Jodie is sitting on the bench waiting for the number 9 bus like she does every day. She is reading the latest novel by her favorite author, Patrick Ness, who has planted her in a dystopian world of proportions which only can be imagined by his guidance. Her world is isolated, with only an awareness of the space that surrounds her person, and that of the whoosh of the bus coming to a stop.

Cocooned in her fantasy world, she becomes Viola as she reads her feelings and misadventures. She thinks about what it might be like to hear the thoughts of those around her. Are they really believing what they are saying? Do they understand that their thoughts compel their actions? What would others hear of her thoughts?

As she ponders her Violaian existence, she becomes aware of people encroaching her space. They are talking rather loudly, but she thinks they will pass her by to leave her in her introverted revelry.

To her dismay, the couple sits down next to her on the bench. She doesn’t usually mind, but she is disturbed by their incessant loud talking.

“Why do you always have to win? You are so self-centered. How could you think that it wouldn’t bother me to be called out in front of my friend?”

“He is so self-centered! I can’t stand how he treats me as if I am the enemy! I wish he would just go away and never come back!”

Wait, why is one conversation in second person? What weirdos’ they are!

“Hey, we’re not weirdos!” “You are!”

Huh…. She looks to her left and realizes she is Viola. Words are not needed.