“I haven’t spent a cent that wasn’t mine.
You sent the dogs after my scent, that’s fine.”
– Alexander Hamilton, “We Know,” from Hamilton: An American Musical.

Yep. In 17 words flat, Lin-Manuel Miranda met this week’s SoCS prompt.

I kind of feel like I’ve done this one before too, but I certainly didn’t do it in only 17 words – which is one of the many, many reasons I love Hamilton.

It’s inspiring to see someone do something that concisely (although, at six years, I don’t think it was remotely “stream of consciousness writing” by the time it was done. Still, it’s a lovely use of language that has a LOT of company in this play, which includes many plays on words.

AND it rhymes – even internally!

What an amazing feat. Could I try to do the same today?

Sure, I could.

Can I do it in 17 words?

Probably.

Would they make sense?

Could be.

Would they rhyme?

Ummm….. not so likely, and it wouldn’t have Daveed Diggs, either.

But hey, let’s do something a little fun – my way. =)

I haven’t played with Niaan for a while.  She’s an interesting character, for sure… She doesn’t know what a cent is, because there’s no money to speak of on her world, and her people don’t create or use metals, in any event.

But for the rest… fairly simple (but not as delightful to the ear as that Hamilton quote up there, I’m afraid).

“You sent for me, Huntleader?”

Niaan sighed. “There’s nay need to be so formal, Shinjao. Are we not friends; nay, even sisters, of a sort?”

“We are – but where others may hear – “

“It nay matters to me. Let them follow whatever scent they wish and track down false trails. As for us – I wish a companion in my hunt this night and can think of none better suited than you. Will you join me?”

There – not so bad. 75 words, and I have no idea at all what’s going on in the rest of this scene. It’s kind of a throwaway, but I could see these two characters having this interaction.

And that’s it for me for today because I was up early, I haven’t had enough coffee, and I’m kind of babbling through my fingers! Could be none of this is worth a red cent! =)

If you love Hamilton the way I do, you might love this video as much as I did. So much thought went into this production, on so many levels!

THIS POST IS MY ENTRY TO LINDA G. HILL’S STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS SATURDAY. CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE AND SEE THE RULES.

CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S HOP! THE PROMPT WAS “Sent/Cent/scent.”