Unfortunate.

Lights rise to reveal a man whose arm is quite monstrous and grotesque. The man is staring at this arm with much alarm, to say the least. There is a moment in which he doesn’t rightly know what to do in the current situation which he finds himself in. Beat. Suddenly the disgusting arm flings itself towards his face rather violently and he lets out a yelp as he is flung onto his back straight onto the floor. His other arm trying desperately to pull the monstrous arm off his face, he proceeds to thrash around while squealing and sobbing quite audibly. Beat. Suddenly the arm lets go of his face and drops to his side. The thrashing continues for a quick second afterward until he realizes what has happened. Silence. He stands up slowly, using his nice arm for propulsion, his mean arm dangling at his side lifeless. When he is standing he proceeds to look down at his mean arm in a very worried, very jumpy, very scared way. Beat. After nothing has happened for quite some time he gets up the courage to slowly poke the mean arm with his nice hand. Nothing happens. A moment of release. He then begins pondering what to do. He quickly runs offstage. He comes back with a roll of duct tape and begins, almost triumphantly, to tape his mean arm to his side. In the middle of this process his mean arm suddenly starts feverishly trying to escape but the man mockingly laughs at it as he continues to tape it in place. He finishes taping and his entire arm from the shoulder down to right before the hand is taped, quite thoroughly, to his side. The hand thrashes about wildly. The man smiles down at it joyously. Beat. The hand stops for a moment, seemingly worn out. The man raises his nice fist in victory. Suddenly his mean hand clamps down on his leg bearing its grotesque finger nails into his skin. The man yelps and plummets to the floor as his leg gives out. Lights fade.

Fin.

Notice.

Lights rise in a small circle center stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

Lights rise in a slightly larger circle center stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

Lights rise in a slightly larger circle center stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

Lights rise in a slightly larger circle center stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

Lights rise covering practically the entire stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

Lights rise in a slightly smaller circle center stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

Lights rise in a slightly smaller circle center stage to reveal nothing except for a small stuffed panda on the floor at the edge of the light. Lights fade.

Lights rise in a slightly smaller circle center stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

Lights rise in a small circle center stage to reveal nothing. Lights fade.

A voice is heard in the darkness.

VOICE:

Everyone always complains about the constancy, and monotony of this world. Those people simply weren’t looking hard enough for that moment every once and a while when something small spices up the human experience.

Lights have already faded.

Fin.

Vantage.

Lights rise to reveal a man and woman standing on the top of a decently sized tower inspecting the world below. A man walks towards the tower, his back to the audience. He has to speak quite loudly for the people on top to hear him, and he does so.

MAN:

Would you mind maybe coming down for a while? We really could use a little help down here. It’s not such an easy life, this. Any assistance would be very much appreciated, you know! You do remember promising that you’d do some things to make our lives happier every once and a while don’t you? (pause) Well then. Maybe we’re just going to have to see about replacing you with some more trustworthy souls! Yes. I think that’s just what we will have to do. (pause, waits for a reaction. He receives none.) Really now! I-we are not fooling around down here. We have rights, you know! If you don’t start fulfilling your part of this bargain, well then, we are just going to have to do away with you. We mean it. (pause, continues desperate, quieter.) Please?

The man on the tower sticks his hand out in front of him holding a small pebble between two fingers. He releases the pebble sending it plummeting onto the upraised head of the man below. The woman on top of the tower giggles mercilessly. The man down below has a moment of pain and rubs his head. He then surprisingly becomes quite excited and thankful.

Oh, oh… You are too gracious! I thank you with all my heart! You have given me more than I am worthy of. Once again you have proven yourselves understanding and compassionate. The world will hear of the good you have done here today, mark my words! (He starts to slowly back up while speaking.) You have my eternal thanks. (he takes a small, quick, pleased bow while continuing to shuffle slowly backwards) Oh, would I were so fortuitous always.

He finally makes it offstage. The two on top of the tower are left alone. The woman looks at the man with a pleasant smile, and wide eyes. The other returns the look, then shrugs. They giggle for a short moment. After the giggle there is a moment of silence. The two have their faces and bodies sink a little. They sigh. The man takes a little marble in between his two fingers, holds out his hand, and lets the marble drop. As it claps to the floor the woman bursts into another fit of gleeful giggles. Lights fade.

Fin.

Pandemonium.

Lights rise to reveal a man sprawled out over a comfortable lounge chair. His head tilted back, his arm resting on his belly, asleep. He lets out a rather abrupt and interrupting snore. Disgusting. Slow, steady breathing returns. A moment later the last snore becomes dwarfed in size by a significantly louder windy snore. The man slightly wakes up but doesn’t quite reach it to consciousness sliding back into his chair, peaceful, sleeping. Again the only sound that is heard is the steady, gentle breathing pattern of the man picks up again. As he begins to snore for the third time A Man dressed as a mouse jumps out of the corner. He wipes sleepy gunk out of his eyes before yelling.

RAT:

Squeak, squeak, squeak!

The man snores once more, this time it is even more loud and disgusting then ever before. The Rat grabs the chair next to the one the man is in and raises it high above his head in a rage moving slowly towards the man. Lights fade.

Fin.

Logic.

Lights rise to reveal a woman staring very intently at an electric socket. She, without taking her focus off of the socket speaks to the audience in an excusatory manner.

WOMAN:

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why on earth would that woman even be considering sticking her tongue in that there electrical socket. (Pause) Well, I’ll answer your question the best I can. (Pause, she ponders) To tell the truth, I don’t think there is a logical explanation for why I feel the urge to do this right now. It’s just one of those things that takes hold of you every once and a while. You think about it and think about it and it won’t go away until you just give in and let it happen. So, if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to before I can start focusing on other things again.

She takes a decided step forward towards the socket and bends over while readying her tongue. Lights fade.

Fin.

Supplanted.

Lights rise to reveal A Man Dressed As A Banana. He stands with a look of pride, gaiety, and carefree nature about him. He takes in a big ol’ breath of air, really lets it fill his lungs, and then lets it out with a satisfied sigh.

A Man Dressed As A Monkey hops into the light. The Man Dressed As A Monkey has a look of silly wonder and pleasant surprise about him. He smiles at the Man Dressed As A Banana, his eyes opened very wide. The Man Dressed As A Banana frowns. Lights fade.

Fin.

Evaluation.

Lights rise to reveal a rather large man walking across a dimly lit empty stage. Upon reaching center stage the man looks around nervously for a moment before taking out of his pocket a simple generic wallet, quickly popping out a substantial wad of cash and flipping through it to check one last time and setting it on the ground. He then proceeds to scuttle offstage quickly. Beat. After a moment of silence and stillness the lights begin to rise ever so unnoticeably. A single well dressed lady walks across the stage in such a hurry that she doesn’t even notice the wallet lying on the ground. People start crossing the stage in increasing masses as time goes by. At the point where the maximum amount of people are bustling about on stage (trampling over the wallet unknowingly) the lights also have reached their peak. After a moment of peak capacity the reverse starts to occur and slowly the amount of people and light begins to, ever so slowly, decrease. Eventually, when the light is as dim as it was to begin with and only a few people appear every once and a while the large man from the beginning appears again and goes to pick up his wallet. Just as he bends over to grab it a young couple walk on stage holding hands and giggling uncontrollably. The large man straightens up immediately, nervously smiling as the two walk by rather creeped out. He then proceeds to pick up the wallet checking the money, astonished to find it all still there.

MAN:

(Incredulous)

It passed the test. This city really is perfect.

Lights Fade.

Fin.

Impulse.

Lights rise on two women sitting on a couch facing each other. There is clearly some tension, but not outright anger, just stress as they stare each other down.

HOLLIE:

Well, do you have anything to say or ar-

RENEE:

(Reprimanding)

How many times am I going to have to tell you that you need try before you can do, be inspired before you can try, and yes, wonder before you can be inspired? Things don’t just happen. There is a long process behind the creation of every initiative. It can be traced back to a root if one truly takes the time to do it. This, spontaneity you keep going on about is usually one of two things, either someone’s preplanned motivation to do something that has nothing to do with their current situation, or someone fulfilling a long held under the surface desire in a time and place that it seems to be spontaneous to those around them. So, if you want me to do one of those two things, I can certainly try, but do not stand there and try to tell me that this relationship is falling apart because I have to plan everything, because I can’t just get up and do crazy things with no reason. Don’t you give me that cliché mumbo jumbo, because it’s rather juvenile, actually.

Silence. Beat. Lights fade slowly.

Fin.

Reversion.

Lights rise to reveal a man standing back to the audience examining an ancient, ornate looking grandfather clock. A Constant, subtle Tick Tock is heard.

MAN:

Oh, time. It’s a strange thing, that.

He begins pacing from side to side in the spotlight, no longer examining the clock. The Tick Tock remains.

A clock tick’s and it tock’s and we are to believe that some mysterious phenomenon has occurred. This… This is the great deception placed upon mankind; the largest rouse known to the imperfection that resides in the human mind.

The man works his way behind the grandfather clock while he continues speaking. The Tick Tock remains.

This can not be allowed to continue. I will not stand idly by.

The Grandfather Clock begins tipping forward slowly and then in a great crash it plummets to the floor pieces smashing everywhere. The constant Tick Tock is gone. The stage is left in silence. The Man is left standing over his victory more weary than pleased. Beat.

The pity is, none of them will even understand what I have done for them. I have set them free, yet they see this as slavery.

He shakes his head slowly for a moment. Beat. He slides into sitting looking over the great destroyed machine cross legged, facing the audience.

This has all happened before, and it will all happen again.

His mouth is consumed by his hand being leaned on in thought. The outer rim of lights fade leaving only the clock’s remains. Beat. Lights fade.

Fin.

Mine.

Lights rise to reveal a trash bin sitting center stage. It is filled almost to the brim with various refuse. A woman emerges from the black to stand directly behind the bin. She looks out at the audience with a slight smile and eyes fully wide.

WOMAN:

(Quite high pitched and pleasant)

This is my wonderful chest of goodies. Everyday, I find new treasures in it. (Suddenly very suspicious, almost snarling) and there mine. Mine! (Once again cheerful) Oh, I can’t wait to see what wonders await me today!

She looks down into the trash bin and lets out a little “oooh” in an almost squeak like tone. She plunges her hand into the bin and scrounges around for a bit, her tongue protruding from her mouth in her concentration. When she finds what she is rummaging for her face brightens as her arm leaves the bin. She is holding in her hands a rubics cube missing only two squares. Her delight is tangible.

See, I told you! Too bad it doesn’t matter for you. It’s all mine. Always will be. Forever. (pause.) Well, I’ve got to go. I have to figure out how to get all these greens to not be next to all these yellows and reds… Have a nice day!

She joyfully turns around, already engrossed in her cube and skips off the way she came. Lights fade.

Fin.

Expectations.

Lights rise center stage to reveal nothing. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise center stage to reveal a man. He is standing neutrally aware of those around him, but not particularly caring about them. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise center stage to reveal that same man. He is now actively looking around the audience. He takes a moment before speaking.

MAN:

(Very Frank)

Well, that’s the play. I hope you liked it. We worked oh so hard on it. Truly. We poured everything we have into crafting this for your enjoyment and enlightenment. It’s hard, this, I hope you appreciate that. (pause) Well. I guess you can go now. That’s right, just get up and leave now. That’d be nice. We’ve got to clean up and send our people home at some point tonight, they are pretty wiped. (pause) Really, if you’d kindly just get up and leave we’d be very grateful. I know you don’t want to pull yourself away from this life changing event but we really have to be going so…

He indicates the door through which the audience entered. Lights do not fade. He waits expectantly for the audience to slowly shuffle out disgruntled and confused. Lights fade.

Fin.

Compel.

Lights rise center stage to reveal a woman. She speaks as if to a great mass of people while at the same time managing to seem intensely personal.

WOMAN:

I want all of you to understand one thing. We can not do this for ourselves. We can not do this for the greater good. We can not do this in hopes of it making our children’s lives better than our own. No. What we are striving for here today of all days is not driven by any average motives. Our task must be driven by something inside of us that, frankly, we can not, never will understand in full. Understanding that one doesn’t understand is a monumentous thing to ask of someone, but I must do that. We must choose to do this. It is not something that can be forced upon any one of us, and yet if a single one of you will not help then there is no point in even attempting. People have never truly come to terms with their tendency to do as told. Right now that base instinct in each of you is as confused as the rest of you. You aren’t being told to do anything. You are being asked. Asked with the utmost desperate need for your answer. That need can not wait longer. I… we need your answer. All of your answers.

Long pause. A moment of tension release followed by turning inwards for the woman.

So it is…

Hold on this image for a beat. Lights fade.

Fin.

Conveyance.

Lights rise to reveal a man sitting leaned back, his arms supporting him, head raised peacefully above him, eyes closed, on the floor center stage. He has a look of utter tranquility about him. He takes a deep, lasting, satisfied breath. As he exhales he opens his eyes with a slight smile on his face as he slowly takes in all that he can see.

MAN:

(Quietly, almost to himself at first)

Oh my, my, my… what I wouldn’t give to have this moment, this single glimpse into my being at its peak, somehow become instilled in every living, breathing being with the capability to appreciate it, given the chance. Oh, giving everyone that chance to know this.

He pauses for a brief moment, not happy with his ability to convey what he needs to convey with words.

To know me… in a way. This moment that is me. It is everything to strive for. It is everything I can hope for. (pause) Yet, it is not my entirety. It is only the absolute peak, as I’ve said. This being, in fact, the utter and complete reason for my need. My need to be able to convey this to you.

He makes a sweeping gesture with his hand indicating the audience. Acknowledging their existence for the first time.

One isn’t ever able to truly gift another with the true depth of anything that is one’s own. One is not truly able to ever understand even one moment of any others existence… and yet, we tell ourselves… I tell myself that it has to be attempted.

He has become slightly discouraged, fighting for the ability to convey himself.

Attempted… but know we must fail. It can’t be avoided. This being true, I must still attempt. All of you. Every one. Take into account one thing in your day to day life for me. Take it into account, and maybe, someday, some… how, some of you might come to know some small piece of this moment of mine. Remember, with every moment you have. Remember that this world truly can be beautiful. For me. In order, to know me. Remember.

Silence and stillness, lights remain. This continues until the audience leaves of their own accord. Lights fade.

Fin.

Preserve.

Lights rise to reveal a woman standing neutrally stage right. Beat. Lights Fade.

Lights rise to reveal an empty chair sitting empty stage right. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights again rise on the woman standing stage right, she has the teensiest bit of wear in her face. She slouches a bit. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise again on the chair stage left. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise to reveal the woman standing stage right, her body is starting to show the effort she is exerting to keep up this standing. She takes a moment to loosen her shoulders and back a bit. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise again on the chair stage left. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights again rise on the woman standing stage right, she wipes a bit of sweat from her forehead and has a determined look on her face as she braces her bent forward back with her hands on her knees. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise again on the chair stage left. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights again rise on the woman standing stage right, her head is bowed backwards in pain, her torso pushed forward with her hands on her back. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise again on the chair stage left. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights again rise on the woman standing stage right, her hand is to her mouth as tears silently start to slide out of her clenched eyes and her legs tremble under her weight. Beat. Lights fade.

Lights rise again on the chair stage left. Beat.

Lights again rise on the woman standing stage right, her breathing has become deep and loud as she struggle to hold back the flood of tears that are streaming out of her eyes. Her whole body shakes. She notices the chair stage left. She looks at it, at first, with complete amazement. Then, as a bridge of light appears connecting her light to the chair’s light a look of utter hunger appears on her face. Beat. She comes to a sudden realization and snaps her head back away from the chair. The light connecting the two sides fades. The woman lets out a sigh. Beat. Her left knee gives in a bit, but she catches herself with a pained yelp. The crying returns with a fervor, and she again gazes towards the chair. Lights again rise connecting the two sides. She stares at the chair completely blank at this point. She begins to turn towards it but then stops as her face cringes up and plunges down into her hands. Beat. The lights connecting the two sides fade. As she lifts her head from her face she has a dazed look on her faze and her body becomes oddly limp, as her head does a slow flop back after rolling to one side. She immediately jerks back up more aware of her surroundings and hysterical. She looks around franticly, her breathing rapid and shallow. The lights between the two sides rise quickly. The Woman sees it and lets out one final sigh of fearful defeat before speaking. As she speaks she attempts to step forward. Beat.

WOMAN:

(Throat dry, cracking)

Screw this.

She pushes her right foot forward with extreme effort and concentration. As the foot slides forward her whole body heaves with the effort and has a jump with victory once it is firmly planted. She then follows that up with her left foot. The same process is repeated with effort, this time accompanied by extreme shaking of her body, lifted by a momentary triumph. However, upon starting with her right foot once again her knee gives out and she tumbles into a heap center stage. She lays there, face down taking ever so deep breathes. Beat. She finally puts forth the effort to look up at her goal. Her face crumbles into desperation as all lights fade except center. She lays there, mouth agape staring, arm outstretched slightly towards what had been. Beat. She lets her head and hand fall to the floor, utterly defeated. Beat. Lights Fade.

Fin.

Rejuvenate.

Lights rise to reveal a disheveled looking woman sitting at a desk typing away rather halfheartedly. Her hair is quite raggedy, her whole body quite slumped and cramped, her she stops typing to close her eyes and rub her forehead pushing her gross hair back out of her way haphazardly as well. A man with coffee mug in hand enters SL and approaches her with an almost elegant sway in his step. He reaches her desk, and stands with one hand holding his coffee slightly forward and the other resting on his arm. The woman does not look up.

Man

You up for a round of mini-golf after work today, Janice? A couple of the guys and I were thinking off heading over and figured we should see if anyone else was interested.

Without even looking up Janice simply replies with a slight grunt… no answer can be discerned from the nature of the grunt. The Man looks confused for a moment.

Oh… ah… alright then. We’ll have to make it another time.

The man walks away, and Janice has no change in behavior. Lights fade.

Lights rise to reveal a small little apartment. Neatly kept, a small sofa being the focal point of the living room, and a door behind it. Janice enters shuffling from SL, still disheveled. She makes straight for the door behind the sofa and begins to take off her top shirt gracelessly as she enters and shuts it behind her. The sound of running water begins to be heard along with a burst of music. Beat. After a moment Janice’s voice can be heard starting to sing along with the music. Slowly the excitement and commitment to the song can be heard strengthening in her voice. Beat. The sound of running water stops. After a moment the sound is replaced with the sound of a hair dryer. A moment later the hair dryer stops and eventually the music stops (but not before an acceptable break in the vocals) and Janice’s singing along with it. The door opens again and Janice enters seemingly almost completely transformed. She is completely spotless head to toe. Her hair is in wondrously shining almost dry condition. She is wearing some ever so comfortable PJ’s. Her movements, posture, expression, and general exterior just exude a sense of utter relaxation and peace with the world. She gives a little satisfied stretch back of her shoulders. She can be seen ever so quietly muttering the chorus of the song which had been playing one last time before plunking herself on the sofa leaning on the arm, her legs spread across it ever so comfortably. She takes the remote of the side table turns the TV on, and settles in to relax. Lights fade.

Fin.

Hope.

Lights rise to reveal a man pacing ever so slowly in a single column of light. He has an anxious, hoping look about him. He slowly fiddles with his face and hair unconsciously staring mainly downwards. Beat. He slowly raises his head after a moment, a look of confusion spreading across his face as he searches with his head for something that has disturbed his thoughts. He stops. He notices something out past the audience. He becomes fixated on it. A mixture of emotions predominated by relief and awe take hold of his face as his jaw drops ever so slightly open. Beat. Suddenly the man’s face shifts to panic for only a moment, and then loss and regret set in immediately. He heaves a sigh and lets his eyes close and his head fall back towards the sky for a moment. Beat. As his eyes open, and he takes one last look past the audience where his hope was, for a moment, he is defeated. He accepts this and begins to walk, past the audience, towards his failed hope. Lights fade.

Fin.

Vindication.

Lights rise to reveal two boys sitting on opposite ends of a table. Joey, on the right, has a bowl of cheerios, a glass of orange juice, two slices of wheat toast, and a small bit of scrambled eggs; he looks at them with disdain. Daniel, on the left, chomps away at a candy bar happily. Joey looks up at Daniel pouting. Daniel notices Joey’s stare and looks up from his candy bar, he sticks his tongue out. Joey becomes enraged at this rude gesture and glares back down at his food. Daniel grins widely, revealing chocolate caking his teeth. Their mother enters from stage right and calls to the two boys.

Mother

Boys, hurry up and finish you’re breakfast; you’ll be late for school!

Daniel takes the last joyful bite of his candy bar and pops up to skip happily to his mother who gives him a large hug and waves happily as he walks out the door. Joey still glares downwards and gives his plate a small push forward before pushing out his chair and stomping toward the door. His Mother stops him gently with her hand and bends down to eye level with him.

Mother

Hey, kiddo. You upset about Danny and his chocolate again?

Joey does not respond.

Mother

Well, do you remember what I told you?

Joey nods his head a little, still angry.

Mother

Then cheer up, bud. You know that you’ll be the one laughing when you two are older. You’ll be skinnier, have better teeth, and probably live longer than him. Just remember that.

Joey can’t help but smile as he hugs his mom and skips off stage excitedly. Mother lets out a fond and accomplished sigh, before smiling and chuckling slightly to herself. Lights fade.

Fin.