Chapter 2 - Romance (Part 2)

Chapter 2 - Romance (Part 2)

He didn’t say a word about him and Jenny to his brothers because they wouldn’t agree on their romance. He brought his guitar along with him every time he met Jenny. They played and sang songs together and taught each other the musical instruments that they were expert in. They were so happy and enjoy their life. Soon, they got married secretly and Jenny was pregnant.

On the other hand, Joseph neglected his gang. The bad cowboys soon found out the romance between him and Jenny. They argued and had a fight. They were so angry and felt that their brother – Joseph had betrayed them for having a wife without their knowledge. The villains then tailed him to Jenny’s house. It was raining cats and dogs outside. They followed him into the house and they confronted Joseph inside the house. Joseph was shocked and he just couldn’t answer why he kept his marriage from his brothers at this moment. Davis couldn’t get the answer that he wanted and soon he got angry. He started to make a mess at Joseph’s house. Joseph begged them to stop but the villains showed no mercy. Jenny cried and ran towards Davis. She tried to stop Davis although she knew that she couldn’t. In the process, he pushed away the pregnant Jenny away ruthless and Jenny fell to the ground.

“Ahhhhhh…”Jenny yelled in pain.

She lost her baby.

It was the saddest day of the world. The rain outside didn’t wash away their sadness and the thunder storm added to their pain.

Chapter 5 - Let's Go Back to Bandera (Part 2)

Chapter 5 - Let's Go Back to Bandera (Part 2)(Last Chapter)

Joseph didn't do what as others expected. He calmly disarmed himself, put it on the floor and kicked the gun set to them.

"I didn't want to fight, I just want to talk." He continued to talk.

"Brothers, I know i was wrong at keeping my marriage thing to all of you. I was wrong, I'm now seeking for forgiveness from all of you, forgive me like how I’ve forgiven all of you. I guess neither among you know that Jenny was pregnant that time. My poor child, he was not able to live to call his daddy and mummy and get to take his first breath. He was dead in his mum's tummy. I planned to surprise all of you with my newborn child, but I didn't have a chance to do that. Despite all this, I chose to forgive. Look at me, I’m a changed person now. There are so many things we can do besides the bad things. Guys, they were all over now. I just hope that we can be together again like last time." Joseph swallowed his saliva down from his throat.

Jenny coudn't stand with it anymore. She burst out with tears and cried unstoppably.

The bar was in silence and full with sadness at his moment.

The brothers realized. We can tell from their face that they felt guilty towards Joseph. They just wanted to teach Joseph a lesson for neglecting them for a woman. They didn't expect the worst thing that had happened to happen.

Joseph broke the silence. He started to do what he always did with his brothers to celebrate victory. It was their signature move.

"Tuk Tuk (clap), Tuk Tuk (clap), Tuk Tuk (clap)"

"Tuk Tuk (clap), Tuk Tuk (clap), Tuk Tuk (clap) "

The brothers put down the guns and followed the move.

"Tuk Tuk (clap), Tuk Tuk (clap), Tuk Tuk (clap)

We will we will rock you...rock you!

We will we will rock you...rock you!

It was a very touching moment. The brothers ran towards him to hug him.

"Sorry, sorry. We promise you! We wouldn't hurt you and anyone anymore. Please forgive us."

They said together with consensus.

"Yes, yes. We are fine now, we are still brothers."

In the end, the bad cowboys from Bandera, Texas turned good. They decided to run a business and they opened a bar. Jenny and Joseph soon had another child whom they named the child as Bendición that carries the meaning of ‘Blessing’ in English. The cowboys lived together happily ever after, in this famous cowboy town with the new family members.

The End

Chapter 5 - Let's Go Back to Bandera (Part 1)

Chapter 5 - Let's go back to Bandera

Travelled for a couple of hours on the horses, they finally reached at Bandera - the place where the story began. They got there right before dawn.

He jumped down from the horse, and offered his hand to Jenny.

"Heeeeemmmm..." He took a deep breath, stretched his body and watched the sun rose from the mountain side.

The sunlight of the dawn warmed their hearts. They looked a little bit worried when they reached, but now, they looked relieved.

"I miss this place so much. It was like the old times." He then took up the luggage and said, "let's go."

They headed to the bar that the brothers and he always loitered at. He didn't know why but his heart told him that they were there.

He pushed the bar door and went inside with Jenny. He saw all his brothers were there, slept on the table of the bar, and some on the sofa. They all were smelly. They were probably drunk last night. The swingy door made a sound and alerted one of them. It was Kelvin. Kelvin was the closest brother to Joseph.

Kelvin opened his eyes and saw Joseph. He couldn't believe his eyes. "Oh my god!Is that you? Oh my god!" He shouted with excitement.

The sound soon awoke the rest of the brothers. Davis and Bunny saw him and jumped down from the chairs swiftly. They pulled out their magnums at their waist, pointed at Joseph. They thought Joseph wanted to revenge.

"Why are you here? What do you want?" They pointed at Joseph, asked Joseph with a shocked voice.

“Wait for me outside” Joseph asked Jenny to leave when the situation became a little bit out of control.

“Don’t want! I want to stay together with you! I won’t leave as long as you are here! Let’s leave now, they are going to kill you! I don’t want to lose you. Please…we’ll leave together or face them together here” Jenny said.

“Ok, but promise me, stay at my back and take care of yourself. Run without me when you need to do so.” Joseph whispered.

Chapter 4 – Reunion

Chapter 4 – Reunion

“…Just the way you like.” The song ended with applause by both of them.

Joseph’s tears began to fall. He realized that he was wrong towards Jenny, and he should have faced the incident with courage, take up the responsibility to take care of the family. He knew that he was wrong. He quickly knelt on the ground to seek for forgiveness. Jenny smiled at him and told him that she never blamed him.

At this moment, everything disappeared. What’s left was a cup of 30’s chivas on the table. He shouted loudly, paid the bills and ran towards his home. He realized that what he had been doing before this were so wrong, and the world was still as wonderful as before, just that he did not realized it. The good memories swung in his mind while he was running. He felt bad towards his beloved wife. On his way, he fell down. Nothing can stop him from moving on anymore. He stood up, ignoring the pain and continued to run, until he reached home.

The moment he saw Jenny, he hugged her and say many times of sorry, probably a thousand times. Jenny said nothing and straight gave Joseph a kiss.

"I think I still have something to finish off." Joseph whispered gently to Jenny. He looked determined.

"What is it?"

"Let's go back to Bandera."

"But...don't...just let it go!Forget about revenge!" Jenny pulled his shirt nervously as she said this, and looked at him with watery eyes.

"Just trust me once more, I got to finish this, I’ll do nothing silly."

"Ok...wherever you want to go, I'll stay together with you." She nodded her head and her mind eased as he replied.

"Let's go."

They quickly packed their things and departed for Bandera, Texas - The place where this story began and is going to end. This place was full with both their happy and sad memories. What will happen in this famous cowboy town? What were the things that he need to finish off in this town? Stay tuned.

Chapter 3 – Move on

Chapter 3 – Move on

They moved to another cowboy town, hoping that it will help them to forget the tough time they had. Jenny moved on with her life but Joseph couldn’t. Joseph couldn’t accept the tragedy that had happened to his family. He blamed himself for not able to protect his family and he got their child killed. He was so depressed. He got himself drunk ever night, substitute the water in his bathtub with wine, sunk himself in the world of alcohols everyday to help him feel better. Jenny cried every night when she saw the half-dead Joseph.

The depressed state of Joseph carried on for the next few months. The Sunday evening, he went to the bar that he visits frequently. Soon, he was drunk again and fell asleep on the table. He had a dream. He saw an extremely shining light coming from the bar door. Some voice came along with the light. “Wake up, son. You are not alone, you still have your wife, music and many other wonderful things to care about. Forget about what had happened and move on with your life. Your wife needs you.” The voice said.

He ran towards the light, but the light gone as he ran forward. He felt that he was full with energy, and empowered by the light. The light disappeared but he saw a shadow. The shadow became clear and clearer as he came close. He saw a Kenya guy standing at the middle.

*Kenya guy who was believed to be an angel appeared and started to rap.

“You bastard, you neglected your wife…blab la blaa blaa blaa…wake up wake up, look beside you, the world is so wonderful, the world hasn’t abandoned you, but you abandoned the world…” the rapper continues.

Joseph finished hearing what the Kenya guy rapped, and he ran away. He realized something but wasn’t sure what it is.

Two guys appeared and blocked his way. They are Ling Long and Liu Rui. They started to play Er hu and Keyboard.

*~~♩~♫ ~♬ ~♭~ ♯~~

The amazing combination of the Chinese and western musical instrument impressed Joseph. It was perfect! They rhythm they played was sad but encouraging, but it was like telling Joseph to move on with his life and to do something.

*On his way back to home, he met a lot of talented person performing shows.

*At his final destination – his home, he saw Jenny. She stood at the front yard, waving hands to him, and started to sing the Bruno Mars’s “Just the way you are”. It reminded him of the first time they really talked to each other and how they were fallen in love with each other. He hadn’t seen Jenny smile and sing again since the incident. She danced happily along with the songs and Joseph soon joined her together to sing the song. It was like the old times.

Chapter 2 - Romance (Part 1)

Chapter 2 - Romance

He wanted to approach her but he didn't have to courage to do so. He didn't want to disturb her. He then decided to leave. "Cleeracckkk!", he broke a dead branch and he was about to leave. The song stopped.

"Oh my goodness!What have I done?"

This is the first thing that came across his mind when he broke the branch. He stood still and reluctant to turn aroun

d to face her, he was too shy to do so. The girl broke the silence.

"Hi, I'm Jenny, nice to meet you", the girl said.

"Hello, I'm Joseph, nice to meet you too." he replied with a shaky voice.

Jenny came forward to him, gave him a western hug to welcome him to the house. He rejected the hug uncomfortably. He was shy.

“No...no...I have to leave now, I’m sorry” he turned around and ran quickly back to the town.

For the whole night, the images of the girl kept appearing on his mind. How she danced, how she looked like, how sweet was her voice, her songs and also how rude was he when he turned down her hug and invitation. “Arghhh!” he shouted loudly and regretted why he reacted that way.

He returned to the jungle to look for Jenny the next morning. “Jenny, I shouldn’t have acted that way last night, accept my apology please”, he did not raise his head until Jenny replied with a smile,

“It’s ok, I understand that”. She put down her twilight and looked at his eyes. “Do you like…” Both came out from their mouth at the same time. They were stunned by each other.

“You first”, Joseph said politely.

“Do you like to sing?”

“Yes and no.” Joseph did not know what he was talking about.

She smiled and began to sing softly with a phrase of lyrics. “Oh her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they’re not shining.”

“Bruno Mars’s ‘Just the way you are’, come on let’s sing”.

“..Just the way you are”. The song ends. “Hahaha!” They laughed out loud and suddenly they stopped. They looked at each other eyes. Joseph’s heart pumped real fast until he can’t catch his breath. He felt that his vessels were going to burst soon. Jenny looked at him with a nervously, she was expecting Joseph to say something.

“I…” He couldn’t say a word. He couldn’t control himself anymore.

He kissed Jenny.

Jenny didn’t reject the kiss. They started their beautiful romance on the beautiful 7 July morning.

The Story of Bandera, Texas - Chapter 1 - Mr Joseph

Here's a story that I wrote for a sketch performed during Talent Time February 2011 organized by UTAR. I named the story of this sketch as "The Story of Bandera, Texas". Enjoy reading, pals.

Introduction

The story begins with a main character – Joseph at the famous cowboy town, Bandera, Texas. He depicts the image of a romantic and kind-hearted cowboy in the era of Wild West when the state was lawless in year 1977.

Chapter 1 – Mr Joseph

Joseph was an orphan since he was born. He was adopted raised up to adults by one of the villains from the mafia cowboy gang. As he grew up, he became one of them. He had lot of best friends named Davis, Kelvin, and Bunny whom he called them brothers. The gang was cruel, violent, they were drug dealers and abusers that favours gambling and prostitution. They killed people, burned houses down and stole things. They were totally a gang of bastards living in a lawless state, bullying people and often drinking free in the bar.

However, Joseph, although as part of the gang, did not really look like a real villain. He portrayed the image of a 'kind-hearted villain' that made him a little bit noticeable by the spectators. He did not agree on what his brother had always been doing. Inside him, there's something that he was enthusiastic of, other than being a bad guy. In fact, he was born kind-hearted and he often felt bad towards their wrongdoings. Instead, he loved to play musical instruments and singing very much, he'd got some talents in these things. He hated what his gang always did to the poor civilians. He tried to persuade his brothers, enlighten their heart with teaching of faith, but it didn't work well. He could've left the brothers, but he just can't bring himself from doing so, because his brothers were all that he'd got. They were as close as to relationships of blood-related kins. For Joseph, they were all the things that he had in this world.

He did have his ways to get rid of the merciful thoughts in this mind towards the victims after each incident. He would normally grasp some fresh air and drink some lonely beer along the walkways of jungle near the bar his gang went every day, to free his mind from these bad things that haunted him every night. One morning, he had his routine, drinking beer, enjoying a cigar which he had stolen from another scumbag, trying to forget about what his gang had done towards the late sheriff previously. The jungle was so silent that morning.

"♩~♫ ~♬ ~♭~ ♯~" Suddenly some musical notes flew softly across air, coming from the other side of the jungle.

The music flew across him, it was so soft, attractive, and messages carried by the notes were so genuine. He found some peace from the rhythms. He decided to follow the music, walked along the path and he finally found the source. 1.5 miles inside the jungle, there was a girl in country dress, singing songs, and dancing happily in her world. He came closer and leaned against the tree to watch. The girl was so pretty, so elegant and she was so into her song. He totally fell in love with her at his first sight of her.

Appreciation Note to Sketch Crews

Dear Sketch Crews,

First of all, thank you for participating in the sketch show of Talent Time February 2011. I have a few words for all of you.

The sketch was started a bit late so everything also needed to rush. The story, finding the actors, the props and all other things were very last minute. However, I'm so impressed by the commitments of director , the narrator and all the actors put in. One week, we did it within one week. To be exact, excluding all the ice breaking time, flow discussion, time loss for coming late and stuffs, the actual practice duration is less than one week. However, you guys still able to make the sketch a success one in such a short period. I'm so impressed with you guys' performance and commitment towards the sketch.

The first time we met for the practice, all of you were not even friends, i can imagine how awkward all of you were during the first practice. Your were not able to express yourself well on the first day because of that. We were so worried so gave you guys some pressures. We should be more considerate because it's normal to feel weird to work with strangers that you just met. The committees would like to apologize for that.

One day before the event, before the rehearsal, while director and me were busy with other stuffs, you all knew what you had to do, and started to make the boxes, and painted them. There were altogether 6 boxes!!!That really required a lot of efforts to paint. Your friends too, volunteered to help us to do the props. The outfit for trees that you all made were very nice and cute.Your efforts, we all see them in our eyes, and we deeply appreciate it.

During the rehearsal, many problems occurred, technical problems, the background setting

problems and all sorts of problems suddenly appeared to interrupt our rehearsal, but these things didn't bring your spirit down. You guys didn't give up and instead contributed to solve the problems. I knew that you guys were so tired, some of you including Joseph Lam and Kaili Yip were at the hall since the early morning till the next morning 3am, but you guys didn't complain and insisted to practice with the props once more before you all were back to rest. At that moment when you guys were rehearsing, I really felt touched and honestly, tears nearly dropped from my eyes.

On the event day morning, you guys came earlier than anyone else, skipped lot of classes to practice for the last time(I know that you don't care about the exemption for classes.). I knew that you guys were so nervous before the show but you guys knew that you were ready to perform. And at last, we were able to finish the sketch, with praises and applause by the audience and the organizing committees. You guys had proven to me that you guys are capable,

committed, responsible and so good at acting (can consider to join the entertainment industry in the future.).

Bell and Catherine - the fruits and squids dealers, and Adrian - the granny, I felt regret for cancelling your role at the very last minute. You all have joined us for practices but not able to to perform on the event.Although you guy didn't perform on the event but I take you guys as part of the team. I appreciate your participation in the sketch show. And also for that matter, i sincerely apologize to three of you.

Our director -Wong Jun Xian, had definitely put in the most efforts than anyone else. He knew that he won't be around on Saturday but he still took up the job to lead the team. He could choose to walk away and wash his hands off of these troublesome things but he did not. Furthermore, I didn't hear a simple word of complaint from him throughout the process of preparation. He successfully transformed the simple story that I wrote into actions, seperated the story into scenes and then make it to become an amazing sketch show. The commitment fr

om him is as huge as the committee's. In my heart, he is already an organizing committee. He certainly deserve a special thanks from all the organizing committees.

Lastly, on behalf of all committees of Talent Time February 2011, I would like to express my gratitude towards your contribution to the success of this event.

Thank you, Wong Jun Xuan (Director)

David (Asst. Manager - Script)

Sound Technician - E-Chuan

Thank you actors and actress:

Joseph (Male Lead - Joseph)

Kaili (Female Lead - Jenny)

AhXiao, Chern Chyi and Derek Tham (Davis and Brothers)

Venon (Head of Sheriff)

Aaron, Johnson, Cayton (Sheriffs)

Abraham Sebastian (The narrator)

Hamara (The rapper)

Trees (Venon, Calo and me)

All of you are the best!

Yours sincerely,

Toh Kim Hou, David

Organizing Sponsorship Manager & Asst manager for Sketch Show

Talent Time February 2011