Post by russellmorris on Jul 8, 2011 1:47:47 GMT -5
*An old white farm house sits next the railroad tracks on the outskirts of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. A train whistle sounds in the distance. As the train nears, the back door opens and out walks Russell Morris in a Ralph Lauren polo and slacks and a Jack and Coke in hand. He stands on the porch to watch the train go by. Once the train passes, he turns and goes back into the house with a slight smile. Annabelle is waiting for him in the kitchen.*
Annabelle: Really?
Russell: You have your hobbies and I have mine. Don’t judge.
*She laughs to herself, grabs her glass of wine and goes back into the living room. Russell takes a long look out the back window when his phone goes off. He looks down and see’s its his grandfather A. James Morris.*
Russell: (On phone) Hello. Oh hey Paw Paw. (waiting) Yeah, I did win that first match up here… (laughing) Yeah, guess those times you took me to the Sportatorium were helpful, if we could only tell Maw Maw that. Who told you I won? *sigh* Of course Mikey would. (Answering A. James’s question about his cousin) Yeah, he’s the biggest wrestling fan in the family. I’m just the guy who actually does it. (A. James has a long-winded remark) Well, thank you sir. (A. James continues his long-winded statement) Oh yes sir. Me and Annabelle have been up here celebrating. Gotta work out at some point today. (Laughing) Yeah, I know you can still drop me, so I don’t doubt you can drop everyone up here. (Waiting) Alright. Have a good one. Give Maw Maw a hug for me…bye Paw Paw.
*Russell hangs up his phone and places it back on the table. He goes into living room where Annabelle is curled up on the couch with her glass of wine, watching an America’s Next Top Model replay. He looks at the TV, then looks back at her.*
Russell: Really?
Annabelle: (mockingly) You have your hobbies and I have mine.
Russell: (rolling his eyes and fighting back laughing) Gimme the remote.
Annabelle: (As Russell scrolls through the on-screen guide, looking for anything besides her show) Weren’t you gonna go work out today?
Russell: Well, you go change into some “more comfortable,” and I’ll be there in about five minutes.
Annabelle: *sigh* Don’t you think about anything besides sex?
Russell: I do, but it ain’t football season.
Annabelle: (laughing) You are so dumb.
Russell: And you love it.
*Annabelle glares at Russell as he gives her a cheesy look. She laughs and gets up from the couch*
Annabelle: If we are going running, I need get out of these and put on some workout clothes.
Russell: Here, let me come help you out of that.
Annabelle: (flirting with him) If you haven’t already today, I don’t think you’ll be able to now. (He sits back, pretending to be appalled by what she said. She smiles as she walks into the hallway. She continues under her breath) Dumbass.
*Russell sits back and continues scrolling, finally reaching the sports channels, where he puts on the replay of his beloved Texas Rangers beating the Baltimore Orioles. He sits back on the couch, occasionally take a swig of his drink. After about 10 minutes, Annabelle emerges from the hallway in her workout clothes and earphones hanging around her neck.*
Annabelle: Get your fat ass up and go change.
Russell: What was that?!
Annabelle: You heard me. Let’s go.
Russell: (in a snotty tone) Yes mother.
*Annabelle kicks up her foot and plants it right in Russell’s backside softly. His head snaps around as she looks around the room, pretending to play innocent. He goes back into the bedroom and changes into a “Highland Park Football” t-shirt and an old pair of workout shorts from his days at UT. When the two leave the house, they go on a run up to the nearby town of Paradise. On the way back, they have to cross back over the railroad tracks. Right after they cross over, a whistle sounds. Russell stops to look back where the sound came from.*
Annabelle: (frustrated) RUSS!
*Russell snaps out of it and starts back running. Once they get back to the house and clean up a bit, they order in a pizza and make some more drinks for the evening. With a half eaten pizza sitting on the kitchen table and drinks on the end tables, the two have cuddled up under a blanket and watching an old favorite of theirs, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” After the movie finishes, Russell looks down onto his chest at Annabelle.*
Russell: (looking down) Anna? I know I won that first match, but do ya think this was the right move for me, well, us?
Annabelle: (sitting up) Russ? Are you serious?! Yeah, I mean, it ain’t Texas, and that does suck, but look at what you just did. If this is something you really want to do, you bet your ass it was the right move. And I know you really want this.
Russell: But why did you come with?
Annabelle: Well, its not that I don’t trust you, it’s I don’t trust them other girls. I mean, they all love that southern charm and stuff. I’ve seen that southern charm you can put on and trust me, you’d be beatin’ those girls off with a stick. And, what can I say, you’re kinda cute.
Russell: (pulling her back onto his chest) Thanks babe. (leans down to kiss the top of her head)
*A train whistle sounds in the distance. Russell sits up a little bit, like he’s going to get up and go out on the porch to watch it.*
Annabelle: I’m in perfect position to hit you in the balls and if you get up to look at that train, so help me God, I will hit you so hard, you won’t find them til you are gettin’ into your gear next Monday.
Russell: (sitting back) Love you too babe.
*Two hours later, after watching the news and another movie, Annabelle gets up from her comfortable position in Russell’s arm*
Annabelle: (getting up and patting Russell’s thigh) I’m going to bed sweetie.
Russell: Alright, (kissing her goodnight) I’m gonna have me one more drink and I’ll be in a little bit.
*Annabelle goes back to the bedroom and Russell pours himself a glass of scotch, grabs a cigar he had bought on the ride home from his first night in WCF, and walks out onto the back porch. He sits in the rocker looking up the hill towards the tracks. He reaches to turn on the radio, but before he can, “Texas Fight” begins playing on his phone. He looks down to see his father, David, is calling.*
Russell: Damn dad, don’t you realize how late it is up here?! (laughing) Yeah, I ‘spose you gotta point. What are you doin’ tonight?... Oh, you and momma headed down to Tyler to the farm. Fun. Mom doin’ alright?...Good, good. (waiting for his dad to finish his statement) Well thank you. I guess all I can do is just try to make y’all and Paw Paw and Maw Maw proud.(laughing) Yeah, I guess they weren’t ready for “Lone Star Strong.” I’ll tell you this, getting a farmhouse next to the tracks in Strasburg was definitely a good idea (chuckling)… She’s doin’ good. She just went to bed a couple minutes ago, so I’ll be in there here in a few. (Russell gets a good puff of his cigar) Yeah, I’m out on the porch having a drink and a cigar. (Exasperated) Now, you know what I drink when I'm having a smoke. What do I always drink at those times?...RIGHT! Come on old man (laughing). There is something I needed to talk to you about. (David already knows what his son is thinking and is telling Russell exactly that) Yeah. I don’t know what I should do or if I should even do it. (With conviction) Well yeah. You know that…Well, do you think that might screw up the whole “professional” side of it…Hmm. I just don’t know dad. (listening intently) Yeah, just gonna have to think about it. (Russell hangs his head, his right arm holding his cigar sitting on the armrest, thinking about what his dad is saying.) Yeah, well, I’ll be sure to let you know what comes of it, if anything. Alright…tell mom I love her. I’ll talk to you later…Bye dad.
*Morris places his phone on the table, his cigar in the ashtray next to his phone, then rocks back, running his hands through his hair as he has another exasperated sigh, eventually locking his hands together on the back of his head. After about a minute, he reaches down and turns on the radio, already set to the local country station, which is playing the song “Smoke Rings in the Dark” by Gary Allan. Russell grabs his cigar and takes another puff off of it, takes another drink of his scotch, sits back and reflects on decisions to be made as the steel guitar softly cries in the background.*
Annabelle: Really?
Russell: You have your hobbies and I have mine. Don’t judge.
*She laughs to herself, grabs her glass of wine and goes back into the living room. Russell takes a long look out the back window when his phone goes off. He looks down and see’s its his grandfather A. James Morris.*
Russell: (On phone) Hello. Oh hey Paw Paw. (waiting) Yeah, I did win that first match up here… (laughing) Yeah, guess those times you took me to the Sportatorium were helpful, if we could only tell Maw Maw that. Who told you I won? *sigh* Of course Mikey would. (Answering A. James’s question about his cousin) Yeah, he’s the biggest wrestling fan in the family. I’m just the guy who actually does it. (A. James has a long-winded remark) Well, thank you sir. (A. James continues his long-winded statement) Oh yes sir. Me and Annabelle have been up here celebrating. Gotta work out at some point today. (Laughing) Yeah, I know you can still drop me, so I don’t doubt you can drop everyone up here. (Waiting) Alright. Have a good one. Give Maw Maw a hug for me…bye Paw Paw.
*Russell hangs up his phone and places it back on the table. He goes into living room where Annabelle is curled up on the couch with her glass of wine, watching an America’s Next Top Model replay. He looks at the TV, then looks back at her.*
Russell: Really?
Annabelle: (mockingly) You have your hobbies and I have mine.
Russell: (rolling his eyes and fighting back laughing) Gimme the remote.
Annabelle: (As Russell scrolls through the on-screen guide, looking for anything besides her show) Weren’t you gonna go work out today?
Russell: Well, you go change into some “more comfortable,” and I’ll be there in about five minutes.
Annabelle: *sigh* Don’t you think about anything besides sex?
Russell: I do, but it ain’t football season.
Annabelle: (laughing) You are so dumb.
Russell: And you love it.
*Annabelle glares at Russell as he gives her a cheesy look. She laughs and gets up from the couch*
Annabelle: If we are going running, I need get out of these and put on some workout clothes.
Russell: Here, let me come help you out of that.
Annabelle: (flirting with him) If you haven’t already today, I don’t think you’ll be able to now. (He sits back, pretending to be appalled by what she said. She smiles as she walks into the hallway. She continues under her breath) Dumbass.
*Russell sits back and continues scrolling, finally reaching the sports channels, where he puts on the replay of his beloved Texas Rangers beating the Baltimore Orioles. He sits back on the couch, occasionally take a swig of his drink. After about 10 minutes, Annabelle emerges from the hallway in her workout clothes and earphones hanging around her neck.*
Annabelle: Get your fat ass up and go change.
Russell: What was that?!
Annabelle: You heard me. Let’s go.
Russell: (in a snotty tone) Yes mother.
*Annabelle kicks up her foot and plants it right in Russell’s backside softly. His head snaps around as she looks around the room, pretending to play innocent. He goes back into the bedroom and changes into a “Highland Park Football” t-shirt and an old pair of workout shorts from his days at UT. When the two leave the house, they go on a run up to the nearby town of Paradise. On the way back, they have to cross back over the railroad tracks. Right after they cross over, a whistle sounds. Russell stops to look back where the sound came from.*
Annabelle: (frustrated) RUSS!
*Russell snaps out of it and starts back running. Once they get back to the house and clean up a bit, they order in a pizza and make some more drinks for the evening. With a half eaten pizza sitting on the kitchen table and drinks on the end tables, the two have cuddled up under a blanket and watching an old favorite of theirs, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” After the movie finishes, Russell looks down onto his chest at Annabelle.*
Russell: (looking down) Anna? I know I won that first match, but do ya think this was the right move for me, well, us?
Annabelle: (sitting up) Russ? Are you serious?! Yeah, I mean, it ain’t Texas, and that does suck, but look at what you just did. If this is something you really want to do, you bet your ass it was the right move. And I know you really want this.
Russell: But why did you come with?
Annabelle: Well, its not that I don’t trust you, it’s I don’t trust them other girls. I mean, they all love that southern charm and stuff. I’ve seen that southern charm you can put on and trust me, you’d be beatin’ those girls off with a stick. And, what can I say, you’re kinda cute.
Russell: (pulling her back onto his chest) Thanks babe. (leans down to kiss the top of her head)
*A train whistle sounds in the distance. Russell sits up a little bit, like he’s going to get up and go out on the porch to watch it.*
Annabelle: I’m in perfect position to hit you in the balls and if you get up to look at that train, so help me God, I will hit you so hard, you won’t find them til you are gettin’ into your gear next Monday.
Russell: (sitting back) Love you too babe.
*Two hours later, after watching the news and another movie, Annabelle gets up from her comfortable position in Russell’s arm*
Annabelle: (getting up and patting Russell’s thigh) I’m going to bed sweetie.
Russell: Alright, (kissing her goodnight) I’m gonna have me one more drink and I’ll be in a little bit.
*Annabelle goes back to the bedroom and Russell pours himself a glass of scotch, grabs a cigar he had bought on the ride home from his first night in WCF, and walks out onto the back porch. He sits in the rocker looking up the hill towards the tracks. He reaches to turn on the radio, but before he can, “Texas Fight” begins playing on his phone. He looks down to see his father, David, is calling.*
Russell: Damn dad, don’t you realize how late it is up here?! (laughing) Yeah, I ‘spose you gotta point. What are you doin’ tonight?... Oh, you and momma headed down to Tyler to the farm. Fun. Mom doin’ alright?...Good, good. (waiting for his dad to finish his statement) Well thank you. I guess all I can do is just try to make y’all and Paw Paw and Maw Maw proud.(laughing) Yeah, I guess they weren’t ready for “Lone Star Strong.” I’ll tell you this, getting a farmhouse next to the tracks in Strasburg was definitely a good idea (chuckling)… She’s doin’ good. She just went to bed a couple minutes ago, so I’ll be in there here in a few. (Russell gets a good puff of his cigar) Yeah, I’m out on the porch having a drink and a cigar. (Exasperated) Now, you know what I drink when I'm having a smoke. What do I always drink at those times?...RIGHT! Come on old man (laughing). There is something I needed to talk to you about. (David already knows what his son is thinking and is telling Russell exactly that) Yeah. I don’t know what I should do or if I should even do it. (With conviction) Well yeah. You know that…Well, do you think that might screw up the whole “professional” side of it…Hmm. I just don’t know dad. (listening intently) Yeah, just gonna have to think about it. (Russell hangs his head, his right arm holding his cigar sitting on the armrest, thinking about what his dad is saying.) Yeah, well, I’ll be sure to let you know what comes of it, if anything. Alright…tell mom I love her. I’ll talk to you later…Bye dad.
*Morris places his phone on the table, his cigar in the ashtray next to his phone, then rocks back, running his hands through his hair as he has another exasperated sigh, eventually locking his hands together on the back of his head. After about a minute, he reaches down and turns on the radio, already set to the local country station, which is playing the song “Smoke Rings in the Dark” by Gary Allan. Russell grabs his cigar and takes another puff off of it, takes another drink of his scotch, sits back and reflects on decisions to be made as the steel guitar softly cries in the background.*