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- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Relationships
- Published: 08/15/2022
The Introduction to Freddie O'Sullivan
Born 1953, F, from Loveland, Colorado, United StatesThe Introduction to Freddie O'Sullivan
The dark summer sky showed through the picture living room window, as the pitter patter drops of rain collected on the pane. The chessboard was on top of the coffee table, and my younger brother and I sat on the floor on opposite sides. Stevie placed his queen in front my king. His knight was nearby to protect his queen.
"Steph. Checkmate!," he announced with finality.
I insisted on a rematch. I was 7 years old and Stevie was 6 years old. Our parents taught us how to play chess a year prior. We were even in our ability, so I checkmated him the next game. We played another game and he won. Playing games was our life back then.
Stevie and I were very competitive in everything. Games included Risk, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Clue, Rummy, Mille Bornes, Sorry, Battleship and Monopoly. Later on, we played tennis, table tennis, and jacks on the kitchen table.
We got older and better so our games were more intense, but also more exciting.
When I was 10 years old I wanted to be successful at my talents. If I lost, I felt my well-being threatened, and then my confidence suffered. I would beat everyone in table tennis at the playground and my brother would come along and win. My abilities could no longer match Stevie's abilities to win. Despite this, I was passionate about the games.
In music we took piano lessons together. The piano teacher would brag that Stevie was her best pupil. I would sink down into my chair with embarrassment. Stevie was a natural when his fingers touched the keys of the grand piano.
The bottom line was that winning was everything. The strange thing is I enjoyed the games immensely and was happy for my brother when he won. But afterwards, I felt a sense of doom in my whole body. Before I was positive and thought I would get him next time, but in reality I would be bogged down with defeat over and over again. I demonstrated good sportsmanship during and after the games, but later was down on myself. Stevie smiled, laughed, and was smug in his glory, which was part of the agony of defeat.
One day, a light came on in my head. I had to find something Stevie couldn't do. It would have to be unique in every way. The thought gave me confidence to move forward with a plan. I racked my brain to think of something I could do. The Sears Christmas Catalog came out and I found Danny O'Day, a ventriquial figure. It came with Jimmy Nelson's record on "How To Become a Ventriloquist." My parents got him for me for Christmas and I practiced faithfully every day. After Christmas vacation, I arranged with my English teacher to do my first show for the class. The response was favorable. I performed for family get-togethers and did shows on a number of occasions to practice my new skill.
It isn't easy learning ventriloquism. The difficult part was developing the voice, because at first, it is soft and hard to hear. I had to have a mic close to my neck. Due to the anatomy of my mouth, including straight teeth, I mastered no lip movement. I memorized the routines and performed in front of more audiences. Singing was just as hard, which was alternating my voice with Danny's. I was determined, so with time, I got better responses to my performances.
The roaring laughter was nonstop, in addition to the applause. The struggle was perfecting the talent to succeed in my new endeavor. Stevie never said a word about what I was doing. I never expressed my anxiety about his abilities versus my abilities.
Four years later, when I turned 15, my mother purchased a professional ventriloquial figure, which I named Freddie O'Sullivan. He was lifelike, with moving eyes, moving eyebrows, and could stick out his tongue. He was dressed in a blue suit jacket, gray trousers, black sneakers, and an ivy gray cap. I was on top of the world. I treated Freddie like he was real, except when he was stuffed in his suitcase. Treating Freddie like a real person enhanced my performance. Then, I would buy my skits or my mother would write them for me. Now I write my own skits.
In college, Freddie was well known. He would tell people that he was the only guy that could sleep in the girl's dormitory. Over the years, I won many talent awards. The most memorable was when I entered a pageant. I performed in a large auditorium, with tall red curtains, a stained hardwood stage and a full crowd audience when my mic would not work. Despite the mic malfunction, I proceeded to do my performance with Freddie.
Here is an example of part of the skit.
Me:... Freddie, I heard you were studying to become a doctor?
F:.... Yes, I am going to graduate from a fine medical school "Cutting U."
Our motto is: "The best things in life are Fees."
Me:.... Are you planning to specialize in any one field?
F:.... I haven't decided yet for sure. I may go into surgery, better known as, "May I Cut In"?
Me:....How about plastic surgery? So many people have begun new and happy lives as a result of the great skills of our plastic surgeons.
F:....Yes, but some people can't be helped. You take my Aunt Blossom. She had a very large mouth. I'm not kidding, this was a big mouth. When she smiled, she got lipstick on her ears! She was the only woman in the world that could swallow a banana sideways.
We followed the skit with singing a popular number, "Cabaret."
Miss America was in the pageant audience who came back to congratulate me on my performance from the balcony and heard every part of my act. I won the talent title and, in addition, 1st Runner Up in the pageant.
One time, at a local VFW, I was mingling with the audience. An elderly man motioned us over to his chair at a table. He looked at Freddie intently and asked him where he got his trousers. The table of eight had tears in their eyes. I didn't know what was going on until I asked later and someone told me the gentleman hadn't spoken for 20 years.
"What possessed him to talk to Freddie?" I asked. No one answered.
Ventriloquism helped me do something my brother couldn't do. Because of Stevie, I was able to broaden my horizon with Freddie. I relaxed and enjoyed our games together more. He gave me reason to develop a new talent.
I know now that sibling rivalry exists even when both parties get along well. It's a natural instinct. After Stevie and I were all grown up, my mother told me my brother was jealous of me. My eyes filled with tears. "Impossible," I said. I had so much envy, admiration, and love for Stevie, I was unable to think clearly. I was blind, down with my own self image and couldn't imagine what my brother thought of me. Thanks to my brother, I created a lifetime with Freddie O'Sullivan.
The Introduction to Freddie O'Sullivan(Stephanie Egbert)
The Introduction to Freddie O'Sullivan
The dark summer sky showed through the picture living room window, as the pitter patter drops of rain collected on the pane. The chessboard was on top of the coffee table, and my younger brother and I sat on the floor on opposite sides. Stevie placed his queen in front my king. His knight was nearby to protect his queen.
"Steph. Checkmate!," he announced with finality.
I insisted on a rematch. I was 7 years old and Stevie was 6 years old. Our parents taught us how to play chess a year prior. We were even in our ability, so I checkmated him the next game. We played another game and he won. Playing games was our life back then.
Stevie and I were very competitive in everything. Games included Risk, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Clue, Rummy, Mille Bornes, Sorry, Battleship and Monopoly. Later on, we played tennis, table tennis, and jacks on the kitchen table.
We got older and better so our games were more intense, but also more exciting.
When I was 10 years old I wanted to be successful at my talents. If I lost, I felt my well-being threatened, and then my confidence suffered. I would beat everyone in table tennis at the playground and my brother would come along and win. My abilities could no longer match Stevie's abilities to win. Despite this, I was passionate about the games.
In music we took piano lessons together. The piano teacher would brag that Stevie was her best pupil. I would sink down into my chair with embarrassment. Stevie was a natural when his fingers touched the keys of the grand piano.
The bottom line was that winning was everything. The strange thing is I enjoyed the games immensely and was happy for my brother when he won. But afterwards, I felt a sense of doom in my whole body. Before I was positive and thought I would get him next time, but in reality I would be bogged down with defeat over and over again. I demonstrated good sportsmanship during and after the games, but later was down on myself. Stevie smiled, laughed, and was smug in his glory, which was part of the agony of defeat.
One day, a light came on in my head. I had to find something Stevie couldn't do. It would have to be unique in every way. The thought gave me confidence to move forward with a plan. I racked my brain to think of something I could do. The Sears Christmas Catalog came out and I found Danny O'Day, a ventriquial figure. It came with Jimmy Nelson's record on "How To Become a Ventriloquist." My parents got him for me for Christmas and I practiced faithfully every day. After Christmas vacation, I arranged with my English teacher to do my first show for the class. The response was favorable. I performed for family get-togethers and did shows on a number of occasions to practice my new skill.
It isn't easy learning ventriloquism. The difficult part was developing the voice, because at first, it is soft and hard to hear. I had to have a mic close to my neck. Due to the anatomy of my mouth, including straight teeth, I mastered no lip movement. I memorized the routines and performed in front of more audiences. Singing was just as hard, which was alternating my voice with Danny's. I was determined, so with time, I got better responses to my performances.
The roaring laughter was nonstop, in addition to the applause. The struggle was perfecting the talent to succeed in my new endeavor. Stevie never said a word about what I was doing. I never expressed my anxiety about his abilities versus my abilities.
Four years later, when I turned 15, my mother purchased a professional ventriloquial figure, which I named Freddie O'Sullivan. He was lifelike, with moving eyes, moving eyebrows, and could stick out his tongue. He was dressed in a blue suit jacket, gray trousers, black sneakers, and an ivy gray cap. I was on top of the world. I treated Freddie like he was real, except when he was stuffed in his suitcase. Treating Freddie like a real person enhanced my performance. Then, I would buy my skits or my mother would write them for me. Now I write my own skits.
In college, Freddie was well known. He would tell people that he was the only guy that could sleep in the girl's dormitory. Over the years, I won many talent awards. The most memorable was when I entered a pageant. I performed in a large auditorium, with tall red curtains, a stained hardwood stage and a full crowd audience when my mic would not work. Despite the mic malfunction, I proceeded to do my performance with Freddie.
Here is an example of part of the skit.
Me:... Freddie, I heard you were studying to become a doctor?
F:.... Yes, I am going to graduate from a fine medical school "Cutting U."
Our motto is: "The best things in life are Fees."
Me:.... Are you planning to specialize in any one field?
F:.... I haven't decided yet for sure. I may go into surgery, better known as, "May I Cut In"?
Me:....How about plastic surgery? So many people have begun new and happy lives as a result of the great skills of our plastic surgeons.
F:....Yes, but some people can't be helped. You take my Aunt Blossom. She had a very large mouth. I'm not kidding, this was a big mouth. When she smiled, she got lipstick on her ears! She was the only woman in the world that could swallow a banana sideways.
We followed the skit with singing a popular number, "Cabaret."
Miss America was in the pageant audience who came back to congratulate me on my performance from the balcony and heard every part of my act. I won the talent title and, in addition, 1st Runner Up in the pageant.
One time, at a local VFW, I was mingling with the audience. An elderly man motioned us over to his chair at a table. He looked at Freddie intently and asked him where he got his trousers. The table of eight had tears in their eyes. I didn't know what was going on until I asked later and someone told me the gentleman hadn't spoken for 20 years.
"What possessed him to talk to Freddie?" I asked. No one answered.
Ventriloquism helped me do something my brother couldn't do. Because of Stevie, I was able to broaden my horizon with Freddie. I relaxed and enjoyed our games together more. He gave me reason to develop a new talent.
I know now that sibling rivalry exists even when both parties get along well. It's a natural instinct. After Stevie and I were all grown up, my mother told me my brother was jealous of me. My eyes filled with tears. "Impossible," I said. I had so much envy, admiration, and love for Stevie, I was unable to think clearly. I was blind, down with my own self image and couldn't imagine what my brother thought of me. Thanks to my brother, I created a lifetime with Freddie O'Sullivan.
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Help Us Understand What's Happening
Stephanie Egbert
09/10/2022Thank you! I appreciated your comment very much!
Always, Steph
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
09/09/2022What a great story. You have crafted your talent to be awesome. I was always Jealous of My Sister and Brother. Sibling Rivarly does exist.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Stephanie Egbert
09/10/2022Thank you! I am sorry you had to experience jealous in your childhood. It is an issue not often addressed.
I appreciated your valuable comment.
Always, Steph
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Gerald R Gioglio
09/09/2022This is a wonderful story, Stephanie. I was particularly moved by the fellow who spoke after seeing Freddie. Thanks so much for sharing this true life tale. And happy StoryStar day. jg
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Stephanie Egbert
09/10/2022Thank you for your descriptive comment especially the part that touched my heart, too.
Always, Stephanie
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Stephanie Egbert
09/10/2022You were the 1st email I got to alert me I had received the Short Story Star of the day. I big thank you.
I was so excited!
Always, Stephanie
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Stephanie Egbert
09/10/2022You were the second email I received to alert me of my story being featured as Short Story Star of
the Day. Thank you so much
Always, Stephanie
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Madhu Mangal Sinha
08/26/2022Really interesting presentation, especially chess playing. Thanks a lot.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Stephanie Egbert
08/16/2022JD
Your comment was well appreciated! What a kick to be able to perform with Freddie in a video on Story Star. What a great
wish! It would be fun.
Always,
Stephanie
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
JD
08/15/2022That was a really interesting peek into your life, Stephanie. Sounds like you found your calling, and your brother did too. I'm wishing right now that Storystar allowed videos so we could see a clip of you and Freddie doing your act... it sounds like FUN! :-)
Reply
COMMENTS (8)