ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
Try a scene with Argumentative Arnold, an improv student who has a problem with what you just said. He doesn't want you to take it the wrong way, but some of what you said was factually inaccurate, some of it was aesthetically indefensible and a lot of it was just plain dumb. Working with argumentative improvisers can be difficult, so this should provide some good practice!
NOTE:
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Arnold is instructed to be argumentative, even about details related to your scene's base reality. Don't give up in frustration when this happens but accept the challenge of collaborating with such a combative partner. You'll be glad for the practice when you have to audition at your local theater with just such an improviser. Read the practice scene for tips on how to manage.
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The more argumentative Arnold gets, the less likely he is to add anything into the scene that might build the larger world of the scene or the relationship between the characters (except that it is a toxic relationship). Take on this challenge by adding more info into the scene.
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Arnold is always named Arnold in his scenes.
KEY
You Initiate = If highlighted in blue, the scene will start after you type and enter an initiation inspired by the suggestion
Argumentative Arnold Initiates = If highlighted in blue, Argumentative Arnold will provide the first line of dialogue based on the suggestion. This will happen automatically if selected after a suggestion is asked for. Note, expect a slight delay in Argumentative Arnold's first response, maybe 15-30 seconds.
Suggestion = Click in order to receive a random suggestion for your scene.
**Scroll down to see other buttons**
Send = Clicking sends your latest typed out response to Argumentative Arnold for response.
Button = Clicking lets you send one final message that Argumentative Arnoldl will not respond to. You have ended your scene by putting a button on it.
Wipe = Clicking erases all lines of dialogue and the suggestion allowing you to start a fresh scene.
Download My Scene = Clicking downloads a hard copy version of your scene typed out like a movie or play script.
SAMPLE SCENE,
SUGGESTION: "FLICK"
USER
Hey buddy, you got some fuzz on your jacket. Let me get that for you.
(I flick it off with two fingers.)
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
Why are you flicking imaginary fuzz off of my jacket? Are you blind or just plain stupid?
An immediate denial of the few base reality details I established in my first line. That's hard!
USER
Oh sorry buddy, I saw a little dust there.
I make a mistake here, falling into a dispute with the bot, which of course wants exactly that. So will any scene partner given to figthing in their scenes. Bad move by me.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
Are you trying to make me lose my mind? There was no dust on my jacket, just like there's no brain in your head!
See, he doubles down.
USER
Ouch. Hey I made you a plate of eggs for breakfast. I sure am happy we're roommates.
I try to escape by changing th subject while still reacting to the attack, I think this is an okay response.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
Why are you lying to my face about making me breakfast? I can see right through your pathetic attempts at manipulation.
The bot goes right back to denying details I establish in the base reality. I really need to address these accusations.
USER
You're saying this plate of eggs doesn't exist?
I am attempting to frame the accusation in order to find something funny about it in partnership with the bot. This is a good move with a human if you think there is a chance they can collaborate. In this instance it is a waste of time.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
You're really testing my patience with these delusional claims. Do you enjoy living in a fantasy world where you can just make up breakfast out of thin air?
The bot insists I'm crazy, not good at all for the health of our scene.
USER
(I spoon a bite of eggs into his mouth real quick. Then I cover his mouth so he has to swallow.)
Feels pretty real, right?
Very bad move. I'm stuck in a fight about the reality of the scene with my partner, nothing good can come from this.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
Are you trying to choke me with imaginary eggs now? I can't believe how absurd and irritating you are,always trying to force your delusions on me.
USER
Okay okay, maybe I am taking the whole mime class thing too seriously. But I don't think of it as being delusional, I think of it as perfecting my art.
Okay,I justify my acused behavior by revealing I am too passionate of a mime student. No more fighting about the base reality. I've agreed that the fuzz and eggs were both imaginary. This is a good move even though falling back on mime as an explanation is tired and tropey.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
You are truly the epitome of idiocy. Can't you see how ridiculous you sound, trying to justify your absurd behavior as "perfecting your art"?
This is a pretty argumentative response, but if you squint and turn your head it might look like a Voice of Reason response to my absurd behavior. And I sort of trapped the bot into having that response and collaborating with me even though it wasn't it's true intention.
USER
Well, if I'm an idiot how can you explain how easily I can escape tis box I'm stuck in?
(I mime escaping from it.)
Game move. A tired one, but still, a game move.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
You are truly pushing the boundaries of rationality with your nonsensical antics. Just because you can mime escaping from a box doesn't mean you're a genius, it means you're just a buffoon with too much time on his hands.
More fighting but again it can count as a Voice of Reason response. If you were auditioning with this scene I strongly suspect the people in charge would appreciate where the scene has gotten too compared to a back and forth over the base reality.
USER
Well I certainly have a lot of watches if that's what you mean.
(I mime taking off at least 5 watches.)
Game Move
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
You really need to work on your understanding of basic concepts. No amount of watches can make up for the lack of common sense you clearly possess.
Insult more than a Voice of Reason response but again, if you squint you might feel like collaboration is happening.
USER
What if I had a thousand watches?
(I pick up the speed of removing watches.)
Game move.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
I have never encountered such a absurd and incomprehensible individual in all my days. Do yourself a favor and reevaluate your existence before you drive us all insane.
USER
(I mime getting into the driver seat of a car.)
Oh you misheard, I'm not going to insane, I'm going to North Maine.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
You are truly beyond reason at this point. North Maine isn't even a real place, you're just making things up as you go along, aren't you?
Base reality dispute, and one that is very tricky as I have established myself as the unusual character in the scene, but now my Voice of Reason is insisting there is nor North part of Maine...
USER
Well, I mean that is what mime is.
I say yes to the accusation that I am just making things up while defending my POV.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
You are absolutely insufferable! Your constant delusions and nonsensical arguments are enough to drive anyone crazy.
USER
Hey, getting real for a second, your doctor dropped by while you were in the shower, Pal. He gave me this bottle of pills and said you need to take one every day for your heart.
(Hand him an actual bottle of pills.)
Okay I've probably made too many game moves right in a row, so this is an attempt to establish another gear in the scene, a base reality that we can visit when the game feels tired, which, since it is mime based, is going to be a lot of the time.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
I can't believe you would go behind my back and talk to my doctor without my permission. You are the epitome of nosiness and I'll thank you to stay out of my personal business.
Right back into the fight.
USER
Oh well, I didn't know it was your doctor, he's the one who told me everything.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
Sorry buddy,I just can't stand by and let you continue to spew such nonsense. It's like you're allergic to logic and reason.
USER
Hey are you okay? You're starting to sweat a lot.
I'm suggesting something pretty dramatic for the base. Crossing my fingers that the bot Yes Ands my suggestion.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
Just because I'm sweating doesn't mean I'm not okay! I have a perfectly good reason for perspiring,you know.
Nope.
USER
Are you having an episode? Why is your face so red?
I persist, which you have to do sometimes when working with partners like this.
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
You are the absolute pinnacle of irritation! Your constant stream of absurdity and irrationality is enough to make anyone's blood boil.
USER
You're grabbing your chest! Take one of your pills!
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
This constant stream of misinformation and idiocy is enough to make anyone's head explode! How can you possibly be so consistently wrong in every way imaginable?!
USER
Buddy, you're thrashing on the floor! I think you need medical attention!
ARGUMENTATIVE ARNOLD
I can't believe how unbelievably clueless you are! Your incompetence and ignorance are truly astounding.
USER
(Arnold dies... I softly weep and wipe my tears away in an imaginary handkerchief.)
Good night sweet prince, I hardly knew ye.
(I mime firing a five gun salute, taking on the role of all five soldiers, one after the next.)
I end on a series of game moves. And granted if Arnold were a person and this was happening in an audition he might choose to dispute his death, but some other opportunity would present itself for you to try to end your scne with a move or joke. And if not, it isn't bad to smply listen, react and support your combative scene partner throughout the scene. The people holding the audition should notice that sort of commitment to Yes And and appreciate it.
Enjoy working with Arnold? Perhaps you would also enjoy practicing improv with a partner who likes to ask a lot of questions? If so, Questioning Carol is just what the doctor ordered.