What We are Reading and Writing | Black and White and Thin Blue Lines

What we are writing:

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…

The 1972 Cops and Robbers Party

By Clarke Ahlers

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 (Ten Minute Play)

By Clarke Ahlers

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…