Air Plays

By T K Wallace

In a sampling of stage and screen-ready projects, T K Wallace shares fourteen episodes within four sections.

In the roadhouse story, Just Off the Highway, Wallace offers insight into the lives of diverse characters who conduct as much daytime community business as they do nightly drinking and dancing. In Free Lance Writer, Wallace shares one-act plays set in Central Park West where a young hawker sells fiction and nonfiction stories for a living, his efforts boosted by an interesting ploy to lure his buyers. The Genie Journals offers an intriguing idea that genies can improve humankind by granting worthy wishes. In Crockers, Wallace profiles a low-country family comedy set along the Carolina line where boiled peanuts and bottles of moonshine help make each day a little better.

Air Plays is a volume of entertaining writing ventures that profile eccentric characters creatively addressing life, each in their own whimsical way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Aug 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665726825

T K Wallace

T K Wallace has been freelancing since college, writing everything from news to menus. Air Plays is the fourth book in an elemental theme preceded by Water Songs, Earth Tales, and Fire Signs.

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Copyright © 2022 T K Wallace.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue

in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

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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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Interior Image created by Jerry Harris

AU photo by Joel Caplan

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2681-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2682-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022912499

Archway Publishing rev. date: 08/11/2022

My father Ted Wallace was a man of extra ordinary fascination. Before I was born I learned that he had many adventures that lead to a life full of happiness, trials, stubbornness, moments of clarity, devious mischief, and a silver lining in all sad moments to be optimistic.

As a father Ted used many opportunities to teach me about peculiar subjects that captured his interest. He imparted many gems of wisdom that I try to pass on due to their universality. He always let it be known that as long as I tried my hardest and never quit I was never a loser. But most importantly my father opened my eyes to my potential not only physical but mentally. He always encouraged me to reach for the stars and to strive for personal accomplishment over flashy awareness.

My father was a man of a blue collar code but a mind in the clouds while he walked on a rainbow pier toward a silver sunset to sail away while reading a book tucked away in his pocket.

-Martin Wallace

In memory of my brother Ted:

He was a happy baby, a curious toddler, a mischievous teen and a fearless young man. He had a life of travel and adventure and never met a stranger. He was again a curious man, not the best husband but Loved being a father.

This book was his last. He finalized it the day he died. His goal was always to be a published writer. He thankfully had reached that goal 3 times before he passed. This 4th book we finish for him.

See Ya Someday

Love Ya

Rainy

In memory of Ted

Ted Wallace gentleman giant. The exploits of his storied life abound in these shorts. A penchant for engaging conversation as well as the organization of a good mentor. We reveled in life’s absurdities, bemused the tragedies. Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, employer, Hudson pilot, technical director all churned into writer of these chronicles. As true as Water, Earth, Fire and Air can move you - so is his legacy.

John Lance Harrison

CONTENTS

Just Off The Highway

Pilot and 5 Episodes

Free Lance Writer

Pilot and 4 Episodes

The Genie Journals

Episodes 1, 2, & 3

Crockers

Episodes 1 & 2

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JUST OFF THE HIGHWAY

PILOT

CREATED AND WRITTEN BY

T K WALLACE

THE ROAD HOUSE VENTURES

The concept, scripts, and other text you are about to read are the intellectual property of Wallace Enterprises Inc. The following Pilot and Episodes of The Road House Ventures, titled, Just Off The Highway were conceived, created, and written by T K Wallace. Copy right established in 2021.

BT; Big Tom is an Osage half-blood Native American from the southwest Missouri region. He is a big man with a full head of gray hair and a mighty sense of humor who carries a horny glint in his eye. He usually dresses in loose comfortable western attire.

EG; Estrella Garcia is a good looking Latina lady who works at Big Tom’s Roadhouse as Head Waitress and Talent Wrangler. She is in her mid-forties and quite spry for her age. She is a fourth generation Garcia girl and has one daughter.

Jimmy Landers is head bartender and manages the restaurant referred to as, The Camp. He also answers incoming calls and takes reservations. He thinks he is there to keep Big Tom out of trouble, but often causes as much as he prevents.

Ricky Johnson is the head of food and beverage. He is an effeminate man on the edge of Gaydom, but not quite out of the closet yet. He is definitely Bi and a great cook. You will always find music p[laying in Ricky’s kitchen.

Louise Hamilton is the head of Special Events at the Road House. She is a large African American woman with an even larger sense of humor who loves to dance. She is voracious in the pursuit of her job and sees the Road House as a home away from home.

Obidiah Savage is the Chief Technician who has helped build and personally wired every device in the Road House. His central control room can view and manipulate every Microphone, Camera, and Screen in the Road House.

Pam is prime techno assistant of the studio variety.

Elmo is a quiet middle aged stage hand.

Stevie and Al are investment bankers.

Bubba and Jocko are State troopers.

The Pak Ratz, the house band. Jake, Sister, Doug, and Olaf rock the place

Big Tom’s layout starts with The Round Up parking lot out front. With dimensions of 200 by 300 feet it is large enough to hold out outdoor events like cook off or car shows. The Camp is the entryway Bar and restaurant, Meeting rooms Up Yonder and Down Home flank the Camp and open out onto The Round Up. Stage One and Stage Two flank the kitchen and Audio Visual central control room. Loading docks for the stages, kitchen, and AV control are in the rear running along the Back Alley.

image2.jpg

(We open with Blue Grass music comin’ from a dashboard radio. We see the interior of a pickup truck, and we slide up to see the Big Digital Billboard)

BIG TOM’S ROADHOUSE

Today

The Cowboy Camp Cook Off

All Contestants in the Round Up at 12pm for the Start Up

Awards & Free tastings around Sunset

Tonight Only

Pickers and Grinners

BIG Banjo and Guitar Contest

Toss Outs 7–9pm Final Round Up by 10pm

House Band PakRatz Backing the Best

Keep The Cover, You’re In!

Come On In, or Smile as You Pass On By. We’ll See Y’all Soon!

(The truck turns into a big parking lot known as The Round Up. We cut to a birds eye view of the Cowboy Camp Cook-off underway with a couple dozen cook sites spread out in an orderly grid. Out by the big Digital Billboard we see two Harley Hawgs circling.)

(We watch a couple strolling toward the entrance. We now see the interior of a bar and restaurant, the name CAMP beams over the space. A stage set up is happening under the supervision of a crusty wrangler.)

Big Tom

Let’s have 4 Mics on stands with four stools along here. They all four sing and play. So, give me four direct inputs each so all their instruments are hooked in too.

Hey Jimmy, how ‘bout some house music in here,

(Audio in the Camp comes up)

Central, you copy? Hey Obie, are those remote control, Puppy Cams wired in yet?

(POV cuts to the Puppy Cams, pannin’, tiltin’ and zoomin’ in on the Wrangler. He sees himself on multiple screens and smiles)

Thankee Boys and Girls, Let’s all have some fun tonight.

(Big Tom turns and sees three men in suits waiting to speak with him.)

Jimmy

Hey Tom. Your party is here. And there’s more bikers cruising out front again. I think I saw my cousin Shiela.

(They both look for Shiela)

(Cut to major domo Estrella Garcia, Stella, as she speaks to her staff)

EG

Ok listen up, tonight we’re havin’ Square dance practice in the Up Yonder.

(Cut to a shot of the sign Up Yonder and the room with a couple of square dancers.)

They’ll need 2 long tables, two along each wall, 2 pitchers of water on each, and a dozen glasses per table. Beginners training will happen Down Home.

(Cut to Down Home sign over the door and younger dancers)

The groups will rehearse their moves for a couple of hours, and then take drinks and food in the Camp afterward. At that point you’ll all work in there.

(Switch to Ricky, the Head Cook in kitchen addressing his staff)

Ricky

Just now we all have a few hours off. Thank you for the excellent support in today’s Cowboy Camp Cook Off. Same staff for tomorrow, your call is 7am.

(audible moans)

Yeah, okay, I know it’s the crack of butt for some of you. But we’ll be back on nights after this one is over. And hey, it’s easy overtime.

(Back to Estrella)

EG

I will need you 6 servers to take care o’ this evening. 3 to serve the audience during the big pick off, 2 for serving the contestants and judges, and 2 for covering square dance practice.

(Cut to Big Tom who is taking another glance out front to see more bikers. He turns to see bankers and cops. A uniform and a suit approach the bar together)

AL

Afternoon Tom; Jimmy. We just stopped by to see yer set up for some pickin’.

BT

Oh Yeh? Damn fine to see ya Al. You and all the boys here makes me feel real nice. I didn’ know y’all were country fans.

AL

Well Tom, anytime there’s this much reaction to something new, it interests everybody here ‘bouts. Heard yer goin’ out live over yer old radio station. That’s some good thinkin’.

BT

Part of the plan from the get go actually, but yeh, we think it’ll work, thanks. I was afraid folks might stay at home tonight. We got a good crowd anyway.

AL

This afternoon too.

(He waves around the Camp)

About half these folks had entries in the Cowboy Camp Cook Off. I’m entered ya’ know.

(Two bikers come in the front door, they take a look at the State Patrol uniform, look at each other and leave. The uniform follows them out.)

Stevie

And half of them folks at dance practice are entered too.

Bubba

Hell Tom, you got half the county here, and yer gathering quite a few bikers in the parking lot.

BT

Boy’s let’s get down to it. Come on over here and grab a chair, Jimmy, give us some cups and a pitcher of lemonade over here.

(Big Tom leads them over to table in the corner.)

Bubba, it’s nice to see you and the other peacekeepers out here. Makes us all feel safe. Don’t worry, we’re giving out free coffee later to the stragglers and the designated drivers.

(Jimmy serves)

Stevie, I happen to know you don’t care for country or blue grass. But I’m sure glad to see you here protecting the bank’s investment by checking out the business.

Bubba, you helping protect the citizens here guarantees that Stevie won’t be disappointed. We got a good many church folks out there in the Round Up for the Cook Off, and in dance practice too.

(We see some Square dancers greeting some more people who have just arrived)

Boys? You say I got half the county out here and that disappoints me. We were shooting for the whole county! But I hope we got the rest of them listening in.

(They all try to speak at once. Al takes over.)

AL

Tom we’re all glad, real glad, you got the place up and runnin’. But we have some concerns about the effect it’s gonna have on the other meeting places here about. We were wondering if you shouldn’t slow it down a little. We’re concerned, well, that you’re taking off too fast.

(The group all nods in agreement. Big Tom speaks his mind)

BT

Yeh’ I think it’s good you’re concerned. When a new neighbor comes along, everybody already there has to move round a bit, in order to accommodate what’s gonna happen.

But I’ll tell you something. I wouldn’t worry if I were you, this is an Apples and Oranges comparison. We ain’t no threat to those places, and those places ain’t no threat to us.

They can’t do what we do. And we don’ wanna do what they do.

Besides, we went through all this in those extra zoning meetings y’all put me through. Remember? That’s why I’m out here on the county line instead of closer to town.

And, you know what, those zoning rules turned out to be a good thing, right? Out here, I got room to grow. Ya’ll got to make room to keep growin’ right where you are, right boys?

(Tom passes the finger food and Jimmy pours the lemonade)

Now, I got to make sure the rest of the evening gets on as good as we started. We got some good music in the next room. I’ve got to say hi to a couple of VIPs. We were lucky enough to get some of the State Arts Council to help judge this thing.

You’re all welcome to make yourselves at home anytime you want to stop on by.

(Big Tom Stands shakes a couple hands nods to Jimmy and exits)

AL

That went well.

Bubba

He’s right you know.

Stevie

This place is gonna be a goldmine. Too bad he’s not sellin’ shares.

(They stand to leave as Tom speaks to Obie in the control room)

BT

Central? Let’s start the room by room. I’m on my way to Stage 1.

Obie

Gotcha Boss.

BT

I’m entering Stage 1.

(We see a long room with a stage at one end with chairs stacked along both sides. Tom moves on and speaks from the stage.)

Can you see me and hear me on Stage 1?

Obie

Yes Boss. Puppy cams and audio are on line.

(We see a musician looking at BT on a screen in stage 2)

Jake

Hey Tom. I’m on stage 2. I see you here. Audio is good.

(We see Stage 2 on screens in Stage 1)

BT

Hey Jake. I got you here too. Okay. Let’s see and hear from the Camp. Jimmy?

(The screens in the Camp come into view, we all see and hear Big Tom. On Stage 1 Jimmy steps in front of a camera and waives as it refocuses itself)

Jimmy

I gotcha five by five in the Camp Tom. Obie let me see Stage 2.

(the screen switches)

BT

Okay kids, this evening’s event is a straight forward Pickin’ contest. Now, let’s See, Obie we’ll a few Puppy Cam presets.

Let’s start with the MC standin’ right here at the Mic. Lock that. We’re spiking this as Puppy Cam 1. Right here Elmo.

(A stage hand, Elmo, puts down an X in white tape.)

(We cut to the parking lot where we see a poor reaction from afar. Stevie is waving an arm and a big biker dismounts to glare at the Road House entrance. Stevie begins to depart. Louise chases down the others waving an Pad)

BT

(Directs remote control camera settings as we see him on screen)

The band from here to here, PC 2,

(Elmo spikes as Tom steps sideways. We see a remote control camera track him)

PC 3 here

(Elmo moves on his direction and the camera shots follow zoom focus and lock.)

PC 4 is here.

(On screen he is followed and framed. Elmo spikes all locations.)

PC is 5 the stage wide shot, and PC 6 is the audience. Who’s our operator there?

Pam

(Smacking gum as she keys her microphone.)

Pam.

BT

Hey Pam, So PC 6 should be a wide shot with audience.

Pam

Gotcha, BT, they’re locked in.

Obie

We got all of the positions spiked and locked Tom. And, you want Stage 1 camera and audio feeds to the Camp and the Judges in Stage 2 right? Plus, just for extra fun, we’re goin’ outbound, right?

BT

Damn skippy. We’re live on WBTR AM at 8pm, and streaming live across the Road House website. And here’s something else. Occasionally, let’s see some video of the judges on screen in the Camp, watching and listening, only keep the audio comin’ from the contest.

Central

Copy that. Live audio to WBTR at line level. Live video with audio from Stage 1 to Camp and Stage 2 screens. Audio levels in house can be set room by room.

BT

Good job Obie. Be sure and tell the PakRatz they’re gonna be on Video. Maybe they’ll come up with something like those rigs they had for the ZZ Top contest.

(POV cuts to central control, which is filled with screens and consoles)

Obie

Copy Big Tom, Central is standing by, and listenin’ for your voice just above 50 decibels.

(He says to Pam)

He is hot to trot. Getting out of that radio station and into this Roadhouse was the best thing he’s ever done. I think he’s getting younger.

Pam

Bout time we got another full test out of all this great gear. Been waiting.

Obie

(singing)

‘It’s been a long, a long time comin’. [¹]

Pam

Neville Brothers? Whose idea was all this?

Obie

Yep Nevilles. You pegged it, Yellow Moon

This idea, this place, is Tom’s mostly. He said he could see where Live was headed and wanted to be out in front. Talked to several radio syndicates and found the Osage Family and their network. Somehow, they made it all fit.

Pam

I heard it was an even up swap.

Obie

Not even, a radio station is worth a lot more than a broke down old Road House. But Tom got the best of it. He went whole hog on the renovation and then a found bit more for this system we’re ridin’.

Pam

And WBTR is live on this one?

Obie

Yep, Audio only. Our website is streaming audio too.

Pam

Why not Video too?

Obie

To keep the customers coming here. Video on the net is our next card to play. Tom’s talking with Google … or was it Apple, maybe it was Amazon. That would make it Ama-Goo-pple.

Pam

That would put Big Tom out in front again. Speaking of whom-

BT

Obie? I got the dinner time band for the Cookout folks. Y’all set up right here and just talk to Obie at Central as if he were right here,

Obie? This is Merla and the Haggards? Funny right? Say Hi Folks.

Obie

Yeah Yeah, good.

(He keys his mike open)

Welcome Merla, and them Haggards. Go on and plug in and we’ll do a test before you go on.

(The band plugs in and start to play, Mountain Dew for the sound check)

Obie

Gotcha, five by five. Each player and the vocalist. Are we recording this all for y’all? We can do audio and video.

Merla

We’d love to have a copy of whatever you run for the House. But, I can’t afford what you got in mind to sell me here. A camera wide shot with full audio? No can do.

(Cut to BT and Estrella Garcia lookin’ at each other and smiling.)

BT

Hey