For years, Rollo, Texas has relied on other municipalities and companies for our Emergency Medical services. We rarely had need of such services, as we had our own doctor. But on rare occasion when Doc was out of town and half of our volunteer fire department was home sick and the other half working out of town, we needed to call for help. And that help took almost 30 minutes, round trip, not counting how long to work on patients.

    So it was, ten years ago, the idea was floated around the council meetings of enlisting high school students for help. Eventually, someone did the research and found that 17-year-old residents could actually be certified EMT’s as long as the municipality was in need. We explained the process to the students and their parents, and the benefits for everyone. You see, Rollo had set aside a sizable retainer for EMS services.  The town would save lots of money if we had our own volunteer Emergency Medical Service.

    The training was not cheap, but each emergency we didn’t have to call out, was actually worth one student’s training. Plus, Doc could give extra lessons, and authorize treatments via mobile phone, for simple issues to these trainees. The extra money goes towards scholarships and grants for college or other training the students choose. Along with the money is a letter of recognition and referral for their services.

    Well, today we had a going away party for three of our first EMT’s. Two are going to college under a pre-med programme. The third is going straight into work as an EMT in Houston.

    We had 10 students working in the programme. The other seven were a mix, mostly juniors when they started out. The two others have decided to stay on as paid interns, with Doc, for another year before applying to a college, finding a job or even traveling. Best of luck to them, though I doubt they need it. They've had a great start with this programme and the programme has had a great start with them. 

    I’m sure there are times when everyone wants to re-write their history. Become the hero, or, at least, not fail so badly. Well, this is not really about me, but the town my father grew up, and where my siblings and I were brought to, against my will, when we were young.

    You would be right in saying I harbour ill-feelings towards the townsfolk ~ most of whom were my relations. I’ve had my fair share of fantasizing of razing the town and turning it into a landfill. But then, about a decade or so ago, I had another dream. The town was prime location for some of my stories and I figured, since I already was used to recreating worlds, why not try my hand with this little town.

    Once I made up my mind, I remembered an old teacher telling me the town’s real name was never officially changed. The townspeople had simply adopted a name near the beginning of its creation. No one questioned it, since the company that built the town left long ago.

    For this, my alternative version of the town, I re-adopted the original name. I also created a persona for myself, living in this town ~ and actually proud of it.

    What follows are unreal stories and events. They may have connections to the “real” world, but that is mostly coincidental.