Inspiration #8

Neil thought he was being punished.  Perhaps for not giving to the less fortunate.  Perhaps for touching himself.  Whatever it was, the situation was not his fault.

First line inspiration was rather specific this time!  From "Hell is the Absence of God" by Ted Chiang: "This is the story of a man named Neil Fisk, and how he came to love God."  Chiang's story is a fascinating exploration of all the ways people love God, especially the ultimate love of God, which is incredibly depressing.  The feeling I get from this story is quite a bit like the feelings I got from the required readings as an undergraduate English major and I'm glad I don't have to write papers about them anymore.  If you want to recreate this feeling of vaguely understanding the reasons why a reading should give you a sudden sense of the futility of life, or if you'd like to give your religious faith a test-shake, read this story!

Pageant Question: Which TV show best describes your family?

FADE IN:

INT. ADDAMS LIVING ROOM - NOON

C.U. TWO HANDS ARE GRIPPING EACH OTHER FIRMLY.  PAN OUT TO SEE GOMEZ ARM WRESTLING WITH THING, AND LOSING.

GOMEZ

(HAND GOING TO THE TABLE) You win again, Thing!  How did you get so strong?

THING PERFORMS FINGER EXERCISES.

GOMEZ (con't.)

Ah, I see!  Well, I can't compete with that.  Perhaps Grandmama can give you a run for the money.

THING SHIVERS AND CLOSES HIMSELF INTO HIS BOX.

MORTICIA ENTERS FROM THE CONSERVATORY

MORTICIA

Gomez, my love.

GOMEZ

Morticia!

GOMEZ RUSHES OVER TO EMBRACE MORTICIA.  THE SHARE A PASSIONATE KISS.  GRANDMAMA ENTERS, UNNOTICED, HOLDING A GONG.

GRANDMAMA

(HITTING THE GONG) Lunch!  Get it while it's still alive.

GRANDMAMA EXITS.  GOMEZ AND MORTICIA UNCLENCH.

GOMEZ

When did you have your molars pointed?

MOTRICIA

(PLEASED) You noticed.  Lunch is ready, and I mean to tear in.

GOMEZ

Save some for me later.

MORTICIA

Always.