Literature Entry The Ninth
"The key question that Shakespeare asks throughout his plays though -and especially in his last play "The Tempest"- is "do we have to be on the stage all the time?" Is there a time in life when we can -if only temporarily- get off the stage, and simply be ourselves? Which self? That is an important question for any and everyone.... These are profound questions.
For your LJ Blogs this week it would be great to see some reflections on your experiences of drama- either from your rehearsal or reading experiences... or even from your own lives....WHY NOT WRITE A SHORT REFLECTIVE PIECE ABOUT ANY TWO VERY CONTRASTING ROLES THAT YOU OFTEN FIND YOURSELF IN: GIVE THE TASTE OR FLAVOUR OF THE DIFFERENCE WITH AS MUCH DESCRIPTIVE FORCE AS YOU CAN.... "
I guess the first thing that came to mind when reading that little outline by MG was how I will act at work and how different that can be to my usual self. Maybe its because I just got home from a shift, but that’s what first came to mind, so that’s what im going to try to describe here..
Work seems like a place where I am on a particular stage, and I play a very different role to the one I play when I’m just ‘me’- at home alone, or I’m being “aunty Becky” when I’m taking care of my nephews (in this role I care for Thomas the Tank engine more than I do in any other), or when I’m at Uni and I’m just Bec, or Braggie. When I’m at work, I’m Rebecca, and I’m the Queen of customer service- one of the shops best sellers (if I do say so myself)…
Alone at work, I play no role. I lean against the counter, one hand holding up my head as my eye lids beg to be allowed to droop. The forcefully relaxing music drifts around my head and I watch the flickering flames in the reflection of the mirror. Time moves so so slow. But then I catch a movement by the front of the shop, and I see an older man enter, looking rather unsure of himself and his surroundings.
The curtain opens, and Im on.
My back straightens, a smile is plastered on my lips and I blink a few times to make my eyes appear to be fully alert. I quietly clear my throat so I can project my voice, and as I approach The Customer at a casual pace, I ask in a clear- friendly- non threatening- please let me help you before I go crazy with boredom- voice “Hi, how are you doing today?”
The customer always responds, as though they too are reading from a script like I am “good thanks, and yourself?”
“I’m well thanks!” I deliver this line as though I haven’t already said it 40 times today, the friendly smile still on my lips. I wait exactly 5 seconds to allow the customer to ask for help themselves, but when they don’t (and they hardly ever do) I continue with my script
“what can I help you find today?”
“oh nothing thank you. Im just looking”
This is where I have the most trouble keeping my character. Normal Bec, had she worked any where else, would have just smiled one more time and reminded the other character that she was around if they needed anything. But Rebecca, Dusk worker and Customer Service Queen, knows she has more lines. The smile is still in place
“That’s fine! But just so you know, we’ve got some great specials on at the moment on Mood Reeds, and Gift Packs for mothers day. Are you looking for something for mothers day?”
See what I’ve done there? I’ve trapped the customer into a conversation, because no one- if they are nice enough- is going to ignore an outright question. And when the customer says they are looking for mothers day, well, that’s a whole new script. My regular self sits in the back of my head, shaking her head at my annoyingness. I know what its like to go shopping, and how you want nothing more than to just browse without the shop assistant hanging over your shoulder. But you don’t become Customer Service Queen by quietly backing away when the customer says they are ‘just looking’…
So I serve this customer (he was very interested in the sales on the mood reeds he probably wouldn’t have noticed if he had continued to ‘just look’ without my help) and then I go back behind the counter, and resume my stance. Its intermission, and my character can slip. All my previous excitement about Candle Care kits (“and you can get one for 40% off because you bought a candle!”) and the aromatherapy candles (“yes they are more expensive but are totally worth it because they are made from the essential oils and so have the benefits of calming and soothing and healing…”) is gone, and is replaced with my previous musings about that assignment I have due, and if The Office will be on tonight, and these will continue, until the next customer comes in, and the curtain will once again rise…
That was actually kind of fun to do, even if it was only a superficial example of two different roles I play. Hope I didn’t bore too many people.
So this week I commented on Ali’s livejournal, where she wrote a monologue for Caliban in a modern setting. Her livejournal address is http://alitajoan.livejournal.com/4329.html?view=3049#t3049
And my comment is below
Hey Ali
I really enjoyed your Caliban/Calvin monologue and the way you bought it into the modern context.
I agree with you about Prospero; he is a bit of a tool. As my year 12 English teacher once said "who died and made him king shit?"
I’ve always thought The Tempest would be very interesting if it was ever portrayed from Caliban's perspective, and I think your monologue makes a great start. I especially liked the bit about the bosses daughter just being asked out to dinner- in comparison to the sexual harassment that we are led to believe happens in the text. I think you did really well with it. You should do it again for some other characters too
That’s me done for the week
Until next week
Bec xoxo