Adam's Novel

By Joseph Barone

Adam Ferro, a young salesman that just learned he has cancer. Under the advice of his therapist, he chooses to take the opportunity to do the number one thing on his bucket list- write a novel.

He creates a character also named Adam, who is everything that he is not. He's smooth and smart and great at everything. Great things happen to him. Not so with the real Adam.

Both Adams eventually have tragedies punctuate their stories, with a hopeful twinge about "living their remission to the fullest."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joseph Barone
• Release date: Sep 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310012297

Joseph Barone

I'm a Brooklyn author with many different likes and styles of writing such as fantasy, Scifi and other speculative genres, horror, etc. I have a passion for the act of writing and a beautiful family, each of which make me paradisiacally happy. My first novel, Harold the Imp, was published last year and I'm currently in the process of working on a sequel. My family is why I write, and they have always been extremely encouraging. I'm in the process of making things happen in the publishing space and looking to grow my brand bigger and better. To that end, I've been putting a couple of things on Smashwords for free so that readers can get a sampling- something that says, "If you liked that even a little, you'll LOVE what this guy can do with his pay books!" That last part was a little cheeky to ensure you were still reading. If you'd like to connect to collaborate, network, or are interested in an editor, ghostwriter, ?pen pal? - Then email me at [e-mail]

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Adam’s Novel

Copyright 2015 Joseph Barone

Published by Joseph Barone at Smashwords

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ACT I

Scene 1

Adam Ferro, 31 is having a session with his female psychologist, Dr. Melanie, 32. They begin in the middle of the session. He's sitting across from her on a comfortable yellow couch. Dr. Melanie looks speechless. The lights slowly come on from the darkness.

ADAM:

So...what do you think, Dr. Melanie?

DR MELANIE:

I...I really don't know what to say, Adam. First off, I am very very sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Just from a personal standpoint, I've known you for a few years and I feel for you. My heart is breaking for you- I can only imagine what you're going through.

ADAM:

Yeah. Thank you. To be honest, maybe I'm just stunned or something, but I feel numb about it. It doesn't feel like I have cancer at all. The oncologist said I'm not symptomatic, and it's small anyway. There's a 95% chance of remission. I don't care whether you're good at math or not- those are good odds. So it feels like not a big deal. You said first of all. Was there a second of all?

DR. MELANIE:

Well yeah. Like I said, I've known you for years. Not to mention that I knew you as a kid. Not well, but still, I knew you. Call me Melanie, not Doctor Melanie.

ADAM:

I keep forgetting to drop the act. I know you do tell me that a lot. But I can't help being a salesman. It's my job. If I can't shmooze you, I can't interact with you at all.

DR. MELANIE:

It's all a put-on, huh?

ADAM:

Yeah. I'm like a parrot or a robot. Or Pinocchio. When will I be a real boy, Melanie?

DR. MELANIE:

Well, I'm well aware of your fear of missing out on life, going too much on autopilot, not mattering to anyone. Being flimsy, I think you called it in one session.

ADAM:

Yeah. That's right. That particular fear, though. That's the central keystone of my personality. That fear of going through life like a ghost, not really being present...that's me. You can't describe me without describing my fear of not mattering.

DR. MELANIE:

And yet you've been dating a beautiful girl with great personality and sense of humor for the past five months. Ashley, right? Either she needs glasses or a seeing eye-dog, but she doesn't seem to look right through you like a ghost. She seems to love the hell out of you.

ADAM:

It would seem so, huh? I just don't get it. That's another fear I have.

DR. MELANIE:

Losing her?

ADAM:

No, actually. Or, not just losing her. More than that. Losing her because she finally figures me out and doesn't like what she sees. I'm afraid she'll see me for the incomplete puzzle that I am and be completely turned off. Hating me for me.

DR. MELANIE:

Look, I'm a doctor and I've been doing this a while, Adam. And it's the people with the deepest...loathing of themselves that seem to be the brightest, most interesting people. You're like an unlit beacon with a lot of kindling. If you got the damn thing to light, you'd be as bright as the sun. But as it goes, you're too afraid to show up to the party and dance.

ADAM:

[Pause] Well, thank you. We've only been together for five months though. I'm not sure that I want to tell her about the cancer yet until I get better.

DR. MELANIE:

You've scheduled a date for the surgery?

ADAM:

In about two weeks. They're going to keep me there for surgery and then radiation and chemo to make sure they got everything.

DR. MELANIE:

Are you working at the sales office until the surgery?

ADAM:

Actually, no. I'm off from work starting this evening. I'm taking my disability. My company's really good with taking care of us like that.

DR. MELANIE:

[Smiles] So, this is the perfect opportunity to help make yourself more real. All great people in history had something major to overcome. They were ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. [She pushes him in a friendly way] And you're an extraordinary person to begin with.

ADAM:

Again, thank you Melanie for your kind words. But how am I supposed to make the best of things in these few weeks?

DR. MELANIE:

Live for once. You want to be real, be solid- then DO something. You've been going on and on about how, if you had all the time in the world, you'd be a fiction writer. That's your calling. Well, this is the perfect chance to do that. You're off for two whole weeks, and that's plenty of time to get started. It's also very therapeutic to get a narrative going, especially while you're going through something difficult. Write about...well, write about you.