Mikey from Omaha




The others seemed nervous about sharing their own stories because Sunshine's was so boss. Finally, the dude with the blue-tinted sunglasses and braided headband spoke up.
"I've got a story to tell. My sister, Dori, back in Nebraska, like my real sister, went through some tough times recently and it makes for a radical tale! I'm Mikey, by the way," he said, and started his narrative.


Omaha seemed like an unlikely spot for the hippie culture to come alive, but in 1967, it was a happening spot. Dori and her boyfriend fit right in with that crowd. She was totally in love with her boyfriend, Harvey, who was a popular and righteous dude. They were the king and queen of the hippies. Once the anti-Vietnam movement began in the country, they were the first people in Nebraska to hold demonstrations against the war. Neither Dori or Harvey believed in war, and they spread their message far and wide.

Harvey and Dori were saving any money they could so that they could run away to California. Everything they wanted in life could be found out West and they would be surrounded with people who thought like them. Waiting to have enough money to go was a drag, but every penny they saved was one step closer to their future together. One day, that future seemed to crash down on them. Harvey's draft number was called. He had been drafted and had no way of getting out of service. He passed the examinations, wasn't a conscientious objector, and didn't have enough money to flee to Canada. Harvey was deployed the next week. To say that Dori freaked out is an understatement. She cried for months and her best friends couldn't cheer her up. Finally, Dori's favorite band scheduled a gig in Omaha and her friends decided to take her. 
At the concert, Dori chilled out for the first time since Harvey headed to war. The music was groovy and her body was swaying to the beats. She noticed a foxy guy checking her out, but she could never be unfaithful to Harvey, even if he was halfway around the world. Soon, the boy made his way up to Dori.
"I couldn't help but notice your beautiful aura. I'm Arli, and I want you to be my lady," he proclaimed to her.

"Dude, I appreciate the compliments, but my love is in 'Nam. If you can get my man back home safely, I'll be yours. I don't want to see him in a body bag," she choked out, holding back sobs as she spoke. Arli contemplated her proposition, readily agreed and took Harvey's information. This was the most stellar chick he had ever laid eyes on and he would find a way to get her into his arms.
 
Image Information: Vietnam War Protest
Web Source: Music of India

The next day, he racked his brain coming up with a plan. Arli lived with his brother, who quickly noticed that something was not right. He asked what was up and Arli told him about his impossible task to get the girl of his dreams. His brother knew how he could help. He knew a dude who worked at the Selective Services office and called him up.The Selective Service worker was sort of a square. He told Arli that he could get Harvey out of Vietnam by using an X-Ray of a guy with a heart defect and pretending it was Harvey's. A heart defect like that could kill him at any moment and Harvey would be discharged immediately. The office worker said it worked like a charm. The guy would do the job for $1,000, to be paid once Harvey came home. Arli agreed. The square kept his word, and a month later Harvey pulled up in a bus in downtown Omaha. Arli had let Dori know about the plan, but she never expected it to work. Once she was able to see Harvey stepping off the bus and into her arms, everything felt copacetic. Back at the apartment, Dori broke down. Through her tears, she told Harvey about the deal she had made with Arli. 
"Lady, I love you more than anything, but I would rather you be true and keep your deal than stay with me and end up hurting the man who saved my life," Harvey explained, and led her to Arli's pad. When they arrived, Arli welcomed Dori and noticed how bummed out she was.

"Harvey got home safe. What's up?" he asked her, and listened as she relayed what Harvey told her about keeping her promise. He didn't feel right keeping her when she had a sweet dude back home who loved her and respected him.  He told her that he was doing away with their deal and to go back to Harvey. She thanked him over and over and skipped out the door, full of happiness. The Selective Service worker turned up after Dori left, looking for his payment. Arli had only managed to come up with half of what he needed, and asked the worker if he could pay the rest as soon as he had it.
"Man, I did everything you asked and got a guy out of 'Nam. I deserve my money since you got your girl. You did get that chick, right?" asked the office worker. Arli explained why he gave up Dori and the worker seemed touched by what he heard. 
"Dude, what you did for those two was awesome. Forget the money, man," and with that, the office worker walked out the door.

"So, my friends, all three of those brothers ended up being infinitely more righteous than anyone would have dreamed of, especially Dori. She and Harvey are living out the dream in San Fran, still fighting against war," said Mikey.

"Far out, Mikey!" explained Jeff, as he maneuvered the bus off an exit. The group stopped for some grub, eager to get back on the bus and hear more of these fresh tales.




Author's Note
This is a retelling of the The Franklin's Tale from Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. In the original story, a knight marries the love of his life and sets out to gain recognition and wealth soon after their wedding. His wife was miserable during their separation. During this time, she meets a young entertainer who falls for her. She agrees to be with him if he can make the rocks on the coast that block her husband's route home disappear. The entertainer goes to a magician, who agrees to make the rocks disappear for 1,000 pounds. The magician makes the rocks disappear and the young woman's husband comes home safely. She admits that she made a deal to be with the entertainer if he was able to clear the water of rocks, and the knight tells her to keep her word. The woman went to the entertainer and explained what her husband had said. The entertainer appreciated the knight's nobility and sent her back to her husband. When the magician came to collect his money, the entertainer only had half and explained how he didn't get the girl. The magician forgave his debt because the entertainer acted so nobly himself. In the end, all three men were examples of decency.
In my story, the knight was Harvey, the wife was Dori, and the entertainer was Arli. I substituted the quest for wealth with the Vietnam war, which fits into my 60s theme, and used a trick in the draft office by a worker instead of a trick from a magician. I kept the rest of the basic elements of the story, including the money that Arli owes the worker, the same. The story takes place two years prior to Woodstock.

Bibliography
"The Franklin's Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer, from The Canterbury Tales (1478). Web Source: The Baldwin Project

Austin from Austin


I Can See the Introduction For Miles And Miles Take A Piece of My Heart To The Cover Page