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breakinglight11This scene immediately follows Day #15 - “Reputation Precedes”. While that scene introduced the romantic prospect Justin will be pursuing currently, this scene introduces the old flame with whom he still has some antagonistic chemistry. My goal with this character, the Honorable Cassius Evans, is to capture a sort of David-Rose-like acerbic wit and charm that conceals an inner insecurity that will be revealed more later. They are going to get each other’s goats in a charming way, but Justin will see that Cassius has a lot more burdens on him than he thinks, and he will have to step up to be a good friend to his old flame.
In this scene, we just meet the character and hopefully dig their interplay and have a few laughs. We’ll go into the deeper stuff later. This play is very much shaping up to be “Justin Hawking learns that life isn’t a game... but proves you can still have some fun anyway.”
The scene's a little overstuffed right now, but I wanted to give the vibe of them being witty and acerbic.
Photo by John Benfield
Day #18 - “The Honorable Cash”
From A Libertine Abroad
By Phoebe Roberts
~~~
JUSTIN HAWKING, a liberated gentlemen, late thirties
The Honorable CASSIUS EVANS, a socialite and old school friend, late thirties
Venice, 1889
~~~
(ROSALINE exits. CASSIUS enters in time to observe the end of this scene.)
CASSIUS: Well, look at that. Exactly as I thought I’d find you. You always did have a great deal of nerve.
JUSTIN: And then some, darling. Why, if it isn’t the Honorable Cassius Evans.
CASSIUS: What doorman did you pay to let you in here?
JUSTIN: I’d ask you the same, except I know you don’t pay your debts with money. However have you been?
CASSIUS: Better than you, I imagine. Last I heard, the Partridge girl threw you over for your baby brother.
JUSTIN: Oh, yes, it must have been much better living under that rock for the last thirteen years. I imagine that made easier to sneak off with the footmen.
CASSIUS: You never do change, do you, Hawking?
JUSTIN: At least it means one of us is still handsome. What brings you to darken Theo’s summer doorstep?
CASSIUS: Why, I’m a guest same as you are. Except I’m a great deal more fun, so he’s asked me to see to the party plans. You know how close the old boy and I were back at Harrow.
JUSTIN: Really. Because I recall you shaking him for pocket money and scapegoating him for smoking in the dormitory.
CASSIUS: Nonsense, we were thick as thieves. Of course he’d want me bringing a little class and taste. Before a chav like you brought down the grade.
JUSTIN: Are you still so bitter after all these years?
CASSIUS: What reason would I have to be bitter? After all, I’m the one who broke your heart.
JUSTIN: Why, Cassius, you have changed after all! I never recalled you being funny before.
CASSIUS: I know. You had so little else to recommend you, I never wanted to horn in.
JUSTIN: That’s rich, friend. Given what you used to have to do with me. If you’re here on my account, I’m afraid that ship has sailed without you years ago. After what you did.
CASSIUS: What I did? You arrogant imp.
JUSTIN: Save your sweet nothings! I’ve raised my standards in the intervening years. Try not to take it too hard.
CASSIUS: Oh, yes, why wouldn’t I wouldn’t I miss all this?
JUSTIN: Come, now. I know you, Honorable Cash. You’ve always got an angle you’re playing. If you’re not here for me, you’re here for some other end.
CASSIUS: Oh, how very cunning. Handsome man about town didn’t sail across the Aegean for nothing. No wonder Miss Rosaline is so bowled over; your wit must leave the ladies devastated.
JUSTIN: So it’s not for your undying love of me?
CASSIUS: Keep dreaming of me, darling. It’ll keep you warmer than that girl.
JUSTIN: Why’s that? What do you know?
CASSIUS: A great deal more than you. Now, I’ll thank you to leave me to it.
JUSTIN: Fine, have your secret scheme. And here I was considering you for old time’s sake.
CASSIUS: Like I said, old boy. Keep dreaming.
(CASSIUS exits.)
JUSTIN: (aside) I left that part out of my letter to Nathaniel. The dear chap’s fragile that way.
In this scene, we just meet the character and hopefully dig their interplay and have a few laughs. We’ll go into the deeper stuff later. This play is very much shaping up to be “Justin Hawking learns that life isn’t a game... but proves you can still have some fun anyway.”
The scene's a little overstuffed right now, but I wanted to give the vibe of them being witty and acerbic.
Photo by John Benfield
Day #18 - “The Honorable Cash”
From A Libertine Abroad
By Phoebe Roberts
~~~
JUSTIN HAWKING, a liberated gentlemen, late thirties
The Honorable CASSIUS EVANS, a socialite and old school friend, late thirties
Venice, 1889
~~~
(ROSALINE exits. CASSIUS enters in time to observe the end of this scene.)
CASSIUS: Well, look at that. Exactly as I thought I’d find you. You always did have a great deal of nerve.
JUSTIN: And then some, darling. Why, if it isn’t the Honorable Cassius Evans.
CASSIUS: What doorman did you pay to let you in here?
JUSTIN: I’d ask you the same, except I know you don’t pay your debts with money. However have you been?
CASSIUS: Better than you, I imagine. Last I heard, the Partridge girl threw you over for your baby brother.
JUSTIN: Oh, yes, it must have been much better living under that rock for the last thirteen years. I imagine that made easier to sneak off with the footmen.
CASSIUS: You never do change, do you, Hawking?
JUSTIN: At least it means one of us is still handsome. What brings you to darken Theo’s summer doorstep?
CASSIUS: Why, I’m a guest same as you are. Except I’m a great deal more fun, so he’s asked me to see to the party plans. You know how close the old boy and I were back at Harrow.
JUSTIN: Really. Because I recall you shaking him for pocket money and scapegoating him for smoking in the dormitory.
CASSIUS: Nonsense, we were thick as thieves. Of course he’d want me bringing a little class and taste. Before a chav like you brought down the grade.
JUSTIN: Are you still so bitter after all these years?
CASSIUS: What reason would I have to be bitter? After all, I’m the one who broke your heart.
JUSTIN: Why, Cassius, you have changed after all! I never recalled you being funny before.
CASSIUS: I know. You had so little else to recommend you, I never wanted to horn in.
JUSTIN: That’s rich, friend. Given what you used to have to do with me. If you’re here on my account, I’m afraid that ship has sailed without you years ago. After what you did.
CASSIUS: What I did? You arrogant imp.
JUSTIN: Save your sweet nothings! I’ve raised my standards in the intervening years. Try not to take it too hard.
CASSIUS: Oh, yes, why wouldn’t I wouldn’t I miss all this?
JUSTIN: Come, now. I know you, Honorable Cash. You’ve always got an angle you’re playing. If you’re not here for me, you’re here for some other end.
CASSIUS: Oh, how very cunning. Handsome man about town didn’t sail across the Aegean for nothing. No wonder Miss Rosaline is so bowled over; your wit must leave the ladies devastated.
JUSTIN: So it’s not for your undying love of me?
CASSIUS: Keep dreaming of me, darling. It’ll keep you warmer than that girl.
JUSTIN: Why’s that? What do you know?
CASSIUS: A great deal more than you. Now, I’ll thank you to leave me to it.
JUSTIN: Fine, have your secret scheme. And here I was considering you for old time’s sake.
CASSIUS: Like I said, old boy. Keep dreaming.
(CASSIUS exits.)
JUSTIN: (aside) I left that part out of my letter to Nathaniel. The dear chap’s fragile that way.
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