A PLAY
WRITTEN BY GYUNHYEONG KIM
ⓒCopyright, KGH, 2015
Cast of Characters
PATRICIA: ghost, an actress, trainee, not good at
all, likes comparing everything to
others, childish
MARY: ghost, a former famous actress, talented
LINDA: ghost, an actress, trainee, reckless,
doesn’t care of anything
BARBARA: singer, trainee
MAN: multi roles ghost / Hamlet / Will Smith / Police
Officer / Barbara’s Father / Patricia’s
Father / Trainer
JAMES (or a Female) Trainer
Scene
An entertainment agency’s rehearsal room.
Time
Present
Music
Live music using an electric guitar and synthesizer is preferable to decorate and accentuate some specific scenes. These instruments can also accompany the songs included in this script.
1
(Music and lights in. PATRICIA is practicing her lines alone, but she is not good at all.)
PATRICIA
(lines from Shakespeare’s Macbeth)
The messenger brought me great news. The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief! Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry ‘Hold, hold!’
MAN
(From the audience, not satisfied)
OK, Not so bad, not so bad, but don’t you think that your expression is too weak? How can I say… This woman’s feeling should be included in your words. Your personality seems basically a little bit weak, but your acting should not be weak. So I recommend that you’d exercise stronger delivery. Got it? OK. Strong! Try it again!
PATRICIA
The messenger brought great news!
MAN
Wait, Do you know the meaning of what you say?
PATRICIA
Of course!
MAN
OK, what happens after this scene?
PATRICIA
After this scene? I don’t know that.
MAN
What? Don’t you know that? And then, do you know what happened before this scene?
PATRICIA
No. Neither.
MAN
(trying to be patient)
Didn’t anybody ever teach you that you must know that kind of things in acting?
PATRICIA
No, absolutely not.
MAN
No, Never? OK, OK. It can be, it can be. OK OK. Remember this clearly. Once you get the lines, always, figure out what happened before and what will happen after each scene! Got it?
PATRICIA
I see.
MAN
Anyway, I assume that you know where these lines come from. The author and the play?
PATRICIA
I don’t know.
MAN
What?
(incredible)
You don’t know the play and the author? Really? Nobody ever told you that you must find and analyze the play itself and the characters once you are given the lines?
PATRICIA
I don’t remember exactly, but maybe.
MAN
Maybe? Maybe you were taught this?
PATRICIA
I think so.
MAN
You think so. So it is for sure?
PATRICIA
Yes, it was. I think I was taught to do what you say.
MAN
Yes?! You were taught to know about the play, but you didn’t do that preparation for this play? Why not? Why didn’t you follow the instructions you should respect? Why? Every trainee here knows that.
(To somebody in the audience supposed to be trainee like actors)
Which play do these lines come from? Do you know? I think you know.
(Somebody will answer…)
You see? Even this trainee actor knows the play. Why don’t you? It’s like, you don’t know who you are! Do you think it Is possible?
PATRICIA
(To the person who answered)
Really? Did the lines come from Macbeth? I already read it. Could you explain to me the scene my lines came from?
(I hope the person will explain. If his explanation is not enough, MAN will improvise the scene.)
MAN
(to audience)
Thanks a lot. OK! In the scene, your husband is with the same king that you and your husband will kill tonight! You are sharpening the knife to plunge into the king at your palace! Can you understand the scene now?
PATRICIA
Yes. I can.
MAN
(to another audience member)
I can’t understand. How, can she speak without knowing her character’s situation, who she is, what happened in the past, and what will happen in the future?
(to PATRICIA)
Do you think it is possible to act without knowing these facts?
PATRICIA
I am sorry.
MAN
Anyway, do you understand the meaning of these lines?
PATRICIA
Yes of course. It is a description of the cruelty of a child killing an ant with the light concentrated a magnifying glass…
MAN
What?
PATRICIA
So, there is a kind of sharpness at the moment hyenas find chance to rob the prey from lions.
MAN
What???
PATRICIA
So, let’s say, the shepherd who lied twice that there were wolves … and sheep… so the cruelty …. I am sorry…
MAN
Get out!
PATRICIA
I’m so sorry.
MAN
Get out of here!
PATRICIA
I am sorry, I am sorry. I will do my best!
MAN
(rushes to the stage)
What the hell? How you can act without knowing what to say? Shepherd? Hyenas? Do you want to make a juvenile drama? Is this Bremen Town Musicians? I can’t understand why my boss chose you, a person without any thought about what you are doing. I think that you’d better go back to school. In a word you don’t have any talent, capacity, and you are not ready to act. Go back to school and study hard so that you can live a better life than now. I heard that you are top in school! Go study anything other than acting and have a happy life!
PATRICIA
No, don’t say that, please! What I want to do is acting. I was already tested in front of the boss.
MAN
That is what I can’t understand. Show something to me. Show me what you already proved. Show me your competence!
PATRICIA
I will be good.
MAN
I think you don’t know what good is because you are still too young. It is not true that everything automatically goes well once you simply decide to do something. Don’t take life so easily! It takes hard work and dedication. Life is almost impossible to live well even though we struggle more and more every day. I feel frustrated.
(He takes out a cigarette.)
PATRICIA
But, no smoking, here. It’s the law.
MAN
(crazy)
Oh God! It’s the law? OK. Let’s do it again. From Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts,
PATRICIA
(yelling)
Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood;
MAN
Are you satisfied?
PATRICIA
I am sorry?
MAN
You yelled like that, so you feel satisfied now?
PATRICIA
I am sorry.
MAN
I am dying if I don’t smoke. But, because I don’t want to pay fine, I will disappear! Bye, e!
(He leaves.)
PATRICIA
(crying)
I can do it well. I can really do it well. Like the strongly leaping swan which was mocked ducks, I can do well. I can do well. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief! Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry ‘Hold, hold!’ Nobody could not be good for the first time So, because of being not good, I came here to learn. I want to do acting. I want to be an actress. (She is crying, being sit down on the ground) dad, dad….
2
(MARY has made her appearance audience and walk around a little bit. She looks very serious.)
MARY
Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief! Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry ‘Hold, hold!’
PATRICIA
Who are you?
MARY
Me? I don’t know because I have no memory of it? ….. “This invisible existences, you are participants of my murder. Come on in my huge breast…..” How do you think of my acting?
PATRICIA
You are really excellent! How you expressed the cruel dual human nature with gesture of 45 degrees and the breathing way of the Amphibians, yes the impulsion of amphibians when its stomach is open on the operating table. I had the impression that lady Macbeth came back again, living. Oh, my trainer!
MARY
Your trainer? OK OK. Anyway, what did you say? The heart of amphibians? You mean the frog?
PATRICIA
Yes. It means that your work was so subtle that you could express even the deepest details of the character.
MARY
Does the frog’s heart mean that?
PATRICIA
If you don’t like the comparison, how about to say that you expressed the huge tension that Napoleon could feel when he was facing the enemy at Waterloo? What do you think of this comparison?
MARY
What are you doing here?
PATRICIA
Me? I am an actress, a trainee.
MARY
So, to play a role, you have to compare your role with others? The heart of frog, and Napoleon and also…..
PATRICIA
The breathing way of amphibians.
MARY
What?
PATRICIA
You know, amphibians breathe with the skin. So every sensory organ or our skin could be accumulated as one and..
MARY
Hey!
PATRICIA
….
MARY
You don’t know the desire of this woman yet. She wants to kill the king and to make her husband king. However, her husband is so weak and innocent. He must do something cruel. If he cannot do that, everything goes to fail even before started. She bites the dust from the beginning. What do you do if you are at this situation? Let’s say there is a kid who insulted my kid. I want to scold him, but my husband doesn’t want it saying “don’t care about it, they are just children, it can happen. What the hell! What? It can happen? No, absolutely no. It can’t be. And then the kid is on the steps in front of me. OK, I come close to him without making any noise and then he turns to me, looks at me and smiles on me. However, I push him under the steps watching his eyes straight and smiling with revenge.
(laughing hysterically)
You must make your husband do like this. You must make him the man who can do everything according to your orders. You must change this innocent man into an evil. You have to threaten him if necessary. You even have to piss in his mouth to change him.
(suddenly grabbing her neck)
Ah, I feel pain on my neck. I can’t breathe. Some memories seem to come back. “I know well how cute a child sucking my breast is, because I have done that. However, if I want, I can also break his head, having pull him out from my breast even the ba is looking at me smiling brightly.”I am born again as the evil lady Macbeth! I feel pain on my neck. I don’t know why I feel this pain when something comes to me. However everything is so vague that I can’t catch anything clearly. Anyway, what we were talking about?
PATRICIA
However, it is scary.
MARY
Scary? This is acting, scary acting. Anyway, what we were talking about?
PATRICIA
Soul?
MARY
Yes, soul! You just throw away soulless lines. Contemplate the desire and the greed of Lady Macbeth. Watch her desire in her lines. She is the woman who has the cruel tongue and greed which instigates her husband’s desire for violence.
PATRICIA
I see.
MARY
Think about the cruel double face of human beings.
PATRICIA
Yes, you are right, I know that. You mean I must feel the double possibilities of amphibians which breathe with the lungs as well as with the skin.
MARY
Feel, just feel. This woman can break the head of her child sucking her breast! Repeat!
PATRICIA
This woman can break the head of her child sucking her breast!
MARY
That’s right. Feel her greed!
PATRICIA
(trying to concentrate)
Her greed, desire. Desire like the wolves which want to get the power
MARY
(sick and tired of her comparison)
Shut up!
PATRICIA
Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief! Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry ‘Hold, hold!’ (finishing) How was it?
MARY
(It was not good.)
Good, good, better, a little bit better.
PATRICIA
Really? It’s like dolphin’s high pitched tone?
MARY
(giving up)
OK, Dolphin.
PATRICIA
Do I have the talent to be a good actress?
MARY
Talent? Yes, I think you have it. However, the talent is not all, you must have other things too. Ah, again, I feel pain on my neck. I can’t understand why I feel pain when something comes back to my memory. I can’t breathe well. Anyway, Ok, you will be good if you do your best.
PATRICIA
(with brighter face)
I am on the right path.
MARY
OK, OK. My feeling has been correct so far, so you can lift your heart.
(talking to herself)
Ah, there was one! That really lazy girl, nothing in her mind. She failed.
PATRICIA
Who was she?
MARY
It is no value to know her. Don’t care. Anyway, why do you want to be an actress?
PATRICIA
Why? I saw Will Smith once chance on the stage. I could not forget him because he was so charming. So I hoped to act together with him on the same stage. However, over time this first motivation disappeared and I just liked acting for itself. This became the final purpose of my life. I want act well. It’s like a huge wave of 10 meters in the sea which runs to the pirate ship.
MARY
Yes, your goal, actress!
PATRICIA
Actress!
MARY
You have to know that this is not an easy career to succeed at and there are also many other factors that can affect it.
PATRICIA
I am ready!
MARY
Yeah, people always say that. Do you know the result of 100 minus 1?
PATRICIA
99.
MARY
99? You are wrong.
PATRICIA
Oh ho, I am top in school.
MARY
Doesn’t the student of top know this easy problem?
PATRICIA
It is sure, 99.
MARY
No, It is 0.
PATRICIA
Are you kidding?
MARY
Kidding? OK. Let’s say the role you want to be selected in a drama as 100.
PATRICIA
OK.
MARY
What’s the result, if you win?
PATRICIA
100.
MARY
OK, and then if you fail?
PATRICIA
And then. It could be 0?
MARY
Now, you know how it works!
PATRICIA
However …
MARY
That is our life; To be selected or not to be selected, to win or to fail, to eat or to be eaten, to grab or to be grabbed, to be or not to be.
(MAN (Will Smith) appears with his sword.)
MAN
To be, or not to be: that is the question / Whether it’s nobler in the mind / to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And opposing end them?
PATRICIA
Oh my god!
(completely getting a crush on him)
That long neck like a giraffe, those long legs like a crane, those strong rough veiny arms! To be or not to be that is the question! I feel the solitude of Rodin’s the Thinker.
MARY
Oh my god, She is completely similar to Linda. Could she be the same sort of girl?
PATRICIA
That guy belonged to this agency.
MARY
Aha, so you wanted to act with him? Anyway, did you ever get to meet him?
PATRICIA
No, as soon as I entered here, he joined the Army.
3
(LINDA appears with headphones on her head.)
PATRICIA
Hi!
LINDA
…
PATRICIA
Hi, Linda!
LINDA
…
PATRICIA
Linda!
LINDA
Hi
PATRICIA
Did you see what I did just now?
LINDA
Yeah
PATRICIA
I improved, didn’t I?
LINDA
Yeah
PATRICIA
Anyway, Linda, we have a new trainer.
LINDA
Yeah
PATRICIA
She will train me from now on.
LINDA
Yeah
MARY
(looking at Linda and to herself)
She didn’t change.
LINDA
Yeah!!
PATRICIA
LINDA, This is not a simple Yeah.
LINDA
Yeah
PATRICIA
Linda
LINDA
Yeah
PATRICIA
(to Mary)
She is not interested in anything.
MARY
I know it, I know her very well.
LINDA
Yeah!
MARY
You are such a silly girl! Your acting was better earlier when you had passion and you were more spontaneous then.
(A trainee (MAN Will Smith) appears.)
MAN
(reading script)
I can love you, Is it prohibited to love you? We can love each other!
LINDA
Hey, What are you doing now? Are you kidding? No no no. You should not say like that. You need to have a deep impression of your heart. You should not just throw out your lines but you must say with your will. Don’t you know that?
MAN
I am sorry.
LINDA
Repeat after me. I should not.
MAN
I should not
LINDA
Just throw the lines away.
MAN
Just throw the lines away.
LINDA
I must have my will.
MAN
I must have my will.
LINDA
Got it? You must have your will. I will show you, give the script to me. Look at me well.
(not good at all)
I can love you, Is it prohibited to love you? We can love each other! How is my acting?
MAN
I am sorry?
LINDA
Can you feel my strong will?
MAN
Because I am still young
LINDA
I admit, you are still young.
MAN
I have to leave … (wanting to escape from this situation)
LINDA
Where are you going?
MAN
I have a class.
LINDA
Are you crazy? I spend my time to teach you and you want to go to class? How rude! Do your lines in front of me, now!
MAN
Class starts soon.
LINDA
Are you disobeying me? Do it now!
MAN
OK. I do it. I can love you.
LINDA
Stop! Not like that. Hey, Show, show your will.
MAN
I am sorry. I will do it again. Hey I can love you.
LINDA
You listen to me with your nose closing your ears?
MAN
I am sorry?
LINDA
Something must be changed after my lesson.
MAN
I tried hard.
LINDA
Hard? Did you try hard? But nothing changed.
MAN
Don’t say that. I really did try hard.
LINDA
(pushing his head with her finger)
Are you defying me?
MAN
No.
LINDA
Your voice is becoming louder and your eyes bigger. You are really defying me now!
MAN
No no no no! That was not what I meant.
LINDA
That was not what you meant. You want to fight me? Push up! 100 times!
MAN
Sorry?
LINDA
Push up!
MAN
Linda….
LINDA
Oh yeah, you don’t want to do that!
MAN
We’re not in the army.
LINDA
What? Army? It is worse than the army in my class.
MAN
Damn it! I don’t do it
(He leaves!)
LINDA
Hey, come on here. Hey (following him) Hey Will, Will!
(At the other side of the stage)
Girl1(MARY)
Will is joining the army.
Girl2(PATRICIA)
Army? Why?
LINDA
(cutting in)
Really? He looked so impatient.
Girl1(MARY)
Didn’t you know? He escaped to the army from you!
LINDA
Why? He liked me!
Girls
(sighing)
Ha. ..
LINDA
Why? Why didn’t he say that to me?
Girls
Ha!
LINDA
Well, anyway, even though he confessed his love to me, he was not my style.
Girls
Ha!
Girl1 (MARY)
Linda, he joined the army because you really tormented him. Didn’t you know that?
LINDA
Are you kidding? Don’t say that silly thing! I took care of him so much. I am sure that he wants to escape to the army because he thought that I would never accept his love!
Girls
Ha!
(Present)
MARY
(to PATRICIA)
How I can say about her. She is a kind of reckless daredevil girl. In the past, when she really wanted to do well her life, she caused many accidents. (to Linda) I cannot understand how you can still stay here. Anyway, when we were working on a movie…
(Flashback)
Girl1 (Mary)
Our movie will be a big hit?
LINDA
I think so, You are right. We will be called for shooting many commercial films.
Girl2 (Patricia)
We will make so much money. People will want to know about me.
LINDA
I already did it. My name is already online!
Girl1
I will be cast for another movie!
Girl2
I will be a big star in the next movie.
LINDA
I ask for much more money for my next movie.
(On the other side, the director (MAN) and an actress (BARBARA) appear.)
Director(MAN)
Hahahaha!
Actress(BARBARA)
So, honey. Hohohoho
(acting coquettishly)
Girl1
Hey, look at her. She is at it again.
Girl2
That’s what I am saying. She is like a fox coquet.
LINDA
Really? Tell me more, tell me.
(suddenly excited)
Girl1
I was cast with her in my last movie.
Girls
And…?
Girl1
She robbed all my lines, having discretely made eyes to the director like that!
Girl2
Really? I don’t like that kind of girl. Her acting was really bad.
Girl1
I agree with you.
LINDA
Did she do that? Really?
Girl1
She is very famous at that. She may be the leading lady for the director’s next movie.
LINDA
No no no no no! I cannot endure it. I feel I have to do something to realize “justice” in our society.
Girl2
Don’t do that, don’t do that. You will only lose favor in director’s eyes.
LINDA
No, don’t shut me up! My conscience looks toward justice. Wait for me here. I will resolve this problem.
(Going to the director and actress)
Mr. director, I am sorry, but I have something to say to this girl. Sorry, hey, let’s talk a minute.
Actress (BARBARA)
What??
LINDA
I said let’s talk a minute. Can’t you listen to me?
(pulling her toward the other side)
Such a robber, why did you rob the lines of others, Why? Your behavior is so ugly and your acting is so terrible! I will kill you!!
Actress (BARBARA)
What are you doing now?
LINDA
Again, again, what are you trying to portray now in front of the director. I think you have to get scolded today. Think good thoughts and do better the next time. I will keep my eyes on you and if you continue to act like this you will be punished right away. Justice, prevail!
(She starts to bite her and everybody tries to stop it. Director and actress disappear.)
MARY
Do you remember? After that accident, you couldn’t get a role. +
LINDA
So why should we be a victim if we are righteous?
MARY
Righteous? No, no. You don’t deserve to say that. Don’t you remember what you did in the police station?
(A police officer (MAN) comes in.)
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
LINDA, it’s an assault. Do you remember? There are many witnesses.
LINDA
(bending her head)
I didn’t mean it …
(raising her head)
Oops
(fallen in love with the police officer)
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Ok, let’s start. Answer my questions correctly.
LINDA
(Looking at him straight)
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Is your name LINDA, right?
LINDA
Yes, It’s just my name. What’s yours?
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Your address is 500 5th Avenue …
LINDA
and you, where are you living?
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Look….
LINDA
I am looking at you. I wanna be seeing you.
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Don’t see me like that.
LINDA
And where? There is light coming from you and I want to see you
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Look!
LINDA
Yes, I am looking at you.
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Linda, you are arrested because of the assault. Do you know that? I think you are not yet clearly recognizing the situation.
LINDA
What is important about that?
(pulling her phone out)
Here, give me your number.
MAN (POLICE OFFICER)
Mom!
(Escaping yelling)
(Present)
MARY
Live your life more seriously, girl. Until when do you live like that? What’s the purpose of your life?
LINDA
I live for acting! Just wait. My time will come soon. Count on me!
MARY
I don’t think you can make it. Yes, it is true that you are beautiful and you are tall and also you are good in shape, but that is not enough.
LINDA
You don’t know me. I am not on the same level with others. My outstanding acting skills, my intelligence which is deep like the ocean and my strong eyes are all filled with charisma.
MARY
It is my fault to have started talking with you. Ok, you are perfect.
LINDA
Do you know it now? Anyway, that police officer was really my type. Oh where are you? Forget me not.
PATRICIA
It’s a really silly situation like a dolphin breathes with gill.
LINDA
Oh, Where are you, my darling??
MARY
Don’t give your precious life away too easily.
LINDA
No no no. It doesn’t need to be difficult. We all will die one day. I will die having lived happily with a smile. Frowning always can’t resolve anything! I think it is better to live with a smile. It is said that the ghost who died smiling has vivid color.
PATRICIA
No no no. Not died smiling, but died after having well eaten.
LINDA
Oh? Yes, yes you are right. If we eat well, we can laugh well. Hahaha
MARY
You are the boss.
4
BARBARA
(appearing)
Hello.
(Everybody looks at her.)
BARBARA
The boss asked me to wait here.
PATRICIA
Do you come here to play? You are my junior. You know, here, when you enter in this agency, the order of entering is important. So you must obey me, Ok?
BARBARA
Really?
PATRICIA
Sure! You are wearing a guitar. Are you a singer?
BARBARA
Yes.
PATRICIA
Really? Do you sing well?
BARBARA
A bit, not so good. That’s why I want to be a trainee here.
PATRICIA
Good idea. However, you have to wait maybe for a long time because there are so many people gifted in singing and they also wait for their turn. Stupid, isn’t it?
MARY
(to PATRICIA)
Do you want to sing?
BARBARA
Yes.
MARY
Song? Good. I wanted to be a total entertainer, so that I also learned how to sing. Want you listen to my song?
(An exciting and fun song of MARY.) .
MARY
Thanks. Ok, it’s your turn. We are waiting for you to sing. You may sing well, if not, it will be the end of you.
PATRICIA
Ok, let’s listen.
BARBARA
I may not be so good.
LINDA
Do it. How old are you? You look like me.
BARBARA
27.
LINDA
27? We are the same age. Why did you come here so late? Our age is not so welcoming in this field.
BARBARA
Really?
LINDA
However, if you are good, everything will be good. Ok, let’s listen to your song. If you need some more training I will be your trainer. Every star of this agency was trained me like Will Smith who joined the army.
(MAN appears.)
MAN
Barbara, the boss asked me to test you. Do you also write the music? Ok, let’s listen to one of your songs first!
BARBARA
OK.
(She sings a new song pretty well.)
MAN
What do you want to say?
BARBARA
I am sorry?
MAN
What do you talk about with your song?
BARBARA
So, I just sang.
MAN
I see. So what do you want to speak about with your song?
BARBARA
It was just my feelings.
MAN
Your feelings?
BARBARA
I just…
MAN
What do you want your audience to feel, having listened to your music? Or what kind of impression do you want to transfer to them?
BARBARA
I didn’t think of it.
MAN
What is your goal?
BARBARA
What?
MAN
Your goal.
BARBARA
That’s of course being a singer.
MAN
A singer who just sings?
BARBARA
…
MAN
Do you want to be a simple robot?
BARBARA
…
MAN
Your songs need to have life, the goal that you hope to transfer to the audience with your song. How can you melt the life in your song? How can the audience share what you are thinking? Without these basic things you are not an artist, just a technician. Ok? Your self esteem, you need to have it.
BARBARA
Ok, I got it.
MAN
Think of it first.
(Man disappears.)
MARY
He is very picky.
BARBARA
No, no. I think he was right. I never thought of those things before. I just thought, I can make it if I just work hard.
PATRICIA
He sometimes says useful things like real caviar difficult to eat because it’s so expensive!
LINDA
like real caviar difficult to eat because it’s so expensive! Good guy. Ha ha
(Light in at the back stage, Barbara’s father appears there.)
Father (MAN)
BARBARA. You really sang great and you waked my sleeping soul. You will be a good singer soon. I really hope you’ll be a star blinking in the world. Don’t worry about anything and just do your best. I will always be near you. I love you, my child.
BARBARA
Dad? Dad?
PATRICIA
BARBARA! BARBARA! What is it? Can you see your father?
BARBARA
My dad listened to my song. He said he’ll always stay with me.
PATRICIA
BARBARA.
BARBARA
Dad, he is my happiest memory. We used to sing together. Dad.
PATRICIA
Me, I also remember my dad. Dad, dad. When I came here having dream to be an actress, he didn’t say anything. I thought that he was indifferent to my dream. However, it was not that. He didn’t know what to do. He could not do anything. I understood later. He must have felt sick not being able to do anything for his daughter’s future. How big was his despair?
(Man (Patricia’s father) again appears and recites a poem.)
EVERY DAY, WITH AN EXPECTATION IF TODAY IS THE DAY
HANGING IT HEAVILY LIKE BUNCH OF GRAPE
FOR THOSE WHO WALK IN THE DARK
A SINGLE DAY MUST BE DIFFICULT TO ENDURE
YOU SAID, I WILL HANG OUT IN BIG CITY, EVEN THOUGH I COULDN’T DO ANYTHING
YOU TRY TO FIND CHANCE PEEPING THE HIGH BARRIER OF THE AGENCY
YOU MIGHT NOT FIND IT BECAUSE YOU ARE SHORT
HOW I CAN MAKE YOU TALLER THAN NOW
LIKE AN EMPTY TRUCK MAKING SO MUCH NOISE
I AM NOT COMPETENT TO RESOLVE IT
YOU ARE NOW GETTING WET IN THE DARK
EVEN THE LIGHT IS BRIGHT IN THE DARK
DON’T BE TO LOWER YOURSELF.
(Man disappears, and PATRICIA follows behind him calling dad.)
LINDA
What? Why? What is this situation? No no no. I also have my dad. I also love my dad. No no. I decided to live smiling. Ha ha. Ok, Let’s talk about other things.
(pulling BARBARA toward the other side)
Ok, I will be in charge of you, so you just follow me, ok?
BARBARA
Really? I don’t know anything.
LINDA
Don’t worry. Just do what I ask.
MARY
Linda, stop it. What can you do for her? Do you want her to join the female soldier?
LINDA
What? MARY, don’t you know? I was Will Smith’s trainer.
MARY
Yes, you did something, and he joined the army.
PATRICIA
What? So, LINDA sent him to the army?
LINDA
No, I don’t know, I just know that he liked me.
MARY
Yes, it was she who sent him to the army.
PATRICIA
Oh my god. She’s driving me crazy! Go to Hell!!! You stupid cow!!!
LINDA
So, what?
(They fight each other. Mary and Barbara stay on the other side smiling and watching them.)
BARBARA
(to MARY)
However, who are you?
MARY
Me? I am an actress.
PATRICIA
(paying attention to Barbara and Mary and coming to them)
Yes, you are right. You must be an actress. I know who others are, but not you. I don’t know your name, my trainer. What’s your name? The name of the actress whose lines are really macabrely wonderful. Your name, please!
MARY
Name? My name? I cannot remember my name. Ah, my name is Lady Macbeth. < Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it!> Yes, Macbeth! Don’t be panic. You must be more evil enough to stab deep with your knife the greasy stomach of King Duncan. And you must cut his neck and wash your whole body with his blood, because you will be king with his blood. Your head will be given his bloody crown. Oh my darling, this is the only way. There is no other way. Come on here. Put your head in my chest and suck my breast hard. Ah, it gives you the power, the power to stab the knife into his stomach.
PATRICIA
I am scared.
LINDA
Stop, stop it. Why do you say such a gruesome thing?
BARBARA
She is right, stop please.
MARY
(crazing)
No, no, I want to be exploded. Something extremely hot is inside me. It is preparing to erupt every hole in my face. My eyes will be uprooted, my nostrils will be exploded. Something hot is flowing out from my ears. My brain. It is my brain transformed into a liquid which is going out of my body. I feel hot, hot. My entire body becomes so hot that I cannot feel anything. I don’t like this world. I hate it.
LINDA
(one step ahead)
Stop it?
BARBARA
Can you remember anything?
MARY
Yes, I can remember one after one. However, I don’t know, who I am. Something inside me let’s me know who I am, but I can’t catch it.
PATRICIA
First, try to remember your name. And googling we can know everything.
LINDA
To tell you the truth, I wanted to know who you are and why you were picking on me for no reason, and provoking me with a quarrel. Who are you?
MARY
(suddenly)
You are too beautiful.
LINDA
You are not wrong.
MARY
You are too beautiful, too beautiful. (going to LINDA)
LINDA
(escaping) Stop, stop!
MARY
You are so beautiful. I hate you. I feel people look at me. No no no, get out!
(falling down on her and crying)
PATRICIA
So, my trainer
MARY
What? What? What did I say? Who are you? Where am I? I am sometimes confused where I am. However, if I concentrate I can recognize that I am always in this rehearsal room. Anyway, I think I was talking about something.
LINDA
I am beautiful!
PATRICIA
She is right, You said she was beautiful.
MARY
Yes you are right, you are beautiful but you are so silly that you cannot do anything. Loser! Tall and beautiful? What can you do with your gorgeous body? You are too lazy to be successful. Yes, I can remember, I can remember my past, I was an actress.
(Man appears. (A scene from Romeo and Juliet))
Juliet (MARY)
Romeo, Oh Romeo, Why is your name Romeo? Montague Romeo. Throw your name and your father’s name away. If you don’t want to do it, swear that you love me. And then, I throw this place away. Montague Romeo. Only your name is my enemy. Romeo, Romeo. Only name separates me from him. That is not the hands, feet, face, that is nothing. Even without your name, you are always you. Give up your name and take me. Romeo.
Romeo(MAN)
I will take you.
Juliet(MARY)
How can you enter here? You’ll die if discovered.
Romeo(MAN)
Don’t worry about it because I am covered the night like mud.
Juliet(MARY)
Were you eavesdropping? Do you think I am such a frivolous character? Do you love me, Romeo? I was trapped so easily. Say it frankly. Am I prickly, frowning and crooked? Do you love me even if I am like that? Respond to me quickly!
Romeo(MAN)
I vow it on the innocent moon.
Juliet(MARY)
I don’t like that capricious moon. Don’t vow on the moon. It changes its figure every day. I am afraid that your love changes. Vow on yourself. I trust you.
Romeo(MAN)
I love you.
Juliet(MARY)
It is too sudden, I am frustrated. I think it is a secret love. It’s like a lightening.
Romeo(MAN )
I want to get your vow in exchange for mine.
Juliet (MARY)
I already gave all that I have even before you said that. But I want to give it to you again, and get back. Give and get back. I think my love is like an ocean because it becomes more once I say it.
LINDA
Juliet! Juliet!
(Man leaves.)
PATRICIA
Fantastic, The pledge of love that will never break like a diamond.
(The ambiance of the scene and the audience will change as MARY’s scene develops. I think cruelty.)
MARY
Once I’ve seen better days, the world looked like it was mine. I was the main actress. I was the best actress who drew everybody’s attention. People cheered calling my name and gathered to see me. I met a man at that time. He gave a new meaning to my life. He was an ordinary man. An ordinary office worker. We loved each other and we got married. And then we had a child. I worked hard. … Suddenly Ah, I feel pain on my neck.
(yelling)
It hurts me.
PATRICIA
(not being able to get close to her)
Why? What’s the matter?
LINDA
Don’t, don’t do that, you scared us.
MARY
Ah, It hurts me. I feel pain on my neck. A knife. Give me a knife. I must cut this neck. I feel too much pain on my neck. If this neck disappears, I will not feel pain. Knife, give me a knife.
(looking for the knife here and there)
How is it when my neck is cut? The blood will erupt from my neck to the ceiling like a fountain. How high will it go? My hot blood. Yes, I will cover all this stage with my hot blood. I will cover whole this world with my hot blood. I don’t want to see anything. Nothing, nothing. Knife, give me a knife. I will cut my neck.
BARBARA
Should I call 911? Is this the time to call them?
MARY
Then, when I worked hard, when I had my husband and my child, that incident happened.
PATRICIA
What? What incident?
MARY
One day, I drank with the director and the producer.
(MAN appears.)
PRODUCER(MAN)
(to audience) .
Good, I have paid a lot so far. I also suffered with the bad movies that you made. And you said you’d introduce me to a good girl. So where is she? (pointing to MARY ) Is it her? OK. You know well what my style is. I like the kind of girl a little bit older because she knows everything. Good. Thanks.
(toward MARY)
Ok, let’s go, I will make you queen tonight.
MARY
Well, I think you got me wrong. I am married.
PRODUCER(MAN)
Married? Yes married. And I am also married. I know, and that’s why it is more thrilling! Hahaha… It’s really thrilling! With your husband at night and with me in the day. I will make you queen of the screen.
MARY
However, I don’t want it, I don’t like it. Stop it.
PRODUCER(MAN)
Ok, It’s new. Yes, it’s good. With a little bit of refusing, she makes me more excited.
MARY
Well, I think I have to leave now.
PRODUCER(MAN)
What? Where you want to go?
MARY
My family is waiting for me. Good e.
PRODUCER(MAN)
What? Come on here. Your boss, your director, everybody knows it. It is not a big thing. Just spending time together. Nobody will know about it. It is a secret.
MARY
No, no, I refuse.
PRODUCER(MAN)
No? OK, if you insist, but don’t forget it will not be good.
MARY
I am sorry.
PRODUCER(MAN)
Damn! You don’t know what it means. Ok, I will see how you will be good.
(The MAN disappears.)
MARY
I should have cursed him. Go to Hell! Go to Hell!! (falling down) Suddenly the cheap erotic videos in which I was seen when I was not famous appeared and spread rapidly. People started to blame me saying that I pretended to be aloof as a cheap actress. My husband went out with our child having endured for this for a long time. I was left alone. I couldn’t even go out because people looked to watch my naked body. My dream was broken. I blamed God. Oh, God! Damn it! He didn’t answer! He didn’t say anything. What was I doing wrong? Why, why my life must be ruined like this? Oh God, Why, Why? Why do I have this unbearable pain? I lived hard. (crying)
PATRICIA
I am sorry.
LINDA
Sorry, I am so sorry.
BARBARA
Listen to me. I made a song which will express your mind.
THIS DIRTY WORLD, THIS DAMN WORLD, THE WORLD WHERE YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT
DON’T INTERFERE WITH ME, DON’T LOOK AT ME, DON’T PUT YOUR FEET IN MY LIFE
GET OUT, DISAPPEAR, I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU, THIS GARBAGE
DAMN PEOPLE WITH GREED, ONLY FILLING THEIR OWN STOMACH
WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? THIS SON OF BITCH, THIS GARBAGE
GOD? SUCKING GOD? STICK IT UP YOUR ASS! INCOMPETENT GOD. STICK IT UP YOUR ASS!
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? WHY YOU STAY IMMOBILE WHILE THAT GARBAGE RUNS WILD
A GOOD PERSON BECOMES BAD, A NICE BECOMES SILLY
THOSE WHO HAVE NO GREED BECOME HOMELESS, IF WE WANT PEACE, WE BECOME FOOL
THOSE WHO HAVE POWER GOVERNS THE WORLD WITH ONLY THEIR OWN VALUES
IF WE KNEEL WE WILL BE EXCUSED, IF NOT DEATH
THIS DIRTY WORLD, THIS DAMN WORLD, THE WORLD WHERE YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT
DON’T INTERFERE WITH ME, DON’T LOOK AT ME, DON’T PUT YOUR FEET IN MY LIFE
DAMN WORLD!
PATRICIA
Good! Fantastic! You will be a star once you release it.
BARBARA
I think so. I put my soul into this song.
LINDA
OK. Good. I accept to be your partner. Let’s go together.
(Everybody sings together yelling very loudly.)
LINDA
Yeah, every complication is out of my mind. We are really a good couple. (to audience) Hey buddy, why don’t we sing together? Ok? Let’s go!
(Maybe, the lyrics could be projected on the stage and everybody sings together.)
PATRICIA
(to MARY) So, when did it happen?
MARY
When?
PATRICIA
It was wide spread online as well? So what’s your name?
MARY
MARY.
LINDA
MARY? I think I heard that name. It was a while ago.
BARBARA
I see, that was a famous scandal.
PATRICIA
Is your name MARY?
LINDA
No. Impossible because MARY committed suicide.
BARBARA
Yes, you are right. She killed herself hanging herself in a rehearsal room of her agency.
MARY
Suicide? Who? You mean I committed suicide? I am here. Did I die? It is written like that on the internet? Those bad people are now spreading rumors as well cursing me. (untying her scarf, there is trace of hanging) How can I hang myself? Look at me, Look at my neck! How is my neck? (surprised others’ reaction and watching herself on the mirror) What is it? What are these injuries on my neck?
LINDA
What the hell, MARY, who are you?
(Surprised, everybody runs away.)
5
MARY
Did I die? Me? Die? No! No! I am here and you can see me. Have you ever seen a ghost? You all could see me and talked with me so far. (to audience) Touch me, Touch me. Can you feel my warmth? Have you ever seen a warm ghost? The ghost is cold because all the hot blood went out of their body. And the skin becomes blue and stiff. Look at me! Am I cold and stiff? No, I didn’t die. No, I couldn’t die. I have my precious life, I have my goals, and my life is not finished yet. No, I cannot die, I will not die. I didn’t die. I didn’t die.
LINDA
I am sorry MARY. I am sorry. We will stay silent. Please, please go to your world.
PATRICIA
MARY, please.
MARY
No, no, I can’t, I can’t. How can I go? How can I go? I can’t because I was treated so unfairly. I can’t. This is unfair. My life is unfair. What did I do wrong? Why did I die? Why? Why? Why me? Bring them to me and I will make them my company. I will be hot again having drunken their hot blood. I was treated so unfairly. Give me back my husband and my child. Give me back them all. I didn’t do anything bad. Ah, I feel again pain on my neck. Knife! Give me a knife! Cut my neck and I will go to hell holding it. I feel shy telling you this… Please, please cut my neck to hide it. Please, I was treated unfairly. Unfair. I need justice.
(Mary terrifies the audience for a moment.)
MARY
I will not leave this place until my vengeance is finished. You don’t leave here until your goal of life is achieved. OK?
All
Yes. I see.
MARY
(to audience)
Why don’t you answer? Do you understand what I mean?
Audience
Yes.
MARY
Don’t forget this. In the world you live, 100 minus 1 is not 99 but 0. OK?
LINDA
(suddenly, intercepting)
NO, no no no! I feel scared because you looked real ghost, but you became insupportable. No, you are wrong. 100 minus 1 is not 0 but 99.
MARY
Oh God! Let me finish the scene, please! You don’t have respect at all for early dead person.
LINDA
Oh yeah, I am so scary.
PATRICIA
Anyway, you were really scary today. You were so nice.
MARY
Look at her. How kind she is.
(to Linda)
That’s why you are criticized.
LINDA
Stop, now stop saying 100 minus 1 equals 0. It is 99, everybody knows it. Ask anybody! I am sure that nobody will answer as 0. (to audience) How much it is?
(According to answers of audience, a discussion can occur.)
PATRICIA
You are right. If I could not have the role I want, it may be 0, but I could have another role even though it was not the role that I want. In this case, it may still be 0? It must not be 0, maybe several dozen? I think your logic is too black and white, a too strong dichotomous thinking.
LINDA
Yes. You are really top in your school. Yes, now at this moment, I am moving to a certain goal. (to Mary) But if I agree with you, moving doesn’t have any sense, only the result matters. Well, maybe your idea is correct, because the result counts. It is 0 if you cannot win the lottery.
MARY
OK, ok ok. Now you became smarter. It is a little bit too late but anyway, it is better than nothing.
PATRICIA
And then, who judges the result? 100 or 0? For example, if I fail in an audition, in this case, the result must be 0, to be sure, but it is the end? There is no more attempt? Is it finished?
LINDA
Yes, yes. You are right. In the long run, there is next and next also. Thus, just when we arrive at the end, we can only know if the result is 100 or 0. (to BARBARA) What’s your idea?
BARBARA
What?
LINDA
What do you think of this 100 and 0?
BARBARA
Me? Well, I have something to know….. are you all ghosts?
MARY
And you are not one?
BARBARA
Dad! No no no no I am not dead.
PATRICIA
How do you know if you are dead or not?
BARBARA
How? Because I know I am alive.
MARY
You may die entering this room.
BARBARA
No no no. I am not dead. I am alive.
LINDA
And then how can you talk with us?
BARBARA
I don’t know how. Did you enter into my unconscious world while I was sleeping? I should wake up, wake up.
MARY
Ok, ok, we will talk later if you are alive or not. And now answer.
(going closer to her)
What is your idea?
BARBARA
No no. Don’t get too close to me please. I am scared
PATRICIA
We are also scared..
BARBARA
Please, please. Don’t close down on me.
LINDA
What makes you so scared? We talked, sang and hung out together so far. You mean it is ok if you don’t know?
BARBARA
Please, dad.
MAN
(appearing)
Yes, I am here.
BARBARA
Oh my God. Male ghost!
MAN
Is she not a ghost?
LINDA
No. Anyway, I want to listen to your answer.
BARBARA
What answer?
MARY
About 100 minus 1?
BARBARA
I don’t know. It depends. It will be different according the cases.
LINDA
Want you to be a ghost? Clear answer!
BARBARA
It is sure that it becomes 0 if you could not get what you wanted. However, as Linda said a little while ago, you must go to the end to know the final result. If you die en route without reaching the end, the result will be 0 unconditionally. However, as long as you are alive, you can try again until you can get the expected result which could be 100. Anyway, every human dies. So you can only know at the moment you die if your life is 100 or 0.
PATRICIA
Are you also top in school?
MARY
No! The judging is up to ourselves because it is the life of each person.
BARBARA
Is it 0 if it becomes 0 in a chance?
MARY
Of course.
BARBARA
If it becomes 0, what should we do for the next? We can restart to another 100 or we must die?
MARY
What? Die?
(getting angry.)
BARBARA
Dad, I am sorry. I am sorry
MAN
You are a good speaker. You are right. If we fail, it becomes 0. And then how we should do? Die? Or should we start again for another 100?
BARBARA
I will start again for another 100.
PATRICIA
Me too. I will also start again.
LINDA
You cannot.
(pause)
You are dead.
(Silence.)
LINDA
(laughing loudly)
It is worthless for us either 100 or 0 because we are dead. We cannot do anything even though we want to do something new, we cannot go out of this place trapped in the space. Forever, forever here. I will laugh. I have decided not to cry. When I decided to be an actress, my dad tried to stop me saying that it was not easy to make it and especially it was more difficult for me because I am not so diligent and gifted. Why don’t you do anything ordinary? And then he said that 100 minus 1 equals 0 in the world, especially in that world you want to be part of. If you do a bad thing, everything goes bad. I didn’t understand what he was saying until I died. I made everything too easy and finally it killed me. I am surely a fool. Dad, dad, I now recognize the meaning of what you were saying. Now, after death. I miss you Dad. You know, I loved you so much. When you came to see my performance, I was so nervous. Because of that I stuttered and made mistakes. I wanted to be perfect and beautiful in front of you. I wanted to be recognized you. I sometimes regret that I could see you when you are alone without any son. I couldn’t play soccer with; you always looked so alone. Among women, we all were on your back, you walked silently. Did you feel too heavy because of us? Did you feel lonesome? Dad, my best loved person, the person who loves me the best. I miss you. I miss you. And if I could see you again, I would say you were my first love. Dad!
(Everybody cries.)
MARY
Please, stop. We are ghosts. We have to keep our position. Don’t disturb our status. What kind of ghost cries because of sadness? We have to behave as a good ghost. OK?
PATRICIA
However, I am sad. If I am not dead, once again, once again, I can try one more time.
MARY
What is this situation? No no no. The ghost must deserve to be ghost. We must not have regrets. We are ghosts.
MAN
I agree with you. We are just ghosts.
MARY
Just ghosts.
LINDA
Well. I am already dead, so there is no need for any regrets and do not cry. I am dead, yes I am dead. I am dead. No need to cry, no need to have regrets. No need. I am just a ghost. I am laughing. Hahahaha
PATRICIA
(suddenly)
I’m missing my life.
(falling down and crying)
Dad, dad
LINDA
(together)
PATRICIA
(crying)
I want to run toward 100. It was difficult and painful to live, but I miss my life, I miss the moment I tried hard. I cannot endure for not being able to go back to my life. I am sick and tired to miss and repeat this play. I want to do something new, but I am trapped here.
MARY
What can we do? We don’t have any other option. We have to be here now because our time has already passed.
LINDA
I heard and heard the expression, no need to cry over spilled milk, yeah but now, I understand the meaning after I died.
PATRICIA
(looking at Barbara, suddenly)
I get angry when I see her. I cannot do anything while she has everything.
MARY
No, that’s not true. What does she have? Only, she is alive. That’s all. We are dead and she is alive. She doesn’t have everything.
PATRICIA
What’s the difference? A lot! Living, you can do everything, dead, you can’t do anything! I’ll kill her and make her like me.
MAN
Don’t do that. Why do you want to bully her?
PATRICIA
Don’t try to stop me! I don’t like her, I hate her. She who came here and talked with us. Come on here!
(PATRICIA’s fury explodes. The horror of the ghost. BARBARA tries to escape the situation but eventually she will be under PATRICIA and almost die. Everybody intercepts.)
PATRICIA
Don’t touch me, don’t touch me. I will kill her and live again.
MAN
Even if you kill her, you cannot live again. Stop tormenting yourself.
MARY
OK. We’ll go another way.
PATRICIA
Another way?
LINDA
You know, you can sell your soul. If you do that you can live a day from her life.
PATRICIA
Really? Can I live a day?
LINDA
Sure.
PATRICIA
OK. I will do everything if I can live a day.
MARY
However, don’t forget! You will then disappear permanently.
PATRICIA
Permanently disappear? I don’t mind. It is better to disappear than stay here without doing anything. OK. Go ahead, quick!
MAN
Don’t be in such a hurry!
PATRICIA
Go ahead right now, before I get angry again.
LINDA
OK. OK. Let’s get started!
BARBARA
Please, what are you doing?
MARY
Not a big thing. She will just live a day from your life.
BARBARA
I don’t like that.
PATRICIA
What? You don’t like that? Only one day! Give me one day! You still have so many days you can live. And you can run for 100 again and again so many times repeatedly even though you fail some chances. You fail one, then stand up and go ahead! And me? I am stuck in here. I can’t do anything. Don’t you have any compassion on my situation? I want to go ahead, go ahead, but I can’t do that even just one step. That’s the difference between you and I, between death and life. You can do everything, I can’t do anything. It’s so sad not to do anything. Now you refuse me to use one of your days, to me who is willing to accept disappearing! One day is not that important to you, but it is all to me! Any moment you can stand up again, but me, I can’t even go out of this room. I really don’t have anything! You must die! I will kill you, and you are going to understand what death means once you die. You’ll understand how important one second, one minute, just one is! You’ll regret of not doing your best when living. Come on here! I’ll kill you!
BARBARA
(Trying to escape) Help me. I don’t wanna die.
MARY
Somebody is killing you?
PATRICIA
(Following her) Come on here! You must die!
BARBARA
Oh! my…
MARY
(to Patricia) Enough and let’s go!
LINDA
(to BARBARA) Come on here and just stay calm. We will do the rest.
PATRICIA
Go on! Now!
MARY
Ok, Ok. (to MAN) Come on here. Let’s get started.
(Everybody is in ritual. They recite a spell. Patricia and Barbara are at the center.)
EVEN THOUGH THE WORLD CHEATS YOU
SAYING 100 MINUS 1 EQUALS 0
THE RESULT CANNOT BE KNOWN UNTIL WE ARRIVE AT THE END
WE ALWAYS TRY TO GET 100 WHILE WE ARE LIVING
THE LIFE IS A CONTINUOUS REPEAT BETWEEN 0 AND 100
THIS IS LIFE. OUR LIFE.
(A kind of ghost scene. The light is on and off and some effect. Suddenly, with an explosion, every ghost disappears. (If possible they stay on the stage becoming a part of set, on the wall or on the floor.) There is only BARBARA on the stage lying on the floor. JAMES comes in.)
6
JAMES
(trying to wake Barbara up)
Hey, hey. Are you OK?
BARBARA
(waking, when she sees him, she pushes him away strongly)
JAMES
(falling down)
What’s the matter? You are like someone who has seen what she must not see.
BARBARA
Ah?
(looking at around)
Yes, you are right, I think I saw what I must not see. I am sorry.
JAMES
OK. I don’t know what you have seen. Anyway the first impression is very strong. OK. BARBARA? The boss asked me to test you. I think you also write music? Can I listen to one?
BARBARA
Sure! I just wrote a song. I want to sing it if you don’t mind.
JAMES
Just wrote it? I don’t mind. Let’s go.
BARBARA
(Singing)
Even though the world cheats you
Saying 100 minus 1 equals 0
The result cannot be known until we arrive at the end
We always try to get 100 while we are living
The life is a continuous repeat between 0 and 100
This is life. Our life.
The life is not 100
It is not 0 neither
A day like a year
A day like 100 years
We should live like that
Even though the world cheats us
Live your life like that
We have to live our life like that.
JAMES
What do you want to say?
BARBARA
I am sorry?
JAMES
What do you talk about in your song?
BARBARA
No, I just was singing.
JAMES
I see. So what do you want to say?
BARBARA
It was just my feelings.
JAMES
Your feelings?
BARBARA
I just…
JAMES
What do you want your audience to feel, having listened to your music? Or what kind of impression do you want to transfer to them?
BARBARA
I didn’t think of it.
JAMES
What is your goal?
BARBARA
What?
JAMES
Your goal.
BARBARA
That’s of course, being a singer.
JAMES
A singer who just sings?
BARBARA
…
JAMES
So, are you a simple robot?
BARBARA
…
JAMES
You need to give a life to your song. The goal that you hope to transfer to the audience with your song. How can you melt your life into your song? How can the audience share what you are thinking? Without these basic things you are not an artist, just a technician. Ok? This is your self esteem
BARBARA
I just want to say.
JAMES
About what?
BARBARA
About… that, it is not important if 100 minus 1 is 0 or 99.
(watching the MAN)
JAMES
Go ahead.
BARBARA
The life is not living toward 100, but living totally every each day of our life. We have to live a day like a year or 100 years. If we were dead, we might want to live a day like 100 years.
JAMES
(pause)
That is your message?
BARBARA
Yes. Yes, this is, if you want, the message.
JAMES
(smiling)
Good job. OK. Wait for me here and I will come back again.
(leaves the stage.)
BARBARA
I see. (pause, watching around) Thank you. I will live life to the full.
(She sings again and light out. The end.)