**note: this was written about my fellows during The Great Basin Writing Project

THE BREAKFAST CLUB

by Roger Wallock copyright 2007

            As I gaze around the room, images from the 1980’s movie The Breakfast Club materialize.  The story is of five mis-matched teenagers who have to spend a Saturday together in detention for various acts of misbehavior. 

            The Prom Queen and the Jock are forced to associate with the Nerd, the Freak, and the Criminal.  They fight against the situation they have been thrust into, despising each others’ differences.  Prejudices rear their ugly heads and confrontations are inevitable.  However, a very special relationship evolves as the day wanes. 

            These kids, from various backgrounds, entombed for the day, wind up sharing very personal experiences from their lives.  They discover that they are not so different.  They all have fears and dreams.  They all have painful life experiences which they don’t comprehend.  They are all insecure, rebellious, and mildly insane.  They are also all beautiful and intelligent.  

            The kids form a bond that surpasses any social stigma.  They become stronger together and gain new understanding about their own world.  Individually, the system can batter and break their will, but united they feel invincible.  Each of their unique characteristics adds a strength to the group.  By the end of that Saturday, they are unusually energized for their daily battles and know that they will never be the same.

            After five weeks of The Great Basin Writing Project, I now understand their feeling.