"You Are Not the Worthless Husk"
by Benjamin Fortier
Blasted by unscrupulous thoughts Like pellets spewed from the barrel of a shotgun Striking the chest at thousands of feet per second. A panic attack sets in, Swallowing down a pocket of air After several exasperated breaths. Pain staking memories seep into the present time, Bringing harrowing discomfort and incertitude. There is nothing in life but struggle and torment - Hope is decaying and there is no way out of The belly of this cacodemon. Slamming two fists against the broken walls Of our inner selves, we are trapped in this Amusement park of horror. The impostor sits, weeping in the corner While vitriol is dumped on their head. The doppleganger looks, acts, and seemingly is us But we can’t relate to their weakness and lack of will. Beaten over and over again. Made to believe they are a worthless husk Undeserving of life and love.
Native Rhode Islander and proclaimed Renaissance Man, USMC Iraq veteran Benjamin Fortier is a multi-talented writer, musician, and technology geek. He is currently in school (again) studying computer networking and cybersecurity. His day job is in service to his rescue dog, Princess Peppa Pig the American Bully. He is the author of Stones of the Wooded Valley and The Silent Whispers of Omens.
We’re sold out. That’s right, we have no tickets left for our remaining performances of Meteor Shower. So let’s get a jump on our staged reading of Ira Levin’s legendary Broadway comedy/thriller Deathtrap.
If you want the best date night possible…if you want drinks, dessert, a hilarious live performance, professional actors, an intimate unforgettable space, and pay-what-you-can tickets…if you have a Saturday night available…it simply does not get better than this. So come on out and join us at our Parlor on Quaker Avenue for our staged reading of Ira Levin’s legendary Broadway comedy/thriller Deathtrap.
Don’t know Deathtrap? It was the winner of the 1978 Edgar Award for Best Play and record holder for the longest-running comedy thriller on Broadway. It’s about Sidney Bruhl - a successful Broadway playwright with writer’s block and a recent spate of box office failures. Desperate to break his dry-spell, Sidney finds hope in Clifford Anderson, a student in his seminar class who has submitted a thriller script, cleverly titled Deathtrap as well. Can Sidney convince Clifford to collaborate and give him co-credit? Or is there a way to cut Clifford out altogether and get sole credit?
We expect Deathtrap to be sold out - so get your tickets now! As always, you’re welcome to show up and hope for a cancellation. But if you really want to see the show, why not book now and save yourself the uncertainty?
This week on the Savage Wonder podcast…
Keith Rousseau is an Air Force Veteran who is an actor, model, writer, photographer and abstract artist. His path has been tumultuous, unpredictable yet successful. I had a great time talking with this hard-working artist who is juggling five artistic pursuits at the same time while maintaining his inspiration and his passion.
Follow Keith here.