My Series of Unfortunate Events

As I spit the dirt out of my mouth and regained my breath, I yelled at my brother three words that I often directed at him: “I hate you!” This is a small piece of a horrible memory from my childhood. I am seventeen years old and so far I have been pretty lucky with staying out of harm’s way. While most of my friends were taking frequent trips to the hospital and accumulating countless scars, I was playing hop- scotch and climbing on the jungle gym. No, my parents did not keep me in a plastic bubble and I wasn’t afraid of a grand adventure. I have climbed many trees and taken more than a few crashes. This all changed when I was about eight years old.

One day I took a beating.  I was in the backyard jumping on the trampoline with my brother. The sweet aroma of magnolia trees filled the air and the sun was so hot it felt as if it could melt me, leaving behind only a pile of blonde hair. It was a normal day at the Butler house in Florida and I was wearing the dress I wore every day, white with blue stripes and gorgeous sunflowers all over. Brenden and I took turns bouncing each other super high and that day my turn ended badly. My foot landed in between the bars which caused me to fall over like a rag doll and smack my stomach on the bar. The crash took the air out of me and knocked me to the ground. It felt as if all of my organs rushed up into my throat or someone ripped out my lungs and stomped on them. When I managed to pull myself up, I had a mouthful of dirt and a splitting headache. That’s where the words “I hate you” came into play, and I ran inside to find my dad. I pulled open the door, but before I could squeeze myself through, the heavy wooden door came crashing down on my big toe. Now I was aching, breathless, dirty, and my toe was gushing blood. All I wanted to do was reach my dad so I dragged my foot down the hallway, only to run into yet another obstacle. Someone had left a tool out on the floor and I smashed my gruesome bloody toe into the sharpest part.  Lucky me. This sent me plummeting to the floor and left me with a massive gash in my toe.

Finally, torn and battered, I reached the kitchen.  My dad scooped me up and mended my toe. He wasn’t too psyched about the trail of blood through the house. The next day my toenail detached itself from my swollen purple toe, definitely the most disgusting sight I have ever experienced. It had a pinkish color and it looked like it had been soaking in a warm bathtub for two days. Now I know why toes have toenails.  My series of unfortunate events which showed me that I couldn’t escape danger forever.  

And Then There Were None

I.      Given Circumstances

A. Environment

1.     Geographical: Private residence on Soldier Island off the coast of Devon, England. The climate is temperate, changing with the seasons, but is presently warm. The island is no stranger to stormy weather, being surrounded by the sea.

2.     Date: August 8 -10, 1939 in the pleasant late summer. The play begins in the afternoon and ends two days later in the morning.

3.     Economic: Though set in the late Depression, the economic status of the guests as a whole is upper middle class, though they all seem to fancy themselves as rich.

4.     Political: The political environment is less evident, but there is a strong presence of law on the island with guests ranging from policeman to judge, even a devout Christian.

5.     Social: As previously stated the guests present themselves as high-class members of society, but there is so much more to the social environment than that. There are love interests, rivalries, deceit, and an overwhelming sense of mystery and hostility; nobody trusts anyone.

6.     Religious: Though only one guest claims a faith (Christianity), she has a strong contrasting presence which somewhat symbolizes God’s judgement.

B.    Previous Action: Prior to the assembly of all the guests, each had received a letter from their mysterious host inviting them to his private island, claiming to have been acquainted with each in the past, as we later discover. It is also later revealed that each guest, including the caretakers of the house (who have never met their employer), has committed an act of murder in their past, one not punishable by law, but murder all the same.

C.    Polar attitude change of main characters: All the guests have a slightly different perspective and attitude at the beginning of the play, but as a whole they are excited and in high spirits.  But when their unknown killer starts picking them off one by one, suspicions arise and hostility is commonplace among the guests.

II.    Dialogue

A. Choice of words, phrases, sentence structure: Agatha Christie flaunts her genius in this play through her choice of words, phrases, and sentence structure. Filled with little one-liners and discreet clues to the fantastic insanity, Christie’s use of wordplay reveals subtle hints and elements crucial to the plot.

B. Use of imagery and metaphor: Equally as impressive as her choice of words, phrases, and sentence structure is Christie’s use of imagery and metaphor. The entire plot revolves around the nursery rhyme “Ten Little Soldier Boys” and its ten corresponding little china soldiers. The china soldiers represent each individual guest and the nursery rhyme as to how each will meet their fate; as the guests disappear, so do the china figures. In this way the use of imagery and metaphor is essential to the plot.

III.  Units: See script.

IV. Beats: See script.

V.   Character Analysis

A.   Sir Lawrence Wargrave

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Sir Lawrence Wargrave is a man of average height and size at the age of 56. His hair is dark brown, but obviously graying. He has strong facial features that predominately accentuate his cold blue eyes. His voice is deep and smooth and has a soothing, almost hypnotic tone about it.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Though Wargrave seems to be collect and about his wits (assuming the duty of leadership), he is absolutely insane as the mastermind behind this fantastically twisted scheme. He is aware of his insanity, but shows no signs of it on the surface, as he is self-righteous in his own sick mind.  

3.     Objective: It would appear that Wargrave’s objective, like everyone else, is to exploit the killer and find a way off the island before it’s too late, but what he really wants is the exact opposite. He is the killer, and in order to “bring them to justice” he must keep a low profile and act accordingly to the guests.

4.     Obstacle: As mentioned in the objective, Wargrave’s obstacle is to remain unsuspected by keeping a low profile. He must stealthily kill everyone off one by one according to the nursery rhyme without being discovered.

5.     Actions: In order to accomplish this Wargrave assumes the responsibility of leadership and cunningly directs the whole operation liked a skilled puppeteer. After carefully planning and executing several murders, Wargrave makes an alliance with Dr. Armstrong and fakes his own death, allowing him to later kill the doctor and orchestrate the rest of the events under the radar. 

B.    Vera Claythorne

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Vera Claythorne is a tall, slender, beautiful woman of 25. She has long, flowing brunette hair and stunning facial features as well as physical. She has a calm pleasant voice, with a touch of flirty tone about it.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Vera is a very complicated character. She presents herself as if everything is fine, but internally she can’t shake the overwhelming sense of guilt for the death she was indirectly responsible for years before; All this time it has haunted her dreams. These emotions are strongly evoked as more and more guests are murdered until she finally breaks down and loses control.     

3.     Objective: All Vera wants is to purge herself of her guilt and escape the island alive.

4.     Obstacles: The story becomes one of survival as all the guests are stranded on the island with no boat and no way of contacting help. This and choosing whom to trust prove to be the largest obstacles for Vera, and everyone else.

5.     Actions: In order to achieve her objective, Vera refrains from being alone as well as carefully watching others. The only person she seems to trust is Philip Lombard, another guest on the island.

C.    Philip Lombard

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Philip Lombard is an attractive, lean man of 34, well tanned, with the touch of the adventurer about him. He is tall and has light brown styled in a modern fashion. His voice is projected with confidence with a touch of cockiness.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Lombard’s infatuation with Vera is a testament to his predator nature, being competitive and use to being the alpha male. Lombard differs from the other guests in the sense that he takes even matters as serious as murder almost humorously (making jokes at the most inappropriate times) and enjoys getting a rise out of people himself. Lombard views William Blore, another guest, as a threat creating a strong rivalry between the two.

3.     Objective: Lombard is the only guess less concerned with escaping the island than wooing Miss Claythorne. Of course escaping the island and finding the killer are important to him too, but they aren’t his top priorities.

4.     Obstacles: Lombard’s biggest obstacle in all cases seems to be Blore, as direct competition for alpha male. Blore challenges Lombard in all circumstances, particularly in his motives for carrying a revolver. 

5.     Actions: In order to achieve his objectives Lombard relentlessly flirts with Vera and takes advantage of every opportunity to impress and protect her.  In regards to revealing the killer and escaping the island, Lombard, and the other young men, search the house and the island over. Lombard is also more forward and aggressive about interrogating people and making accusations.

D.   William Blore

1.     Physical and vocal traits: William Blore is a man of average height with a little extra weight at the age of 45. He has light brown hair with a tint of auburn and a mustache. He has soft and subtle facial features. His voice is loud and he speaks with authority and purpose.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Blore is a detective, which manifests itself into his character. He asks a lot of questions, is impatient, and is quick to jump to conclusions. Blore suspects Lombard throughout the duration of the play, even when seemingly persuasive evidence offers a different conclusion. A mentioned before, this creates a lot of tension and rivalry between the two.

3.     Objective: As a detective Blore is one of the more dedicated and motivated guests in exploiting the killer.

4.     Obstacles: Likewise to Lombard’s situation, Blore’s biggest obstacle proves to be Lombard.

5.     Actions: All the guests’ actions follow suite in searching for and revealing the killer, to an extent. Specific to Blore is his constant questioning of Lombard’s motives.  

E.    Doctor Edward Armstrong

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Doctor Armstrong is a fussy, good-looking man of 44. He is of average height and size, has dark brown hair, almost black, and a strong jaw. His voice is calm, but he often lets his nerves get the better of him. Doctoral attire, usually professional, and modest despite his abundant wealth.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Armstrong is a nerve doctor, which is somewhat ironic because as previously mentioned he often lets his nerves get the better of him. Since the involuntary death of one of his patients, he has become overly cautious about his actions, and is looking for peace and retribution for his misdeeds.

3.     Objective: Doctor Armstrong assists both Blore and Lombard in seeking out the murderer, but unlike the two he is more concerned about escaping the island than catching the perpetrator. Essentially he is interested in self preservation, whether it is escaping the island when that is an option or catching the murderer once it is apparent there is no way off.

4.     Obstacles: Armstrong wants solely to get off the island, away from the murderer, but the boat does not return on the morning after the guests’ arrival. After this is evident, he contributes to the search party, though the murder is ever elusive, and a constant obstacle to Dr. Armstrong’s goals. 

5.     Actions: He assists Blore and Lombard in the search effort, but only after extensively voicing his desire to get off the island.

F.    Emily Brent

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Emily Brent is a port spinster with a disagreeable, suspicious face. Her previously blonde hair is heavily white, she walks with her nose eternally upturned, and conducts herself in proper, and self righteous manner. She has a hawkish glance with piercing dark eyes.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Looks down on others primarily because she comes from old wealth as a descendent of a noble family. Furthermore, she has had a disparaging occurrence in her past involving the loss of her love to another woman accounting for her distinct coldness. She shows little guilt for the death she is responsible for, except for just before she is killed, displaying her deep seated discomfort for her prior actions.

3.     Objective: Emily is forever trying to absolve her past, the death she is responsible for, and does this primarily through degrading others, and therefore elevating her own status. She is little concerned with the drama of the island after it is apparent they will not be able to get off via the boat.

4.     Obstacles: No one takes notice of her snarky comments, as they dismiss her as a religious zealot, crazed in her elderly state.

5.     Actions: Emily is forever making judgmental remarks, and knits, showing her obvious disdain for the others in a subdued manner that stays in accord with her moral standards.

G.   Rogers

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Rogers is a competent middle-aged manservant. Dark brown, peppered with grays. Not a butler, but a house-parlor man. Quick and deft. Just a trifle specious and shifty, he walks properly with posture. His voice is polite and proper and he has professional mannerisms that have become second nature, as exhibited by his extreme over-use of formal titles in dialogue. 

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: He is suppressing any guilt he may have felt regarding the death of his former mistress, mostly because he got away with the death. While his wife is irritated with the immediate presence of guests so quickly after they have assumed their positions, Rogers’ extreme dedication to his position has taken over any misgivings he may have had. Following the death of his wife, Rogers suppresses his emotions and continues his duties in a blind daze of grief. He has lost some motivation to live after the death of his wife, but he hides it well.

3.     Objective: For a small time, Rogers is extremely concerned with finding the killer and survival butt after a time, his primary purpose in life is to serve and therefore he falls into his default comfort in the position of manservant.

4.     Obstacles: The fact that there is a murderer lose on the island is a constant detraction from his goal and therefore an obstacle. The death of his wife also obstructs his emotional stability.

5.     Actions: Rogers tries to keep up an air of normalcy despite the obvious disruption both the new position and then the death of his wife. He does everything to keep doing his job as a manservant.

H.   General Mackenzie

1.     Physical and vocal traits: General Mackenzie is an upright soldiery man with a gentle, tired face. He is handsome, despite being in his late fifties. He is clean shaven, but with distinguishing sideburns. He is nervous in speaking, socially awkward. There is a deep timber to his voice but a subtle humility which comes out in softness which betrays his slightly war-ravaged mind.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: He is one of the most emotionally distraught characters of the play. His awkwardness at the inset of the play progresses into general resignation to his death. He shows his remorse for his doings, mostly the death of those in the bush as well as those who may have been indirectly killed by his position a general.

3.     Objective: He intends to go peacefully to his death, differing from everyone else, he does not seek the killer or to expoit him. Additionally he is fixated on his wife.

4.     Obstacles: No one understands his complacency, and he won’t ever be able to reconcile with his with his wife in life, which is complicated Mackenzie’s concern for the fate of his soul in the afterlife.

5.     Actions: He calmly awaits his death.

I.      Mrs. Rogers

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Mrs. Rogers slightly younger than her husband, but appears much older because is a constantly worried and easily emotionally distraught. She appears ghostly, but makes a concerted effort to keep well kempt. Her hair is brown but significantly graying. She is thin

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: She is irritated, and annoyed with the fact that their employer has dumped them off with a huge responsibility when they have only just contracted the positions.

3.     Objective: Mrs. Rogers wants to make it through the time with the guests until she are relieved by the maids, to serve to the wishes of her employer.

4.     Obstacles: The guests are extremely annoying and detrimental to the execution of her goal, and furthermore her goal is proved completely unattainable, for she is killed.

5.     Actions: She serves the guests until which time she is killed.

J.     Anthony Marston

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Anthony Marston is a good-looking young man of 23. Rich spoiled – not very intelligent. He is tall and muscular and has strong facial features. He has dark brown hair, almost black. His voice is deep and he speaks somewhat sarcastically and with an edge.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Marston is self centered and strictly concerned with being cool. He maintains the air of indifference in order to support his “cool-guy” aura. He is in favor of crime, almost in a sarcastic, or ironic statement as to his opportunism.

3.     Objective: To have a good time and meet beautiful women.

4.     Obstacles: He dies.

5.     Actions: He makes cordial advances on Vera.

K.   Fred Narracott

1.     Physical and vocal traits: Fred Narracott is a handsome young man of 22 with light brown hair. He is tall and well built, and has a strong, predominate chin. His voice is deep and respectful.

2.     Emotional and physiological traits: Little is known about Narracott, as he is a very minor character. All that can really be concluded about his emotional and physiological traits is that he is obedient and respectful.

3.     Objective: Narracott’s objective is simply to deliver the basket of groceries Mrs. Rogers requested and help the guests with their luggage.

4.     Obstacles: Although this might not be considered so much an obstacle to him as the guests, Narracott has been requested by his employer (the host) to not return the following day and to ignore any signs that might be interpreted as signs for help.

5.     Actions: Narracott obediently delivers the basket of groceries to Mrs. Rogers, helps the guests their luggage, and follows his employer’s instructions.

VI.  Theme/Idea of play: Likewise to the saying no good deed goes unnoticed, no bad deed will go unpunished. 

            “You know the Muslim religion is essentially one of violence,” said Summit student Connor Price.  “I’m not saying all Muslim are like that, but isn’t violence essentially what the Qur’an teaches?”

            Price’s assertion was not mean-spirited or malicious; it reflects the relative ignorance of the American populace in general.

            Jewish photographer A.J. Markow backed out of a recent assignment to photograph Muslims because he felt “uncomfortable” in their presence.

            Like Price, who supports America’s involvement in the Middle East, the media, government, and people we talk to every day have largely shaped Markow’s perceptions about Islam, which rarely portrays Muslims in an accurate light.

            Even people who consider themselves tolerant of those with different faiths readily admit the societal prejudice present in America.

            “Before the terrorist attacks on September 11th, people still viewed Muslims differently,” said English teacher Mrs. McCormick.  “I think most people consider the Islamic faith to be somewhat misogynistic.”

            Senior student Shannon McGuire has also noticed the negative connotations people apply to Islam.  “When people think about Islam they usually think of terrorism in general,” said McGuire.

            These perceptions do not however represent the majority of people who call themselves Muslim, nor are they consistent with the teachings of the Muslims’ holy book— the Qur’an.

            Abdelkarim Aouri, an American immigrant from Morocco who now serves as the president of the Islamic Community of Central Oregon, works tirelessly to correct misperceptions about his faith.  “The word ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word which means submission, surrender, obedience, sincerity, and peace,” said Aouri.  “How can you see peace go with terrorism?  Peace/terrorism— they don’t go together.”

            As a convert to Islam, Aouri’s wife Laia is quick to defend her faith from allegations of misogyny.  “One hundred years ago in the United States women were not allowed to own property.  But fourteen hundred years ago Islam secured women the right to own property,” said Laia.  “Many rights that were denied to women before the advent of Islam are guaranteed in the Qur’an.  Islam also gives women the right to make marriage contracts and the right to work for her own money.”

            A woman’s head covering or hijab is worn as a sign of modesty around people outside her family, but such covering is never forced upon a woman.

            Despite Koranic stipulations that demand respect for women–especially mothers–the societal perception of misogyny continues.

            “If you are not trying to broaden your knowledge [about Islam] then you are confining yourself to a small box,” said Rashid Gelam, a Malaysian Muslim living in America.  “What will happen is you will start answering questions based on your limited knowledge, which can be offensive to many people.”

            Gelam suggested that much of the misperceptions about Islam have been due to people’s unwillingness to “go outside” the confines of their societal “box.”

            “People always focus on the differences between Islam and their faith,” said Aouri.  “But if people really learned about Islam they would find many similarities.

            “We believe in all the holy prophets— Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus— peace be upon them all,” said Aouri.  “The Qur’an confirms the Biblical account of Jesus’ miracle (virgin) birth, and his mother Mary is considered by us to the purest woman in all creation.”

            The reverence with which Muslims view the Abrahamic prophets is evidenced in their everyday references to them.  “Muslims never refer to Jesus simply as Jesus, but always with the phrase ‘peace be upon him’ out of respect,” said Aouri.

            As Aouri pointed out, Muslims believe Islam is an extension of the same religion practiced by Jews and Christians, not a new religion.  “We don’t worship Muhammad, peace be upon him; we believe that his teaching is the continuation of the same message that has been revealed to all the prophets.”

            Gelam quickly pointed out the benefits of tolerance espoused by his beliefs.  “In Malaysia only sixty percent of the population is Muslim— the rest are Christians, Buddhist, and Hindus.  And they live right next to each other without any problems.”

            Applying the same tolerance to America may be a challenge, but mutual understanding through education seems to be the right step.

            “When students study Islam they will learn Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, compassion, love, and the forgiveness of God,” said Aouri.  “They will realize that Islam has nothing to do with the extremely grave acts of violence that have been associated with the faith.”

            Aouri cited Chapter Five, verse thirty-two of the Qur’an to support his assertions.  “Chapter Five, verse thirty-two says that if any person kills another human being it is as if he killed all humanity.  But if a person saves another human being it is as if he saved all humanity.”

            Although many students insist on clinging to their misperceptions about people different from them, Aouri warns that prejudice threatens everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

            “Today prejudices might affect Muslims, but tomorrow it will affect another group,” said Aouri.  “In this community we need to get together and try to find where we agree [on matters of personal belief] instead of looking at differences,” said Aouri.

            Indeed it is this sense of unity that makes a society.

    I reminisced a moment years ago. In a beige hallway, labeled “C” with bitter blood red lockers, and chipped tile ceiling. I stood in my old middle school, which I’d spent three long years. It was my last year, and I remember turning from my locker, and readjusting my bag. I saw a slightly familiar student, associating with a more familiar obsession. As years go by, the obsession disappeared, but a friendship strives from that one brief glance, from a semi-established memory. Who is this one?
    Three years later that scraggly kid from a slightly familiar memory returned to my life. Some things happen for a reason. He returns in a building where many like him gather. The Redmond Airport, where people from near and far greeted family, said goodbye and the noise of giant winged machines shuttled loved ones to and fro. I stood waiting for him only because of a relation with his cousin, who I met months before my sophomore year ended. I shuffled close to my boyfriend, and watched his family tree spread eagle-wide before my eyes. Names vanished from my mind, and I was nervous. I wondered if my middle school class mate would remember me.  Finally I greeted him, a brief and unwanted memory of where we had our first encounter.  Little did I know it was a painful time for him, as it was for me. We’d changed, moved on, and shuddered at our past. I am so sad to remember that in that summer, and those few months, I focused so little on him, and an effort for friendship.
    Months went by, and we began to chat. Somehow messages flew; we talked about everything we’d missed.  “When will you come back?” was frequently asked. Over the internet, and phone calls we became acquainted, six months after I should have taken initiative. We made lists sent letters, and exposed all the truth. No lies exist between my new friend and I, our honesty glows through our shame, and we have nothing to hide.
    His return finally came, one chilly winter day, and I awaited a intercom message from the office. I was trying to keep control, but when the tone sounded I couldn’t help but run. This was my best friend, finally here again. We toured through my school, and he recalled familiar faces. Our strides grew slow, our talk grew fast. Drifting over every tile, beige like before, we had an understanding of things so far beyond the worries of average school age kids. We looked back at our time of conformity, and recalled why we’d changed. Those days we spent, over a holiday break were simply extraordinary. There is Christmas cheer that enters the heart, when the holidays are near, and the air blows cold. For me, that holiday cheer came from my best friend.

My hand felt warm as I wiped the sleep from my eyes, Nate doing the same above me; me wondering who would show up at the football game later that day. “What time is it,” Nate asked, still half asleep; me answering, “eight in the morning.” We travel downstairs to a fully cooked breakfast whom Nate’s sister prepared. I felt special for a moment and then I rounded the corner only to find that I was not the only one who spent the night. Multiple people littered the room whom I guessed all spent the night, though they could have all come over that morning. Nate and I sat down for breakfast, eating the assortment of eggs, sausage, and waffles with syrup drizzling down the sides. When we all finished our breakfast we huddled around the table to begin the first game of B.S.

My turns went by while I put down more cards, while never lying when the number came around; there was never a need to lie. Down to five cards I finally had to lie. Someone called out “B.S” and I picked up the pile. “So close but yet so far,” I like to say. I didn’t win but I did have fun playing. We were all done with the game and needed more to do so we moved onto the next game.

Everyone moved to the living room and I remembered that I had not yet set in my contacts. I ran upstairs to grab my contacts and change as I had still just woken up. They had already started the game as I headed to the bathroom to put in my contacts. After, I checked my watch to see the time, almost noon. 12:00 was when the football game started. Having only a few minutes to watch the game in the living room I peered outside across the backyard to the field in which the game would be played. No one around yet. I decided to sit down in the living room and was forced into a game. I stayed for a few games, but never had a specific part. After every game I ran back to the window, until I saw the sight I looked for, the first crew for the game.

The wind became light and the sky clear, no clouds, yet still chilly. I had my coat on, and the game begins as we pick the teams. We choose a quarterback who would throw for both teams, my team receiving the ball first. We move far from the reception and quickly huddle to make our next play. The first play moved ahead a few yards, the next play a few more, and so on. Tight for plays, the quarterback tells us “get open,” and we take various positions along the field. After the hike we all run our separate ways. I look for a hole and find a place that has no one around. I turn left, then right, and all thoughts disappear. Just one thing left. I make the call, “HERE!” and raise my arms. I look straight at the quarterback just hoping that I get picked for the reception, this one time, this first time. He looks my way and throws the ball. In the two seconds that it took to catch the ball, hundreds of things went through my mind, when to reach out, when to turn, how to catch, where to run. Then, I catch, only one thing running through my mind now; run. I take off as fast as my feet will carry me towards the end-zone, yard by yard passing by. One last burst of energy and I make my goal. I stop, out of breath, and throw the ball down as hard as I can in triumph. My team and the full-time quarterback cheer and scream out of joy. I get high-fives from everyone, opponents too, at the great run. For the first time since I started playing football with them, I had made the opening touchdown to truly start the game.

Pool Hall

Strutting into the nearly empty, smoke filled pool hall was a young cool vixen. Dressed

in a black halter top dress and patent chunky heels with red lips matching her fingernails, she was ready

to be seen. At the far right corner of the musky stenched pool hall stood the girls flame. A man of his

mid twenties, Johnny was the guy to know. He had chestnut color ‘tall’ hair, dark brown eyes, and a

style that was recognizable for miles. Suited in a black and white blazer, a shabby The Distillers tee

shirt, fitted pinstripe pants and glossy leather shoes he appeared to be the man of the hour.

Sliding up next to him the women placed her hand on his shoulder. “Johnny, lets talk.” She

stated in a tranquil tone. “Not right now baby, you have eyes don’t you? I’m busy.” His face glowed

with a sense of concentration and readiness. Swiftly his fingers drifted down the glossy light brown

pool cue and he settled his body into position. Treading forward the women gave a sideways glance at

the mossy green  pool table and seated herself at a tall, chrome barstool. Nailed to the ground was a

shaggy sort of carpet, as dull and brown as rotting bark. It was old and stained from many spilt

cocktails and the whole joint was endlessly filled with dark silhouettes of men surrounding pool tables.

The place was a dive, but a mildly comforting one at that.

Johnny was the biggest pool hustler in the hall and was known for the way he could rule

every table regardless of his opponent. Now his current shot was now over, and after sinking in his bet

he moved his lean hand upward towards the dimly lit, yellow light and grabbed a fat stack of one

hundred  dollar bills. Slinking towards his fling, the vampy blonde in the tight black dress, Johnny let

out a suave, flirtatious smile. “You ready to go out tonight?” he whispered in a heavy New York accent.

Sauntering to the door she gawked at him through her dark makeup and sighed. “Johnny baby, lets

talk.” Slithering his hand down the curve of her back he let out a seductive grin. “Sweetie, we’ll talk

later.”