Other Rose (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} akycha) wrote,@ 2003-02-28 17:05:00 |
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Shadowplay: Responsibility and Evil
Cut for excessive length.
[Backstage again. There are some ropes, tumbled props, and a few chairs, along with the inevitable four-legged stools that seem to show up in every backstage space. A-ko and B-ko are stowing flat backdrops, among which are an arched rose window and a set of spiral stairs. A grandfather clock, with a rose on its face, leans drunkenly against one corner.]
A-ko: I think that went incredibly well, didn't it?
B-ko: It was okay.
A-ko: But, I mean, our play, it went really well!
B-ko: Um-hmm.
A-ko: What's the matter? Didn't you hear the applause?
B-ko: What does it matter?
A-ko: What is with you?
B-ko: Maybe I'm tired of playing supporting roles.
A-ko: What do you mean?
B-ko: Maybe I'm tired of always being the confident, knowing one.
A-ko: You're not making any sense!
B-ko: Maybe I'm tired of always taking care of the story!
A-ko: But the story is the important thing!
B-ko: That's rich, coming from the protagonist!
A-ko: But we need you too!
B-ko: Maybe I want to be something more than just needed! [Storms off, stage left.]
[A-ko stares after her in astonishment. After a moment, C-ko and Gir enter, stage right.]
C-ko: Well, that was a success! Hey, where's B-ko?
A-ko: She... she... left.
C-ko: Well, she'll miss the hot tub cast party, then.
Gir: Can we have tacos, too?
C-ko: Of course. Come on, A-ko, she'll probably meet us there.
[Exeunt, followed by a bear.]
[Scene change. B-ko is leaning against a lamp-post, somewhere outside.]
B-ko: It's not fair, it's not fair, I'm tired of carrying the story on my back. When do I get to have doubts? When do I get to have feelings? When do I get to take center stage?
[Silence]
B-ko: And it isn't fair that I have to do all this unsupported; we're not supposed to do monologues. [A little sullenly] I'm not as good at switching hats as C-ko is. Besides, who would listen to this anyway?
[Cricket noises.]
B-ko: I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to always be in the background, changing costumes. But if I don't help, then no one will like me. No one.
[Cricket noises. An owl hoots.]
B-ko: [Thoughtfully] Well, if no one is going to like me anyway, I think I will just be evil.
[With a buzz and a click, the lamp she is leaning against turns on, bathing her in cold yellow light.]
B-ko: If I'm evil, then I never have to take responsibility. I can do whatever I want. I'll never have to step behind anyone else ever again and... what's that noise?
[Cue ominous music-- Track 10.]
B-ko: [Alarmed] What the... I know I've heard that noise before! Running, running around the end of the... But what is it doing here?
[The Car pulls up, with a squeal of brakes.]
[Scene change. A-ko, C-ko, and Gir are all in a hot tub filled with bubbles. A-ko and C-ko have glasses of champagne; Gir has a taco.]
A-ko: It's just not the same without B-ko here!
C-ko: I'm sure she'll show up in a little while.
Gir: Tacos taste better with soap!
C-ko: After all, we're a team, aren't we?
[B-ko enters. A-ko and C-ko turn to look at her.]
A-ko: B-ko! I'm so glad you came!
B-ko: [Leaning on the edge of the hot tub] Are you?
A-ko: Of course we are.
C-ko: [Proffers a glass of champagne to B-ko] Let's have a toast!
Gir: [Raising his glass] To squirrels!
A-ko: [Raising her glass] To friendship!
C-ko: [Raising her glass] To being a team!
B-ko: [Raising her glass] To being evil.
[All laugh and drain their glasses.]
A-ko: B-ko, climb in and join us!
B-ko: [As clothing falls off] I think I will.
Akio's voice, in the distance: I think you have a lot to learn about your... chosen path. [Sound of a car engine.]
B-ko: Don't worry, I'm a fast learner.
C-ko: Who are you talking to?
B-ko: [Steps into hot tub] Oh... just practicing my dialogue skills. Just practicing.
>
Cut for excessive length.
[Backstage again. There are some ropes, tumbled props, and a few chairs, along with the inevitable four-legged stools that seem to show up in every backstage space. A-ko and B-ko are stowing flat backdrops, among which are an arched rose window and a set of spiral stairs. A grandfather clock, with a rose on its face, leans drunkenly against one corner.]
A-ko: I think that went incredibly well, didn't it?
B-ko: It was okay.
A-ko: But, I mean, our play, it went really well!
B-ko: Um-hmm.
A-ko: What's the matter? Didn't you hear the applause?
B-ko: What does it matter?
A-ko: What is with you?
B-ko: Maybe I'm tired of playing supporting roles.
A-ko: What do you mean?
B-ko: Maybe I'm tired of always being the confident, knowing one.
A-ko: You're not making any sense!
B-ko: Maybe I'm tired of always taking care of the story!
A-ko: But the story is the important thing!
B-ko: That's rich, coming from the protagonist!
A-ko: But we need you too!
B-ko: Maybe I want to be something more than just needed! [Storms off, stage left.]
[A-ko stares after her in astonishment. After a moment, C-ko and Gir enter, stage right.]
C-ko: Well, that was a success! Hey, where's B-ko?
A-ko: She... she... left.
C-ko: Well, she'll miss the hot tub cast party, then.
Gir: Can we have tacos, too?
C-ko: Of course. Come on, A-ko, she'll probably meet us there.
[Exeunt, followed by a bear.]
[Scene change. B-ko is leaning against a lamp-post, somewhere outside.]
B-ko: It's not fair, it's not fair, I'm tired of carrying the story on my back. When do I get to have doubts? When do I get to have feelings? When do I get to take center stage?
[Silence]
B-ko: And it isn't fair that I have to do all this unsupported; we're not supposed to do monologues. [A little sullenly] I'm not as good at switching hats as C-ko is. Besides, who would listen to this anyway?
[Cricket noises.]
B-ko: I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to always be in the background, changing costumes. But if I don't help, then no one will like me. No one.
[Cricket noises. An owl hoots.]
B-ko: [Thoughtfully] Well, if no one is going to like me anyway, I think I will just be evil.
[With a buzz and a click, the lamp she is leaning against turns on, bathing her in cold yellow light.]
B-ko: If I'm evil, then I never have to take responsibility. I can do whatever I want. I'll never have to step behind anyone else ever again and... what's that noise?
[Cue ominous music-- Track 10.]
B-ko: [Alarmed] What the... I know I've heard that noise before! Running, running around the end of the... But what is it doing here?
[The Car pulls up, with a squeal of brakes.]
[Scene change. A-ko, C-ko, and Gir are all in a hot tub filled with bubbles. A-ko and C-ko have glasses of champagne; Gir has a taco.]
A-ko: It's just not the same without B-ko here!
C-ko: I'm sure she'll show up in a little while.
Gir: Tacos taste better with soap!
C-ko: After all, we're a team, aren't we?
[B-ko enters. A-ko and C-ko turn to look at her.]
A-ko: B-ko! I'm so glad you came!
B-ko: [Leaning on the edge of the hot tub] Are you?
A-ko: Of course we are.
C-ko: [Proffers a glass of champagne to B-ko] Let's have a toast!
Gir: [Raising his glass] To squirrels!
A-ko: [Raising her glass] To friendship!
C-ko: [Raising her glass] To being a team!
B-ko: [Raising her glass] To being evil.
[All laugh and drain their glasses.]
A-ko: B-ko, climb in and join us!
B-ko: [As clothing falls off] I think I will.
Akio's voice, in the distance: I think you have a lot to learn about your... chosen path. [Sound of a car engine.]
B-ko: Don't worry, I'm a fast learner.
C-ko: Who are you talking to?
B-ko: [Steps into hot tub] Oh... just practicing my dialogue skills. Just practicing.
>
