Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Every Dark Cloud has a Silver Lining" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (02/28/08)
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TITLE: Now What? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Hope Grizzard
03/02/08 -
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“Wouldn’t you just know it?” utters Ralph was informed the boss wanted him ASAP. “So now what?” He continues to mumble, “Couldn’t he come out here? He knows I am behind.”
“What’s up, Boss? You want me.”
“I just received a garnish on your new stock guy. They say he is behind in his kids’ payments. You know how important family is to me. What do you know about him?”
“HE is an excellent worker in spite of his physical disabilities. We had lunch together a time or two, and he is really in a hardship.
“His Dad is in the hospital in CCU; his Mom is unable to care for him due to her own poor health. The cost of their medical bills are mounting higher daily.
“John hasn’t had work in six months because he injured his back at his last job. When he went back they let him go since he was physically unable to perform his duties.
“On top of all this, his wife moved his kids to another state with a guy. I am sure he has had about all he can take.”
Buddy picking up the papers from his desk, shaking his head he stammers, “Gosh, I am against the wall on this thing. Go ask him to come here. I wanna talk with him.”
Then Ralph walks over to John. “How’s it going, John?”
“It has been better to tell the truth. Mom was put in a Convalescent Home yesterday, and she is throwing a hizzy fit because of leaving her home, and not being able to be with Dad.”
John speaks with such anguish, that Ralph feels his pain.
“I just don’t know how much more I can take. It seems every time I turn around there is another problem. Being hired here is the best thing that has happened since I am back to the States from over there. I sure do appreciate it.”
Ralph wanted to talk to Buddy again before John went in so he told John that Buddy wanted to see him in half a hour. He wanted to help this young man.
“Have I done something wrong, Ralph?” John asks with a quivering voice.
“Naw, you do good at your job. Nothing’s wrong there.”
o/
Ralph enters the office again. “Hey, Buddy, I wanna talk with ya. About John before he comes in.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Buddy, this guy is an excellent worker in spite of his personal disability. He gives you a 100o/o. They placed his Mom in a Convalescing Home yesterday, his Dad is in CCU, and his babies are in another state. Their Mama moved them there with her and boyfriend. He has not had a job in six months due to back injury. When he returned, they fired him because he was unable to perform his duties. All this has happened to him since he returned from a tour in the battlefield oversea. I want us to do something to help him keep his job and without this garnishing problem and to visit with his children. We got 20-25 minutes before he gets here. I told him to be here in half an hour. And what can we do about helping him see his children?”
Buddy looks out the window at John. “It sounds like he needs a dime to do some pull-ups for sure.” He picks up the phone, dials a number, saying, “Connect me with Judge Anderson, please." He raises a finger telling Ralph he will be with him shortly.
“Judge Anderson, I have a serious problem. I received garnishing papers for a good worker, who has really been through the roughs.” Buddy continues to explain the situation asking how he can stop the garnishing paper. He listens carefully to the judge then a smile crosses his face.
“Okay, Judge Anderson, I appreciate your help. I will update him. Have a good day.”
“Some days are good, and this is turning out to be a grand day. Here’s what he said.” Buddy proceeds to tell Ralph that the garnishish lifted for 2 months, allowing him to get on his feet. After the 2 months, he is to pay one and a half payments until he is up-to-date. He is issuing an order right now and notifying the proper authorities.”
“Yeah!” happily exclaims Ralph as he raises both hands and arms in praise. He is gonna see his young ’uns. Yep, this is gonna to be a grand day.”
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A few things to edit here--when one person is talking, you don't need to make new paragraphs every few sentences; the reader is confused about who is speaking. And it's better to write a narrative like this with past tense verbs.
I hope this is based on a true story; I really liked it.
Laury
It took me a little while to figure out that the word in the 3rd paragraph was meant to be "garnishee". :)
Wish everyone could have friends like this where they work. :)