Geoffrey Tennant

[steedtoherpeel]

The idea of an open mic night hadn't left the back of his mind, and so in the end he decided to make preparations. One way or another -- perhaps he'd be able to borrow a guitar, perhaps not. He can always make do with a piano. He stopped at the door of the theater, books tucked under one arm, and rapped on the edge of the door

Comments

[legendarymadman]

Geoffrey looks up from his desk, unused to anyone actually knocking on his office door. Anyone who knows he can be found in there usually just walks right in.

"That would be me," he says. "What can I do for you?"

[steedtoherpeel]

"My name is Rupert Giles." He smiled, businesslike but friendly. "I was wondering if I could discuss a possible arrangement with you. I'd like to rent your theater on occasion."

[legendarymadman]

"Rent it?" says Geoffrey, offering him a little grin at the thought. "You're welcome to use the stage any time it's not booked for something else, and now that the public assembly is over it's not booked for anything till my next production. What were you thinking of using it for?"

[steedtoherpeel]

"Rent it," he said, confirming. "I appreciate the generosity, but I didn't want to assume it." He adjusted his glasses. "A regular open mic night, more or less. With the pledge that I won't expect you to actually attend.

"Ideally, I'd like to see who commits to more than one, then help them refine the act until we have an actual variety show of some sort."

[legendarymadman]

"Hell, it's better than another musical," says Geoffrey, pushing his papers to the side and getting up from his desk. It's not like they're going anywhere, and he's probably due for some fresh air anyway, not that it's exactly a long walk across the grass from the office to the stage. "Let me show you what we've got for equipment around here. We don't actually have a mic, but that's probably not the point, eh?"

[steedtoherpeel]

"Not really, no. It's one part to give everyone something to do, one part giving me something to do, and one part morbid curiosity. Back home, most people are very restrained when you ask them to get on a stage. Here, I think there'll be a great deal of truth shown up there." He kept his hands in his pockets and followed after Geoffrey at a relaxed amble.

[legendarymadman]

"Well, the stage itself is in great shape, my partner keeps it maintained," says Geoffrey, gesturing at it. "I'll show you where we keep the lighting board when we're not using it, just to keep it safe from the unpredictable elements, and most everything else is in the storage shed attached to the office. Well, except the solar generator, for obvious reasons."

[steedtoherpeel]

"It would probably be in everyone's best interests if I didn't touch the electronics, to be honest." He nodded a little. "But I know a few people who are rather handy, if you or someone wouldn't mind showing them the ropes."

He wandered up to examine the stage. "Would you be interested in putting a short act on stage? I fully understand if not."

[legendarymadman]

"I don't perform anymore," says Geoffrey, shaking his head, "but I know a number of people who would likely be very interested in the opportunity. Do you want me to put out the word?"

[steedtoherpeel]

"If you would, I'd be grateful." He nodded. "It's something to do. Better than going insane, at least."

[legendarymadman]

"There are so very many things that are better than going insane," Geoffrey agrees with him, with perhaps a little too much enthusiasm. "I find that posting something up on the bulletin board gets you more participation than you'd think."

[steedtoherpeel]

"I have to agree," he said, though he was much more reserved and perhaps a little dubious about it. "I got quite a few conversations, at least, out of my last posting. And the suggestion to speak to you, so I think it went rather well."

[legendarymadman]

"It's like you said," says Geoffrey, hopping up on the stage, "people around here are pretty lacking in things to do sometimes. You should see the motley crew that I get every time I begin auditions for a new play."

[steedtoherpeel]

"... play?" He cocked his head slightly to one side. "What sort of plays? Obviously not the musicals."

[legendarymadman]

"I work almost exclusively in Shakespeare," Geoffrey tells him. Even more so now that the memory of the man himself lingers everywhere Geoffrey works. "We've successfully pulled off three productions so far, which given what we have to work with could probably be considered remarkable."

[steedtoherpeel]

"Really!" He looked heartened by that news; at least there was culture here. "I'd consider it remarkable at least. May I assume in a place like this, you emphasize the comedies?"