DISCLAIMER : I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS ..BUT LIKE AUTHOR OF -REUNIFICATION- I WOULDN'T MIND OWNING ERIC STOLTZ.
REVIEWS: PLEASE REVIEW ..FEEDBACK WOULD BE HELPFUL.I CAN TAKE CRITICISM AND OPEN TO SUGGESTION. FEEDBACK PLEASE !!! NEED HELP WITH DIRECTION TO TAKE THIS..GETTING CLOSE TO GSA EPISODE AND PLAN ON CONTINUING PAST EITT.
CHAPTER SUMMARY: FRAGMENTS..PIECES OF MISSING TIME/LOST EPISODES MAYBE?
EMAIL; jeanl2@sympatico.ca
THE MAN IN A SHELL
Lunch hour.
August Dimitri bent down feeling for his Rubbermade lunchmate plastic square and finding it. A stack of papers lay ready on the desk for correction..another working lunch. He adjusted his tie ever so slightly loosening it and looking up he found he was no longer alone. Grace walking past in the hall had seen a glimmer of red hair at the desk and entered. A smile spread across his face, as it always did however involuntarily.
A.D- Hey..
G- I'm not interupting you am I? I just thought maybe if you had time you could look at one of my stories , it's new and..
D- Certainly.
With a movement of the arm he gestured for her to come in. Over in the corner by the window there was a second wooden chair on rollers very much like his own. He rose to get it and swung it up to the desk.
D- There we go. Now where is this next promised installement of the Grace files (jokingly) and do I need to be sitting for this one?
He had become rather used to Grace's unexpected entrances and exits in his life. In the beginning it had been just another required duty. Or had it ever been that? But the more the frequency the more he found he came to anticipate them. He had always acknowledged the attraction from the first- now analyzed, evaluated and safely directed. A square peg in a round hole maybe, but the role of mentor fit it had to. Like had found like. With a laugh and smirk Grace put her backpack on the chair and produced the story.
G- It's long but once I got writing I just couldn't stop I guess.
D- Hmm ....and isn't that our goal?
Dimitri had moved back behind his desk. He picked up his Rubbermaid and thermos and moved them around to other side of desk , pushing his chair at same time over to sit on same side as Grace.
D- Are you staying? Because I do like to hear the explanations from the writer directly. It intrigues me you know why this decision was made to go this way and at this time and not another...
G- Well if that's an invitation...or is it a challenge.
D- Maybe both.
He read her story. What you Need to Know. It was good. It was written in a modern style a departure from some of her other work and the effort, the lack of familiarity evident. Unpolished ...
G- It's good. What is it?
The question interupted his train of thought. Intruding, challenging,demanding acknowledgement not unlike the speaker.
D- Hmmm...The story you mean?
G- No the cheese (raising her hand to show a piece of white cheese). I mean I hope you don't mind.
D- No I'm sorry I should have realized you're missing your lunch. Please help yourself. It's Edna -South American I think. It has bite but I like it.
She watched as he read. Two small creases began to form on his brow between the eyebrows.
G- I know that it isn't what I wanted to make it...
D- No story ever is.[ Sighs and stands shaking the pages] But this.. it's a machine. It creaks. It never made me forget for one instant that it was a story. So it isn't a story.
G-[Standing up defensively] I was trying to write something very true to life.
D- And that's why it fails. You see Grace, we all see life through an illusion- even the most disillusioned of us. That's why things aren't convincing if they're too true to life..
He had started to move closer but stopped realizing she was no longer listening. Her eyes were hurt..she looked downwards and looking back up the eyes were now decided. Fascinated he watched.
G- It's just. It's like when I write I feel something - something that's beyond words- any word ,all words and it always seems to escape when I try to grasp it. [Slowly ,thinking] But at the same time it's like it leaves something [ she reached to touch his hand] in your hand that you wouldn't have had if you hadn't reached for it.
He averted his eyes, his eyes so very blue. Slowly words formed.
D- I know...
A woman entered the class room. Mid thirties. A blond(dye job?). A collegue, a teacher.
-August I didn't see you in the staff room and I waited especially....[she stopped seeing Grace]
Grace quickly stepped back and Dimitri also.
G- I should go ....I mean I need to go to my locker ...
Quickly she left.
~********************~
That night he reread the story. His feet up on the coffetable and Paul Simon playing in the background.
"Get back on the bus Gus
Don't need to discuss much
Make a new plan Stan.."
Yes the initial feeling was still there. He went to critique it -writing quickly thoughts flowing for half a page then stopping. The pen hovered at the end . It couldn't be Mr.Dimitri it seemed too formal somehow, but August? No never August. He left it blank. No signature this time. It wasn't needed..not yet.
~*******************~
The Next Day..Second period
Mr.Dimitri read aloud from Henry James. Leaning against the desk book in hand:
"So we circled about with terrors and scruples like fighters not daring to close. But it was for each other we feared. That kept us a little longer suspended and unbruised."
D- Now what is it here that the narrator means. What does he fear for himself and Miles? [the question lingered ..unanswered ] Anyone?
Mercifully the bell rang. He started to look in his satchel. Running his fingers through his hair pushing it back. Backpacks zipped, talking- some laughing until only 2 or 3 students remained. Alexa of course was still there he noticed..she always took her time. And the essays.....Good God it made him laugh to himself. Always references to illicite relations with figure of authority- although never teachers ..no that would be too much. Subtlety thy name is Alexa. This time the chuckle escaped him. Grace still there looked up. Alexa's eyes narrowed. He suddenly felt the need for action and with a finger indicated to Grace to come over.
D- Grace I have your paper. Take a look at my suggestions and get back to me. There's a lot of ways you could go with this but hear me when I say it's not without promise.
G- I don't need you to lie to me. I mean if you don't like it fine. I never have been porcelain have I [She reached for her paper].
D- (Abruptly] Grace.
~***********************~
All day it bothered her though. She had read the comments and they were not bad- constructive even. She had never liked leaving things unresolved and too many things in her life were already filed in that folder. And it couldn't be like that, not with him. After classes ended for the day she went back to find him.
He had already locked up the class and was heading down the hall. With a look and intake of breath they fell to walking in step.
D- Grace ,have you ever read the Glass Menagerie? It's a play by Tenessee Williams and the whole thing is centered on a memory.
G- I don't think I've read it. I thought you always lectured to avoid stories of memory and stick to facts. Referenced and supported facts at that [ with a laugh].
D- Maybe sometimes I don't always realize what it is I'm saying.
They had reached the auditorium. The door to back stage. The lights were dim only I ray of light clearly visible.
D- My records. I never did pick them up after the play. [ Smiling ] I never did quite convert you to Linda did I ?
G- [ with larger smile] I don't know. Maybe. Somethings grow on you after a while. I still remember it you know.
D- Remember what ?
She started to sing. He froze. And standing there the light striking her hair she sang. It was different from the play..a different voice and yet the same. A woman not a girl? He realized he had stopped breathing- breath damn it breath. Beautiful.
"But I can't understand please God hold my hand
Why didn't you look after me
And it's only love, and it's only love..
When he said nothing- she stopped.
G- I know I'm no Jessie.
D- (Angry) Why is it always Jessie. When you look at someone is it always in comparison to something else. I'll tell you what when I look at someone ...when I look at you- It's only you I see.
G- Oh...
She looked at him oddly then and turned abruptly to present him with her profile.
G- I see , I mean I was silly not to have seen it.
~*****************~
That night driving home. Chris Isaak.
"I know somebody and they cry for you
they lie awake at night and dream of you
i bet you never even know they do
but Somebody's crying
i know somebody and they call your name
a million times and still you never came
...somebody's trying."
The tears flowed.
REVIEWS: PLEASE REVIEW ..FEEDBACK WOULD BE HELPFUL.I CAN TAKE CRITICISM AND OPEN TO SUGGESTION. FEEDBACK PLEASE !!! NEED HELP WITH DIRECTION TO TAKE THIS..GETTING CLOSE TO GSA EPISODE AND PLAN ON CONTINUING PAST EITT.
CHAPTER SUMMARY: FRAGMENTS..PIECES OF MISSING TIME/LOST EPISODES MAYBE?
EMAIL; jeanl2@sympatico.ca
THE MAN IN A SHELL
Lunch hour.
August Dimitri bent down feeling for his Rubbermade lunchmate plastic square and finding it. A stack of papers lay ready on the desk for correction..another working lunch. He adjusted his tie ever so slightly loosening it and looking up he found he was no longer alone. Grace walking past in the hall had seen a glimmer of red hair at the desk and entered. A smile spread across his face, as it always did however involuntarily.
A.D- Hey..
G- I'm not interupting you am I? I just thought maybe if you had time you could look at one of my stories , it's new and..
D- Certainly.
With a movement of the arm he gestured for her to come in. Over in the corner by the window there was a second wooden chair on rollers very much like his own. He rose to get it and swung it up to the desk.
D- There we go. Now where is this next promised installement of the Grace files (jokingly) and do I need to be sitting for this one?
He had become rather used to Grace's unexpected entrances and exits in his life. In the beginning it had been just another required duty. Or had it ever been that? But the more the frequency the more he found he came to anticipate them. He had always acknowledged the attraction from the first- now analyzed, evaluated and safely directed. A square peg in a round hole maybe, but the role of mentor fit it had to. Like had found like. With a laugh and smirk Grace put her backpack on the chair and produced the story.
G- It's long but once I got writing I just couldn't stop I guess.
D- Hmm ....and isn't that our goal?
Dimitri had moved back behind his desk. He picked up his Rubbermaid and thermos and moved them around to other side of desk , pushing his chair at same time over to sit on same side as Grace.
D- Are you staying? Because I do like to hear the explanations from the writer directly. It intrigues me you know why this decision was made to go this way and at this time and not another...
G- Well if that's an invitation...or is it a challenge.
D- Maybe both.
He read her story. What you Need to Know. It was good. It was written in a modern style a departure from some of her other work and the effort, the lack of familiarity evident. Unpolished ...
G- It's good. What is it?
The question interupted his train of thought. Intruding, challenging,demanding acknowledgement not unlike the speaker.
D- Hmmm...The story you mean?
G- No the cheese (raising her hand to show a piece of white cheese). I mean I hope you don't mind.
D- No I'm sorry I should have realized you're missing your lunch. Please help yourself. It's Edna -South American I think. It has bite but I like it.
She watched as he read. Two small creases began to form on his brow between the eyebrows.
G- I know that it isn't what I wanted to make it...
D- No story ever is.[ Sighs and stands shaking the pages] But this.. it's a machine. It creaks. It never made me forget for one instant that it was a story. So it isn't a story.
G-[Standing up defensively] I was trying to write something very true to life.
D- And that's why it fails. You see Grace, we all see life through an illusion- even the most disillusioned of us. That's why things aren't convincing if they're too true to life..
He had started to move closer but stopped realizing she was no longer listening. Her eyes were hurt..she looked downwards and looking back up the eyes were now decided. Fascinated he watched.
G- It's just. It's like when I write I feel something - something that's beyond words- any word ,all words and it always seems to escape when I try to grasp it. [Slowly ,thinking] But at the same time it's like it leaves something [ she reached to touch his hand] in your hand that you wouldn't have had if you hadn't reached for it.
He averted his eyes, his eyes so very blue. Slowly words formed.
D- I know...
A woman entered the class room. Mid thirties. A blond(dye job?). A collegue, a teacher.
-August I didn't see you in the staff room and I waited especially....[she stopped seeing Grace]
Grace quickly stepped back and Dimitri also.
G- I should go ....I mean I need to go to my locker ...
Quickly she left.
~********************~
That night he reread the story. His feet up on the coffetable and Paul Simon playing in the background.
"Get back on the bus Gus
Don't need to discuss much
Make a new plan Stan.."
Yes the initial feeling was still there. He went to critique it -writing quickly thoughts flowing for half a page then stopping. The pen hovered at the end . It couldn't be Mr.Dimitri it seemed too formal somehow, but August? No never August. He left it blank. No signature this time. It wasn't needed..not yet.
~*******************~
The Next Day..Second period
Mr.Dimitri read aloud from Henry James. Leaning against the desk book in hand:
"So we circled about with terrors and scruples like fighters not daring to close. But it was for each other we feared. That kept us a little longer suspended and unbruised."
D- Now what is it here that the narrator means. What does he fear for himself and Miles? [the question lingered ..unanswered ] Anyone?
Mercifully the bell rang. He started to look in his satchel. Running his fingers through his hair pushing it back. Backpacks zipped, talking- some laughing until only 2 or 3 students remained. Alexa of course was still there he noticed..she always took her time. And the essays.....Good God it made him laugh to himself. Always references to illicite relations with figure of authority- although never teachers ..no that would be too much. Subtlety thy name is Alexa. This time the chuckle escaped him. Grace still there looked up. Alexa's eyes narrowed. He suddenly felt the need for action and with a finger indicated to Grace to come over.
D- Grace I have your paper. Take a look at my suggestions and get back to me. There's a lot of ways you could go with this but hear me when I say it's not without promise.
G- I don't need you to lie to me. I mean if you don't like it fine. I never have been porcelain have I [She reached for her paper].
D- (Abruptly] Grace.
~***********************~
All day it bothered her though. She had read the comments and they were not bad- constructive even. She had never liked leaving things unresolved and too many things in her life were already filed in that folder. And it couldn't be like that, not with him. After classes ended for the day she went back to find him.
He had already locked up the class and was heading down the hall. With a look and intake of breath they fell to walking in step.
D- Grace ,have you ever read the Glass Menagerie? It's a play by Tenessee Williams and the whole thing is centered on a memory.
G- I don't think I've read it. I thought you always lectured to avoid stories of memory and stick to facts. Referenced and supported facts at that [ with a laugh].
D- Maybe sometimes I don't always realize what it is I'm saying.
They had reached the auditorium. The door to back stage. The lights were dim only I ray of light clearly visible.
D- My records. I never did pick them up after the play. [ Smiling ] I never did quite convert you to Linda did I ?
G- [ with larger smile] I don't know. Maybe. Somethings grow on you after a while. I still remember it you know.
D- Remember what ?
She started to sing. He froze. And standing there the light striking her hair she sang. It was different from the play..a different voice and yet the same. A woman not a girl? He realized he had stopped breathing- breath damn it breath. Beautiful.
"But I can't understand please God hold my hand
Why didn't you look after me
And it's only love, and it's only love..
When he said nothing- she stopped.
G- I know I'm no Jessie.
D- (Angry) Why is it always Jessie. When you look at someone is it always in comparison to something else. I'll tell you what when I look at someone ...when I look at you- It's only you I see.
G- Oh...
She looked at him oddly then and turned abruptly to present him with her profile.
G- I see , I mean I was silly not to have seen it.
~*****************~
That night driving home. Chris Isaak.
"I know somebody and they cry for you
they lie awake at night and dream of you
i bet you never even know they do
but Somebody's crying
i know somebody and they call your name
a million times and still you never came
...somebody's trying."
The tears flowed.
