This page contains the full performance script to motionless. and the working script to Starfish.
motionless.
by Douglas M. Heflin
ASCAP
There is a blanket of stillness that surrounds the manger; a sense of tranquility that contrasts the normal activity in town. Time stands still as if holding our breath somehow stops the marching of time. In this moment, all are motionless; in awe of the wonder of this special moment. Inside this moment lies a truth that had been prophesied. Inside this moment stirs the hope of the world.
It is in the here and now where we take the story of the birth of Jesus and apply it to our daily life. It is in this moment that life transforms those who hear its melody.
And still to this day, the hope born on that day causes us to stop and look. In this moment, we still stand before the manger, motionless.
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CHARACTER LIST
Guide
Seeker
The Company
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motionless.
SONG #1 * MULTI-COLOR * anticipation.
SONG#2 * WHITE * BUILDING OF THE ALTAR
SONG #3 * TRANSITION TO BLUE SET
SONG #4 * BLUE * preparation.
SONG #5 * WHITE * THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
SONG #6 * TRANSITION TO PINK SET
SONG #7 * PINK * hope.
SONG#8 * WHITE * THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
SONG #9 * TRANSITION TO GOLD SET
SONG #10 * GOLD * proclamation.
SONG #11 * WHITE * THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
SONG #12 * TRANSITION TO GREEN SET
SONG #13 * GREEN * strength.
SONG#14 * WHITE * THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
SONG #15 * TRANSITION TO PASTEL SET
SONG #16 * PASTEL * serenity.
SONG#17 * WHITE * THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
SONG #18 * TRANSITION TO PURPLE SET
SONG #19 * PURPLE * understanding.
SONG#20 * WHITE * THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
SONG #21 * TRANSITION TO ORANGE/RED
SONG #22 * ORANGE/RED TO YELLOW * acceptance.
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SONG #1
MULTI-COLOR
ANTICIPATION
The setting of the stage. By the time this scene starts, all the members of the company are up on stage preparing for the show. Members of the cast can be talking to the audience, talking to each other, and double checking props and scenery. At the exact moment of the musical cue, the entire cast freezes in their spot, creating a motionless snapshot. At the next musical cue, the members of the company silently exit the sanctuary and prepare for the show. It is important that the motionless and silence cues are followed strictly, and that the exit from the sanctuary is done in silence as well. After the company as left the sanctuary, musical cues with light cues help prepare the audience for the show. #1 ends with a spot light on the area where the altar will be placed. Certain items can be pre-placed near the altar area, but the scene should start with the area barren.
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SONG#2
WHITE
BUILDING OF THE ALTAR
1. Two people carry a table to down center stage while the Guide instructs them as far as location.
2. The guide places a white table cloth on the table.
3. A box is placed in the center of the table, towards the back.
4. A scale is placed on the box. The guide makes sure the scale is in working order.
5. A book stand is brought to center stage. The guide measures the area to make sure the book stand is centered.
6. A large bible is brought in and placed on the book stand.
7. The guide leaves for a moment.
8. After the guide leaves, the seeker walks up to the altar.
9. The seeker looks through the stuff on the altar, moving some of the items.
10. A musical cue indicates that return of the guide. The seeker leaves just as the guide returns.
11. The guide reacts to some of the items being moves. The guide looks around to search for anybody else, and sees nobody.
12. The guide returns to the altar, says a prayer, and opens the bible to the first verse. As this occurs, different colors come streaming out of the bible. The color BLUE remains.
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SONG #3
TRANSITION TO BLUE SET
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SONG #4
BLUE
PREPARATION
(B) The Biblical Prophesy (SR)
1. Citizens gather at a well to discuss current events.
2. Scribes and Pharisees talk to the people. They also argue among themselves.
3. A prophet (in the background) sits and ponders the topics being discussed.
4. Finally, the prophet stands to speak.
5. Scribes and Pharisees argue but people start paying attention to Prophet
5. At first, they would not listen, but finally, the people start to listen.
6. The prophet shares the story of the coming Messiah.
7. People will react in different ways.
8. Freeze occurs when prophet signals all to stop.
*****
(P) Present Day (SL)
1. Students are in an adult course in school.
2. The teacher starts a lesson and the adult students start to question the teacher.
3. Some laugh, some ignore the teacher, but one student asks questions, trying to gain understanding.
4. The student stands with the teacher to reinforce the lesson; one that is hard for the students to grasp at first.
5. Students still mock and question what the teacher is saying.
*****
(B)
1. Several characters ponder what this prophesy would mean to the world.
2. A young child enters the room and goes over to a parent.
3. The child appears sad.
4. The parent talks about wonderful things.
5. They even try to make the child laugh, but are not successful.
6. They refer to the prophecy as a source of hope.
*****
(P)
1. The student remains in the front of the class.
2. The student speaks and all listen.
3. The lesson concerns matters of importance. The teacher becomes very attentive.
*****
(B)
1. Most of the people leave frustrated. A few people remain and go over to the well.
1. Someone takes an apple from the lunch sack.
2. They stand and show everyone the apple.
4. They give an apple to the prophet.
5. Everyone else leaves, but the child remains.
6. The child sits down and looks at the apple.
*****
(P)
1. Some students are dismissive of the teacher.
2. Most of the students leave. Only the supportive student and the teacher remain.
3. The teacher takes the apple off of their desk and holds it in their hand.
4. The teacher hands the apple to the student, thanks them and leaves.
5. Only the student remains.
*****
(B) an (P)
The child (B) and the student (P) dance as they move towards the altar area. They place their apples on the scale (which remains balanced) and exit.
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SONG #5
WHITE
THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
1. The guide enters and examines the scale.
2. The guide is pleased and places a small piece of blue cloth on top of the apples
3. The guide leaves for a moment.
4. The seeker enters and walks to the altar.
5. The seeker takes an apple, leaving the scale unbalanced.
6. The seeker hears a musical cue and leaves.
7. The guide re-enters and is puzzled by the look of the altar.
8. The guide places the remaining apple into a basket and turns the page.
9. The guide says a prayer, and opens the bible to the next verse. As this occurs, different colors come streaming out of the bible. The color PINK remains.
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SONG #6
TRANSITION TO PINK SET
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SONG #7
PINK
HOPE
(B) The Message to the Unsuspecting
1. The shepherds gather in the fields.
2. They greet each other and discuss their work.
3. One shepherd seems a bit distracted.
4. There is a lost sheep.
4. The others question the shepherd.
5. They remind them that doing the work each day is what they must do.
*****
(P) Present Day
1. Workers are on an assembly line.
2. The manager comes by and checks on the workers.
3. The workers all seem to respect the manager and things seem good.
4. Someone tells a small joke
5. The manager falls and hurts their leg..
6. They all quickly respond.
*****
(B)
1. One by one, each of the shepherds comes over to give encouragement to the young one. They have all lost sheep before as well.
2. The young shepherd seems to be touched by the kindness of the others.
3. Even though things can seem hopeless, there is always hope.
4. The young one seems to be moved by this kindness.
*****
(P)
1. Each of the workers, one by one, go over and offer something that will be of assistance.
2. The manager is touched by the kindness of those around them.
3. One of the employees give the manager a small gift from their purse or wallet.
*****
(B)
1. It is discovered that the lost sheep has returned.
2. The young shepherd is relieved and happy.
3. A shepherd brings over a blanket for the young shepherd to use.
4. The young shepherd is appreciative.
5. The other shepherds leave.
6. The young shepherd is left alone.
(P)
1. One of the employees leaves to get a small wrap for the leg injury.
2. The employee jokes around and puts it on the manager’s head.
3. All the others laugh and remain encouraging.
4. The employees help the manager to their feet.
5. The employees all leave.
6. The manager is left alone.
(B) an (P)
The shepherd (B) and the manager (P) dance as they move towards the altar area. They place the lamb blanket and the wrap on the scale (which remains balanced) and exit.
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SONG#8
WHITE
THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
1. The guide enters and examines the scale.
2. The guide is pleased and places a small piece of blue cloth on top of the cloths.
3. The guide leaves for a moment.
4. The seeker enters and walks to the altar.
5. The seeker takes the blanket, leaving the scale unbalanced.
6. The seeker hears a musical cue and leaves.
7. The guide re-enters and is puzzled by the look of the altar.
8. The guide places the remaining wrap into a basket and turns the page.
9. The guide says a prayer, and opens the bible to the next verse. As this occurs, different colors come streaming out of the bible. The color Gold remains.
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SONG #9
TRANSITION TO GOLD SET
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SONG #10
GOLD
PROCLAMATION
(B) The Message to the Unsuspecting
1. Two or Three shepherds gather in the fields.
2. An angel of the Lord appears.
3. The shepherds are in awe of the sight.
4. They ask if it is real.
5. The angels explain that it is real.
*****
(P) Present Day
1. A family is walking in the woods
2. A child finds a small feather on the ground.
3. The parents explain that it is a bird feather.
4. They look around for the bird.
5. As they search, they find a birds nest on the ground.
*****
(B)
1. The angels announce the coming birth of Jesus
2. The shepherds ask questions about what this really means.
3. The shepherds still wonder if this is real
4. An angel gives a shepherd a feather from their wing to prove they are real.
5. The angels tell the true story of this joy.
6. The angels help in creating a joyful scene.
*****
(P)
1. The family walks over to the birds nest.
2. They see that there are two eggs in the nest.
3. A parent points up into the tree.
4. They agree to replace the nest into the tree.
5. The family places the nest into the tree.
*****
(B)
1. All others leave while one shepherd remains alone.
2. The shepherd starts to dance.
3. He continues to hold the feather from the angel’s wing.
(P)
1. The family starts to dance as they realize the beauty of the moment.
2. The child has a solo dance while holding the feather.
(B) an (P)
The shepherd (B) and the child (P) dance as they move towards the altar area. They place the feathers on the scale (which remains balanced) and exit.
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SONG #11
WHITE
THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
1. The guide enters and examines the scale.
2. The guide is pleased and places a small piece of blue cloth on top of the feathers.
3. The guide leaves for a moment.
4. The seeker enters and walks to the altar.
5. The seeker takes a feather, leaving the scale unbalanced.
6. The seeker hears a musical cue and leaves.
7. The guide re-enters and is puzzled by the look of the altar.
8. The guide places the remaining feather into a basket and turns the page.
9. The guide says a prayer, and opens the bible to the next verse. As this occurs, different colors come streaming out of the bible. The color GREEN remains.
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SONG #12
TRANSITION TO GREEN SET
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SONG #13
GREEN
STRENGTH
(B) The Message to the Called
1. Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem
2. They both seem nervous.
3. Joseph leaves to go find lodging.
4. Mary is left alone.
*****
(P) Present Day
1. A mother and father are in the bedroom of their teenage daughter.
2. There is a thunderstorm and the daughter is nervous.
3. The parents help calm the daughter.
4. The parents leave the room.
*****
(B)
1. Mary starts her dance. In this dance, she goes through all of the emotions and anxieties that go along with the situation.
*****
(P)
1. The daughter starts her dance. In this dance, she goes through all of the emotions and anxieties that go along with the situation.
*****
(B)
1. Mary continues her dance. In this dance, she goes through all of the emotions and anxieties that go along with the situation.
*****
(P)
1. The daughter continues her dance. In this dance, she goes through all of the emotions and anxieties that go along with the situation.
***** 1. They both join in a tandem, blind dance.
(B) an (P)
Mary (B) and the Teenager (P) dance as they move towards the altar area. They place their head decorations on the scale (which remains balanced) and exit.
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SONG#14
WHITE
THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
1. The guide enters and examines the scale.
2. The guide is pleased and places a small piece of blue cloth on top of the feathers.
3. The guide leaves for a moment.
4. The seeker enters and walks to the altar.
5. The seeker takes a head piece, leaving the scale unbalanced.
6. The seeker hears a musical cue and leaves.
7. The guide re-enters and is puzzled by the look of the altar.
8. The guide places the remaining head piece into a basket and turns the page.
9. The guide says a prayer, and opens the bible to the next verse. As this occurs, different colors come streaming out of the bible. Only PASTEL COLORS remain.
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SONG #15
TRANSITION TO PASTEL SET
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SONG #16
PASTEL
SERENITY
(B) The Manger Scene
1. The baby Jesus has been born.
2. The animals are all gathered around the manger scene.
3. Each of the animals, in turn, greet and welcome the baby Jesus.
*****
(P) Present Day
1. A family is trying to find a new owner for their doggy.
2. The first family doesn’t work out.
3. The second family doesn’t work out.
4. The parents try to reassure the child.
*****
(B)
1. The animals perform a dance.
*****
(P) Present Day
1. The child performs a solo dance.
(B)
1. Animals take turns bowing towards baby Jesus.
2. Two small animals remain after all leave stage.
3. The two animals perform a paired dance.
(P) Present Day
1. The child resigns themselves to not finding a family.
2. There is a knock at the door.
3. Another family arrives and falls in love with the animal.
4. Both children in the scene do a paired dance.
(B) an (P)
The children from both sides walk over and place their animal headdresses on the scale. as they move towards the altar area. They place the headdresses on the scale (which remains balanced) and exit.
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SONG#17
WHITE
THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
1. The guide enters and examines the scale.
2. The guide is pleased and places a small piece of blue cloth on top of the feathers.
3. The guide leaves for a moment.
4. The seeker enters and walks to the altar.
5. The seeker takes an animal headdress, leaving the scale unbalanced.
6. The seeker hears a musical cue and leaves.
7. The guide re-enters and is puzzled by the look of the altar.
8. The guide places the remaining animal headdress into a basket and turns the page.
9. The guide says a prayer, and opens the bible to the next verse. As this occurs, different colors come streaming out of the bible. The color PURPLE remains.
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SONG #18
TRANSITION TO PURPLE SET
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Song #19
PURPLE
UNDERSTANDING
(B) - Biblical Visitors
1. The Wisemen enter the scene.
2. They stand in awe and the wonder of this child.
3. A group dance around the holy child.
*****
(P) Present Day
1. Three scientists enter the scene.
2. A fourth person enters with them, asking questions about astronomy.
3. They are shown a large telescope.
4. They talk about what could be out there.
*****
(B)
1. present baby with gifts
2. The wisemen refer to the prophesy.
3. They bow to the child.
4. They each remove their crowns, perform a small solo dance, and place their crown around the child.
*****
(P)
1. They see the amazing universe.
2. They feel a sense of wonder.
3. They thank the observatory staff.
4. They receive a star as a special gift.
(B) and (P) perform the star dance. This should be a larger cast number.
(L) All the stars come alive in the universe.
SOMEONE FROM EACH OF THE DANCES BRINGS A SMALL STAR OVER TO THE ALTAR AND PLACE THEM ON THE SCALES.
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SONG#20
WHITE
THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR
1. The guide enters and examines the scale.
2. The guide is pleased and places a small piece of blue cloth on top of the feathers.
3. The guide leaves for a moment.
4. The seeker enters and walks to the altar.
5. The seeker takes a star, leaving the scale unbalanced.
6. The seeker hears a musical cue and leaves.
7. The guide re-enters and is puzzled by the look of the altar.
8. The guide places the remaining star into a basket and turns the page.
9. The guide says a prayer, and opens the bible to the next verse. As this occurs, different colors come streaming out of the bible. The color ORANGE/RED remains.
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SONG #21
TRANSITION TO ORANGE/RED SET
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SONG #22
ORANGE/RED TO YELLOW
ACCEPTANCE
MOVING FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
1. The Guide and the Seeker finally meet.
2. The Seeker tries to get the bible to light up.
3. The Guide comes over and opens the bible. Light comes out of the book.
4. The Guide closes the bible.
5. The Seeker tries to get the scale to balance….to no avail.
6. The Guide comes over and balances the scale.
7. The Guide and Seeker have a small dance.
8. The Seeker is given a small bible to have to himself.
9. The Seeker goes to the middle of the stage.
10. He turns to question the Guide.
11. The Guide prompts him to kneel and say a prayer.
12. The Seeker, now kneeling, says a prayer and watches for the bible to become a rainbow.
13. The Guide encourages the Seeker to be patient.
14. The Seeker finally calms himself down enough to take a big breath and finally trust that the bible will explode with color.
15. Finally, the Seeker, now calm and obedient, opens the small bible as the entire stage lights up with colors and stars.
16. The Seeker goes over to a bag and empties the stolen items out in front of the Guide.
17. The Seeker puts them up on the scale, trying to make the scale balance.
18. The Guide stops him from working so frantically.
18. The Company comes into view and fills the stage.
20. The show ends with a final company dance,
Latest Music
STARFISH
A Musical Drama
Based on a story and characters by
Douglas M. Heflin and Errol Selsby
Music and Lyrics by
Douglas M. Heflin ASCAP
starfish
___________________
A Musical Drama in Two Acts
by
Douglas Heflin
&
Errol Selsby
music score composed by
Douglas M Heflin
copyright @ 2019
by Beagletrain Music
5181 Stonelick-Williams Corner Rd.
Batavia, Ohio 45103
phone: (513) 312-7089
phone: (513) 910-3813
email: douglasheflin21@gmail.com
errolselsby@yahoo.com
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Young Calvin Hall: A man in his late 20s.
Estelle Langford: A woman in her late 20s.
Calvin Hall: A man now in his mid 50s.
Jaspar Renick: A man in his late 30s.
Maureen Allison: A woman in her late 40s.
Constance Allison: A woman in her early 20s.
Randolph Miller: A man in his early 20s.
Thaddeus Roseboro: A man in his mid 70s.
Janine Roseboro: A woman in her early 70s.
Edna Walters: A woman in her late 40s.
Jennifer Walters: A woman in her mid 20s.
Lynn Hall: A woman in her late 20s.
Lesley Stearn: A woman in her early 30s
Sarah Stearn: An 8 year old girl
Tony Stearn: A 9 year old boy
Bonita Stevenson: A woman in her late 40s.
Russell Blackmon: A man in his late 20s.
Dr. Max Darnell: A man in his late 50s.
Dr. Randy Wells: A woman in his early 40s.
Debbie Clark: A Woman in her 30s.
Samuel Woodson: A Man in his 20s
Greyson Crider: A Man in his early 30s
Gordon Holt: A Man in his early 40s
Cecelia Holt: A Woman in her late 30s
Jeffrey Holt: A 13 year old boy
Margaret Holt: An 11 year old girl
Louise Kasko: A Woman in his late 70s
Nicholas Kasko A Man in his early 70s
Carly Boswell: A Woman in her early 20s
Meryl Boswell A Woman in her early 20s
Emma Boswell: A Woman in her early 20s
Community members (Includes shoppers, plumbers, store owners, police officers, gardeners, sanitation workers, local residents of all ages.)
Synopsis of Scenes
The story takes place in Springfield, Illinois, 2018
ACT I
SCENE 1: NEAR A PARK IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
SCENE 2: THE APARTMENT OF MAUREEN ALLISON
SCENE 3: THE APARTMENT OF THADDEUS AND JANINE ROSEBORO
SCENE 4: THE APARTMENT AND STUDIO OF EDNA WALTERS
SCENE 5: THE COMMUNITY PARK
SCENE 6: THE APARTMENT OF CALVIN HALL
SCENE 7: THE APARTMENT OF THADDEUS AND JANINE ROSEBORO
SCENE 8: THE COMMUNITY PARK
SCENE 9: THE APARTMENTS OF MAUREEN ALLISON AND EDNA WALTERS
SCENE 10: THE COMMUNITY PARK
SCENE 11: IN THE FOUR APARTMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY PARK
ACT II
SCENE 1: NEAR THE COMMUNITY PARK
The next day
SCENE 2: THE APARTMENT OF THADDEUS AND JANINE ROSEBORO
SCENE 3: OUTSIDE THE APARTMENTS AND IN THE PARK
SCENE 4: INSIDE THE HOSPITAL
Later that same day
SCENE 5: THE COMMUNITY PARK
Musical PROGRAM
ACT I
#1 - Overture (Orchestra)
#2 - Nothing Stands in My Way
#3 - It’s Happened Again
#4 - I Had Everything in the World
#5 - You Should Breathe
#6 - The Interrupted Love Song
#7 - Far Away From Here
#8 - Wouldn’t That Be Great
#9 - All Things Are Possible
#10 - Darkened Shadows
#11 - I Love You, Anyway
#12 - A Song for Peace
#13 - Say a Kind Word to the People
#14 - I Am Your Champion, I
#15 - Change of Scene (Orchestra)
#16 - I Don’t Want to Sing My Song No More
#17 - Change of Scene (Orchestra)
#18 - Change of Scene (Orchestra)
#19 - Have You Ever Felt Like That?
#20 - We Can’t Stay Here Anymore
#21 - We Can’t Stay Here Anymore Reprise (Orchestra)
#22 - I’ve Been Here before
#23 - Finale of Act 1
ACT 2
#24 - Entr’acte (Orchestra)
#25 - Say a Kind Word to the People (Orchestra)
#26 - Block Party Gathering Song
#27 - Calvin’s Lament
#28 - We Are Having a Good Time Anyway (Orchestra)
#29 - One More Day for Us
#30 - There Just Has to Be a Better Way
#31 - Maybe Life
#32 - Maybe Life (orchestra)
#33 - The Letter Song
#34 - Finale
#35 - Wouldn’t That Be Great (Reprise)
#36 - Bows (Orchestra)
MUSICAL SYNOPSIS
ACT I
SCENE 1: NEAR A PARK IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Nothing Stands in my Way (Company)
It’s Happened Again (Calvin)
I Had Everything In the World (Calvin & Estelle)
You Should Breathe (Jaspar)
SCENE 2: THE APARTMENT OF MAUREEN ALLISON
The Interrupted Love Song (Constance)
Far Away From Here (Jaspar)
SCENE 3: THE APARTMENT OF THADDEUS AND JANINE ROSEBORO
Wouldn’t That Be Great (Thaddeus & Janine)
All Things Are Possible (Jaspar)
SCENE 4: THE APARTMENT AND STUDIO OF EDNA WALTERS
Darkened Shadows (Jennifer)
I Love You, Anyway (Edna & Jennifer)
A Song For Peace (Jaspar)
SCENE 5: THE COMMUNITY PARK
Say a Kind Word to the People (Jaspar & Company)
I Am Your Champion, I (Jaspar & Company)
SCENE 6: THE APARTMENT OF CALVIN HALL
I Don’t Want to Sing My Song No More (Calvin & Company)
SCENE 7: THE APARTMENT OF THADDEUS AND JANINE ROSEBORO
SCENE 8: THE COMMUNITY PARK
Have You Ever Felt Like That? (Lynn & Jaspar)
SCENE 9: THE APARTMENTS OF MAUREEN ALLISON AND EDNA WALTERS
We Can’t Stay Here Anymore (Constance & Jennifer)
SCENE 10: THE COMMUNITY PARK
I’ve Been Here Before (Lynn)
SCENE 11: IN THE FOUR APARTMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY PARK
Finale of Act 1 (Lynn, Jaspar, Calvin, Jennifer & Constance)
ACT II
SCENE 1: NEAR THE COMMUNITY PARK
Block Party Gathering Song (Company)
SCENE 2: THE APARTMENT OF THADDEUS AND JANINE ROSEBORO
Calvin’s Lament (Calvin)
SCENE 3: OUTSIDE THE APARTMENTS AND IN THE PARK
We Are Having A Good Time Anyway (Company)
One More Day for Us (Lynn & Jaspar)
SCENE 4: INSIDE THE HOSPITAL
There Just Has to Be a Better Way (Lynn, Jaspar, Doctors, Nurses)
Maybe Life (Lynn)
The Letter Song (Lynn & Jaspar)
SCENE 5: THE COMMUNITY PARK
Finale (Company)
SETTING
A neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois.
TIME
The present.
Music #1 - Overture (Orchestra)
1. Introduction / Fanfare
2. Wouldn’t That Be Great
3. Say a Kind Word to the People
4. I’ve Been Here Before
5. I Don’t Want To Sing My Song No More
6. Transition to “Nothing Stands In My Way”
ACT 1
Scene 1
Setting: We are in a park in downtown Springfield, Illinois. This quaint cul- de-sac at the end of a city street is filled with brownstone homes and apartments that show both age and character. There is a small park in the center of the apartments that serves as a gathering place for the community. Garbage cans, a post office box, streetlights and the usual assortment of outside items depicts a rather predictable and common city block.
at rise: Calvin Hall is fantasizing about a wedding between him and estelle Langford. While calvin appears to be in a dream state, members of the community are preparing the small community park for the wedding celebration. jaspar, a local merchant is supervising the preparations.
Music #2 - Nothing Stands In My Way (Company)
CALVIN
THIS IS THE START OF ANOTHER DAY.
THE WORLD AWAKES TO THE MORN.
THE COFFEES MADE, AND TIME WILL TELL
IF THIS DAY’S THE GREAT DAY,
I’VE DREAMED IT WOULD BE FOR ME.
TODAY, I’M DOING SOMETHING GREAT.
THE WHOLE WORLD’S ON MY SIDE,
NOTHING STANDS IN MY WAY.
TODAY, I’M DOING SOMETHING GRAND.
IN THIS LAND THERE WILL BE
NO ONE ELSE JUST LIKE ME.
GREAT ANTICIPATION,
MY OWN INCARNATION,
FEELING SUCH ELATION,
HOW COULD LIFE BE BETTER?
NO MORE OBSERVATION,
NO MORE DEVIATION.
I’M HERE, READY TO LIVE.
MY HEART IS READY TO BURST.
I FEEL LIKE I’M ALIVE.
LOOK AT ME, I AM ALIVE!
AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY
FILLED WITH JOY AND ELATION,
I’LL GO MY OWN WAY.
I’VE DREAMED OF DAYS JUST LIKE TODAY.
I’M ALIVE ONCE AGAIN,
NOTHING STANDS IN MY WAY TODAY.
WON’T YOU JUST LOOK AT HER,
SHE’S AN ANGEL.
HOW CAN A WOMAN LIKE HER BE WITH ME?
I MUST BE DREAMING,
HER EYES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL
STARRING ‘CROSS THE ROOM AT ME.
ESTELLE
HE’S A MAN WITH A HEART MEANT FOR ONLY ME.
STRONG AND ASSURING, HE LOVES WHO I AM.
AND WHEN I’M WITH HIM,
HE’S WARM, KING AND GENTLE,
HE’S THE PERFECT MAN FOR ME.
I’VE FINALLY FOUND HIM,
I’VE FINALLY FOUND HIM.
HE IS THE ONE I’VE LOOKED FOR
SINCE I WAS A CHILD.
AND NOW MY FUTURE, IT IS PERFECTION,
WHAT ELSE WOULD ANY WOMAN WANT
THAT I DON’T HAVE?
AND IF YOU’RE JEALOUS
OF MY GREAT FORTUNE,
KNOW THAT HE’S MINE,
YOU BETTER LEAVE MY MAN ALONE.
I AM HAPPIER THAN I HAVE BEEN.
I HOPE HE KNOWS I LOVE HIM SO.
I AM HAPPIER THAN I HAVE BEEN,
I HOPE HE KNOWS I LOVE HIM SO.
CALVIN
COULD THIS BE HAPPINESS?
THE KIND OF JOY THAT OTHERS TALK ABOUT.
WHEN ISEE THE SUNSHINE,
I ALWAYS KNEW THE RAIN CLOUDS WERN’T FAR BEHIND.
I AM AFRAID TO LET MYSELF BE TAKEN BY
THIS JEALOUS FEELING THAT I’VE NEVER FELT.
IF THIS IS HAPPINESS,
IF THIS IS HAPPINESS,
I HOPE IT LIVES FOR EVERMORE.
IF THIS IS HAPPINESS,
IF THIS IS HAPPINESS,
I HOPE IT LIVES FOREVERMORE.
COULD THIS BE HAPPINESS?
THE KIND OF JOY THAT OTHERS TALK ABOUT?
WHEN I SEE THE SUNSHINE,
I ALWAYS KNOW THE RAIN CLOUDS AREN’T FAR BEHIND.
I AM AFRAID TO LET MYSELF BE TAKEN BY,
MYSELF BE TAKEN BY
THE THUNDERCLOUDS
MYSELF BE TAKEN BY
THE THUNDERCLOUDS,
THUNDERCLOUDS,
THUNDERCLOUDS.
(The joy of the day melts into darkness and despair. The wedding stops and the set is cleared. It becomes clear that Calvin had been dreaming the entire wedding)
CALVIN
I had it again. It just sneaks up on me. I was just standing here, thinking about things and off I went.
JASPAR
But, it has been a while, hasn’t it.
CALVIN
Yes it has. It seems to happen when I think of the past, when I felt that joy was still possible; when the world seemed to make more sense.
Music #3 - It’s Happened Again (Calvin)
CALVIN
I HAVE SEEN ALL THIS HAPPEN BEFORE.
I’M AFRAID THAT ITS HAPPENED AGAIN.
THE WHOLE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS ME
JUST FALLS TO THE GROUND.
I’M AFRAID THAT ITS HAPPENED AGAIN,
I’M AFRAID THAT ITS HAPPENED AGAIN.
I HAVE FELT ALL THIS LOATHING BEFORE.
IM AFRAID THAT I FEEL IT AGAIN.
THAT THEIR EYES ARE ALL STARING
RIGHT THROUGH TO MY SOUL.
IM AFRAID THAT I FEEL IT AGAIN,
IM AFRAID THAT I FEEL IT AGAIN.
THROUGH OUT MY LIFE,
PEOPLE OFFERED THEIR WORDS
AS IF THEY HAD MY LIFE
FIGURED OUT JUST FOR ME.
WHEN DID I GET SO DAMAGED,
MY DREAMS CAN’T COME TRUE?
IS IT MY FAULT EVERY TIME,
EVERY TIME,
EVERY TIME?
AND I KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.
I JUST KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN.
THIS IS WHY I HATE DREAMING,
IT HURTS TO MY CORE.
BUT STILL, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN,
BUT STILL IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN.
OO OO OO OO OO
OO OO OO OO OO
BUT STILL,
IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN.
JASPAR
are you dreaming again?
CALVIN
I am. (sighing) Yeah, I guess I am.
JASPAR
Why do you do that to yourself?
CALVIN
Do you know the anguish a person feels when you realize that no one will ever love you the way you love them?
JASPAR
No I guess I don’t.
CALVIN
It is emptiness. It is nothingness. I don’t know how I feel, because what I really feel is numb. At least numbness stops the hurt.
JASPAR
Calvin, I am so sorry.
CALVIN
I thought that Estelle and I were in love. I guess she just wasn’t in love with me.
JASPAR
Were you happy then?
Music #4 - I Had Everything in the World
CALVIN
I don’t know. But, I think I was.
Music #5 - You Should Breathe
JASPAR
TIME IS TURNING, TIME IS TURNING
LIKE AN ANGRY TWISTING TOP.
YOU MIGHT NEVER EVEN SEE IT
WHEN IT CHOOSES JUST TO STOP.
THE IMAGE IN THE MIRROR
BLURS THE SECOND YOU MIGHT SEE IT.
WHAT MUST WE DO TO STOP
THIS CONSTANT BEATING AND BERATING?
TIME MOVES ON,
TIME MOVES ON WITHOUT STOPPING.
IN JUST A PRECIOUS MINUTE,
TIME THAT ONCE HAD FADED AWAY.
EVERY SECOND, EVERY MINUTE,
EVERY HOUR, EVERY DAY,
TIME GOES SO FAST,
A PERSON REALLY DOESN’Y HAVE A
CHANCE TO COMPOSE THEMSELVES
TO GAIN AN EDGE OR EVEN FIND THEIR PLACE.
TIME MOVES ON,
TIME MOVES ON WITHOUT STOPPING.
BUT THERE ARE SOMETIMES I CAN
SEE THINGS SLOW DOWN
SO I CAN FINALLY BREATHE.
I SEE THE FLOWERS ON THE HILLSIDE,
GENTLE WATER RUSTLING BY,
AND THIS IS WHEN I FIND MYSELF AGAIN.
THE BREEZE IS DANCING AND AWAKES.
JOY THAT LIVES DEEP WITHIN,
THE PRIVATE ME.
WHY CAN’T LIFE BE SIMPLE
LIKE A CHILD’S LAUGH?
AND THE BELLS WOULD TOLL FOR ME,
THE PRECIOUS BEELS WOULD TOLL FOR ME.
BUT THERE ARE SOMETIMES
I CAN SEE THINGS SLOW DOWN
SO I CAN FINALLY BREATHE.
I CAN SEE THE FLOWERS ON THE HILLSIDE.
GENTLE WATER RUSTLING BY,
GENTLE WATER RUSHES BY.
Scene 2
SETTING: We are now in the second floor apartment of Maureen Allison and her daughter, Constance. A living area is furnished with a couch and two chairs. Magazines are spread out on a coffee table. There is a small kitchen area off to the side. The table used for meals is a fold-away table currently in closed position.
At Rise: Maureen is setting up the kitchen table in preparation for breakfast. Constance is sitting on the couch reading the newspaper.
MAUREEN
It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day.
(waiting for a reply from Constance)
(a little louder) It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day today.
(still no reply from Constance)
(loudly) It’s going to be a great day!
(waits a second)
(very loudly) A great, wonderful day!)
CONSTANCE
I hear you, mother
(enters scene)
Do you have to be so loud in everything you do?
MAUREEN
I just didn’t think you heard me.
CONSTANCE
Mother, I think Boise, Idaho heard you.
MAUREEN
I’m sorry that I, your poor mother has embarrassed her precious daughter again. Please forgive me.
CONSTANCE
Even at 50% sarcasm, I will still allow forgiveness to occur.
MAUREEN
Bless you, my princess.
CONSTANCE
I now require waffles to provide sustenance for my busy day as your daughter.
MAUREEN
I only have cereal and milk.
CONSTANCE
That is fine. Really mom, I don’t have time to eat this morning, anyway.
MAUREEN
What are you up to today? Are you sneaking off to buy your mother some fabulous gift that she will treasure forever?
CONSTANCE
Actually, Randolph and I are going to the park to go biking, and then we might catch a matinee this afternoon.
MAUREEN
Randolph? You are still seeing Randolph? I don’t get that. You are a talented, beautiful woman who can be with anyone she wants. Why are you settling for Randolph?
CONSTANCE
Settling for Randolph? I don’t get that mother. Randolph is very nice and sweet. He treats me very nicely and at least he’s not as creep or anything like that.
MAUREEN
You mean, as far as you know. That’s the thing about creeps; they act all normal and wonderful until they turn on you, then their full creepiness comes alive.
CONSTANCE
Oh mother.
(there is a knock at the door)
OK mom, this is Randolph. Please be nice, and no more of that “creep talk”
MAUREEN
Beware, creepiness is all around us.
CONSTANCE
(with irritation) Mother!
(Constance opens the door)
Hi Randolph, how nice it is to see you.
RANDOLPH
Hi Constance.
(walks further into the room)
Hello Mrs. Allison. You look lovely today.
MAUREEN
Thank you Randolph.
(whispers to Constance)
See Constance, just a bit creepy.
RANDOLPH
Constance and I have wonderful plans today. The weather looks like it will cooperate too.
MAUREEN
(whispering to Constance) See what I mean? He’s just too pleasant and nice. When someone is that sweet and kind, something is wrong with them.
CONSTANCE
Maybe something is wrong with you.
MAUREEN
I’m just saying that true love is more than using cutesy words and devilish smiles to gain favor. True love is something completely else.
CONSTANCE
Who said this is true love? I’m just trying to get to know people and have some fun.
MAUREEN
Dating is only for the purpose of finding a mate. It’s hard work to find the right person for you. Dear, you should really take dating more seriously.
Music #6 - The Interrupted Love Song (Constance)
CONSTANCE
THESE WITH MY HOPES AS HIGH AS A KITE,
I WOULD THINK MY TIME WAS NOW,
MY DAY WAS FINALLY HERE
AS LOVE WOULD ASCEND THE THRONE.
BUT SOMEHOW, IT CHANGES.
SOMEHOW IT CHANGES
AND THE LOVE WE FELT
JUST DISAPPEARS AND SUDDENLY,
I’M ALONE.
LOST IN THE JUNGLE OF THE
FAILURES OF MY PAST,
I THOUGHT THAT THIS TIME
WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
‘CAUSE HOW COULD I MAKE THE
SAME MISTAKE AGAIN?
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
OO OO OO OO OO OO
OO OO OO.
THINGS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT,
BUT HERE I SIT
AS IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN IN MY LIFE,
I WANT TO FEEL A LOVE
JUST LIKE THE
LOVE SONGS SING ABOUT,
THEY SING ABOUT,
THEY SING ABOUT.
WHY MUST I ALWAYS SING
INTERRUPTED LOVE SONGS?
NO ONE ELSE NEED BE HERE,
I GET TO DEAL WITH IT MYSELF.
IT’S ALWAYS AN INTERRUPTED LOVE SONG.
NOBODY TO SING ME HARMONIES WITH.
NOBODY TO SING MY HARMONIES WITH,
SO I SING ALL ALONE.
Music #7 - Far Away From Here (Jaspar)
JASPAR
TIME MOVES ON,
TIME MOVES ON WITHOUT STOPPING.
BUT THERE ARE SOMETIMES I CAN
SEE THINGS SLOW DOWN
SO I CAN FINALLY BREATHE.
I SEE THE FLOWERS ON THE HILLSIDE,
GENTLE WATER RUSTLING BY,
AND THIS IS WHEN I FIND MYSELF AGAIN.
THE BREEZE IS DANCING AND AWAKES.
JOY THAT LIVES DEEP WITHIN,
THE PRIVATE ME.
WHY CAN’T LIFE BE SIMPLE
LIKE A CHILD’S LAUGH?
AND THE BELLS WOULD TOLL FOR ME,
THE PRECIOUS BEELS WOULD TOLL FOR ME.
BUT THERE ARE SOMETIMES
I CAN SEE THINGS SLOW DOWN
SO I CAN FINALLY BREATHE.
I CAN SEE THE FLOWERS ON THE HILLSIDE.
GENTLE WATER RUSTLING BY,
GENTLE WATER RUSHES BY.
Scene 3
SETTING: We are now in the first floor apartment of Thaddeus and Janine Hall. There is a large couch facing the television and two chairs and two side tables on either end of the couch. There is a card table set up in one corner of the room, with a half played game of solitaire on the surface. The two windows have their curtains pulled back to allow natural light to come into the room.
At Rise: Thaddeus is in the corner of the room playing solitaire. Janine is sitting on the couch knitting a blanket. The television is on but has the volume turned down.
JANINE
Dear, what was the name of that boy who used to deliver our paper on Sunday mornings?
THADDEUS
I can’t remember dear. Wasn’t it the same boy who hit our mailbox with his bike last summer.
JANINE
No, I think that was Charlie, you know Sam and Darla’s kid.
THADDEUS
No, I think Charlie was the one who broke the window with the baseball. His older brother was the one who use to work down at the grocery on Third and Main.
JANINE
You mean the grocery down by Heron Creek? I thought that store closed 3 or 4 years ago.
THADDEUS
No, the store that closed was the one next to St. Gertrude’s near Alexander place.
JANINE
No, it was still open last Tuesday and Sally and I went looking for those little cupcake holder things that we used to get for the church bazaar luncheon.
THADDEUS
I still don’t know why you make such a big deal about that church bazaar. Only a dozen or so ladies come out for it anyway, and it’s almost always the same ladies.
JANINE
I don’t expect you to understand. Having and enjoying nice things is not a crime.
THADDEUS
(with joy) Walter!
JANINE
Why did you just shout out “Huckleberry”!
THADDEUS
That’s the boy who delivers the paper: Huckleberry!
JANINE
That’s right. Hmmmmm, (to herself) I can’t remember why I needed to know his name. Thaddeus dear, why did I need to know his name.
THADDEUS
I have no earthly idea why.
(Janine enters the living room and sits down in her favorite chair)
JANINE
Do you have plans for today, dear?
THADDEUS
As little as possible.
JANINE
We can’t just sit here everyday doing nothing.
THADDEUS
I’m not doing nothing. Look, I’m reading my paper, and here soon, I am going to do the crossword puzzle in the back of the paper.
JANINE
That doesn’t sound like very much fun to me.
THADDEUS
By noon, I will have shifted my entire weight to my other cheek. That will be fun.
JANINE
Sometimes, you worry me.
THADDEUS
There’s nothing to worry about. Trying to fit as many activities into each and everyday can be exhausting.
JANINE
Are you telling me that, if we had a 100 million dollars or so to spend on anything we wanted to, you would still just sit here and read the paper?
THADDEUS
Honestly, probably not. But still, until we see the money, sitting here in my chair and reading is cheap and danger free.
JANINE
You could get a paper cut.
(both remain silent for a moment)
JANINE
Still dear, it is OK to dream and wish that life looked different than it currently does. You know, dreaming is OK… in fact, it can be quite fun.
Music #8 - Wouldn’t That Be Great (Thaddeus & Janine)
JANINE
JUST IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
TO OUR ORDINARY LIVES
IF A COUPLE HUNDRED MILLION
CAME A FLOATIN’ FROM THE SKY.
THEN WE COULD DO WHATEVER
KIND OF LIVING WE WOULD PLEASE.
WE’D BUY A PLANE, OR BUY A BOAT
AND WE COULD SAIL THE SEVEN SEAS.
WOULDN’T THAT BE,
OH WOULDN’T THAT BE GREAT!
WE COULD FLY TO MONTE CARLO
IN OUR SUPERSONIC JET,
RUBBING ELBOWS WITH CELEBRITIES
AS WE PUT DOWN A BET.
OR WE COULD SIMPLY
STAY AT HOME IN OUR LAVISH ESTATE,
WE COULD DRIVE ONE OF OUR SEVEN CARS,
OH DEAR, LET’S MAKE IT EIGHT.
WOULDN’T THAT BE,
OH WOULDN’T THAT BE GREAT.
I’D NEVER TAKE THE TRASH OUT
OR WORK OUT IN THE YARD
OR COOK OR CLEAN OR DUST OR MOP,
I’D NEVER WORK THAT HARD.
I WILL TRY TO BE SMART
SO I WON’T CARELESSLY SPOIL IT.
I’LL CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT
I WON’T EVER HAVE TO CLEAN A TOILET.
NEVER HAVE TO CLEAN A TOILET.
NEVER HAVE TO CLEAN A TOILET.
EVERY DAY WOULD BE A HOLIDAY,
EACH NIGHT A PERFECT EVE
FILLED WITH EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE,
WITH ALL WE CAN CONCEIVE.
AND IF WE STILL HAD SOMETHING LEFT
WHEN WE WERE ALMOST DONE,
WE COULD EVEN GIVE A BIT AWAY,
THAT DOESN’T SOUND MUCH FUN.
WOULDN’T THAT BE,
WOULDN’T THAT BE GREAT.
WOULDN’T THAT BE,
WOULDN’T THAT BE GREAT.
Music #9 - All Things Are Possible (Jaspar)
JASPAR
TIME MOVES ON,
TIME MOVES ON WITHOUT STOPPING.
BUT THERE ARE SOMETIMES I CAN
SEE THINGS SLOW DOWN
SO I CAN FINALLY BREATHE.
I SEE THE FLOWERS ON THE HILLSIDE,
GENTLE WATER RUSTLING BY,
AND THIS IS WHEN I FIND MYSELF AGAIN.
THE BREEZE IS DANCING AND AWAKES.
JOY THAT LIVES DEEP WITHIN,
THE PRIVATE ME.
WHY CAN’T LIFE BE SIMPLE
LIKE A CHILD’S LAUGH?
AND THE BELLS WOULD TOLL FOR ME,
THE PRECIOUS BEELS WOULD TOLL FOR ME.
BUT THERE ARE SOMETIMES
I CAN SEE THINGS SLOW DOWN
SO I CAN FINALLY BREATHE.
I CAN SEE THE FLOWERS ON THE HILLSIDE.
GENTLE WATER RUSTLING BY,
GENTLE WATER RUSHES BY.
Scene 4
SETTING: We now see the two story home / studio of Edna Walters. The top floor is the living area where she lives with her daughter, Jennifer. There is a small love seat and one recliner. The first floor of this building is set up as a music studio. It contains a small electronic keyboard, a few mirrors, a cd player, a land line telephone and other electronic gadgets for music recording.
At Rise: Jennifer in her bedroom while Edna is in the living area drinking her coffee. JENNIFER is singing with an opened letter next to her.
JENNIFER
(to the caller on the phone)
What?
You want me to sing for you over the phone?
All right. I’m not too sure of this, but here it goes.
JENNIFER
Music #10 - Darkened Shadows (Jennifer)
DARKENED SHADOWS
GLOW IN THE MOONLIGHT.
THEY BRINGS VISIONS OF THE PAST,
OF DAYS THAT LIVE NO MORE.
AND MY HOPE IS ALL ENTWINED,
IT SITS IN STILLNESS ALL ALONE.
WHY MUST IT BE THIS WAY?
WHY DOES THE DARKNESS SCARE ME SO?
EDNA
(from outside Jennifer’s door)
Jennifer! Jennifer, what are you doing?
JENNIFER
BEAUTY THAT ONCE DID
LIVE IN MY HEART
HAS ABANDONED ME.
NOW THE DARKNESS HAS RETURNED
TO HAUNT ME SO.
EDNA
(To Jennifer) Jennifer, this song isn’t going to practice itself.
(To self) She knows about this rehearsal. We’ve had this discussion.
(To Jennifer) Come on. You need to be on time with our rehearsals. Remember, we’re trying to be professionals.
JENNIFER
You’re not the boss of me.
EDNA
Go do your duty, young panda. (Throws a stuffed animal at Jennifer)
JENNIFER
Hey! What are you doing?
EDNA
We need to practice.
JENNIFER
So you assault me with a stuffed panda?
EDNA
It’s a cute panda at least. You know, we’ve talked about this. You know, careers have to move forward. Talking with your friends won’t help us sell any records.
JENNIFER
I wasn’t even on the phone.
EDNA
Then what is all of that stuff?
JENNIFER
Really mother, this is a personal, digital entertainment device.
EDNA
Whatever.
JENNIFER
Whatever? You really are a dinosaur.
(Acts like a dinosaur attacking her mother)
I’m going to eat you. Roaaaaaaarrrrr.
EDNA
You know (snarly) darling, I don’t think you are taking this whole “professional singer” thing very seriously.
JENNIFER
(More Seriously)
I take it plenty serious. There’s just no reason to stress out about everything.
EDNA
I’m certainly not getting any younger.
JENNIFER
Yes mother, you are old. Still, I work just as hard as you with my music and singing career. I just don’t know why I would need to worry about all of these little things. Our music will be better if we are relaxed and enjoy it as well.
EDNA
Excellence is not an accident. Focus, perseverance and a diligent understanding of the small details will make us successful.
JENNIFER
Seriously, are you giving me a parental lecture just because I was listening to music before we practice?
EDNA
First of all, I thought that thing was a phone. Secondly, well secondly. Well, just get focused.
JENNIFER
(Pulls out a cell phone and reads out loud)
“I would love to meet with you Wednesday at 10:00.” Hey, how about that?
EDNA
What is it? I mean, who is it?
JENNIFER
It’s a music agent I’ve been talking to.
EDNA
Do we have a meeting with an agent on Wednesday? How exciting.
JENNIFER
Mother, we don’t have a meeting on Wednesday. I have a meeting on Wednesday.
EDNA
What do you mean YOU have a meeting on Wednesday?
JENNIFER
I mean, (ummm) I mean, I have a meeting with an agent. A meeting (hesitates) with an agent and without you.
EDNA
Oh, oh, so you’re having a meeting with an agent and without me? What does that mean?
JENNIFER
Have you listened to our last demo?
EDNA
Sure I have. I think it sounds wonderful.
JENNIFER
Mom, it might have been OK when we first started, but no one is going to sign us to a recording contract based upon that recording.
EDNA
Maybe not, but we are getting better and that is definitely good news. I love being on a team with you. Edna and Jennifer; forging the way into musical greatness, together as a mother and daughter super team.
JENNIFER
No, you think we are a team. I think I’m a budding star who needs to get away from the clutches of her mother.
EDNA
Is that anyway to speak to your mother?
JENNIFER
You can’t have it both ways. You can’t be both my professional partner and my mother and simply jump back and forth when it becomes convenient.
EDNA
(Starts to warm up)
Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi
JENNIFER
There you go again. it’s all about mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi, mi
EDNA
You can be nasty, can’t you.
(Continues to warm up)
Come on Jennifer Pauleen.
JENNIFER
Really, my middle name. I don’t get you sometimes. It seems like its always about control.
EDNA
It’s not control dear; it’s about discipline.
(Grabs Jennifer around the mouth to form a round vowel sound)
Let’s make our vowel sounds round and beautiful. Breathe, breathe, come on Jennifer, you can do it.
JENNIFER
Mother, need I remind you that I’m the one who went to the Conservatory.
EDNA
Yes, I am reminded of that every time I balance my checkbook.
JENNIFER
Why do you have to throw that back in my face every time we talk about money?
EDNA
I have sweated over raising you for all of those years. The day you were born, I was in labor for 36 straight hours before you decided to grace us with your presence. A mother remembers pain…. and I still feel that pain.
JENNIFER
Mother, you have to move on.
Music #11 - I Love You, Anyway (Edna & Jennifer)
EDNA
YOU SURE DO TALK A LOT,
DO YOU EVER THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK,
SHUT YOUR BEAK, BEFORE YOU CHIRP.
JENNIFER
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT TO
TRY TO BE NICE TO YOUR DAUGHTER?
YOU SHOULD TRY IT JUST ONCE.
EDNA
YOU CAN BE SUCH A BRAT!
JENNIFER
YOU’RE A NASTY OLD BAT!
EDNA
AND YOU DON’T HAVE THE MANNERS TO MAKE IT IN THIS WORLD.
JENNIFER
LOOK WHO’S TALKING, IT’S EDNA THE HUN, OH WHAT FUN.
EDNA
STILL, I THINK YOU KNOW,
JENNIFER
STILL, I THINK YOU KNOW,
EDNA & JENNIFER
I LOVE YOU, ANYWAY.
EDNA
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF
SOMEONE ELSE’S NEEDS BEOFRE YOU START
ALL OF THIS GIVE ME THIS, GIVE ME THAT,
I WANT A UNICORN!
JENNIFER
CAN’T YOU REMEMBER WHEN
YOUR LIFE HAD A PURPOSE,
NOW YOU’RE JUST MEAN AND GRAY.
EDNA
LISTEN, YOU CAN BE MEAN.
JENNIFER
HOPE MY LAUNDRY IS CLEAN.
EDNA
AND YOU DON’T HAVE THE DECENCY TO MAKE IT IN THIS WORLD.
JENNIFER
LOOK WHO’S TALKING, IT’S EDNA THE QUEEN, YOU’RE SO MEAN.
EDNA
STILL, I THINK YOU KNOW,
JENNIFER
STILL, I THINK YOU KNOW,
EDNA & JENNIFER
I LOVE YOU, ANYWAY.
EDNA (WITH JENNIFER)
AND IF THE WORLD WOULD JUST ADJUST FOR ME.
YOU WERE CRYING ON THE DAY YOU WERE BORN
AND TO THIS DAY, YOU STILL CRY LIKE A
BRATTY LITTLE GIRL.
I’M TELLING YOU THAT THE
WORLD IS TIRED OF ALL YOUR
SELFISH COMMENTS,
CAN’T YOU GIVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BREAK?
JENNIFER (WITH EDNA)
WAS IT JUST TOO LONG AGO WHEN
YOU WERE MY AGE?
WERE YOU MEAN TO YOUR BROTHERS
AND YOUR SISTERS AND DOG?
I BET YOU CRIED WHEN YOU
DIDN’T GET YOUR WAY,
UNTIL YOUR MOTHER FINALLY CAVED IN
AND GAVE YOU WHAT YOU WANTED.
BUT IF ALL THE WORLD
FELL IN LINE BEHIND ME.
EDNA & JENNIFER
I KNOW MY HEART IS INNOCENT OF
EVER HATING KIN.
AND THE YELLING WITHIN OUR DWELLING.
EDNA
IS YOUR FAULT!
JENNIFER
GET A LIFE!
EDNA
WATCH YOUR MOUTH!
JENNIFER
NASTY THING!
EDNA & JENNIFER
IT’S A WONDER WE STILL TALK AT ALL!
EDNA
For the small amount you warmed up, that was OK.
JENNIFER
You can’t even compliment a person without adding some kind of dig into the person.
EDNA
If you prepared better, I wouldn’t need to keep reminding you to be professional.
JENNIFER
Professional? I’m the one that makes the phone calls and tries to get us singing gigs, even though no one really wants to listen to some ld woman squawk.
EDNA
Squawk? I’ll have you know that i’ve been singing longer than “Miss smarty-pants” has even been alive.
JENNIFER
And it sounds like it too!
(Fade to end scene)
Music #12 - A Song For Peace (Jaspar)
Scene 5
SETTING: The next scene opens in the community park. There are park benches set near the trees and bushes that decorate the park. There are a few lampposts that are near each bench. There is a nicely manicured lawn and a small victory garden. A small path leads through the park to the next block.
At Rise: The scene opens as Jaspar, a local merchant and community “cheerleader” is greeting people. Jaspar is working in the small garden that borders the park area.
(The community is busy with all of the activities of the day. Children are playing, workers are resting for a bit and adults are taking a time out to enjoy the day)
CECELIA
Come on kids, let’s just have a nice break from the day.
JEFFREY
She started it. She’s always taking my stuff.
MARGARET
You mean my stuff. Dad got this for me.
JEFFREY
He did not. He brought it home for me.
MARGARET
You always boss me around. Mom!
JEFFREY
Don’t listen to her. She’s lying.
CECELIA
Gordon, Could you please help here?
GORDON
I think you’re doing a great job. I’m just trying to enjoy the day.
CECELIA
Don’t you think I would like to enjoy the day?
(interrupted by a frisbee coming into the conversation)
GRAYSON
Excuse me ma’am. I didn’t mean to interrupt.
MARGARET
(reacting very shyly)
That’s OK young man. Interrupt me any time.
GRAYSON
Yes ma’am. (Smiles and returns back to his frisbee game)
MARGARET
Did you see that Gordon? He was very nice to me.
GORDON
(In a mocking monotone) No, please wait, don’t steal my wife. no, please.. blah, blah, blah.
MARGARET
You just wait. You’ll be sorry that you didn’t treasure me like you said you would on our wedding day.
GORDON
Don’t pirates usually bury their treasure?
MARGARET
Oh, bother. Why do I even try?
TREVOR
(To Gus, Raymond & Wally) And I found this bag with the freakiest stuff. It looked like a bag of human heads. It was so gross.
RAYMOND
You’ve been messing around with us for years.
GUS
It was probably a bag of cantaloupe.
WALLY
Oh yeah, when I see a bag of melons, I automatically think of human heads too!
WALLY, GUS & RAYMOND
(All three react to the obvious delusions of Trevor)
TREVOR
OK, they turned out to be from some old mannequins, but still, it was kind of freaky.
WALLY
I’m glad you were able to make it through such a harrowing experience.
TREVOR
Whatever.
PEDRO
Do you ever just listen to the people around us?
BILLIE
I don’t know. I guess sometimes.
PEDRO
I mean, on a nice day like today, all you really still hear is complaining and arguing. It’s just too bad.
BILLIE
I bet I can find some kind and nice people.
PEDRO
You’re on. (Looks around). OK, how about that old couple over there.
BILLIE
They look so nice. I bet they are just the cutest couple. The bet is on.
PEDRO
OK, winner gets to drive all next week.
BILLIE
Deal.
(The two police officer walk over behind an older couple.)
BILLIE
Oh, look at them. She’s getting him a drink and he has her sweater. Looks like I’m driving.
LUNNEY
Here’s your stupid drink. It’s not that hard for you to get your own, you know.
NICHOLAS
Here’s your sweater. It still smells like cat pee. I can’t deal with that any more.
LUNNEY
I’d rather smell cat pee than your dirty, smelly feet every evening. It’s starting to kill the house plants.
NICHOLAS
Lordy be, you are one mean thing, aren’t you.
BILLIE
(Hands keys over to Pedro) Never mind, I give up.
JASPAR
(To the officers) Good morning to you, officers.
BILLIE
See, you can always depend on Jaspar for a kind word.
PEDRO
We were just making an observation about how mean people are becoming. On a beautiful day like today, wouldn’t you think the conversations would be loving and kind and, well…. loving.
BILLIE
You said loving twice.
PEDRO
Be nice. What happen to the happy little angel on your shoulder.
BILLIE
He died.
JASPAR
It does bring up an interesting problem. What do you do when the world around you is simply mean and troubled? People have been dealing with this problem for quite along time.
NICHOLAS
Oh my gosh, you’re not going to start singing again, are you Jaspar?
JASPAR
I was thinking about it.
LUNNEY
Just let the guy sing, if he wants. He’s the one who’s going to look stupid.
BILLIE
I see you brought your own fan club.
JASPAR
Listen to the words my friends. It just might make this place a better world to live in.
Music #13 - Say a Kind Word to the People (Jaspar & Company)
JASPAR
SAY A KIND WORD TO THE PEOPLE,
THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE
FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND
GIVE A SMILE.
DO A NICE THING FOR THE PEOPLE,
THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE
FROM NEAR AND FROM FAR AND
HEAR THEIR LAUGHTER.
SO EVEN IF YOU LIVE FAR AWAY,
AND EVEN IF YOU LIVE NEXT DOOR.
YOU SHOULD SPEAK FROM THE HEART,
SPEAK WITH THE KINDNESS
THAT YOU WISH THEY WOULD USE
WHEN WITH YOU,
WHEN WITH YOU.
LISTEN WITH LOVE TO THE PEOPLE,
THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE
AND LEARN FROM THEIR LIFESONG
AND THEIR STORY.
WE HOLD THE KEY TO THE FUTURE,
AND WE KNOW THAT IT’S OUR TIME TO SHINE.
WE WANT TO SEE EACH NEW DAY BRING
BRAND NEW WAYS FOR OUR SMILES TO SHINE,
AND WE’LL ALL BE FINE,
HAND IN HAND,
HAND IN HAND.
WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE PEOPLE,
THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE
AND WE’LL CHANGE THE WORLD AND
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
WE’LL CHANGE THE WORLD AND
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
WE’LL CHANGE THE WORLD AND
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Music #14 - I Am Your Champion, I (Jaspar & Company)
jaspar
STALWART AND STEADY,
WALKING YOUR DIRECTION.
HELP YOU MISS ALL THE MINES OF LIFE.
LISTENING CLOSE TO
ALL YOUR HOPES AND WISHES,
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
IN TIMES OF TROUBLE,
YOU’LL NEED A FRIEND THERE TO
HOLD YOU CLOSE UNTIL THE VERY END.
AND WHEN DOUBT AND HURT
REACH WITH IN YOUR EXALTATION,
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, CHAMPION, CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, CHAMPION, CHAMPION, I.
SOME DAYS JUST BRING THE PAIN
AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
YOU WANT TO SCREAM
FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP,
JUST REMEMBER
I KNOW,
YOU KNOW,
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, CHAMPION, CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, CHAMPION, CHAMPION, I.
SO IF ALL YOU SEE IS TREES
‘CAUSE YOU’RE STUCK IN A JUNGLE,
LOOK ABOVE THEM AND YOU’LL SURELY SEE A
WORLD THERE WAITING FOR YOU.
SO DON’T KEEP WASTING ALL OF YOUR
TIME TRYING TO MAKE
UNHAPPY PEOPLE WANT TO SMILE.
‘CAUSE I WOULD NEVER LEAVE YOUR
SHIV’RING IN THE COLD.
I WOULD GIVE YOU ALL I HAVE
SO YOU COULD FEEL THE JOY AGAIN.
I WON’T GO ANYWHERE.
I WON’T GO ANYWHERE.
YOU’LL FEEL THE LOVE EVERY MOMENT,
EV’RY WAKING HOUR.
I’LL BE YOUR SHOOTING STAR,
NO MATTER WHERE OUR
PATHS WILL TAKE US.
I WILL BE THE ONE WHO’S ALWAYS
(All three parts sung at once)
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, CHAMPION, CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, I.
I AM YOUR CHAMPION, CHAMPION, CHAMPION, I.
Music #15 - Change of Scene (Orchestra)
Scene 6
SETTING: The scene takes place in the second floor apartment of Calvin Hall. There are a couple of chairs including a rocking chair, some floor lamps, a small wood table and a foot stool. There are a few books sitting on the table and a throw rug on the floor.
We also see the first floor apartment of Thaddeus and Janine Hall.
At Rise: When the scene starts, we discover Calvin sitting in his rocking chair reading a book. One of the lamps is directed towards the empty chair.
THADDEUS is sitting in his favorite chair reading the paper. JANINE is setting the table in preparations for a meal.
(talking to himself in a clear and concise manner. He adjusts the floor lamp towards himself)
CALVIN
I can’t see a thing. (adjusts light) That’s better. It shouldn’t be that hard.
(starts to pace as he reads the title of the book he is holding)
“Making the Most Out of Every Moment of Your Life.” I don’t even know why my mother bought this book. Really? Who wants to make the most out of every moment. The best we can do is to find any moment of your life that didn’t suck. That’s it!
(speaking like a radio advertisement announcer)
Now, all you folks out therein radio la la land, we have a new book from the new sensation in writing, Calvin Hall. His newest endeavor is brilliant, yet sublime. It is entitled “How to Live a Life that is Better Than Sucky.”
(back to speaking as himself)
Mother, what were you thinking? I don’t even get people who want to be happy and joyful and all of that. Just leave me alone and let me be.
(Janine knocks on her first floor ceiling with her broom handle)
(yelling out to Calvin)
JANINE
You want to come down and have some dinner?
(screaming out with great sarcasm)
CALVIN
Whatever mom. Give me a half hour or so.
JANINE
Great. I will see you in a few minutes.
calvin
I said 30 minutes.
(Talking to himself)
Why doesn’t she listen? Why doesn’t anybody listen?
(yelling out loud)
Why doesn’t anybody listen to me?
janine
Meatloaf. Thanks for asking. I know it’s your favorite.
calvin
(yelling)
No mom, I didn’t ask what we were having.
(softly)
I didn’t ask you what we were having.
(yelling)
I’ll be down in a few.
janine
I want to see you too, dear.
(to Thaddeus)
Isn’t that nice. A son wanting to eat dinner with his mother. That’s so nice.
thaddeus
(mumbling)
Hmm, hmm.
calvin
Why do people buy these self help books. If a person has a problem and wants to fix it, then they will fix it. If they have a problem and don’t want to fix it, then they won’t.
(looks at price on the back of the book)
$27.99. I can’t believe that.
(looks at discount sticker on front of book)
Ah ha. marked down to $1.99. I knew it. This book is garbage.
(turns to the next chapter)
Look at this next chapter: Making Your Lifelist. My life list? Who really even cares about a life list.
(reading the first paragraph of the chapter)
Making your life list is a crucial step in discovering your own potential by linking your dreams with your life. Have you ever dreamed about skydiving or writing a novel or climbing Mt. Everest? Dreams can become realities when you make your life list take flight.
(Stops reading from the book)
Really Mr.
(looks at the cover of the book)
Bracken.
(puts down the book)
So world, do you want to hear my life list. I dream about being left alone. I dream that I can eat a meal without feeling like I’m letting everybody down. I would love to feel like something I do doesn’t offend somebody or tick them off or even bothering somebody by my presence.
(sits down on the couch)
All right Mr, uhm, Bracken, here you go. I would love to stop feeling like a failure. I don’t want to be happy, and that would make me happy. Calvin, did you really say that? You know what you mean. I mean, I know what you mean, I mean what I mean. Argh!!!
janine
Are you coming down for dinner?
calvin
(yelling)
I’m coming mother.
(starts to walk down the steps towards Thaddeus and Janine’s first floor apartment.)
The thing that bothers me the most is that everyone wants me to be a pretty little songbird and sing their happy songs of joy. What if I don’t want to be joyous? What happens if I don’t want to be happy. Skipping around and dancing and hoping for a bright sunshiny day doesn’t get my feet moving at all. I’ve been taught that my whole life. I’m tired of singing and dancing that little happy song.
Music #16 - I Don’t Want To Sing My Song No More (Calvin & Company)
(Gradually, members of the community join into the idea that He doesn’t want to sing his song no more.)
CALVIN
I DON’T WANT TO SING MY SONG NO MORE.
GET YOUR STUFF AND WALK RIGHT OUT THE DOOR.
I JUST WANT TO BE HERE ON MY OWN,
JUST LET ME BE ALONE,
JUST TURN AWAY AND GO NOW!
I DON’T WANT TO HEAR YOUR LOUSY VOICE.
GET YOUR BAGS, YOU’VE LEFT ME NO OTHER CHOICE,
I DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH YOU,
GO BACK HOME TO THE ZOO,
I DON’T WANT TO SING MY SONG NO MORE.
YOU NEED TO LEAVE, YOU NEED TO STAY,
CLEAN UP YOUR CRAP, IT’S IN THE WAY,
WHY DON’T YOU DO THIS?
WHY DON’T YOU DO THAT?
I JUST DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH ALL THE MESS,
THE NASTY STRESS, THE BUSYNESS,
THERE’S NOTHING I CAN GAIN WITH ALL THE
RHETORIC AND CRAZINESS,
COME ON, WILL YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?
WORLD, WON’T YOU LEAVE ME BE AWAY FROM YOU.
LEAVE ME ALONE.
(speaking)
And how many times have I heard people say
(singing)
YOU REALLY COULD BE SOMETHING,
JUST LIFT YOUR HEAD,
JUST HOLD MY HAND,
WHY DON’T YOU GET UP OFF YOUR BUTT?
OFF MY BUTT?
OFF YOUR BUTT?
JUST GO AWAY.
I KNOW SOMEDAY, YOU WILL HEAR THAT I AM DEAD.
AND WILL COME TO PAY YOUR LAST RESPECTS.
AND YOU’LL BE SITTING RIGHT THERE IN THE FRONT ROW.
AS IF YOU KNEW ME
AS IF YOU CARED.
JUST KNOW THAT I’LL BE WATCHING YOU AND YOUR
HYPOCRISY WILL SHOW
YOUR DISDAIN WILL INDITE YOU.
AND YOUR HYPOCRISY WILL SHOW
YOUR HYPOCRISY WILL SHOW
Music #17 - Change of Scene (Orchestra)
Scene 7
SETTING: We are once again in the first floor apartment of Thaddeus and Janine Roseboro.
At Rise: The scene opens as we see THADDEUS in his favorite chair reading the paper and JANINE is finishing preparations for a meal. CALVIN arrives at the door.
JANINE
Come on in, Calvin. Dinner is almost ready.
THADDEUS
Hello, Calvin.
CALVIN
Hello, Thaddeus.
(A small, awkward pause)
So, How are things?
THADDEUS
How are things? You are asking me how are things? Calvin, you are more clueless that I even thought you were if you don’t know how things are. Your mom is stressed, we have no money, and her son keeps coming down to my apartment, interrupting my peaceful days day to ask stupid questions like “How are things?”
CALVIN
So, things aren’t good?
THADDEUS
That’s a fine bit of deducing there, Calvin.
CALVIN
Why so upset today?
JANINE
(Calling from the kitchen)
Are you boys almost ready for dinner?
CALVIN
Yeah, mom. Anytime.
THADDEUS
She wants to be happy, but you keep dragging her down into your worry and trouble.
CALVIN
And how about you? You’ve sat in your chair so much, your chair is molded into the shape of your butt. Very classy.
THADDEUS
At least I have pleasant conversations with your mother, rather than causing her heartache and pain.
CALVIN
What ever.
JANINE
Time to eat.
(Thaddeus and Calvin move into the dining area)
Isn’t this nice? Me and my two boys are both here ready to eat together. Would one of you like to offer grace?
CALVIN
O Lord, what are you talking about?
THADDEUS
Amen.
(Calvin and Thaddeus start to eat)
That was really nice Calvin. Straight from your heart, I’m sure.
JANINE
So Calvin, how are your preparations going for the block party?
CALVIN
I don’t think I’m going to go this year. And I’m certainly not interested in seeing how everybody else is doing.
THADDEUS
Calvin, seriously, there might be some young ladies there. Maybe you need companionship.
JANINE
Oh, Thaddeus.
THADDEUS
Warn them quickly that Calvin is on the loose.
JANINE
Come on dear. Everybody out there has a special somebody looking for them. Calvin will find his true love. A woman who can give him the will to celebrate life.
CALVIN
Mom, come on now. Sometimes a person just wants to be left alone. It’s not a bad thing; just a thing.
JANINE
But if you could find someone, oh, how it could change your life.
CALVIN
I don’t want to find someone. Relationships are traps. I just want to be left alone.
THADDEUS
Calvin, what has turned you so far away from kind?
CALVIN
Life has changed me. I mean, all I really want is to breathe. To look into the night sky and simply look at the stars. Nothing else more complicated than that. Maybe, in that moment, I can breathe easier, see clearer and shut out all of the voices of disapproval that keep speaking into my ears.
THADDEUS
Sounds like a pity party to me.
JANINE
Thaddeus!
CALVIN
I really don’t expect you to understand any of this. You have each other, and that is fine. Because this is all you want, you are happy, and that’s fine too.
THADDEUS
What’s wrong with my life? Happiness doesn’t have to be complicated.
CALVIN
Maybe for you, but certainly hasn’t been that way for me.
JANINE
What’s making you so unhappy?
CALVIN
What’s making me unhappy? That is a good question. In fact, it’s the only question I ever think about.
(Walks over to the window)
I think I’ve lost the ability to dream. There’s something inside me that stops me right before I think that things are going to get better. I suddenly look out into the world and see it as a selfish, ego-centric place where other’s needs come before mine, and isolation is my only choice. A compromise is more than giving up your happiness to please someone else. I wake up like I have to run a marathon in concrete shoes. That’s why I can’t dream. I only see the hurdles of today, and that appears more than I can handle anyway.
JANINE
That hurts so much to hear. Bless your heart.
CALVIN
That hurts so much to realize.
THADDEUS
You won’t get that “Bless your heart” crap from me. I was raised in a family where we were taught to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and get to work. All of this “feelings and wishes and dreams” talk is just ridiculous I tell you, just ridiculous.
JANINE
Come on Thaddeus, just be nice.
CALVIN
I’ve had enough of this enabling Calvin.
(To Calvin)
Calvin, if you want to be happy, then go own it. Do something about it. Don’t blame others for your failures.
(Thaddeus leaves the dining area)
CALVIN
Well, that was a nice family moment.
JANINE
He was just trying to help in his own way.
CALVIN
Why do unhappy people think that their advise will help someone else turn their lives around?
(Leaves to return to his apartment)
Well mother, thank for for the dinner. I appreciate your kindness anyway.
JANINE
Good night dear. I’m right here for you.
(Calvin signals OK to Janine and returns to his apartment.)
Music #18 - Change of Scene (Orchestra)
Scene 8
SETTING: The scene opens back in the neighborhood park.
At Rise: The scene opens as Jaspar rolls his cart into the park area. LYNN is on her cell phone, talking to a friend.
jaspar
Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?
lynn
Ummm, I don’t think so… feel free to sit down.
jaspar
Thank you… by the way, my name is Jaspar.
(waits for a moment)
I hate to interrupt you, but my name is Jaspar.
(waits for another moment)
And your name is….
lynn
If you hate to interrupt me, then why do you keep interrupting me?
jaspar
That, my friend is a great question.
lynn
Lynn.
jaspar
Ahhh, and we finally get an answer. Hello, Lynn.. Can I ask you a question?
lynn
I hope this is not some cheap attempt to pick me up. I am not interested. I am not available. I am simply annoyed, now leave me alone.
jaspar
(points to a sweater on the ground)
I’m sorry, but I was just wondering if this was your sweater on the ground in the mud.
lynn
Oh, no, my favorite sweater. Just look at this thing. My mother made this for me a long time ago. It means so much to me.
jaspar
I’m sure that we can get it cleaned. Let me take it over to the dry cleaners. It’s just over there (points SR) behind that row of houses. Will you be here for a while?
lynn
Yes. I am here to see my father.
jaspar
Who is your father?
lynn
Calvin Hall. He lives around here somewhere.
jaspar
Actually, he lives right over there, on the second floor.
lynn
Oh, that’s good to know. Thank you.
JASPAR
You don’t seem to be in any hurry to see him. Anything wrong?
LYNN
Actually, everything is wrong. You might say that we have had a rocky relationship so far.
jaspar
Wait a minute. I just put it all together. You are Calvin’s daughter from Chicago.
lynn
I am. Do you know me?
jaspar
Sort of. I’ve known Calvin for a long time, at least 20 years. We’ve talked a lot over those years. I must say however, that usually he is just plain nasty and hateful. But when he talks about you, he speaks with such warmth and thoughtfulness. You are his bright spot.
lynn
You could have fooled me. We haven’t talked very much in the last decade; maybe 2 or 3 times at most.
jaspar
May I ask you why?
lynn
Life can be tough and it gets tougher when the people around you are distant, cold and absent, like my father.
jaspar
I get that, but he’s still your father.
lynn
The loving caring, responsible father of mine disappeared a long time ago. The few conversations I’ve had with him since then tell of an angry shell of a man.
jaspar
Are you a shell of the person you use to be as well?
lynn
Don’t you think that question is a bit presumptuous? You don’t even know me.
jaspar
I am sorry. I did not mean to offend you. Maybe you’re right, but I made a decision a long time ago not to allow the shadows of life to block the beauty all around us. Remember, you can’t see rainbows at night.
lynn
Well, that was deep.
jaspar
Thanks, but you know what I mean.
Music #19 - Have You Ever Felt Like That? (Lynn & Jaspar)
LYNN
ON THOSE DAYS WHEN THE CLOUDS DARKEN THE SKY,
SITTING BY MYSELF ABOUT TO CRY,
WONDERING WHAT I HAD DONE SO WRONG
TO DESERVE A LIFE IN DARKNESS.
JASPAR
I DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU’RE FEELING LIKE,
BUT I’M HERE TO HELP YOU IF YOU ALLOW ME
TO PAINT A PICTURE IN THE AIR.
I SEE THE BLAZING COLORS EVERYWHERE,
AND IF YOU’RE ONLY SEEING DARKNESS,
KNOW THAT I HAVE FELT LIKE THAT.
LYNN
LIVING DAY BY DAY, LIVING BREATH BY BREATH,
LIVING TEAR BY TEAR, NO ONE TO SHARE IT WITH.
LIFE CAN GO ON AND ON AND ON,
‘TILL WE SEEK A NEW DIRECTION.
ONCE I HAD A DREAM MY LIFE WOULD BE
SOMETHING GRAND, SOMETHING WONDERFUL
AND I WOULD LIVE THE LIFE I DREAMT FOR ME.
I’D SEE THE BLAZING COLORS EVERYWHERE,
I’D NEVER HAVE TO SEE THE DARKNESS,
HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE THAT?
WALK WITH ME ALONG LIFE’S NARROW WAY
AND WE’LL DEAL TOGETHER WITH THINGS THAT
LIFE MIGHT THROW OUR WAY.
AH AH AH THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
AH AH AH. THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
LYNN & JASPAR
SUMMER DAYS WATCHING CLOUDS JUST DRIFT AWAY.
INNOCENCE AND JOY WITH ME EVERYDAY.
LIFE WAS SO EASY WAY BACK THEN,
WISH THAT I COULD LIVE THOSE DAYS AGAIN.
I COULD SEE THE COLORS EVERYWHERE,
DANCING IN THE SKY, LIVING LIFE WITHOUT A CARE
TO OVERTAKE THE DAY.
I SAW THE BLAZING COLORS EVERYWHERE.
I NEVER HAD TO SEE THE DARKNESS,
HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE THAT?
LYNN
WALK WITH ME ALONG LIFE’S NARROW WAY
AND WE’LL DEAL TOGETHER WITH THINGS THAT
LIFE MIGHT THROW OUR WAY.
AH AH AH THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
AH AH AH. THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
JASPAR
COME WALK WITH ME
ALONG LIFE’S NARROW WAY
AND WE’LL DEAL TOGETHER
WITH THINGS THAT LIFE LIGHT THROW OUR WAY.
THE LIGHT RETURNS AGAIN.
THE LIGHT RETURNS MY DEAR,
DON’T FEAR IT.
AH AH AH THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
AH AH AH. THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
LYNN
THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I
DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY,
JASPAR
THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I
DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
LYNN & JASPAR
STILL, I MUST TRAVEL ON MY WAY,
‘TILL I REACH MY DESTINATION.
STILL, I’M SEEING GLIMPSES IN THE NIGHT.
I CAN SEE THE WONDER AND I CAN
LIVE WITH JOY AND SHOW IT TO THE WORLD.
I SEE THE BLAZING COLORS EVERYWHERE.
LYNN
I KNOW THEY OVERWHELM THE DARKNESS,
JASPAR
I KNOW THEY OVERWHELM THE DARKNESS,
LYNN & JASPAR
I KNOW THEY OVERWHELM THE DARKNESS,
SHADOWS GO AWAY.
HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE THAT.
WALK WITH ME ALONG LIFE’S NARROW WAY
AND WE’LL DEAL TOGETHER WITH THINGS THAT
LIFE MIGHT THROW OUR WAY.
AH AH AH THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
AH AH AH. THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
THE DARKNESS GOES AWAY.
WE CAN SEE THE GLIMPSES IN THE NIGHT.
I CAN SEE THE WONDER AND WE CAN
LIVE WITH JOY AND SHOW IT TO THE WORLD.
WE CAN SEE BLAZING COLORS EVERYWHERE,
AND IN THIS VERY QUIET MOMENT,
WE CAN BOTH FEEL LIKE THAT.
Scene 9
SETTING: The next scene takes place in both the second floor apartments of MAUREEN ALLISON and EDNA WALTERS.
At Rise: Both MAUREEN and EDNA are upset at their daughters while the daughters are also upset with their mothers.
maureen
It simply seems ridiculous that you talk about all these things you want to do but you’re not willing to do anything about it.
constance
It may not seem like I’m doing anything about my dreams, but you are so wrong.
maureen
You’re not signed up for any classes at the college, you can’t keep a job for more than two months and you waste your time hanging around that Randolph, who really has no aspirations of his own either.
constance
When did you become so tainted?
maureen
Tainted? What are you talking about?
constance
You keep lecturing me about how I am failing, but what have you accomplished?
maureen
This isn’t about me.
constance
With you, everything is about you.
maureen
(With great drama)
You have no idea what it’s like to have your daughter, who you have given everything you have to, to come back and say such hurtful things. I slaved away everyday trying to give you all that life can offer you, and this is what I get back.
constance
Really mother? This is the best you can do?
(Scene switches to Edna and Jennifer)
JENNIFER
Really mother? This the best you can do?
edna
(rather defensively)
Jennifer Dear, I don’t know why you are so upset. I really am doing the best that I can.
jennifer
This message is from two weeks ago. This audition could be a big break for me.
edna
But dear, I thought we agreed that we were going to try and make it as a team. That audition was for a solo singer and I just didn’t think it really was what we were looking for.
jennifer
You agreed to all of that, but I will take anything that can move me towards my goal of being a singer.
edna
If you think about all of those great partners in entertainment, they all stuck together. Just like we are doing.
jennifer
But what you don’t see is the 100s of teams that didn’t make it because one of the teammates sabotaged opportunities.
edna
You say it’s sabotage, but I say it is focus and direction. Success comes from hard work and perseverance.
(Scene switches to Maureen and Constance)
MAUREEN
Success comes from hard work and perseverance.
constance
I know mother. You have been telling me that for years.
maureen
Well, do you believe it?
constance
I do. And don’t get me wrong. I am so appreciative of all you have done for me.
maureen
Well, you sure don’t sound like you are very appreciative about it.
constance
For that, I am sorry. But you have to trust me.
Jennifer
Mom, you have to trust me.
edna
I understand what you are saying, but you have to trust me.
maureen
But you have to trust me.
jennifer
But you have to trust me too.
constance
But you have to trust me too.
edna
Fine.
Maureen
Fine.
Jennifer
Fine.
constance
Fine.
Music #20 - We Can’t Stay Here Anymore (Constance & Jennifer)
JENNIFER
WE KNOW YOU TRIED
TO LIVE YOUR LIVES
IN WAYS THAT MADE
YOU FEEL EMPOWERED.
AND WE ALSO KNOW WELL,
THE LOVE YOU SHARED,
THE WEIGHT YOU BURDENED.
BUT HERE, EAGER AND YOUNG,
WE CUT THE STRINGS THAT
BIND YOU TO US.
WITH ALL OUR LOVE,
AND THIS WE’RE SURE OF,
WE CAN’T STAY HERE ANYMORE.
CONSTANCE
DON’T GET US WRONG,
WE KNOW WE LACK
SOME OF THE THINGS
THAT WE WILL NEED IN LIFE.
THE WORLD WON’T ALWAYS BE
THE PLACED WE’VE DREAMED
THAT WOULD BE WAITING FOR ME.
THE GOOD THINGS AND THE BAD
WILL GO TO MAKE US
WHO WE’RE MEANT TO BE.
EVEN WITH THIS,
AND WITH REMISS,
WE CAN’T STAY HERE ANYMORE.
Music #21 - We Can’t Stay Here Anymore (Orchestra)
Scene 10
SETTING: The next scene opens back at the park.
At Rise: We see LYNN sitting alone on a park bench. Two small children (TONY & SARAH) are playing ball near their mother (LESLIE), who sits on a park bench.
Tony
(Lynn picks up the ball)
Sorry.
sarah
(To Lynn) Throw the ball over here.
(Lynn rolls the ball over to Sarah)
Thank you.
tony
(To Lynn) Nice throw.
(To Sarah) Now, throw it to me.
(Tony starts to play ball with Sarah)
You are really good at this.
LYNN
They are really good at that.
(Children continue playing as Lynn walks over to Lesley
Are these your children?
lesley
Only if they are behaving.
lynn
They are wonderful. How do you get them to be so nice to each other?
lesley
It is a strategic balance between threats and bribery.
lynn
I doubt that. They seem genuinely happy to be playing with each other.
lesley
I guess they do.
lynn
Oh, my name is Lynn.
lesley
It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lesley. I’ve never seen you here before. What brings you to the park today?
lynn
Actually, I’m from out of town. I’m here to meet up with my father.
lesley
Oh, how wonderful. I am sure he is thrilled to get a visit from his daughter.
lynn
Yeah, not so much actually. Our relationship could be described as many things, close is not one of them. I haven’t seen him in quite a long time.
lesley
How long has it been since you’ve seen him?
lynn
Seven years or so. Like I said, not a really close relationship at all.
lesley
If you don’t mind me asking, but what happened? I mean, has it always been like this?
lynn
That’s a really good question.
(Lynn sits down on the park bench)
I think about it quite a bit. My father left home when I was a teenager. Before that, it wasn’t a relationship I assumed it would. And, as I grew up, it was easy to think that all families lived like that. So, for years, I just didn’t know any better.
Lesley
I mean, was it abusive or anything like that?
lynn
(defensively) No. I mean not really. It was more neglect and ambivalence than any abuse.
lesley
No wonder visiting him has been so hard.
(To the children)
Be careful over there. My husband tells me I’m overprotective. He’s probably right, but they are my babies; and they always will be.
lynn
That’s very nice. It sounds like you have a wonderful life.
(Slight awkward pause)
Anyway, I should get going. It was nice to meet you.
lesley
(standing up and gathering her things)
Well, it’s getting late and the kids need to get some rest. I still need to pick up supplies for tomorrow’s block party. Almost everyone is going to be there. Hope you can make it.
(Starts to leave with children)
Come on, kids. It was nice to meet you. I do hope that you find what you came here for.
lynn
(To herself)
Me too!
(Stands up and walks downstage center)
There has to be a way for a person, for me to find my purpose. I hear people say so many things, it overloads my ability to take away anything useful. Even a good night’s sleep is too much to ask for. But still, it is there for me, whatever it is. Somewhere, waiting for me.
Music #22 - I’ve Been Here Before (Lynn)
LYNN
THERE HAVE BEEN NIGHTS
WHERE I COULDN’T SLEEP.
I’D LOOK FOR STARS
IN THE DARKENED SKY.
THAT’S WHEN I’D PRAY
FOR THE DAY TO END
SO I COULD DREAM OF THE REST,
THAT I THIRSTED FOR.
AND I’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE,
THERE HAVE BEEN NIGHTS
THAT I COULDN’T SLEEP.
THERE HAVE BEEN DAYS
WHERE I SAT ALONE
LOOKING FOR ANSWERS
SEEKING THE TRUTH.
I DREAM OF A JOY
THAT I’VE NEVER SEEN.
I TELL MYSELF “SEEK THE TRUTH,
FOR IT LIVES IN ME”.
STILL I’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE,
THERE HAVE BEEN DAYS
WHERE I SAT ALONE.
HIDDEN INSIDE
IS THE TRUTH I SEEK.
I’LL FIGHT FOR THE ME
THAT I’M MEANT TO BE.
AND TO RESOLVE
THE WAR THAT RAGES WITHIN.
TO SEE MY LIFE BE MORE
SO MUCH MORE THAN IT’S BEEN.
BUT I’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE,
AND STILL I KNOW
THAT IT LIVES IN ME. I
I’VE OFTEN BEEN TOLD THAT THE
KIND FINISH LAST,
BUT I’M NOT GOIN’ TO LET THE WORLD
BRING THE PAIN BACK.
I WILL STAND PROUD AND STRONG
FOR THE DAY IS ALL MINE.
I DON’T WANT TO STAY HIDDEN
AND TELL THEM I’M FINE.
NO MORE PASSIVE RESOLVE
AND GIVE IN TO MY FATE.
ALL RIGHT.
I’M DONE!
WATCH ME CROSS THAT LINE.
THERE HAVE BEEN DREAMS
THAT I’VE PUT AWAY
KNOWING I’D NEVER
SEE THEM COME TRUE.
BUT MAYBE THIS TIME
I AM MEANT TO SOAR
OVER THE WORLD
TOWARDS A NEW DAY.
COULD I FINALLY SEE
THE ME THAT I’M MEANT TO BE?
BUT I’VE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE.
THERE ARE DREAMS
THAT I PUT AWAY.
Scene 11
SETTING: The finale of Act 1 takes place in the park and in all of their residences.
At Rise: Maureen is in her apartment. Edna is in her apartment. Jaspar and Lynn are in the park. Jennifer and Constance are traveling towards the park. ThadDEUS and janine are in their apartment. Calvin is outside of Thaddeus and Janine’s apartment on the steps that lead to his residence.
Music #23 - Finale of Act I Montage / Where Is the Sense in All of This? (CALVIN, LYNN, JASPAR, CONSTANCE & JENNIFER) I am your champion, I” - Am I authentic in my thoughts and actions.
jennifer
when i stare into space,
full of darkness, full of disgrace,
still i wonder world,
where is the sense in all of this.
constance
when my mind races on,
and my hope is all gone,
still i wonder world,
what is the sense in all of this.
jennifer & constance
i recall there was a time long ago
when life treated in right.
jennifer
There was joy in all my mornings.
constance
There was hope in all my tomorrows
jennifer & constance
NOW i sit hoping somehow for better.
jennifer
i got to do something
constance
I got to do something
jennifer
got to start it today
constance
got to start it today.
jennifer & Constance
to make something special of my life,
all the doubts have to go away.
jennifer
‘cause i’ve waited too long now.
constance
‘cause i’ve waited too long now.
jennifer
can’t waste anymore drops of my tears.
constance
can’t waste anymore drops of my tears.
jennifer & Constance
Looking for something to
fill all the holes in my desperate heart.
praying hard for the courage to
live all my days.
making something to fill in my heart.
have to block all the bad,
can’t be happy when sadness is around.
the excuses i have for the
fails in my life could now
fill up the room,
fill up the room.
Company
One More Chance,
give me one more chance,
let this day bring one more chance
for me to get it right,
to get it right.
And tomorrow will
be a bright, shining star
in the night,
so others see its light
and make it through the dark.
THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY…
act 2
Scene 1
SETTING: The scene takes place in the park and on the sidewalks around the neighborhood park.
At Rise: Members of the community are arriving in preparation of their annual block party. People are arriving with last minute decorations and food for the celebration. CONSTANCE, MAUREEN, EDNA and JENNIFER are all arriving and still bickering a bit. JASPAR is welcoming everyone as they arrive. Some informal dancing is going on as the music continues.
Music - #24 - Entr’acte (Orchestra)
Say a Kind Word To the People
I Am Your Champion
Music - #25 - Say a Kind Word (Orchestra)
Music #26 - Block Party Gathering Song (Company)
Jaspar talks with Calvin
People ask about Thaddeus and Janine
Who was that girl in the park earlier
Leslie and the kids are there.
Maureen and Edna arrive together, complaining about their kids
Jennifer and Constance would arrive together
a few people from earlier can sing their harmony stuff from - say a kind word to the people.
the coordinator of the party speaks and tells people what to do. How do we welcome new people. Reach out to our new neighbors.
some people don’t like the coordinator of the party. People think she is making it all out of her.
10.hanging of the banner
11.people serving refreshments
12.jennifer and edna have to sing together.
13.
JASPAR
Well, Hello stranger. How are you doing today?
CALVIN
How am I doing? That’s a stupid question. I’m here at this stupid party because people who are suppose to love me are guilting me into attending. How am I doing? Not good.
JASPAR
Wow, I didn’t mean to walk into that mine field. I was just asking. You know, it’s what people do. At least it is what people are suppose to do.
CALVIN
Yeah, I get it. And you aren’t that bad. And I guess that is a good thing.
JASPAR
Basically, I’m better than sucky.
CALVIN
(with excitement) Exactly!
JASPAR
You are not in a good place, are you?
CALVIN
No, I guess that I’m not. I’ve come to the realization that I will never have anyone who will simply love me for who I am. I’ll never even have someone who I would want to be a better person for. Do you know how deep that pain goes? Do you know what it is like to know that this “love” thing that people sing and talk about will simply never apply to me. I’m not as complicated as people might think I am. I just want what other people have; a person to walk through fire with, a person to laugh and smile and cry and share life together. Instead, I hurt. I hurt so deep into my soul that my entire body aches from the hurt. I can’t eat, I can’t drink and I can’t sleep. Do you have any idea about that kind of hurt? Does that sound like love?
JASPAR
I don’t know what love feels like, but that sounds like gas.
CALVIN
Really? You make jokes while I’m trying to find even the remotest sign of satisfaction in my life.
JASPAR
I’m not making light of anything, Calvin. You need to understand that everyone goes through those times. What I’m trying to say is that healthy relationships take both parties committing to building a relationship with each other. You know, it takes two to tango.
CALVIN
If you start singing a song, I will attack you with my cupcake.
JASPAR
OK, no song. I just got this sweater and I don’t want it damaged by the spoils of war.
scene 2
SETTING: The scene takes place in Thaddeus and Janine’s Apartment
At Rise: We see JANINE, THADDEUS, CALVIN and LYNN discussing the block party and who would be going. JANINE and LYNN are near the kitchen and THADDEUS and CALVIN are sitting down in their living room.
janine
Isn’t it just wonderful? All the people excited and ready for such a grand time.
calvin
People are just glad to be getting out of the house. All of that “caring for others” nonsense is exactly that; nonsense.
janine
I don’t understand you sometimes. It just seems like you prefer to be nasty to others.. It must be your goal for each day; tick off as many people as you can.
calvin
My goal each day is to be left alone, and you are making that very difficult.
thaddeus
Don’t get so upset Calvin. We’re just trying to make it through each day as well, just like everybody else.
calvin
You have always done that to me; you know, trivializing how I feel to make yourself look smarter.
janine
Now don’t start talking to him like that
CALVIN
He’s not my father just because you married him. And I will talk to him anyway I want to.
jaNINE
Obstinate old goat.
calvin
Really?
janine
Thaddeus and I do just fine, no thanks to you.
Thaddeus
Come on you guys. Life doesn’t have to have such angst. There has to be a better way to live than to go after each other on a daily basis.
calvin
(talking to Janine)
Your boyfriend is trying to save is poor little girlfriend.
thaddeus
Now stop this, Calvin. What has happened to you?
calvin
Life has happened to me.
(To Thaddeus)
And you happened to me.
(To Janine)
And you happened to me
(Goes to the window and shouts)
And you happened to me, all of you.
lynn
(To Calvin)
Did I just happen to you?
calvin
(stunned for a moment)
Well, that’s not what I really mean. Yes, you happened to me, but that was my fault, I mean the way things are right now.
lynn
You weren’t happy when I was growing up either. A person has to want to be happy.
calvin
Why should I try?
lynn
Because I am your daughter, and we are your family. I just don’t get this “The worlds out to get me” crap.
thaddeus
Janine and I aren’t always happy either, but at least we try.
lynn
You don’t always have to be in control of everything life brings you.
thaddeus
Son, you should give us a chance to be happy.
calvin
Don’t call me son. Just because you marry my mother doesn’t make you my father.
thaddeus
Well, you certainly need something.
(Thaddeus and Janine leave their apartment and head for the block party.)
We’re going to the party. I really don’t care if I see you there or not.
janine
Calvin dear.
calvin
I can’t stand all of this “daisies and gumdrops and unicorns” kind of talk. If I hear one more “Life is what you make it” or “Every morning is a bright sunshiny new morning”. I am going to ram a chicken into someones face.
lynn
Yeah, I didn’t get that.
calvin
I’m just upset.
lynn
I get that., but what’s wrong with a little positive thinking?
calvin
It’s not realistic. I mean, I haven’t seen a knight on a white horse come up to you and wisk you away.
lynn
Come on, what’s wrong with dreaming about dreams coming true?
calvin
I drive a used Chevette and I am not a knight who will wisk anybody away to a magical kingdom.
Music #27 - Calvin’s Lament (Calvin)
calvin
DARKNESS ENVELOPES THE SKY AGAIN,
SOMEHOW ELUDING TO THINGS THAT WOULD
CAUSE IT HARM.
AND THE COLDNESS THAT STRIKES ME AND
MAKES ME FEEL
THAT WON’T LET ME DIE,
THAT WON’T LET ME CRY
HERE, ALL ALONE.
INSIDE THE HURT LIES INNOCENCE.
ASKING WHY MUST IT HURT SOLVES NOTHING
BUT WAKES THE EVILS THAT LURK IN THE NIGHT.
SEARCHING FOR CARELESS EMOTIONS
THAT SIT ALL ALONE.
BUT MY BLINDNESS
WON’T KEEP ME FROM FINDING LOVE,
IT SEEMS SO EASY,
IT SEEMS SO INNOCENT,
AND TOMORROW WON’T HAVE TO BE MERCILESS,
IT MIGHT BE A CHANCE FOR ME TO ROMANCE
HERE IN MY DREAMS,
RIGHT HERE IN MY DREAMS.
SO I SIT HERE AND PRAY THAT THE
DAWN WILL BRING
PEACE THAT WILL COMFORT,
PEACE THAT WILL LIVE IN ME.
STILL I’M HOPEFUL THAT
LOVE MIGHT ASCEND THE THRONE.
A LOVE I CAN FEEL,
A LOVE THAT IS REAL,
HERE IN MY DREAMS,
RIGHT HERE IN MY DREAMS.
LYNN
Dad, I hear the hope inside you. I know it’s there.
CALVIN
Dear, if it ever was there, it is surely gone now. Don’t let my troubles take you down. You are a hopeful, dynamic young woman who has the whole world waiting for her.
LYNN
But you are my father.
(Calvin starts to leave)
CALVIN
Yes, dear. I certainly am.
Scene 3
SETTING: The scene takes place in the park and on the sidewalks around the neighborhood park.
At Rise: The block party is in full swing. Each character mingles with the others as the drama unfolds.
Music #28 - We Are Having a Good Time Anyway (Orchestra)
JANINE
Come on Thaddeus. You can at least try to have some fun. Look, there’s Russell over there. You’ve been friends with him for years. Just go over and say hi.
THADDEUS
I don’t really want to talk to anybody.
JANINE
Well, you can’t just stand here and bring me down. I’m going to have some fun, despite you.
THADDEUS
Well, what ever.
(Walks over to Russell and Janine moves over to a group of ladies; the Boswell sisters)
THADDEUS
(To Russell) Well, hey.
RUSSELL
(To Thaddeus) Hey.
THADDEUS
Having fun yet?
RUSSELL
Not really. How about you?
THADDEUS
Not really.
(awkward pause)
RUSSELL
This party needs something.
THADDEUS
How about CPR.
JANINE
How’s it going ladies?
CARLI
OH my gosh sisters, it’s Janine
MERYL
Hi Janine.
EMMA
Hi dear, how’s everything been with your family?
CARLI
We had heard that Thaddeus just sits around doing nothing everyday.
MERYL
Oh my girls, just imagine having a big old bump on a log just sitting there all day.
CARLI
And I bet he sits on his throne barking out orders to you like you were his servant.
EMMA
Just imagine that girls, feeling like you were a servant while king Thaddeus just sat there doing nothing but eating bon bons and watching game shows.
MERYL
Not that there’s anything wrong with game shows.
CARLI
You are so right. I was just watching an episode of Trivia or Die.
EMMA
Are you talking about the episode where the contestant was underneath the elephant, answering questions about 19th century Italy?
CARLI
No, that was the one where the contestant jumped out of the airplane without a parachute and had to answer three questions correctly to get the parachute from the host.
MERYL
Oh I did see that one. That contestant almost got the third question right. She should have known the answer was Waterloo, not Water lilly.
EMMA
She seemed like such a nice lady, too!
MERYL
May she rest in peace.
CARLI
May she rest in peace.
EMMA
Amen. Girls.
JANINE
Well, ladies, I’m going to keep on mingling around.
EMMA
Oh, OK, it was a pleasure as always to talk to you.
MERYL
What a nice lady.
CARLI
It always feels good catching up with old friends.
(The three sisters start to walk over to Lunney and Nicholas) Lunney turns her hearing aids off and Nicholas lifts his paper so that the Boswell sisters can’t speak to him.
DEBBIE
(Speaking to Samuel and Grayson)
So, are you guys planning on living around here much longer?
SAMUEL
Don’t really know. The area is kind of tired. Do you know what I mean?
GRAYSON
Like the businesses and the building and that kind of stuff.
SAMUEL
Yeah, and just to the people here too. It’s just a part of town that acts like their best days are behind them.
DEBBIE
I sort of think that people can start to feel that way as well. You.know, living like your best days are behind you. Tough way to live.
LYNN
Come on dad, it's just for a few minutes. Just make an appearance.
CALVIN
I really do hate these things.
LYNN
You’ll make your mother happy…. and me too.
CALVIN
That’s a cheap trick to play. Playing the emotion card.
LYNN
You left me with no other choice.
JANINE
Oh,Thaddeus dear. Look, Calvin is here.
THADDEUS
(Sarcastically) Whoopi!
JANINE
Hi Calvin. Hi Lynn dear. I am so glad you both are able to come to the party. Look at this thing. I think it’s wonderful that the whole block comes alive at this time every year.
SAMUEL
Wow, this party is dead.
GRAYSON
Just like the neighborhood.
DEBBIE
Let’s get out of here. There are much better places to go than here.
LYNN
It took a while, but we are here and ready to have a good time.
JANINE
Isn’t this wonderful Thaddeus? Here we are, the four of us just like a regular normal family, out for a good time with all of our neighbors and friends.
LYNN
I never have really belongs to a neighborhood like this. When you move all the time, you sort of skip the neighborhood thing.
CALVIN
I know that’s my fault.
LYNN
No, that’s not what I am saying. I’m just saying this is nice.
THADDEUS
And she’s saying that your bad parenting took most of the happiness away from here.
LYNN
That’s not what I am saying.
CALVIN
No Lynn, he’s right. I have no business being here, pretending to be happy when I have caused so many people hurt and heartache.
JANINE
Calvin, don’t listen to him. Sometimes he just says things without thinking.
THADDEUS
Why must this family continue to protect Calvin from reality? Why handle him with kid gloves?
LYNN
Why don’t you ever say anything nice? It’s all of this vitreous nastiness spewing forth from your mouth.
THADDEUS
Way to use that college vocabulary. Your teachers would be so proud.
CALVIN
Don’t start going after her Thaddeus. I can just ignore you but she deserves better than that.
THADDEUS
What she really deserved was a father who was better than you.
CALVIN
I am so sick of your hate filled talking. No wonder my mom is miserable with you.
JANINE
Thaddeus I have never said that at all.
CALVIN
She feels it everyday when she wakes up and realizes that you are the burden she will have to carry the rest of her life.
THADDEUS
A burden. What can be worse for a mother than to see her son grow up to be a great big nothing like you.
CALVIN
I am so sick of your hatred and you…..
(Calvin starts to sway and ends up collapsing onto the ground.)
LYNN
Will someone please call 911. Come on Dad (Continues CPR). Is someone calling the EMS.
(Everyone at the party stops and focuses in on Calvin)
Music #29 - One More Day for Us
(During this song, the scene changes from the block party to the hospital. We see time move on as people visit Calvin, Doctors and nurses visit, and family comes and goes. This song is used to help the audience see the passing of time)
Scene 4
SETTING: The scene takes place in a hospital outside and inside CALVIN’S room. CALVIN lies motionless in a hospital bed, with no flowers or cards, which adds to the starkness of the sterile room.
At Rise: BONITA and LYNN are talking as THADDEUS and JANINE listen in.
BONITA
If you all need to use the restroom, it’s down the hallway to the left, and remember, just press the red button if you need assistance from a nurse. Otherwise, I will leave you all to your visit.
(Bonita leaves as Thaddeus, Janine and Lynn move into the room.)
LYNN
She seemed rather nice.
thaddeus
They have to be nice. It’s part of their job.
janine
It must be a terrible job to have; being around all of these dying people.
thaddeus
I’m sure she has her own way of self medicating.
janine
It would take a lot of something to get me around to being OK.
lynn
Would you two please stop? Your comments are simply mean and really aren’t helping anything anyway.
janine
From what the doctors said, there isn’t much to do anyway. And besides, he can’t hear what we are saying anyway.
lynn
Why do you so blindly make these kind of comments. Everyone deserves a chance at peacefulness, even if it is in a hospital bed.
janice
You didn’t use to be so mean.
lynn
I’m not mean. I simply have grown up, and that means I don’t sit around spewing forth such venomous comments.
thaddeus
Please watch your tone of voice.
lynn
(Loudly)
My tone of voice?
(Softly but with intensity)
My tone of voice? Who do you think you are anyway?
(Janine and Thaddeus back away as the focus turns to Lynn next to Calvin’s bed)
LYNN
Father, I know this was not the plan for the end of your life. We all dream of dying in our sleep when we are 104 years old. I understand that life hasn’t been easy for you lately.
janine
(Interrupting)
Lynn, I take offense at that comment. I think we’ve done the best that we can. And where were you during all of this? Thaddeus, let’s get out of here. We have better things to do at home.
lynn
You are leaving him here to fight for the last moments of his life without his mother?
janine
The doctor said that there wasn’t anything to do anyway.
(Thaddeus and Janine leave the hospital)
LYNN
Dad, I am so sorry for that. We all deal with things in our own ways, but I’m here for you now.
(Stands up and gets a small glass of water from a nearby table.)
You know Dad, I’ve been thinking. When I was younger, I use to think that life could be perfect; one perfect day following another. I thought that love was perfect too. Inside that love, anything was possible and everything looked new and shiny and … well, perfect. Now, I think that the word “love” is so complex, no human can even hope to understand it. It flickers in the darkness, and those around can see both it’s wondrous glow and the potential for blackness after it stops glowing. I’ve done a lot of growing up over the last decade or so, and seeing you here with these tubes and wires all around you, well it has me thinking even more. Maybe love was never meant to be perfect after all. Maybe it lives inside that area of the heart where our dreams meet our desires. The ones who feel love the deepest are those people who’s dreams and desires are most closely matched. If that is true, then father, I guess that I love you. I have always dreamt of having a wonderful, traditional relationship with you. And as you know, that never happened. Dad, I really have tried to be the daughter you wanted me to be. And ignoring you all of these years was wrong. Still, I am here now. I wish that your story could have been written differently, could have a happy ending. Anyway dad, I wanted to tell you I love you.
(Standing up and moving towards the table)
Anyway, I need to find your medical card.
Music #30 - There Just Has to Be a Better Way (Lynn & Doctors/Nurses/Parents)
LYNN
Oh my gosh,
(looking at a picture from Calvin’s wallet)
I must have only been nine or ten. Oh dad.
(Turns picture over and starts to read the back)
“Lynn and Calvin at the lake, 1997. A perfect day with the only person I really ever loved.”
(Puts the picture back in the wallet)
Oh dad, I just never really understood. I am so sorry.
BONITA
(Entering Calvin’s room)
Excuse me Lynn.
(To Russell)
This is Mr. Hall. This is the case I was talking about earlier.
RUSSELL
Sorry for the interruption ma’am.
LYNN
That’s fine.
BONITA
This is Lynn, Mr. Hall’s daughter.
(To Lynn)
Do you need anything?
LYNN
When will the Doctors be in?
BONITA
I’ve already seen them on the floor. It should be very soon.
RUSSELL
There they are now. Let me have a quick word with them.
(Russell leaves the room)
BONITA
Dear, your father is no longer in pain.
RUSSELL
(Re-enters the room)
Lynn, Mrs. Hall, I mean Miss Hall,
BONITA
I think the doctors would like to see you in the hallway.
(Lynn stands and leaves the room)
BONITA
HOW MANY TIMES, HOW MANY PLACES HAVE I BEEN FACED WITH A MOMENT LIKE THIS?
RUSSELL
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I SEEN THE PAIN GROW? THERE
JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
BONITA
I SEE THEIR PAIN. I SEE THEIR FACES. IS THIS A
DUNGEON WHERE I’M SENTENCED TO LIVE?
RUSSELL
BUT STILL I KNOW THAT DEATH CONQUERS US ALL.
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
BONITA & RUSSELL
LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA.
RUSSELL
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
BONITA
THINGS HAVE GONE FROM BAD TO WORSE.
THE DAMAGE HERE CAN’T BE REVERSED.
IT MIGHT BE TIME TO LET HIM FLY AWAY.
RUSSELL
LIFE IS FRAGILE AS YOU KNOW.
IT MIGHT BE TIME TO LET HIM GO.
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
NURSES AND DOCTORS
Oo, Oo, Oo, Oo.
RUSSELL AND DOCTORS
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
BONITA
WHY MUST LIFE BE THIS WAY?
DOCTORS
WE’VE DONE AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN
AND OUR HEARTS BREAK FOR YOU.
WE’VE DONE AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
RUSSELL & DOCTORS
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
BONITA
COME NOW, LORD, HEAR THERE SUFFERING.
COME TO US NOW.
LYNN
FATHER, YOU CAN NOW LET GO.
OH FATHER, DO YOU SEE A GLOW?
IS THERE A LIGHT THAT GUIDES YOU ON YOUR WAY?
YOU CAN HOLD MY MOTHER’S HAND.
THE REUNION YOU HAD ALWAYS PLANNED
I SIMPLY DON’T KNOW A BETTER WAY.
DOCTORS
SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO LET GO.
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
(The 2 Doctors call Lynn out into the hallway and discuss the removal of the life support from Calvin. The 2 nurses remain in the room with Calvin. Lynn and the doctors re-enter the hospital room. The doctors speak to Bonita)
(Bonita walks over to Lynn)
Lynn dear, the doctors have told me that you have approved of disconnecting your father from life support.
(Pauses to watch for response from Lynn)
Why don’t you take a moment to say your goodbye.
(Lights go up on Janine and Thaddeus down stage right)
JANINE
HE WAS ALWAYS A TROUBLED LITTLE BOY.
WE DID ALL WE COULD.
THADDEUS
HE BROUGHT NOTHING BUT PAIN.
JANINE
HE WAS NEVER A HAPPY KID
THADDEUS
HE THOUGHT JUST OF HIMSELF.
NEVER WORKING FOR GOOD.
I NEVER DID LIKE THAT GUY
HATEFUL, SPITEFUL AND MEAN.
JANINE
IT WAS I WHO WORKED HARD TO SHOW HIM THE WAY.
IT WAS I WHO TRIED TO SHOW HIM THE WAY.
THADDEUS & JANINE
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
IT WAS NEVER, NEVER MY FAULT.
NEVER MY FAULT.
NURSES
THINGS HAVE GONE FROM BAD TO WORSE.
GONE FROM BAD TO WORSE.
LET HIM FLY AWAY.
DOCTORS
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
THERE JUST HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
LYNN
FATHER,
FATHER,
FATHER,
FLY AWAY.
Music #31 - Maybe Life (Lynn)
LYNN
MAYBE LIFE IS THIS WAY FOR A REASON.
MAYBE BIRDS FLY SO HIGH ‘CAUSE THEY CAN.
AND JUST MAYBE THERE’S A REASON
WHY WATER FLOWS DOWN
FROM THE RIVERS THAT REACH TO THE OCEANS,
FROM RIVERS THAT REACH TO THE OCEANS.
MAYBE TIME MARCHES ON WITHOUT STOPPING
SO THAT WE HAVE BEGINNINGS AND ENDS
AND JUST MAYBE THE REASON WHY
STORIES HAVE ENDS IS
BECAUSE WE ALL NEED THE ANSWERS.
MAYBE WE JUST NEED SOME ANSWERS.
FATHER, WHY MUST I SIT HERE BESIDE YOU?
WHY WAS I ALWAYS ALONE?
AND WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS
NEEDING YOU TO SEE
THAT A DAUGHTER NEEDS LOVE FROM HER FAMILY.
THAT A CHILD NEEDS LOVE FROM THEIR FAMILY
TO SEE LOVE IS SO REAL.
SO I SIT HERE AND WAIT FOR THE ENDING
OF A STORY THAT HAD TO BE TOLD
OF A YOUNG GIRL WITH A STORY THAT
HAD NOT BEEN HEARD,
A STORY OF HOPE REBORN,
OF A HOPE THAT WAS NOT TO BE DOUBTED.
BONITA
Lynn, I am so sorry for your loss. My understanding is that you are ready to leave to go home. Please take your father’s wallet. You are the one who should have it.
LYNN
Thank you. You have been very kind. I’m sure this wasn’t much fun for you either.
(Lynn leaves the hospital and makes her way to the park,
where Jaspar is sitting.)
Scene 5
SETTING: The scene takes place in the neighborhood park. Only JASPAR & LYNN are present. The park is back to normal, with all decorations from the block party removed.
At Rise: The quietness of the park lies in stark contrast to the day earlier. LYNN sits quietly on a bench as JASPAR approaches.
Music #32 - Maybe Life (Underscore)
JASPAR
Hi Lynn. I heard about your father and I am so sorry for your loss.He was a friend to me.
LYNN
Jaspar, this day has been more than I can take. It started with me trying to find the courage to talk to my father. And now, it ends with no father and very few answers to my questions.
JASPAR
Maybe over time, you will be able to find some of those answers.
LYNN
All I have now is his wallet and too many lost days.
JASPAR
Have you looked at his wallet yet?
LYNN
No. I just can’t.
JASPAR
Maybe you should. Looking at the contents of his wallet might help you understand him a little better.
LYNN
(Starts to go through Calvin’s wallet)
Here is a coupon for a free pizza, a membership card to the gym…still looking like new …. and expired …. by five years.
JASPAR
You can’t blame a guy for trying.
LYNN
Here’s a ticket stub to a high school football playoff game… it’s only three years old.
(Finds a small envelope)
What’s this?
(Reacts with great emotion)
It’s addressed to me. Oh my, Jaspar. Will you open it, please?
JASPAR
Lynn, your father told me that if anything ever happened to him, he wanted you to get this letter.
LYNN
What’s it about?
JASPAR
Just read it, dear. (Jaspar opens envelope and hands contents to Lynn)
LYNN
(Reading the letter)
#33 - The Letter Song
My dearest daughter, since you are reading this, I have passed away.
Lynn, when I look back at my life, I believe that I spent most it trying to please people I didn’t feel like pleasing.
That’s my fault.
And, when I think about it, I know that you are the only good thing I ever did.
Lynn, I missed so much and forgot so much. And I am sorry for that. I do remember our family reading time.
Do you remember the story of the Starfish?
That was always your mother’s favorite.
LYNN/JASPAR
YOUR MOTHER WOULD SING THE TALE
OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
YOUR MOTHER WOULD TELL OF THE
MAN ON THE BEACH AND THE
LIFE WITHIN REACH.
HE HAD BUT TO TRY TO
SAVE WHAT HE CAN.
SO EACH DAY YOUR MOTHER WOULD
START THE DAY THINKING OF
WHAT SHE SHOULD DO.
I KNOW THAT SHE DIED BEFORE
SHE COULD IMPART ALL THAT
LIVED IN HER HEART,
SO NOW YOU MUST
CARRY ON THROUGH EACH DAY.
I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
I’M SORRY BUT I SIMPLY
LOST MY WAY.
SO MY DEAR, IT IS TIME
FOR THE POINT, THE POINT OF THE LETTER,
FOR I TOO DEAR, LISTENED WELL
TO THE TALES THAT SHE WOULD TELL.
IT WAS YOU, IT WAS YOU THAT
WON MY HEART AND I SAVED YOU,
FOR YOU WERE THE STARFISH DEAR,
THAT I CHOSE TO SAVE.
I couldn’t save them all. In fact, I couldn’t even save myself. But Lynn, you made it and have become something special. And on some starry night when the moon is ablaze with light, look up to the sky and remember me, just for a moment. And when you see a small light shining behind the moon, know that I am up there beaming with joy for the starfish, the woman, you have become. Thank you for being you. I love you, Lynn. Your father
JASPAR
You never knew, did you?
LYNN
How would I have ever known? We never talked. And when we did talk, he never said anything about how he felt. He just wouldn’t talk. But now, finally, I have something to hold on to; something that gives me more hope, courage and strength than I had when I arrived here. So maybe now, the clouds might be moving on. Maybe tomorrow will come into view a little clearer for me.
JASPAR
And that’s a good thing.
LYNN
And that’s a good thing.
Music #34 - Finale (Jaspar, Lynn, Constance & Jennifer)
JASPAR
AND THEN AT LAST
UNDER A SYCAMORE TREE,
I’LL SLEEP AT LAST, I’LL SLEEP AT LAST
NO TIME TO HINDER ME.
AND QUIETLY,
I’LL SIT AND PONDER ALL THAT’S BEEN.
HOW QUICK IT WAS
THE TIMES THAT THRILLED ME WHEN
I COULD BREATH,
I COULD FEEL,
I COULD DANCE,
I COULD RUN
AND I COULD KNEEL
AND SAY A PRAYER OF THANKS
FOR ALL THAT HAD COME TRUE
SINCE THE DAY
I SAW MY DREAMS COME TRUE
SINCE THE DAY
I SAW MY DREAMS COME TRUE
(underscore - I can’t stay here anymore)
Jaspar
Hello ladies
Constance
Hi Jaspar
Jennifer
Hi
Jaspar
Going somewhere
Constance
We hope so. But we just don’t know where.
Jaspar
If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?
Constance
We’ll know.
Jennifer
I think she’s right. The trick for us now is to start the journey.
Constance
Jaspar, we just can’t stay here anymore.
Jaspar
Hmmmm. Have you met Lynn?
Lynn
Hello. I know what you are saying. Sometimes, a person has to move away…to move forward, just to leave.
Jennifer
There has to be more to life than living out someone else’s dreams for you.
Constance
But a person has to seek out a place where they can survive and thrive. That’s why we just can’t stay here anymore.
Jaspar
It sounds to me that the three of you are in the same place. I bet you could help each other accomplish some great things in your lives. It seems to me that the three of you are listening to the same inner voice.
Constance
You might be right.
Jaspar
Can I help you with anything?
Lynn
Jaspar, you have done so much. Now, it’s time for us to find our place. We want to feel complete.
Jennifer
And, of course, we now have each other.
Lynn
Champions for each other’s journey.
“I am your champion”
Jaspar and Lynn Jennifer Constance
Lynn solo
Ive seen the sun
Ive seen the sun - trio
I am your champion
One More Day In the Sun
Lynn Solo
I Am Your Champion
Piano music…..background music while each of the three starfish say goodbye to each of their previous worlds.
They meet again in the park
Three ladies or company
I CAN BREATH,
I CAN FEEL,
I CAN DANCE,
I CAN RUN,
I CAN LIVE
Music #35 - Wouldn’t That Be Great - Reprise (Orchestra)
Music #36 - Bows (Orchestra)
I Don’t Want to Sing Their Song No More.
Production Notes
Starfish
by Douglas M. Heflin & Errol Selsby
Lighting
Concept: The musical “Starfish” tells the story of struggle and hope in the current time. The lighting for the show needs to reflect the “inner being” of what people will see. Within the show, the lighting needs to support the themes of struggle and hope by contrasting dark and light with some architectural elements.
Basic lighting concepts: The acting areas fluctuate within the story. Because only one set is used in “Starfish”, the focus will need to be on drawing the attention of the audience to that specific acting space. This lighting strategy will allow the audience members to follow the story as the light guides them throughout the set. In addition, the lighting needs to reflect the tenor and tone of that specific scene. This will help prepare the audience for what will follow.
Blending and Tone: The lighting plot is an important element of the overall production. The lighting plot needs to convey the emotional elements of the story and logically lead the story to its ultimate conclusion. The purpose of the blending and toning helps create smooth transitions from one space to another without creating rough spots in the story telling.
The importance of lighting the background areas cannot be understated. The purposeful planning of lighting of the entire stage can help the audience understand the specific time of the story, or the simple passing of time. It also must be consistent with helping the establishment of the tone of the show. By creating multiple layers of light, a lighting plot can be created that will help the audience understand not only the actions of the characters but also the mood of the entire set.
By looking beyond the ordinary, the lighting plot can dramatically add to the emotional impact of the story. This “out of the box” thinking can help us see certain characters or set elements in a more impactful way. By using solo spot lights, on stage effects or non-traditional colors, the lighting can have a significant impact on the final performance.
Sound
The sound design for “Starfish” not only needs to allow the audience to understand and be engaged in the story, but also allows the performers to hear each other. The sound design needs to incorporate the on stage needs, the monitors for cast and crew and the pit orchestra. Including the orchestra in the overall sound design is a required area of preparation, as the balance issues that can arise can prevent the audience from understanding the story. For instance, to help the audience hear better, scenes that take place in the park will need to be priorities if the set design is a rounded as opposed to a completely horizontal set. In addition, creating a consistent sound design is imperative. If you have both individual and unidirectional mics in use, find a balance so that the sound and tone is consistent.
Set Design
Overall:
The overall design for “Starfish” is an arc design with levels. As this set remains unchanged for the entire show, the stage design plays a major role in the telling of this story. The set is divided into 4 spaces that not only need to function apart from each other, but help create one entire set that plays it’s own role.
Specific Design (from stage right to stage left)
The first of the four spaces is the apartment of Maureen and Constance. The bottom floor of this space is a business owned by Jaspar Renick. While he sells his wares in the park out of a cart, this business is the storefront for his company. The 2nd floor of this space is the apartment of Maureen Allison and her daughter Constance. There is a set of steps in a hallway on stage left that is used by both this apartment and the apartment directly to the left of the stairway.
The second of the four spaces is the apartment of Jennifer and Edna. The bottom floor of this apartment is the music studio of Edna and Jennifer. While both of the ladies live on the second floor, they use the studio for teaching, personal practice and for recording. The 2nd floor of this space is the apartment of Edna Walters and her daughter, Jennifer. There is a set of stairs to stage right of this apartment, and is the same set of stairs used by Maureen and Constance Allison.
The stairway that lied between these two apartments is an outside staircase, and both of the second floor apartments has a door that leads into the living area. At the top of this staircase is a landing.
The third of the four spaces is the community park. It lies on the stage left side of the centerline and contains no structures. A small pathway that is centered in this park area leads up-center, while each side of the park is decorated with benches, trees, street lamps and other “park” things.
This park serves as the main area for Jaspar Renick to communicate and share with the community.
The fourth of the four spaces is the 2 floor apartment building owned by Calvin Hall. On the stage right side of this structure is an outside staircase that leads to Calvin’s upstairs apartment. This set of stairs could be designed as a fire escape. At the bottom of this staircase is a landing that contains the door that leads into Thaddeus and Janine’s apartment.
The upstairs apartment is the home of Calvin Hall. The downstairs apartment is where his mother (Janine) and step father (Thaddeus) live. The door that leads into their first floor apartment is at the bottom of the staircase.
The final set will be a jack-knife platform that pivots from the down stage left corner of Thaddeus and Janine’s apartment. This platform contains the hospital set that is used in Act II.
Costume Design
Young Calvin Hall:
Estelle Langford:
Calvin Hall:
Jaspar Renick:
Maureen Allison:
Constance Allison:
Randolph Miller:
Thaddeus Roseboro:
Janine Roseboro:
Edna Walters:
Jennifer Walters:
Lynn Hall:
Lesley Stearn:
Sarah Stearn:
Tony Stearn:
Bonita Stevenson:
Russell Blackmon:
Dr. Max Darnell:
Dr. Randy Wells:
Advertising and Legal Terms
Douglas M. Heflin ASCAP
LESSONS IN THE CARDS
A memoir of baseball card collecting and
the life lessons learned by three brothers
This book is written for my grandchild; may they find positive ways to learn valuable lessons.
Douglas M. Heflin
BEAGLETRAIN MUSIC
BATAVIA, OHIO
Visit Heflin’s website at beagletrain.com
Copyright @ 2019 by Douglas M. Heflin ASCAP
Cover Design copyright @2018 by Douglas M. Heflin ASCAP
Cover Designed by Jeric Concepcion
_____________________________________________
Beagletrain Music
5181 Stonelick Williams Corner Rd.
Batavia, Ohio 45103
ASCAP (2017)
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST EDITION
NO PART OF THIS BOOK MAY BE USED OR REPRODUCED IN ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT DOUGLAS M. HEFLIN AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS OR EMAIL AT Douglasheflin21@gmail.com.
To all those who spent countless hours with their siblings, playing, singing and celebrating simpler days and meaningful joys.
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE: LESSONS IN THE CARDS
CHAPTER 1: IN THE BIG-INNING
CHAPTER 2: ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND SPELLING
CHAPTER 3: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
CHAPTER 4: PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
CHAPTER 5: ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 6: PERSPECTIVE
CHAPTER 7: INFORMED AQUISITIONS
CHAPTER 8: EXPLORING OUR COMFORT ZONES
CHAPTER 9: TRADING, FLIPPING, SELLING AND DESTROYING
CHAPTER 10: BALANCE
CHAPTER 11: KINDNESS
CHAPTER 12: STRATEGIC KINDNESS
CHAPTER 13: I PLAYED THE GAME
CHAPTER 14: VALUE BEYOND VALUABLE
CHAPTER 15: GIFTS AND BENEVOLENCE
CHAPTER 16: LOVE
CHAPTER 17: FAMILY
CHAPTER 18; FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
CHAPTER 19: COMPLETING WHAT YOU STARTED
CHAPTER 20: THE PASSING OF THE TORCH
CHAPTER 21: THE ART OF BASEBALL CARDS
POSTSCRIPT
Prologue
_________________________
It is important to remember that memories are a fluid collection of vertical slices of time. As we age and experience life, the stories change because we see these images through different lenses.
I have vivid recollections of my childhood…and it was a wonderful childhood. I was able to explore my musical gifts, play baseball daily, and grew up in a safe and loving home. We ate dinner at the dinner table, saw glimpses of the world outside of our local haunts, and valued learning and togetherness.
Most of my favorite early memories of baseball include my beloved Cincinnati Reds, who wasn’t inspired by Pete Rose playing any position the Reds needed, the cool posters you could get free each year or the straight “A” tickets we could earn to watch the Reds play the Detroit Tigers or the AAA Reds from Indianapolis?
My older brother, Rick, was a Pete Rose fan, and who can blame him? What a player. He played the game like we all wanted to live our lives. Overcoming gaps in talent with a drive like none other. There were always faster players, but no one worked harder than Pete. My younger brother, David, was all about Johnny Bench, and who can blame him? Johnny was the rock that the Big Red Machine was built upon.
For me, finding my favorite player was always more difficult. I started with Don Gullett, after finding a Don Gullett shirt at a local store. But he left the Reds in the mid 70s. Then I moved to George Foster…both of these players were wonderful. But George left the Reds and went to the Mets. Then I jumped to Eric Davis, but he left as well. I always liked Sean Casey, then Austin Kearns, then Johnny Cueto and now, Joey Votto and Billy Hamilton have become my players to watch. Of course, there are players from the past that I could have easily rooted for: Lou Gehrig, Ralph Kiner, Vada Pinson, Bill Freehan…
I must forewarn you that a fluid memory sees the world as an ever changing picture. My younger brother has often told me that my memory was so good that I could remember things that never happened. Therefore, I remind the readers that I am remembering the stories the best I can, but will unapologetically fill in the gaps with material that link these stories to a childhood that was fruitful, memorable, real and beautiful.
Memories are a wonderful distraction from boredom. We remember our first grade teacher, but we forget to take out the trash. The beauty of memory is that the details sort of fill in themselves. I might not remember where I sat in first grade, but the teacher, and the classroom and the relationships with classmates still come alive with these fluid rushes of memory. I remember going to a Red’s game with my brothers and sat at the top of the stadium swatting the cicadas that were permeating the stadium. I don’t know who won the game, but the memory of shared time remains strong.
By sharing these stories, we become a connected people; connected by baseball, childhood and shared experiences. Each of us has a story to tell, a memory to recollect and a future filled with hopefulness…and I am good with that.
A few years ago, I wrote a musical that started with the following lyrics.
We have a story to tell
And it tells the story of a special life.
We all have a story too.
It resonates in our minds, as stories do.
To tell the world of our life
Is a joyous honor that can stir the heart.
Through the happy, through the sorrow,
The story that you tell is part of you.
I hope you enjoy this collection of memories and find joy in the stories of three brothers and the hobby that linked them together.
Chapter 1
In the Big-inning
_________________________
AKA - How 3, otherwise normal kids, grew up to love baseball cards and the peripheral world that came along with it
_________________________
It was November 1959 when Frederick and Eleanor Heflin gave birth to a baby boy named Frederick Reeves Heflin Jr. (Rick). In December 1962, their second son Doug, (yours truly) was born. And, on Groundhog’s Day 1965, their third son, David was born: three sons, no daughters and the whole world in front of them. By definition, we were all three baby boomers, although David kind of cut it close.
When Rick was born, my father was serving with the US Air Force in Texas and that was were Rick was born. My folks had already moved back to the Cincinnati area were David and I were born. That move was probably pivotal in retrospect, since the air force base in Texas at that time would have been too disconnected from baseball (Texas didn’t get a team until 1962 when the Colt 45s came into existence) while Cincinnati is the birthplace of Professional Baseball (appropriate hometown commercial properly inserted here for your amusement and enjoyment.
In actuality, I was supposed to be David…..well at least named David. With Rick already being born, a second son would make the children Ricky and Davy, the two children on the popular TV show of the time: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. At dinner one evening, my mother asked my father what I should be named (if I was a boy) since David wouldn’t work. Apparently, the girl named they picked for me was Caroline, but that is a completely different book altogether. My dad, half listening to her, said “uugghhh”. My mother thought he said “Doug”. So now there are three of us: Rick, David and “Uugghhh”.
I have noticed that often times, books start off with a story of hurdles and obstacles that a person had to overcome to make something special of their lives. I love books like that. They serve as a reminder that the potential we each carry with us, truly lives and can come to fruition. We each have a story. While writing one of my musicals, I stumbled across a concept late one night that each of us is writing our own book. Our life fills the pages, and, because the ending is unknown, it keeps us engaged throughout our lives. I realized that writing our own book often keeps us from reading other peoples’ books. That really is the trick; how do we write our own book while, at the same time, treasuring the beautiful books that others write? These shared experiences brings us closer together as a society, because shared experiences provide relevant topics for discussion and debate. When we hear of another’s troubles, we can ignore them, listen to them, or help them. While we can’t always help them, we certainly can listen and see where we can help. I believe a healthy family moves from listening, into action. Since we are all so wonderfully different, there are countless ways to facilitate the deepening of relationships.
This book comes from the perspective of three boys, born as baby boomers and how the collecting of baseball cards helped to shape the men they were to become. This book is not designed to spew forth information like “collecting Harold Baines cards will keep your children from being mean to their sister!” The book is designed to simply relate the story of what worked for three boys from Ohio.
I realize that the concept needs a bit of explanation. Here is the back story.
There are families that have very tall children. These children tower above the clouds and can always help getting things off high shelves and duck when they enter a room. The three of us were the kids that hung around those tall kids…and it seemed to work for us. Still, the three of us dreamed of playing baseball. Why it wasn’t the rodeo, skydiving or drag racing probably had to do with the lack of horses, parachutes and cars.
Our mother has often said that her sons could figure out a batting average before they could write their name. That is either a complement to our math skills or a concern of our English Teacher. Anyway, baseball was it and we were “tickled to death.”
However, before we talk about baseball cards, a little overview of baseball from the eyes of a lifelong fan. First of all, the word fan is short for “fanatic. Actually, many believe the word “fan” was first used to describe followers of baseball. The modern Latin term “fanaticus” means “insanely but divinely inspired”. The early definition was translated as “extremely zealous”. There is also an implication that being a fanatic causes multiple changes in one’s lifestyle. So, what I am strongly implying here is that crying after a double play, or screaming while a ball is aiming for a foul pole, is absolutely, without equivocation or doubt, normal. Sorry, but it is Latin. It has to be right! Baseball occupied our thoughts and conversations both days and nights; it was our childhood and it was great. The three of us were the perfect age to watch the entire legacy of “The Big Red Machine” come to life.
*******
Confession time - By the way mom and dad, we snuck out of bed and watched the ending of game 6 of the 1975 World Series in your bedroom while you were down stairs….and if you are upset, it was Rick’s fault; David and I were too young to know better.”
*******
Now, onto the cards.
In preparation for writing this book, I spent quite a bit of time taking apart baseball card collecting. It helped me to discover what draws people to collect and enjoy baseball cards, throughout their lives. While this book deals with lessons that we learned or were reinforced through collecting, I thought it was important to take apart collecting as its own entity, and then boil it down to its primary building blocks. There really isn’t anything “magical” about owning a 1957 Wes Covington card, unless it is somehow tied-in with something more relevant and important.
The conclusion of that study is the following;
Collecting gives us something to always talk about, and, as our interest ran parallel to the baseball season itself, we were always deciding and changing what we knew.
Each year’s set gave us a finite amount of things to collect. There were always interesting side sets and other companies producing sets, but the primary set made by Topps Chewing Gum Inc. was our goal to collect.
As card sets changed, and the game of baseball itself changed, so did we. In 1969, I turned 7, and I saw the 1969 baseball season unfold. So, for that entire year, I saw things through the eyes of a 7 year old, while Rick saw things as a much more mature 10 year old and David was just a little critter at 4 years old. In 1979, Rick had graduated from high school, I was a sophomore and David was in Middle School. Therefore, the 1979 set looked different to each of us. Children 10 years younger than us would have seen the 1979 set from similar eyes as we did in 1969 and as children 10 years older than us would have seen in 1959. Experts have long studied learning styles of children at certain important ages. When David was 4, he saw the world through the eyes of a 4 year old, BUT, he also saw his older brothers and how they reacted. These influences cannot be underplayed. There have been many studies that talk about birth order and how that particular influence can be so impactful to young children.
And so it goes, that we quickly fell in love with collecting baseball cards, and in the marvelous sport of baseball as a whole.
This book is dedicated to the premise that many things can bring siblings together. Ours is baseball cards and here is some of our story.
Lesson Learned
We don’t get to pick our families. Every 13 year old would be willing to trade their parents for a 1971 rack pack with Merv Rettenmund showing. Still, we all have to deal with the life we are given. Work hard to seek the good things in life, and treasure the relationships you have.
Chapter 2
English Skills and Grammar
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AKA - Grabarkewitz, Yastrzemski, Szotkiewicz , Schoendienst, and Kluszewski - Only the Strong Shall Survive.
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Some of the beauty of baseball is the legacy that it leaves with each family. In some families, the love of baseball seems synonymous with life itself. My father taught the three of us a Cadaco game of spinner baseball. If superiority was possible to prove, it would have to be on the field of spinner baseball, where greatness would be found.
The idea is that each team would be drawn from a stack of circular discs which would represent each player in the pool. Using numbers from 1-14, each player would then be put onto (or into) a spinner, which, in turn, would land on one of the numbers. That number would tell us what the player did. If a player like Babe Ruth or Reggie Jackson was being used, the “1” section was much bigger than players like Rod Carew or Bobby Grich. However, singles hitters like Carew, Grich or Pete Rose would have bigger “5” or “13” sections which would help get a rally going. If the spinner would land right on a line, the infinite wisdom of our mother would come into play. She would tell us whether the spinner was on the line or not. She claimed to have never learned what the numbers meant…..and why would she lie to her dear little children?
Anyway, the plethora of legal pads in the house meant that a score card could be drawn up in 20 seconds or so. Because of our love of baseball card collecting and our desire to really be “students of the game”, we would learn how to correctly spell every baseball players last name. That meant that
Billy Grabarkewitz’s, Carl Yastrzemski’s, Ken Szotkiewicz’s, Red Schoendienst’s and Ted Kluszewski’s last names would all have to be learned. As we grew older, we found that we were even pronouncing some players names wrong (I remember Hank Aguirre, Chico Salmon and Vic Roznovsky in particular).
The game was decided by the score after 9 innings. If we were trying to get the game done before dinner, which was served exactly at 5:30, we would have to play speed innings. In those moments, the defying of time became more important than the ultimate win. We also had discs from several different versions of the game, from the 1930’s to the 1970s. That meant that Lou Boudreau (who was my best player every time) could play next to Carlos May or Rico Carty. I believe that seeing the actual players’ portraits on the cards allowed us to see that Lou Boudreau or Joe Adcock or Monte Irvin were real people: and, that connection helped the real game of baseball come alive for us.
I am sure that we played thousands of spinner baseball games, and it probably worked out to an equal win-loss record for us all. But seeing Deron Johnson hit a three run homer in the ninth, driving in Ferris Fain and Jorge Orta can only happen when we see baseball as multi-generational….and that is a beautiful thing.
Lesson Learned
I have long heard the argument over “glass half full” and “glass half empty” people. If we simply see that “wow, I have water to drink,” then the amount of water matters less and the blessing of water soothes our thirst.
Chapter 3
Fiscal Responsibility
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AKA – Our first experience at an antique show…and our first financial conundrum
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Our local mall was a wonderful place in the 1970s. I remember going to that mall and enjoying the benefits of a full scale shopping adventure. There was a fountain in the middle, which turned out to be the first place I ever saw people just throwing their money in. I was told they made a wish for every coin. I thought that the coin could have bought me a Tony Taylor card, or even a bottle of Coke with an Olympic themed bottle-cap. The mall had an ice cream shop, a Woolworths, several miscellaneous gift shops and large department stores for my parents to visit. The mall was safe and open, and our parents trusted the surroundings enough to let us make our own way through the retail jungle.
About four times a year, they hold an antique show. The antique shows of the 1970s were much different than they are now. Price guides were still non existent for most collectibles, and the identification of truly rare items was still more hit and miss than present day. The general sense of pricing during this time (from the eyes of a pre-teen treasure hunter), was that breakable things were worth more, little stuff was easier to carry, and adults that trusted you to look at their stuff carefully were hand picked by God. (A bit of theatrical license there, but I love to be trusted and I hate to be held suspect for simply existing). I learned that empty containers from cereal or snack food or even soup could gain in value (this truly helped to support my argument that garbage picking was a wise use of my time.) I learned that some adults loved collecting just as much as I did. I also learned that increasing my financial resources was going to be important in my life. These antique shows had everything I could have ever wanted.
Then there were the cards: those precious cards; those wonderful old cards that we had never seen. What did a 1948 Bowman card look like? Did the 1956 Topps set have team cards? Was Wally Westlake really that famous? Three of the first five cards we had from 1956 and earlier were Wally Westlake cards).
I remember a particularly kind lady who sold us 1966 Topps cards for 5 cents apiece. She said that this price was only for kids, because kids who have good experiences collecting will keep collecting: a wonderful piece of truth for a growing boy. I still have a Ken Boyer 1966 that was purchased for a nickel that day. I am sure that the nice lady has passed, but a legacy of simple kindness still lives…What a great lesson that lady taught me that day. Sometimes, it was fun to walk around and learn. When I listened to a dealer and a customer talking, I was listening for information. Why was it at that price, and would the customer be OK with that cost?
In 1981, I started music school. In the lobby of the dorm, a Donkey Kong machine had been installed. What a wonderful, terrible thing that was. For just a quarter, I could play for…seconds. After spending 10 or so dollars, I realized that I was going to spend too much money to learn the game. So, I decided to do some homework. I stood next to the machine and watched others play the game. I learned much with very little cost.
I would watch and learn. I learned that the person on the cover of a magazine made the value of the magazine change. I learned that the condition of an item was more important than I originally thought. I learned that I love to be trusted. And I learned how to negotiate and haggle. With my tools in hand, it was time to be released into the world of baseball card shopping.
There was the time when David and I had 3 dollars to spend at the show. This particular show caused us to have the first disagreement in our collecting life. Of course, brothers always disagree about this and that; they’re brothers – it’s what they do. We found a dealer who had a wonderful assortment of cards which included stars and commons. At 5 cents apiece, I thought that the 3 dollars could go for the purchase of 60 cards dated 1965-1970 (it was 1975). How cool would that be to add 60 new cards to our collection? David thought that it would be better to buy one good card of a famous player. He found a 1954 Topps Whitey Ford card. It certainly was a card that we had never seen.
So there we are; with 3 dollars and no sense. The concept of building sets is one of the pillars of collecting-dom. With a complete set, you get to know the teams, the leagues, the trades, and the records. Completing a set also makes you feel good. It means that, from the commonest common to the priciest superstar, you achieved collecting immortality!!!
On the other hand, some cards are illusive. Where else would two boys come across a 1954 Topps Superstar who even played for the great Yankees teams of the 1950’s. We certainly wouldn’t ever see one come up in a trade in the neighborhood. I am pretty sure that my mother had no superstar baseball cards in reserve for the day when we all made our beds and brushed our teeth to perfection. For all you collectors, who are sitting there with bated breath, wondering what we did, here is the big reveal; we bought the 1954 Whitey Ford. It turned out to be the first superstar card from the 1950s we had ever owned.
I guess, if I were to go back into my purchase history, it would probably lean towards groups of cards over single cards. This might be because I get as much joy out of a Greg Goosen card, as I do for a Warren Spahn card
…unless I need it
…or really want it
…or
…or
OK, David was probably right, but please don’t tell him, what good could come from that!!!
Lesson Learned
Getting lost inside a positive activity can help reinforce the good aspects of life. Discussions with those that mean the most to you allows you to experience a conversation where “winning” and “losing” the argument means less than finding a positive solution. Maybe the whole world needs to start collecting cards; it is a fine vehicle to learning.
Chapter 4
Personal Responsibility
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AKA – The downside to the previously convenient but now dreaded laundry shoot
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It seemed like the perfect day was upon us. It was a Saturday, and that meant whiffleball. Not just a quick game before going to the grocery, but a highly organized game that could last a fortnight. With the chores conveniently procrastinated for another day, the backyard was ours and we were not going to be denied. First of all, preparations had to be made for the event. The first and most important pregame activity had to occur; the selection of our teams. Being the fall of 1972, we had filled our “picking container” full of our cards. Stretching back to Al Jackson from the 1967 set and Aubrey Gatewood from 1966, we had several hundred cards ready to be picked.
The rules were simple. Each of the teams would pick cards, one at a time until a full team was selected. Until you found the last person you needed for your team (Usually a 2nd baseman or something like that, you could replace the people on your team with better players. Therefore, not finding the 9th position player could help your team.
The next thing we had to do was talk about how they batted. Right handed or left handed, crouched down like Pete Rose or standing tall like Bobby Tolan. Were you going to bunt and run fast like Maury Wills or was Eddie Mathews going to reach the stands with a long shot.
Once the cards were prepared then off to the backyard, where the greats of the game would come alive through the amazing skills of my brothers and I. On occasion, Pete or Jay or Kim or Keith might join us, but my brothers and I must have spent half of our waking hours playing in the backyard.
Setting up the “stadium” was pretty easy. An old frisbee, an extra glove or even a garbage can lid would work perfectly for bases. If there were four of us, we would play “pitcher’s hand is out” That meant that the pitcher was the first baseman wherever they were. That worked when a small number were playing. If we had 6 or more playing, then the team batting would supply the catcher and first base was back in use. If you wanted to focus on power more, we could also play “double or nothing” which meant that the batter was committed to making it to second base……no singles for you!!! Later, when we moved to a more rural area, we set up a home run fence with some string. The home run was over a creek in some areas, so the outfielders really wanted to catch the ball, or they would have to dive in after the ball.
On this day, my team was set. In retrospect, I was rather heavy in Tigers on this fateful day: Mickey Stanley 1972, Eddie Mathews 1968, Ed Brinkman 1972 and Mickey Lolich 1972 anchored what certainly looked like the greatest whiffle ball team ever assembled. The game was pure joy. While my older brother seemed to hit the ball really well as Bobby Tolan, the pitching of Dooley Womack, Moe Drabowsky and friends held strong. The score of the game is lost to time, for the next day, a new set of players would join the fray and on we would go to the next game.
To understand what happened next requires a small back story. If there is an invention that allowed three boys to become slightly lazier, it was certainly the invention of the clothes chute. Conveniently located outside our bedrooms upstairs, an easy toss of the clothes down the chute and they were gone. Amazingly, a few days later the cloths were cleaned and folded and in my room again. I believe my mother was involved with this somehow, but my memory is conveniently foggy on this topic. It was upon the discovery of these wonderfully clean clothes a few days later that we discovered it. I remember even crying when I first discovered it. To my brothers, I had no explanation…it happened and forevermore, I would feel the wrath of guilt fully encompassing by being: I left my cards in my back pocket. I first saw the 1972 Mickey Stanley card. The edges of the card was fluffy and lacked any color……then Mickey then Eddie…and so on through the stack. Poor Don McMahon 1969….he never had a chance. If we knew anything about cards, it was that fluffy cards were too easily identified when we were picking cards.
Long before card grading and card savers, be based our best cards on what we loved…and we loved the era of card. When I think about picking the players out of the picking container, I smile just like I did back in 1972, when I washed my team. We still have most of the cards from the stack. A few years ago, I took those cards and some other beat up cards from our childhood and framed them, one frame each for the three of us. It even included the 1968 Bill McCool that my brother Rick practiced using his hole punch on in 1969. Years later, the realization that it was last series card made us laugh…..what was a “series” and who cared about the series anyway? What really mattered was Joe Morgan flapping his elbows and Johnny Bench holding his bat as if he knew the baseball would be gone in a second. David would wear his Reds helmet backwards (Like any decent catcher would) and it gave him superpowers. The modern age has created words like “filler” or “poor” or “1” on a scale from “1 to 10”. For my brothers and I, it was our childhood, and it worked just the way it was.
Lesson Learned
Take care of the things you have. They last longer, and can better tell the stories of your life. If the toy is thrown away soon after its arrival, little is left to tell that chapter of your life.
Chapter 5
Organization
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AKA – Perfecting the skill of guy order.
_________________________
One of the joys of collecting is that you can order and re-order your collection in any way you want. If you collect coins, you can sort them by denomination, president, year, condition…whatever you desire. If you collect stamps, sorting them by country, or monarch, or era…the choice is yours. If you collect pink poodles you could….well, I think you get the point.
In collection baseball cards, it is easy to see that the choices for organizational strategies were endless.
In 1966 (and again in 1968 & 1969), Topps organized their sets into colors. By sorting by these colors, you could create nice, organized stacks. Each color had one national league team and one american league team. I’m not quite sure why each color was selected. Did the Tigers really match yellow the best, or why did the Yankees get matched up with the Dodgers are lingering questions that only the most advanced baseball card fanatics will ask.
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NL AL COLOR
ASTROS ORIOLES LIGHT GREEN
REDS TWINS BLUE
GIANTS SENATORS DARK GREEN
CARDINALS TIGERS YELLOW
PHILLIES INDIANS GRAY
METS ATHLETICS PURPLE
CUBS WHITESOX GOLD(ISH)
BRAVES ANGELS PINKY/PURPLE
PIRATES REDSOX REDISH PURPLE
DODGERS YANKEES DEEP ORANGE
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In 1969, Topps add two new colors to add the 4 expansion teams
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EXPOS ROYALS PINK
PADRES PILOTS BROWN
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To this day, my brothers and I sort cards based upon these sets, with two clean lines of stacks forming before us. If a card like a checklist or a multi-player card showed up, we put them in a stack designated as “can’t uses”.
Over the years, we have had to make adjustments to this process. The addition of the Bluejays and Mariners in 1977 simply meant that I made the Bluejays an honorary NL team and picked dark blue. Later, the Marlins, the Rockies, the Diamondbacks, the Rays, the moving of the Expos, and the league switching of the Brewers and Astros made this process expand but not collapse. We sure can be creatures of habit.
While sorting by team is still a favorite way for me to organize a pile of cards, the three of us used to expand our “creative mess” by putting the cards into “guy” order. This meant that all cards that had one player on them would be put in stacks by players. This could entail making hundreds of stacks in “not quite in alphabetical order” areas. Getting from Bill Zepp to Doyle Alexander could be a 20 foot walk. In an era before a card’s condition meant anything, we had perfected the “gentle tossing” of a card so that, if one of us was near Lee Elia, and the next card was Ed Spezio, a gentle flipping motion would move the card to the right area. Needless to say, this was not our mother’s favorite system, as the floor would be carpeted with baseball cards in a cacophony of color and collecting splendor. While the threat of her throwing them away always loomed close, we knew that they were just motivational threats to help her three sons keep their worlds less chaotic…..or so we always thought.
I remember, at one time, my mother threatening to throw away all the cards if they were still on the floor (The inconvenience of “Guy Order” never passed the white glove test.) Anyway, by the late 1970s, we would occasionally hear “I’m going to take those cards and lock them up”. There it was, a small piece of victory, drenched in gum dust and flying like the Reds 1975 World Championship banner…..the garbage was safe.
Another danger of “guy order” was the wild card… I mean the wild-cat. For some reason, the thrill of sliding on a baseball card ice slick was a utopian experience for an otherwise bored cat. If we left the door open while we were at school, the room would be filled with the baseball card debris of a cat finding a catnip play land. I am sure that, if a cat diary was possible, her entry would look something like this:
“Dear diary,
It looked like it was going to be another typical great day of doing nothing, staring at birds I was never going to put out the effort to catch, and sleep every other moment I could. But today, it finally happened. I sensed that the big people were gone, and out of the corner of my eye (which was all I felt like using that day), I saw a small piece of light shining near the play land door. I took 15 or so minutes to get up (I know, I was fast today) and slowly meandered my way to the gates of heaven. I pressed my nose against the door, and before me appeared a room filled with colorful “slidy-things” which, if I was running, would make me slide across the room. Oh the joy, the rapture!!! I could spend minutes just running and sliding. After 5 minutes or so, I was tired for the day and returned back to my couch and rested from the experience.”
Upon our return to our room, we would find Zepps and Aases and Yastrzemskis and Minososos all over the place. We clearly had work to do.
By the mid 1980s, it had become “Your father and I will take all of your cards, sell them and move to Florida”. I thought I had it all figured out, but the strategic use of parental guilt was unexpected.
Checkmate…
my mother had won, and now the convenience of card boxes and albums made a far more “user friendly” collection. It still is fun to reflect on those days when we could carpet our bedrooms with baseball cards. We didn’t worry about condition or other such “value laden” concepts. Rather, we simply played and created and organized and lived in those precious moments.
Now, my grandsons have their first cards. Maybe by the time that Joey Votto is in the Hall of Fame, their children will have their first cards. The beauty of collecting comes in the sharing…. and baseball cards have allowed the three of us to share this journey together, and I am overwhelmingly grateful.
Lesson Learned
A mess is a mess. Organized clutter is perfect, but only for the user. A completely organized, structured world can be confining for many. Find your style, enjoy your life, but don’t leave a mess for your kids.
Chapter 6
Perspective
_________________________
AKA - The great divide…splitting up the collection
_________________________
I believe that every good mother and father carries with them the hope that the obstacles that their children face in life end in positive ways. The prayer of a loving parent remains “keep my children safe from harm and lead them to a place of faithful happiness.” That is a kind prayer, and is a truly kind wish for children.
With that being said, the three boys sharing a collection that continued to gain value served as a catalyst for Fatherly worry. The question was obvious to him, but didn’t faze us at all: what happens when we decide to split the collection?
I believe that, as a father and grandfather, I now see the potential danger in such a shared collection. All we knew was that the three of us would never allow stupid paper cards to interfere with our relationship as brothers, and we still never have. With that being said however, what would we do when it was time to split the collection?
The first spilt occurred in 1971. After my older brother got some 1961 and 1962 cards, he desired to split from the one collection, and my younger brother and I agreed. Rick came up with the plan that David and I would start with all the doubles and one card of our choosing. We were young and excited about this collecting independence, so David picked a 1970 Tom Seaver and I picked a 1970 Joe Morgan. With those two cards, the beat-up 1966 Aubrey Gatewood, an even worse 1967 Al Jackson and the rest of the doubles, David and I became a strong collecting ship with sails aimed high and ready to collect our own sets. David and I saw this as a move towards adulthood, and even at the ages of 8 and 6, we felt empowered….no arguments…no fights….no problems.
We collected independent of Rick but David and I together for years. Rick continued to collect a wonderful collection and we were always supportive and helpful. At some point near the year 2000, David and I almost magically (and in sync with each other) decided that it was time for us to separate into individual collections. By this time we had some complete sets back to 1956 and the collection had grown into a wonderful, fun collection of players and memories. The reason for the separation was one of pragmatism and not of conflict. If one of us needed to sell some cards to help out with our families, the separation of the collection would empower the other to make those decisions. It was logical, timely, and quite simply, the right things to do.
Let me preface the next paragraph by saying that I acknowledge that this was most certainly the moment that my Dad’s concern of possible conflict and hurt feelings could manifest itself quite easily. By now, the card market had price guides and graded cards and it wasn’t just the simply cards in the “bicycle spokes” kind of times. I am sure that my dad was more than a little curious about what was going to happen that afternoon. The results surprised even us.
David and I went up to the card room. In this room, albums and boxes and card stacks and posters and everything we had collected was now sitting. We sat down and talked about dad’s fears and how we had always promised that we would never let cards get in the way of our love as brothers.
We started with the sets. While they weren’t all complete, the sets were all close enough to count each year as a set.
We came up with a plan that seemed rather simple; we would rate the sets from 1951-1980 as high level favorites, really cool sets, nice sets, ok sets and ugly sets. After this prioritization, we would compare our lists and start from there. The next few moments were almost magical. Our lists look completely different. In fact, the top two levels of card sets were completely different, so we just used that to start us out. the following list was how the card sets were split. We did agree that we would each get our birth year sets, and that we would each get 2 of the top 5 sets in value (1952 low number set, the 1954 set, the 1956 set, a 1957 almost set and a 1959 set).
Here is the ultimate look at the break up of the sets.
***********************************************************1951 Redbacks and blueback half sets - Doug
1952 Low number set with graded Mays - Doug
1953 Topps half set ( we each picked, one card at a time, so that we each had 42 cards each…sort of like the selection process we did for spinner baseball games years before. One ended with a Campanella, one with a Spahn etc..)
1954 Complete - all stars graded - David
1955 Complete - Clemente was poor, Koufax was worse - Snider was nice - Doug
1956 Complete - stars were great,,,best graded hof’s we had - David
1957 - Almost Complete - all stars - David
1958 Complete - David
1959 Complete - great Mantle - Doug
1960 Half set - this set was not superdy-duperdy good….just a rough conditioned partial set - Doug
1961 Almost complete - Nice Musial and B. Robinson - David
1962 Almost complete - nice Clemente - Doug (birth year set)
1963 3/4 set including Rose RC - David
1964 Complete - Doug
1965 David (birth year set)
1966 - Complete Doug
1967 - Almost complete - Seaver and Carew graded - David
The Condition of the sets starting with 1968 were consistently better conditioned.
1968 - Complete - Doug
1969 - Complete - Doug
1970 - Complete - David
1971 - Complete - Doug
1972 - Complete - David
1973 - Complete - David
1974 - Complete - Doug
1975 - Complete - David
1976-80 - Complete - David
From there, we carefully went from one oddball set to the next. One got the 1976 SSPC set, the other got the 1969 Deckle edge set. One of us got the 1968 Topps game set, the other got the 1970 Topps square poster set.. The entire process took no more than 10 minutes. We enjoyed a laugh, knowing that dad would be proud of us following through on our promise; keeping relationships above stuff.
The best thing about splitting up the cards was the ability for either one of us to sell cards if our immediate families needed the funds.
One of the most striking things that happened from this was the sense of empowerment we both felt. If one of us wanted to build a set, all we had to do was start. Each person got the doubles from the sets the other one got. I helped David load all of his cards into his car and that was it; pleasant, peaceful and loving.
A few years ago for Christmas, I found about 24 of the original cards from the combined collection; beat up and ragged after a childhood of wear and tear. I found the Aubrey Gatewood 1966, the Al Jackson 1967 and the infamous 1968 Bill McCool with the hole punch damage. I framed 8 cards in three separate frames, and we each have our 8 cards framed and in our homes. They serve, not only as a reminder of great times gone by, but also as a testament to priorities, and the desire to keep perspective throughout our lives. May all families be this blessed.
Lesson Learned
It is easy to talk about priorities and how people should order their lives. It is a completely different thing to live in a way that supports that philosophy. Remember that stuff is just stuff. You were born without stuff and you will die without stuff. Relationships, however are everlasting. The ripples of hate and love can travel far beyond our lives. Make good ripples.
Chapter 7
Informed acquisitions
_________________________
AKA - Bruce Yeko and Hobby Card House
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Most of my friends collected cards during the 1970s. I don’t think that everyone of them knew that Curt Blefary played for the Orioles or that Hoyt Wilhelm was old in 1971, but they collected. One day, Rick showed us a catalogue. A catalogue unlike I had ever seen. A catalogue that would change my life forever. It was a catalogue for people who wanted to buy baseball cards. I mean, it was a catalogue where you tell them the cards you want and they would sell them to you. Was this heaven? Although I never envisioned Saint Peter trading Gabriel’s rookie card for a gold brick, I knew that this catalogue was something new and something very special.
Of course, that didn’t make the “no cash flow” problem go away, but still, reading the catalogue taught me so much. Some of those lessons included:
Some cards were worth more than other cards. I always figured that Pete Rose cards were better than Ted Sizemore cards, but there it was in writing!!! Although it seemed a bit biased towards the New York Yankees, it made sense. Roberto Clemente cards were good, as well as Carl Yastrzemski and Al Kaline cards. Things seemed right to me.
Some series were rarer than others. This also made sense. Knowing that some cards were harder to find in each year also was logical. That certainly was the reason finding a 1971 Dick Allen and Willie Mays were tougher. I hadn’t ever seen a 1952 Topps except for a Paul Minner card we got at the antique show at the mall a few years back. The problem was that information was not disseminated very well back then. How would a 10 year old know that a 1972 Rod Carew was going to be a tough pull? Anyway, the concept of series slowly made its way into our vernacular, and helped us know when to get a tougher card when they became available.
Some sets weren’t available to everybody. The catalogue had them listed as regional sets, and that meant that some of those sets weren’t going to happen. Of course, no income meant only by the good graces of my parents and the shrewd eye of my bottle recycling would any card at all be possible. They even made cards of football and basketball players a long time ago….very cool.
I assume that each and every collector would be willing to travel back in their timer machine and buy the place out. Still, there was something neat about a grown up way far away from our house, collecting, buying and selling baseball cards for a living.
Although my interest in collecting has always been strong, and my brothers and I still enjoy “talking shop”, we each followed our own separate callings.
While I enjoyed collecting fun old things, music was my passion and it became my vocation, profession and spiritual passion.
Still, as a creative artist, I am always delving into my created side, and this type of “delving” keeps my dreams fresh and fun.
So……………….
I decided to play the “time machine game” with my Bruce Yeko / Hobby Card House Catalogue There will be 3 sales. The first will be limited to $10.00, the second to $100.00, and the third would be $500.00. This little exercise is based upon the Hobby Card Collectors Catalogue - Price List Seven from Wholesale Cards Co., Georgetown, Connecticut: 1972. Of course this whole thing is just for fun, because my time machine got caught in the laundry again. Remember that there will be a limit of 5 of any one card.
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Hobby Card House $10.00 sale
I think we should start with a little “rookie picking”
Five 1972 Carlton Fisk rookies @.05c a piece. (.25c spent total)
Five 1970 Yankees Rookies with Thurman Munson @.10 a piece (.75c spent total)
Four 1970 Johnny Bench cards @.25c a piece ($1.75 spent total)
Five 1969 Reggie Jackson cards @ .05c a piece (wow) ($2.00 spent so far)
Four 1969 Mickey Mantles @ .25c a piece ($3.00 spent so far)
A complete set of 1954 Red Heart cards @$3.95 ($6.95 spent so fat). Now a days, this set is tough to find in great condition. Just imagine this set in mint condition for the price of a hamburger and fries.
We will round out our spending with $3.05 worth of 1963 Topps. The catalogue says that “rare” cards are a quarter, so let’s get the following: (3) Rose Rookies, (3) Mantles, Koufax, Aaron, Stargell RC, Mays and Musial. You might ask, “why not get 5 Roses and 5 Mantles?” The answer is…….. I just didn’t want to look greedy.
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Hobby Card House $100.00 sale
For this category, I will focus on complete sets and other fun goodies.
1971 Topps Greatest Moments complete set @29.95. For this catalogue, this is a high price, but when is the last time you saw any card from this set in ex/mt go for under $29.95?
A complete 1968 Topps set @ $19.95 ($49.90 spent so far). I love the 1968 set.
A complete set of 1964 Topps Baseball Standups @ $6.00 ($55.90 spent so far). I never really tried to complete this set. They were hard to find by 1969 anyway, so they were probably tougher to find than other sets.
Joe Nuxhall and Herman Franks from the 1952 High Number series @ $5.00 a piece ( $65.90 spent so far)
Five 1955 Roberto Clemente Rookies @ .50c a piece ( $68.40 spent so far) This is the type of dream moment that gets me all bubbly inside…I hope that’s OK to say in printed form.
Five 1955 Sandy Koufax Rookies @ &2.00 a piece ( $78.40 spent so far) It was obvious that Sandy Koufax would be a legend forever more….but 2 bucks a piece is simply fun.
A 1950 Dated Cincinnati Reds Topps Team card @ $5.00 ($83.40 spent so far). I love these cards and they are tough to find.
A complete set of 1960 Fleer Baseball Greats @12.95 ($95.35 spent so far). This is one of the few sets that commemorates retired players that I really like.
To round out our spending, I would get 9 cards from the 1952 Berk Ross set @.50c a piece ($99.85……leaving 15c for postage)
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Hobby Card House $500.00 sale
For the bigger order, I will go after tougher to find items.
1951 Topps Redback complete set @ $39.95). This is a great set, and the price is right!!!
For 10 dollars, I will buy a 1955 Bowman card of each of the following: Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Banks and Berra ($49.95 spent so far). I would have enjoyed collecting this set out of packs.
A complete set of 1960 Leaf cards @ $29.90 ($79.85 spent so far). I will eventually complete this set. The photography is really nice and is big enough to include most of the best players of the day.
Let’s go “non-sport” for a moment. For $90.90 , I can get mint sets of all three Monkees sets, Hot Rods, 1948 Leaf Pirates, TV and Radio Stars, the Three Stooges, 1957 Planes of the World, Fabian (don’t ask), 1958 Robin Hood, 1963 Beverly Hillbillies, 1956 Topps Flags of the World, 1971 Brady Bunch, 1971 Partridge Family, 1967 Wacky Packages and all 6 sets of the Beatles form 1964. That would be a true blast to get mint sets of all of those issues sent to little old me at my house….just sayin’. ($170.75 spent so far).
A 1961 Hockey - Salada Coins set and shield @$15.00 ($185.75 spent so far). I know it’s hockey, and therefore not worthy, but the shield would display pretty nicely in a man cave….
A 1960 Fleer Football complete set run @$39.35 ($225.10). Lots of rookies and pretty neat designs…..and the price is too low to pass up….even in a time machine.
1965 Kahns Baseball set @$15.00 for a set of 45. ($240.10 spent so far) By the way, the hotdogs are not attached to these fine collectibles……thankfully.
I would get 20 B18 blankets for @2.00 a piece ($280.10 spent so far). This has always been one of my favorite sets. Maybe I could request a Shoeless Joe or a Cobb.
I would spend $100 ($380.10 spent so far) on T cards. There are Mecca Double Folds for $3.00 apiece, T205s at $1.25 a piece and T206 at .75c a piece. Have a party and surprise me.
10. I would buy 3 Complete 1967 Topps sets @$35.00 a piece ($485.10 spent so far). I truly believe that the 1967 (because of the scarce high numbers is the toughest Topps set to complete after the 1952 set. The Brooks Robinson is simply impossible to find. This way, I will have three of them….maybe I should buy some more, just incase there is a 1967 Topps shortage throughout the world.
11. To close out this wonderful shopping adventure, I would go to the 1962 Topps set and spent the remainder of the money on Rookie Parade cards from the last series. They are nice cards, and difficult to find in good condition.
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Of course you might ask why I would go through the trouble of building a time machine then only bring a ten bucks….. well…. I dun no.
Lesson Learned
Stuff gains value. Stuff loses value. It will repeat this pattern forever. If you collect something, collect the things that you enjoy. Owning something based upon impressing your neighbors is fruitless and frustrating. A rock that your grandfather found for you has a completely different sense of value than a graded card of some 18 year old prospect.
Chapter 8
Exploring our comfort zones
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AKA - The skill of negotiation or otherwise known as “How uncomfortable can you make your brother”
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Is there anything quite as exciting as completing a set? In particular, that vintage set that you carefully pieced together via buying, trading, searching and even blind luck?
Getting a job at the local Red Lobster in 1980 was quite a coup for me. I could pay for my gas, some regular type items that 17 year olds need, and a little bit of money to buy baseball cards. Now, some of those elusive cards could join my brother and my collection. The 1966 Topps set is a classic set in so many ways. This set introduced us to the colors that helped us sort cards easier. This set included many Hall of Famers, rookie cards of both Jim Palmer and Fergie Jenkins, and ended with a very difficult high number series that included difficult SP cards. It might have been this set that made me an Orioles fan. For some reason, the green of the card design went perfectly with the uniforms of the Orioles; truly a baseball card nirvana. After finding a few high number SP’s at the local antique fair at the mall, we were down to one card to complete the set; Gaylord Perry….the last card in the set…a high number….a superstar…..this card simply never came across our path.
A larger card show was scheduled around Easter time and we decided that at that show, we would complete the 1966 Topps Baseball set….collecting heaven.
Now, the trick was to find the best Gaylord Perry we could within our $75.00 budget (which was a much better budget than our 25c budget back in 1976). The first time through the show was the investigative run-through…..who had what, who was too expensive and who had beautiful cards that were above our price range.
Having found a dealer with a Perry priced at $90.00, we decided to go after this one. Now, in understanding the scenario, you have to understand each of us. My brother is a kind and loving person who does not like to make waves. David is the type of person who, went told that the price of an object was $10.00, would either pay the $10.00 or decide not to buy it. While he saw a price tag as an answer, I saw it as more of a starting off point than an actual fact. While I do not like to make waves either, I do like the act of bargaining….. A good haggle experience can add to the festive feeling of a card show. Of course, this means that my brother would prefer to pay the asking price while I enjoy the thrill of a good bargain.
“This is a tough card to find” I stated as the hunt was in full bloom.
“You are right” added the dealer, “It’s a tough card to keep in stock.”
I continued, ”$90.00 is a bit out of my price range, could you do $65.00 on it?”
I can’t do $65….but I could do $75.00.
By this point, my brother was pleasantly uncomfortable. He turned to me and said with great resolution, “that’s fine…$75 is fine, let’s get it.”
In many families, that would have been a clear cut, common sense solution to our Gaylord Perry problem. After all. we budgeted $75.00 and we could get one for $75.00. What more was there to do?See, it did have a small baby-crease on the top left of the card, and in my heart, I really had the right number at $65.
(please over-read this section in a majestic and theatrical voice please) There is a time when each person has to decide for themselves what they are truly made of. We must look into the mirror of truth and ask ourselves, “are we ready to be great today?” Are we ready to step out into the cold and grab for the golden ring of justice? Are we ready to soar with the eagles or are we going to waddle with the ducklings? Are we going to dig deep inside ourselves and, without reservation or delay, leap faithfully into the arms of enormousness, knowing that the promise of greatness was smoldering within the ashes of those who so bravely attempted and failed at achieving immortality. This was our time…. and we were not going to be denied.
To my brothers dismay, I said, thank you anyway, it’s still just a little bit too high…have a nice day.
I wish I had a picture of my brother’s reaction to this. As I turned and started to walk away, David admittedly turned as well and said, “what are you doing?” Why do you always make things so difficult. Let’s just pay $75 for it and be done with the set?” Then, as if the heavens opened up and the voice of an angel echoed throughout the world, we hear, “OK, I can do $65.00” come from the dealer. I turned as if surprised and went back to the dealer and paid the 65 dollars, thus completing the 1966 set once and for all. David didn’t even go back to the dealer, as if ashamed by his brother’s careless act of haggling.
The 1966 Gaylord Perry card is still in the family, and holds a special place in our family. I love to recollect this story, because, as time goes by, the importance of the card is almost gone, but the value of the experience is still treasured in my heart. We treasure so many things in our lives. As we grow older, we see that the stories and relationships are of greatest value, and this story is one of a myriad of experiences that I treasure. I believe that these shared moments make up a beautiful mosaic of our lives. The colors are vivid, the design is extraordinary and the memories formed by these experiences add richness and joy to our lives. Baseball cards are just “stuff”. However, the sharing of time with others is invaluable to a rich and fulfilled lifetime.
Lesson Learned
Most of the things and all of the people we meet in life have some kind of value. Figuring out how to invest your time is a life long challenge. Trust the people you meet in life and enjoy those experiences. Be honest and know what you are willing to do for the things you want. Treat people with fairness and pray that others do the same with you.
Chapter 9
Trading, Flipping, Selling and Destroying
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AKA – How to make your life more fun or more complicated (or both)
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Let me start off by saying that my intention was never to wantonly destroy a perfectly fine baseball card. I never wanted to hurt the player’s feelings by wanting another player’s card more, nor did I ever purposely try to take advantage of anyone in any dealing……my brothers and I have always tried to do the right thing and it has made a great difference in both our baseball card worlds and our real worlds.
Flipping – So, my brothers and I really never got into flipping cards too much. The concept is to take the baseball card by the vertical (long) edges and flip it onto the ground; The other person has to guess whether their card will match the front (heads) or back (tails) of the card already flipped….winner gets both cards. The most dangerous part of this is that you will eventually lose, and it’s really only fun when you can win every time…..therefore it lacks the required skill to make me feel comfortable. It is possible that the true masters of the art can make the odds fall in their favor….but still!!!
I do remember one game of flipping when my paternal grandparents lived on Hall Street in Clarksburg, West Virginia. They lived across the street from a boy we would sort of play with when we were in town….not super friends, but always cordial and polite. I remember he had a 1971 Willie Mays card that I had never seen before (it was a later series card that year). In my book, that made him pretty cool. He came over and wanted to flip with us. We sort of balked about it, but he said he would flip a Kelloggs 3d for a Kelloggs 3d. One card… what could it hurt. I saw that he had a 1970 Joe Morgan. My grandfather had starting saving the 1971 Kelloggs for us, but a 1970 was a new experience. I told him I wanted that card….and he quickly responded that he wanted my 1971 Kellogg’s Ernie Banks. Ouch!!!! I’m not quite sure what made me say OK, as the dark cloud of bad decision slowly enfolded me. I went first and the Ernie Banks card landed on heads. My thoughts were that the stupid Kelloggs had a slight curve in them……what was I thinking, they will always land on heads!!!!!!! No!!!!!!
It was too late. That Joe Morgan came flying out of his hand and predictably landed with Joe’s face starring right at me. As I saw my Ernie Banks go away with the stupid dummyhead kid from across the street, I swore off flipping my good cards forever…..After all, we must always live by solid principles.
Trading – Trading has always been an enjoyable activity. I believe that set collectors are the best traders, as the completion of a set guides the trade, rather than the price guide. Pepe Frias 1976 had more value to David and I because it was the last card we needed…We had several Reggies and Roses; we needed a Pepe!
In 1973, David and I really hit our stride as collectors. The 1973 set was the first set we actually tried to complete. This was due to an increase in allowance that made money available later in the season to buy last series cards. In fact, we ended up with more of the last series cards than any other. Of course, who was Mike Schmidt anyway….we knew who we wanted and boy did we get him; Andy Messersmith. If we had 200 last series 1973s, we had at least 30 Messersmiths. I don’t know why this happened. All we know is that Andy Messersmith haunted every pack we bought. Still to this day, if the wind blows hauntingly against the windows and the moon glows just the right shade of amber red, I can still see the spectral silohouette of Andy Messersmith 1973 pressing against the rose arbor outside the window.
OK, I made that last paragraph up, but still, Mr. Messersmith’s 1973 card became family folklore. The decision was made that this problem had to end. Therefore, as we traded with all of our kid friends in the neighborhood, an Andy Messersmith had to be included in every trade. This caused trade offers similar to this:
I will trade you Elliott Maddox, Darrel Chaney and Don Buford for your Luis Alvarado, Jim Fregosi, Joe Hague but only if you agree to take Andy Messersmith as well.
The rules of trading are fair but rigid…..thank you Andy
Selling – Selling can be a rather difficult thing to do. In 1979, I remember trading a box of duplicates and commons (about 2000 cards 1975-1977) to someone in exchange for a couple 1950s cards. This was still before my job at Red Lobster and funds were not quite readily accessible. The cards were OK; 1956 Bill Skowron and a dozen or so 1959s were in there….Not bad. Now the sad side. A few years later, I reflected back on that trade because we got our first price guide in 1980. Here are the players I thought were commons (please don’t be angry….this still gets me teary inside)
Nolan Ryan
George Brett
Robin Yount
Mike Schmidt
Andre Dawson
Here are the players I saved because I saw them as stars.
Dave Kingman
Bill Madlock
Cesar Tovar
Mickey Stanley
Wilbur Wood
Mind you that these 5 players were good major league players, but giving away Brett and Yount rookies, just to keep Wilbur Wood and Cesar Tovar cards was not the wisest decision of my baseball card world.
Luckily, many other trades have come out well, like trading my Jose Canseco rookies for some 1961 Topps cards including a beautiful Killebrew and Brooks Robinson……
For a number of years, the three of us ran a baseball card store in the front section of the family’s print shop. I was teaching everyday, so the major work was done by David and Rick. I enjoyed hearing of the tales of the shop and wished I could be a part of the daily adventures……The biggest problem of owning a card shop is definitely the concept of collecting versus dealing. You can’t make any money if you keep the good cards for your own collections. True that!!!
I remember hearing of a deal that resulted in a Ty Cobb T206 Red Back and a 1953 Yogi Berra for our collections. We also would use the shop to condition up the cards from our own collections. It is one of those situations where we lost money on every deal, but made it up in volume.
Owning the shop was a fun experience, but the printing business had to remain the top priority, and the card shop went bye bye. Still, the owning of a card shop once again proved that the three of us could do whatever we wanted to together, and that baseball cards seemed to be one of the unifying concepts we frequently visited.
Destroying – For those with a weak constitution, please skip the next few pages…this could be rough for the faint hearted.
Let’s deal with the moose in the room first; we all have destroyed cards in our lives. Some consider an autographed card to be ruined. Many of us have dinged a card putting it into a holder or dropping it on the floor or letting your Beagle use your 1978 Mike Krukow card as a chew toy.
There are many ways to destroy a baseball card. Here are a few I’ve tried.
In late 1980, David and I were camped out downstairs in our home talking and sorting baseball cards. David asked the question “how many layers of paper are in a baseball card?” Knowing a genius level question when I hear one, I quickly proceeded to find out. I grabbed the first card appropriate for an experiment of this magnitude (a 1979 Rafael Landestoy) and started peeling off the layers. It wasn’t easy, but we were able to peel off several layers before completely destroying poor Rafael. I then suggested (I have no idea why) that we try to make a card into a little bitty pillow by stuffing toilet paper in between the layers. I grabbed the 1980 Reds rookies with Paul Householder on it, and, using the finesse of the great masters, proceeded to making the card into a pillow. It looked really cool, and after working the pillow a bit, became rather soft. Remember that a great artist must be given a clean slate and be allowed to follow a vision.
Rick’s hole punch – Let me start off by saying that my parents were great parents; loving and kind and usually pretty smart. BUT, why did they give Rick a hole punch in 1969? I know that 1969 was an amazing year for the world; man on the moon, war and crisis and famine and violence. 1969 was a tough year for many. Maybe my parents got caught up in the times, and thought “if Woodstock is OK, then maybe, just maybe Rick should get a hole punch? Anyway, Rick got a hole punch and proceeded to but holes in some of our cards; Woody Woodward 1969, AL Jackson 1967 and, wait for it, the famous Bill Mccool 1968. Who puts a hole into a 1968 Bill McCool. These are the types of questions we all ask ourselves when we reflect upon the turbulent, historic year of 1969.
Statistics – Before any of you readers decides to judge us, please reflect upon your own collections. I would think most of us have changed the team name on the front of the card after a player has been traded. Maybe you put a hat on an infamous “no hat” card from the 60s, or did some improving upon the 1970s airbrushing work. I am also sure that many of you have written or changed statistics on the cards. I have seen cards that have had all of these things happen to them…and more. And, if by chance, you have made any of these “improvements to the cards in your collection”, be aware that I would still grade them near mint, while Rick would most assuredly grade them as “hacked to bits.”
Creasing experimentation – This might be new to some of you, so let me explain how this works. In 7th grade, my science teacher told us that, using a regular piece of paper that you could only fold a piece of paper 7 times before it becomes too thick to fold again. I’m not quite sure why I would try this on cards, since an old math quiz on a sheet of paper could have also worked. Still, there I was trying to fold a baseball card 8 times. I figure this type of brain power also led to the invention of the air fern, the pet rock, pole sitting, sword swallowing and the movie Ishtar.
Game Used card making – With all due honesty, I have only tried this as an adult, so I really should have known better. You take two of the same cards and put them on top and bottom of a stack of 6-8 cards. When you have completed this, find the section you want to cut out (carefully adults – ask your kids for help) and use an exacto knife to carve out a small square or rectangle. Find a piece of cloth and voila!!!, you have a game used card. The problem is that Tony Oliva would have never worn one of my dad’s business ties, nor would Steve Stone ever wear my mother’s polyester jump suit..…. I think.
Lesson Learned
You can get more out of life by finding the adventure in the unpredictable maze of daily existing. Search for ways to make the small joys last and work really hard to find a way forward.
Chapter 10
Balance
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AKA – Finding a healthy balance in your life.
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If I were to eloquently start to speak on the intrinsic value of baseball, I am sure I could fill up an entire book with anecdotes, reflections and intellectually relevant chatter about how baseball somehow changes who we are and how we see each other. While some of it would be rather “over the top”, it would become apparent that relationships with family and friends continue the course of high priority while the gathering of older cards of players long retired find their place in the memories and collections of those who want to pass down a love of baseball that has remained in their hearts since childhood.
So, where is the line? Where is the line between a collection that enhances a person’s life and a collection that controls a person’s life? Are we aware of this line and, if we are, do we understand how to control it?
This chapter is written in celebration of that line. While every argument that starts “they’re just stupid pieces of cardboard” or “this investment is MY stock market” contains some value and validity, baseball picture of Uncle Harry at the Lake, both can contain valid, real memories. Cesar Geronimo was traded the next year to the Cincinnati Reds, and that piece was an important piece of building the Big Red Machine, which truly brings back a flood of great memories for my brothers and I.
When my three children were very young, I made baseball cards out of pictures for them. Each card would have a cute front picture and the back would contain appropriate witty banter. While few 2 year old girls dream of being on a baseball card, the link between my children and me got a little bit smaller. I still have the cards, and they make me smile when I look at them. While owning a 1966 Topps Ron Brand card helps complete my 1966 Topps set, it doesn’t link me into my personal family, where some of my greatest joy comes from. I certainly am not saying that we should all go out and burn our 1966 Ron Brand cards. That would be a silly thing to do. It simply is important to remember that, while I am sure Ron Brand is a wonderful man, he isn’t my child, and therefore my life should contain an obvious balance between those things that I collect and those things that I value.
My older brother Rick and his wife Marilyn adopted a young boy from Romania named Alex. Alex is a true blessing to our family and, through his childhood had grown and blossomed into a fine young man. The challenges of raising a non-verbal boy with autism have kept things interesting and energetic. While I was choir director at the local Middle School, Alex participated in choir for three years. By the end of the third year, he was following the music, attending and participating in concerts, and could keep a rock steady beat. Alex is now 18 years old, and has started participating in a baseball league sponsored by the Joe Nuxhall Miracle Fields in Fairfield, Ohio. This place is a true Godsend, and the foundation that created the opportunities has outdone themselves with an amazing baseball experience for the children who play there. With an announcer, active family support and a large team of caring volunteers, Alex and his friends get to experience and joy of the sport that so many have enjoyed throughout the years. Our family sends out a great thank you for opening this door, which was so easy to keep closed.
While it was not an everyday occurrence, I would like to finally come out and say something to all of you readers; I did put baseball cards in the spokes of my tires. Now, I don’t remember ever putting a superstar in the spokes. It was more like an Aubrey Gatewood or a Curt Motton card; but still I did it anyway. I remember selling a group of Red Sox cards in a lot on Ebay. I described the lot as a “well loved lot of vintage Redsox cards”. The buyer thought the cards were a bit rough and I gladly refunded the money. His opinion of “well loved” was that the cards were loved, therefore they looked great. I perceived “well loved” as worn and bent and creased and…well…… well loved. Because many people over the years have been a bit rough on their cards, there is increased value on truly beautiful versions of cards. From there, a decreasing formula is applied to create pricing for all the conditions present. Demand and rarity also play their part in creating value, allowing the most discriminate collector the opportunity to search out condition rarities for their collections. With all of this being said, I still don’t completely understand the giant price difference between Mint and Poor cards. The markets have been saturated by a new school of grading and encapsulating cards, which has also changed the card market. While the best thing about card grading is the removal of fake cards from the market, the graded card market relies on the hope that no new hoards of any one card will ever be found. This risk is something that the coin and stamp markets have always been aware of. If a thousand 1909-s Indian pennies or 10 sheets of $5.00 Columbian Exhibition stamps were found, the market for those items would be instantly be felt. Imagine the reaction if 100 T-206 Honus Wagner cards were found. How about a case of Venezuelan baseball cards from the 1960s or 1000 factory sets from the 1971 Kelloggs’ set? The downside to condition sensitive cards remains present, while lower condition cards would find relative safety in future discoveries.
The card is bent? No problem. The card is written on? No big deal. The card is on fire…..put out the fire… I’ll give you a dollar for it.
This next paragraph isn’t for everyone. It is for people who have been presented with the scenario that a family member or good friend asks you to look at their old collection they just found. This has happen quite a few times in my life and I would love to share with you my thoughts.
First of all, consider the perspective that brings you into this situation. Often times, people don’t really know what they have….it’s not that rare. Not everyone in the world knows about Wade Rowdon or Hostess Twinkie Baseball cards or even Mo Vaughn!!! What they do know is that you know something about cards and they are looking for someone to trust. With that in mind, you must separate yourself away from the “collecting you” and embrace the “helper bunny” you. Consider the following as possible guidelines for your collaboration;
Remember that interpersonal relationships are of great importance. Be the person they need you to be.
Every collection has cards that are better than others…even if there are a gazillion of them out there. Explain about overproduction issues or collector issues or printing issues of whatever. Offer to put their best 10-20 cards in plastic card sleeves for them.
Explain ways to donate cards. Charities are always looking for donations.
If the collection is of great value, link them into places where they can liquidate. Offer to go with them to help them in the process.
Think carefully about what you want in the end. If it is to get some nice 1959 Topps cards really cheaply, then your friends probably picked the wrong person to ask for help. If you really like to be kind to people, and love the idea that you have knowledge that can help your friends, then you are the right person….
Lastly, remember that the value of collectibles (of any kind) depends on the market for that item. If everyone who wants one buys one (hello beanie baby collectors) the items for sale will be far greater than the amount of people who are looking for them, and that will force the value down. If the demand for an item outweighs the amount of product on the market, the value will remain higher. If young children don’t grow up and want 1967 Topps Baseball card sets, the value will suffer. That is why the smartest thing baseball card collectors and dealers can do is to get young kids excited about collecting.
One of the really exciting and rewarding aspects of old card collecting is simple….they’re not making any more of them. A finite population to search makes completing a set more enjoyable.
The older you get, the more likely it is that the players are dead. As morbid as this sounds, the values of living player’s cards fluctuate as the players do great things or stupid things in their lives. The 1940 Playball set is a classic, beautiful set of cards. There is a rare series, Hall of Famers, great photography and there seem to be cards out on the market in all conditions and at all prices. And, no body in the Playball set is going to tweet stupid comments, be arrested for doing something dumb, or flip off the opposing team’s dugout.
Therefore, young people collecting old cards make smart collecting sense. They can learn about Moe Berg or the Waner brothers or find out who Waite Hoyt or Tony Lazzeri were. My son knows about these people because I continue to teach him about therm. My grandsons are son to follow……
Lesson Learned
Rarely does life go the way we plan. Instead of dreading change and unpredictability, treasure the new directions that each new day bring. Give yourself time to enjoy the ebb and flow of life.
Chapter 11
Kindness
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AKA - Players are Real People
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The 1980s introduced me to college, employment, car repairs, taxes and….wait for it…disposable income. Now, we aren’t talking about a gazillion dollars where I could casually upgrade my T206 Wagner from a 7 to an 8. We aren’t talking about the Ultimate card break party where my brothers and I would build a complete Topps run by opening a case from each year. None of those silly type dreams were going to happen, but on occasion, I was able to purchase cards at the local Big Wheel store and enjoy the beautiful concept of freeing those cards from their waxy fate. In 1985, I was able to complete a set before the baseball season started. That way, I could carefully lay out the lineups for each of my beloved Reds opponents and prepare myself for battle.
The local mall was a wonderful place for me to visit. During the 1980s, the mall contained a coin & Stamp shop, two baseball card stores (both short term residents), a woolworth store that always kept new cards in stock, and would host a monthly antique show. All of this led me to discover the beauty of “old things” and the joy of the search. On one particular weekend (cue ominous music), mother’s day weekend, Cincinnati Reds players Eric Davis and Nick Esasky were signing free autographs at the mall near the food court. Now, my mother was inundated with “baseball this & Baseball that” her whole life. She had a crush of Joe Pepitone (mostly based upon his 1971 card when he was on the Chicago Cubs). Anyway, the plan was to convince my mother that we needed to get her a mother’s day gift on the Saturday (conveniently during the Davis, Esasky visit) so that we could be wonderful young sons who would always think of their mother first. Anyway, the plan was afoot and needed cunning, daring and the carefully placed hints of shopping needs. As it turned out, it was much easier than that, for my mother was happy to have us leave, and after all, I was already 22 anyway, what could she do? (Insert personal story of motherly guilt)
We arrived at the mall and found the line to be shorter than we expected (Eric Davis was just new to the Reds arsenal and Esasky was also very young as well. It was then that something unexpected happened, out of the blue with little warning and with devastating impact; guilt. It wasn’t just guilt like “I threw my peas and carrots in the garbage without finishing them, or sneaking eskimos pies out of the freezer before dinner.” This was real guilt. The guilt that occurs when you realize that your mother has sacrificed everything in the world for you. She took you to piano lessons, Tuba lessons, cloth shopping, checked your homework for errors, made sure you looked nice on your first date, made you eat your vegetables and so one…so forth.
What were we to do? The line grew quickly behind us and going mother’s day shopping right then could cost us a couple of hours. Is was then that the idea of ideas came out. I can’t believe how cleaver I was. I can have my cake and eat it too. After coming down from my self energized fervor of greatness, I took the baseball out of the box, prepared my 1985 Eric Davis and 1984 Nick Esasky cards for signature and walked up to the table. Right in front of me were two of the Cincinnati Reds, in full and living color. Eric Davis greeted me and asked what would I like. After signing the 1985 rookie card, I asked him for a favor. I told him that tomorrow was mother’s day and wondered if he would sign the ball “Happy Mother’s Day - Eric Davis. Eric smiled and said no problem. I was overjoyed with happiness. Mr. Esasky also was glad to help out the cause and the plan worked! I met two of my beloved Reds, got autographs of both players, and completed the ultimate mother’s day gift. To this day, she still has the ball on display next to her bells and figurines and assorted important nick nacks she has collected.
I have had the pleasure of meeting a good number of baseball players in my lifetime. I am sure the number is over 100 MLB players. Each one of them is a real person, with goals and aspirations, with fears and confidences, with likes and dislikes. All the while, everything they do professionally is out in public, with 1000s of fans keeping track of every aspect of their careers.
“Hey, did you know that your batting average goes down almost a full point on Tuesday day games following a Monday night game when your team loses by 3 or more runs?”
“Hey, did you know that you are behind the homerun pace that Tony Conigliaro had in 1966? Now he was a player!”
My guess is that most players don’t really care about much of it. There will be players who study statistics and details of the game to improve there personal playing and improve their teams chances of winning. Some of the details are minutiae, while some will probably find some use in study. While statistics can be fun and useful, I would imagine that the stress of living your professional life out in public can be difficult. Imagine what would happen if other professions had to do the same thing.
“Doctor, are you sure you want to operate? Your survival numbers are down 8% went you have to park on the street instead of the parking garage.”
“All right students, today Bobby only scored a 72% on his quiz. Why do you think this happened? ….that’s right kids. He always scores lower when he wears that ugly gold shirt he had on yesterday.
“I’m sorry sir, but I only drive my taxi between 42nd and Main. I am a specialist. When we get to Main Street, I will have you get into another taxi that can get you a little further. The closer taxi will be the one that delivers you….and thanks for taking “Don’t Rush Us” taxi service.”
Remembering that baseball is a game we all can play might help us keep the game in perspective. My brothers and I have tried to remember this throughout our lives. If we treat everyone with respect, somehow the world becomes a better place. I wouldn’t ever go up to a ball player in a restaurant and interrupt their dinner just so I could say hi; that seems rather selfish to me. It would be neat to see and recognize the person, and then let them enjoy their meal…it just seems like the right thing to do.
Lesson Learned
People won’t always be kind to you; be kind anyway. People might try to take advantage of you; treat people with honor anyway. People won’t always tell you the truth; tell them the truth with kindness anyway. The golden rule still works. It also helps us sleep better at night.
Chapter 12
Strategic kindness
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AKA - The Uncle and the Box of 1972
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So, life will continue to spin its complex web, and will catch you in an interesting story without a moments warning. Some of the stories remain with you for short periods of time. Some stories remain for longer…and some even still remain with you all of your days.
I had always been taught to be kind. This was not so that we could manipulate the scenario later for our own benefit, but rather, kindness for it’s own sake. Life throws us curveballs and fastballs and even an occasional spitter. Still, the value of kindness was that it was kindness; beautifully non-complex and ready to avail itself at any time. Our parents taught us kindness; even for Dodger fans.
Still, a young boy’s mind doesn’t always see this complex game afoot. Rather (using a delicious metaphor), chocolate ice cream is chocolate ice cream…nothing more. In my case however, chocolate ice cream was an escape; a transcendental holiday where my tastebuds would explode with the rapturous joy of sugar and milk and chocolate and…….well, chocolate and it was wonderful.
Anyway, baseball cards were more than cards about baseball. They were a ticket into every aspect of my life. I could feel the cards and see the cards. I could here a pack being opened and smell the fabulous gum that was included in every pack. And, I was always on the look out for any way to add to the fledgling collection we had amassed.
As a music composer, I am required to see the music and get inside the music; what does this melodic line say and where does it want to go? Although it could be said that I was over-analyzing the collecting of baseball cards, for me, I was all in. With that being said, every day brought new opportunities in my life. As a teacher, I was one of those irritating teachers that was always ready to go. This fact becomes even more irritating when you here that I have never tried coffee. I wake up and say “hello morning, let’s have a great day”. I am sure many would consider this an irritating trait….sorry! Anyway, I have never been bored in my life. I have never lacked activities or projects to delve into. In fact, I still juggle 5 or 6 or 11 different projects at the same time. I really try to treat each new day with enthusiasm and energy. Still, some days are so much fun that they go directly into the “favorite day” memory and live there to this day.
It was late Summer / early Autumn of 1972. We had come to Clarksburg West Virginia to visit family. Most of our family lived in Clarksburg, and our visits were always fun. As you grow older and get to know you parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and all of the other family, your world goes through a change. The change is in the form of a slow realization that everyone has their own thoughts, emotions, dreams and perspectives of life…Who would have guessed?
Anyway, during this visit, my Uncle Harry was visiting, and was not very excited about going in to the house to visit. See, my Uncle Harry struggled with most things, including getting along with family. Anyway, my brother David and I were sitting on the front porch on Hall street when Uncle Harry came out. David and I were talking about a couple Kellogg’s baseball cards that our grandpa had given us. Uncle Harry, seeing an opportunity to be nice…and not be inside asked us if we wanted to go get some new baseball cards….In about a millisecond, we said yes and walked down to the neighborhood convenient store. When we walked in, the display was right in front of us. There it was, a brand new box of 1972 Baseball cards that had just been opened…still complete !!! We asked Uncle Harry how many packs we could get, and he told us that he was willing to by the whole box if we were interested. Sweet Rapture of joy!!!. I was almost speechless (a rarity in my life) and we quickly checked out with a whole box of 1972s. There it was; 24 - 10 card packs just waiting for us. Upon arriving back at Grandma and grandpa’s house, we sat on the front stoop with Uncle Harry and opened the whole box. The good news was that (of course we didn’t understand the big deal till later years) this box was filled with semi high numbers. The bad news was that we opened up four Fred Kendall and no Pete Roses. Know, I am sure that the box had other notables. Don Sutton, Nolan Ryan, Brooks Robinson, Ron Santo, Juan Marichal and Phil Niekro were all in that series but I have no memory of their existence in that box. In 1972, rookie cards really meant nothing to the hobby. I don’t remember seeing card #579 and saying, “Boy, I hope Doyle Alexander becomes great, because his rookie card is beautifully centered with 4 sharp edges and bright, vivid colors.” Still, that day is emblazed upon my mind as the first time I ever had the chance to open a full box of cards.
My Aunt Margaret and Uncle Harry soon divorced; still, the experience was one I still treasure. If I was alone sitting on the porch opening the cards, I am sure that I would have already forgotten the experience. Even if we don’t completely remember every detail, the story brings back loved ones who have passed, the front porch of the Heflin family house on Hall Street in Clarksburg, the sound of kids playing at Staley Park or the 5 hour drive we would take to see family. These shared memories remind us that building healthy relationships are what drive our desire to be with people. While stressful relationships can take their toll, great experiences and relationships help define us. We have given away hundreds of thousands of cards, and it is fun to see children get so excited about opening and sorting cards of their era’s players. It is a cycle of giving that has played an important part in my life. Now, I understand that strategic kindness has been replaced with kindness. Simple kindness. Removing the word “strategic” from my giving has freed me up to be more of a servant and less selfish…..and that is a good thing.
Lesson Learned
No one has ever lived a life like you are living yours. Your story is unique to the world, and each chapter is important to understand who you really are. I wish that the bad stuff wasn’t in there, but each person’s story needs to be told; tell a great story!
Chapter 13
I Played the Game
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AKA - Little League and the dreaded game of pickle
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There is a point in a young boys life where all your troubles can be fixed by an afternoon game of whiffleball. And I’m not talking about a game where you spend half of your time chasing homers down in left field. I’m talking about the games where each team has at least 4 people and the strategic art of whiffle-ism takes place. Should you pitch him outside so he can’t pull the ball over the makeshift homerun fence in left field defined by the edge of the garden or the notorious “next door neighbors yard” guidelines. Assuming that nobody has any homework and the sky isn’t cloudy, there should be a clean 5 hours to play. That should allow us 3 complete games, or even four depending on how quickly a team could be mercy ruled.
Of course not everyday looked like that. Homework, shopping and the dreaded “family is visiting” play could cause an afternoon to devolve before our eyes. It was in this eventuality that the game “pickle” was invented. A simple game really: 2 bases, three people, and the desire to run a lot. The concept of the game is that two fielders toss the ball as they stand next to 2 bases. The runners had to run in between the bases without being tagged out. What it lacked in strategic planning, it made up for via the concept that it was baseball, and that made it OK.
It was fifth grade and the afternoon had the available player number down to four. That meant either a whiffleball game made up with chasing the ball or watching a pitcher’s duel to see who could walk the most players, or pickle. Today, it was pickle.
The nearby frisbee served well as one of the bases but we didn’t see another base, and we were way too lazy to go to the garage, so someone suggested that we use the tree in the backyard. Now, there was a great idea. On the good side, you could grab a branch and be safe. This meant horizontal strategy was in play. The dumber side of the idea was, in one word: sliding. See, the mid 1970s in the city of Cincinnati meant that the Big Red Machine was in full play. Bench, Morgan, Foster, Perez, Rose, Concepcion, Griffey and Geronimo were discussed in my house on a daily basis. Why does Morgan flap his wing, is Perez an RBI machine, what position is Rose going to play this year and why do people like Carlton Fisk when Bench was clearly superior?
Anyway, on this day I was clearly set to dominate this game of pickle. If a certain fielder caught you, then you had to switch places with them and thats how people were selected to run the bases. After what surely was a brilliant play of baseball greatness, it was my turn to run. Slowly jumping off the base, teasing the fielders gave us all a great sense of athletic prowess. If the fielders missed the ball and had to chase it, you could often times gain two bases, going down and back again. I left the comfort of the tree and ran like lightning as the fielder opposite of me missed the ball. I ran to the comfort of the frisbee and made the decision to circle back and “go for two.” The next moment is forever emblazed into my brain; I went into a full on, head first Pete Rose slide.
Now, at a moment like this, two concepts grab for attention; Is the ball on the way back, and am I fast enough to be safe? There really should have been three. My planning of this play seemed to lack the answer to the question, “How will I land on a tree in a full on head first slide when I started the slide too late.
As one could imagine, the ride to the emergency room involved crying, pain, confusion, and a general sense that sliding into a tree seemed pretty dumb from every perspective. By the time we arrived at the emergency room, my tears had subsided and the realization of a cast was imminent. I remember little about the visit, except for the fact that, when checking in, I started laughing at the lady in front of us checking in because she said she broke her toe when a package of frozen hotdogs fell out of the freezer and landed on her foot. In my 5th grade brain, sliding head first into a tree was more understandable than a frozen hotdog injury.
Thus began the most awkward stage of my life. Having just started playing the Tuba in band, and having recently was put in braces for my crooked teeth, I was a sight to behold. For the next 7 weeks, I walked to the bus stop with a backpack for my books, my left arm in a cast, my right arm carrying my tuba with my lunch conveniently placed inside the bell, and a full orthodontics appliance strapped around my mouth. My mother said she loved me as I walked out the door to school. I guess I really was a child only a mother could love.
Lesson Learned
Learn how to play as well as learning how to exist. A day of whiffleball in the backyard is among the greatest of things the world has ever known. Move yourself away from your cell phone and other distractions. Take a long walk or go visit friends. Technology does not always lead to happiness. If we want our cards to be valuable when we retire, then more kids need to play whiffle ball in their back yards and fewer need to master level 17 of Angry Atomic Gerbils from Mars.
Chapter 14
Value beyond valuable
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AKA - Artistry and purposeful creativity
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I am a musician. I love being a musician. As a teacher, I get to share my passion for the beauty inside music. As a performer, I get to share and create the melodies and harmonies that dwell within. As a composer, I get to dig even deeper into my creativity store house to release the art that wants so badly to be freed.
Therefore, the fact that I enjoy completing baseball cards sets and organizing and spending my non music time in left brain endeavors speaks to the innate desire I must have to live a balanced life. It also speaks to the perspective I have in my collecting and enjoyment of the hobby.
For this chapter, I would like to explore some of the principles of good “art” and apply them to baseball cards. This chapter feeds the creative side and the organized side of my being, and therefore a joy.
1. Beauty in art. How do the colors and patterns develop? How does the photo work with the design of the card? How does this small work of art match my visual expectations?
2. Meaning. What does this Baseball card mean? Does it have a special significance other than just being a baseball card?
3. Originality. Does this card bring something new to the table. Do I see things or reflect upon things that are new or relevant to me?
4. Professionalism and pragmatism. Does this card demonstrate a professional quality item? When I look at the card, do I believe that this card was well thought out and prepared to be a small piece of sports art?
5. Expectations. Did this card leave me fulfilled? Do I get an overall feeling of “well worth the price?” Do I have buyers remorse? Did I buy or trade for the card in a way that makes me feel like adding to the collection?
We will take a look at each of these five areas by finding examples of both positive and negative examples. This section will be filled with unapologetic opinions and reflections. If some of my artistic views differ from yours, I send my most humble apologies…and encourage you to write your own book where, just like me, you can see collecting from your unique perspective as well. So, here we go.
Beauty in art.
We see beauty in so many things. I love the mountains and the way the colors come alive when leaves fall onto a lake or river. I love seeing those I love happy, and a large dish of raspberry sorbet. These opinions help to create and define me. They become a part of who others believe I am. They are part of my unique make up.
When I see a baseball card with amazing eye appeal, I believe I first process the picture…. the actual front of the card. I look at Frank Robinson 1969, and see a great player, off to one side, as the beauty of a green circle and blue sky make the picture really wonderful. I would love to have done my senior pictures in the pose of 1969 Frank Robinson, 1966 Jimmie Hall, or 1959 Roman Mejias. Maybe I would want a 1974 Ron Santo pose on a horizontal card. Maybe a 1975 Brooks Robinson card would be better, as I am playing my piano or driving my 1974 SuperBeetle; so many artistic choices. I seem to be drawn to colorful pictures, non head shots, with non symmetry in the photo, but colorful symmetry within the design. For instance, the 1968 card of Billy Williams clearly has Billy on the right side of the card, but with the stadium in the background, it brings the picture back into symmetry….a beautiful card. In the same set, we see Ed Brinkman. While the picture is also off to the side, the photo gives us nothing to bring the whole card back into symmetry…not a very artistic card in my eyes. 1964 Don Demeter is another card that lacks that symmetry, I would love to take that picture and move him over towards the middle. Then my artistic palette would be back to OK.
Lesson Learned
Beauty is all around us. A 1965 Roger Maris card is a beautiful thing. So is a Sousa march, a 90% off everything sale and a brand new tractor. Make your life a treasure hunt, and make beauty the goal.
Chapter 15
Gifts and Benevolence
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AKA - Bowling for Woodlands Creature and Other Ways to Earn the joy of Christmas
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I’ve never been one of those ‘take the easy way” kind of guys. The easy way is often boring and void of challenges. I remember vividly how, when stopping at an ice cream shoppe, my father always got a vanilla milkshake. Now don’t get me wrong, I love vanilla milkshakes. My trouble was that, with Raspberry Sorbet and Chocolate Marshmallow Brownie or whatever the flavor, the palette of flavors went well beyond vanilla.
I know that often times, writers wax so eloquently about their childhoods and how each moment was a perfectly thought out piece of the life puzzle they were creating. Sometimes I do that, but sometimes a good day is simply a good day… and that is a good thing.
It was, however, a special time around Christmas. Topps Chewing Gum Corp. would occasionally have cards ready by Christmas, making spring training draw that much closer. The thought of the Christmas tree glowing in it’s own sparkle while the torn wrappers from the season’s first box told of excitement and discovery. Comments you might here around the tree would include:
1. They made sideways cards again.
2. He looks so weird on another team.
3. I hate when they aren’t wearing hats!!!
4. Wow, the Reds look so cool this year (we said that every year.)
5. The Yankee players think they’re so cool.
This yearly revealing made baseball cards and Christmas united for the three of us….and still does to this day.
Sometime soon after graduating from college, I got a job about two hours away from the rest of the family. While it was a wonderful starting place for my career as a musical artist and educator, it made casual visits with the family more difficult. Life can get in the way of playing and collecting and reminiscing as we would all have liked to do. This separation helps to build excitement in our annual Christmas gathering at our parent’s house. And these visits were never complicated. We didn’t talk about politics or discipline or most any other potentially controversial topic; it was family time and that was want we all desired and needed.
One year, I created a 1.5-2 hour game for the three of us. I would be master of ceremonies and my two brothers would have to compete for fabulous prizes (although they were guaranteed to end up with something fun”.
One year, they had to play a Jeopardy style game with questions in odd categories. For instance, in the category “phrases that Britney Spears might say”, the word Iran came up. the answer was “Iran to catch the bus”.
One year, they were given packs of oddball cards (Rocky, Space Jam, James Bond etc.) and given a point for each card they could find to match the category (first card where person was sweating, first person with eyes shut, dumbest look etc….) The most ambiguous the question, the more I had the odd job of controlling the random point. It was always a good time.
Then there was the year to end all years… the greatest idea of them all…. “Bowling for Woodland Creatures”. One of my daughters had these tiny stuffed animals that she enjoyed playing with. I took then of these and pinned then to the top of a 800 count card box standing on end. 10 of these made for a wonderful bowling alley. After answering the trivia question correctly, they would earn shots at the makeshift bowling alley. I don’t remember the actual gifts from that year, but the collection of memories we have shared have truly filled a lifetime, and for that we are grateful.
Lesson Learned
Laughter is a wonderful thing. I have laughed and enjoyed so many wonderful moments in my life. It hasn’t all been “laugh-worthy,” but those times with family and friends have made a rich collection of happiness that gets me through all of my days.
Chapter 16
Love
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AKA – In Creating a Happy Family, Keep Love Above All
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My mother has always loved to sew. Since she was a small girl in the West Virginia 4-H program, my mother has loved to make her own clothes…and during the 1970s, the clothes of her three boys. The vision of the 1970s is truly captures when to look at the three of us in our homemade leisure suits. Herb Tarleck and the classic :WKRP in Cincinnati” comes to mind instantly. Anyway, in order to reload the sewing machine and prepare her next group of outfits, she would load the boys into the family station wagon and head off to the local fabric store. Without seat belt laws (and the more I think about it…without seat belts), we would head off to the most boring, energy draining, mind numbing store God had ever created.
My first job upon arrival would be to look through the sewers and drainage areas in front of the store. The mystery hunt was on. There, amidst the real garbage was treasure….real treasure. There, before me lie bottle caps and cans and bottles….bottles were cash to me….between 2 and 5 cents per bottle….cash!!! I still have every bottle cap I collected as a child….over 20,000 of them. Now, I just have to wait until the bottle cap market goes up and I’m rich. Anyway, if I could find enough bottles, I could recycle them at the grocery store and reinvest the money into baseball cards…I figured out a system that made the fabric store an overall better experience.
Then came that fateful day when, of all the lousy things, the fabric store started cleaning their parking lot. What were they thinking? All that beautiful treasure gone and all you could see were cars and lines. I walked slowly into the store and was overwhelmed by yarn and doilies and felt and taffeta….who buys taffeta???
Anyway, my mother had found all of her treasures and, out though the painfully clean parking lot we strode. We got in the car, and I was looking for something to redeem this tragic journey. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. At first I didn’t even realize it was a store….Antique Store the sign said. Antiques? I think that is a bunch of old stuff. I like old stuff. It is so …well, old.
I got home and looked up the name of the store….it was real. In their yellow page ad, they talked about the kinds of stuff they had, old furniture, lamps, clothes, coins, stamps and other collectibles. Coins were something I had been exposed to as my father and grandfather enjoyed the lure of Numismatics. I had collected stamps for a couple of years and enjoyed filling my Liberty Stamp Album. This discovery gave me an idea; the next time we go to the fabric store, I would be really nice and polite and say please and thank you. That would weaken my mother’s resolve and I would most assuredly get permission to go to the Antique store by myself.
That day occurred about two weeks later. The plan was put into action and I would not fail…..I had collected about $2.50 in allowance and bottle collecting. We arrived at the store and I clearly (with my most mature voice I had) acted surprised to see this antique store. “mother, did you see that store?”. “What store was that?” my mother questioned….the worm was on the hook and the fish was watching. “That might be neat to go look at that sometime” I stated…the fish was approaching the hook. “That would be fine but not today, we have errands to run” my mom logically explained.
Now to catch the fish. “Could I just go up an look? I promise to be careful and I don’t have to cross and roads or anything”. “I guess that would be fine…just be careful.
“FISH ON”
As if I had discovered life on Mars, I walked with the quiet, mature gate of a modern success. Now, if about 15 minutes of freedom, I politely said thank you to my mother and off I went to see what I could see.
I walked into the small shop and, as if I was walking through the pearly gates of heaven, I started to take in the beauty of the place. There were civil war hats and cool old pictures, antique dressers and letters and…well, it was overwhelming. I made it up to near the register when this kindly older lady greeted me.
“The greeting was very nice and I was only a little nervous. Did she know my ultimate plan that was pressed into service just to walk through her door? Did she know that I had over 2 dollars of cold hard cash to spend…it was hers!!! All I needed to do was to find something I just couldn’t live without. I was in 7th grade and 1974 had brought a brand new season of baseball cards. They were all in one series, you I could find any card from #1 to #660. I remember seeing the Hank Aaron breaks the record card and thinking that I thought he still had one more homer to hit. Anyway, after she showed me a small dish of mercury dimes that I could buy for .25c a piece, I saw it. At first, I couldn’t quite figure it out. It was about 14” by 20” and had the drawn in picture of a baseball diamond. I asked her what it was and she carefully showed it to me. Apparently, in 1959 some kid took the starting lineup of the Reds and pasted the cards to this piece of cardboard. I had never even seen a baseball card from the 1950s. I saw Frank Robinson in the coolest black circle, just like the Vada Pinson. There were 9 cards from 1958 and 1959. Jerry Lynch 1958 was a really cool card. The question that had to be asked was “How many thousands of dollars would she want for something so amazing.” My heart raced and my changing voice was destined to betray me.
“That’s really neat. I have never seen cards that old”. “Now, you know that these cards are pasted to the cardboard. You would have to take them off carefully and there will be some back damage” “What was she doing” I said to myself “she is talking like I am going to buy them.” I knew what I had to do.
“Those are pretty cool (It must have been the 70s.) I think I said cool in every sentence”. “I can sell it to you for $2.00 + tax.
First of all, who is tax and why do I have to pay them…and how fast could I get the money out of my pocket.
Having discovered one of mankind's greatest reassures, I thanked her for her time and walked carefully back to the fabric store. My mother was just then checking out. “What kind of treasure did you find Douglas?”
“What kind of treasure did I find?”…the perfect question. How could I put into words the greatness of this day? How could I help my mother capture the essence of awesomeness that I was experiencing?” It is a board with some old baseball cards on it. “That sounds neat. I am glad you are happy”
And there it was. The first cards from the 1950s in our collection. We had now, as a brotherhood, gone into a whole new world. I looked at this cardboard gold all the way home and concluded that I should take them to school the next day to show my friends. And there it was, the short, nerdy, tuba playing, boy soprano sounding, mouth appliance wearing, collector of all things old having his day.
Cool.
Chapter 17
Families
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AKA - How to Raise Your Parents
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Raising children is always a challenge. Sometimes, the challenges are no problem, and both parent and child reflect upon the ease of developing a pleasant parent-child relationship. Sometimes, raising children can be a good day/bad day kind of relationship. One day, everything looks hunky-dory, the next day is filled with struggles and strife. Then there is a third way of raising children; both parent and child can’t wait to be free of each other.
In the “Hollywood” scene, it is obvious that the tumultuous relationship make better news. The more public the conflict, the more papers they sell. Now that we are in the age of cell phones and cameras and instant video releases, the trouble one minute can become the internet rage the next.
With that being said, the three of us boys lived a wonderful, loving, caring, thoughtful childhood. For those who might be saddened by such boredom, I encourage you to watch TV shows like “The Shameful Lives of Clermont County Wives” or movies such as “CSI Card Show”.
Now, very few books have ever outlined the makings of a normal, loving childhood. If it doesn’t sell, no one cares. But it is to be noted that all loving relationships require effort and loving investment….and that’s a good thing. There were issues and challenges that had to be addressed during our childhood, and the way we resolved the issues helped to define the character we all grew to develop. When parents role model the correct behavior, it increases the odds that the children will learn those traits. It is widely accepted that a person has to learn how to hate. In the same breath, I believe that love is the same way. With that understood, here are some of the problems that we overcame to help raise our parents to raise up baseball card collectors….and good humans.
The first thing that must be remembered is that children with no income still need money to get cards for the collection. This meant that a keen eye and the correct strategy must be employed to go to the store and end up with cards. First, one must be good helper bunnies. “Mother, can I carry that milk for you”, “Father, I love that cereal too - what a healthy crunch it has”, and “it’s nice to be shopping with you guys today” was a simple, first step towards those beautiful packs gleaming brightly next to the checkout counter. If we failed to brush our teeth or make our beds, we were fighting an uphill battle. By the time we got up to the check out counter, we were surely to be filled with the overflowing feeling that we now deserved baseball cards. Often times, we would be given the right to pick out a couple packs of cards for helping with the groceries that day….what a wonderful reward it was!!! I look back on that now and realize that my parents, who continue to get smarter as I get older, probably used the reward of baseball cards to get us to be happy helpers. Reflecting upon my parents parenting brilliance now only makes me laugh….and I hope I inherited some of it.
The next thing about raising parents is the balance between organizing a collection versus cleaning your room. As a child who worked hard to find hiding places for things left on the floor in my room, I realized that my mother wanted clean and orderly rooms for her three sons. While my two brothers were usually responsive to this request, my desire to see the floor carpeted with stacks of cards continued to grow throughout my childhood. While a nicely painted wall is a pleasant thing (more so now than then), I could imagine an entire wall pasted with 1968 Bill McCool cards. or my ceiling filled with cards from the 1972 Oakland A’s. The thing that probably saved us during these times would be the fact that the three of us were all getting along. Of course, we were normal kids, so there were always little moments of childhood tension that would occur. I often noticed that conflict was usually between Rick and me, or David and me, so I concluded that it was usually them…..makes sense to me. Anyway, trying to explain why we couldn’t stack up the cards because mixing the 1971 Tigers and the 1972 Phillies would just make no sense. So, we had to have hundreds of stacks; it just had to be.
Now, raising your parents also required the children to fight the “parents throw out all the kids stuff when they go off to college” paradigm. This one can be quite difficult, because parents throughout the world had clearly joined the “how to make your kid’s bedroom into a sewing room” club, and they were quite strong. It is clear to all involved, that a strategy had to be implemented to avoid the “do you know how much my childhood collection would be worth today!” conversation that was happening throughout the world in shockingly large numbers.
The first thing a person should do is realize that parents really do own the whole house. A loving functional family is not a democracy; it is more of a benevolent dictatorship. And yes, they really do own all the rooms. With this in mind, implementing boxes and shelves can really help. After placing all of your stuff in these boxes, move the boxes to where ever they want them to go. While you might not miss the 1978 Elliot Maddox cards you have, losing your 1962 Roberto Clemente or your 1965 Herm Starrette card would. Remember to continue to thank your parents for raising you and for not giving up on you during 7th grade.
The final step in raising parents is to be thankful. There are no instruction books on how to raise a child, and often times, I have seen my parents loving actions come alive as I raised my own children. Baseball cards are just things, but anything can serve as a catalyst for our own growth as people. Maybe, the collection was simply a way for our family to have shared stories and adventures. Watching Hank Aaron or Juan Pizarro or Felipe Alou becomes a shared experience, and the stories that come out of these experiences really do last a lifetime. I remember throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Red’s game in 1990. The feeling of walking out to the mound to prepare for this thrilling moment was wonderful. I have always tried to find wonderful in my life. I think it comes from a place of safety and caring. The true strength of a family comes from the desire to love and in increasing our capacity for joy. I don’t think I was always lovable, but I was always loved anyway.
Hmmmm, maybe my parents were raising me correctly after all.
Lesson Learned
Not everything in life occurs as a spontaneous moment of accomplishment. Sometimes, you have to have a plan. As hard as it might be, try not to allow your emotions to guide all of your planning. Let wisdom be your goal. Remember, people rarely can name the person who leads after the first mile of a marathon.
Chapter 18
Family Celebrations
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AKA – Learn How to Party
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“And they grow up so quickly.” What family gathering has ever occurred that was void of this sentiment. The blazed trail that is formed by time rushing on is a never ending source of amazement to the older generations of our society. Young people wonder why old people sit around while old people wonder my youth are always in a hurry to get somewhere. Of course, malls are filled with young people and churches are filled with old people. It seems there is a correlation between age and wisdom, but I’m not smart enough to have figured it out yet. I think it is why I try to take time to figure out where I am in conjunction with the rest of the world.
Here is what I know about baseball cards and life:
Baseball cards are numbered on the back. This allows cards to be put in order, and order can be comforting.
Numbered cards that belong in order have a finite amount of cards to complete a set. Therefore, order brings logical conclusion, which can also be comforting.
Baseball cards have statistics. Statistics allow us to compare apples with apples, which allows us to examine these numbers to draw conclusions. My favorite player can do this, but that player can do that. I like stolen bases or fast pitchers or great hitters or amazing bunters or whatever it might be. Statistics allow each generation to select which cream rises to the top.
Baseball cards are small pieces of art. Using color, design, photography and differing materials allows each set to become its own works of art. The 1969 Topps set wouldn’t necessarily work in 2007, but for 1969, matched the feel of the nation.
They are baseball cards. Baseball has an attraction that draws us into a relationship with the sport. The teams align themselves with their hometowns or regions, and these regions become part of how we see ourselves. It also allows us to judge other places by their team. Did you see that Cardinal use bad language on TV. I hate the Cardinals (it never really has made sense to me, but it happens all the time.)
Baseball cards can be a positive aspect of growing up, and each successive generation has the chance to share its story to those from other generations. My son has seen Cal Ripken play, while I saw Roberto Clemente play, but my father has seen Mickey Mantle play, while my grandfather saw Lou Gehrig play. These types of conversations keep families talking, and families that share and talk together benefit from this time. My grandson Theodore has recently seen Billy Hamilton play….and time marches on.
As time goes on, the traditional view of baseball continues to make new fans and new collectors. As long as there are new collectors and new fans, the value that naturally follows baseball card collecting continues to be “an” aspect of collecting. As I look at the 1968 Bill McCool with the punch holes still in it, I am taken back by the speed that time has traveled to bring me to where I am. 1968 was almost 50 years ago, yet the memory is so vivid.
Shared holidays - My brothers and I have included baseball cards into almost every Christmas we have ever had. Sometimes, they were cards we needed for sets. Sometimes, they were oddball items that we knew the others would enjoy. Sometimes they were old, sometimes new, sometimes still in packs, sometimes they were “hacked to bits” (my brother Rick’s term for cards that were NOT going to be graded mint.)
David and I once played “card hunt” at a baseball card show. The rules were simple. You had $10.00 maximum to find a pre-1970 baseball card to send to a grading card company. The card with the highest grade rewards the winner with both cards. It was quite a bit of fun, but I seem to never win any of my silly “invented” games.
When we were talking about baseball cards, we were NOT talking about hundreds of other things. While my brothers and I have always had and made time to discuss a myriad of other topics, having baseball cards allowed us to automatically have a positive, exciting topic to share. When the three of us get together, we are just as likely to talk about Dooley Womack as we are crime in America. We might talk about politics, followed quickly by a discussion of grandpa looking for 1971 3D cards when he ate his morning Corn Flakes. After the Reds would lose their first game of the season, our father would always come back with “The Reds is Dead.” These formed memories help link us to each other, and in doing so, strengthens the bond we have as brothers.
This list comes with a few warning:
Baseball cards are just baseball cards. They are things. And things never replace relationships; this is easier to see at age 50 than it is at age 12, but it is true none the less. By keeping perspective, healthy relationships can come out of this shared hobby. The second that it becomes more than the relationship can bear, I encourage you to sell all your cards and revisit the relationship building as we have discussed earlier.
You never picked your family. Your family is a unique group of people you have been blessed to be with. I wish I could tell you that all relationships look like the brotherhood the three of us share. I have seen families that overflowed with love and I have seen families that were struggling to find any love. Remember that each day provides an opportunity to do something great. But often times, these great things have been worked on over and over again. Have faith that tomorrow contains hope, and that if you can’t find it tomorrow, just wait until the next day….it might be there waiting for you.
Keep collecting in perspective. I have recently written a musical called “The Moose on the Mountain” and tells the story of a boy who, after hearing his grandfather telling a story about the legend of the mysterious blue moose, dedicates his life to searching for the moose. As the story plays out, we see that his obsession with the moose hunt has a negative impact on every relationship he has in his life. Please don’t spend your life searching for something that might not be there. Keep life in perspective and collecting in moderation.
Avoid jealousy. I don’t have a 1952 unopened wax box. It would be great if I did. When I see an article about someone finding something amazing, I am always interested in how something like that could have survived. If I had an unopened 1952 wax box, I wouldn’t have the box anyway. I would probably grade each of the packs, then open up about half of them. See, if I would have found them, I would have ended up ruining the find. I am sure my brothers would be glad to join me in the opening party as well…and we can order pizza and eat chicken wings and pop some movie theater butter popcorn and maybe….. ‘nuff said.
Be generous with your collection. Each year, I give away 1000s upon 1000s of cards. Boys clubs of America, Charities, Silent Auctions, church rummage sales, it just doesn’t matter to me. The trick is to be generous… When we give of ourselves, we make this world a better place. I know that the last sentence sounds a bit like “fantasyland” but consider this; giving cards away makes people happy, which might make new baseball fans who might expand their collections which might allow them to build their collections to making them become buyers of rare cards when they are older which might allow them to buy…let’s see here…. your cards!
Lesson Learned
We don’t get to pick our families. Every 13 year old would be willing to trade their parents for a 1971 rack pack with Merv Rettenmund showing. Still, we all have to deal with the life we are given. Work hard to seek the good things in life, and treasure the relationships you have.
Chapter 19
Completing Sets
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AKA - Finishing what you started
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I’m not quite sure why humans desire to finish sets and collections. It could stem back to the caveman days when young cave babies tried to collect an entire Woolly Mammoth tusk collection before trying to collect Saber Tooth Tiger stripes…who knows?
Donn Clendenin 1972
All I really know is that the satisfaction of completing a set simply makes a person feel good. Maybe it’s the fact that the last card you need is likely a tougher, more expensive card.
Pepe Frias 1976
Maybe the thrill of the hunt keeps you going, and increases the adrenaline that is coursing through your veins.
Harmon Killebrew 1959
Maybe we see a complete set as an obtainable goal, and therefore something worthy of our best effort
Duke Snider 1955
Whatever the truth may be, card companies have always given collectors a legitimate chance to complete what we started, and that is a very good thing.
Gene Michael 1969
I remember that in 1976, the card we needed was on top of a rack pack at Van Leunens. We found our first 1975 on the ground near the bus stop…Jesse Jefferson…and it was pretty beat up, but it was one step closer to collecting immortality.
Tony Taylor 1958
Many a day, I have dreamed of going back in time to see what amazing cello and rack packs we opened in the name of completing sets. After all, George Brett was a common, but Bill Madlock was the greatest hitter ever.
Ernie Banks 1970
Of course, the love of completing sets came from opening the packs. Can one really understand the baseball card collectors heart if they simply keep unopened packs in a vault?
Dave McNally 1971 Kelloggs
Our Grandfather Heflin ate every cornflake in West Virginia to get his dear grandsons 1971 Kellogg's baseball cards. He had no control over the 4 Dick Selma cards he obtained, but still, the collecting spirit lead him onward and upward.
Jessie Heard 1954 Topps
As we have aged (gracefully like a fine wine), our collecting goals have changed. The desire to complete one of the year’s 1000 different sets has changed the market, and those who so fondly harken back to the days of bubblegum and defined goals miss the simplicity.
Red Schoendienst 1952 Bowman
So here we sit and fondly recall the goals of the past and the players who unknowingly contributed to childhood happiness.
Maurice McDermott 1956
Chapter 20
The History of Family
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AKA – Generational Connections
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Many families are blessed with stories. Some of the stories are funny, some are legendary and some are simply neat. Not all families are blessed with these stories and the personalities to tell them with the proper vim and vigor.
My family can tell a story. Most involve the value of precious moments and the dear people who helped the stories come to life. We all take our turns. Maybe someday, old Grandpa Doug’s stories will be told; but just remember children, no pictures - no proof.
Anyway, I grew up in a Cincinnati Reds family. This was not just a casual relationship, but rather a passion that it passed down from generation to generation. These relationships are important, and our family love of the Cincinnati Reds runs deep.
My dear Aunt Margaret told me the story of how we became Cincinnati Reds fans.
The small Appalachian community of West Union, West Virginia was devastated by a fire in 1858. In conjunction with the rebuilding of this town was the development of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This railroad not only served as a source of supplies to the area, but served as an important connection for the people of the area to the outside world. My Grandfather, William Claire heflin was born in West Union, West Virginia in 1904. He had 10 other brothers and sisters, and all of them were encouraged to learn and read and experience the world. His father was, among other things, a bank teller, a farmer and most of all, a school teacher.
When the train would arrive, great enthusiasm would mount as the community would receive its deliveries. One thing that my grandfather would enthusiastically wait for was the Cincinnati Newspaper. With a keen interest in learning and a feeling of discovery, my grandfather would eagerly wait for the paper, in part so that he could find out how the Cincinnati Reds were doing. Remember baseball fans; The Reds won the World Series in 1919, when my grandfather was 15 years old…how perfect.
While he remained in West Virginia for the rest of his life (in the beautiful city of Clarksburg, West Virginia, all three of his children would, at one time or another, live in Cincinnati. My father (the middle of Claire’s three children) would remain in the Cincinnati area most of his life, which is where we all currently reside.
Now, as all good stories go, there is more. Clarksburg West Virginia is only 110 miles from Pittsburgh, the home of the dreaded Pirates. When my Aunt Margaret asked if he felt bad about not being a Pirates fan, my grandfather replied that he loved his contact with the outside world as a child. The connection to the supply trains and the delivery of the paper helped him dream his dreams. It showed him that the world was bigger than what you could see from your porch. Learning about other places extended his knowledge and he felt that the Pirates team could well be a threat to this part of his life.
Author’s point of privilege: Roberto Clemente has always been my favorite player… Just saying.
Back to the story.
My father, Aunt and Uncle Richard had a total of 8 children; all of which have become Cincinnati Reds fans. Over the years, we’ve moved from Eppa Rixey and Bubbles Hargrave to Ewell Blackwell and Grady Hatton to Johnny Temple and Ted Kluszewski to Tommy Harper and Gary Nolan to Eric Davis and Eddie Milner to Sean Casey and Reggie Sanders to our current roster. The one consistent theme has been one family sharing a love for the simple game of baseball and what it could bring to the family.
Now you could ask the question, “if the train would have brought the Baltimore paper, would our family have a completely different story to tell? Would wetalk freely about Gus Triandos, and Mark Belanger and Boog Powell instead? I don’t know the answer of that question, but a cage match between Sparky Anderson and Earl Weaver would truly be worth the price of admission.
Chapter 21
The Passing of the Torch
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AKA – The Timeless Beauty of Sharing
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It was the spring of 2001 and my son Daniel and I were shopping for things to do during that spring. Family time has always been a valuable commodity, and the chance to do things together has, and still does carry a significant importance in our lives. Daniel had always known that the family had collected card and had enjoyed the wonderful fellowship and shared enjoyment of collecting. On that day, Daniel decided he wanted a pack of cards from the store. My happiness was pretty obvious as I showed him where the cards were and interesting things about each brand. As it turned out, the pack he selected had a Game Used jersey card of Elgardo Alfonso contained in its sealed chamber. What joy!! His first pack, and he already has the magic. We looked at all the other cards in the packs and decided that we would continue this “collecting thing” and learn more about it. It was soon after this that he fell in love with the Seattle Mariner’s Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro is a fantastic person to have as your favorite player. What’s not to like? He works hard, says nice things about his mother, and seemingly enjoys playing baseball…and life in general.
So it was now set. Daniel would start collecting the cards he likes, and we would enjoy the Ichiro Suzuki card hunt. To this day, this is something we enjoy doing together, and surely Mr. Suzuki will end up in the Hall of Fame.
I remember my dad telling stories from his childhood. He loved Disney comic books and model airplanes. These things from his early days connect my dad with his childhood, and that connection contains beautiful gems of memories and connections.
Of course, with this being said, don’t we all wish that we would have kept everything from our childhood in perfect condition? A wall filled with 1950s cereal boxes or every rack pack we opened in our childhood still intact!!! I have often had the “if I had a time machine” dream. Go back to 1952 and buy a box of 1952 Topps High Numbers. How about sitting around a construction site in 1909 picking up the T206s that were being thrown away. Maybe we go back to 1977 and buy the Star Wars action figures of the rack at Swallens or K-Mart. Maybe we go back to 1964 and get as many silver quarters as you could afford.
The danger in this type of dream is that is clouds the gap between what was and what could be. The reason we think about such things could be that they bring back the flood of memories that we all carry with us. I have never opened a 1952 High Number Pack. The concept that anyone ever did is very exciting to think about. What would it be like to go through Abraham Lincoln’s trash can while he was president? It would be the most amazing thing ever. I remember going on to construction sites in our neighborhood and collecting the bottlecaps that were all over the place. I still have every bottlecap I ever found. They connect me with memories and days of simpler living. I enjoyed the discoveries that live presented me with when I was younger. I wouldn’t want to go back now, but it was a neat time. I look at my three children and their spouses and my three grandchildren and I wonder what it is that they see through their eyes.
My Grandma and Grandpa Heflin always had bottles of Coca Cola in their basement. I could have two bottles of coke in the same day when I visited them. My Grandmother Queen let us make cinnamon toast with real cinnamon sugar in this vintage glass sugar shaker. What is it that my children and grandchildren see? What is it that they look forward to when they visit. Time has a way of leveling out life’s playing surface. My dad sees Ferris Fain the way I see Rod Carew, the way my son sees Ichiro Suzuki. In this generational examination, we really see that life keeps moving. We see that good memories are good things. And we see that a legacy of sharing makes each person move towards fulfillment, as we live and love and learn together.
EPILOGUE
Chapter 21
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The Art of Baseball Cards
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As a musician, I am use to seeing the world from an artist’s perspective. The trees and the sky and the breeze combine visual phenomena with the sounds and feel of beauty. Each day is unique, therefore a new slice of art comes into view, and this type of perspective can make ordinary objects into works of art.
Each Topps Baseball card set has created hundreds of these little works of art. In a section I can only refer to as completely biased, I have selected a couple cards that have become significant works of art in my collection….enjoy!!!
1952 Topps
Runner up - #288 Chet Nichols * It is one of the few cards I have ever seen where I wonder if he knew a picture was being taken of him. I could imagine the photographer telling him that the picture was over, and he might have missed the whole thing. However, the lighting of the photograph [plus the light blue background make this one of my favorites
Winner - #117 Sherman Lollar * The beautiful combination of the stadium, the green grass, the vivid colors of the photograph and the ginormous glove give this card a strong “A” in my book. Even the Whitesox logo brings out the vivid colors.
1953 Topps
Runner up - #174 Billy Loes * In a set where most of the pictures are portraits, the almost full body pose of Mr. Loes is a welcome contrast. Getting my first Brooklyn Dodger card was a big deal for me, but this card was quite elusive for me. Now that I have the card, the parade of portraits now has a full body survivor.
Winner - #10 Smoky Burgess * I have always been a Cincinnati Reds fan and therefore by proxy, claim all future and former Reds as Alumni. When I see Mr. Burgess posing in his Philadelphia pinstripes, I am moved to know that I can claim a small piece of his “card greatness” via fandom.
1954 Topps
Runner up - #50 Yogi Berra * I realize that I have taken three catchers in the first three years, but even the novice baseball fan must acknowledge that the 1954 Yogi Berra card is a beautiful work of art. The beautiful green background, the finished swing of the hall of famers and, once again a catcher posing with a glove that would look great on my mantle.
Winner - #133 Del Baker * Seriously, this card is awesome. It looks like a promo card from Karate Kid 17!!! The portrait is at an odd angle, and the smaller picture is one of Topps’ greatest selections. It is one of the only cards in the set that could have been issues in any decade of Topps products….classic.
1955 Topps
Runner up - #152 Harry Agganis * Sometimes, the cards we collect give us a clearer view into american history. Harry Agganis died during the 1955 season. During the 1970’s, he was elected to the college football hall of fame. This is a person that would have never been known to me. Through baseball cards, and the fact that his card has never been a common, means that the history of baseball still embraces him in the fraternity of those who dared to dream of a peaceful summer day playing a game he learned as a child.
Winner - #44 Corky Valentine * “Any Cincinnati Red is a good Red” helped Corky gain momentum in this contest, but the name Corky, along with the name Valentine is the perfect name for a ball player. Mr. Red is proudly running inside the logo box while the finished pitch and the clean portrait make this a tiny artistic masterpiece.
1956 Topps
Runner up - #91 Gail Harris * The entire 1956 set is filled with wonderful pictures of baseball during the 1950s. However, rarely did Topps put a negative play on a card. As I study the picture on this card, it looks like the throw took him off the base, so if he is the first baseman (which it certainly looks like), then the picture shows the opponent making it safely to first. Its like watching a video of a balk.
Winner - #318 Fred Hatfield * I always played in the infield during my little league days. I could make the throw from 3rd or shortstop, so I seemed to have a place. My low batting average was acceptable because of the greatest in the field…maybe….at least in my mind. Anyway, the small picture of this card seems to show him away from the field without the ball. This is in fact a play I utilized in my baseball career as well. If I hurt my fingers, I wouldn’t have been able to play my piano, and that would have been the down side.
1957 Topps
Runner up - #138 Minnie Minoso - I have long felt that, if we were the same age and all that kind of stuff, that Minnie and I could have been friends. He brought everything to the game that I would want to bring. In addition to that, the card shows an entire section of the stadium…a perfect balance of player and location.
Winner - #295 Joe Collins - As young collectors in the 60s and 70s, we studied and collected and sorted cards on a daily basis each day of our childhood. It wasn’t until the late 1970s when we finally learned that some cards were harder to find than others. While some years require a detailed checklist to identify the cards from rarer series, 1957 is different. The photography for the difficult mid series was easy to identify. While professional photographers could identify what the actual difference was, I knew that certain cards had a different “flavor”. To this day, it is still fun to see the contrast and remember how much fun is was (and is) to find those little treasurers in a stack of cards.
1958 Topps
Runner up - #458 Julio Becquer - I am a fan of colorful things; beab bag chairs, posters, food…it simply doesn’t matter..the more colorful it is, the more I probably like it. With that being said, the Julio Becquer card has a great look to it. The blue and yellow of the Senators insignia, coupled with the red throughout the card, and the fact that it has more than just his head (as many of the 1958s do) makes this card a solid artistic effort.
Winner - #483 Luis Aparicio Sport Magazine All Star - Great card….and the thing I like about it the most is the symmetry created with design and photograph together. I have composed music for much of my life, and have been intrigued by the golden ration of art and music. About 2/3s of the way through some piece of art/music/tv show/ movie etc, there is something significant happening. This card perfectly demonstrated that concept.
1959 Topps
Runner up - #180 Yogi Berra * I believe this to be the nicest looking Yogi card made. It could be the presence of the stadium in the background, the white lettering of his name, or simply an excellent photograph that was complimented by tasteful surrounding, this card is as close to perfect as a Yankee baseball card is allowed to get. I could have selected the entire Cincinnati Reds Team set for this honor as well. The black background on the cards make the Reds cards all make me smile.
Winner - #350 Ernie Banks * For some reason, the baseball superstars of 1959 really caught my eye. Not only is the Ernie Banks card absolutely perfect, but the Frank Robinson, Norm Cash, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Duke Snider cards are also nicely done. Ernie Banks was the real deal, and it was fun growing up. knowing that Ernie banks remained a positive, inspirational person…what a role model.
1960 Topps
Runner up - #321 Ron Fairly Rookie Outfielder card. *My favorite color is green, and this card is colorful, and well designed. Of course, I loved the A’s uniforms from the 1970s, and this design could have worked for an “Oakland Athletics only” card set. Bert Campaneris or Dick Green or John “Blue Moon” Odom cards in that design would be great!!!
Winner - #340 Harvey Haddix * Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have grown up in another city, rooting for a different home town team? Would we all be yankees fans if we were born in New York, or Cardinal fans in St. Louis or Braves fans in Atlanta? Would we all have felt the pain when the Dodgers moved, or the Pilots moved… I could have easily been a Pirates fan growing up in Pittsburgh. My favorite player was always Roberto Clemente….what a special person he was. The Harvey Haddix card even as a bonus player, sitting on the bench in the card. Harvey doesn’t look too super happy in the card, but what a pitcher he was.
1961 Topps
Runner up - While this set has never been my favorite set (it seems rather dark and unimaginative) there are some nicer cards. #141 Billy Williams is a nice looking card. The blue of the uniform goes well with the yellow and red of the card design. The”1961 Rookie” star at the top right is the final touch of a good looking card.
Winner - #571 Bill Mazeroski Sporting News * While sometimes I can appreciate a card without specific reasons why, this card is obvious to me. Most of the All Stars are head shots, or rather dark colored, the Bill Mazeroski picture seems to perfectly match the Sporting News Template. Bill Mazeroski was having a really good time in baseball during this time, and eventually was elected to the Hall of fame.
1962 Topps
Runner up - #99 Boog Powell * Imagine my surprise that, at some point in the late 1960s, my brothers and I found out that John Powell and Boog Powell were the same people. This was one of the first 1962s that my brothers and I came across as well. The rookie star in the right top corner, the classic Orioles hat with the bird and giant arm muscles….Great classic card.
Winner - #486 Jim Gilliam * Is it just me, or is the picture on this card simply a better quality picture? It could be the use of color in the background, or the lighting used when taking the picture, but this is a beautiful card. Imagine, if you will, the entire set of 1962 Topps cards using this type of design, color balance and clarity on the entire set…yeah, I would love it too!!!
1963 Topps
Runner up - While both Hank Aaron (390) and Boog Powell (398) had nice looking cards, this award goes to #427 Bernie Allen * I have always loved the Topps Trophy cards that they used when designating their All Star Rookie team. I think this card demonstrates the importance of lighter colors when creating a vibrant card. Much of this set is dark…often times darker hats blend into the darkness of the stadium seats. Still, the Bernie Allen card and a few others (278, 198, 128 to name a few) are balanced, nice looking cards.
Winner - #534 Ken Walters * In a set that lacks imagination and vibrant color, this card is wonderful. It is aided by the fact that Topps used a Red bottom border color that matches the Red on Walter’s uniform. Add the yellow inside the circle, and this card nails it. If you take a look at #521 (Dan Pfister), imagine how this card would have changed if taken with a light of even white background instead of the blackness of the stadium.
1964 Topps
Runner up - #538 Minnie Minoso * One of the great players and people of Baseball past. If I was born 15 years earlier, I most certainly would have been a Minnie Minoso fan. He could just plain hit. This card of him didn’t cross my path until the early 1980s, and was shocked that I had never seen this card in all of my adventures in collecting.
Winner - #412 Ray Culp * Great card…..The 1964 set is a far more colorful and enjoyable set to look at. The Ray Culp card would rank in the top 10 Topps cards ever produced. In some ways, the card demonstrates the importance of both balance and color diversity. The card would not have looked as good if Topps would have picked Red for the bottom color or the player would have had a Dodger blue uniform on.
1965 Topps
Runner up - #8 1964 ERA Leaders * I wonder if Koufax and Drysdale did this just to help Topps make this cool card? It was the first card with Koufax on it that we collected, although our version was truly beat up by the time we were done playing with it. The Koufax picture on the card has a player in the background, which begs to ask the question “who are all of these people in the backgrounds of these cards. Knowing that Pete Rose is on base on the 1971 card of Chris Short, and the 1971 Bud Harrelson card has Nolan Ryan pitching are simply fun facts that make collecting even more fun.
Winner - #279 Dick Tracewski * Whoever made the decision to use Orange as the second color on this card should be given a raise. The orange makes Tracewski’s glove pop and the centering of the picture once again brings me to the understanding of the Golden ratio. Add to that, the color of the hat matches the blue on the team flag, baseball card perfection.
1966 Topps
Runner up - #579 Orioles rookies * It is a risk to make multi player rookie cards. The pictures have to be pretty small, and there is limited information that be conveyed in such a small space. Still, Topps made one of its classic cards by making a simple, yet colorful design adjust to a horizontal three person rookie card. All three players went on to play in the big leagues and Johnson become a well respected manager after his playing days…cool card.
Winner - #72 Tony Perez * One of the great baseball cards of any time period. Tony is a class person, a great player, and still an under rated legend of the game. This card almost makes you think that he is going to catch the trophy in his glove. Sometimes, I wonder if the players have their favorite cards? Does Tony look at this card and think “what great color balance” or does he think, wow, that was a long time ago…look how young I am….aging happens to all of us.
1967 Topps
Runner up - #250 Hank Aaron * My favorite Aaron card. It looks as though he was out taking batting practice, and was asked to pose for a card. He was still keeping his eyes on the practice, and it makes for one very nice card. Henry Aaron is one of the great players and ambassadors of the game of baseball. He would be the kind of player I would love to sit down with and share stories over a lunch. I hear of prejudice and hatred that has been spewed forth toward Aaron and other players. I just don’t understand hatred.
Winner - #164 Dwight Siebler * It’s probably getting easier to guess which card will win the year. I love color and balance of design as well as photos that are NOT head shots with no hats. Don’t you think Billy O’Dell or Bernie Allen or Ron Kline would have preferred cards with their hats on? Siebler’s card is nicely designed, and the photography is excellent.
1968 Topps
Runner up - #360 Willie Horton * I absolutely love this card. It could have really won this year as well. I would love to have my baseball card be just like this card. Of course, finding Tigers in the 1968 set was always fun, as their World Series greatness was celebrated in the 1969 World Series subset. If I can’t have my baseball card made to match this, then can I at least have Mr. Horton’s cool looking blue hat?
Winner - #480 Manager’s Dream with Chico Cardenas, Tony Oliva and Roberto Clemente * Just think about it; a card with a Cincinnati Red, Tony Oliva..One on my favs, and my hero, Roberto Clemente. If I could have a card made into a 9 by 12 foot mural for my baseball wall, I would pick this card. Of course, I would have to get permission to put the mural up, and would have to make the mural, and then I would have to figure out how to hang…. OK, never mind about the mural. But it would be cool.
1969 Topps
The greatest set in Topps history (Biased opinion of course)
Runner up - As you can imagine, a collector who loves vivid color finding the 1969 Topps Baseball card set is a perfect match. There are about 100 cards that could be called my favorites but I have selected #95 Johnny Bench * I believe that this was the Johnny Bench Rookie in my mind. I know he was on a 1968 card with someone else, but this was all Johnny’s. It might be the only card selected in this chapter where the player is lacking a hat. Still, I love this card and when I think of my early memories of Johnny Bench and my dear Cincinnati Reds, I think of this card.
Winner - #490 Matty Alou * This has to be one of the nicest cards ever made. If a class was being offered in how to make a baseball card, this would get an A+. You can also see in the card, that Matty Alou was a relaxed hitter, and you can almost imagine him looking just like this when he hits a double down the right field line….and then being driven in by Clemente or Stargell.
1970 Topps
Runner up - First of all, let me say that it was rather surprising to see Topps follow two really colorful sets up with a gray bordered set. My guess is that those collectors who thought that 1969 was over the edge were pleased with the return to a more classic looking set. My appreciation for 1970 had increased as I have gotten older. #556 Dave Bristol * I hope Mr. Bristol isn’t upset, but my reason for picking this card is not because of the person in the card. The Pilots uniform is amazing. I would love to have that uniform to wear around the house, go grocery shopping, Christmas morning….whatever. Before the winner is announced, a small addition. If you look at card #570 (Jim Fregosi), you see a really nice looking white pickup truck.In fact, the photo is centered to the point that it looks a little like the photographer’s goal was to center the truck in between the wickets. Pretty funny card, but not the winner.
Winner - #238 Jose Laboy * First of all, great name… secondly, nice Expos uniform, thirdly, nice card. If you watch the baseball cards change throughout time, you see that these cards serve as a time capsule for a different time period. I really like this card, but I also appreciate what I see. The metal fence looks like a high school ball field. The cage holding the bats is from a time gone by, and the uniform looks different than anything else currently being used. Please don’t get me wrong; change can often times be a good thing. Improvements in player safety gear, improved television coverage and expanding the recruiting base to everyone has allowed the game to improve and see its area of coverage expand throughout the world. Still, there are aspects of our past that are meaningful to us, and seeing things that take us back to wonderful memories….and that’s a good thing.
1971 Topps
Runner up - #264 Joe Morgan * I had never seen a card like this before. As long as the player was wearing a hat with a logo, my brothers and I were OK with the card. In 1971, the action photography was amazing, Joe Morgan’s card was neat - an action shot with multiple people in the picture, and one of my favorite players portrayed…really nice. I assume that photography experts would say that using a picture where everyone is facing away from the camera is not good work, but I love the card….you go ‘lil Joe!!!
Winner - #131 Curt Blefary * As a kid, the first time I saw a sideways action card, I thought I had died and gone to Baseball card heaven. If I were ever able to collect 5000 cards of a player to wallpaper a room in my house, this could be the card I would select. For all of you Yankee fans out there, my enthusiasm over a Yankees card (the Munson is great too) should please you. If not, then remember 1976 when the Yankees got destroyed by the Big Red Machine…..I’m just saying. On a personal note - One of my baseball card dreams (no comments please) would be a series of 1969 Topps with Horizontal action photos. Imagine Doug Rader sliding into third or Juan Marichal with his long, stretched delivery; truly a remarkable potential just waiting for us.
1972 Topps
Runner up - For veteran collectors, you know that the photography used in the last two series make them easy to distinguish from the others. The last series is so bright while the penultimate series is darker. Therefore, the last series is where I find my favorites from the set (although Clemente, McRae IA, Ed Herrmann and even Pete Rose are nice cards) #696 Rod Carew In Action * Sometime in 1973, my brothers and I heard that the 1972 set had over 700 cards. Up until then, we assume the 5th series was the final series. Then came the realization that to complete the set would require us to find these tough cards (The 1972 football set has a far more difficult final series to find). The Rod Carew and the in action card of Carew would remain elusive for a number of years.
WInner - #660 Paul Blair * Great card…one of Topps’ best. Maybe it is the lightish color; of the nice picture or that he was an Oriole. Maybe it is that idea that it looks like snow on the ground in the picture. Maybe it is the “last series-ness” of the card. Whatever it might be, this has always been one of my favorites. I remember Paul Blair playing for the Reds in the late 70s for a little bit. One of my favorite players playing for my favorite team was almost more than a teenage baseball fanatic could bare. Just imagine if Roberto Clemente would have played for the Reds……..Wake up, wake up Doug, you’re dreaming again.
1973 Topps
Runner up - Luis Alvarado #627
When I first saw this card, I made the same observation that most people did; why did they take a picture of the parking lot. Of course now, we look at the card and think how cool the vintage rides are. Still, very few cards have so clearly encapsulated a time period as this time capsule has. I wish there was a card with like Johnny Bench in the driver’s seat of a VW Micro Bus or maybe George Foster riding in a 57’ Chevy….I’m just saying.
Winner - By now, you have surely figured out that I like colorful action cards and hate head shots with no hats. The Glenn Beckert #440 makes me wonder what he was saying to the ump. Was he saying “I think Ernie is right, let’s play two” or was he saying “you wouldn’t know a strike if it hit you upside the head.” Either way, the action shot with the green ivy on the walls of Wrigley make this card a winner in my book (literally!)
1974 Topps
Runner up - I remember early in 1974, that the Washington National’s version on some of the Padres cards were errors that would be corrected. That year, my goal was to find at least one before they were worth $1000s of dollars. David and I found a Bill Grief and a Fred Kendall as Washington Nationals. It saddened us a bit that most of our friends also found some. They are nice variations, but not super “I can buy an Island” kind of rare, but still fun. Anyway, that was just to let you know that the searching for the Washington Nationals kept me from seeing the beauty of these cards. They were more colorful than 1973 and simply seemed more modern and up to date. #150, John Mayberry is a wonderful card. The people in the seats seem to glow as he is swinging. I know that the clean photography of cards like the Winfield rookie, Cesar Cedeno or Diego Segui are classic poses, but once again, vivid color drew me in.
Winner - #473 - World Series game #2 - As kids, we were often disconnected with the business of baseball. Knowing how much players made was really no big deal to us. The history of a game that sits at the center of so much wonderful time in our childhood allows us to see the game as something more than a polite distraction. There was no regular card of Willie Mays in 1974. But he did appear on the Game 2 card commemorating the 1973 World Series. He was still good when he retired and they allowed both he and Hank Aaron to go back to the cities where they started. There is something decent and poetic about that. On a side note - when David and I were first out into the adult working and making money world, we took a look at what sets were the closest to completion. It was during this examination when we first discovered the fact that, for some odd reason, we were almost always missing the Willie Mays card in the set. Before the 1968 set, we only had a poor copy of the 1961 Topps card, which is NOT his best looking card. Luckily, a nicer 1965 Topps Mays came our way and the path towards “mays-ness” was opened again.
1975 Topps
Color!!! 1975 was a great, great year for being a young musical artist and collecting baseball cards. The color was amazing. Every card was a perfect work of art, although air brushing techniques had not been truly mastered yet. Plus, we got our trophies back for Topps rookie all stars. Card #407 Herb Washington was more of a fascination than a work of art. Imagine someone being hired as a professional baseball player just to run the bases. This sounded like a step towards our backyard rules with ghost runners, pitchers hand is out, and having other people run for you. Maybe I could perfect my third base skills, and they could find another player to hit the inside fastball. This one card could be the door that would allow a smallish right hander from Cincinnati to finally break into the big leagues.
Winner - #625 - Boog Powell - So here are the rules…. when Boog Powell calls you off the ball, go away!!! Boog Powell has been the favorite player of many fans over the years. Obviously, there is a pop up in the infield. If I was the pitcher in this scenario, I would run quickly back to the dugout to get Boog a cool drink, and then precede kindly back to the mound. By then, the ball might have dropped out of the sky…. or not. Either way, you are safe and Boog still likes you.
1976 Topps
Runner Up - #441 - Gary Carter - I bet this pick threw off the Vegas odds-makers. With all the action options for runner up. why pick a posed card? The picture, the quality of players, the trophy and the two color name plate to name a few. This card is an excellent example of balancing color with both vertical and horizontal symmetry. I always liked Gary Carter, as long as no one made it sound like he was better than Johnny Bench.
Winner - #167 Freddie Patek - I didn’t get to 5’8” until I was 26 years old. I am still hoping for 6” by age 60…..it’s always OK for creatives to dream. Mr. Patek was an inspiration for all three of us. As Artis Gilmores and Dave Winfield’s roamed the earth, we enjoyed seeing short players being successful. Here is my list of my favorite players that are might height or shorter.
1. Yogi Berra - If I was ever forced to be a Yankees fan (please Lord, no!), I could have been a Yogi Berra fan. OOO, it almost feels dirty to say that!
2. Kirby Puckett - What a wonderful player, man, idol, role model. RIP Mr. Puckett.
3. Jose Altuve - What a player. He is the latest of the short superstars of baseball.
4, Of course, Joe Morgan has to be on this list. The day he came over from the Astroes (along with Billingham and Geronimo) completed the construction of the Big Red Machine……and the rest is history.
1977 Topps
Runner up - First of all, it is important to note that the addition of the Bluejays and Mariners completely and forever messed up “color order” for my brothers and I. If they would have joined in 1969 with the rest of the expansion teams, they would have been given a color. But 1977 is another matter entirely. The other problem was that they were both American League teams….was were we to do. I knew it had something to do with the stupid DH, but I just couldn’t prove it.
Anyway, the #232 Record Breaker Minnie Minoso card is wonderful. Of course, in 1977, I was only 14 years old and being over 50 seemed like forever ago. Now, I see that 50 is still just a kid and I haven’t even hit middle age yet (I hope I sounded like I meant that). He is a good example of a player who should have been elected to the Hall of Fame. I have great admiration for players like Minnie, RIP.
Winner - #265 - Mark Fidrych - Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice. clean looking card. The trophy on the bottom right, the stadium seats in the background and a pleasant photo make this a nice card. But Mark Fidrych, the person was even better. He seemed to find joy in simple things and marched to the beat of his own drummer. I found great joy in seeing a player acting like himself. This authenticity is a trait that has remained with me throughout my life, and it has been people like Mark Fidrych who made it OK to see the world from a “slightly off-center” view. Thanks Mark.
Other cards of note
In the mid 1970s, the Icee’s you could get from the convenient store would have these odd shaped cards underneath the bottom of the cup. If you could get the card off before you spilled the icee on them, you would have a clean card for your collection. I already loved eating icees, so a baseball card attached to the cup was a great bonus. I loved the Tony Perez card, but Don Gullett was the one I was proudest of.
Topps often included some kind of insert card into its packs during the 60s and 70s. I had heard of the 1969 Topps Team poster set, but I never saw one during my childhood. I have since searched out an entire set of them, which hang professionally framed in my rec-room. I wonder how they could have sold these posters and I completely missed them. I was probably looking at the bubblegum or something stupid like that. I was such a stupid dummy-head.
I recently found 7 old cardboard street signs that I had up in my room during my childhood. On each one of them were stuck numerous Wacky Package stickers. While I realize that sticking them to a cardboard street sign ruins it’s “mint value”, I loved collecting those things. I’m sure that my fond memories of those stickers outweighs the value of them anyway.
This next story will cause you to cast dispersions upon me….but please be merciful for I was young and stupid.
In 1977, the family was visiting my Aunt and Uncle in Indiana. My cousins, Laura and Ellen were always fun to be with, so we knew it would be a good time. That weekend brought the possibility of going to see a movie. We all liked going to the movies…..popcorn with butter…’nuf said. Anyway, they all suggested that we go see this new movie that had come out called “Star Wars”. Everyone was OK with it except me. See, when I was younger, I saw an episode of Star Trek that had stupid little pancake looking creatures in it (I found out later they were called Neural Parasites) and I had bad dreams. This is when I said one of the worst things I have ever said. “Hey guys, I don’t want to see the movie…it’s probably scary. Let’s go see “The Rescuers”. With that one ridiculous sentence, I shamed my family forever. I sometimes still will feel the dark shame of my confused little voice ruining our chance to see the original Star Wars in the Theater in 1977. The force was not with me that night.
It was sometime in the 1980s (as for many collectors) that all the new sets overwhelmed me. When there was one main set, it was easy to keep track of the other little sets. With the advent of multiple companies issuing large sets, it simply became too much. Still, to this day the cards of my childhood are the cards I collect. I have recently achieved one of my childhood goals. I had always dreamed of having 9 complete 1969 Topps sets, so that each page was 9 cards of each player. With the last Nolan Ryan added to the collection, it is now complete. In retrospect, I am glad I didn’t decide to do that with 1933 Goudey; much tougher.
Postscript
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And so, this collection of memories and wishes comes to a close. Whether it was the colorful stacks of baseball wonderfulness that pulled us in, or the sports that the cards represented, baseball cards has remained a link between the three of us for almost 50 years. So many of the cards that we shared bring back such vivid memories; memories that have become a part of who we are and how we se the world. While it is fun to have the cards and share in their stories, it seems to me that the process of searching and trading and sharing and buying and selling the cards was always great, but it seems to be more than that to us. It is as if the cards, and the stories that they told served as a bridge for each stage of our lives. Cashing in 5 glass bottles to get enough money for a pack, making enough money to buy my own cards, sharing great finds with friends and family, or in sharing the love of the game with my children and grandchildren, these small photo cards have taken a place of honor in my life. If all of the cards of the world disappeared, the memories and stories of a game and a hobby that drew us so passionately into its grasp, would stay with us for all of our days. Whether the player was Wade Rowdon or Mickey Mantle, each told its story, and for that I am very much appreciative for the opportunity to join in the fun.
I reflect on my years as a baseball card collector, and I see that the time spent with the hobby served a multi-faceted role in my life. The stories and shared time with loved ones was, by far, the most valuable outcome of collecting. Maybe that was why a “hacked to bits” card worked so well for me. Cards with wear and tear having stories to tell, and that story have great depth and emotion.
I have started saving cards for my 3 grandsons. Their first three cards were 1962s; Rocky Colavito, Ron Santo and Deron Johnson. I thought those three players would be a good trio for them to research. My father’s favorite player was Ferris Fain. That was an early player I learned about. My favorite player was Roberto Clemente, and my son knows about him. Of course, as a fan of the Reds during the 1970s, I also appreciate the talents of Ed Armbrister, Ty Cline and Merv Rettenmund. Later, Nick Esasky, Todd Benzinger and Billy Hatcher. Later than that, Sean Casey, Austin Kearns and now Joey Votto and Billy Hamilton.
I believe the key to the whole collecting “thing” was in keeping perspective. We never let the cards get in the way of the three of us enjoying the ride. I think that is why we can look back on our childhood so fondly; loving parents raising three kids the best they can…. and that was perfect for us.
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Come ye spokes of forbidden tire.
Come forth the water dripping by.
Please do not fear the dogs and cats
Who sleep and slide on cards anew.
The box that falls from storage high
Is not to wonder how or why.
And cards in pockets tell us tales
And skip upon our memories deep.
So on this day, with heart and mind
Be grateful for the sport and such
For memories are bought and sold
With careful eye we choose our lot.
I harken back to early days
If Pocaroba be his name,
Or Davis, Aaron, Carlos May,
Foxx or Briggs or Jason Bay.
I’m thankful for the journey spent
With friends and family, off we went.
It never was about the cards,
The sales, the packs, the filled scorecards.
See, life is about the life to be.
A life worth living, a life with glee.
So I must close with one last thought.
It wasn’t what we had or not.
It was always about the shared story,
Of Rick and David and me.
- Doug