Posts by Clarke Ahlers

It was summertime and pleasant outside in western Maryland. Part of nature’s dissonance is how the weather can feel so gentle and wonderful next to something so gruesome as a prison. It was 6:00 p.m. as the two men waited until the tower correctional officer, or “C/O,” unlocked the outer gate to the visitor sallyport…

I am 66 now; retired from the D.C. Fire Department about 6 years ago. It wasn’t always like this. People didn’t always get along; but it wasn’t like this. Give you an example: the 1972 cops and robbers’ party. In 1972, I was 17 years old. Typical high school kid in D.C. Finding work for…

The Commissioner A Ten-Minute PlayClarke Ahlers   ACT 1, SCENE 1 The stage is rectangular. Forset, see production notes. (Police officer on foot patrol is walking, stops and stands outside the closed door of the apartment. He looks at his watch, takes a noise meter out of his pocket, takes a measure, then walks heel-to-toe…

I was 15 years old in the summer of 1970. I wouldn’t turn 16 until December of that year. Vince and Charlie and other high school buddies introduced me to the Oxford Tavern in DC across the street from the entrance to the zoo. I bought my first pitcher of beer in a bar. I…

Rebecca A Ten-Minute Play   SCENE 1 District Court, Central Booking. October 6, 2020 (JAMAL and REBECCA enter the courtroom through the door marked “Exit.” JAMAL is holding a large number of manilla file folders with pale multi-colored paperwork in each file folder. JAMAL points to the far table.) JAMAL Stand right there. I’ll be…