I recently ushered for a production of The Overwhelming here in NYC. The Overwhelming is a new play about an American family in Rwanda during the run-up to the big genocide. As I waited in line for the bathroom at intermission, two ladies behind me had this conversation (pretty much verbatim, I promise):
“Are you following the play?”
“Not all of it, no. I think…I mean, of course, I understand the basic premise.”
“Yes, but some of the details.”
“Right. I think if I spoke French it would help.”
“Yes, that’s what I feel, too. You see, I don’t speak French, so I’m missing some of it.”
“Yes. So, tell me, do you know who the man who keeps speaking…is that the doctor?”
“Yes, that’s the doctor. You see, he’s written letters to the lead man, and he’s narrating the letters he’s written.”
“Oh, I see. And the wife, how did she die?”
“In a car wreck. But they were already divorced.”
“I see. So, they divorced before she died.”
“Yes.”
“And now who is killing the…the Hutus are killing the Tutsis, is that right?”
“Yes. Or they will be, shortly. They’re getting ready to.”
“Yes, you can tell something is about to happen. I think we’re in for some violence.”
“Yes, I think so.”
“I have to say, I’m so frustrated with this lead character! He’s just so naïve, isn’t he?”
“Oh, yes! He really makes me mad. He has no idea of the world, just no clue at all.”
“Yes, he’s very naïve. Although, I can understand his frustration, being up for tenure and all. And for the second time! If you understand anything about the tenure system-”
“-Oh, I do! My son is a professor!”
“Oh, really? So is my son-in-law, and he is up for tenure.”
“Really? Well, small world. And my son, he has the Ph.D. and all.”
“Yes, so does my son-in-law. Ph.D. Does your son have tenure?”
“He does.”
“Oh, how nice. My son-in-law is up for it. It’s very frustrating for him.”
“Does he think he’ll get it?”
“Well, you know, he’s fine with it, either way. Because if he doesn’t get it, he has places he can teach.”
“And your daughter is okay with that?”
“You know, she – I think she really is. They’re funny. So, I don’t know, I just keep giving gifts.”
“Well, it will come back to you in another way, honey.”
“Oh, I know.”
