A Different Kind of Normal
episode
The shared suits living room on move-in-day. Cardboard boxes are everywhere. Adrian walk in with his arm full of his own boxes, looking around confused. Ruok is already in the room, unpacking a box of books.
Adrian william
(stop in the doorway, awkwardly smile at Ruok)
Adrian william
Hey looks like we're roommates. I'm Adrian.
Ruok cenzo
(looks up from his box)
Ruok cenzo
(Adrian's moving mouth smiles politely back, and gives a small wave, confused)
Adrian william
(put his boxes down, walks closer and waves to get Ruok's attention)
Adrian william
Hello? can you hear me?
Ruok cenzo
(shake his head,signs): I'm deaf.
Adrian william
(look surprise) oh!
Adrian william
(trying to figure out how to communicate)
Adrian william
Okay um... Adrian (points at him) your name?
Ruok cenzo
(smile points to himself)
Ruok cenzo
(signs his name two fingers forming an R shape)
Ruok cenzo
(tapping his chest twice and then spell it out on his fingers)
Adrian william
Ruok. Got it
Adrian william
(use his finger to mime writing in the air) wait! I can just type it. Smart Adrian!🤦
Adrian william
(takes out his phone)
Adrian william
📲 welcome! I'm a transfer student communication major, happy to meet you!😊
Ruok cenzo
(read the screen nods)
Ruok cenzo
📲 welcome to the university! Third year graphic design major.
Ruok cenzo
📲my room is that one (points to the closed door off the living room)
Adrian william
📲 nice! Graphic design,very cool my room is this one (points to the other open door)
Ruok cenzo
(smile) 📲 Awesome. Hope you like it here. it's a great place.
Adrian william
📲 I'm sure I will! I gotta finish unpacking this mountain of boxes. Let me know if you need any help with anything?
Ruok cenzo
(shakes his head, signs) no thanks. I'm good for now. Maybe later!
They both return to theirs unpacking the initial awareness replaced by a simple, mutual understanding of their new living arrangement.
episode
The next day. Adrian is in the living room trying to mount a poster on the wall. Ruok walks in fresh from a shower wrapped in a towel, and notices Adrian's struggle.
Ruok cenzo
(sees Adrian drop the poster for the third time)
Ruok cenzo
(chuckles sofly)
Adrian william
(turn around)
Ruok cenzo
(signs) Need a hand? That looks difficult.
Adrian william
(nod signing in frustration) yes, please! The tape is useless and I can't find any thumbtacks.
Ruok cenzo
(walks over, still just in his towel)
Adrian william
(types quickly)
Adrian william
📲 the tape keeps falling off the texture wall. Do you have tacks or maybe putty?
Ruok cenzo
(points to his room, sign) I think I have some extra putty in my desk drawer. Hang on.
Ruok cenzo
(Disappear into his room)
(returns fully dressed and holding a small container of poster putty)
Just imagine that he is holding a container of putty in his hand.
Adrian william
You're a lifesaver.
Ruok cenzo
(put up the poster)
Adrian william
(Smoothing the putting onto the corners)
Ruok cenzo
(signs while applying the putty)
Ruok cenzo
What band is this? Never heard of them.
Adrian william
(talking aloud while pointing to the poster name)
Adrian william
They're a local band from xxx rock. They're actually really good.
Adrian william
Sad I won't get to see them play while I'm here.
Ruok cenzo
(read his lips and gesture)
Ruok cenzo
(signs) Ah...music
episode
Adrian william
📲Yeah. You probably can't listen to them in the traditional sense, but the energy of a live show ...it's a whole different thing.
Ruok cenzo
(finishes putting up his side of the poster)
Ruok cenzo
(signs) I've been to show before. You can feel the vibration from the bass speakers.
Ruok cenzo
The floor shakes, it's powerful.
Adrian william
📲whoa, really? that's incredible i never thought about that.
Ruok cenzo
(nods and signs) it's my kind of hearing music. I love the feeling of the rhythm
Adrian william
📲that's so cool. I have a whole new way to think about concerts now.
Ruok cenzo
(signs) want to explore the campus a bit? it's nice outside.
Adrian william
Yeah, let's go! I need a real tour anyway not just the orientation Map they gave us.
Adrian william
Lead the way Ruok!
Ruok cenzo
(signs) let's go
Adrian william
(smile nods)
Adrian and Ruok are sitting on the grass near the campus quad.
Adrian william
(fiddling with his phone looking up the ASL alphabet)
Adrian william
📲This is harder than it looks on this 🤘 diagram.
Ruok cenzo
(looks over at the phone screen, smiles, signs ) it just takes practice. You'll get there.
Adrian william
📲 i really want to be able to talk to you without pulling out my phone every two minutes.
Adrian william
📲 It feels a bit impersonal you know?
Ruok cenzo
📲 that's really thoughtful of you, Adrian i appreciate the effort, most people don't bother.
Adrian william
📲 It seems like basic respect
Adrian william
📲 honestly we live together! I don't want you to feel like a stranger in your own suite.
Ruok cenzo
📲 I'm used to it. The campus is loud. it's easy for people to forget I'm here.
Ruok cenzo
📲 it get lonely sometimes 😔
Adrian william
📲 I can only imagine.
Adrian william
📲well, consider you living situation upgrade!
Adrian william
📲 we can practice signing every night! I'll make mistakes, but I'm eager to learn ☺️
Ruok cenzo
(puts his phone away and starts signing directly)
Ruok cenzo
(a bit faster, that he knows Adrian is trying to learn)
Ruok cenzo
Deal! Tonight, we practice the alphabet and basic introductions.
Adrian william
(nods, concentrate)
Adrian william
(hard on Ruok's moving hands trying to follow along)
Adrian william
📲 Got it! I'm excited 👍
Ruok cenzo
(signs with two index fingers hooking together)
Ruok cenzo
(pointing it at Adrian) Friend.
Adrian william
(copies the signs awkwardly at first)
Adrian william
(then get it right)
Adrian william
Yeah, I like that sign
Ruok cenzo
(pauses for a moment)
Ruok cenzo
(before turning back to Adrian with a determined expression)
Ruok cenzo
(signs) now, let's learn how to say pizza in ASL priorities!
Adrian william
Hahaha! Okay, teach me
They sit on the lawn in the afternoon sun warming them.a quiet bubble of focused connection in the midst of the bustling campus noise.
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