The Surviving Book

A "What If" play I wrote... try to figure out the question :-P

 

The Surviving Book

Jane and Fran are sitting at their computers with their backs to each other, both working. Jane is restless, Fran is concentrating on her work.

Jane: (sighs, looks at watch, sighs even louder) Guess what time it is.

Fran: (without looking up) What?

Jane: (turns to face Fran) Guess what time it is.

Fran: (still looking at computer) I don’t know, 11:30?

Jane: Ha! Off by two hours. Try 9:30.

Fran: (turns to face Jane) Are you serious?

Jane: Yup.

Fran: We’ve only been here for half an hour?

Jane: You’ve got that right.

Fran: Oh my gosh, today’s just going to drag on forever. (faces her computer screen)

Jane: You’re telling me. (faces her computer screen) I don’t even think I know what day it is today.

Fran: What do you mean?

Jane: It’s just… these days there seems to be no concept of time. It just… goes.

Fran: Well, it’s Wednesday if you want to know.

Jane: Yeah but what day? What month?

Fran: (pause, turns back to face Jane) Isn’t it May already?

Jane: (turns to face Fran) I don’t know.

Fran: (pause) I think it’s May. (faces her computer screen)

Jane: Yeah, but May what? Is it just starting May or almost June? (Fran doesn’t respond) I think I just celebrated my birthday a month ago.

Fran: When’s your birthday?

Jane: April 4^th. You were there, remember? My husband made me bring in that cake he made.

Fran: Oh that’s right, you just turned 34, right?

Jane: Yes! You see? I’m already 34. It feels like only yesterday that I was 20…

Fran: Well there’s life for you. One day you’re one age, and the next day you’re years older.

Jane: I guess you’re right, I’m just not used to it. (faces her computer screen)

Fran: (pause) But you did have an amazing cake…

Jane: (chuckles) Yeah, my man is amazing in the kitchen.

Fran: Most men are.

Jane: (laughs) What else would they do? Cooking and raising kids, that’s what they’re best at.

Fran: Exactly, leave the women to work.

Jane: Bring home the bacon…

Fran: Just for them to cook it! (both laugh, then resume working)

Jane: Fran! Did you see this?

Fran: (turns to face Jane) See what?

Jane: Come over here! (Fran gets up and stands behind Jane, both looking at Jane’s computer screen) There was another protest.

Fran: MFW?

Jane: Men For Work.

Fran: Oh. Yeah I’ve heard of that. They’re pretty radical aren’t they?

Jane: Sometimes. This one was shut down pretty quickly.

Fran: Where did you find this?

Jane: This was just the headlining article on the news.

Fran: (looks at Jane suspiciously) You need to look up news to punch in numbers?

Jane: Okay so I’m not exactly working, but this is interesting.

Fran: (goes back to her own desk) You’d better close that out before Sheila sees that.

Jane: If you think she’d be mad at this…

Fran: (turns to Jane) What?

Jane: (turns to Fran) Can you keep a secret?

Fran: (concerned) What did you do?

Jane: It’s not what I did… (looks around, then quietly) It’s what I brought.

Fran: Jane… is it…?

Jane: Yeah.

Fran: You brought… a…?

Jane: Yes.

Fran: Can I see it?

Jane: Okay, but only quickly. (reaches for briefcase, still watching over her shoulders, then pulls out an unmarked hardcover book that Fran grabs at)

Fran: Oh… my…

Jane: Isn’t that amazing?

Fran: Where did you get this?

Jane: Bought it online, you can get anything online.

Fran: If Sheila sees this…

Jane: Well I know she doesn’t like them, but what is she going to do? Really?

Fran: She could fire you…

Jane: For a book?

Fran: Not just any book!

Jane: It doesn’t matter. Just give it back, okay? (Fran hands book back to Jane as Sheila enters)

Sheila: Well hello there ladies, what’s going on? (Fran turns back to her computer quickly, and Jane quickly places book under her thigh out of sight and starts typing at her computer)

Fran: Nothing, Sheila.

Jane: Nothing, Sheila.

Sheila: What’s that you’ve got there Jane?

Jane: What’s what?

Sheila: Aren’t you a little old to be playing dumb there?

Fran: Well she just turned 34 which these days is practically 20…

Sheila: Don’t make up excuses for Jane, Fran, I want to hear what she has to say.

Jane: I’m sorry Sheila, I was looking up the news instead of working.

Sheila: (folds arms) You just started the shift.

Jane: I know, I’m sorry.

Sheila: Are you already that bored with your job?

Jane: It’s not that Sheila, I just found this article about another protest—

Sheila: I don’t want to hear about what that MFW group has been up to.

Jane: I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.

Sheila: (pause) So then what’s that under your leg?

Jane: What?

Sheila: Fran gave you something that’s now under your leg. I’m not blind or stupid you know.

Fran: It’s mine Sheila! I’m sorry, Jane had nothing to do with it.

Jane: Don’t lie for my sake, Fran, I can handle it. It’s mine, Sheila.

Sheila: Yes, but what IS it? (Jane hesitates, then pulls out book and hands it to Sheila, who looks at it quizzically) Is this a surviving book?

Jane: Yes Sheila.

Sheila: I thought I told you, all of you, that I never wanted to see a surviving book in my building.

Jane: I know, and I’m really sorry. I just wasn’t sure if I’d have anyone with me at lunch so I wanted some reading to do, and I’m so sorry.

Sheila: (to Fran) Were you reading this?

Fran: No! I swear I only saw it today, just now.

Sheila: But you didn’t read it?

Fran: Not a word.

Sheila: (pause) Go get me some coffee.

Fran: (pause) Coffee?

Sheila: Yes! Go out and get me some coffee. I need a talk with Jane, so go do something productive.

Fran: Okay… (gets up, starts walking out, pauses, steps back towards Sheila) What kind of---

Sheila: (interrupting) It doesn’t matter Fran! Just leave me alone with Jane for a few minutes! My office is being cleaned so I can’t use it. Or maybe you can go talk to the men cleaning it up if you’d like, I don’t care, just… go!

Fran: (rushed and anxious) Of course Sheila. (she leaves)

Sheila: (Sheila pulls Fran’s chair towards Jane and sits, looking at the book in her hand) So, would you like to tell me what it’s about?

Jane: What?

Sheila: This book. What lies is this book full of?

Jane: I wouldn’t call it lies…

Sheila: Oh you don’t like that word? Fine. What doubtful truths are being told here?

Jane: I still don’t think---

Sheila: Stop avoiding the question! What’s the book about?

Jane: (pause) It’s about this woman being oppressed by her husband.

Sheila: Oh?

Jane: Yeah.

Sheila: And?

Jane: And he beats her, locks her away, won’t let her work…

Sheila: And you believe it?

Jane: Believe what?

Sheila: That this happened once upon a time?

Jane: Well…

Sheila: Well what?

Jane: Maybe.

Sheila: Maybe what, Jane?

Jane: Maybe it happened. We don’t know for sure what happened before the War of Truths, so the surviving books are the closest thing we have to history.

Sheila: The surviving books from before the War of Truths aren’t credible for historical facts.

Jane: But---

Sheila: These books cannot be taken seriously! You expect me to believe that women, the stronger sex by far, were once under the control of men?

Jane: It’s possible…

Sheila: Listen, Jane, women are the child bearers. We have so much to withstand to keep this population going, especially after losing so much after the War of Truths which we’re still fixing. Women are natural born leaders---

Jane: Yes, but---

Sheila: And you’re trying to tell me that there was a time when MEN were able to rule over US?

Jane: It could be possible!

Sheila: (standing up to leave) It’s really not Jane. I thought you were smarter than to let these (waves book in Jane’s face) tell you otherwise.

Jane: It’s NOT telling me otherwise! I formed my own thoughts on the matter, books or not.

Sheila: You’re getting really passionate about this… (mocking) do YOU know something that I don’t?

Jane: First of all, this book isn’t forcing me to believe anything. It’s a story, just like you would tell to one of your kids.

Sheila: So you admit that they’re fairy tales?

Jane: Not quite, but it’s not a religious document either that’s trying to tell me what to believe in, like the US Constitution was that they found.

Sheila: But don’t you see Jane? It exists! Things like this only exist to make an impact, make an impression, make you believe!

Jane: (rising slowly) Listen I’m not saying that I know that there was a time like this before the War of Truths, but I don’t think you should doubt the possibility of it either!

Sheila: (laughing) You are a riot! Next you’ll be telling me that this was back when America was supposedly in power?

Jane: Some of the surviving books did say—

Sheila: THIS IS JUST A BOOK! (throwing the book down) THAT is a pile of papers bound together with words written on them. THAT is not proof! And if you say one more word in its defense, I might have to offer your job to one of those men cleaning up my office right now. How would you like that? Losing your job to a man?

Jane: (getting in Sheila’s face) You wouldn’t dare…

Sheila: Wouldn’t I? (they stare each other down in a tense face-off in silence when Fran walks in carrying a cup of coffee)

Fran: I’m sorry Sheila I had no idea what you wanted so I got it black because I’m pretty sure there’s some cream in the fridge in the break room… (notices Sheila and Jane) Um… should I… should I come back later?

Jane: (ignoring Fran) Have you even read one?

Sheila: Read one what?

Jane: Have you ever read a surviving book?

Sheila: Can’t say I have.

Jane: (slowly bends down to pick up book which is lying between them but maintains eye contact with Sheila) Try it. (she pushed the book into Sheila’s chest) You might get a change of heart.

Sheila: (still keeping eye contact, holds book against her while Jane lets go) Fran? I didn’t have breakfast this morning. Can you run downstairs and pick up a croissant for me? Take Jane with you, I need some time alone.

Fran: Alright Sheila… we’ll be right back. Come on Jane. (Jane doesn’t move, still staring at Sheila who is now looking down at the book in her hands) Jane! (Jane finally moves to her desk to grab her wallet, then walks out with Fran, still turning back to look at Sheila before they both finally exit. When Jane and Fran are gone, Sheila sighs, still staring at the book. She puts the book on Jane’s desk and starts to walk away, pauses, and heads back, picking up the book and flipping through the pages. She glances at first, and then starts getting into it and sits down in Jane’s chair, still reading intently. Man enters)

Man: Ma’am? Your office is all set.

Sheila: What? (looks up) Oh. Thanks. (she stands) How much do I owe you?

Man: Not me, it’s through the company. They should send the bill.

Sheila: Alright then. That’s all then. (Man starts to leave) Wait! (he stops, faces Sheila) Have you ever read a surviving book?

Man: Can’t say I’ve had much time to read. My kids are old enough to take care of themselves so my wife told me it was okay to start a part-time job… you know… to bring in more money for the family.

Sheila: Right… right… (looks at book in her hand) Do you… do you think… men could’ve ever been world leaders?

Man: (laughing) In our dreams maybe. But honestly? You women seem to have it under control, so I guess I don’t mind as much as some of the other men.

Sheila: Yeah…

Man: I’m sorry ma’am, I don’t mean any disrespect, talking to you like this.

Sheila: Not at all… I was the one who asked.

Man: Right… well, good day ma’am.

Sheila: One more question.

Man: Yes ma’am?

Sheila: (pause) Never mind. Thank you for cleaning up the office… and thank the other men in there too.

Man: Of course ma’am. (starts to leave again)

Sheila: What’s your name?

Man: George. (he leaves)

Sheila: George… (Sheila sits back down, looks at the book, puts it back on Jane’s desk and grabs a pen and some paper to start writing a note. Then she grabs the book and leaves with it. Jane and Fran re-enter)

Fran: (continuing a conversation) Oh yeah he sends me e-mails while I’m at work, keeping me up with what the baby does…

Jane: Wait. (rushes to desk) My book’s gone!

Fran: Do you think she took it?

Jane: Probably… I just didn’t think she would…

Fran: What?

Jane: (pause) Nothing. We should probably get back to work, it’s not even 10.

Fran: Oh you’re right, we should get started. (sits at her desk) I hope for your sake that Sheila didn’t throw out the book.

Jane: (picks up the note on her desk and reads it, smiling) I don’t think she did. (she sits at her desk still staring at the note) I’m sure she didn’t throw it out. (fade out to black) 

Author's Note

This is more of a satire play than a feminist play

Reviews

[Nocturne]

As I began to read this, I felt that the stage directions were a little too intrusive and distracting. For a play, perhaps it would be more effective to allow for the potential actors to gather some of the actions from the dialogue rather than from the stage directions, at least at the beginning.

Near the middle end, I felt that the dialogue became a little more explanatory and less natural. It's almost as if in lines like the following you're trying to pack as much information as you can and are thus sacrificing some of the "natural" feel of the dialogue:

Sheila: These books cannot be taken seriously! You expect me to believe that women, the stronger sex by far, were once under the control of men?

Jane: Not quite, but it's not a religious document either that's trying to tell me what to believe in, like the US Constitution was that they found.

Also, a lot of the times the piece used ellipses, I felt just regular punctuation would have sufficed. I wish I could continue the critique, but I have to turn in. Overall,I just want to say that I truly did enjoy reading this and yes, I could see how this was more satire than feminist themes. It was a pleasure to read.

Good luck writing!

Cheers for the read,
Naiya