You are on page 1of 2

Icebreaker Professor Tuttle has a split personality with Chris Klein.

Various students are Professor Tuttles subconscious; they stand around the room in odd places listing phobias and definitions. Chris Klein hides under the table. This is all happening inside of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars. Professor Tuttle: Hello and good afternoon. Im a person and my name is Chris Klein; I dont know what you can do with that information. And I dont actually know where Im standing right now, technically I mean, because Im writing this now on Monday. Im actually at home imagining this. I could be all over the place. I could be in front of the classroom somewhere, in front or behind the table, maybe standing up on top of the table. I could be hiding under the table. Maybe Im in a corner, or at the back. I could be at the door; or catatonically starring out the window. So you are here and I am here. Im writing this now hoping it wont be a train wreck. Professor Tuttles going to think Im weird. Its really the stuff of nightmares to come up here and sort of bomb; so Ill try honesty: (You dont have to say the stuff in italics.) Student 1: When I was a kid I watched Power Rangers and played with action figures.(Automatonophobia: fear of lifelike inanimate objects) Student 2: I used to have a pet lizard named Reptar that got lost under the furniture in my room for weeks. (Disposophobia: fear of losing things) Student 3: I have traumatic memories of falling up stairs in public. (Vertigo) Student 4: When I try to dance it looks like Im convulsing.(Chorophobia: fear of public dancing) Student 4.5: Sometimes when I talk theres a weird clicking sound in my jaw.(Mandibular arthritis.) Student 5: I end up spending large amounts of my time starring at that one odd water stain spot in ceilings.(Thalassophobia: fear of the ocean.) Student 6: I wonder just how small a flame can be and still be a flame. (Arsonphobia: fear of small flames.) Student 7: I have a legitimate phobia of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars. (Phagophobia: fear of being eaten alive.) Professor Tuttle: I think Ill cut myself off there. And Im not exactly sure what an icebreaker is; though it connotes glaciers, which reminds me of the Titanic, which makes me nervous. So I looked up the definitions: Student 7 sits under the table with Chris Klein. Student 1: A structure controlled by a shipmaster. Student 2: A lost vessel. Student 3: A sturdy ship designed for rough waters. Student 4: A party boat. Student 4.5: Does anyone hear that clicking sound? Student 5: The Flying Dutchman Student 6: A very small introduction of the Ferryman in Hades. Student 7: Someone who gives toasts at rehearsal dinners; a Toastmaster. The students start walking around the room in random directions. (Do whatever odd things you want. Please dont hurt yourself.) Professor Tuttle: Theres a question on the assignment about what films I watch. I like this scene from an old Charlie Chaplin film: Theres this restaurant where strands of spaghetti are sort of lured from the ceiling, hanging like a fishing line; and everyones craning their necks up and eating the spaghetti. And also on the syllabus, you said; quote; and Im paraphrasing here: If the class is proceeding with lively discussion and positive vibes, I will not issue quizzes or a final exam. Can we not have quizzes or a final exam now? (People can bow or something if they want to; and the students can say what phobias they had.)

You might also like