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Writing competition based on Edward Hopper’s painting

par H.Hammadi

It was the 16th of April 1920. The sun rose slowly in a small town in Pennsylvania. In the center of this town, there is the station and the town hall. The mayor, M. Robertson inaugurated the station a few months ago. The whole town was very happy and delighted. Now, everybody uses the station. When John, the station manager, opened the doors of the station at 6 am , twenty people rushed inside the station’s small hall. John was smashed into the walls and he bled a lot. After this incident, everything came back to normal. Some people bought the news at the kiosk, while the others were buying pancakes, croissants, juices, coffee and tea.
Everyone was happy. We could hear loads of « Oh, I am delighted ! » or
« Marvelous, this is marvelous » or even « This station would be even better if we did not pay it with our tax ». At 6:19 am, people were starting to be annoyed. The train was supposed to arrive by now. When the train arrived, everyone was happy. And at 7 pm, John closed the doors of the station when the night almost replaced the daylight.

By Alexandre

Small Town Station (1918-1920) By Edward Hopper

Hi my name is Johnny. I am the carriage just in front of you. I am owned by Giovanni « The Mad » Torio, the mafia godfather of Brooklyn. In this end of day, I am waiting for my owner, on this dock next this huge bridge, who has a job for me. I thought that Giovanni wanted me to transport dead people, drugs, alcohol or weapons. Because at the beginning of the 20th century, the mafia is emerging because of Prohibition, poverty, etc…
Now he is coming. He has a leather bag, maybe full of money or drugs. He is also with my driver, Lucas.
After having put a harness on my driver’s horse, they climb on me. We are going out of the city. After that, we stop on the side of the road and surprisingly, Giovanni kills Lucas. For three days, we traveled until we arrived in Pennsylvania.
I knew that Giovanni was afraid of being a mafia godfather because a gang war against another powerful godfather had just started when we have disappeared from New York. So he has taken a new identity and has bought a new house.

By Mayeul & Sulymen

Edward Hopper’s New York City

It was one of these boring mornings, I didn’t want to do much but I needed to wake up. My room was filled with darkness, I could barely see my narrow studio from my bed. I finally decided to get up, with of course, some difficulties. Even though I wanted to go back to sleep, my subconscious told me to stay awake. I drank a black coffee in order to fully wake up. I was still in my pink nightdress, I needed to get dressed. It was now 7 am. When I drew my curtains, my room was finally filled with daylight. The factory nearby was already making loud noises. I was sitting on my bed, the feeling of the sun warming my skin felt refreshing, I felt as if I could fall back asleep .

By Lila

Morning sun

John Michel is working in his old brown restaurant. He has been working in this restaurant for two years and his business has been going well. His restaurant is famous for selling the best, crunchy and savory fish and chips. His family cooks the food and he goes fishing every day on his schooner. His schooner has a tall brown glossy matt with a smooth white sail and a black boat. This boat has carried many memories for John, good and bad. There are also other schooners next to John’s that always sailed and some never came back. The sea always looks blue and shiny. It carries mysterious information that was never told.

By Yathreb

Tall Masts

Kevin and Dotty were recently wed, and everything was going smoothly. Kevin had gotten a job and Dotty recently started volunteering at the local church. The couple truly represented the ‘’American Dream’’ of the 50’s. As they stood outside of their new house, looking at the safe neighborhood of Brownstone. Both sat in perfect silence and peace, as they sipped their coffee they both looked forward to the upcoming Monday. Dotty was going to serve at her first communion whereas Kevin was going into his first day at the office as a car salesmen at the newly opened Ford dealership.
In a few hours they would be hosting a housewarming party with their respective neighbors. They had finished setting it all up form plates to food and drinks to silverware. Many of the guests would be bringing a variety of snacks and drinks, so Kevin and Dotty made sure to lay the minimum. The town of Brownstone was recognized for their polite people, so the young couple had little to worry about. Kevin and Dotty were a happy couple whose marriage would be long and healthy.

By Giovanni

Sunlight on Brownstones (1954)