08 13 10; 12:07 p.m. Samantha M. as Thelma
Scott
Hello Thelma.
Thelma
Why hello there.
How are you?
Scott
it's been the day from hell, actually.
Thelma
Oh my. Why?
Scott
Client issues. Kids. And of course, Emilia
Thelma
Hmm. What is wrong with Emilia?
Scott
To be honest, Thelma, I'm at a loss to know. One minute, she's cheery, the next, she talks to me like I'm a demon.
I don't think I will ever understand the mind of a teen girl.
Thelma
Well maybe she hardly understands it either. I do remember having those days.
Scott
Oh? You mean with your Mother?
Thelma
Yes. She would always stare at me as though I were crazy. She would ask what was wrong, but the best I could answer was that it I didn't know.
Scott
Interesting.
How is your Mother by the way?
Thelma
She is fine. I talk to her all the time.
Scott
Does she ever ask about...us?
Thelma
Not directly.
Scott
Oh? Indirectly then?
Thelma
She mentions seeing us talk, but then lets the matter drop.
Scott
Hmm, maybe she's not happy about it.
My friends and colleagues, even some members of the family, think it's all a bit odd..
Thelma
She actully doesn't seem to be happy about anything lately. But I don't want to ask to ask.
Scott
I wonder why.
Any ideas?
Thelma
No? I don't see why it's odd.
Scott
I don't either, but they think I'm a bit strange all the same.
It's like...every time I come up with an idea and I
say it was "inspired by my young friend in the park," they sort of roll their eyes..
Thelma
That's interesting. Maybe they need to meet me to believe it.
Do you believe me?
Scott
OF COURSE I believe you! I mean, this is like what, our third meeting?
What's it like, you know, living in your time?
Thelma
I know. But a lot of people are skeptics.
It's oh, how can I explain it...
Scott
(I'm a devout skeptic. I'm skeptical that I'll ever get along with Emelia.)
Thelma
Haha that is something I can understand
Scott
So about your time....
Thelma
But living in my time feels very interesting I suppose.
Scott
How so?
Thelma
So many things happened that started to change my life
Scott
Like what?
Thelma
Well I suppose I started to wonder about what I could do with my life.
Scott
What did you decide?
Thelma
I thought about being an artist.
Scott
Really? Like a fine artist?
Thelma
Yes! I drew when I felt depressed, or angry, any strong emotion.
Thelma
I felt at peace when i drew. It was sometimes a way of letting out feeling I couldn't put in words.
Scott
Mmm. Through pain, we make art. What style did you paint in? Impressionist perhaps? Still lifes?
Thelma
Yes, still life. Landscapes were always one of my favorites, I never felt I could necessarily capture a person's face the way I wanted to.
Though many other people loved my paintings, I never did.
.
Scott
Would you be willing to, um, paint me sometime?
Thelma
Of course I would!
Though I might not be the best.
Scott
Truth is, I'd probably feel embarassed by the whole thing, you know, sitting there and trying not to laugh..
Thelma
It's ok, I would never be able to sit still without laughing either.
Scott
My youngest, Chloe, she's six and a half, draws me all the time. And I always complement her, of course. But when I look at the illustration she has captured -- typical stick figure stuff, well, I always feel a bit weird.
Thelma
Weird? How so?
Scott
I don't know. I suppose why it's the same reason I'm a writer. It's safer? I can sit back, get into other people's lives, without revealing my own. Paintings on the other hand are very one to one. You immediately see how someone else, like yourself, interprets you. That's a bit scary for me.
Thelma
Wow, I had never thought of it like that. It makes me wonder now.
Scott
Wonder? You mean whether I'd be a good subject or about something else?
Thelma
No, it makes me wonder about how people saw me in life.
Scott
How do you imagine they saw, er, I mean, see you?
Thelma
I suppose shy, or not very social. I never felt I fit in with everyone else.
Scott
And yet you have no problem speaking with me, a guy who is like 30 years your senior! Do you miss your father?
I'm sorry. I may have overstepped my bounds there.
Thelma
Of course!
Oh no, it's fine.
Scott
You lost him when you were young, isn't that what you said the last time we met?
Thelma
Yes, but I feel somehow lucky that I at least got to see him before he passed away.
Scott
I lost my father three years ago now. I'm okay with it, I guess. I never really had that breakdown that others told me to expect. Sis says that everyone processes pain in different ways.
Thelma
I'm sorry. And I was told the same thing.
Scott
Did it take you long to come to terms with his death?
Thelma
No, not really.
Scott
I see. May I ask you something, Thelma?
Thelma
Yes of course.
Scott
Um, whenever we meet, why do you always insist that we meet in this park?
Thelma
This is where I feel I should be..
Scott
Hmm.
Well, it certainly is a peaceful place.
Thelma
It's a strange feeling, I just don't feel I should go anywhere else.
Scott
Do you ever get lonely?
Thelma
Sometimes.
Scott
How do you get through that?
I mean, when it happens.
Thelma
I sometimes go see mother.
Scott
Ah, yes, of course.
May I ask you something else?
Thelma
Yes.
Scott
Why...me?
Surely you have many people and friends you could meet with. I'm just a regular guy.
Thelma
I don't really know. I feel like I could get along with you and talk to you.
Scott
Well, thank you!
Thelma
You're welcome.
Scott
I guess I should be flattered. I have to figure out, though, how to convince everyone else that this is okay.
Well, everyone save for Emelia. I could walk on water right before her and she still wouldn't be convinced.
Thelma
Ha. She just needs time.
Scott
Like at least a hundred years, yes?
(wink)
Thelma
Yes i imagine if it's worth it.
Scott
I know you're right, of course, but it is daunting. I wish she would appreciate me. I think she does, but she sure shows it in a strange way.
Thelma
Everyone has their own way of showing things.
Scott
So true. It's a matter of faith. Speaking of faith, how do you keep yours?
Thelma
It's hard sometimes.
I just remind myself that there are things to look forward to.
Scott
I imagine so. Speaking of faith, I have to have faith that I'll be able to get back to the office in time through all the rush hour traffic. Look at the time! I must run. Will I see you again soon?
Thelma
Yes I hope so.
Scott
I do so enjoy our chats!
Thelma
I don't want to keep you waiting then. Bye!
Oh me too.
Scott
Good-bye, Thelma! I hope you stay well until our next visit.
Thelma
You too, goodbye!
(1:12 p.m.)
