View
221
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
1/73
The BearAbuelo El Oso
by Steven Donnini
Written by Steven DonniniLibrary of Congress
Copyright Steven Donnini 2003
Austin, Texas
Orlando, Florida
Sdonninifilms@aol.com
1
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
2/73
10 year old Jesse Santiago is dreaming of gliding
through the air in the twilight with his arms
stretched out. Although he loved his dreams about
flying, his favorite one is when he runs across his
little league baseball field in Phoenix and lifts
off into the warm summer sky. But, this dream was
different.
A wind gust lifts him higher than ever before. He
thinks, never look down, keep your arms extended,
cup your hands. He looked, just a glance to see
the ball field getting smaller, so small that his
confidence began to slip away. He knows its the
belief that he can fly that makes it so. Suddenly
the lift from the air is gone. He frantically
waves his arms to catch some lift, but nothing
works. He falls faster and faster toward the
ground. Suddenly he wakes up in his Grandfather,
Robertos, arms. Roberto was a World Class weight
2
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
3/73
lifter and professional wrestler, during his
professional career. Robertos chest, arms and
legs were photographed many times for bodybuilding
and wrestling magazine covers. Now, hes a little
too old for professional wrestling, but he has many
adoring fans that still recognize him wherever he
goes. They called him El Oso(The Bear), because
he would bear hug his opponents until they passed
out and then throw them on to the canvas. Jesse
looks up at Roberto with relief knowing he is safe.
They are riding in the back of a Trailways Coach
Bus on a trip to the mining town of Jerome, 125
miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. The tall Saguaro
cactus stand shoulder to shoulder most of the way
along Interstate 17 from Sun City to Camp Verde, an
amazing sight. Jerome is a simple place with many
tiny wooden homes desperately clinging to the side
of the mountain. Its a small town with restored
collectable stores that sell artifacts from the
copper mining days in the 1800s.
3
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
4/73
This is a trip that Roberto had planned all winter,
after the traffic accident that killed his daughter
and son-in-law, Jesses parents. For Roberto the
idea of being a parent to a young boy is like
getting a second chance at something that he had
not done to well the first time around. Roberto
was on the road working most of the time that his
daughter was growing. He wanted to spend some time
with Jesse and to visit his brother Ed in Pason,
and Ricco, a friend, who had moved to Jerome a few
years ago. It was going to be a week that they
would never forget. As the Trailways Coach rolled
to a stop, Jesse looks out the window at a sign
that read Welcome to Camp Verde. The Verde River
runs through the town, which is clustered among
hundreds of mature cottonwood trees. An oasis from
the 125 degree summer desert heat. Jesse and
Roberto retrieve their bags and cross the main
street to a car lot that rents used cars and
trucks. Roberto is instantly recognized as El
4
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
5/73
Oso. The owner asks him many questions. Did he
really squeeze his opponents until they were out on
their feet? Naturally, theres always drama in
professional wrestling.
So, Roberto answers, It was a Saturday night in
Ft. Worth when I earned the name El Oso, The
Bear. I was in the ring with The Undertaker and
he had me in the death grip.
Jesse comments, Oh yeah, the death grip.
Roberto, There was no way to get loose. I
wiggled, turned around, put my arms around him and
squeezed his body until he went limp. I had never
done that before. The ring announcer called me El
Oso. It stuck and I used the bear hug from that
point on.
Roberto asks for directions to Tuzigoot Indian
ruins in Clarkdale. The car lot owner showed them
the way on a road Atlas. He explains, Tuzigoot is
a deserted hilltop ancient pueblo, it is easy to
imagine what life was like in this ancient village
5
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
6/73
built by the Sinagua. It was built around A.D.
1000. You can see Sinagua Indian spirits that
appear as flickers of light after dark. I suggest
you arrive at dusk and watch them dance over the
ruins.
He gives Roberto the keys to an aged Isuzu Trooper.
The drive up the mountain to Jerome is a slow
winding road with sharp turns and steep grades.
Jesse reads to Roberto from a travel booklet as
they wind up the mountain, At the turn of the
twentieth century, the town of Jerome was a
collection of houses and buildings, not beautiful,
seldom comfortable, but durable. Those who came
were willing to put up with conditions at the time.
Jerome, Arizona was for making a stake and going
somewhere else to spend the easy fortune. It was
above all else a copper mining town. Most of its
people were young men drawn by the advantages of
steady employment and excitement. Jerome became an
around the clock, three shift town boasting 13
6
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
7/73
hotels, 21 bars, and 8 houses of prostitution with
names like "The Cuban Queen," and the less elegant
"Cribs." Belgian Jenny, the honky-tonk queen of
the houses of light love was Jerome's most famous
Madam.
Roberto parks the truck in front of a general
store. They walk down the old town street until
they see a restaurant, there is a man sitting in a
chair on the old wooden sidewalk.
Roberto asks, Im looking for a friend that lives
here. His name is Ricco, do you know him?
The man answers, Ricco? Yeah, he spends his time
down the street at the Copperhead Saloon.
Jesse asks, Whos Ricco?
Roberto isnt forthcoming with anything that would
incriminate himself.
He answers, Weve been old friends since we were
in grade school in Tucson.
Jesse is only more interested, You played ball
together?
7
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
8/73
Roberto, We didnt have gloves or bats, so we
played stick ball or soccer everyday after school.
Jesse, Grandpa, whats prostitution?
Roberto explains, Its when woman sell their time
with men.
Jesse looks up at him, Did Dad pay Mama for her
time?
Roberto answers, No, they were married.
Jesse, Then when youre not married, you have to
pay?
Roberto, Not always.
Jesse, Do girls pay boys for their time?
Roberto, No. Well, yes sometimes.
This is not something you should be thinking
about.
Jesse, Did Jesus pay girls for their time?
Roberto annoyed, Jesus didnt have to pay anybody
to spend time with him.
Jesse, When we go to church everybody gives him
money.
8
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
9/73
Roberto frustrated, Thats not the same thing.
Jesse confused, OH!
They walk into the busy Copperhead Saloon. The one
large room has pool tables, floors covered with
sawdust, dark raw wood walls, antique wooden tables
and hundreds of snake skins stapled to the wall
behind the bar. Theres the smell of stale beer,
tobacco smoke and fried food hanging in the air. A
sign over the bar reads Nuke the gay whales for
Jesus. Roberto stops to look around the bar,
taking it all in.
He takes a deep breath, This is my kind of place.
Jesse looks around, pulls up his baggie pants, It
smells bad in here Grandpa.
Roberto, Its an acquired smell.
He pulls out a chair for Jesse at an empty table.
Set here, Ill get us something to drink. He
walks to the bar and orders a draft beer and a root
beer. The bartender Sam is drying glasses and
drawing beer for customers.
9
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
10/73
Roberto asks, Do you know Ricco?
Sam answers, Who wants to know?
Roberto, Im Roberto Suarez, an old friend. I
havent seen him in years, but I heard he was
living up here in the mountains.
Sam asks, Are you the law? There are a lot of
people up here that have gone missing, you know
what I mean?
Roberto, No, I just want to see him again. Like I
said, its been years.
Sam is reluctant to say more, He comes in about
noon and stays until we close. Hes a regular.
Thats all I know. I dont ask too many questions.
Roberto carries the glasses to the table and sits
looking at his watch.
Jesse asks, Wheres your friend?
Roberto, Hell be here soon. How about a burger
and fries? Jesse is into the root beer, he just
shakes his head yes.
10
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
11/73
When Ricco appears in the doorway Roberto doesnt
recognize him. By the time he gets to the bar, Sam
greets him with a drink. The bartender puts burger
baskets on the bar and signals Roberto to come get
them.
He leans forward and points to Ricco, Thats him.
Roberto gives the burger to Jesse and returns to
the bar beside Ricco.
Roberto, Ricco, its me.
Ricco looks at him, Roberto? What the hell are
you doing here?
Roberto, Im here with my grandson. I heard you
were living here.
Ricco, Im kind of laying low. Theres some people
in Texas that would like to get their paws on me.
Roberto, No doubt.
Ricco, Its quite up here most of the year. I do
odd jobs, painting and such. What have you been
doing?
11
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
12/73
Roberto, When the ground soured in Texas I drove
to Payson to visit with my brother Ed. He has a
camping supply store up there. But, hes a hard
case when it comes to government stuff. So, after
six months of splitting wood and listening to right
wing conspiracy talk, I packed it in and moved to
Phoenix where my sister lives. Ed is a little
touched in the head after that 5 year jail term in
Florida. He has an arsenal you wouldnt believe.
It was kind of scary when his weird friends showed
up.
Ricco lowers his voice, Theres a lots of Arizona
Militiamen living up in these here mountains.
Theyre all into camouflage clothing, easy to
spot.
Roberto glances around, Theres half a dozen guys
dressed like that.
Ricco, Thats a problem, theres a lot of
wannabes. You never know. The best thing is to
12
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
13/73
make friends with one of them. Its a good idea to
be agreeable with their anti-government talk.
Roberto, Ive rented an SUV, would you like to
take a drive with us through the mountains to go
see him in Payson.
Ricco, OK, that sounds good, lets go in the
morning.
Roberto and Jesse spend the night at Riccos place.
In the morning, they pack the SUV with Riccos
camping gear and drive down the mountain to
Cottonwood.
The trip east through the mountains is
breathtaking. There are many campgrounds and
National Monuments along the way. Jesse wants to
stop and see all of them. They agree to stop at
the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. They set up a
campsite and settle in for the night. The sky
above the campsite is crystal clear except for the
campfire smoke curling up to meet the stars. They
are all around a campfire.
13
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
14/73
Ricco is lying back on an Indian blanket. Its
always magic to me to look at the stars in the
mountain sky. Oh, look there goes a satellite
through the stars.
Jesse, It could be the space station. Mr.
Higgins, my science teacher said we could see it
clearly.
Roberto, The Sinagua Indians that lived here must
have seen the stars as part of their lives in a
totally unremarkable way.
Ricco, Yeah, they didnt have TV, satellites and
space stations to distract them.
The next morning Roberto cooked his famous jalapeno
tortillas in a cast iron skillet along with Jesses
favorite food with scrambled eggs and hot salsa.
They packed up and hit the highway to Payson. The
summer sun is heating the newly laid black asphalt,
making it soft and sticky. By noon the traffic is
thick with vacationers at Eds camping supply
14
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
15/73
store. Roberto finds a parking spot out of the way
of store customers. Roberto, Jesse and Ricco enter
the old wooden store and waits for the customers to
clear out. Its a small store packed with
everything a camper would need, toothpaste, toilet
paper, trail mix, canned foods, dried fruit,
cigarettes, waterproof wooden matches and fire
wood. Ed is packing the last foodstuffs into paper
bags for a customer. Ed looks up at Roberto, Ill
be! What brings you to these parts old man? Ed
walks over and hugs Roberto.
Roberto answers We came for a visit. How the hell
are you?
Ed, You should have called, this is the busy
season here at the campgrounds. I wont have much
time to spend with you during the day.
Ricco, Is there anything we can do for you?
Ed, Sure, theres a pile of wood out back that
needs chopping.
15
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
16/73
Roberto, Ill do it, I could use a little
exercise. Jesse steps up, Uncle Ed, I can bag
for you?
Ed is working the cash register, OK great, but
dont drop anything.
Jesse Yes, sir.
Ricco walks behind the front counter. Wheres
your new bride?
Ed, answers without looking up. Ritas in the
trailer out back rehearsing her comedy act. She
has a gig tonight. Im going to video tape it.
Ricco, Can we see her do her thing?
Ed, Of course, we can all go to the Starlite
lounge, its 25 cent beer night. There should be a
big crowd.
Ricco, What kind of stuff does she do?
Ed, Ill only spoil it for you, so let it be a
surprise.
16
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
17/73
That night Ed and Rita load the minivan with all
kinds of boxes, bags and a full sized stuffed dummy
she calls Studly.
Ed says, Be careful his head is getting loose, I
didnt have time to do any repair work on the
props.
Rita irritated, I asked you to do it yesterday.
You said it would be handled.
Ed, Dont worry, everything will be fine, its not
that bad. Hell hold up for the next few shows.
Rita gets into the van and slams the door so hard
that the van shakes.
Ed, Jesus, Rita your going to break the door. You
dont realize your own strength. Rita, Now, I
suppose your going to blame me for breaking Studly
in the first place.
Ed rolls his eyes and closes the sliding door of
the van and walks around to the drivers door.
Ed, I told you not to be so rough with the props.
17
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
18/73
Rita, When the strap on the hard hat came loose
and ruined the gag, you didnt fix it. Did you?
Ed sheepishly, Yeah, but we were in that small
motel near Vegas and we slept late that day, we
wouldnt have had time to make to the next gig.
Rita, Thats no excuse. I was so embarrassed when
it didnt work. Im a prop comic Ed. That means
that the props are the joke.
Ed, Thats the problem.
Rita, Whats that mean?
Ed, Nothing.
Ricco knocks on the drivers side window, Are we
ready to go now?
Ed, Yeah, just follow me, its just 3 miles down
the mountain.
The caravan rolls out of the dusty parking lot at
Eds Camping Supply Store.
Ricco, Roberto and Jesse can see Ed waving his
arms.
Jesse, What is Uncle Ed mad about?
18
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
19/73
Roberto, Its just his way. Hes a Scorpio.
Jesse, Whats that?
Roberto, Its an astrological sign.
Ricco, When you are born, you come into this world
under a sign that is about the position of the
stars and planets. You must be a Gemini.
Jesse, Why?
Roberto, Because, you ask so many questions and
talk too much.
Jesse, Oh.
Inside the Starlite Supper Club, Ed is setting up
the stage and video camera. Rita is at a table
going over the new jokes and gags. Ricco, Jesse
and Roberto are setting at another table in the
dinning room.
Roberto asks a waitress, What would you recommend
for this young lad?
Waitress, The chicken wings, or the Beefalo
sandwich plate.
Ricco, Whats a Beefalo sandwich?
19
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
20/73
Waitress, These ranchers out here breed Buffalos
and cows. It makes them tougher than cattle.
They can handle the harsh winters better. Its
really very good.
Roberto, OK, great. Jesse and I will both have
one.
Ricco, Ill go with the Chicken wings and a draft
beer.
The club begins to fill with men from logging
company crews that are working in the area. Seth,
the club owner and host, introduces Rita onto the
stage. Ed is in the back of the room operating the
video camera.
Rita takes the microphone, Welcome to the Starlite
Club. I have a few things to say about men and the
way they treat women.
A man in the front row says, Lets have it.
Rita, You asked for it. So, I want you to meet
the perfect man, his name is Studly.
20
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
21/73
She lifts anatomically correct Studly onto a stool,
where he is facing the crowded room. Rita
continues, As you can see hes very excitable in
all the right places.
She pushes a button on his back and a dildo whips
straight up from between his legs to put a bulge in
his pant.
Rita, Now, thats what I call a real man. The
crowd goes wild laughing.
A guy shouts, Thats my evil twin.
Rita, This one doesnt talk back.
The guy says, Bite me.
Rita, Id have to find it first.
The crowd laughs.
Another guy stands up, pulls his pant down and
says, Bite this one, baby!
Rita, That looks like a frightened turtle. The
crowd laughs.
Another guy says, Take it off. Lets see what
youve got.
21
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
22/73
Ed doesnt like the way the guys are talking to
her.
So, he walks down to the stage and glares at the
guy.
Ed, Watch your mouth buddy.
One guy says, Shes the one with the dildo.
Ed, Thats my wife youre talking about.
One of the guys stands up to Ed and pushes him
backward onto the stage.
Rita screams, Stop it right now.
Ed gets up and another guy jumps on him. Ed moves
back and falls over Studly and the stool onto the
other props. Rita runs off the stage crying. One
guy is punched and a brawl breaks out in the first
row of tables. Ed has Ritas comedy props in each
hand. He smashes a guy in the head with one dildo
prop and then again with another.
Ricco stands up and shouts, Ed, what the hell are
you doing?
22
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
23/73
Roberto and Jesse stay at the table eating their
dinner.
Roberto, This is more fun than the days in the
wrestling ring.
Roberto tells Jesse, Stay put in your chair, Ill
be right back.
He makes his way to Ed. He is at the bottom of a
pile of lumberjacks. One by one Roberto peels away
the guys off of Ed. Your too small for this.
Roberto throws a guy over a table, Youre too
skinny to be fighting.
He throws another guy off the stage and grabs two
guys by their necks and bangs their heads together.
And, you guys are to stupid.
He pulls Ed to his feet.
Ed, No one is going to talk to Rita that way.
Rita is at the bar crying her eyes out. All my
props are gone, Im finished.
23
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
24/73
Seth comes out of his private office to see the
mayhem. He knows that this night will cost him
dearly. He hurries over to the bar.
Seth asks the bartender, What the hell happened?
Bartender says, Well, the best I can figure,
Ritas husband, Ed, got pissed at one of the
customers and he started fighting with him in the
front row of tables. Then the guys buddy jumped
on Ed and they fell ah, backward I think.
Seth, I get the picture.
Seth walks down the bar to Rita, What happened
Rita?
Rita explains, This guy in the front row of tables
jumped on Ed and they fell back onto the stage.
Seth, Collect your dildos and get out.
Rita, What about my pay?
Seth, Get out before I make you pay me! Youre
both banned from here.
24
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
25/73
Ed picks up what is left of the props and walks out
the door to the parking lot where Rita is waiting,
posed with hands on hips.
Ed, I did what any man would do.
Rita, You have destroyed my dreams.
Putting the broken props into the minivan, Ed says,
What was I supposed to do?
Rita, Let me handle things, its part of the act,
I had them in the palm of my hand.
Ricco opens the SUV door for Jesse.
Ricco, Wow that was fun.
Jesse, Is uncle Ed OK?
Ricco, Yeah, hes fine.
Jesse, He must have a hard head.
Ricco, If you only knew. Thats why they call him
Ed Head. He always ends up landing on his head.
Just ask your Buelo.
Roberto gets behind the wheel of the SUV.
Jesse, Why do you call Uncle Ed, Ed Head?
25
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
26/73
Roberto, Jesse, I dont think its time to talk
about this but, Ed is thick headed. Lets just
leave it there.
The next day at Eds store an unmarked government
car is parked at the front door. IRS Agent Louis
is standing at the door. Ed drives his van along
side the white Ford sedan, gets out and walks up to
Louis.
Ed, Can I help you?
Louis, Lets step inside.
Louis moves his coat to expose a 9mm pistol on his
hip, Ed opens the door and walks in, Louis follows.
Ed grabs Louis arm, twists it behind his back and
pushes him face first onto the floor and then
handcuffs him before the agent can take his gun
out. Ed takes his gun. Standing in back of the
counter Ed asks, So, what can I do for you?
26
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
27/73
Agent Louis, Im an agent of the US Government.
Un-cuff me or youll be in more shit than you can
handle.
Ed, Is that all you have to say for your self? As
far as Im concerned you came in here and
threatened me with a gun.
He reaches down to retrieve a small tape recorder
and ID from Louis inside coat pocket. Ed, I
think Ill keep this.
He walks to the telephone and calls 911.
Ed, Hi Doris, its Ed, can you send Billy over to
pick up a criminal I found at the store.
Louis, Im FBI. I need to call my office.
Ed, Youll get the customary phone call after
youre booked at the town jail.
Sheriff Billy walks in the door with Rita, Roberto,
Ricco and Jesse. Sheriff Billy, Looks like you
caught yourself an office worker.
Ed, Yeah, hes a real nasty one, he threatened me
with this. Louis, Youre all in deep shit.
27
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
28/73
He hands over the gun to Sheriff Billy. Ed
continues, I think he soiled his draws. I want to
file charges. He was standing in the doorway and
forced me inside after showing me his firearm.
Ive got it all on audio tape.
Billy, OK, the judge is going to be pissed. Hes
gone for the weekend. So, this one will have to
stay in lock up until Monday morning. He lifts
Louis off the floor.
Rita, Ed dont you think this is over the top.
Ed, No just a little off center.
Ricco hides his face behind a magazine as Billy
takes Louis to the patrol car.
Ed stands in the doorway holding the tape recorder
and FBI ID, Louis, dont worry, Ill call this
interview in for you. We dont want any
misunderstandings back in Phoenix. Roberto, I
didnt think there was this much action up here.
Ed, I came here to get away from all this crap.
Roberto, You must be a crap collector.
28
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
29/73
Ed, Only the finest.
That night Roberto and Ricco, set up camp in a
clearing not far from the Eds store. The campfire
is fueled with Eds seasoned wood. Jesse has been
fed and put down for the night. Ricco, Roberto and
Ed are sitting on Indian blankets, huddled around
the campfire.
Ricco opens a can of beer. Its been a long time
since we were all together like this. Roberto, I
know.
Ed, Yeah, I have got to admit, Ive missed you
both.
Ricco, The last night in Dallas we were over
served at Lockers Bar.
Roberto, Some of us did things we now regret,
right Ed.
Ricco, Lets not get into that. It was a long
time ago.
29
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
30/73
Ed, I still have a dent in my head where I hit the
ground.
Ricco, You asked for it.
Ed, I was over the line, I must admit.
Ricco, Right, you flew over the car and landed on
your head.
Roberto, I felt real bad about that for a long
time.
Ed, I dont think you could pick me up like that
now.
Roberto, Lets just leave it at that Ed.
Ed, I mean it.
Ricco, Thats why everyone calls you Ed head.
Roberto, Its true, you always do things head
first.
Ed, Very funny. The next day I went back to the
spot where you stopped the car. In the daylight
very thing looked so different. I never did find
the left lens from my glasses. I developed a tick
in that eye.
30
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
31/73
Ricco, I was in my mamas kitchen in Ft. Worth
when I saw you and Rita get married on the Sally
Jesse Raphael Show.
Roberto, I wish I had seen that.
Ed, That was Ritas idea.
Ricco, Mama said, you looked scared.
Ed, I was sick from the night before.
Roberto, You knew this was your last free night,
right?
Ed, No, I was too sick to think about that. My
best man Danny took me to a Sushi Bar around the
corner form the hotel on 74st.
Roberto, So you went to a bait shop to eat?
Ed, Yeah, but it wasnt my idea. Dan was paying,
so I said what the hell, Ill just eat cooked fish.
Well, I had a couple of glasses of hot Sake. Danny
told me, I was marrying my mother. Later, I got
stomach cramps and was up all night on the
crapper.
31
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
32/73
At sunrise, Jesse is the first up. He walks to the
store to get something to eat. Rita is behind the
counter.
Rita, Hi Jesse, what are you hungry for?
Jesse, I like honey buns. Rita, Youve come to
the right place.
She turns to a box on the counter and takes out a
hand full of plastic wrapped Honey buns out.
Rita, Want me to heat one up?
Jesse licking his lips, Oh please.
Rita, Heres coffee for the boys.
She puts everything in a cut off box top and hands
it to him.
Jesse, Thank you, Mrs. Ed.
Rita, Im your auntie now, sweetheart.
Jesse, Oh yeah, thats right. Cool.
Rita, Honey, Im very sorry about what happened to
your mom and dad. They were good people. Theres
never a good time to bring it up. I just wanted
you to know that youre always welcome here.
32
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
33/73
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
34/73
Roberto walks around the store with Jesse shopping
for supplies for the trip ahead. Ricco, Rita, I
thought your show was very funny.
Rita, Sometimes Ed gets mental.
Ricco, I would have done the same thing.
Rita, Ive had enough humiliation therapy to last
me for a while.
Ricco, What about all the props?
Rita, Oh well, Ed couldnt keep them working
anyway.
Ricco, Cant they be fixed?
Rita, Forget it, Im going to become a
cartoonist.
Ricco, I didnt know you could draw?
Rita, I cant, Ill take a course at the community
college.
Jesse, What kind of cartoons?
Rita, I have an idea about fat girls living in a
trailer park.
Jesse, What do they do there?
34
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
35/73
Rita, Its about girls who are bored with life and
just want to have fun.
Roberto knows where this is going, Rita, so youre
going back to school?
Ed walks in the front door. Yeah, shes going to
be an artist.
Roberto, Great. Were headed out to the Tuzigoot
Indian ruins in Clarkdale.
Ed, Thats a full days drive from here.
Ricco, I know Ive been kicking around these hills
for some time.
Roberto, I want to see the dancing spirits.
Ed, Thats just a story for the tourists.
Roberto, Thats what we heard.
Ed with a knowing wink, You might just be
surprised. Anyway, have a good trip. Dont be
such strangers. Were always here now.
Rita, Im usually here. Ed has been hanging with
the Militia up here.
Ed, Theyre Arizona Militia.
35
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
36/73
Roberto, Those guys are gun nuts.
Ed, Most of them are gun collectors. They just go
to gun shows.
Rita, They come up here dressed in camouflage,
drink beer and polish their Pistolas. Theyre
harmless.
Ed, Theres a short cut to Tuzigoot ruins. Itll
save you 2 hours and the view is spectacular.
Ricco, That sounds great.
Roberto grabs an Arizona state map and opens it
onto the counter, So, we are here.
Ed, When you pull out of the parking lot turn left
down the first mountain road. Its used by loggers
and forest rangers, a little rough going, but
youll be fine.
Ricco, Thats OK, weve got the SUV.
Ed, Gas up, theres no place to stop for about 50
miles.
Roberto, Where will we come out to black top?
Ed, Over here. Got it?
36
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
37/73
Roberto, I think so.
Ed, You cant get lost if you stay on the main
road. If you get lost call me on the cell phone.
Ricco, Lets hit the road.
Roberto, OK, were off like a herd of turtles.
Ricco pulls the SUV up to the gas pumps and fills
the tank.
Ricco Its hard to say goodbye.
Roberto, Never say goodbye, its bad luck.
The trip down the mountain starts with some
hesitation. The road is full of potholes and
washouts. A bright yellow warning sign reads,
Logging Road, Authorized Personnel Only! Roberto
saw the sign too late to turn around, because the
trees grow up to the edge of the road.
Its a one-way trip. Roberto puts the SUV into
4wheel drive. He knows if he pushes in the clutch
he wont be able to stop. So, he must steer around
rocks, potholes and let 1st gear keep it from going
37
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
38/73
too fast. Roberto is getting the hang of things
when Ricco needs to stop to make a deposit.
Ricco, Please pull over somewhere I so I can leak
the lizard.
Roberto, So why didnt you do that before we
started.
Jesse to the rescue, I need to stop too.
Roberto, OK, all this talk and bouncing around is
making us act like a bunch of girls. Roberto
waits for a safe place to stop. He pushes in the
brake and the SUV stalls on the road. He pulls up
the hand break.
Roberto, Ricco, get two big rocks and put them
under the front wheels.
Jesse, I can help.
Roberto, No, let Ricco do it. Just get out and
watch where youre walking. Theres copperheads
and black bears out here.
Roberto stands in front of the truck peeing on the
road and enjoying the mountain view. Ed was right
38
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
39/73
about that, its beautiful. They finish up and get
in the SUV, but Ricco forgot to remove the rocks
from in front of the tires. Roberto turns the key
on and lets the brake off. They dont move. He
lifts the clutch and the truck leaps over the rocks
and they take off down the mountain. Jesse pulls
his seat belt tight.
Ricco smiling, If I had known it was going to be
this much fun I would have stayed in Jerome.
They are winding around the switchbacks when they
see a GMC hunting truck in the road and must stop.
Theres no one in the truck.
Roberto gets out to look around for the owner,
Hello! Is anybody out here? Theres no answer.
Ricco get out of the truck and walks over to
Roberto.
Ricco, What do you think?
Roberto, If we wait long enough someone will come
back for their truck.
39
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
40/73
Ricco, Or, we can push it off the road out of the
way.
Roberto, Maybe theyre out there hunting.
Ricco, Probably, I say lets push it. He walks
over to the drivers door and tries to open it.
Ricco, Its locked. Looks like were going to
have to do this the old fashion way. He walks
back to the SUV.
Ricco, Jesse, get me that wire coat hanger from
the back seat. Jesse hands it to him. Ricco has
done this hundreds of times, but not for a few
years. In fact, this is what got him in trouble
with the law back in Texas when he was a gang
banger.
Roberto, What are you doing?
Ricco, Sometimes you have to use old skills.
Roberto, What if they come back and youre trying
to break into their truck?
Ricco, Remember, Im the fastest gun in the west.
40
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
41/73
Ricco goes to the window and pushes the wire hanger
down into the door, setting off the burglar alarm.
Roberto. Oh great!
Ricco, Im almost there.
The door pops open, Ricco looks under the dash and
pulls out a wire stopping the alarm. Ricco, Get
in the SUV, Ill get this out of the way.
Roberto hops into the SUV and starts it. Ricco
puts the truck in neutral and releases the hand
break. It starts to roll down the road, but
because the motor isnt running the power steering
and brakes dont work, so Ricco runs into a tree to
stop it. The front right light is smashed and the
fender is bent into the front wheel. Ricco gets
out and runs back to the truck.
Roberto stops to pick him up. Ricco, that was as
bad a job as Ive ever seen.
Ricco, Well, its been a long time since Ive done
any automotive work.
Roberto, So, thats what you call it?
41
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
42/73
Ricco just smiles, Yeah.
They continue down the road only a lot faster.
Jesse, Why are we going so fast?
Roberto, OK, Ill slow down.
Ricco, Dont worry, theyll think it slipped out
of gear and rolled off the road. Roberto, What
about the wire hanger. Where is it?
Ricco, I cant be 100% sure, but I think its well
could be in the truck on the seat. Roberto, That
blows the it just rolled of the road idea.
Ricco, WellYeah. Roberto, Its coming back to
me.
Ricco, Whats that? Roberto, You always come up
with half baked ideas that get my ass in a crack.
Ricco, You just have bad luck.
Roberto, Only when youre around. What about the
time we went to Mexico with Ralph to find a
manufacture for those wooden colonic toilet seat
back splash device.
Ricco, I never said it was fool proof.
42
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
43/73
Roberto, You said Ralph had the money for gas,
food and motel.
Ricco, I didnt know he meant that the girl, Tracy
was going to pay for the trip. Roberto, She got
wise and I wound up paying for the entire trip.
Ricco, Yeah, I know, she went shopping and spent
all her money so she wouldnt have to pay for
everything.
Roberto, Smart girl.
Jesse, Grandpa theres some guys in a big black
truck behind us.
Ricco turns in his seat, Minga, theyre holding
guns.
Roberto, Theyre in a hurry, lets get out of the
way.
He slows down and pulls off the road. The big
black GMC passes them, pulls sideways in the road
and three hunters get out of the cab and walk back
to their SUV.
43
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
44/73
Roberto gives instructions, Cool it and stay put,
Im going to get out and talk to these guys.
He opens the door, gets out and greets the hunters.
What can I do for yall?
The Hunter takes a drink from a bottle of Wild
Turkey and passes it to the biggest guy John, By
chance did you push my truck out of the road back
there?
Roberto, Yeah, I sure did. It was blocking the
road and there was no one to be found. Hunter,
OK, then you better have a check book and some
insurance.
Roberto, Ive got insurance, but I didnt hit your
truck. I just pushed it out of the way. Hunter
points his gun at Robertos head, I dont care if
you like it or not.
One of the hunters is a wrestling fan. He realizes
that they are face to face with El Oso.
He turns to the other hunters, Yeah, this is El
Oso the champion wrestler.
44
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
45/73
The hunter John, takes off his hunting jacket,
Ive always wanted to be in the ring with one of
these fakers.
The fan, Man dont mess with him, hes bad.
Roberto, Wait, Im not going to fight you.
Hunter, I knew it, they just act the part.
Ricco gets out of the truck, El Oso is the most
powerful man to ever get in the ring. You dont
want to mess with him without a bet.
Hunter, Exactly what do you mean?
Roberto, Shut you mouth, Ricco, youve caused
enough trouble.
Hunter John, Lets hear it.
Ricco, First man thrown off the road wins. If you
win well pay for the truck damage, but if El Oso
wins we go on our way.
Hunter John, OK, Im up for it. Lets do it.
Everyone agrees. Jesse gets out of the truck and
comes to his grandpas side.
He walks up to the hunter. Youre not so big.
45
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
46/73
The hunter pushes him down to the ground. Roberto
rushes to pick him up.
Ricco, You shouldnt have done that, man. Youve
pissed him off.
Roberto, Stay with Ricco.
Roberto takes off his plaid shirt and throws it on
the hood of the SUV. Everyone backs away, but
John.
John taunting, Lets go grandpa.
Roberto doesnt say anything, he just moves around
John several times sizing him up. John takes a
swing and misses, then another and another, missing
again he leaps at Roberto and falls to the ground.
Roberto keeps circling.
The other hunters says, Get up, or Ill shoot you
in the ass.
John gets to his feet, Stop running grandpa.
Roberto waves him in closer and grabs his arm and
twists it behind him. He kicks John behind his
knees and he falls to the ground. Roberto reaches
46
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
47/73
around Johns chest from behind with both arms and
lifts John to his feet. He leans backwards and
Johns feet lift off the ground. He squeezes John
until he passes out.
Roberto lets him drop to the road like a sack of
grain. He walks over to the hunters, As I said,
we just pushed your truck off the road. He takes
out his wallet and opens it, Whats the damage?
The hunter, We made a bet and you won. Thats the
hazards.
Roberto, We need to push off.
The hunters struggle to their truck and drive it
out of the way.
Ricco, That was a close one, lets get out of here
before they change their minds.
Roberto, Thats the last time I listen to Ed.
Ricco, You still have the magic touch old man.
Roberto, He had a disadvantage.
Ricco, Whats that?
47
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
48/73
Roberto, He though all professional wrestlers are
actors.
They drive down the mountain road to the highway 87
and headed West. Roberto and Ricco are talking
while Jesse reads Harry Potter in the backseat.
Ricco, When was the last time you talked to
Caline?
Roberto, Its been a while. Shes in school in
Monterrey.
Ricco, That girl has been in school forever.
Roberto, I wish I didnt love her so much.
Ricco, She used you.
Roberto, I know, you dont have to remind me.
Ricco, Sorry, you got to remember I was your best
man.
Roberto, The first time I met her I knew we were
soul mates, even though we were years apart. Ill
always love her.
They drive in silence for a while.
48
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
49/73
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
50/73
Roberto, He took a gallon of old oil and put a
electro-magnet in it. We did get a lot of metal
out of it. But when we tried to take it to Mexico
to sell the idea, we got busted at the boarder
crossing at Brownsville.
Ricco, For what?
Roberto, Ralph had gotten stopped so many times at
that crossing his photo was on the watch list.
They took the sample oil, and that was that.
Ricco, Lets stop at a rest area and have lunch.
Jesse, Yeah, Im hungry.
They drive down the road until they come to a rest
stop with a view of the red rock mountains. They
park beside a 20 year old Winnebago, its surface
is covered with seashells, crucifixes, small
reproductions of religious paintings and
rattlesnake heads. The music coming from it is
accompanied by Hare Krishna chants. The side door
handle is a pair of vise grip pliers.
50
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
51/73
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
52/73
Back at the picnic area, Greta approaches Ricco as
he unpacks food for lunch.
Greta, Hi there, sailor, whats for lunch.
Ricco, startled at her appearance. Well, you are
very colorful. Whats your name?
Greta, I have many names. Gypsy women have been
known to do this.
Ricco, So, what is it today?
Greta, Today you can call me Greta.
Ricco, Your RV is very unusual too.
Greta, I prefer to be less obvious, but my husband
is a Leo. He has a hot glue gun and an eye for the
eclectic.
Ricco, So, what are you doing out here?
Greta, We are always looking for new experiences
in places that are off the grid.
Ricco, Ive been off the grid for sometime now.
Roberto walks to the table carrying wood. He
comments, What a beautiful day.
Ricco, Meet Greta, she is a traveler.
52
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
53/73
Roberto, Where do you travel?
Greta, Henry, my husband is a bit touched in the
head. When we have used up our welcome we just
move on.
Roberto, So, wheres your husband?
Greta, Hes in the woods gathering pine pitch.
Roberto is alarmed that Jesse is alone in the woods
with a mad man, Ill be right back. He quickly
walks off into the woods calling out to Jesse.
Jesse is on his way back to the picnic grounds when
he notices a tall man following him through the
woods. He is frightened, because the man is trying
to hide behind trees as he follows him along the
path, stalking him like a hunter.
Jesse hears Roberto calling and answers back, Over
here Grampa. They meet on the path.
Jesse, I was scared. This man was following me
along the path.
Roberto, Where is he?
Jesse, Out there somewhere, I cant see him now.
53
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
54/73
Roberto, Sorry, I should have stayed with you.
Jesse smiles, Im OK, now that Im with you.
Roberto is warmed by the comment and smiles
lovingly at Jesse. They walk back to the picnic
table.
Ricco, Looks like youve got enough wood for an
all night campfire.
Greta, Did you see Henry out the woods lurking
around?
Jesse, Who is Henry?
Greta, Its my husband. He likes to wonder in the
woods and play hide and seek.
Roberto, He gave Jesse a scare.
Greta, Oh, hes harmless. Its just that he lost
his childhood somewhere along the way and is trying
to recapture it.
Roberto, He should be more careful.
Greta, Hes a wrestling fan, Im sure you can make
an impression on him.
54
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
55/73
She looks across the picnic grounds to see Henry
standing in the shadows.
Greta, Henry, come over here and meet El Oso.
To Roberto she says, He is your biggest fan ever.
Ricco, You can run, but you cant hide old man.
Roberto, Thats the price of fame.
To Ricco, And you stop calling me old man,
geezer.
Jesse, Is he sick in the head?
Greta, Not really, Honey, hes just eccentric.
Henry slowly walks to the picnic table.
Roberto, Come on over and have a seat.
Ricco, Looks like well be having guests for
lunch.
Greta, Ive got a full kitchen if we need
anything.
Jesse looks at Greta, Do you have any peanut
butter? Its my favorite.
55
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
56/73
Roberto, Hes a very picky eater. He wont eat
his cereal in a bowl. He just sits on the floor
and eats out of the box.
Jesse, I love frosted flakes and Count Chocula.
Ricco, Pure granulated sugar, breakfast of
champions.
Henry, I like Slim Fast.
Greta, It plugs him up to the point where I have
to give him an enema every two or three days.
Henry, Greta!
Ricco, My Mama used to give us cod liver oil.
Roberto, That stuff will give you the squirts.
Ricco laughs, No shit.
Jesse, So, does grandpas Jalapeno tortillas when
he makes them too hot.
Rain drops begin to fall on the picnic table.
Greta, Thats enough talk about that end, now
lets feed the other end. How about having lunch
in the peace wagon, out of this rain?
56
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
57/73
They gather all the food and picnic supplies, the
drops of rain become a downpour after they are all
safe inside the RV. The inside the motor home is
decorated with anti war posters, bumper stickers
and literature.
Jesse looks around, Wow, look at all this stuff.
My teacher has this poster in class. Greta,
clears the stove. She asks, How about burgers and
beans?
Ricco. Weve got some tortillas, can you heat them
up?
Greta, Sure thing.
Roberto asks, Can I use your bathroom?
Henry answers, Let me see if Eva is finished with
her shower.
Henry taps on the bathroom door, Eva are you done?
Someone needs to use it. Everyone waits quietly
for an answer.
Eva, Im almost done. Ill hurry.
Henry, We have company for lunch.
57
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
58/73
Eva, OK, Ill be right out.
She opens the bathroom door and peeks around it to
see everyone quietly looking at her. Roberto melts
into his chair at the sight of her. He cant
believe how beautiful and elegant she is. She is
wrapped in a terrycloth robe with a white towel
around her head.
Greta, This is Eva, she is visiting with us from
Spain. We met at a anti-Globalization march in
Italy last year. Shes a sociology graduate
student.
Jesse waves hello, How old are you?
Eva answers with a sultry Spanish accent, 29.
Ricco, Are you still in school?
Eva, No, not now. I want to live in America, but
its hard to get a student visa these days.
Ricco, If you were to get married to an American
you could.
Eva, Yes, I suppose it would be easier.
Ricco, Just get an old guy like me to marry you.
58
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
59/73
Roberto, Maybe she would like to get dressed.
Eva, Yes, Ill be right out.
She gathers some clothes to put on, opens the
bedroom door and closes it behind her. Greta,
Roberto, do you still need to use the bathroom?
Roberto entranced, Oh, yes, as soon as shes
finished.
Henry, Eva is traveling with us to visit the
Native Indian ruins.
Eva exits the bathroom and goes into the bedroom
compartment. Roberto goes into the bathroom.
Ricco, We are going to Tuzigoot Indian ruins in
Clarkdale.
Henry, We can caravan. Its better in case the
bus breaks down.
Ricco, Im sure we can find the way. I know the
roads.
Greta, Its a good idea, Henry is mechanically
challenged. So if things were to breaking down we
could be stranded for sometime until we could get
59
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
60/73
from the Tuzigoot Indian ruins into Clarkdale
help. Roberto comes out of the bathroom.
Jesse asks, Buelo, can we caravan with them?
Roberto, I could hear yall through the bathroom
walls. I dont see why not.
Ricco looks at the bedroom door, Itll give us
time to get acquainted.
Roberto asks Greta, When are you planning to drive
on?
Greta, After lunch, OK with you?
Roberto, Sure.
Jesse, Can I ride with Greta in the bus?
Roberto asking Greta, Is that OK with you?
Greta, Yes. We have 2 way radios and you can talk
with Jesse as we drive along. Jesse beams,
Great.
Ricco, Ill drive the SUV.
Eva opens the bedroom door.
Eva, So, well have an escort to Tuzigoot?
Jesse answers, Yes.
60
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
61/73
Eva, Great! Lets eat, Im hungry.
She sits down next to Roberto. He notices she has
sweet smelling wet hair, he knows this is trouble.
He cant afford to fall for a young woman without
her feeling the same about him. His instant
attraction to her is too strong. His thoughts and
feelings race, as he tries to eat the tortillas he
made for the trip.
Eva, These tortillas are the best Ive had. They
dont taste like this in my country.
Jesse, Buelo made them, he puts jalapenos in
them.
Eva, They taste wonderful. So youre grandpa?
Roberto, His mama was my oldest.
Eva, You are in great shape for a Buelo.
Jesse, Hes a famous wrestler, they call him, El
Oso.
Eva, The Bear?
Greta, Hes a professional wrestler.
Roberto, Not anymore.
61
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
62/73
Eva, Tell me more.
Jesse, They call him the Bear, because when he
squeezes you, you pass out.
Eva, Ill bet.
Roberto, Ah, I think thats enough about me.
He looks out through the steamy windows to see that
the rain has stopped. A few minutes later theyre
on the highway toward Clarkdale. Greta is driving
the bus as Henry and Jesse are sitting at the
dining table talking. Eva is riding in the window
seat in the front of the bus reading a book.
Jesse points at Henrys hat, I like that pin on
your hat. Can I see it?
Henry takes off his ball cap, Sure.
Jesse touching the Army Special Forces pin, What
is it?
Henry, Its a Special Forces insignia pin.
Jesse, Whats Special Forces?
Greta, Jesse, you opened a can of worms with that
one. Tell him Henry. Henrys a Vietnam War Hero.
62
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
63/73
Henry, I signed up for the service when I
graduated high school. The war in Vietnam was in
high gear in 64. I didnt want to be left at home
alone while all my friends went of to the Army.
Jesse, I bet it was fun.
Henry, I had the time of my life. We went to Fort
Derrick and then to Country. We didnt know
anything. We thought it was going to be just like
hanging out with the guys. The first week it was
hot and rainy all the time. The boots they gave me
came apart. So I had my Mom send me some sneakers
and T shirts in the mail.
Jesse, What did you do?
Henry, We would ride around in a chopper all day
looking for Charlie.
Jesse, Whos Charlie?
Henry, Thats what we called the Vietcong.
Jesse, OH.
63
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
64/73
Henry, We couldnt see them through all the trees.
So, then the Army started spraying the trees with
Agent Orange.
Jesse, Whats that?
Henry, It a chemical that makes all the leaves
fall off of the trees. Henry pulls up his pant
cuff to expose a 6 inch scar on his leg, I got
this after the leaves fell off the trees and the
Vietcong could get a clear shot at the choppers.
The bullets would come up through the floor of the
chopper. I got one in the leg. Most of the time
though, you would get one in the butt.
Jesse looking at the deep scar, That must have
hurt.
Henry, Yeah, but its better than getting shot in
the butt.
Greta, That Agent Orange stuff is bad shit. See
if you can get your grandpa on the radio.
Jesse, OK, great.
64
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
65/73
Jesse picks up the radio and pushes the talk
button. Grandpa are you there?
Roberto answers, I hear you clearly. 10-4.
Jesse, What are you doing.
Roberto, Just talking to Ricco. Roberto leaves
the radio open by accident.
Ricco asks, What do you think of Eva?
Roberto, I wish I was 20 years younger.
Ricco, Yeah me too. I think shes fine.
Roberto, She has a very different way about her
than American woman.
Ricco, You got that right?
Roberto, American woman want to run everything.
You know they dont really like men. All they want
is sex and money. Eva isnt spoiled yet.
Eva, reaches over to the radio and pushes the talk
button.
Eva, American woman are spoiled thats for sure.
But, you guys are living in the dark ages.
65
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
66/73
Roberto lifts the radio from the dashboard and
turns off the talk button.
Roberto, OH Crap!
Greta takes the radio, Come back, we heard it all
boys.
Ricco takes the radio, I guess theres no shame
here.
Roberto takes the radio, Sorry, Eva.
Greta, Boys will be boys.
Later that day, they stop in Clarkdale for gas and
refreshments. Roberto and Greta are going over the
area map in the bus while the others are filling
the gas tanks of the bus and SUV. Roberto points
at Tuzigoot Indian ruins, Here it is.
Greta, How far is it?
Roberto, About 20 minutes follow me, Ricco has
been there before. He said theres a place there
to park the bus for the night.
66
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
67/73
About 9:00pm Greta parks the bus into the
campgrounds. She asks everyone to get an Indian
blanket and drum, then follow her down a path to
the ruins of Tuzigoot.
They walk single file about a mile into the ruins
and stop in a clearing.
Greta opens her blanket and places it on the
ground, she says, We must sit down in a circle
facing outward to experience and visualize the
spirits of the Sinagua Indians. Their spirit
protectors who come in the form of Eagles, Mountain
Lions and Hawks.
Roberto, Is it dark enough to see them?
Greta, Not yet, but it soon will be. We must
summon them with our drumming.
She reaches into an Indian pouch and takes out some
seeds.
She instructs, Now you will take this seed and
place it under your tongue. It will help you in
your meditation.
67
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
68/73
Roberto, Is it safe for Jesse?
Greta, Its only a distraction for the conscious
mind. We cant experience the spirits with our
consciousness mind. We must therefore keep it busy
with other things. Have you ever looked at the 3D
art that changes when you move it away from you and
then you can see a hidden picture in it? Its the
same idea. Just follow what I do and you will see.
No talking.
Everyone takes a seed, placing it under their
tongues.
Greta, First we must meditate, hold hands. Relax
your mind, let it drift away from your body, it is
free to do so, because we are humans having a
spiritual experience, or if you like Spirits having
a human experience. Both are true. We are all
made of the stuff of the Universe. When the
universe was created there was a void of
consciousness. God created everything in his/her
consciousness. All the things in the universe that
68
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
69/73
we call real are the creation of our God
consciousness, and because we are conscious, we can
see and feel the presence of other spirits if we
choose to. So, open up your mind and watch the
show.
She starts drumming, then Roberto, Eva, Ricco,
Jesse and Henry join in with their drums. The sun
passes over the horizon and the stars become
brighter. Translucent lights move across the sky
as they take form. A hawk flies across the old
Indian Village. It catches the wind and other
hawks join it in a circular pattern. A mountain
lion walks into the clearing and sits in front of
Jesse. A deer steps into the circle. The village
comes to life with Indians. It appears as it once
did over 2,000 years ago with women sitting around
a campfire making baskets and talking, the men
sharing a pipe. They are talking about the need to
dance for rain needed to grow the corn. They
collect around a campfire and drum with exactly the
69
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
70/73
same rhythm as Greta and the others. Its starts
to rain with thunder and lightning all around them.
Lightning simultaneously strikes into the sand in
front of each one of them. Then suddenly, it is
all over. Greta and the rest are covered with tiny
black droplets of black glass.
Roberto looks around to see if Jesse is OK.
Jesse stands up and says, I saw my momma and
daddy, they said they were OK. They said they were
my guardian angels now and that they are with me
all the time.
Jesse leaping and dancing about, They told me so,
they told me so! Im so happy! They said they
have been with me always and they will guide me.
Yahoo! And, if I want to speak to them all I have
to do is sit quietly and listen, and they will be
there. Did you see them? Did you see them?
Eva, What you saw and heard was for you and you
alone. This is a healing place and each one of us
70
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
71/73
experienced something completely different. It was
our soul that these spirits are meant for.
Roberto, Why cant we do this on our own?
Greta, Our dreams are our spirit consciousness.
We just need to learn how to remember, thats all.
Eva, We have forgotten how, so we need help to
remember. The Sinagua simply vanished centuries
ago.
Ricco, Were they killed off by the Hopi?
Eva, Some believe they inner married and were
assimilated.
Henry, They were farmers in this river valley for
thousands of years. There was a long drought.
Without water things could have taken a turn for
the worst.
Roberto, In my vision there was a drought and the
Sinagua were trapped. They killed all the children
and took all their women to a safe place in the
western mountains where there was plenty of water
and game.
71
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
72/73
Jesse shocked, Why did they kill their children?
Eva, It was better than seeing them waste away and
die of starvation. They had to conserve their food
and energy. They knew that if the women could
survive they would have other children when the
conditions were better.
Ricco, Didnt they believed that they were spirits
and could change form?
Greta, They could. They became birds and flew
away.
Eva, Yeah, we are always in need of survival
strategies, right?
Jesse looks up into heavens, In my dreams, I know
that if I believe that I can fly, I can really
fly.
72
8/14/2019 Abuelo El Oso by Steven Donnini
73/73
Recommended