Creative Writing #1: KARL

Today in class we had the opportunity to write a creative piece based on one or more pictures from Bill Sullivan's Turnstile Photography Project. The following is the narrative I wrote based on the man pictured to the left.

Karl, his name is Karl. That’s it.

I’ve been watching Karl for the last couple of months now.

No, I don’t mean in that creepy stalker way.

He just takes the same subway cart that I’m usually on in the mornings.

I don’t know much about him, other than the fact he works at Sav-A-Lot and has what almost seems, an unhealthy obsession with music.

Today’s my day off; most people would spend it sleeping in, catching up on work, or hanging out with friend, but not me.

I’m going to spend it watching Karl.

Okay, once again, I’m not some creepy stalker chick… I just find him interesting.

I’m not even sure what he’s doing right now. He just left the subway stop looking he was enjoying whatever song was blasting through is head phones.

It almost sounded like The Doors….no…maybe.

Whatever the case, he can’t seem to wipe that silly grin off of his face. Jesus, I’ve never seen someone so enthralled with one song.

I’ve you’ve ever seen Karl, you’ve probably noticed this weird walk he does, kind of like the one he’s doing now, except a bit more exaggerated.

He kind of reminds me of Gumby.

He walks way too fast for my liking, where in the world does he have to get to that is so urg…

Wait, really?

I should have realized.

He was walking so fast to get to Henry’s Hot Dog Stand.

That place is busy night and day.

I don’t understand why everyone likes Henry’s so much.

His hot dogs aren’t even that good.

What is taking Karl so long?

Last time I checked, it didn’t take forever just to buy a stinkin’ hot dog.

Eww, well that’s why he’s taking forever.

I guess he just loves his relish.

Who in the world loves relish?

You know what I’ve realized?

That, that first bite of any food you are going to eat gives it all way. It tells you whether you’re going to enjoy the meal or not. It’s either good or satisfactory and in the worst cases, it’s disgusting.

But I can never tell with Karl. He seems to always have that same face plastered on him no matter what number bite he’s taking, he just looks like he’s in pain. His entire face squishes together, almost like a pug and his mouth opens up like one of those Hippos’s you see on the Discovery channel getting ready to attack. It’s weird.

Whatever, at least now he’s slowed down. I thought I was going to pass out from how fast I had to walk to keep up with him.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a weirder kid then Karl. He dresses in Polo’s with jeans that are way too ripped from the bottom. He doesn’t seem to comb his hair or do anything else for a matter of fact.

I know it seems that all I’m doing is criticizing him. I guess I am…but there’s a lot of things about Karl that I like.

Like the fact that he smells like home or the fact that every time he see’s a little kid, his face lights up like a giant light bulb.

Or the fact that right now, he’s going to volunteer at the old folks home down the street for no reason at all.

Sure, Karl is strange and doesn’t seem to car too much about anything but if you think about, I’m also strange.

Anyways, Karl may eat tons of relish, not shower enough or look like some character straight out of Disney, but Karl is Karl and that’s what matters. For all I care, he could never take off those headphones of his but he would still be someone that I would spend my day off watching. That’s a fact.