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Labrax
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 09:38 pm |
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This short scene was written as part of the devising process for my Drama A Level performance. The production, entitled Me, Me, Me focuses on the subject of selfish choices in our modern society, and will have its only two private performances on the 1st of February at Forest School in East London. It features the creative input of its team of 8 actors and designers.
Genes is unique in the production's script in that it is the only scene that has been written by just one person, who happens to be me. Stumbling across a newspaper article that informed me of the discovery of a 'generosity gene' I was inspired to script a scene around it, which I later presented to the rest of my company.
The scene is heavily influenced by Pinter and Beckett, two of my favourite playwrights and whose dark dialogue I find hard to steer clear of. It also take's Brecht's notion of forcing the audience to make a decision for themselves to a whole new level by attempting to take small donations to charity from the audience. The scene has two endings, depending on the audience's reaction.
I recieved a lot of positive comments from people who read the scene, and so I was interested to know what a larger community such as this would think of it.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!
-Tom Jacob-Ewles
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Genes Tom Jacob - Ewles
Two men at a bus stop, A and B. B has a newspaper beside him.
B is in the middle of lighting a cigarette. He pockets the lighter, takes a drag and exhales. He is content. A observes him, decides to follow suit. He takes out a packet, puts one in his mouth and searches his pockets for a lighter. Doesn’t find one.
A (to B) ‘Scuse me mate, can I get a light?
B looks at him.
B Hmm… (he searches his pockets, pretending not to find a lighter) Sorry mate, came out without one.
Pause. B takes another drag from his cigarette.
A What?
B Didn’t come out with one.
Pause. Another drag.
A Yes you did.
B No I didn’t.
A You just had one.
B (Looking around) Who, me?
A Yeah, you. You just lit that fag.
B Oh. Yeah. I did.
A And you put the lighter in your pocket.
B investigates a pocket. The wrong pocket.
Not that one. That one.
B checks the other. He slowly, awkwardly, pulls out the lighter. Pause. A extends his hand to take the lighter. Nothing. He waits for B to do something. Eventually:
Can I borrow it?
Pause.
B No.
A Why not?
B It’s out of fluid.
A loses it. He snatches the lighter, and ignites it.
A There, a flame! It works!
B Oh. So it does.
A lights his cigarette, tossing the lighter back to B, who pockets it.
A What was all that about?
B What?
A You saying that you didn’t have one. Then that it was out of oil. Why not just give it to me? It’s not like I was asking for much.
B Well, it’s in my genes.
A What do they have to do with anything?
B This bloke, in Israel, right? He found this gene that controls how generous you are. If you have it, you’re a giver. If you don’t, you’re stingy.
A And you don’t have it.
B No. Got tested n’all. Not a spot of generosity in me.
A So you’re saying that not giving anything to anyone can be excused because of your genetic makeup.
B Exactly.
A That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. You don’t expect people to believe you, do you?
B Well, I’m not the only one, mate. Everyone’s getting tested, and hardly anyone’s got the gene. Haven’t you seen the papers?
He picks up the paper beside him, indicating an article for A to read. Throughout next, A becomes increasingly agitated and disbelieving.
A “Analysts predicted a sharp rise in the earnings of the private healthcare industry this morning, citing the frenzied public demand for “Generosity Gene” testing as a major profit boost for the industry. Since the discovery of the elusive gene by Dr Ariel Knafo at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, people around the globe have been paying for tests to determine whether or not they have the gene. Those without the gene are deemed “clinically stingy”, and are presented with a new version of the Disabled Parking Permit introduced by the government, that excuses them from all causes charitable, well-meaning or otherwise generous.
He lowers the paper.
What the fuck?
B Well, can’t argue with doctors, eh?
A That’s ridiculous! You’re just using this as an excuse to be selfish! It’s sickening!
B rises, insulted.
B How dare you! I’ll have you know that I have a condition! (He produces his ‘clinically stingy’ card, waving it in the air.) I can’t help not being generous, you know! I didn’t ask for these genes!
A rises, meeting B’s annoyance.
A It’s all an excuse and you know it! You’re nothing but a stingy, good-for-nothing, selfish SNOB!
B is about to retaliate when C enters. C is a charity worker, holding a collection pot and clipboard. She strides to B, addressing him eagerly.
C Excuse me sir, can I interest you in support-
B looks at her with something close to disgust, waving his card at her.
Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise.
She moves on to A, who is staring at B, aghast.
Excuse me sir, can I interest you in supporting UNICEF? We’re the world’s largest children’s charity, and we-
A Yeah. Yeah, I have a few coins.
He fishes in his pocket, pulling out a couple of coins, dropping them into the collection pot.
C Oh, thank you. It’s good to know that there are still people around who don’t take this ‘generosity gene’ nonsense seriously.
B rolls his eyes.
A It’s rubbish, all rubbish.
C They’re saying nine out of ten people are in line for one of those cards. Maybe even more.
A Nine out of ten?
C I don’t know what’s happening to the world. Nobody with a card will have to donate anything.
A Hang on, I think I know some people who’ll find this as ridiculous as we do.
A snatches the collection pot from her, moving away from the scene and to the audience. He tries to collect as many coins from them as he can, improvising to try and tempt them into donating.
If he collects a reasonable amount:
A There, that proves it. There are good people in the world. And people who just make excuses.
He holds the pot out to B, who stares at it for a moment before rolling his eyes, adding a coin of his own.
Blackout.
If he doesn’t:
A I can’t believe it. I can’t believe there are so many people who are desperate for an excuse to be selfish…
C It’s a sign of the times.
B Oh for God’s sake, stop complaining.
Blackout.
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nic
Member
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 09:52 pm |
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Thanks for the chance to read it. What a great concept! Rude of me even to suggest it but how about working it up into something more than a short exercise and instead of A, B and C developing real characters.
I think you have a great idea going.
The best Nic
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Paddy
Moderator
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Posted: Sun Feb 3rd, 2008 02:56 pm |
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Labrax.
This is really good. I especially like the beginning, the back and forth is really nice. I agree with nic..in fact, I'm producing a site-specific show called Asphalt Jungle Shorts, and scripts are due by Feb 14 here submissions@flushink.net We are looking for anything from a minute...actually, the last show we had a forty-five second play. All plays will be performed in the environment for which they were written, eg: bus stop.
The ending, however, feels less clever and more like a devise to end the piece. Maybe the stakes would be higher for A, if it took longer to get his cigarette lit. I also agree with giving characters names. I've had to ask playwrights to do that, because in one of our shows, there were plays with A, B, C and Him, Her and Guy, Girl...etc. Looks kind of confusing in a program.
So...if you're inclined to....maybe do another pass on this and send it as a word doc.
Also, from a purely reading point of view, you didn't need the explaination. For me, it's the play. Often times, it's just nicer to launch into it.
Nicely done.
Paddy
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