Gary and the man in "March In Time" are on the rooftop where Ray was going to kill the racist man with his shotgun.This conversation takes place as Gary tries to get Ray to put the gun down, and understand just how he feels.

Any comments are welcome.

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A Rooftop Conversation
by Lori Anderson
 

Ray slowly put down his shotgun.  The confrontation had been peacefully avoided without any shooting from him. "You know I told you about what happened to my parents, but you don't know the whole story," he said to Gary.

"If you want to tell me, please go ahead.  If you don't, that's okay too," Gary told Ray.

Ray sighed.  "My parents were killed in the war and buried in the cemetary not far from here like I said.  Everything was peaceful and fine, until the bigot and his bunch showed up.  LIke they were going to do here, they got permission to march through town with their signs, and spread their message of hate. When they marched, they went right through where my parents are buried at, and without any respect for the dead, they trampled all over their plots and others there.  They made so rude comments as they did so. When they were done, the place almost looked like a tornado had hit it.  It took myself and some of the other men from town here to go, and restore what we could.  When I saw what they did to my parents grave, I was horrifed and angry.  I voved never to let it happen to anyone else if I could help it."

"So, when the group was going to march through this town, you were going to keep that vow by shooting and killing the leader."

Ray nodded.  "That is, until I saw his own son stand up to him.  I couldn't believe it.  Like the good book says, "And a child shall them."  I have to admit it took a lot of courage for him to do that.  I knew somehow inside, that boy didn't habor the beliefs his bigot father has.  That's why I lowered the gun and let you take it Gary.  Because of that boy's actions, there's no more of those hateful marches through anyone's town, and no one hears the hateful comments either."

Gary nodded.  "He's a hero in my book.  Let's get out of here and join the others."

The End

Email the author: lori@maplecity.com
 

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