A series of mini-dramas based on public conversations, as overheard and rewritten by local playwright/director Aurora Stewart de Peña.

Overheard at the National Ballet’s Diamond Gala (Four Seasons Centre)

Alec and Percy, both in their early thirties, wear slim-fitting suits. Their hair has artisanal pomade in it. They sit on the stairs leading up to the second floor. They smell like basil.

Well-groomed people in formal wear mill about holding martinis in understated, tasteful glasses.

Alec: Oh, he’s going to talk to her.

Percy: Who?

Alec: Her, in the white dress.

Percy: Seriously?

Alec: Oh – she’s smiling!

Percy: What is he even saying to her?

Alec: It’s kind of a cool dress that she’s wearing.

Percy: Every time Jason talks to a girl, he gets a stiff upper back.

Alec: The cutout back – that’s cool.

Percy: Seriously, he would be a huge stud if he could just move his shoulders.

Alec: She’s cute.

Percy: Look at him though, he looks like he’s in an invisible full-body cast.

Percy takes a sip of his drink and stares into the bottom of the glass.

Percy: Like he’s in a straightjacket. Made of clay.

Percy swizzles his stir stick in his drink, causing a small whirlpool.

Liquid begins to escape over the rim.

Alec: What are you doing?

Percy: That’s Alyssa.

Pause.

Alec: Oh.

Pause.

Alec: Does he know that?

Percy: He knows.

Pause.

Alec: Well, go interrupt.

Percy: No, she’s gonna–she doesn’t want to see me.

____

Aurora Stewart de Peña is half of the theatre company Birdtown & Swanville (the other half is Nika Mistruzzi). You can follow her on Twitter at @Aurorahhh.

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