- (Same day as Take Four and the others, Same hour of the evening but ... a different scenario)
Tuesday
October 20, 1981
<as evening descends, the crews prepare for the evening film shoot. Make-up is applied to 'the talent', the young pair who will star in the upcoming scene. Thomas is on the radio with the light and sound crews. Props seem to be set and in place. "Wiring harness for Lina needs to be checked," he says.>
tree <to jungle gym>: oh, this is giving me the shivers! our final dress rehearsal!
<jungle gym: >
tree <to jungle gym>: Oh yes. Don't you go giving me that blank stare.
<jungle gym: >
tree: This is your big moment, after all.
jungle gym (afraid to ask): What are you getting at?
tree: Dude, wake up, look at the title of this submission. "October 20, 1981". Tomorrow is the the first day of the novel, the day when we launch into learning how Oskar meets Eli.
jungle gym: Yet this is somehow my big moment?
tree: For certain. Look, this little set of skits is even nicely named in your honor "At the jungle gym" It's a stretch, I know, but a little limelight is good for you.
jungle gym: Well, thanks, I suppose. But the moment is about Oskar and Eli, not me. And what do you mean by "It's a stretch"?
tree: LOL! I'm certain this was meant all along to be called "At the tree" but, do agree, no hard feelings at all. You deserve a shot at the Big Time.
jungle gym: I'm ... not sure what to say.
tree: Your modesty, oh my. Look, yes, I carried this film - we talked about this before, remember? But don't go all lopsided on me over this - They've gone with naming these shorts after you "At the Jungle Gym" , I mean, that's really sweet.
jungle gym: Well, err, makes sense to me, but thank you just the same.
tree: The little ones will be out in a short while. You know, he gets to stab me, she drops from your upper rails, they awkwardly chatter, and then in a reverse angle shot, you get to see Oskar being supported by me. oh, it is like magic.
< jungle gym >
tree (swaying gently): Such a moment! He's there saying "what makes you think I'd want to be your friend" and I'm right there -ta da!- in the background in my supportive role.
< jungle gym >
tree: Rich cinematic moments like this - they don't come that often.
jungle gym: Yes, right. I'm so glad you're there for him. So too the viewers. I bet... I bet nearly all of them wonder how that would have played out if you weren't there for the moment.
tree (shivers): Oh oh oh oh, let's not contemplate that. no.
jungle gym: "For certain." as you put it. The film, it would be...
tree: .. ruined, yes.
jungle gym: Oh indeed. "For certain"