In this monologue, Jim finds his son Marshall punching a wooden pole in the center of the barn, only to learn the depth of such physical anguish.

JIM: No matter how hard life gets, it ain’t ever worth doing that, you hear me?

Marshall nods.

I don’t care what it is…ain’t nothing worse than doing yourself in…especially at your age. You have your whole life ahead of you. There is too damn much for you to see and do in this world…you can’t tap out as soon as things get tough.

Hell, your Grandfather went through a depression, a war…he saw everything bad before he saw anything good…he didn’t get through all that hell for nothing. You come from a long line of thick-skinned soldiers and just cause you got a splinter in your toe, don’t make it alright for you to flee the coop.

I been shot to death and come back…my life wasn’t fought on dying, son…you can’t go and think it’s okay for you to dishonor those that come before you.

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In the one act play MAPLE ROAD, Marshall struggles with his identity and turns to his father, who doesn’t seem to be able to help him.

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