Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Person You've Noticed: Using the First Person
“Think of a person that you've noticed, but don't know—a drugstore clerk, a bus driver, a politician, a celebrity. Using the first-person, write a two-page scene that describes a moment in the life that you imagine for that person. What is he/she thinking about? What matters to him/her? What doesn't? How does his/her mind work?”—Ali Smith; short story writer from England
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Here's my attempt based on one of the guys who sits outside the liquor store on Main Street near my home.
Sitting here on the street, looking at the cars going by, my bones hurt. I look into the cap I’ve got out in front of me: two quarters, a loonie, a few pennies. Man, people are really hurting nowadays. It’s mighty cold today but people aren’t being friendly, no sir! All I want is a big slug of good old Ruby Red. That’d warm my belly up good.
But, nothing doing. You know it’s hard when people won’t even look at you, sometimes. I mean, I’m not the prettiest sight in the world, I’ll admit. That fall I took last night left me with a pretty big gash on the side of my face. And I could use a shave, but hey it’s not like I can find a sink and hot water all that often.
Ah, the door of the good old LCB’s opening. “Spare change, sir. Can you spare any change?” I say, but not too loud. Say it too loud and for sure you won’t be getting any change. I can hear the coins jingling in his pocket. He’s got a big bag full of booze.
I’ve given up on him but what do you know! He turns back my way and drops a toonie into my cap. He doesn’t say anything, but I do. “God bless you. Thanks buddy!” Just another buck or two and I’m laughing.
‘Oh, man. Here they come! What do they want now, why don’t they leave me alone?’
“Hi, Finch. How’s it going? Well, my mom said the upstairs are noisy, and she couldn’t sleep, so. . .”
“Oh, ok. I’ll talk to them.”
‘Why don’t they talk to them, huh? She knows how to talk to them, so why doesn’t she? I understand her mother speaks a little bit of English, or whatever.’
“Ok, I’ll TALK to them.” I said loudly.
‘Why don’t they leave? Do I something on my face or something? Nope, my fly is closed, so. . .”
“Ok, we got to go now. Bye, Finch. See ya. . .”
‘Finally! What a relief. Now I can relax, and watch some football. . .’
As I shut the door, I hear quietness and peaceful around my surrounding.
A madman’s dairy
Nov.25 2009 Raining day
That neighbor’s dog watches me again this morning. He probably wants to talk with me, but I have to ignore his request------ I am just busy to check the security of surrounding; that’s my duty.
The #6 looks like very suspicious. Don’t worry; I have already followed her for two hours. She is so nervous and anxious; she tries to get rid of me. She must do some dangerous crime to my people. I will find out it and bring to a halt. I am a conscious soldier, constantly and without end. My obligation is to protect these unfortunate neighbors-----my people. I am keen on them, even though most of them are crazy. They like to buy lots of food, and then disposal it, they like to cover the land by tons garbage at the same time as they tell they want to care for it, and they also like to lock themselves in a single jail at night instead to watch each other by eyes,.
People think that I’m a madman, because they don’t know my job. I am required to keep it as secret: my responsibility is to help those fanatics wake up.
Ellen Degeneres (Celebrity):
Wow, I'm up this morning early for a change. I usually like to sleep in a bit but I guess it's partly because I'm so excited that it's the Christmas season and partly because I still can't believe what I get paid to do. I am really living my dream!
Christmas has to be my favourite time of the year to do my show because I get to give away gifts to people more than I usually do. And not only to just my fans, but also to all my favourite charities. What an awesome position to be in! I love what I do every day, I get paid well for doing it, plus I'm fortunate enough to use a lot of that money to help needy people. Like when Hurricane Katrina hit my hometown. I can't believe I can give back to my community in such an important way. Building new homes for displaced families; providing food, clothing and other items that they've lost. Oh, I just want to cry.
My life is so surreal. I just wish everyone was as fortunate and blessed to be able to do this for a living. I know my rise to the top was not without it's hardships and heartaches, but oh, it was so worth it to get here. I don't regret anything I had to go through. It made me who I am today, and now I get to give back to the people.
Oh, Cathy's here, I can hear her downstairs. Guess I better get up and start another exciting day. I wonder what she has on my agenda for today? I forgot. A meeting with my executive staff, of course, to discuss more ideas for next season. Oh, I'm blessed to have such wonderful writers for the show. They are so in sync with my own ideas. And I just can't wait to surprise my staff with a bigger Christmas bonus than last year! Aw, they so deserve it. I love each one of them so much.
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