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ultramysticalcollectionsubl-blog · 8 years ago

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A SECOND CHANCE – SCIENCE FICTION PLAY SCRIPTS

Eight people who couldn’t be more different find themselves at a meeting. A meeting of the afterlife. For although these people are all dead, they do have one thing in common. The potential to alter catastrophic events in history and thus change the world to hopefully a better place. The eight are given a choice – to accept an assignment or to continue their journey of the afterlife. Seven accept but almost immediately find themselves back in the same place they were before. But just what did happen to them in this science fiction play script?

SCENE 1 :A windowless room with the walls covered in white drapes, except for one doorway, to the back and to the side of the stage. There are eight chairs, more or less in a row. Facing them is a notice board on a stand. The room is bathed in a pale, orange glow. Ben and Roy enter and casually walk over to the chairs. Ben is wearing a well-worn suit and Roy, a sports jacket and grey trousers. Ben Well, I’m sure I saw you run at Crystal Palace. Members of Hackney Boys Club sometimes used that track. Roy You might well have seen me. I ran there many times in my youth. Ben We seem to be the first, may as well sit down. Roy I don’t really know why we’ve been asked to come here, do you? Ben No. Perhaps we’re going to meet the governor. Roy looks apprehensive. From behind the drapes, near to the notice board, Afra enters. She is wearing a long, flowing, white dress and is carrying a poster size chart in her hands which she starts to attach to the board. She notices the two men, who are now seated. Afra Ah, you’re nice and early. Ben Well, we haven’t got much to keep us. Afra (Smiles) Then we will see what we can do. The notice Afra has attached to the board reads in bold letters; 1905 - TSAR NICHOLAS 11, 1914 - SARAJEVO, WAR. 1917 – RUSSIA. 1919 - LEAGUE OF NATIONS. 1938 – AUSTRIA. 1912 – TITANIC, Whilst Afra is at the board, Mary, an elegant, elderly woman enters. She is wearing smart clothes and a pearl necklace. She glances at the board and sits down one seat away from Ben and Roy. Another, younger woman, Jane enters. She is wearing a uniform, a tunic and trousers. Entering with her is Charles, who wears a smart suit. Charles This place is a warren, worse than the Houses of Parliament. Jane I’m still confused, not sure where I am. Charles Let us sit down and perhaps this young lady will elucidate. Afra moves from the board to address the group. 2. Afra Welcome everyone, we are just waiting for three more then we can begin. (She glances towards door) Ah, I think they are coming. A couple of seconds later, Jim comes into view and enters. He wears a suit, but doesn’t look comfortable in it. He is followed by Edward and Gordon. Edward wears smart casual clothes, Gordon, a blazer and grey trousers. Afra (To Jim) If you’d like to take a seat (She indicates the one between Ben and Mary) There are another two here. Edward and Gordon take the seats next to Roy. Afra I think we are all here now. Please relax. My name is Afra, and I have been Appointed, to tell you of a unique opportunity you have been given, which, if Successful, could change the face of the world. The group, nervously glance at on another. Some look apprehensive. Afra Would I be right in assuming that some of you are not sure of the state that you are in? Roy (After a pause) We’re dead, aren’t we? Gordon I wondered if that was it. Mary (Slowly) So, this is heaven then? Afra (Nodding head) It is God’s kingdom. But your journey has been interrupted, as you have been selected to take part in this experiment. Ben Are you saying we are going back to live on earth again? Afra I will explain in a moment, but first I would like each one of you to introduce yourselves, your name, what you did, I mean your occupation, and the cause of your death. We will start with the gentleman on my left. Edward (He stands up) I am Sir Edward Grant. I was a senior Civil Servant until I retired a few years ago. Oh, I had a heart attack. Afra Thank you, Sir Edward. (To others) There is no need to stand up. (She looks towards Gordon). Gordon (Standing up) Gordon Holmes, officer in the Royal Navy, I also had a heart attack, whilst on leave. Afra nods and turns to Roy. Roy (Stands) Roy Edmunds, best known as an athlete. I was an Olympic Gold medallist, a long time ago. I had Parkinson’s disease. Afra Thank you. (She looks to next in line, Ben). 3. Ben Ben Goodman, I was a London taxi driver before dying of cancer. Reckon it was the pollution that killed me. Afra smiles and looks towards Jim. Jim Jim Parsons, trade union official. I met my end, so to speak, in a car accident on the Motorway. Afra turns to Mary. Mary Lady Mary Cavendish, I was in an executive position with the British Red- Cross. I suffered an accident in my home. (Afra starts to turn away) May I, at this stage, ask a question? Afra Of course. Mary Why is it that we (She glances at Jane, beside her) are we the only two women to be given this opportunity, as you put it? This was the last place I would have expected to find discrimination. Afra And you will not find discrimination here. The reason there are only two of you, is because, in the times we are concerned with, women were not in the positions that we will require them to be in. Mary I see, I understand. Afra turns to Jane, who doesn’t respond immediately. Jane I’m Jane Burton, I was a prison officer. (Pause) I was murdered whilst on duty. There is a slightly, shocked, reaction from some of the group. Afra And, you Sir? Charles Charles Goddon, Member of Parliament until cancer forced me to resign my seat (Slight embarrassment) and to take my life. (Looks at Afra) Does that count against me here? Afra Not, necessarily. Though it is something of which we disapprove. Charles I was in dreadful pain, I di….. Afra (Interrupting) Circumstances are taken into consideration. But let us leave that subject for now. (She turns to address them all) Thank you all, I I thought it would be nice for everyone to know a little about each other, even though you will not necessarily be working together. (Afra’s smile fades. She takes in a deep breath) The Almighty, (Pause) The Almighty has been very disappointed with the 20th Century. Although many wonderful advances have been made in medicine, and numerous inventions made to make working life easier, there has been great carnage. Two, so called, World Wars, and dozens of smaller encounters, together with increased religious intolerance and greed for material things. These have cast a blight on this century. 4. Edward Can’t agree with you more. Afra Now, in these early days of the second millennium, our creator has decided to give the world a second chance. All of you have been chosen to return to the 20th century, to assist in this task. Gordon You refer to the second millennium, I understood that it doesn’t begin until next year. Afra That is of no consequence, time has no meaning here. We only use earthly time, years, months, days, to help you make the adjustment. Ben (Slowly) You mean we have to go back and live through all that misery again? Afra No, no (Shaking her head) that is not our intention at all. We wish you to try to influence people and thus change situations. That is your brief. Ben I really don’t know how we could do that. Charles No, it was bad enough trying to get something done when I was in government. Afra If you will all be patient for just one second, I will explain. I’m sure you have noticed that these dates pinpoint some of the key moments in the 20th . century. (She goes over to the notice board) In 1905, the Tsar, Nicholas the second of Russia, invested the Duma with legislative powers. We all know that it was ineffective, and didn’t work. But, if it had been successful, the Russian Revolution might have been avoided. (She pauses, then turns to Charles) You will become a member of the Duma, and your task will be to try to make it into a democratic body. Your past career as an MP may be of help to you. Charles (After a moment to take it all in) I have French and German, but I speak no Russian at all. Afra You will, because you will be of Russian nationality. Charles If, as you say, I am going to be Russian, how will I have memories of my British parliamentary work? Afra You won’t have memories. Perhaps I should have explained, none of you will remember who you are now, or rather, what you were. Yet somewhere, within your subconscious, this information will exist. It may help influence your thinking and the decisions you have to make. Charles does not look happy with this information. Roy Is what you are saying rather like “déjà vu” when people feel they’ve met someone previously, yet know they haven’t. Or, when a person has a premonition of having been in a certain place before? Afra (Smiling) Something like that. Jane I always thought that was a lot of nonsense. 5. Afra You must believe as you wish (She turns and points to the board) Number two on our list; 1914, the assassination of Arch-Duke Franze- Ferdinand at Sarajevo, the event that sparked off the first World War. (She turns to Roy) This is something for you. A smile of incredulity comes over Roy’s face. Afra As a former athlete, fitness is in your blood, and also a determination to win. Your instruction is to prevent Gavrilo Princip from assassinating the Arch-Duke. Roy How will my fitness help me in attempting this task? Afra You will be at the spot where the assassination took place. We know Princip ran out of a café and over to the Arch-Duke’s carriage. Your reaction, and the speed at which you try to stop him, are essential. Roy Do you mean, I’m supposed to throw myself between the assassin and the Arch-Duke? Afra Not necessarily, I don’t know what opportunities, if any, will present itself. Roy So, I could die in the attempt? Afra (Pause) It is possible. Roy I,(short pause) I take it that I will not be doing it at my present age? Afra No, all of you will be at the prime age for the task required. Roy Well then, I shall do my best. Afra Thank you. Now, presuming war has not been avoided. Ben and Jane have been chosen for the next assignment. Ben reacts with a smile. Jane seems disturbed, she stands up. Jane Do we have a choice about accepting these assignments? Afra Yes, of course, all of you do. However, the eight of you were chosen because you seemed to be the right subjects for this enterprise. But anyone wishing not to take part, has only to say. Jane In that case, I don’t wish to be included. (She lowers her head) I feel I’ve had my fill of society. You’re not appreciated in what you do. I’m glad to be out of it. I don’t want to go back. Afra Then you are free to leave. Jane (Mumbling) I’m sorry. Jane quickly leaves the room. Ben I don’t usually have that effect on people. The group smile. Afra turns to face them. 6. Afra I hope I haven’t miscalculated on the rest of you. Ben I’m anxious to know what you have lined up for me. Afra I’m pleased to see you are eager. We are still concentrating on 1914, and this, will only be required if it has been unable to stop the outcome of war. Ben (Jokingly) I know, you want me to have a go at the Kaiser. Afra (Laughs) No. Although we do want you to join his army on the Western Front, and to befriend one of his soldiers. (Pauses for a moment) The soldier’s name is Adolf Hirler. Ben (Shocked) You must be joking. I could never be a friend to that bastard, I’m Jewish. Afra It is precisely because you are Jewish, and because in your occupation, you had, what is commonly called, ‘the gift of the gab’ that we consider you right for the job. Ben Ooh, I don’t know about that. Afra We know you are a good man. Oh, I am sorry, I didn’t mean to make a pun of your name. Ben (Quietly) No offence taken. Afra It has been suggested that if you became a friend of Hitler, it might help to change his opinion of your race. Ben That’s a tall order. Afra I know it is. Hitler joined up in 1914 with the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry. You will also be in that regiment. He was wounded in 1916. It would be useful if were there to attend him, before he is taken to hospital. Ben Well, I’ll do what I can. Afra I’m sure you will.(She starts to turn away) Ben Excuse me, you mentioned Jane along with my name when introducing this assignment. What was she going to do? Afra She would have taken over from you, she was to have been a nurse at the hospital. Ben And will there be a replacement now? Afra No, I don’t think so. Now the next task, which also takes place during the First World-War, is in Russia. Now, if we presume that Charles was unable to influence the Duma. We know the revolution is brewing, and the Tsar is away, visiting the Front. In effect, Alexandria, the Tsarina, is running the country under the influence of the pseudo-religious, so called, Holy Man, Rasputin. Gordon And as a naval officer, you’d like me to deal with him before he reaches his end in the river. Afra (Smiling) That, is not what we have in mind for you. This assignment is for Lady Mary. Mary (Surprised at hearing her name) Me! 7. Afra Yes, we are calling on you to be a member of the Romanov family. Mary (Chuckles) That is flattering, but I am not sure I have anything in common with them. Afra Your administrative experience with the Red Cross and your work in the field, such as in Uganda, should be very useful. Your job, as a relative of Alexandria, will be to persuade her not to meddle in politics, and to try to make her listen to what her friends, and also the secret police, are saying about Rasputin.

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ultramysticalcollectionsubl-blog · 8 years ago

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A Dark Brown Dog by Fritz Vincent Degamo

A Child was standing on a street-corner. He leaned with one shoulder against a high board-fence and swayed the other to and fro, the while kicking carelessly at the gravel.

Sunshine beat upon the cobbles, and a lazy summer wind raised yellow dust which trailed in clouds down the avenue. Clattering trucks moved with indistinctness through it. The child stood dreamily gazing.

After a time, a little dark-brown dog came trotting with an intent air down the sidewalk. A short rope was dragging from his neck. Occasionally he trod upon the end of it and stumbled.

He stopped opposite the child, and the two regarded each other. The dog hesitated for a moment, but presently he made some little advances with his tail. The child put out his hand and called him. In an apologetic manner the dog came close, and the two had an interchange of friendly pattings and waggles. The dog became more enthusiastic with each moment of the interview, until with his gleeful caperings he threatened to overturn the child. Whereupon the child lifted his hand and struck the dog a blow upon the head.

This thing seemed to overpower and astonish the little dark-brown dog, and wounded him to the heart. He sank down in despair at the child's feet. When the blow was repeated, together with an admonition in childish sentences, he turned over upon his back, and held his paws in a peculiar manner. At the same time with his ears and his eyes he offered a small prayer to the child.

He looked so comical on his back, and holding his paws peculiarly, that the child was greatly amused and gave him little taps repeatedly, to keep him so. But the little dark-brown dog took this chastisement in the most serious way, and no doubt considered that he had committed some grave crime, for he wriggled contritely and showed his repentance in every way that was in his power. He pleaded with the child and petitioned him, and offered more prayers.

At last the child grew weary of this amusement and turned toward home. The dog was praying at the time. He lay on his back and turned his eyes upon the retreating form.

Presently he struggled to his feet and started after the child. The latter wandered in a perfunctory way toward his home, stopping at times to investigate various matters. During one of these pauses he discovered the little dark-brown dog who was following him with the air of a footpad.

The child beat his pursuer with a small stick he had found. The dog lay down and prayed until the child had finished, and resumed his journey. Then he scrambled erect and took up the pursuit again.

On the way to his home the child turned many times and beat the dog, proclaiming with childish gestures that he held him in contempt as an unimportant dog, with no value save for a moment. For being this quality of animal the dog apologized and eloquently expressed regret, but he continued stealthily to follow the child. His manner grew so very guilty that he slunk like an assassin.

When the child reached his door-step, the dog was industriously ambling a few yards in the rear. He became so agitated with shame when he again confronted the child that he forgot the dragging rope. He tripped upon it and fell forward.

The child sat down on the step and the two had another interview. During it the dog greatly exerted himself to please the child. He performed a few gambols with such abandon that the child suddenly saw him to be a valuable thing. He made a swift, avaricious charge and seized the rope.

He dragged his captive into a hall and up many long stairways in a dark tenement. The dog made willing efforts, but he could not hobble very skillfully up the stairs because he was very small and soft, and at last the pace of the engrossed child grew so energetic that the dog became panic-stricken. In his mind he was being dragged toward a grim unknown. His eyes grew wild with the terror of it. He began to wiggle his head frantically and to brace his legs.

The child redoubled his exertions. They had a battle on the stairs. The child was victorious because he was completely absorbed in his purpose, and because the dog was very small. He dragged his acquirement to the door of his home, and finally with triumph across the threshold.

No one was in. The child sat down on the floor and made overtures to the dog. These the dog instantly accepted. He beamed with affection upon his new friend. In a short time they were firm and abiding comrades.

When the child's family appeared, they made a great row. The dog was examined and commented upon and called names. Scorn was leveled at him from all eyes, so that he became much embarrassed and drooped like a scorched plant. But the child went sturdily to the center of the floor, and, at the top of his voice, championed the dog. It happened that he was roaring protestations, with his arms clasped about the dog's neck, when the father of the family came in from work.

The parent demanded to know what the blazes they were making the kid howl for. It was explained in many words that the infernal kid wanted to introduce a disreputable dog into the family.

A family council was held. On this depended the dog's fate, but he in no way heeded, being busily engaged in chewing the end of the child's dress.

The affair was quickly ended. The father of the family, it appears, was in a particularly savage temper that evening, and when he perceived that it would amaze and anger everybody if such a dog were allowed to remain, he decided that it should be so. The child, crying softly, took his friend off to a retired part of the room to hobnob with him, while the father quelled a fierce rebellion of his wife. So it came to pass that the dog was a member of the household.

He and the child were associated together at all times save when the child slept. The child became a guardian and a friend. If the large folk kicked the dog and threw things at him, the child made loud and violent objections. Once when the child had run, protesting loudly, with tears raining down his face and his arms outstretched, to protect his friend, he had been struck in the head with a very large saucepan from the hand of his father, enraged at some seeming lack of courtesy in the dog. Ever after, the family were careful how they threw things at the dog. Moreover, the latter grew very skilful in avoiding missiles and feet. In a small room containing a stove, a table, a bureau and some chairs, he would display strategic ability of a high order, dodging, feinting and scuttling about among the furniture. He could force three or four people armed with brooms, sticks and handfuls of coal, to use all their ingenuity to get in a blow. And even when they did, it was seldom that they could do him a serious injury or leave any imprint.

But when the child was present, these scenes did not occur. It came to be recognized that if the dog was molested, the child would burst into sobs, and as the child, when started, was very riotous and practically unquenchable, the dog had therein a safeguard.

However, the child could not always be near. At night, when he was asleep, his dark-brown friend would raise from some black corner a wild, wailful cry, a song of infinite lowliness and despair, that would go shuddering and sobbing among the buildings of the block and cause people to swear. At these times the singer would often be chased all over the kitchen and hit with a great variety of articles.

Sometimes, too, the child himself used to beat the dog, although it is not known that he ever had what could be truly called a just cause. The dog always accepted these thrashings with an air of admitted guilt. He was too much of a dog to try to look to be a martyr or to plot revenge. He received the blows with deep humility, and furthermore he forgave his friend the moment the child had finished, and was ready to caress the child's hand with his little red tongue.

When misfortune came upon the child, and his troubles overwhelmed him, he would often crawl under the table and lay his small distressed head on the dog's back. The dog was ever sympathetic. It is not to be supposed that at such times he took occasion to refer to the unjust beatings his friend, when provoked, had administered to him.

He did not achieve any notable degree of intimacy with the other members of the family. He had no confidence in them, and the fear that he would express at their casual approach often exasperated them exceedingly. They used to gain a certain satisfaction in underfeeding him, but finally his friend the child grew to watch the matter with some care, and when he forgot it, the dog was often successful in secret for himself.

So the dog prospered. He developed a large bark, which came wondrously from such a small rug of a dog. He ceased to howl persistently at night. Sometimes, indeed, in his sleep, he would utter little yells, as from pain, but that occurred, no doubt, when in his dreams he encountered huge flaming dogs who threatened him direfully.

His devotion to the child grew until it was a sublime thing. He wagged at his approach; he sank down in despair at his departure. He could detect the sound of the child's step among all the noises of the neighborhood. It was like a calling voice to him.

The scene of their companionship was a kingdom governed by this terrible potentate, the child; but neither criticism nor rebellion ever lived for an instant in the heart of the one subject. Down in the mystic, hidden fields of his little dog-soul bloomed flowers of love and fidelity and perfect faith.

The child was in the habit of going on many expeditions to observe strange things in the vicinity. On these occasions his friend usually jogged aimfully along behind. Perhaps, though, he went ahead. This necessitated his turning around every quarter-minute to make sure the child was coming. He was filled with a large idea of the importance of these journeys. He would carry himself with such an air! He was proud to be the retainer of so great a monarch.

One day, however, the father of the family got quite exceptionally drunk. He came home and held carnival with the cooking utensils, the furniture and his wife. He was in the midst of this recreation when the child, followed by the dark-brown dog, entered the room. They were returning from their voyages.

The child's practised eye instantly noted his father's state. He dived under the table, where experience had taught him was a rather safe place. The dog, lacking skill in such matters, was, of course, unaware of the true condition of affairs. He looked with interested eyes at his friend's sudden dive. He interpreted it to mean: Joyous gambol. He started to patter across the floor to join him. He was the picture of a little dark-brown dog en route to a friend.

The head of the family saw him at this moment. He gave a huge howl of joy, and knocked the dog down with a heavy coffee-pot. The dog, yelling in supreme astonishment and fear, writhed to his feet and ran for cover. The man kicked out with a ponderous foot. It caused the dog to swerve as if caught in a tide. A second blow of the coffee-pot laid him upon the floor.

Here the child, uttering loud cries, came valiantly forth like a knight. The father of the family paid no attention to these calls of the child, but advanced with glee upon the dog. Upon being knocked down twice in swift succession, the latter apparently gave up all hope of escape. He rolled over on his back and held his paws in a peculiar manner. At the same time with his eyes and his ears he offered up a small prayer.

But the father was in a mood for having fun, and it occurred to him that it would be a fine thing to throw the dog out of the window. So he reached down and grabbing the animal by a leg, lifted him, squirming, up. He swung him two or three times hilariously about his head, and then flung him with great accuracy through the window.

The soaring dog created a surprise in the block. A woman watering plants in an opposite window gave an involuntary shout and dropped a flower-pot. A man in another window leaned perilously out to watch the flight of the dog. A woman, who had been hanging out clothes in a yard, began to caper wildly. Her mouth was filled with clothes-pins, but her arms gave vent to a sort of exclamation. In appearance she was like a gagged prisoner. Children ran whooping.

The dark-brown body crashed in a heap on the roof of a shed five stories below. From thence it rolled to the pavement of an alleyway.

The child in the room far above burst into a long, dirgelike cry, and toddled hastily out of the room. It took him a long time to reach the alley, because his size compelled him to go downstairs backward, one step at a time, and holding with both hands to the step above.

When they came for him later, they found him seated by the body of his dark-brown friend.

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