Characters:
Monica
Martin
Arthur
Erica
Pharmacist
Sales Boy
Friday, August 14, 2009
Scene 1
The play starts with eerie chanting of “One…One…One”
The curtains open showing Arthur at his desk, typing on his typewriter. A sign above says "Letter Writer". His hands are flying over the keys as he furiously types out a letter. A bell chimes and an old lady walks in. Arthur stands up to greet her.
Arthur: Good morning madam, how may I help you on this dreadful day.
Monica: My husband has just sent me a letter while away fighting the war. I can't read and I need you to read it for me, Mr Morgan.
Arthur: As my job dictates. Do sit down, madam.
Arthur: Reads My dear Monica, Clears throat This might be the last letter I write to you.
Arthur's pauses for a while, his expression turns sad.
Arthur: The fight is on the enemy's side now, and i'm writing to you behind what might just be the last safe fortress. Monica, when the Russians attack, Cough I along with it, will perish. Keep the children happy and yourself as well. Give them half my love and you may have the rest. Cough Always yours, Cough Alex.
Arthur looks up and at Monica, her head is down. He coughs again, and again. Monica continues to look down until he tugs her sleeve and points to his throat. Monica looks as him surprised. She turns her left ear towards him and listens.
Monica: Do you need a cough drop, Mr Morgan?
Arthur: Cough Please
She digs into her handbag and gives him one. He puts it in his mouth.
Monica: I'm sorry I didn't hear you coughing earlier. Unfortunately, certain circumstances have caused me to be deaf in my right ear you see.
Arthur: Spits out cough drop What!? Didn't you hear a word I said?
Monica: Not one. You see, my husband has sent me as much bad news as I can take in one lifetime. Anymore, and there won't be a lifetime for me to speak of. I was hoping that bastard would change, and come back home instead of stupidly risking his life. A bit of good news would have done me good but from your expressions, I can tell that this letter is just filled with the opposite, and I have no intention to hear of it. Thank you very much Mr Morgan.
She drops a coin on the table and leaves. Arthur shakes his head a little and continues typing. A young man, Martin walks in from the back. He is wearing black gloves.
Martin: Good morning Sir!
Arthur: Martin!
Arthur stand up and the two men make to shake hands, Arthur offers his right hand, but Martin offers his left, so Arthur switches hands awkwardly.
Arthur: Sit down boy. I hope your first day on the job will go well. I've got work for you.
Arthur places a small stack of papers on the table. Martin removes his gloves, revealing the fact that he only has one hand, his right hand is missing.
Arthur: Martin! You have...only one hand?
Martin: Well sir, I didn’t think it would matter you see. I was trying to climb over a fence and, well unfortunate circumstances and my hand was gone. Quite stupid of me.
Arthur: But, how will you type? That’s the whole point of this job you know.
Martin: Well I can type as fast as I can with my left hand as fast as anyone can with both. Watch.
Martin starts typing as fast as he can. Arthur is impressed, and he walks out of the scene coughing slightly. Once he is gone, Martin slumps back, tired. A bell chimes and a young lady, Erica, walks in.
Erica: Is this the letter writer’s?
Martin: No, it’s the butcher’s.
Erica: Oh, well then I’m sorry for intruding. I’ll be off.
Martin: No wait, I was just being rude. Is there anything you need?
Erica: Well, I need to write a letter to my mother. She lives far away.
Martin: Well, how does it go?
Erica: Sits down and starts narrating. Dear mother, this is Erica. I’m writing to tell you that I will be marrying this fall. I know, it’s a shock to you. I was shocked myself. But as soon as he came into the clinic with half his teeth knocked out, we fell in love immediately. That’s all I wanted to say, except that I’m well, well, and Sally is well, and Benjamin, is, as well as can be expected. Send my love to father. Well I don’t expect you to walk all the way to the cemetery but, anyway. Erica.
Martin: That’s all?
Erica: That is all.
Martin: A dime would do.
Erica: Sets money on table Thank you, sir. Leaves
The scene ends
The curtains open showing Arthur at his desk, typing on his typewriter. A sign above says "Letter Writer". His hands are flying over the keys as he furiously types out a letter. A bell chimes and an old lady walks in. Arthur stands up to greet her.
Arthur: Good morning madam, how may I help you on this dreadful day.
Monica: My husband has just sent me a letter while away fighting the war. I can't read and I need you to read it for me, Mr Morgan.
Arthur: As my job dictates. Do sit down, madam.
Arthur: Reads My dear Monica, Clears throat This might be the last letter I write to you.
Arthur's pauses for a while, his expression turns sad.
Arthur: The fight is on the enemy's side now, and i'm writing to you behind what might just be the last safe fortress. Monica, when the Russians attack, Cough I along with it, will perish. Keep the children happy and yourself as well. Give them half my love and you may have the rest. Cough Always yours, Cough Alex.
Arthur looks up and at Monica, her head is down. He coughs again, and again. Monica continues to look down until he tugs her sleeve and points to his throat. Monica looks as him surprised. She turns her left ear towards him and listens.
Monica: Do you need a cough drop, Mr Morgan?
Arthur: Cough Please
She digs into her handbag and gives him one. He puts it in his mouth.
Monica: I'm sorry I didn't hear you coughing earlier. Unfortunately, certain circumstances have caused me to be deaf in my right ear you see.
Arthur: Spits out cough drop What!? Didn't you hear a word I said?
Monica: Not one. You see, my husband has sent me as much bad news as I can take in one lifetime. Anymore, and there won't be a lifetime for me to speak of. I was hoping that bastard would change, and come back home instead of stupidly risking his life. A bit of good news would have done me good but from your expressions, I can tell that this letter is just filled with the opposite, and I have no intention to hear of it. Thank you very much Mr Morgan.
She drops a coin on the table and leaves. Arthur shakes his head a little and continues typing. A young man, Martin walks in from the back. He is wearing black gloves.
Martin: Good morning Sir!
Arthur: Martin!
Arthur stand up and the two men make to shake hands, Arthur offers his right hand, but Martin offers his left, so Arthur switches hands awkwardly.
Arthur: Sit down boy. I hope your first day on the job will go well. I've got work for you.
Arthur places a small stack of papers on the table. Martin removes his gloves, revealing the fact that he only has one hand, his right hand is missing.
Arthur: Martin! You have...only one hand?
Martin: Well sir, I didn’t think it would matter you see. I was trying to climb over a fence and, well unfortunate circumstances and my hand was gone. Quite stupid of me.
Arthur: But, how will you type? That’s the whole point of this job you know.
Martin: Well I can type as fast as I can with my left hand as fast as anyone can with both. Watch.
Martin starts typing as fast as he can. Arthur is impressed, and he walks out of the scene coughing slightly. Once he is gone, Martin slumps back, tired. A bell chimes and a young lady, Erica, walks in.
Erica: Is this the letter writer’s?
Martin: No, it’s the butcher’s.
Erica: Oh, well then I’m sorry for intruding. I’ll be off.
Martin: No wait, I was just being rude. Is there anything you need?
Erica: Well, I need to write a letter to my mother. She lives far away.
Martin: Well, how does it go?
Erica: Sits down and starts narrating. Dear mother, this is Erica. I’m writing to tell you that I will be marrying this fall. I know, it’s a shock to you. I was shocked myself. But as soon as he came into the clinic with half his teeth knocked out, we fell in love immediately. That’s all I wanted to say, except that I’m well, well, and Sally is well, and Benjamin, is, as well as can be expected. Send my love to father. Well I don’t expect you to walk all the way to the cemetery but, anyway. Erica.
Martin: That’s all?
Erica: That is all.
Martin: A dime would do.
Erica: Sets money on table Thank you, sir. Leaves
The scene ends
Scene 2
The scene starts with Arthur entering a pharmacy. Erica is already there, and the pharmacist is prescribing her something from behind a counter. A sales boy is sweeping the floor. Erica’s face is hidden by long black hair. Arthur waits behind her.
Pharmacist: Use this twice a day and you’ll see changes in about two months.
Erica: Sobbing Two months? But my wedding is in two weeks sir!
Pharmacist: Well are you sure you don’t want to tell me what happened to your face?!
If you did I would be able to help you better you know.
Erica: It’s stupid, and unfortunate. I should have known better than to put my head behind random doors. But sir, if Adam were to look at me in this state, he would never marry me!
Pharmacist: Dear girl, the boy is missing half his teeth! If you want, you could ask Augusta who has her shop next door if she has anything that might work for you. A thick layer of makeup might just hide the marks.
Erica dejectedly turns around and leaves. The other side of her face comes into view, hideously burnt.
Arthur: Poor dear.
Pharmacist: Yes indeed. But life still goes on. What can I do for you, old man?
Arthur: Not that old. It’s this cough, it’s been hacking away at me since yesterday.
The pharmacist searches under his counter for something.
Pharmacist: Searches under the counter Goodness knows what a nice bit of fresh air could do for you, Arthur. You spend all day cooped up in that office. Comes back up. The village is nicer than you think.
Arthur: Maybe I will. But is it as dangerous as it is nice? People in this town seem to injure themselves often, too often.
Pharmacist: We’re born in the age of the clumsies. Word has it, that once you step into 34th Street you don’t come back in one piece.
Arthur: Farce.
Pharmacist: I don’t dare go into that place myself. The air, it’s bad.
Arthur stows the bottle of pills in his coat, pays, and leaves the shop.
Pharmacist: To sales boy He’ll come back tomorrow.
Sales boy: They all do, sir.
Thunder booms overhear and the scene ends.
Pharmacist: Use this twice a day and you’ll see changes in about two months.
Erica: Sobbing Two months? But my wedding is in two weeks sir!
Pharmacist: Well are you sure you don’t want to tell me what happened to your face?!
If you did I would be able to help you better you know.
Erica: It’s stupid, and unfortunate. I should have known better than to put my head behind random doors. But sir, if Adam were to look at me in this state, he would never marry me!
Pharmacist: Dear girl, the boy is missing half his teeth! If you want, you could ask Augusta who has her shop next door if she has anything that might work for you. A thick layer of makeup might just hide the marks.
Erica dejectedly turns around and leaves. The other side of her face comes into view, hideously burnt.
Arthur: Poor dear.
Pharmacist: Yes indeed. But life still goes on. What can I do for you, old man?
Arthur: Not that old. It’s this cough, it’s been hacking away at me since yesterday.
The pharmacist searches under his counter for something.
Pharmacist: Searches under the counter Goodness knows what a nice bit of fresh air could do for you, Arthur. You spend all day cooped up in that office. Comes back up. The village is nicer than you think.
Arthur: Maybe I will. But is it as dangerous as it is nice? People in this town seem to injure themselves often, too often.
Pharmacist: We’re born in the age of the clumsies. Word has it, that once you step into 34th Street you don’t come back in one piece.
Arthur: Farce.
Pharmacist: I don’t dare go into that place myself. The air, it’s bad.
Arthur stows the bottle of pills in his coat, pays, and leaves the shop.
Pharmacist: To sales boy He’ll come back tomorrow.
Sales boy: They all do, sir.
Thunder booms overhear and the scene ends.
Scene 3
The curtains open, showing a wall. It’s raining. There is a door on one end, with a peephole on it. A sign hanging on the wall reads “34th Street Asylum”. There are bloodstains all over the wall and sign. Wild giggles and eerie changing come from behind the wall. Arthur walks past holding a black umbrella.
Mental Patients: From behind the wall. Thirteen…Thirteen…Thirteen
Arthur: What in god’s good name?
Arthur walks forward and presses his ear against the wall. He sniffs the air twice and coughs.
Arthur: Foul. Notices the peephole and walks towards it.
A voice booms over “ONCE YOU STEP INTO 34th STREET YOU DON’T COME BACK IN ONE PIECE”.
Arthur: Farce. Looks into peephole. Doubles back screaming in pain with his hand over his eye and drops his umbrella Ow! OUCH!
He removes his hand from his eye, showing blood dripping.
Arthur: Blinks, then stares I’M BLIND! Kicks the wall. DAMN YOU TO HELL! DAMN ALL OF YOUR!
Mental Patients: Wild giggles Fourteen...Fourteen…Fourteen…
Crazy laughter from the behind the wall, and the scene ends.
Mental Patients: From behind the wall. Thirteen…Thirteen…Thirteen
Arthur: What in god’s good name?
Arthur walks forward and presses his ear against the wall. He sniffs the air twice and coughs.
Arthur: Foul. Notices the peephole and walks towards it.
A voice booms over “ONCE YOU STEP INTO 34th STREET YOU DON’T COME BACK IN ONE PIECE”.
Arthur: Farce. Looks into peephole. Doubles back screaming in pain with his hand over his eye and drops his umbrella Ow! OUCH!
He removes his hand from his eye, showing blood dripping.
Arthur: Blinks, then stares I’M BLIND! Kicks the wall. DAMN YOU TO HELL! DAMN ALL OF YOUR!
Mental Patients: Wild giggles Fourteen...Fourteen…Fourteen…
Crazy laughter from the behind the wall, and the scene ends.
Scene 4
The scene opens showing the pharmacist’s office once again. Thunder booms overhead and the sound of rain is heard. Arthur storms in.
Pharmacist: Why Arthur…
Arthur: Would someone in this town please, pray tell me. What madness is happening in 34th Street?
Pharmacist: Please sit down and let me clean that for you it gets infected. Offers a chair
Arthur sits down and the pharmacist starts cleaning his would.
Arthur: Flinches Well, what is happening?
Pharmacist: Sometimes, when folk leave, they’re hardly gone. In this case, most of them, if not all, are locked in the asylum on 34th Street and hoping to wreck havoc on this little town.
Arthur: Are you perhaps saying that there are ghosts in this town, Mark?
Pharmacist: That is exactly what I’m saying. You don’t know who or what might be working for you Arthur, in this town.
A long pause. The pharmacist continues to clean the wound, with Arthur flinching every now and then. Arthur slowly speaks again.
Arthur: Or who might be dressing your wound…
Arthur stands up quickly, shocked. The pharmacist freezes for a moment, before a sadistic smile creeps onto his face. A small chorus of “Fourteen…fourteen…fourteen” is heard, and seven mangled, disgusting zombies come into the scene. They converge, laughing hysterically, on a screaming Arthur, and his scream is the last thing heard, before the curtains close.
The End.
Pharmacist: Why Arthur…
Arthur: Would someone in this town please, pray tell me. What madness is happening in 34th Street?
Pharmacist: Please sit down and let me clean that for you it gets infected. Offers a chair
Arthur sits down and the pharmacist starts cleaning his would.
Arthur: Flinches Well, what is happening?
Pharmacist: Sometimes, when folk leave, they’re hardly gone. In this case, most of them, if not all, are locked in the asylum on 34th Street and hoping to wreck havoc on this little town.
Arthur: Are you perhaps saying that there are ghosts in this town, Mark?
Pharmacist: That is exactly what I’m saying. You don’t know who or what might be working for you Arthur, in this town.
A long pause. The pharmacist continues to clean the wound, with Arthur flinching every now and then. Arthur slowly speaks again.
Arthur: Or who might be dressing your wound…
Arthur stands up quickly, shocked. The pharmacist freezes for a moment, before a sadistic smile creeps onto his face. A small chorus of “Fourteen…fourteen…fourteen” is heard, and seven mangled, disgusting zombies come into the scene. They converge, laughing hysterically, on a screaming Arthur, and his scream is the last thing heard, before the curtains close.
The End.
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