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breakinglight11) wrote2018-08-09 11:49 am
breakinglight11) wrote2018-08-09 11:49 am
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31 Plays in 31 Days, #9 - "Big Brother Act"
Here's something cute! I've been wanting to write something where Nathaniel and Arthur interact for a while now. Nathaniel's known who he is for a while, but Mary never introduced the two of them for fear of letting Arthur see too much of her life. But Arthur actually encountered Nathaniel at the end of Base Instruments in 1883, then again in Mary's parlor in Gilded Cages in 1884, making adorably encouraging gestures for Mary to go get 'im.
In writing part five, I know that I want Nathaniel and Arthur to have officially met before then. This is a depiction of the first conversation they have on the level, where Nathaniel makes a point of introducing himself and actually making Arthur's acquaintance. I'd like the two of them to have some kind of relationship, and of course the first thing they'd discuss is how they're both invested in Mary. Still, I wanted to do a slightly different take on "boyfriend meets the big brother" than what one might be expecting! This definitely needs polishing, but I think it's cute and has potential to be a fun bonus scene to make an audio recording of.
Day #9 - "Big Brother Act"
From Mrs. Hawking
By Phoebe Roberts
NATHANIEL HAWKING, a society gentleman, Mrs. Hawking’s nephew and assistant, early thirties
ARTHUR SWANN, a police sergeant, Mary’s beau, late twenties
London, England, 1885
~~~
NATHANIEL: Evening, Sergeant Swann. Have a moment for a word?
ARTHUR: By Jove! The cat that ate the canary.
NATHANIEL: Beg your pardon?
ARTHUR: You're the grinning gentleman in Mary’s parlor.
NATHANIEL: (Chuckling) Right. Thought it was time I introduce myself properly. The name’s Hawking— Nathaniel Hawking.
ARTHUR: Hawking— that’s Mary’s mistress’s name.
NATHANIEL: She’s my aunt.
ARTHUR: I knew I’d seen you ‘round before.
NATHANIEL: I thought it best we meet on neutral ground, where there’s no chance of being overheard.
ARTHUR: Hm. I see you’re in on the whole secret business, too. Whatever it may be.
NATHANIEL: Now that I can’t speak to. But I do know Mary— rather well by now, if I may say. And it became clear that you were rather important to her, so I wanted to make sure I took a moment to know you too.
ARTHUR: I see, sir. Sizing me up, now, are you?
NATHANIEL: Perhaps. Just a bit. But you’ll be pleased to know my impression’s been good so far. She certainly speaks well of you.
ARTHUR: Well, I’m glad of that.
NATHANIEL: More than that, though, I wanted the chance to talk. If you’re going to carry with on her, there are a few things you ought to know.
ARTHUR: Let me take a guess, sir. If I hurt her, you’ll make me sorry?
NATHANIEL: Ha! Mary can take care of that better than I can. But I can offer a bit of advice, if you’ll have it.
ARTHUR: Fire away.
NATHANIEL: Mary’s life… it isn’t like other girls’.
ARTHUR: Well, that’s plain.
NATHANIEL: I know it means there’s a great deal you can’t know about. Even more you’ll have to… work around. And as for her mistress, well… you’ll do Mary a kindness if you stay out of her way as much as you can. Beyond what even concern for reputation might abide.
ARTHUR: I do want to be of help her, if I can.
NATHANIEL: You certainly have. But you’ll have to keep it on faith, at least for a while longer. Only trust that it’s terribly, terribly important.
ARTHUR: That I can believe, but… I don’t suppose you can tell me anything more about it?
NATHANIEL: That’s more than my hide’s worth, I’m afraid. But just because she can’t tell you much now doesn’t mean she never will. I’ll ask you to be patient on that. And… for her. There’s more on her than you know.
ARTHUR: What does that mean?
NATHANIEL: As I said. Her life’s not like other girls’. She’ll need you to understand, even when she can’t explain. I can’t imagine it will be easy. But she’s worth it. Worth every moment and more. Do you see what I mean?
ARTHUR: I think I’m beginning to.
NATHANIEL: Good. Because she deserves someone who knows.
ARTHUR: This is quite the big brother act you’ve got there, sir.
NATHANIEL: Good to do it once in my life. And, friend— if you ever do hurt her…
ARTHUR: Aye?
NATHANIEL: If Mary herself doesn’t make you answer for it… there’s someone even more dangerous who will.
ARTHUR: Her mistress, you mean. The one in the hood, with the bloody great bush knives.
NATHANIEL: But you didn’t hear that from me.
ARTHUR: Got you in her sights too, does she?
NATHANIEL: Dear fellow— how do you think I know to warn you?
In writing part five, I know that I want Nathaniel and Arthur to have officially met before then. This is a depiction of the first conversation they have on the level, where Nathaniel makes a point of introducing himself and actually making Arthur's acquaintance. I'd like the two of them to have some kind of relationship, and of course the first thing they'd discuss is how they're both invested in Mary. Still, I wanted to do a slightly different take on "boyfriend meets the big brother" than what one might be expecting! This definitely needs polishing, but I think it's cute and has potential to be a fun bonus scene to make an audio recording of.
Day #9 - "Big Brother Act"
From Mrs. Hawking
By Phoebe Roberts
NATHANIEL HAWKING, a society gentleman, Mrs. Hawking’s nephew and assistant, early thirties
ARTHUR SWANN, a police sergeant, Mary’s beau, late twenties
London, England, 1885
~~~
NATHANIEL: Evening, Sergeant Swann. Have a moment for a word?
ARTHUR: By Jove! The cat that ate the canary.
NATHANIEL: Beg your pardon?
ARTHUR: You're the grinning gentleman in Mary’s parlor.
NATHANIEL: (Chuckling) Right. Thought it was time I introduce myself properly. The name’s Hawking— Nathaniel Hawking.
ARTHUR: Hawking— that’s Mary’s mistress’s name.
NATHANIEL: She’s my aunt.
ARTHUR: I knew I’d seen you ‘round before.
NATHANIEL: I thought it best we meet on neutral ground, where there’s no chance of being overheard.
ARTHUR: Hm. I see you’re in on the whole secret business, too. Whatever it may be.
NATHANIEL: Now that I can’t speak to. But I do know Mary— rather well by now, if I may say. And it became clear that you were rather important to her, so I wanted to make sure I took a moment to know you too.
ARTHUR: I see, sir. Sizing me up, now, are you?
NATHANIEL: Perhaps. Just a bit. But you’ll be pleased to know my impression’s been good so far. She certainly speaks well of you.
ARTHUR: Well, I’m glad of that.
NATHANIEL: More than that, though, I wanted the chance to talk. If you’re going to carry with on her, there are a few things you ought to know.
ARTHUR: Let me take a guess, sir. If I hurt her, you’ll make me sorry?
NATHANIEL: Ha! Mary can take care of that better than I can. But I can offer a bit of advice, if you’ll have it.
ARTHUR: Fire away.
NATHANIEL: Mary’s life… it isn’t like other girls’.
ARTHUR: Well, that’s plain.
NATHANIEL: I know it means there’s a great deal you can’t know about. Even more you’ll have to… work around. And as for her mistress, well… you’ll do Mary a kindness if you stay out of her way as much as you can. Beyond what even concern for reputation might abide.
ARTHUR: I do want to be of help her, if I can.
NATHANIEL: You certainly have. But you’ll have to keep it on faith, at least for a while longer. Only trust that it’s terribly, terribly important.
ARTHUR: That I can believe, but… I don’t suppose you can tell me anything more about it?
NATHANIEL: That’s more than my hide’s worth, I’m afraid. But just because she can’t tell you much now doesn’t mean she never will. I’ll ask you to be patient on that. And… for her. There’s more on her than you know.
ARTHUR: What does that mean?
NATHANIEL: As I said. Her life’s not like other girls’. She’ll need you to understand, even when she can’t explain. I can’t imagine it will be easy. But she’s worth it. Worth every moment and more. Do you see what I mean?
ARTHUR: I think I’m beginning to.
NATHANIEL: Good. Because she deserves someone who knows.
ARTHUR: This is quite the big brother act you’ve got there, sir.
NATHANIEL: Good to do it once in my life. And, friend— if you ever do hurt her…
ARTHUR: Aye?
NATHANIEL: If Mary herself doesn’t make you answer for it… there’s someone even more dangerous who will.
ARTHUR: Her mistress, you mean. The one in the hood, with the bloody great bush knives.
NATHANIEL: But you didn’t hear that from me.
ARTHUR: Got you in her sights too, does she?
NATHANIEL: Dear fellow— how do you think I know to warn you?