Monstrosity (Scene Three)

by Lucy Thurber

This is the third scene from Lucy Thurber's play Monstrosity and the third and final posting of the play. Scenes one and two can be found below.

Scene Three

Michael’s office. Sarah sits at his giant desk looking at his papers. She opens a file and reads. Michael enters.

Michael

What are you doing here?

Sarah

Reading. (Referring to the file.) More new arrivals-lucky you or should I say lucky us? “The voice of the youth”, it’s ironic father because you’re so far from young yourself.

Michael

Again, what are you doing here?

Sarah

I mean looking at you objectively, you are still a handsome man-

Michael

Powerful men are always handsome-

Sarah

But you’re shriveling Father, you’re getting smaller.

Michael

If you like.

Sarah

You’re getting old, too old to be Youth’s Speaker.

Michael

Then lucky for me it was a life-time appointment.

Sarah

You appointed yourself.

Michael

I serve the people.

Sarah

I know what you fantasize about Father. I think you imagine all your little students, during your moving speeches, writing down your words in their little notebook so they can read them later and masturbate to them in private.

Michael

Sarah, get out of my chair so I can sit down, I’m very tired. And please try to watch your mouth, despite what you think, it doesn’t make you interesting.

Sarah

Most of the time I can’t believe you mean all that shit you say-

Michael

But?

Sarah

But you write down the same shit that constantly dribbles out of your mouth. (Gets out of her chair and marches around the room.) I am my brother’s keeper, my best is your best father and all my power belongs to you.

Michael

Not clever or cute, more self-pitying, railing against authority, it’s unoriginal even for you Sarah. (Crossing to his desk and sitting down.) Now could you please stop marching? You’re giving me a headache.

Sarah

(Stops marching) Father-

Michael

Daughter.

Sarah

It’s about Silvia-

Michael

Aww the bunny-

Sarah

It’s a just a nick name, you shouldn’t-

Michael

Shouldn’t I?

Sarah

It’s cruel that the other kids-

Michael

From what I’ve seen it’s-

Sarah

Not everybody can be-

Michael

She’s frightened of every thing-

Sarah

She has other values-

Michael

Really what?

Sarah

She’s valuable to me.

Michael

Is she?

Sarah

She’s been given three red marks.

Michael

And?

Sarah

Excuse her from the test.

Michael

That’s impossible-

Sarah

Every morning they march her out to that damn cliff and wait for her to jump into the water and then at sunset they march her back, three days in a row, three red marks, two more and-

Michael

She’ll be dropped down from Elite to Moderate and you won’t see her any more.

Sarah

Yes-

Michael

You always favor the weak. It disgusts me. If you weren’t my daughter, I would-

Sarah

But you couldn’t, I pass all your stupid tests. In fact if you check your files, you’ll see I jumped off that stupid cliff in record time.

Michael

You’re lazy. You’re only operating at half your potential.

Sarah

Yes, and I still beat over half of your Elite cadets-

Michael

That’s not the point-

Sarah

Then what is?

Michael

You and your fucken girls-

Sarah

There’s just this one-

Michael

Just one this year-

Sarah

What does that mean-?

Michael

Shall I list the others, you’ve asked favors for-?

Sarah

Being your daughter must have some advantages-

Michael

She has to jump, everyone jumps-

Sarah

She is not everyone, she is mine.

Michael

Yours?

Sarah

Yes and you will let me have her or I will take something that’s yours.

Michael

What could you take? Everything you see belongs to me.

Sarah

So what if she’s afraid. Being afraid to jump off a cliff into freezing cold water is not cowardice it’s good sense. Why must she be punished for having good sense?

Michael

You always love the weak ones-

Sarah

No Father I just like the ones that think for themselves-

Michael

Everybody jumps or they get dropped down to a lesser form. And if you love her so much why don’t you go up there with her tomorrow morning and push her off?

Sarah

Because she trusts me-

Michael

Then she’s a fool and so are you. There will be other girls Sarah-

Sarah

Fuck you Father.

Michael

And the same back to you daughter.

(Thomas enters with Tierney and Patrick. Thomas stands at attention. Patrick and Tierney are dressed in uniforms now, but they stand awkwardly not sure what to do. Michael stands up and comes around and leans on the front of his desk, he picks up a folder)

Michael

Welcome, welcome…(He opens the folder and looks in it for a moment.) Tierney and Patrick Morgan, is that right?

Tierney

Yes that’s right.

Thomas

Sir, when you answer him you call him Sir.

Michael

It’s all right Thomas, they’re new here they can’t be expected to know everything the first night, can they?

Thomas

No Sir.

Michael

Tierney and Patrick, you have obviously met Thomas and this young woman here is my daughter Sarah. Sarah these are our new arrivals Tierney and Patrick Morgan.

Sarah

Hello.

Tierney&Patrick

Hello…

Michael

You’re both right, calling her Sir wouldn’t really fit the bill. What shall they call you Sarah?

Sarah

Sarah is fine. Plain and simple Sarah, it suits me doesn’t it father?

Michael

(Checking his watch) Yes plain and simple does suit you and if you don’t hurry you’ll be late-

Sarah

For what?

Michael

Your appointment-

Sarah

I have no appointment Father. (She exits.)

Michael

Lovely isn’t she? So you both must be so excited! Recruited into elite.

Tierney

Yes, Sir.

Michael

I want to take a good look at you.

(Silence. Tierney and Patrick stand uncomfortably.)

Michael

They say the son always resembles the father and the daughter the mother but in your case it’s the opposite. Tierney you look exactly like your father, even down to the expression around the eyes. He used to stand around and eye me much the same way you’re eyeing me now. We were students together you know?

Tierney

Yes Sir.

Michael

And Patrick you’re the pretty one, just like your mother. She was always a pretty one. You didn’t think your mother was pretty son?

Patrick

I thought she was beautiful, Sir.

Michael

(He opens his file and reads.) I see you’ve been paired with Simon and Charlie, good thinking Thomas.

Thomas

Thank you Sir.

Michael

(Still reading the file.) Those boys have so much potential. It’s a shame we’ve never found a leader for them. Maybe those two will finally find some direction. It could make a very good team potentially…

Thomas

I thought so too Sir.

Michael

(Closing the file.) Good, good, everything’s in order. You can go Thomas.

Thomas

Yes Sir. (He exits.)

Michael

Now, would you two like to sit?

Tierney

We’re fine thank you Sir. I get the feeling nobody sits in your presence Sir.

Michael

It’s true no one does. But it never prevents me from sitting. (He moves back behind his desk and sits.) Aren’t I the lucky one?

Tierney

Yes Sir.

Michael

Now, you know why you’re both here?

Tierney

Our parents are dead.

Michael

I know.

Tierney

They were killed in a car crash two months ago.

Michael

Yes. But do you know why you’re here?

Tierney

We needed to go somewhere.

Michael

This isn’t somewhere. This is the most exclusive training program in the country. The best families put their children’s names on my list at their birth in the hopes that I will accept them when they are old enough to attend my school.

Tierney

Yes Sir.

Michael

I when I was appointed Speaker for The Youth I pledged to myself, to this country, that I would eradicate sloth. Each student in their level, each student striving for their best. Competition is the road to success as long as each student is where they belong. Your parents didn’t think much of this country did they?

Tierney

I don’t know what you mean Sir.

Michael

Don’t lie, it doesn’t become you.

Tierney

Sir, you’ve only just met me, I don’t know how you’d know what becomes me and what doesn’t.

Michael

Fair enough. Let’s be straight shall we?

Tierney

Yes Sir.

Michael

Your test scores?

Tierney

Yes?

Michael

They are more than above average. They are exceptional.

Tierney

Yes.

Michael

If anyone besides your parents were aware of them I would have recruited you years ago.

Tierney

Yes Sir.

Michael

They took from this country its greatest asset by taking you away.

Tierney

Yes Sir.

Michael

Selfishly hid you away, keeping for themselves something that belongs to us all.

Michael

But now they are gone and you are with me.

Tierney

We know that Sir.

Michael

Good.

(A beat.)

Michael

We’re building something new in this country. It was selfish what your parents did. You belong to this country, you don’t just belong to them. You are their son and daughter yes, but first and foremost you are members of a community.

Tierney&Patrick

Yes Sir.

Michael

Because your home, this land, this country is in your blood and your parents blood. We are a peace loving people but at the same time we are courageous. We are an honor loving people and we must be taught honor from your earliest childhood. We are a proud people, we must be taught pride. We are obedient, we must be taught obedience. We must be soft and yet hard as steel. We must be gentle yet fierce as…as…?

Tierney

Fierce as fire Sir?

Michael

Exactly. Exactly, fierce as fire. You both have suffered a great loss, the pain you must be feeling is well…it is…

Tierney

Overwhelming Sir.

Michael

Yes, overwhelming. But we are here, your community is here, and you will never be alone again.

Tierney

Thank you Sir. (Nudging Patrick.)

Patrick

Yes, thank you Sir…

Michael

You’re both welcome. You’re both very welcome.

End of Scene

Monstrosity (Scene Two)

by Lucy Thurber

This is the second scene from Monstrosity and the second of three postings from the play. Scene One can be found below (Jan 25th post) and scene three will be posted tomorrow.

Scene Two

Lights up on Simon and Charlie, two teenage boys in a dorm room. The room has two sets of bunk beds. A huge sign hangs center stage. At the top is written the Code of Three. 1-I am my brother’s Keeper, 2-My best is your best, 3-Our power belongs to you. Charlie sits and Simon stands. They are both in uniform. Simon is tucking in his shirt and combing his hair.

Charlie

Simon, hey, hey Simon-

Simon

It’s almost time for dinner. We can’t be late for dinner. Get dressed will you.

Charlie

Simon, hey, hey, Simon-

Simon

I don’t see you getting dressed-

Charlie

But Simon-

Simon

What for God sakes?

Charlie

I can’t get my boot off.

Simon

Fucken imbecile.

Charlie

Fuck you. I hurt my fucken ankle today. You know that and now I can’t get my boot off.

Simon

Well, what do you want me to do about it?

Charlie

I want you to help me. My ankle is swollen.

Simon

(Going to help him.) It’ll hurt.

Charlie

It hurts more with it on.

Simon

You’re gonna just have to put it back on again, for dinner.

Charlie

I just want to take it off for a minute. Just a minute and I’ll move it around.

Simon

It will swell up more without the boot and then when you put it back on-

Charlie

Just help me pull the fucken thing off will you, please?

Simon

(Kneeling down in front of him and putting his hands on the boots.) O.K. count to ten.

Charlie

O.K. 1,2,3

(Simon yanks the boot off of Charlie’s foot. Charlie screams in pain.)

Charlie

Motherfucker, motherfucker-

Simon

I told you it was going to hurt-

Charlie

You fucker, you said count to ten-

Simon

I was helping. It hurts less when you don’t expect it.

Charlie

That’s bullshit. It’s your fault I hurt my ankle anyway.

Simon

It is not!

Charlie

It is so! You weren’t watching your position-

Simon

I was busy with my position. That guy was just better than you-

Charlie

Was not, I kicked his fucken ass. Didn’t I? Didn’t I?!

Simon

Yeah, yeah you did.

Charlie

I fucken kicked his ass.

Simon

Calm down Charlie.

Charlie

I fucken, I fucken-

Simon

I know, I know, Jesus, I was just joking Christ.

(Thomas enters followed by Tierney and Patrick. Tierney is 17 and Patrick is 15. They are not dressed in uniforms. Simon and Charlie jump to attention when Thomas enters.)

Charlie&Simon

I am my brother’s keeper. My best is your best. Our power belongs to you.

Thomas

(To Simon and Charlie.) It certainly does. (To Tierney and Patrick.) This is where you’ll sleep.

Tierney

Thank you.

Thomas

There’s a bathroom for the hall which you’ll use.

Tierney

O.K.

Thomas

You’ll learn your schedule soon enough. It’s pretty tight and lateness results in loss of privileges.

Tierney

Sure…

Thomas

After dinner, you’ll be given your clothing, etc. You’ll clean up and report for your meeting with Mr. Roth.

Tierney

O.K. but…

Thomas

In uniform. I wouldn’t show up dressed like you are now. It’s not considered respectful and respect is very important to us here.

Tierney

Sure-

Thomas

(To Simon and Charlie) Take them to eat now. I’ll be by to bring them to Mr. Roth at exactly 7:30. It’s up to the two of you to see that they’re ready. If they’re not I’ll take it out on the whole hall and I’ll be sure to let them know it was you two that fucked it up.

Simon&Charlie

Yes Sir.

Thomas

And I’d have this room cleaned up by tomorrow morning. It looks like you haven’t changed the sheets since I’ve been gone.

Simon&Charlie

Yes Sir. Good to have you back Sir.

Thomas

Bullshit. You’re no more happy to see me than I am to see you. I don’t like lazy people and lazy people don’t like to be reminded that they’re lazy. (He exits.)

(A beat.)

Patrick

(To Tierney) Jesus fucken Christ Tierney.

Tierney

Don’t Patrick.

Simon

We’re gonna be late for dinner.

Tierney

We’re ready when you are.

Simon

(He motions towards the bunk bed Charlie’s sitting on.) This is ours.

Tierney

O.K.

Simon

Don’t touch our stuff.

Tierney

Not a problem.

Simon

You’re not the first two idiots they’ve tried to hook us up with-

Tierney

O.K.-

Simon

I wasn’t done speaking was I?

Tierney

I was just getting tired of hearing you talk.

Simon

Look, four makes a team. Me and Charlie we don’t want to be a team-

Tierney

I have no idea what you’re talking about and I don’t-

Simon

You’ll know soon enough and just remember what I told you.

Charlie

Yeah, and just cause we’re taking you doesn’t mean you can sit with us at dinner, don’t get any ideas.

Simon

Charlie would you just put your fucken boot back on so we can leave. (He crosses to him) Jesus would you look at this thing. I told you not to take your boot off.

Charlie

(Struggling to put his boot back on.) Just settle down will ya?

Simon

Thomas is going to stomp all over our asses. Would you look at the time? (He shoves his watch into Charlie’s face.)

Charlie

(Knocking Simon’s hand away and struggling with boot.) I’m trying, you can see that.

Simon

Fuck Charlie!

(Patrick crosses to Charlie and takes his boot away from him.)

Charlie

Hey!

Patrick

(Taking the lace out of the boot.) I don’t want to be late either. (He puts the boot back on Charlie without the lace.) Does that feel O.K.?

Charlie

Yeah…

Patrick

O.K. stand up for a second.

(Charlie does. Patrick kneels in front of him and puts the lace back in his boot without tightening it.)

Patrick

O.K.?

Charlie

Yeah…

Patrick

So let’s not be late. I’m ready.

End Of Scene

Monstrosity

by Lucy Thurber

This is the first scene from the Lucy Thurber's play Monstrosity. It is the first of three posts from the play. Scene two will be posted on Sunday and scene three will be posted on Tuesday.

ACT ONE

Scene One

The sound of marching feet. The beginning of an assembly. Thomas enters marching followed by a group of teenage boys and girls in uniform. As they enter they are singing and marching in time.

Group

Warm rooms and cigarettes, jewels and powder puffs, perfumed soaps and sweet privileged faces, we don’t want them! We are Three, with wild manes and stomping fists, with hobnailed boots and laughing teeth; we accomplish things and do not rest. We are Three and we are best.

(Thomas steps forward, he raises his hand, the young men and women fan out and stand behind him in formation. He lowers his hand. There is silence. Light change, a spot light on Thomas)

Thomas

He has come to speak to us, to lead us and to help us lead ourselves.

(Thomas turns and marches back to his place in line. Michael enters, he crosses center stage and stands facing the audience.)

Michael

Choose your way oh youth. Go where your talent tells you to go. This country needs you to be clever, it needs your hands and your words. Your words are banners for us to follow. Your thoughts are bridges to cross. So why won’t you speak? Why won’t you stand? Do you lack the courage? Do you lack the strength? Or is it that you stand alone and see no others beside you? Do you feel that your thoughts and hearts are falling into a void till your words don’t work, your feet frozen, your hand raised? Are you tired? Are you small? Too small to speak, too small to be heard? Do you think it is possible that I could hear you? That we (He motions to the teenagers standing behind him.) could hear you? Is it possible that you may not be alone? I know that you wake up every day without a sense of purpose. Is it just another day? Endless in its sameness. Endless in its pettiness. Endless in the shallow glances and remarks of your peers. I’ll tell what I know. The truth will set you free, but first it will make you very, very, miserable. But aren’t you miserable now? Don’t you feel it? I know you can feel it. Way down in that place you hide from everyone. Down in that place no one can touch, the place you guard with your very life. The thing you protect with space. The space from which you watch. You know what you have. You are gifted with a unique potential. You can build it, meld it, bend it strengthen it until it shines and cuts through reality like a sword. Yes a sword, you possess a weapon. Put your hands on it and dare to wield it. Learn The Code of Three.

(We hear the sound of canned applause. Michael turns and strides off stage followed closely by Thomas. The teenagers turn and march as a group off stage singing as they go.)

Group

The Code of Three guides our nights. We eats its words to help us fight. We fight for good. We channel power. Beautiful Code of Three you are our mother. We are four to a unit. We are stronger than steel. We march as four heel to heel. We make a square and cannot be divided. Watch us march and know what pride is.

(A moment of silence. The feel of an empty street after a parade. The Twins ride in on their double bicycle.)

Twins

We are the children of no time. We take what we want and we leave nothing behind. We know everything and nothing at all.

Twin 1

Tell me a story the little boy said.

Twin 2

A brother, a sister better off dead.

Twin 1

Horror of horrors a world full of sorrows.

Twin 2

Nothing but straight lines and boxed in shadows.

Twin 1

Tell me a story the little girl said.

Twin 2

A story of magic, a story that’s true.

Twins

We’re the children of no time. Take everything and leave everything behind. We’re here to tell you a story, to bewitch you one and all. We’re here to tell you a story of heroes who want to live for a cause.

Twin 2

A boy running to hide and a girl trying to rise.

Twin 1

A sister and brother with identical eyes.

Twins

Fighting for freedom can be such a bore. Atrocity is timeless, humanity’s greatest chore.

Twin 1

It’s coming dear audience and you know it’s true-

Twin 2

You know it’s true and that they will be blue-

Twin 1

Bluer than the bluest night, filled with terrible frights-

Twins

And where will they stand when they don’t know how to fall? And how will they know if we forget to tell them at all?

Twin 1

Are they strong enough to make the stand? And what about the little girl when she’s frozen with fright and there’s nothing left but you, but dear audience, as her sight?

Twin 2

And what about the brother? Is he strong enough to grow into a man? How many times can he take her bite, before he falls back into the darkness and refuses to fight?

Twins

It’s coming dear audience and you know it’s true. It’s coming dear audience and we’ve chosen you

(The Twins ride off stage.)

(Light switch. Michael sitting at a big wooden desk. He is sorting through papers and making notes. Thomas enters and stands at attention waiting to be noticed. Michael makes one final note and then looks up.)

Michael

You spoke well today Thomas.

Thomas

Thank you Sir.

Michael

And what did you think of my speech?

Thomas

Moving as always, Sir.

Michael

Thank you, thank you.

Thomas

You’re welcome Sir.

Michael

And you look well.

Thomas

Thank you Sir.

Michael

So you’re back.

Thomas

Yes Sir.

Michael

And how do you feel?

Thomas

I don’t know what you mean Sir.

Michael

I see. Would you like to sit down Thomas?

Thomas

I would rather stand if that’s O.K. Sir?

Michael

Yes, that’s O.K. Thomas. How was your father’s funeral?

Thomas

Elegant.

Michael

Your mother was pleased?

Thomas

Who can tell, Sir?

Michael

I see. I know the two of you were never that close.

Thomas

No, Sir. I look too much like my Father for her taste.

Michael

Right. For God’s Sake Tom, sit down. We know each other too well for this, don’t you think.

Thomas

I can’t sit down Sir, if I sit down I may never get up again.

Michael

It’s that bad?

Thomas

Yes Sir.

Michael

I see. Well you better tell me about it, don’t you think?

Thomas

I didn’t have a chance to tell him I hated him.

Michael

I see.

Thomas

Though I think he hated me more. He felt I’d robbed him of his youth. He never wanted an heir. It only reminded him he would die one day, and now he has.

Michael

Yes. But you’ve worked very hard these past few years. I know you pleased him.

Thomas

It hasn’t been him I was trying to please Sir…

Michael

I see. You know it’s against my principles to play favorites-

Thomas

Of course Sir-

Michael

But I am only human after all.

Thomas

Yes Sir?

Michael

I’ve become quite fond of you over the years. I know I’m not your father-

Thomas

But you are Sir. You are more a father to me than my own-

Michael

Yes, yes. I know. I do know. Well, enough of that don’t you think?

Thomas

Yes Sir.

Michael

I’m glad you’re back. I’ve found I’m quite lost without you. There’s so much to do.

Thomas

Yes Sir.

Michael

Work always takes my mind off things. It’s helpful in times of stress. (He pulls out a sheet of paper and hands it to Thomas.) We have some new arrivals.

Thomas

Yes Sir.

Michael

The Morgans and a few of their friends have had an unfortunate accident.

Thomas

That’s really for the best Sir.

Michael

Yes of course. We have possession of their two children.

Thomas

Sir…?

Michael

A boy and a girl.

Thomas

I see Sir…

Michael

Who knew they had children, kept them hidden away.

Thomas

Yes Sir.

Michael

Exceptional test scores, some of the best I’ve ever seen. Train your enemy’s children to love you. That’s what we’re all about Thomas. Their children must be given the gift of Three.

Thomas

Yes Sir.

Michael

I’m terribly excited.

Thomas

Of course Sir.

Michael

Your father and I…I have always depended on your father Thomas, over the years he and I…but I’ve always felt closest to you…I’ve always felt as if, in a way you were my son…

Thomas

Sir I...

Michael

Well we’ve said enough, Thomas you and I understand each other. You may go.

(Thomas salutes and turns to go. He reaches the door.)

Thomas

Sir?

Michael

Yes?

Thomas

It’s good to be home again.

(Thomas exits and Michael goes back to work.)

End of Scene

Everything Scrubbed Clean

From Magic Kingdom

by Mark Schultz

Part 2: Everything Scrubbed Clean

Second Prologue

FIONA enters.

FIONA

I have this fantasy? Okay. It goes like this. I'm walking down the street right? Maybe I'm shopping. Maybe I'm just walking. But theres me. On the street. And theres this van. Like looming. Like a big van. And it's white. And kind of icky. And retro in a bad way. But I'm walking and singing a song. And everythings okay. And I pass the van. And it opens. And an arm. Like a big. Hairy arm. Just. Comes out. And it grabs me and pulls me in. And I'm like: what? And inside the van. There are like. Three. Gorgeous. Men. Who are mad. Angry. And they rip off my clothes. I am really well-dressed. And they rip off my clothes. And I am naked. And they are hard. And I want them. They treat me rough. At first. Poring over me with their hands. And their lips. And hair. They smell like gasoline and sometimes like old tires. They are rough. And hot. And rough. And its painful, you know at first it's really painful? And I'm like: no. And I protest and kick and scratch. But they're like too hot and lusty? I can't stop them. And I start to kinda like it. I don't let them know. They use me. They fuck me. The three of them. Sometimes together. Sometimes separate. Days go by. Constant fucking. I always protest. I am numb and raw all at the same time. But I start to like it. More. They keep coming. Each one pounding into me. And I'm thinking: when will it end, Fiona? And then. Just then. Probably while one of them is fucking me? This intense look on his face? Probably then. I start to love them. All of them. And after like a month with me? (And I've not showered or anything.) They know I love them. They can feel it. And it starts to change them. And they start to love me. I am gentle. I am like pure goodness. I am like pure light. And when I go down on them? Like one at a time? I save them. We all love each other. And it's like none of the other stuff ever really happened. Really. The roughness. Except when it was hot.

When they let me go? We all cry. And I give them each a kiss. I don't hold back on the tongue. They buy me new clothes. They are gorgeous. I don't want to leave them. They say they'll be watching me. Following me. That we'll meet again.

They are so generous.

Black.

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