NYC on NYE

This was a little piece inspired by the song in the posted video. It was, of course, written for a New Years Eve themed evening of short plays. I don't have any pictures of it for some reason, but it featured a delightful actress named Marguerite Stimpson (who recently shared the stage with Bradley Cooper!) and a slightly less delightful actor, myself. This was a last minute substitution as the actor for whom the piece was written, Joshua Coomer, developed a raging case of pinkeye and was unable to go on! It's probably not my best work, but I'm very sentimental about it.  I recommend listening to the song while you read...

 

 

 

A ROOFTOP IN MANHATTAN. NIGHT.  ROBERT ENTERS.

HE IS DRINKING CHAMPANGE OUT OF A BOTTLE. HE WALKS TO THE EDGE AND SPENDS A FEW MOMENTS JUST STARING OUT AT THE CITY BELOW. AFTER A BIT, HE CHECKS HIS WATCH AND SLOWLY BEGINS TO REMOVE HIS COAT AND SHOES. HE EMPTIES HIS POCKETS, MAKING A NEAT ROW OF THEIR CONTENTS; A WALLET, SOME KEYS, AN ENVELOPE, AND A VELVET RING BOX. THERE IS A METICULOUS, UNHURRIED, AIR TO HIS MOVEMENTS AS HE FOLDS HIS COAT AND ARRANGES THESE THINGS. HE TAKES ANOTHER DEEP SWIG FROM THE BOTTLE AND CLIMBS ONTO THE LEDGE; HE IS OBVIOUSLY PREPARING TO JUMP.  HE CHECKS HIS WATCH AGAIN.

SUDDENLY, MAIZEY ENTERS. SHE IS DRESSED FOR A PARTY AND HAS OBVIOUSLY HAD A BIT TO DRINK. SHE IS BAREFOOT AND CARRYING A FLASHLIGHT. NOT NOTICING ROBERT SHE BEGINS TO SEARCH FOR SOMETHING. SHE COMES ACROSS ROBERT’S ARRANGEMENT OF OBJECTS AND STOPS. THEN SHE NOTICES ROBERT.

MAIZEY

Oh hey!

THIS STARTLES ROBERT AND HE BRIEFLY LOSES HIS BALANCE. MAIZEY IS OBLIVIOUS

MAIZEY

Have you seen a pair of shoes?

ROBERT

Excuse me?

MAIZEY

A pair of shoes.  Silver, strappy…ridiculous heel!

ROBERT

Uh, no, no I haven’t. Sorry.

MAIZEY

Are you sure? I’m positive I didn’t have them with me when we went downstairs earlier. They have to be up here! I mean, I hope they are. They’re not mine. I mean, I was WEARING them but I sort of borrowed them from my roommates closet without asking her. They’re probably really expensive, I mean I KNOW they are because she’s like some CRAZY shoe person.  She will KILL me.

ROBERT

Nope, no shoes here.

MAIZEY

I’m sorry, I hate to be a pill, but could you just help me look for a minute? I want to get back downstairs to the party before midnight.

ROBERT

Yeah, I’m sort of busy right now. I’m trying to get a few things done before midnight myself.

MAIZEY

Is this your stuff?

ROBERT

Yes, yes it is.

MAIZEY

Well, you better not leave it all spread out like this. It’s dark up here and you’ll probably forget something when you go back down. Let me-

ROBERT

Please don’t touch that!

HE JUMPS DOWN FROM THE LEDGE.

I’m sorry. It’s just…Where were you standing when you last had your shoes.

MAIZEY

I don’t really know…Hey it’s really cold can I just throw your coat on for a sec?

ROBERT WILL AGREE TO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO GET RID OF HER. HE LOOKS AT HIS WATCH.

 

 

ROBERT

Sure. Fine. Whatever.  Now where were you when you last had the shoes.

MAIZEY

Well, we all came up here to look at the lights…I think Karen’s brother just wanted to smoke some weed actually. Karen can’t stand that stuff! She says it reminds her too much of college  and  Who wants to remember THAT you know? Because she was really fat, well not really fat, but definitely sort of chunky and REALLY awkward!  Do you know Karen? She lives in 12 A?

ROBERT

No.

MAIZEY

Oh, I figured you might because I assume you live in the building. Anyway, it’s her party and…

ROBERT HAS ALMOST REACHED THE END OF HIS ROPE.

ROBERT

Shoes!?

MAIZEY

Oh. Yes. Sorry. I think we were looking toward New Jersey…Yes, definitely because Chad, that’s Karen’s brother- nice guy, but a typical  frat boy, was pointing out the palisades. And he was getting a little handsey  so I cut out and went back down.

ROBERT

Then you must have been over there. This side looks out on Queens.

HE GLANCES AT HIS WATCH AGAIN AND TAKES THE FLASHLIGHT FROM HER AND HEADS OVER IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. MAIZEY HAS NOTICED THE RINGBOX AND OPENS IT. SHE HASTELY RETURNS IT TO THE “ARRANGEMENT”. A MOMENT LATER ROBERT RETURNS CARRYING THE SHOES.

MAIZEY

Oh thank GOD!!!! Now I won’t have to move out of my apartment in the middle of the night and change my name!! Fantastic! Thank you so much, oh wow, I didn’t even get your name. Sorry, I was raised better than that I’m Maizey Duncan.

ROBERT

Robert, Robert Canfield .

MAIZEY

Well, thank you very much Mr. Canfield for assisting this “damsel in distress”.  I’ll just let you get back to what you were doing. Good luck!

ROBERT

I’m sorry?

MAIZEY

I think it’s VERY sweet. I’m sure she’s going to be one happy lady!

ROBERT STARES BLANKLY.

Okay, I saw the ring. And the champagne. Although, I think you probably should have waited till she got here to open it. Champagne doesn’t really need to  “breathe”. Actually, I don’t even know what that means, do you? Anyway I’ll just nip back down to my party before I run into her on the stairs…I hope she gets here before the ball drops! Congratulations in advance!

SHE GOES, STILL WEARING HIS COAT. HE NOTICES, BUT MAKES NO EFFORT TO STOP HER. HE CHECKS HIS WATCH AND CLIMBS BACK ONTO THE LEDGE. HE TAKES A FEW DEEP BREATHS TO CALM HIMSELF.  MAIZEY CHARGES BACK IN ALREADY TALKING.

MAIZEY

Oh my God! I am a complete idiot. I am so sorry. I got halfway down the stairs, and I realized I was still wearing your coat! Jeeze! I really should never drink… ever. I mean I have a hard enough time keeping things straight sober, but give me a couple of glasses of wine and I just become a menace….interrupting marriage proposals, stealing coats. I’m just…

SHE HAS JUST NOTICED THAT ROBERT IS STANDING ON THE LEDGE

Hey, I don’t think I’d stand up there like that. It’s a hell of a long way down.

ROBERT

I’m pretty much counting on that!

MAIZEY

What?!

ROBERT

Look, Daisy..

 

MAIZEY

Maizey. I know. People make that mistake all the time. I think it’s because of the “D” in Duncan.

ROBERT

Maizey. Keep the coat. Keep it. Just go back to your party and leave me alone. Okay?

MAIZEY

Yeah, somehow I’m pretty sure that’s not such a good idea right now. Why don’t you just come down from there and we’ll talk.

ROBERT

I think I’m a little past the talking stage right now. This is not just some sort of snap decision. I have been thinking about this for a good, long while. I have been planning and organizing…

MAIZEY

Planning and organizing?

ROBERT

Yes! You know, getting my affairs in order…that kind of thing.

MAIZEY

I never understood what that meant.

ROBERT

Bank accounts, A will…

MAIZEY

Aren’t you a little young to be thinking about a will?

HE GIVES HER A LOOK

Okay, point taken.

ROBERT

I wanted to do this in a neat, orderly, poetic fashion. As that ball drops over there I’m going to drop over here. Boom. Done. Neat. And on a schedule! I really hadn’t factored in extra time to account for the fact that some aging sorority girl couldn’t keep track of her SHOES!

THERE IS A PAUSE

I’m sorry. I’m just…on a tight schedule right now.

MAIZEY

Under the circumstances, I’m going to let that slide. But if you’re so concerned about neat and orderly there are a hell of a lot better ways than smearing yourself all over 8^th avenue. You know, someone does have to clean that up!

ROBERT

What?!

MAIZEY

Seriously.  Aside from the fact that the act of suicide in and of itself is pretty selfish , why do you feel the need to add  to that by ruining someone else’s day? Tomorrow is a holiday which means that someone is going to have to come in on his day off to scrape what’s left of you off the pavement. And that’s definitely going to be double time, which, let’s be honest this city REALLY can’t afford right now.

ROBERT

I’m going to guess that you never volunteered at a suicide hotline.

MAIZEY

Look, I’m just pointing out that even if you think you have no reason left to live, that’s no reason to punish other people. And frankly, just because the “love of your life” dumped you.

ROBERT GIVES HER A QUESTIONING LOOK

The RING! I may have gotten it wrong at first, but I’m pretty much up to speed at this point.

Anyway, getting dumped is a lousy excuse for killing yourself. Sure, the other person spends the rest of their life wracked with guilt, but you aren’t around to see it. Where’s the fun in that?

THERE IS A DISTANT CHEER. THEY BOTH LOOK OUT.

Hey look! The ball is gonna beat you to it. Guess you’ll just have to try next year.

ROBERT STEPS OFF THE LEDGE.

Atta boy Robert!

ROBERT

Just so you know, I’m not entirely sure I would have gone through with it anyway. Don’t get some deluded idea that I owe you some big “life debt” or anything.

 

MAIZEY

Oh I would never presume. You found my roommates shoes, I helped keep you from being a pathetic news story. I think that makes us even….  As we go two by two into the great abyss at the end of the world.

ROBERT

Huh?

MAIZEY

I don’t know. .It just popped into my head.  Felt like something I had to say. Now let’s go downstairs and call your shrink. HE LOOKS AT HER .Honey it’s New York, EVERYBODY has a shrink!

THEY GO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

A Brief Interruption

 

Josh Coomer and Michael Fulvio

A BARE ROOM. A CHAIR AND SMALL DESK OR TABLE.

 WALDSTOCK IS STANDING SOMEWHAT UNCOMFORTABLY .  HE GLANCES AT HIS WATCH.  WILTON, A SLEEK WOMAN DRESSED IN A SORT OF TAILORED UNIFORM ENTERS WITH A FOLDER AND PLACES IT ON THE TABLE.

 

WALDSTOCK

Excuse me…

WILTON

Yes?

WALDSTOCK

I’ve been here for a while now.

WILTON

Yes.

WALDSTOCK

Well, I was just wondering if you knew how long this might take. I was late for a meeting already when I was invited here.

WILTON

Yes. I was made aware of that fact. We do apologize for the inconvenience. We realize that there are many more important things you could be doing.

WALDSTOCK

No, no, I didn’t mean that this was unimportant…I just wanted to let my colleague know that I would be late. They made me leave my phone at the desk.

WILTON

We have sent a message to your friend. He will not be inconvenienced. (SHE SMILES)

WALDSTOCK

I see. Thank you. I really appreciate that. I’m very-

 

WILTON

Mr. Waldstock, your appreciation is noted.  We do try to be as accommodating as possible.  I’ll be with you shortly. (SHE SMILES AND GOES)

HE WAITS.  AFTER A MOMENT, WARNER ENTERS. WALDSTOCK’S BACK IS TURNED.

WARNER

They told me to wait in here.

WALDSTOCK TURNS, SEES HIM, AND DOES A DOUBLE TAKE. WARNE R IS EQUALLY SURPRISED.

WALDSTOCK

Warner! What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be at the café .

WARNER

I was. But then a public service officer came over to my table and invited me here. I told him I was waiting for a friend, but he assured me they would send you a message.  I see they did.

WALDSTOCK

No, actually. I was on my way to the district to meet you when a public service officer came up to me on the tram and invited me here.

WARNER

Odd.

WALDSTOCK

Very.

WARNER

Have you ever been invited before?

WALDSTOCK

No. I don’t know anyone who has- I mean personally….Friends of friends maybe. You?

WARNER

My cousin was. He says it’s all very routine. Just a random selection

WALDSTOCK

How funny that both of us would be “randomly selected” at the same time.

WARNER

Yes.  An amazing coincidence.

WALDSTOCK

Uncanny.

WARNER

Unbelievable.

PAUSE

WALDSTOCK

You realize that this is not a coincidence

WARNER

Yes.

WALDSTOCK

What do we do?

WARNER

I don’t know.

WALDSTOCK

I suppose we just answer the questions as truthfully as possible.

WARNER

Yes.

THEY WAIT. WARNER GLANCES AT THE FILE ON THE TABLE.

WARNER

What do you suppose is in that?

WALDSTOCK

I don’t know.

 

WARNER

Should we look? I mean it might not hurt to see what it is that they already have. It might help us know what to say.

WALDSTOCK

I don’t think that’s a good idea. They’re probably watching us right now. (POINTEDLY) And listening too.

WARNER

Oh. Yes. Of course.

WILTON ENTERS

WILTON

Thank you for waiting gentlemen. Again, we do apologize for the interruption to your personal schedules, but I can assure you that this wont take more than five minutes. I am PSO Wilton and I’ll be conducting this friendly, and completely voluntary interview. Now, you are citizen Warner?

WARNER

Yes.

WILTON

And you are citizen Waldstock?

WALDSTOCK

Yes.

WILTON

And you both agree that you are here of your own free will by invitation of the public service committee and that no threat or physical coercion was used to make you join us today?

WALDSTOCK/WARNER

Yes

WILTON

Excellent.  Now to the matter at hand. I am sure that you are both aware of the increasing problem the committee has been dealing with concerning certain spiritual philosophies that are being practiced in secret by a few, but an increasing number of, citizens. As you know,  our by-laws do not prohibit these practices. Unless , of course,  they run counter to the philosophies expressed by the majority and reflected in the views of the freely- elected members of the Public Service Committee as a whole.

WALDSTOCK

I’m sorry Ms. Wilton, but I no longer wish to voluntarily co operate.

WILTON

Really Mr. Waldstock?  I can’t say I’m surprised, but you will be happy to know that your co operation is not necessary. We have received all the intelligence we require from your friend, Mr. Warner.

WALDSTOCK

What!?

WARNER

I’m sorry.

WALDSTOCK

But you are the organizer! You recruited ME!

WARNER

Yes. But the committee made me a generous offer .  Just recant Waldstock….sign the loyalty oath. It’s all they want. Just your name on a line!

WALDSTOCK

I don’t understand.

WILTON

Mr. Waldstock, we are simply asking you to cease your associations with certain more militant followers of your philosophy. By signing the “Oath” as Mr. Warner calls it, you maintain your allegiance to the committee and renounce your participation in the gatherings that we have found to be counter to our and by “our” I mean the majority of the committee, continuing purpose. It will also give the subcommittee on information and research access to your books and papers.

WALDSTOCK

My books?

WILTON

The committee has found that many citizens possess, quite unknowingly , works of literature and history that were thought to be lost or destroyed. We make copies of these for the archive. We also assist you in curating your collection and removing those works that you no longer have use of. It’s all very helpful.

 

WALDSTOCK

And if I refuse to sign?

WARNER

That’s not an option!

WILTON

Mr Warner please. The committee appreciates your assistance, but I must ask you to allow me to answer. Of course, not signing is an option Mr. Waldstock. We will not force you… But there  will have to be some adjustments. You and your family will be relocated.

WALDSTOCK

Relocated?

WARNER

She means the camps, Waldstock!

WILTON

Mr. Warner! Let me remind you that we do not discuss the particulars of relocation. I myself am not briefed on them and do not speculate. So, Citizen Waldstock will you voluntarily sign your name to the prepared statement, endorsing all that it states and implies?

WALDSTOCK

No.

WARNER

Think this through! They’re making you an offer . You just have to accept the terms! And they really are generous terms.

WILTON

Again, Citizen Waldstock, will you sign the statement?

WALDSTOCK

No.

 

 

WILTON

The Committee notes with sadness your refusal. I believe we are finished here Mr. Warner. You may speak with the officer at the desk on your way out regarding your compensation. I thank you warmly on the Committee’s behalf.

WARNER ATTEMPTS TO CONNECT WITH

WALDSTOCK, BUT FAILS. HE GOES.

WALDSTOCK

What sort of compensation does he get? What was I worth?

WILTON

Mr. Warner will be executed before he leaves the building. The Committee has no use for his type of individual.

WALDSTOCK

Wait a minute. He helped you. He sold me out to you.

WILTON

Exactly. We have no use for a loyalty that can be bought like a commodity. Mr. Warner only helped us because the price was right. Someday someone will be able to out bid us and his kind will simply follow the reward. We have no interest in that kind of allegiance.

WALDSTOCK

So what happens now? Do you just pack me off to the camp straight from here? Will I at least get to send a message to my family?

WILTON

You are free to go. Conviction like yours can’t be changed through threats or bribery. That interests us. That makes you useful.

WALDSTOCK

I don’t-

WILTON

We know where you stand Mr. Waldstock. We know where you are. Someday these convictions of yours may prove more helpful to us than you can possibly imagine. Again, on behalf  of the Committee, I apologize for this brief interruption in your routine. Please accept our warmest wishes. (SHE SMILES)  I’ll see you out? (They GO)

 

THE END

 LIAR'S DICE

Marshall Spann, Logan Ford, Patrick Lane in "Liars Dice"-Photo by Jason Donovan Hall

 

IN THE DARKNESS THERE IS THE SOUND OF A TRAIN. IT CAN
AND SHOULD CONTINUE AS THE LIGHTS SLOWLY FADE UP ON
A RAILWAY COMPARTMENT.  ALEX IS SPRAWELD ACROSS ONE
BENCH ABSENTMINDEDLY PICKING OUT A TUNE ON HIS VIOLIN.
RENE IS ATTEMPTING TO JUGGLE SOME ORANGES, BUT NOT
SUCCEEDING VERY WELL DUE TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE TRAIN.

RENE

Must you?

ALEX

Must I?

RENE

Diddle like that.

ALEX

Diddle?

RENE

Yes. Diddle. It’s not even a song. It’s barely music. It’s annoying.

ALEX

No more so than your bumbling around with that fruit. You haven’t gotten through the routine once without dropping it. It’s embarrassing.

HE PUNCTUATES THIS WITH A FLOURISH ON THE VIOLIN.

RENE

It’s the train. My balance is off. And I can’t concentrate!!!

ALEX

You weren’t on a train in Carlsbad. Or in Baden. And the Grand Theatre Bratislava seemed relatively stable when we played there.

RENE

That was months ago! And I had a head cold! You know what that does to my sense of rhythm. If you want to be helpful, why don’t you play something I can actually use? You know, something actually IN the act!

ALEX

Alright, alright. But only so I can’t hear the excuses! You’re like an old woman sometimes.  “It’s too hot. It’s too cold. I’m not feeling well”

RENE

Sha, sha , sha!! Just play!

ALEX STRIKES UP A JAUNTY TUNE AND RENE BEGINS AN INTRICATE  JUGGLING  ROUTINE IN TIME TO THE MUSIC.  IT IS IMPRESSIVE AND HE IS BUILDING TO A BIG FINISH WHEN SUDDENLY THE COMPARTMENT IS PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS. A TUNNEL.

RENE

Shit!

ALEX

Aw. And just as you were getting to your big finish.

RENE

Shut up!

THEY WAIT IN DARKNESS FOR A MOMENT.

This is a long tunnel. PAUSE Alex, how long have we been on this train?

ALEX

What?

RENE

I think I’ve lost track of time. Was it yesterday in Carlsbad?

ALEX

No, that was last week! Yesterday was… Yesterday was… Yesterday was someplace else. There was that girl in the box. The one who threw her handkerchief down to me.

 

RENE

That was in Prague last month! And she was throwing it to me!  Your head got in the way.

ALEX

Wait a minute. What day is it?

PAUSE

RENE

I don’t know.

THE TRAIN BARRELS OUT OF THE TUNNEL FLOODING THE COMPART MENT WITH LIGHT. 
THERE IS NOW A THIRD PERSON SEATED ON THE BENCH OPPOSITE ALEX. HE IS A PALE YOUTH WITH A SMALL CASE IN HIS LAP.

THE YOUTH

It’s the 30^th.

ALEX AND RENE START WITH SURPRISE. THEY HADN’T NOTICED HIM IN THE DARK.

RENE/ALEX

My God!/ Son of a …

THE YOUTH

I’m sorry. I was walking back to my compartment when we came to the tunnel. I must have miscounted the doors. But it is the 30^th.

RENE AND ALEX STARE AT HIM FOR A MOMENT. THEN AT EACH OTHER.

ALEX

What month?

THE YOUTH

April.

RENE

But that can’t be! We have a booking in Brno in March. I specifically remember. March 15^th; the Ides of March.  “ Et tu Brute?” and all that. It sticks in my head.( PAUSE) Unless we played Brno already and I forgot. Alex, did we play Brno?

ALEX

Of course not! I’d remember that… He’s confused.

THE YOUTH

Oh no, I’m quite certain. It is April the 30^th. Or I wouldn’t be here.

ALEX

He’s crazy.

RENE

Don’t you think you should trip along back to your own compartment? Your mother must be wondering where you are.

THE YOUTH SMILES.

THE YOUTH

You got on at what station?

RENE

Excuse me?

THE YOUTH

What town?

ALEX

Listen, little man, I think you should shove off. We were right in the middle of an important rehearsal when you showed up. We don’t have time to sit and play twenty questions. There’s plenty of light now and you can surely find your way.

THE YOUTH

What were you rehearsing?

RENE

Our act.

ALEX

Don’t encourage him Rene.

 

THE YOUTH

Really? What sort of an act is it?

ALEX

It’s a “mind your own business and go back to where you belong” sort of act!

PAUSE

RENE

It’s a musical juggling act. We’re very well known. We play only the first class theatres.

ALEX

Rene!

RENE

What? It’s true. And it’s something I’m still sure of! What town did we get on at, Alex? I don’t remember. You don’t remember.

 

ALEX

Of course I do! It was…

 HE DOESN’T REMEMBER. PAUSE.

THE YOUTH

I would like to see it. Just a bit of it?

ALEX

NO!

RENE

Alex!  Please. The more I stand here, the less I remember. Right now the only thing clear in my mind is who we are and what we do. Maybe if we just perform a little, everything will fall into place! I’ve heard of things like that happening…

ALEX

He unnerves me.

 

RENE

But he’s an audience. I REMEMBER audiences.

THE YOUTH

Please? I’m sure I’ll enjoy it!

ALEX PICKS UP HIS VIOLIN. HE STRIKES UP A TUNE AND RENE LAUNCHES INTO HIS JUGGLING. HE FINISHES, BOWS WITH A FLOURISH AND TURNS TO ALEX. THE YOUTH APPLAUDS.

THE YOUTH

Bravo!

ALEX (TO RENE)

Anything?

RENE

Nothing. You?

ALEX

Not even what I had for breakfast.

THE YOUTH

Gentleman, thank you! Really! I feel as though I should offer you something in return. What is your usual fee?

RENE (BLANKLY)

I don’t know.

THE YOUTH

I’m sorry. Maybe I can entertain you then?

ALEX

Do you perform? Have we been on a bill together?

 THE YOUTH

No. No. But we have met. I was hoping we could play a game.

HE REMOVES A CUP AND A PAIR OF DICE FROM HIS CASE.

THE YOUTH (cont)

I usually like to play chess to pass the time, but since there are three of us, I thought that might not be practical. Have you ever played “ liars dice”?

RENE

Yes! Yes! I remember that!

ALEX

My uncle taught me! It’s coming back to me. Yes.

THE YOUTH

Excellent!  So, for the sake of time, let’s say we each get two “lives”.

ALEX

Is this a friendly game or are we playing for stakes?

THE YOUTH

This is a friendly game! A very friendly game! But yes, there are stakes. Let’s not talk about that right now, though. Let’s begin.

RENE

Who goes first? I’ll go first.

HE ROLLS THE DICE, LOOKS AT THE TOTAL, AND ANNOUNCES THE NUMBER.

64

HE PASSES THE CUP TO ALEX.  ALEX LOOKS  AT HIM, BUT NOT AT THE DICE.

ALEX

You’re lying.

RENE

I’m terrible at this.

ALEX LOOKS AT THE DICE.

ALEX

Ah yes.

 THE YOUTH

One life down.

  HE LAUGHS. RENE JOINS HIM. ALEX SEEMS LESS AMUSED.  HE SHAKES THE CUP

ALEX

66

IT IS AN OBVIOUS BLUFF.  THE YOUTH TAKES THE CUP.

THE YOUTH

You know tonight is Walpurgisnacht? They say the veil is thinnest on this night.

HE SHAKE S AND DOESN’T LOOK AT THE CUP.  HE PASSES IT TO RENE.

21.

RENE

Wait a minute. If I guess that you’re lying and you’re not I lose. But if I pass it without looking I lose. The only way I win is if you aren’t lying. I hate this game.

THE YOUTH

It’s a choice you have to make. Like getting on a train. A train to Brno, that jumped the rails on a trestle over the Svitava River in early March. Some people chose not to get on that train. They lived.

RENE

Lucky them. (HE LAUGHS ) I hate choosing. Take the cup Alex, I’m out.  Here’s my Thaler.
HE FLIPS A COIN TO THE YOUTH.

THE YOUTH

Keep your money. We’ll settle up later. (HE TURNS TO ALEX) I believe it is your turn, sir.

ALEX

I don’t want to play anymore.

THE YOUTH

But you have two lives left. Are you forfeiting the game?

THE TRAIN BEGINS TO SLOW.

Oh. We seem to be reaching a station. What a lucky break for you!

ALEX

Get your things Rene, we are getting off his train as soon as it stops!

BUT RENE ONLY STARES BLANKLY.

ALEX

Come on you klutz, let’s go!

THE YOUTH

No, I’m afraid he won’t be coming with you. He lost. And now he and I have an engagement we have to keep.  You’re free to go sir, but remember that our game isn’t finished. You have two lives left. Someday you’ll have to roll the dice again and decide whether to bluff or tell the truth, whether to get on or stay off the train. And I’ll be there. And we’ll play again. And just so you know, sir, I always win in the end.

BLACKOUT