Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "It's No Use Crying over Spilt Milk" (without using the actual phrase or literal exampl (02/07/08)
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TITLE: The Line | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kristen Hester
02/13/08 -
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Scattered accolades of “ahhh” and “how sweet” could be heard throughout the sanctuary as the costumed characters took their places on stage. Allison started to relax as the children presented their lines and blocking just as they’d practiced. This was the first time the senior pastor had allowed the children’s drama team to perform during a Sunday morning service. As amateur director of the newly formed group, she knew if they ever wanted another such opportunity, the kids needed to do a good job.
Mouthing each line along with the actors, Allison gripped the script tightly in her wet hands. Quick glances to the faces of surrounding church members reassured her that everyone was enjoying the drama. The congregation laughed heartily in the right places, giving the young actors additional confidence. They spoke with more animation and gusto than ever before.
Then, suddenly, there was silence.
Allison, along with the ten young thespians, had every line of the short play memorized. Everyone knew it was Caroline’s turn to speak – except, it seemed, Caroline. She stood silent while the cast stared at her. Natalie, the oldest, elbowed her, eliciting a low chuckle from the audience. Caroline shook her head at Natalie. "No," she insisted. She felt confident it wasn’t her turn to speak.
Allison realized Caroline hadn’t heard her cue over the audience’s laughter. She was a very literal child, and instead of continuing on, she was waiting to hear Robert say his short line. As the moments ticked by, Allison felt sweat balls form on her upper lip. Finally Allison shouted the line in a stage whisper to Caroline. Caroline reluctantly said her part and the production continued on seamlessly.
When the children finished the show, the clapping church members rose to their feet in appreciation. After the service, parents, church members and friends congratulated Allison on a great performance. She graciously accepted their praise, trying to shake the regret that things hadn’t gone perfectly. She was still disappointed by the blooper mid-way through.
As she stood in the church foyer, accepting congratulations, she felt a tug on her sleeve. Allison turned to see Natalie, still in costume. "Caroline’s crying. She’s in the drama room."
"I’ll talk to her." Allison excused herself and rushed to see Caroline. She found her sitting in the dark room on the floor with her knees up to her chest. Her face was wet with tears. Allison wrapped her arms around the petite girl.
"What’s wrong, honey?"
"I ruined the skit."
"No you didn’t. The show was so good, nobody even remembers the short pause." Allison hated feeding Caroline a line she didn’t believe herself, but she hated more to see her upset.
She wiped her eyes. "Really?"
“Really. You should be out visiting with your fans. Let’s go.” A small grin brightened Caroline’s freckled face as she followed Allison out of the room into the church foyer. Within minutes, she was running around with her friends, smiling and laughing.
Allison’s husband came up behind her. "Great show. The best part is that I get to go home with the director." Normally Allison would flirt back, but today she was distracted. "What’s wrong?" he asked.
"I wish Caroline hadn’t messed up that line. It would have been a great show if it weren’t for that major flub. She should have –" Allison stopped when she noticed her husband’s wide eyes and look of alarm. She turned around to see Caroline listening to every word she’d just said.
Her heart dropped. "Oh, Caroline..." she began. She wished she had a director feeding her the next line, because she had no idea what to say.
"I thought you said no one even remembered," Caroline stated. "I guess you meant nobody remembered – except you." Caroline turned from Allison and joined her fellow cast members.
Allison observed that the kids, including Caroline, were happily celebrating their success. The congregation and even the pastors had nothing but praise for the performance. It seemed she was the only one bothered by the mistake. Perhaps she could get over it, too.
She turned to her husband and smiled. "Today was fun. I’m ready to start on the next show.”
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I wonder if she would have been able to "recover" so quickly from hearing Allison's real feelings?
This was very creative, and spot-on for the topic.