Sam Mocks Tom - Book Update by Greg Luti
- Greg Luti
- Jun 30
- 7 min read
In this book update, Greg Luti shares his latest progress on the novel *Hit of Henry* and his poetry collection *Clearance*, featuring a teaser scene where Sam teases Tom for pursuing the elusive Henry.
Progress on Hit of Henry and Clearance
I am working on Hit of Henry, my novel about a mysterious ball player, and Clearance, my poetry collection. Hit of Henry has the plot basically outlined, and I just have to go over a few parts. The story is done. Clearance is about 80 pages or so done so far, so I am happy about that. I know that I have been giving you a few poems from Clearance, so I thought I would give a few pages from my next novel, Hit of Henry
In this scene, Sam, the friend of the protagonist, Tom, mocks him for trying to find the man who the book is named after. (The entire chapter can be read by literary club members)
Sam Mocks Tom
Tom headed back to the office satisfied with the interviews being complete, but still unsure of the results of them. If anything, he thought, he can interview them again, or perhaps interview other baseball people around the area. The coaches may not have been as much of a help that Tom wanted them to be but that does not mean that he is anywhere close done.
The office was empty, as the only one there was Sam, who was busy with typing up an article she was given this morning by Ivan, who also told her of some news about the Tom’s interviews. She jumped up out of her chair, when she saw Tom approach his desk. She was excited to see him, but not to congratulate him or even motivate him.
Unlike Tom, Sam doesn’t believe in this story at all. In fact she is about as against this chase Tom is on as anyone. Not because she doesn’t want Tom to find it, only because she is used to stories that have concrete material and facts that can be proven. Sam is a material girl and won’t be fooled by some exaggerated fantasy of the locals.
“Oh there is my little investigative reporter. How is the search coming along? I told Ivan that I don’t think you should be going after this story. I mean why not go after something even better? Something even more significant than this game?”
“Like what?” Tom answered unsure of where she was going with this.
“Why not go and find Thor’s Hammer, while you are at it?” Sam mocked Tom’s attempt at credibility with this story. “I hear that you can go to a few of the North lands in Europe and ask around. Maybe someone will know a guy with a hammer, that can point you in the right direction. Just remember if you are going, Thor’s hammer is not big, because it broke when they were making it. If a guy comes up to you and says that he knows where Thor’s Hammer is and that thing is a large hammer, then you know he is wrong! See, because you want the truth when you investigate something, not just any hammer.”
Tom stood there as Sam was having her fun. “You can then go and find Excalibur too.” She spoke in a British accent. “The legendary sword of the great King Arthur, King of the Brits, one of the bravest men who ever lived, and” She switched back into her normal voice. “A complete lie! My advice when you are going after the sword of the king that didn’t exist is to make sure you find the right one. There are two of those babies!” She motioned around as if she was swinging a sword. “On guard!” She stopped pretending to be a knight and continued. “One is from the stone and the other is from the lady in the lake. So there is two Ex-Calibur’s, one fake king, and not single Tommy after the story. Too bad.”
Tom sat down in his desk, as his co-worker continued, “While you are really at it, you should put on a fedora, get a whip, and go off and find some artifacts before the Nazis get to it. Just remember that the true Holy Grail is the meaning you find in it along the way. Or that you should hand on to the damn cup when the earth splits in time. Seriously that is basic archeology.”
