The Sum of Two and Two - 1. Story

THE SUM OF TWO AND TWO

Before you read this short play in two acts, it is crucial for you to understand that this play has no plot. Why? It is an absurdist play. To be precise, it is the theatre of the absurd.

(Theatre of the Absurd: Plays stressing on the illogical aspects of modern life, usually to show that modern life is pointless.)

However, to think that there is no meaning in this play is shallow. This play is like a picture. You analyze the picture by reading the characters’ actions, language and dialogue. Everything in it is either symbolic or representative, so do not take what they say or do too literally.

Theatre of the absurd goes against any convention of real life, and throws logic out the window.

This is my first attempt at writing an absurdist play (I probably won’t write something like this again because I’m a realist, not an absurdist) and it is an individual scriptwriting experiment for my English Drama module. If you read it to the end, you’ll know why it ties with this Anthology theme.

Cheers and happy interpreting!

Jovian

 

The Sum of Two and Two

 

2009 Jovian W.

 

ACT 1

 

INT. DARK ROOM - DAY

 

Gray light.

Windowless interior.

Front right, a metal desk and wooden seat, diagonally facing down to wooden table to the left. Richie Poorman, in his dirty white shirt, stands on his wooden seat.

Front left, a wooden desk and a metal seat. Sandra Sly, donned in a wedding gown - without the veil, fixes her gaze on the green apple and unknown solution in a clear bottle on her table.

Back center, a blackboard with the question two plus two is written. There is nothing beside the equals sign. (2+2=)

Back right, a bright, open exit to the far right of Richie's seat.

 

Brief tableau.

 

Richie scratches his head and sighs. He looks at the blackboard. He turns to look at Sandra, who diverts her gaze to the green apple on her table. He opens his mouth and mutters something. He closes his mouth. He gets off from his seat and pulls his seat closer to the blackboard. He stands on his seat again. He picks up a chalk and smells it. He turns to look at Sandra again. Sandra giggles. Richie lowers his head, places the chalk down, and steps down from the seat. He pulls his seat back to his desk. He takes four steps towards the entrance, mutters something inaudible and returns to his seat. He climbs on his seat and stands on it.

 

SANDRA

(Pick up the apple on the table and take a bite)

The sweetness, the goodness. (Cringe.) The sour, the rotten. (Swallowing it uncomfortably.) What am I to do? It goes and goes in my head. I can't tell what it is. It is there. The sharpness and the goodness of it, blended together into one. But the taste. (Shaking her head.) It tasted sweet. (Pause.) Yet, sour. (Pause.) I can't tell. But I must go. I must leave, (Delicately.) my time is about to start. A new beginning, a new life. (Pause.) But what about you, young man? Have you no place to go?

 

RICHIE

(Lowering his head.)

No ma'am.

 

SANDRA

(Frowning.)

You look familiar. Have I seen you before?

 

RICHIE

No ma'am.

 

SANDRA

(Frowning again.)

Aren't your parents worried about you?

 

RICHIE

No ma'am.

 

SANDRA

(Pondering.)

You can tell. (Pause and gaze at the blackboard.) You smart fellow. Your mother must be a horrible person. Are your folks' feelings easily unearthed?

 

RICHIE

I don't know ma'am. (He gets off his seat. He lifts his seat and scan the floor briefly.) I found a nickel, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

Boy, why do you keep calling me ma'am? I'm not married. I'm still here, locked in this room. (Gaze at the open entrance.) I have no where to go. (Pause.) But I have to go. He's waiting for me. Or rather, I'm waiting for him. I can't tell. It's all too confusing.

 

RICHIE

(Get up, climb up onto his seat and stand.)

Who?

 

SANDRA

(Irritably)

That man! That serpent! Sweet gentle serpent! Oh when he tempted Eve with that apple! How cunning that was of it! She took a bite, didn't she?

 

RICHIE

Maybe.

 

SANDRA

Dear God, sonny boy, do you ever read the bible?

 

RICHIE

(Shaking)

Yes, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

You must have known whether that girl ate the apple. Did she or didn't she? (Pause.) She did, right? She must have. We're all vulnerable to its temptation, are we not? (Pause.) You tell me, boy, what is the meaning of this... this... (Gesture to her wedding gown.)

 

RICHIE

Whiteness, ma'am. It's a dress. White as a ghost.

 

SANDRA

(Proudly.)

Ha! The chains of its shame. I'm bounded to this miserable whiteness.

 

RICHIE

(Lower his head. He turns to the blackboard.)

What is it, ma'am?

 

Sandra goes to the blackboard and erases the equation with her white gown. She takes the chalk up and rewrites the same number and equation, but she does not write the answer.

 

SANDRA

You tell me.

 

RICHIE

(Calculate on his hand.)

I don't know, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

Good point. (Pause.) Is there an answer to it? (She gaze at her wedding dress.)

 

RICHIE

I think so.

 

SANDRA

(After reflection.) What time is it? Maybe the answer is there.

 

RICHIE

I don't have a watch, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

Good. Good. That's more than excellent. Now I don't have to know what time the (She looks at her gown.)... thing... begins. (Pause.) But, on the other hand, it's cosy in here, do you think not?

 

RICHIE

(Get off his seat and approach Sandra. He embraces her.)

It's cosy in here. I don't want to go. I never want to leave. You're here, and that's good enough for me.

 

SANDRA

I'm here. Ha! (She ruffles Richie's hair.) So tell me sonny, what are you doing in here?

 

RICHIE

(Plaintively)

Thinking. Just thinking. Thinking...

 

SANDRA

(Smile.)

Let's think together. (Long pause.) Have you thought of anything?

 

RICHIE

Time flies, ma'am. Will we be sitting here like this forever?

 

SANDRA

Ha! I'll die to live forever.

 

RICHIE

(Take four steps back to his seat and stand on it.)

Then I'll stay here ma'am.

 

SANDRA

(Panicked tone.)

Wait! No, no, don't go. Stay. Stay here with me. Mope with me. (Pause) Wait with me.

 

RICHIE

I am here.

 

SANDRA

(Irritably.)

Course you are, boy! But I want you here! By my side. (Pause) Please, you wretched creature! (Swallow) Boy, please.

 

RICHIE

(Reluctantly.)

I will when I want to, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

You men are all serpents.

 

RICHIE

(Look at his pants, his shoes, his shirt and ponder.)

You're like my mother.

 

SANDRA

Go home, boy. I want to be alone.

 

RICHIE

But I was here first, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

(Violently.)

Your parents are worried sick. Now go!

 

RICHIE

My father is dead, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

Ha! (Pause and look at her gown. She questions the boy pensively.) When?

 

RICHIE

I don't know, ma'am. He didn't tell me. Should I ask him?

 

SANDRA

(Rolling her eyes.)

How do you ask someone who is dead questions? Use your brain!

 

RICHIE

(Lowering his gaze. He slowly lifts his head and stare into Sandra's eyes)

What is a brain, ma'am?

 

SANDRA

For the love of... (Pause.) Good question. Do you ever use it?

 

RICHIE

How do I know, ma'am, when I have never used it.

 

SANDRA

Right, right. It's a shame isn't it? Left to waste. Such refined matter. Left to waste. It's limited, you know?

 

RICHIE

(Biting his lips.)

What is it?

 

SANDRA

(Gaze at the question on the blackboard. She approaches the blackboard, wipes the equation with her gown, and rewrites the numbers without the answer again.)

You know, it's only temporary. We should make good use of our time now. What do you say boy, shall we go?

 

RICHIE

Go where?

 

SANDRA

You're right. If we go, he'll see me. If we don't, he'll come look for me. I'll wait here. Good, good. (She picks up the apple and takes another bite) Sweet, but rotten. (She swallows uncomfortably) I must go. Even if it's hard, I have to carry on. It's too hard for me to sit here. (She exits the stage for a brief moment and returns.) Maybe I should wait. (She exits the stage again and returns again.) There you are! I thought I would be lost in the maze of the hallway.

 

RICHIE

(Stare at the blackboard.)

What maze?

 

SANDRA

The maze, you know... maze... hallway... Like your bloody mind which cannot think. It gets as confusing as that. Then you ask yourself, where is the exit? I don't see an exit. There isn't an exit. It's right in front of you. You just need to (Gesturing and emphasizing each word.) open your eyes wide. (Pause.) Just see that there is an exit right in front of you. (Pause.) Open that damn door and step out. It's as easy as that.

 

RICHIE

I'll give you a penny everytime you say that.

 

SANDRA

Ha. A penny. What are you, my mother?

 

Silence. A long, awkward silence.

 

RICHIE

I thought you're going?

 

SANDRA

I can't find that damn exit.

 

RICHIE

(Frowning.)

That's the only exit. You're standing right on it.

 

Sandra takes a step towards the blackboard. She ponders before lifting the chalk. Next to the equals sign, she sketches a simple picture of a staircase, four steps, to be precise.

 

SANDRA

That's the answer that I'm looking for. Climbing the stairs, but I don't see the stairs outside. Use your brain, Sandra! Use it! How are you going to taste your cake or try on that diamond ring if you don't see an exit to this bloody place. (Pause.) How on earth did I get here anyways?

 

RICHIE

What about me?

 

SANDRA

Oh you monkey. You're like all the other monkeys. You're here because you're a monkey placed under detention.

 

RICHIE

How do you know?

 

SANDRA

I don't. I'm assuming. (Pause.) I'm making an ass out of you and me, aren't I. Your mother must be worried sick about you young man.

 

RICHIE

(After reflecton)

I'm waiting for her to come. She said she'll come. That's what I think she said before she ran away.

 

SANDRA

She ran away? (Pause.) My goodness, what an irresponsible mother, is she not?

 

RICHIE

I can't judge her. She said she'll be coming. But for now, I'm sitting here, trying to think.

 

SANDRA

Right. Right. (She erases the drawing on the chalkboard with her gown and gazes at the question.) Two and two. The answer is easy!

 

RICHIE

Really?

 

SANDRA

Yes! Use your head!

 

RICHIE

Really? Why don't I know?

 

SANDRA

It's very easy! You need to train your mind! The mind is a very delicate thing. We shan't put it to waste. It is the storage for our hopes, our desires. Your ambition rests with it. The world revolves around it. (Pause to wonder if it makes sense.) Everything... revolves around your brain. Your brain... it stores information... (Pause.) Your brain, it should remember. (Violently.) Damn it! I should remember how the hell I got into this room.

 

RICHIE

What is the answer?

 

Long silence. Sandra scratches her head and giggled.

 

SANDRA

What is the answer, you tell me.

 

RICHIE

(Calculating in his hand.)

I don't know, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

Doesn't your mother teach you anything?

 

RICHIE

No. She -

 

SANDRA

(Cut in.)

Right, right. Thank God I'm not your mother or I would have hammered you to death. You hear me, boy?

 

RICHIE

(Swallowing.)

Why would you hit me?

 

SANDRA

(Exasperated.)_

Because I can't find that damn exit. God doesn't want me to find it.

 

RICHIE

How do you know?

 

SANDRA

Because I do.

 

RICHIE

How?

 

SANDRA

(Agitatedly.)

You ask too many questions, boy. (Pause) Maybe we should pray so that He'll tell us where that exit is. Let's pray. (She claspes her hands together.) Our father who art in Heaven.... (Pause.)... hallowed be thy name... Thy kingdom comes, and... (Pause.)... Amen. (She opens her eyes.) Least I remember those verses, amen to that.

 

RICHIE

God have mercy on us both.

 

Silence.

 

SANDRA

You mind telling me why you're standing instead of sitting on your seat?

 

RICHIE

(Lowering his head and scanning his dirty shoes, pants and shirt.)

I don't sit.

 

SANDRA

Good lord, has your mother abused you that much?

 

RICHIE

No ma'am, but -

 

SANDRA

(Cut in.)

Lord have mercy on her damned soul. Now why don't you go ahead and take a seat while I go look for that exit?

 

RICHIE

(Gesture to the door.)

That's the exit, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

(Furiously.)

I know! You don't have to say it. (She walks out of the room for a brief moment and returns.) Where am I?

 

RICHIE

You're still here.

 

SANDRA

There you are! I'm so glad I'm back with you again! (She scoops him to her embrace.) I'm so lost without you.

 

RICHIE

Really?

 

Silence.

 

SANDRA

Now just wait a minute. Why am I back here again? I should be going.

 

RICHIE

Maybe you're like me. You're waiting for something or someone, but you just don't know it.

 

SANDRA

(Pondering.)

You're right. But what could I be possibly waiting for? I know that he is waiting for me out there. He's slithering into the altar as we speak. What if he doesn't find me? I must leave. (She stands still.) Then again, you're right. (She approaches the metal seat and rests on it.)

 

RICHIE

Now, will you teach me?

 

SANDRA

Teach you what?

 

RICHIE

(Pointing to the chalkboard.)

That.

 

SANDRA

I'm tired. I need to go to sleep. It's (gaze at the bright light outside) about night soon. If I don't sleep, time will not pass. I'll be sitting here, bored out of my mind with you. And you, get off that seat and sit on it or I'll make you get off. (Pause.) Just the sight of you standing on your seat is making me sick to my stomach. Oh I remember the time when my ex-husband did that. He'd tell me to remain standing. And for what? Just to please him? Was there a reason? (Think pensively.) He was a sadist. I was submissive. Role of a woman, ha! He wanted to feed off my misery so he could be stronger. More lustful, to be precise. Oh he would love to see me -

 

RICHIE

(Snap.)

Stop!

 

SANDRA

(Frown briefly. Then, sneer.)

Oh, I forgot you're a kid.

 

RICHIE

You should learn how to talk like a woman. It's not right.

 

SANDRA

You're conforming to society way too easily. I like being myself, who I am, without people's opinion. You're a boy, you don't know much about anything or me. So, don't say anything about what you don't know. Stick to what you know.

 

RICHIE

But this is what I know. I know that you complain too much.

 

SANDRA

(Mouth agape and smile.)

Well, thank you for your kind opinion. I'll take that into consideration after I'm done sleeping here. (She does not close her eyes. She gazes at the chalkboard and rises from her seat.)

 

RICHIE

I thought you were going to sleep?

 

SANDRA

I thought I did. (She returns to her seat and grumbles loudly.) Go to sleep, Sandra. It will all be over in the morning. (She closes her eyes.) This is my escape...

 

RICHIE

(Pensively.)

I remember what pups used to say. Treat a lady with the utmost respect. (Pause) or I'll cut your throat and feed you to the dogs. (Swallow) But he is the most gentlest person I know in my life. I love my pups. I hate him, but I love him... I love him much to hate him the more... (Ponder.) The coffin. I remember the coffin. Mum never showed up at his funeral either. Pups was right. Mum was - what was that s word he used - but she was that. (He takes a look at a sleeping Sandra.) Boy, what a lady she is. The exit is right in front of her, and she can't see it. I'll show her. I'll find the exit for her. (He gets off his seat. He goes to the light at the exit. He returns.) Maybe it's not time yet. Maybe... it's not our time to exit. Yes. That must be the reason why. We're here to do something. (Pause.) What's your name? (Sandra does not reply. He pretends to be her. He gets off his seat.) Hi. What is your name? (He returns to his seat.) I'm Richie. Nice to meet you ma'am. (He gets off his seat again) It's a pleasure to meet you too boy. Tell me, where is the exit? (He returns to his seat) Is it not visible? Is it not time to leave? (He gets off his seat) Well, I'll just spend my time quietly here with you. (Pause) That's not what she would say. Let's try this again. In a different way. (He returns to his seat) Hi, ma'am, it's a pleasure to meet you. (He gets off his seat) Boy if you don't shut up, I'll make you shut up. (He gasps at his own speech.)

 

SANDRA

(Sneering.)

You got that right.

 

RICHIE

You're listening to me?

 

SANDRA

Because you're loud. Louder than the voice that keeps cooing me to go to sleep. It's hammering my temples. Oh, I feel it now. And if you don't shut up... (she opens her eyes and scans the room.) Great, I'm awake.

 

RICHIE

You are?

 

SANDRA

(Rises from her seat and proceeds to the chalkboard. She wipes the numbers off. She pauses for a while. Then, shaking her head, she writes it again.)

What is it? Why can't I remember? (She returns to her seat and opens the lid to the bottle.) What is this?

 

RICHIE

I don't know, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

(Sniffing.)

It smells. (Sniff again.) It doesn't smell. (Sniff again.) What is it?

 

RICHIE

I don't know.

 

SANDRA

Should I drink it?

 

RICHIE

Are you willing to risk it? (He gets off his seat, lifts his seat, and retrieves the nickel) Look here, at the nickel. If it's heads, you can drink it. If it's tails, you don't.

 

SANDRA

Flip it.

 

RICHIE

(Flipping the coin.)

Tails.

 

SANDRA

Well, consider me lucky.

 

RICHIE

(Put the nickel in his pocket.)

Lucky?

 

SANDRA

That I didn't get to drink it. What if it's poisonous? You expect me to die here?

 

RICHIE

(Chewing on his lips)

I don't think it's possible.

 

SANDRA

(Lifting her metal seat. She places it near the boy.)

You'll love to see me die so you can steal my gown, right?

 

RICHIE

We should switch roles. I think I'm more mature than you.

 

SANDRA

(Laughing heartily.)

I'm old enough to be your mother. Speaking of which, where in the world is your mother?

 

RICHIE

(Gazing at the exit.)

She's not here yet.

 

SANDRA

I can tell boy. You taking me for being blind? (She gets up from her seat.) I'm going to find that exit. And I'm not coming back, so you can sit here and hold your tongue, young man! (She heads for the exit.)

 

RICHIE

(Sitting on the metal seat instead of his wooden seat.)

It feels cool here. (Sit on the wooden seat.) It's warm here. (Eyes widened) Oh no! I've been sitting on the devil's seat for a long time! No wonder I can't sit on my seat! It's warm... too warm... too simple... and too warm! (Stands on the wooden seat.)

 

Sandra appears again. This time, her wedding gown is torn. She is crying.

 

SANDRA

There you are again! (She embraces him.) I had the most horrible dream! I dreamt that I was in a room with a chalkboard and this kid, who looks exactly like you. (She scans the room slowly.) I'm still in my dreams, aren't I?

 

RICHIE

I don't know. You're in my world, that's for sure.

 

SANDRA

Good. I'm not dreaming.

 

RICHIE

(Pause.)

What happened?

 

SANDRA

(Scans the room slowly and pensively.)

Wait. I must be dreaming. How can I not be dreaming, but am dreaming at the same time that in my dreams I am dreaming about this boy who can see me dreaming about my dreams which is nothing but dreams and dreams are meant to be dreams but dreams are nothing more than clouds, fantasy and dreams and such dreams are not meant to come true, but is theoretically true because God is not a dream and He doesn't bestow us the ability to dream because he would much rather creating dreams for us.

 

RICHIE

I wish I know what you're trying to say.

 

SANDRA

Tell me boy, what are you doing here?

 

RICHIE

I've told you. I'm waiting for my mother.

 

SANDRA

Well, when is she going to come? Where is she? Maybe she'll help us out.

 

RICHIE

(Shrugging.)

If I know, I wouldn't be waiting here ma'am.

 

SANDRA

And leave me alone? Why you heartless beast.

 

RICHIE

(Taking his shoes off.)

Maybe this will work.

 

SANDRA

Yes. Your stink will kill us both. (Pause.) But that's a great idea. (She takes off her slippers.)

 

RICHIE

(Sniff)

Thank God I didn't get my genes from you.

 

SANDRA

(Closing her eyes.)

Are we dead?

 

RICHIE

If you're asking a kid, you must be breathing.

 

SANDRA

Well, my gown is torn and tattered. Maybe we're in Heaven. Are we not?

 

RICHIE

(Sigh.)

If you consider this Heaven at all.

 

SANDRA

(As though she has just experienced an enlightenment.)

I don't know. I remember. But I don't know. (Pause. She lifts a finger.) Ah, yes. I remember. It was...

 

Sandra rises from her seat and paces about with delicate and deliberate steps around the room. Every time she passes by the door, she lifts a finger under the light. When she steps away from it, she slouches. She returns to the wooden desk and lifts the bottle of liquid. She glances at the half-eaten apple on her table.

 

SANDRA

Someone left a mess here.

 

RICHIE

It was you.

 

SANDRA

Me? Now why would I do such a thing?

 

RICHIE

(Pause.)

Because you're stubborn. You think the world revolves around you.

 

SANDRA

(Pause.)

Nicely put. Where's your mother? I want to tell her what an oaf for son she has. (Pause.) Why am I here?

 

RICHIE

(After reflection.)

I don't know.

 

SANDRA

How did I get here?

 

RICHIE

From the door you just came in, ma'am. (Pause.) I got in from that same door.

 

SANDRA

Then why isn't there an exit?

 

RICHIE

There is an exit. (Pause.) Maybe we're blinded by the light.

 

SANDRA

The light! That's what it is! (Stares hard at the bottle.) We should blind ourselves.

 

RICHIE

I think we're already blind not to know where the exit is.

 

SANDRA

(Pause. She ponders and nods.)

Yes, you're right. Who knows, but if we're blind, we might get to see Jesus.

 

Silence. Richie breaks into a momentary laugh.

 

RICHIE

(Controlling laughter)

Yes? We might be holy.

 

SANDRA

You're right! Think about it. Wasn't it the three blind men who visited Mary when she gave birth to Jesus?

 

Silence. Long, awakard silence.

 

RICHIE

I have to consult the bible.

 

SANDRA

(Proudly.)

Then I'm right. Cheers to that. (Lift the bottle to her lips.)

 

RICHIE

Stop! You really want to drink to that?

 

SANDRA

(Gasp.)

You monster! If you hadn't stopped me, I would have been death. And if I'm dead, he will not come and see me. He wouldn't know I'm dead!

 

Silence. Sandra puts the bottle away and pause.

 

RICHIE

Who he?

 

SANDRA

He. The snake in the grass. The one which slithers and gives you an apple to eat.

 

RICHIE

(Mouth agape.)

My dad was a snake in the grass? (Pause.) He gave me lots of apples to eat. We only had apples. He must be Satan!

 

SANDRA

At least I know where he gets your genes from. Well, but whoever left this apple here (Takes a bite.) must be (Takes another bite.) really sinful.

 

RICHIE

(Place his finger to his chin.)

Why are you eating the apple but not drinking the water from the bottle?

 

SANDRA

(Rolling her eyes.)

Are you silly? The apple is at least safe! Not like the water. I'm not a science expert. You do the math. (She gazes at the chalkboard.) There you do that math and figure out the answer. Two and two can play this game. (Pause.)

 

Silence. Sandra taps the bottle against her lips. She rises from the floor and paces around the room, taking four steps intermittently. She stares at the blackboard, lifts a chalk, and writes the number two as the answer to the equation. Pause. She erases the answer with her wedding gown, places the chalk down, and returns to her metal seat. Long silence. She takes another bite from her apple. After chewing, she swallows it uncomfortably. She stares at Richie, who remains standing on his seat.

 

SANDRA

Will you sit? Your posture is starting to annoy me. It's sending chills up my bloody back.

 

RICHIE

I can't, ma'am.

 

SANDRA

And why not, boy?

 

RICHIE

(After reflection.)

Because only the devil sits, ma'am. I'm going to stand on the right hand of God.

 

SANDRA

Well, two can play that. I'll stand on His left. (Pause). Boy, you get off that seat, or I'll make you get off! Let me stand on His right. I'm the adult here.

 

Silence. Richie scratches his head. Sandra frowns and gazes at the floor.

 

RICHIE

You think it's worth it? Me waiting for my mother, here?

 

SANDRA

(Sniff.)

Have you taken a shower?

 

RICHIE

Have you taken a bath?

 

SANDRA

(Ponder. Lift the bottle.)

Should we shower with this?

 

RICHIE

I love to see you try.

 

Silence. Sandra picks the bottle up, opens the lid and smells the content in the bottle. She places it on the table carefully. Brief silence. She falls onto the floor and weeps.

 

SANDRA

(Lower her head and run her fingers through her tattered wedding gown.)

My wedding gown feels like a straitjacket. It binds my movement. (Pause.) I want to move, but I can't. I feel thirsty. I want to drink. But... my movements bind me. This, dress, binds me. It's white, white as a dove. Yet, it fetters my hands and feet with its silk wings. I feel too loved, that I can't move.

 

RICHIE

(Pause. Fish out the nickel from his pocket and flip the coin.)

Tails, again. (Pause.) How old were you when you left your parents?

 

SANDRA

Oh, I was like the kookaburra.

 

RICHIE

(Frown.)

The Kookaburra?

 

Silence.

 

SANDRA

Do you have a piece of rope?

 

RICHIE

No.

 

SANDRA

You're going to stay here, aren't you?

 

RICHIE

I'll wait.

 

SANDRA

Well, goodbye.

 

Sandra remains seated on the floor.

 

End of Act 1.

 

ACT 2

 

INT. DARK ROOM - NIGHT

 

Gray light.

Windowless interior.

Front right, a metal desk and aluminium seat, diagonally facing down to metal table to the left. An old Sandra, in her tattered, dirty, white straitjacket, sits on her metal seat.

Front left, a metal desk and a metal seat. A teenage boy, donned in tuxedo, fixes his gaze on the red apple and beverage can, which has the word diet written on it, on the table.

Back center, a whiteboard with the question two plus two is written. There is a question mark beside the equal sign. (2+2=?)

Back right, a closed exit to the far right of Sandra's seat.

 

Richie rises from his seat. He takes four steps towards the whiteboard and stares at the question. Then, taking the whiteboard marker, he underscores the question mark. Then, he takes four steps towards Sandra and loosen her straightjacket. He embraces her.

 

SANDRA

You look too familiar.

 

RICHIE

(Stroking her hair.)

I'm here. I've been here all these while.

 

SANDRA

(Groggily.)

You look... different?

 

RICHIE

You were dreaming.

 

SANDRA

(Frown.)

I was? I was asleep? When? (Pause.) The light! I saw the light! We're saved! Saved from this hellhole! Quick! Bring me close to the light!

 

RICHIE

(Scowling as he slowly scans the room.)

There is no light.

 

SANDRA

But if I can see you, does not that mean I'm looking at you under a source of light?

 

RICHIE

(Place his finger on his chin.)

Darkness. We've been in this darkness for a long, long time. Time. (Pause. He gaze at the ceiling.) I can't tell. It's only through the wrinkles on your skin can I really tell that time has passed.

 

SANDRA

Will you get me off of this thing?

 

RICHIE

(Shaking his head.)

I can't. If he comes, and you're free, I'm dead.

 

SANDRA

Who he?

 

RICHIE

The snake in the grass! The serpent! The one who controls your life and makes a living nightmare out of it without you knowing. (Pause.) But I know he's going to leave me. I thank God for that. (Pause.) Yet, I don't want him to leave me. He has left a mark in my heart. I just can't shake it off. He was amazing, yet, brutal. (Pause and reflect on what he has just said.) I think, I'm going to go. (Pause.) But I can't when he's coming.

 

SANDRA

Well, feed me. You're going to let an old woman starve to death in here! (Pause. Then, pensively.) Aren't you?

 

RICHIE

(Shake his head.)

It's not time yet.

 

SANDRA

Not time? What on earth are you talking about? There's always time for food, for death, for work, for play, for sex.

 

RICHIE

(Take four step back to his seat.)

I won't argue with you today.

 

SANDRA

(Gaze at his tuxedo.)

Who got you that?

 

RICHIE

Him. (Cringe. Then, Violently.)That serpent! Why do you want to know? You should just stick to what you know. I'm the adult here. (Pause.) You're the adult too. (Pause. He takes a sweeping glance at the closed door and her straightjacket.) But I'm not in that suit.

 

SANDRA

(Mutter to herself.)

Thank God I'm not in that suit. (Pause. Then, loudly.) Bring me some water. I'm thirsty.

 

Richie complies and heads to the table and grabs the beverage can. He pulls the stay-tab. A brief sizzle.

 

SANDRA

What on earth are you giving me?

 

RICHIE

A drink. It's good. (Pause.) Maybe.

 

SANDRA

A drink that sizzles? Sizzle like it's being burnt in hell fire? (Long pause. Sighing, Sandra smiles.) Do it again.

 

RICHIE

I can't it's opened.

 

Silence.

 

SANDRA

My how time flies. One minute there's a bottle of water. Now... (Look pensively at the can.) this? Everything's changed in a blink of an eye. (Pondering.) When you wake up one morning, for the first three seconds of that instance, you feel as if God is lifting your soul up towards him, but when reality strikes you on the head... you realize, you're back in this hellhole. (Pause.) Hit me on the head.

 

RICHIE

I can't.

 

SANDRA

Why not?

 

RICHIE

Because you're half out of your mind.

 

SANDRA

(Violently.) Well, then. (Pause.) Where's the bottle?

 

RICHIE

Of what?

 

SANDRA

You know, the bottle. The liquid. (Pause.) Are you taking me as some blabbering fool? I want my water. Now.

 

RICHIE

(Placing the can near her lips.)

Here.

 

SANDRA

(Violently)

Not this! You stupid fool! (Shaking her head.) The one... the one that will make me blind. Or, kill me. If you hadn't flipped that damn nickel, I would have seen Jesus a long time ago. (Pause.) Who knows, I might come back and report on his appearance.

 

Silence. Long, awkward silence.

 

RICHIE

(Pause. After a long reflection.)

Shall we go hang ourselves then?

 

SANDRA

Splendid. (Pause.) But what about my jacket? I need it off.

 

RICHIE

I don't know how to pull it off.

 

SANDRA

Well! Use your head!

 

RICHIE

Don't you mean brain?

 

SANDRA

What's a brain?

 

Silence. Long, awkward silence.

 

RICHIE

A brain. You know. In your head.

 

SANDRA

(After reflection.)

Ah! The one intelligent people use. People like us. We think and we think, but what do we yield? (Pause.) Where's your mother?

 

RICHIE

(Lowering his head.)

She's not here yet.

 

Richie takes four steps towards the exit. He places his hand on the handle of the door, but hesitates to open. He takes four big steps towards his seat, takes another four big steps towards Sandra and places his seat next to her. He takes a seat.

 

RICHIE

Are you happy?

 

SANDRA

Yes, I'm happy.(Pause.) Yes to some degree. (Pause. She lowers her head.) No. I'm unhappy.

 

RICHIE

What should we do to make you happy?

 

SANDRA

Sing about unhappy songs. (Pause.) I'm cold. Hold me. (Richie embraces Sandra. After a brief moment, Sandra pushes Richie away.) You trying to kill me?

 

RICHIE

If that's what you want.

 

SANDRA

(Pondering.)

Ok. Hug me to death. Hug me like your mother would to you.

 

RICHIE

(Frown.)

My mother wouldn't kill me. (Pause.) She did kill my father's broken heart. (Shaking his head.) But I know she will not hurt me.

 

SANDRA

I'm telling you to hug me to death, not kill me.

 

RICHIE

What's the point? You're going to die, either ways.

 

Sandra fixes her gaze at the question mark on the whiteboard.

 

SANDRA

I don't see any difference. You put a question mark. It is still a question. Why do you need to tag it? (Sighing.) You spend your life tagging at numbers?

 

RICHIE

(Pause. He heaves.)

What's the answer?

 

SANDRA

If you get me off this suit, maybe I can think better.

 

RICHIE

I don't know how. (Pause.) But he does.

 

SANDRA

(Furiously.)

He! He! He! He! All you can think about is he! He! He! He! (Pause.) Now you're making me think about him! Him! Him! Him! (Pause.) Why don't you just kill me?

 

RICHIE

I don't know how.

 

SANDRA

God gave you a head to use!

 

RICHIE

Brain.

 

SANDRA

(Agitately.)

Where's your mother? (Pause.) And why is this seat so cold! I'm not sitting on ice, am I? You trying to murder me? This isn't the best way. (Richie pulls her up from her seat and settles her down on the metal table.) I'm an old woman. What if I fall? (He settles her on the floor.) What if you step on me you clumsy fool? Is there no other place you can put me? (Richie lifts her up to her feet and settled her on his metal seat.) Too cold! Unless you want me to die of hypothermia, go ahead. Make me! (Richie pulls her to her feet and settles her on her metal seat.) That's better.

 

RICHIE

I'll die of madness faster than a heart attack.

 

SANDRA

Ha! You got your mother's gene, I can tell you that. I, on the other hand, know how to take care of myself perfectly fine! (Pause. She looks at her straitjacket.) Still fine. Your mother must be so afraid of you that she has forgotten about you.

 

RICHIE

She hasn't met me. (Goes to the door and lean against it.) I'm sure she'll love me when she sees me. (Pause.) I'm sure she hasn't met me. Did she? (Pause. He takes four steps towards Sandra.) I believe she is coming.

 

SANDRA

Your mother's a fool.

 

RICHIE

(Staring at her straitjacket.)

Perhaps, but nowhere near as you.

 

SANDRA

Come give me a kiss on my cheek.

 

RICHIE

Over my dead body.

 

SANDRA

Fine. I love to see you lie motionlessly for a change.

(Richard pauses for a brief moment, then, slowly approaches Sandra and pecks her sofly on her cheek.)

 

SANDRA

(Grinning with her eyes closed.)

Now, that's what a mother would do. Tell her boy to kiss her. Has your mother ever done that? Tell you to come kiss her on her cheek?

 

RICHIE

(Cringing.)

I haven't met her.

 

SANDRA

(As though a sudden revelation has hit her, violently.)

Fool! What a fool you have for a mother! (Pause.) Now get me out of it before I turn into a fool as well. (Pause.) Or, at least, don't leave me here to face that serpent! He's not going to tempt me! At least, I feel safer around with you. (Pause and sweep her eyes over her straightjacket.) Even though I'm in this... this miserable whiteness.

 

RICHIE

He's not going to tempt you. (Silence. Take four steps towards his desk and lifts the apple from his table.) This apple tastes good, doesn't it?

 

SANDRA

Give it to me! (Lick her lips.) I'm hungry. (Richie takes four steps towards her and places the apple near her lips.) It does look good. (Take a bite.) Can you feel it? It oozing out from its goodness? The smell, the freshness of it? (Chewing.) Splendid. (Pause. Eyes widened.) The goodness. It looks like a new beginning for us both. (Swallowing.) I'll give the world my life just to have another bite of it.

 

RICHIE

(Taking the apple away from her mouth.)

You can't have it. Not now. It's not time yet. (Pause.) You had your share. Now it's my turn. (He looks at the apple, but he does not eat it. He lays it on the desk.) I'll have it when the time comes. (Pause.)

 

Silence. Richie fixes his gaze at the whiteboard. He picks up the whiteboard marker and writes the number two beside the equal sign. He scratches his head and gazes at the answer he has written for a while. He turns to look at Sandra, who lays her head on the table, laughing.

 

SANDRA

Two! Two! (Laugh.) We're two people in this room, filled with the number two who can't decided which direction in our lives to take. What is the purpose of this? (Smiling.) Is there a purpose? (Pause.) Let's play a game, shall we?

 

RICHIE

(Crossing his arms.)

What?

 

SANDRA

Let's pretend to be ... (Pause.) Cain and Abel. I'll be the helpless Abel, and you be Cain. (Pause. Lowering her head.) So you know what to do.

 

RICHIE

What?

 

SANDRA

Kill me.

 

RICHIE

Huh?

 

SANDRA

Just like what the bible says.

 

RICHIE

So?

 

SANDRA

Just kill me! (Slap her cheek against the metal table to gather her senses.) I think I can do it better. Just give me something to kill myself with. (Pause.) Do you have a gun?

 

RICHIE

No.

 

SANDRA

(Violently)

Well, there must be something. (Pause. She sighs.) When is your mother coming?

 

RICHIE

Not my mother. I don't know when. But I know that he's coming.

 

SANDRA

Who? Your mother's a transvestite?

 

RICHIE

No. My mother is -

 

SANDRA

Is coming?

 

RICHIE

No, the serpent.

 

SANDRA

(Smiling.)

Ah yes. That serpent. (Pause.) I can tell you're hiding something. Something about your eyes is telling me something. Do you love him?

 

RICHIE

Why do you need to know?

 

SANDRA

Did he break your heart?

 

RICHIE

(Lowering his head and turn away from Sandra.)

Leave me alone.

 

SANDRA

Did he break your heart with a shot from Hades's sickle or Cupid's bent arrows?

 

RICHIE

(Covering his face with his hands.)

Leave me alone. I don't want to talk about it. (Pause.) My mother has broken my heart as well. Now him. He was supposed to be the one for me. But he's a serpent! A man-eating serpent!

 

SANDRA

It's sad isn't it? (Sighing.) Your brain is a beautiful thing. Led to waste. Such young, refined mind, swallowed by the depths of your own melancholy. (Pause.) Come. Give me a hug.

 

RICHIE

You're not my mother.

 

SANDRA

Do I need to be just so I could get a hug? (Pause.) Well, then I am your mother.

 

RICHIE

I'm going to stand here and wait for her to come.

 

SANDRA

What if that serpent comes back?

 

RICHIE

Then... (Pause.) I'll go. (He remains where he is. Silence. He takes four steps towards his seat and grabs the apple on the table. He taps it against his lips, but he does not take a bite.)

 

SANDRA

I can't lay a finger on you. You look all too familiar. (Pause.) Feed me. (Richie brings the apple to her mouth and she takes a bite. She doesn't chew or swallow.) Tell me about your mother.

 

RICHIE

I've never seen her. I heard she ran away for another person. Father told me she will come back for me. It's hard to imagine. (Shaking his head and sigh.) I've been waiting for her in this room for God knows how long. (Pause.) You're going to ask me if I'm dumb enough to follow my gut feeling. (Pause.) I'll say yes. Maybe with the hope of some divine intervention... who knows... I know she will be here. Well, at least, that's what I think. (Shaking his head.) She will be here.

 

SANDRA

What's her name?

 

RICHIE

I don't know. He told me she was the S word. Four letters... Maybe six? Six minus four is two. Thus... the sum of two and two is... (He gazes at Sandra. Then, slowly, he stares at his shoes.)

 

SANDRA

(Quivering)

Well, (Lowering her head as well.) I'm sure... I think... she will. (She chews the piece of apple in her mouth.) The sweetness, the goodness. (Cringing.) The sour, the rotten. (Swallowing it uncomfortably). A new beginning, a new life. (Richie places his hand on the handle of the door, and as he opens the door, Sandra gazes at the darkness around her that suddenly engulfs the stage.) Thank God I'm not your mother. (Long pause.)

 

Silence.

 

Curtain

 

© 2009 Jovian

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