Patrick K.

Yeboah
TSOA Writing the Essay, 8 AM
Blagovesta Momchedjikova
Progression 3, Exercise 2
November 16, 2015
Characters and Plot
To the Woman in Black, this is her easiest scene, the one she had to rehearse least for. She
picked up her prop and used it. There was nothing more to it and there was certainly nothing less
to it. It is the way she functions. The movement of her hand when she smokes is all part of the
pulse of her life now. She is the main character.
The people who pass by her seem to not notice her at all. Someone walks by and asks her
for a lighter, but she says she doesnt have one to offer. I can only imagine the way she feels after
her cigarette. I am willing to bet that her habit has so much more to do stress relief than aesthetic.
The other smokers dont seem nearly as interesting as the Woman in Black.
People smoke everywhere every day. Its just a part of life; its as common as walking or
eating. The only forces that have any type of power over smokers are themselves and the rules of
the society in which they live. There are so many places in which smoking is not allowed. One
the sidewalks lay remnants, reminders, of this. The clouds that smokers ad to the celestial dome
give the city its life, but also contribute to its death. New Yorkers have been smoking for
decades, but one forgets the smell they create, the chemicals, and the bad sometimes outweighs
the good.

There are no real rules to this performance. What is done, is done. There are a few
commonalities, though, amongst people who smoke. One always share his or her lighter. There
are some who even go so far as to give away cigarettes to friends or even strangers. This
smokers code is one that emphasizes brother and sisterhood.