The Chikamori Selfacy (A Reboot)
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-451kWfI6hzI/X8bPPtEyeVI/AAAAAAAAk54/KB3_SyRJ73IFG8EkSAmOkYAyCBOz1giwgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/ChikamoriSelfacyReboot_banner.png Prologue: June 12, 1970; Sacred Spleen Hospital...
Forum Discussion
The Chikamori Selfacy
Generation One - Chapter Two
Part Four
Pinochle Pond
River was revelling in her friend's nearness as they both sat close to each other. When they'd first started going to high school she noticed others hooking up and getting dates but nothing other than her studies interested her. She had a plan for her life that involved a lot of traveling and that would require a lot of money if she was going to travel on a regular basis. She was good with the brush and could craft a compelling story weaving words that left her classmates spellbound. She could see herself traveling the world armed with a paintbrush, canvases, pen and pad and earn a decent living from each. Maybe travel articles and paintings from France, China and Egypt. They were all the rage as far as travel was concerned and to be able to capture some of the sights that were available to the senses was more than reason enough to go.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4oo2YFW3ko/X8XWLgTzZjI/AAAAAAAAk3U/vk0CdyQG62Yow1QGBPYRy25sp7jyfRlFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-13.jpg
"Have you ever thought about what you're going to do once you graduate?"
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxkEAxo1Z-Q/X8XWtGRZ7dI/AAAAAAAAk3c/o-jjzLdl6akVEGgr-liXmJzHlHZ2FI88QCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-21.jpg
Haruo was startled out of his blissful contemplation of the water ripples on the surface of the pond as River's question broke into his quiet reverie. He shifted his position slightly so as to not lose his balance and fall against her even if he was in a seated position. Turning to look at her he responded cautiously, "With all the schoolwork that we've had, I really haven't had much time to think about it." He turned back to staring at the pond for a long moment of silence. It was so long that River thought he'd forgotten her question. "I'm thinking about writing as a career with maybe a side into gardening like Dad when he's not busy at his business career." He finished.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOHquvU85lM/X8Xa0pN4SYI/AAAAAAAAk3o/ix6oXaK1o5QB3v24W-ZuFLn66-mX2dr-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-18.jpg
Those were homebody types of careers River thought as she continued to lock her gaze on him. To her it seemed as though he felt most comfortable at home...even if his mother was a Grade A cow of the rankest odour. She hoped however for his sake that he managed to get clear of his mother's claws.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-TRmC5FrPQ/X8XbR10dsFI/AAAAAAAAk3w/QnsfSoWZr_Q0ne6iwY3OA_l05gbu7m7xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-23.jpg
"Have you thought about your plans after high school?" Was the return question to her and River smiled softly thinking inwards.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDGavACK53M/X8XcY1oZQGI/AAAAAAAAk4A/Lf4hBNqzVbwyJhB9JebIbu8JfpnMEpLRQCPcBGAYYCw/s0/Screenshot-25.jpg
"I want to do the same thing that your uncle did, travel the world, see the Louvre, walk the trails over the Swiss Alps, see the Northern Lights in Aurora Skies, go to Tokyo and visit Al Simhara and the Pyramids." She paused, her eyes shining with anticipation at her future plans, She sat on the ground, and stretched her legs out again.
Haruo gave her an indulgent look nodding as if to say go on and she did.
"There's so many things I want to do, to climb Machu Picchu. And visit the old Inca ruins. To explore the salt flats in Bolivia. To go to Seoul and experience the feeling of what its like to eat authentic Korean cuisine."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WLBw6CG1yc0/X8a2Oq8nRRI/AAAAAAAAk4w/hVsggjcHVRE9pABnnkZlxbHxWqJ5HDuXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-15.jpg
"...everything, eh?" Haruo said looking at her, "it looks like you've got your future planned out better than me. You should do all that." He encouraged her.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4isK4PMoAk/X8a2vV8-8WI/AAAAAAAAk44/cK9Y4Zwv4p8yfu6vw7b6X0FUSrgm4hTsACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-30.jpg
River looked into his eyes, and saw that despite his encouraging words that there was a lingering sadness in his eyes.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ha_1U5RIEbY/X8a26GdAvtI/AAAAAAAAk48/AF8JV7s7I1EJ6kCNXadWP8zGRSdurZvAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-19.jpg
"I hope I can make a career out of being a writer." Haruo sighed looking up at the trees and intertwining the fingers of his left and right hands behind his head as he lay back on the grass looking up at the sky. He let out a deep breath. "My mom seems to think that writing is a dead end job." He paused exhaling in frustration. "She wants me to become a teacher like her. I have no passion for teaching and I want to blaze my own path." He let out an exasperated sigh.
River thought to herself, Writing is a dead-end job? Then why are there people making a living out of being writers? Mayumi is so full of poop it's a wonder she doesn't have a whole squadron of bot-flies hanging around her from the stench. She wouldn't know how to really motivate somebody even if she learned directly from the guy who played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. It was a wonder how Mayumi could treat her own son this way. River had received nothing but encouragement from her mother when she had informed Fiona of her intent to travel and potentially become a travel writer traveling the world and writing about new exotic places. But Haruo had no one to encourage him.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlp6fXkgGiQ/X8a3ro_yTfI/AAAAAAAAk5M/MFCGvJvv1wUFL70tA2qEjhRdzhmXr60EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-26.jpg
Then she had a crazy idea. Shang Sim La had a kung fu school and if Haruo came with her he could train there, writing articles on kung fu, maybe write a story, somewhere away from his mother's toxic influence. Allow him to break free of his mother's clutches. And it would give me a chance to stay in Shang Sim La too to take pictures, paint landscapes and...and.., she enthused silently, looking over at her friend who was silently still staring up at the sky. I'd be able to see him thrive away from that witch from hell of a mother River thought to herself surprising herself as to how possessive and protective she sounded.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sKAIPVEHrw/X8a4EHLSEtI/AAAAAAAAk5U/dJoTAqT1WY4dBfBphzj6q67XDKViI4K6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-28.jpg
"You know maybe we should head back and get some lunch." Haruo looked over at his digital watch, a Casio A159W, which he'd managed to get for a Christmas present from his Uncle Satoshi. He showed her the time on the display. It read 4:27 if they walked they'd get into town about six in the evening. By then Molly would be working her shift at Hogan's. Hogan's Diner was the local greasy spoon which had franchised across the Lower Mainland; the menu options being slightly better fare than McDonald's on the edibility scale. The edibility tended to vary widely at the Sunset Valley Hogan's generally depending on who was manning the grill from edible and rather tasty when Molly was manning the line cook position to near heave-inducing when Jared Frio was at the helm of the grill station (considering Jared Frio's cooking skills - he seemed to spend more of his time improving OTHER skills).
But they say, beggars can't be choosers, and frankly, as long as there wasn't a cloud of flies emanating from the restaurant anytime one opened the door, the fare, if it didn't kill you, at least was filling.
"i think so too..." River concurred. To tell the truth she felt a bit hungry and her stomach was letting her know that if she didn't feed it in a reasonable amount of time she would regret not paying it any mind. Walking would keep her mind off the situation but eventually it would come to having to mollify her stomach. Maybe she could think of what to get on the walk with Haruo.
They both set out leaving Pinochle Pond behind. It had been their go-to place for many years. And River felt at peace there when the both of them would come up to the pond.
Walking across the fields brought them to Landgraab Ave which they would take all the way down past the SVPD station and past City Hall. It was a long walk in the heat but the anticipation at biting into a juicy delicious triple-stacked cheese burger and a tall cold glass of Pepsi was a dreamy prospect -thank goodness for high metabolism.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTjHjxdFSXE/X8a45xKaluI/AAAAAAAAk5g/T_zTxQ9hfWw4609_bLfgTUEs-2HkP_b1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-52.jpg
They were exhausted and sweaty by the time they reached Hogan's. Molly greeted them with a cheery "Hi, River; Hi Haruo..." from her station at the grill. River ordered the triple stacked cheeseburger heavy on the cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Haruo went with the triple stacked cheesy mushroom which the photo on the menu board showed it practically over-flowing with mushrooms. They both ordered a large Pepsi. This might take a while to digest, River thought to herself. At least the Sunset Valley Summer Festival was in town with roller-skating, a soccer field where one could take shots on the other and the slurpee machines were free in any case. Just in case they got overheated while playing shoot on goal.
The contemplation was interrupted by the server calling out their order number and like Pavlov's dogs, their mouths started to water. The cheeseburgers were large and dripping with greasy flavor; the triple burger patties slightly smoky from the grill-top. They were in burger heaven. River and Haruo were absolutely famished.
"Great burger, eh?" Haruo said between mouthfuls.
River nodded, her mouth full of juicy ground beef patties. The fries to the side looked crispy golden brown and gave off a fried potato aroma with a hint of sea-salt. And it tasted oh-so good. She giggled a bit as Haruo bit into his burger, rolled his eyes upwards and gave a look of absolute bliss. "What?" She asked when she could get the words out after swallowing her burger bite.
"Mmmm-mush-rooms" Haruo had a glazed look on his eyes, a blissful expression and a giddy smile plastered across his face as he gazed dreamily up at the ceiling of the restaurant. River cracked up laughing.
Even with the hilarity, they were both able to finish their late-afternoon lunch before seven thirty though of course they would more than likely have to wait two hours before going into the water. There really wasn't anything that said there was any harm in going into the water without waiting but they figured that waiting two hours was worth it to not have to contend with a muscle spasm while swimming. Besides, eating a large meal meant that their stomachs would be digesting for a while.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2Xe8Ms9-Fg/X8a5bg_VgwI/AAAAAAAAk5o/rB4vuDp_rPwgbppOySH7ttZOEnwH9YXUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-55.jpg
(End Part Four)
Generation One - Chapter Two
Part Four
Pinochle Pond
River was revelling in her friend's nearness as they both sat close to each other. When they'd first started going to high school she noticed others hooking up and getting dates but nothing other than her studies interested her. She had a plan for her life that involved a lot of traveling and that would require a lot of money if she was going to travel on a regular basis. She was good with the brush and could craft a compelling story weaving words that left her classmates spellbound. She could see herself traveling the world armed with a paintbrush, canvases, pen and pad and earn a decent living from each. Maybe travel articles and paintings from France, China and Egypt. They were all the rage as far as travel was concerned and to be able to capture some of the sights that were available to the senses was more than reason enough to go.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4oo2YFW3ko/X8XWLgTzZjI/AAAAAAAAk3U/vk0CdyQG62Yow1QGBPYRy25sp7jyfRlFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-13.jpg
"Have you ever thought about what you're going to do once you graduate?"
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxkEAxo1Z-Q/X8XWtGRZ7dI/AAAAAAAAk3c/o-jjzLdl6akVEGgr-liXmJzHlHZ2FI88QCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-21.jpg
Haruo was startled out of his blissful contemplation of the water ripples on the surface of the pond as River's question broke into his quiet reverie. He shifted his position slightly so as to not lose his balance and fall against her even if he was in a seated position. Turning to look at her he responded cautiously, "With all the schoolwork that we've had, I really haven't had much time to think about it." He turned back to staring at the pond for a long moment of silence. It was so long that River thought he'd forgotten her question. "I'm thinking about writing as a career with maybe a side into gardening like Dad when he's not busy at his business career." He finished.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOHquvU85lM/X8Xa0pN4SYI/AAAAAAAAk3o/ix6oXaK1o5QB3v24W-ZuFLn66-mX2dr-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-18.jpg
Those were homebody types of careers River thought as she continued to lock her gaze on him. To her it seemed as though he felt most comfortable at home...even if his mother was a Grade A cow of the rankest odour. She hoped however for his sake that he managed to get clear of his mother's claws.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-TRmC5FrPQ/X8XbR10dsFI/AAAAAAAAk3w/QnsfSoWZr_Q0ne6iwY3OA_l05gbu7m7xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-23.jpg
"Have you thought about your plans after high school?" Was the return question to her and River smiled softly thinking inwards.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDGavACK53M/X8XcY1oZQGI/AAAAAAAAk4A/Lf4hBNqzVbwyJhB9JebIbu8JfpnMEpLRQCPcBGAYYCw/s0/Screenshot-25.jpg
"I want to do the same thing that your uncle did, travel the world, see the Louvre, walk the trails over the Swiss Alps, see the Northern Lights in Aurora Skies, go to Tokyo and visit Al Simhara and the Pyramids." She paused, her eyes shining with anticipation at her future plans, She sat on the ground, and stretched her legs out again.
Haruo gave her an indulgent look nodding as if to say go on and she did.
"There's so many things I want to do, to climb Machu Picchu. And visit the old Inca ruins. To explore the salt flats in Bolivia. To go to Seoul and experience the feeling of what its like to eat authentic Korean cuisine."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WLBw6CG1yc0/X8a2Oq8nRRI/AAAAAAAAk4w/hVsggjcHVRE9pABnnkZlxbHxWqJ5HDuXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-15.jpg
"...everything, eh?" Haruo said looking at her, "it looks like you've got your future planned out better than me. You should do all that." He encouraged her.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4isK4PMoAk/X8a2vV8-8WI/AAAAAAAAk44/cK9Y4Zwv4p8yfu6vw7b6X0FUSrgm4hTsACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-30.jpg
River looked into his eyes, and saw that despite his encouraging words that there was a lingering sadness in his eyes.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ha_1U5RIEbY/X8a26GdAvtI/AAAAAAAAk48/AF8JV7s7I1EJ6kCNXadWP8zGRSdurZvAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-19.jpg
"I hope I can make a career out of being a writer." Haruo sighed looking up at the trees and intertwining the fingers of his left and right hands behind his head as he lay back on the grass looking up at the sky. He let out a deep breath. "My mom seems to think that writing is a dead end job." He paused exhaling in frustration. "She wants me to become a teacher like her. I have no passion for teaching and I want to blaze my own path." He let out an exasperated sigh.
River thought to herself, Writing is a dead-end job? Then why are there people making a living out of being writers? Mayumi is so full of poop it's a wonder she doesn't have a whole squadron of bot-flies hanging around her from the stench. She wouldn't know how to really motivate somebody even if she learned directly from the guy who played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. It was a wonder how Mayumi could treat her own son this way. River had received nothing but encouragement from her mother when she had informed Fiona of her intent to travel and potentially become a travel writer traveling the world and writing about new exotic places. But Haruo had no one to encourage him.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xlp6fXkgGiQ/X8a3ro_yTfI/AAAAAAAAk5M/MFCGvJvv1wUFL70tA2qEjhRdzhmXr60EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-26.jpg
Then she had a crazy idea. Shang Sim La had a kung fu school and if Haruo came with her he could train there, writing articles on kung fu, maybe write a story, somewhere away from his mother's toxic influence. Allow him to break free of his mother's clutches. And it would give me a chance to stay in Shang Sim La too to take pictures, paint landscapes and...and.., she enthused silently, looking over at her friend who was silently still staring up at the sky. I'd be able to see him thrive away from that witch from hell of a mother River thought to herself surprising herself as to how possessive and protective she sounded.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sKAIPVEHrw/X8a4EHLSEtI/AAAAAAAAk5U/dJoTAqT1WY4dBfBphzj6q67XDKViI4K6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-28.jpg
"You know maybe we should head back and get some lunch." Haruo looked over at his digital watch, a Casio A159W, which he'd managed to get for a Christmas present from his Uncle Satoshi. He showed her the time on the display. It read 4:27 if they walked they'd get into town about six in the evening. By then Molly would be working her shift at Hogan's. Hogan's Diner was the local greasy spoon which had franchised across the Lower Mainland; the menu options being slightly better fare than McDonald's on the edibility scale. The edibility tended to vary widely at the Sunset Valley Hogan's generally depending on who was manning the grill from edible and rather tasty when Molly was manning the line cook position to near heave-inducing when Jared Frio was at the helm of the grill station (considering Jared Frio's cooking skills - he seemed to spend more of his time improving OTHER skills).
But they say, beggars can't be choosers, and frankly, as long as there wasn't a cloud of flies emanating from the restaurant anytime one opened the door, the fare, if it didn't kill you, at least was filling.
"i think so too..." River concurred. To tell the truth she felt a bit hungry and her stomach was letting her know that if she didn't feed it in a reasonable amount of time she would regret not paying it any mind. Walking would keep her mind off the situation but eventually it would come to having to mollify her stomach. Maybe she could think of what to get on the walk with Haruo.
They both set out leaving Pinochle Pond behind. It had been their go-to place for many years. And River felt at peace there when the both of them would come up to the pond.
Walking across the fields brought them to Landgraab Ave which they would take all the way down past the SVPD station and past City Hall. It was a long walk in the heat but the anticipation at biting into a juicy delicious triple-stacked cheese burger and a tall cold glass of Pepsi was a dreamy prospect -thank goodness for high metabolism.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTjHjxdFSXE/X8a45xKaluI/AAAAAAAAk5g/T_zTxQ9hfWw4609_bLfgTUEs-2HkP_b1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-52.jpg
They were exhausted and sweaty by the time they reached Hogan's. Molly greeted them with a cheery "Hi, River; Hi Haruo..." from her station at the grill. River ordered the triple stacked cheeseburger heavy on the cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Haruo went with the triple stacked cheesy mushroom which the photo on the menu board showed it practically over-flowing with mushrooms. They both ordered a large Pepsi. This might take a while to digest, River thought to herself. At least the Sunset Valley Summer Festival was in town with roller-skating, a soccer field where one could take shots on the other and the slurpee machines were free in any case. Just in case they got overheated while playing shoot on goal.
The contemplation was interrupted by the server calling out their order number and like Pavlov's dogs, their mouths started to water. The cheeseburgers were large and dripping with greasy flavor; the triple burger patties slightly smoky from the grill-top. They were in burger heaven. River and Haruo were absolutely famished.
"Great burger, eh?" Haruo said between mouthfuls.
River nodded, her mouth full of juicy ground beef patties. The fries to the side looked crispy golden brown and gave off a fried potato aroma with a hint of sea-salt. And it tasted oh-so good. She giggled a bit as Haruo bit into his burger, rolled his eyes upwards and gave a look of absolute bliss. "What?" She asked when she could get the words out after swallowing her burger bite.
"Mmmm-mush-rooms" Haruo had a glazed look on his eyes, a blissful expression and a giddy smile plastered across his face as he gazed dreamily up at the ceiling of the restaurant. River cracked up laughing.
Even with the hilarity, they were both able to finish their late-afternoon lunch before seven thirty though of course they would more than likely have to wait two hours before going into the water. There really wasn't anything that said there was any harm in going into the water without waiting but they figured that waiting two hours was worth it to not have to contend with a muscle spasm while swimming. Besides, eating a large meal meant that their stomachs would be digesting for a while.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2Xe8Ms9-Fg/X8a5bg_VgwI/AAAAAAAAk5o/rB4vuDp_rPwgbppOySH7ttZOEnwH9YXUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-55.jpg
(End Part Four)
