A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an
African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s
American South.
Couples receive “parent points”, which they can use to purchase their children. Most parents wait for a few thousand, but you chose to buy the cheaper, 100 point child.
Shane knows what it’s like to be a 100 point child. He knows how it feels to see potential parents–potential families–come through the facilities doors, faces bright with excitement. He knows how it feels to see them reading the little plaques on the nursery doors, scanning the lists there for the right bits of knowledge and etiquette and grace that they want their baby to have.
He knows how it feels to see their faces pinch outside the window before they hurry to the next room.
Shane grew up in a 100 point nursery. They had torn, ratty, books and no teachers, and when snack time came, the tray was pushed through a slat in the door. They were called “unruly” and “damaged” and “stupid.” A lot of the other kids threw tantrums and broke furniture (and sometimes other kids). A lot of the other kids went quiet after the first few years when they realized they’d never be adopted until they were old enough (or pretty enough) to be useful. A lot of the kids cried and didn’t stop until they got taken away or were aged out.
Shane’s grown up a lot since aging out. He put himself through school, got himself a job, shed his 100 points like the torn clothes he’d left the facility in. He’s powerful now, successful, and he’s grown out of the twisted nose, big ears, and gap-toothed smile that had made him one of the less attractive 100 point babies. Or maybe he’s grown into them. Who’s to say?
It’s taken him a long time to get enough Parent Points to do what he wants. Being a man is, for once, somewhat hindering as most of society equates “parental” with “maternal.” He’s lost count of how many social workers have politely hid expressions of surprise when he told them he wanted to adopt stag, that he’s willing to take the classes, get the grades, make the oaths to get even one Parent Point.
shane loves all his 100 point children more than anything else in the world
I legitimately just started crying. So beautiful, thank you for sharing this!!!!
One of my favorite prompt responses. I love the art that comes with it!
I know some ppl hate cinemasins, but they perfectly captured how I feel when I watch giant battles in movies these days:
“These ‘two giant armies clash with one another’ battles have actually become boring over the years. A whole bunch of who-gives-a-sh*t and who-the-f*ck-cares lost in an Eyes Wide Shut orgy of CGI f*cking to Twisted Sister.”
That’s it. I’d been saying that maybe I get a little sensory overload and for my sanity my mind just drifts away while those battles are going on. In most of them, there are the 3-7 characters we’re supposed to care about with the only noteworth threat caused by 1-2 mini bosses, all in a sea of low-level low-powered grunts who only exist to make the battle look bigger and maybe to make sure all of the 3-7 characters we care about have at least a couple of heroic punching moments to put in the trailer.
Smile It Won't Suck Forever 