THUS SPAKE

By Brandon S. Thompson

Original Draft_ January 1st 1999

Rewrite_ September 8th 1999

The play takes place inside a box... The three walls (Back,

right side, left side)can be present if you'd like, but the

necessary to a box is at least four walls, so this fourth

wall will be represented by the proverbial, dramatic fourth

wall. These walls, if chosen to be used, should be entirely

jet black. If there are no walls, there should be a feeling

of general closeness, almost a trapping feeling, despite the

unused space in this "void" we now see. A chair is set CS and

should be the only thing on the set, save a door DSR, with

the word exit printed boldly in white across it. Unless of

course walls are used, then they will take place of the door

as set pieces, however, the door should still be set wall SR.

It's through this door that a man is pushed. He is named

J, merely an unused handle. He is dressed entirely in

white.

Voice of Reason- Welcome. This is your box, the place you

will be spending the next eight units. Please refrain from

smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting. The chair

in the middle of the room has been placed there for your

sitting convenience and pleasure. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated. Thank-you.

(J sits, very abruptly. He looks around for a second or

two. After a still moment he gets up and slowly advances

towards the door, which is now closed)

J- I wonder-

Voice of reason- Please refrain from wondering, smoking,

drinking, running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is

greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

J- Okay.

(He returns, awkwardly, to his chair and sits, confused and

worried. From behind the chair, rising slowly, is BLUE. He

should have been hiding there since the beginning of the

play. S/he is dressed totally in blue, hence the name)

J- I don't like it here.

Blue- Not enough colour.

J- Or contrast.

Blue- Though as far as boxes go-

J- It is a nice one.

Blue- Strange place.

J- Strange surroundings. How did I get here?

Blue- This is not a time to think or question,

just blow with the wind. Just like leaves. Like in our past.

J- Maybe it won't be so bad.

Blue- I think we'll do just fine.

J- In a box?

Blue- Does it matter?

J- Does anything? We'll be okay.

Blue- We always have been.

J- Have we?

Blue- No. But now we're safe.

J- Yes. Safe and warm.

Blue- Not like everywhere else.

J- Not like anywhere else.

Blue- They spat on us there.

J- They hated us.

Blue- Here we can be free.

J- Can we?

Blue- Here we can be who we are. They're all the same.

J- Who is?

Blue- We are.

J- I think I see. We don't have to be what everybody else wants.

Blue- We can be ourself.

J- I wonder who that would be?

Blue- Someone kind.

J- Someone honest.

Blue- Someone compassionate.

J- Someone honourable.

Blue- Someone loving.

J- Someone beautiful.

Blue- Someone smart.

J- Someone like you

Blue- Someone like you.

J- Someone confused.

Blue- No. Someone finally making sense. Here we can. We can

be just like everybody else.

J- Just like me?

Blue- Like everyone else.

J- That sounds good.

Blue- Are we happy now?

J- I think so. Are we?

Blue- Yes. But I think we're hungry.

J- Maybe we're hungry. Maybe.

Blue- It's like it used to be.

J- Is it?

Blue- Does it matter?

(Short Silence)

J- I wonder where we are.

Blue- Someplace small.

J- Seems big to me.

Blue- Someplace spacious?

J- Is that the way is used to be?

Blue- Someplace new.

J- I don't like change.

Blue- No. But it happens. Like it always has. that won't

change.

J- That's something. I wish I was there.

Blue- No. Here is good. It's safe.

J- Yes.

Voice of Reason- The time is twelve noon. It is time for

lunch. Please refrain from not enjoying, wondering, smoking,

drinking, running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is

greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

(Almost immediately four people in black uniforms enter. They

are the MEN OF TRANSITION. Two are carrying a table, another,

a plate, loaded with black slop and at last, a napkin. They

set the table in front of the chair J now resides. The

table has a long black cloth hanging over it, reaching the

floor when picked up. The one with the napkin puts it around

J's neck and the plate is set in front of him. They

force feed him with a spoon as the conversation goes on)

J- Who are these people?

Blue- Friends.

J- Robots.

Blue- Good helpers.

(Beat of silence)

J- Tastes bad.

Blue- Won't always.

J- Toxic.

Blue- It'll help you.

J- Then why does it hurt?

Blue- Does it?

J- No. I don't like this.

Blue- You will get used to it.

J- I don't want to.

Blue- You will.

J- Why?

Blue- This is the only way we'll get to be ourself.

J- Like it used to be?

Blue- Like it used to be.

J- This is strange.

Blue- You need it to live.

J- I'm going to die?

Blue- Not here.

J- Is that like it used to be?

Blue- Does it matter?

Voice of reason- The time is twelve five PM. Lunch time has

discontinued.

(At this the three MEN OF TRANSITION pick up the plate and

table while the fourth wipes J's mouth with the napkin

and then takes it. Then, quickly, they all go. Left behind,

from under the table cloth is RED. A person dressed all in

red, again, hence the name.)

Blue- So

J- So.

Red- So what?

(Silence)

J- So, what am I doing here?

Blue- Living till you die.

Red- Wasting away.

J- Aren't they the same thing?

Blue- Isn't everything?

J- I don't know... Isn't everything?

Blue- Does it matter?

(Again, short silence. RED and BLUE examine each other)

J- Where am I?

Blue- Your favorite place.

J- Is it?

Red- No. I don't like it.

Blue- You know we do.

J- Do I?

Blue- Why wouldn't you?

J- I don't know.

Red- It's empty.

J- So empty.

Red- And lonely.

J- Just like it used to be.

Red- I don't think we like it.

Blue- It's safe.

J- Yes. It's safe.

Blue- We can be ourself here.

J- Yes. Like we used to.

Blue- Like we used to.

Red- Are you happy?

J- Are we?

Red- Here?

Blue- Here.

J- Here.

Voice of reason- The time is three twenty two PM. Uniformity

modifications, stage one.

(Again, instantly, the MEN OF TRANSITION enter. One is

carrying a black shirt. During the following conversation

they proceed to put the new shirt over the white one. The

black shirt is in two pieces. A front and a back. Velcro

holds them together.)

J- What are they doing?

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from asking, not enjoying,

wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

(J disregards the voice, but none-the-less, cautiously,

speaks directly to BLUE)

J- What are they doing?

Blue- Helping you.

J- Do what?

Blue- Become free?

J- Free of what?

Blue- Free of rejection.

J- Free of...

Blue- Insult. Free of pain.

J- There was pain?

Blue- Always.

J- Free of hate?

Blue- Free to be ourself.

J- Free to have it just the way it used to be.

Red- Free of freedom.

J- How so?

Red- Free of yourself.

J- Free of ourself.

Blue- Free of the blame.

Red- No.

J- Free of ourself.

(By this time the MEN OF TRANSITION should be done and on

thier way out)

J- Will we be happy then?

Blue- Yes. Just like everyone else.

J- Just like it used to be.

Blue- So.

J- So.

Red- So what?

(Short Silence)

J- I don't think I like these walls.

Red- You don't.

Blue- You can trust them.

J- They don't lie.

Blue- They can't lie.

J- Then who does?

Blue- No one.

J- There must be someone.

Blue- No. Just us.

J- Beyond these walls?

Red- Beyond those walls.

Blue- Nothing is beyond those walls.

J- Isn't there?

Blue- No.

J- There must be.

Blue- No.

J- Then, why a door?

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from looking at the door,

asking, not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking, running,

yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated. Thank-you.

Red- A door.

Blue- To let you in.

J- To let me in?

Red- To let you out.

Blue- To expose you.

J- To let them tease.

Blue- To let them hurt us.

J- Just like it used to be.

Blue- Here were safe.

J- No troubles.

Blue- No worries.

J- Here we're safe. Just like the way it used to be.

Blue- Just like the way it used to be.

J- Are we happy?

Blue- Yes, we are.

Voice of Reason- The time is ten thirty. It is time for

sleep.

J- Are we tired?

Blue- We must be.

Red- I don't think you to be.

J- I don't?

Red- No.

J- Am I?

Blue- Does it matter?

(Enter the MEN OF TRANSITION. Two carry a small black

board with supports about six inches from the ground. Not very

large. The other two pick J up and put him in it. They

leave)

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from snoring, looking at the

door, asking, not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking,

running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated. Thank-you.

(The lights go out. A second passes)

J- Am I asleep?

Blue- We must be.

J- Do we want to be?

Blue- Yes.

J- Yes. (A beat) It's very black.

Red- Sad.

J- Nullifying.

Red- Inebriating.

J- Unsure.

Red- And unsafe.

J- No choice.

Red- No way.

(The lights flick on)

Voice of Reason- The time is seven thirty. Sleep time has

discontinued. It is time for your shower.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION come in the room again. Two take the

"bed" away. The other two, one of whom is carrying a pair of

two part [Front and back] pants. The two not manning the bed

carry J USR. The two with the bed leave with it. The two

with J put the pants on him. By the time they finish the

two who had the bed should be back with a bucket of water,

although, if black confetti is possible, it would be

preferred. They proceed to dump it on his head. They then

leave with the bucket. J inspects his new outfit)

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from dripping, snoring,

looking at the door, asking, not enjoying, wondering,

smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting. Your

cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

J- Where did they come from?

Red- The door.

J- The door?

Blue- The way they came in.

J- But, they must leave.

Red- They do.

J- Do they?

Blue- Does it matter?

(Moment of Silence)

J- Are we happy now.

Blue- Yes

Voice of Reason- The time is six o' clock PM. It is time for

dinner.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION enter again and follow the same

routine as they had done for lunch. Black table cloth, black

bib... the works. If you can help it, try, also, to get black

food as well. I imagine black jello would work great. The

meal is again force fed to J. RED is slightly upset,

nervy even. BLUE hasn't a problem. The conversation

continues)

Voice of reason- Please refrain from spilling, snoring,

looking at the door, asking, not enjoying, wondering,

smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting. Your

cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

J- Who is the voice.

Blue- The voice of reason.

Red- The scream of oppression.

J- A voice-

Blue- Of safety.

Red- Of regulation.

Blue- The superintendent.

Red- The jail keeper.

Blue- A friend.

Red- A fraud.

J- A feign.

Red- I am ruled-

Blue- There fore I am

J- Just like it used to be.

Blue- Yes. Just what we always wanted.

J- Yes.

Voice of Reason- The time is six ten PM, dinner time has

discontinued.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION pick up everything, stopping to wipe

J's mouth, then they go. very quickly, yet orderly, in

the same arrangement as the first time.)

J- There they leave again.

Blue- They're not safe.

J- Safe like me?

Blue- Safe like us.

J- Harm free.

Blue- Harmless.

J- Where do they go?

Blue- Does it matter?

J- No.

Blue- No.

Voice of Reason- The time is ten thirty two AM. Uniformity

modifications, level two.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION enter with a pair of black sock or

shoes and a pair of black gloves. They either put them on

over what he is already wearing or replace what he had on)

J- Change.

Blue- To be free.

J- To be ourself.

Red- To lose yourself.

Blue- For the better.

J- Like it was

Red- Like they were.

J- Like they are.

Blue- Just like it used to be.

J- Are we happy now?

Blue- Does it matter?

Voice of reason- Please refrain from questioning, spilling,

snoring, looking at the door, asking, not enjoying,

wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

J- Did they do this?

Blue- No. Your not like them.

J- No.

Blue- That's why they mocked us.

J- That's why they abused us.

Blue- that's why they poked.

J- That's why we fought.

Blue- That's why they hate.

J- Am I like them?

Blue- No.

(At this time music comes up, just instrumental, unless

purpose otherwise suggests. It should be danceable, yet, not common place)

J- What's that?

Blue- Wind.

J- And noise.

Blue- And noise.

J- A new noise.

Red- Strange noise.

J- Beautiful noise.

Blue- But still, only noise.

J- No, different then that.

Red- Music.

J- My noise

Red- Our Music.

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from listening, questioning,

spilling, snoring, looking at the door, asking, not enjoying,

wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

J- (Disregarding the voice) Where is it coming from?

Blue- The sky?

J- My mind... Imagination?

Red- Your heart.

J- Will I be safe?

Blue- No. Not outside those walls.

J- There is an outside?

Blue- There has to be. But there they tore.

J- There they humiliated... There they hate.

Blue- Still they hate. Here they don't.

J- Here we're safe.

Blue- Here we can be just like we were.

J- But still, the music...

Red- Calling.

J- Crying. What does it want?

Red- Does it matter?

(Enter now, NORMA,a very pretty girl. She dances in, to the

music. She dances around him , seductive in a way that

suggests no sexuality. More like a taunting call. She should

be wearing in strait colour. Any but black, otherwise it's as

the director deems. Barefoot and carrying a veil or light

handkerchief of the same colour as the rest of her. She

should seem very raw)

J- Who are you?

Blue- One of them.

J- One of them?

Red- One of us.

J- A gift?

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from paying attention to the

girl, listening, questioning, spilling, snoring, looking at

the door, asking, not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking,

running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated. Thank-you.

Blue- No, not a gift.

J- No? Then what?

Blue- One of them.

J- They wanted to destroy me.

Blue- They all do.

J- Her.

Red- Not everyone.

Blue- Not me.

J- Not you?

Blue- I'm here.

J- Yes.

Blue- Your here.

J- But the door...

Blue- Safe.

Red- Controlled.

J- Confused.

Blue- Because your trying to be.

J- Do I want to be confused?

Blue- No. But they want you to be.

J- Just like they used to?

Blue- Just like they used to.

J- We can't have that.

Blue- No.

J- We can't have them destroying us.

Red- Neither can they.

J- I'm confused.

Red- Because your letting yourself be.

J- Who does this?

Blue- They do.

J- They do.

Blue- Do they?

Red- No, you do.

(The music stops abruptly)

Voice of Reason- The time is three forty six AM. It is time

for sleep.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION enter with the "bed" and put J on

it, again. They leave. The lights go out. A beat)

J- Black

Red- Bland.

J- Bleak

Red- To blear.

Blue- To bad.

Voice of reason- Please refrain from not sleeping, paying

attention to the girl, listening, questioning, spilling,

snoring, looking at the door, asking, not enjoying,

wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

(A beat of silence)

J- Not much without the light.

Red- Not much without your hope.

Blue- Nothing without your safety.

J- It's warm.

Blue- It keeps us alive.

Red- And wasting away.

J- And wasting away.

Red- Don't blink.

J- We'll miss the light.

Voice of Reason- The time is nine sixty three PM. Sleep time

is discontinued.

(The lights come up and the MEN OF TRANSITION enter again and

take J out of his bed. They pay no attention to J's'

rambling as they go)

J- Excuse me, I was wondering what is beyond...?

Blue- That isn't a good question.

J- I was just hoping-

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from hoping, not sleeping,

paying attention to the girl, listening, questioning,

spilling, snoring, looking at the door, asking, not enjoying,

wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

Red- Hope is all we have.

J- We have the sounds.

Red- They seem right.

J- Do they?

Red- Yes.

J- Yes. What do they mean?

Red- Hope.

J- happiness?

Red- Freedom.

Blue- Pain.

J It was created by them?

Blue- Music?

J- Music.

Red- Music loves us.

J- Does it?

Blue- It was created by them.

Red- It helps create us.

J- Does it mean-

Blue- Does it matter?

(Enter NORMA, dancing again)

J- A girl?

Red- A way.

J- Does she have the music?

Blue- No

Red- She makes it.

J- Did she come from beyond?

Red- Yes.

Blue- Like one of them?

Red- Like you did.

J- Was I them?

Red- No.

Blue- Do you want to be?

J- Just like it used to be?

Blue- Like it used to be.

J- But, still the girl...

Blue- One of them.

Red- One of us.

J- Did we dance once?

Red/Blue- Yes/No

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from watching, hoping, not

sleeping, paying attention to the girl, listening,

questioning, spilling, snoring, looking at the door, asking,

not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling

and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-

you.

J- Do they all look like her?

Red- Not all.

Blue- Not you.

J- Not us.

Red- Not yet.

(She dances out again. A moment. The music stops)

Voice of Reason- The time is five sixteen AM, it is time for

lunch.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION bring the necessary and bib him. they

begin to feed him)

Red- I don't think we're hungry.

J- No.

(He covers his mouth and the MEN OF TRANSITION fight to get

in)

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from fighting, watching,

hoping, not sleeping, paying attention to the girl,

listening, questioning, spilling, snoring, looking at the

door, asking, not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking,

running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated. Thank-you.

(J uncovers his mouth and they continue to feed him)

Voice of Reason- The time is eight twenty six PM. Lunch has

discontinued.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION exit with all of their things)

J- I don't like the taste.

Red- Never will

J- No.

Red- No.

J- Where do we go from here?

Red- Don't know?

J- Don't know. There was a woman.

Red- There was a woman.

J- And strange noise.

Blue- Bad noise.

J- Is it?

Blue- It can't be good.

J- it makes me feel good.

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from feeling, fighting,

watching, hoping, not sleeping, paying attention to the girl,

listening, questioning, spilling, snoring, looking at the

door, asking, not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking,

running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly

appreciated. Thank-you.

J- Do we belong?

Blue- No.

J- Just like it always was?

Red- Just like it always will be.

J- Too bad.

Red- No.

J- No?

Red- They will never be like you.

Blue- You want them to be.

J- Do I?

Blue- You must.

J- Will that be the way it used to be?

Red- Yes.

J- I see.

Voice of Reason- The time is two nineteen. It is time for

sleep.

(Again the MEN OF TRANSITION come in with the bed and again,

they set him on it)

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from dreaming, feeling,

fighting, watching, hoping, not sleeping, paying attention to

the girl, listening, questioning, spilling, snoring, looking

at the door, asking, not enjoying, wondering, smoking,

drinking, running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is

greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

(The MEN OF TRANSITION throw a mask [lacking eye holes, but

still containing a moth hole] over his head. Black of

course. Now he should be totally engulfed in black. The lights

go out as the MEN OF TRANSITION leave)

J- Black again.

Red- Yes.

J- Am I awake now?

Red- We must be.

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from waking, dreaming,

feeling, fighting, watching, hoping, not sleeping, paying

attention to the girl, listening, questioning, spilling,

snoring, looking at the door, asking, not enjoying,

wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

(A beat)

Voice of Reason- The time is now four twelve AM, sleep time has now

discontinued.

(The lights come on and the MEN OF TRANSITION re-enter. They

take him out of the bed. They leave. Almost instantly the

music starts up again)

J- The music.

Red- Yes.

J- I almost forgot.

Blue- Out of sight-

J- Into mind.

Red- Yes.

J- Something is missing.

Red- A change of heart?

J- A heart of change.

Red- The way it never was.

J- Yes. The way it always will be.

(Enter NORMA, dancing as she did before)

Red- A girl?

J- Yes. Does she dance?

Red- Yes.

J- The music is all I can hear... and barely.

Red- The music loves us.

J- Does she?

Voice of reason- Please refrain form loving, waking,

dreaming, feeling, fighting, watching, hoping, not sleeping,

paying attention to the girl, listening, questioning,

spilling, snoring, looking at the door, asking, not enjoying,

wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling and spitting.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

(NORMA touches J's masked face. He perks up a little, now

paying attention. She dances around him and he tries to

follow her. Alas, he cannot. Stumbling, he removes the mask

and begins to follow her. He tries to brush her face, but the

gloves numb his touch. He tears them off and touches her face

again. She leaves, calling with her actions)

ENDING ONE

J- I think I would like to follow her.

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from thinking, loving,

waking, dreaming, feeling, fighting, watching, hoping, not

sleeping, paying attention to the girl, listening,

questioning, spilling, snoring, looking at the door, asking,

not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling

and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-

you.

J- I want to follow her.

Red- Yes.

Blue- Into the fear?

J- Into the hate.

Blue- Into the betrayal.

J- Into the bruises.

Blue- Back into self despisal.

J- Back into the rage.

Blue- Back to the way it used to be.

Red- Back to yourself

J- Yes

Red- Yes

(J begins to leave. BLUE tries to pull him back by the

pants and shirt. They tear away. J turns to RED before

going)

J- Will I be happy that way?

Red- Yes.

J- Back to myself

Red- I wonder who that would be?

J- I don't know, but I need to find out.

(He begins leave slowly. As he is leaving, the lights go

down, also slowly, and the VOICE OF REASON says the

following. The lights should be down and the curtain closing

by "Your Cooperation" and it should be just finishing at

"Thank_you")

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from finding yourself, being

happy, leaving, thinking, loving, waking, dreaming, feeling,

fighting, watching, hoping, not sleeping, paying attention to

the girl, listening, questioning, spilling, snoring, looking

at the door, asking, not enjoying, wondering, smoking,

drinking, running, yelling and spitting. Your cooperation is

greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

END

ENDING TWO

J- I think I would like to follow her.

Voice of Reason- Please refrain from thinking, loving,

waking, dreaming, feeling, fighting, watching, hoping, not

sleeping, paying attention to the girl, listening,

questioning, spilling, snoring, looking at the door, asking,

not enjoying, wondering, smoking, drinking, running, yelling

and spitting. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank-

you.

J- I want to follow her.

Red- Yes.

Blue- Into the fear?

(J walks over to the chair and picks it up.)

J- Into the hate.

(He advances towards the door. By the time they are finished,

he should be at the door)

Blue- Back into the self despisal.

J- Back into the rage.

Blue- Back where they tore.

J- Back where they spit

Blue- Back where they hurt.

J- Back when we cried.

Blue- Back to the cold.

J- But... Who am I?

Blue- You don't know?

J- Not them.

(J is now at the door. He closes it)

Blue- Not them

J- Not... them.

(He blocks the door off with the chair)

J- Am I happy now?

Blue- Does it matter?

J- Does anything?

Blue- I don't think so.

J- This is not the time to think, or question. Just blow

with the wind. Just like leaves. The way it used to be. The

way it's going to be. Just like in our future.

END