1.
Emily has wanted to be a lion tamer since childhood, and has kept this a secret from everyone. This dream wasn't dispelled by aging, rather it has intensified. Unfortunately she has fallen in with the animal rights crowd, and while she holds those values dearly, ultimately she is willing to turn hypocrite in order to tame lions. Recently while flipping threw the classifieds she found an add for a circus that is looking for someone "brave enough to tame the earth's wildest beasts". She can go through with her dream, but it will alienate all her friends, and her fiance, who would certainly leave her if she decided to join ranks with the "enemy". Emily is a bit of a wild child, decidedly liberal, an expert on the effects of just about any drug one could think of, and a few that no one except some of her chemist buddies from college could.
Justin is Emily's fiance. He loves animals, but has become so involved in fighting people to protect animals that a lot of that love has gone a bit stagnant. He disaproves of Emily's wild nature, and is glad that she (as far as he knows) is off all drugs. He once defecated in a van meant for circus personal, and obviously has no interest in taming lions, and would certainly break off the engagement with Emily were he to find out she is interested in taming lions, and might crucify her if he found at that she was actually going to tame lions. He covered his forearm with homemade tatoos when he was seventeen, but is now brutally ashamed of them and always, regardless of the heat, wears long sleeve shirts.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Thursday, October 07, 2004
chapter 7
3.
Tim: I've been waiting for you.
Lyn: I've been walking towards you. You could have walked too, would have saved some time.
Tim: But then I would've had to break this cool pose I've got going. Leaning up against a streetlight and all.
Lyn: So now we fight.
Tim: To the death.
Lyn: No weapons.
Tim: No weapons? Is that what I said on the phone. Well, I meant be sure to bring some weapons, because I definitely have some.
*opens his trench coat and reveals that it is lined with throwing stars*
Yeah, you like those don't you? And this...*reaches behind him and withdraws a samurai sword* Well, I know you like this.
Lyn: Looks like you have the upper hand now. If this was a homework assignment for a playwriting class I would call that a beat, maybe,I might be wrong.
Tim: What are you talking about?
Lyn: I think we need one more beat for this assignment.
Tim: What ARE you talking about?
Lyn: Just one more and we are done.
Tim: One more what.
Lyn: This. *she removes a fancy machine gun from her purse, and fills Tim with bullets*
Lyn: Assignment complete.
Tim: I've been waiting for you.
Lyn: I've been walking towards you. You could have walked too, would have saved some time.
Tim: But then I would've had to break this cool pose I've got going. Leaning up against a streetlight and all.
Lyn: So now we fight.
Tim: To the death.
Lyn: No weapons.
Tim: No weapons? Is that what I said on the phone. Well, I meant be sure to bring some weapons, because I definitely have some.
*opens his trench coat and reveals that it is lined with throwing stars*
Yeah, you like those don't you? And this...*reaches behind him and withdraws a samurai sword* Well, I know you like this.
Lyn: Looks like you have the upper hand now. If this was a homework assignment for a playwriting class I would call that a beat, maybe,I might be wrong.
Tim: What are you talking about?
Lyn: I think we need one more beat for this assignment.
Tim: What ARE you talking about?
Lyn: Just one more and we are done.
Tim: One more what.
Lyn: This. *she removes a fancy machine gun from her purse, and fills Tim with bullets*
Lyn: Assignment complete.
chapter 7
4.
Lenny is at a donut shop, George has just entered and takes the stool next to Lenny. They are both regulars.
George: How's it going?
Lenny: Why ask? You know you don't care.
George: Uh, Jesus Lenny. It's, uh, it's just a greeting.
Lenny: I know it's just a greeting. I know you don't care how I'm doing. I'm simply saying I'm tired of hearing the entire world run around faking it. And especially tired of hearing you fake it.
George: I actually do care how you're doing, hell I care how anyone's doing.
Lenny: That's bullshit coming out of your mouth. Can you taste it?
George: Uh, Jesus Lenny. What's wrong with you today?
Lenny: There you go again. Acting like you care.
George: Jesus. I do care, now I do anyway, cause you're pissing me off.
Lenny: Well, George I don't care.
George: You're an asshole.
Lenny: You're a hypocritical moron.
George: *to the cashier* Can I get a dozen, six chocolate, 3 jelly, 2 glazed, 1 cinnamon. *louder, and clearly directed at Lenny* TO GO.
*cashier makes no answer, but bags the donuts and hands them to George. George hands her money.*
Lenny: *laughs* Enjoy your donuts George.
George: As if you care. *exiting the store*
Lenny: *still laughing* I love that moron.
Lenny is at a donut shop, George has just entered and takes the stool next to Lenny. They are both regulars.
George: How's it going?
Lenny: Why ask? You know you don't care.
George: Uh, Jesus Lenny. It's, uh, it's just a greeting.
Lenny: I know it's just a greeting. I know you don't care how I'm doing. I'm simply saying I'm tired of hearing the entire world run around faking it. And especially tired of hearing you fake it.
George: I actually do care how you're doing, hell I care how anyone's doing.
Lenny: That's bullshit coming out of your mouth. Can you taste it?
George: Uh, Jesus Lenny. What's wrong with you today?
Lenny: There you go again. Acting like you care.
George: Jesus. I do care, now I do anyway, cause you're pissing me off.
Lenny: Well, George I don't care.
George: You're an asshole.
Lenny: You're a hypocritical moron.
George: *to the cashier* Can I get a dozen, six chocolate, 3 jelly, 2 glazed, 1 cinnamon. *louder, and clearly directed at Lenny* TO GO.
*cashier makes no answer, but bags the donuts and hands them to George. George hands her money.*
Lenny: *laughs* Enjoy your donuts George.
George: As if you care. *exiting the store*
Lenny: *still laughing* I love that moron.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
chapter 6 #7
7.
7.
Will and Margaret are sitting in Will’s car, a 1994 Ford Tempo. Will doesn’t share his father’s taste for expensive cars. It is raining. (Of course it is) This is the conversation on the night before Margaret delivers the news to Callahan.
Margaret: How can I tell him Will?
Will: We could leave. Run away. Do that whole romantic thing. Live somewhere exotic. I have a bit of money.
Margaret: I can’t just run away. I have to be an adult, maybe it’s stupid. But I have to face up to this. I was being a child when I married him. I won’t be a child at the start of this…of us.
Will: You were a child when you married him Margie. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I mean, he prayed on you. He’s a predator. That’s who he is, that’s even what his job is. Predator. That’s a job title for him.
Margaret: I can’t blame my youth. I made that decision. I thought, or I pretended I thought, I was in love with him.
Will: I’m sorry Margie. *matter of fact tone* I could kill him. Do you want me to? I kind of want to...
Margaret: Are you serious?
Will: *not answering question* I really want to sometimes. Right now I think I’d be great.
Margaret: I won’t let you commit murder. This is cheesy, but that’s not who you are.
Will: I could be someone else for a bit.
Margaret: Umm, that’s sweet of you, I guess, offering to kill your father.
Will: No, you’re right, I couldn’t kill him. But it’s fun to pretend sometimes.
Margaret: *laughs* Yes it is.
They snuggle together, and are silent for some time, we get tired of waiting for something to happen, so we stop watching.
7.
Will and Margaret are sitting in Will’s car, a 1994 Ford Tempo. Will doesn’t share his father’s taste for expensive cars. It is raining. (Of course it is) This is the conversation on the night before Margaret delivers the news to Callahan.
Margaret: How can I tell him Will?
Will: We could leave. Run away. Do that whole romantic thing. Live somewhere exotic. I have a bit of money.
Margaret: I can’t just run away. I have to be an adult, maybe it’s stupid. But I have to face up to this. I was being a child when I married him. I won’t be a child at the start of this…of us.
Will: You were a child when you married him Margie. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I mean, he prayed on you. He’s a predator. That’s who he is, that’s even what his job is. Predator. That’s a job title for him.
Margaret: I can’t blame my youth. I made that decision. I thought, or I pretended I thought, I was in love with him.
Will: I’m sorry Margie. *matter of fact tone* I could kill him. Do you want me to? I kind of want to...
Margaret: Are you serious?
Will: *not answering question* I really want to sometimes. Right now I think I’d be great.
Margaret: I won’t let you commit murder. This is cheesy, but that’s not who you are.
Will: I could be someone else for a bit.
Margaret: Umm, that’s sweet of you, I guess, offering to kill your father.
Will: No, you’re right, I couldn’t kill him. But it’s fun to pretend sometimes.
Margaret: *laughs* Yes it is.
They snuggle together, and are silent for some time, we get tired of waiting for something to happen, so we stop watching.
more chapter 6
4.
The climax may have already occurred when Callahan found out his wife was pregnant, and that his son is the father.
But at this point I envision another confrontation, this one finding Callahan with too many martinis in tow, and perhaps an ancient maybe-working pistol in his pocket.
5.
The year is 2004. Many taboos of old have been obliterated. Sex with one’s mother, whether biological or not, is probably still a taboo. Divorce is common. Premarital sex is the standard. Producing children out of wedlock is common practice. There is a war a lot of people don’t agree with. There is a president narrowing the gap between church and state. Callahan is enjoying this president’s benefit-the-rich tax plan.
6.
Will approaches his apartment door, in his arms is a large package containing maternity clothes for Margeret. His father is sitting next to the door. He’s asleep, and smells like martinis.
Will: Dad.
Callahan: *sleepily* Don’t call me that.
Will: What do you want?
Callahan: I don’t know. Somehow I’ve having a heard time forgetting that you were once one of my sperm cells, and that now, my own sperm cell has created his own sperm cells, and used them to impregnate my wife.
Will: I don’t expect you to forget.
Callahan: What do you expect me to do?
Will: I don’t know. Something dramatic. I imagine you’ve spent all morning in front of your liquor cabinet. And that you’ve made significant progress towards emptying it out. I imagine you picked that old civil war pistol out of your desk drawer. I imagine you came here with the intention of threatening me with it, and then shooting yourself in the head with it. Sounds like a bad play to me Dad. Something some pompous creative writing major would churn out, thinking it's grand theater.
Callahan: *pulls pistol from coat pocket* You always were perceptive.
Will: Go home Dad.
Callahan:*points pistol at Will* Don’t call me that. And making fun of me isn’t improving your chances of not getting shot.
Will: That gun doesn’t work.
Callahan: Worked for the confederates.
Will: How appropriate, you using an instrument built to keep slavery alive.
Callahan: I don’t know what that means.
Will: You’re a slave driver. You would have fit right in on a plantation.
Callahan: So you hate me.
Will: I’m past those kind of extremes with you Dad.
Callahan: I don’t care if you hate me. I hate you. I hate your mother and lover. Which is the same person I might remind you.
Will: My mother has been dead for twenty years. You might remember her.
Callahan: smartass.
Will: Dad, I’m tired, are you going to do something with that gun, or are you going to go to a bar.
Callahan: Maybe I’ll do both.
Will: Well, please, I’m tired.
Callahan: I killed Margeret.
Will: What? *suddenly filled with anger, pain, hate, everything* You…you…
Callhan: *hearty laughter* No, I didn’t. Not yet anyway. Who’s to say what tomorrow will bring…
The climax may have already occurred when Callahan found out his wife was pregnant, and that his son is the father.
But at this point I envision another confrontation, this one finding Callahan with too many martinis in tow, and perhaps an ancient maybe-working pistol in his pocket.
5.
The year is 2004. Many taboos of old have been obliterated. Sex with one’s mother, whether biological or not, is probably still a taboo. Divorce is common. Premarital sex is the standard. Producing children out of wedlock is common practice. There is a war a lot of people don’t agree with. There is a president narrowing the gap between church and state. Callahan is enjoying this president’s benefit-the-rich tax plan.
6.
Will approaches his apartment door, in his arms is a large package containing maternity clothes for Margeret. His father is sitting next to the door. He’s asleep, and smells like martinis.
Will: Dad.
Callahan: *sleepily* Don’t call me that.
Will: What do you want?
Callahan: I don’t know. Somehow I’ve having a heard time forgetting that you were once one of my sperm cells, and that now, my own sperm cell has created his own sperm cells, and used them to impregnate my wife.
Will: I don’t expect you to forget.
Callahan: What do you expect me to do?
Will: I don’t know. Something dramatic. I imagine you’ve spent all morning in front of your liquor cabinet. And that you’ve made significant progress towards emptying it out. I imagine you picked that old civil war pistol out of your desk drawer. I imagine you came here with the intention of threatening me with it, and then shooting yourself in the head with it. Sounds like a bad play to me Dad. Something some pompous creative writing major would churn out, thinking it's grand theater.
Callahan: *pulls pistol from coat pocket* You always were perceptive.
Will: Go home Dad.
Callahan:*points pistol at Will* Don’t call me that. And making fun of me isn’t improving your chances of not getting shot.
Will: That gun doesn’t work.
Callahan: Worked for the confederates.
Will: How appropriate, you using an instrument built to keep slavery alive.
Callahan: I don’t know what that means.
Will: You’re a slave driver. You would have fit right in on a plantation.
Callahan: So you hate me.
Will: I’m past those kind of extremes with you Dad.
Callahan: I don’t care if you hate me. I hate you. I hate your mother and lover. Which is the same person I might remind you.
Will: My mother has been dead for twenty years. You might remember her.
Callahan: smartass.
Will: Dad, I’m tired, are you going to do something with that gun, or are you going to go to a bar.
Callahan: Maybe I’ll do both.
Will: Well, please, I’m tired.
Callahan: I killed Margeret.
Will: What? *suddenly filled with anger, pain, hate, everything* You…you…
Callhan: *hearty laughter* No, I didn’t. Not yet anyway. Who’s to say what tomorrow will bring…
chapter 6 2&3
2.
scene 1
Bill and Margaret are in his study. Bill has just found out Margaret is pregnant. He finds this a bit amazing due to the seven month gap between now and the last time they engaged in intercourse. They have a brief dialogue climaxing in Bill slapping Margaret, and Margaret slapping Bill.
Scene 2
Margaret is on the phone with the baby’s father.
Scene 3
Bill is on the phone with his son.
3.
scene 2
Margaret calls the baby’s father to let him know she has broken the news to her husband.
Margaret: I told him.
Will: How did he take it?
Margaret: You know him.
Will: Yeah, I’m sorry.
Margaret: It’s not your fault.
Will: As much mine as yours. Did you tell him who the father is?
Margaret: No. I’m not sure I should.
Will: He’ll figure it out eventually.
Margaret: Well, I might just enjoy the reprieve between now and then.
Will: I’ll tell him.
Margaret: How heroic. But I’d rather you weren’t murdered.
Will: I’m his son.
Margaret: You’re his wife’s accomplice in adultery.
Will: He doesn’t love you.
Margaret: Do you think he loves you?
Will: Ummm, I’ll tell him.
Margaret: I love you Will.
Will: I love you Margey.
Scene 3
Will calls his father.
Callahan: (answers the phone) Hello?
Will: Hi Dad.
Callahan: Hello William.
Will: How are you dad?
Callahan: Your mother’s a whore.
Will: ( surprised at his father’s bluntness, even after 24 years of conditioning) No she isn’t.
Callahan: Well she’s conceived. And not with my help. And I’ll bet it’s not of the immaculate variety.
Will: Maybe she’s in love.
Callahan: She’s married. She’s supposed to be in love with me.
Will: You’re supposed to be in love with her.
Callahan: I’m your father, I’d have thought you’d be upset that your mother’s an adulterer.
Will: The baby’s mine Dad.
Callahan: (surprised, but the first thing to come to mind is) That’s disgusting.
Will: What Dad?
Callahan: You’re telling me you impregnated your mother?
Will: I impregnated your wife Dad. I’m six months older than her. And she never adopted me. It’s legal.
Callahan: So you’ve researched this. Did you do it before or after you split your parents marriage apart.
Will: Dad…
Callahan: Stop calling me Dad.
Will: Dad, you never even put your marriage together.
Callahan: What?
Will: She was your house-servant Dad.
Callahan: Don’t call me Dad again.
Will: She was your house-servant.
Callahan: I don’t care how she made her spending money. We were married, the judge signed the papers, she wore my ring. A rather expensive ring I bet she can’t wait to pawn.
Will: She pawned it four years ago Dad. See how much attention you pay her.
Callahan: How long have you been fucking your mother?
Will: *angry* She’s not my mother.
they hang up simultaneously, Callahan with a ferocious slam, Will drops the receiver, and magically it lands in its cradle.
scene 1
Bill and Margaret are in his study. Bill has just found out Margaret is pregnant. He finds this a bit amazing due to the seven month gap between now and the last time they engaged in intercourse. They have a brief dialogue climaxing in Bill slapping Margaret, and Margaret slapping Bill.
Scene 2
Margaret is on the phone with the baby’s father.
Scene 3
Bill is on the phone with his son.
3.
scene 2
Margaret calls the baby’s father to let him know she has broken the news to her husband.
Margaret: I told him.
Will: How did he take it?
Margaret: You know him.
Will: Yeah, I’m sorry.
Margaret: It’s not your fault.
Will: As much mine as yours. Did you tell him who the father is?
Margaret: No. I’m not sure I should.
Will: He’ll figure it out eventually.
Margaret: Well, I might just enjoy the reprieve between now and then.
Will: I’ll tell him.
Margaret: How heroic. But I’d rather you weren’t murdered.
Will: I’m his son.
Margaret: You’re his wife’s accomplice in adultery.
Will: He doesn’t love you.
Margaret: Do you think he loves you?
Will: Ummm, I’ll tell him.
Margaret: I love you Will.
Will: I love you Margey.
Scene 3
Will calls his father.
Callahan: (answers the phone) Hello?
Will: Hi Dad.
Callahan: Hello William.
Will: How are you dad?
Callahan: Your mother’s a whore.
Will: ( surprised at his father’s bluntness, even after 24 years of conditioning) No she isn’t.
Callahan: Well she’s conceived. And not with my help. And I’ll bet it’s not of the immaculate variety.
Will: Maybe she’s in love.
Callahan: She’s married. She’s supposed to be in love with me.
Will: You’re supposed to be in love with her.
Callahan: I’m your father, I’d have thought you’d be upset that your mother’s an adulterer.
Will: The baby’s mine Dad.
Callahan: (surprised, but the first thing to come to mind is) That’s disgusting.
Will: What Dad?
Callahan: You’re telling me you impregnated your mother?
Will: I impregnated your wife Dad. I’m six months older than her. And she never adopted me. It’s legal.
Callahan: So you’ve researched this. Did you do it before or after you split your parents marriage apart.
Will: Dad…
Callahan: Stop calling me Dad.
Will: Dad, you never even put your marriage together.
Callahan: What?
Will: She was your house-servant Dad.
Callahan: Don’t call me Dad again.
Will: She was your house-servant.
Callahan: I don’t care how she made her spending money. We were married, the judge signed the papers, she wore my ring. A rather expensive ring I bet she can’t wait to pawn.
Will: She pawned it four years ago Dad. See how much attention you pay her.
Callahan: How long have you been fucking your mother?
Will: *angry* She’s not my mother.
they hang up simultaneously, Callahan with a ferocious slam, Will drops the receiver, and magically it lands in its cradle.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
chapter 4.2
3.
Murphy’s needs are universal. He wants to be good at his job. He wants to provide for himself and his newly pregnant wife. He wants to be successful. He wants respect from his colleagues. Everyone wants to be good at what they do. Everyone wants to provide for those close to them. Everyone wants respect from colleagues.
4. Murphy must face many obstacles. The primary one is Handley. He must beat Handley to the sale. He must also face his inexperience and lack of confidence. He has to battle the heat in his ill-advised suit coat. His ultimate goal is success, and the as yet unproven ability to sell a car is an obstacle to that success.
Murphy’s needs are universal. He wants to be good at his job. He wants to provide for himself and his newly pregnant wife. He wants to be successful. He wants respect from his colleagues. Everyone wants to be good at what they do. Everyone wants to provide for those close to them. Everyone wants respect from colleagues.
4. Murphy must face many obstacles. The primary one is Handley. He must beat Handley to the sale. He must also face his inexperience and lack of confidence. He has to battle the heat in his ill-advised suit coat. His ultimate goal is success, and the as yet unproven ability to sell a car is an obstacle to that success.
chapter 4
1.
1.
Murphy
Today is the day. Today I make a sale. Someone will want a car today. It’s a beautiful day to buy a car. It’s a beautiful day to buy a car from me. It’s a beautiful day for commission. My charm is on. My suit is immaculate. A bit hot, should I take off the coat? No, I can sacrifice comfort for a sale. Sale sale sale. I have to make a sale. If I don’t make a sale today I will be commissionless during my probation period. I’ll probably get fired. And I know it’s not long before my wife goes from saying things like, “It’s OK, it takes time, before long you’ll be the best salesman they have”, to things like, “I married the wrong man, an ambitionless loser incapable of selling a single car in ninety days on the job.” Then she’ll divorce me. Then I’ll be unemployed and divorced. And there’s Handley looking at me. He’s laughing, he seems to be quite the jerk, I’ll never outsell him though, I just wish…oh, customer here. Friendly smile in place and go.
Handley
You are a shark Handley, unstoppable in the car lot and at the poker table. Such a shark. Leading salesman for the first quarter, surprise surprise. Murphy still hasn’t made a one. Hahaha. Stupid schmuck. College boy thinks he can outsell the master. He couldn’t sell ice to Eskimos. I shouldn’t have drank so much last night…how bout some hair of the dog. *pulls flask from coat pocket* Oh that’s good. Murphy looks a little hot in his coat. Sweating a bit, why doesn’t he take off his jacket? Because he’s an idiot, and not a shark. As for the shark he is going to take off his jacket, even loosen the tie a bit, there we go. OK Handley, make a sale today and you’ll have the district lead at the close of the quarter. And that’s a bonus. And that’s a speedboat. Murphy’s getting up, customer’s here, time to go get my speedboat.
2.
Murphy: Hello Miss. Can I help you with anything?
customer: Yeah I’d like to test drive this I think.
Handley: *arriving at the scene*Can I help you with anything Miss?
customer: Ummm, yeah, I’d like to test drive this one.
Handley: Oh it’s an excellent car, good choice, I’ll grab the keys.
Murphy: Yes it’s a great car, I’ll get the keys.
*Murphy and Handley start towards the building for the key, following exchange continues during collection of key, and stroll back towards customer and car*
Murphy: That’s my sale Handley.
Handley: How do you figure Murphy?
Murphy: Because I got there first. That’s the rule. We all know that.
Handley: It looked like you were struggling, thought I needed to pick up the slack.
Murphy: *shocked* What?! I just got there. Asked her one question.
Handley: Yeah, and you were screwing it up. So I saved the sale.
Murphy: You said the same thing to her I did.
Handley: Yeah, but I said it with poise and charm.
Murphy: No, you said it with bourbon on your tie.
*back at customer*
Handley: Here you go miss. I’ll just step in with you.
Murphy: Yeah I’ll go for the ride too.
customer: o ok.
*they all get in the car, Murphy has to settle for the backseat*
1.
Murphy
Today is the day. Today I make a sale. Someone will want a car today. It’s a beautiful day to buy a car. It’s a beautiful day to buy a car from me. It’s a beautiful day for commission. My charm is on. My suit is immaculate. A bit hot, should I take off the coat? No, I can sacrifice comfort for a sale. Sale sale sale. I have to make a sale. If I don’t make a sale today I will be commissionless during my probation period. I’ll probably get fired. And I know it’s not long before my wife goes from saying things like, “It’s OK, it takes time, before long you’ll be the best salesman they have”, to things like, “I married the wrong man, an ambitionless loser incapable of selling a single car in ninety days on the job.” Then she’ll divorce me. Then I’ll be unemployed and divorced. And there’s Handley looking at me. He’s laughing, he seems to be quite the jerk, I’ll never outsell him though, I just wish…oh, customer here. Friendly smile in place and go.
Handley
You are a shark Handley, unstoppable in the car lot and at the poker table. Such a shark. Leading salesman for the first quarter, surprise surprise. Murphy still hasn’t made a one. Hahaha. Stupid schmuck. College boy thinks he can outsell the master. He couldn’t sell ice to Eskimos. I shouldn’t have drank so much last night…how bout some hair of the dog. *pulls flask from coat pocket* Oh that’s good. Murphy looks a little hot in his coat. Sweating a bit, why doesn’t he take off his jacket? Because he’s an idiot, and not a shark. As for the shark he is going to take off his jacket, even loosen the tie a bit, there we go. OK Handley, make a sale today and you’ll have the district lead at the close of the quarter. And that’s a bonus. And that’s a speedboat. Murphy’s getting up, customer’s here, time to go get my speedboat.
2.
Murphy: Hello Miss. Can I help you with anything?
customer: Yeah I’d like to test drive this I think.
Handley: *arriving at the scene*Can I help you with anything Miss?
customer: Ummm, yeah, I’d like to test drive this one.
Handley: Oh it’s an excellent car, good choice, I’ll grab the keys.
Murphy: Yes it’s a great car, I’ll get the keys.
*Murphy and Handley start towards the building for the key, following exchange continues during collection of key, and stroll back towards customer and car*
Murphy: That’s my sale Handley.
Handley: How do you figure Murphy?
Murphy: Because I got there first. That’s the rule. We all know that.
Handley: It looked like you were struggling, thought I needed to pick up the slack.
Murphy: *shocked* What?! I just got there. Asked her one question.
Handley: Yeah, and you were screwing it up. So I saved the sale.
Murphy: You said the same thing to her I did.
Handley: Yeah, but I said it with poise and charm.
Murphy: No, you said it with bourbon on your tie.
*back at customer*
Handley: Here you go miss. I’ll just step in with you.
Murphy: Yeah I’ll go for the ride too.
customer: o ok.
*they all get in the car, Murphy has to settle for the backseat*
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
chapter 1
chapter 1#1.A 16 year old had videotaped a "shadowy, disc-shaped object hovering in the sky above his home about 100 miles south of St. Louis." Turns out that the disc was a toy, a disc that was supposed to soar when thrown, but wasn't working properly. And because it wasn't working it's pilot decided to fill it with helium. So, this isn't such a great idea, but i see some comic possibilities maybe. Maybe being able to see the teenager frantically searching for his camera in order to tape this UFO. At the same time a family down the road cursing at the disc as it floats away. "Good going Dad." That sort of thing. #4I am drawn to war because I like evil. And my uncle was in vietnam. I'm curious about his experiences, especially because he refused to ever speak of them. He was an all-american in high school football, scholarship, injury, addiction to pain killers, military, marriage, move far away, children, divorce, move back to hometown, have seizure, die. So it could be a feel good movie.
chapter 1 #5Why did my "true love" end our relationship after 2 years of telling me she wanted to be with me forever? Perhaps because I'm a jerk. But what if I could go back in time and treat her like a princess constantly. Perhaps I would go insane. Perhaps she would go insane. Perhaps I or she was already insane. Perhaps I am insane now and I really believe I am going back in time to treat her like a princess constantly. In such a case things like a "restraining order" wouldn't register in my distorted worldview, because I wouldn't want them to, and it wouldn't make sense..."she wouldn't put a restraining order on me, I'm her boyfriend and she loves me"...
8.
It's an empty house. It's been that way for years. After his parents died ownership passed to him. But he couldn't live there. He couldn't sell it. He couldn't destroy it. So he lets it be.
Insects thrive. Mice shoot from cabinet to microwave. A snake winds its way on top of a television. His room still covered with elementary school posters: Garfield, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A spider has lunch on a bookshelf. A young couple from the local high school stop in the drive way. He has thoughts of losing his virginity. She doesn't want to go inside the dump. He leads her inside, thinking the potential of this house's being haunted is worth some fear in her, and fear is worth comfort, and giving comfort reaps rewards. He sees the snake on the television. He gasps and runs outside. She follows him, walking and laughing a little bit. He has the car running.
chapter 1 #5Why did my "true love" end our relationship after 2 years of telling me she wanted to be with me forever? Perhaps because I'm a jerk. But what if I could go back in time and treat her like a princess constantly. Perhaps I would go insane. Perhaps she would go insane. Perhaps I or she was already insane. Perhaps I am insane now and I really believe I am going back in time to treat her like a princess constantly. In such a case things like a "restraining order" wouldn't register in my distorted worldview, because I wouldn't want them to, and it wouldn't make sense..."she wouldn't put a restraining order on me, I'm her boyfriend and she loves me"...
8.
It's an empty house. It's been that way for years. After his parents died ownership passed to him. But he couldn't live there. He couldn't sell it. He couldn't destroy it. So he lets it be.
Insects thrive. Mice shoot from cabinet to microwave. A snake winds its way on top of a television. His room still covered with elementary school posters: Garfield, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A spider has lunch on a bookshelf. A young couple from the local high school stop in the drive way. He has thoughts of losing his virginity. She doesn't want to go inside the dump. He leads her inside, thinking the potential of this house's being haunted is worth some fear in her, and fear is worth comfort, and giving comfort reaps rewards. He sees the snake on the television. He gasps and runs outside. She follows him, walking and laughing a little bit. He has the car running.
chapter3.3
7.
Why is it everytime I get the new person. I just want to pay for my beer and go home. But the damned cashier can't figure out the complicated system for ringing up lottery tickets. And what is with this idiot in front of me anyway? How many lottery tickets does this guy need? OK, he probably needs a lot. Oh come on. And 11 scratchers tickets. This guy is insane. Maybe if I start to scowl harder...ok got the scowl going. Perhaps I should go to the counter and say something. No...I'll wait here. But I'll scowl harder...ok.
10.
They caught her crying in the photo. A stranger, in the left corner of the picture, holding her slightly pregnant looking stomach and crying.
She had left the farm. Not her kind of work. But who was going to take care of the baby? How could she have this baby? Fathered by a monster, how could she let this child live? How could she kill it? She didn't want the baby. But she also didn't want to be dragged onto the back of a truck and raped by a pair of uncles. So she didn't always get what she wanted. And all she wanted after the rape was not to be pregnant. Revenge, justice, whatever, none of that mattered. Just so long as God made sure she wasn't pregnant. How could she raise a child, a deformed creature of incest, a child and a cousin. How? A camera flash warms the air, and she wipes the tears from her eyes and thinks about bloodlines.
Why is it everytime I get the new person. I just want to pay for my beer and go home. But the damned cashier can't figure out the complicated system for ringing up lottery tickets. And what is with this idiot in front of me anyway? How many lottery tickets does this guy need? OK, he probably needs a lot. Oh come on. And 11 scratchers tickets. This guy is insane. Maybe if I start to scowl harder...ok got the scowl going. Perhaps I should go to the counter and say something. No...I'll wait here. But I'll scowl harder...ok.
10.
They caught her crying in the photo. A stranger, in the left corner of the picture, holding her slightly pregnant looking stomach and crying.
She had left the farm. Not her kind of work. But who was going to take care of the baby? How could she have this baby? Fathered by a monster, how could she let this child live? How could she kill it? She didn't want the baby. But she also didn't want to be dragged onto the back of a truck and raped by a pair of uncles. So she didn't always get what she wanted. And all she wanted after the rape was not to be pregnant. Revenge, justice, whatever, none of that mattered. Just so long as God made sure she wasn't pregnant. How could she raise a child, a deformed creature of incest, a child and a cousin. How? A camera flash warms the air, and she wipes the tears from her eyes and thinks about bloodlines.
chapter 3.2
13.
"Is it a coincidence I'm on the curb for the conversation, amongst the trash?"
"You're the one who sat down."
"It's where I belong, amongst the trash. Besides, I thought I might need to sit down in order to hear what you have to say. Good news doesn't often come you when you're in one of your picturesque poses."
She grunts a speck of laughter out. "Picturesque poses, huh?
"Well, you're leaning against that streetlight, biting your lip, this is a scene right out of a bad sad romance movie."
"You're right about bad."
"Ouch..."
"Look, we both know you're not ready for a relationship."
"Not true, I know no such thing."
"Well, maybe you'll learn."
"Probably not, I'm not so good at that."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, it's not your fault, it's all that TV I watched growing up."
"Uhuh, well I'm sorry because I have to go."
"Do you HAVE to?"
"Yes."
"Am I supposed to fight for you, follow you to the ends of the earth to prove I love you, tell me, in your movie, how do I win your love back."
"You've always said fightings was stupid Mark, I think you should go home."
"Would you like to accompany me?"
"Goodbye Mark."
"I love you."
13.2
Oh, crap, why is he moving so quickly towards my desk? Oh crap oh crap. What did i forget? Here he comes, it's always bad news when he approaches your desk. What did I forget?
"What did you forget Jennings?"
"Sir?" I wish he'd get his hands off my desk. I just cleaned it.
"What did you forget to do today?"
"I'm sorry sir, I'm not sure." He could lean back a bit, and/or indulge in a breath mint.
"I don't pay you to be unsure."
"Of course not sir"
"What do I pay you to do?"
"Ummmm,anything that helps the company succeed." Endure your verbal abuse.
"Go home Jennings."
"What did I do sir?" Go to hell.
"I'll walk you out." Go to hell.
At the door the boss drops a meaty hand on Jennings' shoulder. "Nothing personal Jennings, you didn't forget anything. We just needed to put the fear of God in the other employees, you understand. You can pick up your last paycheck tomorrow."
"You should try a breathmint sir."
"Is it a coincidence I'm on the curb for the conversation, amongst the trash?"
"You're the one who sat down."
"It's where I belong, amongst the trash. Besides, I thought I might need to sit down in order to hear what you have to say. Good news doesn't often come you when you're in one of your picturesque poses."
She grunts a speck of laughter out. "Picturesque poses, huh?
"Well, you're leaning against that streetlight, biting your lip, this is a scene right out of a bad sad romance movie."
"You're right about bad."
"Ouch..."
"Look, we both know you're not ready for a relationship."
"Not true, I know no such thing."
"Well, maybe you'll learn."
"Probably not, I'm not so good at that."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, it's not your fault, it's all that TV I watched growing up."
"Uhuh, well I'm sorry because I have to go."
"Do you HAVE to?"
"Yes."
"Am I supposed to fight for you, follow you to the ends of the earth to prove I love you, tell me, in your movie, how do I win your love back."
"You've always said fightings was stupid Mark, I think you should go home."
"Would you like to accompany me?"
"Goodbye Mark."
"I love you."
13.2
Oh, crap, why is he moving so quickly towards my desk? Oh crap oh crap. What did i forget? Here he comes, it's always bad news when he approaches your desk. What did I forget?
"What did you forget Jennings?"
"Sir?" I wish he'd get his hands off my desk. I just cleaned it.
"What did you forget to do today?"
"I'm sorry sir, I'm not sure." He could lean back a bit, and/or indulge in a breath mint.
"I don't pay you to be unsure."
"Of course not sir"
"What do I pay you to do?"
"Ummmm,anything that helps the company succeed." Endure your verbal abuse.
"Go home Jennings."
"What did I do sir?" Go to hell.
"I'll walk you out." Go to hell.
At the door the boss drops a meaty hand on Jennings' shoulder. "Nothing personal Jennings, you didn't forget anything. We just needed to put the fear of God in the other employees, you understand. You can pick up your last paycheck tomorrow."
"You should try a breathmint sir."
chapter 3
11.
What had compelled him to do this? Why had he noticed the lack of a chain connecting a child's dilapidated bike to the park bench it leaned upon? Why had he wanted to be certain no one was watching him? Why did he look around to make certain no one was watching him? Why did he approach the bike? Why did he climb aboard and tear his suit on the handlebar in the process? Why did he begin to peddle out of the park? Why was he asking himself these questions?
He arrived in front of his office building, pushed the bike through the doors and made an oddly affable grunting noise to the receptionist. She, as always, presented a huge synthetic smile which managed to leak the words,"Good morning Mr. Callahan," without breaking its deceptively smile-like shape. Callahan guided the bike (tassle only on the right handle)over the immaculate carpet, between the evenly spaced abstract paintings,and towards his distant office door. He was aware that this was the hour the janitor was in this wing of the building, and suddenly his purpose in life was to prevent the janitor from seeing the bike. He began running towards his door, looking over his shoulder, and searching for his office key simultaneously. By the time he arrived at the door he had conceded he had lost the key. But, not to be outdone by a door, he punched it, quite hard. The door, having been ajar, moved rapidly open until it drove into the janitor's face. The janitor fell to the ground clutching his injury. Callahan's first realization was that the janitor had yet to notice the bike at his side, his second was that there was some horribly jagged singing wafting from the street to his window, after that it was all instinct. He pushed the bike towards the glass sliding doors that led to the balcony. Of course, the janitor liked fresh air, so the doors where open, and, of course, the bike slid smoothly, perfectly upright out the doors and through the railing, at which point it began it's downward descent. Not very long later there was a surprisingly melodic crash, and with that as her cue, the woman had stopped singing.
What had compelled him to do this? Why had he noticed the lack of a chain connecting a child's dilapidated bike to the park bench it leaned upon? Why had he wanted to be certain no one was watching him? Why did he look around to make certain no one was watching him? Why did he approach the bike? Why did he climb aboard and tear his suit on the handlebar in the process? Why did he begin to peddle out of the park? Why was he asking himself these questions?
He arrived in front of his office building, pushed the bike through the doors and made an oddly affable grunting noise to the receptionist. She, as always, presented a huge synthetic smile which managed to leak the words,"Good morning Mr. Callahan," without breaking its deceptively smile-like shape. Callahan guided the bike (tassle only on the right handle)over the immaculate carpet, between the evenly spaced abstract paintings,and towards his distant office door. He was aware that this was the hour the janitor was in this wing of the building, and suddenly his purpose in life was to prevent the janitor from seeing the bike. He began running towards his door, looking over his shoulder, and searching for his office key simultaneously. By the time he arrived at the door he had conceded he had lost the key. But, not to be outdone by a door, he punched it, quite hard. The door, having been ajar, moved rapidly open until it drove into the janitor's face. The janitor fell to the ground clutching his injury. Callahan's first realization was that the janitor had yet to notice the bike at his side, his second was that there was some horribly jagged singing wafting from the street to his window, after that it was all instinct. He pushed the bike towards the glass sliding doors that led to the balcony. Of course, the janitor liked fresh air, so the doors where open, and, of course, the bike slid smoothly, perfectly upright out the doors and through the railing, at which point it began it's downward descent. Not very long later there was a surprisingly melodic crash, and with that as her cue, the woman had stopped singing.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
introductory post
I expect to write a marvelous, awe-inspiring play, I imagine it will knock the wind from your stomachs, take the strength from your knees, and bring tears to your eyes as you sleep, inevitibly dreaming about it for the rest of your lives. Those near to you will grow to think you insane, as you obsess over my play, randomly breaking down into uncontrollable sobs, or insane guffawing. I apologize for the life-shattering quality of my as-yet-unwritten play, but it is beyond my control.
chris
chris
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