Numbered Sentences

A typical setup is to ask the audience for a number from 1 to 3, a number from 4 to 6 and a number from 7 to 10. (Asking this way gives a good range of numbers.) These numbers are then assigned to the players. Sometimes larger numbers are used (usually between 10 and 20).

CHRISTINE (9 words): Thanks to you, my car is a total wreck.

PAUL (1 word): Sorry.

LORNE (3 words): Pay her, mister.

CHRISTINE: Money is not going to settle this unpleasant situation.

PAUL: What?!

LORNE: She wants blood.

In theory, Numbered Sentences is a word-restriction game. It is supposed to limit dialogue so players emphasize action and emotion. In practice, though, the game usually produces scenes that are nothing but talk—and stilted talk at that.

This tends to be a more popular game with players than with audiences. Good scenes sometimes emerge, but it’s often in spite of the game rather than because of it.

Playing the game well is difficult, but here are some tips.

Make the effort to finish your line. Players frequently reach the end of their word allotment without ending the sentence, requiring other players to finish the sentence. That will get a laugh the first time it happens, but when it keeps happening, it quickly becomes tedious. It’s equally pointless to trail off at the end of a sentence. “I just think that you…” Why play the game at all if its simple conditions are ignored?

Counting words on your fingers makes it easier for the audience to keep track of your progress. You may also find that it’s easier to say lines expressively if you’re not also counting numbers in your head. If you use the finger-counting method, remember to count words, not syllables (which often happens).

Choose a different strong reaction for each sentence.

You can decide whether contractions like “he’s” counts as one word or two. Let the audience know before you start, for those who want to count along. I suggest making them one word, but avoiding them altogether, if you can, as they can feel like a cheat.

If you’re assigned a larger number, slow down as you approach the last two or three words of your sentence and make sure you can end it in conventional English.

“I just want to see you…” (three words to go) “…settled down happily”

This calculation will often create pauses in your dialogue. The player is just floundering for the right words, but the pauses can look interesting to an audience, as if the character is about to say something very important. Players can take advantage of this by putting extra emotion into the final words.