PASSAGES - EPISODE 3, ACT 3
Nov. 4th, 2007 04:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kashiwritesPrevious: Episode 3, Act 2
III.A) RUMINATIONS RESTAURANT. All pretense to working on the books is over. Tylor’s and Anastasia’s stools are a little closer together, and they are leaning toward each other as they talk.
ANASTASIA – So. What signals was this guy giving you? You know about signals, Tylor. What you think you see isn’t always what the guy intends. You have to be careful.
TYLOR – I know, I know. And I’m trying to be reasonable. But he did behave differently last night, Anastasia.
ANASTASIA – How? What did he do? What was different?
TYLOR – Well, we’ve been fairly good friends for a while now, getting to know each other slowly, you know. I’d say we were getting closer, gradually. The way friends do. Y’know?
ANASTASIA – Mm hmm. So far so good. What happened next? You said he behaved differently last night.
TYLOR – Yes he did. (LAUGHS A LITTLE) He kissed me.
ANASTASIA – Ah. That is hopeful. But friends do that, too, Tylor.
TYLOR – (LAUGHS AGAIN) What are you – the local distributor of cold water?
ANASTASIA – Oh, probably. I don’t mean to throw it all over your excitement. I’m just trying to be an objective voice. I know how you’ve been hurt before, and I’d hate to see it happen again.
TYLOR – I know. Once burned, and all that. And I’m really trying to keep all that in mind. God knows, I’ve been through it once already, I sure don’t need to do it again.
ANASTASIA – But…?
TYLOR – But he’s nothing like Rob was. Different as night and day. And kissing me like that, out of the blue, before he left last night – well, it was a totally new development. And it felt good, Anastasia! I’d almost forgotten that breathless, heart-stopping feeling. Maybe that feeling is really just for adolescents, but it makes me feel young again.
ANASTASIA – Oh, as though you’re old and decrepit.
TYLOR – Well, here I am with a ten-year-old daughter and my own business, and I can’t even remember the last time a man looked at me twice. Then this feeling hits like a lightning bolt, and I think, ‘Hey! Maybe I’m not so old after all!’ It’s exhilarating.
ANASTASIA – Sounds wonderful. But I have one more teeny tiny cup of cold water to throw, and then I’ll stop, I promise.
TYLOR – Oh, alright. One more bit of rationality, and then I can leap into the abyss.
ANASTASIA – Well. You say this whole thing is exhilarating. Makes you feel ‘young again.’ So my question is: could it be that you’re putting your hopes on this man because of that exhilarating, young feeling, and not because of the man himself?
TYLOR – I know you’re just concerned, which is why I’m not insulted. But really. I have learned something from my first marriage. And despite your polite disclaimers, I’m not a young girl any more, and maybe I do have the ability to say ‘no’ to the hormones and the excited feelings.
ANASTASIA – I’m sorry. I’ve gone too far. I didn’t mean to make you angry.
TYLOR – I’m not. But I do think you should give me more credit. I know how to see beyond the exciting package into the reality. It’s just nice to have the feelings go along with it.
ANASTASIA – Alright, then. I’ll believe that. I just wanted to administer a final reality check, and I’m done. So if you’re right, then there’s more to this than the ‘exciting package’, as you call it.
TYLOR – No kidding there’s more! Like I said, he’s nothing like Rob. He’s a kind, decent human being, who really cares about people. I’d even say he cares about me. Anastasia, I could no more imagine Kyle hitting me than I could imagine –
ANASTASIA – That’s his name? Kyle?
TYLOR – (LAUGHING) You mean I haven’t told you his name? Really? Sorry about that. It’s Kyle Yaworski. And he’s got to be the nicest, most honest and caring man I’ve ever met.
III.B) DESK AREA, HOSPITAL WARD. Joanna is checking charts behind the desk, while another nurse answers phones and does other paperwork in the same area. Occasionally a nurse or doctor walks past on some errand. Paige walks up to the desk.
PAIGE – Hi, mom.
JOANNA – (SURPRISED) Paige? Dear, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in school?
PAIGE – Mom, you never remember my schedule. I have a couple of spares this morning. I don’t have a class till later.
JOANNA – Sorry. I lose track of the days sometimes. So what are you doing here?
PAIGE – Oh, I thought I’d drop in and say hi, before I head over to the library. How’s it going today?
JOANNA – Pretty much the same as always. I appreciate the visit, though. Brightens my day.
(SHE SMILES AND CONSULTS ANOTHER CHART. PAIGE LOOKS AROUND THE AREA MORE THAN CASUALLY, OBVIOUSLY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE)
PAIGE – So…what time do you get off today, mom?
JOANNE – (LOOKS AT HER ODDLY) Three o’clock, dear. The regular day shift.
PAIGE – (LAUGHS SHEEPISHLY) Oh, right. I guess I have trouble remembering your schedule, too.
JOANNA – I’ve only been working it since before you were born. Paige, is there any particular reason why you’re here –
PAIGE – (LOOKING BEYOND HER) Oh, look who’s here. Hi, Kyle!
(JOANNA GLANCES BACK AS KYLE APPROACHES THE DESK. HE SMILES POLITELY AT PAIGE)
JOANNA – Hello, Kyle. Do you remember my daughter?
KYLE – We met at the staff Christmas party. Paige…wasn’t it?
PAIGE – Yes. I’m surprised you remember.
KYLE – Your mother mentions you occasionally. You and your sister…Jaime. Right?
PAIGE – Pretty good. I’m impressed.
KYLE – Well, I’ve always thought they were very pretty girls’ names. That makes them easier to remember. So what brings you here, Paige? Not illness, I hope?
PAIGE – Oh no, nothing like that. I just came in to say hi to mom. How’ve you been since Christmas, Kyle?
KYLE – Great. It was a good holiday. How was your – oh. I guess Mrs. Vickery would’ve been your aunt. I was sorry to hear what happened. Right after Christmas too.
PAIGE – Yeah, it was pretty bad. Worse for my cousins, but I really liked her too. She was nice.
JOANNA – Could you excuse me? I have to deliver these down the hall. (SHE WAVES A COUPLE OF FILES AND EXITS DOWN A HALLWAY. KYLE SMILES AFTER HER, BUT PAIGE IS SO FIXED ON KYLE THAT SHE HARDLY NOTICES HER MOTHER’S DEPARTURE.)
KYLE – I imagine your semester is almost over, so you must be ready to plow into finals for some of your subjects. You’re a senior, aren’t you?
PAIGE – You really do have a good memory, don’t you?
KYLE – I guess I do.
PAIGE – Then, since you know so much about me and I don’t know that much about you, can I ask a personal question? To sort of even things out?
KYLE – (SMILES) Ask away. I’ll try to answer, if I can.
PAIGE – Okay. It’s a simple question. Are you married?
(KYLE STARES AT HER, HIS SMILE STUCK TO HIS FACE.)
III.C) ALLEY BEHIND BLYTHE’S STUDIO. Things have heated up. The truck has reached the loading door and is backing up to it bit by bit, as the driver tries to make sure he doesn’t run over anyone. This isn’t easy, since protestors now and then dart behind the truck, to inconvenience him. But the truck makes gradual progress none the less. The driver contributes to the noise and confusion as he leans out the window looking back, shouting and gesticulating for people to get out of his way.
Dawn and Barb pace back and forth near the truck, carrying signs. Other people with signs are scattered through the crowd. Everyone is shouting slogans, or just shouting in general.
Audrey is leaning out, avidly watching everything.
BARB – Have you seen any reporters yet?
DAWN – No. This is a relatively minor demonstration, so I doubt there’ll be any.
BARB – (SHEEPISH) Well…there may be, actually…
DAWN – You think so? Why? Oh no – Barb, what have you done?
BARB – Uh, I sort of…made a few anonymous phone calls…(GRINS)
DAWN – (BURSTS OUT LAUGHING) You didn’t! Wow – we’ve had our very first leak to the press.
(THEY WALK IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WITH THEIR SIGNS, THEN TURN AROUND AND WALK TOWARD EACH OTHER AGAIN)
DAWN – So I guess that makes us official. Leaking to the press, I mean.
BARB – Only if they show up. I still don’t see anybody and we’ve been going for a while now.
DAWN – Oh, they’ll be here. Those vultures can’t resist a confrontation like this, on a controversial issue.
BARB – But they like juicy stories, so I know they’d rather this got violent.
(THEY PART AGAIN, IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. THIS TIME, DAWN IS FACING THE LOADING DOCK DOOR AS SHE TURNS TO COME BACK. AUDREY WAVES HAPPILY AT HER AGAIN, THEN LOOKS GUILTILY OVER HER SHOULDER, HOPING NO ONE INSIDE SAW HER. DAWN GRINS AND WAVES BACK. SHE AND BARB APPROACH AGAIN.)
BARB – Which it hasn’t so far, thank heavens.
DAWN – What?
BARB – It hasn’t gotten violent so far.
DAWN – No. Ashwin Patel will be so disappointed.
BARB – You’re getting nasty again.
DAWN – I’m still a little ticked off at his attitude.
BARB – Never have guessed.
(THEY PART AGAIN. AS BARB TURNS TO FACE THE LOADING DOCK DOOR, SHE SEES THAT THE TRUCK HAS REACHED THE DOOR AND STOPPED. THE DRIVER AND HIS PARTNER ARE OUT OF THE TRUCK, WADING THROUGH THE PRESS OF PROTESTORS TOWARD THE DOOR. THE LARGE DOOR IS OPEN NOW, AND BLYTHE AND HER WORKERS STAND READY TO RECEIVE THE FURS. DAWN AND BARB APPROACH AGAIN)
DAWN – Should we move closer to the truck now?
BARB – Give them a minute to get the doors open and start unloading.
DAWN – This is exciting.
BARB – And I saw some flashes on the other side of the truck, so I think the press is finally here.
DAWN – Way to go, Barb. Should we call you Deep Throat?
BARB – Very funny.
(THEY PART AGAIN. BY NOW THE TRUCK DOORS ARE OPEN AND THE FIRST RACK OF HANGING FURS IS BEING WHEELED OUT, AND INTO THE STUDIO. AUDREY IS PART OF THE CREW THAT TAKES THIS FIRST RACK INSIDE. BLYTHE AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS WAIT FOR THE SECOND RACK.
NOW THER ARE MEDIA PEOPLE ON THIS SIDE OF THE TRUCK AS WELL, SNAPPING PICTURES, TAKING NOTES, TRYING TO ACCOST PEOPLE FOR COMMENTS. ONE COMES UP TO DAWN, WHO HAS STOPPED PACING AND FACES THE LOADING DOCK DOOR, FROWNING. THINGS ARE ROWDIER THERE, AND A COUPLE OF PEOPLE ARE DIGGING SPRAY PAINT CANNISTERS OUT OF THEIR POCKETS AS THE REPORTER STARTS TO SPEAK)
REPORTER – Are you a part of this protest, Miss?
DAWN – That’s Ms. And you may have noticed my sign?
REPORTER – Yes. So what do you expect to accomplish today? Surely you can’t expect to single-handedly stop the use of fur by the fashion industry?
(DAWN STILL FROWNS TOWARD THE DOOR, NOT SURE WHAT THE OTHER PROTESTORS ARE TAKING OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. SHE CATCHES HERSELF, AND LOOKS AT THE REPORTER.)
DAWN – You may have noticed I’m not alone, so this is hardly ‘single-handed’. And our goal for now is mainly consciousness-raising.
REPORTER – That’s a well-used buzz word. What do you mean by it?
DAWN – (LOOKING TOWARD THE DOOR) What are they…? (LOOKS AT THE REPORTER) Consciousness-raising. Drawing people’s attention to the facts, and the abuses. Making them conscious. Get it? (LOOKS TOWARD THE DOOR) What are they doing…?
(AS THE REPORTER SPEAKS, BLYTHE AND HER WORKERS REACH FOR THE NEXT RACK. TWO PEOPLE IN THE CROWD REACH UP AND START SPRAYING RED PAINT AT THE FURS.)
REPORTER – So you’re not intending to take any real action, then –
DAWN – Gods! What are you people doing?? Stop!
(SHE DROPS HER SIGN AND RUSHES PAST THE REPORTER AND INTO THE SEETHING CROWD. BARB DOES THE SAME.)
BARB – Stop this, you idiots! It isn’t supposed to go this way! Are you trying to ruin everything?
BLYTHE – Get the furs inside, quickly! Audrey – everybody – come and help!
(SHE DRAGS THE FURS INSIDE, AS SPLATTERED AS THEY ARE. AUDREY RUSHES INTO THE DOORWAY AND LOOKS OUT AGAIN, ALARMED.
BARB IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING TO THE TROUBLE-MAKERS, BUT SHE KEEPS TRYING. DAWN HAS REACHED A GUY WITH A PAINT CANNISTER, AND IS STRUGGLING WITH HIM FOR IT. HE HOLDS IT OVER HIS HEAD, STILL TRYING TO SPRAY.)
DAWN – You stupid jerk! You’re not supposed to do this!
RIOTER #1 – This is how we get the point across!
DAWN – No! No one will ever listen if we destroy their property and make them angry!
RIOTER #1 – This is war, babe! That mean’s everything’s fair!
DAWN – No – it – doesn’t! (SHE JERKS ONE OF HIS ARMS AND THE CANNISTER BREAKS LOOSE, FLYING OVER THE CROWD, LANDING AND ROLLING FARTHER DOWN THE ALLEY) And don’t call me babe!
RIOTER #1 – I’ll call you what I like – babe! (HE KNOCKS HER DOWN)
BARB – Dawn!
(BARB WRESTLES HER WAY THROUGH THE INCREASINGLY NOISY, ROWDY CROWD. DAWN IS SITTING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, SHIELDING HERSELF WITH BOTH ARMS UP. SHE IS A LITTLE WINDED AS BARB HELPS HER TO HER FEET AND BACK TO THE EDGE OF THE CROWD.)
BARB – Are you alright?
DAWN – Oh yeah. Just need to catch my breath. (LEANS DOWN, HANDS ON KNEES, AND BREATHES)
BARB – Who is that guy? I don’t remember him from any meetings.
DAWN – He’s never been. It looks like Ashwin was probably right. I really owe him an apology n ow. (STANDS) But we’d better get back into it. There’s still one more person with a paint sprayer.
BARB – I don’t know how we can reach him. Dawn, this is terrible!
DAWN – I know. But we’ve got to try to prevent as much damage as we can.
RIOTER #1 – Hey! I think I see some cops!
RIOTER #2 – (THE ONE WITH THE OTHER CANNISTER) Where? I don’t see any.
RIOTER #1 – At the other end of the alley. They’re coming!
RIOTER #2 – Man, we gotta get out of here!
RIOTER #1 – I need to get my sprayer!
RIOTER #2 – Are you kidding? We have to get out of here! You can get another one!
(THEY START FIGHTING THEIR WAY IN ONE DIRECTION, AS THREE OR FOUR POLICEMEN APPEAR AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CROWD)
BARB – Dawn! The police!
DAWN – Good. Things should get under control now.
BARB – I know. But we can’t stick around.
DAWN – What are you talking about?
BARB – Things have just gone too far, and they’ll never let us explain that it wasn’t our fault. We’ll just get into trouble.
DAWN – Are you saying we should just abandon everybody? Barb!
BARB – No. We’ll try to get them to leave, too. Look! Some of them are running already. We don’t have any choice, Dawn! It’s beyond our help now! Believe me!
DAWN – Oh, alright, I’ll go. But I don’t like it.
BARB – Neither do I.
(THEY YELL AT A FEW PEOPLE TO RUN, AND THE WORD STARTS TO SPREAD. PEOPLE BEGIN TO DISPERSE. BARB AND DAWN RUN DOWN THE ALLEY AND AWAY.
CUT TO THE PAINT CANNISTER, FINISHING ITS ROLL – RIGHT TO THE FEET OF PENNY, WHO HAS BEEN STANDING AT A DISTANCE, WATCHING)
PENNY – (PICKS IT UP) Goodness. The murder weapon itself.
(PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DISPERSE, EXCEPT A FEW NABBED BY THE POLICE. CAMERA PEOPLE CONTINUE TO FILM OR TAKE PICTURES. PENNY TURNS TO LEAVE, STILL HOLDING THE CANNISTER)
POLICEMAN #1 – (APPROACHES HER) And where do you think you’re going with that?
PENNY – I was going to throw it in the garbage. Do you need it?
POLICEMAN #1 – How obliging. (HE PULLS OUT A PLASTIC BAG AND PENNY DROPS IT IN)
PENNY – Well. All this seems to be over now, so I’ll just be off.
POLICEMAN #2 – (COMES UP BEHIND HER) I don’t think so.
PENNY – (HALF TURNS) What? What do you mean?
POLICEMAN #1 – We mean, young lady, that you are under arrest, for creating a public disturbance, destruction of private property –
PENNY – But I didn’t do anything! You’re making a mistake!
(FOCUS ON AUDREY, HER MOUTH HANGING OPEN AS SHE LEANS OUT THE LOADING DOCK DOOR, WATCHING PENNY GET ARRESTED)
Next: Episode 3, Act 4
III.A) RUMINATIONS RESTAURANT. All pretense to working on the books is over. Tylor’s and Anastasia’s stools are a little closer together, and they are leaning toward each other as they talk.
ANASTASIA – So. What signals was this guy giving you? You know about signals, Tylor. What you think you see isn’t always what the guy intends. You have to be careful.
TYLOR – I know, I know. And I’m trying to be reasonable. But he did behave differently last night, Anastasia.
ANASTASIA – How? What did he do? What was different?
TYLOR – Well, we’ve been fairly good friends for a while now, getting to know each other slowly, you know. I’d say we were getting closer, gradually. The way friends do. Y’know?
ANASTASIA – Mm hmm. So far so good. What happened next? You said he behaved differently last night.
TYLOR – Yes he did. (LAUGHS A LITTLE) He kissed me.
ANASTASIA – Ah. That is hopeful. But friends do that, too, Tylor.
TYLOR – (LAUGHS AGAIN) What are you – the local distributor of cold water?
ANASTASIA – Oh, probably. I don’t mean to throw it all over your excitement. I’m just trying to be an objective voice. I know how you’ve been hurt before, and I’d hate to see it happen again.
TYLOR – I know. Once burned, and all that. And I’m really trying to keep all that in mind. God knows, I’ve been through it once already, I sure don’t need to do it again.
ANASTASIA – But…?
TYLOR – But he’s nothing like Rob was. Different as night and day. And kissing me like that, out of the blue, before he left last night – well, it was a totally new development. And it felt good, Anastasia! I’d almost forgotten that breathless, heart-stopping feeling. Maybe that feeling is really just for adolescents, but it makes me feel young again.
ANASTASIA – Oh, as though you’re old and decrepit.
TYLOR – Well, here I am with a ten-year-old daughter and my own business, and I can’t even remember the last time a man looked at me twice. Then this feeling hits like a lightning bolt, and I think, ‘Hey! Maybe I’m not so old after all!’ It’s exhilarating.
ANASTASIA – Sounds wonderful. But I have one more teeny tiny cup of cold water to throw, and then I’ll stop, I promise.
TYLOR – Oh, alright. One more bit of rationality, and then I can leap into the abyss.
ANASTASIA – Well. You say this whole thing is exhilarating. Makes you feel ‘young again.’ So my question is: could it be that you’re putting your hopes on this man because of that exhilarating, young feeling, and not because of the man himself?
TYLOR – I know you’re just concerned, which is why I’m not insulted. But really. I have learned something from my first marriage. And despite your polite disclaimers, I’m not a young girl any more, and maybe I do have the ability to say ‘no’ to the hormones and the excited feelings.
ANASTASIA – I’m sorry. I’ve gone too far. I didn’t mean to make you angry.
TYLOR – I’m not. But I do think you should give me more credit. I know how to see beyond the exciting package into the reality. It’s just nice to have the feelings go along with it.
ANASTASIA – Alright, then. I’ll believe that. I just wanted to administer a final reality check, and I’m done. So if you’re right, then there’s more to this than the ‘exciting package’, as you call it.
TYLOR – No kidding there’s more! Like I said, he’s nothing like Rob. He’s a kind, decent human being, who really cares about people. I’d even say he cares about me. Anastasia, I could no more imagine Kyle hitting me than I could imagine –
ANASTASIA – That’s his name? Kyle?
TYLOR – (LAUGHING) You mean I haven’t told you his name? Really? Sorry about that. It’s Kyle Yaworski. And he’s got to be the nicest, most honest and caring man I’ve ever met.
III.B) DESK AREA, HOSPITAL WARD. Joanna is checking charts behind the desk, while another nurse answers phones and does other paperwork in the same area. Occasionally a nurse or doctor walks past on some errand. Paige walks up to the desk.
PAIGE – Hi, mom.
JOANNA – (SURPRISED) Paige? Dear, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in school?
PAIGE – Mom, you never remember my schedule. I have a couple of spares this morning. I don’t have a class till later.
JOANNA – Sorry. I lose track of the days sometimes. So what are you doing here?
PAIGE – Oh, I thought I’d drop in and say hi, before I head over to the library. How’s it going today?
JOANNA – Pretty much the same as always. I appreciate the visit, though. Brightens my day.
(SHE SMILES AND CONSULTS ANOTHER CHART. PAIGE LOOKS AROUND THE AREA MORE THAN CASUALLY, OBVIOUSLY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE)
PAIGE – So…what time do you get off today, mom?
JOANNE – (LOOKS AT HER ODDLY) Three o’clock, dear. The regular day shift.
PAIGE – (LAUGHS SHEEPISHLY) Oh, right. I guess I have trouble remembering your schedule, too.
JOANNA – I’ve only been working it since before you were born. Paige, is there any particular reason why you’re here –
PAIGE – (LOOKING BEYOND HER) Oh, look who’s here. Hi, Kyle!
(JOANNA GLANCES BACK AS KYLE APPROACHES THE DESK. HE SMILES POLITELY AT PAIGE)
JOANNA – Hello, Kyle. Do you remember my daughter?
KYLE – We met at the staff Christmas party. Paige…wasn’t it?
PAIGE – Yes. I’m surprised you remember.
KYLE – Your mother mentions you occasionally. You and your sister…Jaime. Right?
PAIGE – Pretty good. I’m impressed.
KYLE – Well, I’ve always thought they were very pretty girls’ names. That makes them easier to remember. So what brings you here, Paige? Not illness, I hope?
PAIGE – Oh no, nothing like that. I just came in to say hi to mom. How’ve you been since Christmas, Kyle?
KYLE – Great. It was a good holiday. How was your – oh. I guess Mrs. Vickery would’ve been your aunt. I was sorry to hear what happened. Right after Christmas too.
PAIGE – Yeah, it was pretty bad. Worse for my cousins, but I really liked her too. She was nice.
JOANNA – Could you excuse me? I have to deliver these down the hall. (SHE WAVES A COUPLE OF FILES AND EXITS DOWN A HALLWAY. KYLE SMILES AFTER HER, BUT PAIGE IS SO FIXED ON KYLE THAT SHE HARDLY NOTICES HER MOTHER’S DEPARTURE.)
KYLE – I imagine your semester is almost over, so you must be ready to plow into finals for some of your subjects. You’re a senior, aren’t you?
PAIGE – You really do have a good memory, don’t you?
KYLE – I guess I do.
PAIGE – Then, since you know so much about me and I don’t know that much about you, can I ask a personal question? To sort of even things out?
KYLE – (SMILES) Ask away. I’ll try to answer, if I can.
PAIGE – Okay. It’s a simple question. Are you married?
(KYLE STARES AT HER, HIS SMILE STUCK TO HIS FACE.)
III.C) ALLEY BEHIND BLYTHE’S STUDIO. Things have heated up. The truck has reached the loading door and is backing up to it bit by bit, as the driver tries to make sure he doesn’t run over anyone. This isn’t easy, since protestors now and then dart behind the truck, to inconvenience him. But the truck makes gradual progress none the less. The driver contributes to the noise and confusion as he leans out the window looking back, shouting and gesticulating for people to get out of his way.
Dawn and Barb pace back and forth near the truck, carrying signs. Other people with signs are scattered through the crowd. Everyone is shouting slogans, or just shouting in general.
Audrey is leaning out, avidly watching everything.
BARB – Have you seen any reporters yet?
DAWN – No. This is a relatively minor demonstration, so I doubt there’ll be any.
BARB – (SHEEPISH) Well…there may be, actually…
DAWN – You think so? Why? Oh no – Barb, what have you done?
BARB – Uh, I sort of…made a few anonymous phone calls…(GRINS)
DAWN – (BURSTS OUT LAUGHING) You didn’t! Wow – we’ve had our very first leak to the press.
(THEY WALK IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WITH THEIR SIGNS, THEN TURN AROUND AND WALK TOWARD EACH OTHER AGAIN)
DAWN – So I guess that makes us official. Leaking to the press, I mean.
BARB – Only if they show up. I still don’t see anybody and we’ve been going for a while now.
DAWN – Oh, they’ll be here. Those vultures can’t resist a confrontation like this, on a controversial issue.
BARB – But they like juicy stories, so I know they’d rather this got violent.
(THEY PART AGAIN, IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. THIS TIME, DAWN IS FACING THE LOADING DOCK DOOR AS SHE TURNS TO COME BACK. AUDREY WAVES HAPPILY AT HER AGAIN, THEN LOOKS GUILTILY OVER HER SHOULDER, HOPING NO ONE INSIDE SAW HER. DAWN GRINS AND WAVES BACK. SHE AND BARB APPROACH AGAIN.)
BARB – Which it hasn’t so far, thank heavens.
DAWN – What?
BARB – It hasn’t gotten violent so far.
DAWN – No. Ashwin Patel will be so disappointed.
BARB – You’re getting nasty again.
DAWN – I’m still a little ticked off at his attitude.
BARB – Never have guessed.
(THEY PART AGAIN. AS BARB TURNS TO FACE THE LOADING DOCK DOOR, SHE SEES THAT THE TRUCK HAS REACHED THE DOOR AND STOPPED. THE DRIVER AND HIS PARTNER ARE OUT OF THE TRUCK, WADING THROUGH THE PRESS OF PROTESTORS TOWARD THE DOOR. THE LARGE DOOR IS OPEN NOW, AND BLYTHE AND HER WORKERS STAND READY TO RECEIVE THE FURS. DAWN AND BARB APPROACH AGAIN)
DAWN – Should we move closer to the truck now?
BARB – Give them a minute to get the doors open and start unloading.
DAWN – This is exciting.
BARB – And I saw some flashes on the other side of the truck, so I think the press is finally here.
DAWN – Way to go, Barb. Should we call you Deep Throat?
BARB – Very funny.
(THEY PART AGAIN. BY NOW THE TRUCK DOORS ARE OPEN AND THE FIRST RACK OF HANGING FURS IS BEING WHEELED OUT, AND INTO THE STUDIO. AUDREY IS PART OF THE CREW THAT TAKES THIS FIRST RACK INSIDE. BLYTHE AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS WAIT FOR THE SECOND RACK.
NOW THER ARE MEDIA PEOPLE ON THIS SIDE OF THE TRUCK AS WELL, SNAPPING PICTURES, TAKING NOTES, TRYING TO ACCOST PEOPLE FOR COMMENTS. ONE COMES UP TO DAWN, WHO HAS STOPPED PACING AND FACES THE LOADING DOCK DOOR, FROWNING. THINGS ARE ROWDIER THERE, AND A COUPLE OF PEOPLE ARE DIGGING SPRAY PAINT CANNISTERS OUT OF THEIR POCKETS AS THE REPORTER STARTS TO SPEAK)
REPORTER – Are you a part of this protest, Miss?
DAWN – That’s Ms. And you may have noticed my sign?
REPORTER – Yes. So what do you expect to accomplish today? Surely you can’t expect to single-handedly stop the use of fur by the fashion industry?
(DAWN STILL FROWNS TOWARD THE DOOR, NOT SURE WHAT THE OTHER PROTESTORS ARE TAKING OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. SHE CATCHES HERSELF, AND LOOKS AT THE REPORTER.)
DAWN – You may have noticed I’m not alone, so this is hardly ‘single-handed’. And our goal for now is mainly consciousness-raising.
REPORTER – That’s a well-used buzz word. What do you mean by it?
DAWN – (LOOKING TOWARD THE DOOR) What are they…? (LOOKS AT THE REPORTER) Consciousness-raising. Drawing people’s attention to the facts, and the abuses. Making them conscious. Get it? (LOOKS TOWARD THE DOOR) What are they doing…?
(AS THE REPORTER SPEAKS, BLYTHE AND HER WORKERS REACH FOR THE NEXT RACK. TWO PEOPLE IN THE CROWD REACH UP AND START SPRAYING RED PAINT AT THE FURS.)
REPORTER – So you’re not intending to take any real action, then –
DAWN – Gods! What are you people doing?? Stop!
(SHE DROPS HER SIGN AND RUSHES PAST THE REPORTER AND INTO THE SEETHING CROWD. BARB DOES THE SAME.)
BARB – Stop this, you idiots! It isn’t supposed to go this way! Are you trying to ruin everything?
BLYTHE – Get the furs inside, quickly! Audrey – everybody – come and help!
(SHE DRAGS THE FURS INSIDE, AS SPLATTERED AS THEY ARE. AUDREY RUSHES INTO THE DOORWAY AND LOOKS OUT AGAIN, ALARMED.
BARB IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING TO THE TROUBLE-MAKERS, BUT SHE KEEPS TRYING. DAWN HAS REACHED A GUY WITH A PAINT CANNISTER, AND IS STRUGGLING WITH HIM FOR IT. HE HOLDS IT OVER HIS HEAD, STILL TRYING TO SPRAY.)
DAWN – You stupid jerk! You’re not supposed to do this!
RIOTER #1 – This is how we get the point across!
DAWN – No! No one will ever listen if we destroy their property and make them angry!
RIOTER #1 – This is war, babe! That mean’s everything’s fair!
DAWN – No – it – doesn’t! (SHE JERKS ONE OF HIS ARMS AND THE CANNISTER BREAKS LOOSE, FLYING OVER THE CROWD, LANDING AND ROLLING FARTHER DOWN THE ALLEY) And don’t call me babe!
RIOTER #1 – I’ll call you what I like – babe! (HE KNOCKS HER DOWN)
BARB – Dawn!
(BARB WRESTLES HER WAY THROUGH THE INCREASINGLY NOISY, ROWDY CROWD. DAWN IS SITTING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, SHIELDING HERSELF WITH BOTH ARMS UP. SHE IS A LITTLE WINDED AS BARB HELPS HER TO HER FEET AND BACK TO THE EDGE OF THE CROWD.)
BARB – Are you alright?
DAWN – Oh yeah. Just need to catch my breath. (LEANS DOWN, HANDS ON KNEES, AND BREATHES)
BARB – Who is that guy? I don’t remember him from any meetings.
DAWN – He’s never been. It looks like Ashwin was probably right. I really owe him an apology n ow. (STANDS) But we’d better get back into it. There’s still one more person with a paint sprayer.
BARB – I don’t know how we can reach him. Dawn, this is terrible!
DAWN – I know. But we’ve got to try to prevent as much damage as we can.
RIOTER #1 – Hey! I think I see some cops!
RIOTER #2 – (THE ONE WITH THE OTHER CANNISTER) Where? I don’t see any.
RIOTER #1 – At the other end of the alley. They’re coming!
RIOTER #2 – Man, we gotta get out of here!
RIOTER #1 – I need to get my sprayer!
RIOTER #2 – Are you kidding? We have to get out of here! You can get another one!
(THEY START FIGHTING THEIR WAY IN ONE DIRECTION, AS THREE OR FOUR POLICEMEN APPEAR AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CROWD)
BARB – Dawn! The police!
DAWN – Good. Things should get under control now.
BARB – I know. But we can’t stick around.
DAWN – What are you talking about?
BARB – Things have just gone too far, and they’ll never let us explain that it wasn’t our fault. We’ll just get into trouble.
DAWN – Are you saying we should just abandon everybody? Barb!
BARB – No. We’ll try to get them to leave, too. Look! Some of them are running already. We don’t have any choice, Dawn! It’s beyond our help now! Believe me!
DAWN – Oh, alright, I’ll go. But I don’t like it.
BARB – Neither do I.
(THEY YELL AT A FEW PEOPLE TO RUN, AND THE WORD STARTS TO SPREAD. PEOPLE BEGIN TO DISPERSE. BARB AND DAWN RUN DOWN THE ALLEY AND AWAY.
CUT TO THE PAINT CANNISTER, FINISHING ITS ROLL – RIGHT TO THE FEET OF PENNY, WHO HAS BEEN STANDING AT A DISTANCE, WATCHING)
PENNY – (PICKS IT UP) Goodness. The murder weapon itself.
(PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DISPERSE, EXCEPT A FEW NABBED BY THE POLICE. CAMERA PEOPLE CONTINUE TO FILM OR TAKE PICTURES. PENNY TURNS TO LEAVE, STILL HOLDING THE CANNISTER)
POLICEMAN #1 – (APPROACHES HER) And where do you think you’re going with that?
PENNY – I was going to throw it in the garbage. Do you need it?
POLICEMAN #1 – How obliging. (HE PULLS OUT A PLASTIC BAG AND PENNY DROPS IT IN)
PENNY – Well. All this seems to be over now, so I’ll just be off.
POLICEMAN #2 – (COMES UP BEHIND HER) I don’t think so.
PENNY – (HALF TURNS) What? What do you mean?
POLICEMAN #1 – We mean, young lady, that you are under arrest, for creating a public disturbance, destruction of private property –
PENNY – But I didn’t do anything! You’re making a mistake!
(FOCUS ON AUDREY, HER MOUTH HANGING OPEN AS SHE LEANS OUT THE LOADING DOCK DOOR, WATCHING PENNY GET ARRESTED)
Next: Episode 3, Act 4
