Writing Dialogue for Short Plays -- some examples




Thursday, August 15, 2013

Postcard Story


Beach day!
-- Stella Atrium 7/6/13
 

I joined the great unwashed at Fullerton Beach today.
Sailboat bobbing on the hazy horizon,
The roar of skipjacks I could not see,
A by-plane dragging a flag-ad for Gieco Insurance,
A styling toddler in a dotted-swiss swimsuit with a red posy on her shoulder,
Twin Catholic girls in modest suits with pink ruffles at just the right places,
Ethnic boys trying to make time with sun-bathing white girls,
Old guys showing their hairy man breasts,
Young moms in bikinis that probably fit before she got married.
There was even a 4-car fender bender on Lake Shore Drive behind us
that drew police cruisers, two fire engines and an ambulance.
What better way to celebrate the weekend of our nation’s birth?
I enjoyed myself so much, I even went pee in the water.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Cordelia and Goneril


(In the prison at Gloucester castle.  Cordelia paces her cell.  Outside, a storm rages, filling the space with flashes of lightning.  Under guard, Lear passes her cell bars.)

Cordelia
Father, do you know me?

(Guarded Lear stops.)

Lear
This tempest’s sounding gives me scant leave to ponder things that hurt me more.

Oh, I have taken little care of our Anglo subjects.  Take note, men of pomp, to feel what wretches feel -- that you offer all affluence to them, and show the heavens more just.

Cordelia
Father, there is news.  Albany arrives here.  We have come under Goneril’s sway.


Lear
Men must endure their going hence, even as their coming hither.  But we two alone shall sing like birds in a cage.  So we shall live and sing and tell old tales, and laugh at gilded butterflies, and take upon ourselves the mystery of things as if we were god’s spies.

Guard
We must away.

Lear
Upon these sacrifices, my Cordelia, the gods themselves throw incense.

(Lear exits with the guards.)

Cordelia
(Watching after him.)
Gentle with my fair king, as his ailment softens the many blows.

Oh, that I had spoken differently on the day of my determination.  Or that King Lear had but discerned the truth.

When he called me nothing, I did see my sisters blanch.  When he did so treat the green bough, what fate the dry branch?

But so it was, had I mustered the words of flattery, I would be married still.  And perhaps into a misbegotten twain.

My truth has kept me sane.
(hugs her breasts.)
Oh, my babes.  Such treachery you will never know, at least.

We are not the first who, with the best intentions, incurred the worst.

Touch me with noble anger, and let not women’s weapons, these water drops, stain my royal cheeks!

You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames, touch Goneril’s face with her true nature.  How sharper than a serpent’s tooth, my thankless sisters.

(Cordelia hears the sounds of metal doors being unlocked.)

Goneril (offstage)
Leave us, guard. 

Cordelia
Hark, it is Goneril, the would-be queen.

(Enter Goneril dressed like a queen and carrying a heavy ring of keys.)

Goneril
Sister, I arrive to intercede on your behalf.

Cordelia
(Aside.)
Then I am lost.

Goneril
Albany is without.  A useful husband in specific arenas.

Cordelia
And when he comes against Regan and Edmund?  Where will you stand?

Goneril
Regan our sister is dead.

Cordelia
By your hand?

Goneril
A bad stomach.

Cordelia
Poisoned then.

Goneril
Watch your tongue, sister.

Cordelia
(Laughs out loud.)
Only you control the words?

The blame is not mine.  Britain I did not divide.  The nation will survive only when unified.

Goneril
Ha!  You would rule then. Make your father’s kingdom a province of France.

Cordelia
Sister, think of what could have been.  No foreign enemy, a loving mate.  Time enough to mend Nature’s general curse by filling cradles. 

King Lear waits in a cell nearby here.  I found him in garments of honeysuckle and nettles.  Have you no feeling for our father?

Goneril
He never loved me! 
(Pause.)
What in my nature so vile to negate his affection?  Nothing.  I suffered by comparison.

Cordelia
(Pause.)
The king loved us each.

Goneril
Lear loved himself, and adored his own reflection in your eyes.

And what about me?!  The first-born, more deserving as you.  Where’s my measure of his heart’s devotion?

Cordelia
Your heart is beyond all reaching.  Not even Edmund will be enough.  Devoid of tender feeling, only power can stuff your emptiness with emotion.

Goneril
(Pause.)
You are nothing to me now.

Cordelia
Such a thing I was called as a maid.  You despise our king and ape him all the more. 

Goneril
Fie on you!

(Goneril exits.  We hear the sounds of metals doors being opened and slammed shut.)

Cordelia
What consequence our old complaints, when reason with him no longer resides?

Father, if my love was true and yours a feint, no matter.  The risk of loving ov’rcovers many lies.

These things cannot be changed.

And now allow fruition to quickly come.  The just will hang, and the unjust shall run their course to the end.

(Lightning flashes.)

Three Strangers4


(Mac and Joe watch her exit.)

Joe
I got it!  She’s Sally Ride.  That’s her, or her handle anyhow.  Walks with a limp, right?   She’s one of Mickey Porter’s girls, a real ace grifter.  I knew it was Mickey, with a scar on his cheek.  From a knife fight, you know?

She walks with a limp ‘cause he shot off three of her toes one night.  Not one at a time.  Not bam, bam, bam. 

But they were having this fight in some parking lot, and his gun went off.  She had three toes amputated, and walks with a limp.  That’s her, Sally Ride.

What’s she doing in here?  Fully clothed and all.  Must be on the rag, huh, and can’t do any real work.

Did she run a number on you?  Not the coin purse trick.
(High voice)
“Oh, my, I left my coin purse.  Could you lend me twenty?”
 
Mac
Get off it. 

Joe
She did, didn’t she?  You been had by Sally Ride.  Heh, heh, that’s a good one.

Waited until one night when Doris was off, then came in here and ran a number on your head.

Mac
Will you get off it now?

Joe
Well, she’s one of the best.  At least you can claim that, heh, heh.  “A nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.  In one of them old fashioned dishes.”  Man, she had you going.  “Nice old fashioned dishes.”

Mac
Look, you done here?  That’s five-forty-five.

Joe
Hey, I should get a freebie.  She got one.  Just because mine don’t jiggle when I walk.  Just because I punch a clock for a living, licensed and bonded.

Mac
Five-forty-five.
 
Joe
Yeah, okay.

(Joe reaches for his wallet, takes out a bill.  Then searches his pockets for change, a quarter and two dimes.  Mac waits.)

Joe
(While finding coins.)
But no tip.  I didn’t even get more coffee.  No refill, no nothing!

And don’t think you’re getting away with something here.  I got you figured.  I know the dirt on you.  A soft touch for Sally Ride.  Heh, heh, that’s a good one.

(Joe walks to the exit.)
Joe
(Turns at the door.)
Wait ‘til I come through next time.  Wait ‘til I tell Doris. A soft touch for Sally Ride, that’s what you are.

(Joe exits.  Mac looks at the check with the lipstick kiss.)

Mac
Best twenty bucks I ever spent. 

(Mac opens the book and reads. Blackout.)

End Three Strangers.  
return to start

Three Strangers3



Joe
Hey, don’t I know you?  You look familiar to me.  I’m not coming on to you, or nothing.  You already made that clear, you don’t want no attention.  No at-ten-sions paid to you.  It’s just that, I come by here a lot, and I got a good memory for faces.  You look familiar to me.  Have we met? 

(Woman opens her purse and applies lipstick without the aid of a mirror.  Joe moves one stool closer.) 

Joe
Do you know Mickey, uh...  You know, what’s-his-name.  The one with the scar on his cheek.  Yeah, that’s him.  Mickey something.  You know him?  I think I seen you before with him. 

(Mac returns with the ice cream, and stares Joe down.  Woman eats while Mac closely watches her.)

Joe
Hey, Mac, you remember Mickey something.  The guy with the cheek scar.  Got a rep around these parts as a grifter.  Ran that used-car scam a couple years back.

What’s his last name, now?  You gotta help me out here.

Mac
(To Joe.)
You finished there?  ‘Cause if you’re done, you can leave anytime.


Joe
Give me a refill.  Just trying to make some talk.  Geez, can’t a guy ask a question around here?

(Mac pours his coffee, goes back to the woman.)

Woman
Good ice cream.  Clears the palate.

Mac
Yeah, sure does. 
(Handles the book.)
So, uh, you say this here’s a good book?  Action-adventure.


Woman
You would like it.  Really, you would.  You know, exotic locales, lots of jeopardy.  Good chase scene.

Mac
Yeah?  Jeopardy, huh?

Woman
Yeah, a real good story.

Joe
I gotta take a whiz.

(Joe exits.)

Woman
Give me the check, Mac.

(Mac smiles when she uses his name.  Woman shifts provocatively while she looks in her purse.)

Woman
 (Glances in her purse.)
Oh, no.  Oh, for goodness sake.  I didn’t bring my wallet.  My ID, my cash, everything.  My ATM card.  Didn’t bring them.  Still sitting out on my dresser.  Silly me. 
 
Listen, can I pay you tomorrow?  I live not far from here.  Do you mind?

Mac
No, I guess it would be alright.  Tomorrow, you say?

Woman
It’s a date.  And just to be sure. 

(She places a big lipstick kiss on the check.)
 
Woman
That’s my guarantee. 
 (She stands, pause.)

But one thing.  I’m sorry to impose on you here.  So embarrassing.  I have no cash. 


Would you...  could you see your way clear to loaning me twenty dollars?  Just until tomorrow.  I can pay you then, the check and the twenty.  I need to get home.

Mac
Sure, why not?

(Mac gives her money from his pocket.  Woman gets up and smoothes her skirt, ready to leave.)

Woman
You’re a peach, Mac.  A real gentleman.  And you’re going to love that book.  Really. 

(The woman exits, walking with a slight limp.  Joe enters from the side.)

Woman
(While exiting.)
So Long, Mac!

(Mac and Joe watch her exit.)

Three Strangers2


(The woman stares him down.  Mac enters with the pie.)

Joe
(To Mac, confidential.)
Didn’t know you ordered a new frid-ga-dare.  A real icebox, that one.

Mac
Better eat your pie before it gets cold.


Joe
And the little greenies start moving around again, huh? 

(Mac smirks.)

Joe
Hey, no offense.  Didn’t mean nothing.  Just trying to past the time here.

(Mac busies himself behind the counter.  The woman finishes reading and puts down the book.)

Mac
You want fresh coffee?

Woman
This was a good book.

Mac
Yeah?

Woman
Action-adventure.  You would like it.  There’s a character in here, the hero in fact, who sorta reminds me of you.  A lotta heart, but he was quiet, you know?

Mac
Yeah?

Woman
Yeah, sorta like you.  Here, take it.  I’m done with it now.  Who reads them twice, huh?  Take it, my gift to you.

Mac
Yeah, okay.  You want some pie, or something?  We got apple, rhubarb, lemon meringue, strawberry tort, and, uh... pound cake.

Woman
You know what I would like?  A nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Mac
You want something on that?  Chocolate syrup, whipped cream, a nice cherry.  Or butterscotch.  We got butterscotch, already heated.  Just pour it on.

Woman
No, thank you.  A simple scoop of vanilla in one of those old fashioned metal dishes they used to have.  You know the ones.

Mac
Sure, we got those. 

(Mac takes her sandwich plate, and leaves to get ice cream.)

Joe
(Mocking.)
“A simple scoop of vanilla.”  (more)


Three Strangers


Scene:  (A well-dressed woman sits over her sandwich plate at the counter of a small diner reading the last few pages of a thick paperback.  She’s twisted in her seat to decorously cross her legs.  A cook named Mac wearing a white apron over jeans and
t-shirt works behind the counter.)


Mac
More coffee?

Woman
No, thank you.

Mac
You want I should wrap that to go?

Woman
Uuummm, I may take another bite here.  I’m just trying to finish this story.  You know how it is.   How you get near the end and need to see how it turns out.

Mac
Yeah, sure.

Woman
A cliffhanger, you know?

Mac
Ah, I got the diner here.  I don’t got much time for paperbacks.

(Woman goes back to reading.  Enter Joe who sits at a stool four down from the woman.  Mac joins him.)

Joe
Hey, Mac.

Mac
Yeah, how’s by you?  You want coffee?

Joe
Yeah, sure.
(Indicates the woman.)
Whose package?

Mac
A free agent, I guess.  You eating?

Joe
Dressed awful nice for around here. 
No offense, but she’s a cut above your regular clientele.  You seen her before?

Mac
You eating, or what?

Joe
Where’s Doris?

Mac
Out sick.

Joe
She’s out sick, huh?  Not here tonight?  You’re working sui generis?  Heh, heh.  That’s a good one, sui generis.

Mac
You gonna order?

Joe
How’s the pie?  You got a slice of that apple pie?  Is it fresh? 
(Louder, playing to the woman.) 
I don’t want no pie that’s green around the edges.  No green pie for me, heh, heh.

Mac
There’s pie, came in this morning.  You want some, or what?

Joe
Yeah, give me the pie.  But look, heat it up, okay?  Kill off that green bacteria.  Just nuke it for a minute. 

(Mac leaves to get the pie.)

Joe
(To the woman.)
How about that guy, huh?  Can’t take the time to heat up my slice of pie. 
(Louder, challenging absent Mac.) 
Can’t take a whole minute out of his life to pop my slice of pie into the microwave.  Too much trouble.  (more)

(Woman reads.  Joe moves one stool closer to her.)

Joe
I’m Joe.  I come in here all the time.  This is a regular stop for me.  That’s my rig there. 

Yessirrie, a million-dollar rig.  It ain’t mine, of course.  I’m just the driver.  Licensed and bonded.  Making the long hauls.  That’s me.  My boss’ best man, trusted with the million-dollar rig for the long hauls.  So, ah, wha’chu driving?
(Pause.)
So, wha’chu reading there?  Must be a great book.  En-gros-sing, huh? 

(The woman glances at him.) 

Joe
Hi, I’m Joe. 

(She goes back to reading.)

Joe
Yeah, okay.  I get the picture.  Too good for drivers, uh?  There in your silky blouse and your long coat and your pan-ty-hose. 

(The woman stares him down.  Mac enters with the pie.)