Songs For An All-Night Vigil: Sweetness

A Stage Play by Alexis_McLeod

This is actually a radio play that is another part of the anthology program.

SONGS FOR AN ALL �"NIGHT VIGIL:SWEETNESS

1.MUSIC PROGRAM THEME CONTINUE UNDER

Narrator: When evening shadows congeal to

form midnight gloom, when traffic

lights blink yellow and red, when the

lonesome moaning of trains echo off

the silent clouds of the night sky,

when restless thoughts breed

terrifying dreams, and when bright

bedroom lights and reason still can’t chase away the terror of the eerie, unaccountable reverberate of creaks and groans, there are and will always be…

SONGS FOR AN ALL NIGHT

VIGIL. (PAUSE)

Tonight, a tale, a narrative to

accompany you while you keep

vigil over your very mortal soul!

Don’t fall asleep! For the thief in

the night comes when watchful eyes

are closed. And, make no mistake,

he will not stop until he’s stolen the

morning’s light. And leaves you to

the forsaken, never-ending night! (PAUSE)

For our song called, “Sweetness,” we ask, ‘are our personal stories really our own? Do they indeed belong to us to tell?

SWEETNESS

CHARACTERS

Dana Forrester: A writer, female, mid-western accent, late thirties

Alice Celli: Dana’s partner, female, mid-western accent, mid-thirties

Lori Celli: Alice’s daughter, 8 years, mid-western accent

Frank Hall: second victim in car crash, male, mid-western accent, fifties

Ginny Redding: Dana’s agent, female, mid-western accent, early forties

Mom: Lori’s grandmother, mid-western accent, mid-sixties

Nurse: female, mid-western accent, thirties

Car crash Victim #1: male, mid-western accent, twenties

Linda: Dana’s mistress, mid-western accent, thirties

Drunk Lady: mid-western accent, late fifties, whiskey voice

1.MUSIC: INTRO

SCENE ONE: DANA’S STUDY

(Dana, Dana VO, Alice, and Lori)

1.SOUND: BANGING ON WOODEN DOOR

Alice: Dana! Open up! Come on!

Lori: Mom, why can’t Meema just drive me over to

Ashely’s house?

Alice: Because Meema’s got to write. Now Lori, go to

bed. We’ll talk about it in the morning.

Lori: (exaggerated sigh) Awww, mom!

Alice: Go! Now!

Lori: Yeah, okay! (yells through door) Goodnight, Meema!

Dana: Goodnight, Lori-sweetness. I love you.

1.SOUND: DOOR UNLATCHES AND OPENS

Alice: Dana, you could have at least come to the door and kissed our daughter goodnight.

Dana: Aww, Alice. Please don’t start.

Alice: You’ve been drinking. (Dana starts to protest) Don’t lie to me, for Chrissake. I thought you were in here writing all day.

Dana: I was�"I am. I mean�"

Alice: (sighs) You know�"whatever. I’m so sick of your crap! You can’t write so the first thing you do is reach for a bottle. What kind of example are you setting for Lori?!

Dana: I mean�"

Alice: Yeah, whatever. (PAUSE) Here, this came in the mail for you.

Dana: What is it?

Alice: How am I supposed to know? Why don’t you open it and find out! Hmm, look at the address. Who do you know who lives in Montpelier?

Dana: No one, darling.

Alice: Well, your agent, Ginny called again today. She said you’d better not miss another deadline. The next one’s in a week. And we had a little talk. (PAUSE) Why didn’t you tell me that she’s thinking of dropping you?

Dana: Honey, she always says that. She�"she doesn’t mean it. Honestly babe, she’s just trying to scare me, that’s all.

Alice: Well, she sounded pretty serious to me. You know, I don’t like that woman.

Dana: (aside) Yeah, I’ll bet you don’t.

Alice: What?

Dana: Nothing.

Alice: Look, Dana, we can’t keep going through this. We pursued your dream, alright. But I’m working all the hours I can handle and the bills still aren’t getting paid. Lori needs a new pair of cleats, and if we don’t make this payment, we’re gonna’ lose the car. (PAUSE) Maybe- maybe you should just go back to insurance---

Dana: No! (PAUSE) Please, Alice (PAUSE) just have a little faith in me. I feel a story coming. I just�"

Alice: You’ve been saying that for the last 6 months! If you’re blocked, then okay. Maybe it means that you need to try something else.

Dana: Alice�"

Alice: We need to get back to getting a steady paycheck! Look, bills aren’t going to go away just ‘cause you’re blocked. One or two stories is not gonna’ cut it. And this drinking and isolating yourself for days on end isn’t the way you raise a child. Lori and I are depending on you. But if this means more to you than we do, then we are leaving. ‘Cause a year of this is all I can take. We’ll just pack our stuff and go.

Dana: No need for all that, Alice! Look, I’ll think about it okay. I don’t want to lose either of you. I love you. And this house is too big not to have the two of you with me. I need to finish this story, okay. One short story and then (PAUSE) and then I’ll think about going back to work full time. Nothing’s worth losing my family, right?

Alice: Just---just finish your story okay and come to bed. Bye.

1.SOUND: DOOR CLOSES

Dana VO: (groans) Oh hell. Why can’t I get this done? Just need a shot of inspiration.

2.SOUND: SHE SNIFFS, POURS LIQUID INTO GLASS, GULPS, AND THEN SIGHS

God. (PAUSE) Montpelier, eh? Let’s see what Montpelier sent me.

1.SOUND: PAPER BEING TORN FROM PACKAGE

A pen?! (chuckles) Huh, a fountain pen. I haven’t used one of these in ages. And it’s got ink in its cartridge. Who would have sent me---

1.SOUND: QUIET BUZZING

Whoa! What in hell?! It’s---it’s energized. I wonder who---feels so right in my hand, though. Oh Christ, my hand. It’s making my hand move---I can’t let it go. Paper! I need a piece of paper.

2.SOUND: OPENING DRAWER IN WOODEN DESK, PULLING OUT SHEET OF PAPER, PEN SCRATCHING ON PAPER

Oh my god! This can’t be happening! I’m so drunk. That’s what it is. Or I’m having a stroke. Wait! These are words. (PAUSE) “Under the sun, the soul evaporated from my body. Just as the last of my water had done hours before as I watched it spill from my smashed canteen---” What is this? (PAUSE) “I couldn’t help but laugh as I thought of the irony of me----a survivalist-----dying in the very environs in which I’d taught hundreds of people how to live.” (PAUSE) I-I can’t seem to keep my eyes open. The room’s spinning---hey I haven’t had that much to drink. Can’t stay awake---ahh.

1.SOUND: HEAD HITTING DESK WITH A THUD, EMPTY BOTTLE FALLING ON HARD WOOD FLOOR

2.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE TWO: DANA’S STUDY--MORNING

3.SOUND: WOODEN DOOR OPENING

Alice: At it all night, huh? (PAUSE) Wake up, honey.

4.SOUND: DANA STIRRING, LARGE YAWN

Wow! Look at all of these pages. You wrote all of this out in long hand?!

Dana: Ohh. Good morning, baby. Wow! Look at that! Oww! My hand is cramped!

Oww!

Alice: I know it must be!

1.SOUND: SHUFFLES PAPERS

Sweetie, why didn’t you just type it out on your laptop? (PAUSE) And where’d you get that pen? Let me see it. (PAUSE) Ohh, it’s beautiful. It’s a fountain pen.

Dana: Yeah. I got it in the package from Montpelier. (PAUSE) There wasn’t anything else in the box but the pen. (PAUSE) Where did all of this come from?

Alice: Well, I assume you wrote it! (chuckles) It’s not even your usual chicken scratch. And why are the windows opened? (PAUSE) Maybe the fresh air and some time off of the laptop did you some good. There must be 200 pages here.

Dana: Honey, I don’t know how to tell you this but---

1.SOUND: CELL PHONE RINGS

Alice: (with a start) Oh! It’s Ginny. (PAUSE) Hi.

Dana: (aside) What the hell?

Alice: Yeah. She finished it.

Dana: Alice!

Alice: What?! (PAUSE) Two hundred pages hand-written, that’s got to be enough for a short story, right? (PAUSE)

Yeah, that’s right. She just wrote it all last night.

Dana: Alice, it’s not like some high school essay! You can’t just guess at the number of words from a few pages---

Alice: Shush! (PAUSE) Sure. I mean I know she has to edit it and all, but it’s done. The writing block has to be over. (PAUSE) Yeah. (PAUSE) Uh huh. [tea kettle whistling in far background]

Dana: (aside) This isn’t mine!

Alice: Okay, I’ll tell her.

1.SOUND: TEA KETTLE WHISTLING, IN BACKGROUND THEN STOPS

Lori: Mom! Your tea kettle was about to explode! Hi Meema!

Dana: Hey, Lori-sweetness! Come here, you!

Lori: Man! Did you write all of this?

Alice: Isn’t this great?!

Lori: Does this mean you’re not under your writer’s blockage anymore?

Dana: (chuckles) It means something; I’m not quite sure what.

Lori: Hey! Look at this! It was sticking out from under the printer. (PAUSE) It says, “Thank you.” I wonder what’s inside.

1.SOUND: PAPER UNFOLDING

Alice: Lori, it’s time to get going. Leave that for Meema. Have you got your books together yet? And look at your nails? (PAUSE) See ya’ later, babe. (kisses Dana) Oh, we’re going to be late!

Lori: Bye, Meema!

Dana: Bye girls! Have a good day!

2.SOUND: DOOR CLOSES

Dana VO: Oh man! This is weird! I don’t even remember writing this! (PAUSE) “Thank you,” how did I get a thank you note? “I had to write my story to set my soul free of the pen, with each life that passes another tale begins.” (PAUSE) Okay? [crumbles paper] I must have been drunker than I thought. Let’s see if it’s any good. And even if it’s not at least it’s something.

1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE THREE: DANA’S STUDY

(Dana, Dana VO, and Ginny (phone))

Ginny (phone): So how does it feel to see your story in Harper’s?

Dana: It feels great, Ginny! I never thought I‘d see the day.

Ginny(phone): Well, how’s the next one coming along? (PAUSE) You know I might be able to get the Atlantic to give you another look. I shopped, “The Survivalist” around town. I just tried them on a whim. I never thought they’d take a chance on an unknown. (PAUSE) Everyone loved that story! Personally, I think it was just a fluke.

Dana: (flatly) Thanks, Ginny.

Ginny(phone): Then prove me wrong. If you do, then you could be the hottest new thing in this town. Get me a script, and you may have a shot in Hollywood. I have a couple friends out there who could really help us.

Dana: We’ll see.

Ginny(phone): Screw, “We’ll see.” You just do it, ok? (PAUSE) So you didn’t answer me, how’s the next one coming?

Dana: It’s fine�"I mean, great, it’s great.

Ginny(phone): It better be.

Dana: Or what, you’ll f**k my wife again?

Ginny(phone): It was only once. And it wasn’t very good. God knows I’ve had better.

Dana: Goodbye, Ginny.

Ginny(phone): Look, this thing is due next week, and I don’t---

Dana: Goodbye, Ginny.

Ginny(phone): You know, I think what you need is�"(continues indistiquishably)

Dana: (talking over Ginny, mockingly friendly) Gotta’ get back to work. Bye, catch ya’ later. Bye, have a nice day. (disconnects, sighs)

1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE FOUR: DANA’S STUDY

(Dana VO, Dana, Alice, and Lori)

2.SOUND: FADE IN ON TYPING ON COMPUTER KEYBOARD CONTINUE UNDER

Dana VO: It’s been ten stories, ten ‘thank you’ notes and one year since I got this pen. The first note bore out. Somehow the pen had captured the souls, the stories of the people whose lives I’ve told tale. I couldn’t believe it at first. Why a pen of all things? Nameless and faceless but not unknown to me, these ghost/souls/essences make the pen vibrate and come alive till the yarns of their lives and deaths lie about me on pages I’ve scribbled while under a trance. As near as I can’t figure, the pen provides the words and phrasing as they provide the details. Each time the writing style differs, to the delight of my reviewers, who claim to be constantly surprised by the “innovation” with which I weave each story. (PAUSE) Ha! If they only knew. Still, I’ve been making a pretty good living. Alice is satisfied. And, for now, shares my bed. (PAUSE) But as with all good things---Oh, God. How was I supposed to know the damned pen would go bankrupt after only ten stories?! I’ve been trying for weeks now---and nothing---the pen’s dead. It doesn’t vibrate in my hand. Nothing works. The last ‘thank you’ note of warned of how the pen robs the writer of her words. I didn’t think anything of it---well, maybe I’d just hoped it wasn’t true. (sigh) So this is where it all ends. I’ve got a script due in a week, and after four months of trying, have nothing to show. My stint as a writer ends at this moment. (PAUSE) The pen’s tapped out and so am I.

1.SOUND: KNOCK ON WOODEN DOOR, DOOR OPENS

Alice: Baby, sorry to interrupt you. But you promised to pick up those you-know-whats from the you-know-where.

Lori: (from background) Mom, I’m not a kid! I know what you’re talking about already, jeez!

Dana: Yeah, just a minute. Okay, babe.

1.SOUND: RESUME TYPING

Dana VO: The question is how to tell Alice.

2.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE FIVE: DANA’S STUDY

(Dana, Alice, and Linda (phone))

Alice: I see you’re still having trouble.

Dana: Alice, it’s this pen. (PAUSE) It somehow captured the souls of some people, and it controls my hand, thereby telling the stories of each of these people’s lives before releasing them.

Alice: What?!

Dana: I know how this sounds, but it’s true. Thing is, it’s run out of souls now. All the stories are gone.

Alice: Oh, and now you have to go out and kill people in order to make the pen work again? Right! This isn’t the “Twilight Zone.” And a pen is nothing more than a pen! (PAUSE) You smell like a distillery!

Dana: I swear, I haven’t�"

Alice: Cut the crap! I thought your writer’s block was over. And you were gonna’ lay off the booze.

Dana: I was off of it.

Alice: Then what’s with this stupid pen s**t?! Captured souls? [makes ghost sounds] Why don’t you just call your family?

Dana: I’m not going down this road with you.

Alice: You want to write. Fine. You don’t want to work. Fine. But I can’t keep carrying us! You’re still not making enough off of your stories. (PAUSE) Just ask your family for a loan. Just till you can get a book deal or something.

Dana: I’m not asking them for a damn thing! So, drop it.

Alice: You know, it’s always been so easy for you!

You got to party and flunk your way through college. While the rest of us had to work and take out loans.

Dana: Alice�"

Alice: You got to run one of your Daddy’s businesses into the ground and sink everyone who’s invested in you. While anyone else would have to go bankrupt�"

Dana: Alice, please�"

Alice: Then your dad gets you a f**k-up-proof- job. But that’s not good enough ‘cause now daddy’s little girl wants to be a writer.

Dana: You know what, I don’t need this crap and I don’t need you!

Alice: The hell you don’t! Who do you think keeps the lights on in this place?! Who do you think keeps Lori clothed now that you’ve refused to take a single dime from your rich daddy? You’ve just replaced him with me. And you know what, I can’t do it anymore. I’m not rich, Dana. Lori and I can’t afford to indulge your little literary fantasy. You either work or ask your dad for money to help us out or we’re going to be out on our asses.

Dana: It’s not that bad, Alice. Look, I can do this. I know I can. And do it on my own! Please, Alice. It won’t be long now. Ginny says she might be able to sell one of my stories to Hollywood. Imagine, one or more of my little stories on film. This isn’t like those other things, Alice. I can feel it.

Alice: I’m too pissed off and too tired to keep going round and round with you, Dana. You’re behind in the house taxes and we’re in trouble with the car again. I’m tired. You deal with it, for once!

1.SOUND: WOODEN DOOR SLAMS

2.SOUND: CELL PHONE RINGS

Dana: Oh, what now?! (PAUSE) Linda, what are you doing? I told you to never call me at home.

Linda(phone): Hey, Dana. I missed you. You haven’t come over in a week.

Dana: Look, Linda. I�"I can’t do this, okay. Alice and I�"

Linda(phone): Oh, that b***h. You said you wanted to leave her. (PAUSE) So when can you come by?

Dana: Linda. (draws in a breath) Alice and I are trying to work things out.

Linda (phone): Yeah, right. I know you’ve been doing everyone at the bar. But you know, I think we have a real connection. And I know that you’re too much of a player to admit it, but I think you feel it too. In your own way.

Dana: Linda, I can’t. Not tonight.

Linda(phone): Oh, come on! We’ll do a few lines. It’ll be fun. Plus, I’m wearing that Teddy you bought me.

Dana: Oh, man. (PAUSE) Alright. I gotta’ go out anyway. But I can’t stay too long.

1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE SIX: QUIET ROAD

(Dana, Dana VO, Frank Hall, and Victim #1)

2.SOUND: CAR DRIVING, CAR RADIO QUIETLY PLAYING IN BACKGROUND

Dana VO: Jeez, this guy’s right on my tail! Damn headlights!

3.SOUND: PICK UP TRUCK’S HORN BLOWING URGENTLY AND OFTEN

What the frickin’ hell?! We’re at a stoplight, a*****e! I’m not moving!

1.SOUND: HORN BLOWING CONTINUES AND ENGINE STARTS REVING

Up yours! This guy must be drunk. But damnmit, it’s only just Tuesday night. I should call the police on my---

2.SOUND: SOUND OF ENGINE ACCELERATING AND

TIRES PEELING AWAY

Well, there he goes. Bottom’s up, a*****e!

3.SOUND: TIRES SKIDDING FROM TWO VEHICLES, THEN VIOLENT IMPACT BETWEEN VEHICLES

Oh, Jesus! Oh my God!

4.SOUND: CAR PULLS OVER TO GRAVEL SHOULDER AND IS CUT OFF

Oh Hell! Where’s my phone?!

1.SOUND: DIALING 911 ON CELL PHONE

Yeah, I’m here at Brooklane and Vine. There’s been a car crash. (PAUSE) Well, they’re two pick-ups. And they’re both banged up pretty badly. (PAUSE) I don’t know how many people there were in them. I’m going to see if they need help, but still, please send somebody quick.

2.SOUND: CAR DOOR OPENING THEN CLOSING. SHE RUNS TO VICTIM #1. HER FEET CRUNCHING OVER BROKEN GLASS.

Dana: Oh Jesus! So much blood. Hey? Are you alrigh�"(gasp) Oh God!

Victim #1: (moans, barely above whisper) Help. Please. Help.

Dana: I called for help. They should be here. J-Just hang on, ok. Please ya’ gotta’ �" Oh Jesus, (choked sob) He’s got no face. No face�"Oh God, okay�"pull it together! Now! Now! (to victim#1) It’s gonna’ be okay, mister. Where the Hell is that ambulance?!

1.SOUND: DEATH RATTLE OF VICTIM#1

Oh no, no. Don’t die on me. Please!

2.SOUND: MALE EXHALING LOUDLY

No! Oh God, I think he’s gone.

1.SOUND: BATTERED DOOR OF PICK UP TRUCK CREAKS OPEN, TO LIQUOR BOTTLES FALL OUT OF TRUCK AND CLINK AGAINST THE GROUND. FRANK HALL MOANS THEN HITS THE GROUND WITH A DISTINCT “OOF.”

Dana: What the--?! Oh, you! Hump!

2.SOUND: DANA WALKS OVER CRUNCHING BROKEN GLASS UNDERFOOT, THEN KICKS LIQUOR BOTTLE

Jack Daniels. No surprise there. Are you okay, mister?

3.SOUND: FRANK HALL MOANS LOUDLY

Don’t try to move. I called for help. The ambulance should be-

Frank Hall: (hoarse but forceful) F**k You!

1.SOUND: FRANK LOUDLY EXHALES HIS LAST BREATH

Dana: Well, f**k you, too. (PAUSE) Mister? Mister?

2.SOUND: AMBULANCE SIRENS IN BACKGROUND

Oh no. (PAUSE) The pen! It’s vibrating! Oh my God. Well, I have two stories now.

3.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE SEVEN: DANA’S STUDY

(Dana and Ginny(phone))

Ginny(phone): Yeah, it’s good alright. Give me another story. A script this time and I might be able hold good on my promise to shop it around L.A.

Dana: Wait till I finish the next one. It will be outstanding.

Ginny(phone): Yeah, well. If you finish it. Let’s just say I’m one of those people who can’t relax until I hear it hit the water. (PAUSE) The only thing is, in this last story, why did you have the guy die in a car accident? In fact, why do they all have to die in the end? Would it freak out your morbid muse to have a happy ending once in a while?

Dana: I can’t help the way these stories write themselves.

Ginny(phone): Well, then maybe you can end the story before the character dies. We don’t want your readers getting used to the same type of ending. Hell, why would they need to finish it?

Dana: Maybe to find out how the character dies.

Ginny(phone): Very funny. I’m serious. Lighten it up, will ya’? People don’t want real life. That’s why they read stories, to escape their own lives. Start with the ‘happily ever after,’ got it?!

Dana: Yeah, Ginny. I got it. (disconnects) (PAUSE) A*****e. (sighs) Okay, pen. No more novellas; I need a script this time. Alright, might as well get comfortable.

1.SOUND: PEN VIBRATES LOUDLY

Hey, take it easy will ya’?!

2.SOUND: PEN SCRATCHING ON PAPER

You’re going to tear the paper. What’s this? “Go to hell!” What? Pen, what’s wrong? “A free soul doesn’t have to go into the light! Don’t you even try to tell my story.” You! The drunk driver! (PAUSE) “I can’t touch you. But tell my story and I’ll kill your b***h and the brat! Don’t cross me, you hack!” Hack?! Well, f**k you! You’re in the pen now, a*****e!

2.SOUND: PEN CONTINUES SCRATCHING ON PAPER

“Free me and I’ll kill them, I swear!” Your life’s story is mine! Now, write! (silence) You killed that other guy, you drunk! You owe it to him to tell me your story and face your fate. (silence) Look, I need a script, okay. Just get it all out and you’ll feel better or something. Even if you did something bad, I don’t use your name. The story’s completely anonymous. (silence) Well, screw you! I’ve got time. (PAUSE) And people die everyday.

1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE EIGHT: DANA’S STUDY

(Dana, Dana VO, Lori, and Alice)

Dana: Lori, what are you doing?

Lori: I just wanted to---

Dana: Here, give me that pen, now!

Lori: Meema, I was only just writing a story for school. See, there’s this little girl and then there’s this vampire and---

Dana: You listen to me! Don’t you ever, ever pick up this pen! You hear me?! Don’t touch it! It’s mine, not yours, goddamn it! Got that?!

Lori: (tears) You can keep your stupid, ugly pen! I hate it and I hate you! (runs away)

Dana: Oh, no, no. Lori�"Lori-sweetness, honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you like that. Lori, come back. I’m sorry. (PAUSE) Oh, God.

Alice: What the hell’s going on? Lori’s sobbing. She says you yelled at her.

Dana: I’m sorry, Alice. I just�"I’m under a lot of pressure to get this script out, okay.

Alice: Have you been drinking again? That’s it isn’t it? You’ve never even raised your voice to her before.

Dana: Alice, I---

Alice: You know, I think I liked you better before you started writing.

1.SOUND: WOODEN DOOR SLAMMING

Dana VO: This pen! This damn pen!

2.SOUND: SLAMS FIST AGAINST WOODEN DESK

Useless! What am I going to do? I can’t put two sentences together without it. But that man will kill us if I even try to write. (PAUSE) Wait, this pen needs a soul, a life to take. If I could just get someone to die, then maybe I could get this script out. This pen needs death. It must be there at the moment of death. Yeah, maybe if--if I killed someone, (PAUSE) a homeless man. He’s sure to have had an interesting life. Homeless guys die every day. No, no! What’s happening to me? This pen’s ruining me. I can’t think. Wait, wait, I got it! Pen, or whatever you really are, you’re not getting the best of me. I’ve got you!

1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE TEN: HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM

(Dana and nurse)

2.SOUND: OPENS ON EFFECTS OF BACKGROUND DIN, MONITORS BEEPING, AND INDISTINCT P.A. PAGING DOCTORS

Nurse: So, on a scale of one to ten, where would you rate your pain?

Dana: Ow! I’d say it’s about an 8 or 9. I was just playing chess when my shoulder�"(sucks in breath) Oww, God!

Nurse: Okay. Well, just have a seat and the doctor will be in.

Dana: Yeah, sure. (PAUSE) Been pretty busy tonight, huh?

Nurse: No, not really.

Dana: I mean, you know what they say about emergency rooms on nights of the full moon, right? Gunshots, drug addicts OD’ing, violent drunks in knife fights. All kinds of mayhem.

Nurse: Nope. Not tonight. Maybe later, though. (PAUSE) You’ve been here twice this week already, haven’t you?

Dana: Yeah. It’s the pain. Oww.

Nurse: (bored sigh) Have a seat.

1.MUSIC: MUSICAL INTERLUDE

Nurse: Ma’am, what are you still doing here?

Dana: Oh, umm. Just waiting, you know. The pain, oww!

Nurse: Ma’am, you’ve already seen the doctor.

Dana: I---

Nurse: Four hours ago!

1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE ELEVEN: CITY ALLEYWAY AT NIGHT

(Dana, Dana VO, and Drunk Lady)

1.SOUND: TRAFFIC IN BACKGROUND. DANA’S FOOTFALLS

Dana VO: I can’t believe it. Three months and nothing. Damn pen! I need a drink. (shivers) God, it’s cold out tonight! (PAUSE) There’s got to be some way to get that b*****d to write me his story. But if he talks, he’ll kill Alice and Lori. But that script could put me over the top. My work, in a movie! That would shut Alice up alright. If that guy doesn’t kill her first. (PAUSE) But what if he did? I was going to leave her anyway. What about Lori? Poor Lori. (PAUSE) But I mean it’s not as if she’s really my daughter or anything. I would miss her, but---

Drunk Lady: Hey! Hey! Could I get a quarter? My car’s out of gas. (coughs, then starts chewing crunchy things)

Dana: (chuckles, then laughs)

Drunk Lady: What’s so frickin’ funny?!

Dana: Lady, you really ought to work on your story. I mean, you’re sitting behind a dumpster eating peanuts.

Drunk Lady: So?!

Dana: So, where’s your car?

Drunk Lady: Screw you! Go to Hell!

1.SOUND: WOMAN CHOKING

Dana: Hey! Hey, lady. Are you alright?

You’re choking! Here, I’ll do the Heimlich�"just need to get in back of you. Oh, but you probably have lice. (PAUSE) Well, I-I’ll go get help. Hey, you don’t have to grab at me! I’m just going to get ---(beat, then soberly) Actually, I’m not going anywhere. I’m sorry. It’s just that I bet you’ve had an interesting life. Don’t run. (PAUSE)

2.SOUND: SCUFFLE, CRASHING INTO DUMPSTER, THEN THUD ON GROUND

I’m sorry I had to trip you. Look, really, I am a good person. I only want to tell your story, that’s all.

1.SOUND: CHOKING STOPS. PEN VIBRATES LOUDLY

Oh, God. What have I done? There, there. Just tell me your story and then you can leave in peace. I promise, I’ll make yours a happy ending.

2.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE TWELVE: DANA’S STUDY

(Dana, Ginny, and Alice)

Dana: You’re kidding!

Ginny: No. I’m as serious as death. They loved the script, and they want to meet you to get it started in pre-production.

Alice: Oh, baby! I can’t believe it! You’re gonna’ get a movie deal!

Dana: (flatly) Well, this is it. After this, I’m done.

Alice &Ginny: What?!

Dana: You heard me. This was what I wanted and now I’m done. (PAUSE) I’m going back to work at the insurance company.

Ginny: But you just started! You have to keep them coming. I mean I can’t just give them one script. They’re going to want to see what else you’ve got!

Dana: That script’s all I’ve got. And all I’ll ever have. I’m done.

Ginny: You’re an idiot!

Alice: Ginny! Don’t!

Ginny: Well, it’s true. Who quits when they’ve just started. (PAUSE) Well, anyway, I’ve got you on the red eye first thing Monday morning. I’m going to head out early to work out some preliminary stuff. You’re booked on the 5:30. The ticket is under your name. Don’t be late.

Alice: Oh, this is great! You know what? Let’s all go out to dinner. Ginny’s treat!

Ginny: Oh, really? (PAUSE) Well, alright. Since it will be the last time and all. Hey Dana, aren’t you coming? This whole thing’s in your honor.

Dana: I’ll be along in a bit.

Ginny: Yeah. Sure thing.

1.SOUND: WOODEN DOOR CLOSING SOFTLY

Dana VO: (sighs) Well, pen. It’s done. I don’t need you anymore. And that b*****d can rot inside of you for all eternity. Hear that, Frank Hall, ya’ druken b*****d. Yeah, I read the paper about you after the crash! That’s right, I know your name. And I know that you’re more than just a murderer. But don’t worry, I won’t sully your precious family name. Dad wouldn’t want me ruining his business partner. Besides, it’s all over and done now. I beat you, you a*****e. I beat you.

1.MUSIC: SCENE CHANGE MUSIC

SCENE THIRTEEN: DANA’S HOME

(Mom, Alice, Ginny, and Lori)

Mom: At least you guys have the house. And she willed you everything. I know that doesn’t take away the pain but---

Alice: No, mom. It doesn’t.

Mom: How’s Lori taking all this?

Alice: As well as can be expected. She really loved and looked up to Dana. Wanted to be a writer, just like her. (PAUSE) I still can’t believe she’s gone. We did have our problems but�"I can’t believe every last person on that plane died.

Mom: Oh, honey. I know, I know. You’re grieving. But I know that with time---what am I saying. Some days I still cry over your father. But we’ll get through this. We have to ‘cause Lori’s going to need us. (PAUSE) Oh, I almost forgot. This came in the mail for you.

Alice: It’s from the Airline Commission.

1.SOUND: TEARING OPEN CARDBOARD BOX, THEN UNFOLDING LETTER

“Dear Alice Celli, We are terribly sorry for your loss.” Blah, blah, blah. “Though the remains were unrecoverable, we found, in what we believe to be Dana Forrester’s luggage, some of her personal belongings. Again, we are truly sorry for your loss.” (PAUSE) My God.

Lori: Hey Mom, hey Grandma. What’s all this stuff? It’s all burnt.

Alice: Lori, why don’t you go and get your school uniform from your room so I can wash it, okay? (PAUSE) Honey?

Lori: (somber) This is Meema’s stuff, isn’t it?

Alice: Go to your room now, Lori.

Mom: Oh, honey. Let the child see. She’s grieving just like you.

Lori: Look, mom! It’s Meema’s pen. It’s not burnt or anything

Alice: Huh, look at that. Not a scratch.

1.MUSIC: MUSICAL INTERLUDE

Alice: When she first told me about the pen, I didn’t believe it. But it makes sense. That’s why all the people in her stories died at the end.

Ginny: Huh, I wonder what she’d think with me living in her house now. And being with you right under her nose for all those months. (laughs) It’s people like you who make straight people think that gay people shouldn’t be married.

Alice: F**k you and f**k them. Everybody cheats. (laughs sardonically)

Lori: (from other room) But Mom, it’s Meema’s pen. I don’t want to use it. It makes my hand feel funny.

Alice: Why don’t you ever want to do anything for ‘Mom.’ You’re just a selfish little girl! I work all day to get you your school supplies, your cleats, your this, your that. Don’t you love me enough to do anything for me?

Ginny: Baby, you’re kind of hard on her, aren’t you?

Alice: That kid’s the key. Don’t you get it? She’s our little writing prodigy.

Ginny: Right! At least two hundred people died on that plane. It’s perfect!

Lori: (from other room) Mom, I-I don’t feel right. This pen’s controlling my hand!

Alice: It’s a game, honey! Just let it do its thing. It won’t hurt you. Just let it write.

Lori: But Mom�"please don’t make me.

Alice: Just do it, goddammit!

1.SOUND: PEN SCRATCHING FURIOUSLY ON PAPER

Lori: (crying softly) My name (PAUSE) is Frank Hall.

1.MUSIC: CLOSING THEME

THE END