a pedestrian journey - chapter two.
my name is nicholas gray and i am mona mills. that's what hilarie told me once.
without submitting you to an anatomy lesson, i will say instead simply that i am not m. mills. i don't want the credit. though i do imagine she does live inside me somewhere. probably in my hair. my hair's usually doing something curious. she lives in my cowlicks, all eight of them. mona. drat.
lincoln was the first character to arrive in pedestrian. then jay. then mona. but don't tell her that. always tell mona she is first. that's something i've learned.
i first met mona on 5th avenue and 58th street. bergdorf goodman. never strolling, never stopping. always spinning, always shopping. i couldn't see what she looked like yet. she was quicksilver. i could only make out her petite frame. i stayed with her for six, seven minutes. she never stopped. i gave up. i left her. and ducking into alleyways, like puck in prada, mona followed me home. that night while i slept (i was sleeping then), mona sat in my windowsill, looking over me like an ectoplasmic ghost.
mona didn't talk to me for the entire next day. i was starting to get fed up with her bullshit. but if i knew mona like i do now, i would have realized she was just being mona. mona broke the ice with a few jokes. her appearance still had not appeared to me, but i could tell she was sexy as all get out.
it wasn't until the third day that mona mills really showed up. she was the 4th most beautiful thing i'd ever seen. again, not something i would tell her. always tell mona she is first. the first rule of fight club is that mona mills is first. and in that one short day, she showed me why she deserves to be first. mona was an explosion of awesome in my life.
mona spent the days that followed perched upon my shoulder. a very rare bird. she wouldn't shut up. she is a dictionary. she is an M-80. she is in every particle of life. she smells delicious. she is venus. she can be a hangnail sometimes, and she knows it.
one day, mona suspicially offered to write a scene in pedestrian. i said, "dream on." she did it anyway. in post-its. it was scrapped, of course, but i'll just say it involved cleopatra, large felines, and a spiral staircase. she's no cheap date, i was starting to learn.
mona stayed with me for nearly three months. her laugh was contagious. she was never hollow. one time she wore her hair slicked back. her timing was awkward. she definitely could model. one time she got soooooo drunk. her taste was precise. she was inappropriate. one time we had a 20-minute conversation about ketchup.
on the morning that mona left me, she was unusually tame. she had a cornflower-colored vintage suitcase in her hand. i'd never seen that suitcase before, so i'm still pretty sure she bought it just for the occasion.
i didn't see mona for months.
then one seemingly random day, i stepped out of the subway station, and i saw mona across the street. she started clapping, and i mean really going for it. applauding is a better word. then, hootin' and hollerin'. totally embarassing. then the parade came around the corner. that look on her face; she was so pleased with herself. and then she kissed a cop, got on his police steed, and galloped down 7th avenue.
soon i am going to give mona away. and i suspect i will feel like a father at his daughter's wedding. i will be so scared, and i will be so proud.
yours,
n.gray
(d. howser)
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Comments
That last line is beautiful and powerful and sweet.. I cant wait to find out a little more about Mona. This story has got me hooked already.
wow you are a great writer. seriously. and Mona seems interesting, and...mysterious
Loved this blog Mona sounds very interesting. I can't wait to hear more! Thanks for sharing her with us. I look forward to finding out who will play her:)
p.s Love the shirt!
Doogie Howser? Man, have you dated all of us who remember that - 20 years ago now or something crazy like that! As to the post, well, as Neil Patrick Harris' more recent character Barney Stinson would put it...legendary!
Speaking of, when it comes to great names how does his co-star Cobie Smulders strike you? Coolest of cool names or what? Doesn't hurt that the girl's insanely good looking as well, of course!
That's how I feel about my characters, it's really interesting getting to know the people you write or the people who write through you (in a totally sane way of course). I can't wait to see Mona on screen. I'm sure she's even more dynamic in the flesh. Screenwriters are just awesome, keep on listening and telling your stories. :)
Mona is a character I cannot wait to meet! Don't worry Nick; she'll be in good hands with us :)
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Hilarie you are a great actress I like you and cross(spend) you one hello of the center of France big kisses
You are truly a great writer Nick! Kept me captivated the whole time and all the words came to life for me!
Thanks so much for being who you are :)
xoxoxox
L.O.V.E
How I wish I could write like that...
I love your words
Nick your writing is amazing!! Your words allow me to visualize such an interesting character, I can not wait to learn more about Mona!!! and all of the other characters...
Great Work!!!
Mona's penchant for sociopathic behavior is usually a smokescreen for vulnerability in most stories' landscapes. I believe that this is a girl that is highly capable of just damn being Alive. There is no gatekeeper at the mouth of Mona's commerce. Mona is fulfillment and obdurate, but will dare anyone to live outloud. She will challenge you. She is treasure found in the deep mouth of the Cape Fear River, but sitting there next to you radiating, perched on a stool watching the river roll by. You know this magic stool Nick, we should tag it! Scheming grafitti artists, magic markers, Magic Markers! The best two words in that book! Thank you Nick for Mona and you, and I can't wait to see your Mona be born, and brought to film. I hope she gets to see our river:)
All I have to say nis wow that was awesome.. Thanks for making Mona alive for us
Loved the post, keep 'em coming!
Hey Nick ! Great post , your writing is really good.
Thank you for sharing a little of Mona :)
Can't wait to hear more
Oh my goodness ... I think I have a girl-crush on Miss Mills (teehee) :)
Seriously Nick, your words are so descriptive. You paint the most vivid, beautiful pictures with them!
My old bff used to be quite a bit like Mona ... it's so fun to be around them ... you never know what to expect, but you know it's going to be fun and overwhelming and you'll be glad that you were a part of it.
Much like SGP ~ I am so lucky to be a part of it and it's as exciting as Mona appears to be!
Can't wait for the next little taste of Pedestrian!
Smiles,
Angie
Mona seems to be quite a character. She is very charistmatic. We don't really what to expect from her. She can be laughable, funny, anxious, etc..
Question: What were your first three things which were ever more beautiful than Mona?
(she was the 4th most beautiful thing i'd ever seen.)
I really like the scenes where she can talk about ketchup for hours or about kissing the policeman.
The actress that would be portray Mona needs to be able to change her "attitudes" very quickly. Because Mona is impulsive, unpredictable, very charistmatic.
Thanks you for sharing a new chapter.
Is it possible to fall in love with someone just through the way they write? Nick you are awesome!!!
"she got soooooo drunk. her taste was precise. she was inappropriate"...This description, along with her contagious laugh, random conversations involving ketchup and how you describe her silence as 'bullshit', I *heart* this girl/woman! I want her to be my friend (awwwww. ha!) No seriously, this is so on my wave length.
When you do eventually 'give her away', I have every confidence in that this girl is going to make you very proud!
Much Love,
Lauren, UK.x
Great work Nick, any experienced writer and actor knows that at some point you have to let the character live and breath through you. It shows emotion and depth much more eloquently than JUST writing or playing a part. Fantastic!!!
Mona Mills seems like someone I have may have met, yet quirky enough to know that I haven't. The world might not be ready for Mona Mills OR Nick Grey, but in a totally good awesomness way!!! :)
Wow... amazing writing Nick... I know this character is going to be one of my favourites. I feel I know her better because of your words, thank you, I can't wait to see more of Mona and Lincoln and Pedestrian. I can't tell you what is my favourite part because I love all the parts... and definitely she deserves to be first...
Kisses...
Verónica
Well, if you HAVE to give her away, at least you know you are giving her to people who'll take care of her...
I'm interested in Mona, because i think there's a fine line between being unconsciously captivating and unique, and being quite irritating in some kind cultivated notion of 'kookiness' or whatnot. I'm confident that Mona will lie on the right side of that divide, and i'm excited to learn more and love more about her :).
Thank you for the post Nick. :)
Mona sounds like quite the character. One I can't wait to see come to life... well, more so than what she is now. I can understand why Lincoln becomes so transfixed by her hehe.
I'm sure you will be scared when you give her away, but I hope you are most definitely more proud. :)
ps. I think many will be fighting for that biggest fan title with your words and style of writing.
Nick, where have you been all my life? Your writing is superb and the rhythm of it falls in step with what I like to read and write so well it's quite thrilling.
That bit about Mona being a hangnail at times, but she knows it...what an accurate description of a specific type of person.
And you aren't giving her away, you're sharing her, which in a lot of ways can be more difficult.
Thanks for thinking that we're worth sharing with.
~Kaitlin from Boston
www.ambassadorofkwan.blogspot.com
I love this:
"mona spent the days that followed perched upon my shoulder. a very rare bird. she wouldn't shut up. she is a dictionary. she is an M-80. she is in every particle of life. she smells delicious. she is venus. she can be a hangnail sometimes, and she knows it."
Mona seems a real firecracker. A wiley one. And a most loveable creature.
I love the little adventures into all the characters beginnings. You have a simply wonderful way with words, Mr Gray.
Thanks for sharing
-Astrid
I just love MONa <3<3
and the part were she kiss the cop is so amazing!!!
Godd work Nick ^^
Marianne
France
i don't understand everything that i read,because my english isn't good,but mona look like very interested for everything who's surrended her,and i like it,so one more, time sorry for my bad english
loic
france
Nick you describe characters so vividly...God i cant wait to "meet" Miss Mona Mills! :)
Oh and yes I've had that 20 min conversation about Ketchup...although im pretty sure i was drunk at the time!
This is magnificent! Mona seems like a little bit of a firecracker. Even though you've kept Mona as your own, and its scary to let her out in to the world, Im sure once you give her away she will be embraced by all who get the chance to meet her. But she will always be yours, you can never truly get rid of cowlicks! Cant wait for more!
I dig the D. howser at the end, dude. I can just hear the "Bleep Bloob BleeP-Bleep" Note of the theme song (But in actual notes, not just otomatapia).
I dig your penwork, sir. Good Shizz. Can't wait for the flick.
Ge.
theskratchpadd.blogspot.com
mediafrontline.blogspot.com
Awww. I loved this post. Nick, you are an amazing writer and really know how to captivate an audience. You have a gift and, I guess, I just want to say thanks for sharing it with us. The world better watch out for Mona and I, for one, I can't wait.
<3 kels
oh wow... you have a gift. Amazing... this was so entertaining yet bittersweet as others have already posted.
Thanks for sharing. I loved it.
I am loving these blog posts of Nick's.
I think I love Mona.
Love the part about kissing a cop. I can totally picture it.
Another great post. Keep 'em coming.
sillyadventuresofmaryjaneandmissmoon.blogspot.com
My God, I am so in love with my friend!
He is a pistol and a poppy.
Coin money and hot dogs.
Nick, I'm your biggest fan.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
hil
Nicholas Gray, you, you artist you!
At the thought of giving up your daughter to another man, I think I would loose control as well. But don't be scared because there are hundreds of people willing to care for her. We are all here to help and will not let Mona fleet off on us, because she is number one in our hearts.
I've learned well you see.
I am very interested to see who will be portraying Mona Mills. Whomever you pick is bound to be perfect, you've created her well daddy dearest, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.
Mona's frequent reappearances will be with each and everyone of us forever, so as she wishes, we are her slaves as well.
I only feel bad for Austin, as he has to learn to deal with her character.. But knowing him, he's got it all worked out in his head.
So I'm not worries & you shouldn't be either.
-Maygen
You are right Nick. Mona will not be yours anymore when you give her to the world. Right now she is so precious. She belongs just to you, she is in your very heart and your very soul.
But soon you WILL have to give her away to the world and I am sure that will be scary. She will belong to everyone - this exciting and capricious young woman that I can tell owns a bit of your soul.
Others will learn of her, read her thoughts and make their own judgements. You will wonder if you have done her justice, if others will see what you see in her.
She has lived with you so long, I am sure you do feel like the father giving his child away. And always wondering if the one you are giving her to is worthy of her.
"Podcaster Denise"
What MM said. Great post. Captivating. Love it.
Thank you.
Wow, that was so great. Thank you for that. It was hilarious and bittersweet at the same time. She seems like a fierce one to reckon with. Love it.
Megan took the words out of my writing.
Another amazing post from Nicholas Gray.
Thank you.
oh my gosh.. this really made me laugh and almost brought a tear to my eye.
I'm totally eating this all up. And I just gotta say I could probably talk about ketchup for 20 minutes. In fact, I'm almost positive I HAVE.