Excerpt for OLYMPIAD V The Fantastically True Story of the 1912 United States Olympic Team by Timothy Burraston, available in its entirety at Smashwords



OLYMPIAD V

by
HARRY NAUGHTON


THE FANTASTICALLY TRUE STORY OF THE 1912 UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TEAM AS TOLD BY THE STOWAWAY HARRY NAUGHTON


Copyright 2012 Harry Naughton
Smashwords Edition



Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever including Internet usage, without written permission of the author.



A VERY GOOD PLACE TO START


Well, I reckoned I would write this down as it was still fresh in my mind, see’in as lots of things gets changed around and prettied up as time goes by. Mostly folks are wantin to paint a better picture of themselves to show they was more noble, or truthful, or did the right thing, when maybe they did nothin or the wrong thing. Now, I’m not one to put on the white wig and commence passin out judgement on anyone as I’m guilty of stretchin the facts to fit the truth as much as the next fool. But my aim here is to tell it like I seen it, without tryin to make myself out the hero, or show that I done bettern I did, which in my opinion, is the Grandaddy of all lies.

I know that you’all are itchin to hear about the Olympics and the Gold medals and the Glory and meetin the King of Sweden and his missus the Queen and how I saved the day and we’ll sure enough get around to that. But just like in church when they tell a story from the Bible and you know the ending cuz you’ve heard it a thousand times, such as when David whipped up on the Giant with a river rock and then cut off his head and paraded it all around the town and got to marry the Kings daughter, this story has a beginning and an end, with a lot of excitin bits in between.

I guess my story starts in Toledo when I was borned, but I were’nt in no condition to remember exactly what happened. People that wuz there, said I done alright and didn’t put up too much of a fuss. Other than fishin and trampin around, one of the first things I clearly recall, is the day my Daddy got kilt down at the sawmill. They brought him to the house bundled up on a 2x12 plank, gave my Ma a twenty dollar gold piece for her troubles said “Sorry” and left. Mama laid down, right on the kitchen floor and didn’t get up, ceptin to go to the funeral, for nigh on a year. Then one day she just got goin and things was back to normal for a spell, until Mr. Stiller started comin around, courtin.

Mr. Stiller was a widower with three good sized boys that he said needed a mothers touch. The general concensus of the citizenry however, was that they was in need of a lion tamer or somethin more permanent like hangin.

Mr. Stiller had set his sights on my Ma and thats what he got, and then some. That my sisters and me was part of the bargain seemed of little consequence, him bein the foreman at the textile mill and we was of an age to work. And so we did. From six in the mornin till four in the evenin, Monday thru Saturday, with Christmas day and the Fourth of July off, to rest up.

For a long time there wer’nt no trouble down at the mill, then some folks up in Washington D. C. pestered President Taft to chop down the work week from sixty hours to fiftyfour and not let younguns work at all. Which was not as popular an idea as President Taft might have guessed. It didn’t make no sense at all for a girl child to go to school and it was easier to whistle a rattlesnake into a bottle than get boys who had been makin a mans wages to go back, so the whole affair was just hard feelin’s and bloodshed and nobody come away satisfied.

I had worked the mill since I was ten and knew ever nut and bolt and which way to turn em in the whole danged place. I knew where to have a smoke or catch forty winks without anybody the wiser and figured I would work there until I died. Lot’s of people had. That’s why it come as a surprise when my step daddy called me into his office and tole me he had sold the mill and the whole family was moving to Detroit. Now I didn’t know where Detroit was but I figured it must be off over in Europe somewheres as Mr. Stiller was always goin on about how grand it was on the continent and such.

I shoulda waited to ask but it was the first thing on my mind and then it was on my tongue and I just spit it out. I said, “Can I take Pluck?” Pluck was my dog. I had raised her mama from a pup and she had had a hard time with the last litter and died, Pluck bein the only survivor. Hence the name. Not so much lucky as plucky. Her sire was of the English pit bull variety, with beady little eyes and a long pointy snout which made her look a whole lot meaner than what she was, her demeanor bein more in the fraidy cat line than bull baiter.

Experience has since taught me, that it’s always better to beg forgivness than ask permission, but I was just fifteen and held a much higher opinion of our species then, than I do today .Mr. Stiller didn’t miss a beat and tole me straightout that there was no lack of dogs in Detroit and I would have to “Shoot the damn dog.” end of conversation. I would sooner have shot the town barber as Pluck so, I figured it was of a season for me to move on. Bein pert near full growed, I aimed to make my way in the world.

As it seemed the whole nation was on fire to head West, I figured to beat the rush and go East. I had seen pitchers of New York City and heard tell of an indoors circus there that ran day and night, with no end of clowns and fire eaters and such. I had a chunk of money saved up that I felt would last me ten or twenty years if I was thrifty and didn’t eat too much, so I said my goodbyes to my sisters and my Ma. Tellin her I was goin to see relations on my daddy’s side, I bought a ticket on the train to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Now I don’t generally recommend tellin lies, even little white ones to your Ma. But if I had tole her I was headed to New York to the circus and whatever other mischief there was to be had there, it would’ve broke her heart. What she didn’t know, for sure couldn’t hurt her, so I done it. I’m sorry for it now and wished I hadn’t. I would have apologized proper and promised never to do it agin if she’d of lived, but she caught a fever and died afore I got back, so I never got the oppurtunity.

Takin the train was the first time I had been more than ten miles outside of Toledo. Bein a world traveler was just grand, settin up in the passenger car, wearin my Sunday clothes and watchin the world roll by my window. There was Nigra porters that had’ta bring whatever you wanted. And if it wasn’t just right or to your liking, say if your tea was too hot or too cold, they would take it back and bring you a new one until it was.

I got as far as Cleveland before thinkin I could ride for free in the box cars. I seen other fellas doin it and other than gettin a mite dirty it seemed like a good way to conserve my finances. I collected my luggage, cashed in my ticket and slunk around, until the train to New York headed out.

I had befriended a fellow traveler, Artemus Hitchins of Charleston, South Carolina. A boy of about my age and size but far more s’perienced with the particulars of “ridin the rails.” Most of which involved not gettin throwed under the wheels and keepin a sharp eye out for the yard Bulls, whose job it was to knock you in the head and throw you off for not havin’ a ticket. We waited till the train started rollin, then went for the first boxcar that looked empty with an open door. Artemus ran hard alongside and threw his bag up and in, then grabbed a hold of the ladder and flipped hisself into the car. I did the same, feelin pretty pleased with myself for not gettin kilt or worse. As we were congratulatin each other, our eyes got adjusted to the dimness of the car and Artemus stopped talkin all of a sudden. A hard look had come over his face. There was four Nigra men loungin and sittin’ against the back of the car. “We got to get off.” he says “I ain’t ridin with no niggers. Come on” and out goes his bag and him after it.

I knew he was right and that I shoud have jumped too, but I was still in the glow of bein in one piece and on the train so I held back. I had known many coloreds workin back at the mill and they always seemed to know their place and treat a white man with the proper respect, so I just tole those nigras that I was a goin to stay just the same and to pay me no mind. Just then little Pluck nosed her way out of my travel bag and barked hello. They all grinned and made us welcome, so I had a smoke and settled in for the ride to New York.

In the summer of 1912, Jim Crow was the law of the land and there was plenty of ways for a nigra to get on the wrong side of it. A black man could not be seen talking to a white woman after dark and had to make way for even the trashiest of white men.This seemed right.Thats just how things was and always would be. Just one drop of black blood was enough to shade a person and mark them and their children and grandchildren forever. Injuns, chinee, eskimo It don’t make no difference. To be caught drawing water from the white mans well so to speak, was a guaranteed invite to your own necktie party.

Now these coloreds I had throwed in with on the train was nice enough fellers and let me have the best corner and sang hymns and played with Pluck and taught her some tricks. I gave each of them a penny so they wouldn’t think about stealin anything for a week or two, and when it came time to quit the train they jumped out aways ahead of me so I wouldn’t be seen keepin their company. Nice fellers all around.

New York City was bigger and dirtier than anything I could have imagined. And the commotion! There was not one minute of peace. Like when the mill was running at top speed, or a cicada bug that just hums and hums with no end to it. I asked where the circus was but they tole me that what I wanted was the Vaudville and that I would have to get cleaned up some before they would let me in as I was black as a beetle from the train. And no dogs allowed, lessen you was blind.

What I wanted was a room, with a bed and a sink to wash up. For a man of means such as myself, this was no problem. I took a buggy to a hotel near Broadway and hiding Pluck in my bag, rented a room for the night. I fell hard asleep and was resurrected by the bell of a streetcar outside my window just after dark. With my clothes cleaned and my hair slicked back, I was ready to “paint the town”. Leaving Pluck in the room with my bag, I took just enough money for the evening and hid the rest under my mattress.

The Vaudville was sure enough a circus, but there wern’t no Pacyderms or Zebras or a ringmaster as usual. Clowns though, they had em for days. Jugglers and gymnasts and pool sharks for sure and one clown got swatted with a board called a slapstick that exploded and scared the whole place for a minute or two. It was just grand. But after eight hours or so they started repeatin the acts and I knew all the jokes and there wern’t no more surprises, so I give it up and headed back to my room at the hotel. On the way I even paid a nickel to go inside a tent and see the tattooed lady. She was awful pretty, but had kind of a sour face like she had et something that was still undecided on which way it was goin to go.

I figured Pluck would be powerful hungry by now, so I got a bone from the butcher and wrapped it in some newsprint so’s I could sneak it past the desk clerk. That went all right and I was feelin pretty smart about the whole experience of leavin home until I got to my room. As I stood there in the hallway with the key in one hand and a soup bone in the other, I seen that my door was open just a crack. “Hello!” I says. No reply. No barkin neither. “Pluck!”, I hollered.”Pluck!!” Nothin. Keepin that bone at the ready, I went on in. It looked like a tornado had come through there and turned everything inside out. Robbed. Everything I owned was gone. Gone. No money, no clothes and no dog. I ain’t ashamed to admit it, I sat down right there and begin to bawl. Cried my eyes out. Tole myself that my life was over and I could just lay down right then and there and give up the ghost. Bein pert near wore out from the travel and the excitement and the exertion of feelin sorry for myself, I cried myself to sleep.

The mornin’ came quick and hard with the innkeeper poundin on the door sayin pay up or git out. I tole him what had happened but he didn’t seem all that surprised, just said he warn’t runnin’ no church and how was I figurin’ on payin for the damage to the room. All I had left in the world was what was on my back. And all I could think was that I was hungry, homeless, pissed off, tired and broke and needed to find my dog. So I lit out of there with him a yellin after me and hit the bricks with no thought but to try and find Pluck.



INT. WINGED FIST IRISH ATHLETIC CLUB – NEW YORK CITY – 1912

The hall is standing room only packed with athletes and supporters from across the nation, many meeting for the first time. Colonel Thompson, James Sullivan and other dignitaries command the stage.

REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD WAINRIGHT

Ladies and gentlemen. Before I introduce our esteemed President of the Olympic committee, (cheers from the crowd) allow me to state, that although my days of athletic prowess are behind me, I still possess a mighty voice and plan to lose it, cheering you on to victory at Stockholm. (cheers) Without further adieu, I give you our leader and benefactor, Colonel Robert Means Thompson. (louder whistles, catcalls and cheering)

COLONEL THOMPSON

Let me give it to you straight from the shoulder boys. We are going over to Stockholm, not as sports, but as sportsmen. We are going to show the representatives of the forty nations against whom we compete, that we can take defeat with victory,..and prove to the world,.. that composite though we are, our ancestors made no mistake in forging this great nation. (cheers) I want to say, that I am proud to lead you all. I want to feel that I’ll have reasons to be prouder still when we return triumphant from these great games. (cheers) Tonight, you will be issued uniforms and berth assignments aboard our ship the Finland. Tomorrow, the invasion commences. (cheers) I ask that you keep in mind, you represent the United States both on and off the athletic field. I exhort you to embody the spirit of past Olympians in your endeavors. Faster,.. (cheers) higher,.. (cheers) stronger... (crescendo of cheers)

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. NEW YORK CITY JUNE 1912 – MORNING

A young boy, making his way through the back alleys and side streets of New York City, hears the muted strains of a marching band. As he approaches a main thoroughfare, cheering crowds pack the sidewalks, preventing him from pushing through to the front. He spies a lamp post and climbs. From his vantage point above the crowd he views a procession of uniformed young men and women in loose formation, smiling and waving through a blizzard of confetti. Somewhat confused, he calls out to a man standing on the sidewalk just below.

HARRY

(shouting) Who’re we fight’in?

BYSTANDER

(shouting) What?

HARRY

(louder) Who’re we fight’in?

BYSTANDER

(shouting) Nobody, it’s the Olympics

HARRY

(shouting) What’s a Olympics?

BYSTANDER

(shouting) Can you read?

HARRY

(nodding yes) Some

The bystander takes a copy of the New York Times from under his arm and passes it up to Harry, then turns his attention back to the parade. Athletically securing his position on the lamppost by wrapping one leg around, Harry opens the paper to see the headline “OLYMPIC ATHLETES SHOW GREAT FORM – INDIANS WIN” Slowly mouthing the words as he reads, the name Jim Thorpe catches his eye and he expectantly scans the uniformed athletes for a familiar face.

With the end of the parade approaching, Harry shimmies down the pole and moves into the street, deftly sidestepping a trail of road apples. Joining the attendant crush of people, he is swept towards the harbor where five thousand flag waving well wishers surround the beribboned transatlantic steamship Finland. Pandemonium prevails as the parade approaches, the arrival of the Olympic team dangerously overcrowding the dock and disrupting final preparations for departure. Off to one side, a group of delinquent boys tie a string of firecrackers onto the tail of a puppy and laughing, send it howling into the crowd. Frightened, one of a half dozen cavalry horses balks at being led onto the ship and breaks free from it’s handler, threatening to maim or kill as it makes it’s escape. Quick as lightning, one of the Olympic athletes jumps in front of the horse. Spreading his arms wide the animal rears up, hooves flailing. Fearlessly, he grabs the loose halter and hangs on. Firecrackers are still popping as Harry breaks free from the frightened crowd and calls to the pup.

HARRY (CONT’D)S

(shouting) Pluck!.. Pluck! Come here girl! Come here!

Harry throws his coat over the terrified puppy and pulling it close to his chest, puts out the firecrackers. Looking up, Harry realizes that the uniformed athlete is his hero, All American, Jim Thorpe. Jim, having calmed the wild eyed horse, effortlessly swings astride and giving Harry a nod, rides along the dock to appreciative applause amidst the pop and flash of cameras, until confronted by a red faced cavalry officer.

LIEUTENANT GEORGE PATTON

(FORCEFULLY) DISMOUNT! DISMOUNT, DAMN YOU!

Patton immediately seizes the horses bridle, locking eyes with the bareback rider as he issues the command. Jim, completely relaxed and in his element as the center of attention, smiles down at the upset officer, the halter rope loose in his hands.

THORPE

(casually) Sure thing Captain. You’re welcome.

Gracefully, Thorpe swings his leg over the neck of the horse landing softly next to Patton, then hands him the halter rope.

THORPE (CONT’D)

You boys ought to keep a closer watch over your livestock. Somebody could have got their feelin’s hurt.

A group of officers and other members of the Olympic team has gathered around the two men, adding to the already tense situation. Patton, livid now and running his hands over the foreleg of the horse addresses Thorpe indirectly.

LIEUTENANT PATTON

You damn savage! If this animal is injured in any way, I’ll see you in irons, after I beat some sense into you.

Thorpe, still relaxed but appraising the situation.

THORPE

Any time you’re feeling froggy Custer, just jump.

Patton, unable to believe what he has just heard, jerks upright, his riding crop raised to deliver a blow. Thorpe however, has pivoted and is now standing to the side of Patton, the bright morning sun to his back. A commanding male voice freezes the interaction.

COLONEL THOMPSON

(forcefully) Stand down sir! We’ll have none of that!

Patton and his men snap to attention as the superior officer takes charge of the situation. Thorpe, still in a defensive posture, waits.

COLONEL THOMPSON (CONT’D)

Lieutenant, see that this animal gets aboard without further incident.

LIEUTENANT PATTON

Yes sir.

COLONEL THOMPSON

(addressing the Olympic team) The rest of you, gather your kit and get on this ship. We sail within the hour. Thorpe, I need a word with you.

Pulling Jim aside Colonel Thompson queries him.

THORPE

(respectfully) Sir?

COLONEL THOMPSON

What was all that about?

THORPE

(shrugging) The horse got loose, I brought her back. End of story.

As they are speaking together, a stocky, purposeful looking man, dressed in civilian clothes and smoking a cigar strides towards them.

COLONEL THOMPSON

(shaking hands) Mr. Warner, seems we’re off to a shaky start.

POP WARNER

(rapidly) I saw the whole thing Colonel. For Chrissake, Jim’s a hero! That officer was completely out of line.

COLONEL THOMPSON

Lieutenant Patton, one of our best. Stands to medal in the games... Just be thankful he’s on our side. Now, time is short and no harm done, let’s get aboard and save the fireworks for Stockholm shall we?

POP WARNER

Right you are sir... Come on Jim, the wars over.

THORPE

Wouldn’t have been much of a scalp any ways Coach.

POP WARNER

Hummph!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FORT MEYERS VIRGINIA MAY 1912 – DAY

A hotly contested Polo match is underway. One player stands out on the U.S. Cavalry team. Playing rough and using rougher language, he manages to score when it seems impossible.

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

There’s your man. On the big bay.

COLONEL THOMPSON

Patton? No doubt he’s a fine horseman. Can he run.. shoot?

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

Crack shot with a pistol. Absolute devil with the sabre and swims like a fish. Still holds the 200 meter record in the high hurdles at West Point. Rumor has it he was raised by savages until he was twelve. Can’t spell worth a damn though.

COLONEL THOMPSON

Their are no medals for spelling at the games Captain.

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

Sir.

COLONEL THOMPSON

What’s the chink in his armor Frank? His Achilles heel?

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

That would be his mouth sir.

COLONEL THOMPSON

Come again?

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

Can’t keep the thing shut. He’s both opinionated and profane. I’ve heard him use language that would make Bluebeard blush.

COLONEL THOMPSON

Is he the best we’ve got?

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

Absolutely. No one else comes close.

COLONEL THOMPSON

Well..See if you can’t have the barb removed from his foot. That way if he sticks it in his mouth we can get it out.

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

I know just the surgeon sir.

COLONEL THOMPSON

We have less than sixty days to the start of the games in Stockholm. Including two weeks aboard ship. Can he be ready?

Patton holds his polo mallet in the air after scoring as his teammates and spectators cheer wildly.

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

Appears he’s ready now Colonel.

INT. CAPTAIN MCCOYS OFFICE

Colonel Thompson and Captain McCoy are seated as 2nd Lieutenant Patton enters, still muddy from the polo match. Patton comes to attention and snaps a perfect salute.

LIEUTENANT PATTON

Reporting as ordered. Sir.

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

At ease Lieutenant...Introductions are in order. George, this is Colonel Thompson.

(shaking hands) Seems they’re having a little party in Stockholm in a couple months and the Colonel was wondering if you would like to attend.

LIEUTENANT PATTON

My calender is open Colonel.

COLONEL THOMPSON

Lieutenant, have you heard of the modern Olympic games?

(Patton nods yes) The founder, a Frenchman, Baron Pierre Cubertain has created a competition consisting of five events. A modern Pentathlon, conceived to test the fitness of the perfect man at arms of the present day. Skills that would be necessary should a courier find himself in jeopardy behind enemy lines. Pistol marksmanship at twenty-five meters, fencing...a swim of three hundred meters...a five thousand meter steeple chase, on an unfamiliar mount and a cross country run of four thousand meters.

LIEUTENANT PATTON

Sounds like a long day Colonel.

COLONEL THOMPSON

(laughing) The events will be held over a five to ten day period with adequate time to rest. We sail from New York mid June, with the games commencing in early July. You would be the sole representative of the armed forces of the United States at the games. Can you be ready?

LIEUTENANT PATTON

With the Captains permission, I can be ready within the hour sir.

COLONEL THOMPSON

That’s the spirit!

Captain McCoy brings a crystal decanter and three glasses to his desk.

CAPTAIN FRANK MCCOY

Permission granted. A toast then. To victory at Stockholm! The three touch glasses.

ALL

Victory!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. NEW YORK HARBOR – DAY

Harry and Pluck rejoin the parade, continuing along the dock, up the gang plank and onto the Finland.

Seeing that no one is paying any attention to him, he finds a perfect place to rest in one of the extra lifeboats stored on deck in response to the recent Titanic tragedy.

HARRY

We’ll just hole up here for a spell Pluck, get our wits about us and see what comes. Hush now. That’s my girl.

The send off festivities continue, good byes are said, all ashore is sounded and eventually the Finland casts off, her rails lined with passengers and Olympic hopefuls catching a last glimpse of the New York City skyline.

CUT TO:

EXT DECK OF THE STEAMSHIP FINLAND – MORNING

With baggage in tow, members of the Olympic team show boarding passes to various stewards who direct them to their quarters. Ultimately, black athlete Howard Drew, Hawaiian swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, and native American track and field stars Jim Thorpe, Lewis Tewanina and Andrew Sokalexis are directed forward to one cabin in third class.

INT. THIRD CLASS CABIN ABOARD THE FINLAND – DAY

Thorpe, Andrew and Lewis are the last to arrive finding Duke, and Howard already settling in.

THORPE

Well, what a surprise. I thought for sure I’d be bunking with the Captain. I’ll check with the porter and see if there’s been a mistake.

Laughter all around as Thorpe chucks his bag onto an empty bunk.

THORPE (CONT’D)

Howard! I thought you’d be in with the rest of the Winged Fists. Or are you not Irish anymore?

HOWARD DREW

Oh, I’m Irish all right. I just have to stay down here in the dark with you feller’s for a spell, see if I can’t lose some of this Philadelphia tan.

THORPE

(shaking hands all around, Thorpe comes last to Duke) Names Jim. What tribe are you from bud? I’m pretty sure you’re with the right bunch, I just never seen an Injun with a pair of choppers like what you got.

Sporting a huge grin, showcasing his perfect white teeth, Duke introduces himself.

DUKE

(smiling) Howzit! I’m Duke.

THORPE

(bowing deeply) Well... excuse ME, your majesty. Shouldn’t you be up in first class with the rest of the quality?

DUKE

(laughing) It was my Dad’s name. He was born when the Duke of England visited Hawaii.

THORPE

Hawaii? I heard about that somewhere’s. You the boys that do the fire dancing?

DUKE

(smiling) Some do. I do my dancing in the water.

THORPE

There’s plenty around. You might just get a chance to do some dancin’ yet.

Lewis has lain down on the floor, obviously not feeling well.

THORPE (CONT’D)

Maybe you can give Lewis some lessons. Appears he’s a land lubber after all.

More laughter all around as Lewis groans, pulling a pillow over his head.

INT. DARKENED HULL OF LIFEBOAT – NIGHT

Harry, the reality of what he has done sinking in, shares what little food he has with the pup.

HARRY

(whispering) Well Pluck, we’re in it now. There’s no turnin’ back. We’ll just hold on and see what the mornin’ brings.

Crying softly, the now quiet ship and constant thrum of the engines lull him to sleep.

INT. SAWMILL TOLEDO, OHIO – DAY

Harry is working the line with older men and young children in a ballet of efficiency. The dust and noise are overwhelming.

FOREMAN MILLER

(shouting) Harry!! Harry!!

Harry gives a nod and taps the man alongside him on the shoulder, letting him know he is leaving the line.

HARRY

Whats shakin’ Davy?

FOREMAN MILLER

Old man Stiller wants you up in the office.

HARRY

You mean my new Pa?

FOREMAN MILLER

On his best day, he’ll never be half the man your Pa was.

HARRY

Don’t I know it.

FOREMAN MILLER

Best shake a leg now.

HARRY

Thanks Davy

Harry moves through the mill, smiling and gesturing to every worker he encounters.

INT. MR. STILLERS OFFICE – DAY

Harry enters the office and greets the receptionist who is in tears.

HARRY

Hey sis...Whoa! What’s wrong?

MOLLY NAUGHTON

Oh Harry, It’s just awful. Why can’t things just be like they used to.

HARRY

What’s happened?

An interior door opens and a balding man with a drooping mustache sticks his head out his office door.

MR. STILLER

All right! Stop that bawlin’! Harry get in here. Now.

Molly waves him in and buries her tear stained face in a handkerchief.

Mr. Stiller straightens his coat and takes his seat behind the desk.

HARRY

Just what’s got her all worked up?

MR. STILLER


Purchase this book or download sample versions for your ebook reader.
(Pages 1-17 show above.)