Topic 13 - Shared knowledge and absurdist drama (Session B) > Turn-taking in Applicant > Task A > answer

Turn-taking in Applicant

Task A – Our answer

Lamb has 28 turns and Piffs has 32. Given that there are only two people, we would expect the number of turns to be equal, or for one of the characters to have one more turn if that character speaks both first and last in the text. The latter does happen, and so explains one part of the discrepancy. The rest of the difference is related to the interaction between the turns and stage business – in particular, extended actions indicated by the stage directions. So, Piffs has both of turns 11 and 12, which are separated by her getting her equipment out of the drawer and placing a chair for Lamb. Similarly, Piffs has (a) both of turns 22 and 23, on either side of the business involving Lamb being electrically shocked, and (b) both of turns 57 and 58, on either side of her plunging the stage into redness. The fact that Miss Piffs has more turns than Mr Lamb is the first indication, in turn-taking terms, of her dominance over him.

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