A Post: In Two Parts
Stuff About Writing

I think I'm going to cut out the last paragraph of 'The Day the Squids Took Over the World!' (see entry earlier in the week for story) I should also rewrite it and polish it up some.

While on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor I came up with yet another idea for another story that I'm going to whip up today. It'll have a happy ending; at least at this stage in development it will have a happy ending. Then, maybe, I'll start work on "Hess on that Old Clay Red" which is the long project that I want to do. (avoiding calling it a novel) I have like 12 pages of planning already; just gotta flush it out some and start the whole writing thing.

I also need to polish up "Charlie August and the All Night Doughnut Shop". I got some helpful advice on it so I'm going to rewrite it.

Here's the story in case any of you wanna read it.

Charlie August entered that all night doughnut shop around 2am and took his usual booth near the window overlooking the street.

"Charlie," Mrs. Lee greeted and placed a cup of coffee and two glazed doughnuts in front of him. "How goes business?"

"Slow night but I don't mind it much. Gives me time think."

"I know that feeling," She went back to the counter and sat down to her paper.

Pete Nelson came in soon after and took a corner table. Pete rarely sat with Charlie or anyone else and so Charlie only nodded to the man who returned it curtly. Pete Nelson was a tall gaunt fellow with a hawkish nose and wire gray hair. He carried a large backpack much like the one Charlie had. Pete was careful not to knock his around though where Charlie was a little haphazard with his. A few minutes later Leslie Sevine came in and sat at the counter saying a hearty hello to Charlie and Pete. He winked over at Mrs. Lee.

The doughnut shop rarely saw anyone else so late in the night and the three men enjoyed that.

"Hey, Charlie," Leslie called out with a mouthful of doughnut. "You talked to that one boy yet?"

"What one boy?"

"That one for the local paper or something. He's doing some kind of story on our kind."

"Don't see why," Pete snarled, "No one gives a damn 'bout us and what we do as long as it's done."

"Pete here," Leslie nodded towards the corner, "declined to talk to the boy." He grinned.

"Haven't seen a reporter around. Of course I've been working since around 10."

"Well, I told him that he could find you here tonight," Leslie said. "Hope you don't mind but he seemed so interested."

"Is alright I guess. I'll talk to the kid. Gotta agree with Pete, though, don't imagine many will be too interested in a story about us."

Mrs. Lee came around with a pot of coffee and asked if anyone needed some more doughnuts. Pete wanted a bear claw and he moved to a table closer which put him between Leslie and Charlie. The three men started talking about life and whatever it new thought they came upon while working. They didn't notice the young man who came in until he stood near them for a few seconds longer than anyone ought to. Leslie slapped his leg with glee when he noticed the man.

"This is him! This is him, Charlie, the boy I told you about. What's your name again, son?"

"Edwin, sir."

"Edwin. That's it. Go ahead and sit down, Edwin. That's Charlie there. Go ahead and sit with him."

"Thank you sir."

"Mrs. Lee!" Leslie yelled out. "Bring out some doughnuts for our young man oh and some coffee too!"

"Gimme a second!" Mrs. Lee barked. She was an old Viatenmese woman and saw the three men as sons but that never did stop her from yelling at anyone one of them.

Edwin's eyes were set back in his sockets and he kept yawning. The men smiled at one another knowing that the boy was just not used to the late hour. To the three this was mid-day but not to the boy. "Uhm, my name is Edwin Guinn and I'm doing a story on, well, on what you guys do. Not many people realize what goes on in the middle of the night and I think they'ld be interested in knowing about it. I understand if you don't want to talk to me." He glanced over to Pete who looked as grim and as serious as ever.

"It's ok son, I'll talk with ya. It's not so glorious what I do but none of us has any type of dream job. Did Leslie tell you what I do?"

"No sir," Edwin took out a notebook and a tape recorder. "You don't mind if I record this do you?"

"Not at all. Not at all."

Mrs. Lee brought Edwin coffee and doughnuts and took her seat at the counter.

"Do you mind stating your name?"

"Name is Charlie August."

"And what do you do, Mr. August?"

"Well, I change sign boards to read different messages."

"Sign boards?"

"You know those signs that churches have up in front that read different things like "Bible Service at 7am" or, uhm, "Eternity-Smoking or Non-smoking". Or the signs at Fast food restaurants. Well, I change those. Sometimes I get to come up with witty sayings and stuff but not all the time. This bag here," Charlie gestured next to him, "Is full of those letters," He pulled one out. "I just slide them in there. I got a list of clients and a schedule of when their signs need to be changed. Course I need to change them when no one is around but that's not a problem this late at night."

"I always assumed that the church or an employee does that."

"Some of them do but most use me. There's a fellow over in Lakeland that does the same thing I do and sometimes we get together. Don't know how many of us are left though."

"What did you do before?"

"Whatever I could find. Mostly handyman work. Wanted to join the Air Force when I got out of school but I have a bad heart and couldn't so much as join the infantry. Drifted around for a bit until I came here. Only been doing this job for about five years or so."

Edwin nodded and finished scribbling in the notebook. "So, is there some kind of company or boss that oversees you all?" He gestured to Leslie and Pete.

"We are masters of our own fate." Leslie grinned.

Edwin opened his mouth and nodded. "Do you enjoy your job Mr. August?"

"It pays my bills, keeps me fed, and in cigarettes. It has given me great friends, well all expect for Pete but what can I do about that?"

Charlie and Leslie laughed and Edwin looked a little nervous.

"Money isn't everything but it certainly helps in many, many important ways. Do you enjoy what you do, Edwin?"

"Well, I just started, sir. This will actually be my first story but it's what I went to school for."

"I went to school for art," Pete muttered, "But I'm changing ligh bulbs on street lamps now. Some good that goddamn degree did me."

"Well, Edwin here is a writer not some artist." Leslie said, "Ain't that right Eddie?!"

"Well..." Edwin started, "Not much of a difference really just different mediums."

"Whatever, whatever. You're here to talk to Charlie not about Pete and his failed art career."

"It ain't failed it never started and that's the whole problem."

"Looks like Edwin started his career just fine." Leslie said and finished his coffee. "I got to go. Got to go back to work. Fella's, Mrs. Lee," He nodded and left the shop.

"Gotta get to Central and First." Pete left without a nod.

Edwin cleared his throat, "Why don't you guys get...uhm..well, real jobs if you don't like what you do?"

"These are real jobs now just a different type is all. It's hard and the hours are pretty rough sure, but it pays and there are a lot worse jobs out there. Like writing up stories.Have a good night young man," Charlie paid Mrs. Lee and left the doughnut shop. Edwin watched the man disappear into the darkness and stopped the recorder.

"These men," Mrs. Lee started still focused on her paper. "Work hard and they don't like attention. That's part of the reason they do what they do. To you it's lousy jobs but to them it's the only thing they can do, that they want to do."

"Do you think I should write about them?"

"Do what you need to do and they'll understand. But you print it and you won't be welcomed back here. If you don't print it then you come on in whenever you like."

Edwin nodded and gathered his supplies. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Mrs. Lee. Thank you."
 

Stuff Not About Writing

Talked to my sister today! She is all moved in and lives in a Mennonite neighborhood which I find to be freakin' funny. Talked to Jos also who asked me to come and visit. That broke my heart seeing how Steph lives like 2 hours away or something and I have no car!!! Maybe in a month or so Gilbert and I can take a train over and spend a few days there. That'ld be nice.

This headache, this constant headache I've had since Sunday is really starting to get annoying and painful. Right behind my eyes and I'm now getting sensitive to light. I swear to God if I get a fucking migraine I'm going to...well....crawl under the blankets and pray for peace and quiet. It's just a stress headache though but asprin won't help. Maybe some Excedrin migrane stuff...I should try that.

I've been watching nothing but Venture Brothers all day. I'm kicking it old school right now with Season One; currently Brisby Land!!!