The Character THE CHARACTER I was sitting in front of my computer trying to decide what to write for the beginning of my story one fine day in March, 2002. As I was sitting and thinking about how to begin this story. Someone gently tapped me on the shoulder. When I turned around to see who it was that had tapped me on my right shoulder, I saw the character that I had written about in a previous story. It was Alfred, the same vampire I had written about in “Kiss of the Vampire.” Alfred looked deep into my eyes and told me that he sensed my desire for him to come visit me and that he felt that I needed emotional support and someone to help write the story that I was about to write. I told Alfred that I had imagined him to be a tall, charming vampire with dark hair and eyes. Alfred was all of those things that I had described. I told Alfred that vampires don’t really exist that they were just in my imagination and on the movie screen. If it hadn’t been for me writing “Kiss of the Vampire,” Alfred would not be here. Let me introduce myself! My name is Natalie Hoffmeyer, I am the author of “Kiss of the Vampire.” Let me tell you a little about myself. I am five feet five inches tall, slender and attractive. I will not discuss my age. I am married and I have two grown daughters. My youngest daughter is married. The eldest is living at home with my husband and me. I live in Eureka, California in the same city that Alfred lives in. My husband Frank is an engineer for the County and we have been married for twenty-eight years. We have had are ups and downs as every marriage does. We are happy together and that’s all that matters. Now, enough about me! Let me tell you about Alfred. Alfred is working on his PhD at the University of Northern California in Eureka. Alfred attends the university at night. He’s teaching an English Literature class at the university during the night. He teaches English Literature on Thursday nights from seven o’clock until nine o’clock. Alfred also works as an editor for Channel 3 News. He’s been an editor since 1960. He also writes short stories about serial killers, psychopaths, demonically possessed people and women who are getting divorced. One moment, Alfred wants to ask me a question. “Of course I like you Alfred. Why do you ask such a silly question?” “I just thought that because you was giving your attention to the readers that you did not wish to have me visit you right now,” said Alfred. Alfred and I are going to have dinner together tonight after everyone leaves. My daughter Monique is staying at her friend Kathy’s house tonight and my husband is away on a business trip in New Jersey. He won’t be back until next week. Alfred has never came to visit me before when I’ve been alone. This is the first time he’s came to keep me company. Perhaps, Alfred wants to make sure that I’ll be all right and that nothing happens to me. Dancing comes natural to Alfred. Rock n’ Roll is his favorite. “Alfred, go over there to my CD collection and pull out a selection by James Brown and play it. I want to see you dance.” I suggested. “Alright, but you will have to dance with me, Natalie!” Remarked Alfred. “I am a lousy dancer and I don’t like to dance in front of people that I don’t know like the reader’s of this story.” I said. “Come on, Natalie don’t be an old stick in the mud.” Replied Alfred. “Get up and shake your butt.” Commanded Alfred. “You dance very good Alfred. What dances can you do?” I asked. “The Boog-a-Loo, the Monkey, the Mashed Potato, the Bird, the Dog, the Dogcatcher, the Freak and the Tootsie Roll.” Said Alfred. “Gee, you dance really good, Alfred!” I commented. “Yes, I trained myself how to dance. In the ’70’s I watched ‘Soul Train.’ I practiced all the dances and I still know how to do them. In Eureka, ‘Soul Train,’ came on at seven o’clock in the evening. So I would get up and dance until eight o’clock when ‘Soul Train,’ went off.” Remarked Alfred, smiling. “I must say you are the best dancer that I’ve seen. You’re better than the dancers on ‘Soul Train.’ You even dance better than the dancers on ‘Dance Fever.’ Did you watch every episode of ‘Soul Train’”? I said, amazed. “Yes, I used to watch every episode from seven to eight o’clock every Saturday night.” Said Alfred. “You have a way with women Alfred. You charm them, wine them, dine them and take them dancing.” I mentioned. “Yes, I find that to be to my advantage, Natalie. I think you and I should get together. You’re married to a schmuck!” Said Alfred. “Alfred, that’s not a nice thing to say about my husband in front of all these readers.” I said angrily. “I’m sorry, I just got carried away with my feelings towards you.” Replied Alfred. “What do you mean by that statement?” I asked. “I mean I’ve always had a crush on you, Natalie, since you first started writing “Kiss of the Vampire.” Remarked Alfred, sadly. “You mean when I first created your character in the story?” Questioningly. “Yes, when you first thought about me as being a vampire, I knew that you was a talented, attractive and kind person.” Said Alfred. “Thanks for the complements, Alfred.” Flattered. “Only someone like you would make a terrible blood sucking, creature like myself a charming, amusing, loveable and educated vampire. I appreciate the character that you created for me in “Kiss of the Vampire.” You made me a prince in shining armor. “ Commented Alfred. “That’s knight in shining armor.” Correcting. “Whatever! You made me feel like you had breathed new life into an old disgusting vampire. You even made me a vampire who didn’t drink people’s blood. You gave me style, charm and a good education. Not too many vampires that I know can say that they have a PhD. in English! You really put the ‘Icing on the Cake’ as they say.” Said Alfred. “Thank you, Alfred.” I said. “After you finished writing the story, ‘Kiss of the Vampire’ that’s when I realized that I had fallen madly in love with you, Natalie.” Exclaimed Alfred. “Wait just a minute, Alfred. It was only a story. It was not even a real story, it was a fiction story! Vampires do not really exist, Alfred.” I acknowledged. “That’s not true, Natalie. Vampires do exist! Look at me! I am living proof that vampires do exist!” Replied Alfred confidently. “How did you know where I lived?” I asked surprised. “You created me right here at the same computer you’re writing this story on. The computer is how I came into being. Without you writing me into that electronic device, I would not be standing here right now!” Explained Alfred. “I am afraid that I don’t understand what you’re trying to explain to me, Alfred.” I said. “I came into being when you typed the words Alfred Capusau is a vampire. Then you described how I looked. You said that I was six feet tall, of light olive complexion with black hair and eyes. You said that I was extremely handsome and slender. All of those descriptions of how I looked brought me to life that’s why I am speaking to you right now.” Stated Alfred. “So, that means if I erase your name and description you would disappear? If I were to put another name and describe you as being totally different than you are now. Would someone else appear?” I asked. “I would vanish and someone else would be brought to life.” Said Alfred. “Oh, that’s how it works?” I asked. “Yes, you have been writing these stories for some time now. You mean you didn’t know that your character can come to life when you write about them in your stories?” Asked Alfred. “I knew that when the reader of the story reads about various characters that those characters come to life in the mind and imagination of the reader. I didn’t know that they would actually come to life literally speaking.” I mentioned. “Well, I presume you must have really wanted me to come to life, otherwise I wouldn’t be standing here.” Replied Alfred. I’ve suddenly developed an appetite. “Let’s go into the dining room and I’ll prepare dinner for us.” I said. “Please! Don’t prepare anything for me. I’ll stop by the local blood bank on the way home tonight.” Said Alfred. “You can turn the television on in the living room if you don’t want to eat.” I replied. “I just want to watch you prepare dinner for yourself. If you don’t mind.” Replied Alfred. “O.k., I’m going to prepare some baked chicken breasts and steamed vegetables.” I said. “That sounds very healthy.” Said Alfred. “I do hope that you eat a lot of green leafy vegetables. So that you won’t be anemic.” Remarked Alfred smacking his lips. “I do intend to eat healthy, don’t worry Alfred! I am in very good health and my blood count is just fine!” I explained. Alfred walks into the kitchen where I am preparing dinner. Alfred gently kisses me on the cheek. We then embrace one another. Alfred kisses my throat then suddenly bites me in the neck. After the third bite in the throat, I will become a vampire like Alfred. Alfred has taken me to his house on Mulberry Street. I will spend the night there with Alfred. He has prepared a coffin in the basement for me to sleep in right next to his. From now on I will have to adjust to sleeping all day and waking up at night. This won’t be a problem, since I write most of my stories at night anyway. THE END Written by: Sheryl L. Hanna Copyright ©2003 Sheryl L. Hanna
Copyright © 2003 Sheryl Hanna |