Comedy Setup Homework by Meda White Quickly sketch five eccentric (Crazy) characters.

Write a short paragraph about their likes and dislikes and beliefs and morals etc. A male chain smoker likes to smoke and dislikes anyone who complains about it or tries to get him to quit. He is over seventy years old and feels justified in cussing out anyone who disagrees with his right to smoke or his other conservative political views. His favorite saying is, Something has to kill me. A teenaged girl who twirls her hair is socially awkward and blames it on her weight but doesnt realize the things she says are insensitive. She dislikes being told when she is wrong and comes across as a know it all. The scarf lady wears sleeveless shift dresses in neutral colors but uses colorful scarves to express herself, even in the dead of summer. She believes everyone should express themselves and dislikes when people conform to societal norms. A college student who talks to himself is a savant like learner. He is meek but feels he has important things to say but is afraid to say them to anyone but himself. He believes

everyone around him is weird and he dislikes people who stare at him. A motorcycle rider, whose childhood dream was to be one of the Hells Angels, works as a mechanic and doesnt shave or shower often. He can take an engine apart and put it back together. He likes that people fear him when they see his burly, tattooed body rolling through town on his hog. ***** Now, choose one of the eccentric characters and write one page where they are dropped into a serious (or sane) situation. William Whitfield III, known as Whit to his only friend, a Korean exchange student whose name sounded like something on the bottom of a shoe, twiddled his thumbs. He shouldve brought his PS2 but his mother insisted a funeral was no place for games. Hurry it up, he whispered. The Reverend droned on about the solemnity of the occasion and had been threatening to read scripture for the last ten minutes. Whit knew because his atomic watch was accurate down to the millisecond. He wanted to get out of that church. Dead bodies should not be put in boxes in the front of a church. Especially, the dead bodies of family members he barely knew.

The preacher began to read from Job. Naked I came into this world, naked I leave it. No wonder its a closed casket, he said earning him a sharp look from his mother. His aunt had been in her seventies. She would not look good naked. Whit pressed his lips together in a tight line to keep the words in as the speaker got fired up. His tone changed from a drone to a song-like melody and Whit wondered if he might rap. That would make the funeral, and church in general, more interesting if the pastor rapped the sermon. He wondered if Jesus could rap. Sure he could. He was Jesus. He pictured the long-haired, Anglo-looking Jesus in a white robe with a choir of angels behind him. Quietly but aloud, Whit began making up what he wanted to hear Jesus rap about. Yo, yo, yo. You want to get to heaven. Its really not that tough. You need a reward because life can sure be tough. His arm stung and he looked to see his mom pinching the skin on his forearm. He stood up, rubbing the spot. Ow. His face flamed with heat when he realized all eyes were on him. Why did his stupid aunt have to die? Oh, why? He was stuck in rap mode so he said what any good artist would say at exit time.

Amen, yo. Peace out. **************************************************** Quickly sketch five Sane characters. Write a short paragraph about their likes and dislikes and beliefs and morals etc. A video game designer who wears Dockers and Polo shirts doesnt care for the younger generation of gamers because they make him feel obsolete. He doesnt like people who cheat at games or life. An engineer who enjoys the outdoors and is environmentally aware has an analytical brain and a lot of common sense. He doesnt understand art or artists. Why capture images on canvas or camera when you can get out in nature and experience it for yourself? Motto: Keep the memories, not the memorabilia. An attorney who is fashion minded. She wants to believe in the justice system but has seen first-hand how those in authority make judgments, not based on the case, but on the counsel. Favorite saying: I cant defend stupid. A conservative politician who started out with the desire to serve quickly learned that its a game with no winners when every man is looking out for himself and trying to boost himself

to the next level. He stays in the game hoping to be able to do some good. A pre-op nurse who likes helping people although she initially chose the profession for the paycheck believes healthcare choices start at the grocery store. She proved it to herself when she quit smoking and began to eat healthier, losing fifty pounds. She exercises daily. ***** Finally, choose one of your sane characters and write a page where they are in a crazy situation. The courtroom was a zoo. Annabeth knew the presiding judge didnt care for her, and the feeling was mutual, but hed been doing his best not to throw both the plaintiff and defendant into jail for contempt. Annabeth thought a little jail time might do them some good. She lifted her lapel to sniff the wet spot left by one of the hellion children belonging to her client. The little rubber duck toy was cute until the kid squeezed its liquid contents onto her nice suit. She hoped it was plain water and not dirty toilet water but the smell was questionable. She was co-counsel on this divorce and custody case and when the lead counsel was hospitalized with kidney stones the

previous night, she had to take over at the last minute. Her partner hadnt told her how crazy these people were and she wondered if he drank Big Gulps for days trying to induce a kidney stone attack. A news headline ran through her mind: When Kidney Stones Attack. What she wouldnt give for a Big Gulp. Will both counselors approach the bench? It was a command, not a question, from the judge. Will someone tell me what is wrong with these people? Your honor, Annabeth glanced over her shoulder and leaned a little closer. Theyre doomsday preppers. So this property, he made quotations in the air with his fingers, theyre fighting over is most likely an illegal weapons cache. Most likely, your honor, the opposing counsel said. Stop it you lunatic. Annabeth turned to see her client, the husband, fending off a barrage of balls of wadded up paper aimed by the wife. The husband started catching them and returning fire. She tried not to smile because the wife was using papers from opposing counsels briefcase; probably important papers.

The clients kids thought it was time to play so they came around the dividing wall and claimed the paper balls to aim at anyone in their line of sight. Annabeth ducked down and the ball intended for her hit the judge in the face. Opposing counsel was squatting down beside her. Those kids are gonna get juvy. Thats it. The judge stood. Bailiff, get some officers in here to detain these people. He turned his death-ray stare toward Annabeth and her cowering opponent. What do you have to say for yourselves? Sir, Annabeth straightened and smoothed her skirt. Im going with the Moron defense.