Gentle Breeze (Guided Imagery)

Gentle Breeze

by Michelle Stiles

Sit down and take a deep breath.

Close your eyes, relax, and forget about any stress you have.

Picture yourself on a warm beach at sunset.

Look at the beautiful colors of the sky.

Feel the warm, gentle breeze caress your cheek.

Squish your bare feet in the sand.

Take a look around.

What do you see?

How do you feel?

When I count to 10 open your eyes and write.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!

The Girl With The Golden Gun

The Girl With The Golden Gun

by Michelle Stiles

Annabelle was a quiet girl. Her hair was red and her soul was on fire. All she wanted was to be loved. Her parents loved her and everything but some days she felt like they did not really care. Too wrapped up in their own life issues to ask her, “Are you ok?’

Her father, Walter was a simple country farmer. He grew up with three older brothers and always felt as step behind. Over the years, his brothers moved all over the country and although they kept in touch via cell phone he missed them very much. His life now was nothing like the good ole days when they’d go hunting in the woods behind their cottage home.  Although he loved his daughter, he really wished he had a son to shoot with.

Her mother, Leslie was a baker. All those early mornings rolling dough so she could “roll in the dough”. She was rather successful in her small business, “Sweet Cakes”. She baked cakes for all occasions like Sweet 16s and weddings.  She was a true talent and knew that love was the best ingredient.  All her cakes and pastries were made from scratch.

The family owned a small farm. Leslie used the chickens’ fresh eggs in her recipes. Annabelle had a special connection with the animals. They weren’t judgmental and rude like humans. Walter on the other hand, saw animals as nothing much more than profit makers and food. He absolutely loved to hunt and would keep taxidermies of his kills. They would eat venison on a regular basis. Leslie would prep the meals with tender loving care. They always came out delicious—savory without being too salty. She could really burn some pans. 

One night at dinner, Annabelle was feeling blue. She hardly touched her plate and tears were formed in her eyes. Seeing her daughter’s sadness, Leslie tapped her plate and said, “What’s the matter sweetheart?”

Leslie looked up and said, “Nothing Momma, I just feel alone.”

“But we’re right here baby. “ Walter interjected.

“Walter…” Leslie snapped. She could see that Annabelle was serious. Walter just hushed up and continued eating his venison meatloaf.

“How’s about we bake some dessert together? Just you and me Annabelle.” Leslie suggested.

Annabelle just rolled a pea around on her plate with her fork. Without looking up she said, “But we do that all the time. I want to do something different.”

A bit offended, Leslie just looked down and continued to eat her meal. Walter saw how Annabelle’s reaction hurt his wife’s feelings so he sat up straight, looked Annabelle in the eyes and said, “You know what Annabelle, your mother and I are trying here. Could you please at least attempt to be nice? How about you come shooting with me sometime?”

Annabelle looked up and snuffed her nose. “I don’t want anything to do with hurting innocent animals!”

“We don’t have to go hunting. We can just shoot soda cans in the backyard.” Walter suggested.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea Walter.” Leslie exclaimed.

Coming around, Annabelle smirked and said, “I guess we could give it a try.”

So after dinner, Walter and Annabelle went out back with a couple of guns and pairs of earphones while Leslie washed the dishes. Since Annabelle was only twelve years old and never really shot before, Walter gave her his old gold BB gun he used as a kid. Meanwhile he used his 44. He taught her how to aim and fire with the BB. She picked up on it quite quickly.

After a couple practice shots, Annabelle was really getting the hang of it.  Her frown had turned upside down. She was actually having fun. It also made Walter very happy to see his daughter enjoy shooting. The way they bonded over guns reminded him of the camaraderie between him and his brothers growing up. He had the realization that he did not need a son to be happy—Annabelle was more than enough. 

As they finished up the last of the bullets, Leslie came out with a fresh-baked strawberry rhubarb pie and vanilla ice cream.  The three of them ate their dessert on the back porch with the smell of gunpowder in the air and couldn’t be happier.

                                             The End.

Life is a Lump of Clay

Life is a Lump of Clay

by Michelle Stiles

You shape your life every day.

Sometimes life stays the same way.

Sometimes life is taken away.

You should always live up to all of your day.

Life is a lump of clay.

Red-Headed Slut (Screenplay)

Red-Headed Slut

by Michelle Stiles

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

In a Gothic motif bedroom a COUPLE is making out on the bed with satin sheets.

AMBER (30s), scantily clad feisty red-head and PABLO (20s), ruggedly handsome Latino from the wrong side of the tracks share a passionate kiss.

Pablo runs his hands through Amber’s hair as they lock eyes intimately. Amber reaches for the buttons on his shirt and undoes them.

Pablo sensually feels Amber up and leaves his hand on the small of her back.

Amber nibbles Pablo’s ear and he closes his eyes in bliss. Amber flashes him a teasing smile.

CLOSEUP of Amber’s left hand intertwined with Pablo’s hand. On her ring finger is a five carat diamond RING that twinkles in the light.

Suddenly, a loud ruckus is heard from behind the door. Both Pablo and Amber perk up in alert.

Amber tosses Pablo his shirt. Pablo dresses fast and heads towards the window. Just as Pablo opens the window NORMAN (30s), fat ugly man storms into the room.

Pablo looks like a deer in the headlights and bolts out the window. 

Norman runs after him but misses him by just a hair. Amber hides under the covers in fear.

Norman gives her a look of disappointment that shortly evolves into anger. He rushes over to the bed and rips the covers off of Amber. Her face is flushed and her lipstick is smeared.

Norman SLAPS her hard in the face. Amber covers her cheeks with her left hand as she cries.

Norman violently grabs her wrist and yanks off the RING. He shoves it in his pocket.

Amber carries an expression of shame along with a developing black eye. Norman angrily runs out of the room. SLAM goes the door behind him.

                                                                                                                END SCENE.

June Marie's Halloween

June Marie's Halloween

by Michelle Stiles

It was a typical Halloween night. All the little kids were out trick-or-treating and hanging out. Many of them went to a Halloween carnival at school. It was a great day for everyone—everyone except for June Marie Spelling. That was the day that the little 11 year-old girl was killed.
Halloween in Cranville: what a wonderful place. Everyone is always in the true Halloween spirit. All the houses have a jack-o-lantern and decorations all set up. It’s fun for everyone, especially the students of Cranville Elementary School. Ms Lafey’s class has the most spirited students of all.
“Oh, I’m so excited about Halloween,” said Emily Jude.
“Yeah, isn’t it just great? Candy is the best part! Isn’t it Emily?”
“Sure is June Marie!”
Emily and June Marie have been best friends since pre-k. They live next door to each other and are very close.
“So Emily, what are you going to be for Halloween?”
“I’m going to be a pirate!”
“That’s awesome. I’m going to be a ghost!”
“Cool.”
“Alright children, let’s all take our seats,” said Ms. Lafey. So they all sat down. “Ok kids, as you know the Halloween Carnival is coming up soon.” All of the students cheered. “Alright children, settle down. Now, the school has chosen our class to make a booth at the carnival!” The kids were so excited! “Now I want you all to go home and come up with one idea over the weekend.” The bell rang and everybody went to his or her buses.
June Marie and Emily were talking when all of a sudden a kid came up to them and recited a weird poem that went like this: “Halloween day, Halloween night. May this one give you a big scary fright. Monsters, spiders goblins, and ghouls. The pumpkin shall fall and justice be ruled!” Then the kid went on the bus.
“That was weird,” said Emily.
“You’re telling me!” remarked June Marie.
“So what’s your booth idea June Marie?”
“I’m not sure yet Emily. How about you?”
“Well, I was thinking I could get my mom to make her apple cider and we could sell it there.”
“That sounds cool. Ok, well I’m going home. See ya!"
“Bye,” Emily said as she went into her aunt’s house.
June Marie was walking to her house when her old mean neighbor said, “Well hello June Marie. Where are you going?”
“I’m just going home Mrs. Foolo.”
“Fine. Just keep your dog, Muffin, in your own yard!” She said as she pointed to Muffin’s little ‘accident’.
“Fine.”
Mrs. Foolo was the meanest lady in Cranville—at  least to June Marie. She was always nice to everyone but her, but June Marie never knew why. Every Halloween she would give out candy to everyone except June Marie. She was always cruel to her. June Marie thought that Mrs. Foolo was truly a witch.
Right before June Marie got to her house she saw a very freaky thing on the sidewalk. A bunch of sticks were placed together in the shape of a werewolf. This really freaked her out. The first thing that came to mind was that strange poem. She didn’t know what it meant, but she knew it was bad. So she walked on and went inside her house.
“I’m home!” she screamed.
“Honey, I’m in the den,” Mrs. Spelling answered. June Marie’s mom is really kind. She is a stay-at-home mom and was making decorations. June Marie told her about the carnival booth and her mother was very happy for her. Her father and sister, Sarah, weren’t quite as thrilled but still supported her.
A couple weeks past and it was finally the carnival. Halloween was finally here! Emily’s booth idea won and the cider was a big hit. June Marie and Emily went on most of the rides and while they were taking a break, June Marie noticed that the bobbing for apples contest was open. June Marie, Emily, and the winner of last year’s contest Lori, were against each other. It was a fierce competition. Eventually, the contest was over and June Marie won! But Lori was very jealous of her for stealing her title.
After the contest June Marie and Emily decided to go on the Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel is the best part of the carnival. It looked like a huge pumpkin. When they were getting on the ride, June Marie noticed that the ticket lady was no other than Mrs. Foolo.
“Hi June Marie. May I have your ticket?” she said in a fake voice. She just handed her the ticket.
“Well I noticed that you won the bobbing for apples contest.”
Suddenly, Lori appeared behind her grandma.
“Yes Grandma that’s the girl who took my title,” she said very crudely. June Marie just looked away.
“Alright it’s your turn June Marie.” Mrs. Foolo said in the same voice.
“Hope you have fun.” Lori said.
“Goodbye June Marie Spelling,” they both said. Then they made a witch’s cackle as the gate closed and she was off.
June Marie was very upset about the way Lori and Mrs. Foolo treated her. She even started to cry. Why did they always treat her so badly? A million ideas crossed her mind. June Marie all of sudden noticed how high up in the air she was. When she looked down she saw all of her family and friends. Everybody was in costume. She closed her eyes and saw monsters, spiders, goblins, and ghouls. Then she opened her eyes and the Ferris wheel was falling apart! June Marie’s life was flashing before her eyes as the pumpkin Ferris wheel was breaking beneath her. As she was looking down she screamed for her life and the scream slowly drifted away.
Nobody knows what happened to June Marie Spelling. Some say that she was crushed to death. Others say that the crashing metal harpooned her. But ever since that Halloween 11 people hear her horrifying scream. But Cranville has never been the same since June Marie’s last Halloween.`

Poor Little Dead Bird

               Poor Little Dead Bird
                   by Michelle Stiles

Poor little dead bird on the side of the road.
How sad it is to watch you corrode.
Your body, which was once light as a feather
Has now become a victim of weather.
You were so beautiful in flight.
Yet no-one now can stand your sight.
Eyes bulged out, flat as a pancake
Trying to get that worm was your final mistake.
Your brothers peck and eat your body.
Cannibalism at its best--I doubt they're sorry.
Must've been ran over by a truck I assume.
Those tumultuous machines that took you too soon.
They say, "now you're free"
"Free as a bird"--now that's bullshit you see.
For a bird is only as free as it can fly
Among the clouds in the iridescent sky.
But now you're gone--lost forever.
Except for your rotten corpse and your tail of feather.

  

Mergatroy

Mergatroy

by Michelle Stiles

          One morning Millie Workshire awoke to a loud blast. Her eyes alarmingly opened when she heard a sonic boom. She quickly got up out of bed and put her robe on over her long night gown. She peeked outside of her window and saw something incredible. It was a giant hole in the sidewalk with a little pink man inside of it. Frightened, she screamed so loud that her two cats Foo-Foo and Buttercup hissed with excitement. “What is that?” she thought to herself. In all of her years living in New York City she had never seen something so bizarre. 

Being a former reporter she had to investigate. So she rushed to her old desk and got out her camera, a pen, and a small notepad.  Millie slipped on her slippers and ran downstairs. The mix of fear and adrenaline was overwhelming. She had no idea why she was running to see it but she just had to find out what it was. Millie moved extremely fast for an 82 year old woman. When she got to the main door of her apartment building her senses came back to her and she pondered about the possible danger of what was out there. However, that did not stop her. Millie quietly opened the door. The slow creaking would have normally freaked her out but she was too curious to turn back now. As she opened the door a cool gust of wind blew through her white curls. She looked out and saw the pink man sitting on the bottom of her stoop. It did not look like any man she had seen before. He was pigmy sized, had no ears and was nude. He was making some weird muttering noise to himself. Millie took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to talk. “Excuse me sir, but who are you? And what are you doing in front of my apartment?” 

The creature slowly turned his head and Millie witnessed that he had huge dark eyes that looked to be crying. Suddenly she had a realization that this was no man—it was an alien! Her fear came back to her as the alien stood up to face her. He stood like a human but had no hair and two little slits for a nose!  She immediately screamed in fear, “Ahh!”

 Just as she was about to run back upstairs and call the police the alien spoke. “I mean no harm. I am Mergatroy. I was on my way to Saturn when my spaceship got trapped in a black hole. I somehow landed on this planet. Earth I believe. Can you help me?”  

Millie was shocked. Her doctor had told her she was in the first stage of Alzheimer’s. But this was so crazy that it was more than just forgetting what her late husband’s name was. Was she losing her mind? Was she off her rocker? She could not tell. Millie just took a deep breath and acted like it was just a tourist who had lost his way. “Wha…What do you want?” she stuttered. “Do you need to go somewhere? I can call you a cab.” She did not know what else to say.

Mergatroy replied by saying “I need to go someplace where there is vegetation. I need pollen to power my spaceship.”

Millie automatically thought of Central Park’s Strawberry Fields.  “I know where to take you. Come with me. First I need to get some things from my apartment and then we can take a cab.” Millie realized that she had to keep her knowledge of Mergatroy a secret because otherwise people would think she had gone mad. Her son Rick would probably try to put her into an insane asylum or nursing home again. Millie was too proud to be put in a home. There was also something about Mergatroy that she trusted. Perhaps it was the fact that he was about the same height and size of her great-grandson Billy.  Or that he was so polite when many people in the city are so rude. 

Millie led Mergatroy upstairs to her apartment. When she opened the door Foo-Foo pounced at Mergatroy. Mergatroy was scared but Millie assured him that Foo-Foo was harmless. She offered him a snack while she got ready—peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Mergatroy was delighted since he had never tasted anything so yummy. While he was eating Millie changed her clothes and freshened up. She decided to give Mergatroy one of Billy’s old outfits since there is no way that she can walk around New York City with a little naked man! Besides, Billy is so young that he would not care.

Millie has not seen Billy or his mother, Ruth, in several months. Her granddaughter Ruth stopped visiting ever since Millie refused to move into a nursing home. Ruth and her father Rick have been trying to convince Millie to go for the sake of her health. They claimed that it was not good for her to live in an apartment all by herself with just her cats as company. Millie did not see it that way. They argued, fought, and just decided to let Millie be. Ruth however, did not want to expose her young son to Millie’s forgetfulness and disagreeable attitude so she stopped bringing him around. Millie was saddened by that but she was set in her ways. She used to babysit Billy all of the time. She would bake cookies for him, bathe him, clothe him, and sing him to sleep. She also used to make him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for their picnic lunches at Central Park. It was Billy’s favorite sandwich. Oh how she missed him.

Millie came out of her bedroom all dressed and ready to go. She handed Mergatroy Billy’s outfit and told him to put it on. Billy’s outfit was a pair of denim overalls with a plaid T-shirt and little converse sneakers. She also gave him a denim hat and a pair of sunglasses to hide his face. After Mergatroy put on the outfit he looked so much like Billy that Millie shed a tear. After she collected herself, they were off to Central Park. Millie hailed them a cab and they drove through New York City. They passed main attractions such as the Empire State Building and Time’s Square. Mergatroy was looking out the window with awe. Never had he seen so many things going on in one place. The hustle and bustle of the city was so appealing to him. When they passed the Planetarium though, Mergatroy jumped for joy in his seat.

“Ooh can we go there after?!” he whispered to Millie.

Millie said “Yes of course”. She was enjoying the ride through the city as well. It made her nostalgic of her cab trips to the park with Billy. Eventually they arrived at Central Park. Millie paid the cabbie and they headed to Strawberry Fields.

Millie told Mergatroy to hold her hand so it looked like he was just a tot with his grandmother and not an alien life-form.  When he held her hand she was surprised at how slimy it was. She also noticed that he only had three fingers. It made her cringe but she had to put on a show. She missed the feeling of Billy’s chubby little hand when she held it. Until she held Mergatroy’s hand she felt as though he was Billy. The reality hit when she felt the slimy fingers in her palm. They walked passed a pretzel stand, a man playing the saxophone, and a woman drawing a caricature of a young couple. Central Park was at its best. All of the trees were lush, the sky was blue, and the tourists were admiring the general splendor. Both Millie and Mergatroy were enjoying themselves.

They finally arrived at Strawberry Fields. Luckily there were some dandelions so Mergatroy picked a bouquet and put them in his overalls pocket. After he collected his pollen he looked up at Millie and noticed that she was crying. He did not understand why she was sad—he did not know about humans and how they can have so many feelings. To make her feel better though he gave her one of the dandelions he picked. She smiled and thanked him. They walked back to the street to hail a cab to the Planetarium and then back to the house.

During the cab ride, Millie told Mergatroy all about Billy. Mergatroy was touched that he was making her so happy by spending the day with her. He could tell how sad and lonely she was by missing her great-grandson. On his planet, having a close family was a rare thing. They had to travel alone all of the time. There was no real company. For his kind, there were no kin relationships. The males would just mate with the females and that was it. Once the mother alien birthed the child alien they left forever. Mergatroy was on a quest to Saturn to find a mate. Hearing Millie’s sentiments of Billy made Mergatroy feel sorry for his future spon. They will not know the comfort of having anyone actually care for them. Mergatroy did not know of that comfort either until now. Lost in his thoughts, Mergatroy was surprised that he and Millie had already arrived at the Planetarium.

When they went into the Planetarium, Mergatroy felt at home. The displays of the planets, stars, and space crafts were all that he knew. He loved being there. Millie saw how happy being at the Planetarium made Mergatroy and that made her happy in return.  She bought Mergatroy a miniature model of the solar system and with a pen she had in her purse wrote on the planet Earth “To Mergatroy Love, Millie”. Mergatroy thanked Millie and Millie gave Mergatroy a kiss on the denim hat he was wearing. After they finished visiting the Planetarium they headed back to Millie’s apartment. In the cab they talked about how much fun they had and how they enjoyed each other’s company.

When Millie and Mergatroy arrived at the apartment they were both sad. Millie got to experience a fun day with a little man that reminded her of her estranged great-grandson. Mergatroy got to experience a fun day with a female who cared for him like family which he never before had experienced. Although Mergatroy was saddened, he still needed to fix his spaceship and go to Saturn. Mergatroy fueled up his spaceship with the dandelion pollen and it turned back on. He packed up his miniature solar system and went to say good-bye to Millie.

 While handing back Billy’s outfit, Mergatroy said to her “Thank you very much for all of your productive help. I thoroughly enjoyed myself today. Goodbye.” Millie started to tear up but then gave Mergatroy a kiss on the head. “Good-bye little one, I am going to miss you.” Mergatroy then got in his spaceship and took off into the sky. Millie took out the dandelion Mergatroy had given her and held it close to her chest. There on Earth sitting on her stoop, old little Millie Workshire waved up to the sky and said “Good-bye. I love you, Billy.”

Dish (screenplay)

Dish

by Michelle Stiles

INT. - CAFE' - DAY

JODI, 20, a petite blond dines with her best friend EMILY. Emily, 18, is a mousy brunette who wears glasses.

As Jodi and Emily browse the menu, an attractive waiter MARTIN walks up to their table with paper in hand.

MARTIN

What can I get for you ladies today?

JODI

Umm...I'll just have the Caesar salad with extra dressing on the side.

MARTIN

And to drink?

JODI

A lemon water please.

MARTIN

Alright, and for you Miss?

EMILY

Let me have a butter croissant. And can I getta cappuccino as well?

MARTIN

Sure thing.

Martin flashes a cheeky smile as he takes a small pencil out from behind his ear and writes down the orders.

MARTIN

Alrighty ladies, your orders should be out in no time.

As Martin walks away to the kitchen, Jodi and Emily check him out.

JODI

Damn! He's cute!

EMILY

Yeah, why do you think I come here?!

Jodi and Emily share a giggle.

JODI

So Em, I saw you chillin' with Whitney yesterday. How's she doing?

EMILY

Uh, she's ok I guess. Been acting kinda crazy lately.

JODI

How so?

EMILY

Well I hadn't seen her in awhile and she's been snapping at me for like no apparent reason.

JODI

That's odd. She's usually like mad nice.

EMILY

Yeah I know, I wanna confront her about it but I dunno how she'll react. And I heard something about her.

JODI

(excited)

What?!

EMILY

(in a hushed tone)

I heard she was pregnant.

JODI

What? When did this happen?

EMILY

Umm...the night before last. Our mutual friend told me. Apparently she's been wicked emotional and took a couple tests.

JODI

Oh my god! Who's the baby daddy?

Just as Emily is about to spill, Martin comes back with a tray in his hand. The girls stop talking.

MARTIN

Ok, lemon water for you.

Martin places the glass on Jodi's coaster. Jodi looks up at him with a smirk.

MARTIN

And a cappuccino for you. Careful it's really hot.

Emily gently puts her hands up as Martin places down the cappuccino.

JODI

Thanks!

MARTIN

No problem. Your food should be out in a little. Can I getcha anything while I'm here?

EMILY

No we're good, thanks.

MARTIN

Ok. If you do let me know.

Martin tends to another table.

JODI

Ok Em, spill.

EMILY

Uh, no I don't...I don't wanna say anything, it's not my place.

JODI

Oh c'mon, it's me! I won't tell.

EMILY

(looking down)

I dunno.

JODI

(with a puppy dog look)

Em?

EMILY

(timidly looks up)

Don't do the look!

JODI

 Oh, c'mon don't leave me hanging. Is it someone I know?

Emily is silent but glances towards Martin. She nods in his direction.

Jodi turns around in her chair to see Martin busting a table. She quickly turns around with an astonished expression.

JODI

(whispering)

No shit?! Its our waiter?!

EMILY

That's what I heard.

JODI

Oh my god!

Jodi turns around again to see Martin heading towards the table with the meals. Jodi turns around and exchanges a look with Emily.

Martin arrives at table and places meals in front of Jodi and Emily.

MARTIN

(with his cheeky smile)

Enjoy, ladies.

Martin walks back to the kitchen.

JODI

(under her breath)

We know you did buddy!

Emily is the only one who hears this. She and Jodi share a laugh.

Jodi and Emily eat their meals.

END SCENE.

Dogs

Dogs

by Michelle Stiles

 Dogs are man’s best friend.

That bond will never end.

Throughout time their will always be

A best friend for you and me.

Dogs have many jobs

                                                                To help the blind, 
                                                                To be kind,

               And help them through the day.

Dogs have other jobs too.

                      Hunting and police work is what they do.

              Saving lives and catching pheasants

               Make our lives much more pleasant.

There are many types of different dogs.

Some chase cats and some chase frogs.

Short ones, tall ones

Furry ones, bald ones!

Dogs are awesome creatures

They love to have fun.

Playing, chasing, chewing, fetch

The fun has just begun.

Dogs are really sweet.

They love tasty treats.

The loving never ends

From our canine friends.