Donald Schneider writes about...

“Scratch Handicap”

Dear Don,

By the way, the remarks I made on the forum regarding your “Scratch Handicap” are entirely heartfelt. You portrayed your characters with dignity and respect and not as pathetic, anachronistic war cripples. You portrayed them as regular fellows who have simply made adjustments within their lives due to their valiant service to our country. Bravo and thank you! Might I please ask you if you are a fellow veteran? You seem most sympathetic.

The ending took me entirely off guard, by the way. You plotted it quite nicely indeed!

As I also said, I’m not certain if your piece is intended peripherally as an anti-war piece. If so, I have no problem with that at all. You treated soldiers — many of whom were conscripted then — with appreciative respect.

Also, I was most surprised at your apparent knowledge of what is usually perceived as the very pedestrian sport of bowling. Did you do research or are you a bowler yourself? If so, I wouldn’t have suspected that of someone in your intellectual and social sphere. One never knows about people, to be sure, until one knows them! That’s always a good insight to keep in mind while meeting people, I suppose. If you are, might I inquire what your average is? (Don’t be modest!)

Cordially,

Donald Schneider

Hi, Donald...

Thank you for your very kind letter!

No, I am not a veteran myself, but my Dad is a combat veteran of WW2 and is, at the age of 93, one of the “last men standing.”

“Scratch Handicap” is not intended as an anti-war story, although I was a volunteer canvasser for Sen. Eugene McCarthy in the Wisconsin presidential primary of 1968.

The story has its origin in its setting: a bowling alley. Now, how could the story rise above the “pedestrian” — a well-chosen word — and acquire a meaning? Since bowlers normally belong to leagues, they almost always have something in common. These bowlers had to share something relatively uncommon that might affect anyone.

The very loud, intermittent noise of a bowling alley provided the auditory cue that explained the disabilities the three friends share. However, the explanation is incidental and takes nothing away from any disabled person who does not happen to be a veteran.

My parents enjoyed duckpin bowling when I was a kid, and of course I did, too. In later years I had occasion to join a tenpin league for a season or two with some friends. My average was quite mediocre. My high game was 258, but it was due mainly to my discovering that the alley was “grooved” — the wax happened to have a track in it — and I made the most of it.

Looking forward to your review of Carmen’s “Last Tango...” and any others you might like to send. The Reading Room and The Critics’ Corner are open to all, and we’ve been happy to include reviews from readers and contributors as well as from Jerry and Danielle.

All the best,

Don