The Invisible Audition!

I often get cast as a Business woman for Corporate filming 

- I have no problem with that but just sometimes it would be nice to be seen as someone else so when an advert was placed for an audition for a homeless person for a short film I jumped at the chance to do something a bit different. 

I got up in the morning washed my hair but didn't put a brush or comb anywhere near it. I chose to wear no make-up and clothes that were old and ill fitting plus a scruffy pair of dirty trainers. 

I took the dog out for a walk and it was whilst doing that, that I discovered I had a cloak of invisibility. Nobody noticed me, talked to me or even glimpsed my way. Very odd in our local park where all the dog owners talk to each other. Anyway, dog walked, I got into the car & headed for the station. My Oyster card didn't seem to work at the barrier and normally a uniformed somebody would be straight over to offer assistance. Not on this occasion. Everybody was suddenly busy doing other things. I sorted my card out and got on to the tube. Now, in everyday life, we actually become used to people acknowledging us even if its in a small way such as a quick glance. Nobody looked at me and certainly nobody wanted to sit next to me. Luckily it wasn't rush hour so seating was plentiful for once. I got off the train and left the tube station to try to find where the audition was being held. Usually I would stand there with a map and someone would come up to me and ask if they could help. This would take the form of either a passerby or the newspaper seller or somebody giving away freebies. Not one person approached me. Eventually I found where I needed to go and being very early I looked for the nearby park and went and sat on a bench next to an elderly gentleman. Ordinarily, a conversation would strike up, maybe something about the weather or if not a conversation perhaps a nod or a smile.  Nothing. Even when I reached into my pocket and got out my mobile he didn't even register an interest not even a fleeting look. Just silence. A dog came near to where I was sitting and the owner called it away quite abruptly without a smile yet allowed the animal to approach others. It actually felt very lonely to be this invisible and I realised how I take it for granted that all around people in very many different ways all acknowledge each other in some small way. Admittedly I was looking like a down and out but I was still a person, I  was still a somebody who wanted conversation, even just the odd word or two.
Certainly the next time I see somebody that has lost their home I will say something to them even if it's just "Hello" just so that they know that just for that tiny second they are not invisible that they are recognisable to another human being. I am very grateful for this experience as it has opened my eyes as to my own behaviour. Big Issue? I'll take one here please!