2013
The Spanish Flu
Meet four people who are about to meet for the first time:
Character 1: A middle-aged man, single, has felt a deep loss in the past, recent pain, poor but aspirational in thought. Short and rotund, never seen in jeans, always on the lookout for the right person to spend the rest of life with. Works in civil service, he always thinks he is right, men should be leaders, women followers. Exercises by walking, speaking three languages, doesn’t read, opinionated. Teaches Spanish for adult learners Name: Russell
Character 2: An earth-mother, seven kids, children centre of her world, uses corporal punishment, aspirational for children, married, SAHM, blow-in, cheery, positive, has faced discrimination in early life, travels widely, has issues with the church, always dresses well, makeup, hair respectable, always available, do anything, on committees in the local area. Struggles in the area of her marriage, she never has time for herself and is dismissed for being a SAHM. Has not felt the pain of loss, tall and willowy. Sees good in every situation and person. Name: Bridie
Character 3: Married younger man, recent pain, impurely altruistic, tall and weedy, arms too long for the body like Marfan’s. Self-employed, he cheats on taxes, cheats on wife, cheats. He has two kids under five and while he points out everyone’s errors, doesn’t see his own. He is xenophobic-borderline racist in public, in private: racist. Stalks young women until they succumb to his charisma. Name: Jamie
Character 4: Wife of character 3. well aware of the husband’s activities. Hair a mess wears jeans and t-shirts only. Practices Wicca privately, a hidden past life as a sex worker, had an abortion, a casual drug user. Publically just a wife that has let herself go. Underneath a melting pot of resentment bitterness, pain, loss. Cold, calculating, venomous, and about to change all of the above lives. Learning Spanish. Name: Angela
Rebuilding Community 