Surrender Language

SURRENDER LANGUAGE explores two different coming of age stories. The first of which is that of Dr. Neal Basilla, a European history professor at Hunting’s Bridge College who has found himself struggling with severe Parkinson’s disease following the recent death of his wife, Tess. Alone and in his last semester of professorship this cynical, slightly bitter, Vietnam vet is wracked with his past memories and thoughts of his dwindling future. The second, intertwining coming of age story is of Denny Helling a senior in college, who is about to graduate and enter into the ‘real world’. This young man notices Dr. Basilla’s discomfort and manages to step into his life as a friend and confidant. Denny is a quirky but shy inspiring actor who is far different than the aging, cynical professor. They do have something in common however. Denny’s sister Bridget is suffering from stage four cervical cancer; once a budding dancer who had nailed a contract at a major ballet, she is now very weak and spends her days painting birds. Denny helps Dr. Neal come to terms with his illness, and his past. Dr. Neal’s rough tone, and rich past can connect with any age, especially an adult crowd, both young and old.