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Post by Edward Cheever on Feb 17, 2011 17:36:05 GMT -6
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Post by Edward Cheever on Feb 17, 2011 18:05:17 GMT -6
Premise: You've entered a room in a sort of conference, at a twelve step program (AA) but you don't remember what the program is for, and you're afraid to ask what you're there for.
"Sorry, the meeting is getting started so late," Arthur said, sitting down and gesturing to the chairs. "Everybody take a seat and tell us why you're here and a little bit about yourself. I'll start. My name is Arthur Milward, and since I have been coming with some success for five years now, I guess I am in charge of the meeting. As much as anyone is in charge of this kind of meeting, I guess." He laughed nervously.
Ben laughed in reply, also nervously, "Uh, I guess you guys are here for pretty much the same reasons I am, so... well there you have it! As for me? Well, I'm Ben Jones III. I'm a High School English teacher. I sold cars for a while. Went to Vietnam." He waved his hand in the air somewhat dismissively, "That sort of thing." Ben shifted over to one of the chairs and sat down, looking around the room at the other faces.
Jeff twitched suddenly as his leg began vibrating against the table leg, "Pardon me, it's a habit that all the Bakers have. Jeff Baker is my name, and I'm currently working in a mortuary." He shifted his eyes nervously. "So why are you all so quiet, I thought this was a place where we could go into denial of something."
"They probably have medicine for that," said a young woman next to him. "Oh, I'm supposed to be introducing myself aren't I? Um, ok, my name is Amanda and, well, I guess we all know why I'm here so I don't really need to say anything about that."
Judy looked up from her purse, which she held tightly in her arms, as if she was scared of it being left and someone looking through all her things. “Uh…um…My name is Judy…” every word was awkward and nervous. “Um…I’ve lost my cell phone I think. Could one of you call it please? I can’t miss a call from my kids. In fact, I think I need to call my daughter right now. I saw something weird on the way in and it’s bothering me.”
I just don’t’ know what to do. I’m here, this appointment was on my calendar, but for which one of my addictions is it actually for?
Well hi everyone my name is Scorchia Heatherton, but ya’ll, can call me Scottie. I am a researcher.
“Hi Scottie” said everyone.
Well, I’m here because. . . (oh no why am I here. What am I going to say. . . ? Oh I got it.) because I am an addict and want to kick the habit so to speak.
"Thank you all," Arthur said. "Coming tonight must have been hard for most of you. I think all of you are first timers here. But we are here to help." He reached up and slicked back his hair. "Let's talk about our troubling times. When the urge strikes us hardest. Who would like to start?"
"Well..." Ben paused, "You all know how it is, I suppose. I mean," He gave a half-hearted laugh, "I mean I don't have to tell you, you already know, right?"
"Of course, that's why we're here." Foot twitching, he continued, "My problem started when I was twelve and I couldn't get over it. There have been many tears along the road and I'm not afraid to admit that. That's why I came here I suppose." "My problem started when I was in high school...or maybe it was earlier. I can't remember exactly. All I know is that, in my senior year in high school, I was totally addicted. Sometimes it gets in the way of my homework," Amanda laughed slightly. "Actually, I'll admit I kinda skipped work sometimes because of it."
"Oh, um...well...I think it was when my fifth child was born. I would sit in front of the tv and I just couldn't stop. I was so...addicted. Has any one seen how that light looks funny? I just can't figure it out. Why does it look that way?" She pointed at Amanda and motioned her over, "you, Alice, can you help me figure that out please?"
“Well for me, it’s been a struggle. It just started so gradually, you know? Well, I have lost almost everything because of it, except my man and my job. I think he would go to hell and back with me if I needed him. But I’m here because he has encouraged me to come here and see if I can get rid of my addiction. I mean you all know what it’s like.”
“Well, I don’t know about problems. I don’t have any problems.” Ben gave a small grin, “My friends and family say I have loads of problems, but what do they know?”
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