Shadows on the Wall, Writing Meme 3/3: In Which Dialogue is Achieved, But the Issue Is Muddled
For: Veleda_k
Prompt (title): In Which Dialogue is Achieved, but the Issue is Muddled
Line: It all depends on your interpretation of the text, I suppose.
Wordcount: 775
[Scene: A-ko is sitting behind a large desk. The desk contains a pot of pens, a marred writing pad, several folders, a stack of books, a box of golf pencils, a number of index cards, and a couple of stamps and ink-pads. There are pencils in A-ko's hair and she is wearing a pair of cats-eye glasses on a chain. C-ko is standing in front of the desk, holding a notebook and a stack of books.
To the right, there is a round pedestal table with a large collection box labeled "For the Library Restoration Fund" in flowing script. Behind the box is Gir, standing on one foot on the table. Zie has the other foot stuck out and zir arms crooked at zir sides in a stiff pose perhaps imitative of a cupid or an Egyptian wall painting. The top of Gir's head is open and it is stuffed to overflowing with lilac flowers.]
C-ko: [placing her books on the desk] I'd like to check these out, please.
A-ko: [perkily] Okay! [She opens the books and stamps the cards inside them with a fine official flourish] The Dead Secret, No Name, A Romance of Two Worlds, The Soul of Lilith, Sexing the Body, Death Without Weeping, Carmen Dog, and What Are We Fighting For will all be due in one month.
C-ko: [Attempts to pick up the books on the desk] Thank you--
A-ko: [Putting her hand on the stack of books] Please hand me the other to check out. You can't have any of them unless you check them all out.
C-ko: [Holding the notebook out of reach] This is my notebook, not a library book. It's mine.
A-ko: Give it to me. You can't have it unless you check it out.
C-ko: I don't think you understood me. This is a NOTEBOOK. It is MINE. It is NOT a library book.
A-ko: [huffily] You are NOT permitted to take books from the Library without checking them out with the librarian! That's me!
C-ko: But this book is mine!
A-ko: No, it's not! [Slowly] The books in the Library belong to The Library.
C-ko: Look, it's got my name in it! [Carefully puts the notebook on the very edge of the desk and opens it to show her name on the inside of the front cover]
A-ko: [Leaps to her feet, her glasses falling off her face to bounce on the end of their chain] You wrote in it! You'll have to pay a BIG fine for that!
C-ko: [Wearily] But it's not even a book, it's a NOTEbook. And it's mine. Look, it's my name.
A-ko: Your name? [Peers at it suspiciously.]
C-ko: My name.
A-ko: [Snatching it across the desk] It's handwritten. Did this come from the Archive Room? Materials from the Archives cannot be checked out! It says "C... ko" here. What kind of a title is that?
C-ko: My name.
A-ko: Your name?
C-ko: Yes.
A-ko: Are you sure?
C-ko: Well, it's my name!
A-ko: But are you sure it's your name?
C-ko: Well, it all depends on your interpretation of the text, I suppose.
A-ko: Are you sure this belongs to you?
C-ko: That's why it's got my name on it!
A-ko: [Flips through the notebook, then grudgingly stamps a card and tucks it into the notebook's cover] Be sure to take care of it. One month.
C-ko: [Looking at the card] What the hell? It's my notebook, I shouldn't have to bring it back!
A-ko: You have a responsibility.
C-ko: But it's mine!
A-ko: Materials are due in one month.
C-ko: But I never gave it to you!
A-ko: [Looks at C-ko as if she'd just grown another head] What do you mean? You just did.
C-ko: I mean, it still belongs to me!
A-ko: We are a public service.
C-ko: This notebook isn't public!
A-ko: Materials donated to the Library enter circulation as soon as possible.
C-ko: Wait, I didn't donate it!
A-ko: It isn't yours?
C-ko: No, it IS mine! I mean that it isn't the Library's!
A-ko: Excuse me?
C-ko: My notebook isn't Library property!
A-ko: I don't think you understand.
C-ko: I don't think you understand.
A-ko: If you have a problem with policy, you'll need to take it up with the Student Council.
C-ko: The... Student Council.
A-ko: Yes. Library card, please.
C-ko: [checks her left pocket, turns it out: it is empty. Does the same with her right pocket.] Uh oh.