I live in an old house and in the back yard it’s overgrown in places, and covered a bit was an old Bar-B-Q. Over the years I had thought it was a propane grill, and just left it overgrown while I used a charcoal grill. But then I found out it was a gas grill, that a pipe came out of the ground, and if I fixed it, I’d never have to bother with charcoal, propane tanks--nada--just turn the dial and go. I spent Monday and Tuesday looking for parts I needed. None of the new grills at the hardware stores had the same parts so I thought to buy a propane grill and hook it to the gas but the guy at Home Depot said converting propane to gas was a huge hassle. Plus the part that distributed the flame in the old one was all rusted and I couldn’t find another in the same configuration. I almost bought a new propane grill but checked the aisle one more time and found parts I could make work. Last night and tonight I grilled outside. What’s embarrassing is that I almost gave up trying to make it happen, buying a propane grill--one more piece of stuff blocking chi, filling up propane tanks. Ugh. That’s what really made me make that final push, to work through to the solution, knowing if I did, so much time and energy saved. Maybe that will be part of a novel, there’s way more detail to the overall story. And of course I’d end on how I grilled Ahi tuna with olive oil and slices of lemon.
I’m excited this late book is going to print. Leading up to publishing a book is like being forced to fly into a tunnel, set in the side of a cliff, hoping you make it out the other side in one piece. In some ways I can’t believe the way the last three years of life have turned out. If America is not meant to hold a federal convention, then thousands of people will know Hamlet and Macbeth. I will have kept and made true what I said when I was a kid. That I was going to change the world. I had wanted it to be with my art, maybe making films even, then I got caught up in the political stuff--not because it appealed to me, but because I knew that in the grand scheme of things, here on Earth, there should be at least one person like me every generation--someone running around trying to help cause a convention. If I had known Hamlet/Macbeth in my twenties it would have made a difference. It made a difference when I finally understood them in my thirties. So I don’t feel like a total failure, even though the political science project appears to have been defeated. People just don’t want a convention. In fact I can make arguments why we shouldn’t have one. At least I’ll be able to say I got Shakespeare out there. If life goes on like it is now, and 2012 comes and goes without any fundamental change, I’ll still read, write, and make art. And it would be really cool if the book is accepted, or catches on by word of mouth. 100,000 sales or more a year would be nice. We’ll see what happens, the third week of July I’ll finally have copies in my hot little hands.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
15 Minute Play
SCENE:
(PLAYER 1 seals ENVELOPES with
MOISTENER, enter PLAYER 2.)
PLAYER 2
Did you get the tuna melt too?
PLAYER 1
Yeah.
PLAYER 2
Did you like it?
PLAYER 1
It was OK, maybe toasted a bit more.
PLAYER 2
Yeah. What about the pickles?
(Player 1 bursts out a laugh.)
PLAYER 1
I was like, sliced pickles--what the? I left 'em on--I
didn't know if that's the way you guys liked 'em or what.
PLAYER 2
That place opened a couple weeks before you got here, that
was only the second time we've ordered from them. I left the
pickles on too--jalapenos would've been better though.
(Player 1 bursts out another laugh.)
PLAYER 1
Swear to god, not kidding you, thought the same thing--in
fact I've put jalapenos on a tuna melt!
PLAYER 2
Me too. I'm part Latin, I like hot and spicy. I put hot on
pretty much everything, actually.
PLAYER 1
Horseradish?
PLAYER 2
Love it.
PLAYER 1
Horseradish on a turkey sandwich
PLAYER 2
Nice!
(Beat, nodding in agreement.)
PLAYER 1
Oh--on the truck, made the appointment, it goes in Monday.
PLAYER 2
It hasn't been in for years. People say American cars are
junk but some models go and go.
PLAYER 1
You and my uncle should have a beer, he can talk American
cars like you wouldn't believe.
PLAYER 2
Invite him to the Bar-B-Q this summer!
PLAYER 1
OK. He's really good at the grill too I might add.
PLAYER 2
Excellent!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 2 (CONT'D)
You're happy right? I mean we're all so glad with the way
things are working, you've been great.
PLAYER 1
Are you kidding? I'm so happy. This is my dream job! I
want to make a difference in poetry. That's all I've ever
wanted. Some of the essays are a little over my head, but I
love finding good poems to publish. That's all I've ever
hoped for. I'm learning so much, I've had all kinds of ideas
-I'm so inspired!
PLAYER 2
Excellent--let's see who and how many like this next issue!
And look, you haven't been here long--
PLAYER 1
13 days.
PLAYER 2
Right. Look, a last minute change was made, we left one
piece out, and there might be some yelling.
PLAYER 1
Yelling?
(Enter PLAYER 3. Spots Player 2,
glares.)
PLAYER 2
What?
PLAYER 3
You know what!
PLAYER 2
Listen--
PLAYER 3
No! No--no--no! This is it!
(Player 3 calls NAME loudly [if Player
4 is male, name is PHIL, if female,
SUE]. Enter PLAYER 4.)
PLAYER 4
What?
PLAYER 3
We're having a meeting.
PLAYER 2
Wait.
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
No! They don't know what's going on and I'm not sure you do
either! Let's bring this forth and get it out of the way, or
I swear, it might as well be over!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 2)
We've been publishing for several years now. (To Players 1 &
4.) We made vows when we started.
PLAYER 2
Wait--
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
No! (To Player 4.) When we first got backing we made a
promise. We'd never shy from the truth, no matter how ugly.
(To Player 2.) To delight in truth as much as life itself!
PLAYERS 2 & 3
2: Stop! 3: Remember?!
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
There's only the four of us.
(Motioning to Player 1.) He/She just started, they're good,
they're perfect, so unless one of us gets hit by a bus
tomorrow, it looks like we're set for the long haul. If this
isn't addressed now there's no point going on--you understand
that don't you?!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
We promised if we ever stopped loving truth as much as life
itself--if we ever started loving life more than truth--we'd
walk away. This printing is the first time we've ever failed
to take the truest pieces and pass them on to readers.
PLAYER 2
What do you mean?!
PLAYER 3
I mean a piece is missing and we've gone to print!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 4
I know why it was pulled and I agree.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
Oh yeah?
(Beat, as enmity between Players 3 and
4 is outed.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Yeah, I figured.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Here's what we're gonna do, (motioning to Player 1) since
He/She's been here a week--
PLAYER 1
Almost two.
PLAYER 3
Almost two weeks. We're going to plead our cases to see what
the judgment is.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Players 2 and 4)
You two want to go first? Whoever goes first gets rebuttal.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 2
Go ahead.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
(to players 2 and 4)
You want to sit down? I'm not a corporation, I'm not gonna
make the case in a sound bite.
(Players 2 and 4 either sit or
shift/place weight on table/chair.)
PLAYER 3
We all know these are troubled times--
PLAYER 2
Oh god!
PLAYER 3
Hey! Excuse me! I have the floor! You'll have your say!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 1))
We published a story a couple years back about the Fifth
Amendment. About how if anyone wanted, they could go to a
grand jury and get corporate suits brought against citizens
thrown out. It's this obscure clause in the Constitution, no
one really knows about it, but it can be done, and has been
done on the fringes for years. So we published a piece about
it. It rankled some, some turned up their noses, played
dumb, whatever, but it came across our desk, and we put it
out there. Of course we're so pickled by corporate power
now, we don't go rootin' around in the Constitution anymore,
we just hope we don't get in the way of anything nasty.
McLuhan said it thirty years ago, once TV happens it's snake
eyes--the ultimate means of control. (Motioning to Player
2.) And so here we are today, we've been watching this
bullshit evolve a couple decades ourselves now, but just
within the time we've been publishing we've watched
abominable stuff--torture--illegal surveillance--
PLAYER 1
I know that, that bothers me!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
Torture.
PLAYER 3
OK, good, but hold on. I'm making a presentation, then
another presentation (motioning to Players 2 and 4), and then
you tell us what you think--
PLAYER 1
Got it--sorry.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
It's an unusual situation.
PLAYER 3
It is--it is. But just.... Where was I, just a sec.... Oh
yeah--that we don't torture.
PLAYERS 2 & 4
4: What?! 2: Suddenly this about torture?!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Uh, as a matter of fact it is, in an oblique way. Won't you
let me proceed?
PLAYER 4
Jesus Christ, maybe it should be over.
PLAYER 3
Excuse me.... (Motioning to Player 2.) He/She and I founded
this press, not you.
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3
(to Player 1)
At parties, the whole town--least the part that mattered--we
were up in arms when all the torture crap came out. And then
the argument that there's always been torture, even after the
Geneva Conventions, and to just get over it. And we did, and
we have pretty much--I mean no one likes it, it's been a few
years.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
But this late piece turns all that stuff on its head. It's
by the same writer we published years ago, some kook who
lives on the west coast, he's sent other stuff we didn't
publish, but this piece is as good as that first one.
And it's also about something in the Constitution, but
different than the grand jury stuff--it's the idea the
country could hold an national assembly, states send
delegates to hold a convention--
PLAYER 4
You're fucking nuts!
PLAYER 3
Fuck you! You're arguing against all we know true about the
human condition you ass!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
But it's predictable. You don't know what's going on. You
don't even know what a real poem is. You love imagery, word
choice--we all do, like we all enjoy interesting photos. But
you don't even know what poetry with a capital P is.
PLAYER 4
Oh, OK.
PLAYER 3
A poet examines existence--to say something true--to inspire-
changing how we live. Shakespeare's sonnets say true things
about life--that's true poetry. Aficionados like you get hot
and bothered over nonsense!
PLAYER 4
Yeah, fuck you.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
Like any establishment involved in the arts, we present
what's true, and if there's entertainment along the way-
great. This was an important piece, saying something true,
and it was deleted, and that's not--
PLAYER 2
It wasn't deleted.
PLAYER 3
I saw the proofs, it's not there.
PLAYERS 2 & 4
2: It's too soon! 4: It's too raw!
PLAYERS 3 & 2
3: When is the truth too soon or too raw?! 2: It was
postponed!
PLAYER 3
We made vows! We'd never allow circumstance to dictate
choice! Malcolm's line in Macbeth--delight in truth as much
as life itself! Remember?! And because you know who is
visiting the university you "postponed" publication you ass!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
And so now we have a choice! Cancel publication or let it
go!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 4
Let it go.
PLAYER 3
Why?
PLAYER 4
Because it's over. You're the one who doesn't get it. And
now you're playing high and mighty idealist--
PLAYER 3
I've been a high and mighty idealist my whole goddam life--
PLAYER 4
Yeah?! Well you're going to destroy what you've worked for!
A press where known and good writers want to publish work!
PLAYER 3
What if canceling publication becomes part of our lore, that
we had a problem this time around and we decided to eat our
hat?
PLAYER 2
What about the other writers?! This is a huge issue!
PLAYER 4
Do you realize how many people are looking forward--
PLAYER 3
You don't get it!
PLAYER 2
We said we'd delight in truth as much as life itself! We
never said!.... What about when delighting in truth eats
away at life?
PLAYER 3
Oh bullshit!
(Beat.)
PLAYERS 2 & 4
2: It's not. 4: It's not bullshit, that's what you don't
get.
PLAYER 2
That's another idea from Shakespeare--if you let something
eat away at life itself? What happens?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
Are you fucking kidding me? You're going to use Shakespeare
out of context to validate your position? It's Claudius
complaining about Hamlet running around free-footed. The
sense of that scene properly applied here, we would've
headlined the piece you removed! If setting ideas free harms
us, then so be it. What's the point otherwise? So we have
enough subscriptions to sleep and feed as we please? What is
wrong with you?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 4)
You're almost incapable of understanding what's goin' on, (to
Player 2) but you know better. (To Player 1.) In case you
don't get it, we have a dilemma.
PLAYER 2
It's postponed for chrissakes!
PLAYERS 3
You allowed circumstance to dictate choice!
PLAYER 4
Why does that have to be a bad thing?!
PLAYER 3
Because in this case it is! We've built what we have on
being true! Now we flip all that because circulation is
blooming?! Because some jackass is showing up at the
university?!
PLAYER 1
Why was the one about the convention too hot?! Why was it
postponed?!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
Because it's something some people don't want to talk about.
(To Player 2.) I can't believe you couldn't at least just
grit your teeth and bear it. You used to be righteous. You
used to be a righteous person, you know that? If the person
you were back then walked in now they'd kick your ass all
over the place, or shoot themselves in the head.
PLAYER 2
Maybe not if they were told what we've all been through the
past several years. For chrissakes airplanes flew into the
goddam Trade Center! I can make a case based on what's
happened since!
PLAYER 3
A case for what?!
PLAYER 2
That we don't need to puke up each and every piece the minute
it shows up in the mail!
PLAYER 3
I can't believe this.
PLAYER 4
(to Player 3)
Maybe they'd kick your ass if they showed up. The changes
have been coming for decades--you say it yourself all the
time--oh, no difference between the two parties--been going
on decades! What's the point?!
PLAYER 3
The point is life unfolds and we the living can change how it
unfolds! You don't believe that?! And here was something so
true, and so out of the blue, it was uncanny! Real! And you
two killed it! Notice I didn't involve myself too much as we
got to the deadline? Notice that? Because I wanted to see
what you'd do.
(Players 2 & 4 shift uncomfortably.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 2)
Remember when you cut yourself a few months ago? Is that
rubbing alcohol still under the sink?
(Player 2 confusedly confirms it is.)
PLAYER 3
(to Players 2 & 4)
OK then. You two have ten seconds to exit this building or
I'm gonna get that bottle, pour it over something, and light
it.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Ten, nine, eight--
(Players 2 & 4 realize situation,
hurriedly begin to exit. Player 2
stops, looks back to Player 3.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Seven, six, five!
(Exit Player 2.)
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Look, there's some things you don't understand.
PLAYER 1
What? Tell me.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
I don't even know where to begin.
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3
Last year we had this visiting poet, they were awesome.
Stayed for our annual Bar-B-Q, we all cut loose--argued,
laughed, it was just the best. A real artist, just amazing.
PLAYER 1
You mean Richardson?
PLAYER 3
Yeah.
PLAYER 1
Loved that issue.
PLAYER 3
A real poet, saying something true about life, living--here,
now. Not puffs of imagery, not just new/exciting language.
PLAYER 1
Evil is selfishness and nothing else.
PLAYER 3
What?
PLAYER 1
Evil is selfishness and nothing else. That's one of the
lines I remember. Chiaroscuro--one of the poems in that
issue--
PLAYER 3
Oh right, right--right--which goes to exactly what this is
about. Are we going to look out for our own ass, or take the
risks that have always needed taking? Look at what that
playwright--I'm forgetting their name--remember the interview
-remember where they said all the artistic directors in
theatre today should be fired?
PLAYER 1
Yeah. That was Myers.
PLAYER 3
Right. What they meant is, theatre's dead. It's just butter
and sugar, fat and syrup. They won't take chances anymore.
All the really cool theatres are all but gone. I mean really
cool. Really saying something, not just asking an endless
parade of questions or lovers and kisses.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
I remember I read.... I think it was Vonnegut, he said the
skies can be darkening with enemy bombers, and you can't get
an audience to leave their seats if parted lovers are about
to finally kiss.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
Maybe it's true what they're saying. It's just not the same
anymore when it comes to getting the truth out.
PLAYER 3
No, there's nothing new under the sun. Human beings are
human beings. We may not want to face it if confronted, but
deep down we all wanna know the truth. At least the real
people do. Not the cartoon people. The Stepford people.
They don't even go to theatre--they don't think. And cartoon
people don't read our publication. Which is why we're flat
lame if we don't put real stuff out there, not just all
butter and sugar.
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Isn't that funny though? That you can't get an audience out
of their seat if a kiss is in the offing?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
It's pretty much true though, right?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
It is. And for poetry too. Title a poem Long Lost Lovers
and people will zero right in.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
I think we should cancel the issue. And not because you've
been yelling and threatening to burn the place down.
(Player 3 chuckles.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
It's actually really cool what you said, to let the
cancellation be part of our lore.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
You're awesome.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
We'll let it go. I think I just wanted to rock their world,
keep them on their toes, more than anything. Those fucking
idiots!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
I do want to mark this occasion.
(Player 3 throws something or breaks
something, causes loud crash.)
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Do me a favor, wouldya?
PLAYER 1
Sure.
PLAYER 3
I'm gonna go. After I do, call 'em up, tell 'em I left, and
that I said I'd be back Thursday or Friday.
PLAYER 1
OK.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
It's just so hard to tell these days.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
Ya know--and gain, I'm not just sayin' this--I really mean
it, based on everything that just happened, honestly, I have
more respect for you. I don't dislike them or anything, I'm
not saying that--
PLAYER 3
Well, thanks, I appreciate that, but when they come back,
just play dumb. Act like the wide-eyed upstart, don't get
into it.... I mean, do whatever you want of course.
PLAYER 1
I hear ya, I will, I'll stay neutral. It's what I would've
done anyway.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
OK.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
OK. (Moving to door.) I'll be back by Friday.
PLAYER 1
OK.
PLAYER 3
See ya.
PLAYER 1
See ya later.
(Exit Player 3.)
(Player 1 surveys office a few beats,
sits down, resumes sealing envelopes.)
END
(PLAYER 1 seals ENVELOPES with
MOISTENER, enter PLAYER 2.)
PLAYER 2
Did you get the tuna melt too?
PLAYER 1
Yeah.
PLAYER 2
Did you like it?
PLAYER 1
It was OK, maybe toasted a bit more.
PLAYER 2
Yeah. What about the pickles?
(Player 1 bursts out a laugh.)
PLAYER 1
I was like, sliced pickles--what the? I left 'em on--I
didn't know if that's the way you guys liked 'em or what.
PLAYER 2
That place opened a couple weeks before you got here, that
was only the second time we've ordered from them. I left the
pickles on too--jalapenos would've been better though.
(Player 1 bursts out another laugh.)
PLAYER 1
Swear to god, not kidding you, thought the same thing--in
fact I've put jalapenos on a tuna melt!
PLAYER 2
Me too. I'm part Latin, I like hot and spicy. I put hot on
pretty much everything, actually.
PLAYER 1
Horseradish?
PLAYER 2
Love it.
PLAYER 1
Horseradish on a turkey sandwich
PLAYER 2
Nice!
(Beat, nodding in agreement.)
PLAYER 1
Oh--on the truck, made the appointment, it goes in Monday.
PLAYER 2
It hasn't been in for years. People say American cars are
junk but some models go and go.
PLAYER 1
You and my uncle should have a beer, he can talk American
cars like you wouldn't believe.
PLAYER 2
Invite him to the Bar-B-Q this summer!
PLAYER 1
OK. He's really good at the grill too I might add.
PLAYER 2
Excellent!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 2 (CONT'D)
You're happy right? I mean we're all so glad with the way
things are working, you've been great.
PLAYER 1
Are you kidding? I'm so happy. This is my dream job! I
want to make a difference in poetry. That's all I've ever
wanted. Some of the essays are a little over my head, but I
love finding good poems to publish. That's all I've ever
hoped for. I'm learning so much, I've had all kinds of ideas
-I'm so inspired!
PLAYER 2
Excellent--let's see who and how many like this next issue!
And look, you haven't been here long--
PLAYER 1
13 days.
PLAYER 2
Right. Look, a last minute change was made, we left one
piece out, and there might be some yelling.
PLAYER 1
Yelling?
(Enter PLAYER 3. Spots Player 2,
glares.)
PLAYER 2
What?
PLAYER 3
You know what!
PLAYER 2
Listen--
PLAYER 3
No! No--no--no! This is it!
(Player 3 calls NAME loudly [if Player
4 is male, name is PHIL, if female,
SUE]. Enter PLAYER 4.)
PLAYER 4
What?
PLAYER 3
We're having a meeting.
PLAYER 2
Wait.
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
No! They don't know what's going on and I'm not sure you do
either! Let's bring this forth and get it out of the way, or
I swear, it might as well be over!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 2)
We've been publishing for several years now. (To Players 1 &
4.) We made vows when we started.
PLAYER 2
Wait--
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
No! (To Player 4.) When we first got backing we made a
promise. We'd never shy from the truth, no matter how ugly.
(To Player 2.) To delight in truth as much as life itself!
PLAYERS 2 & 3
2: Stop! 3: Remember?!
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
There's only the four of us.
(Motioning to Player 1.) He/She just started, they're good,
they're perfect, so unless one of us gets hit by a bus
tomorrow, it looks like we're set for the long haul. If this
isn't addressed now there's no point going on--you understand
that don't you?!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
We promised if we ever stopped loving truth as much as life
itself--if we ever started loving life more than truth--we'd
walk away. This printing is the first time we've ever failed
to take the truest pieces and pass them on to readers.
PLAYER 2
What do you mean?!
PLAYER 3
I mean a piece is missing and we've gone to print!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 4
I know why it was pulled and I agree.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
Oh yeah?
(Beat, as enmity between Players 3 and
4 is outed.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Yeah, I figured.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Here's what we're gonna do, (motioning to Player 1) since
He/She's been here a week--
PLAYER 1
Almost two.
PLAYER 3
Almost two weeks. We're going to plead our cases to see what
the judgment is.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Players 2 and 4)
You two want to go first? Whoever goes first gets rebuttal.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 2
Go ahead.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
(to players 2 and 4)
You want to sit down? I'm not a corporation, I'm not gonna
make the case in a sound bite.
(Players 2 and 4 either sit or
shift/place weight on table/chair.)
PLAYER 3
We all know these are troubled times--
PLAYER 2
Oh god!
PLAYER 3
Hey! Excuse me! I have the floor! You'll have your say!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 1))
We published a story a couple years back about the Fifth
Amendment. About how if anyone wanted, they could go to a
grand jury and get corporate suits brought against citizens
thrown out. It's this obscure clause in the Constitution, no
one really knows about it, but it can be done, and has been
done on the fringes for years. So we published a piece about
it. It rankled some, some turned up their noses, played
dumb, whatever, but it came across our desk, and we put it
out there. Of course we're so pickled by corporate power
now, we don't go rootin' around in the Constitution anymore,
we just hope we don't get in the way of anything nasty.
McLuhan said it thirty years ago, once TV happens it's snake
eyes--the ultimate means of control. (Motioning to Player
2.) And so here we are today, we've been watching this
bullshit evolve a couple decades ourselves now, but just
within the time we've been publishing we've watched
abominable stuff--torture--illegal surveillance--
PLAYER 1
I know that, that bothers me!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
Torture.
PLAYER 3
OK, good, but hold on. I'm making a presentation, then
another presentation (motioning to Players 2 and 4), and then
you tell us what you think--
PLAYER 1
Got it--sorry.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
It's an unusual situation.
PLAYER 3
It is--it is. But just.... Where was I, just a sec.... Oh
yeah--that we don't torture.
PLAYERS 2 & 4
4: What?! 2: Suddenly this about torture?!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Uh, as a matter of fact it is, in an oblique way. Won't you
let me proceed?
PLAYER 4
Jesus Christ, maybe it should be over.
PLAYER 3
Excuse me.... (Motioning to Player 2.) He/She and I founded
this press, not you.
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3
(to Player 1)
At parties, the whole town--least the part that mattered--we
were up in arms when all the torture crap came out. And then
the argument that there's always been torture, even after the
Geneva Conventions, and to just get over it. And we did, and
we have pretty much--I mean no one likes it, it's been a few
years.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
But this late piece turns all that stuff on its head. It's
by the same writer we published years ago, some kook who
lives on the west coast, he's sent other stuff we didn't
publish, but this piece is as good as that first one.
And it's also about something in the Constitution, but
different than the grand jury stuff--it's the idea the
country could hold an national assembly, states send
delegates to hold a convention--
PLAYER 4
You're fucking nuts!
PLAYER 3
Fuck you! You're arguing against all we know true about the
human condition you ass!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
But it's predictable. You don't know what's going on. You
don't even know what a real poem is. You love imagery, word
choice--we all do, like we all enjoy interesting photos. But
you don't even know what poetry with a capital P is.
PLAYER 4
Oh, OK.
PLAYER 3
A poet examines existence--to say something true--to inspire-
changing how we live. Shakespeare's sonnets say true things
about life--that's true poetry. Aficionados like you get hot
and bothered over nonsense!
PLAYER 4
Yeah, fuck you.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
(to Player 2)
Like any establishment involved in the arts, we present
what's true, and if there's entertainment along the way-
great. This was an important piece, saying something true,
and it was deleted, and that's not--
PLAYER 2
It wasn't deleted.
PLAYER 3
I saw the proofs, it's not there.
PLAYERS 2 & 4
2: It's too soon! 4: It's too raw!
PLAYERS 3 & 2
3: When is the truth too soon or too raw?! 2: It was
postponed!
PLAYER 3
We made vows! We'd never allow circumstance to dictate
choice! Malcolm's line in Macbeth--delight in truth as much
as life itself! Remember?! And because you know who is
visiting the university you "postponed" publication you ass!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
And so now we have a choice! Cancel publication or let it
go!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 4
Let it go.
PLAYER 3
Why?
PLAYER 4
Because it's over. You're the one who doesn't get it. And
now you're playing high and mighty idealist--
PLAYER 3
I've been a high and mighty idealist my whole goddam life--
PLAYER 4
Yeah?! Well you're going to destroy what you've worked for!
A press where known and good writers want to publish work!
PLAYER 3
What if canceling publication becomes part of our lore, that
we had a problem this time around and we decided to eat our
hat?
PLAYER 2
What about the other writers?! This is a huge issue!
PLAYER 4
Do you realize how many people are looking forward--
PLAYER 3
You don't get it!
PLAYER 2
We said we'd delight in truth as much as life itself! We
never said!.... What about when delighting in truth eats
away at life?
PLAYER 3
Oh bullshit!
(Beat.)
PLAYERS 2 & 4
2: It's not. 4: It's not bullshit, that's what you don't
get.
PLAYER 2
That's another idea from Shakespeare--if you let something
eat away at life itself? What happens?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
Are you fucking kidding me? You're going to use Shakespeare
out of context to validate your position? It's Claudius
complaining about Hamlet running around free-footed. The
sense of that scene properly applied here, we would've
headlined the piece you removed! If setting ideas free harms
us, then so be it. What's the point otherwise? So we have
enough subscriptions to sleep and feed as we please? What is
wrong with you?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 4)
You're almost incapable of understanding what's goin' on, (to
Player 2) but you know better. (To Player 1.) In case you
don't get it, we have a dilemma.
PLAYER 2
It's postponed for chrissakes!
PLAYERS 3
You allowed circumstance to dictate choice!
PLAYER 4
Why does that have to be a bad thing?!
PLAYER 3
Because in this case it is! We've built what we have on
being true! Now we flip all that because circulation is
blooming?! Because some jackass is showing up at the
university?!
PLAYER 1
Why was the one about the convention too hot?! Why was it
postponed?!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
Because it's something some people don't want to talk about.
(To Player 2.) I can't believe you couldn't at least just
grit your teeth and bear it. You used to be righteous. You
used to be a righteous person, you know that? If the person
you were back then walked in now they'd kick your ass all
over the place, or shoot themselves in the head.
PLAYER 2
Maybe not if they were told what we've all been through the
past several years. For chrissakes airplanes flew into the
goddam Trade Center! I can make a case based on what's
happened since!
PLAYER 3
A case for what?!
PLAYER 2
That we don't need to puke up each and every piece the minute
it shows up in the mail!
PLAYER 3
I can't believe this.
PLAYER 4
(to Player 3)
Maybe they'd kick your ass if they showed up. The changes
have been coming for decades--you say it yourself all the
time--oh, no difference between the two parties--been going
on decades! What's the point?!
PLAYER 3
The point is life unfolds and we the living can change how it
unfolds! You don't believe that?! And here was something so
true, and so out of the blue, it was uncanny! Real! And you
two killed it! Notice I didn't involve myself too much as we
got to the deadline? Notice that? Because I wanted to see
what you'd do.
(Players 2 & 4 shift uncomfortably.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
(to Player 2)
Remember when you cut yourself a few months ago? Is that
rubbing alcohol still under the sink?
(Player 2 confusedly confirms it is.)
PLAYER 3
(to Players 2 & 4)
OK then. You two have ten seconds to exit this building or
I'm gonna get that bottle, pour it over something, and light
it.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Ten, nine, eight--
(Players 2 & 4 realize situation,
hurriedly begin to exit. Player 2
stops, looks back to Player 3.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Seven, six, five!
(Exit Player 2.)
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Look, there's some things you don't understand.
PLAYER 1
What? Tell me.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
I don't even know where to begin.
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3
Last year we had this visiting poet, they were awesome.
Stayed for our annual Bar-B-Q, we all cut loose--argued,
laughed, it was just the best. A real artist, just amazing.
PLAYER 1
You mean Richardson?
PLAYER 3
Yeah.
PLAYER 1
Loved that issue.
PLAYER 3
A real poet, saying something true about life, living--here,
now. Not puffs of imagery, not just new/exciting language.
PLAYER 1
Evil is selfishness and nothing else.
PLAYER 3
What?
PLAYER 1
Evil is selfishness and nothing else. That's one of the
lines I remember. Chiaroscuro--one of the poems in that
issue--
PLAYER 3
Oh right, right--right--which goes to exactly what this is
about. Are we going to look out for our own ass, or take the
risks that have always needed taking? Look at what that
playwright--I'm forgetting their name--remember the interview
-remember where they said all the artistic directors in
theatre today should be fired?
PLAYER 1
Yeah. That was Myers.
PLAYER 3
Right. What they meant is, theatre's dead. It's just butter
and sugar, fat and syrup. They won't take chances anymore.
All the really cool theatres are all but gone. I mean really
cool. Really saying something, not just asking an endless
parade of questions or lovers and kisses.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
I remember I read.... I think it was Vonnegut, he said the
skies can be darkening with enemy bombers, and you can't get
an audience to leave their seats if parted lovers are about
to finally kiss.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
Maybe it's true what they're saying. It's just not the same
anymore when it comes to getting the truth out.
PLAYER 3
No, there's nothing new under the sun. Human beings are
human beings. We may not want to face it if confronted, but
deep down we all wanna know the truth. At least the real
people do. Not the cartoon people. The Stepford people.
They don't even go to theatre--they don't think. And cartoon
people don't read our publication. Which is why we're flat
lame if we don't put real stuff out there, not just all
butter and sugar.
(Double beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Isn't that funny though? That you can't get an audience out
of their seat if a kiss is in the offing?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
It's pretty much true though, right?
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
It is. And for poetry too. Title a poem Long Lost Lovers
and people will zero right in.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
I think we should cancel the issue. And not because you've
been yelling and threatening to burn the place down.
(Player 3 chuckles.)
PLAYER 1 (CONT'D)
It's actually really cool what you said, to let the
cancellation be part of our lore.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
You're awesome.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
We'll let it go. I think I just wanted to rock their world,
keep them on their toes, more than anything. Those fucking
idiots!
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
I do want to mark this occasion.
(Player 3 throws something or breaks
something, causes loud crash.)
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
Do me a favor, wouldya?
PLAYER 1
Sure.
PLAYER 3
I'm gonna go. After I do, call 'em up, tell 'em I left, and
that I said I'd be back Thursday or Friday.
PLAYER 1
OK.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
It's just so hard to tell these days.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 1
Ya know--and gain, I'm not just sayin' this--I really mean
it, based on everything that just happened, honestly, I have
more respect for you. I don't dislike them or anything, I'm
not saying that--
PLAYER 3
Well, thanks, I appreciate that, but when they come back,
just play dumb. Act like the wide-eyed upstart, don't get
into it.... I mean, do whatever you want of course.
PLAYER 1
I hear ya, I will, I'll stay neutral. It's what I would've
done anyway.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3
OK.
(Beat.)
PLAYER 3 (CONT'D)
OK. (Moving to door.) I'll be back by Friday.
PLAYER 1
OK.
PLAYER 3
See ya.
PLAYER 1
See ya later.
(Exit Player 3.)
(Player 1 surveys office a few beats,
sits down, resumes sealing envelopes.)
END
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Late Note
Here’s the deal. Life is crazy. All the land, all the people, all the buildings, and the transportation, all tumbled into this thing unfolding this very moment--existence.
There are these things called books, and there are these things called plays. Books are words that make sense, or attempt to, about this and that. Plays are like books, but instead of reading the idea, you watch it. Since certain situations occur again and again and again in life, some plays have nailed them, and displayed them for an audience watching, to help raise consciousness and make life more romantic (because knowing things about life is romantic). Shakespeare is known and loved because he figured out some of these archetypal things which occur in life and nailed them down with characters and lines.
Of the Hamlet/Macbeth translation I’ve tried to make it so that whether you’re reading it or watching it, you won’t know where the changes were made. When you’re finished, you’ll feel like you just experienced Shakespeare. I’m still making some minor edits, hope to get the back and forth with the printer squared by next week, and then print.
I’m kind of scared about Othello and Romeo & Juliet. I hope it goes quick, I really want to get to other projects. The only reason I’m doing it first is because if I get hit by a bus the translation is more important than plays or another novel.
And then there’s the Leica camera. I really, really want to use it more. I have this photography thing burning. It took me a while to get used to the feel of it, so different from the Nikon shape I had. But I feel it now, it’s no longer foreign to my hand. I can retrieve it and one-hand it in the way I did with the other. I hope to be posting photos here soon.
There are these things called books, and there are these things called plays. Books are words that make sense, or attempt to, about this and that. Plays are like books, but instead of reading the idea, you watch it. Since certain situations occur again and again and again in life, some plays have nailed them, and displayed them for an audience watching, to help raise consciousness and make life more romantic (because knowing things about life is romantic). Shakespeare is known and loved because he figured out some of these archetypal things which occur in life and nailed them down with characters and lines.
Of the Hamlet/Macbeth translation I’ve tried to make it so that whether you’re reading it or watching it, you won’t know where the changes were made. When you’re finished, you’ll feel like you just experienced Shakespeare. I’m still making some minor edits, hope to get the back and forth with the printer squared by next week, and then print.
I’m kind of scared about Othello and Romeo & Juliet. I hope it goes quick, I really want to get to other projects. The only reason I’m doing it first is because if I get hit by a bus the translation is more important than plays or another novel.
And then there’s the Leica camera. I really, really want to use it more. I have this photography thing burning. It took me a while to get used to the feel of it, so different from the Nikon shape I had. But I feel it now, it’s no longer foreign to my hand. I can retrieve it and one-hand it in the way I did with the other. I hope to be posting photos here soon.
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