Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Castle Beyond Mountains by Wes P

As the horse driven carriage draws closer to the crumbling foundation of the castle, Dr. Paul Farmer Gazes into the candle lit windows of the gothic structure as if hypnotized by the miniscule flickers of light. Comfortably walking up the stairs towards the large weathered door, Farmer gets a chill of nervousness. Before even getting a chance to knock on the door, the door slowly opens and Dr. Farmer is politely welcomed by the infamous Count Dracula.
"Pauly!" proudly cheered the Count. "Aww c'mon Drac. You know I never liked being called that! Its Paul and nothing more ...just PAUL.". After sharing a brief awkward silence, Dr. Farmer and Dracula laughed and exchanged a hug.
Soon after, Dracula showed Farmer to the crimson parlor and sat him down at his rather large wooden table . "You have not changed one bit Paul! You look exactly the same!" said the Count. "You too! It’s been what....30 years?" replied Farmer. After a moment of smiling and nodding in disbelief, Dracula looks over at Farmer and says, "So what brings you out to these parts?". Farmer looks back at the Count and says, "ya know, I just wanted to see an old buddy!". Dracula smiles and says, "Paul... You are from Massachusetts. No one in the right mind would travel from the U.S to a remote castle in the Carpathians just to 'surprise' and old friend. Now what’s your real motivation for coming here?". Ashamed, Dr. Farmer looks at his old friend and says, "O.k.. You know how I've been traveling to Haiti, Peru, and Russia?", Count Dracula curiously nods and slides a half-full chalice across the ancient table to the doctor, "Well I've been traveling to those places to serve the poor with the health care that they need and deserve. Since the last trip I have taken, the corporation funding me to go on these trips has wiped away my funds completely." After staring at the ground and releasing a short sigh, he looked back at Dracula and said "Maybe I should just get to the point. The reason I came here today was to ask you if I could possible loan some money just until this dream becomes reality.".
After listening to Farmers, Dracula looks Farmer directly in the eye and says, "Paul..Good friend...You know I support you and all of your decisions, but why do you care so much about that specific problem? Do you honestly think that you can cure all of these people of their poverty and infectious diseases?". Immediately, Paul pulls the chalice away from his mouth and says "You know what? I am just sick of the fortunate people of the world turning their backs on the poor and needy. Just because these people don't have as much money as us, doesn't mean they don't deserve decent health care and living conditions.". Dracula thinking he legitimately offended his comrade says "I totally agree but", Farmer interrupts, "There are no 'but's. People like you consider what I am aiming for to be an impossible goal. I just look at it as a challenge. I KNOW I can do this. All that I need is the support behind me to make this 'impossible dream' one revolutionary reality. If you can't support me, than I will find someone else.".
Dracula sees the intense motivation in Farmers eyes. As Farmer quickly finishes the contents of his chalice, Dracula gives the situation some though. "You know Paul? I always knew you would become something...Something important..Even as little kids when our parents would tell us that we couldn't do something and you would do it anyway.", Farmer leans forward looking interested, "So here is what I'll do. For now I will loan you just enough to get you started. As things progress, assuming they will, I will send you what you need.". Paul looks at Dracula with great surprise and disbelief, and jumps out of his chair causing the liquor in the bottle to ripple and thanks Dracula. "Drac, I guarantee you will not regret this! I will pay you back as soon as possible!". Dracula replies by saying " Don't MAKE me regret this!".
After a hug and a hand shake, Dracula gives Dr. Paul Farmer his desired amount. Through the thunder and rain, Farmer raced out to his carriage. About half way from the castle to the carriage, Dracula yells "Good luck Pauly!". Not even acknowledging the fact that his fellow friend called him but his childhood nickname, Farmer turns back and yells "Thanks Drac!" and jumped into his carriage. Leaving Dracula's Castle, Paul looks back just in time to see a bolt of lightning crack across the dark rainy sky like a fresh crack in a sheet of ice directly behind Dracula's castle.
Soon after the loan from Dr. Paul Farmer's childhood friend Count Dracula, Paul farmer returned to helping those less fortunate with their health care. Farmer also began researching possible cures for deadly diseases. Soon after his research, Dr. Paul Farmer found a cure for every single disease known to man. He was won many awards for his work and has definitely raised enough money to pay back his friend Count Dracula.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

this story was very interesting i enjoyed the fact that he used dracula in a friend scenario usally hes just someone everyones afaid of and no one really thinks he has any friends. the conversation was an interesting one but i didnt really believe it. it wasnt natural and it didnt really go with the usual characteristics of dracula. i beleive if he added a darker conversation on the part of dracula it would have been more beleivable.
"As the horse driven carriage draws closer to the crumbling foundation of the castle, Dr. Paul Farmer Gazes into the candle lit windows of the gothic structure as if hypnotized by the miniscule flickers of light." i like the way he worded this and it made me actually think of a dark and gloomy castle. one thing i found distracting in this story was there wasnt any spaces between dialoge it was all squished together.