Monday, January 10, 2011

FLASH WRITING EXERCISE 2 @ Paya Lebar

I took out a black satin embroidered tissue pack. One of many I’d purchased a few years ago. “Creative Stimuli” I called it and told the students to write whatever scene came to their mind based on what they saw there.

Here’s mine:

[Well appointed kitchen. Somewhere in an expensive USA suburb. SHE, holding a small parcel, enters. HE sits at counter, reading the Wall Street Journal. Unseen, the SISTER sits in kitchen counter. Her clothes indicate she is something different.]

SHE: Oh, “Singapore.” It’s light.

[SHE sets it down on the counter. HE doesn’t look up.]

HE: aren’t you going to open it?

SISTER: [To audience] It’s so hard to buy for people who have everything.

[SHE opens a chilled bottle of still San Pelligrino and pours it in a fine crystal glass]

SHE: The suspense is killing me.

HE: They mean well.

SISTER: How does one maintain a relationship long distance?

SHE: [picks up the parcel again.] Well, at least we know it can’t be another strange woodcarving from Malaysia.

HE: I think it was Indonesia.

SHE: Whatever.

[SHE puts it down again]

HE: Maybe it’s another batik sarong.

SISTER: [Continues]  At first it’s exciting and fun to share the adventures. Keep in touch. Find ways to share in each other’s life.

SHE: No. It’s too lightweight this time.

SISTER: They were kind of like into it at first.

HE: [makes a move to get up] Well if you’re not going to open it,...

SISTER: Vicariously.

HE: ...let me.

SHE: No. [rips] Oooh! “Raffles Hotel” Potential.

SISTER: But when months stretch into years. And interests change....

HE: A tissue holder?

SISTER: ...the distance becomes more than PHYSICAL.

SHE: [looking at it] I think it’s kiind of sweet.

HE: Bless her heart. At least she tries.

[HE takes his paper and exits. SHE stands. Not quite knowing what to do with the silk embroidered tissue holder from The Raffles Hotel, Singapore.]

[LIGHTS]

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