The Twelve Prompts of Christmas - Prompt #4
A conversation between two or more characters. No scene setting, no preamble. Just talking. And the conversation has to take place at a greasy spoon diner during the Christmas season.
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WILLIAM: Hi! I recognize you from rehearsals!
DEBBY: H-hi! Yeah. You are dancing the Nutcracker Prince!
WILLIAM: That's me! I didn't catch your name.
DEBBY: Oh! I'm Debby.
WILLIAM: Have you been in the company long?
DEBBY: This is my second season. Well, it's actually my third year of Nutcracker. I started when I was fifteen.
WILLIAM: Would you like to get out of the cold? How about a cup of coffee?
DEBBY: S-sure!
WILLIAM: Here, let me hang up your coat. It's really coming down out there.
DEBBY: Oh, no, it's okay. Well... Alright. It needs to dry off.
WILLIAM: There. That's better. So, do you live right in Boston?
DEBBY: No, I live all the way out in Bedford. I still have two trains and two buses to catch. I'll need to watch the time.
WILLIAM: Sure. Just let me know when.
DINER STAFF: Getcha somethin'?
WILLIAM: Thanks, we'll just take two coffees?
DEBBY: Yes, thank you.
WILLIAM: That'll be all. Thanks!
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WILLIAM: So how do you like dancing with Boston Ballet?
DEBBY: I love it. I only started ballet five years ago, but I'm hooked.
WILLIAM: There's nothing like dance is there? It takes over your life.
DEBBY: ::Chuckles:: Yeah, that it does. I have no idea what a life looks like without ballet. I mean, what do ordinary people do?
WILLIAM: Want to know a secret? I don't think there is such a thing as ordinary people. Look around here. That guy over there. He could be in the Mafia. And that lady there with the pie. She used to be a diva soprano until alcohol put her on the sidelines. And those two kids? Rich as sin, and plotting their escape to Bermuda.
DEBBY: Ha-ha-ha-hee-hee! That is so funny! I suppose that old guy in the corner is trying to figure out what he's going to give the love of his life for Christmas—you know, his golden retriever?
WILLIAM: Hah! Nope, nobody ordinary. They're all extraordinary. ... And you. What is your story?
DEBBY: M-me? Oh, I guess the family thing is kinda unusual. Three brothers, three sisters, every one of us an artist. Dad's an opera singer. I do miniature paintings on eggs for fun. In school they let me major in Art so I can dodge out early to catch the bus for company class and rehearsals. ... And I love Christmas caroling.
WILLIAM: Hmmmm. I love dancers. They are all such amazing, beautiful, interesting people.
DEBBY: You must meet a lot of dancers. Do you do guest performing a lot?
WILLIAM: Yeah, some. I have to fit it in with the season for ABT.
DEBBY: What countries have you visited?
WILLIAM: Too many to name!
DEBBY: Okay, your favorites?
WILLIAM: That would have to be.. Let's see... Italy for the architecture. Australia for the accent. I get a kick out of "G'day, mate!" And France for the countryside. I once took the wrong bus and ended up in the middle of nowhere with vineyards and cows. Took all day to catch the next bus back. Don't regret a minute of it.
DEBBY: Sounds nice. I always wanted to visit Paris. My sister went there on a school trip, but I had performances when my class went last year. She told me how they listened to a choir in Notre Dame, and it was like going back in time.
WILLIAM: Once you get away from the tourists, it's a special place.
DEBBY: I hope I'll see it someday. Oh! I have to go now or I'll miss the last bus!
WILLIAM: Waiter! Check, please? There ya go. Thanks so much. So, Debby. I guess I'll see you back at the theater. Have a safe trip home.
DEBBY: You too. Thanks! This was fun.
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WILLIAM: God, I love dancers.
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Author's Note:
William passed away a few years later. Maybe he already knew he was sick. He was a beautiful man, in every sense of the word. I hope he got to share his light heart and happiness with lots of other dancers before he passed.
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Cover photo attribution:
By Daniel Schwen - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1723521
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