One Act Play: Conflicting Personalities

Conflicting Personalities

(The scene starts with two previous high school sweethearts, Erica and James seeing each other again at a high school reunion six years later. Erica has been eyeing James from across the room. She wants to talk to him, but doesn’t know how to start the conversation. She finally starts to walk over to him as James was grabbing a cup of fruit punch.)

Erica: Hey James long time no see! (Erica hugs James awkwardly)

James: Oh hey Erica…

Erica: It’s so great to see our graduating class again. I miss a lot of people.

James: Yeah I guess so.

Erica: How have you been? It’s been almost six years since the last time I have seen you!

James: Umm... I have been good, what about yourself?

Erica: Pretty good

James: Oh okay that’s good. (James begins to slowly walk away)

Erica: Wait where are you going? We just started talking. I haven’t seen you in so long and you just decide to walk away from me? You haven’t changed one bit, now haven’t you? (Erica giggles)

James: Well you haven’t changed that much either you just got a little bit bigger.

Erica: What do you mean I have gotten a “little bit bigger”? (Erica begins to get teary eyed) That is extremely rude of you to say to your first love.

James: Erica you need to relax I’m only messing with you. Try not to be as uptight loosen up a little. (He gives her a friendly nudge on the arm) And first off what do you mean when you say that you were my first love? I mean yeah we dated and all, but it’s kind of demanding to say that I was your first love.

Erica: So were all the times you told me you loved me just a myth or something? (Now she begins to cry) I can’t believe you are telling me this.

James: Oh my god! I’m really not dealing with this. We broke up eight years ago. EIGHT YEARS AGO. I don’t understand why you are crying right now. I was just kidding once again. Why can’t you just take a joke?

Erica: I know, but it’s just rude to say that. You know I can be really sensitive sometimes. I’m sorry I know I need to loosen up. Its hard to tell if you are kidding sometimes!

James: Really I couldn’t tell?

Erica: Are you kidding me? Stop being an instigator to the situation. You are only making things worse.

James: Making things worse? What have I done? You were the one that walked over to me first I was pretty content not approaching you or talking to you tonight.  I avoided you for one reason and that was to not hear your annoying voice.

Erica: I walked up to you because I thought it was a friendly thing to do, but clearly you don’t know anything about being nice to other people considering you broke my heart. You know, I don’t think I could ever trust a man ever again all because of you.

James: We were in high school and dated for six months. I wouldn’t be surprised if you couldn’t trust a guy anymore. First off, who would even date you? You are really annoying and all you do is nag on and on.

Erica: I really hope you’re kidding when you say that. That really hurts my feelings. You just made me really upset. I can’t believe you James.

James: What did you expect when you walked over here? You are acting like a three year old. You always have to exaggerate everything.

Erica: I guess I’ll go if you want me too. Goodbye I guess.

James: Yes, I would love for you to go away!

Erica: Alright, I’ll just leave now.

James: GOODBYE!!! (James starts to walk away)

Erica: Wait James…

James: Erica goodbye.

Erica: I just wanted to say...

James: You wanted to say nothing because I’m leaving.

Picture Perfect Passage 6

My Special Place

         Sometimes I would just walk around looking for a place to sit and relax. My anger can just take over me and I need to calm myself down. I’m constantly looked down on and seem hated by everyone at my school. I have no friends, so I would just walk around town until stumbled upon this field off of a street. Now I come here often and just lie in the grass and gaze up into the sky. Here I’m able to just stop and think for a moment about what’s going on. I can talk as loud and as annoying as I want because I know no one is here and or listening to me. It helps me calm down so I don’t lash out. It distracts me from the harsh real world. The trees and the sky just make a peaceful environment. You see the true beauty of nature as the birds fly around, squirrels rustling in the bushes, and the sound of swaying trees in the wind. I try to make my way here at least once a day. Sometimes, I even sit there to do my homework. I come here to escape the constant nagging of people in my ear. I can be me and don’t have to worry about what other people are saying about me.  

Picture Perfect Passage 5

The City that Never Sleeps

          Julie always wanted to go to New York, but her family could never afford the expensive trip. She knew that constantly asking her parents to take her would just make her sadder because she knew she could never go. Julie had a job, but could never make enough. Her money was always going to help pay the bills. Her parents only made enough money for the family to get by, nothing extra. Julie’s dad recently got fired which put them in an even more financial struggle.  Soon enough he found a new job and they gave him a cash bonus to help his family. Julie’s family had enough money to actually spend on themselves for once. Julie wasn’t expecting to get the long awaited New York trip though, maybe just a pair of new shoes, but her parents had something else in mind. Her parents decided to surprise her by putting 3 plane tickets to New York into a box. When her parents called her down to the kitchen she was confused by the small box sitting on the counter.

“Sit down. We have a present for you.” They said while handing the box to her.

Julie opened the box and screamed.

“Thank you thank you thank you!” she said while hugging them.

Julie was filled with happiness. She didn’t think this day would actually come. She finally was able to visit the city, the Statue of Liberty, and so forth. 

Picture Perfect Passage 4

     

An Unforgettable Summer 

      It was the first night of summer and my friends and I all gathered around the campfire to celebrate. Everyone lays their chairs in a circle around the fire. We do this every summer, sitting by the fire for hours. We sat while the smoke made its way towards the sky, the smell of wood burning, and the hot air pressing on our cheeks. Endless laughter, talking, and singing were all to be heard. We shared stories and just talked about everything that was on our minds while roasting some marsh mellows. We shared past memories of our childhood and the memories created throughout the school year.  Moments like these are the ones you remember. We had all grown up with one another, so it was special. Soon enough it will all be over and it won’t be the same anymore. We are getting older now and we will be going our separate ways. All we can do is live in the moment and hold no grudges. Growing up with the people you call your best friends creates an unbreakable bond. We can’t even think about not being able to have our tradition anymore of sitting around the fire the first night of summer. Already I can tell that this summer is going to be an unforgettable one.

Picture Perfect Passage 3

The Last Drive

     It was a Friday night and Prom was going to start soon. Seeing all the pretty dresses, getting your pictures taken and, being with your friends is the best part. However, I didn’t know it was going to be the last time. Everyone has heard the stories of drunken prom drivers getting into fatal car accidents. You never think it could happen to you, but it happened to me. It all started with my date drinking before picking me up. We took pictures with our friends and he gave me a beautiful corsage that had red flowers on it, matching my dress. I knew he had been drinking, but I didn’t think anything of it because I just wanted to go to prom. Getting into the car was a big mistake I wouldn’t have if I knew my life would be taken from me. He seemed to be driving fine until all of a sudden he swerved and crashed into another car. We didn’t hit the car very hard, but I flew through the windshield and was killed in an instant. My life was taken from me while I still had a whole life ahead of me. If I could go back I would change everything about that night in a heartbeat.

Picture Perfect Passage 2

The Day My Life Changed

     I love touring different countries as often as I can. I have traveled many different countries in Europe, but I was saving the long awaited trip to Italy for last. I finally booked the flight and went. My hunger finally kicked in after my long dreaded flight, so I decided to get food at a local restaurant near my hotel. However, I didn’t know this would be the moment that changed my whole entire life. I walked in and sitting in the corner all by herself was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my entire life. She was sitting there reading a book. Her hair long and beautiful, her glowing skin, and her bright blue eyes just stood out. I wanted to approach her, but I was embarrassed so I went and sat at a different table in hopes she would notice me. Soon enough she paid her bill and got up from the table to leave, but I knew I couldn’t let her slip away. I ran out of the restaurant throwing my money on the table. Outside, I walked up to her and softly said

        “I couldn’t help, but notice you reading your book. May I ask what book you were reading?”

        “The notebook” she said softly with a slight smile.

  We walked for hours on end talking and I walked her home. I felt that i had been talking to my best friend. This was me telling you the story of the moment that changed my life. Three years later, today I am marrying the most beautiful girl in the entire world. 

Picture Perfect Passage 1

The Trail

      It was a hot breezy summer day in the middle of August. The wind was blowing in my hair as I walked down the trail near the ocean, while the beating rays of the sun warm me and change the color of my skin. The tall grass swaying with the wind and the sound of the waves with seagulls flying around filled the beach. People lying and playing in the sun. Children running around, making sandcastles and frolicking in the water. Different families make the memories that they will remember forever, capturing the special moments on a camera. There is nothing, but a smiles from ear to ear on everyone’s faces. The smell of freshness and salt in the air. It calmed me. I live for the summer and being able to walk the trail once again. We vacation at this very spot each year at the same hotel. Excitement fills me as summer approaches, so I can finally go on vacation. All I remember is the sounds and smells of happy people and the line of hotels that stretched on for miles. I recall all the past memories that we have made and rememeber the news one that we create. As soon as it’s over the thought of next year makes me even more excited. 

Write About a First

     The doctors had told Susie that the chances of her ever having a child were very slim. She visited numerous doctors trying to find a solution, but there was nothing. She had to bare the thought that her one dream of being a mother was completely crushed and demolished. One day was the day that had changed her life. Susie went to the doctors only to be told that she was expecting a child. This was the moment that changed her outlook on life as pure happiness filled her from head to toe. Susie was told she would be having a baby boy. The pregnancy wasn't as bad as she had expected it to be. 9 months later on January 29 of 2015 was finally the time she had been waiting for. Susie was taken to the hospital by her husband. It was a brutal 7 hours trying to deliver the baby. However, she knew that it would all be worth it in the end and that the only thing she was told could never happen was actually happening. Soon enough she would be able to hold her own child. The labor progressed and screams and cries of infants filled the hospital room shortly after.Tears streamed down Susie's face. The doctor wrapped the fragile child in a blue blanket and handed the baby to Susie. A sigh of relief rushes through her as the little boy grabbed on to her pinky finger and didn't let go. This was a special kind of love, something that can only be experienced by a mother and her child for the first time. Susie felt this love the first time she held her son.

Irony 

     Lucy hated everything about Matt. Matt was Lucy's current boyfriend for almost two years. She knew that breaking up with him was a terrible idea, but she couldn't bare the thought of being with him any longer. Matt was clingy, protective, and overbearing. It got to a point where a simple "hello" made her so mad. Lucy had already tried breaking up with Matt, but he just kept coming back. She thought to herself and wondered what the consequences would be if she would just kill him. She knew that this could be permanent solution to all her problems, but she didn't want to deal with the aftermath. So, Lucy thought about this over and over until she figured out a plan. Her plan was to make the murder scene appear to be a suicide and then maybe she wouldn't have to go to jail. Matt had asked Lucy Thursday night to come over Sunday, making it the perfect day to kill him. Sunday quickly approached and Lucy pulled into the driveway of Matt's house and slipped a gun she stole from her friend who was a cop in the back of her pants. She approached the door, knocked, and said:

     "Hey babe" and kissed him on the cheek. 

Matt insisted that she come in and sit down on  the couch. 

     "How was your day today?" he said while filling up two glasses of wine from the kitchen. 

Lucy got up from the couch and turned toward the kitchen. At this point she was sweating profusely. She pulled out the gun and aimed for the back of Matt's head, but missed and shot him in the leg. Matt fell to the ground, screamed in agony for three minutes and then came to a stop. Lucy thought that he was dead so she laid the gun by his chest and wrapped his left hand around the trigger grabbed her purse and began to walk out of his house. She made sure no evidence was left, but before she knew it she heard noise coming from the kitchen and turned around to see that Matt was holding the gun that shot a bullet through her chest and killed her in an instant. 

Pantoum (Original)

Drinking too much.

Making dumb decisions.

Costing my life,

and taking the lives of others,

Making dumb decisions.

Getting into the driver’s seat,

and taking the lives of others.

I thought I was fine.

Getting into the driver’s seat,

everything hazy and unclear.

I thought I was fine,  

beeping and honking surround me.

Everything hazy and unclear,

twisting and turning the wheel.

Beeping and honking surround me,

my eyes closing.    

Twisting and turning the wheel,

hitting something and jolting forward.

My eyes closing,

and I can’t breathe.

Hitting something and jolting forward.

Sirens consuming me,

and I can’t breathe.

I sit there motionless.

Sirens consuming me,

I close my eyes.

I sit there motionless.

Repetitive sounds of monitors in my ears.

I close my eyes,

Peaceful and quiet state of mind.

Repetitive sounds of monitors in my ears,

everything falls silent.

Pantoum (Final)

Drinking too much.

Making dumb decisions.

Costing my life,

and taking the lives of others.

Making dumb decisions.

Getting into the driver’s seat,

and taking the lives of others.

Hesitant of my surroundings.

Getting into the driver’s seat,

everything is hazy and unclear.

Hesitant of my surroundings,

beeping and honking all around.

Everything is hazy and unclear.

I twist and turn the wheel.

Beeping and honking all around,

drifting to sleep.  

I twist and turn the wheel,

hitting something and jolting forward.

Drifting to sleep,
my heartbeat diminishing.

Hitting something and jolting forward,

Sirens consuming me.

My heartbeat diminishing,

I sit there motionless.

Sirens consuming me,

shouts and screams of doctors.

I sit there motionless,

ringing monitors in my ears.

Shouts and screams of doctors.

Clinging onto the little life I have left,

ringing monitors in my ears,

and nothing is to be felt.

Clinging onto the little life I have left,

I close my eyes.

Nothing is to be felt, 

and everything begins to fall silent. 

Dirge: (Original)

As people gather around,

the details of your causality become expound.

Sounds of sobbing fill the small room,

as you sit motionless in the tomb.

Remembering the small details of your face,

this tragedy has become a disgrace.

The millions of memories we had,

recalling all of them and becoming sad. 

You don’t deserve this,

the sadness overpowering me has me feeling like I’m stuck in an abyss.

You were young and had a life to live,

these are the events I will always remember and relive. 

Dirge: (Final)

As people gather around,

the details of your causality become expound.

Sounds of weeping people fill the small populated room,

as you sit motionless in the tomb.

Remembering the small details of your face,

this tragedy has turned into a disgrace.

The infinitive amount of memories we had,

recalling all of them and becoming sad. 

I will miss you more and more every day,

you were happy and beamed like a sun ray.

You were young and had a life to live,

these are the events that I will always remember and relive.  

Triolet: (original)

An unbreakable bond,

lovers, friends, family.

They help us and beyond,

an unbreakable bond.

Surrounded by happiness,

forever making us smile.

An unbreakable bond,

lovers, friends, family.

Triolet: (final)

An unbreakable bond,

lovers, friends, family.

They mentor us and beyond,

an unbreakable bond.

Ringed with bliss,

endlessly making us smile.

An unbreakable bond,

lovers, friends, family. 

 Different Tones

 The dreaded 5:50 alarm clock startles me while I'm dead asleep. I have no motivation to get out of bed and actually get ready. Getting dressed, brushing my teeth, showering, putting on makeup, packing my bag, and sitting in a classroom for 7 hours is nothing I want to do. The whole day i just stare at the clock hoping a miracle will happen and the last bell of the day will ring and i get to go home. All I want to do is sleep and snuggle up with my dogs. School is like being in a prison. I want nothing to do with it.

    The 5:50 alarm clock wakes me up and I can't wait to get up. I hop out of bed more excited than ever to get ready. Getting dressed, brushing my teeth, showering, putting on makeup, packing my bag, and learning for 7 hours is everything I wish to do today. I want to learn new things. I stare at the clock hoping the day won't end. The thought of a new school day gets me more excited for the next day to start.

Distillation

In the AP English Literature and Composition passage, the narrator establishes a subjective tone towards scientists by switching point of views, detailed imagery, and degrading diction. Throughout the narrator switches from first person to second person while using harsh words like “cruel nastiness” with the use of imagery to suggest a tone of unhappiness and negativity. The bitter tone implies that the narrator doesn’t approve of the scientists experimenting on the insects and that they should stop the cruel and inhumane acts on them. This passage was made for the narrator to address his views on scientists jobs being useless compared to people who actually have to work for their living and the harm they are causing to the environment. 

200 Word Sentence

The thought of summer makes everyone around us more happy, no school, warm weather, we finally get to relax, enjoy ourselves while sitting on the hot sand listening to the waves crash on the shore eating the lunch you packed, with your music blasting through your headphones; no more dreadful mornings waking up at 6 o’clock to see a group of people that we don’t necessarily care about, we don’t have to worry about looking presentable, being nice to people even if we are in a bad mood, or worrying about if you studied hard enough for the test you have that day, its finally our time to make it this best time of our lives, we get to go to all the concerts we want, go to parties, read books, go on vacations; we meet new people, people that will be in our lives for a long time; we don’t hold back anything, we just live in the moment;  we enjoy every moment because soon it will be over and the dreaded 6 o’clock alarm clock wakes us while in our deepest sleep once again, but soon it will be summer again and we are able to enjoy ourselves once again.

Dear John and Stacey, 

     I'm writing this letter to you guys, my lovely parents to inform you of the many things that you guys do that really gets on my nerves. Many times during the day I hear my named being called repeatedly "Kate! Katie! Kaitlin!" Everyone knows I don't respond to the name Kaitlin, so I don’t know what makes you guys think I would respond to it when you say it. When I'm in my room I don't like to be talked to or frankly wanted by anyone else. My door is shut for a reason. I like to be secluded from the outside world and hearing my name being called out of your mouth with an angry tone is not going to make me any happier. In all honesty I don’t even want to listen. Why can’t you walk up to my room and ask me? Why do you have to yell from the opposite side of the house? I just don’t get it.

     "Come take the dog out!" I'm more then positive that when we got our dog 6 months ago I stated I wanted nothing to do with him, so I'm confused as to why I'm being yelled at to take him out. Don't get me wrong I love the dog and he's very cute, but I'm not really an outdoors type of person. Going outside in the negative degree weather just so the dog can pee isn't really my cup of tea. 

     "Clean your room!" I'm also a very neat person. Living in dirt is not my thing, but when I suddenly have a singular sock on the floor all hell breaks loose and I’m yelled at. So in response to this I casually pick up the sock and put it into the laundry basket, but clearly that's not good enough and I'm forced to clean my entire room and the upstairs. P.S pretty positive I’m the only child forced to clean the upstairs. I have not witnessed any other child actually vacuum in my life. I really don't understand this because it’s not like I completely messed up my whole entire room or the upstairs by having a sock on the ground. It was a sock, just a sock. 

     "Set the table!" I understand this, but I’m not the only child that lives in this house. This confuses me because how come no one else is told to set the table? Are you trying to tell me that I’m the least favorite child, or something?  I’m more than positive I am the only to ever set the table. No one else, no one, just me. Once again the only child that actually does something!

      The worst of all “Change your attitude!” This really makes me angry. I probably didn’t have an attitude before we started the conversation, so clearly you did something to anger me. Why am I told to change my attitude when you guys give me attitude 99.8% of the time? I’m not deliberately trying to give you attitude. I know you guys are supposed to have the “last word”, but sometimes you’re just wrong, so I have to correct you.

      Don’t think I’m trying to tell you guys you’re bad parents because you’re not. You guys are great parents, you may even be the best in the business, but sometimes you can just get on every single one of my nerves. There are many more things that you guys do that angers me, but for the sake of this letter I wanted to keep it short and simple. Keep this letter in consideration.

Your favorite child,

Katie 

Apostrophe

    It’s been hard after hearing the news about my grandfather’s passing. I use to tell him everything, even if I knew he wouldn’t want to hear and now I feel like I can’t do that anymore. He always managed to make me feel better. I was having a bad day, and needed someone to talk to. I sat in my room and said “Oh grandpa I wish you were still here. I have so much to tell you. It’s been so hard without you these past days. I want my best friend back.” I continued to tell him about my terrible day for hours. Soon after the dark, gloomy, and sad atmosphere surrounding me changed. It wasn’t sad anymore, in fact rather happy. I felt better. He will always be there not physically, but spiritually. I still have my best friend.

Metonymy

     It’s that time of year again.  Pastel colors, jelly beans, Cadbury eggs, warmer weather, and so forth. Kids wake up more excited than ever. They walk around their house finding the treats the Easter bunny left them. They play with all of the gifts they’ve received until their mother tells them it’s time to get ready. The girl always puts on a nice dress and the boy puts on khakis and a sweater. You all file into the car and head to grandma’s house. You crowd around a huge table, tell stories, smile, laugh, and just enjoy the presence of everyone. It starts to get late so you head home and get to bed.

You Don’t Listen To Anyone

     I couldn’t help it. He hurt me. He made me do it. He deserved it. I don’t feel anything but happiness and gratitude. He’s finally gone. I don’t have to listen to his orders anymore. I feel like a free person. Not a bone in my body is filled with guilt. I’m proud, proud of myself.  I finally got the last word.

      His name is Justin Kurt. I hated him. He was a cruel human being. He deserved to rot in hell. He always told me what to do. Who does he think he is bossing me around all the time? Always giving me orders as if he runs things. “Clean the tables. Fill up the customers drinks. Get them their food” he would always say. I don’t take orders from anyone. I’m only here for the money.  I don’t come here for the joy of other people or the snobby customers. One quality about me is I do not take orders from anyone. Never have, never will. I do my own thing; I don’t hide in the shadows of other people, listening to them telling me what to do. Being bossed around by people is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I boycott the idea of people barking at me. So do I listen? No.

     I was having a bad day, but looked forward to picking up my paycheck at his house. I rang his doorbell. He opened it. Handed me my paycheck and said “Tina, this will be your last paycheck. I’m sorry, you have been fired. You don’t listen to what anyone says and that’s a problem. I wish you the best of luck. Goodbye”.  After this statement all my hatred for him began to boil. I was furious, mad, and so many other emotions. I wanted him to never see the light of day again. You don’t listen to anyone. You don’t listen to anyone. It kept replaying in my head. I was filled with utter hatred for this man. No one ever appreciates me and the work I do for them. So why would I be kind?

     I knocked on the door and he responded with:

“Go away Tina, I’m not reconsidering my decision.”

 “Please I just have to tell you something.” I said.

 He opened the door and I punched him right in the nose. I heard a pop and he started to bleed everywhere.

“What is wrong with you?” he screamed.  

“Oh don’t you worry, this is just the start to a new beginning.” I chuckled.

Next, I kicked him right in the gut, knocking him down to the floor with him screaming in agony. I couldn’t help, but smile. I was just getting started. It was like a new person took over my body. I couldn’t control my actions. This is the type of person I’ve been waiting to meet for a long time.

     I walked to the kitchen and grabbed the butcher knife from the drawer. I started to aggressively stab him all over his body, letting out all my built up anger for him. This was my relief after him bossing me around for all this time.  Chopping him into little pieces and leaving him there to rot. Blood was everywhere. On the ground, walls, the couch, and especially me. I looked at his lifeless body on the ground in utter shock at the gruesome crime I just committed. I couldn’t tell if I was mad at myself or if I was happy. I was proud, very proud, but also scared, scared at the consequences I might be faced with. The proudness I had over powered any emotions of guilt I had by a great amount. This was the first time in my life I felt noticed and not hidden in the shadows of a dark restaurant that made at least $500 a week, just being told what to do all the time.

     I couldn’t just leave the evidence all over the place so I began to clean up the mess I made. I mopped the floor, cleaned the walls, and made sure not a trace of my DNA would be left in that house. I looked at him lying on the ground and gave him a smirk and walked out of the house. I got in my car and drove away. It’s been a week and still I’ve heard nothing on the news, papers, or anything. Should I be considered? I don’t know the answer to that. I’m glad I’m not riding in the back of a car with a metal cage blocking me from the driver, headed to an unknown destination wearing hideous orange jumpsuits, that’s for sure. However, a tiny piece of my heart in the deep bottom of my dark soul has an ounce of a kindness that doesn’t show through. Even though I was proud, I didn’t know what to think. How had this crime not made headlines? This is the first murder this town has seen. I wanted fame, fame without people knowing who I truly was. I just wanted the satisfactory of killing a person, so why has this not yet appeared all over the news? This was my time where I could finally be me and not a person no one cared about.

     I thought many times about returning to Justin’s house, but I thought I better not. I don’t want anybody to see me, or leave more evidence if his body was ever to be recovered. This was a smart decision I think.  It was time for a big change in my life. I needed a clean sweep, something different. I changed my name, hair, I moved out of state, and used colored contacts to hide my real identity. It’s been 3 years since I had committed the murder of Justin Kurt and I’m still a free woman. A happy free woman. Still nothing said or heard about the crime. Surprising, don’t you think?

      I got a new job, but that didn’t last long. I worked at a zoo, but apparently letting animals out of their cage to wander around at their own free will isn’t allowed. “This is a safety hazard for the visitors.” I was always told. This job lasted about 3 weeks roughly, and then I got the horrible news, the news that makes my blood boil. “You don’t listen 

Open-ended prompt

      It was Christmas Eve. Fog stuck to the tarmac at Lindbergh field. My family and I were waiting at the terminal for our flight to arrive, so we could board. We were going to go visit my brother in California at his rehab center. My brother Matt has been a heroin addict for 13 years and my sister and I’s present for Christmas this year was being able to visit him after several years of not being able to see him. Seeing my brother and the smile on his face was heartwarming. It was obvious he had gotten much better over the years. We were going to take him to a nice lunch on the beach front as a surprise, but soon realized he couldn’t be trusted. Matt told my family he didn’t feel comfortable leaving the rehab center. My little sister was so happy to see him she stayed behind with him while my mom, dad, and I went out to lunch. There was no doubt in our minds anything bad was going to happen. We went to a restaurant on the boardwalk and watched the waves. I got a hamburger and it was delicious! It was getting late so we decided to head back to the rehab center and get ready for bed at the visiting hotel next door. As we approached my brother’s room we heard a lot of crying and commotion going on. My dad knocked down the door to find my brother crying in the corner and my sister lying on the floor not moving with syringes surrounding her. We called an ambulance and went to the hospital to find that it was too late and my sister had passed because of an overdose from heroin. My brother had injected heroin into my 9 year old sister’s arm against her will. Witnesses had said they heard screaming and yelling coming from the room. “Don’t do this to me stop, stop, stop.” Apparently my brother had connections to get him heroin even while he was in rehab. Many emotions streamed through me. I didn’t understand how someone of the same blood can turn so evil. I wiped my tears and walked off the testifying stand. Replaying the story back in my head only to tell a whole group of people in court made me more upset. The judge pronounced my brother with the death penalty for first degree murder. The last time I saw him was July 27, 2014.

The Plot Sickens Reflection

      After reading the story by Fanny Howe I would be considered one of the many students that would write about a violent crime. "All the others concluded with extraordinary violence." The author stated that many of the students wrote bout violent crimes against the protagonist or other characters rather then about heroes or happy endings. Also, that the young writers just jump into the plot of the story without developing it. She says the reason for violent writings are because of the economy. "The Economy permeates these stories as an absence of courage, mercy, or even interest." In my opinion it is easier to write about the violent acts because you can have range of stories that are sickening and wouldn't hear them often, so you can be original. However, you can also have a range of stories including happy endings and heroes, but I feel as though those can become to cliché and unoriginal. Everyone has heard of the classics "he saved me" in some sort of way. 





                     

 

Self Deprecation: Judgement  

    What is she wearing? Does she think that’s cute? What is wrong with her hair?  These are just some of the questions I ask myself as I look at some people. I’ve always been  one to judge rather quickly. I really try to keep my thoughts to myself, but it’s almost impossible. Stacey a.k.a my mother always makes it apparent to me of what I’m doing. She always adds in these unnecessary side comments like “stop staring. Can you be nice for once?” I mean I’m not trying to be rude, but seriously come on some people’s appearance just baffles me.
      I judge people from head to toe. If I see someone new for the first time there is no doubt in my mind I have found something to judge about them. I have learned to cope with my friends, but people I don't know just some how get on every single one of my nerves with their appearance. I try my hardest to keep my judgmental thoughts to myself, but I really can't no matter how hard I try. This story I'm about to share with you just goes to show the horrific attacks on the fashion world.

     There was a time I saw a woman and her image just stuck in my head even to this day, and I don’t think I will ever forget it. It was terrifying. It was a normal summer day at the mall shopping until my whole day was turned when I saw this woman. I had to take a moment and ask myself if what I was looking at was real. I didn’t know the answer to that. I was frazzled and was questioning society. This woman was around the age of 65 and a complete pickle, just socially awkward. I felt uncomfortable standing in the same room as her especially with what she was wearing. This pickle of a woman was wearing blue bermuda shorts, a yellow tank top, knee high socks with marijuana leaves on them, sandals, and a scarf wrapped around her head with her hair tied in a ponytail. I know what you must be thinking, but don’t fret my friends it only gets worse. Clearly this woman doesn’t watch fashion police. I was hardcore judging her and felt embarrassed for her. I even considered signing her up for the TV show on TLC called What Not to Wear.  

     Not only did her appearance confuse me, but it also made me very angry. How and why? Is all I kept asking myself.  How does one go out in public dressed liked that? Why does a 65 year old have marijuana leaves on her socks? I calmly walked out of that store stunned of what I just saw. I was truly angry as well. In result I took some deep breathes and walked away to another store, but then I got intrigued and walked back into the store after simmering down. I wanted to know what this woman was going to buy, so I went into stalker mode like they do in the movies and followed her around for the rest of the day. Some of the clothes she was picking out and trying on were just heinous. Floral pants with a zigzag patterned shirt? This just goes to show she really needs to go on What Not to Wear. For the rest of the day I just watched this poor women pick out the ugliest of clothing and felt terrible I couldn’t help her. Maybe this wasn’t one of my best ideas because it just kept making me angrier.

     Consequently, if you couldn’t tell I judge A LOT. It’s worse when they’re my friends. Some people just need to understand some fashion items are not meant to be put together. There are so many magazines, books, websites, etc. for fashion. I feel as though everyone should just get free magazine subscriptions so I don’t have to encounter one of these horrific experiences again.  Just writing this essay made me angry. I just can’t stress enough that DO NOT go out in public wearing items that you would wear gardening or just around the house. They’re meant to be left at home for a reason.