TODAY

A Musical Play

By
Gyunhyeong Kim

Composed
Jushin

1350 15th Street, #4A
Fort Lee, NJ07024
Phone 718-844-8608
Email Gyunhyeong.kim@gmail.com
http//gyunhyeongkim.blogspot.com
ⓒ Copyright, kgh, 2015
Cast of Characters

MARY an office woman worker

JAMES an office man worket

Chorus

STAGE
The places that MARY is connected.

1 Work!

(The first scene begins with mime. The actors are sitting on their chairs looking at the audience. The job interview is in progress. The invisible interviewer asks questions. In this scene, the response of each actor doesn’t finish the dialogue given below. The first actor will speak continuously until the predetermined point, and the second, third… will do the same, but during the next actor says the dialogue below, every actor should turn down his/her voice. The actors have to answer enthusiastically because the purpose of the interview is to get a job and then they must show all their abilities. The interviewer starts asking the question below to the first actor, and as soon as the actor’s answer finishes, he asks the second. So each actor should write his/her own dialogue in addition to the written dialogue below.)

Interviewer
What is your hob?

1
It is listening to music.

Interviewer
Introduce yourself in English, please.

2
Yes. Of course! I’ll introduce myself.

Interviewer
What do you want to do continuously?

3
It is playing a musical instrument.

Interviewer
What do you think are the pros and cons of our company?

4
I think that the most important value in this company is the transparency in management.

Interviewer
What are you good at?

5
I am a man with initiative and drive.

Interviewer
What do you think is the purpose of life?

6
I think the purpose of life is living in happiness.

Interviewer
What do you think happiness is?

7
Happiness is living, doing what you want to do.

(When the final response of the actor 7 finishes, all the actors start to speak loudly and this situation keeps going during several minutes. At the end of the predefined time, the telephone rings and everybody answers the phone at the same time. “Hello”. Everybody expresses the pleasure of success in the interview. However, there is no more dialogue or monologue. The scene completely develops in mime. The actors express the life in profession. At the beginning they work with pleasure. Everybody enjoys his/her job and works hard. However, as time goes , many unpleasant things happen and everybody starts to be bored the repetitive work in the job. With this kind of development of scene, the faces of actors begin to lose expressions especially because of the stress at work. This change from pleasure to faces without expression is what the actor must express in mine. Finally nobody feels happy and everybody loses his/her facial expression. Of course, all sorts of things such as happy things and sorrowful things, bothersome things and enjoyable things must be expressed. When the expression reach some degree, the song below starts.)

SONG1 I WANT TO GET OUT OF / ALL CAST
TIRED, I AM TIRED, EVERY DAY I AM TIRED
BORING LIFE ALWAYS REPETITIVE WITHOUT an END
TODAY IS LIKE YESTERDAY, TOMORROW MAY BE LIKE TODAY
THE SAME LIFE REPETITIVE EVERY DAY LIKE PARTS IN THE MACHINE
WHAT I AM DOING, WHY I AM LIVING
AM I A MACHINE TO WORK, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE
I FORGOT THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE A LONG TIME AGO
I AM TIRED, I AM BORED, I DON’T LIKE THINKING
I JUST LIVE THE GIVEN PRESENT
I JUST DO WHAT WAS GIVEN TO ME
IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO THAT I FORGOT MY FINAL DESTINATION
IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO AS WELL THAT I FORGOT EVERY DAY’S PURPOSE
I WANT TO GET OUT OF, I WANT TO GET OUT OF
THIS BOTHERSOME LIFE OF EVERY DAY
I WANT TO GET OUT OF, I WANT TO GET OUT OF
THIS UNCHANGING REPETITIVE LIFE WITHOUT THE END

(Various feelings could be used to compose this scene the feeling of the cow being dragged to a slaughter, the feeling to waiting for something continuously like the characters of “En attendant Godot”. By usage of the image or the feelings, the scene could be composed metaphorically. What is show clearly is the boring life and the desire to escape from it.)

I WANT TO GET OUT OF, I WANT TO GET OUT OF
THIS BOTHERSOME LIFE OF EVERY DAY
I WANT TO GET OUT OF, I WANT TO GET OUT OF
THIS UNCHANGING REPETITIVE LIFE WITHOUT END

(Finally all the faces lose expression and on them the lights are focused. F.O.)
 

2 Going to work

(Dark. Sudden alarm clocks ring. Light in. There are several beds on which actors react to the alarm ring on the stage. Various different kinds of reactions according to the characters of the actors. Positive reaction, negative, hesitant…)

SONG2 MORNING / ALL CAST
AH MORNING, A NEW MORNING STARTING OF A NEW DAY / A NEW DAY BEGINS
LOOK, A BIG SUN IS RISING OVER THERE / I HOPE IT JUST GOES DOWN
FRESH AND AGREEABLE AIR OF MORNING / I CAN SMELL THE ALCHOOL OF YESTERDAY
I HAVE TO GET UP, HURRY UP, GET UP / DEEPLY AND DEEPLY INTO THE SEAT
A NEW DAY BEGINS A NEW DAY ANOTHER DAY A NEW DAY FOR ALL OF US
WHAT IS WAITING FOR US TODAY WHAT NEW EVENT IS WAITING FOR US
A DAY APPLICABLE EQUALLY FOR EACH OF ALL US
A DAY OF 24 HOURS SAME FOR EACH OF ALL OF US
A DAY THE SAME FOR US
NOW, IT IS TLME TO START I FEEL TIRED I DONT WANT TO GET UP
I SHOUT GO OUT OF BED TO GO TO WORK, GO TO WORK
THIS IS THE WAY OF OUR LIFE, LET’S GO TO WORK

(During the music actors get up from the beds, change then clothes… They are preparing to go to work. Everybody is busy going in and out of the stage.)

WE SHOULD GO TODAY ALSO TO THE BATTLEFIELD WHERE I WORK
WHY DO I WORK? I CANNOT ANSWER FOR THAT NOW
I PUT IT DEEP INSIDE OF ME NOT WANTING TO RESPOND NOW
I JUST WORK I JUST WORK I DON’T KNOW THE REASON OF MY WORKING
FIRST OF ALL, IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO BE BEHIND OTHERS
FIRST OF ALL KEEPING ACTUAL STATE IS IMPORTANT
ONE DAY THE DAY MY DREAM WILL COME ACHIEVE
NOT NOW I JUST FEEL BORED, JUST TIRED IT’S ALL
LETS GO TO WORK TODAY LETS GO AGAIN TO WORK

(With the end of the song the stage changes into the subway. People get on the train. Expressionless faces.)

MARY
I FEEL TIRED SLEEPY BORED AND ANNOYED
I WHO AM PUT BETWEEN PEOPLE GOING TO WORK
WHEN CAN I BECOME A BOARD MEMBER
WHEN CAN I BECOME PRESIDENT OF MY OWN COMPANY
THIS BORING LIFE REPEATING EVERYDAY WITHOUT ANY CHANGE
YESTERDAY AND TODAY ARE THE SAME AND TODAY AND TOMORROW WILL NOT BE DIFFERENT
WHERE IS PLEASURE AND THE GOAL OF MY LIFE
WHAT CAN SAVE ME FROM THIS BORING AND REPETITIVE LIFE WITHOUT CHANGES
I FEEL TIRED SLEEPY BORED AND ANNOYED
I FEEL TIRED SLEEPY BORED AND ANNOYED
CHORUS
I FEEL TIRED SLEEPY BORED AND ANNOYED
I WHO AM PUT BETWEEN PEOPLE GOING TO WORK
WHEN CAN I BECOME A BOARD MEMBER
WHEN CAN I BECOME PRESIDENT OF MY OWN COMPANY
THIS BORING LIFE REPEATING EVERYDAY WITHOUT ANY CHANGE
YESTERDAY AND TODAY ARE THE SAME AND TODAY AND TOMORROW WILL NOT BE DIFFERENT
WHERE IS PLEASURE AND THE GOAL OF MY LIFE
WHAT CAN SAVE ME FROM THIS BORING AND REPETITIVE LIFE WITHOUT CHANGES
I FEEL TIRED SLEEPY BORED AND ANNOYED
I FEEL TIRED SLEEPY BORED AND ANNOYED

(The train arrives and people are in a hurry going wherever they go. An old woman pushed down and nobody realized it. Finally MARY helps her stand up.)

MARY
Are you all right? Come on I’ll help you to stand up.

Old woman
You have a warm heart.

MARY
Thanks. I think everybody is the same.

Old woman
And Then, why your face has no expression? You’d better live your life laughing. Once you live a long life like me, you will feel the necessity of laughing. The happiness will come when you live with laughing.

MARY
I see. I will not forget. I have no time and I have to say e to you. Take care! (off)

Old woman
Thanks, I will make you laugh.

(Light out.)
 

3 Office

(People are talking in 3 or 4 among them. Coffee break before work.)

SONG3 OFFICE / ALL CAST
A DAY NEWLY STARTED, A DAY DIFFERENT FROM YESTERDAY
WHAT IS WAITING FOR US, WHAT KIND OF DAY WOULD TODAY BE

1
I am tired.

2
You know you start your day but I am tired. I think you’d better become positive.

3
You are right. You say I am always tired. What did you do at night? Don’t you sleep at night?

1
I don’t know. I just feel tired, bored and dull. Isn’t there anything shocking?

WE ALL EXPECT THE NEW THING EVERY MORNING
WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE WAITING FOR US TODAY
TODAY IS DIFFERENT FROM YESTERDAY, TODAY NEWLY STARTED
TODAY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM YESTERDAY, NEW THINGS ARE WAITING FOR US

4
Anyway, Anna in Accounts department will get married soon.

5
Really? Who is the partner?

6
Their love has lasted for a long time. They met in college.

7
From college? Great. How can they endure such a long time? I argue every time I meet my boyfriend.

8
Why? What’s the matter? Something doesn’t fit together.

9
A lot. No, from one to the end, we don’t have anything to go with together.

WHAT MAKES US SMILE, WHAT GIVES US A LAUGH
MEANINGLESS WORDS, DATE OF LAST NIGHT, WATHING TV
THE SMALL THINGS OF OUR EVERYDAY LIFE MAKE US SMILE AND BE PLEASANT
HERE IN THE OFFICE WHAT MAKES US SMILE

1
What do you do on weekends?

2
Weekends? Usually I hang out with my boyfriend.

3
You are right. I don’t know what to do if I don’t date in our ages.

4
I also need a boyfriend.

5
You already have one.

6
I broke up with him.

7
What? When?

8
A while ago.

9
You must be bored on weekend. Thinking of it just makes me shiver. It is really boring thing to spend time at home alone on weekends.

7
I have been single for 6 months.

I WANT TO LAUGH I WANT TO LIVE LAUFHING
THINKING OF MY FUTURE AND HOPING FOR MY HAPPINESS
IMAGINING SITUATIONS WHERE I CAN ALWAYS SMILE

8
Have you heard that our manager will have a promotion to board member?

9
Really? No, it’s impossible. I will quit this job.

1
You are right. He is the person who should not be promoted as a board member. He is a kind of authoritarian and uncompetent person. Even for our company, he should not! I will tell the CEO.

2
Really?

3
What really? I am not crazy. If I tell it to the CEO, do you think he will believe in me?

4
Our life will be worse. I am worried about it. Oh, God!

LONG TIME AGO WHEN I WENT TO WORK FOR THE FIRST TIME I WAS HAPPY EXPECTING MANY THINGS
GETTING PROMOTION FAST, BECOMONG THE YOUNGEST BOARDMEMBER AND THE PRESIDENT
I WILL MAKE MY OWN COMPANY AND MAKE A LOT OF MONEY
AND NOW WHERE ARE ALL MY DREAMS MY EXPECTATIONS
TIME GOES BY AND GETTING A PROMOTION IS DIFFICULT
THERE ARE NO NEW THINGS AND ALWAYS THE SAME THING REPETES
TOO MUCH WORK DISTURBS MY SLEEPING
INVISIBLE COMPETITION AND COMBAT WITH OTHERS
THE PRESSURE FROM THE HIGH AND THE CHALLENGE FROM THE BELOW
MY LIFE IS LIKE A BATTLEFIELD MY LIFE IS CONTINOUS COMBAT

5
(to MARY)And, why are you so calm? Do you have any problem?

MARY
Me? Nothing, thanks. I just feel tired.

6
It’s time to work. Let’s kick off the day!

OUR NEW DAY FINALLY STARTS
A DAY THAT WE SHOULD GREET WITH HAPPINESS
I WANT TO WORK HAPPILY
I WANT TO WORK PLEASANTLY
I CAN ENDURE BEING TIRED IF I WORK SATISFIED
I CAN EVEN PASS THE NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEPING IF THE WORK MAKES ME SATISFIED
I CAN DO ANYTHING I DONT MIND BEING TIRED
IF THE WORK GIVES ME THE FRESHNESS
IF IT SAVES ME FROM THIS REPETITIVE LIFE
THAT IS WHAT I WANT
WHAT I WANT EVERY MORNING
SOMETHING NEW AND CREATIVE
SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME NEW
SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME DO MY BEST
A NEW DAY STARTS

(With the progress of the scene people lose their facial expression. The BOSS of the office appears. He doesn’t look satisfied. Everybody returns to their places in a hurry.)

BOSS
MARY!

MARY
Yes.

BOSS
This is what you submitted.

MARY
I think so.

BOSS
I think so?

MARY
Yes I did.

BOSS
What is it about?

MARY
What is it about?

BOSS
That’s what I said. How could it be made? What did you say?

MARY
About the market…

BOSS
What kind of market? Who doesn’t know about what is written here? It is just a summary of ordinary things!

MARY
I am sorry.

BOSS
Did you do the same before?

MARY
I am sorry.

BOSS
I am a fool who presented to the boss without checking before. And what the hell can you do? Your report is really messy. (to another person) Linda!

Linda
Yes

BOSS
Do this report. I cannot trust her. (to MARY) Why are you there? Go to work.

MARY
I am sorry.

(MARY gets back her place and the BOSS go out again.)

SONG4 WHY I / MARY
I AM ALSO THE ONE WHO JOIN THIS COMPANY AFTER PASSING THE DIFFICULT TEST
I AM COMPETENT AND I CAN DO WELL
MY GRADE WAS NOT SO BAD AT ALL
MY ABILITY TO WORK IS NOT BEHIND ANY OTHER
HOWEVER WHAT DO I DO FOR THE MOMENT
EVERYDAY ALMOST THE SAME WORK WITHOUT ALMOST ANY CHANGE
THE THING I DO HABITUALLY, THAT I DON’T NEED TO THINK
AM I A MONKEY, I ONLY KNOW TO DO THIS
I DON’T LIKE MY LIFE, MY BORING LIFE I WANT TO ESCAPE FROM THAT
BORING WORK, REPETITIVE WORK, I WANT TO DO SOMETHING CREATIVE
I AM WILLING TO WORK LATE AT NIGHT IF I CAN FEEL SATISFACTION
I CAN STAY UP ALL NIGHT IF I CAN FEEL SATISFACTION
TOO ORDINARY, NO CHANGE AND I FEEL BORED
LIFE IS JUST HABIT, GETTING UP MORNINGS AND GOING TO WORK
DOING THE SAME WORK AS YESTERDAY AND GOING BACK HOME
DATING OR MEETING WITH FRIENDS, WATCHING MOVIES OR TELEVISION
CHATTING WITH FAMILY OR WITH FRIENDS
BUT JUST WHEN I DO IT
THE BIGGEST PART OF MY LIFE, MY WORK, THERE IS ALWAYS HABIT
I NEED SOMETHING NEW
GIVE ME SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING STUNNING
THE SAME REPETITIVE WORK
I AM BORED I AM ANNOYED I DON’T LIKE TO WORK.

BOSS
(appears again, more upset before) MARY!

MARY
Yes.

BOSS
I hate you!

MARY
What are you saying?

BOSS
(showing her a document) It was also you who made it?

MARY
Yes. I did.

BOSS
Yes I did? Are you dreaming now? What are the contents of this report? Don’t you want to work? If not, you can go out. There are a lot of people.

MARY
No, No, No. I’m sorry. I’ll be more cautious.

BOSS
More cautious? Is it enough? I cannot trust you. Go out and analyse the market. Check what are the pros and cons of our products and the products of our contender.

MARY
Yes.

BOSS
Do it properly. If not you will be fired.

MARY
I am sorry.

BOSS
Move!

MARY
I will go.

(Light out.)

4 Street

(Light In. Everybody is busy.)

SONG5 STREET / CHORUS, MARY
HERE ON THE STREET EVERYBODY IS REALLY HECTIC
HERE ON THE STREET NOBODY CARES FOR ANYBODY
JUST WALK AHEAD TO WHERE I HAVE TO GO
JUST RUN AHEAD JUST WATCH AHEAD

(During music, the various figures of people on the street are shown in mime.)

EVERYBODY IS BUSY AND NOBODY EVEN LOOKS AT THE PERSON OF HIS SIDE
EVERYBODY RUNS TO THE DREAM WITH PASSION AND DESIRE
EVERYBODY RISES AND DREAMS THE GOAL OF LIFE
HERE WE ARE ON THE STREET
MARY
I’M TIRED I FEEL IRRITATED I SURELY COULD HAVE DONE WELL
I HAVE NO PASSION OR STIMULATION TO DO WELL
MY BRAIN STOPS AT THE MOMENT TO GO TO WORK
I DIDN’T EXPECTED THE SAME WORK FOR EVERYDAY
BUT I DO THINGS ALMOST SAME EVERYDAY
THAT’S JUST HABIT, THERE’S NO DIFFERENCE
THE REPEATITIVE WORK EVERYDAY, I CAN DO IT EVEN CLOSING MY EYES
I’M TIRED I’M FRUSTRATED I DON’T LIKE TO WORK

(The old woman appears again.)

Old woman
This is a compensation for your kindness this morning.

(She put a lottery in MARY’s pocket and disappears. Light changing, lottery is holding and MARY win 10 million.)

MARY
Where are you? Have you really given me this? Oh my God! I won the lottery and the amount is really surprising. One, ten, hundred, thousand…. 10 million!

(To a passer)

MARY
Sorry! Can you pinch me? Yes, I want to, please. Do I look crazy? Yes? I am crazy. I am totally crazy.

SONG6 NO NO NO / MARY
NO NO NO THIS IS NOT A DREAM, NOT A DREAM
IT IS REALLY NOT A DREAM, NEVER A DREAM. IT IS REAL.
I WILL NOT WAKE UP CAUSE IT IS NOT A DREAM. THIS IS A COMPENSATION OF MY KINDNESS
I AM RICH NOW. I DON’T ENVY ANYONE. THIS IS MY DESTINY
I CAN DO EVERYTHING I WANT, I CAN GO ON A TRIP WHENEVER I WANT
I CAN HIRE ONLY THOSE WHO SATISFY ME AFTER HAVING FOUNDED MY OWN COMPANY
I CAN DO EVERYTHING I CAN ENJOY EVERYTHING
I AM RICH I AM RICH

(She pulls out everything from her pockets and gives them to the passer and throws money in the air.)

MARY
OK! I am rich! I I will not work. Waking up with grimace, with sleepy eyes and an expressionless face, taking a bus and subway, no no no I will not go work. Eating breakfast served my servant on the soft bed, I will sleep as much as I want, I will hang out as much as I want and I want to work as much as I want. I can do anything. I can do anything. I am rich.

WHAT WILL I DO FIRST, TAKING A TRIP
STARTING MY OWN BUSINESS, I MAY MAKE LOTS OF MONEY
NO NO NO I SHOULD GIVE MY RESIGNATION FIRST
MY WORK WHICH PUT ME IN BORING OF EVERYDAY
I HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO DO, A LOT OF THINGS TO ACHIEVE
I WANT TO BE PRESIDENT OF MY COMPANY, I WANT TO A LOT OF MONEY
I HAD LOTS OF THINGS TO THINK TO DO, LOTS OF THINGS TO DO
IF I MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, A LOT OF MONEY
I AM NOW HAPPY, I AM FINALLY HAPPY
WHAT DO I DO, TAKING A TRIP?

(JAMES appears. He still doesn’t recognize MARY.)

MARY
JAMES?

JAMES
Oh? MARY? How are you? What are you doing here at this time?

MARY
I am waiting for you, I missed you.

JAMES
Me? Why?

MARY
To tell the truth, I have been in love you so far. I wanted to go out to eat together.

JAMES
With me? Thanks.

MARY
JAMES, I think you don’t have any girlfriend. Why don’t we become lovers.

JAMES
With you?

MARY
Yes, why not! (She grabs his arm.)

JAMES
Let’s say… (putting away from her) I have a girlfriend.

MARY
…

JAMES
So, I leave first. Bye.

(He leaves.)

MARY
(to JAMES’s back) JAMES, How about taking a cup of coffee.

JAMES
Coffee?

MARY
Yes, coffee. Very delicious coffee!

JAMES
Coffee, Ok, Why not? However I must go back soon. I just wanted to check a simple thing in the market.

MARY
Why is the company so important? If you are fired I will feed you.

JAMES
What?… Hahahaha

MARY
(grabbing again his arm) I will. Ok, let’s go.

JAMES
(escaping from her) Well, MARY…

MARY
Why? Don’t you like it?

JAMES
No, no, no, so, that, so and … yes, I don’t like it.

MARY
Anyway… Ok, let’s go to take a cup of coffee.

(MARY draws JAMES, light out.)
 

5 Café

(Light in. Coffee shop.)

SONG7 A CUP OF COFFEE / CHORUS
HAVING ORDERED A CUP OF COFFEE I AM WAITING FOR HIM
I DON’T KNOW WHY HE DOESN’T COME, WHICH AGITATES ME
A CUP OF COFFEE, A DEEP TASTE OF CUP OF COFFEE
A BITTER TASTE LIKE THE TASTE OF ANOTHER MAN’S
A CUP OF COFFEE, A CUP OF SWEET COFFEE
WE, YOU AND I, WHY DON’T WE HAVE A GREAT MILK COFFEE
LET’S GO TO HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE, A TASTE OF LOVE
A BITTER TASTE OF COFFEE, A DEEP BITTER TASTE OF COFFEE

(MARY enters with JAMES, almost pulling him the arms.)

JAMES
MARY! so, what, I, there…

MARY
So what? What’s the matter? A cup of coffee. A bitter taste of coffee. Is there any problem to have a coffee together?

JAMES
What I mean is, so….

MARY
Yes, I see what you mean. You think I am weird because I look crazy.

JAMES
Yes, that is what I meant.

MARY
I know, I know what you mean and to tell the truth I am crazy. Hahaha…

JAMES
MARY

MARY
Yes I am crazy. I am completely out of mind today, completely. I am really crazy. Hahaha …

JAMES
(pull her seat) What’s the matter? Please, please, sit here be calm. I am ashamed.

MARY
(standing up) What is ashamed? That I am crazy is ashamed? Really?

JAMES
No, Yes, so, there…

MARY
I see. I know. You must be ashamed because I am crazy. How much it is ashamed to be in the company of a crazy girl like me! However I don’t mind because I am totally crazy. OK, I am crazy, I am really crazy. (yelling) I am crazy.

(Everybody is looking at her.)

SONG8 I AM CRAZY / MARY, CHORUS
MARY
I AM CRAZY HOHOHO YES I AM CRAZY HOHOHO
WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME, HOHOHO, DO YOU SEE A CRAZY FOR THE FIRST TIME
I AM PROUD HOHOHO OF BEING CRAZY HOHOHO
I AM CRAZY HOHOHO YES I AM CRAZY HOHOHO
CHORUS
WHY IS SHE CRAZY (BEING CRAZY) WHY IS SHE CRAZY (IS PROUD OF) WHY IS SHE CRAZY (A CRAZY)
MARY
I NOW CAN KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE GETTING CRAZY
I NOW KNOW WHAT IS HAPPY TO BE CRAZY
I CAN DO EVERYTHING I CAN EVEN BUY THIS WORLD
WHO CAN DARE STOP ME WHAT CAN DARE DIRECT ME
I CAN DO EVERYTHING BECAUSE I AM RICH
MARY, CHORUS
EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IS MINE / BE QUIET
I CAN DO WHAT I PLEASE / BE QUIET
NOTHING CAN RESIST ME / BE QUIET
WHAT A LARK / GET OUT

JAMES
(pulling down MARY) MARY, don’t, don’t do like that. You should consider about others.

MARY
Why? Why should I consider others?

JAMES
So, It is…

MARY
JAMES. How about if we have a kiss?

JAMES
What?

MARY
Let’s have a kiss.

JAMES
Why do you really behave like that? Are you really crazy?

MARY
JAMES.

JAMES
(yelling) Why? Sorry, I’m a little bit nervous.

MARY
Yes, you are right. I am crazy, I am really crazy.

(A waiter comes.)

MARY
Hi, Is there any problem?

Waiter
So, please. Don’t behave like that. You disturb others. Please sit down.

MARY
So, what did you say to me?

Waiter
Please, sit down.

MARY
Oh, sorry, I am sorry… (pretending to sit down but standing again) Do you think I said sorry? No, Why, Why am I sorry and why do I sit down? I don’t want to sit down.

Waiter
Well, You may… You cannot…

MARY
OK, Go ahead. I am listening to you.

Waiter
So, This is a public place and…

MARY
And…

Waiter
And, it is …

MARY
OK. I suggest something. Let others out of here except us. What do you think of my idea?

Waiter
So, You…

MARY
What’s the matter? Is it impossible? OK, I’ll pay for your daily turnover. How much is it?

Waiter
No, I don’t mean that.

MARY
So, what? You talk too much. I’ll pay, OK, I’ll pay for your daily turnover. So, let the others kick as out of this café.

Waiter
Well, Maybe you

MARY
So, How much? Your turnover. OK, 10.000?

JAMES
What? MARY! What are you doing?

MARY
Stop, stop JAMES. If you don’t want to accept it, we will leave.

Waiter
So…

MARY
So what? OK. JAMES. Let’s leave!

Waiter
No no no…

MARY
Yes I understand. If I behave like that it is not so good. So we will leave.

Waiter
No no no… I didn’t mean that.

MARY
No? So what do you mean?

Waiter
So, It is…

MARY
Do you want we sit down?

Waiter
NO.

MARY
And then leave?

Waiter
… Yes.

MARY
I got it.

(Going out, light out.)

6 Street

(Light in and again the street.)

SONG5 STREET / CHORUS(RE.)

(MARY, pulling JAMES, runs in.)

JAMES
MARY! Wait! What’s the matter?

MARY
I’m so excited.

JAMES
MARY! Are you really crazy, really?

MARY
Crazy? Am I really crazy? That’s what I said. I am totally crazy. JAMES, please give me a pinch.

JAMES
What? What is wrong with you?

MARY
Please, please give me a pinch.

JAMES
Really? (giving a sharp pinch) If it turns you normal…

MARY
Ah!! Ah no. Really, no, I am not in a dream. Not in a dream. OK. OK. JAMES, I will no more go to office. Having woke up early, I will not go to office any more frowning every morning. I will not do anything all day long except eat and hang out. Why do we go to the office? We go to the office early in the morning to make a little money. A really small amount of money.

SONG9 I AM SO FAR / MARY
I HAVE SUFFERED MUCH SO FAR, EVERY DAY’S LIFE WAS NOT SO MUCH FUN
EVERY DAY THE SAME REPEATED WORK, YESTERDAY AND TODAY
I HAVE BECOME BORED AND I LOST MY PURPOSE IN MY LIFE
KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT WHY TO LIVE WHERE TO GO
EACH DAY, EVERY DAY
EVERY DAY REPEATED WORK LIKE A MACHINE FROM MORNING TO EVENING
I HAVE SUFFERED REALLY A LOT SO FAR, I RARELY HAVE PASSION IN MY LIFE
ON THE WEEKEND I HAVE REST BUT MONDAY GRASPS ME AGAIN
I HAD TO GO TO THE OFFICE AND WORK AS LIKE A MACHINE
I WILL CHANGE FROM NOW ON
I WILL BE REBORN AS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PERSON, I WILL WORK NO MORE
LOOK AT ME WHO WILL COMPLETELY CHANGE
I WILL CHANGE
I WILL BE REBORN AS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PERSON, I WILL WORK NO MORE
LOOK AT ME WHO WILL COMPLETELY CHANGE

MARY
To tell the truth, I became rich. Hugely rich. I have lots of money. This is no dream. Ah, I’m happy. The whole world is mine, is inside my hands. Ah, this is not a dream.

JAMES
So, MARY.

MARY
Yes,

JAMES
Well. I think…

MARY
So, you think?

JAMES
No no I just think…

MARY
Yes you just think?

JAMES
So what I mean…

MARY
So, what you mean?

MARY
I think you are…

MARY
I am?

JAMES
Are you really crazy?

MARY
I, I won the lottery. 10 million.

JAMES
…

MARY
Can you believe me? Yes, It is difficult to believe. However when you gave me a pinch, I really felt pain. It is not a dream.

JAMES
So…

MARY
Why?

JAMES
Well, MARY.

MARY
Say!

JAMES
So, what I mean is ….

MARY
JAMES. I have looked at you so far. I was encouraged to see you come so vividly to the office. I really want to be your lover. What do you say? Let’s be lovers. I can do anything. I will be in charge of anything. JAMES?

JAMES
(hesitating) So…Y..e..s.

(MARY laughing loudly)

SONG10 AH LOVE / MARY, JAMES
AH LOVE AH LOVE HE LOVES ME
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO LOVE ME
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT EVERY DAY
WHY ARE YOU SEEN TO ME NOW
WHY HAVE WE MET NOW
MY LIFE TO SEE YOU, MY LIFE WAITING FOR YOU
JAMES
YOU ARE INSIDE ME AND I AM INSIDE YOU
OUR LOVE NEWLY STARTED
I WILL LOVE UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD
I WILL LOOK AT YOU WAITING FOR HAPPINESS
THE LOVE BETWEEN US, THE LOVE STARTING NEWLY
FOREVER LOVE
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU
MARY
HOLD MY HANDS, DON’T LOSE THEM
DUET
WE TWO LOVING EACH OTHER
IN HAPPINESS WITHOUT ANY CHEATING
PLEASE MAKE US HAPPY FUTURE
PLEASE SHOW US THE BEAUTIFUL FUTURE
HOLDING EACH OTHER’S HANDS, PROMISING OUR FUTURE
WE WILL DESIGN OUR FUTURE
I AM INSIDE YOU AND YOU ARE INSIDE ME
HANDS IN HANDS, FEET IN FEET
LET’S GO TO HAPPY FUTURE
WITH LOVE WITH FAITH DRAWING HAPPINESS

MARY
How about we go on a trip?

JAMES
Trip? Where?

MARY
Far, very far!

JAMES
Far, very far? Jeju island?

MARY
Are you kidding? Is it far?

JAMES
No no no. That is not what I meant.

MARY
Again!

JAMES
Heum? Japan?

MARY
A little bit far, far away.

JAMES
Maybe south-east Asian countries?

MARY
Do you want to die!

JAMES
OK, I see, I see, Europe.

MARY
At least, Europe.

JAMES
OK. Europe.

MARY
OK. A tour of whole Europe during a month. Let’s leave right now. Let’s go to Europe! NO no no. We’d better travel around the world. No no no. OK. First, we’ll buy a convertible BMW and we go to Europe driving passing North Korea and China, running on the silk road. It must be fantastic, isn’t it? I think it is better than taking an airplane. To tell the truth, I really want to go to the desert. JAMES, you will drive and I will stand on the car facing the sand and wind. This is my biggest dream.

JAMES
Desert? BMW? OK. Good idea!

MARY
I think so. How much money does it takes? I will pay for it all. I have much money, really much money. OK. Let’s go right now. Let’s go to buy a convertible BMW!

SONG11 WE GO ON A TRIP / MARY, CHORUS
LET’S GO FROM BORING EVERYDAY LIFE, LET’S RUN ON OUR BMW
WE CAN RUN HAVING GIVEN UP EVERYTHING FROM A CONTINUOUSLY REPEATING LIFE
LET’S GO OUT OF EVERYDAY LIFE FARAWAY FARAWAY FROM HERE
HAVING THROWN EVERYTHING AWAY WE CAB LEAVE BEING DISTURBED BY ANYTHING
THE FIRST COUNTRY AND THE SECOND COUNTRY AND THE DESERT AND THE SEA
OVER THE SEA WE DON’T KNOW WHAT IS WAITING FOR US
OH OUR BMW OH IN OUR BMW
WE WILL RUN OVER THE SEA WE CAN DO EVERYTHING
WE CAN FIND EVERYTHING WE CAN VISIT EVERYTHING
NY, PARIS, LONDON AND ROME, BEIJING, SEOUL AND TOKYO
OH MY BMW OH IN MY BMW
LET’S TURN TO the WEST LET’S RUN ON THE WEST
ACCELERATE STRONG AND MY BMW REPONDS FAST OH MY BMW
10 20 30 60 100 150 200 300 AND FINALLY 500 MILES!

MARY
OK, Let’s go! (looking out of the stage) Stop, That’s my boss in my office. Ok, It is said that an enemy is encountered on the narrow bridge! You gave me so much pain and agony!

(The BOSS appears. MARY and JAMES block his way. Not recognizing who they are, the BOSS want to pass in a hurry. MARY and JAMES block again.)

BOSS
(hanging up his head) I am sorry but… Are you MARY?

MARY
…

BOSS
So, you are MARY?

MARY
MARY? Yes that is my name. Why do you call me my name? Do I know you?

BOSS
What? What are you talking about? And you, you are JAMES next to us?

MARY
Sorry, Mister. But why do you call us our name? Do you know us?

BOSS
What? Are you kidding now?

MARY
What? So what? Don’t call our name because these names are not for being called anyone else.

BOSS
MARY. Are you OK? Do you feel good? I am your BOSS.

MARY
Who says you are my BOSS?

BOSS
MARY!

JAMES
Get out!

BOSS
What….

(BOSS disappears. They really enjoy the situation.)

JAMES
So we have to do well whilst we can.

MARY
You are right. Whilst we can.

JAMES
OK, let’s go to get a car!

MARY
JAMES! Come on here! I want to be carried on your back!

JAMES
What?

MARY
Why? Is there any problem?

JAMES
No, no, no…

MARY
(on his back) OK, Let’s go!

JAMES
OK…

MARY
I’m feeling great! JAMES, do you feel great also?

JAMES
Of course.

MARY
Stop. What are we doing just standing here? First of all, let’s go to our office! And then we will yell to everybody that we are going to take a trip all over the world.

JAMES
What? No, no…

MARY
Why? What’s the matter? Do you have something you afraid of? I want to say a real farewell to everybody.

JAMES
However, I don’t agree with your idea.

MARY
Why? Is there really nothing that you are afraid of?

JAMES
No, Anyway that was our job a while ago.

MARY
You are right. My life depended on being there just a little while ago. Anyway let’s go and slightly boast!

JAMES
Boast? I don’t want to boast.

MARY
Weird. Maybe do you have a girlfriend at the office? It is not allowed to do that between colleagues. You will be fired!

JAMES
No, no, no.

MARY
So what?

JAMES
So, ok, let’s go!

(MARY leaves the stage drawing JAMES.)
 

7 Office

(Light in. People work hard at the office. Maybe they are not so satisfied with their job because it is so exhausting.)

SONG12 OFFICE
WE ARE IN THE OFFICE WHERE WE WORK EVERYDAY, OUR OFFICE
LOOKING AT THE MONITOR ALL DAY LONG BECAUSE IT GIVES US MONEY
WE CLICK ON THE MOUSE ALL DAY LONG BECAUSE IT GIVES US MONEY
DON’T WATCH ELSEWHERE ONLY THE MONITOR IS YOUR GOAL FOCUS ON YOUR MONITOR

MARY
(loudly) Hi, everybody?

1
MARY! Where were you?

MARY
Me? I’ve quit my job.

2
What? What are you talking about?

MARY
Oh, I’m going to quit my job. Let’s say, now, I think it’s time to start my own business. So, before I start, I just want to say goode to you because I am going to leave on a trip.

3
What kind of business? And where you are planning to go?

MARY
I didn’t decide what to do about the trip, so I am going to buy a convertible BMW and I will leave for a world tour with it. To tell the truth, I am a rich woman.

4
MARY, do you feel good? Don’t you feel anything abnormal? Was it so shocking to be criticized boss?

MARY
What? That’s not a big thing. And I always meet her outside.

5
What? Where?

MARY
Outside. And I have something to give to her before I get started on the trip. I think I’d better give it to her now.

(Grasping a sheet of paper, she start to write.)

Girlfriend
(notifying awkward JAMES) JAMES, why are you here?

JAMES
Me? So, I, so, that, why, so….

Girlfriend
You said you were going to market research? And why do you come back with MARY?

JAMES
So, there is… anyway… so…

Girlfriend
So what?

JAMES
So, I will tell you later.

Girlfriend
It’s really weird. Why are you here? This is not your office?

JAMES
So, I want … so… maybe… well…

MARY
(finishing what she writes) Ah, JAMES? He will leave the trip with me.

1
Leave the trip?

2
With you?

MARY
Yes, with me. Why, is there any problem?

3
No, it is none of my business, but…

MARY
Yes. He is going to break up with his girlfriend from today and he is my boyfriend now. And to celebrate it we will leave to the world.

Girlfriend
MARY! You don’t feel good?

MARY
Me? Why?

Girlfriend
Me, no, I feel really good?

MARY
Me? Hmm, to tell the truth, I am… crazy.

(Boss comes.)

MARY
(to boss) Good afternoon? We meet frequently today. I have something to give you.

(She puts out envelop.)

BOSS
What is this? Do you remember well how you did to me?

MARY
Yes, of course. First, open it!

BOSS
An envelope? I don’t think you’d better not think to resolve anything with an envelope.

MARY
I think so. However I think that we can resolve all the issues once for all.

BOSS
Once and for all?

(BOSS opens the envelope)

SONG13 LETTER OF RESIGNATION / MARY
I don’t have any affection for this company, so that I don’t want to continue working anymore. I here give you this letter of resignation.

PLEASE RECEIVE MY PRECIOUS ENVELOPE
PLEASE READ MY PRECIOUS CONFESSION
I AM LEAVING NOW FROM YOUR WARM BOSOM
I AM GOING OUT TO THE WORLD FROM YOUR PROTECTION
GOODBYE EVERYBODY I AM SO SAD FOR THIS SEPARATION
WE WILL GET TOGETHER ONE DAY SURELY
DON’T MISS ME TOO MUCH, DON’T REGRET THIS
IT IS SORRY TO BE SEPARATED BUT MEETING AGAIN GIVES A LOT OF PLEASURE
BE HAPPY I REALLY HOPE YOU ALL A BIG BIG HAPPINESS
DON’T BE SO SAD FOR MY DEPARTING BECAUSE I AM HAPPY
DON’T MISS ME DON’T REGRET MY LEAVING
I AM LEAVING TO ANOTHER WORLD HAVING THROWN EVERYTHING AWAY
BYE BYE GOOD BYE

MARY
Everybody, I hope for all of you good luck and don’t be so sorry for not seeing me anymore. Good e!

JAMES
Let’s get out quickly.

MARY
Ok, e e ..

(At that moment the President of the company comes in.)

President
Good afternoon, everybody? I was passing but I heard your laughing and I came inside to share what you celebrate. So what’s up? Please share it with me.

BOSS
No, Nothing. Nothing to share.

MARY
(going ahead) Yes. We have something to share.

BOSS
No, nothing.

MARY
Yes, something.

President
Something to share? And you are…

MARY
I am…

President
Stop, stop, so you are… MARY, yes, you are MARY, aren’t you?

MARY
Yes, I am MARY.

President
OK, OK, Sorry for not remembering soon. However, you, MARY, you today, so was it you who made the report about market analysis this morning? Was it you?

MARY
Yes I did.

President
What do you think of that report?

MARY
What do you mean?

President
I just want to know your opinion about that report. For example, what score can you give it?

MARY
I am sorry, but I didn’t think about it.

President
You didn’t think about it? Well, do you think it was good or bad?

MARY
I don’t know.

President
You don’t know? You are paid, aren’t you?

MARY
Yes.

President
So, do you think you are enough value for the money that you receive?

MARY
I am sorry, but…

President
Was it too messy, no?

MARY
I think…

President
How can I say? Well, there were no contents, only the package was worth seeing.

MARY
I am sorry.

President
Yes, you have to be sorry. You work here being paid, and I also try to do my best to give you all the best condition of working.

MARY
Do you really think you did your best? You really try to make best environment for us? So, do you know what we really want? I have something to say.

SONG14 MY DEAR PRESIDENT / MARY
MR. PRESIDENT, MY DEAR PRESIDENT, I RESPECT YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK FOR ALL OF US
WE ALSO WORK HARD FOR OUR COMPANY ALWAYS DOING OUR BEST
MR. PRESIDENT, HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYEES, US? WHAT DO YOU KNOW WE WANT?
WE WANT TO HAVE MORE MONEY, WE WANT TO HAVE REST ON EVERY HOLIDAY
IF WE DISAPPEAR DURING WORKING TIME, PLEASE PRETEND NOT TO RECOGNIZE IT, AND WE WANT TO GO HOME ON TIME
IF A MAN AND A WOMAN LOVE EACH OTHER IN THE COMPANY, LET THEM GO
SUPPORT US TO GO TO LOTS OF TRIPS WITHOUT THINKING OF THE BUDGET
/ WE WANT TO HAVE MORE MONEY, WE WANT TO HAVE REST ON EVERY HOLIDAY
IF WE DISAPPEAR DURING WORKING TIME, PLEASE PRETEND NOT TO RECOGNIZE IT AND WE WANT TO GO HOME ON TIME
IF A MAN AND A WOMAN LOVE EACH OTHER IN THE COMPANY, LET THEM GO
SUPPORT US TO GO TO LOTS OF TRIPS WITHOUT THINKING OF THE BUDGET
/ WE WANT TO HAVE MORE MONEY, WE WANT TO HAVE REST ON EVERY HOLIDAY
IF WE DISAPPEAR DURING WORKING TIME, PLEASE PRETEND NOT TO RECOGNIZE IT AND WE WANT TO GO HOME ON TIME
IF A MAN AND A WOMAN LOVE EACH OTHER IN THE COMPANY, LET THEM GO
SUPPORT US TO GO TO LOTS OF TRIPS WITHOUT THINKING OF THE BUDGET

President
(smiling) Really? So, if I accept everything you want, this company will do well?

MARY
I am sure.

President
So, you mean, I didn’t do it?

MARY
No.

President
First, to raise the salary

MARY
Yes

President
Second, be sure to be day off for every holiday

MARY
Yes

President
Third, if disappeared, I close my eyes

MARY
Yes

President
Fourth, to admit a love affair inside the company

MARY
Yes

President
And, exactly 9 to 5

MARY
Yes

President
To pay for your trip

MARY
Yes

President
But, in fact, it is not the reality?

MARY
No.

President
In this case, I am sorry. I wanted to make the company that you described, but it looks not having worked so far. So what can I do? If I resign, does it work?

MARY
What do you mean?

President
You are not so satisfied because I couldn’t manage this company well, so, I resign and you can make better company. This is my idea.

MARY
Well, Mr. President.

President
No no no. I have an idea. You become the president. So you can take care of all of them. So I resign now. (having taken the resignation letter from his pocket, giving it to MARY) You are the president and I hope you make a good company, MARY, no, Ms. President. (He goes out.)

MARY
(following his) No, no, no. Mr. President! What happened? Do I become the president? No, I should take a trip. So, BOSS.

BOSS
Yes, Ms. President.

MARY
No, I am not the president.

BOSS
Yes, you are now the president of this company, Ms. President.

MARY
Really? I am really president? So, if I am, there is no reason not to be president. Ok, I am president.

JAMES
MARY, we are losing the time. We should take a trip to the world having bought a convertible BMW.

MARY
JAMES, it was to me that you said?

JAMES
Well, MARY, Ms. President.

MARY
BOSS.

BOSS
Yes. President.

MARY
OK, I am going to the president’s office, so let whoever wants to have whatever talk to me or come to see me.

BOSS
I got it. President.

MARY
And, JAMES.

JAMES
MARY.

MARY
What are you doing now here? Go to work!

JAMES
No, so, BMW…

MARY
What? BMW? Are you kidding now?

JAMES
I am sorry.

MARY
Go fast to your work!

(Light out.)
 

8 President Office

(Light in. MARY is in the president office.)

SONG15 I AM PRESIDENT / MARY
LONG LONG TIME AGO, FROM MY VERY YOUNG AGE
I HAVE DREAMED SOMETIMES TO BE PRESIDENT OF MY COMPANY
SITTING ON REVOLVING CHAIR, LOOKING DOWN AT MY EMPLOYEES
I HAVE DREAMED TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT OF MY COMPANY WHO CAN DO EVERYTHING I WANTED
I BECAME THE PRESIDENT, MY DREAM BECAME TRUE I AM THE PRESIDENT
I AM SURELY SITTING IN THE PRESIDENT’S CHAIR AND PEOPLE CALL ME PRESIDENT
THIS IS NOT AN ILLUSION, IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE
I AM THE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT OF MY COMPANY, I AM THE PRESIDENT

WHEN I START MY CAREER HERE I HAD MANY DREAMS. THE BEST AMONG THEM IS BECOMING THE PRESIDENT
EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A PRESIDENT, THE FINAL DREAM OF ALL THE SALARIED MEN
I HAVE WORKED HARD, HARDER THAN ANY OTHER TO ACHIEVE MY DREAM
I CAME EARLIER AT WORK THAN OTHERS AND LEFT LATER THAN OTHERS
I REALLY HAVE WORKED HARD EVEN WHEN I DID WHAT OTHERS DIDN’T WANT TO DO

TIME GOING BY, WITH THE SAME JOB WHICH HAS BEEN REPEATED
MY PASSION HAS GOTTEN COLD AND MY WILL WEAKENED
EVERYDAY, THE SAME REPEATING WORK BORED ME
I COMPLETELY LOST PASSION AND WILL AND I WANDERED
I TRIED TO ESCAPE FOR A LONG TIME UNDERGOING BORING TIME
I STRUGGLED EVERYDAY TO FIND SOMETHING NEW
I TRIED TO HAVE AGAIN MY PASSION, MY STRONG MOTIVATION ON MY WORK
I AM NOW THE PRESIDENT WHO CAN DO EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO MY INTENTION
I AM NOW THE PRESIDENT, I DON’T ENVY ANYTHING
I FOUND AGAIN MY PASSION AND MOTIVATION ON MY WORK
I WILL WORK HARD AGAIN, I WILL DO MY BEST

Secretary
(coming) The executive director arrived.

MARY
Ok. Let him in, please.

Secretary
Yes.

(The executive director comes in.)

E.D.
Good evening, so you are our new president. Nice to meet you. You look so young.

MARY
I am very happy to see you. I am expecting your help.

E.D.
OK. I will help you in whatever way I can.

MARY
So, first of all, to encourage all our staff, I want to raise the salary.

E.D.
Raising the salary? Good idea. So, how much do you want to raise it? What about 30%?

MARY
30%? It seems to be a little bit too much, but, ok, good idea.

E.D.
OK. The raise of salary of 30%. And next?

MARY
I think, I want to make a kind of meeting room in the company to help singles to be out of their situation.

E.D.
Meeting room? So, who will meet whom?

MARY
Of course, among our staff. From now on, everybody can meet everybody in our company!

E.D.
Everybody meets everybody? Good idea. And the next.

MARY
I want to assure maximum holidays in our company, so I hope we work only 4 days a week.

E.D.
4 days a week? Ok, So we work Monday Tuesday and a day off, and again Thursday and Friday. Good, good, good idea!

MARY
Next, guarantee of 9 to 5. Everybody goes out at 5 unconditionally!

E.D.
At 5, out, unconditionally!

MARY
Next is that we close eyes for those who are not in the office.

E.D.
Closing eyes.

MARY
Next, we pay for the trip of our staff.

E.D.
Paying for trip.

MARY
I think that’s all.

E.D.
I see. It’s a good idea.

MARY
Thanks a lot, you can go out.

E.D.
Thanks. (out)

MARY
(After E.D. is out) However, what am I doing now? I expected to take a trip with a convertible BMW. No, no, no, no. I should go to the trip. I cannot stay here because I became the president. I should go. (hesitating) But, now I became the president, and the company become what I wanted. This is my dream of life. Everything became as I wish. 9 to 5, dating, raising of salary, trip…. That is want I wanted when I started to work. Taking a trip leaving all these things? It values… Ok. I will be president for 1 year, just for 1 year. And after that I will take a trip. Ok, this is an opportunity for me that the old woman gave me. Thanks, I am really thankful. Everything is to make money, why will I refuse this chance? Ok, I am president. I will work as the president.

SONG16 I AM PRESIDENT / MARY
I ACHIEVED MY FIRST WORK THAT WILL ASSURE EVERYBODY TO WORK IN SATISFACTION
ALL THE EMPLOYEES WILL THANK ME SAYING I AM THE PRESIDENT WHO KNOWS THEIR NEEDS
THAT IS WHAT I REALLY HAVE EXPECTED AO FAR AND EVERY EMPLOYEE AS WELL
ENOUGH SALARY, ENOUGH REST, LESS WORK AND SOME LOVE AFFAIRS
EVERYTHING IS FREE AND PEACEFUL. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE DONE
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY THAT WILL BECOME THE BEST COMPANY IN THE WORLD
I AM THE PRESIDENT WHO KNOWS THE EMPLOYEES’ NEEDS WELL
EVERYBODY WILL THANK ME. I AM THE PRESIDENT

(MARY, sitting on a swivel chair, takes some time to be relaxing. The chair spins some, and the account manager comes.)

A.M.
Good afternoon, Ms. President. I am the account manager.

MARY
Oh, Good afternoon. Come on in. So Is there anything to say to me?

A.M.
Yes I have. First of all, I want to check what you want to change.

MARY
What I want to change?

A.M.
So, I heard that you want to change, especially you want to increase the salary for 30% and to work for four days a week and to pay for all the trips of the staff. Is it true?

MARY
Yes, it is true. You like it, don’t you?

A.M.
How much money do you think to raise the salary and pay for the trip? And who will work if everybody gets out of the office early and works only four days a week?

MARY
I think it is you who should find a solution?

A.M.
I manage the money, but it is your work to make money. So if you want to create a more favorable environment for the staff, you should first have a plan of how to make more money. Do you know how our financial statue becomes when the salary is suddenly increased 30%? And do you also know how many problems will occur if we work only 4 days a week? If we apply in practice what you hope, our company may go bankrupt in less than a month. Running a company is not a work of whim. All our fate is in your hands. I like your concern for the staff’s welfare and everything about the staff, but first of all this company should be safe. I think that you must not decide on that whim. You are now drawing all of us to a cliff.

(With fanfare, the union members come in.)

SONG17 WE DISLIKE / CHORUS
WE DON’T LIKE, WE DON’T REALLY LIKE THE PRESIDENT WHO IS TOO SENTIMENTAL
SHE DOESN’T KNOW ANYTHING SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO (CHILDISH PRESIDENT)
KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, KNOW WHAT YOUR JOB IS CLEARLY
WE DON’T NEED THE PRESIDENT WHO IS TOO SENTIMENTAL (WE DON’T LIKE HER)
WE DON’T LIKE HER
WE WANT WORK WITHOUT BEING THREATENED BY THE THOUGHT OF LOSING JOB
WE WILL LIVE LIFE DOING WHAT WE HAVE TO DO

GET THE SALARY DOWN 30% AGAIN AND WE WILL WORK FOR 5 DAYS A WEEK
NOT 4 DAYS
WE DON’T NEED TO HAVE THE SUPPORT FOR OUR TRIP, WE DON’T TAKE A TRIP, WE WILL ONLY WORK
/ GET THE SALARY DOWN 30% AGAIN AND WE WILL WORK FOR 5 DAYS A WEEK
NOT 4 DAYS
WE DON’T NEED TO HAVE SUPPORT FOR OUR TRIP, WE DON’T TAKE A TRIP, WE WILL ONLY WORK

MARY
So, let’s be calm. Ok, ok, who doesn’t like working less?

A.M.
Working less? Why working less? We don’t have work? We have lots of things to do. Why we work less but we have work. Who will be responsible after working less if our company goes bankrupt? No, we cannot understand this kind of management of the company.

MARY
OK. OK. I see. I got it. So, I will stop, ok? I will not be the president. I won’t do it. I wanted to take a trip to the world. I don’t know how it is developed.

(MARY gives her resignation letter to A.M.)

MARY
Ok, good, From now on, you are the president of the company. I will leave.

A.M.
No, no, no, That is not what I meant…

MARY
So, everything will be clear once I leave, no?

A.M.
No, so, I , yes….

MARY
So what?

A.M.
So what I mean is so… .

MARY
OK, ok, I got it. (pushing back A.M. and drawing front one of the union member) OK. Your will be president of this company. So, please make a good company. Mr. President.

(Light out.)
 

9 street

(Light in)

SONG5 STREET /CHORUS (RE.)

(MARY appears)

MARY
Ah! What happened? I don’t even know where I am. Anyway what really happened? I quit my job in the morning and I got a lottery to be rich and finally I became the President of my company and again resigned. What a surprising day! Let me see. I was doing something. Yes, travel to Europe. (putting out his cell phone) Hello, JAMES, It’s me. Where are you, come on out quickly. I am not the president of the company any longer. Let’s go to buy a BMW. I’m not kidding. Let’s start. What’s the matter? Soon before? It was nothing. It was just …. I haven’t changed. I want to take a trip all over the world with you. It’s on my mind. JAMES, It’s true. JAMES….. OK. I got it. And I will leave alone. OK. Bye. (a little moment of being frustrated, but soon making another call) Hello, I am at a travel agency, right? OK, I want to leave on a trip to… I don’t know where, anyway I want to leave tomorrow. Europe or South America, I don’t know, maybe Africa. OK, Good, I will see you soon. OK, What? Passport? I don’t know where it is. And I also need to have a visa for certain countries? Really? When? When can I leave? I don’t know how long it will take. Hello, you know, I have money, I have much money, OK? I can pay for everything you want, I will pay ten times. What? OK. Ok… Good e.

SONG18 IT’S OK / MARY
OK IT’S OK EVERYTHING IS OK I CAN LEAVE
LIFE IS ALWAYS MESSY, ALWAYS A SURPRISE
I CAN LEAVE THE TRIP IT IS NOT DIFFICULT
JAMES! YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY MAN
IT’S OK IT’S OK OK OK I THINK EVERYTHING IS OK
I HAVE EVERYTHING IT IS TRUE THAT I HAVE EVERYTHING
I HAVE MONEY, TIME AND I HAVE MY FAMILY

(Suddenly, she misses her family. She calls her mother.)

MARY
(Suddenly, shedding tears) Mom, It’s me. Are you all right? Nothing, nothing. I am sorry not to call so frequently. Mom, I became the president of my company. Yes, the president. No, no, no, I resigned. I’m not kidding. It is true. I became the president but I resigned from the position. And I won the lottery. 10 million. Yes it is big money. I will buy you a new house, new car and whatever you want. No, I am not kidding. I don’t lie. (upset, because Mom) I don’t lie. Mom, why don’t you believe me? I didn’t lie to you. It is true. I wanted to quit my job, but the president asked me to be the president, and I wanted to run…. (She cannot continue.) Sorry, Mom. I am sorry. Anyway, what I said is not a lie. And it is also true that I won the lottery of 10 million. I am sorry, I will call you again. (hanging up the phone)

OK IT’S OK I AM OK I AM REALLY OK
I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING
I MAY NOT DO EVERYTHING WITH MONEY
OK I HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO THINK OF THE THINGS
IF I AM IN A HURRY, THE PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR
I HAVE TO THINK TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS
I CAN MAKE IT I CAN DO THAT NOTHING IS PROBLEM FOR ME
EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD, NO I HAVE TO MAKE EVERYTHING WORK WELL
I CAN MAKE IT

MARY
Ok, everything will be better. Yes, I have money, 10 million. I am really proud of myself to just think 10 million. I can do everything. Boyfriend? If I cannot find one, ok, I can buy one. And the trip, trip… Yes I can go, I can…. Hue… Anyway there are things that I cannot do with money.

(The old woman appears.)

MARY
Hi!

Old woman
How is it going? Are you happy?

MARY
What?

Old woman
Did everything go well?

MARY
No, It didn’t. It didn’t work well.

Old woman
Why? What’s the matter? You can do everything if you have money? You look sad. It is worse than when you were going to work. I gave you luck to make your face happy and smile, that is not the solution. In this case, I’d better retrieve the money back.

MARY
What? No. No. No. Never!

Old woman
So, how do you do? I gave the money for you to be happy, but if it cannot give you happiness, it is normal to retrieve it.

MARY
No, no, no. I will smile.

(She smiles.)

Old woman
No, it is not smiling. You forced the smile.

MARY
And now?

(She smiles more.)

Old woman
OK. We do like this. I will give you some more time. You will find the solution. You should find the reasons that removed your smile and then, you have to resolve it. If you make it, everything will stay like now, but if you don’t make it, I will retrieve all the things I gave you this morning. OK? Good luck.

(She disappears.)

MARY
No. It doesn’t make sense. I even quit my job, and if I get my money back? No, I don’t want to imagine that situation. What’s the matter? I have to find a solution, I must resolve this problem. OK, I must laugh, laugh. Let’s contemplate. From when I lost smile.

(#1 job interview scene restarts again. The scene goes on, but the final question will be given to MARY, and at that moment everybody stops talking and only she speaks.)

Interviewer
So, what is your intention if you can join our company?

MARY
In the Muragaki Ryu’s novel “69”, she says that “living happy is winning”. I believe that happy and positive mind gives a positive result. I always try to work enjoying it and the bigger the problem is, the bigger my laughing is, because I have the firm conviction that laughing will give luck. And also, my laughing virus will spread around me and then increase endorphins of them. I think, if I work enjoying it I can overcome the difficulties and I can do everything. I may not be a person of 100%. However I try to fill my imperfections and to become the person that the company needs. And also I will try to learn foreign languages to communicate with people and to help this company become number one in this unlimited challenging world. I will sincerely pray to work with you together.

(Some moment. The phone rings and everybody answers the phone. The remaining scene is the same. However, MARY doesn’t participate in this scene or, doing her role, she goes out from her role from time to time to observe others and herself as well. If necessary, she can call “stop” and everybody stops, during this moment, she can observe more closely. She will recognize that she gradually loses her facial expressions. When everybody’s face becomes expressionless,)

SONG19 THAT’S JUST IT
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT, WHAT I WANTED TO ACHIEVE
HARD WORKING, PLEASURING WORKING AND GOOD WORKING
SHARING MY PLEASURE WITH OTHERS MAKING THEIR ENDORPHINS CIRCULATE
STUDYING HARD FORIGN LANGUAGE AND BEING INNOVATIVE AND CONTINUING MY DEVELOPMENT

MARY
This was my first thought. However there are boring things that I repeat every day, I became tired because of overwhelming work, I couldn’t even take a rest when I hoped. The boss is nagging me, too much competition, I have too many things to consider. I became pulled my work even not knowing why I work. My life became boring and it became a simple habit. My mind to live happily, enjoying, smiling and positive disappeared.

I AM BORED REPEATING EVERYDAY’S LIFE IT MAKES ME BORED
I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, EAT BREAKFAST AND GO TO WORRK
EAT LUNCH AND WORK AND GO HOME
EAT DINNER AND WATCH TV AND GO TO SLEEP
I MEET FRIENDS AND MY BOYFRIEND
I GO TO TRIPS WITH MY FAMILY AND JUST TALK
THAT IS JUST FOR MOMENT
EVERYDAY’S LIFE IS CONTINUOUSLY REPEATING

I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, EAT BREAKFAST AND GO TO WORK
EAT LUNCH AND WORK AND GO HOME
EAT DINNER AND WATCH TV AND GO TO SLEEP

I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, EAT BREAKFAST AND GO TO WORK

MARY
Where are you? Where are you? I got it. I can smile now. I know now why I lost the smile from my face. I figured out it clearly. Where are you?

OUR MIND LOOKS LIKE A BATTLEFIELD STRESS TRIES TO RULE
OUR MIND DOESN’T HAVE ROOT SO THAT IT SHAKES AS IT SHAKES
ON THE WAY OF THIS CONTINUOUS SHAKING
OUR MIND IS COMPLETELY LOST BEING CONFUSED
OUR LIFE TRIES TO GET US DOWN BY PULLING OUR LEGS
BEING TRAPPED IN A DEEP MARSH IS THE PLEASURE THAT OUR LIFE ENJOYS
OUR LIFE IS A BULLY WHOSE HOBBY IS TORMENTING US
OUR LIFE IS A BAD FRIEND WHO ENJOYS HARASSING US
I FAILED I LOST LOTS OF THINGS
I LOST THE OBJECT OF MY LIFE AND HAS BEEN DRAGGED SO FAR
I LOST THE GAME AGAINT MY LIFE
I HAVE BEEN DRAGGED SO FAR BY MY LIFE WITHOUT THINKING
HOWEVER
THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST END, I STILL HAVE THE 2ND END
I NOW KNOW THAT THE OWNER OF MY LIFE IS ME
IT IS ME WHO PLANS AND LIVES MY LIFE. THIS IS MY LIFE
LIFE MAY GET ME DOWN, IT IS I WHO HAVE TO STAND UP AGAIN
I NOW KNOW HOW TO SMILE AGAIN
EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON ME. EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON HOW TO LIVE LIFE
I HAVE TO FIND THE GOAL OF MY LIFE WHICH WILL GUIDE ME TO THE SMILE
ENJOYING HAPPY SMILING AND POSITIVE
FALLING DOWN OR BEING STRUCK DOESN’T MATTER
I CAN STAND UP AGAIN, I CAN START AGAIN

ENJOYING HAPPY SMILING AND POSITIVE
ENJOYING HAPPY SMILING AND POSITIVE
HOW STRONG LIE MAKES ME TIRED AND HURT, I AM OK
BECAUSE I JUST SMILE, I CAN STAND UP AGAIN
EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON WHAT I DO
ENJOYING HAPPY SMILING AND POSITIVE
ENJOYING HAPPY SMILING AND POSITIVE

(Light out.) 

10 Epilogue

(#2 the scene of going to work will be repeated. This scene may be composed in two different ways one is done with all the positive people, another is with positive and negative people in an appropriate portion.)

SONG2 MORNING / ALL CAST (RE.)

(The End.)