Fellows Essay
The lights fade in and two women sit in a den talking. The doorbell rings and MARGARET PAULIN answers the door. She greets F. SCOTT FITZGERALD with an open heart. He is handsome in a strange way. He has a twinkle in his eyes as if he knows something extraordinary. The other woman sits and waits to be greeted by F. SCOTT FITZGERALD. She is a beautiful, elegant woman that is dressed in an extravagant gown and wears an ornate crown with distinction. Her face is filled with self-worth for she is QUEEN ELIZABETH I. The three sit down and continue talking when the doorbell rings again, announcing the arrival two more guests. One of the men is fragile, and wears the traditional dress of India. The other man walks with a defiant bounce in his step and holds his head tall. He is dressed in the finest French silk, and has a smile to rival the Mona Lisa’s. They all enter the dining room where they will be eating dinner.
Margaret: (talking to the first man) Oh! Gandhi, thank you so much for coming tonight even though you are in the mists of a hunger strike. I would love to hear more about your new protesting theories at dinner!
VOLTAIRE clears his throat.
Margaret: How rude of me! How are you tonight, Francois-Marie Arouet? I cannot wait for you to meet everyone, but I see you have already met Gandhi. This is Queen Elizabeth Tutor I and this is F. Scott Fitzgerald. I am sure you have heard of Elizabeth, but Francis Scott Fitzgerald was after your time. He is one of the greatest American writers today and the most influential writer of the “lost generation.” His most famous book was called The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald mostly wrote about corruption from materialism.
F. Scott Fitzgerald: Thank you so much for the introduction. I learned first account what money causes people to do. My wife Zelda and I were like Hollywood stars. Since I saw what materialism did to my life, I wrote about my folly; the folly of our time.
Voltaire and Elizabeth: (together, quizzically) Hollywood stars?
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD smirks
Margaret: It’s like America’s royalty. Now that you have a clear picture of why I wanted all of you to meet F. Scott Fitzgerald, I will introduce you all to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi used peaceful resistance to gain independence for India from England and-
Elizabeth: (mumbles under her breath) First we lost America, and now India. England has gone downhill since I ruled.
Margaret: -started a movement that swept across Africa, the United States, and the world. He started civil disobedience. His influence inspired Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960’s; African Civil rights movements, and war protest against the Vietnam War. His theories are still received as innovating.
Gandhi: I also had inspirations, mostly from my religion, Hinduism, but thank you again for having me to dinner. I feel privileged in making the acquaintance of other great thinkers. Voltaire was telling me how he also had to stand for what he believed.
Margaret: That is true. He was even banished from his homeland and the King banned many of his novels. Voltaire was one of the most important men in the French Enlightenment. One of the major themes of the French Enlightenment was ironically opposition to authority. Other important issues were human reasons and the will of man. One of his most influential books was Candide, where he stated, “Cultivez Votre Jardin,” or cultivate your garden. I feel that this statement is an important part of human nature. We all must find simplicity to achieve happiness.
Voltaire: Ahh oui. I found that standing up for what you believe is n’a pas difficile that is not difficult. I realized that if you believe something strong enough, no matter what injustices are committed, it always leads to a positive outcome. Take the American Revolution for example. The colonists were not happy with their so-called “Patriot King,” so they stood up and fought (with a little French support).
Elizabeth: (standing up and shouting) How dare you insult the English King! Those colonists needed to pay for the cost of the Seven Years’ War. Come to think of it, we were protecting them for YOU! (Mumbles under breath) idiotic French arrogance!
Voltaire: (mimicking Elizabeth’s behavior) What did you say!?
Gandhi: Let’s settle this peacefully!
F. Scott Fitzgerald: (smiling) I would put money on the Queen. If she can survive a corset, I think she’s pretty tough. Anyhow, the French always lose. They even lost their own Revolution!
Margaret: ALL RIGHT! Let’s stop fighting. Gandhi is right; we should end this tiff peacefully. We don’t need another Hundred Years’ War. Everyone knows that the French and English have, well, a rivalry, but let’s forget that tonight. (aside to F. Scott Fitzgerald) I reckon you are right. Elizabeth would win.
Voltaire and Elizabeth: (ashamed) Sorry.
Margaret: Although you all know of Queen Elizabeth, I would like you further introduce her. She is one of my role models for the way she took control of her own destiny and made a first stance for woman during her time. She ruled over a deeply troubled country, bringing it out of social and economic hardship. She was truly a renaissance woman. She did everything from writing poetry to singing and dancing to mastering over five languages. Isn’t one of your poems is engraved in the Tower of London were you kept prisoner by your sister, Mary Tutor?
Elizabeth: All of this is true. Although many people saw my sex as a disadvantage, I turned the tables. I knew I could not marry because my father unintentionally showed me how easy it was to dispose a wife. I instead married my country and let everyone know that my life’s purpose was to serve England. (glances at a clock) Oh look at the time. I must be going. I have to travel back 500 years in time. If you ever need any assistance, seek me. I like the future. The food is much better. Oh sorry Gandhi. Farwell!
Gandhi: It is ok your Majesty.
Margaret: I hope you all come back for dinner again. I am thinking of extending the list. I would like to invite Catherine the Great and Napoleon next time!
Voltaire: I can invite Catherine for you. I am going to see her in St. Petersburg very soon. Good Bye!
The lights fade out then fade in again. F. SCOTT FITZGERALD lifts his head from his writing desk that is covered with scattered and crumbled papers. “I must have fallen asleep,” he thinks to himself.
F. Scott Fitzgerald: Now that would make for an interesting story. (pauses) The Great Gatsby, I think I should stick with that title. I wonder who Margaret is. She must be part of the future. I wonder what great things she will do.
Curtains falls as F. SCOTT FITZGERALD scribbles downs his new title.
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