Overheard Holidays 1969

“My Cousin Joan’s going to let Danny stay with her in Toronto, Honey.” “Toronto? What the holy hell are you talkin’ about, June? Danny’s just finished college. He’s not going anywhere. What--he’s a draft dodger now?" “It’s all arranged, Sam. Our son’s going to be drafted. He’ll be sent to Viet Nam. He might get himself killed!" “Damn it all to hell! I raised a draft dodger. He’s going to be some pot head hippy in Canada. Over my dead body he is! Did that pansy friend of his, Lester-that long-haired loser brainwash him? What’s going on here?” “Don’t scream at me, Honey. It’s his decision. His lottery number’s 38. The cut-off was 100!" “He can get the holy hell out of this house and never come back, as far as I’m concerned, that commie coward!” “Stop, Sam, please. You’ll wake up Bobby. You’ll scare him." “Let Bobby wake up! Let him learn what a loser his brother is. And what are you crying about?" “It’s the holidays. All the Christmas songs and the lights. This ruins everything. I feel ill!” “Then Merry Christmas—Feel better now?” 12/9/22 THIRD RUNNER UP! Dialogue Proficiency Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Matt Caliri