The Prisoner: First Draft excerpts (Part I)

It's been a while! I have put PRESCHOOL PARABLE on the back burner for now. Health issues not only kept me away from the weblog, but they gave me new inspiration as well. Life changes, we readapt and find our way through. My latest is a piece called The Prisoner about a death row inmate and a prison guard. I present to you excerpts from the first draft of Part I.

Excerpt 1:

"It was hot, definitely. I'm sure, at the time, sweat poured down his face, but I don't think that was first in his mind. When you come to this part of Desert County Prison, this is your last stop. There's nothing left, no time served, no good behavior, no parole, no appeals, nothing.

This jailhouse had a façade. It was almost like the
steeple of a country church. Now, that can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. I can't say what he thought then, as he and his two escorts climbed the four uneven, and newly poured, concrete stairs with rattling chains and heavy footsteps. Then they had to open the big, black doors so he could see his new home. ..."

I was recently made aware of the story of Mario Rocha who, as a teenager in LA, was falsely accused, arrested, and tried & convicted. There's a great documentary on DVD called Mario's Story about the struggle to vacate his conviction. I identified with the story particularly because Mario is a writer. It's hard for me to believe the things through which he persevered. But I think we all can identify with feelings of imprisonment. The main character of my story experiences it a little differently than the innocent Mario.

Excerpt 2:

... I turned to leave, but he breathed a breath that told me he was about to say something important.

"I deserve to die for my crimes."

Only the truth of this hit me.

So I said, "Yes you do." ...

My Latest: a preschool parable

I have begun my next project. The working title is PRESCHOOL PARABLE, although I don't expect that title to remain. Right now, it is looking like a comedic/spy fiction piece that will examine the importance of preschool and finding the best one, or the right one, for a child. The extreme measures parents may or may not take for their children will also be featured.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to post any finished products as I don't want to run into any publishing complications. I will, however, have drafts throughout various stages available for e-mail. I will absolutely be posting what I like to call "creative content" whenever I can. Brainstorms, character profiles, introductory materials, stream of consciousness pieces, etc., will be readily available.

And so, I present to you the Intelligence Dossiers for the characters of PRESCHOOL PARABLE:

Classification: Eyes Only. Time sensitive.
Clearance: Studebaker, Gertrude.
Call sign: Parcheesi.

Authorization: observation, influence decision-makers, clandestine op.
Be advised: possible cloak & dagger underway, innocents exposed.

GROUP DOSSIER

Title: Flock of Four (Flock)
Aliases: Red Robin, Woodpecker, Black Crow, Hawkeye
Leader: Hawkeye
Intel Rating: Very Good
Assessment: High Chance for Success -- greatest asset: little to no resistance faced as a result of element of surprise; greatest weakness: emotion invested & lack of awareness of countermeasures - vulnerable to counterstrike.
Children Implicated: Steven Sullivan, Karen Ashby

Flock Targets: Children- Wendy Bilson, George Young; Parents- Allison & Rick Bilson, Cynthia & Nicholas Young

INDIVIDUAL DOSSIERS

DOSSIER: RED ROBIN

Sullivan, Kelly
Alias: Red Robin
Vitals: 5'4", 98 lbs., red-blonde hair, lt-blue eyes
Usual Attire: Oxfords, khakis, tennis shoes
Occupation: Housewife, Stay-At-Home Mom
Additional: Foreign-Policy major in college, loves spy shows/films, reads Tom Clancy
Intel Rating: Amateur
Assessment: Unknown, underrated -- inexperience is weakness, possible target to be turned; asset is dedication to child, pressure to succeed - possible loose cannon.

DOSSIER: WOODPECKER

Sullivan, Tom
Alias: Woodpecker
Vitals: 6'1", 179 lbs., brown hair, blue eyes, glasses, goatee
Usual Attire: business, rec- warmups, longsleeved tee, sports cap, tennis shoes
Occupation: Writer for PR Firm
Additional: College graduate -- summa cum laude, unchallenged by occupation, likely creative mind
Intel Rating: Good
Assessment: Logical, controlled -- intelligence offsets inexperience; intuition & instinct are assets, variable is control - take it away.

DOSSIER: BLACK CROW

Ashby, Brian
Alias: Black Crow
Vitals: 5'11", 182 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes
Usual Attire: business, rec- jeans, polo shirt, sandals
Occupation: Mergers & Acquisitions
Additional: very competitive, shrewd, cutthroat in business
Intel Rating: Above Average
Assessment: Dangerous -- cutthroat attitude is greatest strength & greatest weakness, potential security risk; inexperience offset by wife's experience; limited versatility in the field.

DOSSIER: HAWKEYE

Ashby, Nancy (leader)
Alias: Hawkeye
Vitals: 5'7", 116 lbs., black hair, green eyes
Usual Attire: Department of State regulation, rec- women's athletic wear i.e. jumpsuit, running shoes, sunglasses
Occupation: Intelligence
Additional: former spook, love of child pulled her out of the field, still knows all the tricks
Intel Rating: Excellent
Assessment: Primary Threat -- great asset if on your side, will spot a sloppy tail, cannot be overrated; time sensitivity of op could help exploit her rustiness.


COMMENCE OPERATION: FOX & FLOCK

Family

Family means a lot to me. True Family, the idea of "family", carries my personal values to their utmost. Although I'm lucky enough to have experienced Family with fellow members related by both blood & bond, it is my belief that Family has nothing to do with biology.

We were fortunate enough this year to continue our family's 30-year tradition once again on this night. There were some circumstances that could have derailed tonight's annual dinner, but luckily the tradition went on and we remembered in spirit those who could not be here literally. Really, it is a dinner like any other except for the night's inspiration and what it means to those in attendance. Those people are Family, gathered at table and sharing in food & drink.

Sometimes, the dinner is very formal, with courses and protocol. Other times we just get a mess of food and we sit back and enjoy. Every time, there is ritual. It is the one day & night where the head of the family acts as patriarch. He takes care of every aspect of the meal so that all his loved ones can relax and enjoy the experience. The rest of us delight in each other's company and look to the good. This is the time for Family to take refuge in being a family, above all else.

We take refuge in each other throughout the year, whenever we need support. This night is the place where we dedicate & acknowledge the sanctity of our bonds, even if we do it silently. And we realize who is a part of our family.

There are grandparents, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. And a family member is not limited to being just one of those, is not limited to blood relation. When I call someone, "Brother" or "Sister", I mean it as sincerely as possible. I am more than lucky in the fact that I use those terms of endearment often and towards many people.

I am more than lucky that I will always have family members who can help me continue this tradition, no matter who they are. Food & drink at a table... it is a simple, common occurrence, just like family. Yet, its depth is so great. This is even true for lighthearted moments. Perhaps my appreciation of the simple is why, in my view, I understand and have such a great relationship with the emotional and the spiritual. Whatever it is, it works for me.

I'm so fortunate to be carrying on these traditions in this Family.

Politics

I find politics to be a very low form of human interaction. Currently, it is widely considered to be the realm of smart intellectuals, the place for considerate citizens. I think it is sports for people who don't like sports (and people who do). However, I find real sport to be a much worthier enterprise, particularly a sport involving a team.

It is incredibly gratifying to watch a group of individuals come together and give of themselves in the pursuit of athletic excellence. Talent, dedication, discipline, and teamwork are combined to achieve a common goal.

At first glance, this sounds similar to the rose-colored version of politics, does it not? Take off them glasses, my friend. It is incredibly hard for me to understand a domain where the ultimate goal is a compromise of values. It's no wonder corrupt politicians are commonplace. The people who gravitate toward this behavior are also willing to sacrifice their ideals in order to pass legislation. This is a systemic issue. I'm not just talking about what's wrong with politics today. Moreso, I'm discussing politics as a concept.

Obviously, the counterpoint is that compromise is the only way to get a large cross-section of people to agree, and at least some portion of each person's idealism is met. I say that this is ridiculous. It doesn't say much about a system where two people equally as educated and conscientious, of equal statuses, can hold equally stupid, ignorant, and belligerently opposing viewpoints, as far as the other person is concerned. And this occurs with regard to basic, fundamental beliefs. Facts aren't even immune to politics. It confounds me as to how people can read the exact same story, witness the exact same event, read a statistic or a piece of information from the exact same source, and come to opposite conclusions. What's worse, they each use that as evidence to support their directly competitive ideas. This points to the necessity of some type of system of tolerance, which I think would work much better than a system of politics. You take care of you and I take care of me. Then, it will be easy to find a common ground without sacrificing any personal values, unless those personal values involve telling other people what to do.

It is ironic that those who use power most wisely are the ones who don't want it, those who govern most effectively are the ones who dislike government, and those best suited for politics are the ones who are least interested. Disinterest is good. It keeps necessary, professional compromise away from personal compromise.

These thoughts are not a justification for giving up the vote. I believe that the vote and politics are two very different things. They are not easily separated but they are separate. They should be treated that way.

Stream -- A gentle yet persistent breeze...

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.

A gentle yet persistent breeze journeyed down the street. It made its way over, under, around, even occasionally through, each house on the block. The block, the cozy and peaceful, friendly, lovely neighborhood was quiet in the warmth of late afternoon sun.

It was almost evening time. He was lying on his bed, staring up at the red ceiling. It was dark red, but not quite maroon. The ceiling was decorated with humbly stained, wooden crown moldings and a chandelier in the center. It was a small, interesting room.

On that ceiling appeared five small shafts of sunlight. A sixth bit of light, less vibrant, was aloof from the others. It was similar, but cut off. He saw himself. The lonely shaft of light was connected to the chandelier, its five lightbulbs were dark. He was trying to relax.

It had been a long day, long week, a long month, and an unbelievably long start to the new year. He didn't know what to do. A siesta with a little music sounded about right. The tones of the folky, jazzy, bluesy, always ethereal pop-rock took him away. It was one of those songs where you knew it was your favorite... not because you knew every note of music or every bit of lyric or that you were even listening that closely... it's your favorite song because your mind wanders and you find yourself fading into your own thoughts. It's your favorite song because eventually you return to a renewed sense of consciousness and you think, "Wow, that song is really relaxing. Really relaxing."

That's what he felt, or at least what he told himself he felt. He was at that point where he could not simply let things happen. He could not hesitate and be lost. And despite the relatively suburban environment, that really was what was at stake. When you've been through hell, sometimes it calls to you. There is an allure and a temptation to tell the world, "Fuck off." It is the pessimistic, cynical inverse of spiritual surrender. Both involve the ironically willing forfeiture of free will, or at least an illusory forfeit. He knew that the negative version was how warlords and sociopaths justified their brutality to themselves. The world gives up on you, you give up on the world, and you can start slitting throats without shame.

He also thought that the positive version was much more difficult. In a movie, they called it choiceless awareness. He had some idea, but mostly he relied on his own thoughts. Perhaps you simply surrender to life and the inevitable bad, and choose to focus on the good. He hoped there was some sort of philosophical circle of logic that allowed both spiritual surrender and free will to exist. The brief little break with that great little song allowed him hear the calls from the earth instead. He would soon return to life, but he hoped it would be as a changed man.

13

"Wow. I don't even know where to begin, but 'wow' seems like a good start. I'm still trying to absorb everything I experienced on 13's opening day."

I wrote these words just a day after "13" opened at the Mark Taper Forum. I had been unable, quite honestly, to wrap my head around writing as a professional and being published up until the moment I saw the piece in print in the program for the show. In that same vein, the events of January 7 still seem surreal. It was literally insane how well I was treated. There's a desire to be self-deprecating and talk about how undeserved the treatment was, but these people at Center Theatre Group bent over backwards for me and they deserve all the credit.

My parents and I got to our seats early, so we had plenty of time to peruse the program. Speaking of the people at CTG, I was absolutely dumbfounded by the placement of my piece. It can be found directly under notes written by Jason Robert Brown, composer of "13" and my editor, and by Todd Graff, director of "13". My essay follows their words and comes directly before all of the info on the cast and crew. Who could ask for anything more?

The essay is available on the Web at: http://www.centertheatregroup.org/uploadedFiles/Plays_and_Tickets/Productions/2006/13/files/13%20Program%20FINAL(1).pdf