Page 46 of Flirtasaurus
“Really.”
Ralph gives me a look that telegraphs “what is up with this kid?”
I just smile. She’s awesome.
“Yes. I thought there was a real opportunity to learn about Hu Hu Zhu’s culture, but other than a quick Chinese version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Yi Shan Yi Shan Liàng Jing Jing,” we really didn’t learn much.”
“Huh. Well… you could always put a note in the museum’s suggestion box about that if you like.”
“Oh, I did!”
“Okay! Next question!”
I brace myself for Finn’s question.
“What is your job in the planetarium?”
Hey, not bad.
“I do a lot of things. Finn, is it?”
Finn nods.
“Cool. Yeah, Finn, I do a lot of different things. Research mostly but I am also starting to write the scripts for the shows we produce and even narrating them!”
He seems so excited about those aspects. His cheeks are even getting a bit pink talking about it.
“Yes…”
He’s clearly searching for the next questioner’s name. I whisper, “That’s Holden.”
“Yes, Holden.”
“What does narrate mean?”
“It’s a narrator’s job to tell the story. In this case, Inarratethe story into a microphone while all the beautiful space images fly by overhead.”
“But how can you be the narrator if you don’t sound loike dis? Everyone who narrates nay-chuh and spayce shows sounds loike dis!”
Oliver has just busted out a confusing but somewhat impressive blend of cockney and posh British accents. Kids, man. I’m finding they are way more fascinating than I ever gave them credit for.
“Well, there is some truth to that, my friend. I’m guessing your parents have set you in front of the telly with Richard Attenborough-narrated BBC documentaries. Who could blame them, they’re terrific. And you’re right; Sir Richard certainly tawks loike dis. Helen Mirren did a terrific job with a film about lion prides not too long ago, and in the kids’ program we’re currently running about underwater sea creatures, Kate Winslet does a jolly good job with the text…”
The kids and I stare at Ralph as he gives Oliver a run for his money with a mishmash of accents. What the heck is happening here? And he’s still going.
“But! What if we told the great American-born Morgan Freeman, who does not tawk loike dis, that he can’t narrate? Then where would we be? I’ll tell you where, Oliver. No ‘March of the Penguins,’ no ‘Story of God’ National Geographic mini-series, none of those great voiceovers inShawshank Redemption,and geez, no Visa commercials, CBS news spots, or the option to use him when navigating your car on the Waze app!”
“Is that really an option?” My curiosity gets the best of me for a moment.
“It is, Calliope! It is an option! Mr. Freeman guided me and my 1998 Volvo home from an out of town conference last week, and I’ve never felt in such capable, commanding hands before.”
“Interesting. Hey Ralph, I think we should probably wrap this—”
“My point is, kids. Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do in this world. This universe is wide open to you and your dreams! And that is true whether you tawk loike dis a la Sir Attenborough or you talk like this…”
Oh dear God, was that his Morgan Freeman impression?
“… like Mr. Freeman. Follow your hearts and do great things, kids!”
