Before I got
started, last week I neglected mention that this was going to be a weekly
exercise. The reason for that, although this is the Daily Distortions, as you
can probably tell, I don’t have the ability to devote daily attention to this
(hell, the past few months I have barely been able to devote a monthly effort).
So, this is essentially leading up to the week of my birthday, not the day
specially. That being said, on with the entry.
Looking back at
the original start of the entry Part One on August 8th, 2010, I
realize how pretentious it sounds as well as poignant to my current situation.
At the time I make a big spiel about having to move on from my dreams as the
person I used to be to become the person I want to be. At the time I was still
working at the Enemy and after the fall that my Gallbladder caused, I wasn’t
certain as what path to follow since the world seemed to be falling down around
me—transition, studying and all. Two and a half years later not much has
changed, but in reverse. I have been able to live and work as Keira full-time
without having to play any mental games, except one reversion from the Kevin
days. Currently I’ve been forced to face what I truly want and having to not be
afraid to admit that. Yes I am still working at Nookland as a temp, but it been
serving as a learning process for both of my transitions. Taking the Linux+
exam won’t be to prove anything but to myself. Although at the time I was
saying farewell to a former ambition, now I am accepting another—another
Ouroboros.
UPDATED COMMENTARY:
Part one,
essentially scene one, the opening of the play is where we start again.
Re-reading my commentary from August 8th, 2010, and re-reading the
opening scene, I have to admit it is rather pretentious and rather obvious who
it is about—i.e. Kay to equal me (the mentioning of sunglasses gives that
away)—and where it was set—the Electronics Diablo at the Enemy. Set on my
actual thirtieth birthday (May 8th, 2013), what seemed like the
future at the time in March to April 2008, still coming off of the shock of
failure and then failed economy to add to it, being around many who had given
up in life, I had the fear I would be at the Enemy much, much longer than I had
anticipated. In reality, I was there nearly four years and shocked I made it
that long. Also, I was living in a part-time capacity as myself and really
didn’t appreciate the back and forth. No, I didn’t make Kay Lawson an exact
copy of me, but my bleak outlook affected how I would see the future, going so
far as to make a declaration of the untimely death of Michael J. Fox (partially
inspired by a tabloid headline of him looking ill) in the “Back to the Future”
(1985) re-imaging report (sufficed to say, the remake of such would be Earth
shattering for me at the time). I
want to say, off the bat, I love Michal J. Fox, I don’t wish any harm to man or
his foundation—I wouldn’t own all three of his books if I did—but for some
reason, I was compelled to make the world I set the play in as bleak as I saw
it. And for a film geek (or snob, depending on how you look at it), nothing
could hurt more than the remake of a classic franchise following the death of
its iconic star.
Granted, as we
close in on the real day, the world isn’t much bright—Hollywood is still
shitting out remakes and reboots, while the economy is still in even deeper in
the shitter; however, looking back now, and looking back at what I said over
two years ago, I am still surprised how out of place the stage opening from the
rest of the scene, but as whole to the rest of the play, it kinda makes sense.
As we delve futher into it, you’ll understand what I mean.
Anyway, without
further ado, for the second time, here’s part one of “The Next Counter”…
"THE NEXT COUNTER"
(pt. 1 of 7)
SCENE I:
RAISE CURTAIN:
...to a dark stage, spotlighting a BOOMBOX rested on a table in
the centre. The Ghostly echo of the future through the sound of DJ VOICE
delivering events to possibly come broadcasts over the device.
DJ VOICE
...Tensions have risen as the war continues on all fronts...
Congress will appropriate fifteen trillion for the continued effort.... In
local news, the Aces lost 7-6 against the Cubs in the Ninth inning in Chicago,
placing our team in last and pushing the Cubbies to first... The Mayor said
this becoming the fifth consecutive losing season for the Aces may jeopardize
Delusional’s chances for the Olympics in 2028... And finally in entertainment
news, Universal confirmed a July 3rd, 2015 release for “Back to the Future:
Parallels” which will be thirty years to the day from the 1985 original.
Universal is claiming that the new movie is not necessarily continuation or a
remake, but a reimagining wherein Marty McFly was originally played by the late
Michael J. Fox, in this version Marty will be Marcia McFly portrayed by former
Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus... and the Doc will be slightly younger and played
by John Torturro of “Transformer” fame as Marcia journey’s back to the
eighties.... And that’s news in a minute for KSHT your source for music from
the 1990’s, 2000’s and now on this May 8th, 20--
A hand reaches down and presses the off button.
Lights raise to reveal an electronics department within a
sandbox store (i.e. Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target) and thirty-something man
wearing sunglasses at night and pulling a pallet jack. This is KAY, and this
just so happens to be his birthday and the start of his night at his place of
work.
He pulls the cart towards the HALF PODIUM, the central hub of
the department, where SIN, a short woman in her early fifties, is ringing up a
Customer.
SIN
...Here you go, you have a nice day.
The Customer exits.
SIN
(to Kay)
You on?
KAY
Afraid so.
SIN
You look stressed.
KAY
Why do customers with small cars buy big TV’s?
SIN
Is that what happened to that fifty inch-er?
KAY
Into the frail hatch of a Mazda.
SIN
Christ.
KAY
Like watching a woman give birth in reverse--
SIN
--Only without the stretch marks.
Kay grimaces.
KAY
Chuck is out there smoking to acknowledge that delivery.
SIN
I didn’t think he smoked?
KAY
I didn’t say it was tobacco.
Another associate, JIM an elderly greaser with a obnoxious
southern twang, arrives as if he was passing through.
JIM
Right on. I’ll go join him.
KAY
(to Jim)
Back from you break?
JIM
Nope, headin’ to it.
He continues to exit on the other side.
SIN
God he takes a lot of breaks.
KAY
Tell me about it.
SIN
The only two things I ever seen him move are his mouth and his fat
ass to the break room.
KAY
The other one is no help. All she ever does is stand around
whining, the other half of the time she spends complaining about having to work
between pregnancies.
SIN
She takes after him.
KAY
Same big gut and bloated feet... minus the child, of course.
SIN
Yeah I saw that.
(Hands Kay the keys)
Well now that you’re here, I’ll head to the front and--
She spots something offstage.
SIN (CONT’D)
You might want to ditch the jack.
MIKE, a medium height middle aged Hispanic man, a Store Manager
accompanied by a younger, yet roughed up assistant, DAVID, walk up.
SIN (CONT’D)
Too late.
DAVID
What the hell are you doing with pallet jack, boy?
MIKE
Boy?
SIN
I admit I’m confused by that one.
KAY
Did we regress two centuries?
DAVID
Hey its been a while since I worked overnights. Gotta get back in
the groove.
MIKE
(Rolls his eyes)
Okay,
(Brain fart)
Boy?
SIN
You got stuck on that one.
MIKE
I know... It was just so out of left field.
KAY
(to Mike)
Well if it puts your mind at ease, sir, you’re the only one with
the tenure to deliver disparaging and potentially racist remarks.
MIKE
(to Kay)
Damn right, brother...
(raises his hand)
Give me some, love.
Kay high-fives him.
MIKE
Before Master David’s capitulation... Where was I?
DAVID
The pallet jack.
MIKE
Right... I thought we had an agreement... Nothing heavy... No big
freight... no big sales... you need to leave the big ones to David or a
cashier... leave your empties for the pallet collectors at the end of the
night... Under normal circumstances you would be doing go backs or some minor
register jockeying... but you’re the only one certified to be here at this
hour. (Not to mention, the only one who knows where any of this shit goes.)
DAVID
That goes ditto here.
KAY
(to Mike)
I-I understand that, sir... and I assure you I am following your
orders to the Tee.
MIKE
Then explain the jack.
KAY
I was just doing a favor for a fellow associate on my way back
from the front. Chuck took out a big TV for a customer.
DAVID
So where is Chucky?
SIN
The same place you’d be if you just pried a fifty-inch into a
hybrid.
DAVID
Again?
MIKE
Damn.
SIN
Yeah that was our general consensus.
MIKE
Well you know you’re being watched right now... You know you’ll be
under review soon.
KAY
I know, I know... sorry sir.
MIKE
Well watch your ass... you know what I’m saying?
KAY
I know, I know.
MIKE
‘Cuz unemployment isn’t the birthday present you don’t want.
DAVID
Today’s your birthday.
KAY
Uh yes?
DAVID
Ooh...
KAY
(mumbles)
Oh crap.
David walks over to the Podium, picks up the phone for a page
and...
DAVID
(speaking into the intercom)
Attention all customers and associates... We have a birthday
amongst our happy time group... Our favorite curmudgeon in electronics, the
androg we all know and love, Overnight’s very own Electronics Sales
Associate... Kay Lawson is growing a year older.
(Calling Kay over)
Say a kind word to your public.
KAY
No thanks.
David pulls him over, pushing the phone into his face.
KAY (CONT’D)
Hi.
DAVID
So Kay, may I call you Kay?
KAY
Sure.
DAVID
Kay... these are questions well all have and I promise not to get
too personal.
KAY
Yeah, I’m sure.
DAVID
So Kay... what is that short for?
KAY
Nothing... It is just Kay.
DAVID
That’s it? You’re parents said okay and dropped the “O”?
KAY
That’s about it.
DAVID
Yeah... So what’s with the Sunglasses?
KAY
I’d rather not.
DAVID
Are you sure?
KAY
No comment.
DAVID
Fair enough.
KAY
Thanks.
DAVID
Final question... How old are you today?
KAY
Uh no.
DAVID
C’mon... today has gotta be a monumental number.
KAY
No, no it doesn’t
DAVID
I’m sure it is.
KAY
I assure you it’s not.
DAVID
Come on.
KAY
No.
DAVID
Well you can’t blame a girl for trying... But you heard it here
first that it’s Kay Lawson’s birthday today... when you see him wish ‘em a
happy birthday Kay... Happy Birthday Kay.... Happy Birthday Kay... and for all
your electronics needs--cellphones, ipods and TV’s---see Kay in electronics and
wish ‘em a Happy Birthday... Now you may return to you regular scheduled
shopping and stocking... Good night and good luck.
He hangs up the phone. Embarrassed, Kay sighs...
KAY
Edward R. Murrow, you are not.
DAVID
Who?
KAY
Never mind.
DAVID
Well Happy Birthday, Kay and I mean it with love.
He hugs Kay squeezing him.
KAY
Thanks.
He slouches his head.
MIKE
(to David)
You done turning him red?
DAVID
I wanted to make ‘em rosey.
MIKE
After that you could at least get him his freight.
DAVID
Aye-aye.
David takes the pallet jack and exits.
MIKE
(to Kay)
Stick to what we said and don’t let the night get to you.
(pause)
Happy Birthday, man.
KAY
Thanks.
Mike exits.
SIN
That was some announcement.
KAY
Yeah.
SIN
You couldn’t be redder.
KAY
Oh I definitely could.
SIN
Oh I don’t know...
(Singing)
Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo, you smell like a--
KAY
--Okay. Thank you.
SIN
Hey, I’m just trying to cheer you up.
KAY
That’s a given. But don’t you have a front to attend to?
SIN
Oh, all right... I’ll talk to you later.
KAY
Later.
Sin exits.
Jim returns with a bit of glee on his face.
JIM
So today’s your birthday?
KAY
Oh crap...
(sighs)
Yes, yes it is my birthday.
JIM
Another year older.
KAY
Yeah.
JIM
The big... what?
KAY
None of your business.
JIM
Ah c’mon give Jim a chance.
KAY
(Sigh)
Fine... I’m entering my mid-thirties and another year closer to
forty and let’s leave it at that.
JIM
I thought you were older.
KAY
Yeah most people think so.
JIM
It’s the way you talk.
KAY
Speak.
JIM
See... but you still look like a kid--
David returns, grabbing Kay by the cheeks.
DAVID
--And a beautiful one at that.
KAY
Ouch... thanks
(Looks around)
No freight?
DAVID
Didn’t get it yet... Mike forgot to hand you this.
He holds up two envelopes.
DAVID (CONT’D)
He told me to tell you you’re not supposed to receive personal
mail here.
He hands Kay the envelopes.
Kay looks.
KAY
One’s a card from the company.
DAVID
The other isn’t.
JIM
Whose it from?
KAY
(flat)
A publishing company.
JIM
Aren’t you gonna open it.
KAY
Uh...
(crumbles the envelope)
No.
He throws it away.
DAVID
Hey, that could’ve been the one.
KAY
I doubt it.
JIM
You’ve been rejected that much?
KAY
Enough not to bother.
JIM
Ouch, man, that’s cold... even on your birthday?
KAY
Yes, even today... on the day that is today as Mister Subtly here
pointed out.
DAVID
Anything to get the word out there.
KAY
Don’t you have freight to fetch?
DAVID
Hey! I’m your boss.
KAY
Not until my freight materializes on the floor.
DAVID
Who says?
KAY
Mike... so if you’d please... the clock is ticking, after all.
David exits.
KAY
So where were we?
JIM
You’re birthday
KAY
Yes, yes that is today.
JIM
So what you got planned? Going out to get blitz and get laid with
some hot chick?
KAY
Hardly.
JIM
Some guy?
Kay grimaces at him.
KAY
Another Mister Subtle.
JIM
Well you never talk about your personal life or being with a girl.
KAY
So you go straight for the jugular and chastise my sexuality?
MARLEY, a short Hispanic woman in her twenties, enters.
MARLEY
It’s not hard you’ve always been a bit gay.
KAY
Thanks.
JIM
And what’s his name?
KAY
Thanks, thank you, you’re no help.
MARLEY
Oh I bet it’s the new guy in pets under Matt.
JIM
Yeah, he’s definitely Kay’s type.
KAY
And this is payback for what exactly?
MARLEY
It is just birthday humor. Lighten up. You take things way too
seriously.
David brings out a pallet.
KAY
(under his breathe)
Freight, thank god.
He walks over to the pallet that is half covered by a PDQ.
DAVID
Here you go chief.
Kay looks at it...
KAY
This is a new movie release.
DAVID
Yeah?
KAY
Today’s not Tuesday.
DAVID
The movie lady said to bring it out.
KAY
Okay, fine... Then set it here and take the old one.
DAVID
The empty one?
KAY
That’s the one.
DAVID
So we’re replacing it with this?
KAY
That’s the general idea.
DAVID
Sweet.
David swaps out the two PDQ’s and leaves.
KAY
Thanks.
(Sighs)
Time for the unveiling.
JIM
I thought you weren’t allowed to lift anything heavy?
KAY
A thin piece of cardboard won’t kill me, Jim.
JIM
Suit yourself.
(Reaching out)
Can I get the keys?
Kay removes the keys from his belt and hands them to Jim.
JIM (CONT’D)
Thanks, Boss.
He walks off. Kay salutes him.
Kay takes out his box-cutter and cuts off the top, tossing it
to the side. He takes the cardboard by the sides, pulling off the remains in
one piece.
He folds it and looks back.
He’s taken out of himself from the sight of the release.
In big bold red letters the side panel of the PDQ reads: “FORLORN”.
KAY
No... no way.
He picks up a copy of the movies and reads the cover.
KAY (CONT’D)
Holy shit.
(short
pause)
He did it.
LIGHT FILTERS DOWN.
TO BE CONTINUED…..
CLOSING COMMENTARY:
So there you have
it, part one—for my original closing commentary, mosey on over to the original entry. Re-reading, I am struck by how much Sin, Jim, Mike, David and Marley
still ring as their real world counterparts in my head. Yes, I was ringing that
old writer’s bell of: “Write what you know,” which is odd because before then I
would stay away from such action, afraid of the ramifications from the real
people if they ever found out I was writing about them. I’m not sure what it
was, but by the time I started writing the play, that fear had subsided
probably because I didn’t think anyone would believe these people existed—not
in the exact same capacities, yet close enough—and I was fairly certain none of
these people would ever read my work (or see it if it ever became a produced
play). Now that I think about it, I’ll definitely have my work cut out for me
when I record the play (or at least, re-record that section—like the writing
process, I have to record the opening last).
TEASER:
Next week, we get
our first glimpse into Kay’s sorted past. What was “Forlorn” and who was this
“He” Kay spoke of? Will we know what prompted Kay to abandon his dreams or will
we open up an even greater mystery? Find out Next Week in Part Two of “The Next
Counter” Revisited.
