Dreaming In Mayberry by frogdot
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
I woke up in a strange room with only the sound of birds and no car alarms. Looking out the second story window, I was in a hotel, on the main street of a small town. The cars going by and the ones that were parked were old, every one of them. In the closet was a brown suit, which wasn't mine, but it was the only thing there, so I put it on.
The man at the front desk smiled and said, "Good morning, how are you?". Nodding, I said, "Fine, thanks", but I wasn't too sure about it. Outside, the air was fresh and I saw a man across the street, tip his hat to a lady passing by. What the heck was going on?
There was a diner down the street and I went in. It was half-filled with people talking busily, like they all knew one another. Ordering scrambled eggs and coffee, I watched them talk, feeling like it would be nice to live in a place so friendly. The waitress came over with my coffee and I panicked. I felt for the wallet that I knew I didn't have. There was two dollars in my pants pocket and that was all. I bashfully told her what I had and she shrugged. "Breakfast is only 75 cents, Hon." and poured the coffee.
I found a newspaper on a bench in front of a barber shop. Floyd's Barber Shop. I chuckled and sat down to read. It was called The Mayberry Gazette. I knew this wasn't a dream. It was too real. The date was May 4, 1962 and I just laughed. Next door, a guy came out and I saw the uniform and badge. I sort of caught my breath, feeling like I was guilty of something, since I wasn't sure who I was anymore. Then I saw the face and the thin build, the nervous walk. He saw me and nodded and pointed at the shop behind me.
"Mornin'. Floyd doesn't open until ten." He said.
"Oh, OK. Th-thanks, Barney." I said.
He looked at me with a slight frown. "Have we met?"
That was a few years ago. I got odd jobs for a while and then worked as a plumber. Bought a house and my own business and have been happy ever since that first day in Mayberry.
***
I've wanted to do this for a long time. I've watched enough Andy Griffith shows to get an idea what this scene would look like, but haven't found a photograph. The more I watch this world go to Hell, the more I'd like to go find Mayberry.
I guess I should mention, for those that don't know about the Andy Griffith Show, that it was a great show about a rural small town in the early to late 60's. It's still great.
Comments (21)
skiwillgee
Great! If you ever get the chance, visit Mount Airy, North Carolina. It's said to be the town Mayberry is modeled after.
Dinhi
Grand read Dave. I go to antique car shows just to smell the inside of the cars...smile It has a "comfort" scent...like I was there once..or just wish I could experience a simpler way to be. Moving story, and the image is very well created! Wonderful reflection of the Hotel you spoke of. Keep my head rolling Dave, I love it...(=
matasabu
Very good at atmosphere in the morning. I like this place.
Dann-O
My first thought was the film the man who wasn't there. Have you tried it in black and white like the show?
Aaron_of_Minneapolis
Not bad... :-) Looks like someplace I wouldn't mind visiting. (As to small towns, of the ones I've been to my favorites are Henderson, MN (pop. 943), and Taylors Falls, MN (pop. 1010). I'm also partial to Blooming Prairie, MN (pop 1943) -- nice town, plus my uncle's the mayor. :-) )
RajRaja
fantastic work !
YARDOBE
I really like your images,there is such a unique quality to all the ones I've seen,and always the detail...can you imagine what Floyd would be talking about as he cut your already short hair?
kjer_99
Love the picture and story. I always liked Mayberry, too. Even grew up in a similiar kind of town out in the midwest. By the way, Sams3d.com has a number of Mayberry building models for sale that are also qutie good.
hewee
Wow that is just great. Love the story too as I still watch the Andy Griffith Show after all these years.
electric
awesome detailed work...street scene...excellent
mylemonblue
Ohhhhh it's the place we could realy use a little of right now. Personaly. I could live their. That was a place and time that had soul! (I think Sams3D once made some models on the same theme.)
sackrat
Great image and story. When I moved to Winchester from the place where I lived before,......I was quite taken aback the first time I passed a complete stranger on the street and he looked me square in the eye and said "How ya doin'" ? I was a bit put off by the rather laid back pace of life around here,.........I would say jestingly to my wife "Welcome to the 1950's". Well, you know what,...........I've come to really like it here. It's a rare thing indeed to be able to look forward to walking out my front door each day, wondering about the pleasant individuals I'll be fortunate to meet on my way through the day. God bless small town America.
unstrung65
...wonderful work and comment.
A_
this is fantastic.. i love the story, and looking at the image it feel so calm and sunny there.. you've captured the mood perfectly.
jsgknight
Serene! I bet a haircut is only 50!
susanmoses
... life was simple once... you've captured the feeling and the mood so perfectly... absolutely wonderful.
tjohn
Floyd: "Oooo...Frogdot...you could use a haircut. Chair's empty...no waiting."
castaneda
wow. Love this one
ringbearer
Well done Dave! Love the story.
eryt
wow...fantastic!*V
elzoejam
I know this is an older image of yours, but I am going through your gallery and had to comment. In 8th grade my Science teacher, the day before finals and tests, would sit us down and show us two episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, and then he'd put questions on the tests about them for extra credit. I STILL love that show, especcially since it helped me (barely) pass Science.