Elevator Antics

It started in this e-mail to Lana:

"...also, we are doing a dialogue project where i give them a magazine cut-out of a person, and they have to name their character, describe their age, ocupation, likes and dislikes, etc.... and i'm afraid i've fallen in love with "Ron" who is 28 and in graduate school studying comparative literature, but moves furniture on the weekends to help pay the rent. He likes museums and espresso, but does not like cats. I'm afraid this may be a minor detriment to our relationship, that and the fact that he's a magazine clipping. Le sigh."

Later that class period, I had a minor panic attack when I temporarily misplaced Ron. "Has anyone seen Ron?" I asked the class. "We've formed sort of a special bond and I'll be very sad to lose him..."

Ron was recovered and by the end of the day, my 8th period wanted to know why "Ron" had a heart around his head. I blushed a little. Yes, I let my girly crush run away with me during the off-period. "Well, you know," I stalled, "...you have to fall in love with your characters. That's what writers do."

There were various "but mine's a DUDE!" outcries from the football players and I explained (as if they were crazy) "..not necessarily ROMANTIC love. You have to care about them and want to know everything about them." This settled them ("I guess he could be my brother.") and we were able to proceed with characterization.

Dialogue was another story. They don't understand why President George W. Bush would not say "hey wuz up dude" to a stranger if he were stuck in an elevator. I guess he might.

I'd like to be stuck in an elevator with Ron.