Storytelling: Who is Cy Clops?

Image Information: Businessman with an eye patch
Web Source: Washington City Paper


Mr. Cy Clops was a very prominent business man, making the majority of his money by investing in textiles. Although, very successful Mr. Clops was known to be a recluse. In fact, he spent a large sum of money acquiring a private island, where he resided for most of the year. He had very few close associates at all. Mainly just his lawyer, accountant and personal assistant. Most of his business deals were orchestrated through e-mail or over the phone. No one knew the exact reason for his “hermit-like” ways but it was rumored that it had something to do with an injury he received in Vietnam.


Image Information: Accountant
Web Source: Beyond 50 Radio

During an interview, his accountant recalled a story that Cy had told him once. The story had to do with Cy’s days in the Marine Corps. It seems, that Mr. Clops joined the Marines during Vietnam and after endless days of trampling through the rice paddies, his worse nightmare came true. He came face to face with the enemy and during a struggle Cy made “eye” contact with the enemy’s bayonet. The incident left him blind in that eye and horribly disfigured. The accountant surmised that Cy must have not been able to deal with the endless stares and questions and quickly withdrew from society.




Image Information: Lawyer
Web Source: Phil's Stock World

Another account given by Mr. Clops’ lawyer, Mr. Telemus, also seems to support this rumor. He stated, that Mr. Clops did indeed wear an eye patch over his right eye. He also believed that Mr. Clops might suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has always been a little jumpy and his house was is always kept dark. “I always feel like I’m entering a cave,” stated Telemus, “the place just gives me the creeps. One day I was feeling brave and asked him about the patch. He just stared at me and mumbled the name Odis. His glare was icy and cold and I could feel it piercing through to my soul. I never brought it up again.”

Image Information: Personal Assistant
Web source: YPA

Mr. Clops’ assistant told a different story. “Mr. Clops is a gentle soul. He is just misunderstood. People cannot see beyond his appearance and that is why he locks himself away in that cave of a house; however, occasionally he will emerge from the darkness and go outside to the fields. See, Mr. Clops owns this island and there are over a dozen flocks of sheep and goats on this island. They are Mr. Clops' pride and joy and he loves to watch them scamper in the fields. I think it really brings him joy. It is the only time I see him smile,” said Mr. Shepherd.

Whatever the reason, Cy Clops is a very intriguing case. Given his level of isolation, it is truly amazing the amount of success he has enjoyed. How could a man seem so out of touch with society but reap one of its most prized benefits? Money. Why would someone with that much money withdraw from society. Surely, it could buy him all the friends he could ever desire. I guess we may never know the real story of Cy Clops but that won’t stop me from trying to find out. Oh yeah, and who is this Odis character and what does he have to do with Cy’s aloof behavior? Oh well, I will save those questions for another day. Wait! Wait! no I have an
idea. You could help me find the answers. Use your detective skills and see if you can find out what secrets Mr. Cy Clops is hiding. It is now up to you. Good Luck!!!!






Author's Note: My story is based on the story of Odysseus and Cyclops. However, my version just is about the cyclops in general. It gives the audience an interesting perspective of a modern day cyclops. I tried to use kind of a play on words by using Mr. Cy Clops as his name and not just calling him cyclops. It is supposed to be kind of reminiscent of the Noman in the Original Story. I also changed the setting to modern day and added some new characters. I have the characters tell their opinions and observations about the cyclops. I also give some of my own assumptions but at the end I leave it up to the reader. I think that is an interesting way to get the reader involved and get them to create their own story.