Author's Note
I can't believe we're already at the end of this series - yes, this is the final entry in the 'Origins of a Playwright' series. The reason this series is considerably shorter than my previous series, 'Origins of a Writer', is because I wrote less plays in college. I only took one class on playwriting! So all I have for you are three plays, and obviously 'Tabula Rasa - The Play' which is the one I really wanted to write. Also, so I don't have to say this again, I got an A- in this class. Not because of these origins plays probably, maybe it was because of Tabula Rasa. Who knows.
Anyway, here is, for the final time, the Author's Note from Part 1:
Hello, and welcome to a brand new three-part series I'd like to call 'Origins of a Playwright'. If you've read any of my previous works (as I write this I've published 13 stories), or some of my future works (stories I haven't published yet but you read before this one), then you know that I wasn't always a great writer (returning readers will love this joke).
You can find all my published stories (previous or future) on my Page.
As you may already be aware of, 'Tabula Rasa' was the first story I ever wrote. And in my other series, 'Origins of a Writer', I talk about how I went from being a non-fiction writer to a fiction writer.
Notice the fact that I am self-labeling myself as a writer? That's the power of Launchora! Or probably the power of being the CEO of Launchora, whatever that power may be. The point being that anyone can become and call themselves a 'writer' on Launchora. Try it out! Call yourself a writer. Do it!
Now, didn't that feel great? Trust me, self-labeling gives a great boost to the good ol' confidence.
Well, this series is about how I went from being a fiction writer to a playwright. Also self-labeled.
In Fall of 2009, the beginning of my third year at UC San Diego, I took a class called 'Intro to Playwriting'. Don't even get me started on why playwrights get to call themselves playwrights while us regular folks have to call ourselves writers.
What do you do?
Oh, me? I'm a Wright.
It Just sounds so much cooler.
Tabula Rasa was the final play I wrote in this class, but before I could get to it I had to write three plays to hone my skills.
---- End of Author's Note from Part 1
This story is the second play in the series. It was written (finished) on October 15, 2009, and is reproduced here word-for-word, typo-for-typo. As always, don't judge my writing, judge 20 year old me's writing. And if you think the plot or situations are ridiculous, I should remind you that this was a writing assignment and most plot points were decided by the professor/TA. So, anything you don't like wasn't my idea.
PPN (Pre-Play-Note): I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm tempted to because I am really excited about this - I'm working on my first play since Tabula Rasa. It's called 'Soul-mates' and is also a sci-fi-ish story with only two characters. The story starts with two scientists - a man and a woman - discussing cloning and whether one can invent a 'soul'. I don't want to ruin the story so I'll just say that the situation goes further than just talking about those topics. I don't know when it will be ready but you can follow me (through my Page, not in real life) to get notified when I publish new stories.
Anywho, here's play three, which you may quickly notice is a sequel to the play from Part 2, aka 'Sally, Who?' - be honest, you weren't expecting that, were you? To date this play is still the first and only finished sequel of any kind I have ever written. Of course I didn't want to write it - part of the assignment as usual.
PLAY THREE
SALLY, WHO TWO: THE DO-OVER
LOCATION: Emergency Room in a Hospital
CHARACTERS: Same as “Sally Who?” - Meredith (teacher), Steve (Parent)
MEREDITH is sitting in the ER waiting room. STEVE walks in, sees her, and walks to her. She is staring at the floor and doesn’t notice STEVE, who sits next to her.
STEVE
Miss..Olsen?
MEREDITH doesn’t notice him. She seems distracted.
STEVE
(remembers) Meredith? (no answer) Mary?
MEREDITH
Huh? Oh, Mr. Parks. I didn’t see you. How long have you been sitting there?
She straightens her dress, which looks formal, and her make up suggests the same. She clears her voice. STEVE notices she may have been crying.
STEVE
Not long. Everything okay?
MEREDITH
Oh, yes. I’m..I’m okay. What are you doing here?
STEVE
Sally...she fell from her bike.
MEREDITH
Oh my god! Is she okay?!
STEVE
She’s fine. The doctor said she won’t need stitches.
MEREDITH
Oh, good.
STEVE
Are you okay?
MEREDITH
Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Why do you ask?
STEVE
(gestures to their surroundings) We are in a hospital.
MEREDITH
Oh, yes. Of course. No, I’m fine. It’s...my date. We had a small incident.
STEVE
What happened?
MEREDITH
(unsure) Well...
STEVE
Come on. I’m guessing we’re going to be here for a while.
MEREDITH
Well, the date was going..okay. It was a Indian restaurant. Who knows what they put in their food. But whatever he ordered apparently had mushrooms. Turns out he’s allergic. I drove straight to the ER. Three hours later, and I’m still here.
STEVE
Damn. I’m sorry.
MEREDITH
It’s fine. I was wondering how to get rid of him anyway.
She manages a hint of a smile.
STEVE
Well, at least you’re smiling.
Both are quiet for a few seconds. MEREDITH speaks first.
MEREDITH
Listen, Mr. Par...
STEVE
(mockingly, but in a nice way) Oh please, call me Steve.
MEREDITH
(smiling) Yes...Steve. I wanted to apologize to you for that day in the school...when Sally fell from the stairs. It was very...unprofessional of me.
STEVE
(confused) What do you mean?
MEREDITH
(embarrassed) I shouldn’t have gone on and on about stupid things. And the...flirting, you must have thought I was crazy.
STEVE
(blushing) You were flirting with me? I...couldn’t tell.
MEREDITH
Really? I felt like a fool afterwards.
STEVE
Don’t worry about it. I was having a bad day too.
Silence again, longer this time.
MEREDITH
How are things with Mrs. Parks? Any progress?
STEVE
Well, the separation progressed...to divorce. She sent me the papers the morning I met you.
MEREDITH
Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.
STEVE
Well, life goes on. At least I have Sally.
Suddenly, MEREDITH starts crying.
STEVE
What happened? Are you okay?
She stops.
MEREDITH
Yes, thank you. I’m sorry. It’s just that...I don’t know if I should tell you...
STEVE
Mary, please.
She smiles.
MEREDITH
Well, its just that, things haven’t been going so well. First the embarrassing incident at the school...with you, then the online dating...
STEVE
Online dating?
She points to the empty seat next to her.
MEREDITH
My date...Mr.EverythingUWant. Made me realize what I didn’t want. And what I’m never going to do again.
STEVE
(laughs) Don’t worry. I’ve been there.
MEREDITH
Crazy-first-blind-date that lead to the Emergency Room?
STEVE
Well, no. But I...I posted a personal ad too, after the divorce, on eHarmony. But after hearing your experience, I’m glad no one replied.
They both smile. Mr.EverythingUWant walks out of the ER. He doesn’t look so good.
MEREDITH
(stands up) Well, I guess that’s me.
STEVE
Mary..this may sound a bit fast..but..I..I usually pick Sally up after school..(pauses) if its okay with you...you think the three of us could get lunch sometime?
MEREDITH
(smiles) I’d like that.
MEREDITH walks away towards the exit. STEVE sits back down, waiting for Sally. Suddenly, he realizes something and runs behind MEREDITH.
STEVE
Mary! MARY!
MEREDITH turns around, and sees STEVE standing, catching his breath.
STEVE
(panting) Hey.
MEREDITH
Hey. Are you okay?
STEVE
(smiling) I’m allergic to fish...like all creature of the sea. Just so you know.
MEREDITH
(smiling) I’ll try to remember that.
MEREDITH Exits.