Crisis Vignette- Final Draft
Debra McNeely
October 17, 2013
Creative Writing- Eng 311
Ms. Stacy Dacheux

Street Life

The park bench that Walter has been sleeping on is getting colder as the weather get closer to winter. The chilly air blows through the sleeves of his tattered coat chilling him to the bone and he knows that it’s only going to get colder. The park is often visited by joggers who bring their dogs with them and bicycles are a common sight as well. The trees have already begun to shed their leaves with a few of them lying on Walter’s coat when he awoke. The sun began to warm the air burning off the morning dew bringing a new day. Walter begins to think about where he will live next, homelessness is not new as he has lived this way for several years. He decides it’s time to get up and move around so he won’t feel so stiff and to get his blood moving. Walter runs his fingers through thick graying hair and rubs his weathered face feeling the whiskers. He is desperate need of a shower and shave, it will make him look and feel younger. He pulls himself together finds himself a restroom to clean himself up to look presentable. He has his routine; gets up and goes to a familiar shelter that he has been to in the past hoping they will a warm bed for him providing protection from the harsh elements.
Walter arrives at the shelter and sees some familiar faces. He sees an old and greets warmly “Hi Amos, nice to see you again, it’s been a long time” he replied.
“Yes, it’s been a long time, it’s so nice to see you’re still around” Amos says laughingly.
“Say, where’s the nice young lady who I used to see working here?” asked Walter.
“She’s here somewhere, I just saw her a few minutes ago” replied Amos.
“Oh there she is Walter” “she’s walking to her office”
Walter makes his way down the corridor to the office of the homeless shelter, hoping to see the same lady who was so kind to him the last time he needed help. She was working at the shelter donating her time to help those less fortunate. He enters the office and sees the sweet smiling familiar face. He didn’t get her name the last time he was there but he noticed her name tag that read “Mary.”
“Hello Mary, do you have any beds available? It’s getting very cold outside and I smell rain in the air”
“Let me check and see if there is anything available” said Mary.
Mary returns with a sad look on her face and tells Walter “we are overloaded and there is a waiting list.” Walter thanks Mary and leaves. He finds that same response shelter after shelter. Walter is beginning to feel dejected and depressed because he knows this winter is going to be harsh and it could kill him. He has to find shelter. Suddenly, Walter hears the familiar sound of the train coming down the tracks. He remembers hoping the trains in his earlier days and with no shelters available he should head south where the weather is warmer. The sound of the trains whistle comforts Walter as he has fond memories of riding the train and meeting others in the same predicament.
Hopes and Dreams
Walter hopes he runs into an old friend name Otis who he shared many a midnight drinking binges with. They would tell each other tall tales and laugh! He has been reminiscing about his hobo days ever since he heard the train rolling down the tracks. He almost cannot wait to hop the train; looking for his next adventure through this tumultuous life. Soon approaching is the “beast” as Walter calls the old iron choo choo, a name he affectionately dubbed the train. Walter can see it getting closer to him as it is belching out smoke as it chugs towards him. As soon as the train got close enough, Walter began to run his legs off to catch it but he trips and falls so close to the train it terrified him. He gets and starts running as fast as he can, this time he catches handle on the door and grabs the rail with other hand and pulls himself in. He enters the boxcar and discovers his old friend Otis sitting there looking up at him.
“Wow, fancy meeting you here” cries Walter.
“Man it’s been so long since I saw, I was wondering if you were still alive” replied Otis.
“Shucks Otis, I was wondering the same thing about you”
“I say we pick up where we left off” said Otis.
“What did you have in mind” replied Walter. “Well, we could get off at the next town and get us some wine, maybe rob a store” Otis replied with a big grin on his face. “Well, I’m up for the wine but not down with the robbing”
Conclusion
An hour later the train begins to slow and Otis and Walter jump off so the conductor couldn’t see them. They find a party store next to the tracks and enter looking for their daily dose of wine…the next train was heading south. That was all that Walter and Otis needed to get to their warmer destination. Walter will no longer be sleeping in the cold.