Life Out Loud, an excerpt

by Linda Carson

inspired by the magnificent Darlene Spencer

copyright Linda Carson 1998

                            Music, something up-tempo and torrid,
                            probably Latin.  Lights up on Sukie dancing.
                            Fabulousness.  The sense of a crinoline,
                            clattery earrings, noisy bracelets on
                            one wrist, in-your-face makeup and hair.
     
                SUKIE

Breathtaking, aren't I?

Larger than life.  Don't be frightened.  Just pretend I'm in
a movie instead of in your face.  I do.

Give it up, honey.  You can't shush me.  You can't humour me.
This is not a phase.  This is A Way Of Life.

I want clothes that rustle.  I want shoes that click and watches
that tick out loud.  No more beeping.  Beeping is for traffic jams
not for Elegant Living.

I want to know that if I turn my head suddenly, jewelry will tinkle.
I should sound good just crossing my legs. I don't want to sneak up
on anybody, I want to make An Entrance.

I will be impossible to ignore.

I want juicy gurgles in my belly.  Explosive belches.  Long hearty
farts.  I want a huge snorty laugh in quiet restaurants and great
wailing sobs on the streetcar.  Bellows and hisses and "don't you
tell me I'm getting hysterical."

This is life--this is life out loud, honey, and I want to be revered,
not reformed.

And if you want to get rid of me you better believe I am not going quietly.

Don't be frightened.  Just pretend we're in a movie.

                                 Hold.  Break.  Music down.