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TroyAllenShearer
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 29th, 2006 |
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Posted: Wed Nov 29th, 2006 03:21 pm |
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Act One
Scene One
(In dark, a phone is heard ringing.)
Lights up
(Onstage is a single bed; on which two people are sleeping. Clothes and other remains of the previous night are strung about the floor. The phone continues to rings. Chris reaches for the nightstand, where the phone usually lays, but it’s not there. He reluctantly gets out of bed to continue the search. The phone stops ringing. He tucks himself back in bed, not acknowledging the bed’s other occupant. The phone rings again. Chris looks under the sheets for the phone, ultimately crawling off from the other side. He begins searching under the bed for the phone. The more he searches, the more frantic he gets. From under the bed, he throws out many pairs of undergarments, beer cans, and eventually a trumpet. He examines the trumpet curiously and then discards it. He then throws out a stethoscope, a plunger, and a bible. He finds the phone and throws it as well. Realizing what he’s done, he chases downstage after it. He answers it.)
CHRIS
(Asleep)
Hello?
(A light appears stage right [SR] on Justin.)
JUSTIN
Chris, you stud, how was it?
CHRIS
Justin?
JUSTIN
Was she as good as she looked?
CHRIS
Who?
JUSTIN
The hooker, you idiot. Tell me everything. Did you videotape it?
CHRIS
(Turns around and sees her in bed for the first time)
Oh my God!
JUSTIN
You did, didn’t you? Yes! You’re incredible man!
CHRIS
(Checking her out from a distance)
I thought I dreamt it.
JUSTIN
Wow, she must have been awesome. You don’t know where I can find her, do you?
CHRIS
(Now walking away, as not to wake her up)
She’s in my bed.
JUSTIN
She’s still there?
CHRIS
(Upset)
Yes.
JUSTIN
(Ecstatic)
Yes! Wait, No. Doesn’t Kim get back today?
CHRIS
Holy shit, what time is it?
JUSTIN
8.
CHRIS
Oh, thank god! Her flight doesn’t land until 6.
JUSTIN
Perfect, there’s time. I’m coming over.
CHRIS
No! No, absolutely not. Sit still. Let me deal with this and I’ll call you back.
JUSTIN
No, don’t hang up, please…
(Chris hangs up the phone and contemplates. Blackout on Justin’s light)
CHRIS
(To hooker)
Excuse me, damn it, what was her name? Trixie?
(Nothing)
Candy?
(Nothing)
Jennifer?
(Nothing)
Umm Miss? My wife’s on her way home from her mothers, and she can’t really know that you were here. I’m not exactly sure how this kind of thing works, but if you could go ahead and get out, I would really appreciate it.
(She doesn’t move.)
Hello? I’m never drinking again!
(He walks to her and goes to shake her, but doesn’t.)
Wake up please! Oh for Pete’s sake, this isn’t funny. Hello? Hooker? Rise and shine!
(He notices the trumpet on the ground. He picks it up and plays a note in her ear. She doesn’t move.)
Oh come on!
(He jabs her a bit with the trumpet. Still nothing)
Okay, you want to play hard ball?
(He grabs a half empty, or half full, bottle off the night stand and pours it on her. She does not stir. He is shocked. He slowly, still in disbelief, grabs the stethoscope and holds it against her chest. He nods his head acceptingly, puts down the stethoscope and picks up the bible. He places the bible in her arms and picks up the phone, dialing. A light comes up SR on Justin.)
JUSTIN
Hello?
CHRIS
She’s dead.
Justin
What?
Chris
Dead!
Justin
Who?
Chris
She is.
Justin
Kim?
Chris
The hooker!
Justin
Oh thank god, I mean, thank god it’s not Kim. Kim has a family and everything. Well, I guess the hooker might have a—did you kill the hooker?
Chris
What? No, of course not, no.
Justin
You killed her didn’t you? I knew you were sick.
Chris
I didn’t kill the hooker, you ass hole. I couldn’t have. I don’t think.
Justin
You don’t think?
Chris
Last night is a total blur. And sometimes I sleepwalk.
Justin
You sleepwalk?
Chris
Only when I drink.
Justin
I bet you killed her. Hookers don’t just die in their sleep.
Chris
How do they die?
Justin
Twisted freaks like you kill them.
Chris
I didn’t fucking kill her! If I had killed her, there would be blood everywhere.
Justin
Not if you strangled her.
CHRIS
I’m going to strangle you!
Justin
Are you sure she’s dead?
Chris
Positive. I checked for a pulse with a stethoscope; nothing.
Justin
You have a stethoscope?
Chris
Apparently.
Justin
Did you try mouth to mouth?
Chris
No, that’s against the rules.
Justin
What rules?
Chris
No kissing on the mouth; her only rule. Strange I remember that.
Justin
That was her only rule? You could do anything else?
Chris
You’re missing the point here!
Justin
Okay, okay, let me think. Have you called the cops?
Chris
No.
Justin
Good, have you taken your money back yet?
Chris
What?
Justin
Your money, it’s still in her purse, isn’t it?
Chris
You want me to rob her?
Justin
Don’t take everything, just the 500 bucks you paid her.
Chris
Hookers cost 500 dollars?
Justin
That one did.
Chris
Where did I get that kind of money?
Justin
ATM probably.
Chris
Kim’s going to kill me when she finds out I spent that much on a hooker.
Justin
So take it back.
Chris
What kind of friend are you? I’m in deep shit here. I have a dead hooker in my bed. I’ve committed adultery. And now you want me to steal?
Justin
You did not commit adultery.
Chris
How’s that?
Justin
You paid for it. That’s not cheating.
Chris
Who the hell made up that rule?
Justin
It’s in the bible.
Chris
Oh yah? What section?
Justin
The Book of Magdalene.
Chris
Who?
Justin
Mary Magdalene, the original hooker.
(A call waiting pulse is heard.)
Chris
I’m getting another call.
Justin
Answer it.
Chris
What if it’s the cops?
Justin
Tell them you’re not interested.
Chris
Hold on.
(Chris clicks a button on the phone. Justin’s light goes out.)
Chris
Hello?
(A light comes up on the opposite side of the stage, stage left [SL], on Kim. While talking to Kim, Chris is calmer than he was before. He does not “act” calm, he just is.)
Kim
Hey hon. Did I wake you?
Chris
No, I’m up.
Kim
On a Sunday? You must be pretty anxious to see me.
Chris
Yah, it’s a regular Christmas morning over here.
Kim
You’re just as sweet as the day I married you.
Chris
Agreed.
Kim
Is the house clean?
Chris
(Sitting on the foot of the bed)
Of course.
Kim
If I walked in right now, what would I be most upset about?
Chris
There’s a dead hooker lying on your side of the bed.
Kim
(Dry)
You’re so funny.
Chris
(Nearly forgetting about the hooker)
Oh shit!
Kim
What?
Chris
I’ve got Justin on the other line. Hold on.
Kim
Tell him hello for me.
(Chris clicks the phone. Lights out Kim SL. Lights up Justin SR.)
Chris
Hello?
Justin
God damn it! What took so long?
Chris
It’s Kim, let me call you back.
Justin
No!
Chris
Oh, she says hello.
Justin
Tell her hi. And let her know that whatever happens, I’m here for her.
(Chris clicks the phone. Lights out Justin SR. Lights up Kim SL.)
Chris
Justin says hi.
Kim
I’ve always liked him.
Chris
What’s that supposed to mean?
Kim
I think he’s nice; a good friend.
Chris
Yah, the best.
Kim
What are you boys up to so early?
Chris
(He sees and grabs the bible.)
Trying to decide who’s going to drive to church.
Kim
Church? My god, what did I miss last week?
Chris
Nothing much.
(He throws the bible back on the bed. A phone rings. Chris tries desperately to find it.)
Kim
What’s that?
Chris
It’s the phone.
Kim
You’re on the phone.
Chris
I mean the cell phone.
Kim
You don’t have a cell phone.
Chris
The cell phone on TV.
Kim
Well turn it down, can’t you?
Chris
I would if I could find it!
Kim
You can’t find the TV?
Chris
The remote. Let me call you back.
Kim
Don’t worry about it. I’ll just see you—
Chris
I love you.
(He finds the hooker’s purse from under the bed.)
Kim
I love—
Chris
Bye.
(He hangs up the phone. Blackout on Kim. The cell phone continues to ring. The ring is similar to that of the house phone. Digging through the purse, Chris pulls out a wad of cash. He pulls the sheets over the hooker’s head and pockets the money. Finally, he pulls out the cell phone and answers it.)
Hello?
(A light appears SL, but no one is there.)
Hello? Damn it.
(He hangs up the cell phone. The light goes out. He throws the phone on the bed. The house phone begins to ring. Chris picks up the cell phone from the bed and answers it. The light reappears.)
Hello? Hello?
(The phone continues to ring. Chris throws the cell phone back on the bed. The light goes out. Chris picks up the house phone.)
Hello?!?
(A light comes up on the opposite side of the stage, SR, on Justin.)
Justin
What’s going on?
Chris
I’m about to have a nervous breakdown, that’s what’s going on.
Justin
Why, what’s wrong?
Chris
What’s wrong? What’s wrong? Well to start, there’s a dead hooker in my bed whose cell phone won’t stop ringing. Not only is the dead hooker’s cell phone ringing, it’s ringing while I’m on the phone with my wife. My wife, who is probably packing her bags at this moment to come home. The very home where the said hooker is lying in my
CHRIS [Continued]
wife’s bed—dead! I have no idea how I got into this situation. My best friend is no help. And to top it all off, I’m a thief.
Justin
Thief?
Chris
I took back the 500 dollars.
Justin
Yes!
(The hooker’s cell phone starts to ring.)
Chris
No!
Justin
What’s that?
Chris
The cell phone.
Justin
You don’t have a cell phone.
Chris
The hooker’s! Let me go.
Justin
You’re not going to answer it, are you?
Chris
I am.
Justin
Why?
Chris
So it will stop ringing!
(He holds the phone under the pillow to muffle the sound.)
Justin
What if it’s her pimp?
Chris
Her what?
Justin
Her pimp, you know, the guy who takes care of the business.
Chris
I had no idea you were such an authority on hookers.
Justin
Now you do.
Chris
Fine, I won’t answer it.
Justin
What if it’s her pimp?
Chris
I just said I won’t answer it.
Justin
He’ll be suspicious if no one answers.
Chris
So what you’re suggesting is that I don’t not answer the phone?
Justin
Answer it, just pretend you’re her.
Chris
Pretend I’m dead?
Justin
Answer it in a girl’s voice, a voice similar to that of which the hooker’s might sound if she were still alive.
Chris
Then what?
Justin
If it’s him, tell him everything’s okay, you just got tied up.
(Beat)
Haha, get it, tied up?
(Chris hangs up the phone on Justin and his light goes out. He uncovers the cell phone which can now be heard ringing again. He answers the phone.)
Chris
(Disguising voice. He tries, unsuccessfully, to disguise his voice during the entire conversation.)
Hello?
(A light comes up SL on Emily. She is preteen and in her dirty pajamas. She holds the phone in one hand and a worn, stuffed bear in the other.)
Emily
Mommy?
(Chris covers the phone.)
Chris
Shit!
Emily
Mommy, I’m hungry. When are you coming home?
(Chris covers the phone.)
Chris
God, what do I do?
(He sees and picks up the bible.)
Emily
Mommy?
Chris
Well dear, in a way, your mommy is home.
Emily
You’re not home mommy, I’m home.
Chris
No, not that home.
Emily
You have two homes?
Chris
You’re mommy went home to the kingdom of Heaven, sweetheart.
Emily
Oh my gosh! You’re in Heaven?
Chris
Yes.
Emily
Is Santa Clause there?
Chris
(Regular voice)
Santa Clause isn’t dead.
Emily
Dead?
Chris
(Regular voice)
Santa doesn’t even exist.
Emily
What?
(Emily starts hysterically crying.)
Chris
Please stop crying. I was joking. Santa’s real. He’s standing right here.
Emily
(The crying suddenly stops.)
Really?
Chris
Really.
Emily
Let me talk to him.
Chris
Oh, Santa’s pretty busy right now.
(Emily starts crying again.)
Chris
Okay, Okay, here he is.
(Now disguising his voice as Santa)
Ho ho ho!
(He covers the phone and addresses the dead hooker.)
No offense, really.
(He throws the bible back on the bed.)
Hello little girl.
Emily
Santa!
Chris
How are you doing?
Emily
Hungry.
Chris
Have you been a good girl this year?
Emily
Yes Santa, I eat my vegetables every week.
CHRIS
Only once a week?
Emily
Yes, Santa. Every time we have dinner.
CHRIS
(Addressing hooker)
500 bucks a night?
EMILY
What?
Chris
I said, for Christmas, what would you like?
Emily
Oh, I don’t know…
Chris
There must be something you want.
Emily
There is, but…
Chris
Tell Santa, anything you want.
Emily
I want a daddy.
Chris
Ho ho shit.
Emily
Santa?
Chris
Your mommy’s hard at work on that one.
Emily
Tell mommy to please come home. I’m starving.
Chris
Will Do. Merry Christmas!
(He hangs up the phone and the light on Emily goes out.)
Hey kid, your mom is dead; nothing. Hey kid, Santa doesn’t exist; the world as we know it unravels—incredible!
(He picks up the phone and dials. A light comes up SR on Justin.)
Justin
Hello?
ChriS
I’m calling the police.
Justin
What are you, stupid?
Chris
Yes, I’ve been very, very stupid. It was stupid of me to get so drunk last night. It was stupid of me to wake up next to a hooker. And it was really stupid of me to take one ounce of advice from you. Now, I’m going to do the right thing and call the authorities.
Justin
Who was on the phone, Jesus?
Chris
Worse, the hooker’s daughter.
Justin
That’s not that bad.
Chris
Not that bad? What could possibly be worse than that?
Justin
It could have been Publishers Clearing House awarding her ten million dollars.
Chris
You’re ridiculous, bye—
Justin
Wait, we can take care of this.
Chris
I’m sorry?
Justin
The body…we can make it go away.
Chris
You’re joking.
Justin
Am I?
Chris
I hope so.
Justin
All I need is a metal trash can, a shovel, some gas, a PVC pipe, some hot sauce, a match, and a beer.
Chris
Bye.
(Chris hangs up on Justin and his light goes out. He dials 911. A light comes up SL on Debra, a 911 operator. She speaks in a southern accent.)
Debra
911, what’s your emergency?
Chris
Good morning.
Debra
Good morning sir. How may I help you?
Chris
(Shyly)
Chris.
Debra
I’m sorry?
Chris
Chris, my name is Chris.
Debra
Good morning Chris, I’m Debra. Do you have an emergency?
Chris
Well, there is someone in my bed…
Debra
Yes?
Chris
Dead.
Debra
I See. And what is your relation to this individual?
Chris
She’s my business partner.
Debra
Business?
Chris
Sales. We work sales together.
Debra
Cause of death?
Chris
I’m not sure. I just woke up and, well, she didn’t.
Debra
Are you certain she’s dead?
Chris
Yes mame, I checked for a heart beat with a stethoscope.
Debra
You have a stethoscope?
Chris
Yes.
Debra
Are you a doctor?
Chris
No.
Debra
Interesting, what’s her name?
Chris
I’m not sure.
Debra
And is this the first time you’ve paid for sex, or are you a habitual sex offender?
Chris
(Off guard)
First time—what?
Debra
Well, normally a dead hooker isn’t on the top of our priority list, but seeing as how it’s Sunday and most the criminals are at church—
Chris
Confessing?
Debra
Preaching, we should be there within the hour.
Chris
And—
Debra
No, you’re wife doesn’t have to know. The sergeants will have a few questions for you—
Chris
I’m not going to be in any kind of trouble, am I?
Debra
Well, the solicitation of sex is illegal in North Carolina, but seeing as how the solicitor is dead, I don’t see how we would ever prove the crime actually occurred.
Chris
Excellent.
Debra
You did take the money back, didn’t you?
Chris
Yes mame.
Debra
Then everything should be fine.
Chris
Oh, thank you so much!
Debra
You’re welcome Chris. Have a nice day.
(She hangs up and her light goes out.)
Chris
Everything’s going to be fine. Everything’s going to be fine!
(He dials the phone and a light comes up SR on Kim.)
Kim
Hello?
Chris
Hello sunshine.
Kim
Hi.
(Remembering how their last conversation ended.)
Is everything okay?
Chris
Couldn’t be better. What time are you guys leaving for the airport?
Kim
We left about 10 minutes ago.
Chris
It’s kind of early isn’t it? You’re flight doesn’t get in until 6.
Kim
No, my flight left at 6.
Chris
What’s that?
Kim
We departed at 6, 6am; I’ll be home in a few minutes.
Chris
I’m sorry, one more time.
Kim
Shouldn’t you be at church?
Chris
Yes, bye.
(He hangs up and her light goes out. He quickly dials another number. A light comes up SL on Justin.)
Justin
Hello?
Chris
How soon can you get here and how long will it take?
Justin
Who is this?
Chris
You said you could help, so help!
Justin
Chris?
Chris
What’s the matter with you?
Justin
I could ask you the same question.
Chris
This is no time for games. Kim’s on her way home. She’ll be here any minute!
Justin
How exciting.
Chris
Why are you acting like this?
Justin
Like what?
Chris
Like you don’t know there’s a dead hooker lying in my bed.
Justin
There is? You should alert the authorities.
Chris
I did. You know that.
Justin
Did they offer you a deal?
Chris
Deal?
Justin
You turn yourself in for killing the hooker, and they offer you a deal for turning me in as well.
Chris
Turn you in, for what?
Justin
Did they offer you a deal or not? If they did, you have to tell me. I know my rights.
Chris
You’re losing your mind. I didn’t take any deal. I didn’t do anything wrong.
Justin
You didn’t tell the cops about how your buddy Justin’s the one who got you so drunk? How he found the hooker and paid for her? How I had to practically force you to go home with her? Did you tell them all that?
Chris
What?
Justin
You didn’t, did you? You’re not brining me down with you.
Chris
You did all that? This is all your fault?
Justin
It’s not all my fault. GHB played a big role.
Chris
You drugged me?
Justin
I drugged you both.
Chris
What? Why Justin, why?
Justin
Chris, I have something to tell you.
Chris
Obviously!
Justin
Now, you’re going to be kinda pissed at me.
Chris
What is it?
Justin
I’m in love with Kim.
Chris
(Speaking to himself)
This can’t be real.
Justin
I have always loved her.
Chris
(Speaking to himself)
I’m going to jail.
Justin
And you’ve always been in my way.
Chris
I’m going to hang.
Justin
No you’re not.
Chris
There’s a dead hooker lying in my bed. There are drugs in her system. You killed her, and I’m going to hang.
Justin
You’re not going to hang. North Carolina executes convicts by lethal injection, not a noose. Get with the times!
Chris
So that’s why you wanted to come over here so badly, to cover your tracks? You never wanted to help me at all, did you?
Justin
(Optimistically)
Help you, help me.
Chris
I’m going to get out of this, wait and see. And when I do, I’m coming after you!
Justin
I’m innocent. Remember that. You can’t prove anything. I never wanted anyone to die.
(Chris hangs up on Justin and his light goes out. Chris starts to devise a plan.)
Chris
(Talking to himself)
Kim, I can explain. Oh this? This is a dead hooker. How did she get here? Justin! Justin drugged us both and forced us to sleep together. Because he loves you, that’s why. I know he’s an asshole. That’s my stethoscope. I didn’t know I had one either. That noise? Is police sirens. I called them earlier to report the situation. That was before I knew you were going to be home so early. Oh shit, the cops!
(Chris dials 911. A light comes up SR on Debra.)
Debra
911, what’s your emergency.
Chris
Hi Debra, it’s Chris.
Debra
Hi Chris.
Chris
Good news, the hooker’s awake.
Debra
Oh that’s wonderful.
Chris
So I guess there’s no emergency after all, sorry to bother you folks.
Debra
It’s not a bother. When the officers get there, just explain to them the misunderstanding.
Chris
What? No! The officers don’t need to come at all, that’s the point. Everything’s fine, I swear. You can talk to her if you’d like.
Debra
I believe you Chris, it’s just protocol.
Chris
This can’t be happening.
Debra
I know. It’s a miracle. God bless you.
(She hangs up and her light goes out. Chris dials the phone again. A light comes up SL on Kim.)
Kim
Hello?
Chris
Where are you?
Kim
Pulling off Hendersonville Road. What’s wrong?
Chris
I have something to tell you.
Kim
I have something to tell you too.
Chris
Don’t tell me you’re in love with Justin!
Kim
Justin? What’s gotten into you?
Chris
What is it?
Kim
I’ll tell you when I get home.
Chris
I need to know now.
Kim
Are you sure?
Chris
Please.
Kim
Alright, here goes. I’m pregnant!
Chris
Oh god.
Kim
With twins!
Chris
Oh Jesus.
Kim
And mom’s so excited she’s catching a plane tomorrow to spend the entire week with us.
Chris
Oh shit!
Kim
Can you believe it?
(Sirens can be heard)
Oh my gosh!
Chris
What?
Kim
Three cop cars just pulled down our street; and a fire truck, and an ambulance. I hope Mrs. Williams is okay. They’re stopping in front of our house! Chris? Chris, is everything alright? Chris, what is it you wanted to tell me?
(There is a knock at the door.)
Chris
I love you Kim.
(Chris hangs up the phone and Kim’s light goes out. He looks around defeated. He thinks about running, but doesn’t. The knocking continues. The house phone starts to ring. He picks it up, but doesn’t answer it. The hooker’s cell phone begins ringing. Chris slowly crawls back into bed, puts the phone on the charger, and pulls the covers over his head.)
Lights out
Epilogue
Scene Two
Lights up
(The set is just how we left it. Chris gets out of the bed and walks downstage.)
Chris
Hi. My name is (actor’s name). I played the character of Chris in tonight’s performance of Mourning Calls. I think we have all learned something here tonight; and had some laughs along the way.
Justin
(Entering from stage right)
But one thing that’s not funny, is stealing from dead hookers. Did you know that last year alone, over 19 hookers died in their sleep?
Chris
(Impressed)
Over 19? That’s 20.
Justin
That’s right. Sleep is the 36th leading cause of death in hookers over the age of 25.
Kim
(Entering from stage left)
As a matter of fact, hookers are twice more likely to die in their sleep than any other profession. That’s because unlike doctors and lawyers, hookers not only sleep in bed, they work in bed as well.
Chris
This all sounds so incredible, but what can I do?
Kim
Well for starters, always keep a stethoscope under your bed. A heartbeat is an easy way to determine whether a hooker is really dead, or simply incapacitated.
Chris
Stethoscope, check.
Debra
(Entering from stage right)
Alert the authorities immediately. Don’t waste time scheming. Every moment counts.
Chris
Call the cops; got it.
Emily
(Entering from stage left)
Never steal from a dead hooker. Hookers have families too. And an alarming amount of hookers aren’t enrolled in any sort of life insurance policy, leaving their loved ones with nothing.
Chris
(Handing the stolen money back to Emily)
Stealing is wrong, always. This seems so easy.
Justin
It really is.
Kim
It just makes sense.
Chris
Is there anything else I need to know?
Debra
Just one more thing.
Emily
The most important thing.
Chris
I think I know this one already.
(Music begins)
All
(Sung)
Hookers are people too.
They’re just like me, and you, and you, and you.
Hookers have feelings it’s true.
Their hearts are wide open,
Their arms are wide open,
Their minds are wide open for you.
Their hearts are wide open,
Their arms are wide open,
(The hooker does a cartwheel out of the bed and lands in a split position. As she is doing this, Justin grabs the trumpet off the ground and throws it to Chris.)
Hooker
(Sung)
Their legs are wide open too.
(Chris begins to “play” the trumpet.)
All
(Sung)
Don’t you want to do?
All
(Yelled)
A hooker!
Lights out
http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=audio&file=Hooker_Are_People_Too.mid
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scenedreamer
Member
| Joined: | Thu Aug 3rd, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 164 |
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Posted: Wed Nov 29th, 2006 06:02 pm |
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That is just crazy enough to be fun.
I think you could lighten up the little girl's (Emily's) phone call a little. Her asking for a daddy, though it may have meaning, seems a little heavy. And if might be funnier if Chris is a lot more frantic.
Enjoyed it as is and loved the ending.
sd
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Paddy
Moderator
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Posted: Wed Nov 29th, 2006 08:47 pm |
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I think it's just me, but it always takes me awhile to adjust to black comedy. Even with Monty Python, which I love, I have to keep reminding myself it's for fun.
It's good....there are definately some stakes at risk here. Big cast for a small play. I knew Justin had a thing for Kim...so when he ends up explaining, exactly, what his motives were, I think you sold the audience short. They got it. You could have relayed all that information by having him laugh...something really simple.
I found the little girl bit hard. Again...such dangerous ground....but it's dark...I kept telling myself.
I liked the dialogue...sometimes too much information...but it worked well. Loved when the 911 opperator asked if it was his first time. Funny.
The epologue left a bad taste for me. I felt it was insulting to ladies of the night, who, regardless of the legal issue, provide a necessary service.
Still...good play...could use some tightening, tweaking...
Paddy
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ohdear
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 05:05 pm |
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Troy, for what it is worth. I found your play rather amusing.
However, the Epilouge destroyed it for me.
It became a bit to tart.
The first section may be a little OTT but, amusing for sure.
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TroyAllenShearer
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 08:52 pm |
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| Thanks for reading. It's interesting how different people like different things. Others have told me that the show is a little dry until the epilogue. Myself, I like how it starts funny, ends depressingly, and then when you think it's over, they sing a song about hookers. Haha, just writing it makes me giggle. Anything else that comes to mind, I'd love to hear. Thanks again for the read - Troy
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TroyAllenShearer
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Posted: Sat Mar 10th, 2007 01:06 am |
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| UPDATE: "Mourning Calls" has been chosen to be performed as part of Geneva Theatre Guild's 2007 Playswrights Staged Reading in April. If anyone is in the Geneva (NY) area, I would love to hear from you. TroyAllenShearer@aol.com
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ohdear
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Posted: Sat Mar 10th, 2007 03:01 am |
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Good for you Troy, that is exciting. It is nice to know these things, thanks for sharing.
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alan0198
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Posted: Wed Apr 18th, 2007 06:09 pm |
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and do file a report/reaction to the reading.
Alan
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ricketybridge
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 05:52 am |
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Hey Troy,
I laughed at one part: when the girl cries when she finds out he's not Santa, so he pretends to be Santa to oblige. Hilarious! Throughout the rest of it, I thought that all the characters were just a little too stupid. I know it's supposed to be OTT, but they were stupid in such a way that was frustrating--not amusing. That's what's so great about the Santa thing--it's not about the characters being stupid; it's about taking that moment to its most ridiculous extreme.
I, too, didn't appreciate the epilogue, and found the hooker song incredibly offensive. (And I'm not even a hooker myself.) It struck me as incredibly naive and insensitive.
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TroyAllenShearer
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Posted: Wed May 28th, 2008 12:20 pm |
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Thanks Bridge, that was exactly what I was going for. This show has now been produced 6 times in 3 continents, minus the epilogue which I eventually cut. And a student at Oxford wrote an adaptation of it. Thanks for reading. Rights are availble at Lazy Bee Scripts.
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