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Richard Lloyd Cederberg, click here
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WARNING: There is a certain kind of intensity, and language, in this piece that may offend some. From ardent love, to abject hatred, the pendulum can swing wide, at times, in human interaction.
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CHARACTERS: Narrator. Blind deaf rage. Bruce the recipient. Spectators. Enterprisers. An innocent modifier. Extrapolated from a real-life incident. Types and shadows hinting at a vaster global characterization.
DEAF AND BLIND
Bruce had accidentally bumped into the other man’s vehicle. Infuriated he burst from his car and began accosting Bruce with mordant machinegun diction. With caution, Bruce exited his vehicle, and stood quietly out of reach. He had no intention of letting this man provoke him so, as soon as he could get a word in edgewise, Bruce offered the man his earnest apologies. Sadly his sincerity scattered fruitlessly in the air. Now the man’s bulging-veined anger intensified. And like oversized raindrops bursting on the pavement lurid words spewed forth in splatters of inept reasoning. This, of course, bemused Bruce who was an ordered man and not prone to trigger-happy confrontation. For a short time the man’s anger subsided and then a contemptuous expression crept up into his face. After that his harsh verbalizing intensified. It was whelming and began attracting others. From the stores and walkways people were gathering along the sidewalk. Some were chortling and pointing, some were shaking their heads in disdain, and several had moved closer to record the incident on their smart-phones. For a brief moment I saw the humorous irony in this; as I had no doubt the incident would be getting hits on YouTube within hours.
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It wasn’t long before the man’s irrational behavior began undermining Bruce’s patience. And when I saw the shift in him I felt my fists curling as well, my patience dissolving, my blood pressure rising, and my stance widening firmly. As I stood contemplating getting involved the incident strangely became the springboard for a vaster global picture.
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Wide-eyed the world watched as megalomaniacs rose haughty and self-consumed. A small group of frighteningly arrogant political beasts were rattling war-sabers in an escalating & sinister quest to march, purge, and dominate. For all intents and purposes Gog and Magog were preparing to march south.
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“MORON!” The man’s acidic tone snapped me from my reverie.
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Bruce’s face was strained. The man’s rage had now reached a heightened degree and I could feel its slimy tentacles trying to consume me as well. With an aberrant sneer he started posturing with bizarre galling movements. Of a sudden I caught sight of a small girl on a tricycle barreling lickety-split around the corner of the building. The speed she was traveling seemed excessive. Bruce noticed her too and the strain in his face at once vanished.
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“Mister, look!” Bruce pointed at the girl. “We need to move now! And you need to cool off.” But the man’s singular fixation never changed.
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“Go ta’ hell asshole!” He hissed.
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Knowing for certain now that the man was incapable of reason, Bruce started trying to get the child’s attention. Unfortunately she was intently centered and paid no heed to his warnings. A moment later, as Bruce side-stepped her trajectory, she ran full-tilt on target {{{WHAM}}} into the others legs with her tricycle. Crying out; his tirade came to a sudden end as he collapsed in a heap groaning. Ashen-faced the girl looked up at Bruce sobbing.
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“I’m sorry mister. I didn’t see him. Please don’t tell my mommy.”
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Bruce knelt down. “Its ok sweetheart.” He consoled as he dabbed at her tears with his handkerchief. “Are you hurt?” The young girl shook her head no.
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Groaning in pain the man pulled himself up on one arm. “Who gives a crap about her,” he grumbled exasperatedly, “why didn’t you warn me she was coming?”
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richard lloyd cederberg
(#5, 3 more)
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Web Site:
richardlloydcederberg.com
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The little girl was ironic and refreshing. Excellent write. Two little editorials in the first couple lines, otherwise perfect.
Ron
Sandie