Of Masks and Monkeys

[oakenguy]

Q: So, you were a monster last night?
A: That's right, I was Frankenstein's Monster, paired with my friend empheliath who played The Bride. Though for some strange reason the guy on the mike kept calling us "Mr. and Mrs. Claus".

Q: What sort of gig was this?
A: This was a holiday party at the Marlowe Hotel for the Bristol-Meyers people, who were operating on the assumption that nothing is more fun for 95 people packed into a tight space than to have thirteen performers, some nearly blind, moving among them.

Q: Thirteen?
A: Well, lessee. The five folks from Pastimes--the two I've mentioned, a Grim Reaper on stilts, an animated corpse and a gravedigger/necromancer; a five-person a capella group; a magician with a really bad head cold; Coco the Monkey; Coco's trainer. Yup, thirteen.

Q: Coco the Monkey?
A: I already said that. Have I mentioned the costume included platform shoes and a two-foot-high fake head? Walking was so diff--

Q: A REAL monkey?
A: Yes, a Capuchin. Really cute. The hotel actually has this sweet policy where any animals who come to visit get a little sign out front welcoming them, and a food dish. So the first thing we saw as we unloaded the van was a sign reading "Welcome Jasmine and Coco the Monkey".

Q: Nothing about the other performers?
A: I'm told that sign was on a dumpster out back.

Q: So what sort of tricks did Coco do?
A: Well, freeze in terror, mostly. She was GOOD at that. Her pupils swell so her eyes are all black, and her little mouth hangs open.

Q: What was she afraid of?
A: Um.....well, us. empheliath and I.

Q: Oooo, awkward. So your gig consisted of shuffling around trying not to bump into anything or anyone, with a big head strapped under your armpits...
A: Unable to talk, did I mention that? Communicating through grunts.
...all the while trying to avoid a Frankensteinophobic monkey so that she and her trainer could do their act in piece.
A: Yeah.

Q: Wow. So....would you do it again?
A: Hmm. *thinks about this* Well, working with empheliath is always a joy. Hearing the gossip and stories in the break room was fascinating. I DID manage to make folks laugh a few times, and we were a great photo op. Oh, who am I kidding? I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Q: With a monkey?
A: No comment.

Comments

[malterre.livejournal.com]

Did you say monkey

No seriously [Monkey] that sounded like the time went by quickly and fun. And I *LOVE* the anonymity that comes with masks and costumes. Weeeee!

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

oh, you crazy kids! :)

[amare.livejournal.com]

A head strapped under your armpits? I'm envisioning you with an extra head growing out from under your arm for some reason. Do you mean the harness for the fake head went under your arms?

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Ack, you're right, that *does* make us sound like those folkloric islanders with heads in their chests. It was the elastic harness which went under the armpits and kept the head from bobbling *too* much.

Speaking of masks, when can we see some of these amazing ones you've been working on?

[rantarn.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for saying you were Frankenstein's Monster and not Frankenstein. I tell my daughter every chance I get that "Frankenstein was the man, not the monster." Though of course, the man Frankenstein was the real monster for abandoning his creation, hence the irony, but I think a 6 year old can understand only so much at a time. :)

[badassfaerie.livejournal.com]

I just thought I'd throw this in here, that yes, indeed I have an lj crush on you. Not exactly sure why that is both weird to admit, but yet silly to not. Eh

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Well, thank gods it's mutual, or I would've felt awkward. :)

[badassfaerie.livejournal.com]

Damn. Can't be a weird lj stalker then. Drats.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

And you've got your spy outfit and everything!

Maybe we could agree to stalk each other on alternate days? And in a year or so, after we've fine-tuned it, sell the idea to Fox TV for a new reality show?

[badassfaerie.livejournal.com]

ooh. So not only fun and games, but profit. I like this. So what days are good for you?

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

How about stalking me M-W-Fs? I'll wear easy-to-spot clothes and go to interesting places.