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Michaeltw721
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| Joined: | Wed Mar 5th, 2008 |
| Location: | NYC, New York USA |
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 05:38 pm |
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Howdy all. This is a full length (maybe one or two act) that I'm playing with. If anyone can help or comment on progress so far, that would be appreciated.
Last edited on Wed May 7th, 2008 06:25 pm by Michaeltw721
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Michaeltw721
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| Joined: | Wed Mar 5th, 2008 |
| Location: | NYC, New York USA |
| Posts: | 21 |
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Posted: Wed Apr 30th, 2008 06:43 pm |
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CHARACTERS
Alex Lawson
Late 20’s – early 30’s. Independent minded and kindly. A wildly successful director who returns to his college town at the height of his popularity.
Benjamin Higgins
Late 20’s – early 30’s. Well meaning and irresponsible. He wants the success and notoriety of Alex, his former roommate.
Elizabeth Higgins
Early 30’s. Thoughtful and sweet. Benjamin’s sister and roommate. A substitute teacher, once writer. She has grown exhausted in teaching and wants the freedom to travel and away from dealing with Ben’s ways and constantly keeps his barely functioning life in order.
Kimberly Howe
Early – mid 20’s. Incredibly smart, determined. A student, aspiring actress, and co-worker of Ben’s. She can barely find the time to sleep, let alone apply for the necessary internships and training to advance herself.
John Stanko
Mid 40’s – mid 50’s. A professor of English at the university. A former hippie, he is burnt out and cannot keep his students interest. His attempts to teach inspiring literature result in book bans. He is being mandated to take online classes to keep up with the times.
A few notes on the set:
Common Martyr is conceived to be very bare and minimalist in terms of properties, lights, and stage set up. The requirements include: a medium sized couch/futon, a dining room table (which can be converted for the bar) and several chairs
Act 1, Scene 1: (Apartment)
(Elizabeth and Ben’s apartment. Early evening. Ben & Elizabeth are brother and sister, polar opposites who share an apartment. Elizabeth is kind, understanding to a fault, but becoming increasingly frustrated with her brother’s lazy work ethic and irresponsible behavior. She has helped with the rent, again. As the scene comes up they await the arrival of his former roommate, Alex, a young but renowned writer. Ben is asleep on the couch and has forgotten to clean for his former roommate’s arrival. Caroline arrives home from work and enters)
Elizabeth
Benjamin Ryan Higgins. Wake up!
BEN
(Dazed) Liz! Come on, I worked late. I deserve to sleep in a little.
ELIZABETH
Do you know what time it is?
BEN
(He checks his watch) Oh crap! I’m late.
ELIZABETH
Weren’t you going to grocery shop? And clean?
BEN
Can you help me? Please?! I have to be at work in 30 minutes.
ELIZABETH
Ben, it’s your friend that’s coming.
BEN
(Exploding) Fuck, Liz! I know!
ELIZABETH
(Quietly) I just got home. What did you do today?
BEN
(Calmer) Got home from the bar shift at 2, slept, breakfast, wrote the great American novel, slept more…
ELIZABETH
(Hopeful) Did you actually get to write some today?
BEN
A little. I was on a roll really early this morning! Want to hear? (She motions for him to continue) Well, we all know that route 50 used to be the big drug run back in the ‘70s. It was the only exit that where truckers could covertly stock up and do deals while under the guise of delivering gas, or food, or whatever.
ELIZABETH
Right.
BEN
Well the cops cracked down, the highways expanded, you know. So. I’m going to write an op-ed piece to all the national papers comparing the economic boom between then and now! If they were to continue their truck routes but used alternated fuel sources, maybe some government regulation or tax breaks for the smaller businesses, there would be a profit!
ELIZABETH
Let me get this straight. Are you advocating illegal drug trafficking?
BEN
It wouldn’t be illegal anymore, that’s the beauty of it. And it’s not like they’d allow anything stronger than pot or hash, just easy stuff.
ELIZABETH
Gateway drugs.
BEN
That’s the problem! We have such a societal stigma against these things. The only reason that kids do them, or drink, or even rebel is because mommy and daddy say not to. We’d have a much chiller society, cash crops, and money to boot.
ELIZABETH
Unbelievable.
BEN
Lay off. It’s not like I’m a druggie or anything.
ELIZABETH
You’re telling me. One beer and you’re out like a light. Can you at least adopt some pen name? Keep in mind you’re living with a school teacher. The last thing I need is the PTA calling me because my brother wrote some bizarre druggie propaganda. Want to bet how long I’d keep my job?
BEN
(Seriously seeking encouragement) Beth, I tried my best. I wrote a lot last night.
ELIZABETH
(Easing) I know.
BEN
(Ignoring her) I had to put it aside for a little bit. I was getting so worked up I couldn’t even see straight. I had to finish up a poem for Stanko’s class anyways. As soon as I finished it, I fell asleep. I just woke up when the phone rang.
ELIZABETH
Do you know who called?
BEN
No. It’s never for me anyways.
ELIZABETH
Mom and dad called.
BEN
Christ. How are we supposed to grow up with mommy and daddy hawking us, right? What do they want now?
ELIZABETH
(Seriously) They asked if you needed help with rent this month.
BEN
Fuck.
ELIZABETH
Do you?
BEN
I swear Liz, I’ll talk to Jeff and get more hours starting next week. I can work 50 hours next week and pay you back.
ELIZABETH
It’s not just the rent Ben. I mean, hell, yes I need you to pay your share. But mom and dad also said that they never hear from you anymore. They worry. I hardly see you.
BEN
What? They can’t rest knowing my big sister’s here too? You’re family.
ELIZABETH
(Verge of tears) Ben. I need a break.
BEN
Liz, what’s wrong? We can do this. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. It’s this damn night shift I have to cover on weekends, classes, paying back loans. That doesn’t excuse it. I apologize. I’m sorry for being a terrible brother to you.
ELIZABETH
(Her weak spot) You are not, Ben please don’t …
BEN
I’ll make it up to you. Promise. I’ll pitch in more around here. That’ll help right?
ELIZABETH
Ben, what do you want me to do?
BEN
What do you mean?
ELIZABETH
Our lease is up. I’m not going to pretend like our situation is working out. We can either go month to month or…
BEN
I’d have to move back home.
ELIZABETH
I love you, Benny, but between supporting you, work going nowhere… (She stops) this isn’t the time for this. You need to get going.
BEN
We can talk now.
ELIZABETH
Did you even eat? Or shower?
BEN
It’s a bar. No one will notice.
ELIZABETH
Gross.
(Ben reaches into his pocket and pulls out a stack of one dollar bills. He hands it to Elizabeth)
BEN
Here. I’m sorry they’re singles.
ELIZABETH
(Guilty) Ben, you need this.
BEN
It’s only a start. I’ll get more to you later. Tonight ok?
ELIZABETH
(Knowing it won’t happen) Ok, Ben. What about your friend?
BEN
If he comes by, send him to the bar to get dinner. You want me to bring anything home for you?
ELIZABETH
(Distantly) No, thank you.
BEN
Beth, I know it’s out there, but I’ve got a great feeling about this project. Published. Six months. You can write that down. If I get a few hundred words into the Late Bar Journal they’re gonna pay pretty good. They said they’ll let me know by tonight!
ELIZABETH
You’re late.
BEN:
I did think of a pen name by the way. Archer Buckley. Nice huh!? Sounds right out of Harvard but not too sissy-ish. A little muscle behind it. Bye Liz!
(Ben exits. Liz sits exhausted. She picks up a stack of envelopes/bills and throws them down. The phone rings and she answers it.)
ELIZABETH
(Into phone) Hello? (Resigned) Hi mom. No, he just left for work. I know, he works a lot but this place isn’t cheap. Yes, I told him that you called. Mom, he’s a big boy, when he gets the chance to I’m sure he’ll call you guys. (Seriously) No, mom, I’m not taking your money. He’s an adult. I can’t afford it right now. (A knock at the door) Look, someone’s here, I’ve got to go. Love you.
(She opens the door and Alex enters. He is attractive, confident in any situation, smart, and approachable. He is dressed in jeans and a shirt and carries an old duffle bag)
Hello? Alex?
ALEX
Elizabeth! It’s been ages.
(He gives her a big hug which she was not expecting)
How are you?
ELIZABETH
I’m fine, thanks. You just missed Ben.
ALEX
I saw him on his way out.
(Beat as they stand awkwardly by the door)
So can I come in?
ELIZABETH
Of course. I’m sorry. Ben was supposed to clean up the place and shop for your visit.
ALEX
It looks great. Actually it’s a bit of a shock that Ben resides here and that it’s still standing.
ELIZABETH
That’s right. You two shared a room.
ALEX
Yep. Rogers 222.
ELIZABETH
Right. (Awkward again) Can I take your bag? Get you something to eat?
ALEX
Relax. You just got home.
ELIZABETH
How did you know?
ALEX
Teacher right? (She nods) I remember. You’ve got that frazzled look about you. There’s still a pencil behind your ear.
ELIZABETH
(She removes it) Welcome to my world.
ALEX
What grade do you teach?
ELIZABETH
Wherever they need me, really. Mostly sixth grade. English and history.
ALEX
That’s good. They’re still impressionable at that age.
ELIZABETH
I’ve got another 6 months before they disregard me completely.
ALEX
(Laughs) You’re kidding.
ELIZABETH
I wish.
ALEX
I’m sure they adore you. You’re like the young, hip teacher we’ve all had at some point.
ELIZABETH
I’m not so sure. Actually, it would appear that your work fits their interest much more than my lesson plans.
ALEX
(A bit humbly) You’ve heard of it?
ELIZABETH
Christ, who hasn’t? For a while there, you couldn’t turn the channel without hearing about it. (She sits and mimics) “The harrowing tale of a small town loner, a commandeered tank, and the one director who attempted to capture the turmoil like none other could.” This is still a small town, so of course it’s going to make waves. I’m just glad the kids aren’t quite old enough to get it.
ALEX
You might be underestimating them.
ELIZABETH
Sure, they get the parts of the story, the physical events that occurred. I’m happy they haven’t latched onto the whole movement of yours. I can’t believe that the media wants to turn this nut job into a martyr.
ALEX
(Handling it deftly) And they’re off. You remind me of Stacy Stenquist.
ELIZABETH
Is comparing me to some peroxide, moronic reporter supposed to help your cause?
ALEX
(Long beat) We’re off to a rocky start. I apologize. I didn’t mean any offense.
ELIZABETH
(Softer) What did you expect? You saunter back into town expecting life to come back to normal. Ben hasn’t stopped talking about you in weeks.
ALEX
That’s flattering I suppose.
ELIZABETH
(Measuring him up) You don’t get it. It’s not healthy. His new “thing” is how he’s going to be a star writer, director, actor, producer…
ALEX
All in one?
ELIZABETH
Some days it’s one thing more than the other. Now, he’s on writing. I think he coined himself “a modern day Redford”. Champion for the underdogs. Voice for the quiet. That was a title of one of his films, you know? In reality he stays up all night trying to write and the next day immediately criticizes his work. He’s created this plateau on which only you and your work reside and he’s nothing until he rests there too. Well, you and Robert Redford, of course.
ALEX
Nice company. Liz, everyone goes through the rise and fall. I bet you do too. Look, maybe I can help him get on the right track?
ELIZABETH
(A bit sarcastic) You’re my last hope.
ALEX
You’re a good sister.
ELIZABETH
Why do you say that?
ALEX
Obviously you care about him a lot.
ELIZABETH
(Softening) I didn’t mean to blame you.
ALEX
It’s okay.
ELIZABETH
It’s not your fault.
ALEX
Trust me. You should’ve seen the onslaught I got from the interview in Tampa. They gave me the whole southern, sweet as pie routine until the lights came on.
ELIZABETH
And?
ALEX
BAM! (He laughs) I must have gone cross eyed in seconds. Serves me right.
ELIZABETH
You went to Florida?
ALEX
I take it you’ve never been?
ELIZABETH
I’ve always wanted to go. It wasn’t even the whole cheesy ass Disney stuff either. I remember getting up early when I was a little girl. I used to watch Hawaii 5-0 with my dad and granddad. Ben was a little too hyperactive for a TV show without robots or explosions, so it was just us three. I told them how I was going to live there someday and how I’d eat nothing but coconuts and bananas and have a pet monkey named Ted.
ALEX
I like it already.
ELIZABETH
Granddad would say “You don’t want to go there. Hasn’t been the same since”. I wanted to ask him what he was talking about, but dad would shush me. Of course now I know why. He’d say “Lizzie, go somewhere nice and pretty and in the continental USA. How about Florida? Sunshine, oranges you can pick right off the tree, hell they even have dolphins you can swim with.” Well that was the deal breaker right then and there. Now that I have a better idea of what it’s like, I just know it’s the perfect place to just be. To relax. No phones, no meetings, just somewhere to start over.
ALEX
Why don’t you take a vacation?
ELIZABETH
I haven’t had as much financial freedom as I’d like to.
ALEX
(He gets her intonation and backs off) The beaches are pretty nice. Not like anything we have up here. You should go sometime. Listen, I should stop talking your head off. I’m going to grab some dinner at the bar. You want to come?
ELIZABETH
I’ll pass, thanks. Oh, here’s a key. Ben will forget.
(She hands him a key)
ALEX
Elizabeth. I’ll do my best to help. And if we can’t whip him into shape, I’ll take you to Florida.
ELIZABETH
(With a coy smile) Oh really?
ALEX
Promise. You can even name the dolphin, Ted. (He exits. She sits and finally rests).
Act 1, Scene 2: (Bar)
(An older patron, John sits at the bar. He is dressed a bit messily, in jeans, oxford shirt unbuttoned over a t-shirt, and sandals. He is unshaven and a bit weathered through years of drugs and life. A cute bartender, Kimberly, approaches. She carries herself well, intelligent, and gives him a smile. She hands him a glass of red wine.)
JOHN:
(With an edge) Excuse me, Miss. I didn’t order a shiraz.
KIM:
John, get over yourself. You’ve had red wine almost every night here for the past 2 years.
JOHN:
(Mock offended) And since when is it permissible to call me John!
KIM:
Do you prefer Mr. Stanko?
JOHN:
God no.
KIM:
John it is.
JOHN:
Where’s your little friend, Benjy?
KIM:
Late.
JOHN:
Seems like a common occurrence with that one. He your boyfriend yet?
KIM:
Please, he chases any girl with a pulse and two legs.
JOHN:
(Ogling her legs) You’ve got both areas covered.
KIM
Watch it, old man.
JOHN
I’m kidding. He likes you.
KIM:
You think? Besides, I thought you had a new woman already?
JOHN
I might. Unless you think I stand up to your dearest paramour.
KIM
Has he submitted his latest works for your class?
JOHN:
(Groans) Latest?
KIM
“An Ode to My Resplendent Goddess - Version 3. The first two didn’t quite capture my ‘irradescent-ness’.
JOHN
(Flirting) Clearly. The more important question is when do I get to see more of your work?
KIM
(She groans) Ugh, when is the deadline?
JOHN
(Again flirting) For you?
KIM
For everyone.
JOHN
How does Thursday sound?
KIM
Peachy. I’ll fit it in between my audition, double shift and sleep.
JOHN
You’re too good for this place. You should be acting and writing, full time.
KIM
Tell me about it.
JOHN
I take it you heard about this new production contract with Alex Lawson?
KIM
Who hasn’t?
JOHN
Did you submit yet?
KIM
No, I’m not a writer. We’ve been over this Stanko, I take your class because they wouldn’t accept me into T303 without it.
JOHN
T303?
KIM
Graduate level theater studies. They want well rounded students all of a sudden.
JOHN
(Again flirting) Another area in which you are sincerely not lacking in.
(Kim throws a towel at John and exits Alex enters as Kim exits. He is well put together. He immediately recognizes John. He slowly enters out of his sight line. Alex sits next to John)
ALEX
Does the wife still think you’re tutoring?
JOHN
(Taking a moment) Ex. Ex-wife.
ALEX
My condolences.
JOHN
Eh, she saw through it even when we were together. Turns out I’m a much better writer than I am a cad.
ALEX
Sorry to hear it.
JOHN
No apologies necessary. Why, the experience has created some of my most mediocre work to date! Perhaps you read it in the Deadrose Literary Digest? No? Spring Quarterly Edition, Volume 1, pages 15-32? (Grandly) Oh! What am I thinking? You wouldn’t read anything less than New Yorker am I right? They only managed to mention you, what was it, twice this year?
ALEX
Nice to see you, John.
JOHN
(Standing) Ladies and gentlemen! The prodigal son returns to his stomping grounds. What next? Complete eastern sea board domination? Relegate the rest of us starving writers to our own blogs and websites?
ALEX
(Poking him) John, you’re far from starving.
JOHN
Touché.
ALEX
You blog?
JOHN
Not in your wildest dreams. The university’s on a new website, user friendly, technology kick. As you can imagine, it’s not going well. Alas, let me get you a drink.
ALEX
Please, my treat.
JOHN
(Serious) I insist.
ALEX
Thanks.
JOHN
Vodka right?
ALEX
Don’t you miss the days when you could actually talk and get a drink with your professor?
JOHN
Oh, you can. It’s not worth risking the tenure though. The bigger obstacle is I have absolutely no desire to talk to these kids. What would we talk about? Music? Please, I can’t even turn on the radio anymore without the overwhelming feeling that I’m being shaken in a tin can.
ALEX
Literature?
JOHN
(Deadpan) You better be kidding. You know, I honestly think these kids go out and send each other emails from the same booth.
ALEX
You’re not far from the truth.
JOHN
I’m sure you struggled through every step of the high rolling city life.
ALEX
Hardly.
JOHN
Sure you did. Bottom line is can’t relate to the students anymore. Don’t even want to try. (Kim re-enters) Except for this one. A true mind.
KIM
Aw. You found a friend.
JOHN
Kimberly, this is Alex.
KIM
What can I get you?
ALEX
Vodka & soda, please.
JOHN
Alex Lawson.
KIM
(Beat) You’re kidding right? (John nods ‘no’) Pleased.
ALEX
Nice to meet you, Kimberly.
JOHN
Kimberly is a rare breed this day in age. Talented, beautiful, one of the best upcoming actresses, probably could give you a run for your money in the writing department.
ALEX
(Pleasantly) You don’t say.
KIM
(Hands him the drink) He speaks the truth.
JOHN
Did I mention humble?
KIM
What brings you here?
ALEX
Meeting my old roommate. You know Ben?
JOHN
(Shares a look with Kim) We know Ben.</ | | |
