Moral ValuesA Stage Play by Victor Cartel Inspired by Emilie Autumn's "Marry Me" song; written for a school project.
Previous Version This is a previous version of Moral Values. :::COVER LETTER::: NOTES: (1) I'm assuming that the Demon and Angel parts are being played by females while writing this, so if the actors are male for those parts then they'll need to individually change the names in the script to the male ones provided. (2) In Scene 2, Elvira "grows up" and therefore needs to either have the illusion that she's younger by changing costume or you'll need 2 more actresses, one a young girl and the other in between the age range of the youngest girl and the main Elvira actress, both to come on briefly in the beginning. (3) If necessary, shorting the songs in play is the preferable option when looking to shorten the run time, rather than cutting scenes/dialogue. How this is done is at the director's discretion. (4) This play is written so that it could be a full-length play, though there are specific parts in it that are specified for removal [with a red R for "removable"] so that it can be made into a One Act if preferred. (5) -Make suggestion notes for Tech side of things- :::CAST - ACTOR-/ACTRESS-ONLY NOTES::: --KEY-- Character's Role [Character's Gender]: Character's Name Mini-description of the character's personality. Use this knowledge throughout the play to make the characters seem more real. --KEY-- Lead Role [Female]: Elvira Awkward. She doesn't know exactly where she's going in life. Main Supporting [Male]: Silas Fake. Sweet on the outside but extremely sadistic. Main Supporting [Male]: Ezekiel Shy. Sweet and kind when he wants to be, otherwise he doesn't talk much if at all. Demon [Female]: Orpha [or Asa if the actor is male] Sarcastic. A little cruel but overall just crazy Angel [Female]: Zylphia [or Lafayette if the actor is male] Polite. She tends to be calm, cool, and collected at nearly all times. Father [Male]: N/A Higher Being [Male]: God -- can be double cast [CDC] Higher Being [Male]: Lucifer -- CDC Doctor [Either Sex]: N/A -- CDC :::MORAL VALUES::: SCENE ONE:--Starts off with stage split through the middle. On the left half is Hell, and the right half Heaven. ORPHA [Hell] and ZYLPHIA [Heaven] are both at center stage looking offstage as a 2 booming voices, LUCIFER and GOD, speak to them through mics off-stage.-- LUCIFER and GOD: [simultaneously] I have a task for you. ORPHA and ZYLPHIA: [simultaneously] Yes, my lord? LUCIFER: Today a baby was born on Earth...but not just any baby. This baby is extremely special. GOD: This baby girl was born under extremely rare circumstances, and is destined to have an extreme influence on the entirety of Earth. ORPHA and ZYLPHIA: [simultaneously] I don't understand, sir. LUCIFER: [angrily] Do not interrupt! ORPHA: Pardon my rudeness, sire. GOD: Please let me continue... ZYLPHIA: Of course, sir. LUCIFER and GOD: [simultaneously] Her name is Elvira. GOD: The Fates have put together this child's life so that no matter what she does, it will have a large impact on the world. LUCIFER: If this girl grows up to be cruel and heartless, that will reflect on society just the same as if she grows up sweet and kind. LUCIFER and GOD: [simultaneously] I want you to be her guardian. GOD: We cannot risk Lucifer's ways reining supreme on Earth and destroying society. LUCIFER: We cannot let that fool who dares call himself God continue to hold his title on Earth...now is our chance to change the world. LUCIFER and GOD: [simultaneously] Do you understand what I'm asking you to do? ORPHA and ZYLPHIA: [simultaneously] Yes. LUCIFER: Then go! And do not disappoint me, my child. GOD: Move swiftly, and I wish you well on your mission. --END SCENE-- R SCENE TWO: --Scene has changing background; starts in a park. A very young ELVIRA [approx. 12-14 years old] enters through stage left-- [Song 1: "Thank God I'm Pretty" begins] ELVIRA: [sings] Thank God I'm pretty The occasional free drink I never asked for The occasional admission to a seedy little bar Invitation to a stranger's car I'm blessed With the ability to rend a grown man tongue-tied Which only means that when it's dark outside I have to run and hide can't look behind me Thank God I'm pretty --Young ELVIRA exits stage right and a slightly older ELVIRA [15-17] enters through stage left. Background changes to a school during this process-- ELVIRA: [sings] Thank God I'm pretty Every skill I ever have will be in question Every ill that I must suffer merely brought on by myself Though the cops would come for someone else I'm blessed I'm truly privileged to look this good without clothes on Which only means that when I sing you're jerking off And when I'm gone you won't remember Thank God I'm pretty --Teenage ELVIRA exits stage right and a slightly older ELVIRA [20-22] enters through stage left. Background changes to a library or study during this process-- Thank you God Oh, lord Thank you God Oh, oh and when a gaggle of faces appears around me It's lucky I hate to be taken seriously I think my ego would fall right through the cracks in the floor If I couldn't count on men to slap my a*s anymore I know my destiny's such, that I'm all stocking and curl So everybody thinks that I'm a f*****g suicide girl Thank you God For the occasional champagne I never asked for The occasional admission to a seedy little bar Invitation to a stranger's car I'm blessed With the ability to rend a grown man tongue-tied Which only means that when it's dark outside I have to run and hide can't look behind me Thank God I'm pretty Thank God Thank God Thank you Thank you Thank you God! [End of "Thank God I'm Pretty"] --END SCENE-- SCENE THREE: --Takes place in ELVIRA's bedroom. ELVIRA is sitting at her vanity brushing her hair when FATHER enters stage right-- FATHER: Elvira, it's nearing dinner time. Please come down stairs. ELVIRA: I'm not hungry. FATHER: Please, Elvira, you need to eat. ELVIRA: I said I'm not hungry. FATHER: Dear, we have guests! You can't just skip out on dinner like this when we have company over, it's so rude. ELVIRA: [frustrated] You invited over company without telling me and so I ate early, assuming I wouldn't need dinner. FATHER: I still expect you downstairs. ELVIRA: But father-- FATHER: [interrupts] Just eat lightly. Be downstairs in half an hour. --FATHER exits stage right-- ELVIRA: --she sighs-- [frustrated] How could he invite people over without telling me? I already ate. They're going to think I'm starving myself, or at least something ridiculous along those lines... I suppose I should get dressed. ORPHA: [from off-stage] You're not supposed to be here! ZYLPHIA: [from off-stage] This was my job, not yours. ORPHA: [from off-stage] Get the hell outta here, bird-brain! ZYLPHIA: [from off-stage] I must complete my task, first. --ORPHA and ZYLPHIA enter through stage left bickering mindlessly-- ELVIRA: [scared; surprised] What in the--!? Wha-what are you!? --ORPHA and ZYLPHIA stop and look at ELVIRA then back at each other-- ORPHA: She's seen us both...damnit, it's too late for either of us to turn back now! ZYLPHIA: Oh no...this is only going to make things all the more difficult. ELVIRA: [in a panic] What's going on!? How did you get in here!? ZYLPHIA: [attempting to sooth her] It's alright, calm down. I am Zylphia, an angel sent to guard you from the negativity of this vile planet. ORPHA: [sarcastic] Because that's the truth... ZYLPHIA: Hush. I'm at least making some attempt to make sense of things. ORPHA: Whatever... That's not what we need to do right now. We need to figure out what we're going to do about our little situation. ZYLPHIA: We don't need to figure anything out. I was sent to protect Elvira from all things negative, and if that includes you then so be it. ORPHA: Are you implying that you could beat me? ZYLPHIA: Are you implying that I'm doing this as if it were a game? --ORPHA chuckles and crosses her arms-- ORPHA: It easily can be. If you're so sure you can do your job better than I, I will happily play along. ZYLPHIA: Think of this as you wish, but a mission is still a mission and must be completed no matter what you call it. ORPHA: Then it's a deal? ZYLPHIA: I suppose so... --ORPHA and ZYLPHIA shake on their deal-- ELVIRA: [scared but angry] Am I just a menial observer to you two!? What is going on!? Who--...WHAT are you!? ORPHA: I am Orpha, closest succubus to Lucifer after his lover. ZYLPHIA: And I'm Zylphia, God's chosen angel. ORPHA and ZYLPHIA: [simultaneously] We're your guardians. ELVIRA: Guardians? ZYLPHIA: Yes. We've both been sent on a mission from our lords to keep you safe from the opposing side's lord...though neither of us expected to meet like this. ELVIRA: I am just not understanding. [Song 2: "Faces Like Mine" begins] ORPHA: [sings] You say you're curious Can't leave a thing to your imagination I wish you'd close your eyes But oh you seem so serious I should enjoy the sweet interrogation You start to hypnotize me I should not be telling you I'm flattered by your interest Who am I talking to Could be the demon with a mask Why should I trust in you? I don't feel safe I never did But what else can I do But what you ask? Think of your darkest night Think of your soul alone If you can bear the sight Think of the love you've never known Yes, it's unusual To live your life this way All I can say Maybe that's why you don't see Faces like mine every day ZYLPHIA: [sings] You'd like to stir it up Just like a sad, forgot until remember I didn't ask for this But still you hold me in your gaze And from my lips The moments I have captured Still I'm in reminiscence From a place you'll never know I find the strength to tell you things I hardly ever show My mirror holds your severed tongue But in your amber eyes I see the the questions never end I never could disguise So why pretend? Think of your darkest night Think of your soul alone If you can bear the sight Think of the love you've never known Yes, it's unusual To live your life this way All I can say Maybe that's why you don't see Faces like mine every day ELVIRA: [sings] Who will forget me? No one knows I've done wrong Won't you believe me? 'Cause I won't last that long No, I I wanna be quiet now All alone Back to my shadow I'm gonna hide behind The trouble in my mind You say you'll stay around You've finally found the answer to my story Congratulations, love So go ahead, decipher me And solve the puzzle if you need the glory I wish I could be of your kind I need to be alone To tell you how much you don't know It isn't what I've done But rather what I hold inside Even if I give up I won't be victim to your game You're only free when you have nothing left ORPHA and ZYLPHIA: Think of your darkest night Think of your soul alone If you can bear the sight Think of the love you've never known Yes, it's unusual To live your life this way All I can say Maybe that's why you don't see Faces like mine every day Every day [End of "Faces Like Mine"] ELVIRA: This is just ridiculous... FATHER: [from off-stage] Elvira! You have 5 minutes! ELVIRA: Oh s**t, dinner! You two need to leave now! I need to get ready! ORPHA: Hold on there, missy. We don't just come and go as we please. We're your guardians, remember? ZYLPHIA: Exactly. We go with you everywhere you go from here on. ELVIRA: But-- ORPHA: [interrupts] Nobody can see us but you, so quit freaking out and get ready so we can get a move on. FATHER: [from off-stage] 2 more minutes! ZYLPHIA: Here. --ZYLPHIA looks in ELVIRA's closet and pulls out a white party dress and white heels and helps ELVIRA put them on. Meanwhile, ORPHA is going through ELVIRA's vanity and pulls out a red rose clip and a red ribbon, tying the ribbon around ELVIRA's waist and putting the rose in her hair. This all happens very quickly.-- ZYLPHIA: [cheery] There, now you look beautiful! ELVIRA: [confused] Thank...you...? ORPHA: No problem. Now get downstairs before your father has a heart attack. --ELVIRA exits stage right-- --END SCENE-- SCENE FOUR: --Scene takes place at the dinner table. FATHER, SILAS, and EZEKIEL are all sitting at the table when ELVIRA quickly enters from stage left, ORPHA and ZYLPHIA following close behind less frantically. ELVIRA sits down at the table and ORPHA and ZYLPHIA just stand behind her, observing-- ELVIRA: I'm apologize for being late. It just took me a moment to get ready. I hope you can understand. SILAS: [sweetly] Of course we understand. It's quite alright. ELVIRA: Thank you. FATHER: Silas, Ezekiel, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Elvira. Elvira, this fine young man is Silas --FATHER gestures to SILAS-- and this young man is Ezekiel. --FATHER gestures to EZEKIEL-- SILAS: Nice to meet you, miss Elvira. EZEKIEL: [monotone] Pleasure. ELVIRA: Likewise. Shall we eat? FATHER: Yes, let's. --Everyone begins eating and as everyone eats ORPHA and ZYLPHIA walk around the table until they get to the boys on the opposite side of ELVIRA. ORPHA takes an interest in SILAS while ZYLPHIA takes an interest in EZEKIEL. ELVIRA notices this, but realizes that nobody else can see ORPHA or ZYLPHIA and doesn't say a word, yet is quite distracted.-- SILAS: So, Elvira, what kinds of hobbies do you have? ELVIRA: [distracted] Uh, well... I like to sing... SILAS: Really? I'd love to hear some time. ELVIRA: [distracted] Um, sure... SILAS: What about books? Do you like to read? ELVIRA: Yeah, sometimes, sure. SILAS: Fascinating. --SILAS slowly turns around and looks around behind him, but sees nothing and turns back around to face ELVIRA-- SILAS: May I ask what you're looking at? ELVIRA: [snaps into focus on SILAS] Oh me? Just the wall...um...is it just me or is there a mark on it? I can't tell with the pattern, and it'd be a shame if there was. --SILAS chuckles and turns to look at the wall then back at ELVIRA-- SILAS: [cheerfully] No I don't see anything. No need to worry, Miss Elvira. ELVIRA: [nervous] O-oh...thank you for making sure. --It's awkwardly quiet for a short moment-- EZEKIEL: [monotone] Tastes good. ELVIRA: Yeah it does. It's ______[think of a fancy, tasty meal to put here]. EZEKIEL: [monotone] Mm. ELVIRA: You don't talk much...do you? --EZEKIEL continues eating and doesn't even acknowledge the comment-- ELVIRA: ...I see. --END SCENE-- SCENE 5: --Scene takes place in ELVIRA's bedroom. ELVIRA, ORPHA, and ZYLPHIA walk into the room and ELVIRA lies down on the bed, frustratedly tired-- ELVIRA: That was hell...I made a complete fool out of myself. ORPHA: Yet Silas seemed to take quite the interest in you. ELVIRA: I suppose, but the wall thing was so fake...he kept trying to initiate conversation but I was so distracted by YOU. I understand that it's a task from your higher ups to be here, but must you follow me EVERYWHERE? UNFINISHED. NOTES: R Scene 5 - Zylphia explains the personal side to her mission [ Song 3 - My Fairweather Friend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxlO5mDBwDw&feature=related ]. Scene 6 - Elvira can't decide between Silas and Ezekiel so her father makes the decision for her: Silas [quick] Scene 7 - [ Song 4 - Marry Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Szt6F7K20&feature=autoplay&list=PL8E6D11DC7B47C8BB&index=4&playnext=4 ] which is her spending time with her fiance, Silas, but secretly also spending time with Ezekiel Scene 8 - A doctor comes in a tells Elvira that her father has died. At his bedside, not knowing if she should feel happy because he now can't force her marriage with Silas or sad because her father was a good man with good intentions. Orpha tells her to suck it up basically [ Song 5 - Mad Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJMKo-5Xu3k&feature=related ] Scene 9 - Ezekiel gets caught kissing Elvira by Silas and is killed. Orpha feels that she's going to "win" and Zylphia practically gives up all hope [ Song 6 - Let It Die: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPSbE_TxpTs&feature=related ] Scene 10 - Elvira is very depressed and has an argument with Orpha and Zylphia about the betterment of herself. In the end she thinks of suicide. [ Song 7 - The Art of Suicide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPrD-Bowbr4&feature=related ] Play ends. © 2011 Victor CartelAuthor's Note
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Victor CartelWestminster, COAboutCheck the about me page on my website, Ashira's Notebook, for an extensive survey about myself. more..Writing
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