thurstonadr

ANOTHERdramaticrecipe
MAN
kevin thurston

prop list:
tape measure
pencil
pad of paper (small)
roll of tape
folding chair
a chair nicer than a folding chair
full body mirror (with stand)

Walk across stage from stage right to stage left, with tape measure. Reach other side, stop. Remove pad of paper from back pocket, pencil from behind ear.

Record distance.

Do necessary math. Calculate where center of length recorded is. Place pad of paper in back pocket, pencil behind ear. Walk to center of tape measure. Remove pad of paper from back pocket, pencil from behind ear. Check math with distance on tape measure.

Place check mark on pad of paper.

Place pad of paper in back pocket, pencil behind ear. Remove roll of tape from front pocket, tear two strips, mark point. Place tape in front pocket, walk back to tape measure —stage left. Collect tape measure. Back to tape mark.

Measure distance of stage—up stage to down stage. Upon reaching down stage remove pad of paper from back pocket, pencil from behind ear.

Record distance.

Do necessary math. Calculate true center stage. Place pad of paper in back pocket, pencil behind ear. Go to center—use tape measure as guide. Remove pad of paper from back pocket, pencil from ear. Check math with distance on tape measure.

Place check mark on pad of paper.

Place pad of paper in back pocket, pencil behind ear. Remove roll of tape from front pocket. Attempt to tear strips. Tape roll does not co-operate. Tape roll flying.

Fit.

Break pencil. Pad paper ground. Jump up down.

Take deep breaths—calm.

Composed (face flushed, remnant anger—biology). Walk to pad of paper, pick up, place in back pocket. Walk to broken pencil #1 (nub), pick up. Walk to broken pencil #2 (eraser), pick up.

Try to reconcile the two.

Cannot.

#1 behind right ear. #2 behind left ear. Walk to tape roll, pick up, put in mouth. Remove pad of paper. Find measurements. Find measurements. Walk back to true center stage, check math with distance on tape measure. Remove #1.

Place check mark on pad of paper.

Put #1 back. Remove tape roll from mouth.

Breathe deep.

Tear two strips from tape roll. Mark true center stage. Walk up stage, collect tape measure.

Walk off stage right. Few moments later, noise of falling chairs—offstage. Few moments later walk on stage with folding chair. Transport to mark on/at center stage.

Unfold chair at center stage. Take a few steps back, look at it. Move over—to the right—look at it. Move to the left—twice the distance—look at it.

Shake head. Disappointment.

Walk to folding chair, fold, transport off stage. Few moments later walk on stage with chair—simple, yet nicer than folding. Transport chair to mark on/at center stage. Set down. Take few steps back, look at it. Move over—to the right—look at it. Move to the left—twice the distance—look at it.

Walk to chair, move it slightly. Take few steps back, look at it.

Walk up to chair, move it. Equal with first movement in opposite direction. Take few steps back, look at it. Take few steps back, look at it. Take few steps back, look at it.

Look down, notice location (down stage stage mark). Turn to audience. Smile.

Turn around, look at chair.

Scurry off stage, stage right. Few moments later, chair illuminated via spotlight. Re-enter, stage left, stand at down stage mark, look at it.

Glee.

Run stage. Jump click heel.

Runs off stage, stage right. Few moments later return, costumed—carrying mirror. Place mirror down stage mark, return to chair.

Sit—costumed—in chair.

Try various poses; feet crossed, opposite, uncrossed, one leg tossed over arm of chair, opposite, both legs tossed over arm of chair, opposite, finally feet flat posture impeccable. Make a face, serious. Smile.

Rise, walk to mirror, pick it up. Exit, stage right. Few moments later, return (sans mirror).

No longer an actor. A character.

No longer a play. A narrative.

Walk creates right angle—angle of 90°.

Walk:
serious
slow
laborious.

Down stage mark turn—sharply on heel—walk to chair.

At chair turn—sharply on heel—sit down.

Serious expression—impeccable posture.

Hold up right hand (as if about to say something).

(Running from stage left side is ANOTHER MAN.)

Squashed by ANOTHER MAN.

Character and chair lie on stage.

(ANOTHER MAN runs off, stage left.)