A series of mini-dramas based on public conversations, as overheard and rewritten by local playwright/director Aurora Stewart de Peña.
Overheard at Queen and Brookfield
Kazuo, dressed in a Canada Post uniform, with a regulation Canada Post satchel slung over one shoulder, unlocks a post box on the southeast corner of Queen and Brookfield.
Lina, early 50s, dressed in brown jogging pants, a white house coat, and grey fluffy slippers that used to be white, approaches. She stops in front of Kazuo, folding her arms.
Lina: Can I get my mail?
Kazuo: Pardon?
Lina: Can I get my mail?
I live over at 29.
Kazuo looks in the Canada Post lock box, which is full of letters.
Kazuo: I haven’t even–
I have no proof of that. I can’t just give you mail for 29.
Lina: What’s this, you want proof?
I’ve lived there for 20 years. You want ID?
Kazuo: No, I just need to deliver the mail to the addresses on the envelopes. I can’t just give it out to the first asker.
Lina: You see me every day. We nod at each other, we wave.
Kazuo stares at Lina.
Lina: Every day.
You don’t remember me?
Kazuo looks at his mail.
Kazuo: No, I guess I don’t.
Lina: I live at 29.
Kazuo: I’m sorry.
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Aurora Stewart de Peña is half of the theatre company Birdtown & Swanville (the other half is Nika Mistruzzi). You can follow her on Twitter at @Aurorahhh.
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