JESSE: no. at least, not that i'm aware of.
JESSE: oh, i revisited his arrangements recently - i'm alive was my audition song for mean girls, so i'm definitely familiar.
JESSE: if even out of nothing more than curiosity, i'd love to hear your rendition.
JESSE: if some feedback slips out afterwards, well, that just simply couldn't be helped.
MARLEY: phew! you scared me for a second.
MARLEY: i loved what he did so much with gabe in the west end next to normal. he's really inspired a character i'm working on for this musical.
MARLEY: i just loved how utterly devastating he made gabe, rather than like-- a sexy ghost. he played up the humanity of the character, rather than the spectre. it was so haunting and captivating.
[...]
MARLEY: oh... okay. well, i guess i'll give it the good old college try?
KITTY: i was thinking something a little bit nicer than that. as much as i love the nachos in the caf, i think you deserve better. i know this cute sushi place, i think you'd like the vibe. sometimes they have open mics?
MARLEY: oh, i love sushi!! and open mic nights!
MARLEY: that sounds like it would be a lot of fun. even just to people watch. i don't know that i have anything worth putting out there right now, you know?
MARLEY: but i'd love to. when were you thinking? is tonight too short of notice?
[...]
MARLEY: thank you for thinking of me 🥰🥰🥰
KITTY: Our lips have touched like 700 times and you still question my affinity for them? I'm hurt.
KITTY: yeah i'm not worried about that. i'm more worried about when i'll get to see you again.
MARLEY: 700 times? are you counting?!
MARLEY: you can see me whenever you want. just let me know.
MARLEY: are you interested in more lip touching or like, did you want to hang out?
[email protected]: hey, no, you're totally fine. i get it, trust me, especially after how this summer went for me. but yeah, if the many years of therapy i've been through have taught me anythin it's that other people can't fix your shit for ya. they can help but they ain't gonna fix it. hate to hear you're feelin sad, though. you're one of my oldest friends, of course i'm gonna be here to listen, and it's fine, negative shit happens and ya gotta get it out somehow y'know? i'm alright, could be better, but i know all too well it can be worse so...
- chickenstrips
[email protected]: i know you've had it so rough, lately. is there anything i can do to try and make it better? i know we've never really talked about meeting, but how do you feel about a phone call? i've sent you covers so in theory you know what my voice sounds like. or i could send you a care package with the next email. i don't know. i just feel so powerless not being able to help you from so far away.
MARLEY: oh? i hadn't heard that one, actually... but i guess i'll keep my eyes out for anyone handing out pamphlets.
MARLEY: thank you, jesse. i appreciate that.
MARLEY: do you find the opt up in roxanne from moulin rouge the musical to be accessible? it's in a similar tessitura.
JESSE: it could just be a rumor, but i figure a heads-up doesn't hurt.
JESSE: i think i'd need to become more familiar with your range before i could answer that. maybe we should meet up, you could sing the number for me?
JESSE: because "accessible" is definitely a circumstantial case here, i think.
[...]
MARLEY: wait, is the rumor that i'm involved with the cult?
MARLEY: oh, sure! i mean, i could try, but it won't have any of the power or emotional intent.
MARLEY: i'm sort of going for jack wolfe in next to normal, but sort of not?
MARLEY: anyway, i appreciate you hearing me out.
KITTY: hey don't do that
KITTY: your lips aren't lips i'd forget. i was just in a hurry, promise.
KITTY: it was okay, could be better - some of these girls need to be whipped into shape. the coffee was 10/10, though.
MARLEY: wait, really? are you sure you don't have me confused with another coffee mouse?
MARLEY: well, i'm sure you'll get them performance ready in no time.
Description: Eloise is a quiet, artistic soul who has spent most of her life swallowing her voice to avoid failure. She's emotionally repressed, quietly funny, and deeply observant. Her journey is one of memory, self-worth, and reclaiming the art she abandoned out of fear. Requires incredible emotional depth, vulnerability, and the ability to carry the show with stillness.
The Girl in the Mirror
Age range: 20s
Voice: Mezzo-soprano/soprano with a strong belt
Character Type: Antagonist/Shadow self
Description: Eloise's reflection-- the bold, polished version of herself who never apologized, never hesitated, and never made herself small so that others could feel big. She's confident, commanding, seductive, and dangerous.
The Conductor
Age range: Ageless, truly
Voice: Dependent upon the actor who plays them
Archetype: Melancholy dream guide
Description: A cryptic, poetic figure who gently nudges Eloise forward on her journey while never fully revealing the rules. Feels like a fallen angel, or someone who once tried to write their own story but failed. Must feel ancient and childlike at once. Graceful physicality, wistful rather than commanding.
Lumen
Age range: Ageless
Voice: Ethereal
Character Archetype: Dreamborn guide, made of star stuff
Description: Lumen is whimsical, emotionally intuitive, and kind. She doesn't live by Earth's logic, but her warmth is scattered and odd, like a human iteration of a constellation. She helps Eloise connect with childlike wonder and creative trust. Must balance grounded empathy with dreamy, otherworldly lightness. Luna Lovegood meets Glinda.
The Archivist:
Age range: 30s/50s
Voice: Baritenor
Character Type: Bureaucratic memory keeper
Description: A strange, official figure who wants Eloise to finish her story the "right" way. Obsessive about structure and order, but theatrical and charming. Combination of a scattered librarian and a robot trying to understand art.
The Ensemble/The Dream:
Age range: Any
Voice: SATB, strong sense of harmony
Character Achetype: The dreamworld's pulse
Description: Must move fluidly between moods, shapes, and energy states. Roles covered include: Mirror reflections, shadow selves, paper star puppeteers, audition judges, childhood memories, whispering voices of doubt.
KITTY: that was me, you pretty little detective.
KITTY: i was just grabbing a quick iced coffee before cheer practice, then i had to run - otherwise i'm sure i would've noticed you there.
[email protected]: i'm so sorry, this reply took me way longer than i wanted it to. things are... generally good, i think? i'm just really sad lately, i won't lie. i can't put my finger on why, but i think it's because i'm trying not to get too much of a read on my feelings, mostly because i'm scared of them. i know why i'm sad. i keep feeling not good enough and keep expecting someone other than myself to be able to fix it. that's not really how things work, though, is it? i appreciate you always being here to listen to me, and i'm sorry that this is a negative reply to boot. hope you're doing well.
-rosebud @mackchenporter
JESSE: can't be too careful - i heard that someone around here may or may not be trying to start a cult.
JESSE: but i have no confirmation on that.
JESSE: i don't really see an issue with at least hearing you out on it, i suppose.
JESSE: if it crosses over a line i could let you know.
MARLEY: oh? i hadn't heard that one, actually... but i guess i'll keep my eyes out for anyone handing out pamphlets.
MARLEY: thank you, jesse. i appreciate that.
MARLEY: do you find the opt up in roxanne from moulin rouge the musical to be accessible? it's in a similar tessitura.
JESSE: for a moment there i thought you were inviting me to a bible study.
JESSE: hm. it depends. is this for troubletones related purposes?
JESSE: i have a policy against assisting the competition.
MARLEY: oh, no! sorry. i mean, i do love christmas, but i can't say i've ever actively studied the bible.
MARLEY: no, this has nothing to do with the troubletones. this is for my own personal project.
MARLEY: but if you can't help, that's fine. i appreciate the consideration.
MARLEY: hi, jesse!
MARLEY: this is really random and all, but i was wondering if i could run a passage by you? i'm working on a song and it's... pretty high in tenor range. i know you could do it, but could you let me know if it's somewhat comfy or totally unmanageable? @nyadajesse
