Playbill by Monica Adrian
Written by Monica Adrian
Music and vocals by Monica Adrian
Verity- Attractive blonde woman in her twenties.
Mark- Okay looking guy in his late thirties or forties.
John- Handsome British guy in his thirties.
Take Over
Scene 1- In living
room. Verity is at the mirror doing her makeup. Mark is sitting in a chair near
her on his laptop.
MARK
It’s okay if you don’t get it.
What makes you think I won’t?
MARK
I’m just saying-
VERITY
You don’t want me to
get my hopes up.
MARK
I just hate seeing
you after-
VERITY
I’ll get it this time.
MARK
I just want you to be
happy.
VERITY
And giving up will make me happy?
MARK
But what if you don’t ever make it?
VERITY
Then I’ll have you to
fall back on won’t I?
MARK
It’s not that. You
know I have no problem supporting you.
VERITY
I’m not going to just sit around at home like some trophy
wife.
MARK
I’m proud of you, I am. And I think you’re great.
VERITY
But?
MARK
There’s other lines of work I think you’d be good at. You’d
make a great press agent, or sales woman, or broadcast journalist even if you
went back to school.
VERITY
Why are you so sure I’ll fail? You’ve seen me go over my
lines a hundred times.
MARK
It’s a lot of competition.
VERITY
And I have every
right to compete as much as they.
MARK
Didn’t you tell me that girl Shauna is up for the part too?
From the shaving crème commercials?
VERITY
I know you think her
legs are incredible but I don’t think they’ll cast this character based off her
legs.
MARK
It’s something to consider.
VERITY
And besides my legs
are just as good as hers. (Verity
stretches her legs out. Mark shrugs) You don’t agree. Well it doesn’t
matter. I have a better ass. That’s what everyone cares about nowadays.
MARK
What about, what’s her name Felicia, Felicity?
VERITY
I don’t care. Why are
you reminding me?
MARK
I told you.
VERITY
What are you asking me to do? Do you want me to just not go?
MARK
Of course you should go.
VERITY
Then what?
MARK
It’s when you come back. You’re always a mess after.
VERITY
Well it’s a sensitive business.
MARK
You turn into a drunk
Verity.
VERITY
Oh don’t even-
MARK
You won’t even get out of bed till you get another call from
your agent.
VERITY
You don’t understand-
MARK
I see what you go
through fine.
VERITY
So I should go to this casting knowing I won’t get it? What
kind of attitude is that?
MARK
An attitude of survival.
VERITY
Well I’ll do anything to survive in this business. But
losing hope is not going to get me there.
Scene 2- Casting
room. John is sitting behind a desk. John is Brittish.
JOHN
Thank you that will do.
VERITY
But I haven’t finished reading yet. I can keep going.
JOHN
It’s fine.
VERITY
There must be something I can do to show you how dedicated I
am. Anything.
JOHN
Well…
VERITY
Perhaps I can try
these last lines again.
JOHN
I see. Well no harm in that…that is…if you are willing to do
them…orally.
VERITY
Oh.
JOHN
But if you feel that your dedication has its limits I
understand.
VERITY
But I am dedicated.
JOHN
Very well then. Lock the door.
VERITY
The door?
JOHN
Yes. We haven’t much time.
(Verity gives him
head behind his desk. You can see that his hand is placed on her head and he is
quietly moaning. A phone rings)
Yes…yes…okay..I can
be there in five. (Hangs up phone) We need to wrap it up. Faster. I’m almost
there. Yes…that’s it…grunts. (Stands up to zip and they exit together.
Verity looks unhappy while John takes no notice).
Scene 3
In living room.
Verity is drinking wine.
VERITY
(sung)
Press Play to listen.
Press Play to listen.
I can only be who I am,
And watch the world,
Around me fall,
And I can be consoled,
But there’s no preventing,
There’s no such thing as control,
And my fragile mind,
Can take the time,
To cry it all out,
Cry it all out,
But what’s that gonna do for you,
Gonna do for me,
We have only our identity,
My dreams are taking over,
Taking over,
Taking over,
Encroaching beyond their boundaries,
My dreams are taking over,
Taking over,
And I’m,
Over it,
Over with this shit,
Over with this shit,
I wish I could be over this,
So don’t try to calm me with statistics,
Don’t tell me I’m senile,
For believing in that one percentile,
I know I’m unrealistic,
I’m so very idealistic,
You’re already prepared to catch me,
Sympathize when I realize it can’t be.
My dreams are taking over,
Taking over,
Taking over,
Encroaching beyond their boundaries,
My dreams are taking over,
Taking over,
And I’m,
Over it,
Over with this shit,
Over with this shit,
I wish I could be over this.
(Sound of keys turning the door. Mark enters
the room and sees her crying on the couch)
MARK
Oh honey I’m sorry. I’m guessing
it didn’t go so well. (Verity doesn’t say anything but gestures him to hug
her. He comes over to hold her on the couch) I’m sorry about what I said
earlier. I know you’ll make it one day and I shouldn’t be the first to give up
on you. (Verity can’t look at him) Please tell me you’re not still mad.
VERITY
I’m not mad at you.
MARK
Did what I say get in your head? You were right before. About thinking
positively.
VERITY
No it wasn’t you. I
just messed up okay. I did something I shouldn’t have.
Mark
What happened?
VERITY
I got my character
wrong.
Mark
Well maybe it wasn’t
wrong. Maybe it just wasn’t what they were looking for.
VERITY
No, it was
definitely wrong.
Mark
Do you want to tell
me about it?
VERITY
I really don’t.
MARK
Anytime you want to talk, I’m here.
VERITY
You don’t deserve me. I’m nothing.
MARK
I don’t love you because you are an actress. I love you because of who you are. It doesn’t matter to me whether you are a star or not.
I don’t love you because you are an actress. I love you because of who you are. It doesn’t matter to me whether you are a star or not.
VERITY
Mark.
MARK
Yes?
VERITY
Can I have something
to drink?
MARK
What would you like?
VERITY
Wine. Any will do.
(Mark disappears into the other room but comes back
quickly)
MARK
By the way you have
better legs. (Disappears again and Verity faintly smiles)
(Cell phone rings.
Verity reaches in her purse to pick it up).
VERITY
Yes….Thank you….I’ll
see you tomorrow….One O’Clock is fine. (Verity
says this somberly. Mark comes back into the room with the wine.)
MARK
Was that?
VERITY
Yes. I have a call back.
MARK
(with a smile gesturing at the wine) Will
you still be needing this?
VERITY
No. No I won’t.
Scene 4
Back at casting room.
JOHN
You understand that
our exchange does not mean you have this part. But it did get you a call back.
Now I can’t be casting everyone that is willing to be….what was it
before…dedicated. But if we can work on your Joana and you can continue to show
me how dedicated you can be….well then….I think you have a very good shot.
VERITY
How shall we proceed?
JOHN
Verity.
VERITY
Yes John?
JOHN
Verity, Verity, Verity Clemmons. You know it’s a ridiculous
stage name.
VERITY
I can change it if you really need me to.
JOHN
It’s horridly old-fashioned. Verity Clemmons. What was your
birth name?
VERITY
Veronica Ludeman.
JOHN
I take it back. Verity suits you fine. Now Verity, let’s
work on Joanna. You know you really don’t look like a Joanna.
VERITY
I could change my hair color.
JOHN
No you would look terrible as a brunette.
VERITY
Haircut?
JOHN
No. Heavens. We need your hair longer. We’ll have to get you
extensions. Now enough chatter. Read from the top of page 25. I’ll be Tyrone. (Hands her screenplay and he takes a
seat while she stands)
VERITY
It wasn’t me.
JOHN
(Doesn’t put any
effort into his reading and still sounds British) Bitch I’m not a fool. I know what I saw.
VERITY
I would never.
JOHN
Why Maurice? Of all people. You had to pick my brother.
VERITY
That’s not what happened.
JOHN
I shoulda known you’d be a dirty ho. I grab your arm. Pretend
I’m grabbing your arm.
VERITY
You’re hurting me.
JOHN
What the hell was that? Where’s the feeling? Again.
VERITY
You’re hurting me!
JOHN
No. It’s not right yet. A little louder please.
VERITY
You’re hurting me!
JOHN
No quieter was better. But with more surprise.
VERITY
You’re hurting me.
JOHN
Yes. Yes that will do. Now enough of that. Meet me at the
Budget Inn around the corner. Tonight if you will.
VERITY
Yes.
JOHN
I’ll see you at
eleven then. In fact every eleven on Tuesdays. You have the part.
Scene 5
In living room
MARK
Where should we go for dinner?
VERITY
Oh I don’t know. Some
place quick would be fine.
MARK
No. Let’s make it a
nice evening, together. Now that you have this big role I hardly see you
anymore. My dear Joanna.
VERITY
It’s just I’m so tired.
MARK
Well a little alcohol
usually livens you up. Let’s go somewhere where we can each have a cocktail.
How about the Amarone?
VERITY
Oh they’re probably so busy. You know how I hate to wait.
MARK
It’s Tuesday. They
can’t be that busy.
VERITY
How about Chinese? That never takes too long.
MARK
What’s the rush?
VERITY
Oh. What? Nothing. I’m hungry. That’s all. I actually
promised Angela I’d come over later.
MARK
But I thought you
were tired. Surely Angela can handle her divorce by herself tonight.
VERITY
You know how it is. She’s lonely.
MARK
But Verity my dear. What if I were to tell you that I’m
lonely?
VERITY
I’ll try not to be gone long.
MARK
You have your own affairs to keep up with.
VERITY
What?
MARK
Don’t you think it’s more important that we keep up our
relationship rather than sacrifice for a woman who’s relationship is already
over.
VERITY
All the more she
needs me.
MARK
There’s nothing left
to save.
VERITY
What are you saying? Does
our relationship need saving?
MARK
Now that’s putting it
harshly, but, but we need time together.
VERITY
I’m doing the best I can, and I’m starving. Szechuan?
MARK
Yes if that's where you
want. Let’s go.
Scene 6
In casting room
VERITY
John can I ask you something? Would it be possible to switch
days between the weeks. Like one week
Tuesday, one week Wednesdays? I’m afraid being gone every Tuesday is beginning
to look suspicious.
JOHN
Well what do you tell him?
VERITY
I tell him that one
week I’m visiting a friend, and the other an aunt in the hospital.
JOHN
You made it rather difficult for yourself. All you have to
say is that you are taking a pottery class.
Always pick a class.
Always pick a class.
VERITY
But as it is? Is it
possible to adjust?
JOHN
No. I’m an organized
man. A man of routine if you will. And besides I see Leticia on Wednesdays.
VERITY
Our Leticia?
John
Yes. What’s it to you?
VERITY
I was. I was just curious.
JOHN
That’s Hollywood for you. You work your way to the top. And
you have to start from the bottom. Or should I say on bottom? Though I do like
you on top. (He gropes her butt) Speaking of Leticia you have a scene with her
tomorrow.
Scene 7
In living room. Mark
is on the couch. Verity is reading over her lines. Cell phone is on the table.
MARK
You know the strangest thing happened today.
VERITY
What?
MARK
I saw Angela with her husband today while I was at a café?
VERITY
You did?
MARK
Yes. They were laughing, having a great time. She had the
ring on her finger and everything. I’m
surprised she didn’t tell you.
surprised she didn’t tell you.
VERITY
Well I suppose she was waiting for in person. You know how
us girls are.
MARK
Well that’s great news. That means we’ll have our Tuesdays
back.
VERITY
My aunt is still sick.
MARK
Well there is that.
But still you can’t be visiting her every week.
VERITY
I want to take a pottery class. It’s on Tuesdays.
MARK
You do? What? But you’re so busy. Don’t you want to just
relax?
VERITY
I am very stressed.
But my director recommended it to me. He said it would help.
MARK
But what about your aunt?
VERITY
Oh she’ll be discharged next week.
MARK
Verity are you okay? I didn’t know you were so
stressed. I thought you were enjoying
yourself.
VERITY
Oh I am. I love it, I
do. I’m happy. It’s just playing a prostitute is harder than I thought.
MARK
Well that makes sense. I don’t know any woman who is as far
from it as you are.
(He kisses her)
VERITY
Thank you. I’m very tired. I think I’ll go to bed.
(Mark reclines on the
couch. The phone vibrates. He lets it vibrate till the call is over but he is
tempted to answer it. After a few moments of silence it vibrates one more time.
Mark decides to look at it)
MARK
Oh it’s just her director. I wonder what he wants. See you
Tuesday. (reclines back on the couch but then jolts back up) Wait…. See you
Tuesday? Oh my god. Looks at the phone
again.
Verity!
VERITY
(From the other room)
What is it?
MARK
Please come here.
VERITY
I told you I want to
sleep.
MARK
I need you to come here.
(Verity comes back out dressed in a robe.)
Your director called.(Verity comes back out dressed in a robe.)
VERITY
Was it important? You
know I don’t like you touching my things.
MARK
He left a text message.
VERITY
What did it say?
MARK
It said see you
Tuesday.
VERITY
Oh yes. I have a
shoot Tuesday.
MARK
There was a winky face.
VERITY
That’s just John.
He’s a flirt. It doesn’t mean anything.
MARK
Your friend. Angela was never getting a divorce.
VERITY
Of course she was. They made up. I don’t know how yet but
they did.
MARK
Don’t pretend I don’t
know what this is.
VERITY
I would never.
MARK
Why don’t I give
Angela a call now.
(Verity grabs the
phone from him)
VERITY
Don’t be ridiculous. It’s late.
MARK
What hospital is your Aunt at?
VERITY
I don’t remember the name. I just know it’s a hospital.
MARK
And where is this
hospital?
VERITY
In Culver City.
MARK
What exit?
What exit?
VERITY
Mark would you stop?
I’m very tired. And not in the mood for being wrongfully accused.
MARK
Answer me.
VERITY
(Grabs her by the wrist and brings her head right up to his face) Mark!
I don’t remember right now.
Mark
Because you’re not going to the hospital. Your fucking him
aren’t you? (Shoves her on the couch) Jesus
Verity. You’ll never be a star. Don’t you get it? You're trash. You're expendable.
VERITY
Fuck you. Fuck you. I don’t need you anymore. I make my own
money now.
MARK
As a whore.
VERITY
I’m not. I’m not a whore. I’m just….dedicated.
Mark
To cock.
VERITY
I don’t have anywhere
to go. We both know I have no aunt. I have no family.
MARK
Go to your director.
Go to Angela’s. I don’t fucking care. Just get out.
VERITY
I want my things.
MARK
Come back tomorrow. I’ll have them packed. I don’t want any
of it.
VERITY
I’m sorry. I was just doing what I had to.
MARK
No. You had a choice. You never had to work when you had me.
Scene 8
In casting room
JOHN
Verity, I’m afraid I’ve some bad news.
VERITY
What is it?
JOHN
The show. It’s been cancelled.
VERITY
What?
JOHN
The network reviewed it and hated it. They don’t want to
proceed.
VERITY
Hated it?
JOHN
Yes, they said the
acting was horrible among other things. Yes Verity, that includes you.
VERITY
Can’t anything be
done?
JOHN
Unfortunately not. It’s over. Of course you’ll be compensated
for your time but I’m afraid your pay won’t be nearly what you expected it to
be. It’s all in the contract. I’d start looking for new work.
Verity
And us?
And us?
JOHN
(LAUGHS) There is
no us.
VERITY
But if I continue with my services, surely you can find more
work for me soon.
JOHN
I’ll tell you what work I’m willing to give you. $60 an
hour. Let’s keep it to Tuesdays.
VERITY
I’m not some whore.
JOHN
Aren’t you?
Anyway there’s a bit of a delay in the payroll. A lot of
bureaucracy when these things happen. I
hope you can manage. And if you can’t, my offer still stands. There are certain
things I’ll pay you double for. Do we have a deal?
Scene 9
On street. Verity is
in a skimpy outfit.
VERITY
(Sung)
Oh I invent my own problems,
I make the creation,
A painful imagination,
You see it’s all psychological,
I’m losing it,
I’m so
delusional,
And it has taken a toll,
Oh I just need to land a role,
Dreams fuck those dreams,
Cuz I’ve got other things to do,
Cuz there’s things stupid
things,
Like money, bills, and meals
I need some help some deals,
Dreams fuck those dreams,
I don’t believe,
Too good to receive,
Pessimism positively,
Radiating negativity,
So I’ll just fuck those dreams,
Everything is what it seems,
So dreams fuck those dreams,
Fuck those dreams,
Oh I just don’t feel like
working myself today,
I’d rather sing my whole life
away,
But I’ve got responsibility,
Food in bellies is a necessity,
I could one day be starving,
But I’m already starving in my
own way,
When’s it all gonna pay?
In big checks, and cash, and
dough,
I’ve got places I need to go,
And everyone will one day know,
That I’ve got dreams to follow,
But oh no,
Dreams fuck those dreams,
Cuz I’ve got other things to do,
Cuz there’s things stupid
things,
Like money bills and meals,
I need some help some deals,
Dreams fuck those dreams,
I don’t believe,
Too good to receive,
Pessimism positively,
Radiating negativity,
So I’ll just fuck those dreams,
Everything is what it seems,
So dreams fuck those dreams,
Fuck those dreams.
VERITY
(To audience members)
Hey. Got any cash. I’ll make it worth it.
Hey you over there. You wan’t some company honey.
Hey I see what your lookin at? Don’t worry I don’t bite.
I’ll make it real nice.
$60. Okay $50. $30 for a B?
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