REPEATING SENATOR
A REPORTER is interviewing a SENATOR on the senate floor.
They speak in golf tournament-like whispers.
REPORTER
Senator, do you think that your proposed bill will have any
effect on the current financial crisis?
SENATOR
My proposed bill WILL have an effect on the current financial
crisis, and the effect will be a good one, a needed one and a fair one.
REPORTER
A fair one, and Senator, is there any truth to what your
critics say that the bill will benefit mostly the rich?
SENATOR
My critics say my bill will benefit mostly the rich, but they
are incorrect in that statement. The rich will benefit, but the poor will also
benefit.
REPORTER
The poor will also benefit, but have you noticed, Senator,
that each time you and I speak we begin by repeating the last phrase of the
other person?
SENATOR
We repeat the last phrase of the other person, but this is
not abnormal behavior. It is behavior that is good, that is needed and that is
fair.
REPORTER
Behavior that is fair, but Senator do you think this
COMPULSION we're currently showing to repeat the last phrase means that we are
TRAPPED in a behavior that prevents us from having any independent thought?
SENATOR
Prevents us from having any independent thought? I disagree.
Our thoughts are still independent, although of course they are at times still
dependent!
REPORTER
Still dependent thoughts, but what would happen, sir, if I
simply repeated what you said and then said no more? Would we be trapped?
SENATOR
Would we be trapped?
REPORTER
Would we be trapped?
SENATOR
Would we be trapped?
REPORTER
Would WE be trapped?
SENATOR
Would we be TRAPPED?
REPORTER
WOULD we be trapped?
SENATOR
Would we BE trapped?
REPORTER
Would we be trapped?
A SECOND SENATOR passes by.
SECOND SENATOR
Would we be trapped? Only if we allow our spirits to be
trapped. As long as we believe in liberty we are still free.
SECOND SENATOR exits. REPORTER and SENATOR relax
REPORTER
(to second senator)
We are still free, thank you Seantor. (Back to original)
Senator, do you think that your compulsion to repeat means you are a slave to
sound bytes?
SENATOR
A slave to sound bytes? A slave to NO MAN! (looks at camera,
then looks back at REPORTER) It's a fair question.
REPORTER
A fair question, but I'm realizing that I can't start a
sentence on my own.
SENATOR
Can't start a sentence on your own? That may be a little
draconian to say.
REPORTER
A little draconian to say, but I don't know what the word
draconian means.
SENATOR
What the word draconian means, What does the word draconian
mean?
REPORTER
What does the word draconian mean; judging from your speech
it means an over-reaction that hurts more than it helps.
SENATOR
An over-reaction that hurts more than it helps. Yes, I think
that's right.
REPORTER
You think that's right, but you haven't actually made your
own sentence.
SENATOR
Haven't made my own sentence, but blurbity gooble diggity dog.
REPORTER
Blurbity gooble diggity dog, but those aren't realy words,
intownsentronital.
SENATOR
Intownsentronital, but also in a way --- TOWNsentronital?
REPORTER
Townsentronital? What?
SENATOR
I'm not sure.
REPORTER
Good day, Senator.
SENATOR
Good day, Senator.