108 :: Welcome to the collective
Mariam led Naomi into the house. It was an old fashion house. Not 360 connection but devices and an internet router. One small camera of the whole room. Poor resolution. An old house but a clean house. Tidy. A long table on the one side. Two people sitting at the table playing cards. Sofas on the other side. Three people sitting there. Skrolls open. Everyone turned to look at the to coming in. One sitting at on the sofa got up. Tightened the sarong he was wearing.
Patrick. (Mariam)
My love. (Patrick)
The man crossed to embrace Mariam. He leaned out of the embrace but did not let go while looking at Naomi.
This is Naomi. I have a bit of a situation. I have a bit of a proposal. (Mariam)
Patrick smiled at Naomi.
Welcome Naomi. (Patrick)
Mariam guided Naomi passed Patrick to the centre of the room.
Hi everyone. This is Naomi. She has become a little stranded. I am hoping she might find a kind place to rest her head. Naomi. This is Patrick. My friend. (Mariam)
She paused for a moment. She smiled at Patrick.
He chose to leave London when everyone was clambering to go there. And these are Madison and Morgan. This is their jetty that they kindly share with everyone. (Marian)
She smiled at the two women wrapped in throws on the sofa. They were older than Mariam. As old as Diane.
And these are Kevin and Kaianne. (Mariam)
She held her hand to the two seated at the table. Both topless. Maybe naked. Same age as Mariam.
Sure, sure. Right. Shall I get glasses for everyone. (Patrick)
Patrick fetched two bottles of wine and wine glasses for everyone. Madison fetched tumblers for everyone. She filled two jugs with water. Morgan filled a bowl with nuts and another with crisps. Mariam guided Naomi to a place at the table. She opened her Skroll. Tapped it. Put it in front of Naomi. Naomi scrolled back through the conversation. Translated. Everyone sat.
So. I hope you don’t mind the Skroll. Naomi does not speak English. No. Naomi is learning English. She was unfortunately tricked into breaking out of Tinsley and is now out of the system. No appeals. No options. She was tricked by a bastard whose balls I am going to enjoy breaking. Tricked with promises he could not deliver on. Anyway. She is now stuck. You are her last hope. (Mariam)
Why was she at Tinsley. (Kevin)
She was not suited to the life of an au pair. (Mariam)
In what way. Or what would make her suited to our life. (Kevin)
Honest. Hard working. Helpful. The things that made her not fit there make her fit here. (Mariam)
How long was she at Tinsley. How long have you known her. (Kevin)
Mariam sat in silence. Nodding her head. She clearly had not worked out a plan. She had expected them to welcome Naomi.
I speak. (Naomi)
Sure. (Kevin)
English bad. (Naomi)
We will get out Skrolls. (Patrick)
Patrick shared his Skroll with Kevin. Morgan and Madison fetched their Skrolls. Morgan shared hers with Kaianne.
My father is farmer. I grow up on farm. Small farm. Vegetables. He say you are farmer but not farm. I help. Every day I plant. Wees. Water. I know all about making farm for food. I stay. Ys. (Naomi)
She is right. We need to work the land if we want to call ourselves bohemian free spirited anarchists. (Kianne)
You mean our proletariat dictatorship. (Morgan)
Are you auditioning. (Madison)
If you have to ask about the auditions you know you missed them. Darling. (Morgan)
We can be anything in our post-knowledge post-truth oligarchy. (Kaianne)
I thought our experiment was post-label. (Patrick)
Experiment. What a limiting label you put on my life experience. Next you will attack my sexuality. (Kaianne)
Undoubtedly you will use this as source material for your next experimental theatre of life. (Patrick)
Of course. You will be the neo-oligarch-divorcee-bitch. All plays should have one to whip. Or whop out. (Kaianne)
Whip once it is out. (Madison)
Who are you calling out. (Patrick)
I take it this means you are offering Naomi shelter. (Mariam)
Kevin. (Madison)
Kevin nodded.
Anyone. (Madison)
I think it is a bit of the unknown. (Kianne)
I want us to be the good samaritan. (Patrick)
Of course I agree but what is best for Naomi. (Kaianne)
I think here is best for Naomi. She assessed us and identified a need she can fulfil. I think that makes her completely suitable. (Kevin)
We all agree. (Madison)
Everyone held up their wine glasses.
Then so do I. (Madison)
They all took a sip of wine.
Naomi we would like you to join our free thinking collective. We give freely to each other each to their own need and we force no service to individual desire. We are governed by love and the foundation of our love is constant struggle and constant work. Every word is spoken in kindness and every opinion has equal right. But really we are just some friends sharing a space. Welcome. (Madison)
They looked at Naomi. Naomi read the translation. Frowned.
Yes. (Naomi)