A Class Clown: Does Pay His Dues

By Josh Randal

People on the fishing piers
in the Carolinas do see the
beauty of the sun when it rises
before some others do.


Also by Josh Randal

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504955935

Josh Randal

I flunked out of college at nineteen when my folks got divorced. Graduated from high school a member of the national honor society. Left high school with the self-esteem of a flounder but ended up living like Bluto in Animal House. Only male member from both sides of the family that didn’t get a college degree that isn’t dyslexic.

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© 2015 Josh Randal. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/17/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5594-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-5593-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015916953

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

ACT I BORN TO RUN

ACT II ABRAHAM, MARTIN AND JOHN

ACT III OPERATOR

ACT IV FOREVER YOUNG

ACT V WASTED WORDS

ACT VI WAITING ON A FRIEND

ACT VII THE BITCH IS BACK

ACT VIII HOTEL CALIFORNIA

ACT IX BREAKFAST IN AMERICA

ACT X STAY

ACT XI ALICE’S RESTAURANT

ACT XII HONESTY

ACT XIII ALICE’S RESTAURANT (PART 2)

ACT XIV OLD MAN

ACT XV ONE NIGHT STAND

ACT XVI DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO

ACT XVII FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

ACT XVIII ONE TIN SOLDIER

ACT XIX LEAN ON ME

ACT XX TAXI

ACT XXI ROCKY RACCOON

ACT XXII R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Slightly humorous story written as a screenplay for anybody that has been abused and never really came to terms with such issues. Jails and institutions across America are filled with people that have ‘father’ issues. It’s been written in a fashion for those with reading difficulties. Perhaps as suggested in places earlier.

HISTORICAL DISCLAIMER

Randal Peterson, the son of a principal during the sixties and seventies, Roy E. Peterson Jr., was committed to a State Mental hospital during the winter and Christmas of 1983. He didn’t have any insurance at that time. All people, incidents, timing of events are strictly fictitious. Many characters were developed from a previously known book as A Shorter Pier. People will always choose to believe what they choose to believe.

FOREWORD

A CLASS CLOWN Does Pay His Dues

This is my second book that I’ve written. I’d like to impress you about telling how much of an instant success I had become. However, the jury is still out on that one. I know that great works of art have a recurring theme to it. If you had read it, A Shorter Pier then you know a Father never gives up on loving his son.

This story I’ve put together for you is about family. The house I grew up in had so many secrets. Recovery however means coming to terms with such issues. My father told me once that I had been running my entire life! I couldn’t argue with him. For I had been. It really isn’t what a person runs to. Be it drugs, alcohol, work or other forms of an pleasurable escape. Even insane asylums. However what a person is running from.

I use to jokingly say to people that funerals and weddings are the only family reunions I ever knew growing up. My father always found himself in being a pall bearer at these events. It was always a matter of honor for him. The take charge person when horrific miserable events occur. There was another horrific family reunion in my life. An alcohol drug overdose, suicide attempt, on my part. After two to three days of a painful fog, seeing all members of my family was the last thing I desired in life. I was only 25 years old. I had rationalized it for another 25 years with the belief system that I was simply a product of my environment. I had to be the sick one so my daddy could be well.

Yes, I was trying to come to terms with a delusion of grandeur. Supported by certain events of my youth along with the timing of my commitment approximately 15 months earlier. Was experiencing a social disease and going through a relationship with a married woman.

I wish to thank a certain Aunt on my mother’s side of the family. She witnessed my baptism after my mom died. Thank-you for your support. Your most memorable words were to start thinking for yourself and start doing simply what is best for yourself. Also, explaining the purpose of psychiatry to me. To bring something out of you so you can productively deal with whatever it is that haunts you. Keeps you from being a better and more productive person in society.

Before that moment, psychiatry meant popping pills and talking about how good I felt. Then buying a twelve pack of beer and hit the drug dealers’ house before heading home. I was clueless as to what growing up meant..

‘We can easily forgive a child who

is afraid of the dark… The real

tragedy of life is when men are

afraid of the light.’

PLATO

A grave is just an open ditch, until someone starts placing dirt on top of you.

Remember this saying when, or if others ever give up on you. It’s never to late to reach out for help. Each day can be a new beginning for your life.

DEDICATION

God only knows that I’ve done my share of mudslinging in my life. If you enjoy mudslinging of other people’s character, someday, you will see where you have burned your own bridges. Not others. I write this book for my dad’s foundation. The children of our nation are this country’s future. I hated ‘Honor thy Mother and Father’ growing up with the abuse that happened. Towards me, themselves and others. The thing about abuse, alcoholism, abuse of power, drug addictions is that if things go unchecked or unnoticed. It only gets worse. I wish for a better future for the children of this country, than my upbringing.

I write in a style that is easy to read and imagine in one heads for visualized messages. So certain people can realize they can survive what this world throws at them. Particularly those that had an abusive upbringing. Together. We the People, will make it.

If anything I ever have done in my life that has kept one person from taking a drink, illegal drug, popping a pill, or picking up a gun in rage. Made them laugh, think twice about the consequences of their actions or simply ask for me to pray with them. Then my purpose for mankind has been fulfilled.

This is dedicated to Stella Robin… May the courage in your heart, always feed your hopes and dreams.

Famous Quotes

Beer, the cure and cause of all problems.

Homer Simpson

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.

John Adams

The jaws of power are always out to devour the freedom of speech, independent thinking and writing.

Thomas Jefferson

… I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lords side.

Abe Lincoln

Sooner or later, the Americans always do the right thing.

Winston Churchill

I cast for lots while they pierced His side, but yet I’ve seen love conquer the great divide.

Bono

JOSH RANDAL

(In the Making)

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Born with my Mama’s smile,

And my Daddy’s gun…

(Who knew that a relatives brief encounter with Bobby Kennedy, a few years earlier, could create such turmoil in a young mans’ soul and family.)

Image24455.JPG

Young Josh Randal in training here. Heard he spent some time down below the border, Mexico way. ‘Cisco Kid’ was a friend of his.

To all Brothers and Sisters, time has a way of forcing us all to grow up sooner or later.

Life goes on… I Love You…

Image24463.JPGImage24981.JPG

Randy’s mother’s side of the family when young and older. Change is inevitable as time passes us by. Why not try to change for the better? Check the haircut by the young lad above. See what he became below. Definitely within military regulations as a youth. All teenagers and youth do rebel against authority in their own way.

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ACT I

BORN TO RUN

OPENING SCENE

Mid 1950’s era. Bathroom with old type basin tub with legs on it. Tall blonde skinny but very pregnant woman has started a bath. Two year old child shirtless, sitting on throw rug playing with toy construction trucks. Mother installing powder from a box with Mr. Bubble on it. She turns to child. Childs hair is short, military type buzz cut.

SOUND

Water running. Mother claps hands together.

MOTHER

O.K. Ray it’s bath time!

RAY

NO!

Child gets up. Starts to turn, make his escape. His mother grabs his arm.

MOTHER

Hold on there you little rascal.

CAMERA VIEW & ANGLE

Close angle of mother talking to child. Child laughs while mother undresses him. Waist up of child is seen with frontal view of mother. Ray, still holding toy in hand. She kicks her own flip flops off and puts her foot into the tub.

MOTHER

SEE! The water is not too hot, nor too cold. Just right. When daddy gets home from work, we’re going out for dinner. Can’t having you looking like a refugee from the sand box now can we?

Mother picks up child and sets him in the bath. She reaches for the faucet and turns it off. Splashes the water.

MOTHER

See all your favorite toys are here and Mr. Bubble came to join the fun.

Mother reaches for towel on rack. Dries her hands. She looks at the towels.

MOTHER

Have fun! Be back in a minute. Need some clean towels for my dirty little rascal.

Child giggles. Picks up toy. Looks at it and splashes tub water. Mother leaves scene.

CAMERA FOCUS

Child in tub. Turns his head. Watches mother leave. Mischievously smiles.

SNAPSHOT

View is of content mother. Humming a song to herself while she goes through the hallway closet looking for clean towels.

CUT TO

View of a mid 50’s squad car parking at a busy residential intersection.

NEXT VIEW

Two police officers talking to one another inside the squad car.

OFFICER #1

What are we parking here for?

OFFICER #2

According to the traffic department, vehicle accidents have risen here by 40 per cent with in the last year. The mayor asked the chief if these were isolated incidents or urban neighborhood growth in my district. Told him I’d look into it.

OFFICER #1

Didn’t know analyzing traffic stops was in our job curriculum against crime.

OFFICER #2

‘To Protect and Serve’ covers a fast area in our society.

Officer #1 nods with approval.

OFFICER #2

Besides, it is advantage to one’s career that when the man asks you a question, you can give him a fact time based researched answer.

OFFICER #1

If they are that concerned about it how about making it a four way stop instead of two?

OFFICER #2

Good idea, I might use that later.

OFFICER #1

Things improving with your wife there at home or what?

OFFICER #2

Pretty much same ole stuff. She keeps claiming we don’t ever talk like we use to. Have fun anymore.

OFFICER #1

Sounds like she wants some more time or attention. Have to keep those home fires burning you know.

OFFICER #2

She knows I love her. I mean. I gave her four children. Lately it seems like she just wants to give them back.

Officer #1 starts laughing.

OFFICER #1

Who am I to talk about woman that you marry. My wife’s migraines always seem to crop up now at the most impromptu moments.

NEXT VIEW

Bathroom with mischievous child in tub. He starts to climb out of tub. Soap suds on child.

CUT TO

Humming mother in hall closet getting towels. 2-1/2 year old soaked child darts across hallway in background. Mother closes door. Slowly walks back to bathroom. Stops at bathroom door.

SNAPSHOT

Little wet footprints with suds on floor.

NEXT VIEW

Mother looks into bathroom. Drops towels. Chase is on.

MOTHER

RAY!

CAMERA ANGLE & VIEW

Camera angle is from floor. Focus is on black Labrador retriever laying on rug. Dogs head turns as soaked child enters room. Child runs by the dog and camera. Dog gets up and follows. Pregnant mother enters room.

SOUND

Slamming of screen door. Mother stops. Shakes her head. Lives a deep sigh. Starts moving as fast as she can by the stationed lowered camera.

NEXT VIEW

Barefoot Mother standing by screen door at porch.

MOTHER

Ray! Chipper! Stop!

CAMERA VIEW & ANGLE

View of front yard is from the porch. Angled downward. Child and dog are running on the grass. The right hand side of a cross type sidewalk. Dog stops turns and looks at camera. Child turns head just to see if he’s noticed. Giggles and keeps moving toward public sidewalk. The lab turns, catches up and runs with child.

NEXT VIEW

Child is running with dog at his left hand side. Pregnant mother in background, camera in front. Mother shouts. Dog panting looks up at child. Title, main actors displayed on screen. Lettering appears above rear view of child and mostly dog.

MOTHER

Get back here! You got a bath coming, MISTER!

SOUND & ANGLED VIEW

Car traffic noise. Three are approaching the corner of the block. Busy street lies ahead. View is behind them. Cars passing back and forth. Mid 50’s squad car at intersection. Parked across busy street. Child and dog reach corner of street. Mother stops in her tracks. Screams! Grabs here head.

SNAPSHOT

Pregnant mother standing fills screen. Panic sets in.

MOTHER

No!

NEXT VIEW

Dog and child at busy intersection. Dog instantly darts in front of child. Nudging his head against child’s chest. Knocking child over onto the grass next between the curb and sidewalk. Dog barks. Child starts to cry. A parked police squad car can be seen in the background.

CUT TO

Mother approaches him. Dog is between child and street. Barks. She picks up child. Holds him. Consoles child. A hand pointing at the barefoot expectant mother can be seen extending from a 50’s black and white squad car.

SNAPSHOT

Black lab fills the screen. Has apprehensive look. Lowers head slightly. Eyes look up. Wondering if he’s done wrong or right here.

NEXT VIEW

Mother holding child on hip. Reaches down. Scratches and strokes dogs head.

MOTHER

It’s O.K. Chipper. Good dog.

Mother straightens up. Looks at intersection with cars passing by. Gets a focused look at the squad car.

CUT TO

View of patrol car with two officers in it. Just laughing with the driver pointing at her. Hand out the window.

OFFICER #1

Ohhh… There is your answer for your wife. Like the old saying says – ‘Keep ’em barefoot and pregnant!’

OFFICER #2

Trust me on this! We are through on having children!

BACK TO PREVIOUS VIEW

Pregnant mother turns around shaking her head. Pats the side of her leg and speaks as she starts walking.

MOTHER

Come on Chipper! Let’s go home. Want to go home and take a bath now Ray?

Child nods. Pregnant mother, holding naked wet two year old and dog start walking into the camera. Black lab is on the left hand side of the two as they walk.

SCENE ENDS

NEXT VIEW                (present)

Randy is wearing a camouflage Australian outback hat. Formed into a a cowboy hat. Worn, held together with a few symbolic pin on sayings of his political views. A memorable message to him for friends and what he believes in. (God, Guts & Guns; Eagle clutching the word TRIUMPH, POW flag for Vietnam vets, etc.) Hair is down to his shoulders, grayness in beard. Wearing an old #50 A.J. HAWK Green Bay Packer Jersey. Has a book in his hand as he enters a Social Services center / human services building.

SETTING

Lobby of clinic. Clerks and secretaries behind glass partitions at desks. Room is half full of various people at all different stages of recovery. He speaks with a clerk.

CLERK

May I help you?

RANDY

Hope so. My name’s Randy. Here’s my license and card of insurance. Got a letter stating that I have to see a new therapist. Here.

He hands her the envelope.

CLERK

Have a seat. Your Social Worker will be with you in a little bit. She’s running a little behind but she’ll see you.

Randy turns and goes to the lobby. He sees an elderly black man sitting next to his wife, wearing an Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboy jersey. #22 on it. He goes to sit next to him.

RANDY

May I sit here? Or is ‘The Ice Bowl’ at Lambeau Field still a sensitive topic with you?

Huge man smiles and laughs.

COWBOY FAN

Go ahead and help yourself my friend. That one goes way back.

Randy sits down next to him.

RANDY

Have to admit that this is NOT the place to get into an argument or dispute over sports with somebody. You know what I mean?

COWBOY FAN

Just how far back does that go?

RANDY

‘64’ or ‘65’. I remember the game. Not the year. We just moved to Wisconsin. Had to shovel snow for an entire block so we could go to the house that had the only color T.V. in the neighborhood.

COWBOY FAN

Well if you saw that. I’m not even going to try to convert you to ‘Americas Team’.

RANDY

Things sure have changed since then.

COWBOY FAN

Sure have. Think of how many color T.V.’s, flat screens, curved screens, whatever. See now where you can even get football games on your own phone.

RANDY

How true. Back then if you weighed 250 pounds they made you into a lineman. Now a days they have 300 pound linebackers.

COWBOY FAN

Things do change in time.

RANDY

Read an article about how your team was going to play us in the playoffs once. Team said they could bring all family members to Dallas for the road game and stay at the hotel. When Reggie White’s told his family this, his own son got real excited. Claimed Emmit Smith is going to run all over you daddy! He’s the man!

The two laugh.

RANDY

Out of the mouth of babes, huh?

COWBOY FAN

Yeah well, seemed like a sharp kid to me.

The view and conversation is interrupted by a fully dressed deputy sheriff escorting a handcuffed man in an orange jump suite up to the window.

RANDY

Wow, that brings back memories.

COWBOY FAN

Looks like it’s pretty much over for that guy.

RANDY

You never know. Therapy and recovery can be a short dance or a long one.

The guy looks at Randy.

RANDY

All depends how long it takes for one to see the real problem that lies within one’s self.

COWBOY FAN

I’m talking about society. Human beings can be forgiven. However society, internet, three strikes and you’re out! Society isn’t.

RANDY

Can’t argue with that. That was me about thirty some years ago. My parents would rather think I had a mental issue than get honest with anybody about anything. Things I was doing. Things they were doing. I guessed it looked better for the family. Fat dumb and stupid was a good cover up for all things. As for myself, I just wasn’t ready to admit to anybody the street drugs I was into.

Awkward pause between the two. One is reminded that he really doesn’t know who he’s sitting next to. The other realizes that he may be sharing to much of his own dirty laundry.

RANDY

Doesn’t help being hauled away stark naked either. Wrapped with two blankets, holding a military rifle that symbolically represents the killing of a former president.

Cowboy fan turns and gives him a serious look. Randy glances back towards him.

RANDY

Nor standing in front of a judge the next day and claiming the word is ‘PARTY!’ God wants me to say this. Christmas is coming and he wants everybody to PARTY! Party on Christmas.

Cowboy fan starts stirring in his seat.

RANDY

Don’t concern yourself about it. Happened over 35 years ago. It’s all in this book I wrote. Withdrawals from speed and alcohol, can really create some serious problems. Can really mess with your head. Besides the gun was unloaded.

Randy holds the book up, shows it to him.

COWBOY FAN

You wrote that?

Randy nods.

COWBOY FAN

Never met anybody who wrote a book. Sounds like to me you’ve learned some hard lessons in life.

RANDY

Have to. Or you’re doomed to repeat them. It’s what makes America, America. Anybody can write a book. Freedom of press, freedom to express ones views or opinions. Make a record of one’s faith, or events as to what they grew up with. When I was in college once I saw a book that has stayed with me forever. The Wit and Wisdom of Spiro T. Agnew.

COWBOY FAN

What made it so special?

RANDY

Had over two hundred of nothing but blank pages.

The two start laughing.

RANDY

I feel sorry for the youth of today. The potency of street drugs these days are far more potent and addictive than they were thirty, forty some years ago. Not to many realize how much that stuff can really mess with your emotions. Withdrawals.

Randy sighs.

RANDY

It can blind ya of the realities of life. About what really is going on inside your heart. Heart, mind and soul.

A young therapist comes out of the glass partition offices. Walks across the lobby as the law officer escorts the person to certain chairs across the room. She goes up to the elder football fans.

THERAPIST

Randy, I’m ready to see you know.

Randy nods. Gets up and has his book in hand.

COWBOY FAN

Take care of yourself, you ole’ Packer Backer!

RANDY

Likewise. May your ‘Boyz’ do well this year - unless they run into the old ‘Green and Gold’.

SNAPSHOT

Cowboy fan speaks to himself silently. Then the scene ends.

COWBOY FAN

Always knew them people from Wisconsin were half brain dead.

Person sitting next to him adds.

PATIENT

Freezer brain. The collateral damage from that ‘Ice Bowl’ game has probably warped a few brain cells.

NEXT VIEW

The setting is of the therapists room. Paintings, couch, lounge chairs, desk with her laptop computer on it. Randy sits down and spots a bible on top of the end table. Next to the couch. Framed sign that states, I would rather believe in a God, Than not believe in a God all my life; Then die and find out there was one. Randy feels at ease, seeing all this.

SOCIAL WORKER

Sorry about not seeing you earlier. We do get backed up here at times. My name is Ruth.

She offers her hand. The two shake hands.

RANDY

That’s alright. I know your workload here is tremendous.

RUTH

So what brings you to us and how can I help you?

Randy looks at her and smiles.

RANDY

Ever since the age of fifteen all members of my family have told me that I need psychiatric help. I ran away from home and later was diagnosed as being bi-polar. I remember my junior year in a hospital my mom telling me that because of the privacy act and some things that happened in family. I’d need to see a therapist for life. Grew to be an alcoholic, drug addict, have a delusion of grandeur. Social services to this day even keep telling me that I have to come and see you all. So I’m here.

She nods.

RUTH

Did you come from an abusive family?

RANDY

Not as abusive as others. I’m in my late fifties now. Going on thirteen years without a drink and I haven’t done street drugs since I got baptized. Turns out I have an emotional blackout, with my parents. It deals with pornography, teen age masturbation, and homosexuality.

Randy hands her a copy of his book.

RANDY

Here, I wrote the truth about me and my father. I grew up with abuse, but never really knew what abuse was. As a child though I thought my mom suffered the most.

She looks at it and places it in her desk drawer.

RUTH

Are you taking any meds?

RANDY

Just some pills for blood pressure and high cholesterol. Heart issues.

RUTH

Part of what we do here is distribute medications to those that need it. There are people who have chemical unbalances in their brain that we do need to treat frequently.

RANDY

I understand that. However the medications are just an aide to recovery. Not the total solution sometimes. The purpose of psychiatry is to bring out whatever it is inside you that torments you. Don’t get me wrong here, I’d might be dead if I didn’t have someone to talk to about these things I grew up with. I mean not dealing with such issues, pretending things didn’t happen?

Randy kind of disgustedly grunts.

RANDY

That can create more problems than certain events themselves.

RUTH

Explain yourself.

RANDY

If I’m a creature of habit, which I am. I’m due to make the same mistakes over and over, until I learn or find another better way. I gave you that book for a reason. Three weeks after the incident with my dad and mom I ran away from home. Since then I’ve been on psych meds all my life. The doctors told me I couldn’t even talk correctly. So this chemical imbalance in my brain pops up. My family has used that to cover up many things. Mostly shut me up. False family pride. Honor of the mother and father type thing. Look, I now know what my own delusion of grandeur is all about. I can’t run from it anymore and worse yet if I go back on the pills I’ll forget it all over again then repeat the stupid things I’ve done before because of it. I have an awareness and an insight into my parents, family and myself now that I never had before. I think that’s good.

RUTH

It is. What awareness is it about your parents that you have?

RANDY

That they both had to deal with the memory of that ‘incident’ between us for the rest of their lives just like I had to. I had to quit all sports in High School because of this. My dad put me into the hospital just because I told him I wanted to quit football my Junior year. Spring training, two a day practices. Suppose to eat before I take meds-help with nausea. My salt intake had to be monitored, coach is pushing us to run and take salt tablets so we don’t cramp up. Throwing up my corn flakes. Everybody telling me to suck it up and be a man. I try talking to him about this and two three hours later I’m in the hospital. Randy’s depressed wants to quit football. Doctor has to see him. He saw me once in that thirty day stint. I come home and there is a letter of interest from some small school asking me to consider playing football for them. I hadn’t even played one set of downs on Varsity and this shows up. He didn’t even have the courage to go to the hospital and bring that letter to me and my doctors. Talk to me about it.

(pause)

So as far as the psyche meds go. I have a right to know what they are going to do to my body, my temple. Besides, there is an 1978 Federal Act that states every patient in a hospital has the right to refuse medications until informed of not only the purpose of the drug but also whatever side effects that may occur.

She gives him a look like this kid is trouble.

RANDY

It’s like this. After my mom died, my doctor put me on a new drug called Narvain or something like that. For over twelve years I installed and repaired garage doors for a living. I knew my job. When I was on that type of drug. I couldn’t even think about the simplest repairs. My mind went blank. I lost my position over it and all anybody would say is you have to take your pills.

RUTH

It is what we tell people now. However I do believe that your body is a temple for the truth.

RANDY

That posting by the Feds was something I saw on a wall when I was committed by the courts. I think ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ had something to do with that posting.

RUTH

It also opens up a dialogue between the patient and Doctor that can be so beneficial in therapy. Growth in recovery is a two way street.

RANDY

I’m glad to hear that from you. I see you have a bible there. Do you read it or believe in what it says?

RUTH

At times. However I think many different interpretations can occur from it. It can say many things to many people.

RANDY

That’s the beauty of all scripture. My baptism did something to me that I really can’t explain to others.

RUTH

Like what?

RANDY

My head stopped hurting when things started coming back to haunt me about my past. After that, I truly believe my therapy started to progress. In a sense I started to take charge of my own recovery.

RUTH

We call that coachable.

Randy laughs out loud.

RUTH

What’s so funny?

RANDY

Read my book and you will understand.

RUTH

Well the purpose of this meeting was to get to know you a bit and try to set up some goals for you.

RANDY

I’m writing another. Hope things go better with it than the last one.

She turns and starts typing into her computer.

RUTH

I think writing another book is a tremendous goal. I’ll be putting that into the system.

RANDY

When you read it. Remember, I faced total abandonment from family on this. The military chaplains in my family. An Islamic woman gives me the Quran on a job site after the twin towers fell. It’s all true, with the theme that ‘Our Religious Freedoms’ is what makes this nation great, kind of fell apart when I called certain people.

RUTH

How’s that?

RANDY

Things happened when I asked for the war records of my Grandfather and family. See if some of the stories my father and mother talked about before they died were true or not.

RUTH

So you come from a military family?

RANDY

In a sense. I would have loved to put my mom’s fathers photo that is in the 1949 Naval Academy Year book in it. But my family chose to remain anonymous. Had a full page lay out on him. Don’t worry, all the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty ones at the time.

RUTH

All I can say is, you certainly aren’t a teenager in high school any more.

Randy nods.

RANDY

Thank God for that. My grandfather was the senior theologian at the Naval Academy when Israel was formed.

RUTH

Did you ever marry or have any children?

FLASHBACK                                (Hospital Scene)

SCENE        &        TIME

Psychiatric Hospital. Nice facility in northern Wisconsin. Has to handle with all types of cases. Alcoholics, drug addicts, emotional and psychiatric issues for children within the foster program. Main lobby has various tables, lounge chairs, connected to two adjacent rooms. T.V. lounge and a minor kitchen with a refrigerator for snacks, drinks, etc. Randy is playing cards at a table with some other juveniles, teenagers. A nurse approaches the rummy playing children with another child, twelve year old, at her side.

NURSE

Kids, this is Lonnie. He’s going to be with us for a few weeks and has never been in a facility like this. Can he sit