It’s that time of year again where I get back in the habit of writing every day thanks to Threshold Theater in Minneapolis!
Answer to “How are you doing?” a la The Princess Bride:
Now where were we?
Oh, yes. The pit of despair!
Looking for a way to not feel so hopeless? I’m going to be posting mutual aid organizations that also won’t have anything to do with my writing!
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.
I will continue these highlights throughout the month of November so if you have an organization you’d like a shout out, let me know!
Threshold Prompt:
Day 8: Museum of Broken Relationships
And now for my completely unrelated writing:
OLA
[on the phone, still in the waiting room; BAST is playing a game on his phone, half listening]
I’m sorry, how did you get this number?
[CLAUDE (unheard): Did I forget to tell you I’m persistent?]
Did I not make it clear I’m not interested?
[You made it clear, but I have a different offer. One you might find more appealing.]
You going to let me sing my own songs my own way?
[I didn’t say that, but this demo… there’s something here, and we can make it worth your while to… soften the objects of your desires in the pieces.]
I’m not seeing how this deal is any different.
[Well, the money for one.]
I think I said I’m not interested/
[It’s a lot of money. And, I think we can come up with a plan to eventually have you be the one singing, what did you call it? Jolene Two as you wrote it.]
So you want to lock me back up in the closet but you might eventually give me the key if I’m a good little performer for your portfolio?
[That’s not really fair/]
No. I’m sorry Mr. Demarcus but I’m not in the mood to discuss the finer points of this deal with the devil. I’m in a hospital waiting room, wondering if my dad will be alive come tomorrow. Stop giving me a hard sell for my soul.
[I didn’t know.]
Yeah, well… now you do and if you don’t mind/
[A million dollar advance. For a first album.]
Sorry?
[I’m sorry. I thought I would cut to the chase. You think about it. And my thoughts are with you and your family during what must be a difficult time. I’ll be waiting for a call when you feel up for discussing more.
[CLAUDE hangs up the phone, OLA stares at it, shocked]