Scene 2 (And it only took me half a year to get back at it).

Setting: Empty Stage

SCENE 2

Shawn: Everywhere she went, it was with conviction. I remember in the rare occurrence I saw her at work, where I had to visit for some reason, she was always practically running…. But in a way that was entirely Sheilaesque. She didn’t run like an athlete, or someone just in a hurry, she had a low-to-the-ground, intense, tunnel-vision way of moving. It might take several times to get her attention – “Mom… Mom… MOM… SHEILA!!” – And then she might stop and see you, half embarrassed and half annoyed that you were there. It had nothing to do with you; it’s just that she had a job to do, and nothing was supposed to get in the way. She had to take care of that entire nursing home, at least in her mind, and you were not to interfere.

So you can imagine how deeply convicted she became to stopping that strike. She had gone back to work after raising 2 exhaustingly energetic children, and she was going to use that money from that job to show us the world. We had travelled, sure, but really only to see those breathtaking roadside attractions in the Okanagan… The giant slide at Adventureland, the realistic stills of Bedrock at Flintstone Park, and the awe-inspiring Ogopogo, who I swear I’ve actually seen in the lake at least a dozen times.  Sure, that stuff was great, but she had been to Europe with Dad when they were young, and she wanted to share the amazing stuff we might not be able to afford if it wasn’t for that job. 

So it was up to her. She fought, and she picketed, and she held meetings at the house. She was a fierce competitor, not backing down from anyone… And she didn’t really see those who didn’t see eye-to-eye with her as worthy adversaries. She relentlessly mocked them to their faces and behind their backs, accidentally entertaining the family with her imitations of their voices, walks, and mannerisms, which mostly consisted of stereotypical flouncing, faces, and of course, talking with their tongues sticking out. So no matter whom they were, it was “JANICE DUUUHHFFERSUN” and they all walked the saaaaame… I suppose we should respect each other, but this was the people versus the man, so this was war.

I don’t think it mattered to her who won. What was important is that she and her fellow nurses were heard, their grievances known to the very last detail. That’s what kept her fearless.  That’s what kept her strong.