British Comedy Guide

The Poetry of Theodore Hessian: Part Two

Here is part two.

* * * * *

SCENE 1.
INT. LOUNGE ROOM. NIGHT.

THEODORE HESSIAN STANDS BY A RECENTLY RAINED-UPON WINDOW. THE ROOM IS DIM, BUT THEODORE'S FACE IS ILLUMINATED BY MOONLIGHT. HE ADDRESSES THE CAMERA.

THEODORE:
The poet's art is best demonstrated by his poetry. One might say it's what makes him a poet. Hark as I read my piece entitled "Black and White are more than Shades":

I wonder if Luther King would be dead,
If we didn't think in black and white;

I wonder if Othello would be read,
If we didn't read in black and white;

I wonder if Michael Jackson would be mad,
If we didn't see in black and white;

I wonder if Mugabe would be bad,
If we didn't speak of "black" and "white".

Might make no difference.

Racism; people think it's important, but is it really? I mean, is anyone's life really affected by their skin colour? Probably not. "Who cares," I hear you shout. "No-one," I hear you say, suggesting the question may have been rhetorical. Well, friend, someone does care. I care, as a poet, thinker, humorist, lyricist, and dedicated humanitarian.

THEODORE MOVES TO HIS ARMCHAIR AND SITS, FACING THE CAMERA.

THEODORE (cont.):
Philip James Bailey, author of Festus, wrote that "poets are all who love; who feel great truths, and tell them". By that definition, I'm a serious bloody poet. My name is Theodore Hessian. If you're literate, you've probably heard of me. If you're not, you're at a major social disadvantage. Get it sorted. Welcome to Theodore Hessian: On Being, Etcetera.

ENIGMATIC THEME MUSIC. FADE TO:

SCENE 2.
EXT. AGENT'S OFFICE. MORNING.

THEODORE SITS IN THE VESTIBULE OUTSIDE HIS AGENT'S OFFICE.

THEODORE (V/O):
As a big-time poet, I have to keep abreast of reviews. While my agent has no artistic ability, her striking physical attributes have made her something of a muse.

A SECRETARY USHERS THEODORE THROUGH TO HIS AGENT'S OFFICE. CUT TO OFFICE INTERIOR. THE AGENT IS AN UNDERSTATEDLY PRETTY WOMAN OF AROUND 35.

AGENT (glances at camera):
Theodore. Have a seat. You're filming, I see.

THEODORE:
I am. The camera is the window to the soul, you know.

AGENT:
That's the eyes, I think you'll find.

THEODORE:
In this context, that wouldn't make any sense. So we'll say camera; poetic license.

THEODORE SMIRKS AT CAMERA.

AGENT:
Fine. Now, reviews of your anthology, Theodore. I've got the first here.

THEODORE:
Give unto me the word of the critic.

AGENT:
It's by Gavin Reynolds.

THEODORE:
He knows his stuff.

AGENT (reads):
"Hessian's ‘Musings from the Omnibus' is alright,"

THEODORE (to camera):
Endorsement.

AGENT (reads):
"But –", there's a "but"; "it would benefit from an injection of talent –"

THEODORE:
Oh; jealousy.

AGENT (reads):
… "just as the poet would benefit from an injection of cyanide…"

THEODORE:
Stop. A fickle fool doth fluster my ears. Art is subjective, Caroline, and he doesn't get mine.

AGENT:
You should take his reviews seriously.

THEODORE (looks at camera):
I do. He said it's alright.

AGENT:
Well, sarcasm –

THEODORE:
"Alright". That's approval… that is approval. Positive review.

CUT TO:

SCENE 3.
INT. LOUNGE ROOM. NIGHT.

THEODORE ADDRESSES THE CAMERA FROM HIS ARMCHAIR.

THEODORE:
I write what I feel. If I feel lust, I will write something that is powerfully erotic, powerfully sensual. I call this piece "Don't Call Me Nigel". And before I read it, I'd like to point out a couple of things. Firstly, there is no comma between "Me" and "Nigel". I intend no implication of homosexuality between myself and a man called Nigel; I am in fact expressing, to the widow of a deceased individual named Nigel, my desire that she stop whinging, forget Nigel, and engage in a sexual and pseudo-romantic relationship with me. Seriously, any persons drawing homoerotic inferences will be prosecuted. So, "Don't Call Me Nigel".

Don't call me him,
Don't say his name;
Nigel.

Don't think I'm he,
We're not the same;
Nigel.

I gave my all,
You saw my shame;
Nigel.

Your love is dead,
Let's share a bed;
Analingus?

FIN.

Hmm I enjoyed these alot more, strong character and good poems make it very funny even if it's quite freeform.

I really, really like this.

As to format. Could fit into something like Posh Nosh. Does anyone remember that? Eight episodes, each about 10 minutes long.

Minor nip/tucking:
I don't get the line "Might make no difference." in the first scene. For its position between the poem and the explanatory racism speech (or as a last line for the poem) it isn't sharp enough, imo.

Quote: Finck @ September 23 2008, 12:30 AM BST

I really, really like this.

As to format. Could fit into something like Posh Nosh. Does anyone remember that? Eight episodes, each about 10 minutes long.

Minor nip/tucking:
I don't get the line "Might make no difference." in the first scene. For its position between the poem and the explanatory racism speech (or as a last line for the poem) it isn't sharp enough, imo.

Thanks Joel, Fincko. I've italicised the poems to make it clearer, Finck. Glad you enjoyed it.

Share this page