Page 287 - Making Instruction Work

chap 21 3/11/97 5:18 PM Page 273

Makenzie Mit Der

Bookentesting

T he house lights dimmed and the orchestra charged into the
overture. Cymbals crashed, trombones trombled, and trum-
pets hootled. Violin bows flashed and bobbled in unison, as
though locked together in a frenzy of musical calisthenics.
“That’s a pretty enthusiastic overture,” said the novice.
“What’s this opera about, anyway?”
“Well,” responded the regular, “it’s a tribute.”
“Tribute? To what or whom?”
“To a clump of folks who were generous enough to help the
hero test his book. The opera opens with the hero sitting at the
typewriter, writing a book. He begins by singing and whining
about how hard it is to write. It’s a very sad aria.”
“Sounds like a nut. What happens then?”
“His wife comes in . . . Lola Lollapalooza. She’s a soprano
played by Eileen Mager. She tells him about her day in the vil-
lage. Then they sing a duet, with her trying to get him to let her
see the book, and him subtly trying to get back to work.”
At this point the first act ended and the smokers ran for the
exits.
“What happens next?” asked the novice.
“The next act takes place after he’s finished a first draft and
is ready to try it out.”
“Try it out?”