17!

THE DECISION

AX!.... AX!.... "GEEZ.... I MISSED THE NECK, AND GOT THE DAMN WING!" you yell with one foot holding the bird to the ground. "IT'S SO HARD TO KEEP THIS DARN CHICKEN STILL!"

The cool October evening air feels good. The pink sunset edges down through the trees. You think, I have to succeed. I have to succeed! I can't pluck a live chicken for my demonstration video in Broadcasting class.

Then you get the idea to hold the head and try to hatchet the neck with the blade of the ax. You wonder if this is what it takes to kill your son upon God's order. You mean you have to intend to do it, and if you are truly intending, you have to do whatever it takes for success — for success! You hate being hung up on the idea, but lately "to be successful" is all you want to feel!

The chicken looks between your left-gloved fingers as if saying, "Let's make a deal! I know you are bigger than me, but let go. I'll find the way home myself. If you give up your project and drive me, I promise I'll sit still and not fly around inside your back window and windshield like on the way down. I'll be cool. I'll be cool...."

For a second you think of not going through with this. You hold the head tightly in hand while the chicken's body flaps, even with your knee on top. But you are sure you'll get an "A" for originality on "How To Pluck A Chicken." You want that "A." You really want that "A" to add to the others. A less different idea might mean a "B," if you could quickly think of one.

"I'm sorry I have to kill you," you softly say to the bird. "But you wouldn't have lasted long on the farm. Your master was entirely delighted to give you away after I knocked on her door and explained I needed a chicken for a school project. She knew which one to pick from the crowd. Now say your prayers. You're going to meet your maker. Mostly, I have to not hit my hand with this ax. An 'A' wouldn't be worth that. So STOP flapping!"

Suddenly the chicken is still, giving in to fate. You have to make a decision. If I am going to do it — now is the time! You pull back the ax. Decide go for it! Chop at its neck. A clean cut. Blood everywhere. The bird goes running across the front yard, until it drops. Dead.

Casually, you step to throw away the chicken head in a lined garbage can in the garage. You find a new sack, and walk back to the carcass feeling you shouldn't have worn this shirt, but figure the blood splatter might look good for the video.

By the legs, you pick up what's left of the chicken.

Then you place the bag of chicken and gloves in the trunk of your small 1963 convertible, as if you've committed a murder and are hiding the evidence in the big silver bucket.

You realize you have.

This is the only thing you've ever killed besides an ant, a bug, a fish. All business. To get an "A?"

Worth it?

What is your goal to have the best experience possible?

Do you feel the drive from Dad, a big executive at the company?

The desire for good grades has been foremost with you since day one, making a clay hand print in kindergarten — always hoping to please the teacher!