31 Plays in 31 Days, #9 - "Mrs. Linden, Née Fletcher"

This one is dedicated to Kate Potter. Kate, who has been an amazingly adept Wardrobe Technician for the Hawking shows, also played a small role of a bitchy maid who says some snotty things to and about Mary. Kate added so much personality to her moments in parts 1 and 2, bringing life to her and coming up with her name. I like to joke that if TV news existed in this time period, she'd give interviews about weird goings on around the Hawkings with a chyron underneath her that read "Nellie Fletcher, Local Bitch." Kate really brought that color and specificity to a small role.

I enjoy Kate's performance of this character so much I'd love to bring her back. Today's scene is an idea for that, seeing a more mature version of Nellie, married and moved up a bit in the world. It's a bit tricky to find a reason, especially because in the timeline by part 7, it's like nine years since her last appearance. It would have to fit into the functional structure; I don't want to include it unless it adds something. Right now, it's kind of just an appendage for a last-line joke-- and one that probably doesn't read as well as it would hopefully play.

I did have an idea that throughout the play, Mrs. Hawking can be giving asides about the reasons why Mary left. They could be mostly self-defensive, blaming Mary for leaving. But here, with this stranger who she gains no benefit from convincing or impressing, she can maybe finally be honest for the first time in the play. I'll have go back and edit for that, since it's not really present in the scenes as drafted so far, but it could be a justification for including the scene.

...whatever the case, as you will see, Nellie will remain true to her essential self. X-D



( Day #9 - Mrs. Linden, Née Fletcher )