Intro to my new book (standard:humor, 473 words)
Author: Reid Laurence	Added: Jul 27 2006	Views/Reads: 3481/2	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The introduction to my new book; Ticket To Happiness or the Self-Indulgent Truth, gives the reader a hint or feeling for where the story is headed. America is a nation based on a system of reward for hard work, but just where it all leads to is difficult

Introduction to my new book; Ticket To Happiness or the Self-Indulgent
Truth... 

I was walking through the woods one day not long ago, when a man who
appeared to have something important on his mind came up to me, and out 
of nowhere, struck up a friendly conversation. I say, out of nowhere 
because having come from Chicago, when somebody suddenly approaches you 
like that, you brace yourself and get ready for what could be, a very 
unpleasant situation. But after seeing that he had two big green pods 
in his hands, I dropped my guard a bit, and began to wonder just what 
in the world these things could be. I guessed that they were either 
walnuts or chestnuts but he said no to both, and began talking to me 
about their origin and what they meant to the people in the Ozark 
region... 

“Nope,” he began. “They ain't chestnuts or walnuts. They're buckeyes.” 

“Can I eat ‘em?” I asked, feeling assured that I'd asked a reasonable
question because I thought, after all, since they looked so much like 
chestnuts, then surely they must be edible. But he answered with a 
smile on his face and a firm, “No. Can't eat ‘em. Squirrels eat ‘em but 
not people.” 

“Well, what are they for then?” I questioned, feeling just a little let
down that I hadn't just discovered a new culinary delight. 

“They're for good luck,” he said. “Hillbillies around here keep ‘em in
their pockets. Imma hillbilly. I keep one in mah pocket too. Where ya 
from?” he asked suddenly. 

“Chicago,” I answered, “but I'm a hillbilly too now. At least, a
hillbilly-in-progress.” He laughed at my jest and continued... “You 
keep ‘em. Put one in yer pocket an give one ta yer wife,” he said, 
taking note of my better half now seated in our family sedan, waiting 
for me. “Give this to ‘er,” he said, putting both buckeyes in my hands, 
then taking a step back as our conversation came to a close. 

“You're sure I can't eat ‘em?” I asked again, as he started to walk
away. Who knows why really, maybe I asked him one more time just for 
good luck. “Ah'm sure. Just keep it in yer pocket.” 

Getting into the car, I started to explain to my wife what had just
happened and before I could tell her what these big green pods were, 
what do you think she asked me? “Can you eat ‘em?” she said, innocently 
enough. 

“Nope.” 

“Then whaddaya do with ‘em?” 

“Ya peel ‘em,” I said, “and keep ‘em in your pocket for good luck. But
Mary?” I asked, starting the car and turning to meet her eyes with 
mine. “You think my luck will change and actually get better?” 

“Maybe so,” she answered. “Guess we'll just have ta wait an see.”


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