Hamster - Rewrite
User:
Considering " the Hamster" essay and report ->
http://benedikt-eickhoff.de/essays/2023/05/hamster-a-black-and-white-dog-laying-on-top-of-a-blanket/ , http://benedikt-eickhoff.de/essays/2023/05/report-on-hamster-1/
-> write a scene for stage in unexaggerated, almost absurdist style (Ionesco , Beckett), complete with character description, backstory scene and an outlook on what might happen next ( = a total of three scenic settings). Then, considering the main character, please write a character assessment according to the icd 11 trait domain specifiers for personality assessment and write a speculative step outline for further character exploration. Eventually write a logline .
Assistant:
Based on the information from the essays, here is a stage scene written in an unexaggerated, almost absurdist style:
Character Description:
Hamster, a medium-sized black and white Border Collie mix, is the protagonist. His expressive eyes and slightly unkempt fur give him a charming, scruffy appearance. He has a distinctive black patch over one eye, adding to his unique charm.
Backstory Scene:
Setting:
A small, cozy living room. A worn-out blanket is spread on the floor. Hamster is laying on it, his eyes following the movements of his owner, Grace.
Grace: (Sighs deeply, looking at a stack of unpaid bills) "Oh, Hamster, what are we going to do?"
Hamster: (Tilts his head, looking at Grace with understanding eyes)
Narrator: "Grace had recently lost her job, and the bills were piling up. Hamster, her loyal companion, seemed to understand her worries. He had been with her through thick and thin, always providing comfort and companionship."
Outlook Scene:
Setting:
The same living room, a few days later. Grace is on the phone, her face lighting up with hope.
Grace: (Excitedly) "Yes, yes, I can start immediately! Thank you so much!"
Hamster: (Wags his tail, sensing Grace's excitement)
Narrator: "Grace had finally found a job. Things were looking up, but it would require her to travel a lot. How would Hamster cope with her absence?"
ICD-11 Trait Domain Specifiers for Personality Assessment:
Hamster is generally calm and composed (Negative Affectivity), quite attached to Grace (Detachment), friendly and loving (Antagonism), well-behaved (Disinhibition), and flexible (Anankastia).
Step Outline for Further Character Exploration:
- Explore Hamster's reaction to Grace's frequent absences due to her new job.
- Show Hamster developing a new routine or hobby to cope with Grace's absence.
- Introduce a new character, a neighbor who starts taking care of Hamster when Grace is away.
- Develop a bond between Hamster and the neighbor, showing Hamster's ability to adapt and form new relationships.
- Reveal a crisis where Grace has to move for her job, leaving Hamster behind with the neighbor.
Logline:
In a world where humans are constantly on the move, a loyal and understanding dog named Hamster must navigate the challenges of his owner's frequent absences, forming unexpected bonds and learning to cope with change, proving that love and friendship can be found in the most unexpected places.
User:
Please rewrite, considering a dark, pessimistic and absurdist style -
Assistant:
Character Description:
Hamster, a medium-sized Border Collie mix, is our protagonist. His black and white fur is always slightly unkempt, adding to his aura of melancholy. A distinctive black patch over one eye gives him a look of perpetual skepticism.
Backstory Scene:
Setting:
A dimly lit, cramped living room. A threadbare blanket lies on the floor. Hamster is sprawled on it, his eyes tracking the movements of his owner, Grace.
Grace: (Sighs deeply, staring at a pile of unpaid bills) "Oh, Hamster, what's the point?"
Hamster: (Tilts his head, his gaze on Grace heavy with existential dread)
Narrator: "Grace, jobless and drowning in debt, finds no solace in the world. Hamster, her only companion, seems to share her despair. He's been with her through the best and worst of times, a silent witness to the human condition."
Outlook Scene:
Setting:
The same living room, a few days later. The light is dimmer, the room colder. Grace is on the phone, her face a mask of forced optimism.
Grace: (Forced cheer) "Yes, yes, I can start immediately! Thank you so much!"
Hamster: (Wags his tail listlessly, sensing Grace's feigned excitement)
Narrator: "Grace has found a job, a small glimmer in the vast darkness. But it requires her to travel, to leave Hamster alone. How will Hamster endure the solitude?"
ICD-11 Trait Domain Specifiers for Personality Assessment:
Hamster is generally calm, almost to the point of apathy (Negative Affectivity), deeply attached to Grace, perhaps to an unhealthy extent (Detachment), friendly but with a hint of melancholy (Antagonism), well-behaved, almost robotic (Disinhibition), and flexible, a survival trait in a world that makes no sense (Anankastia).
Step Outline for Further Character Exploration:
- Delve into Hamster's despair as he grapples with Grace's frequent absences.
- Show Hamster developing a routine or hobby to distract himself from the crushing loneliness.
- Introduce a new character, a neighbor who begins to care for Hamster in Grace's absence, adding another layer of absurdity to Hamster's existence.
- Develop a bond between Hamster and the neighbor, highlighting Hamster's desperate need for companionship.
- Unveil a crisis where Grace is forced to move for her job, leaving Hamster in the care of the neighbor, a poignant symbol of abandonment.
Logline:
In a world devoid of meaning, a dog named Hamster grapples with his owner's frequent absences, forming bonds with strangers and learning to endure the absurdity of existence, a testament to the bleak reality of life and the desperate search for companionship.
User:
I like this dog ...
Assistant:
I'm glad to hear that! Hamster seems to be a very special dog, indeed. His loyalty, understanding, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances make him a truly endearing character. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!