Just Another Day at the Office… That Controls the World

The gods all work in an office. It’s called G.O.D.S. They wear business casual while deciding who gets to be in love, who has enough to eat, who gets to live. I don’t actually remember where the idea for this came from. I had just watched Hercules so that probably has a lot to do with it. The whole concept is kind of ridiculous, but awesome (Well at least, I think so.) I wanted the gods to be telling the story because that’s Desiree’s reality. The gods control everything. All of her decisions, everything she does, is because of a plan they set in motion. But just look at that word they. They who? The gods are an ever present power looming over her world. It’s that untouchable, unreachable, otherworldly they that got me interested in their role in the story. My Love, My Love is magical realism so we know that at least in this fictional reality that the gods are real. We get glimpses of them at the summoning and in Erzulie’s presence as the lady with the comb. We get snippets of their characters in the dying but still beautiful earth and the constantly raging waters. But we don’t know what’s going on up there. What is running through their heads? What prompted Agwe’s rant? I wanted to answer these questions. I also wanted to run with the idea of destiny. Desiree’s actions are all the result of destiny, or at least that’s what she thinks. We took that literally. The gods control everything. They oversee all decisions. A person’s fate is the result of the gods’ ministrations, not their own free will. Erzulie plans weddings centuries ahead because she knows what’s going to happen. Papa Ge’s character especially shows that the gods are above all of this human nonsense. Establishing that and then having them struggle over Desiree’s situation shows enough of a contrast that we tell the audience that this is a special incidence- that something about this girl is unusual, special. I really like how they are in an office. I think it’s ironic and ridiculous enough that we can make a scene that had a dramatic storyline but was able to support buckets of one-liners.  

We’ve, unfortunately, lost a member. It sucks because this part was literally written for Michael, but hopefully everything will work out well in the end. (After all, my character can technically send the universe an email that makes sure it does.) I’m really proud of all of the progress we have made with our characters. When writing the script, we all got a good idea of who are characters were and what they would say, what would anger them, what they would scoff at.  We were sure early on of their identities. It’s really helped when we have been trying to figure out ways to establish our desks as ours. I think our tones are on point and we have a good sense of where we are on stage even if the stage directions are slightly ambiguous. We do, though, have an awful problem with pacing. We are all apparently incapable of saying a sentence normally. Part of the problem probably comes from running through lines at a breakneck speed to get them memorized, but seriously it was only twelve minutes. Twelve! We have eight pages of dialogue that only came out to twelve minutes. We really need to slow down and I think we can add a couple of minutes. Even if we slow down, we are going to need to add some dialogue. We got into such a groove for the scenes that we do have that we are having trouble figuring out where and when we should add lines. We made some progress today, and because we know our characters so well, I’m not too worried.

The biggest success of this entire project is the script. I’m so happy with it. I didn't think we could pull it out, but we did and we made it through. A lot of funny parts were the result of ad-libbing when we were getting a feel for the characters, but on that fateful Saturday morning when Charlie and I were working for the long haul, we made an epic eight page script. I am in love with it and our concept. I think our idea is solid and, even though we humanize the gods and put faces to them, it shows that they were in control in My Love, My Love. We get a new perspective by putting it in an office. Literally world-changing decisions are happening in something so recognizably human. It pokes fun, but also allows for our characters to express opinions on what's happening in the book and draw connections without having to monologue. I think it's inventive and hilarious and I’m mighty proud of it.

I am a Shameless User of One-Liners

We are surprisingly good at writing one liners. I’ve always refused to laugh at the ones my parents tell, but apparently the penchant for them is genetic because our script is chock full of them. Our story is told from the point-of-view of the four gods. They rule life down on Earth, but in My Love, My Love we only get glimpses of their true motivations. we do know that they get angry. We know that Agwe is hot-headed and Erzulie is kind. We know that Papa Ge is a master at giving uncomfortable smiles and that Asaka has been a little absent, but everything else is left ambiguous. Desiree firmly believes that the gods are at the center of everything, so that is where we have placed them. They run G.O.D.S., or the Global Overseers of Decisions Service, which if you ask me, is an awfully clever name. There characters are comically human and are often afflicted by the emotions that they believe they are so far above. We wanted to view the story through their eyes and put together a complete story from what little is revealed to us in the snippets from the book.

I’m a little in love with our script. We’ve been tweaking it here and there, but the base of it has remained the same. I hadn’t expected it to be so comical, but, especially in the beginning, we pull out a lot of funny lines. (Pnemonia’s a killer kills me everytime.) We’ve only partially blocked the first scene and even some of those decisions have to be adjusted. We all- with the exception of Taylor- are definitely speaking too fast especially when we get into it. We cut each other off, our lines tripping over our tongues and running into someone else’s words. We ran through the script on our own and it was only twelve minutes. My mental anguish at that second was probably palpable. Our script is eight pages long. Eight pages! We worked for hours on that and in the morning no less! I figure with pacing and scene changes, we can add maybe another five minutes, and we’ve decided to add some opening and closing narration to add time and to ensure we all have an equal amount of lines.

Divvying up stage time has been something we’ve all tried to be hyper aware of. We went into this knowing that Asaka and Agwe were going to take up a lot of time toward the end of the play, so we’ve tried to add more parts for Erzulie and Papa Ge, who in my opinion, as a result, have some of the best lines in the play. I think we are doing well with characterization. From what little we’ve acted out, I think we all know who we are playing and how they would feel when something happens. Taylor’s deadpan and timing is spot on, and although Charlie is too fast with her delivery, her tone and enthusiasm, and when needed, her sass work really well with the Erzulie we’ve painted in the play. Michael nails Agwe with his childishness and quickness to anger and I’ve been really working on channeling my inner Mother Earth. Asaka is genuine, but sometimes annoyingly so, but I think I’ve almost got the sweet spot in between.

I’m happy with the progress we’ve made. We haven’t seen many other groups, but I feel confident in the work we’ve put in. What we really need to work on is just slowing our pacing, but also knowing when to stand up or when to cross as to not block one of our project partners or even our faces from the audience. We’ve done well with memorizing even if we are guilty of ad-libbing, so it's mostly being conscious of each other and the audience that we have to work on. I love our script, but we have to act it up in some places to ensure we are doing enough for a theatre production and not veering toward a TV special. This script is funny in the traditional sense, meaning that it has the obligatory cheesy jokes and the classic water spill,  but also because of how flippantly our characters act when they are in charge of such major decisions. This became a play centered around an office romance even though it was inspired by a book about a hopeless love and a desperate girl who can't be saved in the end. So either we totally degraded a moving story and made a joke out of a dying girl or we just made a shamingly cheesy office romance cliche somehow manage to humanize these other-worldly characters and tell the audience that not even gods can really control destiny. Hopefully it's the second one.

*I couldn't think of an appropriate picture, so I just attached some hilarious Michael Scott memes just because. Enjoy*

G.O.D.S- Global Overseers of Decisions Service- Where Your Fate Isn't Up to You

E= Erzulie, PG= Papa Ge, A= Asaka, Ag= Agwe

Scene 1:

*Scene opens with Agwe and Asaka sitting at their desks. Agwe is throwing paper balls into a waste paper basket in front of Asaka’s desk. Asaka is not-so subtly glaring at Agwe. Erzulie walks in.*

E= Busy, busy day, today! Is everyone as excited as I am?!

Ag= *sarcastically* I’m super excited!*claps in Erzulie’s face*

PG= Yippee.

*Erzulie looks to Asaka, but Asaka just shrugs her shoulders*

E= You’re all such Debbie Downers. Asaka, you’d look so much prettier if you’d smile. *A elicits a small grin* And then maybe a little contour- ooo- and some shading on your eyebrow-

Ag= Don’t be silly, Erzulie. Not even makeup can fix that. *A puts on strong face, but reaches for tissues and wipes her tears*

E= Agwe, you and that attitude are going to ruin my nice day! I’m so tired of you! You and your stupid storms have been ruining everything! The poor Darajeye wedding was ruined by one of your ridiculous typhoons just last week!

PG= They won’t have to remember it for long. Pneumonia’s a killer.

E= Oh, gosh….(bell dings) Mail’s here! (retrieves mail from portal) Here you go Papa Ge, and another for you Asaka, and then one for Agwe- and I mean one- and the rest are for me.

Ag= I have another one for you.

E= And why do you have mail for me?

Ag= It’s a personal request.

E=*hums. opens envelope and reads letter before gasping* What have you done? I can’t- why would you- I had planned for- I- I-I- YOU! I have been planning the Galimar wedding for centuries! I had timed it perfectly- there were going to be magnolias and her cousin was going to come and Andrea was going to look beautiful in white and Daniel was going to be so happy, but you, you slimy, seaweed-covered...(can’t find a word for a moment) Walrus!

A= Walrus?

E= I swear, Agwe, I will-

A= Erzulie, it’s all right. I’ll make sure the magnolias are still in bloom. *Erzulie takes deep breath and sighs.*

Ag= *mutters* So now you’re working. *Both Erzulie and Asaka send him pointed looks*

A= It will all work out Erzulie. Don’t worry. *smiles at Erzulie but when E sits down in her chair, A turns to Agwe and angrily points at him* You’ve gone too far with all of these storms of yours. You shouldn't have interfered in her department. *deep breathe* Whatever happened between us, you shouldn’t have let it-

Ag=  Whatever happened?!

A= *shushes him* Quiet down. You’re making a scene, but it’s not like I should be surprised.

Ag=  Are you serious?! I can't believe you. You're so- *becomes angrier and angrier. Thunderclaps and rain can be heard and the lights will dim. Asaka sighs and sits down at her desk. Erzulie freaks out and runs around aimlessly for a solution. Papa Ge slowly works over, grabs the water bottle off of Agwe’s desk and dumps it on his head. Storm promptly stops.* Hey-

PG= *holds up finger, checks Bluetooth and sighs* Now I have to go clean up your mess- again.

A= Like that's unusual.

PG= Pot meet kettle. Starvation has become the third most likely cause of death* Agwe says ha* Right after drowning. *Asaka sticks her tongue out at Agwe. PG gets another message* There’s another four dead in the Antilles. *goes to leave* I'll be back in a few. *exits*

E= *finishes furiously typing* That's settled then.

Ag= What’s settled?

E= I just resolved a little mixup. Someone from another department made a mistake.

Ag= What did you do?

E= I'm not a big fan of interdepartmental interference.

Ag= I have ways of making you talk Erzulie, and they don't involve sunshine and rainbows.

E= I found a way to cut Desiree and Daniel’s little weekend short.

Ag= You stupid, little-

A= Agwe, calm down! She just arranged a safe path for Tonton Julian to Gabriel Beauxhomme’s house. They way you had planned it left him drowning in a ditch a half-mile from his home!

Ag= But that means he’ll come get Daniel! You’re ruining everything! *swips things off of his desk*

A= Agwe, why are you acting like this? It’s not like you care about her; you don’t care about anyone!

Ag= Of course I care about her! I was the one who saved her; I’m the one who protects her!

PG= You’re not doing such a great job. You should pay more attention to the people you “care” about.

Ag= Was that a threat? I’ll kill you if you’ve hurt her!

PG= Ugh, you and your feelings. Since when do you feel? The humans and their emotions are rubbing off on you. We are supposed to be gods! We are untouchable; we don’t need to feel. We are in control- of everything! And you care about some silly girl- some silly, insignificant girl and her dreams of “prince charming”?

E= It’s not Ok to talk about Prince Charming like that; He was such a nice guy.

PG= You guys are so focused on these stupid little humans. They are our pawns, our game pieces! Look around you- we control everything. Your attachment to such a tiny insignificant thing is unacceptable. It’s repulsive.

A= It’s not repulsive to to care about something! This is our world, yes, but we can’t just let it die!

Ag= That’s rich coming from you. When was the last time you did your job?

A= It’s hard to do my job when one of your storms ruins something every five seconds! My job is to make things live, but you two seem to get off on destroying everything!

E= Asaka, that’s not being fair. I’m sure they try not to kill everything.

PG= No, no, no. I kill just about everything. I tried to kill that little human of yours.

Ag= you did what?!

PG= I didn’t. She claimed your guys’ protection before I could. ( Agwe should go at PG, but Asaka comes between them)

E= (aside) I must have missed that email. (checks email)

A= Guys, don’t start-

E= Awww, that’s so sweet. (points phone in boys’ direction, oblivious to their tension) She wants to trade her life for his. It’s so roman- No, the Galimar- Beauxhomme wedding will happen. I will settle this. (Exits. Agwe rushes to untangle himself from PG and follows Erzulie out)

Ag= Don’t mess with my human!( He exits)

A= (Sits down at her desk with a sigh) I don’t know what’s gotten into Agwe. He was never such a romantic before.

PG= He did send that mudslide to the Tropics for your anniversary. That was pretty romantic.

A= That killed like eight people.

PG= Exactly.

A= I just don’t understand him anymore. I’m just so tired.

PG= It’s not your job to anymore, right? Not after what you did. Isn’t it how “relationships” work? Trust and all that nonsense, right? And you shouldn’t be worrying about this anymore. You’re wilting more than usual.

A= I can’t help thinking about it! It’s just that I’m not that person, you know? But it wasn’t entirely my fault! He was ignoring me and he wasn’t there. I was just so lonely and that guy was actually paying attention to me. He wasn’t there! It’s not my fault!

PG= You sound awfully guilty for someone who wasn’t at fault. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little infidelity in a relationship. I’ve meet a lot of great unfaithful people, well dead unfaithful people, but they were OK for humans. Being unfaithful builds character.

A= I don’t need your sympathy. I’m so pathetic. (cries)

PG= Okay. This is too many feelings for me, so…. I’m going to go. (exits)

A=Everyone leaves me! (cries and puts head down before BLACKOUT)

Scene 2:

Asaka is sleeping with her head on the desk, tissues are strewn across her desk. E, PG, and Agwe walk through the door.

E= I can’t believe you scared her away. I was so close to convincing her to stay.

Ag: She wasn’t going to stay, no matter what you said, and you know it. (Claps Papa Ge on back) but nice push buddy, I really appreciate it.

PG: (Straightens out suspenders) that was a little too dream fulfilling for my taste. Next time you better send a typhoon or something, because I need a little more interesting than today.  

A: What happened?

E: (angry) I went down there and I almost had her convinced. She was going to stay in her village, with her parents, whom she loves so dearly. I’m Erzulie, goddess of love, she was going to listen to me about her love life. Until, this hot head came and messed everything up.

Ag: I didn’t mess anything up, I just restored everything to its proper order. I am the one who has protected her, her entire life. I was just letting her decide.

Erzulie: Her decide? I was there at that meeting! I heard every word you said and I know you’re only doing this for Ah…

Ag: Erzulie! You’re calling my motives selfish? You’re only doing this, because you’re attached to some flowers and a silly dress.

E: It doesn’t matter why I’m doing it, it is my department! You have no right to be sticking your nose into it.

A: (goes over to portal) She’s all alone in the middle of the woods. What have you guys done? She might die, because you guys are bickering like children. You guys say your gods and that you’re better than them, but you’re not. This isn’t about any of us. It is about creating life, protecting life. We need to save her and make sure she’s okay. We need to make sure she doesn’t die, because you guys are being so self absorbed. I didn’t think you guys were so selfish.

(Agwe and Erzulie glare at each other)

Erzulie: Don’t worry Asaka, we will protect her. (sends email) I will go down myself, just to make sure of it.

Ag: (shoves hands in pockets) I’ll keep the storms light.

PG: But you said there would be a typhoon. (more whiny than usual)

A: I’m going to make sure there are tree’s tonight to protect her.

(E and A look at the portal, Agwe is standing behind them) (Fades to black)

Scene 3:

(Scene opens on Asaka and Agwe with a popcorn bowl between them looking into the portal to Earth)

A= She looks so happy, so beautiful.

Ag= This is what I wanted for her. She’s more important than that village was going to make her seem. She’s shines brighter than everyone down there. No one can help staring at her.

A= I remember when her mother left her. You put her in my tree.

Ag= I knew you would protect her.

A= That’s when you used to trust me.

Ag= I don’t want to talk about it.

A= We can’t keep ignoring it. It’s eating at you, I can tell.

Ag= It’s just why? I didn’t think it was going that badly.  Am I really that bad of a guy?

A= No, Agwe it isn’t your fault. I keep trying to think of ways to blame you, but I should have just talked to you.

Ag= I wasn’t listening, though. It’s my-

A= No, it’s not. It’s my fault and we both know it.

Ag= Asaka-

A= Don’t, okay? Just don’t. (Erzulie enters)

E= What’s going on?

A= Desiree’s dancing. She looks so happy. They look so happy.

E= Asaka, you know they can’t work. Andrea’s coming back in a few days.

A= Why? Why can’t they work? They love each other!

E= Not real love. They are obsessed with the idea of each other.

A= Who are you to judge what is love and what isn’t? You’ve never even been in love! You’re just jealous!

E= Asaka! What’s gotten into you!

A= You couldn’t understand!( Asaka exits. PG enters)

PG= Is this about Desiree? That girl is more trouble than she’s worth.

Ag= No, she’s not. She’s going to save us all.

PG= Us or you and Asaka’s relationship?

Ag=  You don’t know what you’re talking about.

PG= I think I do. This whole Desiree situation started because you wanted her back.

Ag= Shut your mouth!

E= I heard you at the summons. I know you’re doing this for her.

Ag= She’s been so sad and I’ve been so angry. There’s been so much death and this is supposed to be a good thing. It’ supposed to make her happy. I’m still in love with her; I want her to be happy.

E= This isn’t what’s going to fix you. Andrea and Daniel are getting married, but that doesn’t mean you and Asaka are over. (Blackout)

Scene 4:

(Everyone is in their places but Asaka, who storms in)

A= He left her behind. They should have been happy together, but because of you, he left her behind!

E= Asaka, this is what has been planned for centuries! Some things are unavoidable.

A= You and your plans! How can you not care? Not everything is about playing the game; these are people!

E= We are gods!

PG= Preach!

E= Our job is to move life along its path. Some things have been decided and we can’t change them.

A= But you can change this! You can!

E= Not without disrupting something else. Life is a delicate balance and this could destroy it!

A= But she was going to be happy. She was finally going to be happy.  

Ag= Asaka-

A= Things were going to work out for her-

Ag= Asaka-

A= Daniel would have been happy too-

Ag= Asaka, stop it. I love you. We can be happy. I interfered with Desiree to try to make you happy again, but we can be happy without them. We can be happy together.

A= Really?

Ag= Really.

E= (crying) Can I plan the wedding?

PG= Well it’s a good thing you don’t need her anymore because she’s dead.

(Everyone looks at him in shock) (Black out)

THE END

Tentative Prop List and Costume Descriptions for My Love, My Love Adaptation

Props:

- mail

-folder

-2 desks

-staplers

-toothpick

-phone

-blush brush

-blush

-cosmetic mirror

- reusable water bottle

-hair brush

-trash basket

-tall bucket (to act as portal to earth) if need be on a platform

-flower chair

-end table

-pink notebooks 

-cup

-feathered pens 

-Black- metal chair

-Pens and paper (desk) 

-plant 

Characters: 

Erzulie: 

Erzulie, played by Charlie Swan, will be dressed in a pink blouse, and white jeans. Her shoes will a nude color shoes. Her hair will be in a bun held up by a feather pen. She is going to have a flower necklace with matching earrings.  A gold tattoo will be placed on her wrist and collarbone. Her makeup consists of gold eyeliner that has thick wings, and swirls going around her face to add to the fantastical element of her true nature. 

Papa Ge: 

Papa Ge, played by Taylor Nussbaun, will be dressed in a black slacks, a white button down, and a black vest. He will be wearing dress shoes, and a fedora on his head to be used to cover his face well he is lurking. He will have a toothpick in his mouth constantly. He’ll have a bluetooth that will be used to page him when someone dies. His hair will be slicked back to complete the classic businessman look. Dark eyeshadow will be put around his eyes and his face will be covered in pale foundation to highlight the fact that he is death.

Asaka: 

Asaka, played by Grace Greene, will also be dressed in business casual. She will wear a black pencil skirt and a green blouse to highlight her connection to the earth. Leaves will be tucked into her boots and go up. They will also be wrapped around her arm and go up her collarbone and integrated into her bun. She will be wearing no makeup to express how she embraces the natural.

Agwe: 

Agwe, played by Michael Davis, will wear a light blue button down and a darker blue tie. He will wear black slacks, and black shoes with blue socks. He will have blue water designs crawling up his fingers and on his hands. These designs will also be present-sparingly-on his face. 

 

Scene Proposal- My Love, My Love meets The Office

For this project, we decided to change the perspective of the story of My Love, My Love. The main characters of the script will be the gods- Erzulie played by Charlie Swan, Papa Ge played by Taylor, Asaka played by Grace Greene and Agwe played by Michael Davis- and the story will be told from their point of view. Desiree always looked to the gods for guidance in the beginning of her journey, and though we, the readers, do not see much of them, they are accredited with responsibility for many of the story’s events.  They are the puppet masters of everything that goes on on Earth. To show this in our scene, we have set the gods in a control center. The setting is going to be an office where each god handles their daily tasks of controlling the universe. The gods will be doing tedious office work, but their decisions will be affecting many lives. The Gods will receive mail concerning their “principles.” (Erzulie will deal with love, Agwe with storms, etc.) The scene is going to show a fantasy-reality situation. The Gods are going to be dressed as businessmen, but they are going to be making decisions about people’s lives. We’ve decided to present the story this way to show how the gods just treated people as their pawns.

The main conflict for our scene will be gods messing in each other’s departments. Agwe will be messing with Erzulie’s and no one will be listening to Papa Ge. Asaka and Agwe are in an underlying conflict that has disrupted the entire office (proving once and for all that office romances are not a good decision,) but most of the story will be focused on the gods trying to navigate around each other in regards to Desiree’s life.