Toastmasters Archives - It's A Go Publishing

Lost and Found is a scene that takes our current situation into account but employs creative license as we fast-forward about six years into our “new normal.”

Through Jordan’s eyes, we are reminded that a child — living in the moment because that’s all he’s ever known — won’t consider his life to be part of the “new normal” because it won’t be new to him, his generation, and all those born after him — it will just be “normal”.

When the ‘Jordans’ of the world hear stories about the way we lived before the pandemic, what will they find shocking? What will be laughable? And what will we insist that they know about the way we lived pre-COVID-19, as we pass the proverbial torch?

Officer Lee is a caring maternal figure who represents the past — the way things used to be. She gently reassures Jordan while they search for his mother in a busy airport, which is a brand new experience for Jordan. Though frightened when he realizes he is alone after losing sight of his mother because he was in awe of the crowds of people and planes on the runway, his fear ebbs and he asks Officer Lee questions — reminding us of the curiosity and resilience of children and (perhaps) humanity. Though we may have expected the young boy to cower in a crowd full of strangers, Officer Lee’s kind words and friendly smile gives him the confidence to continue on his journey to find his mom and take his first flight to finally meet his grandmother in person.

Through his and Officer Lee’s conversation, we get the feeling that Officer Lee misses the way things were pre-pandemic. We’ve all heard the phrase, “back in the day”. It is likely that that’s how all of us who remember life before the pandemic will describe it to those who have no natural frame of reference, as did our parents and grandparents when telling us about the way things used to be.

Throughout history, we can reflect on the shifts and revolutions that rocked the collective conscious; many took time to build before flooding society in a tidal wave of change. That is not the case for the COVID-19 pandemic. There were warning bells and flashing lights, but we woke up one day and — all of a sudden — life was different. So, if you have moments of feeling lost, try not to despair. We are adapting.

We will endure transitions we likely can’t fathom at this moment, but — as we get through this together — I hope that this scene reminds you that though COVID-19 was a catalyst for change, frustration, anxiety, hardship, and tragedy, Jordan reminds us that it is not the end of wonderment and joy.

We’re trying to find our way. Though we may feel lost at times, have hope that like Jordan, we will be “found” once again — perhaps by helping one another.

DECOMPOSITON:

Cast of Characters:

Jordan Pipman (young child): Young child; five or six years old. Travelling with his mother. This is the first time he’s going on a plane, so (prior to getting lost) he is very excited about the trip. He has no memory of being in crowds before the COVID-19 pandemic, so being surrounded by strangers is new.

Very emotional experience from excitement (before he realizes he’s alone) to fear (alone) to cautious (upon finding officer) to somewhat relaxed (with officer) to relieved (back to mom; unseen).

Security Personnel, Officer Lee (female, nearing retirement): Older woman, retired police officer; works as a security guard at the airport, part-time. She raised children and has grandchildren, so she knows how to speak to a young child. Quiet, stable energy.

Mom, Maria Pipman (*does not appear on screen)

Time:

In the future. We are no longer living under physical distancing measures, but we haven’t been able to gather in large crowds for very long.

Synopsis:

Jordan has never been on a plane, nor has he been in large crowds (that he can remember) before. The scene begins with the child feeling excited, then fearful once he realizes that he is lost. A friendly security guard/officer intervenes and helps him find his mom.

**In order to establish space for each character, perhaps JORDAN always enters the screen from the left and OFFICER LEE always enters from the right. (Maybe you can set your computer up so you can easily walk around it when the characters are introduced? When both characters are talking on screen, I think you could simply look to the side where the other character would be standing/look up or down to communicate whom you are in that moment.) JORDAN looks up when talking to OFFICER LEE and OFFICER LEE looks down.

Lost and Found, The Scene

**OFF-SCREEN (O.S.)**

MARIA:

Jordan, come on! We have to get moving!

(Exasperated)

Honey, come on! Keep up!

JORDAN:

(walks on screen)

Okay, Mom!

Walks, then stops as something grabs his attention. Pause for a beat here.

(Excited, gasps)

I can see the plane! I can see the plane!

Is that our plane?

Stands in one place and looks around; body language to suggest he’s avoiding bumping into people in a crowd.

JORDAN:

(Whispers)

There’s a lot of people.

(Normal volume)

Mom, look at all the people!

JORDAN pauses. Looking around for his mom. Spins in a circle.

Mom?

(Louder)

Mom?

(Starting to panic)

Mom?!

JORDAN Walks off screen, still searching

JORDAN (O.S.):

MOM?! Where are you?

OFFICER LEE walks onscreen from the other side.

OFFICER LEE:

(Kindly)

Excuse me? Hi, I’m Officer Lee. I’m a security guard here at the airport. Are you lost? I can help you find your mom.

(Pauses; looks down at Jordan.)

OFFICER LEE:

No need to cry! I’ve helped a lot of kids find their parents because I’ve worked at the airport for a long time. I know this can be scary, but don’t worry! I’ll find her. What’s your name?

JORDAN:

(Shyly)

Jordan Pippman.

OFFICER LEE:

(Smiles. Speaks confidently.)

Well, Jordan, I was a police officer before I was a security guard, so I know I can help you find your mom. Can you tell me what she looks like? What’s her name?

JORDAN:

Maria. She’s tall like you and has brown hair and brown eyes.

OFFICER LEE:

Do you remember what she’s wearing, Jordan?

JORDAN:

Ummm. A red shirt and jeans.

OFFICER LEE:

Good memory, Jordan! Don’t worry, we’ll find her.

(Looks around)

Reaches for her walkie-talkie.

(Talking into walkie-talkie)

I’m with a young boy named Jordan, he’s looking for his mom named Maria Pippman. We’ll make our way to Terminal 1. Page and advise when she arrives.

(Puts walkie-talkie away; looks down to Jordan.)

Jordan, they’re going to make an announcement to ask your mom to meet us at Terminal 1. We have to go this way, okay?

Assume Jordan nods. Walk in opposite direction to the way Jordan was walking. Face the camera as they continue walking through the airport.

OFFICER LEE looks around for Jordan’s mom as she’s speaking.

I’m looking for your mom’s red shirt. I like the colour red. What’s your favourite colour, Jordan?

JORDAN:

Blue like Jim’s amulet in Trollhunters, but Grandma’s favourite colour is red.

OFFICER LEE:

Is your grandmother here at the airport? We can look for her too.

JORDAN:

No, we are going to see Grandma in Florida. Grandma told my mom to wear red; that’s why I know it’s her favourite colour.

OFFICER LEE:

Oh, you’re going to Florida! Have you been to Florida before, Jordan?

JORDAN:

Yeah, but Mom said I was a baby so I can’t remember. We would’ve gone before, but people got sick, so airplanes stopped flying.

OFFICER LEE:

People stopped travelling for a long time. Do you remember meeting your grandma before, Jordan?

JORDAN:

Well, I see her on the iPad and my mom’s phone. She can’t wait to give me a BIG hug!

OFFICER LEE:

What about your grandpa?

JORDAN:

He got sick. Mom said that he went to heaven. She was so sad because we had to stay home. We couldn’t visit him. Mom cried a lot.

OFFICER LEE:

I’m sorry. That’s very sad.

JORDAN:

Yeah, mom was really sad for a long time. My teacher said things are different. (shrugs) I don’t know…

OFFICER LEE:

Some things are different.

JORDAN:

Like what?

OFFICER LEE:

Well, people stopped flying for a long time.

JORDAN:

(Excited)

We’re flying today!

I have planes at home and I pretend that they fly all the time! I have to play by myself because I don’t have brothers or sisters, but when I grow up, I want to be a pilot.

OFFICER LEE:

It would be very exciting to fly a plane.

JORDAN:

Yeah! I’m glad that planes fly now!

OFFICER LEE:

It’s great that we can travel again, but I think people are a little more careful than before.

(Pointing)

Do you see the face masks for sale over there?

JORDAN:

Yeah. My mom has a mask. Hers has puppies on it. They’re really cute because some are rolling over and some are sitting with their head like this.
(Tilt head to the side.)

OFFICER LEE:

(Smiles; kindly)

That sounds cute. Well, there was a time when most stores didn’t sell masks.

JORDAN:

(surprised)

Really? What about when you went to the grocery store? Look over there!

(Pointing)

People working at McDonald’s wear masks. They always wear masks, right?

OFFICER LEE:

(Shakes head)

No, that’s pretty new too.

JORDAN:

(Wide eyed)

My mom says that’s dangerous!

OFFICER LEE:

(Looks for mom)

It was for a little while. Things were different then. Like, before we had to stay apart, we used to stand next to each other all of the time.

JORDAN:

Even strangers?

OFFICER LEE:

(Emphatically)

Especially strangers!

We’d dance shoulder to shoulder at concerts, stand elbow to elbow with people in subways, we’d sit next to people we don’t know in restaurants and movie theatres —

JORDAN:

(Confused)

What’s that?

OFFICER LEE:

What’s what? A movie theatre?

Assume Jordan nods.

It was a building people would go to sit and watch movies together on a really big screen. Way bigger than a TV.

JORDAN:

The kids next door watches movies on a wall. Is it like that?

OFFICER LEE:

Yeah, like that, but even bigger.

JORDAN:

I kinda like watching movies at home.

OFFICER LEE:

Me too. That’s why — even though we can be together now — it’s not the same. There are no more movie theatres because we’ve adapted.

JORDAN:

What does ‘adapted’ mean?

OFFICER LEE:

‘Adapted’ means that we’ve changed because we needed to do things differently. Like, do you ever have school at home?

JORDAN:

Sometimes.

OFFICER LEE:

My grandkids do that too. But when I was growing up, we had to go to school every day.

JORDAN:

Why didn’t you just stay home and do school on your computer?

OFFICER LEE:

We didn’t really have computers back then.

JORDAN:

Not even at school?

OFFICER LEE:

Not even at work! We didn’t have phones in our pocket either.

JORDAN:

(Looks disbelieving. To himself)

That’s so weird!

Officer Lee, what was that word again?

OFFICER LEE:

Adapted?

JORDAN:

Yeah. Is ‘adapted’ good?

OFFICER LEE:

(Nodding)

It can be difficult to adapt, but sometimes we have to try new things.

JORDAN:

(Happily)

My mom says that every day is new because it never happened before!

OFFICER LEE:

(Laughs)

Yes, that’s true!

JORDAN:

(Grins)

Officer Lee, you sound like my grandma.

OFFICER LEE:

(Smiles)

Do I? That’s nice. I hope you have fun with your grandma when you get to Florida.

(Looks around)

This is Terminal 1.

(Pause, looking. Points.)

Jordan, is that your mom in the red top?

JORDAN:

(Excited)

Yes! MOM!

(Run off-screen)

END

This is the first scene I’ve written in a long time. Writing a musical is on my bucket list, so when a friend from Toastmasters asked if I would write a scene for her so she could complete the final project of her ALG (Advanced Leadership Gold), I was happy to assist.

In preparation for writing the scene, I asked my friend to brainstorm a few different ideas (she came up with some really good ones! Among them was an individual who gets stuck in an airport and a child who gets lost in the city and is assisted by a police officer. I blended these two ideas together and added some creative forethought based on our current situation — et voila!

My friend gave a wonderful performance! Fortunately, she really liked Lost and Found.

Take care!

Give life the green light. It’s A Go!

Amber Green

Looking for a great short story? You’ll really enjoy:

🇨🇦 Musings of a Masterpiece

A work of art narrates its journey through time in this short story.

In the centuries since its creation, it has witnessed the joy of love and companionship, the heartache of loss, and hardship. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but what if the masterpiece you so admire silently muses at the countless wonders of humanity?

🇺🇸: Amazon.com users, click here.

🇬🇧: Amazon.co.uk users, click here.

Amber Green is a self-published Canadian author and freelance writer. Her short stories can be found here: www.amazon.com/author/ambergreen

Before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, I wrote the below short story inspired by the speech competitions that occur at every level of Toastmasters. (Our district competition was cancelled due to COVID-19, which was a wise decision.)

I’ve been a member of two different Toastmasters groups throughout the years. (If you’re unfamiliar, Toastmasters is an international non-profit organization that provides its members with the opportunity to develop their public speaking and leadership skills. )

To my fellow Toastmasters — regardless of where you are — this story is for you.

Pass the Mic

Clammy palms and a long exhale before walking out on stage. This is not my first speech competition, not by a long shot.

You would think that I am an experienced speaker: that people pay attention to my words and gestures; that my storytelling techniques are always on point; that everyone waits with bated breath when I pause. But you’d be wrong.

In fact, I can’t speak at all. I am merely the microphone that helps to amplify your message.

As tens of thousands of Toastmasters prepare to compete in speech contests, I wait in storage, reflecting on the contestants and the countless speeches I’ve heard over the years. From the novice speaker, who was encouraged by a mentor to participate in their very first club competition, to the seasoned Toastmaster, who looks forward to competing at the highest level. As an accomplished speaker, they look back fondly to the early days when nerves rattled them; their voice was shaky, heartbeat raced, and the pounding of their pulse felt as though it radiated through their very fingertips.

Of the many speakers I’ve assisted throughout the years, they’ve all had a message to share, a story to tell. Though I amplify their words for but a moment, they create a lasting impact that will live in the memories of those who hear it. Whether it’s a moment of laughter that reverberates off the walls, scoffs of disbelief, or gasps of surprise that unite a crowd, I take great pride in knowing that I contributed to the success of these speakers in some small way.

After all, I helped their message reach a person in the back of the room; a person who hadn’t expected to be moved, but they resolve to make changes in their life because of something said. Because they heard. Because they felt akin to an experience illuminated in a speech so carefully crafted and practiced by the dedicated Toastmaster on stage.

I wish I could amplify my own message. If I could, I would remind you of our history and how far we’ve come. Throughout the decades, our membership has grown to include women and people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, and creed, which signals progress, marking important societal shifts.

Even if figuratively speaking, the mic is passed from Toastmaster to Toastmaster in clubs around the world. Each member is a gatekeeper to their unique story or perspective that has the power to make a lasting impression, to alter perception, and shake loose stagnant thought.

So tell a tale. Use your voice. It is yours to employ as you inspire, entertain, lead, and educate.

If you’re ever told to keep quiet, I’ll be there to raise the volume and amplify your voice.