written and produced by Viktor Devonne for 2 Night Stay
performed by Gretchen Violetta
transcription:
director: Screen test: Natalie May Dashett, Villeroy Studios, March 18, 1936. Name.
Natalie: Natalie. Natalie May Dashett.
director: Spell that.
Natalie: N-a-t-a-l-i-e.
director: Your last name.
Natalie: Oh (laugh) D-a-s-h-e-t-t
director: Where are you from?
Natalie: Duanesberg, New York. Upstate New York. Near—
director: Age?
Natalie: 20.
director: Says here you do Shakespeare?
Natalie: I can do a lot of things. I just did Oscar Wilde this year.
director: Hm. Lewin do that?
Natalie: Yes, sir.
director: He’s a piece of work.
Natalie: Yes, sir.
director: You get along with him? No keep the hair up, it looks good.
Natalie: Yes, sir.
director: Did you?
Natalie: I’m sorry, sir?
director: Sal, can you get her a glass of water? Girl looks like she’ll faint dead away. Did you like working with Albert Lewin, I asked.
Natalie: He was very good to work with, but he didn’t—thank you—he didn’t have a lot of very nice things to say to almost anyone.
director: But good to work with?
Natalie: I learned a lot.
director: Shell-shocked, I bet. Well. You have the blue dress on; Lottie said you also had a red with you?
Natalie: Yes, sir.
director: Let’s see it.
Natalie: Right here, sir?
director: There’s a screen. What’s the most lines you had in a single show?
Natalie: Bianca was probably about 25.
director: Shrew?
Natalie: Yes, sir.
director: Supporting girl. You know we’re taking a chance hiring a girl with no experience.
Natalie: I have experience, sir. I just haven’t done a picture yet.
director: You’re on the radio?
Natalie: Yes, sir.
director: Who’s your coach?
Natalie: I worked with Madeline Fisher.
director: Old girl? Hump on her shoulder?
Natalie: Yes, sir.
director: Let’s see it. The red looks good on you. I like the collar. You have a monologue prepared? Let’s hear.
Natalie: Why, gentlemen, you do me double wrong,
To strive for that which resteth in my choice:
I am no breeching scholar in the schools;
I’ll not be tied to hours nor ‘pointed times,
But learn my lessons as I please myself.
And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down:
Take you your instrument, play you the whiles;
His lecture will be done ere you have tuned.
Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
To make a bondmaid and a slave of me;
That I disdain: but for these other gawds,
Unbind my hands, I’ll pull them off myself,
Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat;
Or what you will command me will I do,
So well I know my duty to my elders.
director: Do you know what any of that means?
Natalie: Some of it, sir.
director: Turn left and right for the camera. OK, thank you. We’ll let you know.
2nightstay 