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Ghoti Issue 16

Ghoti: Shoot into the Crowds
by Grace Talusan

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Grace Talusan’s “Shoot Into the Crowds” is a moving, masterpiece of a short story. In two short pages, she crafts the main character of Pepito with exceptional depth and skill.

The story focuses on Pepito, a poor young boy longing to escape the Philippine barrio. The character development, as demonstrated in the following passage, is superb:

“Ever since Pepito was ten years old, he knew he would not live out his life in the barrio. He felt it in his aching, growing bones and in his twitching muscles. He was destined for greatness. As soon as he was old enough, Pepito told his parents he was leaving home. His father warned, ’We don’t know anyone in the city to help you.’”

“’You don’t understand,’ Pepito started. He wanted to tell his parents that he could do both: Be good in this life and earn a spot in heaven.”

Pepito has high hopes, but it’s not just the world standing in his way: it’s his parents too. His father fears his ambitions are too high, and his mother feels as though Pepito could live a happier life without ‘foolish’ ambition.

The story begins in beauty and harmony. Pepito, working as a police officer, stands before an angry crowd. His commander announces to Pepito and the rest of the National Philippine Police standing guard: “’Above all, keep the peace. The eyes of the world watch us today.’”

By the end, however, tragedy has struck:

“‘What are you waiting for?’” Pepito expected lava to burst from the top of the commander’s bald head. ‘Shoot into the crowds!’ …. Pepito could have sworn he felt his father strike his skull as he tumbled forward, the first one to shoot. Not to be outdone by Pepito, the other men pointed into the rioting crowd, pulling triggers.

“After the crowd felt the drops of blood on their skin, they were silent only a moment before they started running and pushing to escape. The bullets flew until the stands looked like the grill of a jeepney after a long drive through the province.

And the story’s final lines:

“When there were no bullets left to shoot, the silence opened a space for Pepito to hear his commander’s voice. ‘The clouds,’ he said. ‘The clouds.’”

Grace Talusan’s tale is crafted with more precision and skill than perhaps any short story I’ve ever read. The writing flows beautifully, and the story reads like it was taken from a young fiction canon.

After reading this story, I find myself at a loss for words. When you find something truly special, what can you say? Read the story for yourself and you’ll understand how I feel.

About the Reviewer
Robert Lewis graduated from California State University - Sacramento in May 2007, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Composition and composed sports features pieces for the college newspaper publication. He currently writes for Associated Content in his idle time.

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