Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "im in ur ij makin ur crazys"

Username: 
Password:    
Remember Me
  • Create Account
  • IJ Login
  • OpenID Login
Search by : 
  • View
    • Create Account
    • IJ Login
    • OpenID Login
  • Journal
    • Post
    • Edit Entries
    • Customize Journal
    • Comment Settings
    • Recent Comments
    • Manage Tags
  • Account
    • Manage Account
    • Viewing Options
    • Manage Profile
    • Manage Notifications
    • Manage Pictures
    • Manage Schools
    • Account Status
  • Friends
    • Edit Friends
    • Edit Custom Groups
    • Friends Filter
    • Nudge Friends
    • Invite
    • Create RSS Feed
  • Asylums
    • Post
    • Asylum Invitations
    • Manage Asylums
    • Create Asylum
  • Site
    • Support
    • Upgrade Account
    • FAQs
    • Search By Location
    • Search By Interest
    • Search Randomly

Michael B. Gustavson ([info]bonjour_benoit) wrote in [info]la_vie_rpg,
@ 2008-07-08 16:27:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
At le Théâtre de Benoit
Who: Michel OT Hans
Where: The Théâtre de Benoit
What: Hans finds the strange Frenchman
When: Mid-Afternoon

Michel stood among the rows of empty seats, just inside the circle of light cast from the stage, watching his performers nearing the end of the last scene.

" Now, until the break of day,
Through this house each fairy stray,
To the best bride-bed will we,
Which by us shall blessed be;
And the issue there create
Ever shall be fortunate.
So shall all the couples three
Ever true in loving be;
And the blots of Nature's hand
Shall not in their issue stand:
Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar,
Nor mark prodigious, such as are
Despised in nativity,
Shall upon their children be.—
With this field-dew consecrate,
Every fairy take his gate;
And each several chamber bless,
Through this palace, with sweet peace;
E'er shall it in safety rest,
And the owner of it blest.
Trip away:
Make no stay:
Meet me all by break of day."

He smiled as Alec hit every line perfectly. He turned his eyes to Jean-Pierre as he began Puck's last monologue.

(Post a new comment)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-08 11:46 pm UTC (link)
Hans had the day off from work today, and having nothing better to occupy his time spent some time perusing the ninth arrondissement for the theater staging A Midsummernight's Dream. When he found the place, he slipped inside, intending to purchase a ticket for the next performance.

The door to the theater was unlocked - but there was no one at the box office. Disappointed, he thought to go home and return later - but then he heard voices coming from the theater proper.

He cautiously pushed open the theater door, and glanced towards the stage. There he saw an actor - Puck, from the costume- delivering lines in English. His attention was diverted by a more striking figure, however - the silhouetted form of Benoit. He drew in a sharp breath, mesmerized by how the shadows lent the strange Frenchman an almost otherworldly air. Fitting, considering the play...

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-08 11:24 pm UTC (link)
Michel listened patiently as Jean-Pierre delivered Puck's final lines, mouthing the lines along with him.

"And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call:
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."

He clapped a couple times, and walked down the aisle to lean against the stage and talk in hushed tones to Jean-Pierre and Alec before sending them off backstage to change out of costume. As he turned towards the back of the house, he motioned to Jean-Gaspard to raise to house lights, and as they rose, he noticed a certain German standing in the back. In street clothes, no less.

He put on a wide smile and gestured grandly as he began walking towards the back.

"Herr Varner, what a pleasant surprise! Welcome to my humble theater. What brings you down here?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-08 11:40 pm UTC (link)
"Tickets, of course," Hans said, and headed down the aisle to meet Benoit halfway. "I thought I might purchase a pair but there was no one in the box office. I trust I am not disturbing the rehearsal?"

It seemed like things were over, but he wanted to make sure he wasn't getting in the way of things.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-08 11:54 pm UTC (link)
"No, of course not! We just finished the final scene, we are finished for today," he said with a smile as they met halfway and continued back up the aisle.

"Our box office is usually only staffed a few hours before showtime. Sitting in that small room all day can get boring and a bit lonely. Claude most likely forgot to put the sign up."

They crossed the lobby and Michel fished a few keys out of his pocket to open the back door of the box office. Once inside, he pulled out the ledger and theater map.

He leaned against the door frame, holding the theater map propped up against his chest to show Varner.

"This section is 10 francs, this one is 15 francs, this one is 20 francs, and the balcony is 5 francs," he said, pointing to each section. "What would you like?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 12:02 am UTC (link)
"Two of the good seats, bitte," Hans said, tapping the section with his forefinger. He reached into his pants pocket and took out his billfold, offering over two crisp Reichmarks with a slight look of embarrassment. "I hope this is acceptable," he said, "as I am not paid in Francs."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 12:27 am UTC (link)
Michel smiled reassuringly at the man. It is not his fault the German government does such things.

"Not a problem," he said, taking the Reichmarks from the man. He stepped into the box office, marked the transaction in the ledger, and put the money away. Opening the ticket drawer, he rifled through to find two of the best seats. Michel's own personal favorite set was still in the drawer, so he withdrew two tickets and stepped back outside the office.

"Here you are, mon Herr. Two tickets for tomorrow's show. Doors open at 18:30, and the curtain rises at 19:00 on the dot."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 01:05 am UTC (link)
"Danke," Hans said, taking the tickets and pocketing them. "Do you have concessions here? I want to know whether I should take my sister to dinner before the show, or if there will be an intermission..."

A bit embarrassing perhaps to admit that he didn't have a date, and just a sister to bring along - but he was past the point of caring overly much about such.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 01:11 am UTC (link)
He shook his head regretfully.

"Non, unfortunately, the rations and limited food supply have closed our concessions for the time being, we simply cannot afford it. And, to be quite honest, I'd rather use the money to pay my staff so they can keep their families clothed and sheltered. " He supposed it odd to be so open about the situation with an officer, but he had a feeling that Varner understood. He seemed more empathetic than most Nazis. He was more polite, to be certain.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 01:20 am UTC (link)
"Ah, understandable Herr Benoit - it is no trouble," Hans assured him. "And it is good of you to take care of your staff in this manner. Have they been with you long?"

He wondered if the actors were hired on a per-show basis, or if they were more of a repertory company.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 01:25 am UTC (link)
He shifted against the door frame, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"My grandfather started this theater, and he passed it on to my father, who left it in trust to me when he died. Many of my staff have been here for years - Jean-Gaspard, my stage manager, worked under my father, and kept the place running until I came of age. His son, Jean-Pierre, started on our stage as a child, and today, is our Puck. Actors will bring in their children and their grandchildren and their nieces and nephews to keep the company alive. I am lucky to have such loyal staff."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 01:27 am UTC (link)
Hans actually smiled, thinking of how nice it must be to have such a tradition. "What a wonderful thing," he exclaimed, "for you to have such a company with you. I am sure this makes your shows quite excellent."

He was really looking forward to the performance now. "Do you do a good business here, even with the occupation?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 01:35 am UTC (link)
"We do well enough. The evening shows are never full, with curfew and all, people are cautious, but I halve the prices for the weekend matinees, and they do quite well. People need their escapes, after all, even if only for a few hours."

He stepped out of the door frame and locked it behind him, turning back to Varner and leaning against the shut door with crossed arms.

"Perhaps we should stage a German play, something a bit more accessible to the officers. Everyone can enjoy a good performance, non?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 01:41 am UTC (link)
"Perhaps," Hans said, thinking that a lot of the people he worked with would not have the culture to appreciate such. At times his aristocratic background, however impoverished his family was by the Great War, did put him in a bit of a differing mindset than the average SS officer.

"I would certainly enjoy such," he admitted. "There is a Soldatenkino - a cinema in German for soldiers - that I have caught a few performances in, but there is nothing like a live performance."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 01:50 am UTC (link)
"Oh, I completely agree, Herr Varner! Cinema is rehearsed, everything goes according to script, and there is no spontaneity. Live theater has that spark of life to it that a screen simply cannot duplicate." He uncrossed his arms as he spoke, and gestured with his hands.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 01:54 am UTC (link)
"Do you find, Herr Benoit, that the nature of the audience affects the show?" Hans asked, curiously.

He wondered what a performance for a primarily German audience would be like, as opposed to a regular show. He certainly did not plan to attend in uniform, preferring the instead the relative anonymity of being a suited stranger in a dark auditorium full of similarly attired strangers.

"This is what is missing for me, in a film versus a play - the interplay between the actors and audience reaction- the human element."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 02:03 am UTC (link)
"Naturally. The actors play to their audience. The more engaged they are, the better the show. The actors feed off that energy - it gives them purpose beyond simply reciting lines to empty air. There's nothing quite like it, really, the feel of all those eyes on the stage.

"In the summers, we stage children's stories, and allow the youngsters to stand 'round the edge of the stage, get up close to the action. The fascination, the rapt looks of attention and awe." He smiled. "Those performances are sometimes the best we'll have all year."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 01:54 pm UTC (link)
Hans chuckled, picturing that. "How adorable," he said. He wondered what Stephane, Marie-Pierre's occasional messenger, would think of such a show. He made a mental note to drop in and visit the Occitan boy and his family sometime this week as he hadn't seen them since the shooting.

He felt weary suddenly - he tired easily since the incident, both physically and mentally. He sagged back against the wall, and rubbed his temples, trying to recall what they were speaking of. "Ah, well... it is nice that you have such things."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 02:01 pm UTC (link)
Michel tilted his head and furrowed his brow. The color had begun to drain from the man's face, and his shoulders slumped slightly as he leaned against the wall.

"Are you all right, mon Herr? Do you need to sit down, or drink some water?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 06:03 pm UTC (link)
Hans began to protest that he was fine, but he did feel as thought a rest might be the better course of action. Since he'd been stubbornly refusing to ride his motorcycle, walking all over to find the theater had been a bit much.

"A little water and a moment's rest if I would not be intruding on your practice."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 06:30 pm UTC (link)
"Not at all. This way," he said, leading Varner down the hall and around the corner towards his office.

Michel's office was in the back of the theater, across from the stage door. It was large, with high walls decorated with framed posters advertising the plays done over the years and a Persian rug covering the floor. There were large windows covering most of the wall behind the dark, wood desk opposite the door. A fire place sat in the the wall to the right, near the door, and two plush chairs with a small table between them sat in front of it.

He gestured for Varner to sit on one of the chairs while he walked to the table behind his desk and poured two glasses of water from the pitcher he always had filled.

He handed one to Varner and sat in the other chair. He thought about asking after his condition, but did not know if such a question would be considered too invasive for the man. These Germans were so formal, so closed off, he did not understand them.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 06:49 pm UTC (link)
Hans settled heavily into the chair, and took the offered water. He drank half the glass then set it back down.

"Danke," he said. "Forgive my need of such things- I am recovering from a fairly serious wound."

He stated it matter-of-fact, and didn't elaborate further on what type of wound, or how it had been received.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 06:57 pm UTC (link)
Michel sipped his water and raised an eyebrow at Varner's comment.

"Completely understandable, Herr Varner, no forgiveness is necessary."

He took another sip of water, set his glass down, and stood.

"Then, perhaps, you are more in need of a happy fiction than I thought." He paused. "Despite your convictions against the joys of life." He walked over to the desk, and pulled a large accordion file out of the bottom drawer. He rifled through the files, trying to pick out a story appropriate for the German.

"Ah, here we are. This would be a good one." It was a short tale of two children growing up just outside of Paris, and the stories they dreamed of in their shared backyard, that he'd been contemplating expanding into a novella. He walked back and sat down, handing the bound papers to Varner.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 07:28 pm UTC (link)
Hans took the offered story and started to leaf through it. "I will read it," he said. "But I cannot promise I will enjoy it any."

He thought that sounded harsher than he'd intended- the pain made him cranky. He looked apologetic a moment before busying himself with drinking the rest of the water. "I will read it," he said again.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 07:33 pm UTC (link)
Michel resisted the urge to laugh, but it was quite the internal struggle, so he sipped his water to cover his smile.

"That's the trouble with you Germans, you're all so dour. Enjoying life would not mean the end of it."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 07:43 pm UTC (link)
"And the problem with you French is that everything is as a grand party," Hans snapped, thinking of how irritating that quality had become of late.

"Everything is all fun and games and merriment until the time comes to be serious, and then you just give that Gallic shrug and answer nothing about anything at all and then one day you are just up and gone and there is the end of it."

Of course, he was speaking of Marie-Pierre more than anything, but he waved his hands in a frustrated gesture as if it made sense to the situation at hand.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 07:56 pm UTC (link)
Michel lowered his glass and raised an eyebrow at the man.

Gallic shrug? What on Earth...

Such arrogant assumptions and generalizations never sat well with Michel, and he found this man's condescension flat out maddening.

"Life is not a 'grand party', Herr Varner, the war and this occupation assure that much," he said quietly but firmly, "but I, and many of my countryman, see little reason to keep such things from completely ruining our lives. We must find our joy where we can, or there is little point to this. Life without joy is mere existence, Herr Varner, and to the French, mere existence is not enough."

He set the glass down on the table and rested his elbows on the arms of the chair, his hands falling into his lap.

"As I have said, I do not know what happenstances have bittered you to life, and I know how well the Germans like generalizing about the French, but do not confuse all French for a single one."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 08:04 pm UTC (link)
Hans withdrew physically as well as emotionally from the conversation, shrinking back against his chair as if he'd been struck.

He was guilty as charged of making those assumptions, right at the moment. When had he become like that? He felt ashamed at having spoken in such a manner.

He wanted to apologize, but stubbornness would not allow him to. Retreat seemed the best option.

"Ah, perhaps it is best that I depart now..."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 08:09 pm UTC (link)
He sighed. The man is nearing impossible. He will apparently not defend his statements, nor will he apologize if he cannot do so.

"Herr Varner, you will not leave this conversation unfinished. Defend your statements, or, if you cannot, apologize for them. Either is acceptable, and both are simple."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 08:39 pm UTC (link)
"Is that an order?" Hans asked, irritated more than upset now. He'd be damned if Benoit would give him orders -he got enough of that at work.

There would be no apology now. "You want an explanation? Fine. Since I have been here, one of your fine French people broke my heart and another nearly shot me through it. Is that enough of an explanation for you? These have been my formative education in your country."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 08:49 pm UTC (link)
He quirked an eyebrow.

"I assume no authority with which to give orders, mon Herr, it was merely an express wish to see you not shrink away from a unpleasant confrontation.".

He shifted in his seat; these overly plush chairs offered practically nothing in terms of back support, and he'd always disliked them for it, but replacing them would be an extravagance he would not allow himself.

"I can understand second part; such grave injuries would color anyone's view of the world and the people in it to some degree, but I am somewhat puzzled by the first. Acts of love and betrayal are individual acts, not collective, and an entire country should not be condemned for them."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Your formative education on the French has been severely lacking, Herr Varner." He reached a hand across the table. "If you'll allow, I would like to rectify that situation."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 08:57 pm UTC (link)
Hans stared a long moment at the offered hand, as if it might be some sort of a trap. In a way, perhaps it was - he would be opening himself up to more hurt, more disappointment. To trust someone again - it seemed an impossible leap of faith.

He thought to what Benoit had said earlier - about existing versus living. He could go on existing, certainly, without need for companionship. But living?

He'd had an invitation come to the house just the other day - a dinner party that the American singer was having and she'd thought to invite Hans. At the time he'd dismissed it -particularly since it had said 'and guest' but perhaps....

"What are you doing on the tenth?" Hans asked abruptly, placing his hand in Beniot's.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 09:04 pm UTC (link)
He raised his eyebrows slightly as he thought and shook Varner's hand.

"The tenth? Rehearsals during the day, and paperwork in the evening. Thursday is typically our dark day - we stage no shows, in preparation for the weekend. Why?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 09:09 pm UTC (link)
"I am invited to a dinner party," Hans explained somewhat awkwardly. "It says 'bring a guest', and I have no guest to bring as my sister is busy that evening."

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 09:11 pm UTC (link)
He leaned back in the chair.

"A dinner party? I am always open to making new friends, though I wonder how open your fellow officers would be to you bringing a Frenchman to dine at their table."

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 09:23 pm UTC (link)
"My fellow..." Hans looked honestly confused a moment, then chuckled. "Oh, no - not that sort of party. I try to avoid those. This is held by an acquaintance of mine - an American jazz singer. She is a very unusual person, but nice. You would like her, I think."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 09:33 pm UTC (link)
"Ah, I see. Then I would love to join you. As I said, I am always open to making new friends, and I have not had the opportunity to meet many Americans of late."

He reached for his glass, and took another sip.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 09:39 pm UTC (link)
"Understandable,considering. Fraulein Pearson is unusual even among the Americans- she is a colored woman," Hans said, hoping that the expression would translate. "The dark skin?"

Unable to think of a better substitution, he shrugged slightly - that annoying Gallic shrug he'd learned from Marie-Pierre that had somehow ingrained itself into his habits. "She has a lovely voice."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 09:43 pm UTC (link)
"Jacquline Pearson? I have heard of her, but I have been unable to get to the Moulin Noir for a performance. Time seems to have a way of slipping through my fingers these days."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 09:48 pm UTC (link)
"Is that the name of the club where she currently performs?" Hans asked, curious. He couldn't recall having heard of it - since she'd ended her engagement with the place he'd first seen her, he hadn't been to see another show.

"Where is it located?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 09:58 pm UTC (link)
Michel froze, mentally slapping himself for slipping like that. The Noir was an open secret among the Parisians, but the Germans wouldn't know about it - and they most certainly should not.

He coughed into his fist to cover his pause. "It's a small club, very out of the way," he said, attempting to brush it off. "And the owners like to keep it quiet and unknown, to keep the patronage small. In fact, I'm not entirely sure she's even performing there anymore, they like to rotate the entertainment. You should ask her where she's singing these days, though, just not mention the Noir. I wouldn't want to be on the owners' bad side for expanding their patronage." He smiled as he said the last statement, so Varner wouldn't take it as an insult.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 10:03 pm UTC (link)
"Ah, very well," Hans said. "I will inquire at the party. Should I pick you up from here then - say, around five?"

For once, he supposed he could deal with the motorcycle.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 10:12 pm UTC (link)
Michel sighed internally, relieved Varner seemed to accept his story at face value.

"I will be here. I look forward to it." He smiled.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]heil_hans
2008-07-09 10:27 pm UTC (link)
Hans smiled in return. "I will as well. And of course, I will be attending your show tomorrow evening."

That would make four days in a row of seeing this halfway irritating, halfway intriguing Frenchman, Hans mused.

He stood up from the chair, leaning on the back to support himself as he straightened. He could not wait to recover fully- this weakness irked him. "Until then..."

Hans gave a half-bow, then made for the door.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Home | Site Map | Manage Account | TOS | Privacy | Support | FAQs