5 of a Kind Blog

Well I have finally got around to creating the blog with information on my script being performed at the Winnipeg and Saskatoon Fringes:

5 of a Kind

Joe Trebble's continuing adventure (Chapter 5)

As I see Joe Trebble's story beginning to over run this general writing blog, I have created a blog just for his adventures.

I'll still post about the new chapters here, with links, but now as the story progresses, there should be no need to search for old posts to catch up on the story. So I will also mention that Chapter 5 is also now up (on the new site).

Joe Trebble's Adventures
Chapter 5: Dogs

50 words or less.....

It is time for me to summarize my play (5 of a Kind) in 50 words or less for the Fringe programs. It is always a difficult thing to summarize a play or book in so short a number of words and still have it appealing, intriguing and saying enough of the story that people are not overtly surprised by it, yet not revealing the ending. So here are a few of my attempts for people to comment on. Please make comments on specific ones by referring to category and number (ie B-4, C8, ...), thanks.


A) [this one was the initial 25 words or less submitted to one Fringe to give an idea of what the play is about]

When Canadian Evan meets up with three Brit boys for Birmingham Pride, their lives are propelled through trials of love, friendship, betrayal and deception. (24)


B) [these are my top 4 favorites at the moment - in order of length(word count)]

1) Will Evan and Roger convince Sean to go to Pride?
Will Mike drive David and Evan apart?
Find out in this coming out adventure of friendship, love, betrayal, deception, and learning to just be oneself. (35)

2) What would you do if a secret side of yourself was uncovered?
Follow Sean's journey of acceptance in coming out, and Evan's discovery of David's sketchy past in this adventure of friendship, love, betrayal and deception. (36)

3) Pride! Watch the drama unfold in the events leading up to Birmingham Pride between Canadian Evan and Brit boys Sean, David, Roger and Mike in this adventure of friendship, love, betrayal, deception, coming out and just being oneself. (38)

4) When Canadian Evan visits Birmingham, his desire to stay for Pride is dubious in this coming out adventure of love, friendship, betrayal, deception and learning to just be oneself.
Will Roger convince Sean to go to Pride?
Will Mike break up David and Evan’s relationship? (45)


C) [these are the others I brainstormed - in order of length(word count)]

1) When Evan and Sean meet up with three Brit boys in Birmingham, their lives are propelled through trials of love, friendship, betrayal and deception. (24)

2) When Evan and Sean meet up in Birmingham, their lives are propelled through trials of friendship, love, betrayal and deception in this story of self discovery. (26)

3) Will Evan and Roger convince Sean to go to Pride?
Will Mike drive David and Evan apart?
Find out in this adventure of friendship, love, deception and betrayal. (28)

4) When Canadian Evan visits Birmingham, his desire to stay for Pride is dubious in this adventure of love, friendship, betrayal, and deception.
Will Roger convince Sean to go to Pride?
Will Mike break up David and Evan’s relationship? (38)

5) When Evan and Sean meet up in Birmingham, their lives are propelled through trials of friendship, love, betrayal and deception as Robert helps Sean in coming out, and Evan leans the truth about David when an old acquaintance shows up. (40)

6) While visiting the UK from Canada, Evan is invited to Birmingham by his new mate Sean. While there, Evan is faced with Sean’s coming out, guided by Roger, and the trials of love with David. Especially when David’s old acquaintance, Mike, shows up. (43)

7) When Canadian Evan visits Birmingham he is faced with an adventure of friendship, love, deception and betrayal as he encourages Sean to come out, with the help of Roger, and his love of David is put to the test when Mike shows up. (43)

8) Pride! Watch the drama unfold in the events leading up to Birmingham Pride between Canadian Evan and Brit boys Sean, David, Roger and Mike in this based on a true story of adventure, coming out, love, friendship, betrayal, deception and just plain being yourself. (44)

Observations on the C-Train

I am not sure what it is today, but I seemed to be more observant on the C-Train this morning. There were 3 individuals that caught my eye with their appearance.

One woman had a Vulcanish look to her. She looked quite dignified, and defined facial features (such as her jaw and nose). Her hair style was more what gave me the Vulcan impression as it reminded me of the Vulcan (or perhaps Romulan) hair cuts on Star Trek. She even had the salt and peppery look to her hair, despite which she still looked middle aged (not too old, not too young). It seemed a give away that she was not Vulcan by her normal shaped ears, but with cosmetic surgery now days, who knows....

I was standing in the middle of the C-Train car, and the Vulcan woman was opposite me just to the front. Opposite me a little farther back, was a man who caught my eye. Or more his eye caught my eye. He had one bright blue eye and one darker eye (dark green or perhaps medium brown). Not quite like Jason/the little girl on X-Men 2 (with the piercing blue eye and the piercing green eye). Had I been standing elsewhere I doubt this man would have caught my attention. He was dressed casually, in a black coat, black trousers, and a shirt with some design on it. He seemed to fit into the mix of the transit crowd. His eye caught my attention and I wondered briefly if one eye had a coloured contact lens. I did not observe him too much, and there is only so much one can gather from a few glances. I did however think that perhaps there was more to him than meets the eye. Does he have some special ability because of the eye? (As I write this Alastor Moody from Harry Potter comes to mine, but a much younger one, as the man I saw would be in his 20s by my guess.)

Now I don't mind if people listen to music. I mind only a little if I can hear a bit of it through their headphones (though I wonder why they play it that loud). But when I do hear it I look around to see where it comes from. Opposite the man, and just about next to me, was a the woman with the loud headphones. Now the best way I think I can describe her, is an 'out of season cougar.' She had the general look in the face of an older woman (I'd almost say she looked older than the Vulcan woman, but they are probably both about the same age). She had wild blond hair, and those dark sunglasses that look like they're made to cover normal glasses. The music I could hear (not too clearly, but loud enough), basically cemented the Cougar image to me. She did not look overweight, but she did look a little hung over perhaps (I'll atribute that to the sunglasses). Now it is a little cool out today, and it wasn't evening when I was on the C-Train, so her attire was perhaps the one thing that did not scream cougar, but close. She had a black winter jacket, blue jeans and brown (typical) winter boots.

There were of course others on the C-Train I observed, but not to the same degree.
A woman had three piercings in her lower lip - her attire as casual as the blue eye man.
The man next to her was working on a laptop.


I must also add that I don't think this is coincident that the next chapter of Joe Trebble is titled Public Transit as I wrote that about 4 days ago (just took a while to type up and post).

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy - Chapter 4: Public Transit

Need to read the previous chapter (Chapter 3) or start from the beginning (Chapter 1)

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy
Chapter 4: Public Transit

Christie left the room with the rest of her class. As chit chat erupted, her mobile buzzed, indicating a text message.

Christie waved goodbye to her friends as she headed to the bus, checking the message on the way.

"Joe Trebble is coming for dinner" was the message from her father.

Christie had not seen Joe for almost 4 years, what would he be like now?

The bus stopped and Christie got on, her red hair blowing slightly in the wind. She smiled to the surly looking bus driver as she showed her pass. He looked back and nodded.

"Where was Gus?' She thought of the bus driver who usually drove this route.

She walked down the length of the bus, looking at the people around. Some she recognized, some she didn't.

'Would Joe be all formal like that business man reading the National Post? He was doing that business degree,' she thought. 'Or would he be more like that Goth kid at the back, all in black and in his own style? Joe had implied to me that he had got involved in a unique group of people.' Christie sat in her normal seat, smiling at the kids across the passage. 'Or is he married now with kids of his own?'

"Hey Christie. You left suddenly from class," Trevor, a classmate, said taking the seat next to her.

"Got company tonight," Christie replied.

"Oh, well, I, um . . . say what did you think of today's lecture?"

Christie looked closely at Trevor, he hardly ever took this bus. Suddenly she realized something about him. He had always seemed so shy around her, and awkward when he talked about anything other than school. He wasn't that bad looking, short brown hair, and green eyes, good body, but perhaps needed to work out.

"It was an interesting paper presented, not too sure if the techniques were properly documented. So where are you going Trevor?"

"Off, um, shopping. . . . maybe a movie."

"You know, I've heard there are a couple really good movies out, perhaps we could catch one next week," Christie said seeing Trevor blush. He was obviously trying to ask her out.

"Yeah, um, sounds good."

"Here's my stop. Give me a call tomorrow." Christie got off the bus.

Chapter 5 coming soon.

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy - Chapter 3: Love

Authors note: Click to read Chapter 1 or to read the previous chapter

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy
Chapter 3: Love

Joe drove off from the BioTech building. His meeting went well with Henry, at least he hoped so. The dinner tonight might change all that.

Tonight. What would he tell Christie. He knew she cared for him, her sporadic letters were clear as day to him, what with the training he had. But he didn't love her as she loved him. There was another in his life. Yet once she heard he was in town, wand for no apparent reason, since the meeting with Henry was confidential, she might think he came for her.

Lost in thought, Joe drove the pink Cadillac back into town. Marcel was at the hotel when he returned.

"Thanks for the car," Joe said tossing the keys to Marcel.

"How was it, doesn't look like it went well."

"It went quite well, just a turn of events. How can I let Christie down?"

"What do you mean?"

Joe led Marcel into his hotel room as they talked. Taking off his white shirt.

"Henry invited me to their place for dinner, he'll give me his decision then. But Christie will be there."

Joe opened the closet to find something more appropriate to wear.

"If she knows you as well as you say, she should be fine with it. I'm surprised you've not told her."

"I never felt comfortable telling her in a letter. Besides, her last letter to me was about six months ago, and I was hoping she'd find someone else."

Chapter 4

Short Story Sweatshop - tomorrow

Tomorrow is going to be interesting. It is the day of writing where I hope to continue the story of Joe Trebble.

Part of what is going to make it interesting is that my computer crashed about two weeks ago. Luckily my files could be rescued prior to it going back to the store for warrantee work (it is only 5 months old).

The first two chapters were written right on the computer, so posting them only required finding them. This time, any Joe Trebble story will have to be typed up first.

Another thing is that there has been a lot going through my mind, so who knows what interesting things will come to the paper. Only time will tell.

Lunchbox Theatre - Calgary

On 26 March I received an email that surprised me. It was an invitation to the launch of the next season of Lunchbox Theatre.

It surprised me as I've no idea how I got on their mailing list.

'Fate' I told myself as I replied saying I would attend. In the back of my mind I thought of who might have put me on the list.

The launch was on Wednesday at 3pm, and it was fun. I was a little nervous since I still feel new to that world (although I have been involved in various aspects of drama and theatre off and on for several years). However, I met a few interesting people prior to the 2007-2008 schedule of plays.

This year it is going to be a set of 7 world premiers, all of which look fascinating. And I so happened to meet one of the playwrights.

Lunchbox Theatre
http://www.lunchboxtheatre.com/

Drifting

I am feeling somewhat adrift on the river of life
Content to let the currents of fate guide me
It is perhaps my way of dealing
With the recent unexpected changes
Currently in my life
I am still endeavouring to focus
On present work and opportunities
Enjoying each day
Yet limiting my future planning
Even though I must consider
The possibilities
When dealing with these sudden events
I will wait until
A moment of potential enlightenment
That I know is coming
(Coincidently)
Near Easter

Hello March!

Life is a journey,
one adventure after another
some are joyous
like birth, weddings, graduation
or even just a great night on the town
and some are depressing
like death, loss, accidents
I had such a day yesterday
not with death, thank god,
but a couple mishaps.

It is three weeks since my grandmother passed away.
I was visiting my parents this weekend to help out, even though most of the work was done.
But it was a good thing I was there, for my Mother slipped and fell in the shower.
She went to the hospital, got sewn up (3 stitches in the back of the head), and came home.
Two more times she fell, but luckily my Father and I were there to help.
She was then admitted into the hospital.
At 8:30 pm I decided to drive back to Calgary from Edmonton.
Around 11:30pm, less than 60 km from Calgary, my car spasmed.
This has not been my week, I thought while waiting for a toe.
For last week my computer crashed, and I came down with a heavy cough.
When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb.
Does that refer to life as well as weather?

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy - Chapter 2: Persisting Against All Odds

Authors note: Click to read Chapter 1

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy
Chapter 2: Persisting Against All Odds

Joe walked into Henry's office, there was a reason he was here, and he knew, despite his boyish good looks, many here would hate him for it, but it had to be done.

"Joe my boy, what brings you to our neck of the woods?" Henry said as Joe entered his office.

"Business. But we'll get to that later. How is Rachael and Christie?" Joe asked. Henry and Joe's father, Mark, had worked together for many years. Henry was almost like an uncle to him, Christie almost a sister. However that all changed about 7 years ago when Mark had passed away, a freak accident in the lab. That was back when the BioTech labs were in the city core. Since then Joe had seen less and less of Christie, Henry and Rachael, his adopted aunt. Especially when he had gone to Wales to do a business degree. Wales to do a business degree? Everyone had asked. But Joe wanted to get back in touch with his father's roots.

"Racheal is doing well, and Christie, well she is working on her masters in bio-physics. You should come by another time and say hello, she would be delighted to see you again. She's off at classes right now, but does some of her work here. Now what can I do for you? A drink to start?" Henry said in reply to Joe's questions.

Joe was about to say no to the drink, but based on why he was here Henry might need that drink. "Yeah sure." Joe took the stout glass, half filled with 21 yr old Scotch, a good year Joe thought smiling to himself that it was as old as he was - even though it was in Henry's possession for 2 years. Joe sat down on the visitor chair, Henry leaned against his desk. Joe took a scan of the room as he sipped his drink. The room was as he had remembered, three walls were covered in whiteboards, scribbles of molecular biology formulas and chemical compositions all over then, and covered then with papers of important research notes. Henry's desk was a pile of papers, a cracked decanting flask used as a pencil holder.

"I thought you were still in Wales," Henry said after sipping his scotch.

"I am, or was. Look, Uncle, I don't mean to be brash here, but I have learned of some things that I think you should know. Through the grapevine so to speak." Joe put down his glass. "There is this mega micro biology company in Birmingham that has been working hard towards a vaccine like what you are working on. They are cutting corners and hope to undermine everyone else that is doing legitimate work. Not only that they have been up to some corporate espionage, and apparently a couple of the smaller micro-biology companies in Switzerland and Italy have already been attacked," Joe leaned forward, noticing the worried look on his uncle's face. "I know a few of the right people in the right places to get a little of this knowledge, and I also know some people that can help. But seeing as this company is one of the bigger ones in Canada, you are bound to be targeted soon. I can help, but you have to trust me."

Henry gingerly put down his scotch, and turned. "I had heard about Switzerland, I thought it was an accident. What happened in Italy?"

"No accident. Italy, they lost 3 years of computer data, they have been good at covering it up, but it hit them hard."

Henry sat heavily in his chair. "What can you do for me?"

"You are not going to like this, I already know. Father would not approve either, but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire." Joe paused for a moment, it was hard to say, and do, what he needed to with a man he loved and trusted like his father. "They are recruiting people to spy on the other companies, my name is known to them connected to BioTech, they are not sure how deep my loyalties lie, nor have they asked me, but if I pull the right strings, I could be their spy here. The thing is I have to work for them. But I can play the double agent, inform you, and only you, what I know. This means I get no special treatment when I work here, so I can limit what I pass on to them, but I have to give them something or.... well I heard that Switzerland was because their mole was not performing." Joe was shaking inside, this was going to an uphill battle all the way to save the company his father helped found.

Joe could see the grim expression on Henry's face, it made him look 10 years older. "Would it be any good? You acting as a double agent, trying to save us in the face of unethical overzealous corporations?"

Joe was about to tell Henry the full truth, but stopped himself short. There was so much more to it than that, and despite all the odds he had to pursue it carefully. "Trust me it is."

"Let me think about it. Come by the house later tonight, even if I have not decided, it would be good for you to see the family."

Next chapter