Living Duo.

Living Duo

The speaker mainly sits in her town house telling the audience of her troublesome times, surrounded by bright colours and her own personal fine art. She feels saddened by her stressful background and has not told anyone of her isolation till now.

Leticia sits at a table in the kitchen, at her Northern Wirral home.

The camera focuses on her cup.

My name is Leticia (camera glides to Leticia’s face) I have lived in Noctorum, Wirral for just over ten years now with my sister Libby. She is the breadwinner of our household, we live together you see at 31 years of ages, well we have to. (Looks at floor)

(Fade)

(Stands and looks out patio doors)

The other day, it was Tuesday I think, Libby and I went to the fashion parade in Manchester to choose our clothes for the forthcoming season. (Soft tut) We got the usual stares from children and adults trying not to look, but this one young lady sticks in my mind. She had a lovely glint of happiness about her until she accidentally walked into us. Her expression instantly changed to a look of horror. She exclaimed she was sorry and scuttled away. It was almost as if she was overwhelmed with shock and we disrupted her happiness. These encounters very much dishearten me; I can cope with the glares.

(Fade)

Camera pans in from tree into the lounge, she is standing by the window looking out

Today was just another repetitive day sitting in the lab reading yet another novel. I must of read about 300 books and listened to every classical artist ever known. I try to help Libby but it’s very complicated what she does so I just take a back seat.

… Libby is a qualified doctor you see, she even has letters after her name. (Nods head) She is working at ‘John Moores University’ in the research department. The laboratory is very nice, not so comfortable though (small laugh) as it is very simplistic, everything is hidden behind panels. The novelty soon wore off after a couple of weeks, five days a week, repeating every move that Libby makes. And she’s worked there for three years. Both Libby and me decided that she should go on to further education because I have never been bright, never. (Sarcastic smile)

(Fade in) (In the laboratory)

This is a preview of the whole essay

(Fade in) (In the laboratory)

It was a hard decision to make, to sacrifice my working life. Some days I regret it some days I love it. But then again it would have to be one, this occurs a lot in our lives, whether it’s when to take a shower or when to go to bed, or quite frequently when we want to be apart. (Holds head down before slowly bringing her head back up) But we can’t we are together-we are Siamese twins. (Despondently smiles, camera shows Libby) For 31 years we have been joined – never separated because medical professionals didn’t have the technology and knowledge to do so. Early in life we made clear, separation would never be an issue, as now it would risk our lives. We would only have the surgery if one of us were to part with life. The health service offer nurses that visit daily, but we are not invalids we can do most things ourselves, that’s enough. There are many people worse off. (Raised smile)

(Dissolved, sitting in lounge at home with a coffee)

We got back from Libby’s work today to find a delivery driver knocking on the door, with several large boxes piled by the doorway. I signed for the parcels and he kindly offered to take them in. Eagerly we opened the boxes to find our chosen clothes, shoes and accessories from the parade. We have them specially made to fit our size eight-double figure. (Laughs) After trying three outfits on with co-ordinating accessories, we got tired from the struggle, left the boxes and sat down with a coffee.

(Stands and walks to patio doors, camera following)

Later that evening we were watching ‘Will and Grace’ on the television, it was slightly tedious but we didn’t want to do anything too strenuous - just relax. Libby fell asleep, I tried to wake her but she was well away. We ended up sleeping on the sofa till morning when we woke for the day. That’s the thing you see, we don’t have the energy after Libby’s work to do anything fun, just more or less go to bed.

Alcohol – that’s the remedy, on some occasions mid week we have a bottle or two of wine, relax and chat all evening. They are the good times - I like those moments. But there are only so many remedies that can cancel out the suffering. I grant everyone I meet with gentility and respect, it’s a shame they don’t with me. Just treat me as a worthless human because I look slightly different than Joe Bloggs.

(Fade)

One year later, appears on screen.

(Leticia slowly paces garden, watering the plants)

Libby has taken early retirement and retiring at 32 is rather premature. The struggle and strains of the medical profession has ended. Libby has done enough, developed the research of conjoined twins much further. Now we can start to live our life of luxury. (Looks into pond and smiles, the camera shots at reflection).

(Camera swings around Leticia until stopping at her front).

What an extraordinary week! Libby and I have done things that we could never imagine doing in our lifetime. The first thing we wished to do was to do a parachute jump, and doctors said that it would never be possible. But one thing Libby did before she retired was make sure that there was no medical reason for us not to do the jump. It was indescribable, the feeling that I got when we jumped duo out the plane. (Close up into gleaming eyes) It was like all my problems had been wiped, the air filled my lungs (Leticia breathes deeply in) and my hair was brushed off my face (Leticia runs hand through hair) leaving me to feel open and exhilarated.

Fade, Leticia sits on a bench in garden

We also booked a short break to Paris, flew first class with British Airways so there was plenty of legroom and luxury. The flight was long but comfortable and the film wasn’t bad. Arriving in the city of romance was delightful. There was a fragrance of pungent air throughout the fuel filled city – which was strange but relaxing too. Climbing the Eiffel tower was not what we thought it would be as it was a foggy day.

Van Gogh’s Gallery, that was intriguing, (widely opens eyes), each painting had a different meaning, whether it was of happiness or envy. I related to them and I think Libby did too. We didn’t talk while walking the gallery, as we knew what each other was thinking. We shared an authentic meal in the restaurant before packing for our night flight. Early morning we got back home and we chatted about French people accepting us for who we are. Obviously friends and family accept us, and Liverpudlians are great but some southern folk can be occasionally ignorant and rude.

(Fade) Leticia sits in the bedroom, removing makeup at dressing table. Leticia tells monologue through mirror.

For our retirement we had a small party – other doctors came, friends, family and neighbours came too. Everyone got on and enjoyed each other’s company, so there was a pleasant atmosphere. (Camera focuses on Leticia’s hands, as she wipes her face) Our cousin Elly, came from Ireland for the party and to stay with us for a few days. It was good catching up and getting to know each other again after all those years. Libby and I had a little too much to drink, but we had a good night (smiles) it was fun.

(Dissolves) Leticia sits in Lounge.

The next morning … it was … excruciating. We got taken to Arrowe Park by ambulance as Libby complained her chest was tight, I myself knew it was severe as neither of us complain unless its something serious. Then abruptly… what felt like minutes later, I woke to find myself lying on a trolley with the toneless noise of a hospital surrounding. (Leticia blinks hard)

(1 second black out)

All my nightmares had smeared into one.

(1 second black out)

The pain was inexpressible.

(1 second black out)

I just lay there wishing all the hurt would suspend into air.

A nurse wearing all white walked over to me to attempt to comfort me, but no one, not anyone, could console me of losing my sister, my dear sister that has been there for me, next to me for so many years. All I could think of was, why? (Shakes head) Why Libby? She made the world a better place, a good person to be around. Why Libby, why not me?

(Cut) Leticia sits and looks outside.

After returning home, I couldn’t stay there, that was Libby’s house, a house that she had worked for. I didn’t want to be around town neither, as even neighbours would twitch their blinds to take a look at the reformed - separated twin. Elly was there for me, she knew she didn’t understand but she tried and she got me through the initial shock. I went back to Ireland with her; she didn’t decline my proposal at all. I stayed for a couple of months as I decided what I wished for the future. … I wanted somewhere new, a change, and a different life. (Leticia blinks hard)

(Dissolve)

20 years later, appears on screen, fade to shot of Leticia’s smile.

I have lived in Paris for 12 years now. I came here, to a place that was serenity. (Small stare into space). Where I felt that I could be with Libby. The pain didn’t get any easier, harder if anything.

(Fade) Leticia sits on balcony looking across Paris at the view.

I haven’t a new life … just a life without my completion. (Looks right into camera, camera focuses on Leticia and slowly zooms out, the picture decreases in size, before sharply cutting)