"Closing time!" the bartender exclaimed, eager to get home for some sleep. "Aww man," I complained, "Just one more pal." I hadn't had a drink all day, and it was bugging me big time. I mean I didn't have a particularly bad day, but a average day for an Indian pretty much sucks. So, by default, I, along with the other twenty Indians in the bar, needed another drink "Yeah, give us another freakin' shot or else!" my friend Bobby threatened. He was getting upset fast, which was another reason we needed another round. Obviously, he's an angry drunk. The total opposite of me one might say. I guess that's why we're such good friends. I mean opposites attract right? We were like ying and yang. Between me carrying around my big goofy smile and him carrying around his revolver, nothing could stop us from getting wasted. "Get outta' here!" The bartender roared "Fine!" Bobby shot back, "C'mon Eugene, let's ditch this dump." I was surprised. We've been in that situation many times, and things don't usually end that nicely. I remember one time he punched the bartender. "I've been working hard trying to get the casino more customers all day, and this is how you repay me?!" he had said right before he punched him. We aren't allowed in that bar anymore, but that's okay. I understand the casino must be a stressful place to work. Anyway, we left after that. We left with only a half of a bottle of that golden liquor in our hands left. We needed more. "Dude, I don't even feel the buzz yet," Bobby complained. I guess he was thinking the same thing. Unfortunately, thinking doesn't do much good. I was getting worried that we wouldn't have anything to drink when Bobby came up with an idea. "Hey, let's go hit up the 7-11 down the street!" he suggested. "Do they even have good beer there?" I asked. "I don't know," he replied, "Guess we'll find out." Not very assuring. But for Bobby it was still a stroke of genius in my opinion. I agreed, and we headed to the parking lot to get on my baby. "When are you going to get a new ride, man?" he questioned. "What's wrong with this one?" I shot back. "It's old as hell!" He argued. "SO? You're old as hell!" I shouted. He got on without another word. My bike, for a vintage piece of machinery, my bike went pretty fast. It only took us a few minutes to get there. It was good that the ride was fast because we were practically having withdrawals by the time we arrived. When we finally reached our destination, though, it took all of 5 seconds to track down the section where they had beer. We were carefully looking at each brand, trying to get the most alcohol for our buck when I had a thought. "Dude, we should buy a case to bring to Junior's game tomorrow." I said. "F that!" He replied in an irritated tone, "That white lover doesn't deserve nothin'" I didn't think that was fair. After all, Junior is my best friends son. "Calm down, man," I insisted. Wrong answer. Aggravating someone that's already angry is probably not a good idea. "You calm down, bro!" he retorted, "You're crazy if you're supporting that boy." I didn't know what to say. He was insulting the only kid on the reservation with some hope, the only one that I had hope in. It wasn't right at all. "Stop. I support that. I even gave him a ride to school. You calling me wrong?" I challenged. I had to say it. I couldn't let him insult Junior. But I just dug a deeper hole for myself with that comment. "Wow, dude," He said as he pulled out his gun. Damn. I guess him being an angry drunk is a bad thing after all. "Don't make me shoot." He said as he pointed his gun toward me. Turns out I didn't have to make him shoot. He was so drunk he accidentally pulled the trigger on me right in my head. I guess it wasn't his fault, so I forgive him. Us Indians are going to get screwed over by alcohol at some point, and I guess this was my time. Writing this from my hospital bed, I'm probably not gonna make it. The shot messed up my brain so, it's taking all my energy just to write this story, but I guess that's life. The one good thing, though, is I'll be able to rest in because I know that at least one of us will get out of here. And that one person is Junior.
I chose to write this scene because I feel like it is an important yet very vague scene in the book. This scene caused Junior and his family a lot of grief and pain. I feel like a friend wouldn't shoot another friend in the face just because he or she was drunk. There must be a reason behind it. That's why I think being drunk coupled with an argument is the closest thing to a reason to bring out a gun, and even then killing your friend seems harsh. Based on the differences between Eugene's view of Junior's actions compared to the views of the average Indian in the rez at that time, it seems like it's likely that they argued about Junior going to Reardan. Eugene really supports the decision because he thinks its being brave. He told that to Junior in the book when he said things like: "It's pretty cool, you doing this," and "I could never do it. I'm a wuss," (Pg. 71-72). On the other hand, almost everyone else on the rez thought that the move was almost like betrayal. That feeling is first shown when on page 47 Junior's grandma says, "The indians here are going to be angry with you." to Junior in response to hearing his decision. Even his best friend hated his decision. When Junior tells Rowdy about his decision, Rowdy punches him and leaves. Junior then says, "I knew my best friend had become my worst enemy." (Pg. 53). This really shows the impact Junior's decision had both on the community, and those close to him. The end of my story highlights the fact that Eugene really has faith in Junior. After all, in the book he took the time to give Junior a ride to school even though he probably can't afford gas much more than Junior's father can. He must really believe that what Junior is doing is the right thing. A quote that supports this is on page 70 of the book, where he offers Junior a ride by saying, "Hop on my pony, man." First, this shows how Eugene reaches out to Junior when he's in need, which is similar to how he stood up for Junior when his friend was bagging on him in my story. This quote also shows how laid-back Eugene is about the situation. The way he says it implies a laid back tone, which shows he doesn't have any ill feelings about Junior's decision. My story fits into the book because Eugene did die in a 7-11 store. It also fits because the half-filled bottle I mentioned in paragraph four could explain why the police thought that they fought over the last sip of beer. These things are shown on page 169, where Junior says, "My dad's best friend, Eugene, was shot in the face in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven in spokane./ Way drunk, Eugene was shot and killed by one of his friends, Bobby." Junior never really said if he died on the spot, so it's also possible he was rushed to a hospital and died there. I think it's possible that Eugene would've written because he may have been inspired by Junior to write because Junior wrote a lot (the whole book). There is no real evidence for this, but looking at the quotes I used on pages 71-72, one can see that that he is clearly impressed by Junior. Because of that, he might feel the urge to write about his life like Junior does. This is also logical because in my story, he is thinking about Junior right before he is shot, so he is likely thinking about him on his deathbed. I feel like overall, this is the way Indians would act on this rez because there isn't much love in the community, but hatred is plentiful. At least that's how Sherman Alexie makes it seem. I also feel like not many of them can live without alcohol. Junior even says Eugene is always drunk. On page 70, he says, "He was drunk all the time. Not stinky drunk, but just drunk enough to be drunk." Both this hatred and this love of alcohol are highlighted in my story. The love of alcohol is highlighted both when they are in the bar and when they go to 7-eleven to get "more of a buzz." The hatred is highlighted both with Bobby being an angry drunk and the argument where Eugene gets shot.
Eugene's Story
"Closing time!" the bartender exclaimed, eager to get home for some sleep.
"Aww man," I complained, "Just one more pal." I hadn't had a drink all day, and it was bugging me big time. I mean I didn't have a particularly bad day, but a average day for an Indian pretty much sucks. So, by default, I, along with the other twenty Indians in the bar, needed another drink
"Yeah, give us another freakin' shot or else!" my friend Bobby threatened.
He was getting upset fast, which was another reason we needed another round. Obviously, he's an angry drunk. The total opposite of me one might say. I guess that's why we're such good friends. I mean opposites attract right? We were like ying and yang. Between me carrying around my big goofy smile and him carrying around his revolver, nothing could stop us from getting wasted.
"Get outta' here!" The bartender roared
"Fine!" Bobby shot back, "C'mon Eugene, let's ditch this dump."
I was surprised. We've been in that situation many times, and things don't usually end that nicely. I remember one time he punched the bartender. "I've been working hard trying to get the casino more customers all day, and this is how you repay me?!" he had said right before he punched him. We aren't allowed in that bar anymore, but that's okay. I understand the casino must be a stressful place to work.
Anyway, we left after that. We left with only a half of a bottle of that golden liquor in our hands left. We needed more.
"Dude, I don't even feel the buzz yet," Bobby complained. I guess he was thinking the same thing.
Unfortunately, thinking doesn't do much good. I was getting worried that we wouldn't have anything to drink when Bobby came up with an idea.
"Hey, let's go hit up the 7-11 down the street!" he suggested.
"Do they even have good beer there?" I asked.
"I don't know," he replied, "Guess we'll find out." Not very assuring. But for Bobby it was still a stroke of genius in my opinion. I agreed, and we headed to the parking lot to get on my baby.
"When are you going to get a new ride, man?" he questioned.
"What's wrong with this one?" I shot back.
"It's old as hell!" He argued.
"SO? You're old as hell!" I shouted. He got on without another word.
My bike, for a vintage piece of machinery, my bike went pretty fast. It only took us a few minutes to get there. It was good that the ride was fast because we were practically having withdrawals by the time we arrived.
When we finally reached our destination, though, it took all of 5 seconds to track down the section where they had beer. We were carefully looking at each brand, trying to get the most alcohol for our buck when I had a thought.
"Dude, we should buy a case to bring to Junior's game tomorrow." I said.
"F that!" He replied in an irritated tone, "That white lover doesn't deserve nothin'"
I didn't think that was fair. After all, Junior is my best friends son.
"Calm down, man," I insisted. Wrong answer. Aggravating someone that's already angry is probably not a good idea.
"You calm down, bro!" he retorted, "You're crazy if you're supporting that boy."
I didn't know what to say. He was insulting the only kid on the reservation with some hope, the only one that I had hope in. It wasn't right at all.
"Stop. I support that. I even gave him a ride to school. You calling me wrong?" I challenged. I had to say it. I couldn't let him insult Junior. But I just dug a deeper hole for myself with that comment.
"Wow, dude," He said as he pulled out his gun. Damn. I guess him being an angry drunk is a bad thing after all. "Don't make me shoot." He said as he pointed his gun toward me.
Turns out I didn't have to make him shoot. He was so drunk he accidentally pulled the trigger on me right in my head. I guess it wasn't his fault, so I forgive him. Us Indians are going to get screwed over by alcohol at some point, and I guess this was my time. Writing this from my hospital bed, I'm probably not gonna make it. The shot messed up my brain so, it's taking all my energy just to write this story, but I guess that's life. The one good thing, though, is I'll be able to rest in because I know that at least one of us will get out of here. And that one person is Junior.
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I chose to write this scene because I feel like it is an important yet very vague scene in the book. This scene caused Junior and his family a lot of grief and pain. I feel like a friend wouldn't shoot another friend in the face just because he or she was drunk. There must be a reason behind it. That's why I think being drunk coupled with an argument is the closest thing to a reason to bring out a gun, and even then killing your friend seems harsh.
Based on the differences between Eugene's view of Junior's actions compared to the views of the average Indian in the rez at that time, it seems like it's likely that they argued about Junior going to Reardan. Eugene really supports the decision because he thinks its being brave. He told that to Junior in the book when he said things like: "It's pretty cool, you doing this," and "I could never do it. I'm a wuss," (Pg. 71-72). On the other hand, almost everyone else on the rez thought that the move was almost like betrayal. That feeling is first shown when on page 47 Junior's grandma says, "The indians here are going to be angry with you." to Junior in response to hearing his decision. Even his best friend hated his decision. When Junior tells Rowdy about his decision, Rowdy punches him and leaves. Junior then says, "I knew my best friend had become my worst enemy." (Pg. 53). This really shows the impact Junior's decision had both on the community, and those close to him.
The end of my story highlights the fact that Eugene really has faith in Junior. After all, in the book he took the time to give Junior a ride to school even though he probably can't afford gas much more than Junior's father can. He must really believe that what Junior is doing is the right thing. A quote that supports this is on page 70 of the book, where he offers Junior a ride by saying, "Hop on my pony, man." First, this shows how Eugene reaches out to Junior when he's in need, which is similar to how he stood up for Junior when his friend was bagging on him in my story. This quote also shows how laid-back Eugene is about the situation. The way he says it implies a laid back tone, which shows he doesn't have any ill feelings about Junior's decision.
My story fits into the book because Eugene did die in a 7-11 store. It also fits because the half-filled bottle I mentioned in paragraph four could explain why the police thought that they fought over the last sip of beer. These things are shown on page 169, where Junior says, "My dad's best friend, Eugene, was shot in the face in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven in spokane./ Way drunk, Eugene was shot and killed by one of his friends, Bobby." Junior never really said if he died on the spot, so it's also possible he was rushed to a hospital and died there. I think it's possible that Eugene would've written because he may have been inspired by Junior to write because Junior wrote a lot (the whole book). There is no real evidence for this, but looking at the quotes I used on pages 71-72, one can see that that he is clearly impressed by Junior. Because of that, he might feel the urge to write about his life like Junior does. This is also logical because in my story, he is thinking about Junior right before he is shot, so he is likely thinking about him on his deathbed.
I feel like overall, this is the way Indians would act on this rez because there isn't much love in the community, but hatred is plentiful. At least that's how Sherman Alexie makes it seem. I also feel like not many of them can live without alcohol. Junior even says Eugene is always drunk. On page 70, he says, "He was drunk all the time. Not stinky drunk, but just drunk enough to be drunk." Both this hatred and this love of alcohol are highlighted in my story. The love of alcohol is highlighted both when they are in the bar and when they go to 7-eleven to get "more of a buzz." The hatred is highlighted both with Bobby being an angry drunk and the argument where Eugene gets shot.