The Russells Of R E E C Y C L E S Doing Good Work, While Doing Good Works |
The Ken Russell/REECYCLES story has all the ingredients of a classic Broadway musical; something called "The Bicycle Man", maybe. The plot, or "book" would be pretty simple, something along the lines of: charismatic charmer returns to small town for a reunion with his grown children, after leading a slightly-raffish, nomadic existence in odd parts of the world. During the visit, naturally, he meets cute with a plucky single mom and her brood of adorable moppets. Song:Never In Bulgaria (Did I See Someone So Fair). He decides to stick around for a while, proceeding to charm the lady and her kids. During a song-and-dance procession through town, our hero leads the children through the picturesque town dump (similar to the one in CATS). Spying a mountain of discarded bikes, he delivers a reminiscence on his youth. (Song: A Real Boy Builds His Own). Enthused by the concept of building their own bicycles from society's discards, the kids grab up armloads of bike carcasses and tapdance their way back to their mom's garage, led by Ken, who sweeps the cobwebs off a conveniently-discovered welding outfit. (Maybe the kids' absent father was the village blacksmith?). In a montage of sparks and music, like the one in FlashDance, Ken and the kids concoct marvelous, Dr. Seuss-like creations, which they proceed to ride down Main Street. (Song:Betcha Wishya Had One). The procession passes by the local homeless shelter; Ken notices the longing glances of the inhabitants and their children. (Song:If I Only Had Some Wheels). As it happens, it's almost Christmas; so Ken decides to spread some joy. Recruiting his sons and daughter and his newfound brood of moppets, Ken returns to the dump for more raw material. Dressed as Santa and his elves, the merry band deliver dozens of shiny rebuilt bikes to the shelter, causing much merriment and renewed hope among the residents. (Song: A Ride Of My Own (At Last)! The glow of the joyous occasion has barely diminished when Ken notices that his adopted town is being ruined by excessive use of the automobile. (Song:Genghis Had Nothin' On Henry (Ford, That Is). Resolved to stave off the destruction of the town, Ken meets with the town council to propose an idea. (Song:Two Wheels Are Better Than Four, Any Day Of The Week (And Cranks Are Better For Lopin'). The council agrees to try his idea, in which he and his merry band of bikesmiths present the town with dozens of distinctively yellow-painted bikes, free for the use of anybody. The scheme is a huge success; and the town is saved from ruin. In the climax of the production, featuring a bicycle parade on July 4, our hero is proclaimed Mayor, and hundreds of cars are consigned to the town dump. (Song reprise:Two Wheels Are Better Than Four,Any Day Of The Week (And Cranks Are Better For Lopin'). (The End) Playwright's Note: To those critics who are bound to claim that this production is merely a pastiche of previous Broadway classics like The Rainmaker, and The Music Man; I must say that, aside from minor details changed for dramatic, and comedic, license, this is based upon a true story. Ken Russell, sons Tim & Chris and their friends actually exist. The town dump scene,actually, sort of, happened. They really did build bikes for a whole shelter full of homeless folks. Ken's YellowBike scheme of bikes free for the use of all actually happened, and appears to be an ongoing success. He hasn't been made Mayor by popular acclaim, yet, although it's bound to happen, eventually. There was one important omission made, due to plot irrelevence: Ken, his family, and the kids involved in his Learn A Bike/Earn A Bike program build some of the most creative KustomBikes ever seen by this humble playwright. We hope you enjoy the following Portfolio of their work; and request that you think about how we can all put our creativity to work benefiting our communities at the grass-roots level, the way the Russell's REECYCLES BIKE SHOP has, in Kelso, Washington. Jim Wilson ©1999 Post Script: As I write this, (April 16, 1999) the Russells are stuck in a dilemma. The owner of the previously-derelict building they fixed up for their shop died recently; his heirs want to unload the building in a hurry; so REECYCLES has received an ultimatum: they must buy the building for 75 large, or vacate two weeks from now. It's a good thing Mother Teresa wasn't faced with the same choice, as she would have died while living in a refrigerator box, surrounded by her adoring lepers, or whatever. Future saints are usually a little short on ready cash. We can only hope that a miracle happens. (This is the second requirement for sainthood wannabees. The first is exceptional charitable acts; the third is spontaneous healing of the sick. Ken's certainly got the first one covered; and after I got off the phone with him last night, I noticed that my annoying case of saddle-rash had suddenly cleared up.) Let's all put our hands on the monitor and pray for that financial miracle to happen! JW PPS: Dispatch From Ken Russell! As of this writing (4/23/99) the REECYCLES story was as follows: "We have been offered the old drive-in theater in Longview, WA for the programs. There is a concession stand that has about 3,500 Sq. ft. Popcorn machine and all! It may work out. It is only a temporary solution, as the property is for sale". PPPS: 4/24/99 More from Ken: Not only are the projectors there; the owner said we can use them to put on special nights for bikers only, you have to be on a bike to get in to the drive in! He said there is a list of films we can get free of charge, like "Grease" "Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure"etc. I've asked him for the list. This may turn out better than I expected! Tim & Chris are pumped; they want to start a 26.2cc bike race every weekend around the outer edge of the Drive-in, it's over a half mile around the property, we can have a barby, a run for the fun, and a movie... You want to make the popcorn or serve the hot dogs? Ken & the boys :)' PPPPS: Shortly thereafter, we got a message from Ken that they had been contacted by a Taiwanese bike manufacturer interested in producing their stretch moto-kruisers. They were thrilled. Then they vanished. Photo ©1999 REECYCLES |
