This story is loosely based on Shirley Jackson's 1948 short story The Lottery.
You can Google, "Shirley Jackson, Lottery", and read the story, in its entirety on
various websites for free. I was always intrigued by a story set in the modern era
that it was written in, yet the simple townsfolk seemed to cling to their spring time
tradition with their simple means and a belief in superstition versus what is
right vs. wrong. The story is set in the 40's, but the tiny town of
Point Place that accepts some forms of modern existence (like cars, grocery stores,
indoor plumbing, heat, for some), there is an acceptance of doing things just the way
"their great-grandfather's have done." Women have a certain independence,
they are able to drive for errands, those who work are Spinsters, who after age 23
are not allowed to be married, they can vote in Federal Elections (since 1920), but
cannot vote in local contests.
What characters like things just the way they are, who would change things if they
could, who know how to work the system, and who have petty rivalries with each
other, and are all not just a bit hypocritical?
And who is come to come out of this whole thing with no soul left?
The wardrobe is modern for the era, with Jackie being able to dress the most fancy
due to Hyde having the most wealth of the main characters. I pictured the old film
photos of a 1939 post Wizard of Oz Judy Garland and Rita Hayworth for her hairstyle.
The girl next store who can be glamorous when the situation calls for it.
It was a challenge to write a semi-mainstream, position in authority, religious, Hyde,
(who still hates the federal government) but it was a fun challenge.
All men have short hair. There is also an
accepted racism in the air with Fez being the only non-Caucasian in town.
Economic classes don't mix socially except for Sunday church services, Harvest
Day, and other church sponsored activities. The exception are the Hyde and
Forman families due to being close since childhood. The dialogue (and some of the
text around it) is kept in a certain tone on purpose, repeating of phrases to show the
monotonous daily existence of these people who only seem to come alive during
Harvest Day, the only one who talks in what might be termed proper from a
grammatical perspective would be Jackie because of being sent to an all-girls
boarding school until she reached 13 years old when her parents took out so
she would be available to be married when she reached the age of 16,
the legal age to do so.
Based on their religious views, no one smiles in their pictures, including wedding
photos. There is a sadness to the salt-of-the-Earth characters that they rarely
smile period, except on Harvest Day. It is a common trait amongst the locals (sans
Laurie)
male and female, both, to purse their lips after some of their conversations, as if they
all want to ask for help, but are afraid of the unknown to do so, except for "the
oddball", Bachelor Michael, who is more jubilant than most, while he takes part in
the events, does not obsess over Harvest Day like the rest of the people in the town.
Fez silently thinks they are all crazy, except for his friend Michael.
The real farm communities are in Osh Kosh and Kenosha. The only crops grown in Point Place are
vegetables from the backyard gardens. The Mayor's Wife and Jackie are the ones that like to boast that they
have a farm on their property because they each have 2 chickens and sell some of the eggs for profit. There
is also a cornfield across from church, each section belonging to a family.
Main Characters:
The Hyde Family:
Steven Hyde, Assistant Supervisor at Goodson's Textile Plant, married to Jackie,
they have a son and daughter. They make sure their kids are sent to Jackie's
cousin, Spinster Carla, in St. Louis a month before Harvest Day. Have the best
backyard garden/farm, the only residences allowed (apart from the Mayor) to have
chickens, so they can make a profit. Everyone else has a garden in their backyard.
Will Steven pay the ultimate price for not being able to turn down a dollar?
The Forman Family #1:
Red Forman, Owner of the local barbershop, married to Kitty, father to Laurie and
Eric. Laurie is a Spinster who is sent to work at Aunt Pearl's dairy farm in Osh
Kosh, she usually only comes home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Will Kitty's secrets be revealed?
The Forman Family #2:
Eric Forman, line worker at the textile plant, married to Donna, no children. Best
friends with Steven Hyde.
Will Eric respect a last request?
Others:
Michael Kelso is the celebrated town bachelor, who finds ways to make money off
the town.
Helping him is Fez, who the locals fear when they aren't making jokes at his
expense. Michael used to go out with Jackie when she went to the local high school
before being courted by Steven.
Preamble
Saturday Walk to the Grocers
1945
The Hyde's were the envy of mostly all in Point Place. The backyard farm and garden were thriving. It was two
weeks after Harvest Day and they had the best pickins' in the neighborhood. It was Saturday morning and it was
7:00 a.m. and Mrs. Steven Hyde, with the first name of Jackie, was buttoning her white smock from Mr. Lilley, the
butcher, at the grocers. She couldn't get her pink dress dirty. They were the only family, apart from the Mayor
who were allowed to have chickens as part of their small backyard, so they had the distinction of having both a
garden AND a farm on their property. The eggs had to be taken to the grocers as the store was closed on
Sunday, the Lord's Day. There was the note placed on the side of the basket that was lined in red gingham cloth,
in Steven's neat printing in #2 pencil, .25 per egg, cash, unless otherwise noted. Jackie's favorite part of this
weekly ritual was when she was able to take off her smock, put it in the washbasin that was outside by the
double basement doors, and go for her walk to the grocers. Steven always said that "boastin' be okay, once in
awhile, the neighbors need to reminded where some of their goods come from."
Donna, who fixing her white gloves, while she clasped her years old white handbag shut, greeted Jackie; she
was standing by the front gate of her house so they could walk to the grocers together.
Donna was slightly envious that Jackie had a nice pink spring hat. Eric said a woman only "be needin' a white hat
for goin' to church."
"Mornin', Jackie."
"Morning, Donna."
Jackie thought she was 1000 times smarter, and a 1000 times prettier than her best friend.
The town was still talking about Harvest Day from a month ago. Sometimes, it seemed that that's only all the
towns' folk spoke of.
"Widow Hayes is causin' problems." Donna enjoyed the walking, it was more freeing than being allowed to use
Eric's black DeSoto for the weekly grocers trip on Tuesdays.
"Her section of corn across from the church now belongs to Steven and me."
The sections were done in order of the properties and her husband was the winner of the lottery, the corn could
no longer belong to a single, senior widow.
"She knows the rules. It's all done fair and square, as Eric likes to say. It was a wonderful Harvest Day! Oh, how
I enjoy the day so!"
Donna's arm still had a bandage on her elbow when a stone accidentally hit her during the Harvest Day Ritual.
Dr. Wilson came by the house and "bandaged her up real good." It was a fine day, a fun time was had by all, the
rains came two days later, and it looked like this summer's crops would yield a bountiful harvest.
"I'll ask Steven, if we can give her some corn. Look, there is your Mother-In-Law sitting on the porch swing."
Jackie knew she just wanted to see her walk by in her frilly frocks every Saturday morning.
"Mornin', Kitty." Donna walked ahead
"Hello, Girls," Kitty barely looked at Jackie, "I don't suppose you have time to come in."
"I have to bring the eggs to the grocers, but you can Donna, I'll stop by and walk you home."
"You can't walk alone," Donna advised, even Kitty nodded her head, "We women folk have to be careful with
that foreigner around."
"I'm so glad bachelor Michael looks after him and gives him odd jobs to do." Kitty said putting her hand over her
heart. Her right arm still hurt from all of the throwing and cooking on Harvest Day.
"Can we see your garden on the way home?" Donna asked
"Sure."
"Our garden AND farm is wonderful!" Jackie added to taunt Kitty, "We also have 2 chickens, we make a profit
from selling some of the eggs, and now we are getting the Widow Hayes' section of the corn field across from
the church. But we'd love to see your little, quaint garden, Kitty, when Donna and I get back from the grocers.
Good day."
Kitty smiled and waved on the outside, but felt something rise up in her on the inside. She needed to get started
on her homemade chocolate chip cookies, they were voted best at the 4th of July picnic, if she was going to send
a basket over to Eric's and to give Red some with his lunch. She also wanted to make her miniature banana
bread for all of the neighbors.
It was not wise for a woman to be sitting on the porch without her suitor or husband, so Kitty walked quietly
back inside her house.
Jackie and Donna continued their short walk to the Main Street, Loudon's Grocery Store was right in the town's
center.
The women folk who were joined by their men folk for Saturday shopping knew to walk behind their husbands.
Bachelor Michael was selling lollipops in his beat up red Radio Flyer wagon for .3 outside the store; they weren't
allowed to sell inside by the giant red gum ball machine because Fez wasn't allowed inside.
"Hello, Jackie." He took off his pageboy hat out of respect.
"Hi, Michael…you know Steven doesn't like me talking to you. Have a nice day."
Donna opened up her purse and took out a nickel, "I'd like an orange lollipop."
"They're really for the children," Michael whispered, "But Fez, give Donna one anyway."
"Here you go, Mrs. Forman, an orange sucker."
He refused to give her the .2 change.
"Have a nice day." Donna said while walking inside the store to join Jackie.
"Thank you, Mr. Loudon," Jackie said to the store owner, who looked like a Jimmy Stewart type, she put the 3.00
in her purse, "Have a good day."
Donna waited until they left the grocers so that no one else would hear, "You made three whole dollars!"
"Every week. We'd make even more money, but we keep two dozen for us." Jackie replied as if the marriage
were truly equal.
"You'll have even more money when you acquire the Hayes' corn lot."
"I know. I hope I can get another dress….."
"You just got indoor plumbin'," Donna was somewhat jealous, how come Jackie got to have so much? Eric
promised that it would happen for them next year.
"It's become more of a necessity and less of a luxury."
Jackie noticed a few of the town's teenage male population grabbing rocks by the church. It was nice seeing
them play something else, something less violent besides cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians.
Let them reenact Harvest Day.
Boys Will Be Boys.
Where could the harm possibly be in that?
"You're lucky, Jackie. Do you think Mom will be cross with me if I don't stop by to visit to see her garden? My
stomach isn't feelin' very well."
"I would just call her when you get home. Did you finish all of your morning chores?"
"Yes. I'll just take an aspirin. I'll be needin' to fix Eric's lunch."
"I'll see if I'll be able to check on you later," Jackie said as they stopped at Donna's front gate, "If the aspirin
doesn't work, call Dr. Wilson."
"I will. Goodbye, Jackie."
"Bye, Donna."
Jackie was happy; she had 3.00 whole dollars in her purse.
One always felt a sense of relief when they were in the safety of their very own home. Steven was in his den,
the door closed, which meant no one was to disturb him including her.
It was 8:45 according to her real gold watch. She took off her hat and put it on the hooks in the entryway, she
tucked her white gloves (they were "invisibly" monogrammed JH in white thread, a trend in the big cities!)
in her brand new purse.
How Donna could walk down the streets with a purse that was 5 years old was beyond her.
It was all about appearances — and keeping them.
"You're back," Steven said, opening the sliding door of his den, he noticed the empty basket at her feet, "How
much did you get for the eggs?"
"3.00" She handed him three crisp one-dollar bills.
"Good," There was no kiss, not in the doorway, not where people could see, "I'll be goin' to the bank on
Monday."
"I was going to make some chicken soup, Donna doesn't feel very well since our walk to the grocers."
He seemed to think about it for a minute, but it was only 3 seconds.
"I suppose it's okay, make a batch to freeze, no sense in wastin' any."
Steven went back to his work as Jackie thought what outfit she should change into when she paid Donna a visit.
She was certain that Donna would love to see her new light yellow silk scarf; it was imported from Paris, France.
It had a horse on it, but first she had to make the chicken soup.
The Hyde's were a blessed family and Jackie knew that they always would be, because apart from the Mayor and
R.M. II who operated Goodson's, of all the residents, they had the most money.
Author's Note: Thanks to Marla's Lost for encouraging me to put this story up.
I never put them in an established author's existing work and in this time period.
This is quite the challenge, but I'm having fun with it. I hope you like it. Please review and join our '70s fan
fiction forum, URL will be in the reviews section. Thanks.