Architect of paradise (PART I: Out of the Ruins)

7. Anger and annoyance

      The students were surprised when the art teacher told them about the Christmas event. It was really an original idea. Some of them were happy and enthusiastic. Their families had some traditional products to show at the bazaar. Some of them are craftsmen and they have taught their children their art. It was not difficult for the teenagers to set up a bench with something they made with their own hands. 

    Those that don't have parents as craftsmen, they could set up benches with food. The alternative was to take part to the performances. Theatrical plays or musical bands. They could do everything they wanted. They could choose to be creative or artistic. In the end they had about a month to decide and to act.

However, this was something difficult for Justin Andrews. He is an introvert and shy boy who likes to read literature alone. He has no friends and tries to avoid people. He is not talented and has no self-confidence. When he tries to speak to people, he is troubled. He loses his words and he can't find anything to say.

     This festival is really troublesome for him who is not talented, has no parents as craftsmen and he can't work in teams. His only choice is to be in the preparation and organizing committee, a team of students who will be responsible for the technical part of the event. It is still difficult but tolerable.

He speaks about it with the literature teacher, who is responsible with this part. In the committee took part four students already and he was lucky to be the fifth and the last. Mr. Arnolds knew about the lonely and unreachable boy and he was hoping for him to do something at the festival and not to be backstage. But it was his choice.

    He met with the five students that didn't want to take part in the festival so he could give them their roles and responsibilities. 

    Andrea Walls was a girl from Green Hill. Her parents were farmers. She had low self-confidence so she didn't want to perform and had nothing to give to others so she could set up a bench. 

    Simon Spencer was a troublemaker. He didn't want to take part in it because he found it boring. 

    There was a difficult family situation for Steven Charles and hadn't the time or the mood to enjoy the festival. 

     Finally, Margaret Belt was a special case. She had family problems which everybody knows but ignores. If she was in the committee, her presence was necessary at the festival and she could be away from home.

   Mr. Arnolds designated Steven as the leader of the committee. He had to come in contact with the students of the performances and of the bazaar. He had to listen to what they needed so he could provide it. 

     The dynamic Simon had to monitor the teams and try to avoid the possible arguments and fights between them. The other three persons had to help these two with their courses. 

    Mr. Arnolds knew that these five students were completely different but he was betting on them and their cooperation. He also wished for them to find something important from this team work. Every single one of them had problems and troubles that were heavy for a person. Maybe they could find fellowship and someone to share their burdens with.

A few days after the announcement of the festival, the library has been full of teenagers who want to find a good story to play. They don't want to act at the originals but to make prototype plays. They have been sitting in teams at the table and were chatting. The library lost its peacefulness but it is my fault so I can't complain. At least, some of them are eager to try. This is satisfying.

In one of their visits, Mrs. Gilberts came with them. She approached me so I can give some tips to the little actors. Those kids are growing at the countryside. They can't understand something too deep and something simple maybe offends them. I can't really suggest something appropriate but Mrs. Gilberts insisted. There are three teams that are going to perform at the stage. The three amateurs screen writers approached me after Mrs. Gilberts suggestion.