I was walking down the streets of New York, on my way home from a performance of In The Heights. I was thinking about what I could add to 21 Chump Street before I published it. I wasn't looking where I was going, because I ran into someone and we both fell. Books dropped all over the sidewalk, and I stare at the person. They look up at me.
"Sir, I am so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." They say, starting to pick up their books. I help them, and they smile.
"It's no problem, I wasn't looking either." I say. They stand with their books in hand, and quickly help me up.
"I must be going, sir, maybe I'll run into you in the future." They say, starting to walk away. I was so dazed by their features that I didn't even notice them walking away until half a second later. I notice that they had forgotten a certain book, called Alexander Hamilton. I start going after them.
"Wait!" I say. That's when they start walking into a crowd that was about to cross the street. I try to make my way through the crowd to them. "Excuse me, you dropped your book!"
That's when they turn around, only to be pushed in front by the crowd. I cross the street, trying to find them, but to no avail. I stare at the book, starting to walk home again. I didn't even catch their name. They were so beautiful. I look back, scanning quickly for them, not finding them.
The minute I get home, I'm greeted by my dog, jumping on me. I push Tobillo down.
"Not now, Toby, I have work to do." I say, petting him quickly. I go into my office, setting the book on the desk. I turn on the single lamp on my desk, opening the blinds and the window, taking in the cold wind of the night. I stare at the book, hands folded and my chin resting on them. What could I do with it? I wanted to do something special, so that person would recognize me when I tell people about the inspiration. That's when something I heard from Cris comes to mind.
"Y'know, you can make musical out of the weirdest thing. Police investigations, Latino neighborhoods, what next? History?"
That's when I came to me. I instantly called Chris. I hear a groggy voice on the phone.
"Lin, I just fell asleep, what do you want?" He says, and I start talking excited.
"Oh god, I have to thank you!" I start.
"For what?"
"Y'know earlier today when you said that I can make musicals out of the weirdest things?"
"Oh god, let me guess, the War of 1812 or some shit?"
"Even better!" I start telling him about how I ran into someone and they dropped their book.
"Ok, and?"
"I'm gonna use their book that they dropped to make a musical!"
"A musical about Alexander Hamilton? Lin, are you out of your mind? No one will see it."
"It'll work! I know it will!" I say.
"Whatever you say, dude, I'm gonna fall back asleep. *click*"
I smile. I knew what I was getting into. I knew it was far fetched. But to get them to recognize me, I'd do anything.
