A Heated Dialogue
The Narrator is, once again, not happy with The Author
This is the next chapter, or perhaps interlude, in The Shambella Saga.
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A Heated Dialogue Between The Narrator and The Author
Narrator: What in the unholy realms are you doing?
Author: What do you mean?
Narrator: Don’t play innocent! It’s plain that you included yourself in this story!
Author: Well, yes, here I am!
Narrator: No, dammit, I mean this Doose guy! It’s just you! Guy plays bass at open mic? Drunken, directionless wastrel who never listens to anybody? Sad, beautiful songs? And by the way, though I agree your songs are, in a manner of speaking, sad, they are hardly beautiful!
Author: Ouch, man. Look, I know you’re technically the narrator—and frankly you kind of suck at it—
Narrator: Screw you!
Author: No thanks, sweetheart. Look, I’m a writer and I gotta write what I know, man. All these characters are, to some extent, a part of me, a reflection of me, but they are also their own people, with their own personalities, trying to tell me something that I need to tell the world. Doose, I admit, is a lot closer to the mark, or the Rommi—
Narrator: (sighs)
Auhor: (laughs) Closer to me than the others, but he’s still a distinct character in his own right.
Narrator: But why? Why should such a character even be necessary?
Author: Why is anything necessary?
Narrator:
Author:
Narrator: Okay, fine. It’s not like I have a choice since you’re the one holding the proverbial pen, but I think it’s stupid.
Author: Sometimes things seem like they don’t belong because it’s not what we want at the time, but if we give it time, they will reveal to us why they showed up in the first place. Before the end, you will see how indispensable Doose really is. So just suck it up, buttercup, cuz we got a ways to go.
Narrator: So should I say Doose looks like you?
Author: Ah! Now that is a point I want to address!
I won’t presume to have any chance in the million hells for this to be adapted to film, but I want everyone to know that all the human characters can be whatever race, provided the actor fits the part.
I don’t want any quibbling over that. The reader is free to imagine the human characters to look however they want. This isn’t a story about ethnicity, which is why I’ve left so many of the details about their appearance ambiguous.
It’s set in an intentionally absurd post-apocalyptic world where the political strife of our day has been rendered meaningless, in order to broaden the theme so as to focus on the intellectual and moral interplay of the actors in the story—their most essential humanity—and how they react to the events that play out. It’s about their inner life, not their outward appearance. Their spiritual life, not their place in a society that no longer exists.
What someone looks like does not have a thing to do with who they are inside, and, as we see with David the Cat—who I hope they will adapt as described—I am not beyond redemption arcs for even those who once performed the most odious of actions. Like you, for instance.
Narrator: Okay. We can stop now.
Author: Yeah, I thought that would shut you up. So, you ready to start Doose’s backstory? It’s up next.
Narrator: (sighs) Yes. But I don’t have to like it.
Author: Tough titty, said the kitty, but the milk’s still good.
***** * *****
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About the Creator
C. Rommial Butler
C. Rommial Butler is a writer, musician and philosopher from Indianapolis, IN. His works can be found online through multiple streaming services and booksellers.
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Comments (10)
Oh this was wonderfully clever, Rommi! I thoroughly enjoyed this "interlude"! The back and forth was so spunky! And I really liked the remarks on characters all having a piece of you and how what a character looks like can be moot in light of the grander scheme! Very well done!
This is a fascinating glimpse into the creative process! The dialogue between the Narrator and the Author is witty and insightful. I love the Author's emphasis on the importance of inner life and the freedom of interpretation for readers. The discussion about representation and the intentional ambiguity regarding the characters' appearances is particularly thought-provoking. I'm eager to learn more about Doose's backstory and see how this "interlude" unfolds within the larger narrative of The Shambella Saga.
Hahahahahahhahaha these two are hilarious! And it's so cool that Doose the Ghost is based on you. I wanna be Colt, can I? Hehehehe
I haven't heard that last line of the story since I was a child. I really like this chapter in many ways especially for chutzpah you share. Good job.
One day Ill have to sit down and reread the series and catch ones I missed. As far a dialogue goes, this was brilliant.
Clever little dialogue!
Reminded me a little of Mel Brooks movie, lol
This was such a fun back-and-forth between the narrator and the author! The playful, sarcastic tone makes it feel like a battle of wills. Doose’s backstory is definitely shaping up to be an interesting turn in The Shambella Saga! Keep up the great work—this dialogue has me hooked!
Next instalment please! Great discourse here too. I especially liked the blank lines. Made me laugh. And I liked the reference to your dad's line at the end. Nicely done or as as writer I admire would say "Well-wrought!"
I love a story that obliterates the fourth wall. Great interlude, Rommi!