In my mid-twenties, I went with a bunch of coworkers out to dinner. Somehow, the game Clue came up. Our store manager mentioned that she always wanted to be Professor Plum. I had to hand it to her for her forward thinking; Professor Plum was pictured as a man in the drawings and portrayed as a man in the movie, and I had never considered that as an option. Another coworker chimed in, “I wanted to be Mrs. White.” I was honestly shocked. I took it for granted that every woman wanted to be Miss Scarlet.
Who wouldn’t want to be Miss Scarlet? An eye-catching, trail-blazing, quick-thinking, sharp-shooting, freewheeling, razor-tongued, restless spitfire. Miss Scarlet is a forest fire, the reverberating crash of thunder, the hundred yard dash, a blaring trumpet solo surging almost out of control. Miss Scarlet is fearless.
I had forgotten about those characters until I recently saw Clue on my friend’s board game shelf. Next time I need a shot of courage or sass, I will try and channel the red hot vibes of Miss Scarlet.
Photo: Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC