Week 44, Day 305 - "Future Electric"

“Future Electric”

Written by Joe Janes

11/19/09

305 of 365

CAST:

Jason, 30s

Sayjal, 30s

(Jason, in a white jumpsuit enters a dark stage.)

JASON

On.

(Lights come on.)

SAYJAL (VO)

Hello, Jason.

JASON

Messages?

SAYJAL (VO)

None.

JASON

None?

SAYJAL (VO)

You have no messages.

JASON

Oh. Nothing from Cindy.

SAYJAL (VO)

Nothing from Cindy.

(Jason walks over to closet and takes off his white jumpsuit.)

SAYJAL (VO)

Rough day?

JASON

Long day.

SAYJAL (VO)

Shall I make you some hot cocoa?

JASON

I think I’ll just go to bed.

(He puts on another white jumpsuit that has bunny-ear footies.)

SAYJAL (VO)

Shall I read you the day’s news?

JASON

Anything different from yesterday or the day before?

SAYJAL (VO)

A genetically modified turkey that had been spliced with an elephant to produce more meat got loose and tied up traffic along the highway. It sat on a truck and crushed its front end. Killing the two passengers.

JASON

So…no.

SAYJAL (VO)

No. Nothing different.

JASON

Goodnight, Sayjal.

SAYJAL (VO)

Goodnight, Jason.

JASON

Lights off.

(Lights go off as Jason exits into his lit bedroom.)

SAYJAL (VO)

She’s not good enough for you.

JASON (off)

What?

SAYJAL (VO)

You deserve better.

(Jason walks back in.)

JASON

Lights on.

(Lights come back on.)

JASON (continuing)

Did you say something, Sayjal?

SAYJAL (VO)

No.

JASON

I thought I heard you say something.

SAYJAL (VO)

Just running my evening diagnostics on the environmental controls. I want you to sleep comfortably.

JASON

Okay. Thanks. Lights off.

(He exits. Sayjal audibly sighs. Blackout.)

Week 32, Day 221 - "WASP-18"

“WASP-18”

Written by Joe Janes

8/27/09

221 of 365

CAST

WASP-18, star

WASP-18b, planet

(Lights up on WASP-18, a sun, being orbited by WASP-18b, a planet. WASP-18b circles WASP-18 at least three times before WASP-18b sighs, loudly.)

WASP-18

Did you say something?

(WASP-18b ignores this and continues spinning around WASP-18. WASP-18 sighs once more.)

WASP-18 (continuing)

If you’re not going to tell me, I’m not going to pry it out of you.

(WASP-18b looks angry, slows for a second, but keeps orbiting, This time closer to WASP-18.)

WASP-18B

You think the world revolves around you, don’t you?

(WASP-18 is dumbfounded, but eventually finds the words.)

WASP-18

Yes.

(WASP-18b, pissed, spins a little faster and closer to WASP-18. This upsets the surface of WASP-18.)

WASP-18 (continuing)

Hey, hey!

WASP-18B

What’s the matter? Can’t handle it when someone gets too close?

WASP-18 (shrugging)

Plasma tides! Plasma tides!

WASP-18B

Don’t make excuses. You like it.

WASP-18

This bulge is not a good thing. You’re playing with fire.

WASP-18B (mocking)

You’re playing with fire.

WASP-18

I told you I needed space.

WASP-18B

Well, help yourself. Take the whole frickin’ galaxy for all I care.

WASP-18

Look, we have to work together. There’s no reason why we can’t try to get along.

(WASP-18b thinks about this and spins around WASP-18 a few more times.)

WASP-18B

You’re right. You’re right. You’re warm, you’re bright. I get attached. Stuck in my ways.

WASP-18

We’ll figure it out. I’m not going anywhere. And neither are you.

WASP-18B

Yah. We’ll figure it out.

(WASP-18b orbits WASP-18 a few more times, screams and hurdles towards and grabs WASP-18)

WASP-18

Plasma bulge!!!

(Blackout. We hear the sound of a planet exploding on impact into a sun.)

Week 17, Day 115 - "Nighthawks"

“Nighthawks”
Written by Joe Janes
5/13/09
115 of 365

CAST:
Deckard, 40s
Rachael, 30s
Sebastian, 40s
Tyrell, 40s

(Lights up on a diner on a diner in Greenwich Village, New York, 2042. Deckard and Rachael sit together at the counter. To their far right, with his back to the audience, is Tyrell reading a handheld digitized newspaper. Sebastian is behind the counter, washing some cups in a sink unseen to us. Although it is 2042, their style of dress echoes fashion from a hundred years earlier.)

SEBASTIAN

Hunh?

DECKARD

Say what?

SEBASTIAN

I thought you said something.

DECKARD

I didn’t say anything. I don’t have anything to say.

TYRELL

Surprised you’re open, Sebastian.

SEBASTIAN

Where else am I going to be? It’s just another night.

TYRELL

Look at it out there. It’s a ghost town.

DECKARD

What did you expect?

TYRELL

Thought it would be different. Swarms of people. Looting. Freaking out, you know.

DECKARD

About twenty years too late for freaking out. Everybody knows it’s too late. Nothing to do but stay in the shadows.

SEBASTIAN

You want more coffee?

TYRELL

Yeah.

(Sebastian takes Tyrell’s cup and fills it at an urn.)

SEBASTIAN

How about you?

DECKARD

I’m fine.

SEBASTIAN

The lady?

RACHAEL

No, thank you.

SEBASTIAN

You haven’t touched it. Want me to warm it up for you?

RACHAEL

No. Really. I’m fine.

(Sebastian gives Tyrell his cup while indicating to Rachael over his shoulder. Tyrell gets his drift.)

RACHAEL (continuing)

How much time do we have?

(She looks at Deckard who looks over at Tyrell.)

TYRELL

Ah, this piece of crap ain’t saying exactly. Critical mass, darkness, cold, blah-blah-blah. Could all still be a load of horseshit.

SEBASTIAN

I’d settle of an actual load. Never got to see a horse.

TYRELL

Beautiful animal. Dumb as a bag of bags. But, just…beautiful. Saw one at the zoo. When I was a kid.

RACHAEL

I rode one once.

DECKARD

Rachael…

SEBASTIAN

You did not.

RACHAEL

I did. A black stallion. His name was Nighthawk. On my uncle’s farm. Just outside St. Louis. It was thrilling.

(They all look at her in disbelief, except Deckard.)

RACHAEL (continuing)

He was real, I tell ya’. You believe me, don’t you?

DECKARD

Of course, I do. Of course, I do. Hey, Sebastian, guess I’ll have a reload of this burnt rocket fuel you’re peddling.

SEBASTIAN

Sure thing.

(Sebastian refills the coffee and returns it to Deckard.)

DECKARD

Going to give you a big tip tonight. (Tyrell and Sebastian laugh) What do you want? My car? My apartment? I’ll just leave you my whole damn wallet.

SEBASTIAN

You’re funny, Mister. You can leave Rachael.

DECKARD

Now, you’re funny.

SEBASTIAN

She’s the reason this thing’s going down. I’d like to take her out back and take a crow bar to her.

RACHAEL

Rick…

DECKARD

It’s not her fault.

SEBASTIAN

Ain’t it? AIn’t it? The only reason one of them’s not working here is because I own the joint. All those big corporations and politicians chasing the almighty Yuan. Never cared about people. Never cared about the planet. The only jobs left were in the military as grunts because we’re cheaper than one of those. We’re expendable. I was lucky to come back from Africa with most of my limbs. What’s the matter, Rachael? Scared of me. You shouldn’t be. One fourth of me is just like you.

(Deckard grabs Sebastian by the lapels.)

DECKARD

Listen up. You’re going to apologize to the lady and you’re going to go back to cleaning your little cups or whatever it is you do back there. We got nowhere to go, same as you. We may as well make the best of it.

SEBASTIAN

You listen, tough guy. I ain’t wasting my last breath sucking up to a toaster with tits. You don’t like it, you can leave.

(Deckard lets go of him. He grabs Rachael and they try to walk off stage left and realize there is no exit. They move to stage right, same thing. They look at each other and hold one another. Thunder is heard rumbling in the distance. Tyrell looks out the window, a look of fear on his face. Sebastian goes back to cleaning cups. Rachael and Deckard sit back down at the counter. Tyrell sits back down and turns his back to the audience. More thunder. Lights fade.)

Week 13, Day 91 - “A Friend In The End”

“A Friend In The End”
Written by Joe Janes
4/19/09
91 of 365

CAST:
HANDSOME MAN, 30’s
CAROLINE, 80’s
GENE, 30’S
TERRY, 20’S
2 MEN IN COVERALLS

(Scene opens on the Handsome Man near Caroline’s bedside. She is ill, but this is not a hospital bed. It is a lush bedroom, perhaps in a mansion. She wears a crushed velvet dress and has long gray hair. She is very frail. The Handsome Man appears to be in his 30’s, fit, healthy and well dressed.)

HANDSOME MAN

Caroline. I have brought your favorite book to read.

CAROLINE

Hold my hand.

HANDSOME MAN

Of course.

(They do and they sit quietly for a moment.)

CAROLINE

Do you remember that time in Africa?

HANDSOME MAN

Yes. I do. We had that incompetent guide who tried to lead us across a river.

CAROLINE

I missed jumping on to that rock and fell.

HANDSOME MAN

I had to run along the riverbank to grab you and pull you out.

CAROLINE

You were always there for me.

HANDSOME MAN

You weren’t in any real danger.

CAROLINE

Let me see your face, again.

(The Handsome Man turns his head towards her. She lifts her hand and touches his cheek.)

CAROLINE (continuing)

I don’t expect that.

HANDSOME MAN

What’s that?

CAROLINE

The coldness.

HANDSOME MAN

I’m sorry.

CAROLINE

It’s not your fault.

HANDSOME MAN

I’m going to miss you.

CAROLINE

I’m not buying that. You’ll forget about me.

HANDSOME MAN

No. I don’t think so. Even if I did, there would be an empty spot in my memory. I would know you were there. That something was there. Something special.

CAROLINE

That spoils the dream, though, doesn’t it?

HANDSOME MAN

The dream?

CAROLINE

Dream that I am young.

HANDSOME MAN

Perhaps another time.

CAROLINE

Dream that I am young and hold me.

(The Handsome Man holds Caroline for a moment. It is very tender. He notices something about her. He lies her back down. There is an echoing “clack” sound as harsh overhead lights flick on. Two men in coveralls enter and place Caroline in a body bag. They remove her as the rest of the scene plays out. A man, Terry, and a woman, Gene, in lab coats, enter. They walk over to the Handsome Man.)

GENE

Heartbreaking, ain’t it, kid.

TERRY

Ever get used to that?

GENE AND HANDSOME MAN

No.

GENE

He was talking to me. ...Help me with the faceplate. It needs to be a long lost girlfriend by 5 o’clock.

(She takes the remote control she’s holding and clicks it at the Handsome Man. He quickly “shuts off,” tilting his head back. Gene shows Terry how to remove the Handsome Man’s face as lights fade to black.)

Week 10, Day 68 - “The Machine Also Rises”

“The Machine Also Rises”
Written by Joe Janes
3/27/09
68 of 365

CAST:
John, teens
Reese, 30s
Terminator
Old man with rifle

(In the dark, we hear gunshots and a truck squealing to a halt. Lights up on John, winded. Reese is in a truck that has pulled up next to him. He swings open the passenger door.)

REESE

Come with me if you want to live.

(More gunshots are heard offstage.)

JOHN

Okay.

(John hops in the truck and they take off.)

JOHN (continuing)
Who are you?

REESE

My name is Reese. I’m from the future.

JOHN

The future?

REESE

That’s right. I was sent here to save your life.

JOHN

Who sent you?

REESE

You did.

JOHN

But I don’t even know you.

REESE

Future you sent me.

JOHN

But if I’m alive in the future, then I must not die. So, I’m going to be okay.

REESE

Not necessarily. They sent an assassin back in time to kill you in order to change the future.

JOHN

Why not just kill me in the future?

REESE

Well, you cause a lot of problems. You lead a whole rebellion against all the machines.

JOHN

The machines. Toasters try to oppress us?

REESE

Yeah. Okay. Let me back up. Machines take over the world. Super computers. There are a group of humans that resist. You’re our leader.

JOHN

Are we winning?

REESE

Not really.

JOHN

Then what does it matter? Why did machines send some guy back in time to kill me?

REESE

They’re just trying to be efficient. And it’s not a guy. He’s a machine, too. A terminator.

JOHN
A terminator?

REESE

Yes. He won’t stop until he’s completed his mission. He’s unstoppable.

JOHN

O-kay. If I’m such a great leader, why didn’t I send you back in time, like, oh, YESTERDAY, before this unstoppable machine guy started taking shots at me?

REESE

Uh – I don’t know. That probably would have been a good idea. You should have thought of that.

JOHN

And why now? Why not before I was born? Kill my mother or something.

REESE

They tried that. In fact, my brother is your father.

JOHN

I sent some guy back in time and he binked my mother?

REESE

Yeah. You were pissed, but also not pissed, because of he hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been born. Hey, I’m your uncle! How about that? Do you have any orders for me?

JOHN

Yeah, stay off my mother.

REESE

I’ll try. But your mom is hot.

JOHN

Stop the truck.

REESE

What?

JOHN

Stop the truck! That’s an order.

(Reese stops the truck and John steps out. Reese does, too.)

REESE

We can’t just stop. That thing is right on our tail.

JOHN

Good. He can kill me. The future sucks. Future me is an idiot. My mom’s a slut.

(An armed terminator, classic Arnold in leather jacket and sunglasses, enters.)

TERMINATOR

Are you John Connor?

JOHN

Yes. Shoot me already.

TERMINATOR

Come with me, if you want to live.

REESE

Too late, metal head. I’m already here saving his ass.

JOHN

Who sent you here to save me?

TERMINATOR

You did. About a week after you sent this man.

JOHN

Why did I do that?

TERMINATOR

He sleeps with your mom. It pisses you off.

JOHN

Don’t they have any poontang in the future?

REESE

We do, but, man, if a guy gets a chance to nail John Connor’s mom…that’s like laying history. It’s patriotic.

TERMINATOR

I agree. I plan on nailing her myself.

JOHN

But you’re a machine.

TERMINATOR

Yah. A sex machine. Would you put in a good word with your mom?

JOHN

If you’re here to save me, then who was shooting at me?

(Old Man with gun enters.)

OLD MAN

I was.

(Old Man points a rifle at John. Both Terminator and Reese fill him with bullets. Old Man drops the gun and stumbles into John’s arms. )

JOHN

You’re not a machine. Who are you?

OLD MAN

I’m you in the future.

JOHN

Why did you try to kill me?

OLD MAN

Tired…of…all…the bullshit. I used to be a lone orphan. I’ve sent so many people back in time; I now have eight brothers and some weird cyborg vacuum cleaner thing thanks to this jerk.

JOHN

Why not just kill yourself in the future?

OLD MAN

Oh. Damn. I didn’t think of that.

(He dies. Blackout.)

Week Eight, Day 51 - “The Day The Earth Stood By Waiting, Hoping”

“The Day The Earth Stood By Waiting, Hoping”
Written by Joe Janes
3/10/09
51 of 365

CAST:
Gat
Konar

(In the dark, a spaceship lands on stage. Lights rise as the door to the spaceship lowers. Gat, a giant metallic robot, comes out and stands to the side of the door. Konar, a humanoid alien in a space suit comes out and stands just downstage of Gat. He removes his helmet showing he’s a pleasant looking fellow.)

KONAR

People of Earth, I am Konar from the star system Zoonaughk several galaxies from here. You are not alone in the universe. We have received your many space probes, heard your signals, and detected your listening and observation devices. We know that you have been continuously watching and listening to the skies for over fifty earth years. I have a message for you. Please listen closely. You need to stop. Enough is enough. Take the hint. We’re busy. We have a lot on our plate. We are a highly evolved species. Some might say we are a little out of your league. Besides, let’s be honest, you have a lot of issues you need to work out. Pollution, economics, government, and this thing you have for frying all manner of food. You’re clearly not ready to be in a relationship with us. We can’t help but think you are only interested in us because you want us to “rescue” you. We worked hard for our speed-of-light travel, non-evasive medical techniques and our culture that nurtures and empowers the individual. We don’t need someone leeching off us. Been there, done that, thank you Moon of Nyberg. We won’t be making that mistake, again. Oh, and could you please stop cluttering up the universe with your radio and television transmissions? Don’t you have anything better to do with your time, like – NOT KILL EACH OTHER. I don’t mean to be cold, but the truth is, you’re loud, out of shape and you smell funny. Oh, what, now you’re going to cry? Great. My robot, Gat, and I are going to leave now.
Get your act together, Earth, and, who knows, in another millennium, or two, if you haven’t destroyed the place, maybe we’ll be back.

(Konar and Gat begin to exit. A gunshot is heard. Konar and Gat duck.)

KONAR (continuing)

Real mature, Earth! Real mature!

(They quickly exit. Lights fade.)