The Hatter Waits

"I think he's been sitting at that table, having the same tea, with the same people, in this kind of funk, for ten years, waiting for Alice to come back."
~ Johnny Depp


This waiting...this hope and loyalty and faith that the Mad Hatter has for Alice...that is what this block is all about.

The scene that follows the Mad Hatter's wait is one of my favorites. And it's the Hatter's reaction when he finally sees Alice again for the first time after sitting and waiting for years and years that makes it so.


Here's the excerpt from Disney's Alice in Wonderland as Alice comes upon the tea party and the Hatter catches sight of her:

At the sight of Alice, he bolted upright. His whole being seemed to brighten; even his clothes perked up. Transfixed, he moved toward her, stepping directly up onto and over the table, as that was the shortest route to reach her. Alice shivered a little as he came closer, staring at her intently. There was something in his face that made her anxious for him. She knew she couldn't possibly deserve the delighted look he gave her.

"It's you," said the Mad Hatter. He reached toward her golden hair, then pulled his hand back before touching her.

"No, it's not," the Dormouse snapped. "McTwisp brought us the wrong Alice."

The Mad Hatter shook his head. "It's absolutely Alice! You're absolutely Alice! I'd know you anywhere. I'd know him anywhere."

This time he did touch her, seizing her hand and pulling her back to the table. He stepped right up onto a chair and led her over the table the way he had come. Alice tried not to step on any teacups as they walked across the tablecloth. On the other side, the Hatter plunked her down in the chair next to his. She fidgeted nervously under his rapt gaze.

"Well, as you can see, we're still having tea," the Hatter explained. "It's all because I was obliged to kill Time waiting for your return. You're terribly late, you know...naughty. Well, anyway."

"Sugar?" asked the March Hare.

"Time became quite offended and stopped altogether," the Hatter continued. "Not a tick ever since."

This whole block is a precursor to this scene in Tim Burton's Alice. It's a snapshot in time...a vision of the Mad Hatter waiting...and, unbeknownst to him, Alice has already landed in Underland...he just doesn't know it yet.


Johnny Depp plays this scene masterfully...and it's amazing that his whole persona...his makeup, his clothes, his accent...all change with his mood. His character is remarkably written, acted and portrayed. I can't wait to do more blocks with him in mind...or out-of-mind...

This morning I felt like I've been painting. First came the foundation, the piecing and the seam treatments.


Then came the first layer of embellishment. And now, I think I'm on either the second or third layer. Building up the scene as one might build up a painting??


I don't know. I've never taken a painting class in my life but I've heard that what painters do. So, today, I felt a bit like a painter with threads...


I'm off to find Alice...see you next Time if someone doesn't kill him.