PREFACE: In February of 1985, now highly acclaimed director John Hughes released "The Breakfast Club". It would have a rocky start at the box office, but thirty years later it is now considered one of the great coming of age movies.
The characters in the cast each represented drastically different social cliques and, during an all day Saturday detention, struggle to connect and overcome their differences. At the end of the day, they learn that they have much more in common, and determine that they will remain friends.
The movie made generations of audiences laugh, and cry, and think about their own self-imposed barriers. It made us feel human...
OUR OWN BREAKFAST CLUB: Though unrestricted, our current members include, a physicist, two teachers, a truck driver, a retired sage, a deacon, a probation officer, and a cop. It does make for lively discussion. The same group could be described as a devout Christian couple, an atheist, an agnostic, a liberal, some moderates, and some right wing conservatives. But all of us can be defined in a myriad of fluid ways: work-a-holic, worn-out, encouraged, excited, troubled, sad, and sweet.
And that is what makes a Breakfast Club work.
So think on your own life, what boxes are you in? Do you notice differences first - or seek common humanity?
Order up some pancakes, huevos rancheros, or a binget and coffee, and settle in with us. The BREAKFAST CLUB.
MOOD MUSIC: Simple Minds - Breakfast Club Theme
WEEK ONE:
Location - Sunrise Sunset, Lakewood, Colorado.
Setting -greasy spoon
SCENE 1:
Matt arrives, on time, and parks in a snow covered lot. He glances at his phone as text messages come in with indications that EVERYONE ELSE is late. He shrugs, this is no surprise, bundles up and heads inside to acquire a table.
The cafe is full. The prospects do not appear promising, and the loud sign indicating that no one will be seated until everyone in the party is present is an ominous development.
"May I help you, sir?" Lisps an early 20's host(ess?) as he brushes his long hair from his face to reveal the oversize hoops which have been inserted INTO his earlobes.
"There will be seven of us," Matt says, frowning as he looks at the full dining room.
"Not a problem, please follow me." He chirps, sauntering towards the back.
Brandi, the waitress, brings a bacon infused Bloody Mary and gives NO sign that she minds the incomplete party or the fact that two of her tables will now be out of commission.
It represents how the day will go.
SCENE 2:
The group has all arrived. They staggered in over a period of twenty minutes.
Nanny is quick to explain that Pappy left the garage door open.
Most order Bloody Mary's and all are happy for the relaxed opportunity to be together.
This meeting is all family.
Topics of discussion range from how well Sarah (the only daughter) has aged (beautifully), to Anasazi "rock art" (a perennial favorite), to worries about our kids and the arrival of Nanny and Pappy's first great-grandchild (as it happens, Matt's first grandchild). There are worries (the baby is very ill), frustrations (the mother is estranged), and assurances (this is a group of optimists).
Almost everyone orders a variety of the "Lumbre" breakfast (a very Colorado concoction with fried potatoes, onions, peppers, melted cheese, and topped with hot green-chili & basted eggs). Pappy, hailing from Kansas, has eggs, breakfast meat, and pancakes.
 |
| Lumbre |
The group laughs, extols, teases, and comforts for nearly two hours.
SCENE 3:
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| The Breakfast Club - Week 1 |
The bill paid (generously by James) prompts the group to begin heading out to the rest of the weekend.
It has been safe, warm, and protected for the past two hours. But, as everyone knows, life goes on. And the group hugs, squeezes, kisses, and parts. Famous for this L-O-N-G goodbyes, even here it is prolonged and shared with the patrons of near-by tables.
And then it is done.
The promise of attendance at week 2 in Longmont, and out the door.
It is done.
Reality sets in.
