In my book Dragon Heir one of the characters, Madison, is from a small town, but she yearns to be a painter. Madison was going to college but her family lived outside of town up on Booker Mountain, which her Grandmother left to her when she died. Madison’s mother is a drunk who has very little money so the only thing of worth is tesBooker Mountain which Madison, NOT her mother, owns. On the way to Booker Mountain is the horse farm that belongs to the Ropers, who are VERY rich. Their youngest son, Brice, is also a wizard. Well, Brice’s dad is trying to buy Booker Mountain to mine it for coal but he knows Madison, like her grandmother, won’t sell. So, the father convinces Madison’s mom that if they make it look like the mountain isn’t a safe place for Madison’s two younger siblings to live, then Madison will sell it. After all, her siblings are very important to her. So emorant that she left college to come home and take care of them after a suspicious fire (started by Brice) burnt down a building when the two younger ones were at home with there very drunk mom. Brice is told to convince Madison that selling the mountain is a great idea, especially since the Bookers own a beautiful empty artists cottage that Madison and her family could move into. He actually thinks that by telling Madison this, she will give in and sell out to own this beautiful cottage that is the PERFECT place for a painter. Madison is furious! She says to him, “I have a life that doesn’t involve sucking up to you. So if you think you’re ever going to get your hands on Booker Mountain, you better think again.” To which he replies, “You’re nobody.” Fifth generation inbred trash. But when I ask you out, you say no...you think you’re to good for me?” (pg. 239) He is pretty sure no one will help her and that his family will get what they want.
This scenario (or situation) really struck a nerve with me because I have read and heard of many similar situations that have occurred and still do. The rich man or rich company or rich government, thinks that they should be able to have what ever they want. It doesn’t matter to them that they could be hurting someone else, or insulting someone else. All they care about is what they want – the land, a building, cheap labor for factories. Throughout history there are stories of individuals, companies, and governments buying off, or in some instances killing off, the person who has what the richer one wants. Usually, the richer party got away with it but sometimes they got in a little bit of trouble. Our own President Nixon was covering up a lot of bad stuff that was going on in our country – things that he was part of or new about. He counted on the fact that he was the President and the fact that no one challenges the Pres. Unfortunately, for him times had changed enough that when news of this leaked out – he ended up on trial and then impeached (removed from the office of President). Sometimes it isn’t even about money but about which group (race, culture) is better. For example, Rosa Parks and the bus boycott of the 50’s. The bus driver and the white man, who wanted a seat, didn’t care that Rosa was a very tired woman who worked hard all day. It just mattered that she was black and taking up a good seat that a white man deserved. We know that until Rosa said “no” many blacks where discriminated against and nobody did anything. For some reason, Rosa saying no upset enough people that a huge societal change happened.
I wonder what change Madison will force in the small town
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