Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Play excerpt

(c) 2014 William J. Potter

A ring girl cross the stage with a card saying
"Opening Round." Bill and Kate are sitting
downstage left in two chairs. The rest of the
stage is dark. They are oblique to the
audience. Bill has a small gym bag next to
his chair.
 
Bill
Holy smokes. Can you believe this?
 
Kate
I know. Three weeks ago we thought you had a stomach virus, now it’s cancer.
 
Bill
No not that. Look at this room.
 
Kate
What do you mean?
 
Bill
It’s so beige and soothing.
 
Kate
So what’s wrong with that?
 
Bill
I don’t know. You think there’d be posters or art or something that was … I don’t know … defiant.
 
Kate
What?
 
Bill
You know like a big Sgt. Rock kind of mural with his hands around some cancer cell’s throat. (Bill changes his voice) I’ll kill you, you bastard. (Bill’s voice goes back to normal) You know, something that reeks of commitment and victory … not the good try.
 
Kate
Shut up! They’ll hear you. They’ll think you’re as crazy as you are.
 
Bill
Now, that’s not very nice.
 
Kate
You’re being insane.
 
Bill
I’m just talking… waiting until Dr. Wonderful gets here.
 
Kate
You don’t like him?
 
Bill
He’s fine. I’m just being a jerk.
 
Kate
Good, because he just might save your live.
 
Bill
If he doesn’t and I die, I want you to throw yourself on my casket at the funeral and make a scene. You know, wail about how young I was. .
 
Kate
You’re not that young.
 
Bill
If you don’t I’ll haunt you.
 
Kate
You haunt me already.
 
Bill
Good one.
 
Kate
Just shut up or I’ll cry.
 

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