Who's line is it anyways? (That's the first thing that came to my mind) - Day 12

68. Modern improvisational comedy originated in Hyde Park on the campus of the University of Chicago with the Compass Players. Some of the Players went on to form the Second City comedy troupe, precursor to the Saturday Night Live show on TV. With this essay option we invite you to test your own improvisational powers by putting together a story, play, or dialogue that meets all of the following requirements:

A. You must begin with the sentence, “Many years later, he remembered his first experience with ice.”

B. All five senses—sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell—have to figure in the plot.

C. You have to mention the University of Chicago, but please, no accounts of erstwhile high school students applying to the University—this is fiction, not autobiography.

D. These items must be included: a new pair of socks, a historical landmark, a spork (the combination of spoon and fork frequently seen among airline flatware), a domesticated animal, and the complete works of William Shakespeare. Have fun, and try to keep your brilliance and wit to three pages max. (U of Chicago)

Many years later, he remembered his first experience with ice. As he was about to turn in to a 7 year old child, Jeremy and his mother decided to visit Chicago in the fall of 1993. Even though the main reason for this trip was due to his mother’s job, they spent quality time together. On the day of his birthday, his mother took him to ice skating rink, which wasn’t more than 3 blocks away from the Adler Planetarium. This was his first time he had been ice skating; it was a new experience for him. Fascinated, Jeremy reached for the ice and brushed his fingers against it as his mom held his hand just before he could get familiarized with skating. Jeremy puts on the new Spiderman-designed pair of socks his mom had got him when she went shopping in New York City. Immediately after that, he puts on his skates, and follows his mom in to the rink. 

“Mommy, I’m hungry. Can we please eat something?” Jeremy nudged him mom after he sniffed the fresh batch of cookies that were put out at the café nearby. She agreed to leave as she notices the increase in the number of skaters in the rink. It got a lot louder and crowded since they had arrived. They marched toward the bakery, pushing through the crowd, holding each other’s hand to avoid getting separated, and with their skates in the other hand. They had some difficulty finding a seat the cafe amongst the crowd. They see a table with 3 unoccupied chairs and the fourth one taken by a middle-aged man who wore a brown sweater vest, along with a brown hat and spectacles, reading a novel while he sips his cappuccino. They come up to him and request to sit at his table, there being no other empty tables in the room. With a gentle smile and a nod, he replies, “Please, take a seat.” As Jeremy and his mother sit down, the mysterious yet gentle man starts conversing with her:

“That’s one adorable child you’ve got there. How old is he?”
“Thank you. This is Jeremy, he turns 7 today as a matter of fact.”
“That’s great, Happy Birthday Jeremy. I hope you’re having a fantastic birthday.”
“What must you say now, Jeremy?” His mom looks at Jeremy as he responds with a confused expression.
“Oh! Thank you mister”, replies Jeremy with the cutest smile one could imagine.

With a short pause in the conversation due to the waiter’s interruption as he takes their orders, Jeremy quickly jumps back into the talk:

                “How rude of myself, I didn’t even introduce myself. My name is Arthur Reece; I work at the
University of Chicago as a full time English literature teacher.”

                “It’s nice meeting you Mr. Reece. I’m known as Elizabeth Wilson, and in fact the reason that I’m in Chicago involves the university. You see, I’m an English professor in New York, and I’m here for the English conference at the university.”

                “That’s quite the coincidence, I must say. Being the one leading the conference, I’m interesting to hear your thoughts on the ideas to be brought up”, responds Mr. Reece as he realizes who she is.

The same waiter interrupts their conversation as he places a plate of chocolate cake in front of Jeremy and a hot latte as Mrs. Wilson had ordered. With the several options of utensils to choose from, Jeremy picks up the spork placed on the table out of curiosity. While Jeremy was being fascinated by the spork, Mrs. Wilson notices the book that Mr. Reece had be reading and soon, scribbling some notes on. Quite interested by the fact that he was reading Othello, by William Shakespeare himself, she asks his whether this book had some importance to the conference. With a sly grin, he replies:

“It does actually, good eye there. This discussion will mostly involve how important Shakespeare’s work is in …”
                “Hmmm, This cake is absolutely delicious, mom. I can taste the warm chocolate syrup as in flows down my throat.” Jeremy interrupts as he takes the first bite of the gateaux.
                “Jeremy, can’t you see that Mr. Reece was talking, you know it’s rude to interrupt people while they’re talking.”
                “Don’t worry about it, the cake at this café surely is delicious”, replies Mr. Reece as he looks at his watch. “Goodness, I’ve completely lost track of the time, I must get going if I want to make it in time for my class.”

After saying their goodbyes and with Elizabeth wishing him luck for the conference, Mr. Reece get up from his chair and pulls out a little guinea pig from pocket on the inside of his coat. He places his little pet on his shoulder and strolls out the entrance of the café.

                “Mom! Can I please have a guinea pig? Please. Please. Please. Please.”

With a short sigh, she raises her hand to the waiter and calls out: “Cheque please.”


(Interesting fact: When i was writing this, Milo "Arthur Reece" Cannings was in my room playing games. This was the first name that popped in to my head.)