(ACTOR enters, straightens CHAIRS for
A., B., C., D., F., and G.)
ACTOR
(to audience)
Hello--how are we? Very good--very good. Hi. As you might
be able to tell, I'm an actor. Some might say I'm really the
playwright, their mind, their thoughts. But I'm more than
that. I mean, I'm more than just a stick-figure the
playwright hung words on.
(Beat.)
Well, maybe not for this role. Maybe I'm what so many
critics in New York City like to look down their noses at. A
nondescript character who merely voices the playwright's
opinions. Oh the shame. The fury!
(Beat.)
ACTOR (CONT'D)
And there is fury. He's pretty furious. He's angry. No
wait--indignant. He's indignant. Big difference there.
He's actually like many of you here now. An American. Grew
up taught certain things about this country, what it stands
for. Then came 9/11 and it all seemed tossed over. Like
passengers on a ship, our drinks and reading materials yanked
from our hands and thrown overboard. And then, even the
chairs and cushions. And for years we've all just huddled
together while the madmen at the helm directed course.
(Beat.)
ACTOR (CONT'D)
Well, we know what happened. I mean, ostensibly we know what
happened.
(A., B., C., D., E., F., and G. enter
with cups of
coffee/newspapers/magazines, take seats
and delve into reading materials as if
customers at a Starbucks.)
ACTOR (CONT'D)
As you'll see we don't know what happened. I mean what
really, really happened.
(Beat.)
ACTOR (CONT'D)
But before things get going, let me explain this playwright a
bit. I tried to bring a little more to my role than he
originally imagined, because he kept paring it down. Like
for instance, since the beginning of this piece is a bunch of
expository, I thought I might do some kind of dance step, or
something--something to pepper things up. Something like
this:
(Actor begins half-way decent mine
across stage, hands out as if feeling
way along fourth wall.)
ACTOR (CONT'D)
(miming)
And there is fury. He's angry. He's indignant. He's like
you. American. Grew up taught one thing, and then it was
thrown overboard. Drinks, cushions and all. (Stops mime.)
See? Something like that. I tried it in rehearsals. I
could've pressed for it, but you gotta choose your battles.
(Beat.)
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