Reverie

by Ryan La Sala

[Kelly]

Kane Montgomery was found on the embankment in the Cobalt Complex among the scorched remains, an abandoned industrial estate and landmark in the small town of East Amity. The local authorities are questioning Kane. Why was he trespassing on private property and why did he set the landmark ablaze? Unable to remember the incident or the months preceding, Kane is appointed a counsellor, assigned a journal and coerced into providing information in exchange for his freedom from incarceration. It's an impossible situation. Kane believes he's ostracised by his peers and Doctor Posey offers a sense of belonging and kinship, seemingly understanding of his precarious situation. What Doctor Posey lacks in subtlety, they more than compensate in cryptic information, knowing all too well how Kane has lost his memories.

Investigating the scene of the incident, Kane is no closer to discovering his memories, the town believing the ostracised young man many have attempted suicide. Did he? Boisterous and opinionated sibling Sophie doesn't agree. Doctor Posey is fabulously sinister, an extravagant drag queen sorceress who may hold the key to unlocking Kane's memories. Quite literally. Posey sees the injustice of the world and wants to fashion a new version of the sleepy Connecticut town. Everyone shall live within the new reality of a Reverie, their narratives controlled and forever trapped within their world of elaborate trinkets and fabulous coiffed hair while living their best life. The Others must put an end to Posey's madness, who would want to live in such a world? I ask as the entire reading audience raises their hand.

The Others are a small alliance of local adolescents who guide the Reverie, appearing as characters within the dreamscape and remaining lucid throughout. Although Kane cannot remember, he is responsible for guiding the Reverie narrative to completion. It isn't until he overhears a ragtag group of students talking about strange new worlds that he learns who he truly is and he's not alone, he has friends, although somewhat peculiar and slightly terrifying for a multitude of reasons. Kane's sexuality has always been the target of ignorant and homophobic peers so to find out he has friends is a delight. Gosh I felt for the poor confused boy, Kane is so lovely and kindhearted and deserves to be surrounded by people who care deeply for him. Ursula was that person. An old friend who suddenly feels like a new friend who is passionate and athletic and makes absolutely no excuses for herself.

Ursula understands what it feels like to be labelled, being a tall young woman with an athletic build, she's labelled a lesbian as though it's an insult. She's incredibly kind and patient with Kane and their friendship seemed to ease Kane's anxiety. Each member of The Others holds a special power, Ursula has speed and strength on her side, cheerleader and aloof Adeline can wipe your memories and Elliot can cast illusions, which comes in handy when you're sneaking around trying to thwart the plans of a villainous drag queen. Regardless of how fabulous her wigs are.

A Reverie is a vividly imagined narrative that manifests as a dreamscape, depicting our wildest desires, aspirations or turmoil. Worlds created from our sprawling imagination. of romance, betrayal and heroism. The Others remain lucid throughout the experience, assisting the Reverie to conclusion without interfering regardless of the dreamscape. The premise is breathtaking and beautifully imagined.

Reverie also touches on queer communities and the queerphobia they endure. Kane was isolated by his peers for being gay. At a young age, Kane was outed due to his eccentricities and avoided by other boys in elementary school, no longer invited to sleepovers as if being gay was contagious, causing Kane to withdraw from his peers. Ursula understands. Why does society feel the need to label athletic women as lesbians? It happens in all aspects of women's sport. Regardless of their sexual orientation, females have every right to play sport without being labelled or objectified. If society and in particular men, learnt to respect women and shut their damn mouths, I dare say more females would feel comfortable being active. Adeline isn't without her detractors. Being a cheerleader, she's assumed to be unintelligent or even dimwitted when in fact, it's quite the opposite. She's feisty, fierce and someone you need on your team when battling Posey in all her evil fabulousness.

Posey may be the villain but she's absolutely fabulous! At first Posey describes herself as a man in mascara but throughout the narration, Posey is referred to as she or her. I'm not certain if Posey is a drag queen or transgender but she's a phenomenal character who struts onto the page to her own theme music, tinkling in trinkets on her wrist and coiffed wigs to the nines. I adored her.

Reverie is a fantastical journey of adventure, breaking stereotypes and coiffed hair with a side dish of jazz hands. Outrageously fabulous!