Digitized Writing

Before Google Drive came around, I always wrote stories by hand. I have a large three ring binder filled with stories ranging from complete to just one paragraph. A few years ago, I decided to digitize many of those untouched pieces. Digitizing, in this case, is simply taking content from a place most certain to be forgotten and providing them with the potential for a new life. It’s airing out the closet, so to speak. Trashing a few dead-end bits and finding a few treasures maybe worth something.

I’d like to share just two with you today in their current format. But don’t think this is the end of these stories. Historical in nature, it’d be rude not to turn these into short fiction pieces. They both ache for attention like a four-year-old.

Piece 1: Uncle Danny

Uncle Danny, with his grey wool jacket, used to take his pipe and notebook out by the oak. He’d settle into place, light the tobacco, and write. Philip and I were unsure of the contents and tried to peek once, but Uncle Danny chased us off by yelling and hollering.

Dad chastised us. Philip and I. He said Uncle Danny needed the space to decompress and unthink. Dad and Uncle Danny had been in the same Alabama regiment during the war. Dad talked openly about Chickamauga and Gettysburg. Uncle Danny couldn’t. He simply quit talking altogether. Folks around town thought he was a mute. Something must have spooked him about the fighting. In school, Philip’s teacher drew on his own experience to teach the boys about the North’s aggression.

Annotation:

I don’t recall how this story originated. Like any Civil War-themed idea, it probably came after a reenactment. For me, I see this as a challenge to write something from the perspective of a boy. I want to characterize Uncle Danny and his brother, while keeping the perspective of a kid who’s just 10 or 12. One thing that bugs me is the abrupt change to plot summary in the last sentence. I can do better by creating a scene around that sentence. Good note to self!

The open question in my mind is about the arc. Obviously, we have this Confederate veteran with trauma. Is the whole story about that or does he simply play a small role? Do the kids end up reading the journal? What’s inside? Or does the school teacher chide Uncle Danny too far? There’s a lot left to be decided, which entices me to give it the attention it craves.

Piece 2: Squad 51

Charles elbowed Frank, nodding at the camera. Charles grinned, and the bulb cracked with a flash. Seated in front of him, Ed and Dick remained still for several more seconds. Finally, Ed holstered his .38 revolver, turned, and winked at Charles.

“Let’s go, boys,” Ed said.

“There’s assholes to take care of,” Frank grinned. He always grinned.

Squad 51 left the photography studio and planned to return in two hours for their image. Stepping out into the bright spring air, Charles shrugged off his heavy wool jacket. Frank was the only one of the young gentlemen not wearing a tie, but his burgundy turtleneck was stylish enough. 

The Squad had just apprehended criminal mob boss Sandy Pritchard. Pritchard led his band of gamblers. These men killed anyone who accused them of gambling. One infamous event was at the Worthington Hotel. Pritchard was playing recklessly, raking in thousands of dollars. A boy, a mere boy, named Jefferson Wight called out Pritchard for cheating. Pritchard stood up slowly. He was a tall man and wore the nicest suits ever made.

“Boy, you ain’t gonna have time to regret that,” Sandy Pritchard muttered.

“I think I already do,” Jefferson whispered before Pritchard blew his brains out with a .45 slug. Blood and brain splattered on players all around. And shit hit the fan. Pritchard’s colleagues proceeded to kill nearly everyone around. Three people survived, escaping by lying under dead bodies. Those three people identified Pritchard and his associates. Squad 51 found Pritchard three weeks later in a small bar.

To Squad 51 – Charles, Frank, Ed, and Dick – it was regrettably anticlimactic. With revolvers drawn, Pritchard knew he was beat. Now, as their picture was developed, the boys kept their eyes open and ears primed for trouble. Fame for cops brought on cop killers. And they were ready. 

Annotation:

I found this old postcard one day, depicting four young men. One wears an old hat with “51” on it. The story evolved from there. I can already see spots that need revision, especially the paragraph on Sandy Pritchard. That came in too strong and early. Also, it could be better shown with dialogue or how the townspeople stare. One thing I’d improve is describing how the survivors got out and reached Squad 51.

I like the lines, “He always grinned” and “Fame for cops brought on cop killers.” Those will stick around. This feels like it wants a Tombstone/Untouchables ending — lock Pritchard away, and his crew doesn’t just let it go. How far does the retribution go?

Closing

Consider this a sneak preview of two pieces. I wouldn’t say I’m breaking one of my own rules, but I’m bending it. The rule is to finish something before starting another project. I’ve got way too many projects. So I’m not going to say when these two will reach full fruition, but they are on my Creative Dashboard!