Jessica Lee: Please don't put your feet up on there...
Tara Norwood: Why? You told me to make myself comfortable. Yer lucky I left my boots on!
JL: But that's not wh--
Stage Manager: Jessica! We're live!
JL: (Pauses, then puts a brightly smiling face) Good evening! I'm Jessica Lee, sitting down with another of the characters from Mythos - Miss Tara Norwood! Thanks for coming by, Tara.
TN: Thanks fer havin' me, Jessie!
JL: Haha, that's Jessica, please. So who are you in the story of Mythos?
TN: Well, Jessie, I'm actually the best friend of Ky - the main character. Me an' them's been friends since we was real young, 'bout 8 or 9 years old, I reckon.
JL: It's Jessica. So you've been friends with Ky basically all your lives. The catalyst that begins the story is the death of Lisa Harrison, Ky's ex-girlfriend. Were you and Lisa close?
TN: With Lisa? I mean... listen, Jessie--
JL: Jessica.
TN: (Without even pausing) -- I honestly barely knew 'er. While Ky and I were friends fer 'bout fifteen years or so, I can't say we was always best friends. Up through middle school we was like a pair o' pigs in s***, happy as can be. When we got to high school though, things kinda changed fer us. I took an interest in athletic stuff, and Ky turned into one o' them emo drama nerds. They was always doin' weird things, like rollin' all them funny-shaped dice an' playin' their online games. We didn't hate each other or nothin', we was just mostly movin' in different circles.
JL: I see, and that's when Ky and Lisa met?
TN: Yes ma'am! There was dancin' in them plays Ky was in sometimes, an' Lisa was the dance team captain. She'd help 'em with their fancy stage dancin' and I reckon them two just hit it off. Dated fer years outta high school 'fore they split.
JL: Was the breakup hard on Ky?
TN: HAH! You said "hard on!"
JL: (Forces a smile, but stays silent)
TN: But naw, Ky an' Lisa felt they was driftin' apart when Ky dropped outta college an' Lisa was livin' on campus up in Towson. It was only 'bout a 20 minute drive... well, about a 3 hour drive on Fridays... but with Lisa's schoolin' added to that, they just kinda decided to do their own thing. Or I guess Lisa probably doin' someone else.
JL: You sounded a little scornful there, Tara - is that a little jealousy?
TN: F*** no!
JL: (Forced laughter) Whoa, you're definitely Ky's friend, talking like that, but try to keep it PG - we're live.
TN: Shucks, sorry Jessie...
JL: Jessica!
TN: (Smirking and obviously enjoying herself) Naw, I'm Tara - I think we went over this.
JL: (Obviously not enjoying herself) Right. So you and Ky became close again after they broke up with Lisa?
TN: Yep! I ain't never bothered goin' to college, an' without Lisa takin' up all of Ky's time we could hang out again.
JL: So you feel like Lisa was monopolizing on Ky's time, perhaps keeping you away?
TN: (Pause) ... I reckon I don't like where yer goin' with that thinkin', Jessie.
JL: O-oh. I was only aski--
TN: (Coldly, her eyes suddenly hard) You just gon' just keep askin' me 'bout Lisa?
JL: (Swallows) Ah, no... no no... (Glancing nervously to the teleprompter) Right, so outside of your relationship with Ky, what can you tell us about yourself?
TN: (Suddenly all smiles again) Well, before I came into Ky's life an' made it a million times better, I was actually livin' on my parents' farm out west in Hampstead. My folks sent me here to Baltimore to live with my grandparents when I was a kid, an' that's how I met Ky. Nowadays I'm a cashier at the Endrox station out in Ellicott City.
JL: Ah, alright. Looks like we're coming up against a break, Tara. Is there anything else you would like to say to the players at home before we wrap up?
TN: Hmm... I reckon if I had to say one thing, it'd be this: Don't assume you know how anythin' works goin' into this. Our world ain't yours.
JL: Alright! Thanks for your time, Tara...
TN: Aw, no problem, Jessie! I'd be happy to stop by again!
JL: Oooh, haha... that... that definitely won't be necessary. (Looking to the camera) That's all for tonight. Tune in next week when we have Sophia joining us! From WETT Baltimore - I'm Jessica Lee with Nine of Swords Studios. Until next time, keep the legends alive!
Stage Manager: All clear!
JL: Ugh. Someone bring a drink to my dressing room.