Look Out the Window
Discover more from Mind Stayed
Happy end-ish-of-August, readers! This week we are excited to bring you a script from playwright, Tamara Peachy. Tamara writes the following concerning her piece:
For the past year, I have pictured these characters in my mind’s eye. While driving or doing other mundane tasks, their potential started to poke at my writing soul. I needed to give these characters a space and a form. As a playwright, I was ready to see them come to life. I am thankful for the Mind Stayed series, which is giving me the opportunity to give these characters their voices.
These two characters weren’t created in a vacuum. My precious savior, Jesus, is metaphorically behind the scenes. His sensible voice is woven behind the dialogue. Come back on Friday evening and take a quiz to test your comprehension of my piece! I would love to see you compare my script with the wisdom contained in scripture. I’ll even reveal what specific Bible verse motivated the script. You’ll also be able to interact with the piece by sharing your own reflections.
Cast of Characters
ASH CASE: Middle-aged man. Lazy and overweight. Quick-tempered. Husband to ROSE.
ROSE CASE: Middle-aged female. Skinny and mildly attractive. Serene. Wife to ASH.
Scene
The CASE’s futuristic house. The year is 2073. The house is full of futuristic items that follow a unique interior design, which can be freely envisioned by the theatre’s design team. It is imperative for the play to have a couch that is set center stage. There also must be one prominent window hidden by a thick, non-transparent curtain. There is at least one door that leads outdoors.
Time
Spring, 2073
ACT I
Scene 1
AT RISE:
ROSE is looking outside a window, but the window curtain isn’t open enough for the audience to see what she sees. ASH is sitting on the couch, surrounded by half eaten snacks. His clothing is stained, and it appears like he’s been sitting on the couch all day. He is holding an impressive-looking mechanical device called an Eskin.
ROSE
I don’t know, honey. The clouds certainly look gray.
ASH
Rose, I told you already. The device isn’t predicting any rain today.
ROSE
I just don’t trust that device.
ASH
(annoyed)
This device was expensive. Top of the line. It works. No rain.
(ASH chomps on a snack, then wipes crumbs off his chest.)
ROSE
Okay. If you say so. I’ll stop pestering you about it. All I will say is, I think it’s going to rain.
ASH
It’s not going to rain, Rose.
ROSE
Fine, fine! I’ll trust that device of yours. What did the salesman call it again?
ASH
(beaming)
It’s an Eskin. Top of the line.
(During ROSE’s following monologue, ASH is almost hypnotized by the Eskin. He stays on the couch, eating snacks and staring at the device.)
ROSE
(speaking to ASH who doesn’t appear to even hear her)
I have so many chores! You would think in the year 2073, that robots would do all my chores for me. (laughs to herself) That’s what they predicted. Our lives would suddenly, magically, become a breeze. I have three loads of laundry to fold in the bedroom! There’s that big stain on the carpet! So much dust and cobwebs. I suppose I can be grateful that the fridge is self-cleaning. (laughs to herself) I remember when…
(A loud crash of thunder is heard, which interrupts ROSE’s thoughts.)
ROSE
(shakes ASH)
Did you hear that, Ash? Did you hear that?
ASH
Hear what?
ROSE
Thunder. Did you hear the thunder?
ASH
Don’t be foolish, Rose. I told you. The Eskin isn’t predicting rain.
ROSE
(flabbergasted)
What was that then? What made that sound? It sounded like thunder.
(ROSE goes back to the window, looks through. She pulls the curtain open more than before, but barely enough for the audience to see anything.)
ASH
Who knows what you heard, but it wasn’t thunder.
ROSE
The skies look darker.
ASH
Rose, stop! I told you that the Eskin isn’t predicting rain. I don’t know why you insist on looking out that confounded window. Clear skies for certain.
ROSE
(steps away from the window)
If you say so. I suppose many things sound like thunder. I still think it’s going to rain though.
ASH
Well, stop thinking that. It’s not going to rain.
ROSE
(begrudgingly resigns)
Fine, fine.
(takes a moment to look around the house)
I don’t feel like cleaning today. Even though the house certainly needs it. What should we do today?
(ASH doesn’t respond, distracted by the Eskin. ROSE sighs. She taps ASH on the shoulder.)
ASH
What? (ASH doesn’t even look at her, entranced by the Eskin.) What do you want?
ROSE
I asked you a question. What should we do today?
ASH
You can do whatever you want.
ROSE
I want to do something together.
ASH
I’m busy. You can do whatever you want.
ROSE
I was thinking about maybe visiting Bernice. It might be nice if we both went to visit her.
ASH
Don’t feel like it. You can go if you wish.
ROSE
It would be nice to see her. It feels like ages since we’ve visited face to face. I might bring her some of my sweet bread. She always loved how I poured a little sugar on the…
(Another thunderclap is heard and there are sounds of light rain hitting the roof.)
ROSE
(delighted)
See, Ash! I told you!
ASH
Told me what?!
ROSE
It’s raining. Oh, I love the rain!
ASH
Nonsense! It’s not raining! The Eskin…
ROSE
(interrupts)
Oh, that Eskin isn’t reliable. Listen. You can hear it on the roof. That device is broken.
ASH
The Eskin is working fine. It isn’t predicting any rain. (ASH is completely oblivious to the clear sound of rain, too distracted by the device.) Go do a puzzle to entertain yourself. You love puzzles.
ROSE
(Goes to the window and opens the curtain half-way. The audience can now see that it is indeed sprinkling.) See for yourself! It’s raining just as I predicted.
ASH
Rose, I don’t know why you insist on irritating me. This device is top of the line. It says no rain, so there is no rain!
ROSE
What do you mean “no rain”! Just look out the window!
ASH
(growing increasingly agitated)
I don’t need to look out the window, Rose! I have my Eskin.
ROSE
You’re incorrigible! That silly device is lying to you.
ASH
I paid good money for this. It is top of…
ROSE
Top of the line. Yes! So you’ve said. I’m going stir crazy. I need to get out of this house.
(Another crack of thunder and now it is pouring outside. ROSE goes to the window and fully opens the curtain to reveal the torrential downpour.)
ASH
(feigning concern)
You should go then. Get out of the house. It will be good for you. Get some fresh air.
ROSE
Get out of the house? Ash! It’s pouring outside.
ASH
(furiously rises off the couch for the first time)
Rose! You are exasperating. Why can’t I just sit and relax without your constant interruptions? I told you several times that it couldn’t possibly be raining!
ROSE
Look out the window, you old fool!
ASH
(at the height of his frustration)
I’ll do you one better! I’ll step outside! Right now! I’ll step outside. That will put an end to your nonsense. I’ll finally prove to you that this Eskin is completely and fully trustworthy!
(There is another loud crack of thunder, which doesn’t appear to phase ASH in the slightest. He stomps out the front door. A few moments later, ASH enters the house with a defeated frame. He is soaked to the bone.)
ROSE
Who’s the fool now?
(She gives ASH a playful kiss on the cheek.)
Lights Fade
Thanks for reading! We hope this piece has challenged you and we encourage you to read again, sort through your emotions, and think metaphorically. Come back on Wednesday evening to begin a discussion of the piece, and then again on Friday, to take a quiz and read Tamara’s insights to the piece.
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