Play for Class
This play seriously sucks, but it's a cool idea. It sucks cause I whipped the last half of it together in an hour. So I need to rework it to build up better tension. Lemme know what ya think :) Oh and ignore the lame title. Just a quicky that suits the purpose for class.
Broken Hearts
Jason H. French
Characters
Jess: Early twenties
Eric: Early twenties
Time and Place
Present day
Studio apartment
Lights up: A sparse studio apartment with a bed in the center of the stage. Jess is on the bed facing towards the audience curled up in a ball. There is a door upstage with a desk to the left of it. On the desk there are a number of papers some of which have fallen to the floor. On the center of the desk is an envelope with the words Mom and Dad written on it. There is a chair infront of the desk. On the walls of the apartment there are a few posters. There is an unkempt kitchenette stage right.
Broken Hearts
Jason H. French
Characters
Jess: Early twenties
Eric: Early twenties
Time and Place
Present day
Studio apartment
Lights up: A sparse studio apartment with a bed in the center of the stage. Jess is on the bed facing towards the audience curled up in a ball. There is a door upstage with a desk to the left of it. On the desk there are a number of papers some of which have fallen to the floor. On the center of the desk is an envelope with the words Mom and Dad written on it. There is a chair infront of the desk. On the walls of the apartment there are a few posters. There is an unkempt kitchenette stage right.
(Knock on the door)
Eric: Talk to me Jess.
Jess: No.
Eric: Talk to me.
Jess: No.
Eric: Are you going to let me in?
Jess: The door’s open.
(Eric opens the door and walks in)
Eric: What’s wrong?
(there is no response from Jess)
Eric: At least tell me what’s wrong.
Jess: There’s nothing wrong.
(Eric goes to the desk, grabs the chair and sets it down to the left of the bed and then sits down)
Eric: Bullshit, you’ve been crabby all morning, talk to me.
Jess: Leave me alone there’s nothing wrong.
Eric: Then why won’t you talk to me.
Jess: Leave.
Eric: Not until you tell me what’s wrong.
Jess: Look god dammit there is nothing NOTHING!
(Jess turns around with her back to the audience)
Eric: Want a cigarette?
(Jess looks back, thinking)
Jess: No I quit.
Eric: What? when.
Jess: This morning.
Eric: Why?
Jess: I’m going to die.
Eric: Right, seriously, it’s great that you quit but why? you never mentioned you wanted to quit.
Jess: Well I do.
Eric: That explains the crabbyness.
(Jess sits up, sits cross legged, and faces Eric)
Jess: Shut up.
Eric: Jess, come on let up a little. I think it’s great but you don’t need to bite my head off.
Jess: Ya, great. It’s real great. There you know what’s wrong now will you leave?
Eric: You sure that’s the only thing? There’s nothing else?
Jess: Jesus fucking H Christ get the fuck out of my apartment.
Eric: There is something else isn’t there.
Jess: I swear if you don’t leave now I’m going to kill you.
Eric: Right, I’m just concerned Jess. You haven’t been normal lately.
Jess: What the fuck is normal? and I already told you, I just want to be alone, please
Eric: What the cigarettes?
(Jess hurls a piillow at him)
Jess: No not the fucking cigarettes.
Eric: Huh?
Jess: Forget it.
Eric: No, tell me.
Jess: I’m giong to DIE !!!!! how many fucking times do you want me to say it? DIE, again? I’m going to DIE how about one more fucking time.... I am going to DIE.
(Eric a little more seriously)
Eric: Seriously?
(Jess screams)
Eric: From what? the cifarettes?
Jess: Enough with the fucking cigs.
Eric: What happened Jess.
Jess: who made you my damn priest?
(Eric stands up)
Eric: I’m just trying to help jess, are you really dying ?
(Jess nods)
Eric: How long do you have?
Jess: Two days.
Eric: Jesus Christ.
Jess: Ya I’ll be visiting him on the 3rd, I’m going to tell him about the time I walked in on you with the.
(Eric starts to pace behind the bed)
Eric: That’s not funny Jess
Jess:(giggling) Maybe Jesus will think so.
Eric: Knock it off.
Jess: Now who’s irritating who.
Eric: Fine if you really want me to leave.
(Eric heads for the door)
Jess: No..... stay, I’m sorry.
(Eric turns around)
Eric: This is fucked up.
Jess: ya.
Eric: When did you find out?
(Eric goes to the bed and sits down next to Jess(
Jess: A few hours ago.
Eric: Are you going to tell me what it is.
Jess: Huh?
Eric: What you’re dying from.
Jess: Oh.
Eric: Well.
Jess: I don’t want to talk about it.
(Eric puts an arm around Jess)
Eric: Jess, please.
(Jess shrugs his arm off and gets off the bed)
Jess: I really don’t want to talk about it now. Talk to me about something else.
(Eric reclines with his back propped up against the headboard)
Eric: Like what?
Jess : I don’t care, anything. How was the movie yesterday.
Eric: It sucked. Jess, this is wierding me out.
Jess: You don’t have to stay.
(Eric sits back up)
Eric: I want to, you shouldn’t be alone.
(Jess sits down in the chair)
Jess: Why? I never understood why people always felt they had to be near dying people.
Eric: Because I care?
Jess: But you’re alive, why be around death. I’m a corpse you just don’t realise it yet.
Eric: You don’t look like a corpse to me.
Jess: Not yet but in a week I’ll be wormfood.
Eric: Stop talking like that.
Jess: It’s true in a week I’ll be the home to a family of maggots and this is what you want to be around?
Eric: Want to get some coffee?
Jess: What?
(Eric stands up)
Eric: Coffee, do you want to go down the street and get some.
Jess: I’m talking maggots and rotting corpses and you think coffee?
Eric: I though it might help to get out.
(Eric moves towards Jess)
Jess: do I look like I’m dressed to go out?
Eric: You could throw some clothes on.
Jess: You want to see me naked don’t you.
Eric: Come on.
Jess: That’s it isn’t it, you wanna see a tit? Well fine here.
(Jess pulls down her shirt from the neck as Eric turns around)
Eric: Stop it Jess.
Jess: What ? I thought that was what you always wanted.
Eric: Why are you doing this?
(Silence)
Jess: I’m scared. God Eric I’m so scared. I don’t know if I have the strength for this.
(Eric moves behind her in and put his hands on her shoulders)
Eric: Does anyone else know? Does Katie?
Jess: No, no one knows and no one can know. Promise me you won’t say anything until after.
Eric: I don’t kow Jess this is some pretty fucking heavy shit. You look fine. What the hell’s the matter with you?
Jess: You wouldn’t understand
Eric: Understand what? I don’t even know what you’re dieing from.
Jess: I’m ...
Eric: What.
(Jess stands up and sits back on the bed away from Eric)
Jess: Forget it.
Eric: God this is just to fucking surreal. Who the hell knows that in two days they are going to be dead. What aren’t you telling me Jess. You look fine, you look better than fine. Jess
Jess: Just leave it alone Eric.
Eric: Is this what you fucking called me over here for ? To tell me you’re dieing and then to tell me to just leave it alone? Leave it alone? What do you want from me.
Jess: I don’t know. I didn’t know who else to call. I’m so alone Eric. Just hold me please.
Eric: Jess.
Jess: I’m so scared Eric. I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this. I don’t know if I can go through this on my own. But I have to. I just wanted to see you one last time. Please, just, just hold me Eric. Stay with me. Please.
Eric: I can’t fucking believe this. I can’t lose you Jess. You are all I have. That might not seem much to you. You’ve got all the friends in the world but I’ve got no one Jess. You’re all I have and now you tell me you are dieing? You’re going to leave me? Fuck. God, What is happening? You know this is going to kill your parents... and they don’t even know?
(Eric sits back down in the chair)
Jess: It’s not what you think Eric. Nothing’s happened to me. I’m doing this. I’m.... I’m doing this for them. For mom and dad .... and Katie.
Eric: What ?
Jess: (In a monotone voice)I’m going to spend tomorrow with Dad and Mom. Then I’m going to the hospital to spend the next day with Katie. And then, god I’m so scared Eric...... then I’m going to come here, fill the bathtub with ice, cut myself and call the paramedics.
Eric: Oh my god, you’re serious aren’t you. You’re doing this for Katie aren’t you.
Jess: Come on Eric, she’s never going to get a heart. This is the only way. She’s got everything ahead of her and I’ve got nothing. They wouldn’t ever say it but I can tell from their eyes that Mom and Dad wished it was me in the hospital. She’s the one everyone loves. I can’t watch her die and I can’t live knowing mom and dad wished it was me.
Eric: Jess, no stop talking like that. What do you mean you don’t have a thing. You can’t leave me Jess. Not like this. I....
Jess: I know Eric. That’s what makes this so hard.
(silence)
Eric: What?
(Jess looks into erics eyes)
Jess: Same here.
(silence)
Eric: What?
Jess: God you can be so dense sometimes and I love you for it. I love you too Eric. That’s why I wanted you to come. I needed you to know that I loved you too. After all these years.
Eric: You did?
Jess: A girl knows Eric. You should have said something.
(Eric stands up)
Eric: You could have said something too you know.
Jess: I was stupid. It wasn’t until this I realised.
(Eric backs away)
Eric: And now you’re going to piss it all away.
Jess: I’m not pissing it away.
Eric: The hell you aren’t. You are pissing it away. And now this? I do love you Jess. I’ve loved you from the moment I set eyes on you in freshmen chem.
Jess: Hold me Eric please.
(Eric sits down near Jess and hold her)
Eric: I can’t let you do this.
Jess: You have to.
Eric: No, I’m sorry about Katie but this isn’t right. I need you.
Jess: No you don’t and she doesn’t have anymore time. It’s got to be like this. I’m so sorry.
(Eric stands up)
Eric: If you’re going to do this then Katie needs to know.
Jess: No! You can’t tell her Eric. You can’t tell anyone.
Eric: I gotta go.
Jess: No please Eric, stay. I’m sorry
Eric: Fuck that Jess. Not like this. Not this way. You don’t tell me thath you love me and then tell me you’re going to kill yourself. No. I can’t deal with this. I gotta get out of here. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. This shit aint funny.
(Eric Leaves for the door. Jess gets up off the bed and goes to him picking up an envelope from the desk on the way)
Jess: Eric stop, wait. Please do one thing for me. Give this to my parents after. Please
Eric: Fuck that Jess give it to them yourself. I’m not going to have anything to do with this.
(Jess tries to give him a hug but Eric just walks away and out the door. The door slams and jess with her back against is slides down to the floor. Crying)
Jess: No.
Eric: Talk to me.
Jess: No.
Eric: Are you going to let me in?
Jess: The door’s open.
(Eric opens the door and walks in)
Eric: What’s wrong?
(there is no response from Jess)
Eric: At least tell me what’s wrong.
Jess: There’s nothing wrong.
(Eric goes to the desk, grabs the chair and sets it down to the left of the bed and then sits down)
Eric: Bullshit, you’ve been crabby all morning, talk to me.
Jess: Leave me alone there’s nothing wrong.
Eric: Then why won’t you talk to me.
Jess: Leave.
Eric: Not until you tell me what’s wrong.
Jess: Look god dammit there is nothing NOTHING!
(Jess turns around with her back to the audience)
Eric: Want a cigarette?
(Jess looks back, thinking)
Jess: No I quit.
Eric: What? when.
Jess: This morning.
Eric: Why?
Jess: I’m going to die.
Eric: Right, seriously, it’s great that you quit but why? you never mentioned you wanted to quit.
Jess: Well I do.
Eric: That explains the crabbyness.
(Jess sits up, sits cross legged, and faces Eric)
Jess: Shut up.
Eric: Jess, come on let up a little. I think it’s great but you don’t need to bite my head off.
Jess: Ya, great. It’s real great. There you know what’s wrong now will you leave?
Eric: You sure that’s the only thing? There’s nothing else?
Jess: Jesus fucking H Christ get the fuck out of my apartment.
Eric: There is something else isn’t there.
Jess: I swear if you don’t leave now I’m going to kill you.
Eric: Right, I’m just concerned Jess. You haven’t been normal lately.
Jess: What the fuck is normal? and I already told you, I just want to be alone, please
Eric: What the cigarettes?
(Jess hurls a piillow at him)
Jess: No not the fucking cigarettes.
Eric: Huh?
Jess: Forget it.
Eric: No, tell me.
Jess: I’m giong to DIE !!!!! how many fucking times do you want me to say it? DIE, again? I’m going to DIE how about one more fucking time.... I am going to DIE.
(Eric a little more seriously)
Eric: Seriously?
(Jess screams)
Eric: From what? the cifarettes?
Jess: Enough with the fucking cigs.
Eric: What happened Jess.
Jess: who made you my damn priest?
(Eric stands up)
Eric: I’m just trying to help jess, are you really dying ?
(Jess nods)
Eric: How long do you have?
Jess: Two days.
Eric: Jesus Christ.
Jess: Ya I’ll be visiting him on the 3rd, I’m going to tell him about the time I walked in on you with the.
(Eric starts to pace behind the bed)
Eric: That’s not funny Jess
Jess:(giggling) Maybe Jesus will think so.
Eric: Knock it off.
Jess: Now who’s irritating who.
Eric: Fine if you really want me to leave.
(Eric heads for the door)
Jess: No..... stay, I’m sorry.
(Eric turns around)
Eric: This is fucked up.
Jess: ya.
Eric: When did you find out?
(Eric goes to the bed and sits down next to Jess(
Jess: A few hours ago.
Eric: Are you going to tell me what it is.
Jess: Huh?
Eric: What you’re dying from.
Jess: Oh.
Eric: Well.
Jess: I don’t want to talk about it.
(Eric puts an arm around Jess)
Eric: Jess, please.
(Jess shrugs his arm off and gets off the bed)
Jess: I really don’t want to talk about it now. Talk to me about something else.
(Eric reclines with his back propped up against the headboard)
Eric: Like what?
Jess : I don’t care, anything. How was the movie yesterday.
Eric: It sucked. Jess, this is wierding me out.
Jess: You don’t have to stay.
(Eric sits back up)
Eric: I want to, you shouldn’t be alone.
(Jess sits down in the chair)
Jess: Why? I never understood why people always felt they had to be near dying people.
Eric: Because I care?
Jess: But you’re alive, why be around death. I’m a corpse you just don’t realise it yet.
Eric: You don’t look like a corpse to me.
Jess: Not yet but in a week I’ll be wormfood.
Eric: Stop talking like that.
Jess: It’s true in a week I’ll be the home to a family of maggots and this is what you want to be around?
Eric: Want to get some coffee?
Jess: What?
(Eric stands up)
Eric: Coffee, do you want to go down the street and get some.
Jess: I’m talking maggots and rotting corpses and you think coffee?
Eric: I though it might help to get out.
(Eric moves towards Jess)
Jess: do I look like I’m dressed to go out?
Eric: You could throw some clothes on.
Jess: You want to see me naked don’t you.
Eric: Come on.
Jess: That’s it isn’t it, you wanna see a tit? Well fine here.
(Jess pulls down her shirt from the neck as Eric turns around)
Eric: Stop it Jess.
Jess: What ? I thought that was what you always wanted.
Eric: Why are you doing this?
(Silence)
Jess: I’m scared. God Eric I’m so scared. I don’t know if I have the strength for this.
(Eric moves behind her in and put his hands on her shoulders)
Eric: Does anyone else know? Does Katie?
Jess: No, no one knows and no one can know. Promise me you won’t say anything until after.
Eric: I don’t kow Jess this is some pretty fucking heavy shit. You look fine. What the hell’s the matter with you?
Jess: You wouldn’t understand
Eric: Understand what? I don’t even know what you’re dieing from.
Jess: I’m ...
Eric: What.
(Jess stands up and sits back on the bed away from Eric)
Jess: Forget it.
Eric: God this is just to fucking surreal. Who the hell knows that in two days they are going to be dead. What aren’t you telling me Jess. You look fine, you look better than fine. Jess
Jess: Just leave it alone Eric.
Eric: Is this what you fucking called me over here for ? To tell me you’re dieing and then to tell me to just leave it alone? Leave it alone? What do you want from me.
Jess: I don’t know. I didn’t know who else to call. I’m so alone Eric. Just hold me please.
Eric: Jess.
Jess: I’m so scared Eric. I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this. I don’t know if I can go through this on my own. But I have to. I just wanted to see you one last time. Please, just, just hold me Eric. Stay with me. Please.
Eric: I can’t fucking believe this. I can’t lose you Jess. You are all I have. That might not seem much to you. You’ve got all the friends in the world but I’ve got no one Jess. You’re all I have and now you tell me you are dieing? You’re going to leave me? Fuck. God, What is happening? You know this is going to kill your parents... and they don’t even know?
(Eric sits back down in the chair)
Jess: It’s not what you think Eric. Nothing’s happened to me. I’m doing this. I’m.... I’m doing this for them. For mom and dad .... and Katie.
Eric: What ?
Jess: (In a monotone voice)I’m going to spend tomorrow with Dad and Mom. Then I’m going to the hospital to spend the next day with Katie. And then, god I’m so scared Eric...... then I’m going to come here, fill the bathtub with ice, cut myself and call the paramedics.
Eric: Oh my god, you’re serious aren’t you. You’re doing this for Katie aren’t you.
Jess: Come on Eric, she’s never going to get a heart. This is the only way. She’s got everything ahead of her and I’ve got nothing. They wouldn’t ever say it but I can tell from their eyes that Mom and Dad wished it was me in the hospital. She’s the one everyone loves. I can’t watch her die and I can’t live knowing mom and dad wished it was me.
Eric: Jess, no stop talking like that. What do you mean you don’t have a thing. You can’t leave me Jess. Not like this. I....
Jess: I know Eric. That’s what makes this so hard.
(silence)
Eric: What?
(Jess looks into erics eyes)
Jess: Same here.
(silence)
Eric: What?
Jess: God you can be so dense sometimes and I love you for it. I love you too Eric. That’s why I wanted you to come. I needed you to know that I loved you too. After all these years.
Eric: You did?
Jess: A girl knows Eric. You should have said something.
(Eric stands up)
Eric: You could have said something too you know.
Jess: I was stupid. It wasn’t until this I realised.
(Eric backs away)
Eric: And now you’re going to piss it all away.
Jess: I’m not pissing it away.
Eric: The hell you aren’t. You are pissing it away. And now this? I do love you Jess. I’ve loved you from the moment I set eyes on you in freshmen chem.
Jess: Hold me Eric please.
(Eric sits down near Jess and hold her)
Eric: I can’t let you do this.
Jess: You have to.
Eric: No, I’m sorry about Katie but this isn’t right. I need you.
Jess: No you don’t and she doesn’t have anymore time. It’s got to be like this. I’m so sorry.
(Eric stands up)
Eric: If you’re going to do this then Katie needs to know.
Jess: No! You can’t tell her Eric. You can’t tell anyone.
Eric: I gotta go.
Jess: No please Eric, stay. I’m sorry
Eric: Fuck that Jess. Not like this. Not this way. You don’t tell me thath you love me and then tell me you’re going to kill yourself. No. I can’t deal with this. I gotta get out of here. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. This shit aint funny.
(Eric Leaves for the door. Jess gets up off the bed and goes to him picking up an envelope from the desk on the way)
Jess: Eric stop, wait. Please do one thing for me. Give this to my parents after. Please
Eric: Fuck that Jess give it to them yourself. I’m not going to have anything to do with this.
(Jess tries to give him a hug but Eric just walks away and out the door. The door slams and jess with her back against is slides down to the floor. Crying)
posted by Solace at 10:24 AM
1 Comments:
Hey Jason! Overall, I am liking this. The whole premise is a little unlikely, but not so much that it is totally unbelievable, and I think you do well with making the characters and their dialogue real.
However, I would consider toning down the language just slightly. I don't shy away from language, and it can add color when used effectively (which I feel it does here, for the most part). It almost seems like they use the F-bomb just for the sake of using it, sometimes.
That being said, I think you do a good job of making Jess's pain real, like how she thinks she should be the one to be sick. And I like how she's terrified and not trying to be all noble. She's planning on something noble, but she's still scared shitless.
Good play. :)
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