22 Feb 2012, Posted by caburkes in Random Crap, No Comments. Tagged Corey Conscience, EXACTLY, JOB, Madalyn Aaron

A Visit from Grandma and Orson Wells: The Venting of Corey A. Burkes

CRASH!

Things were not right  the home of Author Corey A. Burkes. Sounds of things breaking and things being thrown could be heard from within. A dark cloud brewed directly above the roof and from what was a sunny bright day, the house suddenly became a haunted establishment.

Corey’s Conscience decided to sit this one out and sat on the porch, drinking a cool glass of sweet tea while the carnage continued inside. Pulling up to the drive way in her old teal colored Chevrolet, Corey’s grandmother, Madalyn Aaron (who passed away back in 1986), stepped out of the car putting her keys away in her purse. Everything about her movement and style was 1950′s ‘June Cleaver’. Even down to her polka dot skirt.

“I came as soon as I could.” She said to Corey’s Conscience. “Where is he?”

“You don’t hear all of that?” CRASH! “He’s still inside.”

“What happened?”

“He got the news that … well, here.”

He handed her a print out to the news of a Kickstarter campaign that won $1.25 million for a web comic: ( http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/comics/article/50733-web-comic-raises-1-25m-on-kickstarter.html) She didn’t have to read very far, handing it back with a very sad expression. “Oh dear.”

“I can’t get through to him. He’s totally lost it this time.”

“Isn’t that your JOB? You’re supposed to be able to even him out at times of stress.”

“This one is major.”

Madalyn stepped past Corey’s Conscience and went to open the door. “They all are major. The dynamics may have changed. Maybe the players but everything is major. You’re here to sooth and make him see clearly.”

“Maybe I’m having trouble seeing clearly, myself, on this one.”

Madalyn looked at the Conscience for a minute, then realized there was no more noise coming from within the house. Opening the door, she stepped in to look about carefully. “Come on. Let’s go.”

 

Madalyn Aaron and Corey’s Conscience stepped into the home; a wreck to be sure. Everything that couldn’t be wrenched from the walls was destroyed and laid waste throughout the house. Furniture turned over, pictures broken and TV’s smashed. Sitting on a mountain of debris was Corey Aaron Burkes, typing on his laptop.

“Where’d you go?” He asked while typing. “when the going gets tough, the tough get going, huh? Where’s all your pretty ‘its going to be alright’ speeches now?” He looked up and saw it was his grandmother there, frowning at him from across the room. “Fucking coward. You went and got her!?!”

“First,” Madalyn said firmly. “I don’t appreciate that kind of  language around me. Come here and give me a hug.”

“The hell!” Corey yelled. “Did you read that shit! Some mother fucker got his hands on $1.25 million. Not a dollar twenty five. Not one thousand twenty five. ONE point TWO-Five Million. MILLION!”

“So?”

Corey almost choked on her response. “So? Do you even know what the hell I had to do to get $100,000?”

“But you didn’t succeed at getting $100,000.”

“My fucking point EXACTLY. So many mother fucking bitches out there … giving me the fucking riot act … ‘the amount was too high’ bullshit and look at what this dude got and he was going for only $57,000. Okay … never mind the money. Let’s see what his project was about? A fucking web comic … no animation … and the art looks like SHIT! What … THE … FUCK!”

“Calm down.”

Corey throws his laptop against the wall and it shatters into pieces.

“I’m outta here.” His Conscience side stepped, caught by Madalyn’s swift hand.

“No, you need to stay. Go ahead, baby. I’m listening.”

“Do you listen?” Corey shouted. “Who the fuck does? Who in the hell listens to me. I say such-n-such is going to be big next year. I get laughed at and played like a joke. Come the following year it’s huge and everyone else gets praise. I say I have a book that has a great story, can I get a little help marketing it. Maybe a little money to buy ads. I’m told no and years later its flying off Amazon with two movies prior that seem really familiar to my shit. What does it fucking take for anyone to goddamn believe in me?!?”

“Why do you need others to believe in you?” She asked.

“Well, I don’t know. Maybe some backing. Shit can’t operate on good intentions alone. What’s funny is, I rarely ask anyone for money. Rarely. Anytime I do, it’s always NO so I’m out there busting my ass alone with what I got. So I do the Kickstarter thing with a solid idea that …” Corey broke off so angry, he was fuming at every word. “I had proven actors and past performers interested in being part of this project. That alone should have helped the cause. It was a money making concept if it was backed. Instant drawing power. A solid break down of the budget. And I couldn’t even get half the damn cast themselves to donate. Not even fucking Monica!”

“Did you ask her?”

“Hell yes I did. All I asked was at least one dollar to put names up there. One fucking measly ass dollar and she donates at the last day AFTER I blow up on her for not donating anything. Fuck her and fuck everybody else for not donating. It could have been a win for everybody and this is the response I get. Now look at this fucking guy getting millions for a stand alone, non-animated web comic with art I can shit from last nights dinner. My goddamn daughter can draw, in her sleep, better than that! What the fucking hell is that about????? I didn’t come up with anything strange or … or … unusual. It was a fucking TV series online. Plain and simple with guest stars with draw power. You could have donated from a dollar on up with rewards that were really cool. Fucking Kickstarter is telling me I had too many rewards. This guy who just got $1.25 had SIXTY-FIVE LEVELS of rewards. This right here is everything that I say is NOT FAIR. I busted my ass. BUSTED MY ASS and begged people to at least spread the word and I’m finding out mostly everybody did not do it. I’m finding out a everyone is a bunch of pussy’s who wouldn’t step up when i asked … then turn around asking me for shit like everything is cool in the gang. Oh, can I get a website. Oh can i get a book cover. Oh, can you write this. can you do that. Fuck ya’ll. Bet some of these same mother fuckers donated to this guy and his web comic!” Corey sat back laughing to himself. “This is some shit. I’ll tell you.”

Madalyn sighed and shook her head. “Are you done?”

“Yes I am. Done. Completely. Through! Fuck all this trying shit. Fuck each and every one of those mother fuckers who didn’t donate and YOU …” He pointed at his Conscience. “Fuck you for calling my grandmother. You son of a Bi…”

“Enough,” Madalyn demanded. She removed her light sweater and put down her purse, stepping around the mess. “You said you were done so you’re done. You need to listen to me now.”

“But …”

“No! Listen! Have you ever considered that the man who made $1.25 million knew people who could afford $1.25 million? Even if he knew one or two people who donated a lot, did you consider that the bulk of his money came from rich people who knew him and the rest by people who just ‘tagged along’ because of a feeding frenzy, as they say? Did you read his background? Did you find out if the circle of people he’s around may have disposable cash to do so? Or are you assuming he is ‘Corey Burkes’ from Kennesaw, Georgia who is a self-confessed recluse who knows no one with influence or money and doesn’t go to mixers and develops circles of people socially to create backers in the first place?”

Corey sputtered with the attempt to get his words together, silenced by his grandmothers swift logic.

“He never thought of any of that.” His Conscience said from behind her.

“You keep quiet because you should have settled this long ago.”

“Sorry” The conscience said sheepishly.

“I didn’t raise you to be this angry, Corey.” Madalyn sighed. “I blame myself for leaving you so early; at a time you needed to grow right. I tried, when I was here to take you to church and give you the guidance you needed. You did okay for yourself, but I’ve watched long enough to know things could have been better. You could have reasoned so much better than destroying your home over something like this.”

Corey, crying, ran his hands through his hair angrily. “Mom, I’m trying. You think I want this for money? for fame? I just want to support my family. Have something for them before anything happens to me. I’m good at what I do but why can’t people see that?”

She stepped a little closer over broken glass. “People are just seeing it, baby. You’re in your forties now. You’ve settled a great deal into the life you will have for the rest of your life and, essentially you are starting over. You’re putting your work out there more than you ever did before. You have to give them time to know you and your special gifts. Only you … and him,” she stuck a thumb at Corey’s Conscience, “actually lived your highs and lows every day for forty-three years so of course you seem like it’s an endless road. Other’s are just finding out about you for the first time. Patience.”

“Mom, I get that. ”

“Then why is my Corey breaking things like a four year old who didn’t get his way? Calling people names and burning bridges like that. You’re on your way to establishing yourself more than ever before.”

Corey rubbed his forehead confused and worn-out. “I don’t know.” He cried. “Why does it have to be so hard just to do the one thing I’m good at?”

“Because you’re always seeking to perfect that gift and you’ll never find it finished. So, you always will do and always will have a new idea  and always build which is the beauty in my Corey that I wish the world can see. Selfless desire to please people. To entertain and teach and change lives through stories and film is such a caring quality. Above all, you’re actually undeniably good at it. I think that’s why you’re so angry. So to that end, I understand where the anger comes from.”

“Yeah,” Corey sniffed. rolling his eyes sarcastically. “Mired in divorce and other domestic crap.”

“Well,” Madalyn laughed. “I would divorce you too if I came home to this mess! Come on, baby. This isn’t you.”

“Then what is me, mom? I’m 43. How many more years do I have left to keep climbing this hill and not having a dime in my bank account to save for the kids. All of them! Andrews in college now. Russell is going to follow soon. He was sick before and I didn’t have anything to help. I’m thanking God that none of my kids are in bad straits cause if something went down I’d be helpless!”

“And full of guilt and regret. I know, baby.”

“Regular jobs don’t pay enough. This is the one skill I have that can do what I want in telling stories for people and bring in a little income to support everyone. I’m not asking for billions. Why is this such a hard thing to do and then I hear stories like this guy getting millions. Or the first time author getting a major book deal and all that?”

“I can answer that,” said a booming, classical voice from the foyer. Turning the corner, stepping over some debris entered …

“Orson Wells?” Corey gasped. “Well, i suppose if my grandmother could be here, why not Orson Wells? I must really be stressing the heavens if they sent the big guns down here.”

“Not at all. I’ve come on my own accord. I thought it would be high time we spoke and what better time than now.”

“You wanted to speak with me?”

“Of course. You and I have a kinship; a like in mind, that very few could ever imagine.”

“Ha! I don’t believe it. You’re a master filmmaker and I’ve failed int hat miserably.”

“Correction. I was, am and always will be a storyteller first and foremost. Such as yourself. Film? Bah!” Mr. Wells sat on the available end of a turned over couch. “You’ve heard me say this. A terribly expensive paintbox. Do you honestly think I was handed money to do anything i ever wanted?”

“Yes.”

Orson laughed heatedly. “Oh, my. Maybe you’re thinking of my evil doppelganger who was able to use thievery to tax the funding from pockets. No, my boy. I begged, borrowed and on occasion lied to get what was needed for funding. It was a constant struggle to build what I thought was right for the masses. So they can see and feel what I was doing even though people with money didn’t. For a time, I did encamp myself with the rich and famous and still received nothing. no backing. No support. This when I just came out with Citizen Kane. I’ll let the papers tell the rest of the story that may sound much more … sexy, as it were. Please forgive my use of terms, madam.”

Madalyn smiled at the gentleman. “By all means, Mr. Wells. You see, Corey. Who has it easy? If people refused to support the vision of the Great Orson Wells, what could you possibly expect for the unknown Corey Burkes.”

“But Mom … Mr. Wells… I was so embarrassed. I put myself out there and fell so hard in front of everybody!”

Orson laughed. “Welcome to show business. As I always say, son. The curtain will fall … but it always rises for the next act. What is your next act?”

Again, Corey is stunned by riveting sense that couldn’t be challenged.

“I’m writing books. All my stories. Putting them to EBook. That’s a start.”

His Conscience, Orson and Madalyn nodded, agreeing. “That’s good.”

“It’s about time!” Orson chuckled. “Your dedication to your art should have been pen to paper years ago. Promise me this. Never again put down you gift. Not for as long as you have. That was plain ridiculous. Lunacy, I tell you. And it was YOU who asked for this gift.”

“True that.” Corey sighed.

“Ha,” Orson laughed. “true that’ I always liked that term. It embodies everything in a finalized ‘I understand’. This is a fantastic era.”

“Speaking of which,” Madalyn stepped even closer to Corey. “While it is the universal order for you to climb up for the things you want to succeed, I love you very much and I most definitely want you to be who you want to be and have what you want for your children. But I don’t want you to think God, myself, Orson …”

“God forbid no!” He scoffed.

“Any of us are out to get you or destroy you path. Only you can do that and only you can succeed. So, I have a gift for you. If you promise not to be so self-destructive and get angry when someone else succeeds whereas you haven’t yet … and i do mean ‘yet’ … I’ll let give you two reasons to make you feel good that you didn’t know … and answer two questions you might have for me. Both will be true.”

Corey sniffled a little, feeling at ease and welcoming the loving concern from his grandmother. “I missed you so much, mom. I wish you were here to see … to help with advice …. I felt so alone on the things I had to do, the things I’ve said and done over the years.”

“You did well, baby. No worse than someone else. No better than someone else. You’re alive. Your children are healthy and you’re not in jail. You are living in a big house, writing beautiful stories and have many friends that do care for you. Backing your projects or not.”

“I’m sorry. I …really am.”

Orson waved at Corey. “oh, you’ll be fine, my boy! Do you know how many enemies and bridges I’ve burned in my time! Ha! I’ve burned … ” He couldn’t contain his laughter. “I’ve burned so many bridges … heeeeheee Haaa! I’ve burned so many bridges they started calling me ARSON Wells! Haaa! Haaaaa!”

“That was good. ” Madalyn smiled. “Baby, I know you didn’t mean to curse and say those hateful things. It’s not you. It’s a lot on your plate. You just needed a reminder. So, are you ready?”

Corey wiped away a tear and sat up for his grandmother. “Okay.”

“First, the things you didn’t know. If you succeeded in your Kickstarter campaign, you would not have put Butta‘ out as an EBook, nor scratch, nor the next few books and you would not have sealed your fate toward success.”

“Really??” Corey shuddered.

“That’s all I can say. While I won’t scare you with the what could have happened if you won the amount you wanted in Kickstarter speech, because it was not going to be as pretty as you think. I can say your decision to keep trying … to raise the curtain …” She nodded at Orson. Orson nodded back. “…and write your novels was the singular smartest thing you’ve done that, when history looks back, they’ll proclaim that as the year you came to life out of obscurity. Anything more than that cannot be said.”

“Oh wow. So I will succeed? Be able to support my family based on my writing.”

“Yes. In a big way. And that was your first question. I’m sorry, baby. But I already told you that you were going to succeed. Why’d you go and ask it again?”

“I wasn’t paying attention. I thought …”

“You need to pay attention, baby. This isn’t a game.”

“Okay. So what is the second thing you want to tell me?”

“You’ll achieve your success in two phases. The first is what your doing now and the second part is just by the middle of summer of this year,  where you’ll have to make one more decision that will lock you into your path for good. I can’t tell you much more than to say it’s good news.”

“VERY good news.” Orson confirmed. “Better news than I have ever received, I can promise you that!”

“Now, you have one more question, baby. Think hard before you ask it. Once you ask it, we have to leave. I’m sorry.”

“Mom …” Corey felt alone for that moment again and whispered. “Can’t you stay? Tiffy would love to see you. She would love to know you like I knew you. You were everything to me.”

Madalyn touched Corey’s cheek softly. “I see her everyday. She’s so smart and caring. The innocence we all were before life took hold. She will be something special. I’ll be sure of that … and so will you. She will thank you one day. That will be a beautiful day for all of us.”

“She is the sweetest little girl I have ever seen,” Orson acknowledged. “An angel.”

“So go ahead, baby. I’m waiting.”

Corey thought to not ask the question in order to keep his grandmother here longer. The opportunity to talk to Orson Wells about story lines and film making would be treasured. But from across the room, he stared at his conscience, pointing at his watch … reminding him he shouldn’t hold up universal order.

“Fine,” he sighed. “In the summer, when whatever happens goes on and I have to make a decision that will lock me into my path for good, what should my answer be at that time?”

Orson smiled. “Smart boy. You’ve done well, Ms. Aaron.”

“I raised the best,” she tapped Corey in the forehead, “always remember that.”

“I will. I promise.”

Both Orson and Corey’s grandmother vanished in an upward motion; a fading mist and just before her smile completely faded, Madalyn’s last words were …

“Say yes’”

Standing in the living room, Corey was alone with his conscience, who stood there with a broom and dust pan. “Now what?”

“Now we clean and get back to work. Nuff said?”

“Thank you,” Corey stuck out a hand to his conscience, who shook it, smiling at him, then handed him the broom. “You’re very welcome. It’s late, we have A LOT of cleaning to do and a lot of writing to do. Is the curtain up?”

Corey smiled at that. “The curtain is up and the show is about to begin.”

- End -

 

 

 

 

Corey A. Burkes Author/CEO
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