If I were able to invite four historical figures to a potluck brunch, who would I choose? I spent a while thinking and am pleasantly surprised at who would come over:

1. Jane Austen. She’s my obvious first choice because she wrote one of my favorite stories “Pride and Prejudice.” We could talk about her writing process, her muse and how she thought up someone as dreamy as Mr. Darcy:

Me: So nice to finally meet you, Jane. Ooh, what’s this? Smells so good!

Jane: You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge cake is to me.

Me: Yum! Have a seat.  

The doorbell rings and my second brunch guest has arrived:

2. William Shakespeare. Okay, he’s also from England and a writer, but how interesting would the conversation be between him and Jane?

Me: But why did Romeo and Juliet have to die?

Will: Romeo and Juliet wast supposed to kicketh the bucket.

Jane: They could learn a thing or two from Darcy and Elizabeth. Like being patient, for one.

Will: As if ‘t be true thou has’t not writ any angsty teenagers?

Me: Hello, Marianne Dashwood!

Will: Yes Jane, have some sense and sensibility. Didst thee see what I didst thither?

Will and I high five.

Me: Hey Will, what did you bring for brunch?

Will: Eight wild boars roasted whole.

Me: ….

Doorbell.

Me: My third guest is here!

3. Alexander Hamilton. My only reason for inviting him would be to know his opinion on the Broadway musical based on his life. Would he be happy that there’s an entire song about him not throwing away his shot, when his life literally ended from throwing away his shot?

Me: Oh look, Alex is here.

Will: Bringeth that gent hither.

Jane: It’s such a happiness when good people get together.

Me: Are you ready to eat, Alex?

Alexander: Hey yo, I’m just like my country. I’m young, scrappy and hungry.

The doorbell rings for my final guest:

4. Ella Fitzgerald. The Queen of Jazz. I love to sing and Ella could teach me how she warms up. She also offers some valuable life lessons.

Ella: It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts.

Alexander (singing): And there’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait, just you wait.

Will: Thee can putteth a song in a playeth?

Ella: The only thing better than singing is more singing.

Me: This is going to get interesting.

After brunch, things turn exciting when we begin to karaoke, and Alexander Hamilton keeps trying to steal the spotlight when he starts to rap about the federalist papers. A few hours later, Jane, Will and I collaborate on a story. Will insists on killing the main character:

Will: Well someone hath to kicketh the bucket!

Jane: Not all the time, Will.

Me: There’s such a thing as a happy ending.

Will: The lady doth protest too much.

This brunch turned out to be the best ever.

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