The Census Taker
The narrative begins with a youthful 18-year-old maiden named Beth Coleman in a hurry to greet a visitor at her door. 'On my way!' she exclaims as the doorbell rings a second time. The door swings open to reveal a timid, bespectacled gentleman in an awkwardly nerdy suit, clutching a leather dispatch bag under his arm.
He introduces himself as Milton James with a shaky greeting and presents an ID hanging around his neck, explaining his role as a census officer. Apparently, her parents neglected to complete the latest census, and now he is obliged by law to perform an in-person interview with a household member. Beth is skeptical - her parents are out for the day and she has no knowledge of these census procedures.
He reassures her that anyone over the age of 15 is eligible for the interview. He gives her a once-over - she is over 15, isn't she? Beth confirms that she recently turned 18. Milton adjusts his spectacles and says that's perfect, he can interview her instead of her parents and it should only take about fifteen minutes.
Beth is still hesitant, now is not the best time and she'd prefer if he could return when her parents are home. She apologizes and attempts to close the door but it doesn't shut completely - Milton has wedged his foot between the door and the frame. 'I'm afraid I must insist,' he says with a nervous attempt at sounding intimidating.
'Participation in the United States census is a legal requirement. To put it bluntly, Miss Coleman, you don't really have a choice in this matter. ' CUT TO TITLE PLATE The scene resumes a few minutes later, after Milton has made his way into the house and taken off his shoes.
They enter a large, inviting living room adorned with wooden panels. The Colemans are clearly not wanting for money. 'Would you like a glass of water or something?' Beth offers, trying to be courteous despite her unease.
Milton declines for now, attempting to sound friendlier than he did at the door but coming off as more awkward than anything. He waits for Beth to choose her seat, then selects one across from her, and retrieves a professional-looking folder, some forms, and an elegant pen from his bag. As he does this, he attempts to engage Beth in awkward chit-chat, but her responses are terse and he soon gives up.
He clears his throat and says 'Well then, let's get started. ' He proceeds to ask her a series of mundane questions - do you currently live at this address? How many people live here in addition to yourself? Can you list the names of everyone who currently lives here and their relationship to you? What is your marital status? When Beth responds 'single', he looks up from his paper and slyly asks 'what about a boyfriend?' No, no boyfriend either, Beth replies, avoiding his gaze as she speaks. Milton smiles and says 'Good, good', moving on to the next questions.
What languages are spoken at home? Do any household members regularly speak any other languages at home? Were you born in the United States? Are you currently a US citizen? Have you attended school in the US? Throughout these questions, Beth's body language shifts from hostile to bored. She relaxes and spreads her legs somewhat, at which point the camera captures glimpses of her underwear from over Milton's shoulder. After the latest question, Milton pauses, his gaze lingering on Beth's legs - the pause alarms her and she uncomfortably clears her throat, trying to cover her legs as much as possible with her skirt.
Milton carries on as if nothing happened. What is the highest level of education you've completed? Beth reluctantly confesses that she dropped out of high school. How many hours of paid work did you do last week? Beth admits none, she doesn't have a job.
How many hours of volunteer work did you do last week? Also none. Milton tsks condescendingly - no job, no volunteering, no high school diploma? Beth's parents must not be very proud of her. Beth glares at him - that's none of his business, is it? Are your parents sexually active? He abruptly asks.
She looks at him in disgust. How is that relevant? He explains that it's to predict whether the census bureau should anticipate new births from this household in the next few years. Repulsed, Beth struggles to answer, she doesn't know, she tries not to think about it, but she supposes they might be.
Are you sexually active? Milton asks with clear interest. She stares straight at him and says 'No' very slowly and angrily. 'Would you like to be?' Milton asks.
Beth rises - 'I think it's time for you to go, Mr. James,' she says anxiously. Milton doesn't move - he's almost finished, just a few questions about their.
He introduces himself as Milton James with a shaky greeting and presents an ID hanging around his neck, explaining his role as a census officer. Apparently, her parents neglected to complete the latest census, and now he is obliged by law to perform an in-person interview with a household member. Beth is skeptical - her parents are out for the day and she has no knowledge of these census procedures.
He reassures her that anyone over the age of 15 is eligible for the interview. He gives her a once-over - she is over 15, isn't she? Beth confirms that she recently turned 18. Milton adjusts his spectacles and says that's perfect, he can interview her instead of her parents and it should only take about fifteen minutes.
Beth is still hesitant, now is not the best time and she'd prefer if he could return when her parents are home. She apologizes and attempts to close the door but it doesn't shut completely - Milton has wedged his foot between the door and the frame. 'I'm afraid I must insist,' he says with a nervous attempt at sounding intimidating.
'Participation in the United States census is a legal requirement. To put it bluntly, Miss Coleman, you don't really have a choice in this matter. ' CUT TO TITLE PLATE The scene resumes a few minutes later, after Milton has made his way into the house and taken off his shoes.
They enter a large, inviting living room adorned with wooden panels. The Colemans are clearly not wanting for money. 'Would you like a glass of water or something?' Beth offers, trying to be courteous despite her unease.
Milton declines for now, attempting to sound friendlier than he did at the door but coming off as more awkward than anything. He waits for Beth to choose her seat, then selects one across from her, and retrieves a professional-looking folder, some forms, and an elegant pen from his bag. As he does this, he attempts to engage Beth in awkward chit-chat, but her responses are terse and he soon gives up.
He clears his throat and says 'Well then, let's get started. ' He proceeds to ask her a series of mundane questions - do you currently live at this address? How many people live here in addition to yourself? Can you list the names of everyone who currently lives here and their relationship to you? What is your marital status? When Beth responds 'single', he looks up from his paper and slyly asks 'what about a boyfriend?' No, no boyfriend either, Beth replies, avoiding his gaze as she speaks. Milton smiles and says 'Good, good', moving on to the next questions.
What languages are spoken at home? Do any household members regularly speak any other languages at home? Were you born in the United States? Are you currently a US citizen? Have you attended school in the US? Throughout these questions, Beth's body language shifts from hostile to bored. She relaxes and spreads her legs somewhat, at which point the camera captures glimpses of her underwear from over Milton's shoulder. After the latest question, Milton pauses, his gaze lingering on Beth's legs - the pause alarms her and she uncomfortably clears her throat, trying to cover her legs as much as possible with her skirt.
Milton carries on as if nothing happened. What is the highest level of education you've completed? Beth reluctantly confesses that she dropped out of high school. How many hours of paid work did you do last week? Beth admits none, she doesn't have a job.
How many hours of volunteer work did you do last week? Also none. Milton tsks condescendingly - no job, no volunteering, no high school diploma? Beth's parents must not be very proud of her. Beth glares at him - that's none of his business, is it? Are your parents sexually active? He abruptly asks.
She looks at him in disgust. How is that relevant? He explains that it's to predict whether the census bureau should anticipate new births from this household in the next few years. Repulsed, Beth struggles to answer, she doesn't know, she tries not to think about it, but she supposes they might be.
Are you sexually active? Milton asks with clear interest. She stares straight at him and says 'No' very slowly and angrily. 'Would you like to be?' Milton asks.
Beth rises - 'I think it's time for you to go, Mr. James,' she says anxiously. Milton doesn't move - he's almost finished, just a few questions about their.
Actors:
