Play 56: Sunrise part IV (aka, Waiting Room part II)

CHARACTERS
AARON, 32
DEREK, 32
DOCTOR, early 40s

(Waiting room, Derek and Aaron are seated next to each other, the doctor is standing.)

DEREK
(To doctor) What happened?

DOCTOR
He had a severe heart attack.

DEREK
Where?

AARON
At home. I (beat.) I was there with him.

DEREK
What happened?

AARON
I was around his house so I figured I’d stop in and say hi, I hand’t seen him in a while so I figured it’d be nice.

DEREK
(slightly annoyed) No, I mean what happened with him.

AARON
Sorry, we were eating lunch and he just fell off his chair.

DEREK
That’s it?

AARON
I (beat) I don’t know, I can’t remember, it was all really confusing.

DEREK
Well what did you do?

AARON
I went over to him, I tried talking but he didn’t respond so I tapped him, I just kept tapping him thinking he’d just wake up—

DEREK
What about an ambulance?

AARON
I called one after a bit.

DEREK
Why didn’t you do it at first?

AARON
I dunno, it didn’t occur to me for a bit.

DEREK
It didn’t fucking occur to you?

(he stands up)

(Aaron stands up)

AARON
Yeah, I was confused.

DEREK
Confused? It’s simple, you call a fucking ambulance!

(He looks enraged, his face is red and his veins are visible.)

AARON
Derek, I—

DEREK
He could still be alive!

AARON
Derek—

DEREK
Why didn’t you call a fucking ambulance?!

AARON
I don’t know!

DEREK
Why didn’t you—
(his voice is getting shaky.)
Why didn’t you—
(He starts crying.)

(Aaron hugs him.)

(They stand embracing, Derek is sobbing.)

AARON
I’m so sorry.

DEREK
(in-between tears) it’s not your fault.

AARON
No, I should’ve called immediately.

DEREK
You did what you could, I didn’t mean what I said.

AARON
(His voice is very shaky)
I’m sorry Derek

(Fade out.)

Play 55: Sunrise part III (aka, Waiting Room part I)

CHARACTERS
AARON, 32
DEREK, 32
DOCTOR, early 40s

(Hospital waiting room, Aaron is sitting in a chair staring at the wall with a mixture of sadness and disbelief.)

(Derek enters at a quick pace, he’s almost running. Aaron gets up as soon as he sees him.)

AARON
Hey.

DEREK
What’s hapenning? I got a call saying my dad was here so I came as fast as I could.

AARON
I, uhh…(his voice trails off)

DEREK
What?
(A look of horror comes across his face.)
Aaron, he’s okay, isn’t he?

AARON
He’s (beat.) Derek (beat) he’s dead.

DEREK
(Yelling) What?!

(he steps backwards.)

(suddenly his expression lightens up.)

DEREK
Wait a minute, you’re joking aren’t you?

AARON
(With a deadly serious look on his face.)
Derek—

(Derek laughs in a slightly forced sounding manner.)

DEREK
Sure, and next you’ll be laughing your ass off and telling everyone about how good you got me.

AARON
I’m not joking.

(Doctor enters.)

DEREK
(To Aaron) Here, now I can find out what’s really going on.
(To the doctor) Hey, I’m Derek Cohen.

DOCTOR
Peter Cohen’s son?

DEREK
Yeah, how is he?

DOCTOR
I’m sorry to tell you this, but—
(a look of horror comes across Derek’s face.)
he’s passed away.

(Derek walks over and sits in one of the chairs, he looks very fragile.)

DEREK
You weren’t lying.

AARON
No, I’m so sorry.

(He sits a chair next to Derek.)

DEREK
I wish you were.

AARON
Me too.

(Blackout.)

Play 54: Sunrise part II

CHARACTERS
AARON, 32
ERIKA, 31

(They are sitting on a porch watching the sunrise.)

ERIKA
So will you?

(pause.)

AARON
Okay (beat.) just., I think I could’ve done more.

ERIKA
What do you mean?

AARON
Called an ambulance faster (beat.) or done something myself, I don’t know, just something.

ERIKA
Aaron, there was nothing you could have done.

(She puts her hand on his arm.)

AARON
I know. (beat, he starts to pull away.) Or maybe that’s just what I’d like to think, maybe if I had gotten someone a few seconds earlier—

ERIKA
Stop.

AARON
Why, it’s true.

ERIKA
No it’s not, there was nothing you could do.

AARON
But what if there wa—

ERIKA
It’s not your fault.

(beat.)

AARON
I know. (Pause.) I just can’t help thinking about it.

ERIKA
I’m sorry.

(She puts her arm around him.)

(Pause.)

AARON
I just can’t believe it.

ERIKA
What?

AARON
That (beat.) that he’s dead.

ERIKA
Yeah.

AARON
I mean, I was at his house (beat.) who knows how many times as a kid. I’d go over there with Derek after school and he’d always be there, always say hi and be so nice. (Pause.) you don’t think he’s mad at me do you?

ERIKA
(confused.)
Who, Peter?

AARON
No, Derek.

ERIKA
You think he’s mad at you?

AARON
Yeah.

ERIKA
Why? He should no you’re not responsible.

AARON
I know.

ERIKA
Then why do you think he’s mad at you?

AARON
Just a conversation we had.

ERIKA
You shouldn’t worry about it.

AARON
I know.

(she hugs him.)

ERIKA
Let’s go inside, it’s a little chilly out here.

(Pause.)

AARON
Okay.

(They start walking into the house.)

(She turns around.)

AARON
What?

ERIKA
(smiling.) it’s just so beautiful.

AARON
Yeah, it is.

(He smiles.)

(They go into the house.)

(Fade out.)

Play 53: Sunrise part I

CHARACTERS
AARON, 32
ERIKA, 31

(They sit on a porch watching the sunrise.)

ERIKA
It’s beautiful isn’t it?

AARON
Yeah.

ERIKA
I hate how you can’t look directly at it though. It’s hard not to, it’s just so (beat.) well, beautiful.

AARON
Yeah.

ERIKA
It’s just amazing, all the reds and oranges and (beat.) what’s wrong?

AARON
(he turns looking startled.)
Huh?

ERIKA
What’s wrong?

AARON
Nothing.

(Pause.)

ERIKA
You’re still thinking about it aren’t you.

(Beat.)

AARON
Yeah.

ERIKA
You need to stop.

AARON
I know.

ERIKA
You’re gonna drive yourself crazy.

AARON
Yeah.

ERIKA
Just relax.

AARON
Yeah.

(Pause.)

ERIKA
You want to talk about it?

AARON
Not really.

ERIKA
You should.

AARON
I know, maybe later.

ERIKA
It’ll help get it out of your system.

AARON
I know.

ERIKA
So will you?

(Pause.)

AARON
Okay.

(Blackout.)

Play 52: What a Psycho (aka, One of the More Frightening Experiences of This Trip.)

CHARACTERS
BEN, 17
CRAZED MAN, late 40s

(They stand in a store in a crowded marketplace. CM is wearing a long robe and has long thinning hair and a bald spot. There is a string instument in his hand.)

BEN
I’m not even sure I want to buy it.

CM
Just name your price.

BEN
I told you I’m not sure I want to get it. (beat.) How much you want for it?

CM
150 dollars for this one.

BEN
That’s a little much.

CM
Then how much will you pay?

BEN
I told you, I don’t really want it.

CM
Name a price.

BEN
I don’t want—

CM
Say your price, it will make me happy.

BEN
Umm, I don’t really want it.

CM
But if you did?

BEN
I dunno.

CM
But if you did?

I dunno, umm (beat.) 30 dollars.

CM
Your price is low, mine is high, we will find a place in the middle. Bargain, it’s the Moroccan way.
(he smiles slightly fakely.)
See, I’m smiling, it is the Moroccan way.

BEN
Yes, but I don’t think I want it.

CM
Fine fine, 120 dollars. There, better?

BEN
Look, I don’t really want it.

(Tries to walk away, CM walks in front of him.)

CM
100 dollars,

BEN
I don’t want it.

(Tries to get away, CM grabs his arm.)

CM
It is a good price.

BEN
I know but—

CM
I need money for my family.

BEN
I’m sorry, but I don’t—

CM
Fine then, 85 dollars!

BEN
I don’t—

CM
70!

BEN
Look, I don’t want it, maybe later, okay?

CM
60!

BEN
I need to think about it. Maybe later.

(He walks off, CM chases after him and grabs his arm.)

CM
Fine, 30 dollars, you have it your way!

BEN
I don’t want it.

(he starts walking off.)

CM
(running after him.)
You said 30!

BEN
I didn’t mean it.

CM
You are playing games! This is no game!

BEN
I don’t want it!

CM
You said 30! I give it to you for 30!

BEN
I don’t want it!

CM
You break the deal!

BEN
There is no deal!

CM
You said 30!

BEN
I said if I wanted it!

CM
If? There is no if!

BEN
I said “if!”

CM
You did not!

BEN
I did!
(Pause.)
Look, I’m sorry but—

CM
Sorry doesn’t put food on my table!

(Ben exits.)

(CM chases towards the side of the stage Ben exited from and stands next to the exit.)

CM
You are spitting on Morocco! You have offended my country!
(Pause.)
Wait!

(He runs offstage.)

(Blackout.)

Play 51: One Minute

CHARACTERS
SOPHIA, early 20s
JEROME, early 20s

(They are in a hotel room getting their stuff ready to go.)

JEROME
You’re gonna make us late.

SOPHIA
Just one minute!

JEROME
Fine.

SOPHIA
I just need to put our stuff in the safe.

JEROME
Can’t we just do it when we get back?

SOPHIA
What if it gets stolen?

JEROME
Honey, we’re only going to be gone for 5 minutes.

(She starts putting several objects in the safe. He sighs. She closes and locks the safe.)

JEROME
Ready?

SOPHIA
Yeah.

(He puts his hand on the doorknob.)

SOPHIA
Wait.

JEROME
What?

SOPHIA
I have to go to the bathroom.

(He groans, she goes into a door to the side.)

(He stands waiting impatiently for a few seconds, then walks over to and sits in a chair. He picks up a book and starts reading.)

(Pause.)

(She re-enters.)

SOPHIA
I’m ready. (beat.) come on.,

JEROME
One minute.

(he keeps reading.)

SOPHIA
We’re gonna be late.

JEROME
One second.

SOPHIA
Come on!

JEROME
Fine!

(He puts his book down. They head for the door.)

SOPHIA
One second.

JEROME
What?!

SOPHIA
I just need to get my coat.

(She picks up a coat.)

JEROME
Okay. (beat.) ready?

SOPHIA
Yeah.

(They exit.)

(Blackout.)

Play 50: Makes Me Wonder

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 17

(He stands in the middle of the stage facing the audience.)

VINCENT
You know, it’s really odd when you think of why things are how they are sometimes. (beat.) For example, someone was telling me earlier today about how colleges and other schools in general have this focus on the “well-rounded” student, you know, like one who doesn’t just get good grades but is good athletically or stuff like that. The funny thing is it didn’t used to be that way at all. So, in the early 1900s the Ivy League schools were really anti-Semitic and tried to keep Jews out—trust me, this has a point, it’ll connect to what I was saying in a bit. So anyways, to keep Jew out the started to use quotas, so like only five percent of the students could be Jewish. The eventually people found out about all this and the colleges got in trouble and had to change all that.
(Pause.)
But they still didn’t want to let Jews in, so they came up with this idea of the “well rounded student” to try to create the same effect—that is, to have less Jews be admitted cause if the did it on grades alone like 40 percent of the of the students would be Jewish.
(Beat.)
Apparently that’s why they came up with the SATs too—they wanted a test on WASPy knowledge so they’d do better. That backfired though cause Jews still did well on the SATs so it didn’t really work as they had planned at all.
(pause.)
But, just what I’m trying to say is isn’t it weird to think that even something as random as schools focusing on not just letting people in because of grades was originally created out of anti-Semitism?
(beat.)
I don’t know about you, but sometimes stuff like that just makes me think of how much I don’t know at all about why almost anything is why it is in our society.
(pause.)
Just makes me wonder how much else I don’t know.

(Fade out.)