The Ventriloquist

                The Ventriloquist          

                                                                                                                By Sami Khalil

When he, the dummy did stare, it was as if a lifeless and blank stare one time, and full of life and verve another, looking real to the point of an eerie encounter with a humanoid, who sprang from eternal slumber to life instantly. Sounds like they possessed one of their own, too. That gazing look they project to an audience, somehow could paralyze from the neck down, in a nefarious way.

When the ventriloquist would pull him out of his suitcase, it looked as if he being pulled out an ancient grave. By the way, people in the old days thought, ventriloquists were in league with the Devil himself, for upon visiting their towns for shows, they left the inhabitants with traces of the willies and nightmares. In modern times, people pack theatres to see those dummies for entertainment purposes.  Some of those dummies even earn great fame and place in common cultures. From political satire, social ills, war and peace, economic downturn, people connect with the message and relate to its spoken words. The ventriloquists know it, playing it smart on inherent fears, for the populace need laughter as a medicine. Some jokes pack the punch, others don’t. In their defense, those masters of voice and manipulation, are mysterious folk, inherently talented, not retarded in the least.

Now, let me tell you the story about one ventriloquist, who always lived in the shadows of his highly decorated, immensely motivated father, soldier and statesman. As his father lay dying on his hospital bed, about to give up the ghost, his son, who idolized him, was bedside crying uncontrollably. Although they had competing personalities, the father being the strict disciplinarian, the tough guy, who left no room for the son to breathe and grow normally, turning him into an introvert with no valuable accomplishments in life. By looking at his dad’s face when yelling, he feared “The Face” constantly. He developed a hobby of building toys to look real as humans and converse with them at night. He had no logical solution to that dilemma but that, no escape but it. Toys and dummies fascinated him along with black magic. He even made some in the garage with glass eyes that sent shivers down spines of said neighbors. Now, it was time for his dad to depart this world after a long struggle with cancer, leaving him in peace, and so he did. There was no shortage of grief as the son felt an immense vacuum without peace. As the days went by, to remain focused on his dad, to honor his memory, the son made a gorish replica dummy of his dad and took him to many shows as a ventriloquist. Eventually, he packed audiences to the brim, for his shows became so popular, inviting people near and far. They wanted so bad to see this crude veteran who became animated, alive by a witty repartee. Although he gave some the goosebumps, the dummy received much acclaim and fame. The son, who created him and was the (Master), felt as the shadow again. Furious and jealous, he became disturbed by this impromptu show. Why should he not get the fame instead, let alone dad’s lookalike? On a whim, in boiling anger, he took it, dressed it up with his father’s fine, decorated suit, and proceeded to kill him. Bullets rang loudly many times echoing for miles. What a vastation? What a relief?

He felt good, regaining his sense of self and identity. All those pent-up feelings were emptied out but with horrifying consequences. Night after night, he couldn’t sleep, for nightmares contributed to his ambulatory fears with notable causation in constant frisson. In retrospect, he lost his mind. He became a shadow of madness. One day, he packed his belongings and moved to the “Land of Dummies.”     

Reviews

[Phillip W Parsons]

Very interesting concept. Concise and odd. I'm left wanting just a little more.
"One day he packed up and moved to the land of the dummies where..."
A few sentences to bring it back.

[Sami Khalil]

It was intentional dear Phillip. I like to keep my readers wanting more. Keep them hooked and wondering so to speak. Might do a sequel later. Thank you so much and God bless.

[Linda alexander]

The land of dummies means what. Did he started using dummies more in his life or he became a crazy person like a dummy or physically dead. It seems like the son started with a purpose of portraying his own views to the world through the dummies but the world perceived dummy or person behind dummy which in this case was his own dad as the hero not the son and son became so mad as well as jealous and it turned him to something he never thought he will become especially in the beginning. I can compare this to some writers, movie actors, artists where the art and writing make them loose their stability of mind and their life become disasters. A real thought provoking writing

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well said. You fill in the blanks. That is the intention. Thank you so much Linda for all. Back to the land of dummies.

[barleygirl]

You describe this guy working out his "daddy issues" with a "gorish replica dummy" . . . & there are similarities to how some writers pour out their angst in words. I'll never forget the feeling, the first time I wrote a gory story . . . it was satisfying to torture a symbol of what had tortured me as a kid. I love your explanation of how the dad dies & the son is inspired to go the "ventriloquism" direction. Once in a while, it feels like you get a little tangled up in using one complex sentence after another. This story could use a few short direct sentences, here & there, to add some breathing space to some of your more complicated & intense passages (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! I do agree and I thank you for that dear poet. As for your story, I'm touched deeply as you may know and this story applies to both sexes. I do tend to get carried away for I try to unlock life, its injustice and the solution as a universal message. I love your takes on my stories for you never put down anyone as others did, do to me or for other writers but you offer selfless encouragement and advice. People can tell the difference. God bless.

[barleygirl]

This means so much to me, becuz I wasn't very gentle with my criticisms at first & after provoking defensiveness among other writers, I had to learn to do it better!

[Sami Khalil]

All good. It is all in the manner and spirit of intention. Have a great weekend.

[Pete]

control is a dangerous thing. we can become that which we wish to control. sometimes we wonder who the real 'dummy' is. i like how it starts out generalized and seemingly innocuous and grows deeper as you weave the tale of a son living in the shadow of an overbearing father. like the analogy and lesson. we want to be valued and recognized for who we really are regardless. we have our own voices and want to be heard. was reminded of that evil doll - Chuckie as i read. sobering & creepily creative. left me thinking and with a queasy, disturbed, uneasy feeling. hope i can still sleep tonight ... :)

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. I love your take on this story Pete. I love you you use wisdom and clear understanding. Very astute and understanding. Thank you so much for all.

[Pax]

they are undeniably talented, can't argue with that. often times I wonder to where talent has a price, like karma has two-way street... a dark tale, says much truth and humor blends into entertainment. another compelling tale, brother....

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa great Pax. I'm honored to have known you and to call you brother. You know, as artists and poets, we explore ideas, imagery and wordings. Creativity is vast and deep. We can tap into all of that somehow. God's given gifts abound. You are gifted too in a unique way. Thank you kindly for all.

[Sami Khalil]

"Now, let me tell you the story about one ventriloquist, who always lived in the shadows of his highly decorated, immensely motivated father, soldier and statesman."

[Sami Khalil]

"The ventriloquists know it, playing it smart on inherent fears, for the populace need laughter as a medicine."