- Richard
- Lizzie
- Serendipidy
- Norval Joe
- Tom
- Planet Z
RICHARD
— Some bad hat —
You had be to either brave or stupid to go out in public wearing it.
It’s not so much the style or design making it inappropriate, or that hats aren’t my thing – I quite like them, really.
Neither is it because it’s a baseball cap… which I’ve always considered ridiculous on anyone no longer a teenager.
It’s the slogan printed on it that makes it a silly hat. If not a downright problematic one.
But, it was a gift from my mum.
And I’d have to be even braver or more stupid not to wear it, knowing she might find out!
LIZZIE
Hot chocolate for 25 cents. Silly hats get an extra free cup. And everyone made an effort. There were hats with books, hats with colorful feathers, hats with numbers, hats with beautiful flowers. But hers was the winning hat. It had happy chirping birds. At first, people thought the birds were tied to the hat. But they weren’t! They were just sitting on it. And they weren’t afraid either. How did you do it, people asked, mesmerized. She just walked around, sipping her extra cup of chocolate slowly and smiling. Animals know. They just know. A smile can do wonders!
TOM
Careful
Tommy wore a brave silly hat. It was made of paper and cotton and
things. It was kind-a pointed and kind-a round. Some thought it well …
silly, others were impressed with the absolute conviction of his choice
to place it on his head while carrying out his daily duties. Later in
life he joined the order and rose rapidly in its ranks. Each level he
reached was met with different silly hat. When Tommy was chosen Pope, he
was given his last brave silly hat. What everyone was not ready for was
the new pope’s name. Judas the first.
SERENDIPIDY
It wouldn’t be long before he passed out, his body was fighting the drugs, but the challenge would eventually prove too much. It was simply a matter of time.
Not that I was about to hang around until he lost consciousness. I had things to do: I had a children’s party to arrange, and shopping to do, and the drugs would do their job, without me being around.
Later, when I returned, and before the kids started to arrive, I’d get to work on preparing the party games.
And he, would make the best game of Operation, they’d ever played!
NORVAL JOE
Billbert turned the TV to the nature channel, hoping the girls would soon get bored and go off to bed. Neither was willing to give up her claim before the other and eventually the two girls fell fast asleep. Feeling it was too much of a challenge to slip out without waking them, he settled in for the night. He would have to brave his parents’ reaction when they found them in the morning, looking like they had all passed out on the couch. Billbert drifted off to a documentary about a lion and his lionesses on the African savanna.
PLANET Z
Every time the teacher called on Billy, he’d pass out and fall on the floor.
He passed out a lot.
The school nurse thought there was a serious problem, but Billy’s parents were Christian Scientists and vegans.
Instead of going to a doctor, they prayed over Billy.
In the end, they prayed over his grave.
The autopsy showed that Billy had severe malnutrition and other developmental problems that could have been easily resolved by adjusting his diet.
Charged with child abuse and murder, the courtroom became a circus.
Freedom of religion, their lawyers said.
At least they never had another kid.