Working on Dialogue

#3: Jack visits his mom in the nursing home

Nurse: Sir, what room are you looking for? Can I be of any assistance?

Jack: Yes, I'm here to visit my mother. Kate Shepard...

Nurse: Alright, she's in room 606. Sir, when was the last time you visited your mother?

Jack: Umm..4 months ago I believe..

Nurse: Ok..a lot has changed since then concerning your mother's condition. If you need anything, we have family support services.

(Jack, confused, enters his mothers room)

Jack: Mom? It's me-Jack. How are you feeling?

Kate: Jack? Who? Where are you from? Are you here to read to me?

Jack: No Mom, I'm here to visit you. It's Jack, your son..

Kate: My son? No..I don't know you... can you just read to me?

Jack: Yes Mom, I'll read to you (Jack with a devastated and hopeless look on his face picks up a book from the table) Alright Mom, which chapter?

Kate: I do not remember--and why are you calling me Mom? Stop it! Nurse!

How Could I Forget?

It amazes me how many people I interact with each day that have an impact on my life. The random occurrences and run-ins with friends or complete strangers shape who I am today. A particular person who I have forgotten about until this assignment was my bus driver my sophomore of high school. I never knew her name nor did we have a solid conversation. However, she stands out to me and had an impact on my life. Every morning she greeted the bus riders with a “Good morning!” and a big smile and once we departed the bus she would always say “Have a great day!”. Unlike my old bus drivers, who were often bitter and resented their job, this lady had such high spirits and started my day off with a positive attitude. She consistently wore a hoodie and her hair was often in one large braid. She was African American and had freckles surrounding her nose. Every morning, the driver had an accomplice; her two year old son JJ. He was always reading or playing with puzzles on the ride to school and was very well behaved. He would often mumble to himself or have little conversations with his mom. JJ seemed to look up to his mother and enjoy his daily bus ride; he followed after his mom and always seemed to have hight spirits. Looking back, it’s interesting to realize how much of an impact this certain bus driver had on my sophomore year. Remising about her makes me wonder, how many important people do I encounter each day that I forget as the day goes on? Then I realize, even the smallest meetings with someone still impact my life and shape who I am today.

Here and Now: My Dorm Room

Sitting, working in my quiet dorm room. 606 Curtin Hall. The smell of vanilla incense and freshly brewed coffee awakens me while I study. My computer buzzing and roommate ruffling her paper contributes to the essentially silent sounds in my room. Girls walking past the dorm, buses stopping abruptly directly outside the window, and music coming from 607 distract me while I attempt to concentrate. The neutral colors and objects that decorate the small space calm me; the warm, brown comforters covering our beds and the beige carpet shielding our floor. Our room reminds me of my home: cozy and comforting. The illuminating desk light brings me back into focus on my assignment. After hours of note taking my arm is exhausted from writing and my once comfortable seat is now confining. I become distracted once again and my mind wanders; concerned over future assignments and my busy schedule tomorrow. I turn to my bulletin board and observe photos from high school. I reminisce about prom, Cubs games with friends, New Years Eve parties, and football games. Interrupted from my thought, a friend comes into the room anxiously searching to borrow an outfit for tonight. She rummages through my roommate’s and my closets. She chooses and outfit from my roommate, a sort of airy, lightweight chiffon blouse with a pair of rugged, dark jeans. As our friend exits, I turn to my desk and observe a pile of letters I have saved, yet rarely notice, sitting aside my printer. The stack of letters is neither small nor distant, however I have never stopped to look at the saved letters nor do I see them out of the corner of my eye while I work. Simply taking the time to read through the letters makes me wonder what I miss on a daily basis. How many small moments or experiences do I and will I miss while I am stressing over future assignments or worrying about my hectic schedule? The attention seeking desk light and smell of freshly brewed coffee brings me back into focus as I once again commence my assignment.