No Cup Strong Enough

[ProMetaAnaTelo]

Scene I

(Scene opens with Martin scribbling in a notebook, sitting at a counter in a diner. A waitress [Georgia] tends to her daily activities. Two women sit at a table to the side of the focal point of the stage.)

Martin: April 18th, 2006. I've overlooked my intended daily entries for the past week now. The idea of a journal sounded pleasant at the time, but in hindsight I've been trapped into a layer of superficial thoughts and dreams.

I've spiraled downwards in this unfortunate trend for a good spell now, with shallow thoughts and unfriendly speech. No more; I know this isn't the person I am-- or the person I strive to be.

Girl 1: The book... Snow Valley by Coin.

Martin: (Aside) My pen name for my writing.

Girl 2: You finally finished it? How did you like it?

Girl 1: (Handing a book to Girl 2) It was touching. I was very impressed with it. I was in tears when the dad froze to death trying to bring the medicine home from the mountains.

Girl 2: It's my favorite book... Whoever Coin is is a genius.

Martin: (returning to his journal) I live behind a facade. I'm a traveler and a writer. It's a clear disguise in that I'm not lying to anyone, but I'm also not being completely honest. Nobody knows who Coin is, but everyone knows his work.

I'm in no way immune to the pain of concealing myself away, never receiving direct praise for my work. At times I just wish someone would ask me for my autograph or a picture with me. But that praise will always come indirectly, never can I show gratitude for appreciation or I'll be discovered.

Everyone in the world has a group of someones: Family, friends or romantics. I, however, have none of those things. I'm a traveler, backpacking across the world and over seas in search of culture. In search of unique tales and answers to the mysteries of life.

Georgia: Hey, hon'. You sure you don't want anything?

Martin: Now that I've savored that scent... a cup of coffee sounds delightful.

Georgia: Like your coffee strong or weak?

Martin: (Distant) There's never a cup strong enough...

(Georgia turns around and pours a cup of coffee, black.)

Georgia: You new around these parts, hon'? You sound like you're not from around here.

Martin: I'm a traveler.

Georgia: (Setting down the coffee) Ooh, a traveler. Where you from?

Martin: I'm from Maine, name's Martin.

Georgia: A northerner, huh? Nice to meet you Martin, I'm Georgia.

Martin: (Taking a big sip from the cup) Beautiful name, Georgia is. Have you ever been there?

Georgia: No, never. I've been here in Mi'ssippi my whole life.

Martin: Georgia's such a gorgeous state. The mountains, especially. I once spent a whole week listening to a gentle, cool brook bubble through the quiet woodland.

Georgia: What'd you do for a whole week?

Martin: Wrote and sketched. I'm an aspiring writer.

Georgia: A traveling writer... sounds so romantic.

Martin: Life is simple romance. My romance is with the world and not an individual.

Georgia: You're no city boy, are you Martin?

Martin: Not a bit, I love nature too much to be trapped in a smog of brick and footsteps all my life (Takes a final gulp of coffee and gets up, ready to leave).

I must be going now... take care, Georgia. This should cover the bill (hands over money).

Georgia: No, Martin. It's on the house (winks).

(Martin turns and leaves, passing Adam on the way through the door)

Adam: (sitting down where Martin had been) A bowl of oatmeal and orange juice....

Georgia: Sure thing, sweetheart. (Turns around and yells offstage to the cook) Need an oatmeal and uh O.J.!

(Turning back around to Adam) You alright, sweety? You look a bit down...

Adam: (Unfriendly) It's been a long day.

Georgia: (Not receiving) But it's just 10:00.

(Adam is visibly annoyed. Georgia sets down the oatmeal and the glass of juice. Across the diner, the two girls whisper about Adam.)

Adam: (Irritated) Got a problem?

(Adam glares the girls down until they get up and leave.)

Georgia: Hey, take it easy on the customers. Those two were regulars...

Adam: Hmph (Adam gets up and leaves, leaving a bit of money on the table).

Georgia: (Aside) What was his problem?








I've actually finished this entire play and posted it on my forum and it received generally good reviews. They're not writers, though, and I figured this forum might better appreciate it.

It's only seven scenes long, so it's a bit short. It could probably be performed in twenty minutes.

Also, I didn't post it all at once in case of lack of interest and damaging people's eyes with a wall of text.

I'm personally proud of it and I'll keep adding the other scenes piece by piece.

[Griffin]

You going to do this for spring show?

[ProMetaAnaTelo]

Yeah, that's the plan.

I'll probably need to clean up language in other scenes, though.

[Griffin]

If you want to be ambitious, find a time for auditions and rehearsals and ask Strader if you can take it to State.

Also, not trying to impose, but I'd be happy to direct for you.

[killerinstinct]

I actually like where this is going. Can't wait to read more

[ProMetaAnaTelo]

Scene II

(Scene begins with Adam standing by the road at night, making an attempt to call a friend on his cellphone.)

Adam: Henry, please... just pick up. (Pause) Henry! You there? Damn...

Nothing good ever happens around here. I'm so close, this is ridiculous...

(Martin wanders on from offstage.)

Martin: In a spot?

Adam: (Confused) What?

Martin: Need a hand?

Adam: Oh! Oh, yeah. That'd be great... Where's your car..?

(Martin shakes his head.)

Do you have a cellphone?

(Martin shakes again.)

Wh... what? How would you have helped?

Martin: I'll guide you. I know of a gas station down the road. They've a payphone.

Adam: Yeah...

(The two begin to talk around the stage, Martin frequently unsure of the next direction.)

Martin: What's your title?

Adam: Adam?

Martin: (Chuckling) Asking a stranger that question?

Adam: My name's Adam. Who're you?

Martin: I'm Martin. So, is it safe to make the assumption that you're a trucker?

Adam: Yeah, I'm shipping furniture. Chairs and shit.

Martin: You enjoy the life of moving about? I've never been one to travel from behind a wheel.

Adam: It gets me by... What're you?

Martin: A writer. I move from town to town, absorbing the people.

Adam: Martin... You a hippy?

Martin: (Laughing it off)Title me as you wish, Adam. You tried calling a family member?

Adam: (Aggressive) That's none of your business!

Martin: I apologize...

Adam: The hell are we?

Martin: Hmm... I've not a clue.

Adam: (Grabbing Martin) Buddy, you told me you'd lead me to the gas station! We're in the middle of the woods! I don't even see the road anymore!

You're a thief aren't you? About to murder me, huh? Try and pull something and I'll break you.

Martin: Sh... Might as well set up for the night. We're not getting out of these woods when it's this dark out... Get some sticks, I'll get some fire ready. You like soup?

Adam: Get your own sticks! I'm out of here!

(Adam storms offstage, obviously infuriated. Martin begins preparing a fire. Adam walks back on stage.)

Adam: Wha... I just left here a few minutes ago.

Martin: (The fire lights up.) Come rest. It's been a long day (Martin puts a can of soup over the fire).

(The scene fades off and on a section of the stage Phil sits in a chair, talking on his phone.)

Phil: Henry? Adam called you? Shit, man... He's determined. (Pause) I know, he's chased me halfway across the country. I don't have time to get out of this town, there's only one way out and that leads straight towards him... (Pause)

Henry, thank you so much. You've been here for me when nobody else had the guts to. You know I'm a changed man, but Adam would never accept that. (Pause) Adam's a madman ever since the whole ordeal blew over the wrong way. (Pause) Let's just say if Adam shows up, he won't be a problem for anyone ever again.

(Side-scene fades and light grows onto Martin and Adam once more.)
(Coyote howl.)

Adam: (Frightened) Wolves?!

Martin: Coyotes. Similar, but distinctly different if you know what to seek for. They're predators, traveling in packs-- like wolves.

Adam: Martin...

Martin: The fire should keep them at bay...

Adam: Great...

(Scene fades again, switching to Phil.)

Phil: That psycho... I've got a family to come back to someday. Not with him chasing me around, though. (Pulls gun from his pocket) I've got to protect myself, right? I don't want to kill a man, but I have to stay alive... right?

Christ, I don't know. This whole thing started ten years back. Adam was working construction and barely making end's meat, trying to keep his family alive and I was pulling oddjobs. He just had a kid, a chubby baby boy... I knew construction wasn't going to support them all.

When I made the offer for the heist, he agreed without hesitation. He could have had a full three years of living free on his share of that job. I booked it when the police showed up, though. I didn't think they'd be waiting at the next intersection after we grabbed the paintings for the museum...

Jesus, Adam... Times have been rough to you.

(Scene fades away again, refocusing on Martin and Adam.)

Martin: (Scraping the last of the soup out of the can) What do you think about... redemption? I've been pondering about the concept of a man changing heart, but... I don't know.

Adam: I mean, people don't change. They can, but they never do.

Martin: What makes you say this?

Adam: Martin, have you ever known a person to have a change of heart? Never... nobody. Dirty rats will stay dirty rats and the people and families they screwed over will stay ruined (Adam digs his spoon into the bottom of the soup can, making a horrible noise).

Martin: Adam...

Adam: (Angry) What?

Martin: Put the spoon down.

Adam: Yeah...

Martin: Would you believe me if I told you I was part of a gang when I was younger?

Adam: Bull. Not a chance.

Martin: (Lifting up his sleeve, revealing a tattoo) I speak the truth. Not a recognizable gang, mind you, but a gang is a gang. I hurt a friend's professor at the college I attended.

Adam: For what?

Martin: My friend failed, but we were foolish at the time. We took it as a racial thing, my friend was of the African descent, you see... We caught him on his way home and had our way with him.

Adam: You get away with it?

Martin: In honesty, a crime against humanity like that will haunt a person forever. I've locked the beast of my youth away a long time ago, but I had to escape that life. I haven't spoken to my family since...

Adam: That's... Huh (Pause). There's something about you. I don't know what, but I can talk to you. You make me think. I like that.

Martin: It's good to think... I bet your family's worried about you.

Adam: I don't have a family.

Martin: You ran from them.

Adam: (Surprised and irritated) I didn't run... How did you know?

Martin: I can feel it in your gaze. You're hiding from something?

Adam: I'm hunting something.

Martin: Someone.

Adam: Hey, I thought I told you I didn't want to talk about it!

Martin: Apologies again... Time to sleep, Adam. We'll find our way back in the morning...

Adam: Damn right we will.

(Scene closes as the two men sleep in the woods at night.)

[Griffin]

DO WANT.

[ProMetaAnaTelo]

Scene III

(Scene opens with morning light on stage. Adam is missing and Martin awakens alone. There's the sound of an engine starting.)

Martin: Adam? Adam, are you still around? (Martin pauses, disheartened) Hmm... I don't suppose I expected him to stay. I'm a loner and he's a job to do.

(Martin begins to gather up the camping supplies.)

He's silent... I didn't even hear him get up. Heh, I... What's this? (Martin picks up a wallet) Adam's wallet! I should turn this into the police, I guess... I won't be seeing--

(Another engine starting up. Martin looks up and runs after it in a moment. Adam appears on stage, hanging up his cellphone.)

Adam: Martin... my friend just left after fixing the truck up. Something was messing up the engine, but he fixed it up.

Martin: You're running again.

Adam: I'm hunting someone! He's not getting far, I've got him cornered.

Martin: In Johnston?

Adam: (Angrily paranoid) How did you know?

Martin: This is a direct path to Johnston. The road goes straight there and rounds back to an exit path the same way you come in...

Adam: I have to go... this isn't the time for talking.

Martin: There's something wrong here.

Adam: Look, you don't know me. You don't know the crap I've been through to track Phil... (stopping himself) I don't need to answer to you.

Martin: If not the only unbiased man around, then who?

Adam: You don't even know, Martin...

(Adam drives away, leaving Martin alone again. Martin takes Adam's wallet from his pocket and looks at it. The scene fades out.)

[ProMetaAnaTelo]

Scene IV

(Scene opens inside a bar. The bartender keeps watch over the counter and two customers sit in chairs nearby. Adam enters the bar.)

Adam: (Sitting down in a chair) Hey, have you seen this man? He's an old, old friend of mine and I need to find him...

(The bartender takes the photo and examines it)

Bartender: Haven't seen the likes of him around these parts. Did he just move in?

Adam: I think he's been around here for a few months now... His name's Phil. Are you positive?

Bartender: Damn sure. Ordering something?

Adam: No... (rises to leave)

Customer: Wait. Let me see that picture.

(Adam hands the photo over and the customer squints to see the details)

Yeah, I think I've seen this guy before. The picture's fuzzy, though; can't be sure.

Adam: I had a better picture in my wallet, but I must have lost a few nights back... Where did you last see him?

Customer: Oh... He lives just across the street from the corner store. Mind if I write directions on here?

Adam: No, go ahead.

(The customer scribbles down on the back of the photo.)

Thanks.

(Adam exits the bar. The customer not speaking turns to the other customer. The non-speaking customer is revealed to be Martin.)

Martin: Excuse me. Where did you send him?

Customer: (hesitant) Oh... well...

Martin: (lying) He's seeking for one of my church friends. I merely want to make ensure everything's okay...

Customer: Oh, well in that case, he's off to... Here I'll just write it down again.

(Writes the information on a napkin)

Martin: Thank you for your time. Bartender... could I get a bottle. The cheapest stuff you have in stock.

Bartender: Sure thing. (Handing bottle over for money.

(Martin exits stage with bottle)

(As the scene closes and lights fade a shatter of glass is heard: Martin's bottle. A pop of tires and a door opening.)

Adam: My tires!

(Scene closes)

Scene V

(Scene opens with Martin walking up to Phil's door. Phil sits in a chair, reading. A gun at his side suggests paranoia)

Martin: (knocking) Is anyone home?

(Phil rises and picks up the gun. As the knocking grows harder he puts it behind his back and walks to the door.)

Phil: Who's there?

Martin: You're guardian angel. Please... open the door.

Phil: (opening the door) What do you want? I'm a busy man.

Martin: You have to leave. Now.

Phil: (suspicious) Why?

Martin: Adam. He's here and I don't think he has good intentions.

Phil: (aghast) Shit. How long and where is he?

Martin: I popped his tires a few streets back. He may be on foot, though. I don't recommend waiting to find out.

Phil: Agh... How can I believe you? How do I know he's really around here and you're not just trying to scare me off?

Martin: (pulling the wallet out and showing Phil the driver's license) Is this appropriate evidence?

(Phil is taken back, surprised and worried.)

You have to go now.

Phil: Thank you... Oh my god, thank you. Did Henry send you?

Martin: No. I'm here on my own accord.

Phil: Thank you, then...

Martin: Martin.

Phil: Martin... I'll get out as fast as possible. Is Evansville safe?

Martin: For the time being.

(Phil escapes the house and flees to safety. Martin runs offstage as well and just as he escapes Adam enters, pulling out a gun from hiding)

Adam: Where are you, Phil? Get over here now!

(Scene fades out)

[pyroflasher]

Another playwright?! I've read the first scen so far and I'm enjoying it so far. I'll be reading the rest soon.

[ProMetaAnaTelo]

Scene VI

(Scene continues with the fade out, Phil talking on the phone.)

Phil: Yeah, Henry. It's been two months. (pause) I haven't seen or heard from Adam since... since I ran. (pause) I know... I just panicked and chickened out. I thought I could handle confrontation but the sudden news shocked me...

I got an anonymous call to watch my back... It was Adam's voice, I'm sure of it. I'm not running anymore. This is where the road ends for one of us.

He's coming today, Henry.

(Scene lightens up from the fade and Phil sits in a chair, rocking back and forth with a gun in hand. He's obviously worried and paranoid. Martin steps on stage, distraught.)

Martin: Evansville... I've traveled a long way for such a foreign story. Not even acquainted with these people, so why am I writing my own actions into their lives?

(Realization) Adam... he's more a person than I. He's a family, children possibly and a motivation. I have none of those things, wandering the Earth aimlessly.

(Martin takes a deep breath and watches Adam storm up to the house.)

Adam: Martin! The hell are you doing here?

Martin: I can't let you do what you're about to do...

(Adam pulls a gun and places it against against Martin's head. Martin remains calm.)

Adam: How the hell did you find me? This place?

Martin: I'm equally resourceful as you, Adam. You found this place within months, discovering the exact location.

Adam: He kept his cellphone on him. It's a matter of knowing the right people and paying the right prices. How did you get here?

Martin: I got here a month ago, asking around for people recently moving in. Phil's living with a friend of his, who just left for a business trip four hours and twenty minutes ago.

Adam: I should blow your brains out right here.

Martin: Should? Or want? (no reply) Adam, I know you're a sensible man. What's going on here? Tell me.

(Adam lowers his gun and sighs)

Adam: Years ago â€"ten to be exactâ€" I was working construction. Phil was a friend of mine. The construction job wouldn't support me and my wife's new baby. Phil found a job for a...

Martin: A what?

Adam: We stole paintings from a museum. Like, four. They were expensive and fragile... I took the getaway car as Phil booked it down the street. He was supposed to check to see if the police would be waiting for us and he never called me back. I had to drive as fast as possible and I did so through a nest of police cars.

He screwed me over and I luckily only got 3 years in prison for it. Damn tricky to scrape off that sort of deal.

Martin: So he left you and you're hunting him down because...

Adam: Because I'm pissed.

Martin: Adam...

Adam: Get out of the way! (A small fight, knocking Martin back) I need to take care of this alone!

Martin: Adam! Give me thirty seconds to speak to you... What's thirty seconds atop months?

Adam: Start talking.

Martin: You've hunted this man for seven years, yet you've not spoken to your family since. Yes? That makes your son at least 10 years old, never having a true memory of his father. What you did was partially noble and partially stupid.

You're troubled of your past, obviously. You must be scared you hurt your family because you don't seem like the kind that would be this distraught over simple theft.

Adam: What are you saying?

Martin: You don't want to do this.

Adam: You don't know me!

Martin: Neither does your son.

(Painful silence. Martin's words sinking in like knives)

Listen, Adam. This... This is your story. You can lead it any way you want now. You've made a foolish choice once, but that doesn't mean you have to continue.

Adam: It's too late, Martin. I've come so goddamn far, chased him for so long. I can't turn back.

Martin: It's not too late. He's not called the police, they'd find out about him helping in the heist. You've a clean slate right now so why not keep it that way? Killing this man in cold blood will only heal your wounds, not your family's.

Adam: What... what do you mean?

Martin: The wounds from your hate may be healed, but the wounds in your wife's heart-- your son's childhood... Will killing this man truly help them? That's what you really want, I know it.

Adam: Martin... I have to do this. You can't stop me...

Martin: Adam. He has a gun, too.

(This stops Adam in his tracks)

Adam: What?

(Martin hands Adam the wallet)

Martin: I told Phil to run the first time. He knew because of me. He had a gun when I spoke to him, trigger-happy. You go in there and you're as good as dead.

Adam, your son and wife need you now. There's nobody else in the world your son, especially, should see before his own father. Your wife may have remarried but your son cannot gain another father. Don't let him grow up without meeting you.

Adam: My father left when I was little... Martin. You're right. This is my story. Nobody else's. I have to go fix this...

Do you believe in God, Martin?

Martin: No.

Adam: Neither do I. But you're an angel; I'm sure.

(Adam begins to leave, shaken.)

Martin... do you have a certain place to go?

(scene fades)

Scene VII

(Scene opens with a woman, Adam's wife, walking down the street. She is emotionally drained, showing nothing but sadness. Adam and Martin stand as Adam's wife wanders across the stage)

Adam: She doesn't notice me.

Martin: It's been years.

Adam: (calling out) Mary... (stepping back)What am I doing? I'm not worth her attention anymore. I left her.

Martin: Adam, she's wearing a ring and she's losing drive with every footfall. She's not happily married. Save her. Be her prince, riding up on the white horse.

(Adam shoots up)

Adam: Martin... that's my ring (Adam rushes over to her, and stops her. They pantomime conversation. Mary bursts out in a fit of joy and embraces Adam. Adam has found home).

Martin: (Aside) Adam found home through his crusade. And he had a change of heart... Maybe.. Maybe there's a piece of home for me somewhere.

Somewhere in the mountains. That'd be nice...

Adam: Martin! Wait!

(Martin silently leaves the stage. Only Adam and Mary remain.)

Adam: It's my story. That's what he told me...

Mary: No... it's our story.

(They embrace as the scene fades out for one final time)

THE END

Any thoughts?

[Griffin]

I LIKE THIS. I PLAYED MARTIN. THERE WAS A LOT LESS SWEARING IN THE ACTUAL SHOW. WHICH IS SAD.

Caps lock for emphasis. :3