S T O R I E S

Man Toy Discovered

The sky is bleak and overcast as we pull up to the "Happy Fun Trailer Court", located in southern Mississippi. We approach a small silver trailer. Garbage is littered about the yard. I step in a fresh pile of dog crap. As I attempt to scrape it off on to an empty milk carton, my associates knock on the door to the trailor. Soon I'm at their side, and just in time. The door swings open and out pops a creepy little man. He looks outside nervously and hurries us in to the trailer. He tells us to sit down as he switches off the Jerry Springer show and, with a few introductions the interview is underway.

Freak Show(FS) - "Now, we understand that you are being held captive by the residents of this trailer. Is that true?"

Billy Bob(BB) - "Yeah, that's right. And it aint fair I tell ya! Just 'cause I'm a freak doesn't mean I should be treated like this!"

FS - "Why exactly are you being held captive?"

BB - "Well, it all started 10 years ago. I was selling toothpaste door to door...I was a toothpaste salesman. As I was working my route, I came to this house. The people invited me in and seemed interested in what I was selling. But they weren't."

FS - "What happened next?"

BB - "Well, as you can see, I'm short, and the people here, they got a kid see. Well, I guess the kid took a likin' to me, thinkin' I was some sort of a doll. So, when I was reachin' in ta my case for a sample of toothpaste, someone smashed me over the head with a pipe!"

FS - "Did you die?"

BB - "No. I wish I had! Instead they rigged me with some kind of a tagging device that let's 'em track my whereabouts. I've tried to escape lots of times...but they always find me."

FS - "So what is your new life like here in the trailer park?"

BB - "I get free food, free rooming, basically everything for free."

FS - "Doesn't sound all that bad"

BB - "It wouldn't be, but it all come with a price payed not with money. I've got no more pride! I have to sleep with stuffed animals in a chest in the kid's room. I'm not allowed to speak 'cause it freaks the kid out, she still thinks I'm a doll. But the worst of it all is that I'm not allowed to use the bathroom. She makes me wear diapers! I've gotta get outta here! That's why I'm doin' this interview. I'm hopin' that someone will read about this and give me some help."

FS - "Thank you for your time, Mr. Bob. We also hope that someone who gives a care reads your story."


As we leave the trailer court, we all remain silent. All of us reflecting on how glad we are not to be toothpaste salesmen.