Hey everyone
. I finished plotting this story out a little while ago, and wanted to post the first part. The story has eight parts in all. It's merely a work in progress, and I would love some criticism on it. Hope you like it
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The Revolution Diaries
Part One: Greene
August, 22, 1998
Ethan Gardner
Entry one:
This will be my first and most important entry in this journal, for today I have decided my fate. But before I clarify what is meant by that, I will tell you my current situation. I am an orphan. My father abandoned my mother while she was still pregnant with me. Apparently the responsibility was too much for not only him, but my mother as well, for she gave up on me before I was born. She literally left me “on the doorstep” of the St. Marie Orphanage, located just East of Wandsworth, in London, England. I’ve been here for over twelve years, along with a batch of seemingly unadoptable children. Although I’m a veteran of the orphanage, I am by no means the oldest. That position is filled by a Spanish boy by the name of Alonso Alvarez, though I believe I might be one of the few boys who know his first name. It’s standard here to be called by your surname only. So he is only called “Alvarez”, and I am only called “Gardner”. “Alvarez” is part of what I call the “Alpha Clique”, along with two other older boys named “Ramos” and “Hawkins”. Hawkins is the brains, Alvarez is the muscle, and Ramos is only a part of the group because of his mutual ethnicity with Alvarez. Ramos was unpopular when he first came here, but Alvarez and Hawkins adopted him into their clique, and it kind of went to his head. He’s fairly cocky, but seems to be a good person overall. Hawkins on the other hand, is very aware of his position in the group. He knows he’s the smartest of them, but doesn’t show it around them. Hawkins is the true heart of that group, whether Alvarez thinks so or not.
To see where I fit into the social structure of this place, you must search at the bottom of the barrel. I’m below the lowest in the food chain. I’m not associated with any group, and no group would dare take me in because of that. Now one rank above me is the bottom feeders, the group everyone hates. One rank above them is the neutrals. No one dislikes them, but no one particularily likes them either. One rank above them takes us back to the alpha clique. Everyone envies them, but no one dares attempt to gain entry into their group.
Now that you understand the social structure of this place, and have seen where I fit into it, I can explain my plan. Yesterday, during one of my rare conversations with one of the other boys, I made a bet. I bet that I could, using only my intellect, become the leader of the alpha clique. I’ve laid out my strategy, and I am going to carry it out starting now. I’m tired of being kicked around by all the other groups, and it’s time I did something about it. Every person in this orphanage will be bowing down before me within weeks.
* * *
August, 23, 1998
Ethan Gardner
Entry Two:
The first step in my plan is to recruit someone smart enough to truly help me. I need someone that no one dislikes, but also isn’t the center of attention. Some one that people ignore, because they have no reason to do otherwise. I’ve already done my observation, and chosen the one that will be at my side when I rise to the top. His name is Oliver Greene. He is part of the neutrals, and fits the profile perfectly. I will pull him aside at lunch tomorrow to explain what I’m planning. If he’s human, he’ll want in. Like I said, everyone wants to be part of the Alpha’s, but few are willing to take action.
Gardner scoped out Greene as he stood in the lunch line, waiting for his food. He wasn’t difficult to find, for he was about a foot taller than everyone else. He was standing at the far end of the cafeteria, by the fire exit, wearing a tattered blue baseball cap and an equally tattered grey coat. After Gardner was granted his chili and bread, he started to weave through the groups towards Greene.
Good, he’s alone, thought Gardner. No attention will be drawn by me pulling him aside.
Gardner reached him. At first he didn’t know what to say to get his attention, then he simply said, “Greene.” Greene turned his head to look down at Gardner.
“You say my name?” He said.
“Yeah I said your name, you got a sec?”
“Depends, what do you want?”
“I just need to talk to you for a minute.” Said Gardner, trying to keep his voice down.
“I don’t know man, you’re already changing your story, first you want a sec, now you need a whole minute? Make up your mind kid. I don’t got all day.”
Gardner knew he most certainly did have all day, he was just trying to sound important. And by calling him kid, which was a common name for anyone younger than you, he was only trying to immediately put himself above Gardner. Jesus, he really cuts to the chase, doesn’t he. I definitely picked the right man for the job, this guys pretty smart.
“I just need to talk to you Greene. Can we shift somewhere where no one can hear us?” Gardner said, still making sure to keep his voice down.
“This better be important, kid.” Replied Greene.
Gardner could see the excitement in Greene’s eyes. He didn’t care if it was important or not, he was glad someone was even taking notice of him. Greene’s bullshit wouln’t work on Gardner.
Greene followed Gardner behind a cement pillar, near the corner of the cafeteria. Gardner turned to face Greene.
“Listen, I’m gonna need your help with something.” He said.
“What, you get your first period kid? Sorry, can’t help you. I’m a guy, remember?”
“Fuck you, Greene, just listen to me.” Gardner spat back. He should have expected this kind of immature bullshit from the older boys. It was only another tool to put him even lower than he already was.
“Ok, ok, I’m listening.” Greene said, laughing to himself.
“You wanna be part of the alpha’s?” Asked Gardner.
“Me? Part of the alpha’s? Man, who doesn’t want to be part of that group.”
“Good, then what would you say if I told you we could be in there within weeks.” Said Gardner, seriously.
“I’d say you’re a lying little piece of shit.” Chuckled Greene.
“So you’re in?” Laughed Gardner.
“Let me hear your plan little boy, then I’ll consider it.”
“Fine.” Said Gardner.
Gardner explained the first few steps of his plan to Greene, starting with his recruitment.
“I like it, kid.” Said Greene. “You not so dumb as you look.”
“You either.” Laughed Gardner.
And there it was, the first step in his plan was complete. He now had an ally, for he could not carry out this plan on his own.
