breakinglight11: (Crawling Dromio)
breakinglight11 ([personal profile] breakinglight11) wrote2012-08-29 10:45 pm

31 Plays in 31 Days: #29 - "Playing the Game"

This is garbage. I'm pushing for the finish. Only two more to go.



Day #29 - "Playing the Game"

(WENDY is putting the finishing touches on MELISSA’s makeup in the wings of stage.)

MELISSA: I look stupid in makeup.

WENDY: No, you don’t.

MELISSA: Yeah, I do. It makes me look like a clown. Nobody’s going to vote for a clown.

WENDY: I think you look great.

MELISSA: Nobody else will.

WENDY: You just need to have a little self-confidence. That will sell everything.

MELISSA: I don’t even know why I’m bothering.

WENDY: You want to make a good impression, right?

MELISSA: It’s not going to make a difference. I’m not going to get elected for my looks.

WENDY: For the last time, it’s not about looking beautiful. It’s about showing you care about being here. It’s a gesture of respect.

MELISSA: I am respectful! I want them to listen to what I have to say.

WENDY: They’re going to. They have! You wouldn’t have gotten this far if they hadn’t.

MELISSA: But this stuff isn’t me.

WENDY: But this is the game you’re going to have to play. So hold still.

MELISSA: This isn’t going to help, it’s just going to encourage them to ask me about my favorite fashion designer. They asked Hilary that, would you believe it?

WENDY: And you’re going to have to show them what for! If there’s anything you’re good at, it’s that.

MELISSA: But how can you think anything I say is meaningful if you think I need this to… get me in the door?

WENDY: I know it doesn’t seem substantive to you. But I’m afraid they won’t think you’re serious if you don’t present yourself… you know…

MELISSA: Pretty?

WENDY: No. Like what they see as serious. I know you’ve got what it takes, Melissa. But this is going to be the first time the world lays eyes on you. I don’t want them to look right over you.

MELISSA: Wendy.

WENDY: I want them to stick around and listen to what you have to say.

MELISSA: Okay. Okay, then.

(She straightens herself in the mirror one last time, then goes out onto the stage.)

MELISSA: Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming here tonight. My name is Melissa Hartman, and I would like to announce my candidacy for mayor.