Deep Thought

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Rules Of Nipper-Grandma's House (7)

Grandma's House #7

(Grandma's House-9 p.m.)

(Pulling back from kitchen garbage can, you see an empty Alpo can, the lid showing that it's a couple of years expired, leftovers from when her last dog Ceasar was alive. Framed pictures of Ceasar a pure-breed Jack Terrier adorn the walls in the hallway. Looking up the grand stairway to the second-floor, you can see the light in bathroom of theater bedroom where Grandma and Nipper prepare for their first night together. Close in on bathroom, Grandma wearing Duster-style blue night robe, fumbling through the medicine cabinet packed with pharmaceuticals of every type. Some current, some five years expired. She's trying to read the doctor's hand-written night-time dosages. As she hunts and pulls pills from each bottle, several fall to the floor. Nipper see's them as snacks and quickly gobbles up the different colored pills. By the time bedtime comes, Nipper has already passed out on the floor by Grandma's bed.)

Grandma

""Oh dear, Nipper? You poor thing, you were plum exhausted...I can't blame you for needing a good rest!"

(Grandma now buzzing on her own mediation

Grandma

"You are in Ethyl's Palace now...you protect me, I'll protect you...as a team, we will conquer the world outside, lay haste to those that get in out way, good night my little friend...sleep well!"

<Scene Close>

Grandma'a House-Monday 7AM

(Grandma, "Out of habit" making eggs and bacon for herself and all the other wildlife who have become accustomed to the bounty of leftovers she throws out to the back of the house. They wait all along the side, like a wildlife soup line. Nipper finally makes his way down the grand stairway, still foggy from his drugged condition, bumping into walls, rolling down a few steps sideways, finally finding a solid footing on the first floor. He attempts to run, then walks, as Grandma tosses him a piece of bacon.)

Grandma

"Here ya go boy!"

(Nipper attempts to run again but starts to slide onto the waxed wood floor and slams into wall, "Bam!")

Grandma

"Now Nipper...you be careful there...here I'll just put thee goodies into Ceasar's old bowl, Ceasar would like that!"

Back at Peggy's House-Monday 9 AM

(Peggy getting girls ready for going out shopping with Grandma. It's July second, X'ed out on the calender on the fridge door, summer break from school in full swing. Girls squabbling about getting new swimsuits and a leash for Nipper. David has already left for work at the security company.)

Peggy

"Girls, come on...decide on something, put something on for heaven's sake, Grandma is expecting us for ten-thirty!"

Sandy

"Okay Mom, Rebecca's holding up the show, she keeps falling asleep on the toilet, what's the deal?"

Peggy (laughing)

"I don't know what she's doing, she's doing some heavy thinking I guess?"

(Sandy banging on bathroom door.)

Sandy

"Come on turd for brains, get your butt up and let me in!"

Rebecca

"I'm working, I'm working on it, nothings moving...leave me alone!"

Sandy

"Come on, Nipper's waiting!"

(Suddenly, with that thought, she has a bowel movement, pull back to a smile on her face, moments later she exits the bathroom.)

Sandy

"Bout time...whew eh, whew it stinks in here, somebody open a window, call the stink patrol!"

Rebecca

"It'll go away, it's not anything you can't produce, Miss Farty-fart, let me finish getting dressed...I won't take long."

Peggy

"Girls would you please hurry up, we've got to get across town before Tuesday if you don't mind?

Sandy

"Okay Mom we're ready."

(Everyone piling into car.)

<Scene Switch>

(Peggy and girls arriving at Grandma's house. Grandma in huge barn in the back putting four twenty dollar bills in old tender box on worktable, talking to Nipper, he's running around between her legs.)

Grandma

"Let's see, Jay's going to come and run the tractor, and get that big old yard all nice and mowed. It'll be all ready for you to run and play in Nipper. You stay inside and don't give him any trouble now, Grandma's going to go get you some fresh food to eat!"

(Peggy see's barn door open, walks down to the back of the house.)

Peggy

"Hey Mom, you back there?"

(Grandma and Nipper come out of barn.)

Grandma

"Yes dear, coming...I think Nipper thinks he's coming, but I told him to stayhere and guard the house!"

(Nipper barking in a frenzy.)

Peggy

"Well at least he'll be learning how to earn his keep around here."

(Nipper turns and stares at Grandma.)

Grandma

"Now you behave yourself, Grandma will be back in a little while."

(Everybody getting into car and leaving, Nipper inside house.)

<Scene Close>

Monday, May 12, 2014

Rules Of Nipper-The Reloading Machine (6)

The Reloading Machine #6

(Back at the house-Sunday-Noon)

(David gets from the seven day a week gun store with new bullet reloading machine. Unpacking it with all the fervor of a child on Christmas morning. Talking to himself and the old Pitt bull mother Becky.)

David

"Oh, I can't thank you enough Becky...thank you for bringing me those beautiful glorious pups into this world, so that daddy could have his toy...I do believe this calls for a drink."

(Grabbing his bottle of Jim Beam, he looks for his drinking cup, finding it, he see's a dead roach at the bottom.)

"Not to bother, I'm just going to old-school this."

(Taking several large gulps out of the bottle.)

David

"There ya go Daddy, get this buzz going now!"

(Grabbing thick pamphlet of instructions marked, "How to operate your Model 720 Reloader", he starts to read. About an hour passes and David has passed out in the workshop, bent over onto bench. Becky, feeling self-serving, walks over and pees on his shoe, then exits the workshop. Peggy and the girls return about five p.m., Sandy carrying empty hamster cage, Rebecca carrying foil-wrapped leftover brownies, girls looking tired and dejected for having to leave Nipper at Grandma's.)

Peggy

"David, you home?"

(Walking down the driveway, she see's the light in the workshop, see's David passed out, with head on bench sideways, mouth open with drool coming out. Then she see's the big Model 720 Reloading box, parts all over the place, big instruction manual, she decides to make a comment.)

Peggy

"Well, I hope your happy with yourself Mister, you just married a reloading machine...should have brought you some flowers at least...didn't realize she was coming home so soon...to join the family!"

(David groggily waking up, coughing up some flem.)

David

"What's that suppose to mean?"

Peggy

"Well, since you'll be spending all your time with her...ah, you did give her a name...didn't you?"

David

"Give what a name, ya mean my reloading machine?"

Peggy

"Sure kiddo, guys give names to their cars, boats, their man caves, anything and everything that speaks of escapism...to that social norm of having to comprehend the audacity of what one would call quality family time...for that matter, the simple interaction with your spouse just for instance!"

(David shaking his head.)

David

"Look Peggy, I know you went to college, being an English major and everything, them Psych classes, but you ain't got me figured out by a long-shot...look it's just a machine that repacks bullets...that's all...it's not my girlfriend or anything!"

Peggy

"But, it consumes all your time like one, and who am I to say that I could just be bumped out of the picture all together?"

David

"Hon, your just driving this all out of proportion...making a mountain out of a molehill, chewing me out for a simple thing that brings joy to my heart, making judgments in haste...you know what the the Bible says about such stuff?"

Peggy

"Yea, why don't you tell me where in the Bible it says such stuff?"

David

"Well, I don't remember the exact passage, but it's in there!"

Peggy

"Well it probably does, point being, is that we need to focus on some quality time, as in ...together, think that's asking too much?"

David

"No, your right, look...I'm a fixer-upper, I know I ain't perfect, but I ain't no fool neither, just give me some time and everything will work out perfectly, you'll see!"

Peggy

"Uh huh, so everything's just gonna fall into place, just like that, right?"

David

"oh yea,since I made Captain with Security Pros, my salary has went up, I get to set my own schedules, my time with the loading machine can be moved around to fit in time with you and the girls, it'll be great!"

Peggy

"So, you can actually make time for me...and the girls, too?"

David

Oh yea, unless I have a large order of shells to reload, but that probably won't happen but once in a blue moon...yea, me and Becky Boy here have a lotta money to make!"

Peggy (laughing)

"Well that's just spiffy, I'm glad to see that you have it all worked out...well, I'm going in and start supper,did you want to join in with the family or should I just make you a plate?"

David

"Yea, I've got to put Becky Boy together and get through this book of instructions."

Peggy

"I was right about something."

David

"What's that?"

Peggy

"You did already have a name for that thing and you haven't even put it together yet...she's already labeled!"

David

"Hey, it gives her purpose, status, like part of the family."

Peggy

"Well, my name is Peggy...I don't have an instruction manual, and you'll just have to figure out how all my moving parts work by good old-fashioned trial and error...you get me, till then, I'll leave you a plate, Love you!"

David

"Love you too Hon!"

<Scene Close>

Rules Of Nipper-Morning After (5)

Morning After #5

(At the house : Sunday AM)

(Girls at the table eating eggs and bacon. Nipper waddling around on the floor at their feet, hitting on pieces of bacon scraps, Peggy on phone talking to her Mom)

Peggy

"Yea Mom, he's a cute little thing, you'd just Love him...and I figure, since Ceasar died, this would give you a little company...security too!"

Mom (Ethyl)

"Well dear, as long as he's not a handful, I would Love to have him guard the old house...haven't heard that old dogie door creaking in some time, are you coming over this morning?"

Peggy

"As soon as I get the girls dressed, we'll be on our way, okay?"

Ethyl

"All right Dear, I'm doing brownies this morning, so don't keep 'em waiting!"

Peggy

"Oh, the girls will Love that...Love ya Mom, bye!"

(David waking up, walking down the stairs)

David

"what...did I miss breakfast again?"

Peggy

"I left you a plate in the oven...I got to go get the girls dressed, and just to let you know...I decided to take you up on that demand notice, the mandate, keep peace in the house, whatever you want to call it...Nipper's going to Mom's, is that a good thing or what?"

David

"Well it's for the best, all for the best...down the road you'll see that I was right."

Peggy (sarcastic)

"Of course you are my dear, your always right, guess I'm just a little slow getting the message...dog gone it, guess I'll learn one of these days!"

(David eating, looking under table at Nipper)

David

"Not sure what that dog's gonna look like when he gets big, but he is different...spirited little sucker."

(Peggy going upstairs, talking down)

Peggy

"The girls tink he's one of a kind, they Love him, that's all that matters...unlike some people!"

David

"Unlike some what?"

Peggy

"How much cash it puts in their pocket!"

<Scene Close>

(Girls getting into car, Nipper in a make-shift hamster cage, Peggy turns at front door and comments to David who has already made himself a morning toddy)

Peggy

"Any last words to Nipper Dave?"

David (laughing)

"Yea, have a nice life, don't drive Granny crazy or anything...I'll see you later Peg."

Peggy

"Well, it's all day to day from here...that means in the eye of the beholder, it's not one sided, speaking of us. To work, it has to be a shared experience...think about it, see ya later!"

<Scene Switch>

(Arriving at Grandma's Antebellum Civil War period house in North Tampa. It sits on thirty acres and has a one-hundred and twenty foot barn that sits adjacent to the house. There is a wooden picket fence surrounding the property. Grandma sits in a rocker under the long porch veranda. The girls bolt out of the car, Sandy carrying Nipper in the hamster cage)

Sandy

"Grandma oh, it's so good to see you again...come meet Nipper, come meet Nipper, oh...your just gonna Love him!"

(Pulling Nipper out of cage, putting dog right on Grandma's lap, her eyes light up with the dog's presence)

Grandma

"Well Nipper...welcome home my dear, you and me are going to become quite the item around here."

Rebecca

"Yea, if you put your finger to his mouth, he nips it...go head, try it!"

Sandy

"That's how we named him."

Peggy

"As you can figure, David just about had a fit when he showed up...all he saw was money falling out of his pocket, I just don't know if I did the right thing Mom."

Grandma

"I told you not to nest up on a rebound...too many emotions, all pent up, and I know it seemed like the cure at the time...but trust me, I'm old, but I've had my share of suitors in my day, some honorable, some worse than rats...you got to make a choice in the matter, or drive yourself to drink!"

Sandy

"Grandma, can we show Nipper the house, we'll be careful?"

Grandma

"Of course my dear, made you some nice brownies, they're on top of the stove, just cut 'em up, but none for Nipper understand...his system can't take it, it'll make him sick, now you go on girls."

Peggy

"I don't know about driving me to drink, might have to start taking some sedatives or something if David and me can't iron itself out."

Grandma

"Yea, don't get like me, I'm already a walking pharmacy as it is...I swear, if some of those pills didn't have different shapes and colors, I wouldn't know what I was taking!"

Peggy

"Yea, I worry about you mixing all that stuff up...are you sure the doctor knows what he's giving you?"

Grandma

"Apparently he does...he is the doctor, and I've been seeing him for an awful long time!"

Peggy

"I still wish you'd get a second opinion, you know...just to make sure."

Grandma

"Dear, I feel good (doing a little dance), I'm happy, stop being such a worry-wart, okay?"

Peggy

"I am kinda of a worry-wart, huh?"

Grandma

(laughing) "Since you were a little girl, you were my little Savior, and I wouldn't want you any other way...come on, let's see how the girls are doing...sure hope Nipper likes the house!"

<Scene Close>

Rules Of Nipper-Cash And Carry (4)

Cash And Carry #4

(At the House, Saturday PM)

(Guys Start showing up for the sale, David handing out free beer and wine coolers, walking around, shaking every one's hands)

Jong (Asian Customer)

"How do you manage so many pretty dogs...I like this one, he look at me nice!"

David

"Well that's a good one, ah Jong...hey where are you from anyway?'

Jong

"Eh Bangkok, I immigrate, do computers!"

David

"Of course you do...what else...I'll get back to you in a second."

(Walking to the next gentleman)

David

"Afternoon, I'm David, do you see one you like?'

Bill

"I'm sorry, I'm Bill, first time over here...just Love these Pitts, ah these two over here are my favorites...thought I'd take them to my ranch up in Lakeland...raise them for security...this looks like a girl and...yep, this is a boy!"

David

"Well, either way...they're five hundred a piece...cash works for me if you want to close the sale now, you know...before anyone else makes an offer!"

Bill

"Don't worry, here ya go, let's take care of that right now...hey, by the way...do you have anymore of that onion dip...that's got to be homemade if there ever was?"

David

"Yea, let me check with the little woman, be right back!"

(David walking back toward kitchen, counting one-hundred dollar bills out. David's foot squishes onto the backside of Nipper, who's waddling across hallway. Nipper let's out a terrific yelp. David looks down with a disgusting look on his face, and kicks the dog, who slides across the waxed wooden floor, slamming into he wall)

David

"You stinking mutt, who invited your sorry ass into the room?"

(Peggy comes running into hallway)

Peggy

"What in the world is going on...David, did you just kick that dog, or did he just manage to slam himself into that wall by accident?"

(David laughing to himself)

David

"Who knows, who cares...I just want this dog out of this house by morning...the sooner, the better...you understand me woman?"

Peggy

"Don't talk to me like that...I have a good mind to..."

David

"What, what are you going to do with that good mind of yours...what are you going to do now...your just going to have to get use'd to having a real man in the house...cause if it doesn't suit you, it's going to cost you a pretty good coin to have it any other way, you here me?"

Peggy

"So, we're going to play it like that, huh...mine is yours, yours is yours, so to hell with everybody else!"

(David realising he's drunk, trying to look a little remorseful)

David

"Hon, it's not like that...it's just that we're...freshly married, I'm not use'd to being with someone just all of a sudden twenty four/ seven...give me me a chance to work my ya-ya's out, it'll all be good, you'll see!"

(Nipper rolls on David's foot...he loses it again)

"But this damn dog has got to go, why don't you send him to your Mom's or something...she's got plenty of space to let him sprawl...the girls can visit him, it's a perfect fit for everyone!"

Peggy

"Okay, alright...let me see what Mom says...oh, by the way, good luck with your sale...while your at it, why don't you try to sell Becky too...her breeding days aren't over yet...maybe you could do a silent auction or something!"

(David shrugging his shoulders, starts walking back into living room)

David

"I'm done talking here, I'm gone!"

<Scene Close

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Memories on Mother's Day

Memories On Mother's Day

Hey Mom...can you hear me?

I'm calling to you...

You passed to the light, hope I'm getting through;

Did you know I moved to L.A.?

So many things to do!

But your up there, I still feel your care;

Your hugs and touch, I miss that share.

Just wanted to say how much I miss you;

Looking down from above...

Happy Mother's Day, Kat and Me send our Love!

Kirk

I was born in Baptist Hospital in August 1936. Attended L.S. Rugg Grammar School and graduated Bolton High School in 1954. My Dad worked at Paramount movie theater, Saenger Movie Theater (which sat between Schwartzberg's and Paramount Theater, across from Kresses and Lerner's. He later worked at the Don Theater.

Rapides Parish Courthouse, Alexandria, Louisiana

He was an elected Police Juror at the time the new Court House was built and his name is inscribed on the original plaque.

My Mother was Ethel Welch Flowers now deceased. She worked for many years at Modern Appliance Mart located on Third Street a block down from Hotel Bentley and Weiss & Goldrings.

Thank you so much for bringing back so many fond memories of my home town. I left Alexandria after marriage and moved to Florida, back to Alexandria where my daughter was born at St. Francis Cabrini Hospital. Moved to New Orleans in 1970. I met my husband when he was stationed at England Air Force Base. He later worked for Texas & Pacific Railroad which was merged with Missouri Pacific which was then merged with Union Pacific. After my husband's death, I moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1987 and after I retired moved to Henderson, NV in 2002.

I am going to look through a lot of old photos that I have somewhere in a box and if I find anything of significance I will be sure to submit them to you. I will be returning to Alexandria the end of April for my 50th High School Reunion and look forward to the visit.

Like a lot of other people, Alexandria will always be home to me no matter where I roam.

Bette June (Flowers) Carter

January 11, 2004

Friday, May 9, 2014

Rules Of Nipper-The Puppy Sale (3)

The Puppy Sale #3

One Week Later: David and Peggy Brown's garage-Saturday-9 a.m.

(David is all excited as he sets up view table for puppies. A little altar is established so that Becky the mother can show off her new litter. He's whistling, "Fly Me To The Moon" while he works, Peggy walks in)

Peggy

"Boy, your certaintly chipper this morning...thought you were going to lay in bead with me and whisper sweet nothings into my ear."

David

"Sorry Dear, but duty calls...wanna make sure everything is just right for the big day!"

Peggy

"You know, we ought to use some of that money and start one of those five-seven one programs for the girl's education."

David

"Well, this particular money's already going toward a good cause."

Peggy

"And just what is it that you have to have Mister?"

David

"A multi-gauge bullet reloader...I've been dying to get one of those babies since I can't remember when!"

Peggy

"You've got to be kidding me, just what is the deal with that?"

David

"Going into the reloading business, lot's of money to be made reloading your own custom rounds...you can make a regular bullet kick harder, travel faster, further, and they save money, too!"

Peggy

"Eh, I don't know David, all these guns, bullets, gun powder laying around, I don't know if I like all this stuff around the girls."

David

"What's not to like...I can teach them gun safety, safe ways to handle them, how to use them, and best of all...how to defend themselves...I swear, you've got these girls all closeted up, it's ridiculous!"

Peggy

"Look, these were my girls first, and I've been responsible for them long before you came along...I think I know what's best for them!"

David

"Where are the girls anyway?"

Peggy

"Upstairs playing with that dog you didn't want, you know...the one you lost the five-hundred bucks on?"

<Scene Switch>

(In the girl's room upstairs, Sandy and Rebecca play with the yet to be named dog up on the bed)

Sandy

"You think David...I mean Daddy will let us keep him?"

Rebecca

"Probably not, knowing him, he drinks too much...but just maybe if we can catch him in a good mood."

Sandy

"When does that happen...I mean, let me know,,,why does he always have to do things for himself?"

Rebecca

"I know, your right, it's always about him, got rules for everybody except himself!"

(Sandy with finger in dog's mouth, suddenly feels a sharp jab)

Sandy

"Wow, that dog just nipped me!"

Rebecca

"I didn't think puppies had teeth, especially that young,

(Both girls laughing)

just look at how he's trying to chew your finger off!"

Sandy

"I want to call him Nipper...whatcha think?"

Rebecca

"Yea, that's kinda catchy...but we still don't even know if we can keep him."

(Rebecca yelling downstairs)

"Hey Mom, can we keep the dog...please?"

(Mom yelling upstairs)

Peggy

"You girls just be patient and not rush things...you here me?"

Sandy

"But, how does he get to sell all the dogs and we don't even have one for ourselves?"

Peggy

"You know, for a girl your age, you sure are good with analogies!"

Sandy

"What's an analogy?"

Peggy

"A sentence of words use'd to compare one idea with another...like saying an orange is round, like an apple, anyway...getting back to the dog, that dog I swear is pretty cute and friendly, just seems really different, I kinda like him, too!"

Rebecca

"Oh yea Mom, he's really friendly too...I don't care what Dad says, I'm gonna figure out some way where we can keep him!"

Peggy

"Well now, you've got to consider a few things honey...okay?"

Rebecca

"Please Mom, don't start with a lecture...I know it cost money to have a pet, like a dog or a cat, like a hamster or a horse...all the kids at school say they have to do extra chores, stuff like that!"

Peggy

"And the kids at school are smart...a lot smarter than I give them credit for...point being, they're right, it's a real cost and it's real maintenance...so think it out girls, just make sure you know what your getting yourselves into...that's all I'm saying here!"

<Scene Close>

Rules Of Nipper-Dogs For Sale (2)

Dogs for Sale #2

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Dogs for Sale #2

Opening Scene: Peggy's House-Port Tampa, Florida-Sunday A.M.

(Becky, the prized winning AKC Pitbull is busily in the middle of having a litter of puppies. She's had five so far, all of them perfect. The proud stepfather nervously awaits the sixth to come out. As the puppy is born, the stepfather's expression quickly changes when he notices the dog is a runt, looking nothing like the other dogs)

David (the stepfather)

"What the hell is this...oh for God's sake, Becky...you old girl, what have you been up to?"

(Peggy, his new wife he just married, who was a widow, with two daughters, and a house)

Peggy

"What's the problem David?"

David

"I think Becky's been messing around, she got one that just came out...looks like it came from another planet!"

(Peggy looking at puppy number six)

Peggy

"I don't know dear, it's definatly different, kinda cute in it's own way."

David

Cute...what am I suppose to do with this one...I can't sell it, probably can't even give it away!"

(The two daughters come in. Sandy who is ten and Rebecca who is twelve, both taking a look at the runt dog)

Sandy

"Aw...he is so cute, David can we keep him?"

Peggy

"Sandy, how many times do I have to tell you, start calling David your father, your Dad...try to keep in practice, okay?"

Sandy

"Yes mam, ah...can we keep it Dad?"

(Rebecca wiping off dog with a paper towel and turning it over)

Sandy

"It's a boy...no nipples, just a little wienie!"

David

"I don't know, let me think about it!"

(Getting up, making himself another drink)

Peggy

"Your just gung-ho on this sale aren't you...anything for a buck...and please try watching your drinking around the girls...won't you?"

David

"Yea, yea...well these Pits will go for about five-hundred a piece, that would have been like twenty-five hundred...so I lost what...five-hundred on the runt...hey, what the hell...life goes on...by the way Peg, is Saturday okay for the auction?'

Peggy

"Sure, why not...the sooner you are to going back to being my new husband...look, don't forget, we just got married...I've got needs, too!"

<Scene Close>