Orville Sledge!

By Dave the Utilitarian

BLACK NERD HAMMER

A black nerd, a rare sight to see, In a world where ignorance is king. The books and screens are his company, while others shun what knowledge can bring.

His skin is as dark as night, but behind his glasses, a mind that shines bright. Pushing the boundaries of what’s deemed cool, His uniqueness, a powerful tool.

His passion for tech and all that’s new, May seem odd to those outside his crew. He loves to learn and loves to explore. His curiosity an unquenchable lure.

Many may judge him for his appearance, for not conforming to societal clearance. But he proudly stands, unapologetically black. In a world where nerds are never meant to have a knack.

So let us cherish the black nerd among us, for he represents hope, strength and trust. A reminder that brilliance transcends race, and that knowledge is a universal embrace.

With grip of steel and arm so strong, the hammer wielder works all day long. With sweat upon their brow, they toil away, building and shaping, came what may.

Their hammer strikes the metal true, forging pieces both old and new. They pound and shape with skill and care, Creating works beyond compare.

The hammer wielder’s hands are rough, from many days of working tough. But their passion never fades away, As they shape the pieces they display.

Every hit of the hammer is a beat, that sings of grace and skill so sweet. With every blow a new creation, Born of hard work and dedication.

The hammer wielder is an artist bold, whose work of art will never grow old. For the pieces that create with ease, are masterpieces that will always please.


The Thunder Strike, Shockwave of the Power Chisel. Electric Sledge

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369400968

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Copyright © 2023 by Dave the Utilitarian.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including

photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval

system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents

either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used

fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living

or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 06/14/2023

Xlibris

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Contents

Chapter 1 — Professor Blerd

Chapter 2 — Brainstorming

Chapter 3 — The Cousins Sledge

Chapter 4 — Orville’s Crush

Chapter 5 — Sledge on the Run

Chapter 6 — Pendragon

Chapter 7 — Hammermen

Chapter 8 — Majestic, United

Inspiration

Opener

Mystery Figure: The old saying goes, the pen is mightier than the sword. Yet no word about the warhammer. So, the communicator shall be chosen over the blaster, chosen over the gladiator. We remember wise sayings better than combat. Kung fu comes to mind. One may wonder if there can be an African brainiac with a warhammer. Let’s see.

Chapter 1 — Professor Blerd

Initiation

A stage. A crowd applauds and emits triumphant roars.

Mystery Figure: Oh, man, this is gonna be a thing. Hyped, I am.

…

Mystery Figure: Oh, good, it is starting. I can never figure out when the openings end and the event itself begins.

…

Live Show Host: It’s time for… Professor Blerd!

The crowd applauds. A man walks into play. He stands tall and straight. … He picks up the microphone.

…

Reno Megaman: Well, there he is. Earthians, this is going to be our lucky day.

…

The man clears his throat.

…

Orville Sledge: Greetings, all Earthians. I am Professor Blerd. I come in peace.

Mechanical Voice: If you think a portmanteau is a reference to Natalie’s feet…

…

Orville Sledge: Excuse me, let me entertain you. You know my feelings. Call it classic stage fright, but, hey, there’s no liquid contamination in the pelvic region. Jarvis. I’m… new to this comedian stuff. Though, I was the class clown once. Wise men say something about band names. One can just take a great word and spell it all wrong. It is old.

…

Orville groans.

Crowd: Come on! You can do it! Come on! You can do it! Professor Blerd! Professor Blerd! Professor! Blerd!

Orville Sledge: Well, I cannot turn down encouragement. I once did.

Reno: I wonder how.

…

Orville Sledge: You know, stars are often afraid of broadcasting. … They tend to forget about it and goof off. Mistakes will be caught on camera. Avoid the kiss cam. One dude came prepared.

Reno: Camera, this is my sister.

Crowd laughter.

Himself

Orville Sledge: The best names have meanings and themes. So, does anyone here have a meaningful thematic name?

…

Reno: Haha. No!

…

Orville Sledge: So, I’m a black nerd. Two… in one. Sounds like a character. Black best friends are different from other races. Give me a warhammer. Too bad John Witherspoon (Granddad Freeman) is gone.

Crowd man: Man, I watched it every time.

Crowd man B: My n-- networker!

Orville Sledge: I could be in Rockstar Games. None believe my full name. Hey, about me, I was in doubt. Folks, I was roaring. I was seven. This is gonna work. This is not gonna work. THIS IS… NOT… GONNA WORK!

…

Orville Sledge: "Is it me doubting? I can try. I can try. Say… it… with… me… now! Orville! Mjolnir! Sledge!"

Crowd: Orville! Mjolnir! Sledge!

…

Orville Sledge: SUPREME!

Crowd cheers.

Orville Sledge: One’s catchy phrase is often a cool word, or a phrase, or an expression. Bravery. I tried many. I love a powerful hammer, even if there’s an ammo limit. All good moods. I say with thunder’s might…

…

Orville Sledge: PHA-WHAM!

…

Crowd cheers and applauds.

Orville Sledge: Growing up, I always wanted to play Whack A Mole. Every time we went to a futuristic Italian diner, I was game. It was Wacky, and it was Moley.

Crowd man: Ha! Wacky! Moley!

…

Orville Sledge: Get a kid into science, technology, machines, and engineering, he will be into it for his lifetime! Evidence? Myself!

Crowd’s victorious roars.

Reno: You, Orville, are not single layered. You are multilayered.

Home

Reno Megaman: Tell us about where you live.

Orville Sledge: See, I was different in name. What lame names many people have. Sledge and Hammer. Get it. Uncle Mace, and cousin Thora. My whole family was different in name. People insulted us. They were coming out of nowhere. Uncle Mitchell Colton Hammer. Gloria, his wife. In school, I was the kids’ primary, secondary, or tertiary, target. Even around the neighborhood.

[Crowd chuckles.]

Reno Megaman: You don’t say.

…

School

Orville Sledge: School. Eugh. It freaking sucked! For everyone.

Bully: Hey, Sledge boy. Why don’t you have a generic last name?

Orville Sledge: Forget about it.

Bully: I’m becoming unleashed today!

Reno: [shakes his head] Oh, I don’t think so.

Orv grunts.

Orville Sledge: "So, I