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No Stranger James Seamarsh CHARACTERS MOTU/MOTHER OF THE UNIVERSE: 35-ish, has seen it all, dresses flashy, like a prostitute, someone who knows life beyond her years. GOD/DOUG/BARTENDER: 45-ish, polished, smooth talker, hard worker, good listener, casual, friendly, not there when you need him. MAN/JOE: 25-ish, young man barely legal, thinks he knows something, knows he knows something, knows he doesn’t know much, but cocky, practicing standing his ground. He is wearing a pair of jeans with a large tear at the knee, allowing his knee to protrude when he bends his leg at the knee, a hole inviting enough for a hand to slip up his thigh. SETTING A small, neighborhood tavern in a part of the world that gets colder in the winter. TIME Present day, winter. SYNOPSIS OF SCENES ACT I Scene 1 Inside tavern Mid-Afternoon Scene 2 Inside tavern Mid-Afternoon Scene 3 Inside tavern Mid-Afternoon ACT I SCENE 1 (A neighborhood tavern in present time. There is a table stage left, bar center stage, and a door right stage.) (MOTU sits at a table, eyes closed, dressed like a prostitute. GOD has his sleeves rolled up and is cleaning his bar. MAN stands at the bar, drinking a beer. The stage is dark until each character is introduced by VOICE.) (This scene clues the audience to the characters as symbols.) VOICE (V.O.) In a neighborhood tavern, God plays bartender… (spotlight on GOD cleaning his bar) and Man meets… (second spotlight on MAN finishing a beer at the bar) the Mother of the Universe. (third spotlight on MOTU) MOTU (eyes closed, slumped in chair) I’m used ta feelin’ dizzy; alone, lost, floating… (eyes open, sits up, looks at audience) Most days I feel sick. Not ‘cause I ate somethin’, or didn’t, but ‘cause I’m afraid o’ what happens next. GOD (easy going, smooth talker) I’m all ears. What’ll ya have? MAN Give me a beer. (all lights out) ACT I SCENE 2 (Stage set same as Scene One) (The stage is dark. MOTU is at the same table in the same outfit, relaxed in her chair. GOD is tending his bar, his back to the door.) (MAN comes through the tavern door. The door squeaks open and lets in a piercing, bright light, which shines out into the audience. MAN steps into the door and stands for a moment, his body outlined in the light. Then MAN steps through the door on stage and lets the door snap closed behind him. The bright light is gone and the stage lights come on.) MAN (towards bartender) Mornin’ Doug. GOD Hey Joe. (MAN sees MOTU in the corner, nods, then heads over to the bar. MOTU looks him over, head to toe, likes what she sees. Pays particular attention to his crotch and the hole at MAN‘s knee.) MAN Steamed milk, large, and make it hot. It’s cold out there. GOD You got it. (MAN sits at a bar stool, puts his leg up on the footrest, turns towards MOTU, leading with his bare knee poking through his pants.) (MOTU stares at his crotch long enough that she knows MAN has seen her staring at his crotch, then she quickly looks up to MAN’s face.) (MAN does not look away, is not embarrassed, somewhat flattered.) GOD Honey? MAN No thanks. (MAN puts his finger through the mug handle, swings his knee out, slides off his stool, and swaggers over to my table.) MAN Mind if I join you? (MOTU flicks her chin towards a chair. MAN spins the chair backwards, straddles the seat, and sits down facing MOTU.) MOTU (for audience to hear, not MAN) Prima Dona… MAN You new around here? MOTU No. (MAN waits, but when MOTU says no more) MAN (stands up) Sorry, my mistake. Just thought you were interested. (MOTU stares at MAN’s crotch.) MAN (with a sneer) You some kinda pervert? Motu Yeah… (MOTU jumps her eyes to MAN’s face to catch his reaction.) MAN (disgust and judgment) Shit… (MAN walks back to the bar. MOTU watches him move.) MAN Who’s the broad? GOD THAT is Mrs. Drew. (looks back and forth between MAN and MOTU) (to MOTU) Give the kid a break. He doesn’t know. MAN Know what? GOD You’ll have ta ask her. (pause) It’s okay, she won’t bite, (sneaky smile) ‘less you like that sorta thing. (pause) Go ahead. You’re old enough. (MAN and GOD look at each other. MAN looks at MOTU, then walks over to MOTU. Slowly this time, no swagger, more cautious.) (MOTU tilts her head towards the chair. MAN turns the chair, turning it face-forward. MAN sits, watching MOTU for any sudden movement.) motu Closer… (pause) Come closer. (MAN looks back at GOD, who smiles and shoos him towards MOTU.) MOTU (whisper) I ain’t gonna hurchya. (MAN leans forward to hear MOTU, slides his chair closer, settles into his seat.) MOTU How old ARE ya? (MAN straightens up, pulls back his shoulders, turns one side of his face to me and leans closer.) MAN Twenty-four. (turns to face MOTU) (asks with a poke of his face towards MOTU) How old are YOU? MOTU (surprised, pulls back) (to the audience) Cocky son-of-a-bitch… (takes a breath, then facing MAN) It’s not polite to ask a lady’s age. MAN (opens his mouth to say something, then closes it) MOTU I’m 48. But I lie about my age. MAN You don’t look 48… MOTU (with a snort) I told ya, I lie about my age. (A questions comes and goes from MAN’s face, then his expression falls quiet.) MOTU What’s the worst thing that ever happened to ya? MAN (looks around for GOD, he is gone) Whadya mean? MOTU I want ta tell ya something’, but I don’t want ta shock ya. What’s the worst thing that ever happened to ya? MAN (looks into MOTU’s eyes) (MAN mouths a story, saying nothing, but showing with his facial expressions the story of his life; not the whole story, just the hard parts, the hidden parts, his secret scars. As he goes deeper, he starts to lie, hiding the ugly truth, his part in the story, what he did.) MOTU Don’t lie to me, boy! MAN (MAN tells the whole story. When finished, he drops his head, ashamed.) (pause) (lifts eyes to MOTU’s eyes) MOTU I’ve heard worse. MAN (looks down, ashamed again) MOTU When ya gonna forgive yerself? MAN (face hardens, looks up, eyes narrowed, colder, angry) (says while standing up) Fuckin’ preacher… MOTU Sidown. (to bartender) Bring me a hot milk. (GOD, mug in hand, is already walking over. He sets the mug on the table.) GOD Listen to her, kid. It’s a good story. MAN (shifts his weight away from GOD) GOD Don’t take it so personal. She don’t really give a shit ‘boutchya. (puts his hand on MAN’s shoulder. MAN looks at GOD, begins to relax) Listen to her… (guides MAN back down into his chair. MAN sits, looking at GOD, then looks at MOTU) MOTU I’m 48, but I lie about my age. I’m really ten thousand years old. Of course, you don’t believe me, but that doesn’t matter. (MAN squirms, looks around for GOD, but GOD is gone again) MOTU I don’t know if I was born or created, but I know I’m here for a reason. You’re part of that reason, right now, here. (MOTU looks MAN in the eyes) MAN (looks MOTU in the eyes, and gets the gift of forgiveness, tears roll down his face) MOTU (without breaking stare, reaches under the table, fingers find the hole and slide into his jeans) MAN (jumping to feet) What the fuck! (backs away from MOTU) Fuckin’ pervert! (looks around, sees GOD at the bar) Fuckin’ bitch! GOD (laughs) She gotcha, kid! She gotcha!p MAN (lied to, gives GOD the finger) Fuck you! (MAN stumbles for the door, opens it. There is a flash of light, then the door squeaks and snaps shut. The bright light goes out, leaving GOD and MOTU on stage). (MOTU smiles at GOD, raises her milk, GOD raises a glass, MOTU takes a drink, closes her eyes, and swallows) (stage goes dark) ACT I SCENE 3 (Same as Scene 1) (MOTU sits at a table, eyes closed, dressed like a prostitute. GOD has his sleeves rolled up and is cleaning his bar. MAN stands at the bar, drinking a beer. The stage is dark until each character is introduced by VOICE.) VOICE (V.O.) In a neighborhood tavern, God plays bartender… (spotlight on GOD cleaning his bar) and Man meets… (second spotlight on MAN finishing a beer at the bar) the Mother of the Universe. (third spotlight on MOTU) MOTU (eyes closed, slumped in chair) I’m used ta feelin’ dizzy; alone, lost, floating… (eyes open, sits up, looks at audience) Most days I feel sick. Not ‘cause I ate somethin’, or didn’t, but ‘cause I’m afraid o’ what happens next. GOD (easy going, smooth talker) I’m all ears. What’ll ya have? MAN Give me a beer. (all lights out) |