Summary

A journalist dog and his reporter companion cover an event outside the Colosseum, where a newsstand owner, Signore Decker, is arrested for attempting to use a mysterious weapon amidst the Grammar Games.

Abstract

Outside the Colosseum, a unique journalist duo, consisting of a wannabe reporter and his filming Belgian Shepherd, captures the reactions of bystanders to the ongoing Grammar Games inside the stadium. They interview A. McEnnis, a hospital worker who reveals her disconnection from current trends and figures. At a newsstand called Edicola Brad Decker, the owner, frantic to make sales, dismisses the reporter but later reveals his despair over the struggling publication industry. The situation escalates when Signore Decker attempts to retrieve a crystal-blue blade from an emergency chest, only to be thwarted by the quick actions of the reporter's dog, Black Dynamite, who bites him. This prompts security to arrest Decker, and the reporter sends out a story about the incident, highlighting the dog's heroism and the ongoing Grammar Games event.

Opinions

A. McEnnis feels out of touch with contemporary culture and significant personalities, as indicated by her unfamiliarity with Medium's founder, Jon W.
The newsstand owner, Signore Decker, is frustrated with the declining publication industry and implies that drastic measures are necessary to captivate the public's interest, suggesting a sense of desperation.
The reporter's dog, Black Dynamite, is portrayed as an intelligent and heroic figure, capable of independent action and decision-making, which is acknowledged by K-9 specialists who comment on the breed's intelligence and agility.
The context satirically presents the struggle of traditional media in the face of modern entertainment, as exemplified by the Grammar Games, and the extreme lengths some might consider to remain relevant.

Meanwhile, outside the Colosseum, part 2

ONE SENTENCE, JUST ONE LOUSY SENTENCE.

[Near a newsstand outside the Colosseum, Day 3]

(with apologies to multiple participants)

Somewhere in the unwashed masses loitering around the stadium walks a wannabe journalist accompanied by his film “crew” — a very smart Belgian Shepherd with an iPhone — looking to get reactions to the action taking place inside the arena.

The reporter approached a pretty young thing in hospital scrubs pushing a stroller and trying to edit posts on her smartphone. He said hello to her, then asked who she was and what she you thought about the huge battle going on behind her in the stadium.

Smiling for the camera, she asked if it was possible for the dog to film the interview. The dog nodded his head in agreement and began shooting. She said her name was A. McEnnis…

I’m afraid I’m totally out of the loop on all things, cool and who’s who. I have an idea Jon W. started medium? See? I’m terrible.

The reporter looked at the dog who gave him a paws up, thanked the woman and walked past a news stand called Edicola Brad Decker, looking for some more crowd reactions. He asked the bespectacled proprietor for a comment but was waved away as the frantic man tried to sell his wares to passersby.

“Sir! Madam! Can I interest you in some articles on Education? How about some fresh comics? I’ve got a recent short story by Thaddeus Howze around here somewhere…”

After losing yet another sale, the man sighed, knowing that this would be another day that the writers back home would go hungry for recommends, and began to close up the stand. The reporter returned and asked for a comment about the battle going on inside the Colosseum. Signore Decker turned toward the reporter and said…

Publications just aren’t good business anymore; if we wish to rise above obscurity, something drastic has to be done. The people want blood, and blood they shall have… “I’m sorry, Shawn White…”

He turned back toward his stand and opened a chest marked Emergencies Only. Inside rested a glittering crystal-blue blade on a bed of red velvet. Blood red velvet.

The reporter started talking notes, thinking he would get an exclusive scoop on a juicy crime about to be perpetrated.

Signore Decker reached down to grab the weapon when suddenly the camera dog sprang into action, clamping down viciously on the crazy man’s big spicy meatballs. Security guards ran to the source of the horrible howls that were now coming from the wrong side of the stadium. As they arrested Signore Decker, the reporter started to email his story:

News Hound Clamps Down on Crime

Rome, circa 80 A.D.

Black Dynamite, an off-duty police dog moonlighting as a TV news camera man went balls to the wall in preventing a crazed newspaper vendor from going on a well articulated killing spree outside the Colosseum at dusk. While the crowds roared for their favorite writers battling in the Grammar Games, officer Dynamite demonstrated the skills that have made him a department favorite.

According to K-9 specialists, Belgian Shepherds (or Mallinois in French) are incredibly intelligent dogs with above average dexterity. Although they are slightly smaller than their German counterparts, they are faster, more agile and have a special clamping ability with their jaws, similar to the rottweiler or pit bull. For this reason, they have been nicknamed “Malligators.”

When asked to assess the threat level posed by Signore Decker, the valiant police dog simply growled. In response to the question of how difficult the arrest was, Dynamite said “rough.” Finally, when asked to describe his sense of the arrest, the K-9 hero replied “kind of soft and chewy, with a scent of oregano and a strong garlic flavor.”

To be continued…

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