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breakinglight11Another bit of noodling for the eventual sequel to Adonis. I struggled with this one, as I knew the idea I wanted to get across but was having a really hard time representing it in the right manner.
One of the things I want to explore in these stories is the components of gaze, specifically female gaze, but really the workings and effects of gaze in general. The second story's plot will be about the building of their revolution against the establishment in Rome. Morna, being the master tactician that she is, realizes that she can cultivate people's fascination with Aidan as an incredibly beautiful popular hero in order to rally allies to their cause. This is in conflict, however, with the fact that Aidan has a very fraught, painful history with being the object of gaze. Balancing Aidan's personal issues with the pursuing of the cause makes for an interesting struggle to explore during the next movie. The words here aren't quite right, nor do I think I hit all the nuances-- should they protect Aidan more, is this value as a tactic too high, what's the cost, how are we torn, how much do our choices pain us, how much should we just trust him, blah blah blah. But like all these 31P31D pieces, I'm mostly just trying to explore the ideas and figure out where they need to go in order to be properly represented.
The Stuff of Their Dreams
by Phoebe Roberts
AIDAN, a former slave, now rebel figurehead
DIANA, former general of Rome, now rebel commander
MORNA, a former slave, now rebel mastermind
~~~
DIANA: They're coming. There are more every day. You've done well.
AIDAN: It's Morna's doing, not mine.
DIANA: It isn't Morna they're drawn to. Every eye is on you.
AIDAN: That is not new.
(Pause.)
DIANA: It will not be like before. I promise you that.
AIDAN: It isn't that. Only that... this is my burden, isn't it?
DIANA: What's it like?
(At a loss, he shrugs and shakes his head.)
AIDAN: It seems too much, all for an accident of birth.
DIANA: Accident or no, it is extraordinary.
AIDAN: I've never lived in any other skin. I feel that I'm... only myself.
DIANA: You are extraordinary as well.
AIDAN: They don't see me. Only the image of a man they imagine I am. I suppose in this, however, it works to our advantage.
(AIDAN exits. DIANA watches him go as MORNA approaches behind her.)
DIANA: I hate using him for this.
MORNA: He understands what's needed of him.
DIANA: He's a man, not a battle standard.
MORNA: We all must make use of the assets we have. We've no hope of success without capturing public imagination. People will always look on that which is beautiful and read the stuff of their dreams in there.
(Pause.)
MORNA: Were you any different?
(Pause.)
DIANA: It is a great deal to live up to.
MORNA: Fortunately, that's the man that he is.
One of the things I want to explore in these stories is the components of gaze, specifically female gaze, but really the workings and effects of gaze in general. The second story's plot will be about the building of their revolution against the establishment in Rome. Morna, being the master tactician that she is, realizes that she can cultivate people's fascination with Aidan as an incredibly beautiful popular hero in order to rally allies to their cause. This is in conflict, however, with the fact that Aidan has a very fraught, painful history with being the object of gaze. Balancing Aidan's personal issues with the pursuing of the cause makes for an interesting struggle to explore during the next movie. The words here aren't quite right, nor do I think I hit all the nuances-- should they protect Aidan more, is this value as a tactic too high, what's the cost, how are we torn, how much do our choices pain us, how much should we just trust him, blah blah blah. But like all these 31P31D pieces, I'm mostly just trying to explore the ideas and figure out where they need to go in order to be properly represented.
The Stuff of Their Dreams
by Phoebe Roberts
AIDAN, a former slave, now rebel figurehead
DIANA, former general of Rome, now rebel commander
MORNA, a former slave, now rebel mastermind
~~~
DIANA: They're coming. There are more every day. You've done well.
AIDAN: It's Morna's doing, not mine.
DIANA: It isn't Morna they're drawn to. Every eye is on you.
AIDAN: That is not new.
(Pause.)
DIANA: It will not be like before. I promise you that.
AIDAN: It isn't that. Only that... this is my burden, isn't it?
DIANA: What's it like?
(At a loss, he shrugs and shakes his head.)
AIDAN: It seems too much, all for an accident of birth.
DIANA: Accident or no, it is extraordinary.
AIDAN: I've never lived in any other skin. I feel that I'm... only myself.
DIANA: You are extraordinary as well.
AIDAN: They don't see me. Only the image of a man they imagine I am. I suppose in this, however, it works to our advantage.
(AIDAN exits. DIANA watches him go as MORNA approaches behind her.)
DIANA: I hate using him for this.
MORNA: He understands what's needed of him.
DIANA: He's a man, not a battle standard.
MORNA: We all must make use of the assets we have. We've no hope of success without capturing public imagination. People will always look on that which is beautiful and read the stuff of their dreams in there.
(Pause.)
MORNA: Were you any different?
(Pause.)
DIANA: It is a great deal to live up to.
MORNA: Fortunately, that's the man that he is.
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