HELLO I'M BACK BAYBEE
Hi!
Sorry for being gone so long, shit happens I guess, I won't bore you all with my life story. Also, we can't say I didn't warn ya! (see: the first post).
Anyways here's a newsletter, hope you enjoy!
Media Round-Up
Egúngún (Masquerade) [2021] - The lead's outfit is phenomenal and this short film hits home in a lot of cool ways. Though I do wish it did more with the spirituality that its title and opening hint at!
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert [1994] - Very fun messy vibes! Has a lot of weird race stuff going on! I don't necessarily think I'm the audience for it but had a decent time.
"CRAWLER" by IDLES [2022] - This album continues to grow on me, there's just something deeply grimy emotive and hot about the whole thing
X
The Scarf
So, because of my deep inability to stick to one form, and the mass of thoughts and emotions in ye olde cranium I decided to do some playwriting. The idea I've landed on focuses on the smoking area of a nightlife venue as a space and the things that happen therein. Here's a first draft of one of the scenes - hope you enjoy:
X = Transfemme butch, Black, tired
Y = not-cis, fat, preferably not-white but this isn't strictly necessary, feels younger than X
Z = thin, white, beautiful. Very deliberately constructed to stay one step ahead of the microtrends, far enough to surprise people, but never far enough to be an outcast.
X bursts onto the stage, gasping for air. Slowly but surely they calm down, this isn't the first time and it won't be the last.
She leans against a wall staring out into the middle distance...thinking.
X fumbles around in their purse for fags. Frustrating but they eventually find and roll the cigarette.
They pull out a cheap lighter and it's not working. Tries over and over as Y emerges quietly. Trying over and over again.
Y: (tentatively)...need some help with that?
X: (stuttering) I'll be okay!
She keeps trying, it won't work.
X: Yeah... Umm yes please
Y hands X their lighter. X lights their fag with surprising ease.
X: Thank you
Beat
X: How are ya?
Y: I'm good! I'm great! I've never been here before. It's like a fun cool vibe!
X: Right... come with anyone?
Y: Oh yeah, my partner. They're a regular here. We're kind of in an open, poly, Flexi, whatever type thing so it's not like I'm at every place they go, and vice versa but yeah. What about you?
X: (slightly too quickly) some friends
Y: Nice, nice, nice. Umm... You know the theme of this night is really.... Interesting. Like... Barbie! What a... Inspired choice!
X: (muttering) the harnesses switched from black to pink - revolutionary
Y: I dunno, you managed to make the silly theme work!
Beat
X: (thrown, blushing) Thanks. Fuck umm yeah. I should stop being a bitch. It's not you, I'm just.....ugh why am I here?
Y: You needed a smoke?
X: no why am I HERE?
Y: Haha yeah. Like I'm trying this place out because new things, new excitement, you know all those kinds of things. The people here are very.... Yeah
X: yeah...We're transgressing gender, time and space - but make sure your BMI is under 25!
They both laugh
Y: You look like you're freezing!!! I can give you this scarf, I've got a jacket anyways. It's all good.
X opens her mouth to protest but doesn't as Y gently puts the scarf on her. She smiles in gratitude.
Y: See with the mismatched patterns you look like you're one of them, go forth and disguise yourself as a Dalston they/them! Or something. I don't know...
X: (smirking) What ends are you from?
Y: East
X: More specifically?
Y: (sheepishly) Essex.
X: Oh shit!
Y: I know, I know, I know... fake tans, Joey Essex, TOWIE, fake lips, I've heard it all!
X: Was just gonna say my ex lives there...
Beat
You're in Hackney Wick, land of the Faker! Where little white fags from Fuckinghamshire get mould in their lungs because they live in an 'authentically urban' busted warehouse!
You think the graffiti you see out there is real?
Points up and behind the audience
You think real people are out here painting Y2K Aesthetic Eyeballs?
Y: Yeah I guess you're right there. It's just...everyone's so assured in their bullshit.
X: If you tell a lie enough you can make yourself believe it. You know this.
Y: Yeah I guess...
Awkward gap, they've run out of things to say without really taking down their walls but neither wants to leave the other's presence
X: Wait.... Is that what I think it is?
Sound of Azaelia Banks' 212 gets louder
X: Oh shit!
Y: Oh shit!
X: Someone did it!
Y: Yes!
Volume rises and X/Y sing and dance together to 212, free and close. In this moment if the lighting/sound etc is naturalistic break it.
X: WHEW!
Y: Ha! I think someone in the corner was side-eyeing us for that one!
X: Is what it is, can't all be angels!
Y: Yeah I mean all we gotta do is ignore the misogyny, transphobia, various racisms, colourism so...
X: Yeah
Y: Yeah
X: Still slaps though
Y: Yeah
X: Yeah
Beat
X: I... ummm...I'm glad I met you. You're pretty cool
Y: (beaming) I'm glad we met too!
Y keeps beaming at X
X: (Embarassed) Can I borrow your lighter again?
Y: Sure, but take one of mine this time
X: (smirking) Aren't you sweet?
Y rolls a cigarette for X. Each step of the process is done with a delicate care, X's eyes don't leave Y's hands. The cigarette now rolled, X takes it and puts it in her mouth, ready for Y to light it. They both lean in as the cigarette is lit - but don't move out. The moment lasts forever -
Until it doesn't. Z strolls in, X sees them first, thin white and beautiful, a peacock in full bloom.
Z: Heeeeey sweetie, I was looking all over for you!
Y: (after a second) Hey! Z this is X, X this is Z!
X: (faintly, knowing the moment is over) Hey
Z: Hiii hun, nice to meet you!
Beat
Z: (to Y, their moment of curiosity about X is gone) Hey baby, so I was thinking we could head back? The vibe's gotten a bit bleegh and even I can't resurrect the dead!
Y: Sure, sure! Um...X pass your phone let me put my Insta in there.
X passes the phone almost automatically, Y's cigarette still in their mouth, but with less of the tenderness now. Y puts it in and passes the phone back.
Beat
Z: (impatiently turning towards the exit): Come on, I've got to tell you all the TEA on the way back.
Y: (half-hearted) Of course, I'm sure it's piping hot...
Beat
Y: (to X) You know....you could always come back to ours? We've probably got some drinks or something...it would be nice to -
X: (a little too sharp) It's okay! My friends would KILL me if I left them here. It was nice to meet you...and here's your scarf back!
X hands Y the scarf that she'd almost forgotten was theirs. There is a moment where they are both holding onto each end, afraid of what will happen if they break this connection.
Y: Thank you.
Beat
Y: But you can keep it! I don't want you freezing to death!
Z: See you around!
Z struts offstage, half dragging Y with them.
X sits on the stage alone, holding the scarf - tight. They look at the cigarette, still just about holding on to a faint hope of forever. X drops it and walks inside. All that's left on stage is that one cigarette, flickering as the lights go down.
As always you can hit me up @naijaprince21 on Twitter if you have any thoughts and feelings about this! Always appreciate your support whether that’s verbal, financial (ko-fi.com/tayowrites) or whatever else.
I’m less online lately, but whsiper on the winds and maybe you’ll fine me! Always appreciate your support whether that’s verbal, financial (ko-fi.com/tayowrites) or whatever else.