Songs For An All-Night Vigil: SweetnessA Stage Play by Alexis_McLeod This is actually a radio play that is another part of the anthology program. SONGS FOR AN ALL �"NIGHT VIGIL:SWEETNESS 1.MUSIC
PROGRAM THEME CONTINUE UNDER Narrator: When
evening shadows congeal to form midnight gloom, when traffic lights blink yellow and red, when the lonesome moaning of trains echo off the silent clouds of the night sky, when restless thoughts breed terrifying
dreams, and when bright bedroom
lights and reason still can’t chase away the terror of the eerie, unaccountable
reverberate of creaks and groans, there are and will always be… SONGS FOR
AN ALL NIGHT VIGIL. (PAUSE) Tonight, a tale, a narrative to accompany you while you keep vigil over your very mortal soul! Don’t fall asleep! For the thief in the night comes when watchful eyes are closed. And, make no mistake, he will not stop until he’s stolen the morning’s light. And leaves you to the
forsaken, never-ending night! (PAUSE) For
our song called, “Sweetness,” we ask, ‘are our personal stories really our own?
Do they indeed belong to us to tell? SWEETNESS CHARACTERS Dana Forrester: A writer,
female, mid-western accent, late thirties Alice Celli: Dana’s
partner, female, mid-western accent, mid-thirties Lori Celli: Alice’s
daughter, 8 years, mid-western accent Frank Hall: second victim
in car crash, male, mid-western accent, fifties Ginny Redding: Dana’s
agent, female, mid-western accent, early forties Mom: Lori’s grandmother,
mid-western accent, mid-sixties Nurse: female, mid-western
accent, thirties Car crash Victim #1: male,
mid-western accent, twenties Linda: Dana’s mistress,
mid-western accent, thirties Drunk Lady: mid-western
accent, late fifties, whiskey voice 1.MUSIC:
INTRO SCENE ONE: DANA’S STUDY (Dana, Dana VO, Alice, and
Lori) 1.SOUND: BANGING ON
WOODEN DOOR Alice: Dana! Open up! Come on! Lori:
Mom, why can’t Meema just drive
me over to Ashely’s house?
Alice: Because
Meema’s got to write. Now Lori, go to bed.
We’ll talk about it in the morning. Lori:
(exaggerated sigh)
Awww, mom! Alice:
Go! Now! Lori: Yeah,
okay! (yells through door) Goodnight, Meema! Dana: Goodnight,
Lori-sweetness. I love you. 1.SOUND: DOOR UNLATCHES AND
OPENS Alice: Dana,
you could have at least come to the door and kissed our daughter goodnight. Dana: Aww,
Alice. Please don’t start. Alice: You’ve
been drinking. (Dana starts to protest) Don’t lie to me, for Chrissake. I
thought you were in here writing all day. Dana: I
was�"I am. I mean�" Alice: (sighs)
You know�"whatever. I’m so sick of your crap! You can’t write so the first thing
you do is reach for a bottle. What kind of example are you setting for Lori?! Dana: I
mean�" Alice: Yeah,
whatever. (PAUSE) Here, this came in the mail for you. Dana: What
is it? Alice: How
am I supposed to know? Why don’t you open it and find out! Hmm, look at the
address. Who do you know who lives in Montpelier? Dana: No
one, darling. Alice: Well,
your agent, Ginny called again today. She said you’d better not miss another
deadline. The next one’s in a week. And we had a little talk. (PAUSE) Why
didn’t you tell me that she’s thinking of dropping you? Dana: Honey,
she always says that. She�"she doesn’t mean it. Honestly babe, she’s just trying
to scare me, that’s all. Alice: Well,
she sounded pretty serious to me. You know, I don’t like that woman. Dana: (aside)
Yeah, I’ll bet you don’t. Alice: What? Dana: Nothing. Alice: Look,
Dana, we can’t keep going through this. We pursued your dream, alright. But I’m
working all the hours I can handle and the bills still aren’t getting paid.
Lori needs a new pair of cleats, and if we don’t make this payment, we’re gonna’
lose the car. (PAUSE) Maybe- maybe you should just go back to insurance--- Dana: No!
(PAUSE) Please, Alice (PAUSE) just have a little faith in me. I feel a story
coming. I just�" Alice:
You’ve been saying that for the last 6 months! If you’re blocked, then okay.
Maybe it means that you need to try something else. Dana:
Alice�" Alice: We
need to get back to getting a steady paycheck! Look, bills aren’t going to go
away just ‘cause you’re blocked. One or two stories is not gonna’ cut it. And
this drinking and isolating yourself for days on end isn’t the way you raise a
child. Lori and I are depending on you. But if this means more to you
than we do, then we are leaving. ‘Cause a year of this is all I can take. We’ll
just pack our stuff and go. Dana: No
need for all that, Alice! Look, I’ll think about it okay. I don’t want to lose
either of you. I love you. And this house is too big not to have the two of you
with me. I need to finish this story, okay. One short story and then (PAUSE)
and then I’ll think about going back to work full time. Nothing’s worth losing
my family, right? Alice: Just---just
finish your story okay and come to bed. Bye. 1.SOUND: DOOR CLOSES Dana VO: (groans)
Oh hell. Why can’t I get this done? Just need a shot of inspiration. 2.SOUND: SHE SNIFFS, POURS LIQUID INTO GLASS, GULPS,
AND THEN SIGHS God.
(PAUSE) Montpelier, eh? Let’s see what Montpelier sent me. 1.SOUND: PAPER BEING TORN FROM
PACKAGE A
pen?! (chuckles) Huh, a fountain pen. I haven’t used one of these in ages. And
it’s got ink in its cartridge. Who would have sent me--- 1.SOUND: QUIET BUZZING Whoa!
What in hell?! It’s---it’s energized. I wonder who---feels so right in my hand,
though. Oh Christ, my hand. It’s making my hand move---I can’t let it go. Paper!
I need a piece of paper. 2.SOUND: OPENING DRAWER IN WOODEN DESK,
PULLING OUT SHEET OF PAPER, PEN SCRATCHING ON PAPER
Oh
my god! This can’t be happening! I’m so drunk. That’s what it is. Or I’m having
a stroke. Wait! These are words. (PAUSE) “Under the sun, the soul evaporated
from my body. Just as the last of my water had done hours before as I watched
it spill from my smashed canteen---” What is this? (PAUSE) “I couldn’t help but laugh as I
thought of the irony of me----a survivalist-----dying in the very environs in
which I’d taught hundreds of people how to live.” (PAUSE) I-I can’t seem to
keep my eyes open. The room’s spinning---hey I haven’t had that much to drink.
Can’t stay awake---ahh. 1.SOUND: HEAD HITTING DESK WITH A THUD,
EMPTY BOTTLE FALLING ON HARD WOOD FLOOR 2.MUSIC: SCENE
CHANGE MUSIC SCENE TWO: DANA’S STUDY--MORNING 3.SOUND: WOODEN DOOR
OPENING Alice: At
it all night, huh? (PAUSE) Wake up, honey. 4.SOUND: DANA
STIRRING, LARGE YAWN Wow!
Look at all of these pages. You wrote all of this out in long hand?! Dana: Ohh. Good morning, baby. Wow! Look at that! Oww! My hand is cramped! Oww! Alice: I
know it must be! 1.SOUND:
SHUFFLES PAPERS Sweetie,
why didn’t you just type it out on your laptop? (PAUSE) And where’d you get
that pen? Let me see it. (PAUSE) Ohh, it’s beautiful. It’s a fountain pen. Dana: Yeah.
I got it in the package from Montpelier. (PAUSE) There wasn’t anything else in
the box but the pen. (PAUSE) Where did all of this come from? Alice: Well,
I assume you wrote it! (chuckles) It’s not even your usual chicken scratch. And
why are the windows opened? (PAUSE) Maybe the fresh air and some time off of
the laptop did you some good. There must be 200 pages here. Dana: Honey,
I don’t know how to tell you this but--- 1.SOUND:
CELL PHONE RINGS Alice: (with
a start) Oh! It’s Ginny. (PAUSE) Hi. Dana: (aside) What the hell? Alice: Yeah. She finished it. Dana: Alice! Alice: What?!
(PAUSE) Two hundred pages hand-written, that’s got to be enough for a short
story, right? (PAUSE) Yeah,
that’s right. She just wrote it all last night. Dana: Alice,
it’s not like some high school essay! You can’t just guess at the number of
words from a few pages--- Alice: Shush!
(PAUSE) Sure. I mean I know she has to edit it and all, but it’s done. The
writing block has to be over. (PAUSE) Yeah. (PAUSE) Uh huh. [tea kettle
whistling in far background] Dana: (aside)
This isn’t mine! Alice: Okay,
I’ll tell her. 1.SOUND: TEA KETTLE WHISTLING, IN BACKGROUND
THEN STOPS Lori: Mom!
Your tea kettle was about to explode! Hi Meema! Dana: Hey,
Lori-sweetness! Come here, you! Lori: Man!
Did you write all of this? Alice: Isn’t
this great?! Lori: Does
this mean you’re not under your writer’s blockage anymore? Dana: (chuckles)
It means something; I’m not quite sure what. Lori: Hey!
Look at this! It was sticking out from under the printer. (PAUSE) It says, “Thank
you.” I wonder what’s inside. 1.SOUND: PAPER
UNFOLDING Alice: Lori,
it’s time to get going. Leave that for Meema. Have you got your books together
yet? And look at your nails? (PAUSE) See ya’ later, babe. (kisses Dana) Oh,
we’re going to be late! Lori: Bye,
Meema! Dana: Bye
girls! Have a good day! 2.SOUND: DOOR CLOSES Dana VO: Oh
man! This is weird! I don’t even remember writing this! (PAUSE) “Thank you,”
how did I get a thank you note? “I had to write my story to set my soul free of
the pen, with each life that passes another tale begins.” (PAUSE) Okay? [crumbles
paper] I must have been drunker than I thought. Let’s see if it’s any good. And
even if it’s not at least it’s something. 1.MUSIC: SCENE
CHANGE MUSIC SCENE THREE: DANA’S STUDY (Dana, Dana VO, and Ginny (phone)) Ginny (phone): So how does it feel to
see your story in Harper’s? Dana:
It feels great,
Ginny! I never thought I‘d see the day. Ginny(phone): Well, how’s the next one coming along? (PAUSE) You know I
might be able to get the Atlantic to give you another look. I shopped, “The
Survivalist” around town. I just tried them on a whim. I never thought they’d
take a chance on an unknown. (PAUSE) Everyone loved that story! Personally, I
think it was just a fluke. Dana: (flatly)
Thanks, Ginny. Ginny(phone): Then prove me wrong. If you do, then you could be the hottest
new thing in this town. Get me a script, and you may have a shot in Hollywood.
I have a couple friends out there who could really help us. Dana: We’ll
see. Ginny(phone): Screw, “We’ll see.” You just do it, ok? (PAUSE) So you didn’t
answer me, how’s the next one coming? Dana: It’s
fine�"I mean, great, it’s great. Ginny(phone): It better be. Dana: Or
what, you’ll f**k my wife again? Ginny(phone): It was only once. And it wasn’t very good. God knows I’ve had
better. Dana: Goodbye,
Ginny. Ginny(phone): Look, this thing is due next week, and I don’t--- Dana: Goodbye, Ginny. Ginny(phone): You know, I think what you need is�"(continues
indistiquishably) Dana: (talking
over Ginny, mockingly friendly) Gotta’ get back to work. Bye, catch ya’ later.
Bye, have a nice day. (disconnects, sighs) 1.MUSIC:
SCENE CHANGE MUSIC SCENE FOUR: DANA’S STUDY (Dana VO, Dana, Alice, and Lori) 2.SOUND: FADE IN ON TYPING ON COMPUTER KEYBOARD
CONTINUE UNDER Dana VO:
It’s been ten stories, ten ‘thank you’ notes and one year since I got this pen.
The first note bore out. Somehow the pen had captured the souls, the stories of
the people whose lives I’ve told tale. I couldn’t believe it at first. Why a
pen of all things? Nameless and faceless but not unknown to me, these ghost/souls/essences
make the pen vibrate and come alive till the yarns of their lives and deaths
lie about me on pages I’ve scribbled while under a trance. As near as I can’t
figure, the pen provides the words and phrasing as they provide the details.
Each time the writing style differs, to the delight of my reviewers, who claim
to be constantly surprised by the “innovation” with which I weave each story. (PAUSE)
Ha! If they only knew. Still, I’ve been making a pretty good living. Alice is satisfied.
And, for now, shares my bed. (PAUSE) But as with all good things---Oh, God. How
was I supposed to know the damned pen would go bankrupt after only ten
stories?! I’ve been trying for weeks now---and nothing---the pen’s dead. It
doesn’t vibrate in my hand. Nothing works. The last ‘thank you’ note of warned
of how the pen robs the writer of her words. I didn’t think anything of
it---well, maybe I’d just hoped it wasn’t true. (sigh) So this is where it all
ends. I’ve got a script due in a week, and after four months of trying, have
nothing to show. My stint as a writer ends at this moment. (PAUSE) The pen’s
tapped out and so am I. 1.SOUND: KNOCK ON WOODEN DOOR, DOOR OPENS Alice: Baby,
sorry to interrupt you. But you promised to pick up those you-know-whats from
the you-know-where. Lori: (from
background) Mom, I’m not a kid! I know
what you’re talking about already, jeez! Dana: Yeah,
just a minute. Okay, babe. 1.SOUND: RESUME TYPING
Dana VO: The
question is how to tell Alice. 2.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC SCENE FIVE: DANA’S STUDY (Dana, Alice, and Linda (phone)) Alice: I
see you’re still having trouble. Dana: Alice,
it’s this pen. (PAUSE) It somehow captured the souls of some people, and it
controls my hand, thereby telling the stories of each of these people’s lives
before releasing them. Alice: What?! Dana: I
know how this sounds, but it’s true. Thing is, it’s run out of souls now. All
the stories are gone. Alice: Oh,
and now you have to go out and kill people in order to make the pen work again?
Right! This isn’t the “Twilight Zone.” And a pen is nothing more than a pen! (PAUSE)
You smell like a distillery! Dana: I
swear, I haven’t�" Alice: Cut
the crap! I thought your writer’s block was over. And you were gonna’ lay off
the booze. Dana: I
was off of it. Alice: Then
what’s with this stupid pen s**t?! Captured souls? [makes ghost sounds] Why
don’t you just call your family? Dana: I’m
not going down this road with you. Alice: You
want to write. Fine. You don’t want to work. Fine. But I can’t keep carrying
us! You’re still not making enough off of your stories. (PAUSE) Just ask your
family for a loan. Just till you can get a book deal or something. Dana: I’m
not asking them for a damn thing! So, drop it. Alice: You
know, it’s always been so easy for you! You
got to party and flunk your way through college. While the rest of us had to
work and take out loans. Dana: Alice�" Alice: You
got to run one of your Daddy’s businesses into the ground and sink everyone
who’s invested in you. While anyone else would have to go bankrupt�" Dana: Alice,
please�" Alice: Then
your dad gets you a f**k-up-proof- job. But that’s not good enough ‘cause now
daddy’s little girl wants to be a writer. Dana: You
know what, I don’t need this crap and I don’t need you! Alice: The
hell you don’t! Who do you think keeps the lights on in this place?! Who do you think keeps Lori clothed now that
you’ve refused to take a single dime from your rich daddy? You’ve just replaced
him with me. And you know what, I can’t do it anymore. I’m not rich, Dana. Lori
and I can’t afford to indulge your little literary fantasy. You either work or
ask your dad for money to help us out or we’re going to be out on our asses. Dana:
It’s not that bad, Alice. Look, I can do this. I know I can. And do it on my
own! Please, Alice. It won’t be long now. Ginny says she might be able to sell
one of my stories to Hollywood. Imagine, one or more of my little stories on
film. This isn’t like those other things, Alice. I can feel it. Alice: I’m
too pissed off and too tired to keep going round and round with you, Dana.
You’re behind in the house taxes and we’re in trouble with the car again. I’m
tired. You deal with it, for once! 1.SOUND:
WOODEN DOOR SLAMS 2.SOUND:
CELL PHONE RINGS Dana: Oh,
what now?! (PAUSE) Linda, what are you
doing? I told you to never call me at home. Linda(phone): Hey, Dana. I missed you. You haven’t come over in a week. Dana: Look,
Linda. I�"I can’t do this, okay. Alice and I�" Linda(phone): Oh, that b***h. You said you wanted to leave her. (PAUSE) So
when can you come by? Dana: Linda.
(draws in a breath) Alice and I are trying to work things out. Linda (phone): Yeah, right. I know you’ve been doing everyone at the bar. But
you know, I think we have a real connection. And I know that you’re too much of
a player to admit it, but I think you feel it too. In your own way. Dana: Linda,
I can’t. Not tonight. Linda(phone): Oh, come on! We’ll do a few lines. It’ll be fun. Plus, I’m
wearing that Teddy you bought me. Dana: Oh,
man. (PAUSE) Alright. I gotta’ go out anyway. But I can’t stay too long. 1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE
MUSIC SCENE SIX:
QUIET ROAD (Dana, Dana VO, Frank Hall,
and Victim #1) 2.SOUND: CAR DRIVING, CAR RADIO QUIETLY PLAYING
IN BACKGROUND Dana VO: Jeez, this guy’s right on my tail! Damn headlights! 3.SOUND: PICK UP
TRUCK’S HORN BLOWING URGENTLY AND OFTEN What
the frickin’ hell?! We’re at a stoplight, a*****e! I’m not moving! 1.SOUND: HORN BLOWING
CONTINUES AND ENGINE STARTS REVING Up
yours! This guy must be drunk. But damnmit, it’s only just Tuesday night. I
should call the police on my--- 2.SOUND: SOUND OF ENGINE ACCELERATING AND TIRES PEELING AWAY Well,
there he goes. Bottom’s up, a*****e! 3.SOUND:
TIRES SKIDDING FROM TWO VEHICLES, THEN VIOLENT IMPACT BETWEEN VEHICLES Oh, Jesus! Oh my God! 4.SOUND: CAR PULLS OVER TO GRAVEL SHOULDER
AND IS CUT OFF
Oh
Hell! Where’s my phone?! 1.SOUND: DIALING 911
ON CELL PHONE Yeah,
I’m here at Brooklane and Vine. There’s been a car crash. (PAUSE) Well, they’re
two pick-ups. And they’re both banged up pretty badly. (PAUSE) I don’t know how
many people there were in them. I’m going to see if they need help, but still, please
send somebody quick. 2.SOUND: CAR DOOR OPENING THEN CLOSING.
SHE RUNS TO VICTIM #1. HER FEET CRUNCHING OVER BROKEN GLASS. Dana: Oh
Jesus! So much blood. Hey? Are you alrigh�"(gasp) Oh God! Victim #1: (moans, barely above whisper) Help. Please. Help. Dana: I
called for help. They should be here. J-Just hang on, ok. Please ya’ gotta’ �" Oh
Jesus, (choked sob) He’s got no face. No face�"Oh God, okay�"pull it together!
Now! Now! (to victim#1) It’s gonna’ be okay, mister. Where the Hell is that ambulance?!
1.SOUND: DEATH
RATTLE OF VICTIM#1 Oh
no, no. Don’t die on me. Please! 2.SOUND: MALE EXHALING LOUDLY No!
Oh God, I think he’s gone. 1.SOUND: BATTERED
DOOR OF PICK UP TRUCK CREAKS OPEN, TO LIQUOR BOTTLES FALL OUT OF TRUCK AND CLINK AGAINST THE GROUND. FRANK HALL
MOANS THEN HITS THE GROUND WITH A DISTINCT “OOF.” Dana: What
the--?! Oh, you! Hump! 2.SOUND: DANA WALKS OVER CRUNCHING BROKEN
GLASS UNDERFOOT, THEN KICKS LIQUOR BOTTLE Jack
Daniels. No surprise there. Are you okay, mister? 3.SOUND: FRANK HALL MOANS LOUDLY Don’t
try to move. I called for help. The ambulance should be- Frank Hall: (hoarse but forceful) F**k You! 1.SOUND: FRANK LOUDLY EXHALES HIS LAST BREATH Dana: Well,
f**k you, too. (PAUSE) Mister? Mister? 2.SOUND: AMBULANCE SIRENS IN
BACKGROUND Oh
no. (PAUSE) The pen! It’s vibrating! Oh my God. Well, I have two stories now. 3.MUSIC: SCENE
CHANGE MUSIC SCENE SEVEN: DANA’S STUDY (Dana and Ginny(phone)) Ginny(phone): Yeah, it’s good alright. Give me another story. A script this
time and I might be able hold good on my promise to shop it around L.A. Dana: Wait
till I finish the next one. It will be outstanding. Ginny(phone): Yeah, well. If you finish it. Let’s just say I’m one of
those people who can’t relax until I hear it hit the water. (PAUSE) The only
thing is, in this last story, why did you have the guy die in a car accident?
In fact, why do they all have to die in the end? Would it freak out your morbid
muse to have a happy ending once in a while? Dana: I
can’t help the way these stories write themselves. Ginny(phone): Well, then maybe you can end the story before the character
dies. We don’t want your readers getting used to the same type of ending. Hell,
why would they need to finish it? Dana: Maybe
to find out how the character dies. Ginny(phone): Very funny. I’m serious. Lighten it up, will ya’? People don’t
want real life. That’s why they read stories, to escape their own lives. Start
with the ‘happily ever after,’ got it?! Dana: Yeah,
Ginny. I got it. (disconnects) (PAUSE) A*****e. (sighs) Okay, pen. No more
novellas; I need a script this time. Alright, might as well get comfortable. 1.SOUND: PEN VIBRATES LOUDLY Hey,
take it easy will ya’?! 2.SOUND: PEN SCRATCHING ON
PAPER You’re
going to tear the paper. What’s this? “Go to hell!” What? Pen, what’s wrong? “A
free soul doesn’t have to go into the light! Don’t you even try to tell my
story.” You! The drunk driver! (PAUSE) “I can’t touch you. But tell my story
and I’ll kill your b***h and the brat! Don’t cross me, you hack!” Hack?! Well,
f**k you! You’re in the pen now, a*****e! 2.SOUND: PEN CONTINUES
SCRATCHING ON PAPER “Free
me and I’ll kill them, I swear!” Your life’s story is mine! Now, write!
(silence) You killed that other guy, you drunk! You owe it to him to tell me
your story and face your fate. (silence) Look, I need a script, okay. Just get
it all out and you’ll feel better or something. Even if you did something bad,
I don’t use your name. The story’s completely anonymous. (silence) Well, screw
you! I’ve got time. (PAUSE) And people die everyday. 1.MUSIC:
SCENE CHANGE MUSIC SCENE EIGHT: DANA’S STUDY (Dana, Dana VO, Lori, and Alice) Dana: Lori,
what are you doing? Lori: I
just wanted to--- Dana: Here,
give me that pen, now! Lori: Meema,
I was only just writing a story for school. See, there’s this little girl and
then there’s this vampire and--- Dana: You
listen to me! Don’t you ever, ever pick up this pen! You hear me?! Don’t touch
it! It’s mine, not yours, goddamn it! Got that?! Lori: (tears)
You can keep your stupid, ugly pen! I hate it and I hate you! (runs away) Dana: Oh,
no, no. Lori�"Lori-sweetness, honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you
like that. Lori, come back. I’m sorry. (PAUSE) Oh, God. Alice: What
the hell’s going on? Lori’s sobbing. She says you yelled at her. Dana: I’m
sorry, Alice. I just�"I’m under a lot of pressure to get this script out, okay. Alice: Have
you been drinking again? That’s it isn’t it? You’ve never even raised your
voice to her before. Dana: Alice,
I--- Alice: You
know, I think I liked you better before you started writing. 1.SOUND: WOODEN DOOR
SLAMMING Dana VO: This
pen! This damn pen! 2.SOUND: SLAMS FIST AGAINST
WOODEN DESK Useless!
What am I going to do? I can’t put two sentences together without it. But that
man will kill us if I even try to write. (PAUSE) Wait, this pen needs a soul, a
life to take. If I could just get someone to die, then maybe I could get this
script out. This pen needs death. It must be there at the moment of death.
Yeah, maybe if--if I killed someone, (PAUSE) a homeless man. He’s sure to have
had an interesting life. Homeless guys die every day. No, no! What’s happening
to me? This pen’s ruining me. I can’t think. Wait, wait, I got it! Pen, or
whatever you really are, you’re not getting the best of me. I’ve got you! 1.MUSIC: SCENE
CHANGE MUSIC SCENE
TEN: HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM (Dana
and nurse) 2.SOUND: OPENS ON EFFECTS OF BACKGROUND
DIN, MONITORS BEEPING, AND INDISTINCT P.A. PAGING DOCTORS Nurse: So,
on a scale of one to ten, where would you rate your pain? Dana: Ow!
I’d say it’s about an 8 or 9. I was just playing chess when my shoulder�"(sucks
in breath) Oww, God! Nurse: Okay.
Well, just have a seat and the doctor will be in. Dana: Yeah,
sure. (PAUSE) Been pretty busy tonight, huh? Nurse: No,
not really. Dana: I
mean, you know what they say about emergency rooms on nights of the full moon,
right? Gunshots, drug addicts OD’ing, violent drunks in knife fights. All kinds
of mayhem. Nurse: Nope.
Not tonight. Maybe later, though. (PAUSE) You’ve been here twice this week
already, haven’t you? Dana: Yeah.
It’s the pain. Oww. Nurse: (bored
sigh) Have a seat. 1.MUSIC: MUSICAL
INTERLUDE Nurse: Ma’am,
what are you still doing here? Dana: Oh,
umm. Just waiting, you know. The pain, oww! Nurse: Ma’am,
you’ve already seen the doctor. Dana: I--- Nurse: Four
hours ago! 1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC SCENE
ELEVEN: CITY ALLEYWAY AT NIGHT (Dana,
Dana VO, and Drunk Lady) 1.SOUND: TRAFFIC IN BACKGROUND. DANA’S FOOTFALLS Dana VO: I
can’t believe it. Three months and nothing. Damn pen! I need a drink. (shivers)
God, it’s cold out tonight! (PAUSE) There’s got to be some way to get that
b*****d to write me his story. But if he talks, he’ll kill Alice and Lori. But
that script could put me over the top. My work, in a movie! That would shut
Alice up alright. If that guy doesn’t kill her first. (PAUSE) But what if he
did? I was going to leave her anyway. What about Lori? Poor Lori. (PAUSE) But I
mean it’s not as if she’s really my daughter or anything. I would miss her,
but--- Drunk Lady: Hey! Hey! Could I get a quarter? My car’s out of gas. (coughs,
then starts chewing crunchy things) Dana: (chuckles,
then laughs) Drunk Lady: What’s so frickin’ funny?! Dana: Lady,
you really ought to work on your story. I mean, you’re sitting behind a
dumpster eating peanuts. Drunk Lady: So?! Dana: So,
where’s your car? Drunk Lady: Screw you! Go to Hell! 1.SOUND:
WOMAN CHOKING Dana: Hey!
Hey, lady. Are you alright? You’re
choking! Here, I’ll do the Heimlich�"just need to get in back of you. Oh, but
you probably have lice. (PAUSE) Well, I-I’ll go get help. Hey, you don’t have
to grab at me! I’m just going to get ---(beat, then soberly) Actually, I’m not going
anywhere. I’m sorry. It’s just that I bet you’ve had an interesting life. Don’t
run. (PAUSE) 2.SOUND: SCUFFLE, CRASHING INTO DUMPSTER,
THEN THUD ON GROUND I’m
sorry I had to trip you. Look, really, I am a good person. I only want to tell
your story, that’s all. 1.SOUND: CHOKING STOPS. PEN VIBRATES
LOUDLY Oh,
God. What have I done? There, there. Just tell me your story and then you can
leave in peace. I promise, I’ll make yours a happy ending. 2.MUSIC:
SCENE CHANGE MUSIC SCENE TWELVE: DANA’S STUDY (Dana, Ginny, and Alice) Dana: You’re kidding! Ginny: No.
I’m as serious as death. They loved the script, and they want to meet you to
get it started in pre-production. Alice: Oh,
baby! I can’t believe it! You’re gonna’ get a movie deal! Dana: (flatly)
Well, this is it. After this, I’m done. Alice &Ginny: What?! Dana: You
heard me. This was what I wanted and now I’m done. (PAUSE) I’m going back to
work at the insurance company. Ginny: But
you just started! You have to keep them coming. I mean I can’t just give them
one script. They’re going to want to see what else you’ve got! Dana: That
script’s all I’ve got. And all I’ll ever have. I’m done. Ginny: You’re
an idiot! Alice: Ginny!
Don’t! Ginny: Well,
it’s true. Who quits when they’ve just started. (PAUSE) Well, anyway, I’ve got
you on the red eye first thing Monday morning. I’m going to head out early to
work out some preliminary stuff. You’re booked on the 5:30. The ticket is under
your name. Don’t be late. Alice: Oh,
this is great! You know what? Let’s all go out to dinner. Ginny’s treat! Ginny: Oh,
really? (PAUSE) Well, alright. Since it will be the last time and all. Hey
Dana, aren’t you coming? This whole thing’s in your honor. Dana: I’ll
be along in a bit. Ginny:
Yeah. Sure thing. 1.SOUND: WOODEN DOOR CLOSING
SOFTLY Dana VO: (sighs)
Well, pen. It’s done. I don’t need you anymore. And that b*****d can rot inside
of you for all eternity. Hear that, Frank Hall, ya’ druken b*****d. Yeah, I
read the paper about you after the crash! That’s right, I know your name. And I
know that you’re more than just a murderer. But don’t worry, I won’t sully your
precious family name. Dad wouldn’t want
me ruining his business partner. Besides, it’s all over and done now. I beat
you, you a*****e. I beat you. 1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC SCENE THIRTEEN: DANA’S HOME (Mom, Alice, Ginny, and Lori) Mom: At
least you guys have the house. And she willed you everything. I know that
doesn’t take away the pain but--- Alice: No,
mom. It doesn’t. Mom: How’s
Lori taking all this? Alice: As
well as can be expected. She really loved and looked up to Dana. Wanted to be a
writer, just like her. (PAUSE) I still can’t believe she’s gone. We did have
our problems but�"I can’t believe every last person on that plane died. Mom: Oh,
honey. I know, I know. You’re grieving. But I know that with time---what am I
saying. Some days I still cry over your father. But we’ll get through this. We
have to ‘cause Lori’s going to need us. (PAUSE) Oh, I almost forgot. This came
in the mail for you. Alice: It’s
from the Airline Commission. 1.SOUND: TEARING OPEN CARDBOARD BOX, THEN UNFOLDING
LETTER “Dear
Alice Celli, We are terribly sorry for your loss.” Blah, blah, blah. “Though
the remains were unrecoverable, we found, in what we believe to be Dana Forrester’s
luggage, some of her personal belongings. Again, we are truly sorry for your
loss.” (PAUSE) My God. Lori: Hey
Mom, hey Grandma. What’s all this stuff? It’s all burnt. Alice: Lori,
why don’t you go and get your school uniform from your room so I can wash it,
okay? (PAUSE) Honey? Lori: (somber)
This is Meema’s stuff, isn’t it? Alice: Go
to your room now, Lori. Mom: Oh,
honey. Let the child see. She’s grieving just like you. Lori: Look,
mom! It’s Meema’s pen. It’s not burnt or anything Alice: Huh,
look at that. Not a scratch. 1.MUSIC:
MUSICAL INTERLUDE Alice: When
she first told me about the pen, I didn’t believe it. But it makes sense. That’s
why all the people in her stories died at the end. Ginny: Huh,
I wonder what she’d think with me living in her house now. And being with you
right under her nose for all those months. (laughs) It’s people like you who
make straight people think that gay people shouldn’t be married. Alice: F**k
you and f**k them. Everybody cheats. (laughs sardonically) Lori: (from
other room) But Mom, it’s Meema’s pen. I don’t want to use it. It makes my hand
feel funny. Alice: Why
don’t you ever want to do anything for ‘Mom.’
You’re just a selfish little girl! I work all day to get you your school
supplies, your cleats, your this, your that. Don’t you love me enough to do
anything for me? Ginny: Baby,
you’re kind of hard on her, aren’t you? Alice: That
kid’s the key. Don’t you get it? She’s our little writing prodigy. Ginny: Right!
At least two hundred people died on that plane. It’s perfect! Lori: (from
other room) Mom, I-I don’t feel right. This pen’s controlling my hand! Alice: It’s
a game, honey! Just let it do its thing. It won’t hurt you. Just let it write. Lori: But
Mom�"please don’t make me. Alice: Just
do it, goddammit! 1.SOUND: PEN SCRATCHING FURIOUSLY ON PAPER Lori: (crying
softly) My name (PAUSE) is Frank Hall. 1.MUSIC:
CLOSING THEME THE END © 2023 Alexis_McLeodAuthor's Note
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