Play 219: Dead Ideas

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 17
MAN 1
MAN 2
MAN 3

(Vincent runs on stage with an intense look on his face.)

VINCENT
(Muttering to himself.)
Where are they…

(His eyes dart around, scanning the stage.)

(Beat.)

(Man 1 walks on stage from the opposite side. He is wearing a white shirt with the word “Idea” written in black letters across it.)

(Vincent notices him, and immediately starts running towards them.)

(Vincent runs after Man 1, but he runs offstage.)

VINCENT
(Muttering to himself.)
Goddamn it!

(Beat, Man 2 enters, in an identical shirt.)

(To Man 2.)
You!

(Man 2 turns to face him.)

(Beat.)

(Man 2 starts running.)

(Vincent runs after him and after chasing him for some time, tackles him. They grapple, but eventually, Man 2 manages to break free and runs offstage.)

VINCENT
(Lying on the ground, yelling after him.)
Get back here!

(Man 2 exits.)

(Vincent gets back to his feet.)

(Man 3 enters, also in the same shirt. He doesn’t seem to notice Vincent.)

(Vincent walks quietly and slowly behind Man 3 as Man 3 walks across the stage. He still doesn’t seem to notice Vincent.)

(Vincent creeps behind Man 3, and slowly reaches around his neck, then starts to strangle him. Man 3 struggles violently and tries to break away but can’t, and eventually he goes limp.)

VINCENT
Yes!

(He lets go, and the man falls to the ground.)

(Vincent starts dancing around the stage.)

VINCENT
I have an idea, I have an idea!

(Beat.)

(A look of horror comes across his face.)

Oh shit…

(Beat, he pauses pensively.)

What am I supposed to do with a dead idea?

(Beat.)

Fuck!

(He rushes over to the body.)

(He looks around nervously, and then starts dragging the body offstage.)

VINCENT
(Muttering to himself.)
Fuck, fuck, fuck…

(He exits, dragging the body behind him.)

(Blackout.)