It was an unusual day in the usually sunny town overlooking the vista of the usually beautiful Pacific Ocean. Fog made the usual view nearly impossible to enjoy. If it wasn’t for the usual sounds of waves crashing on the rocks below no one would have known that the usual tide was once again covering the small patches of sand that were usually used by young lovers and an occasional sea serpent, ok, seal. (Imagination is supposed to play a part in life; I didn’t mean to cast a bad light on the seal population, or the serpent population for that matter.)

It’s difficult to offend most of the inhabitants of the small coastal California town of “Unusual” although many of us try to on a regular basis. Actually it is a very pleasant, though unusual place to live. The inhabitants (I hope they don’t mind that term) are known by nearly everyone in the world, including those that don’t usually speak English. They are a breed that tries to do the right thing, most of the time, however there are those that consider themselves symbols of change, and they are tolerated rather than embraced. The town citizens call themselves “Punct Uates.” The ancestors of Punct Uates came from a small island called “Punctuate” that no longer exists in the deep Southern reaches of, and no one knows for sure, either the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean. Maybe the Mediterranean, it doesn’t really matter it has been underwater for centuries now.

The Punct Uates usually controlled the symbols with a great deal of success using mainly avoidance techniques, but it is usually less imposing to incarcerate them in parenthesis. Although there are times when the symbols are useful, usually when a visitor, that doesn’t have the usual basic understanding of the prevailing language visits Unusual. As a result the town council, referred to as the “Exclamation Council” has instituted the universal symbols system, for mainly safety and liability reasons.

Unusual is very proud of three former citizens. The break from tradition was doubted by many at first but through the efforts of Comma and Hyphen Nate of the Exclamations Council, Period, or Dot as some like to refer to him as, broke into the international world and shattered the communications barriers worldwide and convinced Right Slash and Semi Colon to accompany him. They have become a usual common entity of nearly every home and business in the world. (Well, at least most have heard of them anyway!)

This success has inspired Hyphen, as just the other day she was complaining of being abused, and some insulted her by referring to her as a dash. (Well, how would you like to be referred to as a dash?) Anyway, she complained that by her overuse she gave a whole new meaning to words and she resented it, saying that it was unnecessary and offensive in some instances. She made an announcement that she would like to try her idea on a global scale. Objections immediately came from nearly every segment of the Council, which wasn’t unusual as far as she was concerned, they usually objected to her input until Mayor Per Cent usually cautioned them to hear her out.

She thanked the Mayor, as usual, and turned to the Council. With her usual preceding deep breath, which usually quieted her nervous hands, she began with a brief history of American purpose and promises, beginning with the Declaration of Independence that proclaimed all men equal, and that goes for us girls too, she reminded them. She could see Quot Tation and Brak Kets lean towards each other with mocking sneers and she ignored their usual ignorance as the other Exclamation members seemed genuinely interested. Quoting Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin gave an air of credence as she continued with her determined oration. From there she went into oxymoron examples, (All the while looking at and smiling at Mr. Tation and Mr. Kets.) like hollow-tube, little-giant and others. Then she hit them with her main objections. Americans are Americans, Mexicans are Mexicans, Germans are Germans, and Africans are Africans. She complained that she was tired of being abused as Mexican-American, German-American or African-Americans. A strange and unusual hush filled the room, even Quot Tation and Brak Kets was now paying attention. By using me to separate America is unfair to me and if I have to I will organize protest marches and do whatever needs to be done for all Americans to recognize that I have had enough! This is my Country too and I demand that the abuse that I am suffering be stopped. I have a legitimate purpose in life and I am tired of this unusual abuse. Umm, thank you!

As she took her seat someone in the Council began clapping, followed by another and another until the entire Exclamation Council was standing and clapping, even the two mavericks. As a blush began to glow, Mayor Per Cent decided to adjourn the meeting. And as the members opened the Chamber doors they stepped outside to be greeted with the usual sunshine and surf that Unusual is accustomed to.

I just wish I understood this punctuation thing!
Jim Andreas
Author of: Something Important Happened Today
something-important-happened-today.com

Jim Andreas retired from law enforcement after nearly thirty years of service. After 9-11 he felt the need to join the fight against terrorism. His advanced age limits his participation but he does what he can through a private security contract with the U.S. Dept. of Interior.He grew up on a small farm in the middle of an Indian Reservation. At a young age Jim assumed he was Indian just like his playmates, when his buddies told him he was a white man he was crushed. Angered he ran to his mother to tell her they were picking on him and called him a white man. His mother had the difficult task of confirming his playmates revelation. He recovered, without hard feelings, and went on to develop the fond memories he treasures to this day about being an Indian.

After High School the United States Navy claimed several years of his life and showed him the real world. Although he enjoyed visiting numerous foreign countries he developed a patriotic appreciation for life in the United States unequaled by any other American. This appreciation is evident in the pages of his book.