4.1: Reading Exercise - Perspectives

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Perspectives

General Report

At approximately 9 AM, three individuals were arrested after a discussion outside of Brooks Park that led to a violent altercation with a goose, also known as “Golden Day” in the community. Earl Deven, the leader of the group and operation, believed this would be an easy job, as holding up feathers must be easier than holding up banks. However, perfect plans are only perfect in theory. Once a mission goes live, a multitude of factors can impede even the most well-designed operations. Such is the case with Golden Day.

Deven’s two assistants, Jasmine Rodrigo and Minty Patel, were hesitant to steal a goose in the middle of the park. 9 AM was still a busy time for park dwellers to relax and enjoy the grass. The assistants also had no experience capturing birds. Overall, Jasmine and Minty were not Deven’s first picks, but with his primary movers currently in prison, he had to settle with whomever was available and would work for cheap.

Golden Day, the goose with the gold stripe down its spine, was known to brighten up the community’s day when it splashed around the cool clear waters during the early fall months—thus earning its name. Legend has it that one daring child managed to splash a streak of gold paint on the goose before sprinting away in fear. While the paint detail is certainly untrue, Golden Day’s terrifying aggression when bothered did have onlookers run away if they ventured too close to the bird. Its rare plumage had been photographed by thousands of spectators and was a bit of an anomaly.

While Deven refused to speak to the authorities, his two assistants to the crime summarized the event to the best of their abilities. Jasmine Rodrigo agreed to offer her personal narrative of the events while Minty Patel, due to his muteness, relied on his lawyer to draft a written response. Both accounts are bizarre and neither individual seems to realize that writing a summary of events in a casual format could be troublesome in the court of law. However, both assistants seemed unbothered by future events and were more interested in retelling what they believed was an entertaining story. Despite these two accounts, some details remain a mystery, and further investigations must be undertaken regarding the whereabouts of Deven and Golden Day.

Jasmine’s Account

The only bird I like is breaded, fried, and dipped in ketchup. I never worked in bird abduction before, I didn’t even know that was a thing. Most of my jobs involve sweet-talking some guard, manager, or finance bro with my dolled-up make-up kit and superpower ability to tolerate whatever they brag about to me. I’ve always been a distraction, never the one to get their hands dirty. In fact, after any of my jobs, I always make sure to aggressively hand sanitize and take two showers. It’s important to scrub off anything related to a job, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

When Deven calls me up, I’m already pulling out the kit in the closet, but then he tells me we’re going to steal a goose, or a duck, or a pheasant—I have no idea what that thing was. He says something about it being a “collector’s item” and that some particular people would love to have it in their own private pond. Okay, I think, so what does this have to do with me? Am I going to put on the charm to a bird? Bother it long enough so someone can put a net over it? He says it wasn’t like that, and all I had to do was hold a bag and Minty would take care of the rest.

I swore to myself that I would never do another job with Minty. Nothing wrong with that guy, seems like a nice chap. But some folks will not follow directions. Let me just say that one time, Minty was told to do A, and he decides he would rather do B. Just because. All of us had to make a run for it. I know Deven is desperate if he’s calling Minty for help and me as bag girl. But work’s been slow lately and nabbing a bird didn’t seem that challenging. Well, I was completely wrong.

So, we were all supposed to meet up at the park at like 8 in the morning. You see all these fancy-pants athletes stretching and running in their expensive track suits. If it wasn’t for this job, I would be still asleep. Don’t bother me until 10, that’s why I always say. Anyway, ten minutes before 9, I’m on my second coffee, regretting that I chose to wear a skirt in this weather—when Minty comes down the path with a box of cereal. Minty’s smiling and taps his chest, which is his way to say that he’s glad to see me. I ask about the cereal, but before he can reply, Deven sneaks up from behind and spooks me. I jump and almost pop and elbow to his face. Of course, he’s laughing away and throws me a burlap bag. “Ready?” he says and makes his way to the pond.

Minty and Deven make their way to the pond, and I’m just staring at them with a bag in my hand. What’s the plan? Yeah, grab the duck-thing, but how? Minty turns back to me and beckons me over with his cereal box hand. Cautiously, I go over to the water, and before I know it, Minty opens the box. This goose from hell goes nuts. It flaps its wings and splashes water everywhere to get closer to that cardboard. I never thought a bird could be so intimidating, so I’m just standing there in shock. At this point the bird is out of the water and in the grass—only a few feet from Minty and Deven. I’m thinking that this might not be so difficult, but then Minty throws the box right at me. The last thing I remember is the bird flapping its wings, feathers blocking out the sky, and going right for my face.

Minty’s Account

Minty is a man who goes on instinct. He doesn’t spend his time on logic and more on what his gut feels. When Deven texted him regarding a new job, his brain told him that it was a bad idea. Who steals a goose? However, his gut told him that whether or not this job was successful, it was going to be an interesting story, nevertheless. Sure enough, he was right.

After Minty texted back that he was available, Deven told him the details and wrote in all caps: BRING CRUNCHY COCA’S CEREAL. The boss is the boss, he thinks to himself, and walked on down to the convenience store before heading to the park. At his age, doing work like this was getting riskier and riskier, but what was his alternative? A gray-haired man working fast food wasn’t going to pay the bills, and he can’t exactly go back to being an accountant. He’s probably still blackballed from any firm in the city. It’s not his fault that his gut told him to double check the spreadsheet. How would he know that the higher ups were pulling a fast one? Sure, his parents are disappointed with their crooked son, but there’re crooks everywhere—no matter what building they work at!

At the park, Minty sees Jasmine shivering in her skirt. She’s probably still sore at him for ruining that one job. Minty was told to use a crowbar on the cash register, but his gut told him to blow it up instead. There was no way that the new register would break that easily, so he set his pocket charges and told everyone to duck. Well, they got the money in the end. Some of them couldn’t escape the cops, but that’s part of the job.

Minty tapped his chest to Jasmine as a way to apologize for the last time they worked together. She seems to accept the apology and is more confused about the box of cereal. Apparently, Deven found out that this bird belongs to a rich breeder. It escaped a few months ago but was living in captivity for most of its life. Its favorite snack was this cereal, and Minty realizes that Jasmine has no idea about the plan. Did Deven not clue her in on what was about to happen? Minty was about to text the details to Jasmine when Deven jumped her from behind. Deven throws her a bag and points to Minty to get moving.

Near the water, Deven points to Minty to open the box. Just opening the tab gets the bird interested. At this moment, Minty’s gut is telling him that his bird will come at him at full force just to get this chocolatey treat. He’s too old to get assaulted by a goose, so he looks around and sees Jasmine holding the bag. Perhaps if he can throw the box at the last minute, it will go right into the bag and save everyone the trouble. As the goose is flapping its wings and accelerating, Minty tosses the box to Jasmine. With a perfect shot, Minty throws it directly inside the bag. However, Jasmine panics and raises her hands. Now the goose flies right at her head and knocks her out.

Deven glares at Minty, but it is not his fault that Jasmine got so startled. Cautiously, Deven approaches the bird as it is digging through the burlap bag. Lots of voices are talking around Minty, and he’s a bit concerned about all the attention. “That man’s trying to steal Golden Day!” a little boy shouted. The tiny child points directly at Minty. Looking around, Minty notices how large of a gathering there is. Dozens of mothers, children, and walkers are starting to wonder what the commotion is. Minty points at Deven while he wrestles with the burlap bag. Hoping that everyone will assume he’s not in on it, Minty slowly backs into the crowd while keeping his finger on the bird napper. However, the little boy isn’t fooled. “This one threw Crunchy Coca at Golden Day—he’s a bad man!” With that, Minty ran. He only got a few yards before two patrolmen stopped him.

***

You are a magnificent creature. A feathered beauty with immaculate golden hues. Once, there were cool waters and peace. Then, people arrived and admired you in the middle of the lake. On the water, a rope snared you and you could not escape—even with your beautiful wings. For years, you were held in the confines of a large cage—only to be freed periodically by the whims of your master. How he gawked at you, gesturing to his guests about his living trophy. All you could do was swim in small circles, waiting for a moment to escape.

Freedom came when the cage opened. People with gloves poked and prodded you. They held you down so you could not fly. Then you saw a shiny object, sharp and precise. You were unsure of what it was, but you knew that it would be inflicted on yourself. With hidden strength, you flap your wings and startle the people. Quickly, you dash into the air. The room was sterile, with concrete walls, but high above you see an opening. It is small, but you are just small enough to fit through. You feel the cool air and it reminds you of the past, of waters and peace.

Flying around, you see other concrete wonders. Nothing reminds you of the past, until you see a stretch of green and water below. You gracefully land and see others like you. They are not as pristine, but you gladly welcome any comradery after years of isolation. What amazes you is how these others welcome the people. They swim up to them and beg for food. Content, they stay and swim. Perhaps you too will stay for a while.

Peace had finally come. However, there came a man who held a box. You remember the box, the food that was given to you. It was not the past, a plant from the waters. Instead, it was rough and hollow. No, you would not go back to these people. They tricked you before, so you will trick them. Let them believe you will come back. Swim up to them and wait for the moment to strike. Swiftly, you dive at one, who falls to the ground immediately. Good. Another ran. The only one left stared in horror. You flap your wings and show off your golden hue to the other people. You advance, and the man retreats bizarrely into the water. The people clap for you. They cheer.

You are Golden Day, and you are finally free.

Comprehension Questions for Perspectives

Questions on Points of View for Perspectives