The Silent Appeal #10
Gerda and John Cristow are in an unhappy marriage.
This story is about interlocking love triangles and how societal conventions, large and small, impact on personal relationships, to the extent that whole lives are defined not by passion or desire but by duty and fear of going against the grain.
It’s not about who was killed and who done it, it’s much more subtle and ingenious than that.
12:03 p.m. Georgia wrote:
I don’t want to be in it anymore.
12:05 p.m. Fran wrote:
Oh no! Please don’t let the group down, Georgia. You’ve only had one rehearsal. Lucas and Amelia are enjoying it and it means a lot to them that you all do it together. They said how much you’d enjoy being in the play.
12:06 p.m. Georgia wrote:
Best thing was the free Bliss Bubbles Normal water bottles don’t fit in my little bag.
12:07 p.m. Fran wrote:
See! There are all sorts of benefits to amateur dramatics. Give it another few weeks and you’ll see how much fun it is.
12:07 p.m. Georgia wrote:
To: Kevin MacDonald
From: Joyce Walford
Date: January 15, 2025
Subject: This list
Macaron is the president of France. Matcha Cannoli and Pistachio Maritozzi are footballers.
I can make the vegan sour cherry brownies, but without the sour cherry. Can’t guarantee they’ll be vegan—or brownies for that matter. I’ll make them as vanilla cupcakes with pink icing as usual. Joyce
To: Joyce Walford
From: Kevin MacDonald
Date: January 15, 2025
Subject: Re: This list
Hello, Joyce, I see my ever-efficient and organized wife has furnished you with a list of cakes she’d like to see for sale on play nights. Six months in advance, you have to admire it, you really do.
She’s taking on marketing clients again now Sammy’s in day care, and she’s just finished a research project for an artisanal baker. There’s nothing she can’t tell you about emerging trends in cakes and pastries. It’ll pass, Joyce, it’ll pass. Kevin
To: Kevin MacDonald
From: Joyce Walford
Date: January 15, 2025
Subject: Re: This list
Tell her we liked the free water but wouldn’t pay for it. Joyce
To: Kevin MacDonald
From: John O’Dea
Date: January 15, 2025
Subject: Re: Damn and damn and damn!
Suggest we call a committee meeting to discuss play and budget, etc.
If Sarah-Jane wants to revamp our front of house and take the box office online it will have to be actioned well in advance.
Prices should rise to reflect the extra cost of electronic ticket payments.
Not nice, but necessary things rarely are. John
To: Nicky-Rose Dearing
From: Stuart Kinsella
Date: January 15, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
Good to hear from you. I mean it. I admit I’d deleted your contact details, but we’re grown-ups and there’s no reason we can’t still be friends, not least because we’re on opposite sides of the world.
Still in Jakarta. Eight months now and still not used to the heat. The team is enthusiastic, so that’s good. I’ve joined a gym and an expats club, so slowly meeting people. Nothing like the Canada Assoc. in Bridgetown though. Most contracts are two years, so no one bothers to put down roots.
Really sorry to hear about everything. If Trina forged your signature, then that is shitty, but I’ve got to think about my position here.
If I testified in court, about anything, anywhere in the world, I would have to be really sure.
I don’t know for certain you didn’t sign those documents, do I? Really hope you understand.
Don’t worry, Nix, you’ll be back on top. And excuse me, but YOU are the perfect sister.
Happy memories of the Bridgetown days, and yes, wish you’d come with me too. Stu x
Message exchange between Karen Payne and Mark Digworth on January 15, 2025:
2:04 p.m. Mark wrote:
When d’you wear your maid outfit?
2:05 p.m. Karen wrote:
Cheeky! Probably in a couple of months. It’ll be the same one I’ve worn three times already in different plays
2:06 p.m. Mark wrote:
Must fit well
2:07 p.m. Karen wrote:
Naughty! Would like a promotion but Amelia and Beth are killing it as Henrietta and Midge, I’ve got no chance
2:10 p.m. Mark wrote:
They might get ill Or have an accident. Then you’d be in with a chance, right?
2:14 p.m. Karen wrote:
Not going to wish that. At least the part of Doris is better than Gerda. She’s ugly and awkward and no one likes her. I’ll remind Joel you’ll help him with the set. The Hallidays are directing the next play so it pays to keep in with them.
2:15 p.m. Mark wrote:
I know a bit about electrics. Might be useful for the lighting? We’re getting out of the car. Back later, hun.
2:28 p.m. Mark wrote:
This chancel’s behind a screen. Good time to learn lines loads of them.
2:29 p.m. Karen wrote:
That’s what you get for being smoking hot and a great actor: a big part! You’re wasted in the family firm, hun.
2:48 p.m. Karen wrote:
Hun?
2:51 p.m. Mark wrote:
Service ended, on way to crem. Back in car—can’t text.
2:52 p.m. Karen wrote:
Who was it?
2:52 p.m. Mark wrote:
Builder crushed when a pallet of bricks fell off a crane. Wire snapped.
2:52 p.m. Karen wrote:
Aw, so sad.
2:54 p.m. Mark wrote:
Just like in Ren & Stimpy Fancy a treat tonight? Got a Wednesday voucher for Browns
2:54 p.m. Karen wrote:
Yum
2:55 p.m. Mark wrote:
Starving!
To: Kevin MacDonald
From: Georgia Taccuso
Date: January 29, 2025
Subject: Re: Damn and damn and damn!
I don’t want to be Gerda. Everyone hates her. I feel unsafe, anxious, and depressed. Telling you now because Fran and the others will only try to talk me out of it. You said on Monday no one’s come forward to be the prompt. I’ll do that instead. Tell Fran for me. Georgia
To: Georgia Taccuso
From: Kevin MacDonald
Date: January 29, 2025
Subject: Re: Damn and damn and damn!
Dear Georgia,
Nothing is as important as your mental health, happiness, and well-being.
Prioritizing your feelings over those of others and the group is entirely the right thing to do.
Plus, you’ve let us know in good time to recast the part and I’m sure we’ll have no trouble at all recruiting someone to take it on.
In the meantime, rejoice! We’ve found our prompt…
Thanks, Georgia, and I look forward to seeing you next Monday in your vital new backstage role. Kevin
To: Fran Elroy-Jones
From: Kevin MacDonald
Date: January 29, 2025
Subject: Georgia
Hi Fran,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but your friend Georgia has pulled out of the play. Didn’t like playing a downtrodden character the others reject. I’ve heard Tom Hanks is the same: will only play heroes who triumph in the end.
When all’s said and done, we don’t want anyone playing a role that affects their mental health, it always comes through in their performance. So, onward and upward. Cheers, Kevin
Message exchange between Fran Elroy-Jones and Kevin MacDonald on January 29, 2025:
12:04 p.m. Fran wrote:
I feel terrible. I thought she was feeling better or I’d have talked her out of it.
12:04 p.m. Kevin wrote:
She’s volunteered for prompt, so every cloud.
12:05 p.m. Fran wrote:
I’m so sorry to have brought someone who’s let us down.
12:05 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Not a problem. Not a problem at all.
Message exchange between Kevin and Sarah-Jane MacDonald on January 29, 2025:
12:06 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Shit, damn, and fucking blast! Georgia’s pulled out of the play. We are officially Gerda-less.
12:07 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Hardly a surprise. She was clearly unhappy and certainly wasn’t giving her all to the role. Even this early you can see the other characters developing.
12:08 p.m. Kevin wrote:
The good news is she’s volunteered to prompt. Is Nicky-Rose Gerda-material do you think?
12:10 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
She looks like Taylor Swift, so no. And if we manage to drag her to rehearsals I’d rather she lent us her professional directing experience. Don’t mention it yet. We don’t want to overwhelm her.
12:12 p.m. Kevin wrote:
I’ll see if Karen will switch parts. Recasting Doris will be somewhat easier.
12:12 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
I can ask Emma.
12:13 p.m. Kevin wrote:
We need someone convincingly stooped and shrinking.
12:13 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
It’s a decent part for the right actor. Someone will do it.
12:15 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Karen’s my first choice. If not, then I’ll contact them in descending order of Gerdability.
Message exchange between Kevin MacDonald and Karen Payne on January 29, 2025:
12:16 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Hey Karen! New girl decided to pull out. Would you like the part of Gerda?
12:20 p.m. Kevin wrote:
You’d be brilliant and it would make a change from playing the maid.
12:36 p.m. Kevin wrote:
You must be gagging for a more prominent role.
12:44 p.m. Karen wrote:
You know what, I like Doris. She’s smart and feisty and her dad’s a union man like mine. Thanks for the offer, though. If Henrietta or Midge come up, I’d def be interested.
Message exchange between Kevin MacDonald and Emma Crooks on January 29, 2025:
12:45 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Hey Emma! The universe has shifted and the part of Gerda is now up for grabs. I’ll be a happy man if you agree to follow the light and step in.
12:45 p.m. Emma wrote:
Thanks Kevin, but I’ll sit this one out.
12:46 p.m. Kevin wrote:
What about karma? Isn’t it inviting you to be in the play after all?
12:47 p.m. Emma wrote:
You know, karma can be wrong. Gerda isn’t the right part for me, but thanks for asking. Namaste.
Message exchange between Kevin MacDonald and Denise Malcolm on January 29, 2025:
12:48 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Hey Denise! New girl has ditched her part. Would you like to be the delightful, the delectable, the delicious Gerda Cristow?
1:17 p.m. Kevin wrote:
You could still do wardrobe and makeup, but a rare chance for you to tread the boards too.
1:21 p.m. Kevin wrote:
I said I’d contact you first if a part came up.
1:30 p.m. Denise wrote:
Thanks, but that’s the one part I don’t fancy. Let me know if you need a new Lady Angkatell.
Messages posted to Lockwood & Lockley ADG WhatsApp group on January 29, 2025:
1:32 p.m. Kevin, The Fairway Players wrote: