At the End of my Rope

ONE and TWO are standing outside a door, SL. They are joined together by a rope, the ends of which are tied around their foreheads in such a way that they could be removed easily--and, of course, does not hurt the actors. ONE is standing SL, TWO a little right of center. They are as far apart from each other as the rope will allow without their having to lean away from each other.
There is a chair DL which ONE can sit in if the blocking allows it; its real function is as a hitching post at the end of the play. Alternatively, there can be some other sort of hitching post, like a coat rack.
ONE
It’s getting late.
TWO
Finally you admit it!
ONE
I don’t admit anything!
(After a moment.)
Admit what?
TWO
That you’re making us late.
ONE
It’s not me who’s making us late.
TWO
Almost the worst thing about you is that you never accept responsibility for your actions.
ONE
I didn’t make us late!
TWO
That’s denial.
ONE
That’s not denial. I deny it!
TWO
You’re digging yourself in deeper and deeper.
ONE

I got us here, to the door. We’re here at the door and you won’t go in. 


====
To find out what happens next, email andrew AT cottage14 DOT com to request a copy of the script.

No comments: