Freedom Fighter//Terrorist
Old War//New War
do with them what you will!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Notes on Monologues
Hey Guys,
These are my stream of consciousness notes on how I like to write monologues. A good prompt for thinking about this monologue might be "If only I had known..." You don't have to use it, but it might help.
Essential parts of a monologue:
The hook: Do not tell the story, start in the story. It is probably better to start ahead of the climax or point of tension, however, because of the length of monologues this stretch should not be long. You can hook in a variety of ways, not always starting in the action, startling the reader through vernacular, vocabulary, through character or plot. Remember, as “different” or “incomprehensible” to a point the opening is, the more effective it will be towards drawing people in.
The heart: develop your character through showing, not telling. Details are key here, try to make them as least cliché as you can and as authentic as you can muster. A bouquet of roses brought to a lover. Sure. A gallon of milk brought as the object of love…that’s something I’d be interested in.
The color: do not omit details, those are the things that draw people in.
Tension, climax: Because tension, in Spencer’s traditional sense, cannot be created by just one character, we must re-envision it. Perhaps it is something climactic happening in the plot, although this isn’t often the most interesting part. Most often, and most effectively, it is a whole-hearted change of perspective. (I don't love you, I don't love you, I don't love you, I do! OR We all like you, we all like you, we all like you, now we don't)
End: in my beginning is my end.
Notes:
**Stream of consciousness helps in first draft, definitively does not help in editing.
**Movement: Sometimes its helpful to envision yourself saying your monologue onstage. Some stories are very physical, how would you add physical theatre and drama to your piece?
** try to keep to: 1000 words
These are my stream of consciousness notes on how I like to write monologues. A good prompt for thinking about this monologue might be "If only I had known..." You don't have to use it, but it might help.
Essential parts of a monologue:
The hook: Do not tell the story, start in the story. It is probably better to start ahead of the climax or point of tension, however, because of the length of monologues this stretch should not be long. You can hook in a variety of ways, not always starting in the action, startling the reader through vernacular, vocabulary, through character or plot. Remember, as “different” or “incomprehensible” to a point the opening is, the more effective it will be towards drawing people in.
The heart: develop your character through showing, not telling. Details are key here, try to make them as least cliché as you can and as authentic as you can muster. A bouquet of roses brought to a lover. Sure. A gallon of milk brought as the object of love…that’s something I’d be interested in.
The color: do not omit details, those are the things that draw people in.
Tension, climax: Because tension, in Spencer’s traditional sense, cannot be created by just one character, we must re-envision it. Perhaps it is something climactic happening in the plot, although this isn’t often the most interesting part. Most often, and most effectively, it is a whole-hearted change of perspective. (I don't love you, I don't love you, I don't love you, I do! OR We all like you, we all like you, we all like you, now we don't)
End: in my beginning is my end.
Notes:
**Stream of consciousness helps in first draft, definitively does not help in editing.
**Movement: Sometimes its helpful to envision yourself saying your monologue onstage. Some stories are very physical, how would you add physical theatre and drama to your piece?
** try to keep to: 1000 words
How is babby formed?
As promised, here is the video I have been referencing. Please don't think less of me after watching this.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
kiddos
alrighty, here's my one act. it's super long. just try not to fall asleep while reading it (if you can).
Scene I
(A big room full of rows of cot-like beds. Jean, Gus, and Lizzy are standing in front of two empty beds. On each bed, there is a pillow sitting on top of a folded sheet and blanket. There are duffle bag, and two children’s backpacks on the floor.)
Jean: Alright now kiddos, it’s time to get out of those clothes and get ready for bed.
(Lizzy and Gus sit down on the floor and start to take off their shoes. Jean starts to unfold the covers and make the beds.)
Lizzy: I can’t get mine off. It’s stuck.
Gus: I’ll do it. (Lizzy puts her feet on Gus’ lap. Gus unties the laces and takes off her shoes.) See Lizzy, you have to untie your shoes first. That makes it easier.
Lizzy: But I don’t know how to tie it back. And if it’s not tied, my shoes will fall off.
Gus: I can teach you how to tie your shoes.
Lizzy: Uh uhn. I can’t tie my shoes.
Gus: Yes you can. I’ll show you how.
Lizzy: But it’s too hard. Mama, tell him I can’t do it.
Jean: That’s what you said when Gus taught you how to swing by yourself. But you learned, didn’t you? And now, no one has to push you when you swing.
Lizzy: But it’s different.
Jean: That’s right, it is different. Now, you’re bigger, and stronger, and smarter. So learning to tie your shoes will be a piece of cake. (Finishing making the beds) All finished. Lizzy, you’re sleeping with me, and Gus, you get a bed all to yourself. I want you both to practice your math for a little while, then I’ll read you a story before you go to sleep.
Gus: Mama? How come we don’t go to school?
Jean: You do have school. With me.
Gus: I mean real school. With real teachers. I miss my friends from my old school. How come I had to leave?
Jean: I know you miss your friends and your old school. But you have to have home schooling with me for a little while. Just until…things get settled.
Gus: I’m tired of moving. When do we get to go back home?
Jean: We’re not going back home, not to that home. We’re going to find a new one.
Gus: But we’ve been to a bunch of places already. Why can’t we stay in one of those?
Jean: Because those…they weren’t good enough. We’re looking for the perfect house. And when we find it, I promise, you’ll be back with your friends, in real school, with a real teacher. And you’ll have lots of real homework to do.
Lizzy: Mama. Where is Daddy? How come he doesn’t have to move like we do?
Jean: (slightly hesitant) Daddy is moving, too. He’s looking for the perfect house just like we are. He’s just looking in different places. If we split up, we can cover more ground, look at more houses.
Lizzy: How come we have to look with you? I wanna look for a house with Daddy.
(Jean is hurt. She doesn’t know what to say.)
Gus: Mama’s better than Daddy. Mama is nice. Daddy is mean. He’s always yelling at us. And ‘member that time I broke the plate? It was a accident, but Daddy got mad anyway and—
Jean: (Cutting off Gus, changing the subject) You know what, kiddos, you don’t have to practice math tonight if you don’t want to. Why don’t I just read you the story?
Gus: I don’t want you to read.
Jean: Alright. How about you read it? Lizzy likes that voices you do better than mine anyway.
Gus: I don’t want to. I want to go to bed.
Jean: Ok…Let just go to bed then.
Lizzy: Nooo. I want a story.
Jean: Lizzy, you’re brother’s right. We should get to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow. Gus: Come on, Lizzy. Let’s go brush our teeth. (They both dig in their backpacks searching for their toothbrushes.)
Jean: Do you remember where the bathroom is? I can take you.
Gus: You don’t have to. I know where it is.
Jean: Okay. Make sure you brush well. I don’t want you getting any cavities.
Gus and Lizzy stand. Before they walk away…
Jean: Gus. Come here, kiddo. (Pause. Reaching for his arm, gently.) How’s your arm?
Gus: It’s fine.
Jean: All better? (He nods “yes”) Good. Good. Bet you’re glad to have that cast off. (Pause) Alright, go ahead and get your teeth brushed.
Gus: Mama.
Jean: Yeah, kiddo?
Gus: You can read us a story if you want.
Scene II
Some time has passed since the previous scene. It’s morning. Jean is holding Gus and Lizzy’s hands. The children have on their backpacks on. Jean is walking quickly, and the children are trying their best to keep up.
Lizzy: Why are we walking so fast?
Jean: I don’t want you to be late.
Gus: Late to what? Where are we going?
Jean: It’s a surprise.
Lizzy: Are we going to see the doctor? Last time when we went, I got a shot, and I didn’t even cry. And the doctor, he gave me a sticker because I was a big girl. Remember that Gus? And they took your cast off. And you got a sticker, too.
Gus: We’re not going to the doctor. This isn’t where the doctor is. (Pause. He looks around and realizes where they are). We’re by my school! Mama, are we going to school?
Jean: (smiling) Maybe.
Gus: We are! Lizzy, we’re going to school!
They reach the front of the school and stop walking. Jean kneels to speak the Lizzy and Gus. She fixed their clothes, hair, etc. as she speaks.
Jean: Alright, kiddos. You two be good at school. I talked to your teachers. So they know why you’ve been absent, and they know you’ll be back today. After school, meet me in our old meeting place. Do you remember where that is?
Gus: At the bench by the front door.
Jean: That’s right. The bench by the front door. I’ll be waiting there when you get out.
Gus: Mama, since we’re back in real school, does that mean you found the perfect house?
Jean: Not yet, kiddo, but we’re close. Hopefully, we won’t have to move around as much anymore, though.
Lizzy: What about Daddy? When do we get to see him?
Jean: You will. You’ll get to see Daddy again. Just, not yet.
Gus: Do we have to live with Daddy? Can’t we find our own house? And Daddy find his own?
Jean: We’ll talk about it later. Okay? You should get inside before the bell rings. (She kisses them both on the forehead) Be nice. Learn a lot. Have fun. I’ll see you later, kiddos.
Scene III
The following take place simultaneously on different parts of the stage. Jean is sitting across a table or desk from Phoebe. Gus and Simian are sitting in chairs facing each other. Phoebe and Simian both have a notepad, a folder, and a pen. During their conversations, they occasionally take notes.
Simian: Hi Gus. My name is Simian. Do you know why you’re here with me? (Gus shakes his head “no”). I want to ask you some questions about things at home.
Phoebe: La Casa de las Madres is different from other women’s shelters. We allow you to live here for up to four months. We offer services that help you find permanent housing. We also have workshops for women like yourself who’ve been out of the workforce for some time and are trying to re-enter. We also help you enroll your children in schools in the area. Let’s see, you said you’ve been homeless for four months? Have your children been out of school that whole time?
Jean: They have been, but I took them to school today. It’s their first day back.
Gus: The last time me and Lizzy went to school before today was before winter break. I remember because on the last day of school my teacher let us have a party. Then it was break time. And then, a little bit after Christmas, we moved from our old house.
Simian: And where did you go when you moved?
Jean: I left my husband just after Christmas. We’d been married eleven years. It was great at first, but then…I just couldn’t do it anymore. I had to get my children away from him.
Phoebe: Do you plan on returning to your husband?
Gus: We’re going to live with my Daddy again. Mama said that when she finds the perfect house, we’re gonna live with Daddy again.
Simian: Tell me about your dad. Do he and your mom get along?
Jean: I just want to get away from him. Take Gus and Lizzy and start over.
Simian: What about you and your sister? Do the two of you get along with your dad?
Gus: Sometimes. Lizzy likes him. But sometimes he’s mean to me.
Simian: How is he mean to you?
Gus: I don’t know…Like this one time, I was helping Mama with the dishes, and I dropped a plate. It was a accident. I said I was sorry. Mama said it was okay. Daddy got mad at me anyway.
Simian: Did you get in trouble?
Gus: Yeah. He hurt my arm. Mama told him to let me go, but he didn’t listen. I had to get a cast. It was a green one. Green is my favorite color. The only people that signed it were Mama and Lizzy, though. I was gonna have my friends at school sign it, too. But we didn’t go back school.
Jean: That was the last time he was going to hurt any of us. I packed our bags, and we left the next day.
Phoebe: Leaving is always the hardest part, and you’ve done that. You and your children want to start over. That’s exactly what we’re here to help you do.
Jean: Thank you so much. The past few months have been so hard. It’s such a relief not to have to worry about where we’re going to sleep the next night.
Phoebe: It’s no problem, really. We’re here to help. If you’re ready, I can show you to your room.
Scene IV
School office. There is a counter but no one behind it. It is after school, a while after the final bell has rung. Jean enters worried, impatient, and slightly irritated.
Jean: Excuse me! Is anyone here? (A secretary walks out.) Excuse me, sir. I’m looking for my son and daughter. They were supposed to meet me outside after school. I waited, but they never came out. I checked with their teachers, and apparently they were both called to the office and never went back to class.
Secretary: What are your children’s names?
Jean: Lizzy and Gus.
Secretary: (Looks through papers, finds their names) Gus and Lizzy Brooks? Is that them?
Jean: Yes. That’s them. Where are they?
Secretary: Just a moment ma’am. (The Secretary exits and then returns) Someone will be out in a second to talk to you.
The Secretary exits. Simian enters. Reaches to shake Jean’s hand.
Simian: Hi. Are you Jean Brooks, Gus and Lizzy’s mother?
Jean: Yes. Who are you?
Simian: I’m Simian. I’m with Child Protective Services. Do you have a moment to talk?
Jean: Where are Gus and Lizzy?
Simian: We can talk about Gus and Lizzy. If you’d like to sit— (she doesn’t sit)
Jean: Tell me where they are.
Simian: Mrs. Brooks, some things have been brought to our attention, and we’re concerned about the welfare of your children.
Jean: They’re fine. I take care of my children. I don’t need anyone checking up on me.
Simian: You’ve been homeless for the past few months. Is that true?
Jean: Yes… I left my husband. Since then we’ve been moving around a lot. But I’ve found a place for us to stay.
Simian: Will you be staying with your husband?
Jean: No! I’m not going back to him.
Simian: You children seem to be under the impression that you are.
Jean: I’m not. I just haven’t told them yet. I mean, how do you tell your children that they’re never going to see their father again? (pause) The place we’re staying is called La Casa de las Madres. It’s a shelter. They’re going to help me find a house. And I’m going to find a job.
Simian: You’re unemployed?
Jean: Well, yes. After I had Gus, I took time off work, and then Lizzy was born. I always planned on going back to work. I just haven’t yet.
Simian: (sensing Jean’s uneasiness) Mrs. Brooks. You can relax. Maybe you’d like to sit now. (Simian goes to a chair and sits. Jean hesitates and then sits in a chair next to Simian.) It’s not my job to scare you. I can see that you care about Gus and Lizzy and that you’re looking out for their best interest. I talked to them, and they’re both bright kids. I just wonder what this kind of life will do to them.
Jean: What do you mean? I told you already, I’ve found a place for us to stay.
Simian: Another shelter.
Jean: (getting angry) So what if it’s another shelter? It’s better than living in the streets or with their father.
Simian: All I’m saying is that kids need a home, a stable environment where they can grow up.
Jean: I know what my children need. And I think I can handle raising them.
Simian: I’m sure you can. But it’s important that your children be safe—
Jean: Do you have children?
Simian: I have a nephew.
Jean: I didn’t ask that. I asked if you had children. A son? A daughter?
Simian: No.
Jean: I didn’t think so. And I don’t expect you to understand, well, anything. Do you think I wanted this? I left my husband with nothing and with nowhere to go. I didn’t plan it out. We just left. I thought it would be easier. I’m a mother with two children. Who would deny me help? Well, I quickly found out the answer to that question: friends, family. So we went from shelter to shelter. Most of them were no place for women and children, but we had no choice. Sometimes I held Gus and Lizzy’s hands while they slept. It was like I didn’t want them get away. Other times, I’d stay awake and watch them as they slept, just to make sure nothing happened to them. (Pause) I don’t want this for them.
Simian: Mrs. Brooks, I’ve heard a lot about La Casa. Apparently it’s a really good place. I’m sure they’ll help you get your life together. Lizzy and Gus will be fine, and it seems like they’re in good hands. I asked them to wait in an office in the back. It’s always better if I can talk to parents without the children around. I’ll go get them.
Jean: Don’t get them. They’re not coming with me.
Simian: (realizing what she means) Mrs. Brooks, I’m not here to take your children from you.
Jean: No. You were right. This kind of life isn’t for them. They deserve better.
Simian: I can only imagine how difficult life must be right now, but things will get better as soon as you’re settled.
Jean: And as soon as I’m settled I’ll take them back. I want to make sure I can provide for them the way that I want to. Until then, just tell them I’m still looking for the perfect house.
Scene I
(A big room full of rows of cot-like beds. Jean, Gus, and Lizzy are standing in front of two empty beds. On each bed, there is a pillow sitting on top of a folded sheet and blanket. There are duffle bag, and two children’s backpacks on the floor.)
Jean: Alright now kiddos, it’s time to get out of those clothes and get ready for bed.
(Lizzy and Gus sit down on the floor and start to take off their shoes. Jean starts to unfold the covers and make the beds.)
Lizzy: I can’t get mine off. It’s stuck.
Gus: I’ll do it. (Lizzy puts her feet on Gus’ lap. Gus unties the laces and takes off her shoes.) See Lizzy, you have to untie your shoes first. That makes it easier.
Lizzy: But I don’t know how to tie it back. And if it’s not tied, my shoes will fall off.
Gus: I can teach you how to tie your shoes.
Lizzy: Uh uhn. I can’t tie my shoes.
Gus: Yes you can. I’ll show you how.
Lizzy: But it’s too hard. Mama, tell him I can’t do it.
Jean: That’s what you said when Gus taught you how to swing by yourself. But you learned, didn’t you? And now, no one has to push you when you swing.
Lizzy: But it’s different.
Jean: That’s right, it is different. Now, you’re bigger, and stronger, and smarter. So learning to tie your shoes will be a piece of cake. (Finishing making the beds) All finished. Lizzy, you’re sleeping with me, and Gus, you get a bed all to yourself. I want you both to practice your math for a little while, then I’ll read you a story before you go to sleep.
Gus: Mama? How come we don’t go to school?
Jean: You do have school. With me.
Gus: I mean real school. With real teachers. I miss my friends from my old school. How come I had to leave?
Jean: I know you miss your friends and your old school. But you have to have home schooling with me for a little while. Just until…things get settled.
Gus: I’m tired of moving. When do we get to go back home?
Jean: We’re not going back home, not to that home. We’re going to find a new one.
Gus: But we’ve been to a bunch of places already. Why can’t we stay in one of those?
Jean: Because those…they weren’t good enough. We’re looking for the perfect house. And when we find it, I promise, you’ll be back with your friends, in real school, with a real teacher. And you’ll have lots of real homework to do.
Lizzy: Mama. Where is Daddy? How come he doesn’t have to move like we do?
Jean: (slightly hesitant) Daddy is moving, too. He’s looking for the perfect house just like we are. He’s just looking in different places. If we split up, we can cover more ground, look at more houses.
Lizzy: How come we have to look with you? I wanna look for a house with Daddy.
(Jean is hurt. She doesn’t know what to say.)
Gus: Mama’s better than Daddy. Mama is nice. Daddy is mean. He’s always yelling at us. And ‘member that time I broke the plate? It was a accident, but Daddy got mad anyway and—
Jean: (Cutting off Gus, changing the subject) You know what, kiddos, you don’t have to practice math tonight if you don’t want to. Why don’t I just read you the story?
Gus: I don’t want you to read.
Jean: Alright. How about you read it? Lizzy likes that voices you do better than mine anyway.
Gus: I don’t want to. I want to go to bed.
Jean: Ok…Let just go to bed then.
Lizzy: Nooo. I want a story.
Jean: Lizzy, you’re brother’s right. We should get to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow. Gus: Come on, Lizzy. Let’s go brush our teeth. (They both dig in their backpacks searching for their toothbrushes.)
Jean: Do you remember where the bathroom is? I can take you.
Gus: You don’t have to. I know where it is.
Jean: Okay. Make sure you brush well. I don’t want you getting any cavities.
Gus and Lizzy stand. Before they walk away…
Jean: Gus. Come here, kiddo. (Pause. Reaching for his arm, gently.) How’s your arm?
Gus: It’s fine.
Jean: All better? (He nods “yes”) Good. Good. Bet you’re glad to have that cast off. (Pause) Alright, go ahead and get your teeth brushed.
Gus: Mama.
Jean: Yeah, kiddo?
Gus: You can read us a story if you want.
Scene II
Some time has passed since the previous scene. It’s morning. Jean is holding Gus and Lizzy’s hands. The children have on their backpacks on. Jean is walking quickly, and the children are trying their best to keep up.
Lizzy: Why are we walking so fast?
Jean: I don’t want you to be late.
Gus: Late to what? Where are we going?
Jean: It’s a surprise.
Lizzy: Are we going to see the doctor? Last time when we went, I got a shot, and I didn’t even cry. And the doctor, he gave me a sticker because I was a big girl. Remember that Gus? And they took your cast off. And you got a sticker, too.
Gus: We’re not going to the doctor. This isn’t where the doctor is. (Pause. He looks around and realizes where they are). We’re by my school! Mama, are we going to school?
Jean: (smiling) Maybe.
Gus: We are! Lizzy, we’re going to school!
They reach the front of the school and stop walking. Jean kneels to speak the Lizzy and Gus. She fixed their clothes, hair, etc. as she speaks.
Jean: Alright, kiddos. You two be good at school. I talked to your teachers. So they know why you’ve been absent, and they know you’ll be back today. After school, meet me in our old meeting place. Do you remember where that is?
Gus: At the bench by the front door.
Jean: That’s right. The bench by the front door. I’ll be waiting there when you get out.
Gus: Mama, since we’re back in real school, does that mean you found the perfect house?
Jean: Not yet, kiddo, but we’re close. Hopefully, we won’t have to move around as much anymore, though.
Lizzy: What about Daddy? When do we get to see him?
Jean: You will. You’ll get to see Daddy again. Just, not yet.
Gus: Do we have to live with Daddy? Can’t we find our own house? And Daddy find his own?
Jean: We’ll talk about it later. Okay? You should get inside before the bell rings. (She kisses them both on the forehead) Be nice. Learn a lot. Have fun. I’ll see you later, kiddos.
Scene III
The following take place simultaneously on different parts of the stage. Jean is sitting across a table or desk from Phoebe. Gus and Simian are sitting in chairs facing each other. Phoebe and Simian both have a notepad, a folder, and a pen. During their conversations, they occasionally take notes.
Simian: Hi Gus. My name is Simian. Do you know why you’re here with me? (Gus shakes his head “no”). I want to ask you some questions about things at home.
Phoebe: La Casa de las Madres is different from other women’s shelters. We allow you to live here for up to four months. We offer services that help you find permanent housing. We also have workshops for women like yourself who’ve been out of the workforce for some time and are trying to re-enter. We also help you enroll your children in schools in the area. Let’s see, you said you’ve been homeless for four months? Have your children been out of school that whole time?
Jean: They have been, but I took them to school today. It’s their first day back.
Gus: The last time me and Lizzy went to school before today was before winter break. I remember because on the last day of school my teacher let us have a party. Then it was break time. And then, a little bit after Christmas, we moved from our old house.
Simian: And where did you go when you moved?
Jean: I left my husband just after Christmas. We’d been married eleven years. It was great at first, but then…I just couldn’t do it anymore. I had to get my children away from him.
Phoebe: Do you plan on returning to your husband?
Gus: We’re going to live with my Daddy again. Mama said that when she finds the perfect house, we’re gonna live with Daddy again.
Simian: Tell me about your dad. Do he and your mom get along?
Jean: I just want to get away from him. Take Gus and Lizzy and start over.
Simian: What about you and your sister? Do the two of you get along with your dad?
Gus: Sometimes. Lizzy likes him. But sometimes he’s mean to me.
Simian: How is he mean to you?
Gus: I don’t know…Like this one time, I was helping Mama with the dishes, and I dropped a plate. It was a accident. I said I was sorry. Mama said it was okay. Daddy got mad at me anyway.
Simian: Did you get in trouble?
Gus: Yeah. He hurt my arm. Mama told him to let me go, but he didn’t listen. I had to get a cast. It was a green one. Green is my favorite color. The only people that signed it were Mama and Lizzy, though. I was gonna have my friends at school sign it, too. But we didn’t go back school.
Jean: That was the last time he was going to hurt any of us. I packed our bags, and we left the next day.
Phoebe: Leaving is always the hardest part, and you’ve done that. You and your children want to start over. That’s exactly what we’re here to help you do.
Jean: Thank you so much. The past few months have been so hard. It’s such a relief not to have to worry about where we’re going to sleep the next night.
Phoebe: It’s no problem, really. We’re here to help. If you’re ready, I can show you to your room.
Scene IV
School office. There is a counter but no one behind it. It is after school, a while after the final bell has rung. Jean enters worried, impatient, and slightly irritated.
Jean: Excuse me! Is anyone here? (A secretary walks out.) Excuse me, sir. I’m looking for my son and daughter. They were supposed to meet me outside after school. I waited, but they never came out. I checked with their teachers, and apparently they were both called to the office and never went back to class.
Secretary: What are your children’s names?
Jean: Lizzy and Gus.
Secretary: (Looks through papers, finds their names) Gus and Lizzy Brooks? Is that them?
Jean: Yes. That’s them. Where are they?
Secretary: Just a moment ma’am. (The Secretary exits and then returns) Someone will be out in a second to talk to you.
The Secretary exits. Simian enters. Reaches to shake Jean’s hand.
Simian: Hi. Are you Jean Brooks, Gus and Lizzy’s mother?
Jean: Yes. Who are you?
Simian: I’m Simian. I’m with Child Protective Services. Do you have a moment to talk?
Jean: Where are Gus and Lizzy?
Simian: We can talk about Gus and Lizzy. If you’d like to sit— (she doesn’t sit)
Jean: Tell me where they are.
Simian: Mrs. Brooks, some things have been brought to our attention, and we’re concerned about the welfare of your children.
Jean: They’re fine. I take care of my children. I don’t need anyone checking up on me.
Simian: You’ve been homeless for the past few months. Is that true?
Jean: Yes… I left my husband. Since then we’ve been moving around a lot. But I’ve found a place for us to stay.
Simian: Will you be staying with your husband?
Jean: No! I’m not going back to him.
Simian: You children seem to be under the impression that you are.
Jean: I’m not. I just haven’t told them yet. I mean, how do you tell your children that they’re never going to see their father again? (pause) The place we’re staying is called La Casa de las Madres. It’s a shelter. They’re going to help me find a house. And I’m going to find a job.
Simian: You’re unemployed?
Jean: Well, yes. After I had Gus, I took time off work, and then Lizzy was born. I always planned on going back to work. I just haven’t yet.
Simian: (sensing Jean’s uneasiness) Mrs. Brooks. You can relax. Maybe you’d like to sit now. (Simian goes to a chair and sits. Jean hesitates and then sits in a chair next to Simian.) It’s not my job to scare you. I can see that you care about Gus and Lizzy and that you’re looking out for their best interest. I talked to them, and they’re both bright kids. I just wonder what this kind of life will do to them.
Jean: What do you mean? I told you already, I’ve found a place for us to stay.
Simian: Another shelter.
Jean: (getting angry) So what if it’s another shelter? It’s better than living in the streets or with their father.
Simian: All I’m saying is that kids need a home, a stable environment where they can grow up.
Jean: I know what my children need. And I think I can handle raising them.
Simian: I’m sure you can. But it’s important that your children be safe—
Jean: Do you have children?
Simian: I have a nephew.
Jean: I didn’t ask that. I asked if you had children. A son? A daughter?
Simian: No.
Jean: I didn’t think so. And I don’t expect you to understand, well, anything. Do you think I wanted this? I left my husband with nothing and with nowhere to go. I didn’t plan it out. We just left. I thought it would be easier. I’m a mother with two children. Who would deny me help? Well, I quickly found out the answer to that question: friends, family. So we went from shelter to shelter. Most of them were no place for women and children, but we had no choice. Sometimes I held Gus and Lizzy’s hands while they slept. It was like I didn’t want them get away. Other times, I’d stay awake and watch them as they slept, just to make sure nothing happened to them. (Pause) I don’t want this for them.
Simian: Mrs. Brooks, I’ve heard a lot about La Casa. Apparently it’s a really good place. I’m sure they’ll help you get your life together. Lizzy and Gus will be fine, and it seems like they’re in good hands. I asked them to wait in an office in the back. It’s always better if I can talk to parents without the children around. I’ll go get them.
Jean: Don’t get them. They’re not coming with me.
Simian: (realizing what she means) Mrs. Brooks, I’m not here to take your children from you.
Jean: No. You were right. This kind of life isn’t for them. They deserve better.
Simian: I can only imagine how difficult life must be right now, but things will get better as soon as you’re settled.
Jean: And as soon as I’m settled I’ll take them back. I want to make sure I can provide for them the way that I want to. Until then, just tell them I’m still looking for the perfect house.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Of Honeybees and Tractors...
Well, here it is. It isn't perfect; it's still a little too talky and not actiony enough, but oh well.
Two honeybees are flying around near an orchard in California. They stop at a hive and, noticing there isn't any activity around it, decide to peek in; it’s deserted, except for the queen, who glances up at them weakly.
Queen: Gone. They’re all gone. All… gone.
Bee #1: What… what are you doing here all alone? Not even a single bee around to care for you! Is this how we’re treating our queens nowadays?
Queen: They all left.
Bee #1: Left?
Queen: Left, died. They’re gone, at any rate. And soon I will be too.
Bee #2: What? They left? They left you to die?
Queen: Effectively, yes. They were… sick, I think. And they left. Our colony has… collapsed.
Bee #1: There was a colony near us, back home, that just, one day it just… they were all gone.
Queen: Then it isn’t only us. I fear for the whole bee population, tired and overworked as we are!
Bee #2: Your majesty, is there anything—anything at all—we can do?
Queen: I’m afraid I’m nearing the end. No—it’s no use now, you won’t be able to help me.
Silence.
Queen: Well, if maybe… you know, if you were willing to… wait with me, until… until…
Bee #1: Of course!
Short silence.
Queen: Where are you all from?
Bee #2: Somewhere far away, I think. Every month, it seems, we’re taken to a new land.
Bee #1: New land with new plants. But always just one type of plant. One type of plant as far as the eye can see…
Bee #2: And when that plant stops flowering, we move on. I’m so tired, so weak. This winter, they woke us up out of hibernation so we could be trucked somewhere far, far away. And the food they gave us was terrible!
Queen: Yes, it is rather… jarring, being picked up after just three weeks in one place, then brought to another for maybe a month, then brought to another—
They hear two men walk by, talking.
Bee #1: Shhh!
Man #1: One hundred forty a box? Yeesh! Those are some expensive bees.
Man #2: These aren’t just any bees. These bees are more productive than any of the competition’s bees! It’s true! They’ll make you a huge profit.
Man #1: Well, I dunno..
Man #2: Of course, there are always other places I can take my bees if you don’t want them...
Man #1 (hastily): No, no. If that’s what you all are charging nowadays, then I suppose I got no choice… (they walk out of hearing range)
Queen shudders.
Queen: It makes one feel so… used. It’s so tiring.
silence
Queen gasps audibly.
Bee #2: Your majesty!
Bee #1: Is everything all right?
Queen (visibly weakening): I’m… it’s the end. Go now, and figure out what’s causing this problem we have. For the sake of our species and all the plants we pollinate, you must… figure… this out. I… have faith in you. (Her eyes shut, and she falls gently forward).
Bee #2: No! Your majesty!
Bee #1 (pulling him away): Quickly, we have no time to lose!
They emerge from the hive into an almond orchard, with rows and rows of almond trees running off to the horizon. All around them, bees are buzzing from tree to tree in a mechanized way, all in sync. A farmer walks by, inspecting.
Bee #2: How will we ever figure this out?
Bee #1: I don’t have any clue, but I know we must! There could be hundreds of hives in danger.
Bee #2: Don’t you think you’re exaggerating just a bit?
A bee flies past, clearly not healthy. She isn’t flying straight, and almost runs into them.
Bee: Oh! I’m sorry, I’m just… not feeling so well. Oh, God… She falls over.
Bee #2: Oh no! She’s… is she dead?
A few other bees come wobbling past.
One of the bees: It’s got the whole hive!
Bee #1 (very interested): What’s got the whole hive?
The same bee: This… sickness. We’re all dying. We had to leave our queen.
Another bee: I’ve heard it’s happening all over! More and more bees are falling ill and their whole colonies are collapsing!
They fly off. Bee #1 looks at Bee #2.
Bee #2: Ok, ok. But I still don’t see what WE can do. We’re just two little bees, and this is such a big problem!
They hear many, many bees flying past, chanting. They find themselves in the midst of a giant swarm of bees, wearing t-shirts and holding signs with anti-monoculture, anti-industrial farming slogans.
They approach one of the bees, who’s wearing a shirt that says “Monoculture killed my children”
Bee: Howdy. What are you up to?
Bee #1: We’re… well… we’re…
Bee #2: What’s all the protest about?
Bee in the shirt: I’m tired; I’m overworked; I haven’t been able to stay in one home more than a month for my whole life. I’m fed up, so I’m doing something about it.
Bee #1: Tired, overworked. Yes, we’re tired and overworked and we’re getting sick because of it!
Another bee: Those humans think they can get us to do whatever they want us to!
Bee #2: But what can we do about it? They’re so powerful. The rest of us are… well, we’re just inferior!
The same bee: That’s what they want you to think, my friend. Stand up for yourself! Refuse to work! Refuse to leave when they try to pack you up to travel to yet another new land! Do something, and they won’t know how to handle it. What they want is for you to obey, and not even think about it.
Bee #1: We certainly need to do something before we’re all wiped out.
The bee in the shirt: We need to make them realize how much they need us. We may be small, but we give them food. Unfortunately, it may take us dying off in huge numbers for them to quit taking us for granted.
Bee #2: How will we eat if we don’t work?
Another bee, who’s been listening: We find food on farms that don’t use monoculture.
Bee #1: What’s… monoculture?
The same bee: These rows and rows of the same plant, that’s monoculture. Come, clearly you both have much to learn. There are some extra signs over there, if you want…
They fly off, talking.
The farmer passes by again, this time on his cell phone.
Farmer: Yeah. Yeah, one little bolt fell off and the whole durn machine stopped working. The whole tractor. Yeah, it’s sure a pain in MY neck…
He continues walking out of earshot.
End.
Two honeybees are flying around near an orchard in California. They stop at a hive and, noticing there isn't any activity around it, decide to peek in; it’s deserted, except for the queen, who glances up at them weakly.
Queen: Gone. They’re all gone. All… gone.
Bee #1: What… what are you doing here all alone? Not even a single bee around to care for you! Is this how we’re treating our queens nowadays?
Queen: They all left.
Bee #1: Left?
Queen: Left, died. They’re gone, at any rate. And soon I will be too.
Bee #2: What? They left? They left you to die?
Queen: Effectively, yes. They were… sick, I think. And they left. Our colony has… collapsed.
Bee #1: There was a colony near us, back home, that just, one day it just… they were all gone.
Queen: Then it isn’t only us. I fear for the whole bee population, tired and overworked as we are!
Bee #2: Your majesty, is there anything—anything at all—we can do?
Queen: I’m afraid I’m nearing the end. No—it’s no use now, you won’t be able to help me.
Silence.
Queen: Well, if maybe… you know, if you were willing to… wait with me, until… until…
Bee #1: Of course!
Short silence.
Queen: Where are you all from?
Bee #2: Somewhere far away, I think. Every month, it seems, we’re taken to a new land.
Bee #1: New land with new plants. But always just one type of plant. One type of plant as far as the eye can see…
Bee #2: And when that plant stops flowering, we move on. I’m so tired, so weak. This winter, they woke us up out of hibernation so we could be trucked somewhere far, far away. And the food they gave us was terrible!
Queen: Yes, it is rather… jarring, being picked up after just three weeks in one place, then brought to another for maybe a month, then brought to another—
They hear two men walk by, talking.
Bee #1: Shhh!
Man #1: One hundred forty a box? Yeesh! Those are some expensive bees.
Man #2: These aren’t just any bees. These bees are more productive than any of the competition’s bees! It’s true! They’ll make you a huge profit.
Man #1: Well, I dunno..
Man #2: Of course, there are always other places I can take my bees if you don’t want them...
Man #1 (hastily): No, no. If that’s what you all are charging nowadays, then I suppose I got no choice… (they walk out of hearing range)
Queen shudders.
Queen: It makes one feel so… used. It’s so tiring.
silence
Queen gasps audibly.
Bee #2: Your majesty!
Bee #1: Is everything all right?
Queen (visibly weakening): I’m… it’s the end. Go now, and figure out what’s causing this problem we have. For the sake of our species and all the plants we pollinate, you must… figure… this out. I… have faith in you. (Her eyes shut, and she falls gently forward).
Bee #2: No! Your majesty!
Bee #1 (pulling him away): Quickly, we have no time to lose!
They emerge from the hive into an almond orchard, with rows and rows of almond trees running off to the horizon. All around them, bees are buzzing from tree to tree in a mechanized way, all in sync. A farmer walks by, inspecting.
Bee #2: How will we ever figure this out?
Bee #1: I don’t have any clue, but I know we must! There could be hundreds of hives in danger.
Bee #2: Don’t you think you’re exaggerating just a bit?
A bee flies past, clearly not healthy. She isn’t flying straight, and almost runs into them.
Bee: Oh! I’m sorry, I’m just… not feeling so well. Oh, God… She falls over.
Bee #2: Oh no! She’s… is she dead?
A few other bees come wobbling past.
One of the bees: It’s got the whole hive!
Bee #1 (very interested): What’s got the whole hive?
The same bee: This… sickness. We’re all dying. We had to leave our queen.
Another bee: I’ve heard it’s happening all over! More and more bees are falling ill and their whole colonies are collapsing!
They fly off. Bee #1 looks at Bee #2.
Bee #2: Ok, ok. But I still don’t see what WE can do. We’re just two little bees, and this is such a big problem!
They hear many, many bees flying past, chanting. They find themselves in the midst of a giant swarm of bees, wearing t-shirts and holding signs with anti-monoculture, anti-industrial farming slogans.
They approach one of the bees, who’s wearing a shirt that says “Monoculture killed my children”
Bee: Howdy. What are you up to?
Bee #1: We’re… well… we’re…
Bee #2: What’s all the protest about?
Bee in the shirt: I’m tired; I’m overworked; I haven’t been able to stay in one home more than a month for my whole life. I’m fed up, so I’m doing something about it.
Bee #1: Tired, overworked. Yes, we’re tired and overworked and we’re getting sick because of it!
Another bee: Those humans think they can get us to do whatever they want us to!
Bee #2: But what can we do about it? They’re so powerful. The rest of us are… well, we’re just inferior!
The same bee: That’s what they want you to think, my friend. Stand up for yourself! Refuse to work! Refuse to leave when they try to pack you up to travel to yet another new land! Do something, and they won’t know how to handle it. What they want is for you to obey, and not even think about it.
Bee #1: We certainly need to do something before we’re all wiped out.
The bee in the shirt: We need to make them realize how much they need us. We may be small, but we give them food. Unfortunately, it may take us dying off in huge numbers for them to quit taking us for granted.
Bee #2: How will we eat if we don’t work?
Another bee, who’s been listening: We find food on farms that don’t use monoculture.
Bee #1: What’s… monoculture?
The same bee: These rows and rows of the same plant, that’s monoculture. Come, clearly you both have much to learn. There are some extra signs over there, if you want…
They fly off, talking.
The farmer passes by again, this time on his cell phone.
Farmer: Yeah. Yeah, one little bolt fell off and the whole durn machine stopped working. The whole tractor. Yeah, it’s sure a pain in MY neck…
He continues walking out of earshot.
End.
David's Continual Blog-Use Failing Is Not Suffered Alone!
You see! You see! It's not my incompetence, it's the blog! I hope this goes as proof that I would be able to perform basic computer functions if only this website didn't have it out to get me (and now apparently Abby too) (looking in Alexa's direction challengingly. I'd like to see you go up against BlogSpot and win - it's not so easy! haha)
Abby fails at posting her script
For some reason, I am unable to copy the text from my Word document to post my script on the blog - my post just shows up blank. So instead, I have emailed you all the file so you can read it that way. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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