One story really caught my eye and my thoughts constantly went back to it. Mother Duncan's Devotion was the first story in the book, it was in the Chapter for Hired Killers and it was twisted and evil. When I began writing a few years later I found it hard to get into my bad guys head or even create someone that was not nice. I went back to my Crimes and Punishment book (by now I had hoarded it in my room long enough that it had become mine) and I reread Mother Duncan's Devotion and then wrote a scene from Elizabeth Duncan's POV. On paper I tried to become her or at least try to get a feel for her. If you want to read a little about her story here is a great site that sums it up, Mrs. Elizabeth Duncan. I cannot find a site that is like the passages in Crimes and Punishment.
The following is what I came up with, I have not edited it or revised it. It's a treasure from when I first began writing, as rough and amateur as it is.
Mrs. Elizabeth Duncan Behind bars.
Mother Duncan's Devotion
There was a surprising gust of wind and I had to pull my light blue coat around me closer. Santa Barbara was a beautiful place except on state street. It was run down and trashy, the place we were going was run down and trashy. But no matter, this was where I was to meet with some "Boys" that could do me a favor.
I opened the door to the tropical cafe and nodded to Mrs. Esquivel as Emma and I sat at a table. The place, as I said, was run down, filthy, probably to dirty for even the cockroaches. It all made me think that I shouldn't of had frank help them out, but then again I wouldn't have the opportunity to be doing what had to be done. My mood lightened slightly as I thought about my Frank. He would be with me again soon and he would see I was always right. Franks father was an idiot so I couldn't blame Frank for his sudden urge to do the same thing and strike out on his own. Mrs. Esquivel came up to the table with the "Boys" she had been talking about. Hispanic trash, no doubt illegal, stood before me. Both had ungodly big ears and that dirty look most Hispanics have.
"Mrs. Duncan this is Luis Moya and Augustine Baldonado. I think they can help you with your problem." She looked from the young men to me and left.
I placed a placid smile on my face and greeted them. We sat at one table to talk business while Emma, good friend as she was, sat at a different one. God bless her 70 years old and still loyal and thick enough to keep my secret.
We jumped right into the heart of the meeting and we started to discuss price. Luis seemed the most eager and did most of the talking, the other one though, younger I suppose, kept quiet.
" I can happily pay you $3000 once the jobs done."
"That sounds a little cheap for who were taking out."
I pursed my lips, No matter, I thought, I won't pay them that much anyway.
"We'll do it for $6000." Luis exchanged a glance at his friend. "$3000 now and $3000 after."
Men were so easily deceived, it was almost sad. Lucky I knew how to keep them in the dark and still get what I wanted.
"Very well gentlemen. I just need the problem to be taken care of."
"Well make sure your unwanted daughter-in-law is eliminated Mrs. Duncan."
"Make sure you do." I got up stiffly. I already mentioned some ways I've thought to get rid of the little wretch, their faces graying as I went into details. She wasn't going to take away my son, I thought as Emma and I left the Cafe. He would be mine again soon and Olga would be gone.
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Interestingly this was the first time I wrote in first person and to date this is the only fiction I have in first person, at least that I can remember (and I have no old scraps of paper to say otherwise)
