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When Laura is 16 she is left by her American Parents at a school in England, and meets John, an actor in his early thirties. Later, against parental wishes, she lives with him in London. Success, under his assumed named of Theodore Gunge, and excessive drinking, lead to rows, problems and the disintegration of their relationship. The play's title refers to the love pact made in Arcata, USA, which Laura, now aged 20, breaks in her decision to leave Gunge. Originally a TV play in 1974. The scene takes place in Grung's Chelsea flat.
LAURA- I came to live with you because I loved you. I stayed with you because I loved you. (pause). I endured you because I couldn't imagine life without you. (pause). I feel battered. Ignored. Belittled. (pause). I didn't care for you because you're a famous actor. You remember talking about that party where we met? Well when you came over and talked to me- I thought I'd never seen a man so haunted. So defensive and uptight. (Pause). I never thought you'd find me attractive. I never thought you'd see me again. (pause). When you asked me to, I said yes for you.Not because I was impressed, or flattered, or anything like that. I almost didn't dare to think you'd have any serious interest in me. (pause) But you did. (pause) Girls at school used to laugh at me because I said I wouldn't go to bed until it was somebody I loved. Very old-fashioned, or whatever. At my school you were considered freaky if you were still a virgin after sixteen (Pause). And because of you- I was glad. I was happy I'd never been with anyone else. (Pause), I've been happy with you- but to sad as well. Too sad as well. Too humiliated. (Pause). Too hurt. (Pause) I never thought it mattered at all your being so much older. Now I can see it does. Not the years. Not the difference in experience. (pause). It's that you'll go on being exactly the same. (her voice rising). And I'm changing.... (standing), I've loved you. I believe you love me. But you've lived and behaved exactly as you wanted- with me like some kind of appendage. (pause). Where have I been? Who did anybody ever think I was? Some of your friends still can't even remember my surname! Others pity me. I can count on one hand the number of items I've ever been asked a question about myself. I image people find me dull and boring. You drink. You talk. You dominate. I'm the one who drives you home. You rant. You rave. You're the evening's entertainment. I'm the one you turn on when we get home. I should think I'm despised. Not because anyone's taken the trouble to find out what I'm like. No. But because I must seem like your bloody shadows. (Pause). I'm not envious. I admire your acting and respect it as much as anybody else does. But I'm not just a servicing arrangement to your needs. I'm something else. (Pause). And I'm going to find out what that is. |
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Situation: A rag doll, who has been neglected by her owner Sally, reflects on her disappointing life in her nursery.
(a doll sits in the middle of a table, with her head down)
Sure, everyone thinks being a doll is fun. (looks at the audience) All of the other toys say, "why wouldn’t you want to be a rag doll? Little girls adore you. You would be their favorite toy." Right and what would the other toys at the store say now about my perfect life? All I do all day is sit up on this shelf, collecting dust.
It has been a long time since I have been to a tea party. (looks around the room) It has been such a long time since I have even left this spot. I used to be Sally’s favorite toy. I remember the first day I arrived home from Eaton’s department store. My box was wrapped in pretty gold paper, with a big green bow on the front. "Oh Mommy, oh Daddy, I love it. I going to play with her for ever and ever and ever and I am going to love her for ever and ever and ever."
Where are you now Sally? Are you off with your collection of Barbies or are you watching television? She doesn’t even realize how hard it is for me to watch her play with her other toys. I just sit here, hour after hour, day after day, watching. I’m not alone though. Numerous Care Bears have been stuffed in the closet, her Cabbage Patch Kids collection is over in that corner (points to right corner), and we can’t forget the Disney Store in the left corner (looks to the other corner). At least I got a shelf.
Please, don’t get me wrong, when I first arrived in this nursery, everything was wonderful. That month was the happiest month of my life. Sally would play with me every day. We would have tea parties, we would read books together. (sigh) We did everything together. Sally would take me everywhere. I once got to go to show and tell with her. (pause) I was always there for her. She could tell me anything, and I wouldn’t tell the other toys. But, on that cold November day, her Daddy brought home her first Barbie, and our life together was over.
I never even got a name. All of her other dolls have names. I am just referred to as "her" or "dolly". Why didn’t she give me a name? Naming a doll is not the hardest thing to do in the world. It only takes a few seconds of thought.
Sally will occasionally stop and talk to me. Just last week she picked me up and brushed my hair. (pause) But I soon returned to my spot. Is this my destiny? I want to have fun again. I want to play again with a person. I want someone to love me. I don’t want to spend my life on a shelf, collecting dust. It doesn’t look like I have a choice, does it? |
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Situation:A lifeguard/instructor (about 17 years old)comes home and complains about her Deck Supervisor.
(walks in and throws her bag on the table) She stands there, on the right side of the guard chair. Her hands are on her hips, and her whistle is twisted around her fingers. She is watching us. I often wonder what Mary is actually looking at. She should be looking after her own class.
(flops down on the couch) Mary has been working at our swimming pool for about a month now. She is our Deck Supervisor, which basically means she runs the pool. Everyday when I arrive for work she is sitting at the edge of the pool in the same blue chair with her clipboard on her lap. There is usually about one or two swimmers in the pool at this time. Looking bored out of her mind, Mary watches them swim back and forth, back and forth. Occasionally she uncrosses her arms to brush a curl of short dark hair out of her eyes. Mary is always wearing that ugly green Speedo that looks like it is going to fall apart. The only reason why it hasn’t become an object for the garbage yet is because it has Deck Supervisor in big white letters on lower left side. That doesn’t matter anyway because she also always wears plaid shorts and it covers the title up. I know that she has other bathing suits because I have seen them in her big bag that she leaves in the middle of the office. Then there is her voice. She has this loud, screechy voice that echoes in the pool. (laughs) Even the parents are afraid of her, not to mention the kids.
Mary never lets that clipboard out of her site. The other lifeguards think it is because she has been taking notes on us. They think that, but I know that she has notes on us. Why else would she be watching us teach our classes so closely? (slowly and quietly) There was one day when she left and forgot to take her clipboard. I was the only guard on duty, and nobody showed up for the adult swim - which is not a surprise. Anyway, I needed a class list for the Otter class that I would be teaching the next day, and Mary had it on her clipboard. So, while I was looking for the list I accidentally saw the sheets with all of her observations. There were some good things, but there were some bad things too. She put that I had my kids play with those rings that sink for the last ten minutes of class. Now that was a fun deep diving exercise. Then she had that my kid almost knocked out another kid with the Ring Buoy. I didn’t know that a seven year old could throw that hard, plus the other kid swam right past the mock victim while the Ring Buoy was in motion. He came out of no where and should have been watching where he was going. And then there was the case where the two year old fell into the deep end. Now that was not my fault. I was guarding the shallow end at the time. Bob, who was guarding the deep end should have prevented that one. I’m not worried though. There were a lot more bad things on the other lifeguards then there were on me.
Things were much better when Donna was our Deck Supervisor. She was fun and caring and nice to the kids. She also didn’t take notes on us. I do think that Mary should spend more time watching her own class instead of taking notes on us. We know what we are doing. (thinking) Maybe we should start taking notes on her. You know, she did let a little kid fall off the aqua table today. |
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Situation: Two friends are sitting around doing homework. Victoria (seventeen years old) is reacting to what Veronica (seventeen years old) just said about Julie, a popular girl at school. Both girls are in Veronica's living room.
(both girls are sitting at a table, doing their homework) I feel really sorry for Julie. (pause) Do my ears deceive me? Did I just hear Veronica say that she felt sorry for Julie? (pause) I know, I know that is what you said. How could you possibly feel sorry for Julie? Wait, don't tell me. I want to examine the facts myself. (stands up and walks over to another table and grabs a textbook) Now, let's see shall we? Julie Donn, moved to town about three, no four years ago from downtown Toronto. She is the exact replica of a Barbie doll - pretty, slim with one of those personalities to die for. Not much in the brains department though. (laughs, sits down) If she was a real Barbie, I would have to say that she would be Malibu Barbie because she is not smart enough to be the pet doctor one. And you can't forget that breathy voice. (mocking her) Oh darling, I forgot all about it. Can I copy your homework and hand it in? (back to regular tone) Please, give me strength.
(pause) Yeah, I know that what I just said deals with what we just see on the outside. So what is your point? I'm guessing that you want me to dive into that sea of make-up to get to the inner person. Well okay. She is……
(change of tone) Wait, why do you feel sorry for the girl who waltzed into town and stole your boyfriend? The same person who is your lab partner but yet the only work that she does in class is file her fingernails. And don't forget the Jell-O incident where she was carrying a bowl over your head and "accidentally" tipped it and you got to walk around all day with green Jell-O in your hair. I know that you have been working at her house on your science project, but obviously you have been spending too much time over with the princess in her little castle.
(pause) Do I remember what you told me? You mean about her past? (starts to pace) The part about her dad getting fired because he we stealing money, which if you ask me does not make sense because they are old money and were loaded to begin with. Or the part about her mom having a few affairs with high up politicians? Or about her brother being a drug addict and her twenty year old sister marrying an eighty year old man? Is that what you mean? (pauses - just realizing what she just said) Oh. (pause, sits on the couch) I guess I was a little bit insensitive wasn't I? (pause) Okay a lot. I forgot about all of that stuff that she has to deal with, but that is no excuse to be mean to us. (change of tone)Alright, maybe I should be more considerate and consider what she is dealing with before I judge her. Never judge a book by it's cover right? Jeez, I hate it when you point out that I am being insensitive or wrong. (pause) I am not that mean! (throws a pillow at Veronica) But you know who is really mean? A deep dark, I don't want to meet you in a dark abandoned ally kind of mean? Billy. That's right, Billy Vos. Hey, don't give me that look. (pause) Oh, I guess I am doing it again right? |
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Situation: Holly (thirty six year old female) remembers the tragic death of her father.
(Holly is in her bed, alone, in the middle of the stage. She is sleeping)
(talking in her sleep) Daddy? Daddy? Is that you Daddy? (pause) Yes I would like some ice cream. (pause) Daddy you have ice cream on your nose! (pause, wakes-up) Daddy? Dad? (pause - realizing that she was dreaming) Oh, it was just a dream. (more disappointed) Just a dream. (gets out of bed, walks over to a mirror and looks at herself) What is wrong we me? He's dead. He's been dead for twenty years now.
(gets up and walks back to the bed and starts to make it) It is almost funny how there are some things that you can never forget. They are constantly on the front of your brain, driving you insane. I have a family now, two kids to look after. A loving husband who treats me like a queen yet everyday I remember. I know that memory affects the way that I act. Sometimes when I get emotional, I take it out on the kids, but I don't mean too. It is just so hard to keep my anger inside. It is too hard.
(pause)God, this is so unfair! (throws pillow down on the ground, yelling at audience) Why did he have to die and the other guy didn't? The other guy was the one who was drinking. The other guy was the one who was stupid enough to get behind a wheel. The other guy was the one who went through a red light faster than the speed of light. (uncontrollable crying) And it is my innocent dad who pays the price for some guy's mistake. Why? I ask you why? He walked away from the accident. Later he said to my family that he wish that there was something that he could do. My father is dead because of him. He is DEAD and he is not coming back. That's right, dead and there is nothing that anyone can do.
(pause, sits beside the bed)The reason why my dad was out that night was because I wanted some ice cream. There was none in the house so he went out to the corner store. We knew something was wrong when he didn't come back quickly. Then there was the phone call. I feel like it is my fault. Everyone says that it is not but you know, it really is. I was the one who begged him to go out that night. If it wasn't for me and my urge for chocolate ice cream he would be alive today. He would have seen my graduation, walked me down the aisle and talked to his first grand child.
But no, he missed out on all of that because some idiot forgot to listen to all the "don't drink and drive messages". Why couldn't someone grab his keys before he got in the car? The police said that he was at a huge collage party. Only one simple gesture……
I don't eat ice cream anymore. |
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By: David Rimmer
This scene takes place in Boo's room at school. Boo is sixteen, fast talking and fidgety.
Boo
Hey...I just remembered this dream I had last night.
I was at this big post party in London, at this really rich house. It was really high up and there was these big picture windows, you could
see all the river and the lights of the town. I was with this girl-- you know who it was? Trish.
We were just lookin' out the window--And all these rich little old ladies started runnin'' around all over the place, all excited, saying' Mick
Jagger's coming, isn't that wonderful, Mick Jagger's coming. They came up to us and they told us be careful cause the latest thing in London now was sadism, and Mick was really into it. Then they flitted away, laughin' and eatin' hors d'oeuvres and stuff, and everybody was just waitin' for Mick to show up. Finally he did, he just walked right in, Marianne Faithfull was with him -- she had purple hair. And this whole crowd of little old ladies swarmed all around him. They introduced me to him, and he was incredibly scary-looking, his face, he really made me scared just lookin' at him. He had lipstick on and make-up and he was dressed like a woman, but it was more like he really was a woman, a woman and a man at the same time. All of a sudden he started pullin' my hair really vicious, and he had these bracelets on that were made outta spikes, they jabbed into me, I saw drops of blood drippin' off' em like a horror movie. I screamed or somethin', I just ran away I was so scared. I ended up in this room away from the party, nobody around, and I saw this guy sittin' on a couch, just sittin' there by himself, really quiet, watchin' TV. I sat down and watched the TV for a couple of minutes, then I turned and looked at the guy...and it was Dylan. |
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By: William Snyder
A young man with an Arkansas accent has shows up at Beebee's apartment, believing that a friend of his lives there. Beebee, along on her birthday, has invited him in, and in this scene, he talks about himself.
BOB
My name is Bob Smith, care of Claude and Esther Berry Smith, Box 231, Hughes, Arkansas. I'm twenty-five years old and I have an eighth grade education.
My daddy run me clean out of town. Bought me a one way ticket on a Trailways Bus. Told me he'd buy me a one way ticket to anyplace in the U.S.A. Even rode with me as far as Le-Hi. (Pronounced Lee-High) to make sure I didn't pull a fast one and slip back after sundown. He said Hughes wasn't big enough for the both of us. Hughes is tee-ninecy all right. But I didn't think it was that small. Last I seen of my Daddy was when the bus puled into Le-Hi. he got off the bus and bought me a Dr. Pepper and this comic book. (pulls a comic book from hip pocket) He said, "Well, so long, Bob. I'll see you in the funny papers." Before I could even say anything he skipped across the highway and was thumbin a ride back to Hughes. That was the last I seen of m y daddy. The very last I seen of him before he took off for Hughes. I bet he was back there before supper. I know he's back there by now.
(Pleasantly.)(He looks at the kitchen table) I wonder what Momma and Daddy had for supper? Fried chicken most likely. I sure do love friend chicken. I sure do miss Hughes. I never been no further than Blackfish Lake cept the time Momma and Daddy took me up to hear Reverend Moore Preach a revival at Proctor. Momma's a bug on religion, but old Reverend Moore's one somebody sure igged her. Reverend Moores the shoutin foot stompin kind of religion, and Momma's is the toe the line, hoe the row kind. They don't even sing in Momma's church. It was started up right there in Hughes by Reverend Bitsie Trotter. He does odd jobs with a pick-up truck during the week. Folks said the reason he didn't allow singing was cause he couldn't carry a tune. |
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By: James Hagan
This lovely, if somewhat sentimental play, written in 1930, is about young love in a small Midwestern town. Amy, a romantic young girl, has a crush on the town bully and she's describing it to her friend Virginia.
I don't know. Maybe it was love, I don't know, but--
Well, when I was very young -- of course, that's a long time ago, you understand. It was in school. There was this boy. I don't know--he never looked at me and I never...Vitginia, did you ever have a feeling in your heart--Something that you feel is going to happen and it doesn't--that's the way my heart was--(she touches her heart) It wasn't love, I know that--(pause) He never even noticed me. I could have been a stick in the mud as far as he was concerned. Virginia, this boy always seemed lonely somehow. Everybody had it in for him, even the teachers--they called him bully--but I know he wasn't. I saw him do a lot of good things--when the big boys picked on the smaller ones, he helped the little fellows out. I know he had a lot of good in him--good, that nobody else could see--that's why my heart longs for him. |
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By: Nick Hall
This is a humorous play that takes place in a Manhattan restaurant. Charlie is a personable and attractive young waiter who wants to be an actor. Between comical scenes with customers, he comes downstage and talks directly to the audience.
If there's one thing I can't stand in theater, it's walking out along on stage at the beginning of the evening to open a show cold. (Grins) But it's better than waiting tables. I'm Charlie (ironic)...your waiter for the evening. I'd rather be onstage tonight. Waiting tables is a toy job. You probably don't know what a toy job is. I'll explain. A toy job is a job that you don't really care about, that you do to make a living, while you wait for the chance to do the job you want to do. (Beat. He measure the audience) But maybe you know already. Being a waiter is sort of a standard job for an actor, it's expected. I mean, if you're a dentist or an insurance salesman and someone ways "where're ya' working' nowadays?", and you say, "I'm a waiter at this little French place on fifty-sixth street," they think you're a failure. But if you're an actor, they understand. So. (Indicates the restaurant with a gesture) Ici, personne ne parle francais. (Beat) That's the name of the place (Beat) Yeah, well I didn't get it the first time either. It means no one here speaks French. It's really a lunch place. At lunch they use four waiters. After lunch through dinner: one waiter. (Indicates himself) We just get a few semi-regulars in the evening, and now, between lunch and dinner, nothing. (By now Charlie has started to fiddle with things on the tables.) The food's good, French, reasonable. At lunch you can get a great meal here for about three-fifth, four bucks. Of course, the price soars if you start ordering little extras like coffee. |
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Captain Spaulding: Friends, I'm going to to tell you of the great mysterious wonderful continent known as Africa. Africa, God's country. And he can have it...Well, sir, we left New York drunk and early on the morning of February second. After fifteen days on the water and six on the boat we finally arrived on the shores of Africa.
We at once proceded 300 miles into the heart of the jungle where I shot a polar bear. This bear was 6 foot 7 in his stocking feet and had shoes on. This bear was anemic and couldn't stand the cold climate. He was a rich bear and could afford to go away in the winter. From the day of our arrival we led an active life. The first morning saw us up at six, breakfasted, then back in bed at seven. This was our routine for the first three months. We finally got so we were back in bed at six-thirty.
One morning I was sitting in front of the cabin smoking some meat There wasn't a cigar store in the neighborhood. As I say, I was sitting in front of the cabin when I bagged six tigers. I bagged them, I bagged them to go away, but they hung around all afternoon. They were the most persistant tigers I've ever seen. The principle animal inhabiting the African jungle are moose, elks, and necrophiliacs.
Of course you all know what a moose is, that's big game. The first day I shot two bucks that was the biggest game we had. As I say you all know what a moose is? A moose runs around on the floor, and eats cheese and is chased by the cats. The elks on the other hand live up in the hills, and in the spring they come down for their annual convention. It is very interesting to watch them come down to the water-hole; and you should see them run when they find it is only water-hole. What they're looking for is a elk-a-hole. One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know. But that is entirely irrevent to what I was talking about. We took some pictures of the native girls, but they weren't developed.But we're going back again in a couple of weeks...
Played by: Groucho Marx |
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Earth's Darkest Day, Man's Finest Hour
written by Jonathan Hensleigh & J.J. Abrams
President: I address you tonight, not as the President of the United States, not as the leader of the country, but as a citizen of humanity. We are faced with the very gravest of challenges. The bible calls this day 'Armageddon'. The end of all things. And yet, for the first time in the history of the planet, the species has the technology to prevent its own extinction. All of you praying with us need to know that everything that can be done to prevent this disaster is being called into service. The human thirst for excellence, knowledge, every step of the ladder of science, every... adventurous reach into space, all of our combined modern technologies and imaginations, even the wars that we have fought have provided us the tools to wage the terrible battle. Through all the chaos that is our history books, through all of the wrongs... and the discord, through all of the pain and suffering, through all of our times... there is one thing that has nourished our souls and elevated our species above its origin. And that is our courage. Tonight the hopes and dreams of an entire planet are focused on the fourteen brave souls traveling into the heavens. May we all see the events through with the dignity and perseverance worthy of such a challenge. Good night and Godspeed. |
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President Thomas J. Whitmore's Independence Day Speech"
written by Dean Devlin & Roland Emmerich
President Whitmore: In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind....that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed with our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps, it's fate, today is the fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression or persecution. But from anniliation. We're fighting for our right to live...to exist. Should we win today, the fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday. But as the day when the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night...we will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today, we celebrate our independence day!" |
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Robert the Bruce, Act 2 Scene 6
Bruce practices his address to his army before the Battle of Bannockburn
I've already been working on one, just in case. I'll finish when we're done. Lords, the dawn comes early this time of year. Go to your own tents and get everything prepared. May God have mercy on us.
(All exit save Bruce. He reads his address.)
Men of Scotland, the events of yesterday have shown that God is on our side, and will send his blessings to those who fight in a righteous cause. It is true our foes greatly outnumber us, but what do they have to fight with? They have armor and warhorses, levies from several countries and knights from all over Europe. But we have faith and courage, and the knowledge we fight for our homes and our liberty.
Let there be no doubts in our hearts that we fight in a cause as holy as any crusade to free Jerusalem. Today is the birthday of John the Baptist, and as we go into battle, he and St.Andrew and the other saints of Scotland will be alongside us.
I ask you now to show the courage your fathers did when they fought alongside Wallace a short distance from here at Stirling bridge. Remember your homes that have been destroyed and your kinsmen who have been killed. Our foe comes to bring more destruction and a new slavery upon us, therefore look for no mercy if we are beaten. Remember my brothers who were cruelly executed, our clergy languishing in
English prisons, the blood that has been spilled by families of all classes. Remember the bravery of our martyrs, and let this strengthen your courage. Show the English you know what honor is. Let those who still tremble with fear feel free to leave. I want no cowards here, nor any who doubt my cause. Men of Scotland, will you suffer the shame of slavery, or will you fight beside your king?
Curtain
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A Day and a Night, Act 1
Pearse addresses a meeting of the Irish Republican Brotherhood
My name is Padraig Pearse. I'm the Headmaster at St. Enda's, and I used to edit The
Sword of Light for the Gaelic League. I agree that nothing but arms will win Irish
freedom! (cheers) However, I feel compelled to say something in the defense of John
Redmond. (grumbles) I don't agree with him, but we have to remember we're on the
same side. (jeers) Remember that the Home Rule movement has sustained Irish
nationalism since the Fenians were crushed (the jeers grow louder). I once favored
Home Rule myself (someone shouts "sounds like you still do". PEARSE speaks louder
to get over the noise.) so I know the motives are pure. ("They'll leave us purely
English") Listen to me. We had to try political means first. Will you listen?! The IRB, the
Home Rulers, Sinn Fein, the Gaelic League, we're all seeking the same thing!
(PEARSE is having to work to get over the noise.) So sit here and jeer then. What have
you actually done? How about you, or you? Done anything but spew your palaver into
your beer, you useless tavern rebels?! Do you sit around singing songs of other
people's glory!? (The crowd has quieted during these last lines.) I'll tell you what I will
do. Give me a hundred men, and I will free Ireland!
(The crowd noise fades.)
In the name of God,
By Christ His only Son,
By Mary His gentle Mother,
By Patrick the Apostle of the Irish,
By the loyalty of Colm Cille,
By the glory of our race,
By the blood of our ancestors,
By the murder of Red Hugh,
By the sad death of Hugh O'Neill,
By the tragic death of Owen Roe,
By the dying wish of Sarsfield,
By the anguished sigh of Fitzgerald,
By the bloody wounds of Tone,
By the noble blood of Emmet,
By the Famine corpses,
By the tears of Irish exiles,
We swear the oaths our ancestors swore,
That we will free our race from bondage,
Or that we will fall fighting hand to hand. Amen |
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| David R. Franklyn
I sat and listened to my grandfather tell me stories from the vast repertoire of his knowledge. I knew sooner or later that he would come around to his favorite topic ...the old ones. I would sit and listen, pretending fascination as he told me of the ancient race that had inhabited the world before us. I listened with half my mind wandering someplace else, as he would describe how long ago he had discovered proof that this race, vile and demonic, had trod upon the face of the world.
I loved my grandfather and respected him but when he went into the kick about an ancient race, one that had been responsible for our creation and evolution, I felt a little ashamed ...as did so many others who knew him. He was a brilliant man, and he was respected in all scientific circles ...except for his obsession with the, "old one."
I remember his description of them and I felt a little frightened. It was not until I grew older that I realized his description fit one of the most terrifying creatures in all of mythology.
I looked up at him and saw that he had stopped talking. I think he realized I was not ready for another story of how these, "old ones" had destroyed themselves just after creating us. He smiled down at me and asked if I wanted to go home. I knew he was not insulted and said, "yes, I would."
Then still smiling, he took my hand, and wrapping our tails around our taloned feet, unfolded our wings and flew back to the forest. |
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| David R. Franklyn
The woman screamed as the contractions became more powerful. The doctor held her hand and spoke comforting words. It would be a beautiful baby and it would be healthy. All she had to do was follow instructions.
"Where's the father," the doctor asked! "He'll be here soon" the woman gasped. "He promised he'd be here!" "He'd better hurry," the doctor replied. "Or he'll miss the great event."
The doctor was not as jovial as he pretended. He was down right worried. He had never seen such a delivery as this. It was like none other he had ever seen. That the child would be delivered naturally, he doubted very much. A caesarian would probably be required, and soon if the symptoms increased. He had never seen such movement within the womb before. The woman's abdomen rose and fell visibly as the life inside shifted position time and time again. "The father had better hurry up," the doctor snapped! Suddenly the room filled with a hot wind. There was a loud clap of thunder and the room filled with a red cloud from which the smell of brimstone emitted. A large dark figure with horns and a horrible visage stepped from the cloud. It opened it's mouth and sulphurous smoke bellowed forth. "I AM HERE DARLING," he roared! |
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The Woolgatherer
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NEW YORK TRUCKER: So, you know what de traffic is like on de LIE on a a Friday, you know?
And you know, I'm under like a lotta pressure at my career. All dose packages that gotta be dere overnight --
I'm responsible for a lotta stuff...
So I'm driving along in my truck and this jerk comes right along side me
in one of dem little sports cars and he's like trying to kind of nose me
outta de way. And, of course, I'm only worried about dem packages in de back of
the truck...
So I start thinking -- don't I have like the obligation to protect all
that stuff? Like, it could be -- I don't know -- like maybe governmental
stuff or something -- like parts for bombs or something in one of dem boxes back there. And I
start thinking -- what's more important? Some rich guy trying to get to
his beach house in the Hamptons for the weekend? Or those maybe very important
boxes in the truck...
So I take one more look at him and notice that his headlights are out.
And, being the nice guy that I am, I scream out the window, I mean I
gotta tell him. I mean he can¹t be drivin around in some blind as a bat
car on the freeway ya know. Someone could ram his nice little
Mercedes-Benz and dent it all up.
Then I notice that that little jerk it pointin¹ a gun at me, you know
one of those little cowboy guns with the revolver. So I swerve all 18
wheels over to the fast non-truck lane. So I¹m thinkin, this guy must be
trying to get to all that governmental stuff in the back, right?? Being
the dedicated driver that I am I pull back over and crunch this little
sports car like a fricken matchbox.
Ok, ok, so I keep driven and forget this little mishap. I get to my
destination and check my clipboard to see what the was in the big crates
in the back. Turns out it¹s in some governmental code name and all,
called Viagra and I¹m thinkin that this must be some new advanced
technology and all with a name like Viagra. And I¹m takin it to this big
house with these Re-Elect Bob Dole signs all over it. The guy waiting
for me says the stuff is very important medical supplies for the guy¹s
boss. Now I¹m thinkin how important I am, savin Bob Dole¹s life and all.
It was a long drive home that night, on the LIE.
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by Kirk Wallace
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Copyright by the Author. All Rights Reserved.
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[Derrick is speaking. Elizabeth is listening]
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DERRICK: It was the shadow of the boy I saw first. His arms hanging down
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over his head, the silhouette of his feet aimed up. [Beat] Then,-- I stepped
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into the room and saw his dead eyes, open, as if staring, unseeing, down
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at the pool of blood that had been drained from his body.
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[Beat, trying to sound professional] I looked around the room, made mental
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notes of where everything was and then crossed to him and cut him down,
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letting this body drop back into a more normal relationship with the ground.
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Just because he had died abnormally, didn't mean he had to sustain it in death.
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As we looked around the shack, most of the others got sick at what they saw.
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But it was the smell that got me. It wasn't that usual odor of death you find
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in scenes like this. That bloody mixture of excrement and sweat strained out
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of the contraction of agonized muscle. This was different. It was more acrid.
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Caustic. Like acid. But, worse of all, it's stench made me...afraid. [Looks at her]
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You know, always before these horror scenes filled me with rage, a determination
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to catch the bastard responsible and put him away.
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But this time -- [Looks at her, trying to find the words] This time...I...[Stops, then goes ahead.]
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Whatever is out there is more terrifying, more ugly than anything I've ever dealt with.
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It seems so grossly inadequate, but the only word I can think of to describe what we're up
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against is...evil. We're looking for something inhuman and that scares the hell out of me.
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Monologue From Panopticon
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SCENE 6: FUNERAL PARLOR
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Benjamin, 18 year old homeboy talking to his dead buddy.
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BENJAMIN: Just a few minutes here 'fore I go back 'cause they
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let me out so I could spend a few minutes...Billy. I know you loved
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my rappin' an' I loved you lovin' it an' I appreciate the way you used to
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beat an' rap with my homies. I knows I was angry with the way yous won
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over Lakesha, and how yous made an uncle out of me when I was
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gonna make an uncle out of yous, but now with yous gone and Li'l Billy busted up an' sprayed..
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I'm just so sick of the whole damn thing, man, if I'd known killin' was gonna kill my own kin,
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then I should a never taken up killin' in the first place, bro, 'cause now they's blood everywhere.
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They got yellow tape around the whole hood, Billy, it's one big crime scene with black an' whites
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an' them helicopters hoverin' over head. Everybody's watchin' they's backs 'cause everybody's
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got a gat so maybe I'm safer behind razor wire with staff tellin' me what to do 'cause I
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know I'd hunt down the enemy who took you out 'cause its payback. Can't go to your
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funeral 'cause of my offense. Last time I'll see you before they take me back.
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I love you bro. I never thought I could say that. I looked out the window the other
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day and seen this fool playin' catch with a football like you and me used to do 'fore
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all this killin' came like an avalanche down all around us, and I seen this pretty bird flying
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free like it was in the air and nothin' could pull it down where nothing' could get it 'cause
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I seen it fly there 'fore 'cause I'm locked up 23 hours a day in my room so I pays attention
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to the way the trees sway an' the clouds sail across the sky, and so this fool threw the ball
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right at the bird as it was flying to the nest, and, BAM, he smoked it right there and now all
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the little birdies up in the nest ain't gonna make it, bro, and I don't know that I'm gonna make it either...
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- INDEPENDENCE DAY
Dean Devlin & Roland Emmerich
- President Whitmore: In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind....that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed with our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps, it's fate, today is the fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression or persecution. But from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live...to exist. Should we win today, the fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday. But as the day when the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night...we will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today, we celebrate our independence day!"
- ARMAGEDDON
Jonathan Hensleigh & J.J. Abrams
- President: I address you tonight, not as the President of the United States, not as the leader of the country, but as a citizen of humanity. We are faced with the very gravest of challenges. The bible calls this day 'Armageddon'. The end of all things. And yet, for the first time in the history of the planet, the species has the technology to prevent its own extinction. All of you praying with us need to know that everything that can be done to prevent this disaster is being called into service. The human thirst for excellence, knowledge, every step of the ladder of science, every... adventurous reach into space, all of our combined modern technologies and imaginations, even the wars that we have fought have provided us the tools to wage the terrible battle. Through all the chaos that is our history books, through all of the wrongs... and the discord, through all of the pain and suffering, through all of our times... there is one thing that has nourished our souls and elevated our species above its origin. And that is our courage. Tonight the hopes and dreams of an entire planet are focused on the fourteen brave souls traveling into the heavens. May we all see the events through with the dignity and perseverance worthy of such a challenge. Good night and Godspeed.
- TERMINATOR
James Cameron
- Sarah: The hardest thing is deciding what I should tell you and what not to. Well, anyway, I've got a while yet before you're old enough to understand the tapes. They're more for me at this point... to help get it all straight.
Should I tell you about your father? That's a tough one. Will it change your decision to send him here...knowing? But if you don't send Kyle, you could never be. God, you can go crazy thinking about all this...I suppose I'll tell you...I owe him that. And maybe it'll be enough if you know that in the few hours we had together we loved a lifetime's worth...
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- TITANIC
James Cameron
- Old Rose: It's been 84 years...and I can still smell the fresh paint. The China had never been used. The sheets had never been slept in. Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams. And it was. It really was...It was the ship of dreams...to everyone else. To me it was a slave ship, taking me back to America in chains. Outwardly I was everything a well brought up girl should be. Inside, I was screaming. I saw my whole like as if I'd already lived it... an endless parade of parties and cotillions, yachts and polo matches... always the same narrow people, the same mindless chatter. I felt like I was standing at a great precipice, with no one to pull me back, no one who cared... or even noticed.
- WIZARD OF OZ
Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf
- Lion: Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got?
Dorothy, Scarecrow, & Tinman: Courage!
Lion: You can say that again! Huh?
- SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Robert Rodat
- Captain Miller: Sometimes I wonder if I've changed so much, my wife is even gonna recognize me whenever it is I get back to her... and how I'll ever be able to... tell her about days like today. Ahh, Ryan... I don't know anything about Ryan, I don't care. The man means nothing to me, he's just a name. But if, you know, if going to Ramelle, and finding him so he can go home, if that earns me the right to get back to my wife, well then...then that's my mission.
SCHINDLER'S LIST
Steven Zaillian
- Schindler: The unconditional surrender of Germany has just been announced. At midnight tonight, the war is over. Tomorrow, you'll begin the process of looking for survivors of your families. In most cases, you won't find them. After six long years of murder, victims are being mourned throughout the world. We've survived. Many of you have come up to thank me. Thank yourselves. Thank Itzhak Stern and others among you who worried about you and faced death every moment. I'm a member of the Nazi party. I'm an ammunitions manufacturer. I'm a proprietor of slave labour. I am a criminal. At midnight, you'll be free and I'll be hunted. I shall remain with you until five minutes after midnight after which time, and I hope you'll forgive me, I must flee.
[To the guards]
I know you have received orders from our commandant, which he has received from his superiors, to dispose of the population of this camp. Now would be the time to do it. Here they are, they are all here. This is your opportunity. Or, you could leave and return to your families as men, instead of murderers.
[The guards all leave]
In memory of the countless victims among your people, I ask us to observe three minutes of silence.
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- DEAD POETS SOCIETY
Tom Schulman
- Mr. Keating: In my class, you will learn to think for yourselves again. You will learn to savor words and languages. No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world. I see that look in Mr Pitts' eyes like 19th century literature has nothing to do with going to business school or medical school, right? Maybe. You may agree and think yes, we should study our Mr. Pritcher and learn our rhyme and meter and go quietly about the business of achieving other ambitions. Well, I have a secret for you. Huddle Up...Huddle UP! We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, law, business these are all noble pursuits necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, and love; these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman "Oh me, Oh life of the question of these recurring. of the endless trains of the faithless of cities filled with the foolish. What good amid these? Oh me, Oh life." "Answer...that you are here and life exists....You are here. Life exists, and identity. The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse." The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?
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