We All Start As Strangers || Mason & Meredith [Task #7]
Meredith finds herself in the psych yard, heading down the familiar hallway. She had not planned to walk her way there, had not even made an appointment, but she needed to see Wyatt. She was only hoping the therapist would have time to see her. So much was going on in her head. Finding out about the trial had brought back so much to mind, and even though she and Derek were talking about things and about their feelings regarding all this, there were still things that were too hard to discuss together. There were things, worries that she was unable to bring herself to say in front of him, even less to him. Seeing the door closed, Meredith sits down in one of the chairs of the waiting area, pulling out her phone to pass the time. The background photo of her locked screen appears and Meredith gulps as she looks down at her children, all standing together with Derek and herself, one of the rare family photos they had. And she rubs her thumb on it, absent-mindedly, as her mind wanders off to the missing person on that picture. Her sweet Abby...
Oxford felt sick to his stomach. The deal had been clear with Farina: she was to do the talking. Though he supposed deep down, he had always known he'd have to be alone on stage for this. No matter how much he tossed and turned at night, this evening would still come. So it would be that he was on stage, in a stifling tweed suit that he was told fit him (he didn't agree), alone, with Calix Crystal blinking expectantly at him.
"Please welcome the wonder from District Nine, Oxford Wichita!" There was a smattering of applause. Perhaps it was a larger swell due to his size, or his score, or something else entirely, but Ox squared his jaw in response. He awkwardly sat in the chair, his long legs bending at an odd angle to accommodate themselves. He tried to avoid Calix's eyes, but doing so would mean he had to look out into the crowd, and that was worse. So despite every instinct in his body telling him to run, he sat, locking eyes with Calix.
"We are so excited to have you. And with such an impressive score!"
Calix blinked at Ox, clearly expecting a response. But Oxford offered nothing in return, only staring back. Calix cleared his throat and tried again.
"How does it feel, having one of the highest scores amongst all the Tributes? It's not often we get such high qualities out of District Nine."
Ox blinked back before his brain jumpstarted back into function. "Oh. Uh." He coughed, something catching in his throat. "I guess, good?" Calix stayed quiet. "I got lucky. I think."
"I see," Calix replied, a trace of ice in his voice. He was a master conversationalist, but he could immediately sense the difficulty he was about to run into. "I think we're the lucky ones who will get to see such a strong District Nine!" He looked to the audience for help, who applauded dutifully. Ox shifted again in his seat, trying to shrink away.
"And did you save any surprises for the Arena?" It was like trying to draw water from a stone, but Calix was determined. Ox furrowed his brow in response. "What new and exciting things can we expect to see from you in there?"
Ox shook his head lightly. "I... I don't know. I don't really think I showed all that much in the training."
Calix laughed a bright, fake laugh. "And so modest, folks!" he called out, eliciting a small round of laughter. Oxford flushed red, unsure if they were laughing at him or with him. Probably both - and more the former as he himself wasn't laughing.
Perhaps emboldened by having the crowd on his side, Calix pressed forward. "So, Oxford," he purred. "We all have to know. What is it like? Sitting here, just like your sister before you?"
Oxford's eyes glazed over, and ice ran through his veins. Of course. Of fucking course. What else would they ask? A wave of heat circulated in his stomach, starting to boil his blood and bile.
"I... I don't want to talk about her," he managed to choke out through gritted teeth.
"Oh, but we must!" Calix exclaimed. "Don't forget, folks, Oxford's older sister, Flor Wichita, was a Tribute in the 114th Games - the same Games that his Mentor, Abel Evans, won!" The crowd gasped and oohed like an orchestra. "How's that been? Do you resent Abel for his role in Flor's death?"
Oxford's head was spinning. Words and images crashed around his mind, fully disabling him from speech. He felt a rattle in his stomach that reverberated through his legs, his arms, his chest, sending a slight tremor through his whole body. "No," he gritted. "I don't want to talk about this." His voice was low and even, a stark contrast from just a few minutes prior.
Calix must have clocked the change. His own eyes shifted, flashing the smallest amount of fear that he quickly hid from the cameras. "Oh - okay. Okay! Well, Oxford. We're excited to see you in the Arena. Are there any final thoughts you'd like to leave us with?" He gestured broadly out at the audience, trying to dissipate the rage he felt in the Tribute opposite of him.
Ox said nothing, his eyes burning rageful holes into Calix's face. Calix briefly glanced to Ox, but averted his eyes almost immediately, unable to hold his gaze without feeling the fire. He cleared his throat and moved quickly. "Okay! That's. That's all the time we have. Ladies and gentlemen: Oxford Wichita, from District Nine!"
There was a swell of applause, but Oxford stayed rooted to his chair, still glaring. But finally Calix managed to bring his gaze to meet Ox's and something shifted in him. It wasn't Calix's fault. He had a hand in it all, of course. But it wasn't his fault. So slowly, painfully, Oxford stood to his full height. Then he took a moment to feign laziness, stretching his arms high above his head before slowly swinging them out to his full wingspan, allowing the whole nation to see just what was going into the Arena.
Mercuria thinks the idea of being on a remote island is simultaneously the most amazing idea and the most terrifying. In her defense, she's only known the life of District Twelve, so to imagine otherwise is difficult for her. But her current life isn't exactly filled to bursting with social interaction, so perhaps the isolation wouldn't phase her too much. She would bring:
The Dress her Father Made: Who doesn't deserve to feel loved, even in isolation? The reminder of her family would serve her well on a deserted island.
Sunflower Seeds: If she was to make the island her own, she'd want her favorite flower. It's also a practical choice; sunflowers can be used in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes. They are hearty and survivalists, just like her.
Her Work Boots: These boots had lasted her years, and still had life in them yet. It was one of the few places her parents had saved money to invest for her: since she would be wearing them every day to work, they needed to be good. And she would be crazy not to bring them with her.
Taurus likes: Gardening, cooking, music, romance, high quality clothes, working with hands
Taurus dislikes: Sudden changes, complications, insecurity of any kind, synthetic fabrics
Taurus is a practical and well-grounded zodiac sign that values the fruits of their labor. They have a strong desire to be surrounded by love and beauty, and are drawn to the material world and physical pleasures. Individuals born under this sign are sensual and tactile, placing great importance on touch and taste as their primary senses. They are also known for being stable and conservative, making them one of the most dependable signs of the zodiac. Taurus individuals are committed to their choices and will endure until they reach a point of personal satisfaction.
MOON: LEO
Expansive | Faithful | Conflicted
Proud and confident, a Leo Moon sign can be hard to ignore. You’re super compassionate and expressive on the inside–but how are you doing on the outside? You might be someone who mirrors others in their actions, emotions, even gestures. Since Leo is ruled by the fiery Sun, a Moon in Leo can expect to feel a little push and pull between their inner and outer lives. Take care to protect your own energy.
RISING: CAPRICORN
If you're a Capricorn rising, you likely come off as mature, organized, and driven. You are always put together and prepared. People may think of you as a skilled businessperson with little interest in games, both in your professional and personal life. You strive for greatness, and you expect much of yourself and others. Much of this is because strict Saturn rules Capricorn, giving you major disciplinarian vibes. And yes, rising Cap, this can be as kinky as it sounds. While people tend to focus on your ambition, you also have a wild devilish side, which can be addictive to lovers.
sources: sun | moon | rising
Courtney doesn't put much stock into astrological placements and assessments. However, no one can deny that he does fall well within his placements.
*Avery Meadowes: Johnny and Avery met years ago when Avery was new to the city and trying to make it as a waiter. Johnny was a regular patron at Avery's restaurant of employment. He was immediately impressed with the kid's work ethic, especially for being so young, so he made sure to tip him well and thank him often. After several of those happenstance encounters, they had a mutual respect for one another. The two ended up conversing in more personal ways, and Johnny eventually learned that Avery was all alone and had moved to New York following his soulmate's suicide. It was clear that Avery still held some guilt over it. This was a familiar feeling for Johnny -- his best friend had recently died of a homicide, and he carried a heavy sense of blame. The two men bonded over their mutual guilt and loss and they have been acquaintances ever since.
Brie Walker: Johnny and Richard Hadley, Briar Hadley's father, met at Harvard in the 90s. They casually kept up with one another because Richard eventually got into politics. Fast forward over a decade, and Richard had told Johnny that his daughter was missing; he was giving the details to his political and cop friends so they could be on the lookout for her, too. A few years later, Johnny noticed Briar on the streets of New York and recognized her, but when he approached her, she claimed she was not the girl he was looking for. Though it seemed odd, Johnny reluctantly let it go. Weeks after their meeting, he saw a headline for a woman named Brie Walker performing in a ballet, but the photo was undoubtedly the girl he had recently confronted. In the advertisement, though, the resemblance to Briar Hadley was undeniable. Johnny immediately contacted Richard to let him know that his daughter had been found. Johnny didn't know why Briar would've lied to him about who she is, but he also felt like she might be in danger, so he cornered her to tell her that whatever was going on, he could help her get out of it and reunite her with her family. Brie then confessed her true identity to him, but asked him to keep it under wraps because she had actually run away and didn't want her father to find her. It was then that Johnny had to let her know he'd made a big mistake.
Raeann Haywood: When Johnny returned to New York from defending his husband's case in California, he had made quite a big name for himself. That same year was when 18-year-old Raeann Haywood was framed for murder just after she'd moved to the city. She was in the wrong place at the exact wrong moment, but it looked bad: she was found at the crime scene covered in blood. She was adamant that she was innocent and went as far as to demand "the best lawyer in New York City." Due to that, she ended up with Johnny. His name was all over the place at the time, particularly in the world of law. Not only that, but he had been known for taking on (and winning) difficult trials since the beginning of his career. Johnny had no reason to turn down the job. If Raeann was found not guilty, it would be just one more impressive win to garner votes for the District Attorney seat he was campaigning for.
Zoey Vanderbilt: As someone who also grew up in the Upper East Side, Zoey Vanderbilt experienced many of the same struggles Johnny had encountered throughout his own coming of age. For instance, her parents were pressuring her to strive for the best and follow in their footsteps by going to Harvard. They enlisted the help of Johnny, whom they met in college and have since continued to run in the same circles. He had more current connections to Harvard because of the seminars he teaches there. As such, he offered to take her around the campus and answer any questions she had. However, during their visit, Zoey divulged to him that Harvard wasn't where she wanted to go, but that she felt obligated to carry on the family legacy. Johnny encouraged her to follow her dreams; he knew what it was like to choose certain paths only because they would please your parents, and it rarely ended up well. Zoey's mother and father became bitter with Johnny when she chose Yale, but he wasn't bothered. Through that experience, they became better friends than he and her parents had ever been. He even supported her throughout her father's health difficulties later on. Zoey has told Johnny before that he is one of the only "older" adults that she could trust to be honest with her and guide her without an agenda.
In this project, I played the role of Alfie in the play 'One Man Two Governors’ and, if I am completely honest, I was both disappointed and proud of myself for my role during this project. I believe I put enough effort into rehearsals and achieved most of the goals I set out to achieve throughout the project. Yet, at the same time, I feel like I didn't do much in particular. Whether that is my persistent insecurities and inability to recognise my own progress without assistance talking or not, I'm not completely sure, but I feel as though I spent a lot of time during this project watching other actors develop, almost as if I was a placeholder for their improvement. I worked with what I had and did that well, but 'what I had' didn't feel like a lot. Although I know those worries are probably unfounded, I can't help but feel them. I do think that it means a lot that I didn't let them affect my progress during the rehearsal process too much, despite the few times I needed to leave to collect myself when it got particularly bad.
As for the final performance, I couldn't be much happier with how it went. I did everything I set out to do, and a bit more at that. Considering it was the first time running it with all of the food needed for Scene 4, I am genuinely so happy with how me and my fellow cast members handled the unexpected slip ups here and there. I am very pleased with my ad libbing throughout, especially during Act 1 Scene 4 when some of the meat balls fell onto the floor. In my opinion, I held character far better than I expected I would, even adding a quick line that, upon reflection, wasn't as in character as I thought it would be at the time but still earned me a couple of laughs from the audience. The other time I ad libbed during Scene 4 was when one of the actors was late on-stage (apparently it was due to a complication backstage). Fortunately I had somewhat expected this actor to be late at some point, so whether or not it was actually ad libbed is debatable, however, to fill the gap that was about to form in the character's absence, I said the line I had prepared for if the character was late: "And I thought I was supposed to be the old and doddery one." Although it wasn't ad libbing, another piece of improvisation I was quite proud of was using the other diary as a make-shift travel brochure since no one had one to hand and there's not many places to find them anymore. The other diary was the next best thing, considering it wasn't used in that scene and it had postage stamps on the back, giving it a travelled feeling.
The only problem I had with the final performance was that, near the end of Scene 4 when my character attempts to open a bottle of wine and ends up knocking himself out with the corkscrew. Although I held it together and stuck in character well when the wine bottle fell off the stage, I feel like I should've had a proper wine bottle to open during the dress rehearsal beforehand, just so I could get an idea of my limits with it. Without doing that, I feel as though I was too cautious with it while on-stage, therefore keeping that section from achieving its full comedic potential. However, in everything else I felt like I gave it my all including physicality and projection which were a couple of elements I always got criticism on. I was still a little surprised when some people told me that I was their favourite character. I think that means you can consider my second long-term SMART target achieved.
BY RONNISHA GUNN
There has been an increase in student homelessness since the pandemic started last year.
In May 2020, there were reportedly 195,000 homeless students in California, according to Edsource.org. The pandemic has affected homeless students by causing food pantries to close because of the “stay at home” orders.
Also, the campuses closures affected access to the free WiFi services…
