TITLE: DAVID WALTON, PLAYWRIGHT
A drama about the work of a writer.
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE
At rise, the stage is dark. We hear the sound of a keyboard being assaulted by the furious typing of frenetic fingers. The tap-tap-tapping is punctuated by words, murmured in rhythm as dialogue unfolds forward, its destination unknown. As lights come up, we see the source of the sounds. It is David Walton, playwright. Dialogue begins; it’s his internal voice whispered aloud.
DAVID
(Impatiently)
David Walton is a playwright who has written and produced successful shows for local stages in the Bedford Virginia area…
He pauses… reads what he’s written.
DAVID (CONT’D)
No, no! For God’s sake, a website cover page needs to be informative, but not a dirge. It can’t be like anyone else’s. It must be creative, fun, engaging…
A beat, as something occurs to him.
DAVID (CONT’D)
Hey, I got it! What if the introduction is actually a script? No one’s done that before.
At that moment, another internal voice enters the conversation. It’s Fancy Madigan. Hers is a pleasant voice, but still one that is an intrusion. He doesn’t have time for distractions.
FANCY
(Brightly)
That’s a good idea, but don’t forget you have to tell them what you write. Otherwise…
DAVID
(Interrupting)
Who the hell are you?! Where did you come from?!
FANCY
Oh, sorry… I’m Fancy. Fancy Madigan. I’m a seed thought for a character you had a few months ago. You’re going to write a play about me, remember? You typed my name in a folder labeled “New Play Ideas” on your computer.
A pause as David tries to recall.
DAVID
(A revelation)
Oh yeah, that’s right! You’re the flower shop girl, or maybe your mother’s caregiver, but you have a secret double life. (A quick beat as the subject is changed) So, you think this whole “introduce my scripts with a script” is a pretty good idea?
FANCY
Sure! Just don’t get lost in your own story. Kind of like you’re doing right now. Let ’em know that you’ve written a broad range of genres, from slapstick to gritty prison dramas. Let ’em know how well your work has been well received by audiences. You might even mention a testimonial, like that lady who said Buttercups, “was the most important play I’ve ever seen… it changed me.” That was a good one. You might even want to highlight that in bold so…
DAVID
(Interrupting)
Alright… I get it. I just don’t want it to be boring, you know? I want to write something that’ll really wow ’em! So that someone, somewhere… will take a chance on one of my plays.
FANCY
Yeah… that’s the dream, ain’t it? Yeah, I said “ain’t.” I think a name like mine should bring a little grit with it, don’t you think?
DAVID
I don’t know. Remember that double life I mentioned? I thought I’d write you as some kind of secret agent, or undercover cop… something like that. You’ll definitely be a heroic character.
FANCY
Ooooh… I like it! Say more.
DAVID
Not now, I’ve got a webpage to put together, remember? (A beat) You know what? I’m done. I’m going to let my works speak for themselves. Just let ’em click the links to see a sample of some of my plays. Hopefully, they’ll find something that speaks to them. If so, they can contact me. We’ll work something out.
Fancy’s voice begins to fade.
FANCY
Hey, wait! What about me?!
DAVID
I’ll deal with you later. I’ve got work to do here.
(Lights fade to black.)
End scene.
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