopenedthefrontdoor,the grandmother’shusbandhadarrived.Littledidtheboarknow,thegrandmother’shusbandwasthe hunter!Thehunterfiredashotattheboarashewasescapingthefrontdoor,andtheboar’s lifelessbodycollapsedonthegroundnexttotheLotusflowerthatBashirahadintendedtogive tohergrandmotherbeforeshedied.Theboar’sbloodspilledlikeastreamasdropletssoakedthe Lotusflower.
Becausetheboarhadkilledtheyounggirlandthegrandmother,hehadgottenwhatwas comingtohim.Somemightcallthis“fate,”whileotherscallit“karma.”InmanyAsian traditions,theLotusflowersymbolizesjustthat:karma.
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Jaws.Oneword,yetsomuchmeaningtome.EversinceIcouldwalk,Ihavealways beenfascinatedbysharks.Oneofthefirsttoysmygrandparentsgavemeasababyboywasa sharkstuffedanimal,whomIcalled"Sharky."Asayoungboy,mymomanddadreadmy favoritebedtimestory,"SharkInthePark"byPhilRoxbeeCox.Asyouwouldimagine,thestory wassimplyaboutasharkinthepark.However,thisstorymeantsomuchmoretome!The colorful,animatedpicturesofthesharkinthebodyofwaterattheparkcaughtmyattention.But why?
Movingonfrom"Sharky"and"SharkInthePark,"Igrewmoreinlovewithsharks, primarilyduetomyfascinationwithGreatWhites.Ihadalwaysbeentooyoungtowatch Jaws becauseIwastoldbymyparentsthatIwouldhavenightmaresandthatitwastoobloodyand goryformyage.Finally,thetimecamewhenmyparentsletmeseethelong-awaited Jaws, directedbyStevenSpeilberg.
IvividlyrememberthenightandthefirsttimewatchingthemovieabouttheGreatWhite thatforeverchangedmylifeandtheworld.IstayedatmyfriendHugo'shouseoneSaturday nightinfourthgrade.Ifmemoryservesmeright,therewasagroupofaboutfourorfiveofus.
Thetypicalsleepoveratthatagealwaysendedwithamovieuntileveryonefellasleep, sometimeswiththefilmturnedofforlefton.Rightbeforebed,Hugo'sdad,Greg,daredusto watch Jaws withthelightsoutbeforebed.Sureenough,wetookonthedare.
Withallthelightsoutinthehousejustbeforemidnight,allfourorfiveofuslayonthe couchesorthefloorinoursleepingbags.Theexcitementinsidewasbeginningtotearmeapart asIhadwantedtoseethismovieallofmylifeupuntilthispoint.Oncamethevisualsofthe
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OriginalDraftofJaws
cameragoingthroughthewater,throughtheoceanvegetation,andintothedeepblue,frantic, unknownwaters.Iwasintriguedfromtheverybeginningofthemovietotheverylastsecond.
Sincethefirsttimewatching Jaws,myfascinationwithsharkmoviesandGreatWhites hasonlyheightened.Nosharkfilmwillevertop Jaws,andyes,Isaidit."Bruce"theshark,the lifeless,beady,blackeyes,theblood,thegore,themaincharactersChiefBrody,CaptainQuint, andMattHooper,theOrca,thediscussionthatQuintleadstalkingaboutthesharkattacksduring thesinkingoftheUSSIndianapolis,and"thehead,thetail,thewholedamnthing,"asCaptain Quintsaysbest.Inowhave Jaws FunkoPopsinmyroom,anofficialmovieposterwithallthe castonitandthereleasedateofthemovie,andIevenhavecustomizedAirForce1'swith Jaws inbigredlettersononeshoeandasharkthatisbitingofftheendofabloodyNikesignonthe other Yes,IknowIamamovienerd,especiallywith Jaws Thefilmindustryhasgotmebythe teeth.WhatcanIsay?
OriginalDraftofLoveatFirstSight:WritingaMomentExercise
IwaswalkingintoStarbuckscoffee.Asthedoorswungopen,thestrongsmellofthe arrayofcoffeebeansfilledmynostrils.Iimmediatelywalkedintothelinewithaladyinfrontof mewhoIhadneverseenbefore.Theladyorderedamochalatteandimmediatelyturnedaround.
“Whatwouldyoulike?I’mbuyingyourcoffee,”shesaidwithabrightsmileonherface andredcheeks.
“Thankyouverymuch!Ireallyappreciatethat.Youdon’thavetodothat.I’lltakewhat yougot.”
Fromthatmoment,herandIhavesincebecomehusbandandwife.
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Poems
OriginalDraftofPerfection
Iamsoakinginabeautifullysunny,partlycloudy,blueskyinSpainatthebeachinSalou.Palm treeslinealongthestripofshopsandarangeofrestaurants.Iamtakinginthesmellofthearray ofdeliciouseateries,thesoundoftheoceanwavescrashingupontheshoreoftheMediterranean Sea,andthepicturesqueviewofhundredsoffriendsandfamilychattingandcherishingquality timetogetheratthebeach.Iamtakingallthisinwhilerelaxinginasunbedwitharefreshing cider.Inmyeyes,thisispicture-perfectperfection.
OriginalDraftofHypocrisyHurts
Itwastoomuchtodealwithasafreshmaninhighschool.It’shardtodealwithevennow asanadult.Ifeltlikeanoutsidertrappedwithinacult,anenvironmentthatwassotoxic,so cruel,sofuckedup.EverymorningspentwithmyfacestuckinmyphonewhileIwasallalone inthelockerroom.Alltheclickygroupslinedupinthehallsandwaitedforthebelltoring,and IwassodamninfuriatedIdidn’thavetheenergytospeaktoanyonenorcouldIunderstanda thing.Oh,howIjustlongedforthebelltoring,soIcouldgotoclassanddistractmyselffrom theaching.
Hypocrisy.Awordandwayoflifethatstillleavesmeuneasyandcarrieslotsofheavy baggage.Thewayateachergetsfiredforbeinggay,whilethedooracrossthehallhousesaman who’soutlateinbedwithanotherwomanwhodoesn’tsharehislastname.Orthewayapriest getsshovedundertherugafterhehasvictimizedafifth-gradeboyforyearsonlineandnowyou don’tevenhearhisname.Noneofusknowwherethehellhewent.He’sprobablybeensenttoa
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conventtorepentandwassenttoanotherparishafterhavingbeen“forgivenbyGod”andis currentlyonhissearchforhisnextyoungboyundertheageofconsent.
JesussaidtoloveeachotherasIhavelovedyou.Didhenot?Jesusdidnotsaytolove eachotherasIhavelovedyou,onlyifyou’restraightandfuckthosewho’renot.Jesusalso mentionedremovingtheloginyourowneyebeforeremovingaspeckinanother’s.Iknowwho myJesusis,butwho’syours,sistersandbrothers?Whynotletpushcometoshove,unveil what’sundertherug,andfollowwhatJesussays:actinlove? OriginalDraftofAprilShowersBring...:AprilShowersBringMayFlowers
TheysaythatAprilshowersbringMayflowers.Isayhardtimestransformlives.Difficulttimes arewhatcauseourspiritstosigh,butIpromiseit’sworthittotry Keeppushing;there’sbeauty ontheotherside.
OriginalDraftofLove
Iloveyoumorethanwordscandescribe, Iloveyouwithallmyheart.
Iloveyousomuch;we’llnevergrowapart. Iloveyoutothemoonandback, Iloveyouwitheverythinginside.
Iloveyousomuch,higherthanthesky. Loveisawordandfeelingthat’simpossibletodescribe.
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Awordthathassomanymeanings, Yetisn'tsosimpletodefine.
Loveisthefeelingweallstriveforaslongaswe’realive.
Loveiswhatweneedtosurvive.
Loveisourslightestglimpseofparadise.
Love.
OriginalDraftofPurple
WhatdoesitmatterifI’mredorblue?Whydomypoliticalopinionshaveanythingtodowith you?Weliveinacountrysofullofhateforoneanother We’remoredividedthanwe’veever been,sistersandbrothers.Whathappenedtoourso-called“onenation,underGod,indivisible, withlibertyandjusticeforall”?Whathappenedtothetimeswhenwecouldgathertogether withouthavingtobrawl?Whathappenedtothetimeswhenwecouldhavecookoutsandbonfires withoutbashingeachother’sthoughts?We’vegottentoapointwherewecan’tevenlookateach otheranymore.Theredsandbluesabhoroneanother We’relivinginaconstantstateofhellish civilwar Don’tyouknowthatredandbluemakepurple?Whydon’twestandupforthepledge, givePurpletheedge,andmakethiscountrytrulygreatagain,despitewhatourprevious presidentsaid?
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Song
OriginalDraftofWe’veGotaFuture,MeandYou(Inspiredby“TheWayYouDotheThings
YouDo”byTheTemptations)
Yougothairsoblonde, Youknowyoulooksogood.
Wegotsuchaspecialbond, Youknowyougotmehooked.
Thewayyoustolemyeyes, Youknowthey’reallyours.
Andhoneyyou’remyprize, YouknowI’mallyours.
Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell,
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou. We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
Asgorgeousasyouare, Youknowyoucould'vebeenamodel.
IfIcouldcallagenie, You’dcomerightoutthebottle.
Thewayyoutakemytime, Youknowyoucould’vebeenastopwatch.
Andhoney,you’resofine,
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Youknowyou’retop-notch.
Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell,
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
Youmakelifesospecial,
Youknowyoucould’vebeenamemory.
Andhoney,you’resofragile,
Youknowyoucould’vebeenatrophy
Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell,
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
Asgorgeousasyouare,
Youknowyoucould'vebeenamodel.
IfIcouldcallagenie,
You’dcomerightoutthebottle.
Thewayyoutakemytime,
Youknowyoucould’vebeenastopwatch.
Andhoney,you’resofine,
Youknowyou’retop-notch.
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Well,youcould’vechoseanyguythatyouwantedto, AndIcantell, We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
We’vegotafuture,meandyou. We’vegotafuture,meandyou.
Youstolemyeyes,(We’vegotafuture,meandyou.)
Youbecamemyprize.(We’vegotafuture,meandyou.)
Youmademeandyoufeelsoright.(We’vegotafuture,meandyou.)
Youmakemeandyoufeelsoright.(We’vegotafuture,meandyou.)
Youmakemeandyoufeelsoright.
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Section5:Reflection
Throughoutthissemesterin English 270: Introduction to Creative Writing,Ihada specificmethodformywritingprocessandrevisionforeachpieceofwriting.However,the methodwouldchange,dependingonfactorssuchaslengthandtypeofwriting.Withashorter pieceofwriting,suchasthepoemsIwrote,Iwouldwriteitalloutinonesittingwithwhatever wasonmymind.Iwouldthentakeashortbreaktore-readandassesswhichaspectsIlikedin theoriginalpiece.Afterthepersonalreflectionandassessment,Iwouldcriticallyevaluatehow towordmyideasmoreeffectively.Iwouldrevisecontinuouslythroughouttheprocessandmake surethatthepolishedversionwasgrammaticallycorrect.
Thewritingandrevisionprocessforlongerpiecesofwriting,suchastheshortstoriesI wrote,differedslightlyfromtheshorterpieces.Iwouldbeginbybrainstormingideasof characters,plot,ormainideasthatIwouldwanttheshortstorytoencompass.Thiswouldtake placeforseveraldays,andaseachideawouldcomeupinmyhead,Iwouldwriteitdown.After afewdaysofbrainstormingandlistingideas,Iwouldthenreflectuponwhichcharacters,plot,or mainideasIlikedbestandrunwiththoseideas.Concerningthewritingprocess,Iwouldwrite thepieceachunkatatimetonotoverwhelmmyselfandtogetmybestwritingout.Themost effectiveaspectofmywritingprocesswasthebreakIwouldtakeawayfromthepiece.Iwould putthepieceawayandnotevengiveitathoughtforafewdays.Afterafewdays'break,Iwould pickthepiecebackup,reviseit,putthefinalpiecestogether,andrevisecontinuouslyuntilitwas polished.
TherewasgreatvariationinthepiecesIwrote,hencethetitle“ErraticEmotions.”Each pieceIwrotevariesinidea,plot,andcharacters,whichrevealsdifferentemotionstothereader.
ThemainthemesandemotionsIfocusedonwerelove,anger,karma,beauty,andcorruption.
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TheultimatereasonIchosethesegenreswastoignitearollercoasterofemotionsforthereader andtoportrayidealsandemotionsthatarerelatableformostpeople.Additionally,Iwas intentionalaboutwritingonopposingemotionstomakeeachpieceasengagingaspossiblefor thereader Thebestpiecestowriteareonesthatfocusonopposingforcesbecausetheytendto meshbeautifullyandcreateanengagingstoryfortheaudience.
Notonlydomypiecesentailavarietyofemotions,butakeyreasonforthatisduetothe elementsofliteratureIchosetowrite.SomeoftheelementsofliteraturethatIexperimented withthemostwereplot,pointofview,theme,narration,conflict,colloquialism,action, flashback,symbolism,foreshadowing,andcharacter.Differentiatingelementsofliterature fulfilledmypurposeinwriting:totaketheaudienceonarollercoasterrideofemotions.
AsaresultofthemultiplepiecesIwrotethissemesterin English 270: Introduction to Creative Writing,Ihaveseenmywritingdeveloptremendously.Becauseofthevarietyof assignmentsinthiscourseinfictionwritingandpoetry,Iwasabletoexposemyselftonewstyles ofwriting.Duringthissemester,Iwrotepoetryforthefirsttime,wrotemyfirstsong,andwrote myfirstshortstory.Duetomyexplorationofnewgenresandstylesofwriting,Ihavediscovered thatIreallyenjoywritingfictionratherthannonfiction,shortstories,andfree-versepoetry Iwas genuinelysurprisedathowmuchIenjoyedwritingfree-versepoetrybecauseitfelttherapeutic.I discoveredthatfree-versepoetrywasawaytoputmyemotionsintowordsinthemost interestingandeffectivewaypossible.Notonlywasitfuntorhymeandcreaterhythmin free-versepoetry,butitwascomfortingtometoexpressemotionsinwritingthataredifficultto expresstopeople.Therefore,thepoemsthatIwrotethissemesterweretrulymyheartpouredout onthepaper,personal,raw,andauthentic.TheshortstorythatIenjoyedwritingthemostwas The Snake’s Bite,thefree-versepoemsthatwerethemosttherapeuticformetowritewere
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Hypocrisy Hurts and Purple,andIenjoyedwritingthesongbasedon“TheWayYouDothe ThingsYouDo”aboutmygirlfriend,Emily.
Lastly,Ifirmlybelievethatthewritingabilities,techniques,andgenresthatIexplored throughoutthiscoursewillbenefitmeinmyfuturewriting.Iwillincorporatethewritingskills thatIpickedupanddevelopedthroughoutthiscourseinmyfuturewriting.NotonlywillIbe abletoutilizetheseskillswithinacademicwriting,butIwillalsousetheminmycreative writingoutsideacademia.Iaspiretomakealivingoutofwritingfilmscreenplays,andIbelieve thatwhatIhavelearnedthroughoutthissemesterwillcertainlyhelpmeintermsofthecreation ofplotideas,characterdevelopment,dialogue,andstorytelling.Iamverygratefulforthiscourse andtheopportunitytocompilemypiecestogether,andIamecstatictoseewherethesenew writingabilitiesthatIhavegainedwilltakemeinthefuture.
Logan McInnes
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