The Nine Questions

The Nine Questions - Thea Elvstead

We lay in semisupine in order to picture our answers for these nine questions:

1) Who am I?

I am Thea Elvstead. My hair is blonde and my eyes are pale brown. I've been told I walk with a very straight posture, but then again I guess that is the standard of a woman. I come from a very middle class family. When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor but then I realised that I was put on this earth to inspire men; you've probably already heard of Eilert Loevborg and how I am the reason he is not longer an alcoholic. No, I am his muse. I have some sort of power over him.

2) What time is it?

It's Autumn time in 1890. It's soon going to be 1900! Can you believe it? When I look out of the window, I can see the brown, crisp leaves falling from the trees. I love this weather, I love when you pick up a leaf, when no one is looking, and close it inside your hand and it completely crumbles and is nothing but specs of dust. Sometimes, I wish I could be a leaf to just experience the feeling of nothingness. I find that hard to think of, death. My favourite artist, Vincent Van Gogh, died only a few months ago.

3) Where am I?

At this very moment in time, I am standing in the drawing room of George and Hedda Tesman's great mansion. I can see the teal sofas around the room, while there is big dining table in the centre. There are roses in a vase placed in the centre of the table, while there is another bunch on the top of the piano. There is an unmistakable smell in the air of Hedda's perfume as it stains the air. The windows have black crosses on them, and the glass is so clear that it looks like it must have just been cleaned. This is a beautiful drawing room. One that I could only ever dream of.

4) What surrounds me?

I am currently alone. I am waiting to see Hedda and George since I have not seen them since before the honeymoon. Ah the honeymoon, what a great trip they must have had! I do admit, I am quite jealous that Hedda has got someone who really cares for her however I don't feel as if the love travels both ways.

5) What is my relationship to the people and things around me?

I knew Hedda when we were at school. Between me and you, I have a burning hate for her because she threatened to set my hair on fire. On fire! I know George through the town but I became closer with him when I heard about him and Hedda. You see, Eilert used to tutor our, well my husband's, children and Eilert is a great friend of George's so I mostly know him through connections.

6) What are the given circumstances?

George and Hedda have just come back from honeymoon. I had a one to one chat with Hedda where she basically admitted to threatening me when I was younger! Oh, I do hate this woman but alas I cannot tell a soul unless I want to get a bad name, even worse than the one I have now due to me leaving my husband.

7) What do I want?

I want Hedda to be exposed by someone other than myself. I want everyone to know how much this lady has affected my life. But looking past this, I want Eilert. I can't watch him fall back into drinking, we've come this far together, I can't let this go to waste. I mean, I will never tell anyone this, but I feel like Eilert and I could be more than we already are. But then again, we can't due to my recent seperation with my husband. However, me and Eilert have a child together - I mean, not an actual child, a book! A book we have both put time and effort into. A book we have both worked so hard for. A book we have both cared for.

8) What's in my way?

The thing in Eilert and I's way is that I can't be shamed further in this town. It's bad enough that I get called names on the street but I can't let that go further. Also, I am not sure if Eilert feels the same way. I need to keep it a secret from everyone.

9) How am I going to get what I want?

I am going to wait for the book release so that I can share a moment of joy with Eilert. Hopefully, he will then feel the same way and we can we so happy together. I want to support and inspire him as much as possible.

My Superobjective

I just want to be loved.