It’s that time of year again where I get back in the habit of writing every day thanks to Threshold Theater in Minneapolis!
Day Two Prompt: RIP HUGE improv theater
My totally unrelated writing:
SCENE 1
[OLA (pronounced Lola without the first L) in on a small stage at a bar, think Nashville off Broadway. It’s OLA with a guitar and a mic stand. Her guitar case open to the audience a clear request for tips. The bar is mostly empty at this time of day. She wraps up a cover - something like “Half-Broke Heart” by CAM or “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift]
OLA
Thanks for listening y’all my set is just about done, but I’d like to sing something I’ve been working on if that’s alright. I think you’ll find the subject matter familiar if you’ve liked the songs I’ve covered today.
[Sets capo if necessary, I don’t know how to play guitar, and plays a little intro before singing:]
A few years back my mom reached out to you
Begging not to take her man away
I’m writing to you now to say sorry my daddy even looked your way
Now that we’re older and we’re wiser
Momma and I know
You were injured just as much by that man’s
desire for by-blow.
You aren’t more than five years older than me
So now I’m the begging
Please hear me out at least
Jolene
I think you and I could have a real good time together
Jolene
Even mom agrees
We’re like two birds of a feather.
My daddy did all us wrong
Thank God that man’s long gone
Jolene
Won’t you give me a chance to make you smile forever.
Thank you all so much! I’ve had such a lovely time singing for you all today. If you liked what you heard, I’m here every other Tuesday at this time or on the third Thursday at 4pm down at Tin Cat. Thank you!
[As OLA packs up, CLAUDE comes up to her]
CLAUDE
That was a great set.
OLA
Thank you very much, sir.
CLAUDE
I mean it, and you have a knack for songwriting too.
OLA
I just write what comes to me.
CLAUDE
That song you just sang a bit of, the Jolene continuation, with a few tweaks I think I have a client that would be very interested in recording it.
OLA
Client?
CLAUDE
Oh, yes, sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. Claude Demarcus. I work for Lowtown Records. And I think I have a great ghostwriting opportunity for you if you would be interested.
[he holds out a card to her]
OLA
Thanks again, Mr. Demarcus, but if any of my songs are going to be recorded, I want to be the one singing them.
CLAUDE
I’m not saying that wouldn’t be possible down the road, but for our label we tend to work with music that’s a little less… sapphic.
OLA
So you wanted Jolene Deux to be sung by a man? Pardon me, mister, but that’ll happen over my dead body.
CLAUDE
No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet...
Do you have a demo?
OLA
I do, but I’ll tell you right now, if you are looking for not sapphic you are barking up the wrong tree.
CLAUDE
Ms...
OLA
You can call me Ola
CLAUDE
Right, Ms. Ola, I believe I speak for everyone at Lowtown Records when I say we have no problem with your sexual orientation and we are lovers of diversity, however, we would just want to tone down the sexuality in general for our audience to make it more… universal.
OLA
Thank you again for your offer, Mr. Demarcus. But, pardon me again if this is out of turn, but it took a hell of a lot for me to be open and joyful and honest with who I love and I’m not going to sell my the words that came out of that struggle for a chance at maybe recording a sanitized slice of my story.
CLAUDE
Okay, I can see when I’m not going to win. At least take my card, just in case.
OLA
Okay. Thank you again.
CLAUDE
Thank you for sharing your music, Ms. Ola, and please do feel free to call me at any time if you change your mind.