31 Plays in 31 Days, #3 - "Gentle"

Content note: sexual assault.

I have been very interested lately in exploring what Mrs. and Colonel's Hawking's marriage was like. Part of it is because I find the exquisite torture of their disconnection to be fascinating high drama. I've been toying with the idea of collecting a series of scenes that are representative of their relationship and recording them as a chapter-based audio drama. But it's also useful for me to be able to understand what went on between them that informed who my protagonist is today.

One thing that's become increasingly clear— as Mrs. Hawking herself says in part III —she did not "spring into the world fully formed a crusader for justice." She had to come to the realization that the world worked in unfair ways, that it didn't have to be the way it was, and that she could fight to break free of her oppressions. So going through the circumstances of her marriage demonstrates the moments that led to her realizing what was wrong. It also means that the first time she encountered it all, she didn't necessarily immediately respond with outrage and defiance— even if she had a gut reaction that something is not right.

This scene, Victoria and Reginald's wedding night, is one such moment. I also enjoy the tragedy and pain of Reginald's position. He's trying so hard to be what he thinks he ought to be— and he's doing something awful without realizing it. My goal here was to write (spoiler) the gentlest rape in the world.



( Day #3 - Gentle )