THE PRICE

The use of the Narrator:

For my purpose I have depicted the narrator as being not one but several persons having several functions. In the first instance he is a student doing the regular task of introducing the play. In the second instance he is the same student but is used between scenes to allow time for setting the stage and to show also the passing of time. In the third instance, the narrator takes another personage - Chris. Here, she is not only used for the passing of time and the setting of the stage, but also for character revelation and confrontation of audience. The narrator then takes the character of Phil and allows for the same tasks and jobs previously mentioned. He is also used for atmosphere and foreshadowing. In the next case, the narrator is a narrator, a grown-up, not in any way closely connected to the plot. Perhaps, he is a police officer. He too, allows for the passage of time, the setting of the stage, and also enhances the mysterious atmosphere. The narrator at the end of the next scene takes on the character of Mr. Donall and performs many of the same tasks as before. Lastly, the narrator is Chris - the dead Chris - the enlightened Chris. She makes her final appeal to the audience, trying to make them understand, to recognize her fate is one contemplated hundreds of times by students all over the world. She directly confronts the audience, trying to stress the importance of understanding and unity in a world as modern and as torn-apart as it is today. I have used the narrator as not one, but several people, as a means of connection between audience and actors, drawing them more closely to the plot I have chosen.


Characters:

Christine Leeds(Chris): main character
Jim and Lila Leeds: Christine's parents
Genevieve Leeds: Christine's sister
Andy and Terry: Christine's two closest friends
Ron Hayes, Phil, and Ed: other boy members in the group of Christine's friends
Millie (Mil) and Rebecca: other girl members in the group of Christine's friends
Mr. Donall: Principal of Duncan High School
Mr. Bailey, Miss Evans, Miss Shilvas: teachers on the staff of Duncan High School
Guandellara: poet, folk and protest singer
Extras: a waitress and other teens at the coffee house


Settings:

Scene I - late Friday afternoon in the corridor, outside a classroom (HIO3 - History) at Duncan High School
Scene II - Friday night at a coffee house called The Up-Tight, a local hang-out for teens
Scene III - late Monday morning in the corridor just outside the door of a classroom
(F206 - French) at Duncan High School
Scene IV - late Monday morning in the living room at the Leeds' home
Scene V - Monday at breaktime (fifth class) in the staff room at Duncan High School
Scene VI - late Monday afternoon in the lunchroom or cafeteria at Duncan High School



SCENE I

Setting: late Friday afternoon in the corridor outside a classroom (H103 - Mr. Bailey's History class) at Duncan High School

Characters: the Narrator (as a student), Mr. Bailey, Ron, Phil, Ed, Millie, Rebecca, Chris (Christine)

Narrator: (dressed as a student, standing at the left of the stage, is highlighted with a spotlight, rest of the stage is dark.) "It may seem perverse to begin a play with one such as I, a student, when in this day and age of great men one more eloquent might set a better stage and lead his audience down the paths of literary efforts. Indeed, it does seem quite perverse, but what of me? Do I, insignificant as I am, not count? Must I remain forever silent while others bribe the unknowing and weak with protestations of a Utopian existence? (spotlight fades and lights come up as a group of students enters from the right of the stage)

Mr. Bailey: (his voice is heard from off-stage, where the classroom is) "Ron, make sure you have that paper on my desk by 9 o'clock sharp on Monday morning!"

Ron: "Boy! Thank goodness it's the weekend! The way that Bailey character has been laying on for me this week would make anyone glad to see last class on Friday come. Can I get our assignment from somebody. Three guesses why I wasn't paying attention!"

Phil: "Sure pal, I'll give it to you later. Hey, who's going to “The Up-Tight” tonight?"

Ed: "Chris, are you coming?"

Chris: "Sure. Do you think for one moment I'd miss our weekly rendez-vous? Guys, you're deteriorating! We're just going to have to do something to bring you back into our circuit. Right Mil?"

Mil: "That's right! (pause) Fellas, didn't you like the way Chris stood up for herself when Miss Evans started panting down her back. Boy, she's getting to me that one. And a lot of others too! You'd think they were above everyone else. But atta girl Chris! We need a lot more people like you."

Ed: "We do indeed! Here! Here!" (everyone laughs)

Phil: "Chris, do you think you'd have time to get together with a couple of other kids from the School Council at my house after four? We're going to discuss some more ways to encourage school spirit and we thought you could help because you know a lot more of the newer kids and are more aware of their ideas. Maybe you could suggest what we're doing wrong and some other ways to entice these masses to participate."

Chris: "Gee, Phil, I'd like to and all, but I've got to stay for basketball practice. We've got a semi-final match coming up next week and 'The Troll' herself wants us to be all tuned up to give it our best. You understand, don't you?"

Phil: "Sure do. Maybe you can make it some other time. A victory for our school will help the Council's purpose as well. So, get out there Christine Leeds and practice, practice, practice, you hear?"

Ron, Ed, Phil: (in unison) "And so say all of us!"

Ron: (putting his arm around Millie's shoulder) "Come on Millie. I'll walk you home. See you later Chris." (they exit the stage, waving to their friends)

Ed: "Bye, you two." (waves to Millie and Ron as they exit, then turns to speak to Rebecca) "So long Rebecca, see you later." (he walks off stage)

Phil: (turning to Chris) "Don't work too hard, Chris. See you tonight." (he turns and exits)

Rebecca: "Bye guys." (she waves at those leaving)

Chris: "Bye people." (she waves at them, then turns to speak to Rebecca) "Egads! What a bunch!" (they shake their heads, laugh, then walk off stage)

(fade out - a spotlight focuses on the left of the stage where the Narrator - same student as before - is standing)

Narrator: "Well, what do you think of our little group? Certainly energetic aren't we! But then, aren't most young people nowadays? You'd wonder where we find the time to do all of the things we try to do. If each day had forty-two hours in it, I still think I wouldn't be satisfied. 'The Up-Tight' that sounds rather unique and symbolic. I've heard it told that Chris makes the scene there too. Come on, let's drop in on them. Let's eavesdrop a little.

(Narrator turns and gestures to middle stage with his arm as the stage lights up)



SCENE II

Setting: Friday night at 'The Up-Tight' coffee house, a local hang-out for teens. Groups of young people are sitting and talking at a variety of tables (candles burning in the middle of them) placed around a stool in the center of the floor. A girl and boy - Terry and Andy - are seated at the one closest to the left front of the stage.

Characters: Terry, Andy, Chris, Guandellara, Ron, Millie, Ed, Rebecca, Phil, several other teens, a waitress, the Narrator (as Chris)

Andy: "Look what I managed to fend for us. I hope espresso suits your palate mademoiselle?"

Terry: "Thanks Andy. That was very sweet of you."

Andy: "The Up-Tight is crowded tonight. It's a good turn out wouldn't you say?"

Terry: "Yes it is. I guess everybody's glad to get away from school this week. We've really had it rough in History class. You know, with exams getting closer and closer you'd think the teachers would lighten up on homework but it seems to be the season for ogres!"

Andy: "You're right there! I guess that's just one more of the deplorable inflictions of being a student."

Terry: "I wish I didn't have to worry about exams and the responsibility of other things the way I do. It's tough being a teenager!"

Andy: "Who was it that said adolescence was the best time of life? (pause) You know, you seem very sad tonight. What's wrong?"

Terry: "Does it show that much? Actually, I guess I'm just thinking and philosophizing to myself on life."

Andy: "Shoot sweetheart! I'm all ears!" (imitates Humphrey Bogart or Cary Grant)

Terry: "You don't look it." (she laughs teasingly at him)

Andy: "Ha, ha, ha! Aren't you a bundle of wit. Half-wit that is." (he mimics)

Terry: "Look, there's Chris. I can't help but envy her. She never seems to have a care in the world. Every time I see her she's laughing and fooling around. What does she care if exams are only two weeks away."

Andy: "She's on the basketball team, too, isn't she?"

Terry: "Yes, and she has numerous other tasks and positions at school besides. I don't know how she does it. (pauses) I don't know why things can't just go the way you want them to. (mumbles previous sentence) I'm sorry, Andy. I guess I'm just in one of those down times."

Andy: "I know what that's like. I've had my share of ups and downs. Do you think it's fun being a boy? It's hard trying to uphold the image of defender, the tough guy that stands strong and lets fair damsels weep out their sorrows on his big, broad shoulders. There are lots of times when I could break down myself. That's when I go out somewhere and run for as long and as hard as I can or work my insides out at something that uses lots of muscles. That seems to get the depression out of me and the energy I exert, adds some more heat to the air. It's foolish, but at least it helps me."

Terry: "Yes, I know what you mean. Right now I'm having a hard time at home. My family and I have been arguing lots lately. We seem to be getting into it deeper and deeper. Ever since I was a little girl, my dad and I have never really gotten along very well. He was just never around when I needed him. He was either away somewhere or was too busy to take any interest. (pause) I guess this is as close my mom and I have ever been. You see, I never was allowed to date until I was sixteen. My father just got the idea that I was still a little girl and that boys would be a poor influence on me. This really got to me because I saw all of the other kids in my grade going out and having fun. I can remember crying my eyes out one night, talking to my mom, trying to get her to understand how I felt. Other times, I'd stay awake til everyone else was asleep and I'd sob into my pillow, cursing the day I was born. Somehow mom got the picture and worked on dad. (pause) Do you know that on my first date he told me I had to be home by eleven o'clock? And, as if that wasn't enough, he gave my date the first-degree before we left! But when I got in, that was the real clincher! He put me on the witness stand, firing questions at me right and left. Where were you? What did you do? Who did you see? Did you enjoy yourself? What was your date like? Did he try anything? Boy, life can be miserable!"

Andy: "I guess it can. Take Chris for instance, I imagine she has her bad times too, just like we do. Everyone has to get rid of it somehow - get it out, or it's no good. She seems to have a good philosophy on life. She likes to be happy-go-lucky. What does she care what the world does just as long as she has fun. She takes things in stride and everything's for laughs."

Terry: "That sounds like a terrific plan and here comes it's promoter now."

Andy: "Hi Chris!"

Terry: "Hello, Chris. Sit down and talk awhile."

Chris: "Hi, how are you?"

Andy: "We're pretty good, Chris."

Chris: "Just thought I'd brighten your dingy corner for awhile. Ha! Ha!"

Andy: "How's life been treating you?"

Chris: "Oh, just so - so, comme ci - comme ca. Guess who's going to appear here tonight?"

Terry: "Who?"

Chris: "The one and only Guandellara!"

Terry: "Isn't she the one who the local papers have been running time to time commentaries on? She protests and criticizes life and world situations and things, doesn't she?"

Chris: "Right, and I'm one of her chief fans and supporters. Look, isn't she something? Don't you just love her!"

Guandellara: "Friends, this evening I am going to share some of my most recent work. Here's a poem titled "Tonight."

Tonight
I saw you
As I have never
Seen you before
Your silhouette
As you stood etched
Against the moon of harvest
Was that of Mighty Atlas
Who in time
Of ancient feat
Held the Earth upon his back
Your face
Accented by the shimmering silver light
Reflected the goodness
And strength
Within you
Soft skin portrayed
The gentleness of your heart
Your lips
Forming the outline of a smile
Caught the last fleeting
Moment of laughter
Your eyes
Were candles
Like stars gleaming
From an ink-black sky
Lighting the way
For the reflections
Of your inner feelings
Your mind
Was a time-piece
Forever ticking away
The ideas and fantasies
Of thought
Your breathing
Was the rhythmic
Pattern of the ocean
Beating out the wonders
And awes of time
Time, who for centuries
Passed has smiled
Upon Earth
Wrapped her in a cozy blanket
Of peace
Incessantly bribed her
With protestations
Of the good life
Utopian existence
But wicked Time
We are aware of your misgivings
We say
Time no more!

(members of the audience clap, cheer, and whistle)

Chris: "Know what? That's my sentiment exactly! I'm hung up and I've gotta get out of it before Monday. What am I going to do?"

Andy: "You know what I do? I was just talking with Terry about what we had discussed yesterday. I just get out and work at something and give it as much as I've got."

Chris: "That may work for you, but I don't know what I'm going to do!"

Terry: "I differ from you Andy. Whenever I get that way, I shrink back into myself. Sometimes I go for a long walk somewhere, or sit in my room and play old, sentimental records. Often, I write melancholy poetry."

Chris: "You guys aren't anything like me. Whenever I get hung up, I try to hide it. I put on an act. Why should anyone else have to know that I'm down. Sure lots of kids think I'm popular. You know, the real clown, Chris. But I tell you, inside I'm next to breaking into a million pieces. I could scream until my voice goes and I get hoarse. I'm near my end, people. (pause) School is really disgusting! Those teachers down there are picking on me all the time. What do they want? I try. Lord knows, I try hard! Can't they accept me for what I am? Miss Evans. Bailey. They're always picking on me in French and History class. Even Donall's bawling me out for skipping class and talking back to staff."

Andy: "It's getting rougher with exams coming up too."

Chris: "Exams! I hate the very thought of them! The way I feel now, I couldn't give a damn whether I got 70% or flunked. (pause) Scared! I've never been so frightened before. Do you know that if I fall by even two marks from my previous averages, I'm going to be grilled by my parents! I'll be grounded and I'll be nagged all next semester about bringing up my marks. My parents don't understand! Mom, being a college grad and a perfectionist, expects me to live up to my older sister Genevieve. She doesn't realize that I'm not one bit like her. I am Chris! I don't want a 90% average! I don't want to be elected the most popular girl in the school! All I want is to be me and to be happy! Dad has a nervous condition which I've inherited. Even being around him, makes me extremely self-conscious. We never have had any real liking for each other. We're more like an allergy. Whenever he's around, he frightens me and I drop things. This makes him more nervous and then he snaps at me and picks on me about every little thing. You might think I'd find some help in Genevieve. No dice! She despises me. You see, she's always been the darling of the family - doing things well because mom and dad have given her so much. They've put her through school and everything. She forever tells me to grow up, to get the chip off my shoulder, wipe the egg off my face. She makes me ill! I have no one! No one understands me or accepts me. I'm human. I have feelings just like anyone else. I can see, taste, and feel. What have they got against me? I try to suggest something and everybody thinks it's idiotic, childish. I have my ideas and dreams. I want to be left alone with no one to command me or chide me. Sure I want parental love and respect. Who wouldn't? Where can I get it? Can't anyone see? I want to live my life! Why can't I fulfil my dreams? One day I'm going to be famous. I'm going to do something that will make everyone recognize me and say 'That's Chris Leeds'! I'll make a name for myself if it kills me! Just wait and see."

Terry: "Chris, you're determined and if you can keep all of those feelings, those goals intact, you will fulfil your hopes and dreams. Too often kids are being run over. Should the world blame them for seeking recognition? Look what we're doing over in Vietnam. If it weren't for the youth of America, where would freedom be? Granted, death may be freedom's price, but if we are willing to pay it, then who's to argue? They say we get out of life only what we put into it, but is that true? Why is there such wide-range death and disturbance? People aren't satisfied. Protest marches and racial displays emphasize that fact."

Andy: "That's true! How can justice and peace ever have a place on this Earth if people are too unconcerned or isolated to understand one another? Believe me, it isn't easy to accept such an existence as this. They tell us the future of the world depends on our generation. Well, how do they expect us to have any kind of future whatsoever, the way they're treating the world now? (pause)

Chris: "You guys are great! Both of you understand and you've helped me a lot. Somehow, talking the way we have tonight has brought things into the open. It's made me admit things to myself I never have before. I feel much better."

Andy: "Well, what's say I splurge a little and buy you ladies some more expresso. How's that for generosity?"

Chris: "Sounds great!"

Terry: "Ummm, fine with me." (nodding in agreement)

(Andy gets up, leaves to get the coffee. He goes offstage or to a counter near the back or side of the stage.)

Chris: "You know, Terry, Andy is very nice."

Terry: "Yes, I think he's great! Can you fill me in with some information? This is the closest I've ever gotten to him. I don't usually hang out with this crowd. I don't exactly know what's going on with everyone. In other words, will you give me the low down on Andy?"

Chris: "I'd be glad to help in any way I can. What do you want to know?"

Terry: "From what you've heard, what is Andy really like? What are his interests? Is he as nice as he seems?"

Chris: "Yes, he is an all-round nice guy. He doesn't drink or swear or do drugs. He's considerate - quite a gentleman. He likes hiking, swimming, sailing, horseback riding, writing, and of course - girls. I can't tell you much more than that."

Terry: "Thanks, you did a fine job. From what you've said, he'd be a great friend to have and since he's new here, we should try to make him feel as much like one of the crowd as possible, agreed?"

Chris: "Agreed!"

Andy: (returning to the table with a tray containing three cups filled with coffee) "You may think I look like a clown and that I'm going to drop them, but I've done this a thousand times before...(spilling them)...and managed to do this every single time...Sorry girls."

Terry: "That's alright, Sir Galahad." (they all help to wipe up the mess)

Chris: "Yes, a veritable knight in shining armor or should I have said coffee-stained armor? Are you sure your hinges won't rust?"

Andy: (teasingly) "Quite sure, little miss smartie! (gently touching the top of her nose with the tip of his forefinger) Since my luck has turned against coffee, would you like a coke?"

Terry: (looking at Chris who nods in agreement) "Yes, please."

Andy: (bowing in reverence) "Your slightest wish is my command." (he starts to leave then turns around to look at Terry) "And don't you go away, hear?"

Chris: (gazing around) "I never realized how very pleasant this place could be until tonight. It's as if the whole atmosphere is different."

Terry: "Yes, it is rather mood setting. You know, that reminds me of an article I once read. It was about colors - their significance, their effects, and the way in which they are connected with the supernatural."

Andy: (returning to the table) "What mad conversation have you ladies been intensely occupied with?"

Chris: "Terry was just beginning to tell me about an article she'd read. It was about color."

Andy: "Please, lead on. You've captured my interest. Without color, life would be very dull and monotonous."

Chris: "Yes, Terry, continue."

Terry: "According to the writer, the colors red and green are most often linked with the supernatural. Do you remember 'The Rocking-Horse Winner' by Clemou? We read it a couple of months ago. It was about a little boy who rode his rocking horse until he thought of the name of the winning race horse. The author used color very effectively. Didn't he have the jockey and the boy's mother dressed in green and surrounded by bouquets of red roses in the winner's circle at the finale?"

Andy: "Yes, I've read that book too. It brought the forces of the supernatural which had given the boy the winning names, back into the mind of the reader. It showed that they refused to tolerate the boy's demands, rebelled, and had come to take his life away from him, didn't it?"

Chris: "Yes. Isn't it marvelous the way some writers convey their ideas by using images of materialistic, everyday things?"

Terry: "I think that in more or less all instances in literature, black portrays evil or bad and white stands for purity and good."

Andy: "True. I also read somewhere that pink stands for femininity. Purple or dark red stands for royalty. Red also denotes anger and green is connected with jealousy, the green-eyed monster - to which multitudes of women are easily susceptible."

Chris: "Would you listen to the colorful bloke! (said with a thick English accent) I disagree with your last remark 'cause men also get extremely jealous...and quickly too! Just as a matter of interest, what color are your eyes Andy?"

Andy: (sheepishly) "Green. (they laugh) I guess I deserved that one. Touche. You're one up on me now Chris."

Chris: "Sorry Andy. I hope I didn't tarnish your ego."

Andy: "Nope, not at all. Well, it didn't do anything to degrade it a great deal anyway."

Terry: (as a group of other kids approach) "Hey, look, here come more of our merry band!"

(Ron, Millie, Ed, Rebecca, and Phil come over to the table)

Terry: "Hi gang!"

Andy: "Glad everybody finally made it."

Chris: "Haven't I seen your famous faces somewhere before? (jokingly) May I have your autographs?"

Phil: "Gee, do any of you recognize this here kid?" (pointing at Chris teasingly)

Mil: "No!" (shaking her head)

Ron: "Haven't seen her before in my life." (also shaking his head)

Rebecca: "Hi Terry. Are you as tired as I am?"

Terry: "I'm pretty good now. Of course, I've done nothing since practice this afternoon."

Andy: "Well, don't just stand there, pull up some chairs and sit in."

Chris: "That was good. Sit in was good. It has a double meaning, get it?"

Phil: "There goes that unknown kid again! What'll we do with her Ron?"

Ron: "I don't know. We could segregate her. We don't actually know her, do we?" (winking as he teasingly says this)

Phil: "Maybe we should all order cokes and not get any for her. That would fix her little red wagon, wouldn't it?"(winking back)

Chris: "Boy! With fellas like you for friends, who needs enemies? Just who needs friends like you!" (playing along)

Phil: "You do, and don't ever forget it!"

Ed: "Will you two stop arguing long enough to give your order!"

Phil: "We'll have espresso."

Chris: "Listen to his Royal Highness here! Quick, give me a sword and I'll crown him."

Rebecca: "I've never seen two such little kids in all my life! There are times when I hate to admit that I even know them." (they all laugh)

Millie: "What's everyone been doing since four o'clock?"

Ed: " Yes, Andy, how have you been making out?"

Andy: (looking at Terry) "Pretty good, haven't we Terry."

Terry: "Yes, I've quite enjoyed myself. But, where have you been? We expected you much earlier, didn't we Chris."

Chris: "Sure did. You're late."

Ron: "Oh. Well, it happened like this. (taking things on the table and aligning them) Ed and I picked up Rebecca here, at her house. Then, we went over to get Millie, who wasn't quite ready and then..." (plays with or moves things on table as he describes this)

Mil: "Why, Ron Hayes! How dare you!"

Ron: (continuing) "Then, when we finally did get here, Phil was just pulling into the lot, so we waited for him and then we came in together."

(waitress approaches with their order)

Phil: "Water...water...my kingdom for some water" (holding throat and pretending to be parched)

Chris: "In the first place, you haven't got a kingdom to speak of. Secondly, it's coffee and coke, not water." (said teasingly)

Andy: "Uh-oh! There they go again!"

(Fade out. The stage goes dark. The voice of the Narrator (in the personage of Chris) can be heard as she steps into the spotlight at the side of the stage.)

Narrator: (taking the personage of Chris) "Didn't I tell you 'The Up- Tight' was rather unique? Friday night was very exciting for me. The whole week had been boring. I studied a bit but things have a habit of piling up and the mood I described is always hanging on. My friends? They're all doing their own thing. We're in different classes and our lunch periods are staggered so we don't get to see each other much at school. They're great kids and whenever we pass in the corridors, we say hi and exchange bits of conversation. Other than that, life follows it's usual dull routine. I get up. I go to school. I get told off by teachers. I get told off by my parents. I do homework. I go to bed. Nothing new happens. No one new arrives. Life... seems like it's all downhill." (pauses and then sighs heavily)

(Spotlight fades out and the stage is again in total darkness. A mixture of voices is heard as the stage lights up)



SCENE III

Setting: late Monday morning in the corridor outside a classroom (F206 - the French class) at Duncan High School. Ron, Phil, Millie, Rebecca, and Ed are standing in a group talking quietly to each other. Andy and Terry walk in together and begin to talk to the group.

Characters: Andy, Terry, Ron, Phil, Millie, Rebecca, Ed, Mr. Donall, Miss Evans, the Narrator (as Phil)

Andy: "Hi group."

Terry: "Hello everyone."

Ron: "Bonjour, mes amis d'ecole."(pretending to remove a hat and bowing elegantly to the others)

Mil: "Comme il est fou!"

Ed: "Yes, I certainly agree Millie!"(nodding)

Phil: "Has anyone seen Chris today?"

Terry: "Gee, Phil, now that you've mentioned it, we haven't seen her around this morning."

Phil: "That's strange. She's usually here by now. I hope nothing's happened to her."

Ron: "Maybe she just slept in."

Mil: "Maybe she's got an appointment or something."

Rebecca: "Could be she decided to skip this morning."

Mil: "Here comes Mr. Donall, cage-keeper to the team of ogres."

Mr. Donall: "Good morning, how are you?"

(several students reply with answers such as - Fine sir, Great, O.K., Good)

Mr. Donall: "Have any of you seen Chris Leeds in your travels? (The group of students look at each other and shake their heads. Several of them answer together using such phrases as - No sir, Not yet, No.) She's needed at the office. If you see her tell her to report as soon as possible."(he walks away)

Phil: "I haven't seen Chris since Friday night. This whole thing feels strange. I'm going to phone her parents. I'll be right back."

(as Phil walks to the front and opposite side of the stage the bell rings and the group of students enters the classroom. A female voice - Miss Evans, the French teacher - calls out "Alright, settle down. We're not at the zoo!")

Narrator: (taking the personage of Phil) "Gee, I wish I knew where Chris is. (pause) It's funny. I've never really felt this way about a girl before. She's different than the others. The first time I saw her...(pause) well, I guess I kinda felt she was someone I'd like to get to know better. Hummph! I'm acting like an old mother hen! These feelings I have are so new and different. Yet...(pause) I know there's something wrong. I can't explain why I know it. I just do. It's mysterious...it's spooky, that's what it is! I can't shake this feeling!"

(Phil puts money into the payphone and begins to dial as the spotlight fades leaving the stage in total darkness. Then a telephone rings and the stage lights up



SCENE IV

Setting: late Monday morning in the living room of the Leeds' home. Jim is pacing the floor behind the sofa on which Lila is sitting and crying. When the telephone rings, both parents get up nervously to answer it. Jim picks it up as Lila stands beside him, holding his arm.

Characters: Jim and Lila Leeds, Mr. Donall, the Narrator (as a grown-up or a policeman)

Jim Leeds: "Hello. Oh, Mr. Donall, it's you. No, no, you're not interrupting us. We just thought it might be someone else, that's all. Chris? No, Chris isn't here, Mr. Donall. That's who we were hoping to hear from. She's missing. She went out Friday night to some place downtown called 'The Freak-Out'. We were away for the weekend. It was late when we got home on Sunday and we took for granted she was already in her room sleeping. This morning when Lila went to wake her up for school, she wasn't there. Her bed hadn't been used and there weren't any other traces of her having been home. At first we thought she might be spending the night with one of her girlfriends. We waited awhile then we called their parents. No, no one has seen her. We telephoned other places she might have gone to. No luck there either. We're nearly at the end of our wits with worry. Yes, we've already called the police. They've listed her as missing. Some officers have been to the house to question us. They said a search has begun but there's been no word yet. If anything has happened to my little girl...(he raises his voice in anger) I won't be responsible for what I'd do! Life would have no further meaning. She's the only one we've got here at home. My God! What will we do! (he breaks down in tears - pause - then recovers) I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. It's just the tension and nerves. Yes, we'll call if we hear anything. Yes, we'll do our best to hold ourselves together. You'll call us right away if she shows up at school won't you? Yes, and thank you. We'll try to do that. Goodbye."

Lila Leeds: (crying) "Oh, Jim! What shall we do! I'll never forgive myself. I should have been there for her. I should have given her more. I didn't realize how much she means to us! Where is she? I want her home, here with us, safe and sound!"

Jim Leeds: (holding his wife and moving toward the couch) "Lila, come and sit down. Don't be so hard on yourself. We've been good parents. She hasn't had to want for anything. We've always given her the things she needs, haven't we? Have we not treated her and Genevieve equally? Neither has felt the shock of being unloved by us. We haven't shown prejudice or favor for one over the other, have we? Now, dry your eyes. Genevieve will be here soon and you don't want her to see you like this, do you?

(Fade out. The stage is left in darkness. A spotlight focuses on the left of the stage where the narrator - a grown-up, perhaps a policeman - stands)

Narrator: "So, the plot thickens! Just where is Christine Leeds? Those at school don't know. Her parents don't know and, at this point, even the police don't know. Could she have run away? Could someone have kidnapped her? Could she have been fatally assaulted? Or is she just taking a leave of absence and trying to get attention? No one knows. Her parents are worried. They seem like good parents. They aren't to blame - or are they?"

(Spotlight fades out, leaving the whole stage in darkness. The voice of Miss Shilvas is heard as the stage light up.)



SCENE V

Setting: Monday during break-time (fifth class) in the staffroom at Duncan High School. Staff are reading, marking papers, filling out reports, eating, sitting and relaxing, or talking.

Characters: Mr. Donall, Miss Shilvas, Miss Evans, Mr. Bailey, the Narrator (as Mr. Donall)

Miss Shilvas: "Coffee, Mr. Donall?"

Mr. Donall: "No thanks, Dorothy, not at the moment. But I will take a raincheck. I'll join you for a cup during seventh class."

Miss Shilvas: "Good, I'll be here. Anyone else? Miss Evans? Mr. Bailey?"

Miss Evans: "Yes, please! I can certainly use one right about now! There's something about Mondays..."

Mr. Bailey: "Yes, Miss Shilvas, I'll have a cup of coffee please. I need one too. This job doesn't seem to be getting any easier."

Miss Evans: (she fills their cups and continues) "You're right. It isn't the same job. There are times when I wish I would have gone into some other branch of work. Kids have changed. I thought they were taught manners at home and discipline in grade school. Apparently some of them have either skipped the first eight grades or they haven't been able to keep anything in that space between their ears. Words find their way into one ear, rattle around inside, then drop out the other ear. Some parents should be paying for lion-tamers not teachers."

Mr. Donall: (jokingly) "Would it help any if I got the School Board to order whips and chairs for the staff'?"

Mr. Bailey: "I don't know whether we need whips and chairs. I will tell you one thing, though, we do need more disciplinary methods. Some of those boys in 12C need to experience some corrective lessons on the topic of talk-back. These kids haven't been taught any respect. They don't know how to behave properly. Take for instance, Ron Hayes, the spokesman for that group. He wasn't paying attention in class on Friday so I assigned him a term-paper on 'The Various Aspects of Technological Advancements in the Europe during the Seventeenth Century'. It was due at nine o'clock sharp this morning. I was three minutes late to class. You can imagine my surprise when I got there and found a petition signed by each member of the class attesting to the fact that Ron had handed his paper in at exactly nine o'clock, the teacher being absent. Nothing was actually said but I could hear muffled snickering all class. Chris Leeds in 11B is Ron's counterpart. In fact, I would almost swear they were in cahouts with each other."

(The telephone rings and Mr. Donall gets up to answer it.)

Mr. Donall: "Hello, Mr. Donall speaking. Oh, Mr. Leeds, it's you. (pause) What! Oh no! How? (pause) I just can't believe it! (shakes his head several times, hangs up the phone, then turns to look at the staff) Chris Leeds has been found. (pause) She's dead! (pause) She committed suicide!"

Miss Shilvas: (aghast) "On no!"

Miss Evans: "How?"

Mr. Bailey: "Where?"

Miss Shilvas: "When?"

Mr. Donall: "She's been missing since some time Friday night. Her parents didn't know she wasn't home until this morning. When they couldn't locate her, they notified the police who initiated a search. They found her awhile ago. She was lying in a gutter on the side of the road on the outskirts of the city. They don't know how she got there. She had slashed her wrists and bled to death. They suspect the autopsy will show the presence of drugs."

Miss Shilvas: "Oh, the poor girl! How horrible! Her family will take it hard."

Miss Evans: "But why? She had no reason. She had a wonderful family who cared for her a great deal. She was a brilliant child. Her talent and energy were inexhaustable. Sure we may have picked on her and harped at her every now and then but it was only to get her to push herself harder. That extra bit of effort and work would increase her knowledge. Didn't she see we had her best interests in mind. We were working along with her. Our opposition and resistance were strengthening her. Why? Why did she spoil it all?"

Mr. Bailey: "Yes, she was a brilliant girl. In fact, she had more talent than I've seen in anyone that young. She could have had every chance of recognition and fame she would have wanted. Now it's all lost. We'll miss her! God only knows, we'll miss her! As will many others. I can't help wondering why she would do such a thing."

Miss Shilvas: "I think I'll make another pot of coffee. I know I could use another cup."

Mr. Donall: "Yes, I could too. Maybe even something a bit stronger. (curtain closes and while the stage is prepared for the next scene, the principal assumes the role of Narrator. He continues talking as if to himself, the other teachers, and the audience.) I was prepared to sign her name to a multitude of awards and scholarships again this year. Her standings would have helped place Duncan High in the country's top ten. But now, it's too late. We won't see talent like that for some time. I can imagine news of this will spread like wildfire once it leaks out. I can't say how the kids will react. I know they sure will miss her. We'd better pull ourselves together."

(The principal walks off stage as the curtains open.)



SCENE VI

Setting: the cafeteria or lunchroom at Duncan High School, late Monday afternoon. Several groups of students are sitting at tables. They have heard of Chris' death and are discussing it. Ron, Mil, and Rebecca are at one table. Andy and Terry are sitting at another. Ed and Phil are off-stage, waiting. Both tables are near the front of the stage. While the characters at one table speak, those at the other table converse in soft, muted voices.

Characters: Mil, Ron, Ed, Rebecca, Andy, Terry, Phil, the Narrator (as Chris)

Mil: (crying) "Oh, Ron, why did she do it?"

Ron: (also upset) "I don't know why Millie. I don't know why. I just wish she hadn't."

Mil: "I don't want to believe that she's dead. What are we going to do? (pause) We should go over to see her parents - you know, to pay our respects."

Ron: "I can't bring myself to accept it either."

Ed: (coming on stage and slowly approaching the table where Ron and Millie are sitting) "Hi. I guess you've already heard."

Ron: "Yes, we have."

Rebecca: "Does everyone feel as badly as I do? It's beginning to sink in now. Why did she do it? She always seemed so happy. Everyone loved her."

Ed: "Yes, Rebecca, we all feel bad. This is very hard. She meant a great deal to us because she was one of us."

Ron: "Mil has suggested we go over to visit her parents because they will need some comforting at a time like this. It's the least we can do for Chris. She would have wanted it."(they get up and begin to move off stage)

(The action moves over to Andy and Terry who are sitting at the other table.)

Terry: "Andy, why did Chris kill herself?"

Andy: "Maybe she had to Terry. No one understood her. No one could ever really have understood Chris."

Terry: "No, I guess not. She was pretty confused and depressed sometimes wasn't she."

Andy: "Yes, that's probably the major cause of her death. No one will ever know the real reason. But, I think I can wager a guess. Do you remember when we were all together downtown last Friday night? She was pretty hung up then. The teachers, her sister, her parents, the other kids - they were all factors. We all contributed to Chris' death. Don't you see? (pause) It's too late to do anything about it. Do you think for one moment people would believe us if we told them they killed Chris?"

Terry: "No, they wouldn't."

Andy: "That's right. Her parents don't realize how much they really had to do with it."

Terry: "But, we realize...(pause) I wish there were some way we could show them. They're too smug. People just sit in their glass houses and never think of the possibility of it happening to them. They are too good at ignoring the truth. They live in dream worlds, thinking tragedy can't hurt them. When it does reach their doorstep, they think the whole world is falling apart at the seams. They think they can ignore the deadly monster as it roams the streets. They live their lives in the comfort of routine."

Andy: "Poor Chris! Who will weep for her? No one will keep the memory of her life alive for long. She'll be like a tragic hero in one of Shakespeare's plays. (pause) We'll sometimes remember the good times we had together. But even then, we didn't understand her. She wore a mask which hid the true Chris. Refusing to let anyone get too close to her, she'd rather remain misjudged and confused. Oh why didn't she let someone in? Why didn't she let someone help her? (pause) Terry, I don't feel like taking any more classes this afternoon. Would you like to cut school and come for a long drive somewhere?"

Terry: "Yes Andy. I don't feel like being here either. I'd like to go somewhere, anywhere, just away from here - away from this place."

Andy: "There's Phil. He looks terrible! I can't imagine how horrible he must feel right now. Let's ask him to come with us. You don't mind, do you Terry?"

Terry: "Not at all. In fact, it would be better if he got away from all of this for awhile."

Andy: "Hello Phil. Terry and I don't feel much like going to class this afternoon because of what has happened. We've decided to go for a long drive away from here. Would you like to come with us?"

Phil: "No thanks, Andy. I don't think I'll go with you. Can you give me a ride home instead? I'm going over to be with the Leeds for awhile. (pause) Gee, I miss Chris. I guess you know how I felt about her. I was really getting close to her. Now all I feel is lost and empty."

Terry: (hugging him and starting to cry) "Oh, Phil!"

Andy: "Come on Phil. Let me get you home." (He puts his arm around Phil and the three of them begin to move offstage. Fade out. The stage is left in darkness as the curtains close. Then a spotlight is turned on. It accents one side of the stage where the Narrator - in the personage of Chris - is standing.)

Narrator: (as Chris) "Sure, I took the drug! I freely admit it! Don't you see! I had to! Do you think for one moment if I would have been in a better frame of mind I would have done it? I was depressed. When I got to 'The Freak-Out' the kids, the singer, the mood of the place, they made me feel even lower down than I already was. Someone came onto me about acid. He said it was great. "It's nothing to take it," he explained. "I've taken it a couple of times and the trip is fantastic." He convinced me it would enlighten all aspects of my life and make me feel better. I had nothing to lose, so I did it. Oh, it was everything he said! The colors, the lights, and the noises as I walked along the streets were out-of-this-world! I was in a maze. Everything was unique and beautiful. (pause) Then, all of a sudden, it was a bad trip! Blow-ups reached out for me. Distorted faces covered with scars peered out from ink-black walls. My mind blurred. I was no longer in me but outside of me, looking for myself. I felt lonely, unwanted. I was running away from something, something I could not face. Then, there was something in my hand. I don't know what. I'd picked it up somewhere, anywhere. I struck at myself - the figure of myself. I didn't know for sure. I writhed. It writhed. There was something. It was red, crimson-red, brilliant-red, and glistening. It was beautiful - oozing out slowly! Slowly reaching out for something always beyond it's grasp - ever reaching out. Time seemed to stand still. I waited. For what, I don't know. Suddenly, there it was - and everything was over! Don't you see. I didn't plan it this way. I didn't mean to do it. No one understood. No ever made an attempt to understand. Always alone! Never anyone near when I wanted them, needed them. Lord knows, I wanted you but where were you? Somewhere, never anywhere, Near, yet out of reach. Sure, the kids were great to me. Close, yet never close. The teachers tried to help, but discouraged me. My parents loved, but never loved. Sister here, yet never here. Mom! Dad! Honest, I didn't want to! I didn't mean to! Mom - dad - anyone - someone - help me! Help me please! (pleads and cries out in earnest as the lights fade and the stage is left in darkness. Then the stage lights up, the curtains open, and the characters come forth and bow to the audience.)