Juan Suarez ABCA 3 LITFILI - Finals: Short story Filipino youth can relate to #3 titled “Identification”
The bouncer inspected Craig’s state I.D. card with scrutiny, curiously looking back and forth from Craig and Craig’s proudly declared state I.D. card. In large, permanently inked characters, “Age: 21” was marked at the top of the I.D. The entire card was laminated in at least two layers of tear-proof plastic and finally stamped with the thin liquid metal insignia of the state of Sheildsmaid. A small, smiling photo of Craig stared back at the bouncer. The only noticeable difference between the photo and the real-life Craig standing in front of the bouncer was the gruff, uneven stubble growing all over Craig’s cheeks, philtrum, and chin. Everything on the I.D. checked out except the bouncer still refused to believe that he, the bouncer, who was an average 22 year old Shieldsmaid local (who worked out regularly to retain his job) was standing at a regular 5 feet 11 inches, had to tilt his head down to look at Craig, who was at a mere 5 feet--or less.
“Is there a problem?” Craig asked. “Is this real?” asked the bouncer. Craig looked behind him then looked at the bouncer straight in the eyes. “As real as this long line of impatient customers behind me good sir.” replied Craig. The bouncer gave a sigh of disbelief, shook his head, looked down and said, “I think everything is in order sir, welcome to the Red Herring Gentlemen’s Club.” Handing the state I.D. card back to Craig, the bouncer stood aside and opened the club’s main door.
Loud industrial music blasted at Craig as he entered the club, the bass-heavy tunes rhythmically knocking on his miniature ribcage. He managed to navigate through a crowd then struggled to take a seat at the front row of a strip stage. Hands first, a little hop, and he was sitting comfortably, even though his feet were dangling a few centimeters of the ground.
The industrial music was turned off; the club’s lights were dimmed, while spotlights were focused towards the strip stage. The red stage curtains drew open revealing three voluptuous women so scantily dressed that Craig wondered why they even bothered to wear anything at all. Sensual music started playing and the voluptuous women started dancing provocatively, gracefully utilizing the onstage poles and each other to animate the tone of their performance music. Every moment of their performance seemed like an eternity to Craig. He savored every little movement they made; the way their hips swayed, how one girl would sometimes seductively bite her lower lip while sliding her back against a pole. She made eye contact with Craig and started crawling towards him…
“Excuse me sir?” interrupted the bouncer. Craig almost jumped off his seat as he felt two heavy hands grip his tiny shoulders. “There’s a man and woman outside claiming to be your parents, they’re causing a commotion outside shouting your name, curses, and something about a curfew and you being too young. Sir, I’d like to ask you to either make them stop or leave the premises with them.
Seeing the bouncer talking to Craig, the crawling woman focused her attention on someone else. Craig shouted in anger then crossed his arms and started muttering “I’m not leaving. I’m staying. I’m old enough, I’m an adult. Sure, I flunked college and live off of my ‘rent’s dough but that doesn’t make them own me. Always, always ruining everything, making me clean the house, wash their dishes. Not leaving, oh no no no. I’m staying. I’m staying!!”
Over his muttering, Craig didn’t hear the bouncer threaten to throw him out if he didn’t comply. Craig was suddenly yanked out of his seat, carried by his collar and thrown out of the club, right at his parent’s feet.
Over the sudden rainfall, the abusive curses and kicks his parents gave him, Craig’s senses didn’t register a thing. He had a blank stare on his face. Even as the lights and sounds of a police car and ambulance approached he didn’t move. Craig had given up. He couldn’t accept who he was anymore. His little oyster of security and comfort had been opened up and ravaged by reality. Truth overcame him. His mind had snapped.
Explanation:
Point of View: Third Person
Themes: Awareness of self, Solve problems instead of running away from them, Effects of poor leadership
Symbolisms: Craig – Filipino youth all over the world, Bouncer – Poor awareness of current events/Lack of internalization/Lack of knowledge, Club – Distractions from goals/reality, Dancers – Temptation/ Escapes from reality/problems, Abusive parents – Over-expectations/abuse of power/poor leadership/ one-sided thinking
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