Badger’s Speech to the Audience
There are always two parties to a loss. Not only
am I lonely in my parts, but the parts themselves
are lonely, as when the glimpse of a particularly
sordid wallpaper unaccountably chokes one
with anxiety. As the speaker goes, I don’t remember
my past; he’s making it all up as he goes
along. Like following someone with your eyes
waiting for them to look back, but they don’t turn
their head. A horizon line of waiting. He relocates
it, creating an amusement park in a former
hunting preserve. There are answers everywhere, pulling
at the gutters. Good people, assuming I’m out of character
what could we possibly have in common? Prints
are all we have to go on. Luckily, our knees
are touching, freeing us from the drudgery
of being useful. Luckily, we’ve all fit into
this boat. Though, you look as if you’ve bitten your
tongues. I simply won’t play if you’re going
to be like that. No? I apologize. Dear
sirs and madams, I recognized you at once; you are objects
among things! I’ll lick your hand, presumptuous though
you are. You can paw my paws. Imagine this were all
happening off stage. I hold my role as I hold
my soul. Let me go; protect me from yourselves.
Posted 09/10/11