This is an original play, that is loosely based on Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. It is about a boy and his family who are asked to watch a hotel for three years, but during their stay, they are antagonized by a ghost. 

Three Winters
By: Jordan Katzeff

Characters
Kevin: He is a 9 year old boy. Kevin has a mischievous personality that excels at getting into trouble with his parents.

Dad: A mild mannered man. He is a basic person that has a family, mortgage, and a stable job. He is constantly working on his novels and is very well known in the hotel business.

Mom: She is a middle aged woman who is tired from always dealing with her child. The bags under her eyes have grown since the years of her marriage and doesn’t even know what sleep is anymore.

Rick: He is the hotel manager who is of the older set. He is a bit overweight and has always indulged in the riches left behind by his parents

Scene 1

In this opening scene, RICK calls DAD at their house. They live in a mountainous range in a Victorian style house where a large forest looms. In the distance from the house, you can see the outline of a hotel on the horizon. The sun is beginning to set and KEVIN and MOM are outside enjoying the setting with lemonade in hand. RICK is on the phone with DAD.

RICK: You know I would do it for you if you needed my help.
DAD: I know you would, but you are talking about three years up there. I can’t take my son out of school and keep my family stuck in there for that long of a time.
RICK: It won’t feel that long anyway. All the food is free for your family, plus amenities and a king size suite. It will be even better than home, and all you have to do is watch the hotel for me while I roam the countryside with my grandchildren.
DAD: Rick, I just can’t do it.
RICK: I’ll even pay you $200,000.
DAD: Well…. That is a lot of money. Alright fine, but you owe me one.
RICK: Thanks man. You won’t regret your decision
Blackout

Scene Two

It is spring and KEVIN and his family are on the way to the hotel. KEVIN is not looking forward to being stuck at the hotel for so long, but he decided that he was going to try his hardest to make his parents want to leave. As they approach the hotel you can see that it is large. With three separate buildings, a pool, a ball room, and a large central building topped off with a large archway in front.

DAD: Just look at this place. It’s incredible.
KEVIN: It’s alright I guess.
DAD: Well Kevin you better start liking it soon because this is your home for the next three years. There’s Rick now. Hey Rick!
RICK: There you are. Come on this way, there’s lots to show. (KEVIN follows the group as they travel the hotel, but quickly darts behind a corner so he can go explore.)

KEVIN: This is place is huge!  (KEVIN takes two steps down the stairs when you hear it snap and he falls all the way down. )

KEVIN: What the hell was that? The stair just snapped.

The audience then sees a ghost in the background that only they can see. The ghost is adorned in a long bridal gown with blood stains splattered on her dress. Her face is hidden behind a black veil. She walks behind a corner as KEVIN’S family makes its way back to the lobby.

DAD: Kevin are you alright?
KEVIN: Yea, the stair just broke.
RICK: Now don’t be silly kid. The stair doesn't look broken to me. (Group goes to examine stair.)

KEVIN: I swear to you it was broken. I didn't just fall.
DAD: There he goes again, trying to get all of us in trouble. Kevin just face it, we are staying.
KEVIN: I’m not lying.
RICK: Well, here are your keys. The staff will be leaving for the winter so you will be here alone until the spring time. The kitchen is stocked with food and the whole hotel is open to you.
DAD: Thanks Rick.
RICK: No thank you. Well see you guys later.
Blackout

Scene 3

KEVIN is walking around the halls. It has been 6 months since they have gotten there and winter has just begun. KEVIN is adorned in a large parka and has been walking into every room to see if anyone has left anything behind that he can take.

KEVIN: Dang it, nothing in this room. (At that moment the door slams shut and large gust of cold wind blows in. KEVIN takes two steps back towards the window when he sees the ghost.)

KEVIN: What do you want? Don’t hurt me I’m just a kid.  (The ghost laughs and runs at KEVIN, knocking him out the window of the top story. He is dead on impact.)

DAD: Kevin! Kevin! Get out here!
MOM: What is it? Oh my god! My baby boy! Move!

She hugs her child as the ghost moves to the top of the roof and knocks off all the snow from the top of the building. The entire family is buried in snow and suffocates. They are discovered in the spring upon the employees return, frozen together.
Blackout

THE END

This vignette is about a real moment in my life. I was with my friend in Hawaii when we heard a tsunami alarm. It was crazy as we began freaking out, but nobody else cared. This assignment is meant to cover a meaningful moment in your life and I consider this one of the funniest memories now.

Tsunami Alert! Proceed to do nothing

Splash! As I fall into the water I can hear my friend laughing his head off as I fall off my surfboard. I get out of the shallow water that is lined with large rocks, pissed that I keep falling in, and clamber back onto the board. "Shut up Bobbie! Let's see you try!" I shriek at him.

I paddle back out to to him as I feel the cool ocean spray wash over my back. I am in Hawaii on the island of Maui at our house, and my friend and I have decided that we were going to undertake surfing. I had been able to surf successfully all day, but all of a sudden, it seems as though I have forgotten how to. Bobbie hasn't been able to get up on the surfboard at all, but now that he sees me fail, he finds it hilarious. 

When I get back to him I say, "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for the perfect wave," says Bobbie.

As amateur surfers, we have no idea what the perfect wave is, but I chose not to respond and just lay down on my board and look up at the sky. I was about to fall asleep when we hear a loud and booming siren.

What the hell is that?" said Bobbie.

"I don't know, but let's paddle in."

As we made our way back to the shore, other people in the water began to follow suit. The siren had now become insanely loud and was painful to hear. Upon reaching the shore, it seemed as though everybody was going about their business as Bobbie and I were freaking out.

We walk up to a guy suntanning in the warm summer sun and ask him what is going on.

"Oh, it's just the tsunami alarm," said the man.

"Well why aren't we running away then?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" the man responded.

"There's a god-damn tsunami alarm, let's go!" yelled Bobbie.

"Don't you yell at me kid! Don't worry, it's just a test. They do it at the beginning of every month."

At that moment, the siren ended. 

"Oh," said Bobbie.

We then swam back out there, boards in hand, to go and surf the waves. Kowabunga dude!

This piece is about life would be like as an object. I chose to do a sofa chair as they are relatively basic, but can have more meaning to them than first meets the eye. This journal type writing will make you forgot that you are reading about a chair and create the illusion that this in fact is a person that does feel and cares about others.

The Life of a Solitary Sofa Chair

Day 100

I have always wondered what it would be like to roam the open world, however, as something that can't move it's legs; I can only anguish in the idea. Everyday I see the birds flying or the people crossing the street and I can only think about what it would be like to be one of them. Life as a sofa chair is a lazy and boring one. The scenery never changes except those once in awhile opportunities where they move me to another room when they vacuum. God I love that vacuum, he gives me the chance to spread my horizons, stretch my chair legs, and say hello to my fellow furniture. They are always so kind to me. Always saying hello and hoping that I will be back, but we always know that it will be quite sometime before then.

Day 142

Today my caretakers came home, after their vacation to the United States, my homeland. I believe they said that they had a good time as it is hard to understand them through their heavy Irish accents. The little one said that she lived it when they visited that "authentic Irish pub" in New York. Her dad really laughed at that one. The guy really loves his liquor. Just the other day he spilled a pint of beer all over my fabric and some guys had to come over and rip off my skin and give me a new one. It doesn't feel right. It has a bunch of flowers on it and says, "Gotta love that Irish spirit." What does that even mean?

Day 175

Today was the best day of my life. The family just sold their house and now had to move all of their furniture. I was one of the last to go, but the most incredible thing happened. I got to see what the outside looked like for the first time. It's not as beautiful as I though it would be, and it was quite loud, but by God I will never forget this day for as long as I haven't rusted away and withered to misery. The birds were flying and only one pooped on me, which the annoying little girl had wash off, as she spilled juice all over me. No matter though.

Day 201

I have grown to love this new house. They have put me in an all glass room so I get to see the outside all the time. They even brought in a new pink chair to give me company. She has nice flowers on her and is always smiling at me. I really like her.

Day 234

How dare they! Somebody that I have never seen before broke through the window and busted up the entire house. The worst thing I can imagine is the one thing they did. They ripped up my beautiful friend and turned her into firewood right before my very eyes. The only reason they didn't destroy me was because they said I was too ugly and deserved to burden my owners with my ugliness. That really hurt my feelings. I got angry and fell over, which really gave them a fright, enough so that  they fled into the night.

Day 897

It has been years since I have written in my journal, but now that I have, I write my final goodbyes. I am on my way, as we speak, to the dump where I will be turned into scrap. My gears have rusted and my fabric, which was once brand new, has been torn to pieces. I have lived a good life, but I understand that my time has come. So for the final time I say, good night and good luck. Requiescat en pace. Rest in peace.

This story was written by me for a 1st grader. The child told me his favorite and least favorite things in the world and delved myself into making that into a story. This 3rd person story follows a young super hero named Chase as he tries to defeat a giant zucchini attacking the city.

Chase and The Attack of the Zucchini

Agent: K9 Trainer Chase

Mission: Defeat the Zucchini

Weapon: Ice Cream Slingshot-Chocolate

Powers: Flying

In the deep heart of a simple city called Walnut Creek, lived an extraordinary boy named Chase. Chase was an excellent student at Murwood Elementary School whose true passion was training police dogs.

He would always go down to the police station to help out. However, this was only a part time job.

K9 Trainer Chase was also a superhero. He had the power to fly all over, was equipped with a chocolate ice cream slingshot, and wore a bright yellow super suit to disguise his true identity. This was the birth of, Captain Frosty!

One day, Captain Frosty was playing some Minecraft on his computer after a hard day at work. Suddenly, Frosty’s dog Molly came running up and started barking at him frantically.

Frosty then took off running to his hidden treehouse in his backyard to find out what was going on. What he saw surprised him.

It was a giant zucchini roaming the city making everyone eat their vegetables.

Captain Frosty then sprang into action to find out the source of where this zucchini came from.

He slid down the super-secret pole, jumped into the super-secret invisible car, and made his way into the city.

Captain Frosty parked his car, made sure it was locked, and then flew up into the sky, not forgetting his ice cream slingshot.

The zucchini was turning everyone green because they were eating too many vegetables. Captain Frosty had to do something.

He flew up the giant zucchini and began firing ice cream projectiles at it, but nothing happened. He had to figure out a different way.

Suddenly, he had an idea!

“I will ask my dad how to stop zucchini since he always is making it!”

Captain Frosty flew all the way home at super speed and landed right in the kitchen.

“Dad! Dad! Where are you?” yelled Frosty.

“I’m over here.”

Frosty ran into the living room where his dad was watching TV.

“Dad, how do you stop a zucchini?” said Frosty.

“Well, you first make a broth and then cut up some carrots and chicken and throw it into the water, and then some type of frozen item makes the zucchini jump in.”

Frosty knew what he had to do. He grabbed the biggest pot he could find, grabbed a bunch of chicken and carrots, and flew all the way back to the city.

When Captain Frosty got there, he saw that everyone in the city had turned green so he needed to hurry.

He put the pot down, mixed all the ingredients, and then began to boil the water.

The zucchini saw Frosty and began making his way towards him and the pot of soup. This was where Frosty sprang into action.

When the zucchini was close, Frosty flew up high into the sky and began shooting ice cream at the monster.

The zucchini became ice cold and jumped into the pot to warm up without knowing that it was soup. He began to shrink and became part of the soup.

Everyone cheered as the monster was defeated.

Since crime fighting makes a guy hungry, Frosty and all the citizens enjoyed the soup he made as he was awarded the key to the city.

The End

This humorous story is about a man and woman who were deeply in love. However, after a few incidents, their lives are flipped upside down. You will definitely believe that your life will never be the same after reading this. Enjoy at your own risk.

Appointment With Death

As their eyes glistened toward each other, Blandford felt a strong jolt. He flew toward Hollis after a man had fallen over and pushed him into her. Disturbingly, Hollis was pushed onto the tracks of the Grand Central Station as a subway came roaring through. Blandford, for the last time, made eye contact with her as her body was smashed against the train and shredded into a pulp. Blandford could not handle what he had witnessed as her body was shredded like ground beef. At that moment, Blandford jumped on top of the train as it began leaving the station. Train surfing his way around New York, Blandford was having the time of his life, however, at a turn he lost his balance and fell off the train. Unfortunately, there was another train passing and hit him, causing him to explode. And they all lived happily ever after. The End.

This piece is modeled somewhat after The Ugly Duckling, but has a bit of a twist ending. This piece is sure to appeal to you as long as you like weird endings. This story was also written completely without using the letter A.

The Ugly Puppy

Being born hideous isn't something people like, however, this one puppy is the ugliest of every single puppy ever. Upon being born ,Rich, the puppy's mother, ignored him, refused to give him milk, but she did protect him. The other puppies would become distressed whenever he would come close. They would refuse to drink so the mother forced the ugly puppy to sit down by himself in the corner. The ugly puppy is now very depressed since no one loved him, until one evening, when the little girl visited the house. She noticed the ugly puppy sitting in the corner, so she picked him up to feed him. The ugly puppy, not used to the loved, is timid towards the little girl, but he quickly grew to trust her. He sipped the milk in the bottle, emptying it completely. The little girl loved the ugly puppy, so she decided to bring him home. There, he would be loved until he grew old. The ugly puppy loved his new owners, so he decided to try to conform to the rest. Becoming pretty, his new mission,, only worried the owners. They decided to sit him down so they could discuss his "soul mission." THey told him he would be loved in ugliness, so they didn't want him to conform. He delighted in the shock of not being needed to conform. In his excitement, he suffered clogged veins, resulting in never ending sleep.

This collaborative effort is about what would happen if a famous had to teach a class how to do something. We decided to choose the King of Pop and his hip dance moves. This shorty story/poem is meant to be humorous and entertaining as well as make you want to get up and dance.

Michael Jackson Teaches Dancing to Teenagers!

The steel toed shoes walked into the room
"Welcome to dancing 101"

stated the King of Pop

"I have one rule,

You must be able to moon walk,"

proclaimed Jacko.

This was the moment gravity left the building.

The lunar shoes took over and

the class went crazy.

Crashing, clashing, and bumping.

Hello sir, hello sir, hello sir.

The fun stopped on the floor, nobody moved

"Is this the room for hummusing?"

"No it's Jacko's moon walking.

The door closed and the party was revamped.

Jacko said "Back to moon walking"

Everyone reverted back to rocking their steel toed shoes 

and partied till they couldn't move anymore.

This short story is about the emotions we feel in certain situations. Writing this story was fun because I got think about every horror movie I've ever seen and put it all into one small paragraph. 

It's All In Your Head

Alex was alone when he heard the crash upstairs. He had been alone for several days after his parents and sister went on vacation to the Bahamas without him. He was grounded and was to remain at home until they got back. Alex, when he heard the crash, muted the television. He was unsure if what he heard was the TV or real life. Then came the smashing and crashing, and he knew that someone had broken into the house. With his heart pounding and his mind racing on what he should do, Alex made his way to the garage to grab a bat. When he reached the garage door he realized something, the noise upstairs had stopped. Alex, now sweating, quickly turned around and saw a man in a hockey mask and brandished with a machete, standing at the top of the staircase. Alex ran. He ran into the garage and began looking for his father's gun, but he couldn't find it. He ran inside, and the man was nowhere to be seen. His blood became ice cold when he was grabbed from behind and stabbed in the back.

This story of love is one that touches the heart directly. This story, based on an assignment where we listened to a song and wrote a story, will make you get butterflies in your stomach.

The Proposal

Tyler was deeply in love. All he could think about was her. Her dazzling smile, her long brown hair that would blow in the wind, and her sparkling eyes that shone brighter than the sun. She was his job, his hobby, and life. He knew that he could not let her escape like all the other ones did. He had decided a week ago that he was going to pop the question at some point, but he just couldn't gain the confidence to bring himself to ask her. There had been many opportunities. Tyler had taken her on a midnight walk through Central Park under the bright full moon, but the time just didn't feel right. He even took her to a Yankee game, her favorite team, but he pulled her head away before she could read the message on the board. However, today was the day for him. He was finally going to do. He had already gotten her father's blessing so there wouldn't be any awkward exchanges between the family, and he how her father felt about him. He had said that he couldn't have asked for a better son-in-law and he was confident he would become a great father in the future.Tyler agreed with his girlfriend, Nancy, over the phone that they were going to meet at the fanciest restaurant in town. She had begun to grow an increasing suspicion that Tyler was up to something, but she couldn't make out what it could possibly be.

8:00. Where could she be? Tyler, his hands shaking and his forehead beginning to sweat, was becoming increasingly worried. She is late, she's never later, so where is she, Tyler wondered. It was now 8:15 and she still wasn't here. If she wasn't here in 5 minutes he was going to leave. Right then, Nancy walked through the door and Tyler's jaw dropped. She was adorned in a long green dress and outfitted with diamond earrings and high heels. Tyler was paralyzed with fear as her beauty overcame his confidence and he now realized that this was real. He was really going to ask her and there was no going back. 

"Wow you look great," said Tyler.

"Thanks," said Nancy. "Sorry I'm late, there was so much traffic over the Brooklyn Bridge."

"It's perfectly fine. Please take a seat."

Sitting across from each other, Tyler slipped into a state of being in which he became extremely suave. His voice didn't crack, his hands stopped shaking, and he could carry on a conversation without having those weird silences in between. Towards the end of the dinner, where there food was finished and the dessert had been demolished, Tyler felt like now was the perfect time to ask. He swiftly got on one knee, pulled out the ring and proposed.

This piece of revision follows a man as he tries to decipher the meaning behind the strange house on Maple Street. Follow the twists and turns as a story, which is based off a black and white photo of a house, as it takes you on a journey. This mystery will enthrall you and leave you wanting more.

The House on Maple Street

Three blocks down and two blocks to the left was the house on Maple Street. Nobody knew who lived there, or what lived there, but we knew something lived there. The front yard was always trashed at night the attic light would always be on. When people walked down the street they would be sure to not linger in front of that house. People were especially nervous about this house because nobody could remember when it was put there. In the old town records, there were always photos and dates of the house, but never when the house was built and who bought it. What was really strange was that in the oldest photos of the city, the house was always there and it was always old looking and worn down. It didn’t make sense. My discovery of these things only led to the weirdest experience of my life, and the rehashing of old memories that just gave way to more trouble.

One day I was walking down Maple Street when I stopped in front of the auspicious house. I had the weirdest feeling something was watching me. I looked up at the house attic where I saw the faintest shadows of a person looking down at me. Quickly, I walked away, never raising my head and never looking back.

The next morning I flipped on the television to find that an entire family had been kidnapped. This included a mother, father, 12 year old, and their 7 month old baby. I let out a gasp of despair thinking to myself what has this world come to, that they think this is okay. I walked to the kitchen to get myself a cup of coffee, always exactly one cup, decaf, no sugar, lots of cream. While I was putting the cream in I heard a thump on the door which startled me and made me throw the cream everywhere. I stepped outside to see what the noise was. It was only the newspaper hitting the front door.

“That’s strange; the mailman normally throws it on my driveway.”

I picked up the paper and looked up. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something looked slightly different about the neighborhood, but didn’t know what it was. I did find it a bit strange that I could see the brown house from way over here, when I couldn’t see it before, but I shrugged it off. I shuffled back inside and closed the door, however, immediately I heard a scream from outside. I ran to the phone to dial 911 to report what I had heard, but the phones were dead. Confused, I ran outside and gasped at what I saw. The entire neighborhood had disappeared. Every tree, house, and road had disappeared, except for the creepy house on Maple Street.

“What the hell is going on?” I yelled.

In the distance the front door of the house opened where the faint shadow of a person was cast against the door. The shadow disappeared into the house, but the door remained open. Scared out of my mind and unsure what to do next, I made my way over to the door. When I reached the front yard the door slammed shut. I opened the yard gate and slowly walked towards the door. I turned the door handle and walked inside.

The house was old and musty inside; it contained no furniture, and smelled terrible. I heard a door slam upstairs, followed by a shriek and a baby’s cry. I remembered the news report of the missing family earlier and ran up the stairs.

“Don’t worry, I’m coming,” I yelled. “Help is here!”

I busted through the door, but there was nothing in the room.

“I can’t believe this, where are they?”

The door downstairs slammed and the couple ran out the front door. To my surprise the neighborhood had returned to normal and it was a bright and sunny day. A passing man looked up at the house and saw me in the window. He then quickly ran away. I couldn’t believe it, why would he be scared of me? Then I realized, this was my house.

This compilation of quotes is meant to motivate those who need a little motivation in their lives. Reading these quotes will hopefully inspire to do something or achieve something that you truly desire. 

Famous Quotes

"The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential...these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence."-Confucius

"If you don't design your own life  plan, chance are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."-Jim Rohn

"If you're going through hell, keep going."-Winston Churchill

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."-Albert Einstein

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better."-Samuel Beckett

This point of view of Minna is based off of the short story Bill by Zona Gale. Minna tells the story of what her father went through but in her own point of view. Follow this 1st person point of view as it takes you down a curvy road.

Minna POV

I was four when mommy died in the train crash and my daddy was thirty. Daddy worked from home in his workshop everyday, but when he had to leave for a little while, our annoying neighbor would babysit me. Daddy was a great cook. He could make coffee, bacon, potatoes, and pancakes. I loved his cooking. He also cooked oatmeal and vegetables sometimes, but they were always burned and yucky. Daddy would also fix all my dresses and fixed my doll whenever she got ripped. One year I went to school where I would draw and learn my ABCs. One time my dad visited but seemed very confused and never came back. One day Daddy said he had to go to the doctor so our neighbor watched me. When he came back his face was pale and he wouldn't let me near him. Does he not love me anymore? He tells me to be a big girl, but I don't want to be a big girl, I want to hug my dad.

A lot of people are coming over now. One woman and her family came in a big limousine. The lady was really mean to her daughter. I don't like her. She said something about leaving her own daughter and taking me. I thought that was funny. Why would she take me? One day a man and a sad woman walked to the shop and my dad said they were the ones and to give him one day.

Today Daddy spent the whole day in his shop. He just sat there and stared. He looked sad . When he tucked me into bed I told him I wanted to be a little girl, but he reminded me to stay a big girl.

This morning my dad washed me up real nice, fixed my doll, packed my bags, and told me to be a big girl. Then the same family from the day before pulled up and gave me a pretty umbrella. They took me to their car and I didn't even give my dad a second glance. 

This piece of descriptive writing reflects where I grew up as a child. This was my favorite place to be in the house, and although it may not be a room, it may as well be for that was where I lived. This descriptive piece will make you rethink what you appreciate and life rekindle old memories and will hopefully lead you to create new ones. 

Room Sweet Room

Gazing into the treetops, I sit in the brown, freshly painted chairs as I watch the squirrels hop from tree to tree. This area is a place of solitude, but is bustling with millions of different ecosystems doing their part for one whole environment. This is the place where I discovered gold, saved the Indians, and walked on the moon, and all as an 8 year old. I grew up in this backyard, however, recently we have grown apart. I don't have the time now to hang out with my microscopic friends, as school and family have caused to become distant. Writing this brings back nostalgia of watching my dog play as a puppy, sniffing every crook and cranny, taking in her new surroundings. The dog next door always greeting me at the fence as we rekindle our friendship that was lost and regained the day before. I have remodeled this backyard a million times, installing plants, moving rocks, creating a majestic garden. This garden filled with new fruits and vegetables and lined with our own personal grape orchard. The fruits of our labor becoming evident when picking time comes and we can enjoy the berries that we crave. My backyard is beautiful and I love being in it, however, it does have a dark side. Past the lawn and the blooming rose bushes, lies a downward sloping hill, as thick as the Amazon and as wild as the Great Plains of Africa. Down there lies rattlesnake families and bur plants that create a havoc in my dog's fur. Down there is where I choose no I demand no one to enter, for if you go down there, you will be lost forever. This backyard has a mind of its own. Changing with the seasons and either rewarding us with fruit and nice summer days, or destroying us with raccoons and turkeys eating away at our plants and causing us dismay. My backyard is where I grew up and where I hope to replace nostalgia with new memories.