(There is one office desk with a sign out book and a pen STAGE LEFT. At STAGE RIGHT , there is a campfire burning. The rest of the set is black. A man in tatter rags and smoking a pipe walks in. His name is Ash. A stunning, young women in a sharp business suite enters on the opposite side of the stage that the man entered. Her name is Sam.)
Note: If there is/are deaf audience member/s:
The entire play may be done in sign language. The interpreters may only use universal sign language to communicate with one another alongside the spoken language. Also, there may be sign language interpreters off stage as the action and words take place.
Lights up.
The two characters meet and a bright light zaps on and off.
SAM
You are late.
Ash
I love you.
SAM
Doesn't make up for your tardiness.
Ash
No but I do. I'll do anything for you. Anything.
SAM
Will you cry.
Ash
Yes.
SAM
Then cry.
(The man tries to cry but can't.)
Ash
I can't.
SAM
Try harder.
Ash
My bum hurts.
SAM
No excuse for not crying. If your but hurts you should be able to cry.
Ash
I don't know if I love you anymore.
SAM
Lets sit by the fire. We can talk about it there…its wormer there.
Ash
We have to sign out first.
(They sign out and sit by the fire.)
SAM
I love the fire.
Ash
I try not to get too close.
SAM
Why?
Ash
The demons…they frighten me.
SAM
Oh them…their really friendly you just have to know how to
tame em…you know.
Ash
How do you tame em.
SAM
Well. You trick them.
Ash
How do you trick em.
SAM
I don't know exactly . . . ..it was a gift…I just know how to control them.
Ash
A gift?
SAM
I learned it in my sleep.
Ash
Dreams?
SAM
No…not dreams…in my sleep…in my nothing.
Ash
Whats your nothing?
(A mail man enters. HE delivers a small box to Ash)
Mail Man
Your package sir.
Ash
Thank you my friend.
Mail Man
I 'm not your friend.
Ash
Your not.
Mail man
Of coarse not. I delivered this to you.
(HE exits.)
Ash
Its my packaged…it has arrived.
SAM
What is it?
Ash
Whats inside, whats inside…what is inside.
SAM
Stop looking happy.
Ash
I don't look happy.
SAM
You do too.
Ash
I look absolutely, positively…and one hundredpercent…pensive.
SAM
Stop looking pensive.
Ash
Ok…I'll look…I'll look…flabbergasted.
SAM
Stop looking flabbergasted.
Ash
Ok…I'll look..I know interested.
SAM
That's better…I like that…
Ash
You like anything.
SAM
I don't like flabber.
Ash
What?
SAM
What?
Ash
Shut up.
SAM
Your just jealous
Ash
Cause why? I got the box you didn't get a delivery.
SAM
But I have nothing…and I don't have to look interested…
I just have these two hands…Ha. You have more to bare. I got
Simplicity…and that's all you need to smile. He he.
Ash
You have more than that.
SAM
Like what?
Ash
You have the sign out book and the pen
SAM
There not mine..they are the companies..
Ash
Oh well.
(He admires his box. Than suddenly he jumps up and wets his pants.)
SAM
You didn't
Ash
Christ…I did.
SAM
Wipe it up.
Ash
No.
SAM
Yes.
Ash
No.
SAM
No.
Ash
No.
SAM
No.
Ash
No.
SAM
Loser.
Ash
Winner.
SAM
Wipe it.
Ash
Ok.
(He cleans his pants with the box.)
SAM
You feel better.
Ash
No.
SAM
Hmm.I don't know you like I use to.
Ash
That's sad…I haven't been coming to work. I love you still.
SAM
Hmmm. Your weird and fucked up.
Ash
I know….I like the outside of the box.
SAM
Its…its…its…interesting.
(They jump up and begin to dance to no music. )
Ash
I love to dance.
SAM
Me too.
(The sit back down and admire the box.)
Ash
Your pretty.
SAM
What is it?
Ash
I don't know whats inside?
SAM
I didn't ask what was inside…I asked about it. The box?
Ash
Oh…What is inside you mean.
SAM
No…what is it.
Ash
It's a box.
(He jumps up and mimes being trapped in a box.)
SAM
Oh. I see..So what is it?
Ash
It's a box.
SAM
Ok.
Ash
Do you want to see whats inside?
SAM
I don't like that word.
Ash
What word?
SAM
Inside.
Ash
Well, sorry. I'll set it down.
SAM
No open it.
Ash
But you don't like the word inside.
SAM
Its just a damn word…open it?
Ash
Well, ok.
(SAM opens the box. He takes out a human hand. )
SAM
It's a human hand.
Ash
Yes. Interesting isn't it.
SAM
No. Its just a hand.
Ash
Yea…that's interesting that someone would send me a hand.
SAM
I guess that is kind of strange.
Ash
I said interesting not strange.
(The mail man comes back and delivers a package to SAM)
Mail man
Your package mam.
SAM
Thank you sir.
Mail man
Your are very beautiful.
SAM
Thank you..go away now.
Mail man
Fine bitch.
(HE exits.)
SAM
Give me your hand.
Ash
Here.
(He sticks his hand in her face.)
SAM
No your hand.
Ash
Ok
(He sticks his other hand in her face.)
SAM
Your other hand.
(He sticks the other hand is her face again.)
Ash
Here already.
SAM
…damn it…the thing that came out of your box.
Ash
You need a hand with your box.
SAM
I want to see your hand.
(He shows here his own hand again.)
Ash
That's it ass wipe.
(She goes after his throat. She chokes him. When she signs to him while she is choking him she must stop choking sign and then go back to choking him.)
Ash
Let me go…I'm dieing.
(She chokes harder. He get breath. She stop choking to sign.)
SAM
Take it you son of a bitch. Don't ever think I am not a stron lady…I
May look pretty and petite but I got spunk pal.
(She goes back to choking.)
Ash
Heehe….heeah..
SAM
You give up to easily.
(He hands her the hand that was in his box.)
SAM
Thanks…
(She admires it.)
SAM
Its lovely.
Ash
You tried to kill me.
SAM
So. I do that sometimes. I wonder if I should open my box.
Ash
Do it.
SAM
Something in me says not to.
(An alarm goes off.)
Ash
Work time.
SAM
Damn.
(They stand. The mail man comes out with a large crate on wheels. He exits.)
Ash
Slavery this is.
(They open the crate and they begin removing cell phones. After seconds the cell phones begin to ring, blink and viberate.)
Ash
Hello. Weclom…hi…three…four….yes….go….buy….it would be nice…
That is pleasant.
SAM
Hello…welcome..hi..three…no higher….four..yes…got…buy..it would be nice…
That is pleasant.
(They answer the phones and sign into the receivers.)
Ash
That is what it is…take it or leave it.
SAM
Do you think they understand.
Ash
No…they can't even hear us.
(They begin setting the cell phones onto the floor.)
SAM
True..ha ha..
Ash
Hello…welcom..hit..three..four…yes..got…to buy..it would be nice.
That is pleasant.
SAM
Hello..welcome…hi …three..yes higher..four…yea…never…to buy..but it woulb
Be bad..that is pleasant.
Ash
They love us….
SAM
Do you think so.
Ash
Stop being sarcastic.
SAM
Ok.
(They begin to unload the Styrofoam bubbles.)
SAM
I like how these feel.
Ash
Yea..its soft…I love to feel stuff.
SAM
ME to…its my favorite thing to do…can I touch your foam.
Ash
Sure..if you don't break them up in little pieces.
SAM
I won't
(She breaks his foam up into little pieces.)
Ash
Damn you.
SAM
Ha HA.
Ash
When is quitting time…we've been working for ages it seems like.
(Alarm goes. The mail man comes back. He picks up all the cell phones and places them back into the crate. He exits with the crate.)
Ash
At least he left the foam.
SAM
The day is over. Don't bring work home with you.
Ash
This isn't home.
SAM
We must sign out…
Ash
Shit…We forgot to sign in for work….we just worked for ages.
And no prove of it.
SAM
Well what should we do.
Ash
Well. We got to sign in…now…put me down for …how many hours did
We work.
SAM
I don't know…I forgot my watch.
Ash
It seemed like eight.
SAM
No more than six.
Ash
Ok put me down for seven.
SAM
Why…
Ash
Its lucky.
SAM
How can it be lucky…its just a number. I hate superstition….
Ash
Luck is superstition.
SAM
I guess…anyway…why should I put you down for seven.
Ash
Oh…your right…put me down for eight.
SAM
Huh…we only worked six.
Ash
How do you know.
SAM
Your confusing me…stop it.
Ash
No.
SAM
Your bothering me…stop signing to me.
Ash
No.
SAM
Fuck off.
Ash
Never.
(She goes after him. She wrestles him to the ground…and rips stuff out of his pockets.
She grabs his wallet and throws into the audience. Then she grabes receipts and chunks them into the audience as well. Then she begins choking him.)
(Stopping to sign.)
SAM
This time I'll kill you.
Ash
Don't'
(She goes back to choking him.)
Ash
Help.
(She stops to sign.)
SAM
You are mean…disrespectful and annoying.
Ash
So…I don't deserve death for that do I.
(She chokes him again. The mail man comes on. He taps Sam on the shoulder. She doesn't respond. He taps again. No response. He taps for the last time. She looks up.)
Mail man.
Here.
Ash
Thanks.
SAM
What is it.
Mail Man
I don't know..I am not allowed to look in the envelops.
(HE exits.)
SAM
It's a check I bet.
Ash
What type of check.
SAM
My paycheck.
Ash
What of mine…we get them at the same time.
SAM
I work harder…I get more.
Ash
Your unfair.
SAM
Life isn't fair.
Ash
Yes it is.
SAM
You don't make sense.
Ash
Life is fair..you just live in the unfair zone.
SAM
What is the unfair zone.
Ash
It's the part of life that you just….seek out…and say
That's unfair…or its just not equal around here…that's
Just the way it is….learn to cope.
SAM
So…that's the truth.
Ash
Oh, it is huh. Well not in my fair life…I live in the fair zone.
SAM
Well, that's why your stupid and I am smart.
Ash
See. There you go…unfair zone.
SAM
Huh.
Ash
You'll never get my way of life.
SAM
I don't want to.
(Mail man comes in. Looks at both of them.)
Mail Man
Wrong address.
(HE exits.)
Ash
He is a weird man.
SAM
I think he is cute.
Ash
Should you ask him out next time.
SAM
Who said there will be a next time.
Ash
What do you mean?
SAM
He could get hit by a car, or a bus…or a dog could take him down
Or mad beez from China.
Ash
Mad beez from China. Are there even bees in China.
SAM
I don't know I was making it up.
Ash
He'll come back, and I'll tell him you think he has a nice ass.
SAM
You will.
Ash
Yes.
SAM
And I'll just choke you again.
Ash
I like it when you choke me. You never go all the way.
SAM
All the way to what.
Ash
I don't know. All the way.
SAM
Your strange.
Ash
My name is Ash. Give me a break.
SAM
Your name is Ash?
Ash
Yes.
SAM
Oh. You want to know my name.
Ash
I told you earlier I didn't?
SAM
I have to respect your needs and wants. So I won't tell you.
Ash
Thank you.
SAM
Its SAM. Hi. Ash…I am Sam
Ash
Hey.
SAM
You are a loser aren't you.
Ash
Gee you get nicer by the moment. I wonder if you'll marry me.
SAM
Do you want my answer.
Ash
Sure why not.
(She begins to choke him again. The mail man enters.)
Mail Man
Some one needs to sign for this.
SAM
For What?
Ash
Thank you.
SAM
For what?
Ash
I was thanking him.
Mail man
Your welcome…you need to sign for the fire.
SAM
For the camp fire.
Mail man
Yes. Please. John Hancock here if you don't mind.
SAM
Sure. I didn't know we had to.
Ash
Fire regulations.
SAM
But its just a fire.
Mail man
Sorry. Like the man said. Regulations.
(She signs.)
Mail man
Thank you.
(He exits.)
SAM
What do you know?
Ash
Regulations…are regulations.
(They move to the fire.)
SAM
Its beautiful fire. The way it warms you. The way it crackles.
Its all so complex. Did you know light has different levels? The levels
Are represented by the colors it betrays. The faster the frequency of it all..than the bluer the light is…the slower the frequency the more red it is…
If it the frequency is real, real fast..than the light turns white.
IT can get so fast it become invisible….the faster it gets the more it becomes unseen. It's the same way if you look at it in a opposite direction. Like the slower
it becomes the more it then can leave the visible spectrum and become lost
and move on into a different levels….and when this happens the form changes. ….like infa-red is a different form of light
than ultra violiet and so on..and so on...
Or in the other direction it can move into a different level of the spectrum…. In doing this…it can find a a more complex form or simple one…or it can stay in the happy medium…
Stay in the visible zone… lets say…we only see this happy medium..and
I only call it the happy medium because I am bias to that form of light…even
Though there are many, many forms we can not see….See when light is happy it can than be seen by the human eyes…so if its Frequency and intensity is too fast.. it is lost by our viewing eyes…same in the other direction. So, the question is
Do we chose to see light…or does it chose to let us see it…It all depends on the lights intensity….frequency plus intensity and something else mixed in…maybe heat….anyway… Wait..I think its just frequency equal its heat..and them together
Measured make its intensity…maybe that's it…I forgot kind of…any way…
This whole theory is called the Blackbody spectrum. Whats interesting
Is if the frequency of it all is too slow than the light can be unseen as well…as if was too fast….some believe its all on one level….all on one plain…I don't…
I think it has different forms…and changes like a chamilion…depending
On its heat and frequency…well lets say frequency and intensity…the
Heat follows ..if the light's frequency is too slow…It eventually can become radio waves…if its real real, super, doper, real fast…it becomes x-rays….faster ….than it becomes…gama rays.
Light can not exist with out its different levels…all things in nature is like light and in someway connected to this theory… all things in nature have frequencies and intensities…or in theory…I say
All things in nature can one way or another be measured…Well, my opinion and my perspective of Coarse.
Ash
That is not right.
SAM
How do you know.
Ash
Because I know light…And its not exactly right.
SAM
Prove it.
Ash
Its not what I can prove but what I can not.
SAM
I wish we could work.
Ash
Why?
SAM
Just be a good scientist and do it.
Ash
When do you become a scholar?
SAM
I just paid attention in class.
Ash
Oh really. Well add another log to the fire….before it goes out.
SAM
We have no logs.
Ash
Than burn you box.
SAM
I haven't opened it yet.
Ash
Well open it.
(The mail man enters. He has a message. He gives it to Sam.)
SAM
It's a message.
(HE exits.)
SAM
Its from Light. He wants to tell you something.
Ash
ME.
SAM
Yes he says….The Black Body theory is defined as….is an ideal incandescent
Light source….with an emission spectrum which will not depend on what
The substance the light comes from, but only its temperature.
Ash
See…all thermal, or heat, sources have a broad spectrum..See the emit
Photons with a wide range of energy.
SAM
How do you know this.
Ash
I didn't listen in class…All things are made of photons and electrons.
I think?
SAM
I wish I could go back to work.
Ash
We are at work. Work never ends.
SAM
What do we do if we don't work.
Ash
I don't know. Did you know that all things have frequency and
In one way or another can be measured by on temperature scale.
SAM
So all things have heat.
Ash
I don't know about that…but they all have temperature.
SAM
Hmm.I am confused.
Ash
Can I kiss you.
SAM
I guess.
(Ash kisses her.)
SAM
That's enough.
Ash
You kiss good.
SAM
You taste like burnt milk.
Ash
Have you ever drank burnt milk.
SAM
No…but I can imagine what it taste like…and you taste like it.
Ash
I don't taste like burnt ashes.
SAM
Not today.
(The Alarm goes on.)
SAM
We must work.
Ash
Damn.
SAM
Here he comes.
(The mail man enters with a giant rubber ball.)
Mail man
Have at it.
(He exits.)
Ash
What do we do.
SAM
Roll it I suppose.
Ash
Allright. Lets roll.
(They roll the ball back and forth.)
SAM
Why do we have to work.
Ash
Uh…good question.
SAM
Why do we have to.
Ash
The boss wants us to do good.
SAM
Whats good.
Ash
Not bad.
SAM
Whats not bad.
Ash
Hmm…I guess when you do whats natural it is good.
SAM
So good is natural.
Ash
Naturally.
SAM
Hmm..I don't follow.
Ash
Well. If we stay productive than things get done…so the world moves on.
SAM
This is productive.
Ash
I guess…the mail man gave it to us…the mail man was sent by the boss.
SAM
Why doesn't the boss come for himself.
Ash
I don't know…why didn't Godot show up for gogo and didi.
SAM
Godot?
Ash
Yes…you know him don't you.
SAM
No.
Ash
He knew go go and didi.
SAM
Who is gogo and didi.
Ash
This is boring…lets play with something else.
SAM
I thought we were working.
Ash
We are playing right?
SAM
No we were working.
Ash
Oh yes. Are we on the clock.
SAM
Oh. Did we sign in.
Ash
I think I did. I can't recall.
SAM
Should we.
Ash
Again.
SAM
To make sure.
Ash
Yes..lets make sure.
(They go to the sign in table. The mail man comes back and retrieves the ball. They sign in again.)
SAM
How many hours do I put you down for.
Ash
9 hours plus overtime…hey I don't think we signed out last time…our at least correctly.
SAM
I don't care…we have to put something….lies or truth.
Ash
Can we cheat at this game.
SAM
No.
Ash
Can we cheat at work.
SAM
Yes.
Ash
Hmm.
SAM
What now.
Ash
just sign me in…and then out for 9 hours and over time.
Ash.
Huh?
SAM
Do you ever feel like someone is walking behind you…and its you.
Ash
No.
SAM
Ok…lets sit by the pond.
Ash
There is no pond.
SAM
There never was one…right?
Ash
Just a glowing campfire…or it was glowing once….look…its out again.
SAM
It is? Holy molly…you right.
Ash
We must light it up on more time.
SAM
What about the mail man
Ash
What of him.
SAM
What of him.
Ash
Are you repeating me.
SAM
No are you reapting me.
Ash
No.
SAM
What of the mail man.
Ash.
Hm…maybe he has a light.
SAM
Did n't we.
Ash
I can't remember…I did not eat right today.
(The mail man enters. Lights a match and throws it on the fire. He relights it.)
SAM
Its on again.
Ash
We have light. Yea…ho raa…wooo weee..
SAM
Lets celebrate.
(The mail man takes the ball off.)
Ash
We can play with the giant ball.
SAM
Its gone…he took it…damn I mad now…
Ash
The fire is ok.
SAM
But we have nothing to cook.
Ash
We have warmth.
SAM
Lets sit.
Ash
Ok. Do you ever feel we are running out of fire.
SAM
No. But I feel we are running out of air.
Ash
You can't have one with out the other …right
SAM
I 'm tired of your theorizing…why don't you let me choke you
To death.
Ash
I don't know.
(Queit)
SAM
Not a movement …nothing…
Ash
Evrerything is still…its scary.
SAM
Things should go forward..not in a circle.
Ash
That's funny you believe that.
SAM
Why?
Ash
Because you're a woman …ladies are round…men are square.
SAM
That's sexist.
Ash
I'm sorry.
(She slaps him.)
SAM
I still like you.
Ash
But I love you.
SAM
I like you.
Ash
I believe in you.
SAM
Where is the mail man.
Ash
I believe in you.
SAM
Have you seen him…
Ash
You should appreciate what I am saying…I do…I believe in you..
No one believe in me…I owe so much money to the others..
SAM
What others.
Ash
The mail man's family…I owe too much..I have disappeared..no one
Notices I am around…I am nothing…because I borrowed too much
From the envelops…they said I could…but they didn't tell me..that
That…that..I…I…tried…I tried…to do good…I tried to past the
Factory scantron…the bubbles all looked the…looked, da same. . .I couldn't
See straight…I am to lost in motion…help me…I am…I'm
I'm…falling..I think…I'm falling..help me..please…I beg you…
(he weeps.)
SAM
What?
Ash
I've become a slave in this world…this place…next to this
Fire and that desk…and the book and the pen…help…help…help
(She holds him. He weeps harder.)
Why don't you believe me…believe that I love you..
(She chokes him.)
SAM
I do…I do…
(He escapes her grip and throws a fit. He thin slobbers from the mouth and begins to shake. Then he kicks dirt on the fire.)
SAM
It is out again.
Ash
When the mail man returns I am going to kill him….I will destroy every
Mail man bone… in his mail man body…and mail his remains to the head of the
Mail quarters…at the mail capital….and then…they will lose him at the mail head quarters with all the mail among all the receipts and stamps and checks and signatures…and then..and then..and then…if I wish hard enough and pray every night before bed…and brush my teeth real good and clean…and pray again…to God above…then pray back to God to forgive me for not praying enough and riding the evil one and all his error…and then pray one more time for keep sakes…maybe maybe….his body will get picked up by the other mail people…and then..and….then If I ….If I close my eyes real tight and wish and pray real hard….then..then….maybe…if I am lucky and remain good…than .his…mail man remains might likely fall into a paper shredder (Pause)..and he..and he…
will be chopped up in a million hundred thousand and in a million billion pieces…and then he will get stuffed into trillions of mail envelops and then…and then ….they, the head mail quarter mail men and women, will mail parts of him to different mail divisions throughout the boundaries of mail routes and mail sectors of the world..he will be lost in the mail system forever and ever and ever. He will become the mail…and only the mail.. …he will be the mail…and I will do this with these two hands.
SAM
Then what?
Ash
Then I will kiss you and take you in.
(The mail man enters on stilts. He dumps out a huge bag of receipts and mail on Ash's head and laughs.)
Ash
God. God..oh…God.
(The mail man exits laughing maniacally. A mime walks across the stage slowly. Ash and Sam do not notice him. The mime turns to the audience and places his index finger over his puckered lips.)
Narrators
Shhhhhhhhhhh.
Lights fade.
End of scene one.
Lights up.
Ash and Sam sign in. They sit next to a burnt out campfire.
Ash
Well…think if your father…and his father..all had fought wars…in
That particular country…would you have fought.
SAM
Depends on the cause.
Ash
Yea…but your own father told you the cause was worth dieing than would
You have fought.
SAM
I wish we could work .
Ash
Would you have fought.
SAM
I guess if my father's father had fought and the cause was ethical than
Yea…I would have fought..maybe.
Ash
Yes or no.
SAM
If it was ethical yes.
Ash
War is not ethical.
SAM
No…but I would have had to..right…my father fought…told me it was worth
It…and plus the enemy was right there.
Ash
What about the enemy told you you were the enemy…would you have faught.
SAM
I don't know..yea…I suppose.
Ash
Why.
SAM
Because..he or she..or whoever..told me I was bad…I was the enemy..
Obviously I would think they were the enemy…to protect myself and children
I would fight.
Ash
Then you would of burned.
SAM
Burned.
(The mail man comes on and lights a match and throws it on the camp fire. It burst in flames.)
SAM
Burned?
Ash
Live by the sword…than you…
SAM
What is this.
(She opens it.)
SAM
Its an invitation
Ash
To what?
SAM
A fancy ball.
Ash
For two.
SAM
For just me. But its beyond the fences. Beyond the factory.
Ash
How will you go.
SAM
I'll have to put in a good days work and ask the boss for free time.
Ash
But the mail man loses all our mail.
SAM
True…but I will give him a kiss and maybe he will treat me
Special and send it.
(Quiet. The flames crackle and begin to rise.)
Ash
The camp fire sure is bursting.
SAM
Yes…I fancy ball..I'll get to dance in a fancy ball.
(The flames get hire and hire.)
I can't wait…and maybe the mail man will dress up in a black
Tuxedo and take me. We will dance and dance and dance…
There might be violins there..I love the cry of a violin.
Ash
What of me.
(The mail man enters with six pieces of mail. He gives it to Ash.)
SAM
Excuseme.
(She walks over to the mail man. She undoes a button on her blouse. She kisses him.)
Mailman
What the hell.
(He slaps her. He exits.)
Ash
You bastard don't you ever hit her…Are you ok.
SAM
Kind of…he left..he hit me and left…Why ….why…do men
Do that to me.
Ash
I'll go with you.
SAM
They'll never let you out…you're a loser and too far in dept.
(He opens one of the six envelops.)
Ash
Look it's a picture of you.
SAM
Of me.
Ash
When you were young.
(She admires the picture.)
I was so pretty as a kid. Look at those eyes..and that shaggy thick hair.
Just a beaut.
SAM
Hmm. Let see.
(He opens a second envelop.)
SAM
What is it?
Ash
Ahh…just a receipt…that's all.
SAM
For what.
Ash
A pair of old shoes. I don't know why they gave me the receipt and not
The shoes.
SAM
Strange.
(He opens the third one. It is a crushed flower and a bill.)
Ash
A flower and a bill.
SAM
A bill.
Ash
And a flower. At least the bud of the flower and some of its pedals.
SAM
What is the bill for.
Ash
For the camp fire. They are charging me for the space.
SAM
Charging you for the space.
Ash
Its like an open fire policy charge thing.
SAM
Sounds new.
Ash
Must be.
(Out of nowhere I light blinks and the sound of phone ringing is heard. It is loud and the light is bright.)
Ash
Ahahhahahahhaha. I can't take it…work…play…work for nothing..
Play for no girl,….no love..no touch….kill me…SAM….choke the
Life out of me…if you won't I will…I can't take the shackles..
The hell….the steel bars….the cops….the guns….the authority..
The bills..I give up…I'll do it my self…if you don't…do it…do it
(Sam chokes him.)
SAM
IS this what you want.)
(She stops.)
Ash
Yes.
SAM
Its work time…work.
Ash
What is work?
SAM
Work.
Ash
What is in front of me.
SAM
Nothing.
Ash
How do I work.
SAM
Just stand there.
Ash
Ok…I'm here.
SAM
Stop dreaming.
Ash
How?
SAM
Think of math.
Ash
What type…there are many….calculus, trigonometry…geometry
Quantum physics.
SAM
Like one plus one math…simple
Ash
Ok….one plus one…you want the answer.
SAM
He does. The boss.
Ash
But how does he get it.
SAM
Just think it…he'll get it.
(A flash of light)
SAM
Work is over.
Ash
We didn't work.
SAM
Did you stop dreaming.
Ash
For a second.
(She walks over to the signout book. She writes.)
SAM
One second.
Ash
One second…it felt longer.
SAM
Longer?
Ash
Like a second in a half.
SAM
What do you want.
Ash
I want to be them.
(He points up.)
SAM
Ash…Ash…don't you see…No look at me Ash..listen to me.
Ash
What? What?
SAM
We are alive…that's all you need…dream after work…work after
Dream…then live on.
Ash
Alive?
SAM
Alive?
(A mailman walks out and give Sam a blue pill. He hands Ash a red pill. He exits.)
SAM
Down the hatch.
Ash
You swallow yours.
SAM
Yes.
Ash
They make my stomach hurt.
SAM
So…it helps me work.
Ash
What about being alive?
SAM
We can't work forever.
Ash
I love you.
(She chokes him.)
SAM
Like wise. But I find the mail man cuter.
(The mime walks on.)
Ash
Some one is here.
(He walks quicker. The mime points at ash and laughs. He runs off stage.)
SAM
No one is here.
Ash
I felt him. Maybe the boss.
SAM
No. He wouldn't come to this place.
Ash
True.
(The mime peeks out from behind wings. He laughs at Ash and points)
Ash
Lets open your box.
SAM
Not yet. Later. I like the way it looks closed.
Ash
Lets sign in for work.
SAM
We must wait for the right time.
Ash
What time is it?
SAM
I don't know…three perhaps maybe four…
Ash
Three or four.
SAM
I don't know….Lets sit over here. We never sit here.
Ash
Ok.
(The sit between the campfire and the desk.)
SAM
I feel a cool breeze here…its nice.
Ash
No sun though.
SAM
I haven't seen the sun in ages.
Ash
I miss the moon.
SAM
The moon was nice too.
Ash
No sun. No moon. Just black.
SAM
Black and the color of the fire…when its lit.
Ash
True. You want to play paddy cake.
SAM
Ok. Quickly.
Ash
Paddy cake…paddy cake baker's men…
SAM
Go on.
Ash
Paddy cake..paddy cake baker's men…I forget it.
SAM
I was having fun…try once more.
Ash
But I forgot.
SAM
This or choking.
Ash
Ok…paddy cake…paddy cake…baker's men…one…two..three.
SAM
That's not it.
Ash
Perhaps you can choke me.
SAM
Ok.
(The mime runs out. They spot him and stop what they are doing and focus on the mime. The mime mimes as if he is climbing the stairs. Then he climbs a rope and then opens a small box and makes a sad and happy face. He points at SAM and makes no expression. Than he climbs down the rope and then down the stairs. He exits.)
Ash
What did he mean by that.
SAM
I don't know…maybe he wants me to open the box.
Ash
Maybe that's our way back home.
SAM
Who said we want to go home.
Ash
I do.
SAM
You'll never go home again..I might can…if I wish hard enough.
Ash
What about the box.
SAM
Leave it alone. ….Later.
Ash
You promise.
SAM
Have I ever broken a promise.
Ash
I don't think you've ever made one with me.
(Ash walks across the stage to the fire.)
SAM
Why do you walk funny.
Ash
I don't limp.
SAM
No you don't limp…but you've got a weird strut.
Ash
They broke my ankle when I was 15.
SAM
Really. Why.
Ash
I was trying to play at the park. I was doing a trick on the slide.
And they broke it.
SAM
The workers.
Ash
No. The children.
SAM
Children don't break other children's bones.
Ash
They were the size of children.
SAM
So.
Ash
They were children.
SAM
What did they look like.
Ash
They had short hair. Even the girls.
SAM
How short.
Ash
Shaved. They shaved their own head…and they broke my ankle.
SAM
So did you get them back.
Ash
I'm still getting them back.
SAM
How.
Ash
You'll see.
SAM
How did they break it.
Ash
With pebbles and….
SAM
And what?
Ash
Hate…they broke it with pebbles and hate.
SAM
Who fixed it.
Ash
I guess the doctors..they put me to sleep.
(Lights flash. Ash runs over to the desk and signs in.)
SAM
You still can run.
Ash
They were good doctors.
SAM
Those children are going to get it.
Ash
They are.
SAM
How do you know.
Ash
I just do.
SAM
Sign me in too.
Ash
I did…lets work.
SAM
You're a worker all of a sudden.
Ash
I trust you on good days.
SAM
And bad days.
(The mail man enters. He brings a type writer out and four reams of paper.)
Mail man
Your welcome.
(He exits.)
Ash
Can you type?
SAM
Kind of.
Ash
I'll hand you the paper and you type.
SAM
What do we type.
(The mail man enters. He hands Sam a note. He exits quickly. The mime peeks around the corner.)
SAM
I know what we type.
Ash
Yes?
SAM
The Same thing as last time.
Ash
Our dreams.
SAM
And wishes.
Ash
Ok…my first dream…is to fly.
SAM
Got it.
(She types clumsily.)
Ash
I can't do this any longer Sam. I can't sell my wishes and dreams.
SAM
Why Ash?
Ash
Because I was born in 1973…I have no real name…no real father
That I remember as real..1973 is all I know…about me…
I have no real name….just 1973…
SAM
Than that is the second thing I shall put down Ash….1973.
No real name..1973…no real father….that you remember as real.
And 1973.
Ash
God….I can't remember any of my wishes.
SAM
They stole them…that is why you are named Ash…
I remember all my dreams…That is why I have a happy
Dream like Sam.
Ash
You mean a happy name like Sam.
SAM
What did I say?
Ash
You replaced dream with name…you said….My name was Ash
Because I forgot my dream…and your name but you said dream
Was Sam…because…you ment to say…
SAM
I know what I said.
Ash
Oh….sorry. No reason to get hasty.
SAM
Forget it.
Ash
I won't.
(The mail man returns. He takes the type writer away.)
Ash
What about the third dream…we have more to give..more to sell.
Mail Man
Too bad.
SAM
Let him go…
Ash
He'll go anyway…he works for the boss…he does whatever.
SAM
Let him go.
Ash
He …he is so cold.
SAM
Cute and cold they all come that way…especially those
With nice pecks.
Ash
He took our chance to sell our dreams…to stay alive…and
And you talk about his pectorial muscles.
SAM
So.
Ash
Your evil.
SAM
Some one's got to play the villain.
Ash your ok.
Ash
No I am not…1873…..woops…God…see I can't even get that
Right..its…1973….and that's all I know.
SAM
You know your not real.
Ash
I'm real…I know that my name is not real.
SAM
Let him have it Ash. Your ok. Just calm down
(The mime enters as a cat. He mimes bouncing on a mouse. Then the mime eats the imaginary mouse. He swallows it and then get indigested. The mime gets dizzy and falls down. Then, the mime mimes being crushed by something. The mime mimes dieing. Than lays stiff.)
SAM
Is he dead.
Ash
I hope not.
SAM
That'll be you one day.
Ash
Thanks.
SAM
Its ok its safe in Heaven.
(The mime jumps up and runs of stage.)
Ash
He gives me the creeps sometimes
SAM
Me too. He is kind of cute..but not like the mail man.
Ash
Not cold enough..
SAM
Huh?
Ash
Too cheery.
SAM
Sam were did that strange man go.?
Ash
The man that is not the mail man.
SAM
Where?
Ash
Lets not talk of him. I know what is wrong. I have to leave here.
SAM
And go where.
Ash
West.
SAM
Why.
Ash
To be daring….to live life….
SAM
Get real.
Ash
Your right…that is hog wash…why go west.
SAM
Go on.
Ash
My dream.
SAM
What of it.
Ash
I need it.
SAM
Why?
Ash
So I may multiply.
SAM
But you are one.
Ash
And you are one
SAM
Yes?
Ash
And together we can make one.
SAM
One what..together we make two.
Ash
No we make three. But…listen…If I go.
SAM
Yes?
Ash
Than you will love me for real…because of my dedication, passion
And honesty to my dream and my self.
SAM
How do you know?
Ash
Just a good guess.
SAM
Which way is west.
Ash
I don't know….figuring it out…is my first step.
SAM
How…will you do that.
Ash
I know..ask the mail man.
SAM
He never talks to you when you propose a question
Ash
Than I will trick him and make me ask me…and then I will
Tell him what me thinks.
SAM
Huh?
Ash
Maybe the mime will know.
SAM
He doesn't talk.
Ash
Neither do we.
SAM
Ha ha. Try tricking him…it might work…maybe I could trick him into
Taking me to the ball.
Ash
He'll only cheat on you later.
SAM
How do you know.
Ash
He's got that twinkle in his eye.
SAM
What type of twinkle.
Ash
That… "I love being a single bachelor twinkle" in his eye..
SAM
Like you know.
Ash
I do.
SAM
It hopeless. We will never get out…the fire keeps blowing.
(The mime walks out and begins miming building a camp fire. He breaks the twigs and starts a fire with matches. The mimes matches keep blowing out.)
The fire keeps going…its too dark…we have no way to light our path…we
Are stuck here.
Ash
No..we can use this.
SAM
What?
Ash
Our finger.
SAM
What
Ash
This little light. Remember.
SAM
What
Ash
Our finger…well guide us…
SAM
Its just a finger.
Ash
We can trust in it.
SAM
We can?
Ash
Fingers can be trusted. Anything can be trusted if you put your faith into it.
(The mime mimes climbing up a tree and taking a beating heart from one of the branches.
He then climbs down and holds the imaginary beating heart infront of him)
Ash
So lets go.
SAM
How do you know you really want to come with me.
Ash
I know…I know you were the one for me all my life…
I know it…look I see you in my eyes…you are the one.
SAM
Ok…whatever.
Ash
Ok. Then settled.
SAM
You lead.
(The mime takes out his old heart and puts a new one in its place. He smiles and walks off happily.)
Ash
Trust in the finger…its good…it knows.
SAM
Its still dark…you liar…it didn't work. You fool….you've lead us
into a complete and utter empty abyss of darkness
(She chokes him.)
Ash
Again. How many times are you going to do this a day.
SAM
Until they see your struggling for air and try to stop me…then
Their will be a glit in their system..they will have to adapt to
Something new…
Ash do you realize how many times we have signed in and out of this
Hellish pattern of doldromatic fate.
Ash
Whats doldromatic. Is that grammatically correct.
SAM
It's a adjective for doldrums.
Ash
Whats a doldrums?
SAM
Foolish circle that never ends.
Ash
So is it a real word.
SAM
Doldrums or doldrumatic.
Ash
Either.
SAM
Doldrums a word.
Ash
Is that what we are in.
SAM
What?
Ash
Is that what we are in?
SAM
What?
Ash
Is that what we are in?
SAM
What!.
Ash
Is that what…
SAM
What, what, what…Ash listen… what…I can't hear you very well
Ash..What? your not responsive….Ash earth to Ash…ash to earth..
Come in…come in.
Ash
What?
SAM
You are the biggest idiot in this place.
Ash
I'm the only idiot in this place..
SAM
Its dark…what do we do…its too dark …the fire went out.
Ash
Its been out.
SAM
So….I say we call it a day.
Ash
Then we must.
SAM
Its time
Ash
Lets sign out.
SAM
How long do we work.
Ash
I can't think of that…I'm trying to feel my
Way around..
SAM
Why? How come…I mean..
Ash
I must fing the sign out book.
SAM
Don't forget to find the pen.
Ash
Yes…I won't
SAM
How will we know if it still has ink…so we can sign out
Properly…and they'll put us down in the records…
That's certain.
Ash
We can feel…
SAM
Feel?
Ash
A pen feels a distinct way…when it releases ink while writing
On paper…it also makes subtle sounds…inkish sounds..
SAM
Inkish? Hmm is that a word…forget it…who cares…there are no
Words anyway…we are but birds chirping…I knew that sense I
Was a kid.
Ash
Chirping?
SAM
Lets feel it out Ash…the pen …the paper…fell it ou we shall or sign out
May I say.
Ash
One thing.
SAM
Yes.
Ash
WE have to find it first.
SAM
Look hard.
Ash
I'm feeling not looking.
SAM
Feel hard.
Ash
Ah..I found it..the pen is found.
SAM
And the book. What of the book?
Ash
And the book. The book as well. Yes the book.
SAM
Found.
Ash
Found.
SAM
Good.
Ash
Shall I sign out…
SAM
Did you feel the pen?
Ash
I shall. Here…now I will feel it…(He signs) I felt it..
SAM
What did it feel like.
Ash
If felt…it felt…it felt like a pen.
SAM
The distinct feeling there.
Ash
What distinct feeling?
SAM
The one you were talking of…when you sign a pen with ink…
Ash
Oh…that distinct feeling…not really.
SAM
Not really…Christ…what do we do…we don't know…
We don't know if the pen works ash..if the pen doesn't work then
What.
Ash
Look hard.
SAM
For what?
Ash
Another pen.
SAM
Hmm…didn't think….
Ash
Perhaps in the desk.
SAM
Another pen in the desk..hmmm..possible.
Ash
You think.
SAM
Anything is possible…pen's in desks happen ever single day.
Ash
Yes..they do…I shall continue the serch…
(He goes through the desk drawers…and pulls out a package of pens.)
Ash
Eureka.
SAM
Sounds like pens.
Ash
Yes…pens..many of them…they must be full of much ink…
We are saved SAM.
SAM
Sign away…boy…sign till your hand cramps up…sign away..
Sign us out…
Ash
God..the power…the power..it feels so powerful…
SAM
My turn to sign out…
(The bell sounds.)
Ash
The bell.
SAM
Work again….the hours never end….its hopeless..
Ash
We must sign in again.
SAM
How many hours..how many hours..how many hours.
Ash
It feels weak..the pen feels weak in my hand…it did feel strong…
But now….Why?
SAM
You sign too much…
Ash
My soul…God my soul.
SAM
Calm down Ash…focus. We must think…he is coming soon.
(The mime steps out and begins miming stacking boxes and taking them down. He stakes and takes the down. He repeats this at a quick pace.)
SAM
It's the mime…look.
Ash
Yes..what is he doing.
SAM
Working…or is it play?
Ash
I can't tell…looks like fun.
SAM
It must be somewhat difficult.
(The mail man enters with a message. He hands it to Sam and exits.)
SAM
He still a cutey pie.
Ash
What does it say?
SAM
Its says…lit the fire…and wait.
Ash
Lit the fire and wait…that doesn't sound right shouldn't it be light.
Not lit
(The mail man returns with a new message. He gives it to Sam and exits.)
SAM
He is still fine as shit.
Ash
What does it say?
SAM
Its says, "Rewrites…Light the fire and wait. Thank you."
Ash
At least they said thank you.
SAM
Lets light it.
Ash
With what a pen?
SAM
Use your finger.
Ash
That's only for our escape.
SAM
My escape.
Ash
How can you escape with just my finger.
(The mime stops stacking boxes and walks closer to them. He makes the sign for scissor. He exits. )
SAM
Shut up.
Ash
We are out!
SAM
Out of what?
Ash
Not good.
SAM
Why?
Ash
We wil be cold soon.
SAM
What of work.
Ash
We will be cold.
SAM
Maybe we could burn the packages..mine.
Ash
With out opening it…nonsense..It could be explosive.
SAM
True….ah…I clean out of idea.
Ash
I'm not….we….we..hmm…
SAM
Hmmmmm.
Ash
Hmmmmmmmmm.
SAM
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Ash
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
SAM
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Ash
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmm
SAM
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmm
Ash
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmm
SAM
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
(The mail man enters.)
Mail man
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm .
(Mime comes out and mime's thinking man pose.)
Mail man
Get to work.
(He exits.)
SAM
God I want him.
Ash
Shut up already…he is a slave driver.
SAM
Yeah I know.
Ash
Your sick.
SAM
Yeah I know…
Ash
We can burn my package..for the fire.
SAM
That's your loss.
Ash
Will be warm again..and work….work is work..
I don't see it as a loss.
SAM
I'd rather do my box.
Ash
You love it too much.
SAM
Its all I have.
Ash
What happens to simplicity.
SAM
Fine…Here I go..I am going to keep talking…keep talking..and keep talking
Keep talking…and talking and talking..and keep talking…soo my head
Will fall of my shoulders because I had talked too too much..
And then my head will roll into that ash there…and be buried
Forever and ever..and ever…and ever…and ever..I'll never ever
Stop…I'll keep on keeping on talking…talking and talking.
(Sam takes out a match from her sock. She attempts to light the camp fire.)
SAM
Damn it…its' useless.
Ash
No its not…you need this.
(He hands her his box.)
Ash
I forget to put how many hours
SAM
Yes…the hours…how many?
(The mime comes in and does the descent to the grave mime.)
Ash
I don't know…no watch…I have no sense of time any longer.
SAM
What do you think of before the lights go off?
Ash
I can't tell.
SAM
I would say a thousand hours.
Ash
More than that.
SAM
How about this….I'll write the word forever….you'll get much pay for
That…forever. It's what its all for….
Ash
Put me down….for that much…plus minimum wage…
I should get out of debt with that.
SAM
Me…I'll put down 8 hours..no 6…yeah 6…I'll be fair…fair is good.
Ash
If only It was light.
SAM
Lets leave.
Ash
You leave I'll stay.
SAM
I can't go with out you.
Ash
We are signed out right?
SAM
Yes….but it is dark.
Ash
Then we know whats next
(Ash stretches his hand to her. She looks at his fingers and kisses the ring fingers.)
SAM
Its slightly off center…not completely perfect. But that's life.
Ash
You can find your way in the dark ok.
SAM
Yes…I'll do fine.
Ash
The thing about lighting my way…with this..(Holds his finger.)
It only works for me…I have to stay….they'll find me if
I go with you.
SAM
Yes…it is dark.
Ash
Your leaving.
SAM
Dark.
Ash
Your gone.
SAM
No light.
Ash
Can you? can you, see all right?
SAM
By ash.
Ash
Don't forget…I'm right behind you…
SAM
Its far too dark. Far too dark.
(She is gone.)
Ash
Right behind you.
(Ash reminds by the fire. He walks over to the book and signs it. Lights out.
Light up. Ash is gone. A mime stands perfectly still center stage. He wears a neutral mask and doesn't move. Lights down. Lights up. The mal man is standing next to the sign out book. He looks at the mime. The mime doesn't move. The mail man picks up the book and reads it. He closes the book. Lights out.)
(In the dark.)
SAM
Far too dark Ash….far too dark.
Ash
You were late, remember. The beginning. Your late.
SAM
And you want me to say 'I love you now.'
Ash
I still love you. That's why I was late. See it. See. You see it. Look. Right, there. Right, away. Look.
(Curtain)