It is alive!!
I am keeping my blog alive so the first step i am taking is posting my storytelling assignment. Do comments on it especially if the mistakes are grammatically errors.
Title: Vacumn
The familiar “ode to joy” tune, crudely mimicked by the doorbell, breaks Mr. Chan’s attention from the 52-inch plasma television. With the help of his walking stick, he totters across the vast living room, beautified with exquisite furniture, toward the large wooden door. He wrestles with the doorknob and plays tag-o-war with the heavy door, only to reveal a middle-aged man.
The visitor’s thinning gray hair fails to cover his oily bald front, which glows under the harsh afternoon sun. The man musters his perfected smile, showing off his wrinkles at the sides of his eyes. He speaks in a rapid and rhythmic pace.
“Good morning, Mr. Chan. I am David from OMG, Overseas Microrid Groups. You arranged for a demo for the steamflux 240,am I right?”
“ Ye…”
David interrupts.
“Steamflux 240 is the number one bestselling vacuum. Why you may ask? The machine used a … ”
“ David, What about doing it inside?” Chan cuts in, causing David to snap out of his rapid mode.
“ Oh. Sure. Mr. Chan.” Ending off his words with the same smile.
Chan holds the door, while David picks up the bulky vacuum cleaner with his right and a bagful of accessories with his left. David enters the house, mesmerizes at the richness of the house’s decor. Chan points to the empty spot between the television and leather sofa.
”You can set up the machine there.” Says Chan.
”Any drinks for you?” Chan asks as he heads towards kitchen.
” Water will do. You are a nice man. You own this beautiful house and don’t act like others do.” Said David.
”I know people like them. They don’t know how hard we work for our money.” Chan replies.
“True true.”
Chan wobbles out of the kitchen with a tall glass of water. While attaching the flexible hose to the machine, David starts pitching.
“Thank you. As I was saying, steamflux 240 is the number one bestselling vacuum cleaner in Singapore. Here’s why. In a house, I am right to say you need to clean the curtains, windows, floors, stove, oven, sinks and toilet bowls?”
Mr. Chan lightly nods his head. David flashes his signature smile
”You know what? The 240 does allll of it.”
“Hmmm. Yes, yes. That is really amazing. Hmmm. You know I got three sons, all grown now. What about you? Ahhh. I can still …”
”I used to have two. They are living with their mother now. Well, back to the machine, let me show you…”
Steamflux roars into life.
“Last but not least, each Steamflux 240 includes a free set of essential oils and… that about it. That’s end of the two-hour demo.” He speaks while looking at his watch.
“So how many sets would you like to order? You know what? I think the 240 will do good for your sons. A discount for you if you’re buying bulk.”
“To be honest, I don’t intend on buying any.”
Chan’s words catch David off guard. He slowly twists his head toward Chan, trying hard to keep his smile.
“Why then, you got me here?”
“My wife and friends are all gone. All I do is watch TV all day.” Mr. Chan says matter-of-factly.
Chan’s response wipes the smile off the David’s face.
His tone turns more irritable.
”You can travel around, heck, in first class. Go skiing in Europe. And what you do? HA. You call salesman down and take him out for a ride.“
” Oh,nooo. My eldest son owns this house. Doesn’t have a maid, so I look after the house only when they’re gone. My sons never like me. My grandchildren don’t even know I exist. I lived alone in a studio apartment and have no need for such noisy machine.”
Silence. David breaks the silence as he starts to dismantle the vacuum pipe. Chan defends himself.
” But don’t you even feel lonely?”
David tightens his grip of the vacuum pipe.
” Damn it! Everyone does.” David splats.
He pauses his packing. He bites his teeth hard against each other and shallows hard, resisting the urge.
His voice trembles with frustration.
“Af …After they left, it got worse. That… that woman had to snatched them away from me and you know? You know what I do? I pay her. I pay her half of my salary cos that the damn LAW.”
His last word rings across the hollow house. He dumps the accessories into the bag. He wants out. Now.
Chan watches him pack with a look of disappointment. He staggers toward the house door and opens it for David’s departure. David stands up with the vacuum and bag in his hands and struggle slightly with the weight of the machine. His watered eyes fix on the opened door. He storms his way out.
Chan’s disappointment vanishes in an instant. Chan staggers back and slumps on the sofa. Bending his poor back forward, he feels around under the cold gaudy coffee table and retrieves a blue file.
Chan randomly picks up a pamphlet among the many others from inside the file. He slides his thick glasses down the bridge of his nose. Straining his eyes as he reads the small letterings. Without looking, he reaches for the cordless phone. He refers back each time he presses a button. With the phone against his ear, he waits for a response. He fakes a much pitiful and frail voice.
“ Good afternoon, my name is Philip Chan. I have been hearing about this Jesus Christ from my friends, but my poor health keeps me from (coughs) going out to church. I was wondering if someone would be kind enough to… “
