Post by rocketmanedh on Jul 18, 2021 20:06:04 GMT -5
The camera focuses on the clock. It now reads 8:20. Forty minutes and tens of thousands of dollars to go for Ed Houston to send kids who desperately want to escape the poverty that surrounds them and quite literally reach for the stars. Ed has the chance to answer their dreams and provide them a path to success that might ultimately lead to heights greater than he ever reached outer space. But the odds have never been greater. With each passing minute, each twenty dollar signature, and each call, the odds become less and less. Ed has had his back against the wall many times in his life but never has the barrier in front of him closed with such speed.
Ed is working up a sweat. He is talking a mile a minute, trying to give the fans a meet and greet and sign while also push the line along. There isn’t an overwhelming line but after word got out that a local celebrity was signing autographs, some fans made their way over to the makeshift office that Ed and Bob created in the middle of the lobby of the hotel hosting the silent auction.
Houston: “How are we looking, Bob?”
Bob: “I mean still a long way to go.”
Houston: “Any luck on the phone lines?”
Bob: “Most of them want to talk to you.”
Houston: “Then get them on the phone again and hand it over to me. Come on, Bob. This is the time to be aggressive. It isn’t the time to sit back.”
Bob: “While you’re signing?”
Houston: “Yes, while I’m signing. We can have a much better meet and greet for free at a time where we don’t have a goal we’re desperately barreling towards.”
Bob shrugs and dials the phone as Ed continues to sign. He hands the phone to Ed.
Bob: “This is Mark Howard. He’s a big banker in the Miami area.”
Houston: “Mark! My man. How are things going?”
Mark: “Ed, is it true that you all need more money.”
Houston: “We do. It’s a time crunch or we would’ve done more. We’re up against the wall really bad so we’re trying to get some of the more generous donors to help us out.”
Mark: “How much do you need?”
Houston: “How much can you give me?”
Mark: “A thousand?”
Houston: “You’re breaking my balls, Mark.”
Mark: “Put us down for two thousand.”
Houston: “You got yourself a deal mark but next time kick with a little force. If you’re going to break my balls at least do it right.”
Mark: “Fine three thousand.”
Houston: “Thank you, Mark. I’ll make sure to tell the kids banking is less soul-sucking than they might think.”
Mark sighs and hangs up the phone.
Ed puts the phone down and turns to another kid.
Houston: “How are you doing today. What’s your name?”
Kid: “I’m Timmy.”
Ed signs a piece of paper the kid has in his hands. “It’s nice to meet you, Timmy. I hope you check out OCW. We have a big show next week. I’d love to stay and talk but I’m trying to reach a big goal so you go ahead now and remember you can accomplish anything you want if you try hard enough.”
Timmy smiles but looks confused. Ed’s attention is already on the next kid. He takes the money and signs it.
Houston: “Bob what are we up to on the signatures?”
Bob quickly fumbles through a wad of twenty-dollar bills. “Uh, it looks like $500.”
Houston: “$500? That’s it.”
Bob: “That’s it so far.”
Ed looks at the clock. It is now 8:33.
Houston: “Ugh that is not anywhere close to enough. We need to make some more phone calls.”
A commotion is starting to form five hundred feet away from the autograph line. It moves like a wave as people scatter. The autograph line parts and Hank walks over with a chicken in his hand. A goat on a leash is in one and a pig is in another.
Houston: “Hank! My man! Just the guy I wanted to see.”
Hank: “Where should I put these animals?”
Houston: “Is this all you brought?”
Hank shakes his head. “There are more in the car.”
Houston: “Great. You can put them in this roped-off area here. It’s going to be makeshift but I think this is a great petting zoo area. I see you brought the pig again.”
Hank shrugs. “He is my star.”
Ed looks at the pig. “I have my eyes on you.” He mutters. The pig responds with a loud snort.
A minute later a sign is erected allowing $5 petting zoo visits inside the office as Hank continues to run in with more animals.
Houston: “You don’t think we can get more than $5, Bob?”
Bob: “I don’t know man. $5 isn’t a lot but there’s so much going on.”
Houston: “This whole thing was a hail mary attempt anyway. It is nearly impossible to raise the kind of money we need to raise in under two hours.”
Bob: “It’s not over yet.”
Ed looks at the clock. It has just struck 8:40. Bob is right. It isn’t over yet but it is quickly becoming over.
Ed turns back to the growing line. He sees the lawyer in line.
Houston: “This isn’t the line to gloat. We still have some more time.”
The lawyer looks sheepish. “I didn’t realize who you were. Ed Houston. From Meteor?”
Houston: “That’s me.”
Lawyer: “He uh wants your autograph.”
Houston: “Oh does he?”
Lawyer: “Yeah. We are the high bidders on the meet and greet and film watch party.”
Ed looks down at his son who looks up with beaming bright eyes and a wide smile.
Houston: “Hey kid. Give me a minute. I need to talk to your dad.”
Ed pulls the lawyer to the side. “Wow. You know a watch party with your son feels like a good time but I might be busy that week. Or I might spend every minute of it telling him what a horrible dad you are.”
Lawyer: “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”
Houston: “I would hate to. I love kids, man. And I think deep down you’re probably an alright guy but I care deeply about giving my kids the opportunities that I didn’t have. They can’t just buy these kinds of opportunities.”
Lawyer: “So what do you want from me.
Houston: “Take back your bid.”
Lawyer: “I’m not going to do that. It goes to a good cause and my kid deserves nice things too.”
Houston: “I’m sure he’s getting a lot of nice things. Then fine. Let’s come to some sort of an understanding.”
Lawyer: “What did you have in mind?”
Houston: “You’re a lawyer. You’re used to negotiating. I’m willing to pay part of what you bid and in return, I want seven spots in space camp and on the tour. And of course, I will give your kid the watch party of his dreams and yours.”
Lawyer: “Seven spots is crazy. I need at least five.”
Houston: “Five it is.”
Lawyer: “But I’m also paying significantly more. I want six of the spots.”
Houston: “You’re breaking my balls, Mr. Lawyer. I don’t know. Give me a minute to confer with my partner.”
Ed turns to Bob.
Bob: “What are you doing?”
Houston: “I’m making him think he’s driven a hard bargain. We were really up against the wall on this one.”
Bob: “He gave you an out.”
Houston: “I only wanted three spots anyway.”
Bob: “So we’re going to do the deal.”
Houston: “Yes we have some extra contribution money on hand now let’s finish this thing.”
Ed turns back to the lawyer.
Houston: “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Lawyer: “And how do I know I can keep you to it.”
Ed looks at the clock. “We have fifteen minutes. Let’s get something in writing.”
The lawyer sits down at the table and starts to draft a document. Bob stops trying to dial phones and manages the petting zoo while Ed works fast to shrink the autograph line.
The clock hits 8:58 when Bob and the lawyer approach Ed.
Houston: “Do you have something written up for me?”
The lawyer nods.
Houston: “Did you look over it, Bob? Does it appear alright?”
Bob nods.
Ed looks over at both men and grabs a pen. He signs on the line.
Houston: “It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
The lawyer looks a little frazzled but signs as well and then shakes Ed’s extended hand. “Yeah. A pleasure.”
The camera focuses on Ed’s face as he high-fives Bob. The camera also catches the clock turning to 9:00.
Bob: “I can’t believe you did it, Ed!”
Houston: “I can’t either. That is what it’s like to negotiate with a gifted lawyer instead of a desperate Who’re. I agree with him. We are not the same. While he’s trying to cash in a payday for his friends I’m out in the community growing the OCW name. I can respect the hustle and I can respect him trying to get as much money as he can before he tucks his tail and leaves. It doesn’t matter if it’s me that beats him. The second he loses he won’t step foot inside an OCW ring again. I’ve seen it too many times. Someone comes in to be the savior and when they lose, they suddenly forget where Key West is. We are not the same because no matter what happens, I will be back in the ring, fighting, respecting the grind, and not trying to grift to make a quick buck. This month, I went toe to toe with a shark and walked out the better, this month he went toe to toe with a Who’re. We are not the same. So I hope he enjoys his countdown clock or whatever other perks he has in his contract. As far as I’m concerned that clock on the OCW website is a countdown to the end of his time in OCW. At House of Cards, I’m ready to start my ascent to the top. I’m ready to watch him crash and burn, I know it just takes one gust of wind, one loss for his house of cards to come tumbling down.”
Bob: “Let’s get out of here, Ed.”
Houston: “Let’s go.”
The scene changes. It switches to the silent auction room. The NASA booth comes into focus. We can see the sheet of paper showing that nobody placed a bid after the lawyer and Ed’s bidding war. The camera focuses on it before fading to black.
Ed is working up a sweat. He is talking a mile a minute, trying to give the fans a meet and greet and sign while also push the line along. There isn’t an overwhelming line but after word got out that a local celebrity was signing autographs, some fans made their way over to the makeshift office that Ed and Bob created in the middle of the lobby of the hotel hosting the silent auction.
Houston: “How are we looking, Bob?”
Bob: “I mean still a long way to go.”
Houston: “Any luck on the phone lines?”
Bob: “Most of them want to talk to you.”
Houston: “Then get them on the phone again and hand it over to me. Come on, Bob. This is the time to be aggressive. It isn’t the time to sit back.”
Bob: “While you’re signing?”
Houston: “Yes, while I’m signing. We can have a much better meet and greet for free at a time where we don’t have a goal we’re desperately barreling towards.”
Bob shrugs and dials the phone as Ed continues to sign. He hands the phone to Ed.
Bob: “This is Mark Howard. He’s a big banker in the Miami area.”
Houston: “Mark! My man. How are things going?”
Mark: “Ed, is it true that you all need more money.”
Houston: “We do. It’s a time crunch or we would’ve done more. We’re up against the wall really bad so we’re trying to get some of the more generous donors to help us out.”
Mark: “How much do you need?”
Houston: “How much can you give me?”
Mark: “A thousand?”
Houston: “You’re breaking my balls, Mark.”
Mark: “Put us down for two thousand.”
Houston: “You got yourself a deal mark but next time kick with a little force. If you’re going to break my balls at least do it right.”
Mark: “Fine three thousand.”
Houston: “Thank you, Mark. I’ll make sure to tell the kids banking is less soul-sucking than they might think.”
Mark sighs and hangs up the phone.
Ed puts the phone down and turns to another kid.
Houston: “How are you doing today. What’s your name?”
Kid: “I’m Timmy.”
Ed signs a piece of paper the kid has in his hands. “It’s nice to meet you, Timmy. I hope you check out OCW. We have a big show next week. I’d love to stay and talk but I’m trying to reach a big goal so you go ahead now and remember you can accomplish anything you want if you try hard enough.”
Timmy smiles but looks confused. Ed’s attention is already on the next kid. He takes the money and signs it.
Houston: “Bob what are we up to on the signatures?”
Bob quickly fumbles through a wad of twenty-dollar bills. “Uh, it looks like $500.”
Houston: “$500? That’s it.”
Bob: “That’s it so far.”
Ed looks at the clock. It is now 8:33.
Houston: “Ugh that is not anywhere close to enough. We need to make some more phone calls.”
A commotion is starting to form five hundred feet away from the autograph line. It moves like a wave as people scatter. The autograph line parts and Hank walks over with a chicken in his hand. A goat on a leash is in one and a pig is in another.
Houston: “Hank! My man! Just the guy I wanted to see.”
Hank: “Where should I put these animals?”
Houston: “Is this all you brought?”
Hank shakes his head. “There are more in the car.”
Houston: “Great. You can put them in this roped-off area here. It’s going to be makeshift but I think this is a great petting zoo area. I see you brought the pig again.”
Hank shrugs. “He is my star.”
Ed looks at the pig. “I have my eyes on you.” He mutters. The pig responds with a loud snort.
A minute later a sign is erected allowing $5 petting zoo visits inside the office as Hank continues to run in with more animals.
Houston: “You don’t think we can get more than $5, Bob?”
Bob: “I don’t know man. $5 isn’t a lot but there’s so much going on.”
Houston: “This whole thing was a hail mary attempt anyway. It is nearly impossible to raise the kind of money we need to raise in under two hours.”
Bob: “It’s not over yet.”
Ed looks at the clock. It has just struck 8:40. Bob is right. It isn’t over yet but it is quickly becoming over.
Ed turns back to the growing line. He sees the lawyer in line.
Houston: “This isn’t the line to gloat. We still have some more time.”
The lawyer looks sheepish. “I didn’t realize who you were. Ed Houston. From Meteor?”
Houston: “That’s me.”
Lawyer: “He uh wants your autograph.”
Houston: “Oh does he?”
Lawyer: “Yeah. We are the high bidders on the meet and greet and film watch party.”
Ed looks down at his son who looks up with beaming bright eyes and a wide smile.
Houston: “Hey kid. Give me a minute. I need to talk to your dad.”
Ed pulls the lawyer to the side. “Wow. You know a watch party with your son feels like a good time but I might be busy that week. Or I might spend every minute of it telling him what a horrible dad you are.”
Lawyer: “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”
Houston: “I would hate to. I love kids, man. And I think deep down you’re probably an alright guy but I care deeply about giving my kids the opportunities that I didn’t have. They can’t just buy these kinds of opportunities.”
Lawyer: “So what do you want from me.
Houston: “Take back your bid.”
Lawyer: “I’m not going to do that. It goes to a good cause and my kid deserves nice things too.”
Houston: “I’m sure he’s getting a lot of nice things. Then fine. Let’s come to some sort of an understanding.”
Lawyer: “What did you have in mind?”
Houston: “You’re a lawyer. You’re used to negotiating. I’m willing to pay part of what you bid and in return, I want seven spots in space camp and on the tour. And of course, I will give your kid the watch party of his dreams and yours.”
Lawyer: “Seven spots is crazy. I need at least five.”
Houston: “Five it is.”
Lawyer: “But I’m also paying significantly more. I want six of the spots.”
Houston: “You’re breaking my balls, Mr. Lawyer. I don’t know. Give me a minute to confer with my partner.”
Ed turns to Bob.
Bob: “What are you doing?”
Houston: “I’m making him think he’s driven a hard bargain. We were really up against the wall on this one.”
Bob: “He gave you an out.”
Houston: “I only wanted three spots anyway.”
Bob: “So we’re going to do the deal.”
Houston: “Yes we have some extra contribution money on hand now let’s finish this thing.”
Ed turns back to the lawyer.
Houston: “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Lawyer: “And how do I know I can keep you to it.”
Ed looks at the clock. “We have fifteen minutes. Let’s get something in writing.”
The lawyer sits down at the table and starts to draft a document. Bob stops trying to dial phones and manages the petting zoo while Ed works fast to shrink the autograph line.
The clock hits 8:58 when Bob and the lawyer approach Ed.
Houston: “Do you have something written up for me?”
The lawyer nods.
Houston: “Did you look over it, Bob? Does it appear alright?”
Bob nods.
Ed looks over at both men and grabs a pen. He signs on the line.
Houston: “It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
The lawyer looks a little frazzled but signs as well and then shakes Ed’s extended hand. “Yeah. A pleasure.”
The camera focuses on Ed’s face as he high-fives Bob. The camera also catches the clock turning to 9:00.
Bob: “I can’t believe you did it, Ed!”
Houston: “I can’t either. That is what it’s like to negotiate with a gifted lawyer instead of a desperate Who’re. I agree with him. We are not the same. While he’s trying to cash in a payday for his friends I’m out in the community growing the OCW name. I can respect the hustle and I can respect him trying to get as much money as he can before he tucks his tail and leaves. It doesn’t matter if it’s me that beats him. The second he loses he won’t step foot inside an OCW ring again. I’ve seen it too many times. Someone comes in to be the savior and when they lose, they suddenly forget where Key West is. We are not the same because no matter what happens, I will be back in the ring, fighting, respecting the grind, and not trying to grift to make a quick buck. This month, I went toe to toe with a shark and walked out the better, this month he went toe to toe with a Who’re. We are not the same. So I hope he enjoys his countdown clock or whatever other perks he has in his contract. As far as I’m concerned that clock on the OCW website is a countdown to the end of his time in OCW. At House of Cards, I’m ready to start my ascent to the top. I’m ready to watch him crash and burn, I know it just takes one gust of wind, one loss for his house of cards to come tumbling down.”
Bob: “Let’s get out of here, Ed.”
Houston: “Let’s go.”
The scene changes. It switches to the silent auction room. The NASA booth comes into focus. We can see the sheet of paper showing that nobody placed a bid after the lawyer and Ed’s bidding war. The camera focuses on it before fading to black.
