A Day from Hell(Gordon England) A Day from Hell
Written by Gordon England for Annie England Posthumously
As told to Gordon England by Annie England and the truth as he recalls.

One Saturday morning in 1996, Mark crept into Annie’s bedroom at 6:30 a.m. and said, “Wake up, Mom. We’ve got a problem.”
With a moan, she replied, “What could possibly be the matter that won’t keep until after breakfast?”
“Your car—it’s got a flat tire.”
“Oh no! There is not a garage open this early.”
“Come look. I think the tire is slashed.”
“What? I’ll be right there. Let me get dressed.”
A few minutes later, she walked out the front door. Mark stood by the trunk of her car, pointing at the other side.
“Look! The tire on the other side is flat.”
“Your dad’s out of town, so you’ll have to change this after breakfast.”
Annie walked to the back of the car and saw a perfectly full tire. She scowled, “What’s the matter with you?”
He broke down laughing. “April Fools, Mom!”
“Mark, I can’t believe you woke me up for this joke. You got me good! You have to cook your own breakfast today,” she said, returning to the house.

Later that morning, Mark entered the kitchen. His straight brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He wore ragged bell-bottom blue jeans, a Jimi Hendricks tee shirt, and a Greek fisherman hat. He looked ready for Woodstock.
She raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going today?”
“Steve and I are going to the Dragon Lady to sing protest songs this afternoon. We’ll start with anti-Vietnam songs and end with ‘Give Peace a Chance.’
“By the Beatles? Yes, that’s a great song. Y’all have fun. See you tonight.”
She gave him a hug as he left the house.

Steve stood by his car on the road. “Are you ready for a special day?” he asked with a crooked smile.
“Yeah, man.”
They climbed into the car, turned on Beatles music, and drove from Melbourne Beach to West Melbourne. Steve turned onto a dirt road. After a few minutes, he parked, and they stepped out. Steve pointed across a field.
“See those cows?”
“What about them?”
“That’s where we’ll find mushrooms.”
“What about mushrooms?”
“Follow me.”
They shuffled through high grass to the herd of cows. Steve slowed and looked around at the ground. Mark followed him with curiosity.
Steve stopped and pointed to a fresh cow pile. “That’s no good.”
Mark burst out laughing. “What’s a good one, and what will you do with cow dung?”
They cackled as they searched for more cow patties.
“Here’s one!” cried Steve as he dropped to his knees.
“One what?”
“See that mushroom?”
“What about it?”
“That gold cap and white stem mean it’s hallucinogenic.” He smiled.
“Oh, I’ve heard about those. I can’t wait to try it.” Mark smiled, too.

Back at Steve’s house, they washed the mushroom and boiled it in water to make tea. Then, they ceremonially consumed it in anticipation of their most significant high yet.
Twenty minutes later, Mark said, “Oh wow, man. I feel a buzz coming on fast.”
“Me too,” agreed Steve. “Let’s go get some food to slow this down.”
Steve slowly drove to the Dragon Lady and struggled to park. After staggering inside, they ordered burgers, and sang ‘Give Peace a Chance.’
“What a cool song,” mumbled Steve. “I don’t want to go to Vietnam and get my ass shot off.”
“Me neither.”
By now, they were tripping hard and moaning. Hamburgers were served and devoured quickly.
“Hey, Steve.”
“Yeah?”
“You hear that guy yelling?”
“No, man.”
“He’s screaming at me to do something bad.” Mark rubbed his head and twisted his body.
“You gotta calm down. I’m really into this music.”
A few minutes later, Mark said, “Steve, we have to get out of here. I need to shut this guy up.”
He grabbed Steve and shook him hard. “I want to go home now.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll take you home. Will your mother be there?”
“No, she’s at a launch today.”

Steve drove to Mark’s house. They stumbled inside, and then Steve threw himself on the floor, screaming and slapping his head.
“Help me! Help me, Steve.”
“I don’t know what to do. I’m not thinking right either.”
“I gotta get this monster out of my head. Take me to Mom’s room.”
They staggered to Annie’s bedroom. Mark screamed again as he reached a closet. He fumbled with a box on the top shelf and pulled out a pistol.
“Stop!” screamed Steve.
“I can’t shut this asshole in my head.”
He raised the pistol to his head.
“Nooo, Mark!”
“Get him out of my head. Please.”
“I can’t! Stop!” Steve screamed.
“Noooo.”
Boom!

At the Cape, a phone rang in the office where Annie entertained a Japanese prince.
A secretary answered, listened, and said, “Annie, it’s for you.”
She smiled and said to the prince, “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”
She picked up the phone and responded, “Yes, this is Annie Smith.”
A pause.
“Are you really the police? Mark played an April Fool’s joke on me this morning. I know he’s doing it again.”
She paused. “This is not a joke. You want me to come home now?”
The room went silent.
“Yes, I am Mark Smith’s mother.”
A pause, and then she raised her voice. “What do you mean there’s been a shooting at my house?”
“Mark? Identify the body?” She screamed and dropped, sobbing, to the floor.

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