ext_227668 ([identity profile] suzotchka.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2006-08-09 11:04 pm
Entry tags:

Monologuing, Dialoguing, and Out-Quipping the Bad Guy, Workshop #5, Thursday morning

Ivanova's feeling delicate and tender and the dark glasses are once again much in evidence. She has a laptop sitting next to her when class begins, and a large, throne-like chair is set up at the front, empty for the moment.

"Morning, everyone," she said, pleasantly enough. "Today we're going to be trying something a little different. The last few weeks we've been working on one-on-one conflicts with an opponent - the outquipping and dialoguing bit. I hope, anyways. Today we're going to be doing some monologuing. Specifically, the good old standby of the rousing the troops speech. I've listened to more than a few of them in my long and speckled career, and I managed to get my hands on some recordings. Shut up and listen."

She poked a few buttons and played recordings, most of an older man who looked like he was from Iowa and should be selling used cars, but knew how to give a truly terrifying speech. A woman with a heavy accent and a strange bone crown gave a truly terrifying two-liner ("Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me, you are in front of me - if you value your lives, be somewhere else!")

When she ran out of clips, she hit another button that brought up a still photo, a string of ships hovering in Earth's orbit - and ominous shapes looming before them. "Quick future history lesson. Battle of the Line, the ultimate battle of the Earth-Minbari war. The humans on one side, defending Earth, and the Minbari on the other. The Minbari have lost one ship through the entire conflict, swatting our ships like flies. But, as you can see, this -" She tapped the screen, "- is the only chance for survival, to hold off the Minbari long enough to evacuate as much of the population as possible." Including me. Seventeen-year-old me, with my freckled nose pressed to a transport window while I watched my brother's squadron take the skies. "Today, each one of you gets to be the commander of these few, these proud. You have to get them whipped into a battle frenzy. You have to keep them from cutting and running. You have to inspire them." She smirked. "And, of course, by 'them', I mean 'us'. Your fellow peers will be your command. I want a peanut gallery, folks. Make your commander work for it." She jerked her head at the chair. "Chair's a prop. Use it as you will. Get going."

[[So. This lesson was supposed to be filled with cool quotes from Babylon 5. Instead . . . ninjas! There were, uh, ninjas! Yeah! That's it! But if this lesson were to have cool quote and links to sound clips, they would all be from The Down Below Sound Archive. Whose collection of bloopers is true distracting.]]

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Have you been drinking alone again?" Pip asked.

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes. And I'm a Japanese Samurai in the Warring States period," Pip responded. "What's up?"

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
"I think I remember hearing her saying something about how she looks like... well, nevermind. Did something happen because of it?"

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
Pip facepalmed. "Given Seras' general discomfort with sex and sexual things, I can't imagine that went well."

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
"In my experience, Fandom weirdness never occurs in ways that are either beneficial or timely. I take this mistaken identity and mistaken kiss led to the drinking?"

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
Pip looked at her seriously. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but have you considered talking to Dr. Pevensie?"

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Well... maybe you should talk to her again," Pip said. "I mean, considering that you kind of relapsed."

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
"No, I mean that you said that you thought you were over her and seeing Seras again drives you to do this."

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, if you say so. Still, I want you to do something for me."

Re: Talk to Ivanova

[identity profile] cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com 2006-08-11 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
"Look me in the eye. Look me in the eye and promise me to everything you hold sacred that you will not drink alone again. If you absolutely, positively, must drink, call me and we'll drink together. I have lots of good booze."