Summary

I didn’t change much cause I didn’t have time aside from adding some words and phrases. Expect more in final draft.

Good Morning Honorable Chairs and Fellow Degalates-“ no. Ahem, “ Good Morning Honorable Chairs and Felloaahh-“.

A yawn, really? 

The metal beast speaks again. “The next stop is-“ unimportant. I had just made it to Roosevelt, that meant I had time to perfect my pride. And the silence of the train at 6am? Perfect. Ahem. Breathes in- “today we are all gathered to discuss the situation of…” What if they don’t listen, is it too boring?  There she goes again. That little voice inside. “I’m following the rules set by the speech guidelines, it’s fine” I say back silently trying to appease her worries. Taking another breath of subway air, I go to speak. “Now the council is aware of the events of the past three months-” That’s too fast, slow down, they’ll just zone out. Ugh! I cant focus with all her talking and interrupting. I begin to worry however.  Maybe she’s scared for a reason. “But.. I practiced this.. using emotion, volume, pitch and tone when speaking- “But in front of people”? It doesn’t matter, I just have to get this done and take my seat-  “Is that all you want?”  

… The train enters the tunnel, darkness surrounds me as we continue to fight. Although the voice sounds very young, familiar… and scared. As if she’s trying to convince me that there’s no reason to try. To protect me. 

My papers fall to my lap as I bring my hands up to meet my hanging head. Tears prick at the corner of my eyes and it makes me feel even more ridiculous than wearing these uptight business casual outfit. The palms of my hands wet from wiping away the fear and insecurity that leaked its way onto my cheeks. Looking up I see the torso of my 3rd grade teacher. It was a parent teacher conference. “She is a bright kid, but she’s such a chatterbox! There can’t possibly be an important reason every time she talks to someone in class. Maybe if she stopped talking 100 miles per hour she wouldn’t stutter so much either.” I was too ashamed to look up any further. Closing my eyes again I try to calm my breathing and another image flashes in.

 I stand at the old wooden podium, worn and chipped, looking around at the class of about 30 students of all ages, walks of life, and experiences. I await my feedback on a speech delivered. “You sounded amazing, it’s like every word you said had a deeper emotional connotation to it. It really makes you want to keep listening.” My breath hitches at the memory, fresh as it was just yesterday. Amazing…

As I open my eyes again a third and final time, although this time was a bit harder as the lights beam down at me. I stand at the large metal podium on stage in the General Assembly room of the United Nations.  The screens behind me zoom in on my face and I pray that they don’t see through the mask. See through to the scared little girl who is still hesitant to bite her tongue, even when it gets her in trouble. She wishes to speak. I am met with the sight of the faces of 500 plus international delegates. I breathe in again and this time, my mind seems to be on my side. “Speak”