Short Story

Big Man On Campus

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our gracious host, Rochelle,
encourages us to be creative
my writing a story in 100 words
or less using the photo prompt
below. This is Friday Fictioneers
and this is my 100 word story.

© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

“John, I’m worried about Bobby.”

“What’s it this time, Susan?”

“Have you heard the way he talks to his stuffed animals?”

“Stuffed animals? That’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said!”

“Seriously, John. He’s extremely mean to them, aggressive.”

“Good for him! The man’s supposed to have the upper hand.”

“But there’s more, John; he’s hitting them.”

“So what? He’s keeping them in their place. They have to know who’s boss.”

“John, he’s hurting them badly.”

“Enough, Susan! Shut up!”

“But John…..”

“I said shut up, you stupid bitch! Now you’ve really pissed me off.”

“No, John! Please! It’s my fault!”

NAR©2025
100 Words

Nancy’s Notes: The song “Johnny Get Angry,” made famous by Joanie Sommers, sparked controversy due to its lyrics, which some interpreted as a woman encouraging her boyfriend to be physically aggressive and domineering. The song features lines where the singer tells Johnny to “get angry” and act like a “cave man”. This has led to accusations that the song promotes domestic violence or unhealthy relationship dynamics. Let me clearly state that my story is fiction and I am strongly opposed to violence.

This is “Johnny Get Angry” by Joanie Sommers

27 June 2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

64 thoughts on “Big Man On Campus”

  5. Nancy, this is a powerful and very disturbing look at domestic violence and how it affects not only the victim but the child. The son is acting out. Is it possible that he wishes he could defend his mother? Is it possible that by hitting the stuffed toys, he is acting out what he would like to do to his father? Or it could be that, sadly, he maybe he’s becoming like the father. I hope the mother will take him and get out of that situation for both of their sakes.

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    1. All the scenarios your mentioned are very possible and could be any of them. I have never been in this situation but that doesn’t matter. Anyone with a heart can sympathize with people who are the victims of domestic violence and abuse. I know someone whose husband abuses her emotionally with his words and actions. He has never physically abused her but the emotional/mental toll is just as bad. Still, she refuses to leave him. It’s easy for us to say “just take the kids and get the hell out of there”. How hard is it to decide to save your life? For the victim, it’s a prison cell with little chance of escape.

      Thanks for an excellent comment.

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    1. It’s an old song, Michele, but, considering the controversy, airplay was likely limited as time went on. The subject matter made the story difficult to write; I didn’t want to offend anyone nor did I want this to be perceived as a joke. 100 words get used up pretty fast! Thanks so much.☺️

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  9. Wow, this was an informative post – and I can see why the folk sparked some ontroversy – and was that a Kazoo being used in the chorus?

    Also, I like how you noted that you are against violence and also in support of wellness – and writing about this topic takes careful wording – and maybe some side notes – and I really liked the way you showed the cycle of abuse and how she sees behaviors in the son (with his stuffed animals) and then how she acquiesced so quickly at the end…. !

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    1. Thanks so much, Yvette. I’ll have to listen to the song again; in all the times I’ve heard it, I don’t ever remember noticing a kazoo but you could be right!

      Fortunately I have never been a victim of abuse. I have a couple of friends who are in abusive relationships which started with their fathers/brothers, boyfriends and now their husbands. Both husbands are abusive emotionally and mentally, not physically, which is just as bad. My friends have been emotionally beaten down for so many years, they expect that type of treatment …. not just from their husbands but from everyonec. I based Susan in my story on these women who are continuously beaten down, they now believe it’s their fault every time their husbands get mad.

      I believe my readers know me well enough by now to know I am against any type of violence, but as fiction writers, the subject will probably come up. Hence, my little note after the story. Thanks for a really great comment, Yvette.

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      1. thanks for sharing that
        and this is a side note, but my youngest son was actually in a commercial – when he was about six – and it was for a non-profit women’s shelter in Central Virginia.
        There was an ad for child actors to audition and he was the only one in the right age group (all were older) and he did great with his little acting spot.
        I cannot recall the name of the shelter – but it just came to mind.
        oh and if you need ideas for a sequel to this post – maybe the husband pushes her a little too far one day and it is over for him
        – have you ever heard of the Burning Bed starring Farrah Fawcett?
        The story follows battered and abused housewife Francine Hughes with her trial for the murder of an abusive husband….

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  17. Well, that is disturbing! From Johnny’s first response, I could see Bobby is headed in his daddy’s footsteps. ‘Course, I wanna shake her awake too.

    As for that song… good gawd!

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        1. First of all, I would never be attracted to a man like that. If a man ever hit me or even threatened to hit me, I’d be out of there in a heartbeat. It’s a sickness on both sides, unless someone is being held against their will. Get the fuck out of there and go to the police.

          Aren’t we smart, solving the problems of the world?

          Mille grazie, cara amica mia. Mio cuore è con te.

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  19. Dear Nancy,

    It sounds like Bobby’s mirroring John’s behavor. Susan needs to get the boy and herself out of there. Powerful story in few words. Well done.

    I always loved that song. But it does give one pause.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Absolutely! Like father, like son. That’s exactly what Susan needs to do but you and I know she probably won’t. Fear can be a strong dissuader.

      I cringe now hearing the words to that song and knowing I used to sing along!

      Thanks so much, Rochelle.

      Shalom,

      🕊️

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  20. 👏. & Is it wrong of me, Nancy?, … I just want to cuddle those stuffed animals., … never mind any other violence, … especially the one wearing the outfit, …awww, … 💫

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    1. They’re adorable, aren’t they? And no! You’re not wrong for wanting to cuddle them and keep theme safe. I feel the same way and that’s because we are sane people (mostly!) who don’t abuse stuffed animals or kids or women cowering in fear. As Elton sang, “It’s a sad, sad situation”. Thanks very much, Penn.

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      1. I’ve have so many cuddly animals, …one, George, … sits on the ottoman opposite the bottom of my bed, … He’s my hero, George, He just sit there, And agrees with everything I say. Such a darling.😉…. now you’ve done it, Alexa play Elton, …💫🎶🎶🎶🎶💫

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