English Majors script
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Listen

Garrison Keillor: And now, a message from the Partnership of English Majors.

(PARTY AMBIENCE)

Tim Russell: Hi.

Sue Scott: Nice party.

TR: Yeah. Don't I know you?

SS: No, you don't.

TR: Oh.

SS: Your Dracula outfit is nice. You even smell like a vampire.

TR: Yeah, I buried the cape in the ground for a couple weeks.

SS: Cool.

TR: What are you, then? You look kinda dusty and disheveled. Are you somebody from The Addams Family?

SS: No, I'm Bertha Mason.

TR: Oh. —-Who's Bertha Mason?

SS: You know, the crazy wife from Jane Eyre. The one Mr. Rochester keeps locked up in the attic.

TR: Mr. Rochester? Isn't he a horse or something?

SS: No, he's a classic fictional character created by Charlotte Bronte.

TR: Oh, right, Charlotte Bronte. Great singer. Pretty hot, too.

SS: No, Charlotte Bronte. The writer. You're thinking of Charlotte Church.

TR: Oh. I guess I don't get your costume then.

SS: Never mind, just forget it.

TR: Jeez. Have a cow, why doncha.

SS: I never knew what that means-have a cow. If you're referring to giving birth to a cow, wouldn't it be better to say "have a calf"?

TR: You are weird.

SS: No, I'm not. I'm an English Major.

TR: Well, you don't gotta take it out on the rest of us.

GK: You mean you don't have to take it out on the rest of us.

SS: Oh hi. Who are you?

GK: I'm Branson Wilder—

SS: Not THE Branson Wilder, author of the incredible sonnet that appeared in this month's Minnesota Quarterly—

GK: Yes, indeed. I couldn't help but notice your Bertha Mason costume.

SS: Wow. I love your costume—the black cape and mud boots, the dark, brooding expression- and you're tall, too. Oh, Heathcliff.

TR: Don't look like Heathcliff to me.

SS: Not the cartoon Heathcliff. The one from Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights—

GK: Indeed.

SS: The passionate anti-hero-

TR: Oh. I was thinking of a big red dog.

SS: Oh get lost. Please?

GK: I always thought Heathcliff and Bertha should have been in the same novel.

SS: I did too. They would have had a lot to talk about.

GK: So— what do you say we get Bertha Mason and go for a walk on the moors. (HOWL)

SS: You're so sensitive— and yet strong.

GK: Of course. — A message, from the Partnership of English Majors.

An Interview with Andra Suchy

Garrison Keillor and Andra Suchy

Singer and songwriter Andra Suchy talks about singing duets with Garrison, and her latest album, Little Heart.

Read more»

Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976

Old Sweet Songs

Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).

Available now»

American Public Media © |   Terms and Conditions   |   Privacy Policy