SCUFFS ON A WALL
by Bryce Kanights
It was Thursday evening, 6:37 p.m., to
be exact. Herbert Belmont had a rough
day at work and his bones were aching
from standing on his feet all day at the
machine shop. Herb often felt this way
at the end of the day, for there was not
brilliance in his day-in, day-out employment
on the east side of town. He worked
hard for his dough, and was proud to
be a mechanic.
Herb began to watch his favorite
evening his well worn lounge chair.
a game show on television while
in
His wife Lorna was busy preparing their
supper in the kitchen. As Herb lifted his
half-full mug of beer to his mouth, he
heard a loud, unfamiliar sound outside
of his two-story home. KA-CLUNK! He
heard it again.
Herb rose from his chair and curiously
walked towards the front room window.
KA-CLUNK! He looked out to the
sidewalk below and noticed a small
s gathered in front
group of sa INK! These kids
of his home.
were taking turns riding down the
sidewalk and onto Herb's property. They
thought nothing of it. To them it was
mere skateboarding KA-CLUNK! Herbi
now realized how the front wall of his
home had obtained several large,
arch-shaped scuffs and a major gouge.
KA-CLUNK!
He raced downstairs to the front
door and confronted the group of four-
wheeled terrorists.
"Just what the hell do you kids think
you're doing? You good for nothing
vandals are destroying my property!"
Herb shouted in an angry tone.
"We're just havin' fun, mister," said
the oldest of the group. "We didn't
mean to disturb you."
"Hell, you kids have done more than
that. You see those scuffs on my wall-
how do you think they got there? Why
don't you go and play on someone
else's property? I work hard all day.
While Herb continued to lecture them,
the pack of skaters quickly took off
down the street and put Herb's.
suggestion into motion as they quickly
discovered another wall to leave their
marks on.
When the tough get going, the going gets
scuffed. Carl Hyndman etches his mark on a well-
worn wall.