The cast of Space Force pool their improvisational talents to craft a work of experimental fiction.
It’s not often that a cast as sharp and imaginative as that of Space Force comes along. That’s why Queue asked some of the series’ stars to show off their creative chemistry in three rounds of a classic improv game. Over the next few weeks, we will post the absurdist stories that resulted. Here we present the first installation, inspired by the singularly provocative word “bajillion.”
From top left: Ben Schwartz, John Malkovich, Diana Silvers, Jimmy O. Yang, Tawny Newsome
I open my eyes in complete darkness, looking around the room for a light switch anywhere I can find one. When I put my hand against the wall, I feel like I’ve found a bajillion different switches that have a bajillion different purposes. So I look at one, close my eyes, and flick it [1].
The light comes on briefly. But as I get up to start my day, because there is then daylight, I go for the light switch in my room, which is a quite small room. But suddenly the light switch is a mile away [2]. I feel tortured. I can’t quite figure out what is going on. Is this a dream? Is this reality? Who am I? What’s my name [3]? I walk toward the light switch in search of myself, and at the end of the little tunnel, I see a mirror and I take a look [4].
I realize I haven’t dyed my roots in months. They are coming in black, and normally my hair is a vivid mint green. The black roots match the feeling in my soul. All I can think is the true me is coming out, the darkness is here [5].
This is the day that I knew was coming, the day that if I slept long enough, my roots would grow long enough, and I’d see within myself who I really am. So I look in the mirror. I look deep inside my eyes. I look back at the bajillion different switches, and I know this is the time. I go to the switch that says do not touch [1]. And I throw that switch, and though I am bald, my hair just shoots out like Medusa in a kind of million streaks, electrified streaks [2].
And I know in that moment the electricity was always within me. And it was not the switch but me who held the key [3].
[1] Ben Schwartz
[2] John Malkovich
[3] Diana Silvers
[4] Jimmy O. Yang
[5] Tawny Newsome