Seven Ages of Man: A Family Birthday = Troubles Ahead

The inspiration for these is pure Shakespeare. 'All the world's a stage...' Seven lovely characters fully drawn. There was little for me to do except put them into a stressful situation, preferably all together. Going against all advice, I did make this collection a reunion...an elderly man's birthday party. All the family is anticipating a major announcement, but what they get is not what they expect. The action covers one day from early morning until evening dinner. It takes place in the 1960s.

The family is made up of the elderly man, head of the family, his two sons who each have two sons. Every one of them has a tale to tell.

The infant has become his grandfather's instant soul mate. The little lad, allows his grandfather to become a child again and at the same time strengthens the old man's plan.

The school boy has begun to feel eclipsed by his little brother and seeks to make up for his insignificance with a few threats.

The lover is older and a cousin of these two boys. He is now beginning to understand sex, drugs and rock and roll - or thinks he is.

The soldier is the eldest of this generation of boys and has had the opportunity to see that he has an adult future. He is not liking what he sees.

The justice is the younger son of the old man. He has spent all his life in the shadow of his older brother and father. Along the way he has developed some secrets he'd rather his wife didn't know about.

The sixth age, that of the older brother, brings expectations that he will be the heir of the family business. But he too has secrets - serious ones.

The second childishness of the old man has them all worried. But he has been observing them and he does have something to tell them. It will change many things.