Page 167 of The Examiner

She’s blind from birth. A visually-impaired artist who majored in sculpture and studied sound in her own time. She’s bright and ambitious, with strong family support. She’ll be an active member of the group, but she literally won’t see a thing.

Ludya

We need all three to be compliant.

Gela

And I need you three to be my students. You attend class three or four days a week, complete all the assignments on time and throw yourselves into the final project to the best of your abilities. You’re enthusiastic and engaged from the first day to graduation. This won’t work if you’re not.

Ludya

I’m a graphic designer since my kids’ dad left and I had to earn actual money. Jonathan’s dad has an art gallery, and either me or Suzie’s sister will do her assignments for her. No one will think we’re anything other than regular people trying to better ourselves.

Gela

And the money?

Ludya

We’ve paid our fees.

Gela

The money you promised me.

Ludya

You’ll get half soon. The rest at the end of the course, but ONLY if we locate the unit and get the evidence we need. That’s the deal.

Gela

I find it difficult to believe your organisation has that level of available funds.

Ludya

They don’t, but Jonathan and Suzie can sweet-talk wealthy benefactors like you wouldn’t believe.

Gela

And you’ll be exemplary students?

Ludya

Shit, no! We’ll play our characters. Us, but students again. Nervous, wideeyed, over-confident, disruptive, lazy, chilled. As diverse in approach as anyone would expect a class to be. Personally, I’m looking forward to playing around with clay and paint. Seeing if I’ve still got it.

Gela

I suggest Suzie and Jonathan don’t tell the others they’re married. It’ll look strange.

Ludya

Sure, well, you want her to be Alyson. He’s not married to ‘Alyson’, is he?

Gela

I’m not sure about that now. If one of the others google … Alyson and Suzie may be sisters, but they’re quite different.

Ludya