A Better Place - a play about six dogs and the things a dog has to do to dodge the Grim Reaper

8/14/2019 A Better Place - a play about six dogs and the things a dog has to do to dodge the Grim Reaper

1/97

Dale Andersen 27702 Crown Valley Parkway Suite 117, D-4

Ladera Ranc, CA !2"!4 #$"2% $0&-$&20 andersen'dale()*ail'co*

A +R PLAC

+y

Dale Andersen

Cast o. Caracters

Ali//////on)relArtie////Pu)+ecky////Australian Cattle Do)+rick////AkitaCyril////er*an SeerdSawna///Cocker SanielCoyote1//CoyoteCoyote2//Coyote

3ote 1 +ecky dou5les as arine in Act 66, scene $'

3ote e .actory can 5e an actual ro, set o.ros, or so*etin) as si*le as a set o.cairs tied to)eter' r it can 5e *i*ed'


2/97

Synosis

6ntroducin) +ecky, te i)-sirited and coura)eousAussie Cattle Do)' Se arri8es at te ound, a8in)

5een du*ed tere 5y er owners and i**ediately setsa5out sakin) tin)s u' ere9s also Cyril, tesinister, ower-un)ry er*an Seerd' And Artie, teirreressi5le Pu)' And +rick and Sawna and Ali' :owtese si; interact to kee clear o. te ri* Reaerser8es to con


3/97

AC 6

Scene 1

(Big sign high up: This Is Your AnimalShelter Most prominent feature: hugebrightlycolore! "in!o"e! loc#able mailbo$eson bac# "all "ith a space abo%e each forsli!ing a name plate in or out& The nameplates rea!: A'TI) B'I*+) A,I) -ATA,I)S.A/-A& A trash can ne$t to mailbo$es& 0nbac# "all a"ay from mailbo$es is a !oorlea!ing to 'oom 121 A lone mailbo$labele! *Y'I, is ne$t to !oor& A cru!efactory at center stage "ith a huge cloc#an! a factory "histle& *loc# rea!s 3PM&*Y'I, stan!s ne$t to his mailbo$) singing tohimself) as is his "ont4

CR6LDoowaDoowa+u* 5a 5u*+a 5u* 5u*Doowa

(nter A'TI) "ith hair slic#e! bac# an! aclipon bo" tie& Tries snea#ing past *Y'I,4

CR6Lat=s Artie' :e=s a u)' Pu)s di)' ardeners atete*' :ey tere, Artie :ow=d it )o, little )uy?

AR6(Screeches to halt4

i Cyril' E, not real )ood' 3o wait u 6 *ean u)uess it was okay'

CR6LCan=t 5e 5ot not )ood and okay'

AR6 u u* yea you=re ri)t tere' >ell u at .irst itwas not real )ood' en later it )ot okay' A little5oy really liked *e, 5ut e didn=t take *e'

CR6L

6 see, okay, well' +etter luck ne;t ti*e'

AR6E* Cyril? ou seen *y *o*?

CR6Lour *oter wasn=t wit you?

B


4/97

AR6E u' All 5y *ysel.' 6=* kinda worried'

CR6L

>y didn=t you say so*etin)?AR6

ou)t se=d turn u'

CR6L6=ll kee an eye out .or er' 3e;t ti*e you let *eknow' 6=* resonsi5le' Cais?

AR6Sure' ou tink se=s okay?

CR6L. course' Se=s .ine'

(Points to the 'oom 121 !oor46=* sure se=s tere in te 5i) ouse wit a;een' 3ow)et on te line' ou=ll co8er .or your *oter'

AR6Fay'

(A'TI goes to mailbo$) chec#s mail) then tofactory an! sits at "or#station& Beginsfi!!ling "ith buttons) s"itches an! le%ers4

CR6LCare.ul tere' Don=t start u te line yet'

(A'TI stops fi!!ling& 5rums fingers4

CR6LDoowaDoowa+u* 5a 5u*

(nter S.A/-A) %ery upset& .er hair iso%erly !one up an! she has tons of ma#eup4

CR6LSawna' Cocker saniel' Always on ins and needles':i tere Sawna' :ow=d it )o?

S:A>3A(Storms past *Y'I, as if he6s not there4

6 a* losin) it' 6 a* so losin) it'

CR6L>at=s te *atter, Sawna? Se as issues' 6 try tokee er on a sort leas'

4


5/97

(S.A/-A goes to mailbo$) chec#s mail) thenspots A'TI) ma#es a beeline for him4

S:A>3A

at little 5oy was *ine' ou ad no ri)t'AR6

Didn=t steal i*'

S:A>3ADon=t lie, you did' :e was *ine, *ine :e was *ine

AR6>asn=t

S:A>3A>as

AR6>asn=t

S:A>3A>as :e was lookin) at *e' en you 3ALiar

CR6Li*e .or *e to ste in' Sawna, lease cal* down'

S:A>3Aou see? 6t=s always *e' >at a5out i*? 8eryone=salways on is side' 6 a8e a side too

(S.A/-A) crying) e$its4

$


6/97

CR6L:ere we )o a)ain' Sawna, you )et 5ack ere Do youear *e? et 5ack ere Se as to co*e 5ack ere'Sooner or later' ere=s no oter lace to )o'

(nter B'I*+ 7 A,I) "ho are nearly bo"le!o%er by the e$iting S.A/-A& B'I*+ has anelaborate pompa!our an! A,I6s hair is in a8rench brai!& They both loo# ri!iculous4

AL6:ey, watc it tere, willya?

+R6CF>as tat Sawna?

AL6yical cocker' oin) in .i.teen directions at once'

CR6LDoowa' +u* 5a 5u*' +a 5u* 5u*' Doowa' +rick andAli' Para)ons o. do*estic 5liss'

AL6:i Cyril'

+R6CFCyril'

AL63o5ody ca*e 5y our ca)e'

+R6CF

>ell, tecnically, one erson did' a;een ca*e 5y'

AL6a;een doesn=t count' Se=s not )oin) to adot us'

+R6CFur ca)e was way at te oter end

AL6As .ar away as you can )et .ro* te .ront

+R6CF>itout 5u*in) into coyotes'

AL6>en you 5arked

+R6CFou could ear an eco'

"


7/97

AL6And oor +rick worked so ard on is aearance'

+R6CF

ell you te trut, 6 .eel silly in tis'('eenter S.A/-A) hea! !o"n& yes re! fromcrying& *Y'I, glares at her4

AL6 +rick, tat style *akes you look 8ery distin)uised'Like one o. tose tele8an)elists'

(S.A/-A pushes by B'I*+ 7 A,I4;cuse us >e were standin) ere

(S.A/-A goes to her "or#station an! sits4

+R6CF:air stylin) is .or oodles and artsy-.artsies'

AL6+rick, dearest' roo*in) is i*ortant'

CR6LAli=s ri)t' y Lord, is e e8er enecked

(A,I 7 B'I*+ go to mailbo$es) chec# mail4

AL6ake two do)s' 8erytin) eGual, te*era*ent, osture,*arkin)s' e do) wo *inds is looks wins'

+R6CFSe ri)t, Cyril?

CR6LSe=s ri)t' Please don=t tell i* 6 used te -word'

+R6CFCyril says you=re ri)t, darlin'

AL6Course 6=* ri)t'

(A,I 7 B'I*+ go to factory an! sit at their"or#stations& *Y'I, blo"s on a "histle4

CR6LPeole, you ad te a.ternoon o..' i*e to *ake itu' >e a8e a ti to roduction line' >e roduce.irst-rate )ro**ets' ree siHes' i)t colors' uswe ay 5ack you wo trou) your ta;es *ake tis state-o.-te-art .acility ossi5le' o aead, Artie

7


8/97

(8actory cloc# 9PM& A'TI presses button)"histle soun!s& A'TI) S.A/-A) A,I 7 B'I*+commence "or#ing line& Set !ar#ens "ithlights flashing& 8actory soun!s& B'I*+

calls out numbers o%er factory soun!sone)t"o) threeup to t"entyfour& /hen he callsout a number) A'TI repeats it& /hen theyget to t"entyfour) the lights come bac# up)factory soun!s cease& *loc# rea!s ;PM4

CR6L:ow *any, Artie?

AR6E, twenty-.our'

CR6Lat ri)t, +rick?

+R6CFCeck'

CR6LSut it down'

(A'TI presses button) shuts !o"n line4

CR6L3ine o=clock, eole' i*e to 5reak it o..' Co*e on,one and all, co co' +ed ti*e'

AL6Cyril, ne;t ti*e lease )i8e us a 5etter ca)e'

CR6LSure, Ali' 3o ro5le*' 3e;t ti*e, we=ll do 5etter'

AL6And re*e*5er' +rick and 6 )o as a coule'

CR6LSure, Ali'

AL6ey can=t take one o. us witout te oter'

CR6L3o ro5le*'

AL6ur ca)e sould 5e .ront and center' A.ter all,+rick=s an akita' at sould count .or so*etin)'

+R6CFAwwww' Sto it, Ali'

&


9/97

(A'TI gets up an! en 6 .ind out, 6=ll let you know' Pro*ise'

AL6Let=s all say a rayer .or 3atalie'

+R6CFDarlin' Cyril said it=s not serious' Co*e on now'

AL6ou ne8er know' 6t can aen


10/97

AL6Artie, dear' ou co*e wit us, oor little 5oy'

(Pro!uces a mil#bone) gi%es it to him4:ere, 6 sa8ed tis .ro* last ni)t' ou take it'

AR6ee, tanks'

CR6L3i)t'

(B'I*+) A,I 7 A'TI e$it& A,I snubs S.A/-A4

S:A>3AE* look' 6=* sorry'

CR6LDoowaDoowa+u* 5a 5u*

S:A>3AE*' 6 know wat you=re )onna say' 6 .ly o.. teandle' 6=* workin) on sel.-control' 6 really a*'

CR6L(Still not loo#ing at her4

+u* 5a 5u*' Se needs to sweat a 5it'

S:A>3A6 ad*it it' 6=* .eelin) lotsa ressure' 3ot )ettin)any youn)er' And tey always )o .or youn) ones' LikeArtie' Sorry' 6 atc yoursel.' +e alert' Jor you know not tewen, te ow or te wy' 6=ll 5e watcin) you,Sawna' 6=ll 5e e;ectin) a *easurea5le can)e in yourconduct, cais? Cais?

10


11/97

S:A>3Aes'

CR6LAll ri)t' ou *ay )o'

(S.A/-A starts to e$it4

CR6Le ne;t tree days, you=ll )i8e Artie your *ilk5iscuit'

S:A>3A+ut'

CR6LAny Guestions?

S:A>3A3o, sir'

CR6Len )o'

(S.A/-A e$its& *Y'I, s"itches off a lightan! e$its in opposite !irection& Blac#out4

nd o. AC 6 Scene 1

11


12/97

Scene 2

(Mi!night& *hic#en "ire fence bisectsstage& Stage left) a cactus bush& Stage

right) sign up high rea!s 5og Poun!&Insect soun!s& T"o sha!o"y figures enterstage left lea!ing B*+Y on leash& Shefollo"s& They tie leash to fence& 0ne"hispers in B*+Y6s ear an! pats her hea!&B*+Y smiles) no!s& They e$it) lea%ing heralone& Silence& *oyote ho"l& B*+Y loo#sner%ous& Another ho"l) this time closer&Sha!o"s& More ner%ous reaction& *Y'I,enters stage right& .e loo#s bac#) ma#es ahurryup gesture to someone offstage& B*+Yscrunches !o"n to hi!e4

CR6LDoowa' Doowa' +u* 5a 5u*' Dee dee dee' Co*e onnow' Let=s sake a le) tere'

(B'I*+ enters stage right& .e6s combe! hishair out& .e hol!s up !ec# of car!s4

A yes, te cards' Very )ood tere, +rick *y *an'

+R6CFAli worries too *uc' Se went out like a li)t'

(*Y'I, s"itches on light& They buil! a tablean! seats from materials at han!& A ho"l4

S' Listen'(They both listen& A coyote ho"ls4

:ear tat, Cyr?

CR6L

+arely'

+R6CFCoyotes out tere' ay5e tree or .our o. Ke*'

(Another ho"l) closer& Sha!o"s !ance4

CR6L6 can=t *ake out were tey are'

+R6CFIust o8er tere' 3ot .ar' ey=re co*in) closer'

(Another ho"l& A'TI enters 7 stan!ssilently& Presently) B'I*+ senses A'TI4

Artie Aren=t you suosed to 5e aslee?

(*oyote ho"l& Sha!o"s !ance4

AR6E' Can=t slee' woooooooooooo

12


13/97

+R6CF(/in#s at *Y'I,4

Souldn=t a8e done tat, 5oy' 3ow tey eard' 3owtey know were you are' ou 5etter )o ide'

(*Y'I, 7 B'I*+ complete the table 7 seats&They sit& B'I*+ shuffles the !ec#4

AR6E* watca )onna do? Play cards?

+R6CF3aaaa, we=re atd


14/97

AR6Awooooooo'

+R6CF

Sto 5aitin) te coyotes'CR6L

Let i* 5e, +rick(A'TI grins4

Du* de du* De du* De du*'

+R6CF+unca tu)s' Fill you as Guick as look at you'

CR6L6 eard so*ewere coyotes are *ono)a*ous

AR6>at=s *ono)?

CR6Leans tey take a sin)le *ate and stay loyal

AR6Like u*ans?

+R6CFod el you tey catc you alone, tey


15/97

CR6Lot to disa)ree' 6 was told it was te neck'

+R6CF

>o told you?CR6L

a;een' a;een said so&

(B*+Y coughs4

AR6>at was tat?

+R6CFa;een said so? >ell, *ay5e se=s ri)t' :u*ans a8eall te knowled)e' ay5e it is te neck'

(B*+Y coughs lou!er4

AR6>at was tat?

+R6CF>at was wat?

AR6at cou)'

(B*+Y coughs again4ere it is At te .ence

(B'I*+ 7 A'TI start to run to the fence4

CR6LSto >ait

(They stop4Always tink sa.ety .irst' +rick, you )o .irst'

(B'I*+ ta#es a closer loo#& Sees B*+Y4

+R6CF>ell, look ere'

AR6 wow A lady'

CR6L>ell )oodness )racious sakes ali8e

AR6Se=s 5eauti.ul' Look at er red .ur'

1$


16/97

+R6CF>ell now, darlin' >o *i)t you 5e? >at=s te*atter, darlin, cat )ot your ton)ue? 6=* +rick, teer*an Seerd is Cyril, te little u) is Artie'

AR6>ow' ou=re retty'

+CFank you' =day and *y na*e is +ecky' y owners, Ciand Crystal, told *e wait .or a sta.. reresentati8e torocess *y ad*ittance to tis .acility'

(*oyote ho"l) %ery close4

AR6E ey, you )uys Coyotes out tere

CR6L8er ear o. 5arkin)?

+CF6=* an Australian Cattle Do)' +red not to 5ark unlessit=s ur)ent' +arkin) .or its own sake is 5loody silly'

+R6CFDarlin, .irst rule o. do)ood is, wen in dou5t, 5ark'

+CFank you' And don=t worry, 6 san=t 5e ere lon)'Iust until te aint dries at *y owners= ouse' 6=llstay out o. te way and 5e Guiet as a *ouse'

+R6CFood lan, darlin' 6 always say, i. you can=t run witte 5i) do)s, stay on te orc'

AR6:ellooo Coyotes E can we )et er inside?

(A coyote ho"l) close by& Sha!o"s !ance4

+CF(Su!!enly becoming frightene!4

es, lease, urry

CR6L

es +rick, you stand )uard ere wit er Artie and6 will 5ark .or te security )uard'

(*Y'I, 7 A'TI e$it& ,ou! bar#s& Blac#out4

nd o. AC 6 Scene 2

1"


17/97

Scene B

(nter S.A/-A& She goes straight to hermailbo$) ta#es #ey on string from aroun! her

nec# an! opens it& She ta#es out se%eralletters& 0pens one 7 rea!s4

S:A>3AAkkkkkkkk +ooster sots on Jriday' :ate sots'

(Tosses letter in trash can& 0pens ne$ten%elope& 'emo%es contents4

Iunk *ail' oss'(Tosses letter in trash can& 0pens ne$ten%elope& 'emo%es contents& 'ea!s4

Science Diet' :******'(*hec#s herself in mirror& Tears coupon fromletter& Tosses letter in trash& 0pens lasten%elope& 'emo%es bright re! !og collar4

oooooo nice' 6 like' 6 like'

(5ons collar& ,i#es it& nter B*+Y4

+CF=day'

S:A>3A:ello?

+CF=day

S:A>3A(Bac#s a"ay) assumes !efensi%e stance4

E' ay 6 el you?

+CF(*ircles her) grinning4

6 say, tat is a nice collar'

S:A>3A(*ontinually turning to face her4

Collar? >at collar?

+CFe collar around your neck'

S:A>3A, you tis? Iust re*e*5er it=s *ine ineou=re *akin) *e diHHy'

+CF(Stops circling4

Sorry'

17


18/97

S:A>3A(Stops turning& 5i>>y4

>oo('egains her e3A' yea' 6=8e eard so*etin) a5out ACDs'

+CF. course you a8e' 8eryone as' >e=re te s*artest,*ost 5eauti.ul, *ost loyal, *ost a..ectionate, ardestworkin) do)s in te world' Practically in te entireuni8erse' Did you know te real Lassie was an ACD?3o collie could cross a ri8er o. 5urnin) itc wit asecret *essa)e in er *out' >e al*ost sued .oridentity te.t'

S:A>3A>at 6 eard was, you erd cattle'

+CF:erd cattle? >ell yes, we do tat on occasion' 6t=scertainly art o. our 3A>ell, ow ard9s tat? Feein) cows .ro* wanderin)'6t=s not like wat cockers do' Jlusin) )a*e .ro* dense

5rus' Retrie8in) water.owl .ro* icy strea*s' >alkin)5eind cows, stein) in teir oo' wwwwww

+CF>at did you say?

S:A>3Ae )roatiest *on)rel in Cina can erd cattle'

+CFou take tat 5ack

S:A>3Ary and *ake *e'

+CF(*ircling again) gro"ling& ,ou!4

All ri)t' at=s it' +race yoursel. .or a 5ust u'

S:A>3A(*ircles her) bares teeth) gro"ls& ,ou!4

Co*e on +rin) it ri)t in ere, 5i) *out

1&


19/97

(nter *Y'I, from 'oom 121 !oor& 5oor staysopen "ith sha!o"y outline of MA?- insi!e4

CR6L

Sto, you two a;een eard Pie down ri)t now(They ignore him) circling an! gro"ling4

S:A>3Aou co*e any closer, 6=ll tear a ole in tat nose

+CFPreare to say ta-ta to your ears, Jloy ou=rea5out to )et te wat .or

CR6LSto it' 3ow 6 said now Sawna, is tat youcausin) trou5le a)ain? 6=* 8ery disaointed in you'

(They pay no attention) as they are focuse!on their fight& The sha!o" ma#es a su!!enmo%e an! a shoe sails past B*+Y6S hea!4

S:A>3A(Sees shoe& Sees *yril4

od' 6=* in trou5le a)ain'

+CF(Pointing to the shoe& $cite!4

)ood-o 6 know' 6=ll )o .etc te soe'

S:A>3A(,ou! "hisper out of si!e of mouth4

3o

+CF+ut don=t tey want *e to .etc te soe?

S:A>3A(,ou! "hisper out of si!e of mouth4

ey want you to sut u'

CR6L(Stepping bet"een B*+Y 7 S.A/-A4

+reak it u 6 say 5reak it u(*Y'I, gestures menacingly at S.A/-A4

+ack away .ro* er now 3ow *eans now +ack o..

(S.A/-A bac#s a"ay& *Y'I, gesturesmenacingly at B*+Y4

And you +ack away and stand ri)t tere Stand stilland ay attention

(B*+Y bac#s a"ay4:ear *e now' 3o *ore .i)tin)' 3o *ore 5ad words' +enice or 5e locked in te ca)e'

1!


20/97

('oom 121 !oor slams shut4

CR6LAll ri)t, se=s )one 5ack to er readin), tank od'

ou a8e e;lainin) to do, Sawna' >at was it alla5out tis ti*e?

+CF, well now' Iust a s*all *atter' y .ault actually'3otin) to )et worked u o8er' 6 can e;lai - -

CR6L(0%erlaps4

;cuse *e' is aens to 5e *y do*ain'

+CF+ut se - -

CR6L(0%erlaps4

6 su))est you kee out o. tis' ou=re new ere, nodou5t un.a*iliar wit te er.or*ance de.iciencies o.certain o. *y car)es' 3ow stand aside and 5e still'

+CF' >ell' es' 6=*' 6=* sorry'

CR6L(Points to S.A/-A6s collar4

i8e *e tat 6 can only assu*e you stole it'(She remo%es it


21/97

S:A>3Aes, sir'

CR6L

o i*ro8e, you *ust work at it' 6*ro8e*ent takese..ort' ..ort and disciline' o tat end, you willde8ote tirty *inutes eac ni)t to writin) 6 willa8oid trou5leM on te calk5oard' Do you understand?

S:A>3Aes, sir'

CR6Lour e..orts a8e 5een iti.ul' Stand in te corner

(S.A/-A stan!s in corner& She "himpers4

CR6LSorry you ad to see tat, 5ut it was necessary' Soyou are +ecky' :a8e you settled in?

+CF6 tink so, yes' 8eryone=s 5een Guite nice' +utlease don=t *ake a .uss' 6 san=t 5e ere lon)'

CR6Les' 6 recall your *entionin) ainters'

+CFy owners, Ci and Crystal, want a )reen te*e .or teouse' reen si)ni.ies wisdo*'

CR6L

;actly' As in Dante=s 6n.erno, were te no5le a)anslike Socrates dwell in a *eadow, sendin) teir daysilosoiHin) on te )reen, as it were'

+CFy, you=re Guite cultured'

CR6Ly *istress was a ro.essor o. classical ilosoy'iss Rosa' 8eryone called er tat'

(Tears up briefly4iss Rosa' +rilliant wo*an' Se ad a wonder.ultecniGue .or re*e*5erin) anytin)' Se called it tetwo word *etod' :ere, let *e de*onstrate'

+CF no, you don=t a8e to' 6t=s all ri)t'

21


22/97

CR6L, 5ut 6 insist' ake na*es o. ilosoers, .ore;a*le' Socrates' wo words' Socks and 5o;es' akesocks' >at is te sin)ular o. socks? Sock' 3e;t

5o;es' >at is anoter word .or 5o;es? Crates' r)o,Sock crates' Accent on te last sylla5le' Socrates'iss Rosa said you can do tat wit any reek na*e'Are your owners tat cle8er?

+CF no dou5t' Ci=s an accountant' :e=s always .lyin)so*ewere' :e counts tin)s .or eole' 6t=s all 8erya5struse, nu*5ers not 5ein) *y stron) suit, 5ut teyay i* to count, and we do a8e a 5lue +>' ou a8eto a8e at least a PD to a8e a 5lue +>' 6 eardtat so*ewere' +ut Ci can really 5e o8er5earin)so*eti*es' Always sayin) we can=t ossi5ly understandis work' y word As i. we=re oor de*ented cildren'Crystal )ets 8ery uset wen Ci )oes into issueriority act' And wo can 5la*e er? Se=s as ati to *ind' A5solutely ti to' Se=s *y 8ery closest)al al' >e watc V to)eter' And e8ery a.ternoon attree, wile se=s on te tread*ill, we listen to 5ookson tae' 6=8e learned a5out Ion Stuart ill, I' DSalin)er, Danielle Steele' And Dante'

CR6L6 a* i*ressed'

+CF>ell, it=s si*ly we ACD=s are ultra curious' >ic iswy we=re so intelli)ent' +ut, 6 *ust ad*it, al. teti*e we .ind a way to *uck it u' Curiosity kills *ore

tan


23/97

+CF;actly' eir sole task was to et te do)s'

CR6L

6ndeed?+CF

e cats, too' +ut you know cats' So


24/97

S:A>3Aank od'

(S.A/-A turns a"ay from "all4

+CFAren=t you suosed to kee lookin) at te wall?

S:A>3Aea' Ri)t'

+CF:e=s certainly )i8in) you te rou) end o. teineale' >at did you do?

S:A>3A(Pic#s up collar& Puts bac# it on4

3otin)'

+CF co*e now' ou *ust a8e done so*etin)'

S:A>3A3otin), 6 tell you'

+CF:ard .or *e to 5elie8e a cultured and educated ersonlike Cyril would 5e un.air'

S:A>3Aea, well, 5elie8e wat you want' 3o one=s oldin) a)un to your ead' Anyway, you=ll learn in ti*e'

+CFA.raid not' 6=* )oin) to 5e ere .or at kind o. do) is se?'M Ciwould say, Se=s an ACD'M , se=s 5eauti.ul'M

S:A>3Ay owners used to take *e .or walks'

24


25/97

+CF>at aened?

S:A>3A

ne day 6 was tere, te ne;t day 6 was ere'+CF

:ow lon) a8e you 5een ere?

S:A>3A6 don=t know' wo *onts *ay5e'

+CFwo *onts? Cries >at=d your owners do? o onsa.ari to te *oon?

(S.A/-A begins sobbing46=* sorry' 6 didn=t *ean tat' Please don=t cry'

S:A>3A6 tried so ard' a8e te* e8erytin)' 6 tou)t teyliked *e' 6 tou)t 6 was doin) really )ood' en tewo*an said 6 *ade er ner8ous wen 6 stared at er'All 6 was doin) was watcin) er' 6 tou)t tey likedtat'

+CF6t=s all ri)t' Ceer u' ou=ll 5ounce 5ack' ouwill' ose eole don=t deser8e a cle8er do) likeyou' Don=t cry' Please don=t cry' 6 ate cryin)'ell you wat' 6=* )oin) to do you a .a8or' >en Ciand Crystal )et 5ack, 6=* uttin) in a )ood word' eydo wate8er 6 say' ey know *any Guality eole'>e=ll )et you so*eone wo deser8es a world-class do)'

et you set u in a nice o*e ronto'

S:A>3Aou=d do tat .or *e?

+CF6 a* so )i8in)' +ut ten, it=s co**on knowled)e ACDsare te *ost )enerous and 5ra8e o. all 5reeds' Didyou know we were decorated .or )allantry and 8alor in>orld >ar 66 and Forea A3D Viet 3a*? i8in) tat last.ull *easure o.'

(S.A/-A rolls her eyes4Sorry' et carried away' ou and 6, Sawna' >e=re)oin) to 5e .riends' ark *y words, wit *y caris*a

and your u u* wate8er, te sky is te li*it' ystars, it=s 5een ours and ours since 6 ad a na'And 6 a* do) tired' ink 6=ll a8e a lie down'

(Blac#out4

nd o. AC 6 Scene B

2$


26/97

Scene 4

(*Y'I, enters through 'oom 121 !oor) lea%es!oor open& Insi!e) sha!o"y outline of MA?-

is seen4CR6L

(Spea#ing not in his normal %oice& .e ischanneling MA?-6s %oice4

>at you do is, i. te do)=s really out o. control, youtrow a towel o8er i*' en you can )ra5 i* 5y teneck and stick i* in te ri5s u ere' ou wanna )ette eart or so*etin) so tey )o out like a li)t' 6learned you ne8er na*e te*' KCause i. you na*e te*and ten you a8e to ut te* down' at9s a ardtin) to do' Re*e*5er, te do) does not su..er' 6t9sa 8ery u*ane way o. )oin)' >e sound like suc .oolssittin) tere wit te*, u))in) te*, wiserin), it9sokay, an)el, you9re )oin) to a 5etter lace, tere=ll5e cewtoys and you can run and lay all day and alittle )irl na*ed Steanie will u) you and lo8e you'Don=t cry, an)el, lease don=t cry' 6t cal*s te*down' At .irst 6 ne8er said wat it was 6 did' 3ow 6say, you know, we all die' 6t=s a .act o. li.e'

(A mil#bone is tosse! out the !oor onto thegroun!& *Y'I, pic#s it up) eats& 5oorcloses& Spotlight on A'TI in a cage& Aflashing re! light abo%e 'oom 121) lastingthree to fi%e secon!s) accompanie! by anominous soun!) then bac# to normal& *Y'I, 7A'TI stare an! shi%er4

AR6>a >at was tat? Did you see tat, Cyril?

CR6L(-o" in his normal %oice4

es' 6 saw, Artie' 6 saw

AR6>ell' >ell, wat' >at was it?

CR6L:ow would 6 know? :ow would anyone know? 6t *ay 5ete wind or sarks in te air or it *ay a8e to do witte con.i)uration o. te stars and lanets and teir

relationsi one to anoter' 3ow 5e still' :old yourGuestions and )i8e *e so*e eace'

(Snaps fingers) blac#out on A'TI6s cage&Sli!es -ATA,I6s name plate out from abo%eher mailbo$) lea%ing it blan#4

2"


27/97

CR6LDu* de du*' Du* de du*' De du*' Doowa' 3atalie=s)one, )a8e u te )ost' 6 .or one will not *iss er'3ot *iss er 5ad *anners or er u))is disutatious

ways' o 5e 5lunt se=d worn out er welco*e' And 6=*not asa*ed to ad*it 6 layed a art in sendin) er toanoter le8el o. e;istence' +e assured it was .or er)ood and ours' Look' Don=t 5e Guick to


28/97

AR6S=okay'

+CF

6 can=t el 5ut notice you=re in a ca)e'AR6

, tis? 6=*, you know,


29/97

AR6(Points to mailbo$es4

Iust )o u tere, .ind te 5o; *arked ArtieM and eekinside te little window'

(B*+Y !oes so4

+CF3otin) inside te 5o;, Artie'

AR6kay' anks' +ecky'

+CF>ere you e;ectin) so*etin)?

AR63o' uess not'

(Silence4

AR6Listen, could


30/97

+CFAre you )oin) to 5e all ri)t, Artie?

AR6

ea, 6=ll 5e .ine'+CF

6=ll 5e 5ack later to 8isit you' Ceerio'

AR6anks, +ecky'

(She e$its4

AR6>ere are you, *o*? >ere are you?

(Blac#out4

nd o. AC 6 Scene 4

B0


31/97

Scene $

(B'I*+) A,I an! S.A/-A enter& B'I*+ has anelaborate pompa!our an! A,I6s hair is in a

8rench brai!& They both loo# ri!iculous&S.A/-A6s hair is o%erly !one up an! she hastons of ma#eup4

AL6(5ripping "ith sarcasm4

ar8elous' Iust a5solutely *ar8elous' 3ow tat was areally Guality 8iewin)' Say wat you will a5outa;een, er eole sure know ow to ut on te do)'

+R6CF6 a* disaointed in a;een and Cyril' ur ca)e soulda8e 5een u .ront' 6 e;ected a 5etter sot'

AL63o one ca*e' 3ot one erson' :ow is tat ossi5le?ou would tink so*eone would dro in 5y accident' :owcould no one co*e? Don=t tese eole e8er ad8ertise?:a8en=t tey eard o. te Penneysa8er?

+R6CFDarlin, didn=t we ask Cyril to )et us .ront and center?6 re*e*5er we did' 6 re*e*5er e said e would'

AL6ere was no one tere to answer Guestions' 3o onetere to el wit te adotion aerwork' 3o5rocures' 3o co..ee' 3o cookies' 3o dou)nuts'is is no way to run a railroad'

+R6CF6 recall your askin) Cyril .or a 5etter ca)e .or us'

AL66t was


32/97

S:A>3A:ey Care.ul wat you say a5out'

(,oo#s aroun! to chec# for lur#ers& Instage "hisper4

A5out Cyril'AL6

(Turning on S.A/-A& Bello"ing4Listen, cocker' 6 say wat 6 want' Anyti*e'Anylace' Anywere' 3o one tells *e'

S:A>3A(0%erlaps& In stage "hisper4

at 5i) *out o. yours will )et us in trou5le'

+R6CFes, you need to 5e care.ul, darlin'

AL6ou sut u, +rick' Listen, cocker, 6 say wat=s on *y*ind' 6 say wat *e and +rick are tinkin)' As .oryou'

S:A>3A(0%erlaps& In stage "hisper4

As .or *e, do *e a .a8or? 3e;t ti*e you decide to .lyo.. te andle, include *e out'

AL6:un 6=ll 5et you=re tinkin) a5out sneakin) o.. totell Cyril' 6 know your kind' ou=re a sce*in)little snake' Anytin) to kee te ot 5u55lin)'

S:A>3ALook, 6=* 3Arrrr' at was a *ean tin) to say'

AL6

, you a8en=t seen *ean yet' 6 can 5e *ean as a


33/97

(B'I*+ 7 A,I e$it in one !irection& S.A/-Ae$its in the other4

+R6CF

(8rom offstage4E, Darlin, can=t you try to )et alon) wit Sawna?

AL6(8rom offstage4

+rick, you=re so wisy-wasy' 3o wonder Cyril leadsyou around 5y te nose'

+R6CF(8rom offstage4

Cyril does not

(nter *Y'I, "ith boo# an! frame! photo&.ol!s up frame! photo& Spotlight on *Y'I,4

CR6Liss Rosa' aken a year 5e.ore se assed on'

(Sets photo asi!e& .ol!s up boo#4:er .a8orite 5ook' editations o. arcus Aurelius'iss Rosa said arcus was te s*artest *an e8er'S*arter tan artin Luter Fin)' S*arter tan Al5ertinstein' S*arter tan Socrates' Do you see tesea)es .olded o8er? Se called te* do)ears' at waser at do youdo wen te one you lo8e dies 5e.ore your 8ery eyes?>ell, you stay' ou sow resect' So 6 and te cats.or*ed oursel8es into a kind o. onor )uard' arcus

BB


34/97

CR6L(*ont4Aurelius, 5ein) a soldier, would a8e aro8ed' >estayed till noon, .endin) o.. te 5u)s and te rats'en er son ca*e' And se went away .ore8er'

(.e snaps his fingers& Behin! him) the!ar#ene! stage "ith lights flashing an!soun!s of the factory running& Soun! ofB'I*+ calling out numbers o%er the factorynoisefifteen) si$teen) se%enteenup tot"enty& /hen he calls out a number) S.A/-Arepeats it& /hen they get to t"enty) thestage lights slo"ly come up an! the factorysoun!s cease& B'I*+) A,I an! S.A/-A at"or#stations& The cloc# rea!s noon straightup& *Y'I, stan!s ne$t to his mailbo$)#eeping "atch an! loo#ing important4

CR6L:ow *any, +rick?

+R6CFwenty'

CR6Lat ri)t, Sawna?

S:A>3Aat=s a ro)er'

CR6L(-o!s to B'I*+4

Very well' Sut it down'

(B'I*+ presses button) shuts !o"n line4

CR6Lwel8e o=clock noon, eole' i*e to 5reak .or lunc'Co*e on, one and all, co co'

(A,I 7 B'I*+ groan as they stan! up at their"or#stations 7 stretch& S.A/-A !uc#s out ofher "or# station an! e$its running4

AL6(/atches S.A/-A e$it4

Sawna=s turnin) into a 5i) ti*e stick in te *ud'inks se=s too )ood .or us'

CR6LDu* de du*De du*

B4


35/97

AL6Look' :e=s alone, +rick' o talk to i*'

+R6CF

All ri)t, all ri)t' Sto usin) *e'(To *Y'I,4E Cyr' ot a *inute?

CR6LJor *y )ood .riend +rick, anytin)'

+R6CF>at=s )oin) on wit Artie?

CR6L>at a5out Artie?

+R6CF>at a5out i*? a;een=s )ot i* in a ca)e'

CR6Les, 6 see se does'

+R6CF>ell?

CR6L>ell wat, +rick?

AL6ell i*, +rick' ell i*'

+R6CF>ell look' E' 6t=s wron)' 6t=s


36/97

AL6ell i* e=s a u), +rick' Pu)s )ot enou) ro5le*switout' >itout tis'

+R6CF+e Guiet, Darlin Cyr lease, you )otta do so*etin)'

CR6L+ut wat can 6 do?

+R6CFou=re ti)t wit a;een' ou can ut a 5u) in erear' 6. Artie=s in te do)ouse, you can *ay5e - -

CR6L(0%erlaps4

6 really don=t see ow - -

AL6(0%erlaps4

Pus i* arder' C=*on now' et i* to el' Cyrilcan do it, ell' kay'

+R6CFat=s *y darlin'

(She "an!ers out of earshot4

CR6LSe certainly doesn=t a8e *uc atience'

+R6CFSe=s one o. tose e*otional .e*ale tyes' Volatile'Like a cat on a ot tin roo.' >ears *e out'

B"


37/97

CR6LSo*eti*es 6 .ind er to 5e a disruti8e in.luence'

+R6CF

6=ll a8e a talk wit er' 6 ro*ise'CR6L

Do tat' >y tis sudden concern .or Artie?

+R6CFAww, you know' Artie=s little )uy and e looks s*alland elless' And tese cicks' ey )et all *isty-eyed and teir earts )o out' :e=s like a 5a5y seal'

CR6L6t=s te *oterin) instinct

+R6CF+in)o' Se *ade *e swear to 5rin) it u to you'

CR6LJine' 6=ll look into it

(A,I returns4

AL6>ell?

+R6CF:e=s )onna look into it, darlin' Ainca, Cyr?

CR6Les, a5solutely

AL6ank you, Cyril'

(nter S.A/-A an! B*+Y& S.A/-A has hernose up in the air4

AL6>ell, look wo=s 5ack' iss oo ood o alk o Es'Se=s wit tat windy Aussie'

(*Y'I, blo"s on a police "histle4

CR6L

ater around, eole' 6 a8e news a5out 3atalie

AL6, let=s ray it=s )ood news'

S:A>3AAll 6 know is, 3atalie snaed at *e' Jor no reason'

B7


38/97

AL63o reason? :a ou tried to swie er *ilk5one'

CR6L

Peole' uiet lease' 6 a8e newsS:A>3A

E your atootie, Ali'

AL66n your drea*s, sark 5ait'

CR6LPeole lease' A .ew *inutes o. Guiet'

S:A>3ASark 5ait? rrrrrrr

+R6CF:ey ey Pie down, e8ery5ody

+CF>at=s )oin) on?

S:A>3ASus

+R6CF: S:E EP

(Angry stare until e%eryone shuts up4F, Cyr, you )ot te .loor'

CR6L

Jirst 6 want you all to know 3atalie assed away'

S:A>3A od, no noooooooooo Poor Artie'

AL66=* so sorry'

CR6L:er assin) was eace.ul' Se=s in a 5etter lace now'+e assured se is ay

(A,I starts to


39/97

ALL : :RS QCP +CFA*en

(B*+Y loo#s confuse!& A,I glares at her&

S.A/-A @abs her in the ribs4CR6L

Re


40/97

VR3A*en

S:A>3A

(Suc#ing up4at was lo8ely, Cyr' So insired' ne o. te 5estyou=8e e8er done' 6 know 3at eard you'

CR6L(As if to a small) not %ery bright chil!4

. course se did, Sawna' 3ow 6 *ust )o and re.lect'(*Y'I, turns to lea%e4

+R6CF:ey Cyr >e=re countin) on you .or little Artie'

CR6L(-o!s4

Du* de du*De du*

(*Y'I, e$its& They open lunch bo$es) sit!o"n to eat& S.A/-A shares hers "ith B*+Y4

AL6:ey e8eryone, let=s take u a collection .or littleArtie' Iust so e knows we care'

(A,I an! Bric# each !onate a mil#bone4

S:A>3ASorry, 6 3A6t=s okay +ecky' Artie=s not )onna star8e' a;een.eeds us all real )ood'

AL6(=lares at S.A/-A4

So' >at=d you say your na*e was? +aily or +ritney?

+CF+ecky' Re5ecca actually, a.ter te )reat .e*inistautor, Da*e Re5ecca >est'

AL6La-de-da' 6 was na*ed a.ter Ali +a5a and te 40 tie8es

+CF(-ot sure if she6s being put on4

ou can call *e +ecky'

40


41/97

+R6CFou are so ot, darlin' Sure your na*e=s not Su**er?

AL6

+rick+CF

3o, sorry' 3ot Su**er' y owners, Ci and Crystal,na*ed *e Re5ecca' Re5ecca *eans car*in)'

+R6CF>ell, you are de.initely car*in and disar*in'

AL6+rick So, wat=s your story? :ow did you )et ere?

+CFy owners dro8e *e ere' 6=* ell, say, could tey use an akita? 6=* 8ery andy' 6always clean u a.ter *ysel. and .e*ales adore *e'

AL6+rick et real, tey=re not co*in)' Se was du*ed'

+R6CF

, so se=s a dro o..'

+CFDro o..? Du*ed? >ate8er do you *ean, du*ed?

AL6ea, du*ed' >at we a8e ere is a case o. denial'

+R6CFoo 5ad' >adat? 3o ey lo8e *e' 6=* not a dro o..'

(A,I an! B'I*+ laugh4

AL6ou still don=t )et it' :ey, +ecky or Re5ecca orwoe8er you are' Denial is not a ri8er in )yt>elco*e to te Dro .. Clu5' >e=re all in te clu5'

41


42/97

+CF3o

S:A>3A

6 wanted to tell you earlier, 5ut you were )oin) on inyour own little Hone and 6 couldn=t' Ali is ri)t'

AL6Course 6=* ri)t'

S:A>3AAli, you don=t a8e to ru5 er nose in it'

AL6+u) o.., Sawna'

S:A>3Aou are suc a' >o died and *ade you Gueen 5itc?

+R6CF+reak it u, )irls'

AL6ou little wor*, you

S:A>3Aou .at i)

+R6CF6 SA6D +RAF 6 EP

+CFou=re all wron) ey=ll co*e .or *e' ey=ll co*e

to )et *e in teir 5lue +>' And ten 6=ll stick *yead out te window as we dri8e o.. and 6=ll lau)

(A,I an! B'I*+ laugh4

+CFou=ll see' ey lo8e *e' Ci and Crystal lo8e *e'

(A,I) B'I*+ 7 S.A/-A laugh& B*+Y stan!s)mo%es off to si!e) spotlight on her&Blac#out on the others eating lunch4

+CFey lo8e *e'

(Blac#out on B*+Y& *Y'I, enters from 'oom121 !oor& Spotlight on him& .e pa!s to themailbo$es an! sli!es B*+Y6s name plate inabo%e the %acant mailbo$& Blac#out4

nd o. AC 6 Scene $

42


43/97

Scene "

(-ear mi!night that same !ay& Spotlight onA'TI6s cage4

AR6+ecky? +ecky?

(Spotlight on B*+Y sitting at e!ge ofstage4

AR6+ecky? 6s tat you?

+CFes'

AR6ou said you were co*in) 5ack to see *e' 6 stayedawake .or you' Are you okay?

+CFes'

AR6Did you .ind *y *o*?

+CFes'

AR66s se okay?

+CFes'

AR6kay, tanks, +ecky' os, it=s late' i*e to slee'

(A'TI lies !o"n4=ni)t, +ecky'

(Blac#out on A'TI6s cage4

+CF=ni)t'

(Blac#out on B*+Y& Spotlight on B'I*+ an!

A,I ga>ing at the stars4

AL6(5eep sigh4

+rick?

4B


44/97

+R6CFea?

AL6

Do you e8er wonder?+R6CF

>at a5out?

AL6ose li)ts'

+R6CF>at=s to wonder? ey )o on' ey )o o..'

AL6ou=re so *eat and otatoes' Don=t you e8er wonder?

+R6CFSure, Ali' Can=t slee ni)ts wonderin'

AL6ere=s no call to 5e sarcastic'

+R6CF>ell, wat te eck a* 6 s=osed to say?

AL6ou *i)t try e;ressin) so*e interest'

+R6CFF' Sure' So 6=* interested'

AL6ou don=t sound interested'

+R6CFE*' >at=s interested sound like?

AL66 tink at *ini*u* you sould 5e ayin) attention'

+R6CFF' :ey, see *e? Payin= attention' rowl, )rowl'

AL6And tryin) to 5e el.ul'

+R6CFRi)t' :el.ul' rowl, )rowl' :el.ul, ceck'

AL6ntusiastic'

44


45/97

+R6CFkay' >oo. woo.' 6 )ot entusias*' Ceck a)ain'

AL6

+rick' is isn=t a cecklist'+R6CF

Doin) te 5est 6 can'

AL66s so*etin) wron)? ou see* distracted toni)t'

+R6CF6t=s notin'

AL66t *ust 5e so*etin)'

+R6CF6t=s notin, Ali' 6t=s ell'

AL6o aead' Say it'

+R6CF>ell, sure' kay' 6t=s' 6t=s +ecky'

AL6+ecky'

+R6CF6=* worried a5out er'

AL66 see'

+R6CFSe see*s so' So crused' So 5roken' So - -

AL6(0%erlaps4

Sorry to ear tat' ;cuse *e, 6 .eel a sudden cill'

+R6CF>ere you )oin)?

AL6ood ni)t, +rick'

4$


46/97

(A,I e$its4

+R6CFAnd se calls *e distracted'

(Blac#out on B'I*+& Spotlight on B*+Y&nter *yril4

CR6Lou and Ali ad words'

+CFSe ates *e'

CR6L6=d 5e care.ul o. er' Se tends to carry )rud)es

+CF>at does se want? at 6 trow it in and run away?

CR6LSe can 5e Guite 8indicti8e'

+CF6. tat=s wat it is, se=s ridin) .or a .all' 6=llsort it in a way se won=t like'

CR6Ly ad8ice is let sleein) do)s lie'

+CF6. se tinks 6=8e droed *y 5undle, se - -

CR6L(0%erlaps4

Let er talk, words can=t urt' Se=ll 5e di))in)ersel. in deeer' +esides, 5arkin) do)s ne8er 5ite'

+CF6. 6 5ack away, wat=s to kee er .ro* - -

CR6L(0%erlaps4

6=ll see se doesn=t' 6 a8e ways o. addressin)disruti8e ele*ents'

+CF

ou=d do tat .or *e?

CR6L6 want to el you'

+CF6' 6 can=t see ow you - -

4"


47/97

CR6L(0%erlaps4

+ecky, dear one' Listen' 6 8ery *uc want to elyou' 6t )rie8es *e to see you unay like tis' Let

*e rotect you' Let *e kee you sa.e+CF

6 don=t know' is is so sudden' 6 *ust tink'

CR6Link? ink a5out wat? Listen to *e' >en te ods)i8e you a )i.t, you don=t tink a5out it' ou takeit' Re*e*5er, se wo esitates is lost' At *y sideyou would 5e resected'

+CFou us so ard'

CR6L+e *ine, +ecky' Please'

+CF6 *ust tink'

CR6Lou=re not reit a wink and a nod 6 can can)e anyone=s .ortune,co**and anyone=s .ate'

(*Y'I, !ra"s %ery close to B*+Y) tries tota#e her into his arms& She !ra"s bac#& .epersists& She slaps his face4

CR6L

at9s a resonse 6 did not e;ect' ink it o8er'Don=t 5e stu55orn' Stu55ornness does not 5eco*e you'

(B*+Y bursts into tears 7 begins to runa"ay from *Y'I,4

ou=re .ar too retty to end u like 3atalie'

(Blac#out on *Y'I,& ,ights up on B'I*+4

47


48/97

+R6CF>ell, i tere darlin' Didn=t know you were u'

+CF

' :ello +rick' 6 couldn=t slee' And it=s cold'+R6CF

ou=8e 5een cryin)' Co*e o8er ere to *e' Let *e drytose tears' And we=ll kee eac oter war*'

+CF(+eeps her !istance4

>ere=s your )irl .riend?

+R6CFou *ean Ali?

+CFes' Ali'

+R6CFAww, se )ot uset and sto*ed o..' Se=s alwayssnain) at *e a5out so*etin)' at=s e=ll


49/97

+R6CF>e don=t ate you'

+CF

6 know you all do' 8en Sawna ates *e' 6 tou)tse was *y .riend'(She e!ges her "ay to"ar! him4

:ow could tey? :ow could tey? Do tey know ow *uctis urts, ow dee tis cut )oes? Da*n te*

+R6CFSa*e wit *y owners' 6 know ow you .eel'

+CFou can=t ossi5ly know ow 6 .eel' ou=8e no concet'

+R6CF+elie8e *e, 6 know'

+CFLiar

(,eans against him46 wis 6 was dead' da*n te*' Da*n' Da*n' Da*n'Da*n te*' 6 want to die' Da*n te* >y didn=t tey


50/97

AC 66

Scene 1

(5ar#ene! stage& *Y'I, stan!s center stage)spotlight on him& nter A'TI) spotlight onhim) !resse! li#e a gangsta& .e han!s *Y'I,a note& *Y'I, rea!s4

CR6LSo' Ali is locked u' 6t=s an a5solute sock to *e'

AR6ea, well' Iust one o. tose tin)s' Re*e*5er watAli said' Se said, you ne8er know' 6t can aenatca )onna do a5out Ali?

CR6Lou lea8e tat to *e' 6=ll address Ali=s situation'

AR6:ey, you te kin), Cyr'

CR6Les, 6 a*'

(.an!s him bac# the note4Destroy tis, *y 5oy' As nature a5ors a 8acuu*, tat=sAristotle 5y te way, so do 6 a5or a aer trail' And

)et *e a *ilk5one' 6=ll 5e at te coyote .ence'

(A'TI e$its& *Y'I, snaps fingers& ,atee%ening) cric#et soun!s& B'I*+ sits at thecoyote fence !ealing car!s for po#er& *Y'I,"al#s to him) sits) pic#s up car!s& *oyoteho"ls in !istance4

$0


51/97

CR6LDoowa doowa+u* 5a 5u*+a 5u* 5u*

Doowa+R6CF

ou )onna lay a card down?

CR6LDu* de du*' :old your orses' Iust old your orses'Iust let *e study tese cards so*e *ore' Du* du* deedee du*

+R6CFo aead' Study Ke* till te cows co*e o*e'

CR6L:e=s roud e always wins' 6 let i*' Don=t tell i*tat' ay 6 re*ind you e8ery do) as is day?

+R6CF3o one 5elie8es tat'

CR6LDu* du* du*' ay 6 re*ind you te sun doesn=t alwayssine on te sa*e do)9s 5eind?

+R6CF>ill you lease ait S

CR6L>at?

$1


52/97

+R6CFS Listen

CR6L

>at?+R6CF

ou don=t ear it?

CR6L3o' 3otin)

+R6CFCoyotes out tere' Si;, *ay5e se8en'

CR6L6 do not ear te*

+R6CFJres kill' ey=re eatin)' And snain) at eacoter' u)s' ot no ta5le *anners' Darn coyotes

CR6LRela;, +rick ' ink o. te* as your wild 5roters'

+R6CFDon=t like Ke*' Don=t trust Ke*'

CR6LDid you know te coyote is a di)iti)rade?

+R6CF

ou )ot so *any .acts' >ere do you store it all?

CR6LDi)iti)rade *eans, unlike us, tey walk on teir toes'

+R6CFDon=t care i. tey .ly on teir toes' ey=re tu)s'

(A'TI enters) !resse! gangsta style4

AR6:ey, wassu ees?

CR6L

Artie

+R6CF>ell look' Look wo=s 5ack in te land o. te li8in)'

$2


53/97

AR6(.an!s *Y'I, a mil#bone4

:ey +rick, *y *an'

+R6CF:eard you )ot srun)'

AR6ea' ot srun)'

+R6CFFind o. a rare tin)' ust a8e 5een your lucky day'

AR6usta 5een'

CR6LLet=s


54/97

CR6LDu* de du*' Certainly looks like it'

+R6CF

ink you *i)t 5e a5le to do so*etin) .or Ali?CR6L

Du* de du*'

(nter S.A/-A) loo#ing %ery se$y4

S:A>3A:ello +rick'

+R6CF:i Sawna'

S:A>3ACan 6 )et you anytin)?

+R6CF3o tanks'

S:A>3Aou=re sure? 6 )ot notin) else to do ri)t now'

+R6CFanks anyway'

S:A>3A6


55/97

Scene 2

(B'I*+) A,I an! B*+Y enter& B'I*+ has anelaborate pompa!our an! A,I6s hair is in a

8rench brai!& They both loo# ri!iculous&B*+Y6s hair is !one up in pigtails an! shehas tons of ma#eup4

+CFDo tey always ick us u and turn us o8er?

S:A>3ASo*eti*es tey do' So*eti*es tey don=t' :u*ans arereally unredicta5le tat way'

+CF6 don=t *ind so *uc teir ickin) *e u' +ut 6 *ustsay tat 6, .or one, can=t a5ide tese 5literin)idiots wo toss you around like a .oot5all' e ne;tti*e a 5loke does tat to *e, 6=ll settle is as )oodand roer' Deend on it'

+R6CF(To B*+Y4

ou *ust 5e a 5roo* cause you swet *e o.. *y .eet'

S:A>3A+rick

(nter *Y'I,4

CR6L:ow did it )o, eole?

S:A>3ADon=t ask'

CR6Lat 5ad, e?

+R6CFA la5 and a oodle .ro* +lock were adoted'

S:A>3A )reat A lot o. )ood tat does *e'

+R6CF

kay, eole' i*e to )et 5ack on te line'

CR6LDo as +rick says'

S:A>3Aea, yea'

$$


56/97

(*Y'I, e$its& S.A/-A) B*+Y 7 B'I*+ go totheir "or#stations& 8actory cloc# rea!s12AM& S.A/-A presses button) "histlesoun!s& They commence "or#ing the line&Set

!ar#ens "ith lights flashing 7 factorysoun!s& Soun! of factory running at fullspee!& Soun! of B'I*+ calling out numberso%er the soun!s of the factoryone) t"o)three an! so on& /hen he calls out anumber) B*+Y lou!ly repeats it& /hen theyget to se%en) soun! of grin!ing the gears&,ights come up ill wonders ne8er cease?

(nter A'TI in gangsta garb an! garish hat4

AR6o' >assu, +ecky?

+CF(-ot loo#ing up4

:i Artie'

$"


57/97

AL6 now, tat=s )ood' Very )ood' Se=s )ot er )loo*y)irl act down to a ' ood' See ow se slu*s.orward like se=s carryin) te wei)t o. te world on

er 5ack? And ceck tat an)do) .ace' De.inite nineon *y card' +et se racticed it in .ront o. a *irrorto )et it


58/97

AL6Did you see +rick?

AR6

ea'AL6

+rick' 6 *iss i* so *uc' :ow is e?

AR6See*ed cool'

(nter *Y'I,4

CR6Lood *ornin), eole'

AR6o, Cyr'

AL6:i, Cyril'

CR6Ly *y' >at a8e *e ere?

+CFood *ornin) Cyril'

CR6L(Pointe!ly snubbing B*+Y4

>at=s )oin) on ere, Artie?

AR6>e e=re talkin) to oor Ali' 3otin) *ore tan tat'

CR6L(To B*+Y) pointing to the factory4

Aren=t you suosed to 5e workin) on te line?

+CFe line 5roke' So*etin) in te )ear 5o;'

AR6

Like se said, Cyr' >e were


59/97

AR6Part o. Cyril=s crew' ea'

CR6L

ea, wat?AR6

ea, sir'

CR6L6t=s yes sir' 3ot yea sir

AR6essir

CR6L6 a8e one rule, *y 5oy

AR6essir'

CR6Lne rule' Listen care.ully' ou do not contradicte' 8er'

AR6+ut 6 didn=t

CR6Lere you )o' Contradictin) *e'

AR6essir' Sorry sir'

CR6L+ecky is so*eone 6=* keein) an eye on' 6 wassurrised to ear you take er side a)ainst *e

AR66 didn=t know, sir'

CR6L(/al#s bac# to B*+Y 7 A,I& A'TI follo"s4

>ell, now you do

AR6essir'

CR6LArtie *y 5oy' >y don=t you and +ecky )o take a 5reak,so Ali and 6 can a8e a cat'

AR6essir' C=*on +ecky'

$!


60/97

+CF+ut - -

AR6

(0%erlaps& ,ou!) grabbing her han!4C=*on +ecky Let=s )o

(A'TI pulls B*+Y a"ay& They e$it&Silence as *Y'I, stu!ies A,I& Then4

AL6Artie says you=re )onna )et *e out o. ere'

(Silence as *Y'I, continues to stu!y her4Artie said Ali, you )onna 5e outta ere Guick, )irl'M

CR6LArtie *issoke

AL6, you *ean it=ll take lon)er? :ey, tat=s okay' 6)ot lots o. tin)s to do' 6 can wait' 3o ro5le*o'

CR6Le .act is' +rick and Sawna'

AL6(0%erlaps4

And Sawna??

CR6L+rick and Sawna are in te rocess o.'

AL6(0%erlaps4

y +rick?? And tat?? at tra*??

CR6Lra* is an un.ortunate coice' Sawna and +rick are'

AL6(0%erlaps4

6=ll kill er 6 swear 6=ll kill er' 6=ll ri ertroat

CR6LAre you Guite .inised?

AL6(Sobbing softly4

at 5itc' at tie8in) 5itc'

CR6L+rick and Sawna are to)eter ri)t now' ey areto)eter as we seak'

"0


61/97

AL63o'

CR6L

6=* a.raid so'AL6

Please let *e out' Please let *e talk to +rick'

CR6L>at do you tink you could do?

AL66 could talk to i*' 6 a8e tat ri)t' :e=s *ine'

CR6L:e=s not anyone=s' Did it e8er occur to you tatyour relationsi wit i* as run its course?at +rick as *o8ed on?

AL6at=s not true

CR6L+rick and Sawna' wo eole in lo8e' Lo8e is suc a.ra)ile e*otional state' 6t=s like oldin) a do8e'oo ti)tly, you crus it' oo loosely, it .lies away'Do you see ow incon8enient you=8e 5eco*e?

(*Y'I, begins to "al# off4

AL6Cyril, let *e out Cyril Cyril Cyril ou can=t

do tis Cyril

(.e e$its& She collapses) sobbing& Blac#out&A,I sobs& ,ights up& nter B*+Y 7 A'TI4

AL6:e=s not )oin) to .ree *e'

AR63o way Cyril told *e was )onna - -

AL6(0%erlaps4

6 tell you, e=s not )onna' So +rick and Saw' So

+rick and Sawna can - -

AR6(0%erlaps4

3o way, )irl, Cyril=s le)it' 6. e says it=s )oin)down, it=s )oin) down' Don=t you )o 5a))in= on i*'

"1


62/97

AL6, you little .ool' ou=re so wraed u in yoursel.and your new role, you a8en=t a clue'

+CFAli=s ri)t, Artie'

AL6Course 6=* ri)t'

+CF6 tell you, e is te e;act oosite o. wat you tink'Cyril only cares a5out Cyril

AR63o way' :e cares a5out all o. us' And' And e saidyou were trou5le' :e=s keein) an eye on you' :e saidow you )o around talkin) en 6 rotested, e )rew an)ry and said ecould can)e *y .ortune or co**and *y .ate wit a winkand a nod'

AR6A wink and a nod' >at e *ean 5y tat?

+CF:e said wat aened to 3atalie could aen to *e'

AR6 @ AL6>at?

AR6y o*?

AL6

3atalie?

+CF6=* sorry, Artie'

AR6, oor o*

"2


63/97

AL6Poor 3atalie

+CF

6 slaed i* and e said, ou=re too youn) and rettyto end u like 3atalie'M :is 8ery words'

AR6:old it >ait a *inute :ow do we know you=re keein=it real? :ow do we know you=re not .rontin=?

+CF(.ol!s out han!4

6 slaed i* wit tis and' o aead' S*ell it'

(They smell her han!4

AR6S*ells like a sla' And yea, tat=s Cyril allri)t'

AL6:***' es' De.initely' De.initely Cyril'

+CFere=s *ore'

AL6o aead'

+CF(To A,I4

6 told i* you ated *e' And 6 said 6 was .ri)tened

o. incurrin) *ore o. your wrat' o tat e said, seis only di))in) er ole deeer'

AL6 @ AR6>at?

AL6 od

+CFAnd ten e said you were a disruti8e in.luence'

AR6at word' Dis' Disruti8e' 6 eard Cyril say tat'

+CFe 8ery sa*e word?

AR6ea' :e was talkin) a5out Ali'

"B


64/97

AL6 *y od

AR6

>at does it *ean, +ecky?+CF

6t *eans, 6 tink, we *ust .ind a way to )et Ali out'

AL6 od yes lease

+CFSe=s not sa.e ere' >e *ust ide er so*elace'

AL6, od E +ecky?

+CFes?

AL66=* sorry' A5out' 6 tou)t you and +rick were - -

+CF(0%erlaps4

+rick=s e will erse8ere'('aises han!) presses it against cage4

Jor 3atalie'

AL6(5oes the same4

Jor 3atalie'

AR6(5oes the same4

Jor o*'

+CFoo ri)t, *ates' All ri)t, let=s to it'

AR6Let=s roll'

(They e$it& Blac#out4

nd o. Act 66 Scene 2

"4


65/97

Scene B

(*Y'I, enters an! pa!s to his mailbo$&There is a note tape! to it& A *hinese gong

near the 'oom 121 !oor4CR6L

('ea!s) emphasis on 5eath4Deat to Cyril'

('ea!s) emphasis on to4Deat to Cyril'

('ea!s) emphasis on *yril4Deat to Cyril'

(To himself46 could 5e ilosoical wit resect to tis, tis'E tis *issi8e' 6 could do tat' 6=8e ad a*letrainin)' 6=* sure tere=s a ity assa)e so*ewerein arcus Aurelius on *aintainin) a lacid disositionin ti*es o. ersonal crisis' 6 can=t tink o. one atte *o*ent 5ut tat doesn=t *ean tere isn=t one'Seneca said i. you li8e lon), you=re 5ound to su..erardsis e8ery so o.ten' oes wit te territory' Alon) li.e includes trou5les, e all knowte sayin), sticks and stones can 5reak *y 5ones, 5utwords can=t urt' So tat lea8es wo' uestion woas *eans, *oti8e and oortunity? Artie? oo ti*id,no i*a)ination, 5esides, te oor 5oy can=t write'

Pass on Artie' +rick? oo u*5le, too easily*aniulated and a 5it tick' Pass' Sawna? :*****'>ell, se certainly ates *e' 3or*ally, 6=d saySawna, 5ut .or one little .act' Se and 6 a8e anarran)e*ent toucin) on te a.ore*entioned +rick'+rick is er ticket out' And 6 do not tink Sawnawants tat ticket ulled' So let=s ass on Sawna'at lea8es +ecky' +ecky' Re)ardin) wo* te slastill s*arts' 6 do tink it=s ti*e to )i8e tis lacea sakeu' Artie Artie Artie, *y 5oy

($it *Y'I,& Spotlight on S.A/-A 7 B'I*+sitting together staring at the stars4

S:A>3A+rick?

+R6CFea, Sawna'

"$


66/97

S:A>3A>e need to talk'

+R6CF

>at a5out?S:A>3A

is'

+R6CFis?

S:A>3Aes, tis' is sot' 6 don=t .eel co*.orta5le'

+R6CF+ut it=s *y .a8orite sot' 6 co*e ere e8ery ni)t'

S:A>3Aou and se used to look at te li)ts to)eter ere'

+R6CF, .or Pete=s sake, Sawna

S:A>3A:er scent is on e8ery 5lade o. )rass, as i. se=swatcin), listenin)'

+R6CF6t=s only your i*a)ination' Se=s )one'

S:A>3A6t .eels stran)e' As i. 6=* your Ali su5stitute'

+R6CFou=re not

S:A>3Aour Ali relace*ent'

+R6CFSto talkin) craHy

S:A>3A6 can=t 5e er'

+R6CF

ou=re not'

S:A>3A6t really is o8er wit you and Ali' 6sn=t it?

(Silence46t=s o8er, isn=t it? +rick?

""


67/97

+R6CFe' es'

S:A>3A

6 don=t wis 5ad tin)s .or er'+R6CF

3o'

S:A>3A6 wis er well' 6 wis er te 5est' +ut 6 wantwat=s *ine' 6 want *y sare' 6 deser8e ainess' 6deser8e to 5e lo8ed, don=t 6? Don=t 6? 8eryonedeser8es to 5e lo8ed' 8eryone'

(*oyote ho"l& She shi%ers46 .eel cold' Let=s )o inside'

(They e$it& B*+Y enters& Then *Y'I, enters4

+CF(=a>es at stars4

. li.e, ti*e is a oint, su5stance is in .lu;,ercetion dull, te soul a wirl, and .ortune ard todi8ine, and .a*e a tin) de8oid o.


68/97

CR6LDo you tink a word .ro* you will cause all tis to5low away? Do you tink we wo 5uilt tis will sit onte orc and let it .all?

+CFes, i. you would only ste 5ack and let it 5e'

CR6L ri)t' Ste 5ack and let 5e' :ow si*le'

+CFe lan)ua)e o. trut is si*le' Seneca'

CR6Liss Rosa ne8er liked Seneca' As .or stein) 5ack andlettin) 5e, don=t you tink 6=d like to? Don=t youtink 6 want to walk away? >ere it tat si*le' en6=d 5e a scolar' en 6 would teac'

+CFou? A teacer?

CR6Lou .ind tat a*usin)?

+CF>at would you teac?

CR6L6 sat at iss Rosa=s .eet .or tree years' e*oriHede8ery lesson' 6 know Plato, Aristotle, SinoHa' 6=d)i8e lectures on wisdo*, a)er'

+CF>y don=t you?

"&


69/97

CR6L6 could walk away .ro* tis ri)t now' 6=8e *ade tisco**unity a 5etter lace' ere=s a 5ody o. work ereo. wic 6 a* roud' A 5ody o. work to wic 6 can

oint and say, 6 did tat'M +ut te ti*e is ne8erri)t' ere=s always work le.t undone'

+CFLet it )o' Ste away and let it )o' Let so*eone else.inis it'

CR6L3o ruly, 6 sense a .orce out tere oised to undo *ywork te *o*ent 6 ste aside'

+CF, lease Cyril

CR6Les, 6 .eel it' Jeel it in *y 5ones' 6 tink it *i)t5e you'

+CF3ow wo=s at you=8e done, you=8e done .or yoursel.' All we=d

5e doin) i. we tanked you would 5e .eedin) your e)o'

CR6Len 6 )uess 6 won=t 5e a teacer a.ter all' ere=s asayin), tose wo can, do, tose wo can=t, teac'

(Snaps his fingers& ,ights up4Artie, *y 5oy Jront and center

(Artie enters& Sullen) broo!ing e$pression4

AR6essir'

CR6L

Su**on te residents' 6 a8e so*e re*arks reared'

AR6

es sir'

"!


70/97

(A'TI bangs the *hinese gong& B'I*+ 7S.A/-A enter running an!) "ith A'TI) theyform up in a neat military line& At thelast minute) @ust before *Y'I, spea#s)

S.A/-A grabs B*+Y) pulls her into the line4CR6L

(.ol!s up !eath threat46 .ound tis notice on *y *ail5o; today'

(Au!ible gasps an! cries of surprise an!shoc# from B'I*+ 7 S.A/-A4

ank you' our concern and suort are *ost)rati.yin)' 3ote te .act tis is an unsi)neddocu*ent' Lackin) a na*e, it si)ni.ies notin)' 6 ask*ysel., wat sort o. sadowy scri55ler sews tis out?Clearly a coward' A sort o. 8a)a5ond, rascal andrunaway, a scu* o. te eart, a 5ase lackey easant, a.a*ised 5e))ar weary o. li.e 5ut .or drea*in) on tis,wo .or want o. *eans, te oor rat ad .allen on asword' 6. 6 5e treatened, let it 5e .ro* one witsu5stance and a na*e' en, 6 assure you, e, or se,will see wat *ettle Cyril as' Entil ten, tisnotice, and all suc, are to 5e delored and i)nored'

(*heers from B'I*+ 7 S.A/-A43e8erteless, no leader not co)niHant o. nor sensiti8eto te 8iews and oinions o. is car)es can 5ere)arded as rudent' ere.ore, in te interests o.oenness, 6 a* reared to entertain at tis ti*e anyGuestions and co**ents you *ay a8e' Ask anytin)'

S:A>3Aou *ean anytin)?

CR6LAnytin) at all' y stewardsi is an oen 5ook' Asao edon) said, TLet te undred .lowers 5loo*'T

(A"#"ar! silence& Then4

S:A>3AE***' >ell' 6' 6 really like te .ood ere'

+R6CFE***' ea, te *ilk5ones are retty *uc okay'

S:A>3A>e a8e two kinds'

+R6CFRe)ular and i) .i5er'

S:A>3Aay' ay5e we could a8e anoter .la8or?

70


71/97

CR6Lood su))estion, Sawna' 6 knew tis town *eetin) wasa )ood idea'

S:A>3ACicken' ake it cicken'

+R6CF3aa' Cicken is .or artsy-.artsies' Real do)s eat5ee.'

S:A>3ACicken is lean *eat' Cicken is )ood .or you'

+R6CFood' Sc*ood' Do)s eat 5ee.' at=s wy od )a8e uscows'

S:A>3Aat' 6s so stuid'

CR6LSawna, 6 tink we can *ake a oint witout la5ellin)'at was a urt.ul re*ark'

S:A>3ASorry, sir'

CR6LAll ri)t' reat su))estion' 6=ll look into 5ee.- andcicken-.la8ored *ilk5ones' 6=ll see wat 6 can do'

S:A>3A

All ri)t

CR6L>ell now, )ood' >e=8e ad de*ocracy in action' ou=8eall e;ressed yoursel. 8ery resonsi5ly on a cuttin)-ed)e issue' 6. tere=s notin) else, it=s )ettin) lateand 6 )uess we can'

+CF(0%erlaps4

ell us wat really aened to 3atalie

CR6L6=* sorry, +ecky' 6 was a5out to say, tese

roceedin)s are closed'

+CFell us wat aened to 3atalie

S:A>3A+ecky, wy 5rin) tis u now?

71


72/97

+R6CF6t=s not resect.ul'

+CF

>at aened to er, Cyril?CR6L

Didn=t you ear? is is done ou=re out o. order

S:A>3ASee wat you=re doin) to oor Artie ere

+R6CFLet 3atalie 5e Let er rest in eace

+CFell us wat aened, Cyril

+R6CF+e Guiet, +ecky

CR6LSut er u

S:A>3ASut tat 5itc u

+CF3o

(B'I*+ 7 S.A/-A mo%e to lay han!s on B*+Y4

CR6L

et er a) er

(,ights on A,I6s cage4

AL6(Stan!s) points an accusing finger at *Y'I,4

Cyril killed 3atalie Cyril is a *urderer

(B'I*+ 7 S.A/-A stop an! stare4

+R6CF>at? Ali 6s tat you?

S:A>3A

:ello-o >at is )oin) on?

AR6Ali=s ri)t ou killed *y *o*

AL6urderer urderer

72


73/97

+R6CF, Ali

CR6L

is is insaneAR6

urderer

S:A>3A+rick, don=t look at er

AL6+rick

+CFurderer

(A'TI an! B*+Y mo%e to"ar! *Y'I,4

AR6ou told +ecky you killed o* ou *urderer

CR6L+ecky=s a liar Fee te* away .ro* *e Fee te*away

(B'I*+ 7 S.A/-A protect him from A'TI 7B*+Y4

Stay away, 6 tell you Fee te* 5ack

+R6CF(=ro"ling menacingly4

Stay 5ack 6 *ean it Stay 5ack

AL6+rick

CR6Lraitors Fee away et *e out o. ere

S:A>3A+rick Don=t look at er Look at *e

+CFurderer

+R6CF

6=* sorry, Ali 6=* sorry

S:A>3ADon=t look at er, +rick

AR6urderer

7B


74/97

AL6+rick Stay Please Don=t lea8e

(B'I*+) S.A/-A 7 *Y'I, e$it4AL6

+rick +rick

& (Blac#out4

nd o. AC 66 Scene B

74


75/97

Scene 4

(arly morning& nter B*+Y 7 A'TI)stealthily& They begin searching the

premises) using han! signals instea! of%oices& Su!!enly) *Y'I, enters& B*+Y gaspsin surprise) hi!es) unseen by *Y'I,&*0Y0T1 an! *0Y0T enter right behin!*Y'I,& A'TI "arily regar!s them4

CR6LA, Artie *y 5oy, tere you are' +een searcin) i)and low .or you' 6. 6 didn=t know 5etter, 6=d sayyou=re a8oidin) *e'

AR6(Ta#en by surprise& Bloc#s B*+Y6s hi!ingplace4

E' 6t was early' Didn=t want to wake any5ody'

(*0Y0T1 an! *0Y0T loo# about) furti%elynu!ging one another) pointing at things4

CR6L6=8e 5een *eanin) to a8e a word wit you, 5oy'

(Ta#es him asi!e& Ta#es out an officialloo#ing report) pages through it4

:ere' is is .or you' A reort detailin) 3atalie=s'6 *ean your *oter=s' our *oter=s last days' eti*e .ra*e ell' 3o *atter'

(Ta#es report bac#) flips throught it46=ll su**ariHe' 6t says se went Guickly andainlessly' rut to tell, er assin) was Guite asurrise' Se was taken away .ro* us in er ri*e'De.initely )i8es one ause, doesn=t it? Can aenatc a.ter *y son, Artie'M

AR6:ow do 6 know tat=s true? 6


76/97

CR6L(0%erlaps4

3ot true' +ecky=s a liar' And a natural 5orn trou5le*aker' 6t=s a well-known .act ACDs are a 5ad 5reed'

3otin) )ood e8er ca*e out o. 5reedin) wit din)oes'Do you know wat tey do wit din)oes in Australia?

AR6>at?

CR6Ley soot te*'

AR6ou tryin) to scare *e?

CR6L6=* statin) .acts' 6. te .acts scare you, so 5e it'

AR6All 6 know is, +ecky=s *y only true .riend, te onlyone 6 can trust'

CR6L+oy, 6=* oin) you=re not a5out to say you don=t trust*e' 6=ll say tis one *ore ti*e' 6 did not kill your*oter' 3atalie was *y .riend' 6 would ne8er doanytin) to - -

AR6(0%erlaps4

+ut +ecky as roo.' +ecky said you'

(0n a silent signal from *Y'I,) *0Y0T1 7*0Y0T mo%e in an! stan! on either si!e ofA'TI) gro"ling menacingly4

AR6(Su!!enly fro>en "ith fear4

>a' >at are you )onna do, Cyril?

CR6L6 don=t know, Artie' >at do you tink 6 sould do?

(A'TI says nothing& *0Y0T1 7 *0Y0Tcontinue to menace him an! restrict hismo%ements4

CR6LLook at it .ro* *y ersecti8e' ou see a youn) .ellowwo=s in a 5it o. a .i;' ou )et i* out o. te .i;,you clean i* u, )i8e i* a


77/97

CR6L (*ont4*alcontents and ne;t tin) you know, e=s accusin) is5ene.actor o. caital cri*es' ou see *y oint, yes?

AR6essir'

CR6L6 didn=t ear you, 5oy'

AR6(,ou!er4

essir'

CR6Llad to ear you a)ree'

AR6(Cery still no"& Scare!4

E, lease ask te* to let *e )o' Please, Cyril'ell te* to let *e )o?

CR6L(Ignores A'TI6s entreaties4

So, all tis an)er and .in)er ointin) and accusin) onyour art was actually a *is)uided and 5aselesse;ercise, isn=t tat ri)t?

AR6ea, 6 )uess so'

CR6Lou )uess so?

AR6es, it was 6t was

CR6LIust so we understand' 6=ll a8e te* release you'

(To *0Y0T1 7 *0Y0T4Us' Us'

(They release him) step bac#) glare4

CR6L(*0Y0T1 taps *Y'I, on shoul!er) ma#es a lo"gro"ling soun!4

>at? yes, o. course' Sorry'(=estures to"ar! A'TI4

:eena si5 asro Artie' 3e)e ase.a dek=eya saa'(*0Y0T1 7 *0Y0T no!) smile) gesture toA'TI& *Y'I, to A'TI4

Artie >ere are your *anners? ey want to 5e.riends' is is aru.

77


78/97


79/97

AR6Re' Really?

CR6L

ey=8e 5een ceated and lied to' ey used to ran)eall o8er ere' en ci8iliHation encroaced on te*,usin) te* u into te ills and out into te desert,*akin) teir li.e 8ery ard' 8en so, tey=8e*aintained teir ride and sense o. identity' ranted,tey=re 5itter' +ut wouldn=t you 5e, were you .orced.ro* your o*e and .a*ily and de.rauded o. yourineritance and oraned in your nati8e land?

AR66' 6 )uess so'

CR6L. course you would, 5oy'

(*Y'I, begins to lea%e) stops4, and 5oy, 6 su))est in .uture you coose your.riends *ore care.ully' e rule o. aw sould 5e,wat would Cyril do? Cais?

AR6essir'

CR6L6=* )lad we ad tis little talk' Ciao'

(*Y'I, e$its4

+CF(8rom her hi!ing place) lou! "hisper4

6s e )one?

AR6es'

+CFank you, Artie'

AR6Jor wat?

+CFJor not )i8in) away *y idin) lace'

AR6A, it=s okay'

+CFou=re 8ery 5ra8e, Artie'

7!


80/97

AR6Piece o. cake'

+CF

Artie, Cyril can 5e 8ery dan)erous' 6. you .eel youa8e to cut o.. our .riendsi, 6 will understandco*letely'

AR6+ecky, we )otta el Ali' Like 6 said, let=s roll'

+CFat sounds *y .a8orite u) kay Let=s keesearcin)' o a8e a look at te *ail5o;es'

(A'TI runs to the mailbo$es& 8in!s anotice& .ol!s it up an! "a%es it4

AR66 .ound tis taed to Ali=s *ail5o;'

+CF>at does it say? Read it'

AR66 can=t' 6 can sell it, 5ut 6 can=t read it'

+CF('uns to A'TI) ta#es it) rea!s4

Cyril, don=t .or)et to re*o8e Ali=s na*e late andclean out er *ail5o; to*orrow' a;eenM o*orrow no ere=s not *uc ti*e' Can you di) a ole?

AR6Can 6 di) a ole? Does a 5ear )o oo in te woods?. course 6 can 6=ll a8e you we u)s are sueriordi))ers, ated 5y )ardeners e8erywere'

+CF6 need an escae ole du) at te coyote .ence'

AR6at won=t 5e easy' Cyril=s startin) to send atrolsout tere' :e=s ut +rick in car)e o. security'

+CFe ole is .or Ali' 6. we don=t )et er out, se=ll

end u like your *oter'

AR66n tat case, consider it done

+CF6=ll stay ere' 6=ll kee an eye out .or +rick'

&0


81/97

(A'TI e$its& nter B'I*+ 7 S.A/-A) carryingclipboar!s& A #ey hangs from B'I*+6s nec#4

+R6CF

(Stu!ies his clipboar!) brushes past Bec#y4ut o. te way, +ecky'

S:A>3A>at=s se doin) ere?

+CF+loody ell ou e=re 5usy'

S:A>3AVery 5usy'

+CF, too 5usy is it now? oo 5usy wit donkey work .ora 5it o. cat? All at si;es and se8ens, are we?

+R6CF6*ortant work' Cyril=s co**issioned *e as is deuty'

S:A>3A6=* a deuty, too' >e=re 5ot deuties'

+CF(,o" "histle4

, deuty' y, aren=t we *o8in) u te .ood cain?

+R6CFCyril=s )i8en *e te *aster key to te .acility'

+CFaster o. te key, so now you=re art o. te ro5le*'

S:A>3A>e a8e so *any resonsi5ilities'

+CFA yes' Resonsi5ilities'

+R6CFPlease ste aside' >e=re testin) te security syste*'

('ea!s alou! from clipboar!4Veri.y adeGuate li)tin) at e;it oints'M

&1


82/97

S:A>3A(Turns light s"itch on an! off& $it lightsflash on an! off4

Ceck'

+R6CFCeck' Veri.y alar* syste* .unctionin) roerly'M

S:A>3A(Presses button& Alarm soun!s4

Ceck'

+R6CFCeck' Veri.y windows clean, clear, .ree o. de.ects'M

S:A>3A('aps #nuc#les on "in!o"s4

Ceck'

+R6CFCeck' Veri.y e*er)ency action lan'M

+CF(0%erlaps4

6s tere anytin) on tose cli5oards a5out Ali?

+R6CF(8linches) then4

Veri.y e*er)ency action lan osted on wall'M

S:A>3A(/al#s to "allposte! emergency action plan&Touches it4

Ceck'

+CFAli tinks a5out you' Se asks a5out you all te ti*e'

S:A>3Aet tis trou) your ead, you 5itc +rick and Aliare o8er 6t=s o8er' ell er, +rick'

(Silence4+rick, ell er

+R6CFes' 6t=s o8er'

+CFou can=t *ean tat' 6 don=t 5elie8e you'

S:A>3A:ow stuid are you anyway? >at art o. o8erM don=tyou understand? Cyril is ri)t' ou ACDs do notin)5ut stir u trou5le'

&2


83/97

+CF+rick can seak .or i*sel.'

S:A>3A

kay, tat=s it +rick, tell er to lea8e'+CF

Akitas are suosed to 5e stron), intelli)ent anda))ressi8e' +ut so*ewere alon) te way, you=8e*islaid a art o. your sel.' And you=8e turned intoso*etin) not 8ery aealin)'

S:A>3Aou 5itc ou )et out o. ere

+CF6 susect it as to do wit te co*any you kee,+rick' ou know te sayin), i. you lie down witcertain kinds o. do)s, you=re 5ound to )et u wit.leas'

S:A>3AJleas? Are you )oin) to let er talk like tat a5out*e, +rick?

(,ong silence4+rick?

(.e !oesn6t respon!4All ri)t, tat=s it' ou can a8e i*' And kee te.leas, too'

(S.A/-A e$its& ,ong silence4+R6CF

:ow is Ali?

+CF(.an!s him the notice4

See .or yoursel., ister Akita'

+R6CF *y od 6 ad no idea'

(nter *yril "ith *0Y0T1 7 *0Y0T4

CR6LA, +ecky in trou5le a)ain' ood detecti8e work tere,+rick'

+R6CF6=* )ettin) ready to write u a reort, sir'

CR6LDo tat' Docu*ent e8eytin)' Dot e8ery i' Crosse8ery t' >ei)t o. e8idence' and +rick, don=t.or)et Ali=s *ail5o;'

&B


84/97

($it *yril "ith *0Y0T1 7 *0Y0T4

+R6CF>at do you want *e to do?

+CFat key' Does it unlock te ca)e?

+R6CFes'

+CFDro it on te .loor as i. you lost it' >en you co*e5ack in an our, it will 5e were you droed it'

(B'I*+ ta#es #ey from nec#) !rops it on thefloor& .e "in#s) e$its& Blac#out& ,ightsup& -ight) cric#et soun!s) coyote ho"ls&A'TI) A,I 7 B*+Y stan! by hole4

+CFCo*e wit us, Artie'

AR6Sorry, )irls' Coyotes scare te eck out o. *e' 8entose ones Cyril 5rou)t in' Anyway, 6 )ot so*eun.inised 5usiness ere'

AL6e ole is er.ect'

AR6old


85/97

+CF+ut 6 *ust' >itout *e, you=d ne8er *ake it' So*eone5old and darin) as to 5e a decoy to draw te coyotesaway'

AL6ou=re Guite a )irl, +ecky' Ci and Crystal werecraHy to du* you' ou deser8ed 5etter' uc 5etter'

+CFank you' All ri)t, let=s )et crackin) is is allin a day=s work' 6=* )oin) out now' ou count to.i.teen' en you )o' +y tat ti*e, tey=ll all 5ecasin) *e'

AL6+ecky, are you sure you can *ake it ast te*?

+CFCertainly 6=* sure' 6=* an ACD' 6=* al. din)o'ere=s no do) in te world tat can run *e down' Didyou know te Australians 5rou)t ACDs alon) .or te3ort A.rica ca*ai)n in >orld >ar 66? ey used us tocarry e;losi8es into te er*an ca*s at ni)t' >ead to sli ast te )uard do)s, lant te 5o*5s andrun clear o. te 5last' Se8en ACDs were ostu*ouslyawarded te - -

(A,I rolls her eyes an! groans4All ri)t, sorry' :ard to 5e u*5le' Ri)t, now ayattention to *e' >e=ll *eet on te oter side'

AL6>ere on te oter side?

+CF>e=ll cross tat 5rid)e wen we )et to it' Jocus .irston )ettin) ast te coyotes' And re*e*5er' Count to.i.teen'

(B*+Y e$its& Silence) then coyotes ho"ling4

AL6ne' wo' ree' Jour' ou )o, )irl ou )o,+ecky, )o Ji8e' Si;' Se8en' i)t'

(*oyote ho"ls get lou!er& Blac#out4

nd o. AC 66 Scene 4

&$


86/97

Scene $

(Morning ne$t !ay& *Y'I, sleeps) *0Y0T1 7*0Y0T stan! guar! "ith spears& A *hinese

gong) a chair 7 a stool& A'TI enters4AR6

Look' See ow scared e is? See ow .ri)tened?Sleein) wit )uards osted' Sleein) te slee o. te)uilty' See i* twist and turn?

(*Y'I, groans li#e one ha%ing a nightmare4And look a)ain' See ow is 8icti*s= )osts tor*enti*?

(*Y'I, cries out in his sleep4:is )uards can rotect i* .or te ti*e 5ein)' +utsooner or later so*eone, eras 6, will ste .orwardto e;act re8en)e' Jor did e not kill *y *oter?at can ne8er 5e .or)i8en' And e as no dou5t donete sa*e to oter *oters, oter .aters, oter sistersand 5roters' Countless )osts cry 8en)eance'

(*Y'I, tosses an! turns in his sleep4Slee, Cyril, slee' 6 can wait' Jor tere will co*ea day wen you are drunk' r in your ra)e' r in teride o. your station or in so*e careless act' Andwen tat ti*e co*es, 6=ll 5e tere to 5rin) you to5ook'

(A'TI e$its& *Y'I, a"a#ens) slaps at theair as if at a !emon& *0Y0T1 7 *0Y0Tbac# a"ay from him& They loo# on "orrie!&8inally) he arises) glares at *0Y0T1 7*0Y0T) bangs the gong4

CR6L(/al#s to"ar! e$it) motioning for *0Y0T1an! *0Y0T to atten! him4

8eryone u 8eryone )et u($its escorte! by *0Y0T1 an! *0Y0T4

8eryone u 8eryone E 8eryone u 8eryone E

(nter B'I*+ "ith clipboar! an! #ey on cor!aroun! nec#4

+R6CF(Stares off in the !irection *Y'I, e$ite!4

Coyotes akin) o8er te darn lace' 6 swear 6 can=t)et used to te*'

(nter A'TI) "ith a letter4>at=s tat you a8e tere, Artie?

AR6A *essa)e'

&"


87/97

+R6CFA *essa)e?

AR6

(.an!s letter to B'I*+46n *y *ail 5o;'

+R6CF('ea!s) then4

ood od Listen to tis Ali *ade it

AR6Did se All ri)t

+R6CFSays ere a little )irl .ound er' Lots o. cuts on er.eet .ro* te sar rocks' Se was 5leedin), idin)a*on) te reeds at te ri8er5ank' e little )irl said,Daddy, look 8er tere' A do)M e .ater rusedo8er, Se=s urt, rincess' Se=s 5leedin)M Can wetake er o*e, daddy? Can we?M . course, rincess'MAli did te ri)t tin)' Se )ot to te ri8er and ranin te sallow water' e coyotes lost track'

AR66s tere anytin) in tere a5out - -

+R6CF(0%erlaps4

3o' 3otin)'

AR6>at do you tink?

+R6CF>ell, +ecky as din)o 5lood' at=s always a lus'

AR6Let=s oe .or te 5est ten'

+R6CFay5e we=ll ear so*etin) to*orrow, or te day a.ter'

AR6r te day a.ter te day a.ter'

+R6CF

ood .or you, Ali' ood .or you'

AR6Fee te letter, +rick'

+R6CFanks, Artie'

&7


88/97

AR6(A @er# of the hea!4

o' Care.ul' Look wo=s co*in)'

(A'TI e$its& B'I*+ hi!es letter on hisclipboar!& nter *yril "ith *0Y0T1 7*0Y0T4

CR6LFeein) tin)s sisae around ere?

+R6CFu' 8erytin)=s coacetic' 6=* stayin) on to o.tin)s'

CR6L(A sly e$pression4

n to o. tin)s, you say? ou Guite sure a5out tat?Reason 6=* askin) is' 6 was at? +ut tat' at=s i*ossi5le

CR6L6*ossi5le? ere=s no suc tin) as i*ossi5le'8erytin) can 5e e;lained' arcus Aurelius said,e Eni8erse lo8es notin) so *uc as can)e'M 3owtake tat ole o8er 5y te .ence' +e.ore tere was aole, tere wasn=t a ole' And ten, 5y cance ordesi)n, tere was a ole' And ten, once a)ain, terewasn=t a ole' A series o. can)es' And we=8e already

a)reed te Eni8erse lo8es can)e' ou see tat, don=tyou?

+R6CF(-ot really follo"ing this4

E, ri)t yea' Sure'

CR6L3ow *ind you, te Eni8erse is strictly 5i) icture'eanin) te Eni8erse doesn=t do te ick and so8elwork' ere.ore, anoter entity *ust a8e acted as tea)ent o. can)e' +ecause, let=s .ace it, you and 65ot know olesdon=t )et du) 5y te*sel8es, nor do tey )et undu) 5y

te*sel8es' Cais?(Turns to *0Y0T1) chuc#ling4

:eena' Saa.ee teraessa nat?

C1(,aughs4

Awon' Saa.ee nat'

&&


89/97

(B'I*+ thin#s the laughing is at hise$pense& 0f course) he6s right4

CR6L

ou see? an


90/97

CR6L6 say, you two are startin) to )et retty )ood'

(*0Y0T1 7 *0Y0T no! enthusiastically an!

grin4C1

+ra8e'

C2+ra8e'

C1oa**ed Ali'

C2oa**ed Ali is 5ra8e'

C1Vin Diesel'

C2Vin Diesel is 5ra8e'

C1Cyril'

C2Cyril is 5ra8e'

CR6L>ell, tank you' 6=* truly touced'

C1+ecky'

C2

+ecky is 5ra8e'

CR6L>at=s tat you said?

C2+ecky is 5ra8e'

CR6Lou said +ecky? Listen to *e now' +ecky is a

trou5le*aker and a re5el a)ainst all esta5lised order'6 do not want to ear er na*e' :eena *un)id *k+ecky yella*

C2ee5akwo +ecky a *e*ee .wa.wa)un?

!0


91/97

CR6LDidn=t you ear wat 6


92/97


93/97

CR6LDu* de du*' Doowa' Artie, *y 5oy' ou look down inte du*s' ou look sad as a ound do)9s eye' Can=ta8e tat' ou work .or *e' 6 like *y eole u5eat,

.ull o. e, 5ri)t-eyed, 5usy-tailed' Co*e on' Losetat tra)ic *ask' Cais?

AR6ea, 6 )uess you=re ri)t'

CR6LCourse 6=* ri)t' Look, 5oy' 6 know losin) your o*le.t a 5i) ole in your eart' 6 know it takes ti*e toeal' 3ow s*ile .or *e, 5oy' Re*e*5er, we all die'Jact o. li.e'

AR68en you?

CR6L(8lares up) slaps him) snarls4

ou 5est watc your *out, 5oy'(*0Y0T1 a!%ances on A'TI snarling& *Y'I,laughs it off) preten!s it "as a @o#e& .ugsA'TI& *0Y0T1 bac#s off4

CR6L6 like your sirit, 5oy' 6 truly do' ou and *e, we=re)oin) to 5e )reat artners' e sky=s te li*it'3ow su**on te eole' 6 a8e so*e re*arks reared'

(A'TI blo"s "histle4Please e8eryone' ater around' 6 a8e news'

(S.A/-A enters) snubs B'I*+& MA'I- enters4

S:A>3A>at=s u?

AR6S'

+R6CFPie down, e8ery5ody kay, Cyr, you )ot te .loor'

(A'TI) B'I*+) S.A/-A 7 MA'I- form up in aline& *Y'I, stan!s on the stool& B'I*+ gi%es

MA'I- an o!! loo#& S.A/-A gi%es MA'I- bigsmile& *Y'I, is too busy to notice4

CR6Lank you' Jirst o. all, wo new residents weredroed o.. tis *ornin) an airedale na*ed Courtneyand a 5ea)le na*ed Da)*ar' >en you see te*, lease

!B


94/97

CR6L (*ont4sout out a 5i) Ani*al Selter welco*e' Secondly,aru te coyote ad to )o 5ack o*e .or u ersonalreasons' Se=ll 5e sorely *issed 5y one and all'

(B'I*+ lou!ly clears throat4ird, last *ont=s )ro**et roduction was down twenty-.our ercent .ro* a year a)o' 6 a8e aro8edunli*ited o8erti*e to *ake u te sort.all'

(=roans from A'TI) S.A/-A 7 B'I*+4+rick and Sawna will cross-train Courtney and Da)*aron roduction *etodolo)y until we=re u to seed'uestions?

(There are none4Co**ents?

(There are none4Any oter 5usiness?

(MA'I- comes to a snappy attention)e$ecutes a left face) pro!uces a letter)hol!s it out& B'I*+ ta#es letter& MA'I-e$ecutes e$aggerate! salute) another leftface an! e$its marching& S.A/-A 7 B'I*+"atch MA'I- e$it "ith "on!er4

S:A>3A>ell, oen te letter

+R6CFIust old your orses'

(.e opens it) ta#es out official !ocument4

S:A>3A

:urry Read it 6t *i)t 5e Pu5liser=s Clearin):ouse' r an o..er .or a .ree red leater collar'

+R6CF6=* )oin) as .ast as 6 can'

(*lears throat& 'ea!s4e President o. te Enited States to Cyril te er*anSeerd, reetin)'M

S:A>3A>ow' e President Jor Cyril'

CR6L6=* sure it=s to ick *y 5rain on so*e leadersi

*atter' e President is always networkin) witcuttin) ed)e inno8ators'

!4


95/97

+R6CF>ait' ere=s *ore'

('ea!s4ou are ere5y ordered .or induction into te Enited

States Ar*ed Jorces' ou are directed to reort to teAsse*5ly Roo*, 17tJloor, Jederal +uildin)'M

CR6L>at? 6=8e 5een dra.ted?

+R6CF6t says reort to*orrow'

(B'I*+ han!s letter to *Y'I,4

CR6Lo*orrow??

AR6>ow ey sure don=t )i8e you *uc ti*e'

S:A>3A6=ll 5et it=s so*e kind o. secret *ission'

+R6CFSecial s'

AR6+eind ene*y lines'

+R6CFRe*e*5er' i8e only your na*e, rank, serial nu*5er'

S:A>3Ae President will disa8ow all knowled)e'

AR6yes only'

S:A>3A

, tis is so so cool

CR6L+ut' +ut 6' 6 can=t )o

+R6CF, you a8e to' President=s orders'

S:A>3Aes, your atriotic duty'

AR6>o would resect you i. you re.used?

!$


96/97

CR6L+ut' +ut *y work' All te work 6=8e done to *ake tisa 5etter lace' >at a5out *y work?

+R6CFDon=t worry' >e=ll watc o8er tin)s'

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S:A>3A

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+R6CFe Cyrilic Ani*al Selter'

AR6e wole world will know a5out you'

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AR66t=s te least we can do'

Documents

A Better Place - a play about six dogs and the things a dog has to do to dodge the Grim Reaper