Aida and Eliza – Short Story Prequel to the Three Kings of Ybor Saga

Posted by Rock Kitaro on March 17, 2013
Posted in: Original Stories, Tales from Ybor. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

By- Rock Kitaro
Date Started: March 1st 2013
Date Finished: March 8th 2013

My Chemical Romance – “Teenagers”

grey-cat-in-the-snow-wearing-purple-scarf

Introduction –

Pious and good-natured college student, Aida reminisces about the day she first met the infamous leader of August the 18th, Eliza Christie. Even as children, Eliza exuded the personality of someone who would one day make men bow down before her. And while the two were initially thick as thieves, equal but opposite and joined at the hip during their waddling days, there was one incident that would scar Aida and change the way she saw her childhood friend.  It was the day that Eliza released an inner demon that would go on to dictate her violent need for retaliation for the rest of her life.

Aida Jenazzo - potential cast, Ashley Rickards

Aida Jenazzo – potential cast, Ashley Rickards

“Every time I open my mouth, I taste ice. That’s how fucking cold it is.”

Now, was it necessary for her to curse? Probably not. She wasn’t foul-mouthed. She was just used to being around people who talked that way. Understandable the way it would rub off on a thirteen-year-old, an impressionable age, so we were told. Impressionable…that’s one way to put it. In retrospect, I like to think Eliza was groomed to behave the way a single father whose occupation was law enforcement would’ve wanted her to behave. Who knew she’d grow up to be one of the nation’s most notorious outlaws, or folk hero. Depending on whom you’re asking.

Back then, her father was a headstrong young detective in the world’s most dangerous police department. Being that he was a single parent and constantly on call, Eliza was entrusted to stay with my family almost every other weekend and on some school nights. My mom and her father were old friends from before I was even born, so we became like a second family to her.

I remember a time where I used to sit inside all day. My family lived in Oldsmar, the outskirts of the city away from all of the crime, fast cars and helicopters. It was a peaceful time. My older brothers, Jamie and Justin are twins and everything you’d expect from a pair of hot-blooded Italian upstarts. My little sister was the baby of the family leaving me as the middle child. So I didn’t really receive a lot of attention, nor did I ever really want it. Just give me an antique paperback book that I checked out. Or leave me alone to practice some Beethoven for the afternoon and I was in heaven. Staying out of trouble. Staying away from risks. Just happy. By myself.

Then entered Elizabeth Christie. I remember the first day I laid eyes on her. I was playing a recital in the living room…my improvised version of “Moonlight Sonata”. From my position in the living room, I saw my mom opening the front door to the detective. It was a rainy day. A foreshadow I should’ve observed. I didn’t stop playing. I just slowed down in tempo as I watched them in the foyer. After taking the girl’s raincoat, my mom pointed her out to me. And in approached a green-eyed beauty with long wavy blond hair that would provoke envy from any aspiring pageant entry. Green seemed to be a common theme with her as she was always wearing it. Either in her tops, or her skirts, or some blaring necklace, you couldn’t catch Eliza without any sort of green on her.

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A Line Where Modesty Leads to Depression

Posted by Rock Kitaro on March 14, 2013
Posted in: Food for Thought. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

the-suns-fortress-marc-adamus

By Rock Kitaro
March 14, 2013

(Thinking Music) Nujabes – “Reflection Eternal” –

The following are just my thoughts conjured in the wake of a couple of discussions I had. In which I came to the conclusion that for some people, complimenting yourself may be a little bit more than necessary. Cause don’t hold your breath if you’re expecting some from your peers. Unless you go fishing that is…

I had a conversation with a lady friend the other day, where she criticized me for calling myself charismatic. She said that I’m not supposed to call myself charismatic and that others are supposed to do that. Otherwise it just looks bad on my part.

First off, I’d like to point out that its moments like these that reassures me that I’m not the arrogant jackass some individuals of my generation make me out to be. Cause if I was, I wouldn’t even be considering her thoughts, but label it as bullshit the moment she uttered the words.

She went on to say, as another person once pointed out, that it’s hard to decipher my personality because my behavior and my words contradict each other, they change like the weather.

So basically, I had to spill out for this girl that I behave differently depending on who I’m around and the environment that I’m in. Kind of like wearing a mask to guard and protect my fragile heart. (no lie, I might have fucked this metaphor up when I told it to her, so for that, I don’t blame her for still being confused)

But the point is, this is the second time I’ve had to explain this to a girl. And when I do, they seem so stunned or shocked. Today’s pop culture labels this behavior as “fake” or “pretentious”. I think it’s all so silly. I think its human nature. EVERYBODY FREAKING DOES THIS! Everyone changes their behavior, chooses their words more cautiously, depending on whom you’re talking to and where you’re at.

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America’s Hidden Beauty Queens – Pitch for Bravo, TLC or Lifetime

Posted by Rock Kitaro on March 8, 2013
Posted in: Original Stories. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Angela Sarafyan

By – Rock Kitaro

Date: March 8, 2013

Hollywood and Broadway of New York is supposedly saturated with the most beautiful people in the world. In magazines and on almost every show, we see police officers, office clerks, doctors associates and almost every occupation type-casted with models and your stereotypical ideal of what beauty is perceived to be. Maybe its because I’m a rebel where I’ve never been swayed by what the magazines and billboards tell me, but to this day, I still say, that I’ve seen more attractive women behind the counters at a supermarket or sitting at a desk in a cubicle, than I have on TV or in the movies. (Specifically in Dallas and the lovely Tampa Bay)

So I propose this. What if there was an hour-long show, where people from all over America, send in an e-mail with a Facebook photo of someone they know or work with, in which they declare that this employee, being male or female, is a “Hidden Beauty.” After a screening process, the producers pick out three individuals and take a camera to their place of business where they do a segment on what this individual does and what he or she aspires to do.

The last segment would be a bonus “Diamond in the Rough.” The Diamond in the Rough would be someone who doesn’t look particularly attractive at first glance, but others see the potential of this man or woman looking like a rockstar if they made a few simple changes.

It would be a surprise to the individuals. They wouldn’t see it coming. The host or hosts would come out of nowhere and say something along the lines of “You have been selected as this weeks Hidden Beauty Queen.” And it would turn out that this beauty queen is like, some secretary for a sanitation department or an overnight stocker for a grocery store. The individuals chosen can’t work in the fashion or entertainment industry; otherwise it would defeat the purpose for this show. Also…wouldn’t make it official or anything, but I wouldn’t chose anyone who’s already married.

What is the purpose for this show?

It’s to show the American viewers, the people at home who work 9-5 jobs and deal with the stress of ordinary life that they are just as beautiful as the individuals they admire. It is my theory that some of the most beautiful men and women aren’t even aware of how unique they are. This show is made to boost esteem and confidence. To make average ordinary people feel good about themselves and to be thankful for the attributes they’ve been blessed with. Some might say that they don’t care, or that looks aren’t important to them. But that’s just what they say…And kudos to them for saying it…I guess.

But I will go so far as to say that most people look in the mirror before heading out in the morning. Even if they don’t give a fuck, they still hold themselves to a standard seen by either what their peers or doing or what they’re family members are doing. And at the root of that standard of acceptable appearance, is what they’ve seen via the media.

Inspiration for this idea –

No lie, last night I was watching “Watch What Happens Live” on Bravo (I get paid to watch this show) where a fan asked Jennifer Love Hewitt from “The Client’s List” why all of her clients are hot men. The fan asked, “shouldn’t they all be disgruntled?” At which Hewitt replied, “on Lifetime, they’re hot men.” Which prompted a round of applause.

I found it funny because I’ve been thinking about this before. Like in all seriousness, I can’t remember the last time I saw an attractive police officer. It’s getting to the point where beauty in itself is cliche. The idea of “sex sells” is belittling to the average viewer, as if we aren’t friggen aware of what producers are trying to pull over our eyes.

PS. The photo is of actress Angela Sarafyan. Just using her photo as an example, sadly I don’t think I have any friends who would let me use their photo as an example. Not without a fuss, anyways… 😀

Can you say that you trust yourself?

Posted by Rock Kitaro on January 17, 2013
Posted in: Food for Thought. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Thinking Music

thinking+man+2

Can you say that you trust yourself?

Not necessarily to believe in yourself in accomplishing your goals. But what I mean, is your feelings or opinions about another individual. Or about a situation. When you make a decision about someone or something, is it based on what you believe or what you want to believe? And if you do trust yourself and make a decision based on what you think you know…how accurate are you? I know this sounds convoluted and all over the place…but lately…I can’t get these questions out of my head.

Introducing Petty, a character from Ybor

Posted by Rock Kitaro on January 13, 2013
Posted in: Character Bios. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Petty

Petty

Angela Pettigrew (aka Petty)–

Braden’s protégé and assistant. Age 16. Snow-white skin, long fluid black hair, petite figure with small dark eyes. Like Braden, Petty is a sword-fighting prodigy under the tutelage of Takizawa. Born and raised in the slums of east Ybor, Petty’s mother and father were druggies with the father acting as a low level pusher for a Black mob boss. Both parents treated her like crap, creating a sense of distain that was amplified to hatred the day they accidentally left her younger sister in an apartment with no heat. Petty was six years old and at school. She came home to find her younger sister dead of hypothermia.

Two years later, Petty’s disturbing behavior of violence and lack of empathy saw her expulsion from school. With no one to pick her up and in a fit of rage, Petty charged into the warehouse owned by her father’s boss. Moments later, that warehouse was hit by the syndicate in a raid for unpaid debts. Petty hid a closet as the boss and her father were viciously cut down by none other than a sixteen-year-old Braden Pierce.

When another syndicate enforcer saw Petty and felt a need to eliminate the witness, Braden stepped in refusing to have children murdered on his watch. Braden then gave Petty a smaller spare katana and the long white snowcoat on his back. Braden had no idea that this girl would one day grow up to be one of his most dependable assets and the syndicate’s future ace-in-the-hole.

After witnessing everything that went down, Petty never came back home. She never saw her mother again now did she ever want to. Petty traveled to the Pierce corporate offices, confronted the barrage of security personnel and demanded an audience with Braden Pierce. Instead, she got something better. The godfather, Isaac himself granted her his attention. Petty made her intentions known and presented the sword and coat as proof of what she witnessed.

Surprised and astonished that Braden had an ounce of compassion for someone who always appeared so vicious and disinterested, Isaac willingly took Petty in and sent her to Japan to study under Guile Takizawa.

Through six years of being one of Takizawa’s trainees, Petty turned out to be one of his favorites. Just like Braden, she never questioned anything. She just did as she was told and fearlessly committed herself to the training regardless of the pain or threat of injury. Petty returned with Guile back to the states, still carrying Braden’s short katana, her own long katana, and the long white snow coat that once belonged to Braden.

Initially filled with animosity upon setting her sights on Tampa for the first time in six years, the potential of running into Braden again was a thrill she couldn’t pass up.  Again, impressed by her appearance and growth, Isaac suggests Petty to be Braden’s assistant. David takes the idea and runs with his own intentions of having Petty act as his spy against Braden. Petty deceives both of them, committing her loyalty to Braden and Braden alone. Braden’s enemies are Petty’s enemies. Braden’s ambitions become Petty’s ambitions.

Seven Deaths Before Seven – Short Story featuring the mercenary, Gavin Hassell

Posted by Rock Kitaro on September 20, 2012
Posted in: Tales from Ybor. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Even the most peaceful god-fearing men on earth have family members who are dangerous. A local machete-toting street gang learns this lesson the hard way.

In this short story, a small town urban neighborhood becomes infected by several of the most notorious criminals in the world. And it all stemmed from one young gangster who felt insulted by a middle-aged preacher speaking to him about the bible. Like the Braden Pierce side story, this story contains graphic violence and street level language. It’s not to show how good I am with choreographing fight scenes or to display how attuned I am to retribution and intimidation.

These side stories involving characters from “The Three Kings of Ybor” are written to show the depths of how well they live up to their infamous reputation. To show that in this world…some people just aren’t people. They’re fucked up individuals who stand atop of empires they’ve created, empires built by the media who makes these killers look like superstars. And as hundreds of thousands of the good hardworking individuals point at them and protest their existence, wish for their downfall… these “three kings” take it unfazed, unconcerned and without care in the world about how others think. It isn’t until someone has the audacity to step up do these kings remind them and everyone caught in the crossfire… that monsters do exist.

8:02pm – April 28th 2209

Tallahassee, Florida…The old Floridian capital still served as a distinguished municipality. Though it had its share of scars from the war, it was still a decent place to live and raise children. Tallahassee was an urban city made up of old structures, mom and pop businesses and half-assed state departments. But for the most part, it was a peaceful city where people tended to their own and kept to the confines of “things just being the way they are.” But in this world… There are just several kinds of people that you don’t want to mess with.

At a little past eight at the Thompson Medical Center in downtown Tallahassee, drama was unfolding with a family of Mexican descendents. A fifty-two year old man named Gene Sanchez had just suffered from a brutal stabbing attack and was rushed to the intensive care unit via ambulance. Sanchez’s family and friends had received word of the stabbing. They congregated in the hallways, barraging the doctors for updates and answers that the doctors just didn’t have as of yet.

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“Silmido” An Incident from South Korea

Posted by Rock Kitaro on September 3, 2012
Posted in: History Lesson. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

“Silmido” 2003 S. Korean movie poster

Blue House Raid – Wikipedia Page

Watching this movie called “Silmido” while I get some writing done. Interesting stuff and quick history lesson for ya whether you want it or not. In 1968 North Korea dispatched a unit of Commandos to assassinate Park Chung Hee, the President of South Korea. The North Korean unit failed in this attempt.

In response, Park Chung Hee began to train his own unit of South Korean commandos to take out North Korea’s president. The training was so brutal that several trainees died. And just when the unit was up and ready to go, relations between the two countries improved and the hit was called off.

It’s clearly speculation up to this point as to the motives of this now disbanded South Korean unit, but the facts indicate that this unit hijacked a bus in 1971. The South Korean Army confronted them and killed twenty commanders from the unit. Four remaining soldiers survived but were executed months later in a tribunal.

The South Korean government covered it up for years, until after 2003. When the movie “Silmido” came to light, bringing nationwide attention to the incident. In 2009, members from this ill-fated unit sued the government for harsh training conditions that were a violation of their basic human rights.

In 2010, the South Korean government awarded those families with a payout of 273 million won in compensation. This is nothing compared to other “incidents” that have happened around the world. I just wonder…What kind of mentality would us “entitled” Americans have if we were taught about such oppressions growing up.

It still rings in my head. What an old friend told me back in 2008. “That’s North Korea, Rock. This is America. Why do you care?”—–Love thy neighbor….such a sentiment.

 

“The Boys from Racetrack Road” short story is out!

Posted by Rock Kitaro on August 17, 2012
Posted in: Original Stories. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Foreign Beggars ft. Noisia – Contact (dubstep) Press Play

 

“The Boys from Racetrack Road” is an edgy action comedy about a wisecracking competitive delivery driver with a penchant for street racing where the opportunity presents itself.

Click Here to begin reading episode 1

In episode 1, we’re introduced to the world of Maxwell Blaz. It isn’t an easy one, and right from the get-go he’s put in a risky race through a suburban neighborhood. Consequently his skills are caught by the eyes of Mirror, the vice-head of the Bronze Tigers race team. In dealing with his friends and time-consuming sisters, Max has his hands full on Good Friday and the night hasn’t even started yet.

Episode 2 – Coming Soon

In the upcoming episode, Max begins his Friday night shift at the Pizza Shack and the fun begins. Joined with his delivery/racing buddies Eric and Robbie, a competition ensues for who can collect the most tips. Add that with the non-stop bickering between shift leaders Jon and Chris and you have your typical night working for a pizza delivery joint. Then of course there’s Mirror. Completely captivated by Max’s reckless driving skills, Mirror’s determined to see for himself if Max’s previous win was a fluke or something more…

Is being smart so important?

Posted by Rock Kitaro on August 16, 2012
Posted in: Food for Thought. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Is being smart so important? Is it being two-faced to suppress your thoughts?

By – Rock Kitaro

Date – August 14, 2012

“Europe” By Yoko Kanno Press Play

“Rock…you don’t always have to say what’s on your mind. Even if your thoughts are blatant and unintentional…you have to think to yourself…Does this person need to know what you’re about to tell them? Follow Benjamin Franklin’s advice on this one. Count to ten before you respond. And if you’re angry, count to one hundred. Chances are that most people who come in contact with you, already know that you’re smart. You don’t have to always prove it. Because when you do, you inadvertently make the other person feel like an idiot. And who wants to be around a person like that?”

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Stage in the Sky Updates for August 2012

Posted by Rock Kitaro on August 3, 2012
Posted in: News and Updates. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Hello hello hello!

I’ll be turning 26 this month. No longer amongst the college category. They say its the prime of a young man’s life. To be honest, I’m excited. For most people, the new year starts on January 1st. For me, it always starts on August the 18th. My 25th year was so cool. Last year I was able to write a full 144,000-word manuscript, a 119 page screenplay, turn 3 of my screenplays into short stories, build a website, put my stories up and promoted myself on a wider scale. In August of 2011, I weighed 270lbs. Now with it being August of 2012, I weigh 226lbs.

I’ve accomplished so much. I’ve come so far. I’ve stumbled. I’ve had my heart broken. I’ve had my pride trampled on. But I never stayed down. I always get up and realign my sights on my targets. I don’t only see my goals, but I remind myself why I’m doing this. And after each hardship, after each trial, after each hurdle and obstacle, I can’t help but look up and smile, letting out a hard chuckle. I’m not dead yet. The few friends I do have are always helping me. I won’t forget them.

SO THEN… I don’t see an end in sight. Constantly moving, constantly improving, never staying the same and never staying in the same place, mentally or physically… all that jazz. Those are the goals of that stuff people call life. My life.

For the month of August I plan to do the following

– Release Episode 1 of “The Boys from Race Track Road” in the Original Stories menu.

– Release the character Bios of “The Five Pillars of Minority”

– Release a short story, a five to ten page side-story involving one of my main characters from the Three Kings of Ybor.

– Release a Press Release, via PR Web to drive more traffic to this website. I plan to target my release to Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
After this month, I’ll probably leave the website alone for a while and let you guys catch up on your reading.  I still need to find an agent after all. “The Three Kings of Ybor” isn’t gonna sell itself, and I’m ready to unleash.