Bloomington

Catherine's past

Scene 19

Catherine is giving Jackie a bath, while they talk about their past and present.

Jackie: How old were you when they died?

Catherine: Uh... Fifteen.

Jackie: How old was your brother?

Catherine: Sixteen, I think. (Catherine trying to change the subject) I heard all about a certain name on a short-list today.

Jackie: Did they ever find out what happened?

Catherine: No. Pilot error, probably. They never found anything wrong with the plane. Of course I've been afraid of flying ever since. I mean, I do it if I have to, I just don't really like it. All done. (referring to Jackie's bath)

Jackie: You know, I actually have my pilot's license.

Catherine: Really?

Jackie: I got it for the show 'cause I thought it would help. Of course we made the network pay for the whole thing.

Catherine: Oh, smart girl. Impressive.

(Jackie splashes Catherine with water)

Jackie: Is it true they found the body of a student in your trunk one time?

Catherine: Is that what they're saying now? What else?

Jackie: That you're in the witness protection program. And? And your parents were in the mob. Oh... And you're a vampire.

Catherine: Wow, I never knew I had such an interesting background. Probably shouldn't deny any of it. I can tell you this though... If my parents were in the mob, then so was Professor Hecht. He and my dad were best friends.

Jackie: Really?

Catherine: He was the best man in their wedding. Actually, I think I have a picture of him somewhere. Is that why you're not afraid of getting caught? Yes. Exactly. It's a nude picture.

Jackie: (Jackie comes closer to the edge of the bath) Catherine...

Catherine: Yes...

Jackie: (referring to the other students Catherine has been with) How many were there before me?

Catherine: I don't know.

Jackie: Well, what happened to them?

Catherine: It ended. They left.

Jackie: Am I different?

Catherine: (Catherine moves close to Jackie) Would you believe me if I said yes?

(Changes the subject again) Do you want me to help you write your essay? I'm pretty good at it.

Scene 20

Catherine is helping Jackie with her essay.

(Catherine is pacing back an forth while explaining to Jackie)

Catherine: OK, there's perception and reality. Perception is the confluence of these two streams. There's sensation, what you feel; and cognition, what you know. You can present the board with just reality, facts about educational background, or you can guide them towards how you want to be perceived. An ambiguous image is open to multiple interpretations on a perceptual level. You need to make sure your essay is unambiguous. Teach them that you're the one that deserves this. Don't just say "I did this one thing"; "I took this one class". Tell them how to feel about it. Point them to it, and fill in the blanks. Have you ever seen one of those pictures that are made up of two images and they're so well combined that you can't really tell which one you're looking at? You don't want your essay to be like that.

Tell them which one they're looking at. Anything less and you're gonna leave the door wide open, and out goes your scholarship.