Elevation

Lives intertwine and are changed by an elevator that can't seem to run right.

Elevation

Written by Darryl Walker and Nathan Weaver

 

DRAMA.

 

INT. THE ELEVATOR. THE ELEVATOR is empty, yet moving. It stops and the door opens. PATTI enters the elevator, she hits a button and starts adjusting herself. Fixing her hair, reapplying makeup, etc. PATTI has just done something she shouldn’t have. 

 

ELEVATOR STOPS, DOOR OPENS. ENTER ROB. He comes on and immediately turns around to look at his reflection in the doors. PATTI at this point has her hands in her pants/skirt tucking her shirt in, she stops at the sight of ROB. A look of shock comes across her face. She stares. THE DOORS close and ROB looks at himself in the reflection.

 

ROB

Oh, lipstick! Right on the cheek, too.

 

ROB starts wiping the lipstick off, he then notices PATTI in the reflection of the door, he turns around startled.

 

PATTI

Hello, honey.

 

ROB

I— I was just...

 

ROB remembers his lipstick, stops talking and begins wiping it off. THEY STARE at each other, hesitant to talk from the shock. CUT.

 

INT. THE ELEVATOR, MOMENTS LATER. This is after the initial shock.

 

PATTI

You cheated on me! How could you?

 

ROB

Sorry, Patti, it just happened.

 

PATTI

Just happened? What, did you just accidentally wonder into this building out of all the buildings in this city? Oops, this wasn’t on the way to work! Oops, there’s a woman! Oops, I did you! OOPS! Idiot.

 

ROB

Well, no, of course it wasn’t like that. And I don’t appreciate… wait a second, what are you doing here?

 

PATTI

I, I… that’s beside the point.

 

ROB

Well, if you don’t have to talk, then neither do I. 

 

ROB leans against the wall and cross his arms. AWKWARD PAUSE as they both refuse to speak. THE ELEVATOR stops abruptly.

 

 

ROB

Oh, you gotta be kidding me?

PATTI

I thought you weren’t talking.

 

ROB

The elevator stopped.

 

PATTI

Excuses, excuses.

 

ROB

Fine, you want me to talk. I’ll talk. (beat) You’re a s**t.

 

PATTI

Then what’s that make you!

 

ROB

A stud.

 

PATTI

It’s gonna be that way, huh?

 

ROB

Absolutely, you two-bit w***e. Zing!

 

PATTI

This isn’t a competition, jerk! This is our life as we know it.

 

ROB

If you say so… tramp.

 

PATTI

OH! You piece of trash. Yeah, I cheated on you. I’ve been cheating on you for two months! And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. You can’t give me what I need. You’re no man. I needed a real man to make me happy. And I’ve got one now.

 

SILENCE. ROB turns to the elevator controls and begins pushing buttons, trying to get the elevator moving again.

 

PATTI

Don’t just hit buttons, that’s no way to fix a problem.

 

ROB

Don’t speak! Just keep your sick, filthy mouth shut.

 

SILENCE. FADE TO BLACK.

 

FADE UP FROM BLACK.  

INT. THE SAME ELEVATOR, BUT AT A DIFFERENT TIME. A young male in his early  twenties is on his cell phone with his fiance. We now know him as Dewon.

DEWON

Hello? Hey baby. What am I'm doing? Nothing, just

getting out of work. Yeah I had to work a little

overtime. I don’t care if Tony next door is home, I

had to work overtime. You believe her if you

want to. That’s why I'm getting promoted and he’s not,

I put in overtime. Well anyway what did you want to

tell me? I’m alone.

All we hear through the phone is “I’m pregnant” and see the shock on Dewon’s face.

DEWON (CONT’D)

What happened to “I'm taking the pill”? We Discussed

this before, we can’t have a kid right now. I just got

the promotion, we’ve just found the house we’re

planning to be living in, and you still got another

year to get your degree. All a child will do is put us

back. You already know what I think WE should do. Yes

just that. No I don’t want to talk about it later.

Look, I'm about to get off the elevator. That means

I'm going home, you’re gonna do it, and then we’ll go

on to happily ever after like we planned it. I’m out.

 

 

INT. THE ELEVTOR, SOME TIME LATER. PATTI and ROB are now sitting on the floor, positioned on opposite sides of the confined space.

 

ROB

Two months? (beat) What inspired you to… what were you thinking?

 

PATTI

You’re asking me?

 

ROB

I know what I was thinking, but what about you?

 

PATTI

Well, what about you?

 

ROB

Nothing. I wasn’t thinking of anything. There was nothing there at the time. It just… happened. (beat) And you?

 

PATTI

I thought of everything.

 

ROB

And yet you still went through with it?

 

PATTI

Which is worse? Senseless or premeditated?

 

ROB

Premeditated?! You planned it out. What is that? 

 

PATTI

Do you love her, Rob?

 

ROB

No! I told you, it just happened. I was ready to let it go, but no, you had to get snippy about it.

 

PATTI

I love him.

 

PAUSE.

 

ROB

You love him? You love him. (takes wedding band off finger) What’s this, huh? What’s this? And on your finger? Huh, what’s that?

 

 PATTI

Promises get broken.

 

ROB

(beat) Apparently. 

 

ROB flicks his wedding band at PATTI, she flinches as it bounces off her and lands in between them.

 

ROB

Keep it. Maybe you can pawn it, since it means nothing to you.

 

PATTI

Rob—

 

ROB

No, I’m serious. Go ahead. Pawn it. You can pawn the other one, too. And I tell you what, when we get off this stupid elevator we can go home and burn all our memories. Photo albums, home videos.

 

PATTI

Rob, please.

 

ROB

No, Patti, it’s alright. I’m cool with it. Just do whatever you want, Patti. Don’t worry about me. Don’t worry about us.

 

PATTI

Knock it off!

 

SILENCE. CUT.

 

The doors open and ROB enters. He seems to be upset. Neither says a word for a good 15 seconds. Then all of a sudden, the elevator stops.

 

DEWON

Of all the days. Of all the days!!! Can this day get

any worse?

 

 

ROB

Tell me about it.

 

Rob looks at Dewon’s shirt.

 

ROB (CONT’D)

So, I see your a Tupac fan.

 

DEWON

Kind of.

 

ROB

What do you mean kind of?

 

DEWON

I’m not the average “ Thug” that like Pac. He’s

alright but I don’t like a lot of his music. I prefer

Biggie Smalls.

 

ROB

A Biggie fan wearing a Pac T-shirt. Now I've seen

everything.

 

DEWON

Who are you? Mr. Hip Hop historian?

 

ROB

Not really. I like all music. You like Punk Rock?

 

DEWON

A few songs. Mostly old Nirvana.

 

ROB

That’s my favorite band. Speaking of Nirvana, did you

see Last Days?

 

DEWON

Yeah. It was alright. I only wish Gus Van Sant would

come more original you know? I mean, first Gerry, then

Elephant, now Last Days. They all have the same

semi-documentary improvisational feel.

 

ROB

Look at the ultimate film fanatic.

 

 

DEWON

I love movies.

 

ROB

Me too. What’s your favorite film?

 

DEWON

Belly.

 

ROB

Why?

 

DEWON

The story might not have been great, or the acting,

but the visuals and the music was something not seen

before or since.

 

ROB

Except for The Cell.

 

DEWON

Nope. Better acting. Jennifer Lopez was a goddess.

 

ROB

Was?

 

DEWON

Well when you make a movie like Gigli, you seem to

fall from grace. She’s no Christopher Walken.

 

ROB

Speaking of which, he was in it too.

 

DEWON

I mean, anybody who can still have an career after

Heaven’s Gate is one of the great ones.

 

CUT.

 

THE ELEVATOR. PATTI and JOYCE are riding the elevator in silence. JOYCE looks pretty miserable; PATTI has a look of determination. ELEVATOR stops.

 

PATTI

Stupid piece of junk.

 

SILENCE.

 

JOYCE

This happens almost every day. You just have to give it some time.

 

PATTI

Yeah, I know. Well, not that I live here. I can’t imagine living in this dump.

 

JOYCE gives PATTI a glare.

 

PATTI

That’s not what I meant.

 

JOYCE

That’s what you said.

 

PATTI

I have a friend here… he’s black. 

 

JOYCE rolls her eyes.

 

PATTI

He’s my boyfriend, too. (beat) I’m not racist, so stop judging me. 

 

JOYCE

I didn’t say a word.

 

PATTI

It was the look.

 

JOYCE

Oh, I see, I can’t be angry unless it’s a race issue, huh?

 

PATTI

Shut up.

 

JOYCE

Grow up.

 

SILENCE.

 

PATTI

You’re going to the seventh floor as well?

 

JOYCE

That’s where I live. 713.

 

PATTI turns pale as a ghost.

 

PATTI

713?

 

JOYCE

Yes… oh, don’t you even think of it. If I so much as see you look at my door, I’ll call the cops.

 

PATTI

Does the name Dewon mean anything to you?

 

JOYCE

You’re a real creep.

 

PATTI

Is he your husband?

 

JOYCE

Back off.

 

PATTI steps towards JOYCE.

 

PATTI

Just tell me, I have to know.

 

JOYCE

Don’t come near me.

 

PATTI

I am having an affair with Dewon, is he or is he not your husband?

 

SILENCE.

 

JOYCE

He’s my boyfriend.

 

PATTI

I am so sorry; he told me he was single.

 

JOYCE

You have gone too far. Don’t speak to me.

 

PATTI

It’s true!

 

JOYCE

Don’t say another word!

 

PATTI

The apartment has avocado wallpaper…

 

JOYCE

Every apartment in this building has avocado wallpaper.

 

PATTI

You have a queen sized sleigh bed with oak wood. Ring a bell, now?

 

JOYCE

You leave me alone.

 

PATTI

I’m trying to be the good one here. Dewon hasn’t even told you. 

 

JOYCE

You’re the good one, huh? I noticed you wear a ring on your left ring finger. You are married, aren’t you?

 

PATTI cowers in silence, defeated.

JOYCE

Yeah, that’s what I thought. (beat) You’re the good one.

 

PATTI

(angry) Is that it?! You’re not upset, you just snip and snap and don’t show any sign of affection?

 

JOYCE

I am appalled! I am disgusted. I’ve never been more upset in my life. I am pregnant with Dewon’s child. Do you know what he suggested when I told him the news? An abortion. ABORTION! I couldn’t for the life of me understand why he reacted the way he did, but I think I know now. It’s all become very clear now. So, yes, I’m upset. I’m very, very upset, but I’m not as shallow as you. I have control over my emotions. I don’t know you and you didn’t know any better, but you did know one thing. You knew you were married when you got with Dewon and yet you did it anyway. But, yes, oh, yes, you’re the good one.

 

CUT.

 

THE ELEVATOR. We are back with DEWON and ROB. They are sitting on the floor, laughing and thoroughly enjoying each others’ company. Some time has passed now.

 

 

………… ENTER SCENE BETWEEN DEWON AND ROB HERE……….

 

THE ELEVATOR. DEWON goes to get on the elevator.

 

PATTI OFF-SCREEN

Dewon!

 

PATTI hurries on screen and gets on the elevator with him.

 

DEWON

Patti, what are you doing here? Did you get my message?

 

PATTI

Yes. So, that’s how it’s gonna be?

 

DEWON

Yes, Patti. It ain’t right, it was never right.

 

PATTI

But I’m getting a divorce, Dewon. I’m ready to start over with you.

 

DEWON

Start over all you like, but not with me.

 

PATTI

Why not?!

 

DEWON

Because I’m just getting my life started. Joyce and I are moving into a new place, not to mention she’s pregnant with my baby. Like I said, it just ain’t right. We knew we were breaking the rules. 

 

PATTI

But—

 

DEWON

No.

 

ELEVATOR gets to its destination. DEWON gets off the elevator and starts off down the hallway. PATTI starts to follow after him.

 

PATTI

Dewon—

 

DEWON

Patti, you get back on that elevator and don’t look back.

 

PATTI

But…

 

She stops talking of her own accord, realizing there is no reasoning. She turns and gets back on the elevator. DEWON takes off down the hall. Just as he gets to his apartment, the door opens. Out comes JOYCE, with luggage of sorts. She is moving out.

 

DEWON

Joyce? What’s going on?

 

JOYCE

I’m wising up, Dewon.

 

DEWON

But, I’m here, babe. I just told Patti out of my life.  It’s over. We’re us again.

 

JOYCE

There is no more us. You ruined that. 

 

DEWON

But, baby—

 

JOYCE

Look. I forgive you, I do. Nobody’s perfect. But, I can’t live with you. I’ll always be paranoid. There will always be that little suspicion in the back of my head. I can’t live like that, Dewon. I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with you.

 

DEWON

Joyce, you are carrying my baby.

 

JOYCE

I know. I realize that. You will always be able to see the child whenever you want. It’s just… I can’t be with you.

 

DEWON

But—

 

JOYCE

Just stop. (beat) That’s the way it is.

 

SLIGHT PAUSE. JOYCE starts towards the elevator. DEWON tries to carry some of her luggage.

 

DEWON

Let me get that for you.

 

JOYCE

No. (beat) Thanks. I’d rather go it alone.

 

DEWON

Okay.

 

JOYCE gets on the elevator with her stuff and rides it down, smoothly. She starts to get off the elevator on the first floor.

 

ROB OFF-SCREEN

Hold the elevator, Miss!

 

JOYCE holds the elevator for ROB, he gets on.

 

ROB

Thank you, ma’am.

 

JOYCE

No problem.

 

JOYCE EXITS.

 

We are on the elevator with ROB now. As he rides the elevator, he seems somewhat content. He looks down at his hand and notices the wedding band. He pulls it off and looks at it. After a while, he puts it in his pocket and sighs. FADE TO BLACK.

 

THE END

 

Author's Note

This is also good for a one-act play using simply a spotlight. It appears I may be missing one scene, though I thought I had written it. Hmm... I'll make sure we get that taken care of.

Reviews

[me]

Intersting twists here, and you're right, this wasn't difficult to read at all. Adultery is a dangerous thing that screws up many lives, and in this case..all of their lives...