Squiggles
July 1st, 2020
Starring: Gerry (over 30), Willa (female, 5-8)
A government building. Gerry stands in an office that’s been repurposed to look like an elementary school classroom. There’s posters, games, toys, and a small kids sized table on one side of the room, with an assortment of coloring tools scattered on it.
A knock on the door. Gerry answers, revealing Willa, dressed in her Sunday best.
GERRY
Why, good morning! What’s your name, sweetheart?
WILLA
Willa.
GERRY
Willa? Well it’s very nice to meet you, Willa. I’m very glad you’re here. My name is Gerry.
WILLA
Like the mouse?
GERRY
Exactly like the mouse, but with the letter G!
WILLA
G?
GERRY
I know, it’s kind of funny, huh?
…
Well, a little bird happened to tell me that you like to draw. Was he lying? Do you like to draw?
WILLA
Yeah.
GERRY
What do you like to draw?
WILLA
Lots of things.
GERRY
I’m sure you’re very good! You want to show me? I’ve got some markers and a piece of paper over here.
WILLA
Ok.
GERRY
Tell me when you’re finished!
Willa sits at the table and starts drawing. She’s in deep concentration. Gerry watches, from a distance. She puts down her crayons and picks up her paper.
GERRY
All done?
WILLA
Yeah.
GERRY
What did you draw?
WILLA
This is a tree and this is my house and this is my mom and dad and my parrot.
GERRY
It’s very very beautiful! And what are those?
WILLA
Just some squiggles. I like drawing squiggles.
GERRY
I love the squiggles! Are you going to put this on your refrigerator?
WILLA
Maybe.
GERRY
Maybe? Okay.
...
So. Willa. I was wondering if you could draw something else for me.
Gerry unsheaths a large piece of paper from a tube roll. It’s the size of a house blueprint. Gerry lays it on the desk in front of Willa.
WILLA
What is that?
GERRY
Great question, Willa.
This is the state where we live. This is what it would look like if we were looking way up in the sky. Like a parrot flying. Down there are all the houses and trees and people. And right now, we are right...here. Pretty cool, huh?
WILLA
Yeah.
GERRY
I think so too!
But for everything to be a-OK, our job is to split all those houses and trees and parrots and people into smaller little sections. Those are called districts. Like mini-states. Make sense?
WILLA
Uh-huh.
GERRY
Awesome!
So what I want you to do is take this marker here, and I want you to draw big squiggles all over the paper. Some squiggles can be thin and small, some can be wide and tall, whatever you want. Just make sure they don’t overlap, and look as squiggly as can possibly be. Do you think you can do that for me?
WILLA
Maybe.
GERRY
Maybe? Come on, it’s fun! Here, how about I draw the first one, and you do the rest, ok?
WILLA
Ok.
Gerry takes the marker and draws a squiggly bubble in the middle of the map.
GERRY
See? It’s easy! Now you try.
Willa takes the marker and draws another squiggly bubble on the left side.
GERRY
That’s perfect, Willa! How about another squiggle right...here.
Gerry points to the section in between their squiggles. Willa draws one there.
GERRY
Amazing....and here?
Willa draws.
GERRY
Aaand here.
Willa draws.
GERRY
And here.
And between here and here.
And, last one, there.
The entire state map is encased in squiggly district lines. Gerry begins to roll it back up, and place it into the tube again.
GERRY
Willa, you did a wonderful job! You’re a real artist.
WILLA
Thank you. Can I take it home?
GERRY
Oh...I’m afraid not, Willa. I have to keep it.
BUT, I promise it’s going to very good use. You’re doing a great service to the entire state. The whole country, even!
WILLA
I am?
GERRY
You sure are.
WILLA
Promise?
GERRY
Pinky promise.
…
Now before I take you back to your parents, would you like a lollipop?
WILLA
I’m not allowed at home.
GERRY
You’re not?? Well, you’ve done a very important thing today, and you deserve it!
Go on.
Willa takes a lollipop. Gerry walks her to the door. They stop.
GERRY
Our little secret, right?
WILLA
Right.
They walk out, together.