Downfall

A Short Play

by

dustin hansen

Copyright 1999 by Dustin Hansen

dustin@silentmouth.com

I.

Darkness. Silence but for sound of rain.

Lights up on MAN standing motionless on street, ragged clothing; it is raining somewhat heavily; he stares vacantly out, impassionate, expressionless. Silence but for rain falling, thunder, passing car or two. Late–theatre is just closing the curtain nearby.

Soon noise heard nearby, just down the street–voices, laughter, banter–talk of where to eat, intellectual posture-talk concerning the theatre. (The play is over.) People begin to flood past the man, SR to SL. As the throng passes, the man is utterly blocked from view. Finally everyone has gone past, their voices fading. The man stands as before. His demeanor is unchanged. (This is a clockwork occurrence for him.) After a great many people have gone by, in groups of varying size, silence again. Man stands, staring out. Looks at sky. Stares out. No expression.

Pause.

Footsteps, slow, approaching R.

Man (STRANGER) approaches, eyes on sidewalk, alone, desolate and/or deep in thought/feeling. First man remains unchanged, does not look over or move his head. When approaching man (carrying umbrella) reaches first man, he stops slowly. Looks at standing man. Pause. Walks on toward L, eyes on sidewalk as before. Stops, just a few steps past standing man. Pause. Turns. Walks back. Stands just to man’s left. Pause. Holds out umbrella to standing man. Pause. (Silence.) Standing man, impassionate, reaches out and takes the umbrella. Does not open it. Stranger nods. Standing man nods. Stranger walks off L.

Man stands, as before, rain coming down. Does not open umbrella. He looks off L briefly. Stares out front. Pause.

Fade.

 

II.

Man stands, as before. Sun shining faintly, no rain–but slightly dismal. Light wind. Silence but for cars passing, horns, sounds of city.

Stranger approaches (same man as before)–this time from SL. Stops as soon as he notices standing man. Approaches. Stops, just to L of standing man.

STRANGER

(Nods.)

MAN

(Nods.)

STRANGER

Nice day.

MAN

Ah.

STRANGER

Is it not?

MAN

(Shrugs.)

STRANGER

Mm. Well. Not raining, any way.

(Pause.)

Is it.

MAN

(Looks at sky.)

(Looks at man.)

(Shrugs.)

No.

STRANGER

(Nods.)

Mm.

MAN

(Nods.)

(Pause.)

STRANGER

Hungry?

MAN

(Shrugs.)

STRANGER

Want something to eat?

MAN

(Indicating bottle in paper bag:)

Got my dinner.

STRANGER

Ah. Lots of vitamins I’m sure.

MAN

(Nods.)

STRANGER

What’s for dessert?

MAN

(Takes out half-smoked cigar from pocket, holds it up. Puts it back.)

STRANGER

Don’t take this wrong, but ah, are you aware that to the untrained eye you resemble the proverbial bum?

MAN

(Shrugs.)

‘Swhat I am.

STRANGER

I don’t believe that.

MAN

Whattaya blieve?

(Pause.)

STRANGER

Tell me: what made you start that?

(Indicating bottle.)

MAN

(Shrugs.)

Man needs somethin ta need.

STRANGER

(Pause.)

Mm. I see. . . . Life was that good to you, was it?

MAN

(Shrugs.)

Ah, y’know. No desires. Even m’needs I di’n’ desire. I guess y’could call ‘at happiness.

STRANGER

Has drinking made you more or less happy?

MAN

Moraless.

STRANGER

No no, I mean, has it made you happier, or has it made you less happy?

MAN

Whasat gotta do withanathin?

STRANGER

I’m . . . I’m only curious.

MAN

(Shrugs.)

Ha’n’t changed much. Either got ends bu’ no means er vice versa.

STRANGER

Well which is it?

MAN

Never figured‘at out. Goes back n forth maybe.

(Silence. Stranger looks around.)

STRANGER

Say, I . . . ah . . . are you interested in the theatre at all?

MAN

(Pause.)

(Looks at man.)

(Shrugs.)

(Faces out.)

STRANGER

(Pause.)

Mm.

(Pause.)

Well would you care to attend a play this evening–

(Pointing off SR:)

There. Over there?

MAN

(Pause.)

Take a rain check.

STRANGER

(Pause.)

(Nods.)

Right. Well. Well then. Be seeing you.

(Pause.)

Enjoy the weather.

(Pause.)

Enjoy the umbrella.

(Pause.)

(Stranger walks slowly off towards R., without looking back.)

 

III.

STRANGER

Nice day.

MAN

Ah yes. The weather.

STRANGER

The weather. And in general.

MAN

Nice.

STRANGER

I think so. Do you not agree?

MAN

‘Sawonduhful world.

STRANGER

Have you seen the world? Traveled greatly?

MAN

I’ve never moved.

STRANGER

Seriously. Ever had the opportunity to travel?

MAN

Been all over.

STRANGER

Yes?

MAN

Yup. ‘Sall the same.

STRANGER

Calcutta? Bangladesh? Paris? All the same?

MAN

No diffrence. I’ma same person. An’ whever ya go, there yar.

STRANGER

Mm.

MAN

In yer head.

STRANGER

Mm. You may have a point.

MAN

Who knows. ‘Spossible.

STRANGER

Mm.

(Pause.)

By any chance, . . . Are you drunk again?

MAN

Nope.

(Pause.)

Still.

STRANGER

Ah.

(Pause.)

STRANGER (cont.)

I ah, I noticed you’ve lost the umbrella.

MAN

‘Snot lost.

STRANGER

No?

MAN

Nope.

STRANGER

Well where is it?

MAN

Gave it away.

STRANGER

You gave it away.

MAN

(Nods.)

STRANGER

Mmm. Mm hmh.

(Looks at bottle in paper bag at man’s side.)

You sure you didn’t, you know, barter it?

MAN

(Shrugs.)

STRANGER

Well you know, it’s not courteous to give away gifts that are given to you.

MAN

(Pause. Stares at stranger.)

‘Snot courteous ta give giffs?

STRANGER

You understand me, old man. People won’t be inclined to give you things unless you’re going to appreciate them; if they know you’re going to squander them.

MAN

I didn’squander nothin.

STRANGER

No?

MAN

Nope. Gave it away. Just’s you did.

STRANGER

Mm hmh.

MAN

Just’s you did.

(Pause.)

STRANGER

Well. That was . . . most kind. Wasn’t it.

MAN

(Shrugs.)

‘Sawonduhful world.

STRANGER

(Looks at sky.)

But, ah, . . what if it rains again?

MAN

(Shrugs. Cranes neck, stares up at sky; opens mouth cavernously.)

STRANGER

(Takes off his hat, holds it out:)

Here.

MAN

(Pause.)

(Lowers head. Stares at stranger. Mouth still open vastly.)

(Takes hat.)

(Pause; holds it.)

(Stares at man.) (Puts it on.)

(Pause.)

(Shuts mouth.)

STRANGER

It suits you.

MAN

(Shrugs.)

(Pause.)

STRANGER

So, ah, . . . do you, ah, . . . have any family or anything?

MAN

Any who?

STRANGER

You know, any, ah, any–any family, any brothers or sisters, or parents or, or kids, any ah, . . . any family? Or anything?

MAN

Don’know.

STRANGER

What do you mean?

MAN

Nothin. Don’know.

STRANGER

You don’t know if you have a family?

MAN

S’pose I musta. Once. Might be dead, might not. Don’remember.

STRANGER

Are you from here originally?

MAN

Don’know.

STRANGER

You don’t know where you’re from?

MAN

Nah. Don’remember. ‘Sitmatter?

STRANGER

No. . . . No, I suppose not. But–

MAN

I’m Nobody, from Nowhere. Nice ta meecha.

(Holds out hand.)

(Pause. Stranger stares at man’s hand. Finally shakes it. Pause.)

MAN

Gotta wife?

STRANGER

What’s that?–Oh. No. I mean yes. I mean sort of.

MAN

Ah hah. One a those.

STRANGER

Yes. I mean–we don’t speak. So . . .

MAN

So yer alone when yer wither.

STRANGER

Yes. Yes, exactly.

MAN

So I’m alone when I’m with anybody.

STRANGER

Yes, I know what you mean.

MAN

Everybody’s alone, yaknow. Don’t make no difference.

(Long pause.)

STRANGER

So, ah . . . Macbeth is playing tonight.

MAN

(Nods.)

STRANGER

Care to go?

MAN

(Shrugs.)

STRANGER

I’ll be by around seven.

MAN

(Nods.)

STRANGER

You’ll be here?

MAN

(Smiles slightly.)

Whatta you think.

STRANGER

Ah. . . . Good.

(Pause. Walks off.)

 

IV.

STRANGER

So you’d never seen Macbeth before?

MAN

Nah.

STRANGER

Or read it?

MAN

Nah. I don’read.

STRANGER

Never did?

MAN

Nah. I don’like words.

(Pause.)

STRANGER

So what did you think?

MAN

Well . . .

(Pause.)

There was lotsa words.

STRANGER

Ah. Yes. Yes indeed.

MAN

Too many for my tase.

STRANGER

Mm.

MAN

I coulda wrote it half as long and got the point across.

STRANGER

And what was the point, in your opinion?

MAN

Well now see, that’s just it.

STRANGER

What is.

MAN

There’s no point.

STRANGER

I don’t follow.

MAN

Well, see, the thing is, it was pointless. An’a’s why I liked it.

STRANGER

What was? The play?

MAN

No, I’m not sayin’at. I’m sayin the murder.

STRANGER

The murder.

MAN

Ya. Pointless as Hell is.

STRANGER

Yes?

MAN

Yup.

STRANGER

How do you mean?

MAN

Well look at the guy. This Macbeth guy. He’s no ruler.

STRANGER

Mm.

MAN

He’s the kinda guy needs ta be tied up and whipped in bed, ya see what’m sayin?

STRANGER

. . . I’m . . . I’m not sure I do.

MAN

Well I mean . . . Sure ya do. Only, see, that ain’t’is problem.

STRANGER

No?

MAN

Nope.

STRANGER

So what’s his problem then.

MAN

His problem’s he didn’t see that it was all pointless. The whole thing, see? The fear an’guiltan’all. He got trapped, an’ then ‘e couldn’t get out cause he thought he’d lose somethin.

STRANGER

What would he lose?

MAN

I don’know whatcha call it. His “conscience” or somethin. His “moral” sense. See, but, he just didn’see.

STRANGER

What didn’t he see?

MAN

That there’s nothin to see.

STRANGER

Mm hm.

MAN

That there’s nothin ta lose.

STRANGER

No?

MAN

No. Or, well’e saw that, but then’e didn’see the nex’thing.

STRANGER

What’s that?

MAN

That there’s nothin ta gain.

STRANGER

Ah.

 

V.

The stranger walks on from SR. Stops next to man. They nod at one another. Pause. The stranger takes off his coat, holds it out for the standing man, who stares at it. Finally takes it. Stranger continues off L. Man stands, holding coat.

 

VI.

Stranger walks on from SR, no hat, no umbrella, no coat. Stops next to man. Shivers. They nod at one another. Pause. The stranger takes off his shirt and shoes, holds them out for the standing man, who stares at them. (The coat is nowhere to be seen.) Finally the standing man takes them. Stranger nods. Continues off L. Man stands, holding shoes and shirt.

 

VII.

The stranger walks on from SR, without hat, umbrella, coat, shirt or shoes. Shivering. Stops next to man. They nod at one another. Pause. The stranger takes off all the rest of his clothes. Holds them out for the standing man, who stares at them. (The shirt, shoes, and coat are nowhere to be seen.) Finally the standing man takes them. Stranger nods. Shivers. Continues off L, naked as the day he was born. Man stands, holding the clothes.

 

VIII.

The stranger walks on from SR, naked. Stops next to man. They nod at one another. Pause. The stranger removes his left arm. Holds it out for the standing man, who stares at it. (The clothes are nowhere to be seen.) Stranger shakes arm insistently. Finally standing man takes it. Same business.

 

IX.

The one-armed stranger walks on from SR, carrying a saw. Stops next to man. They nod at one another. Pause. Stranger holds saw out for standing man, who stares at it. Pause. Stranger shakes saw insistently. Finally standing man takes it. Pause. Stranger shakes his one arm insistently. Standing man begins to saw away at root of stranger’s remaining arm.

 

X.

A wheelbarrow is rolled onstage from SR. The stranger’s head rests inside. The person pushing the wheelbarrow nods at the standing man. Pause. The person lifts head out of wheelbarrow, holds it out for standing man, who stares at it. Long silence. Finally the standing man takes it. The two nod. The wheelbarrow is rolled off L. Man stands, holding head.

 

XI.

Lights up on same street. Standing man is absent. Sounds of rain and cars, etc. Long pause. Sounds of chatter and banter, as crowds emerge from the nearby theatre. Crowd passes from SR to SL. Then empty street. Voices fade into distance. Silence. Emptiness.

 

XII.

Lights up on same street. Different man, in loose gaudy clothing with lavish but artificial jewelry adorning most of his body, stands where standing man had previously stood.

AUCTIONEER: O.K., a’right, come on pe-pull, come on, a’right, step right on up ‘eeya, we gotta fine Gucci umbrella right‘eeya, full-ly functional, nice ma-terial, very handy f’dose gloomy grey days keep ya dry as a bone daya, jus’ press da button deya and blammo!, dey ya go, ya on ya way, to da deli, to da cona stowa, to da teata, whe-evah it is dat ya go ya know ya keepin dry daya.

Now who’ll gimme a dolla. Do I heara dolla. Come on pe-pull, gimme a dolla, just one dolla fa dis spectacula specimen uva umbrella. It’s even wattaproof. Come on now pe-pull, just one dolla, do I heara dolla. Dare we go. I gotta dolla. Do I hear two. Two dollas fa dis here umbrella here. Two dollas. Dolla fitty. Dolla fitty. Do I have a dolla fitty? Dare we go. The genulmen right eeya widda flannel hat daya. Do I heeya two dollas? . . . No? . . . Sold, to da man inna flannel hat fuh dolla fitty. Use it in good health my frien’.

Now then. We gotta cashmere coat ‘ere, da culla uva camel and nicin wom fuhdose gloomy grey rainy dase deya. A bee-yoodifull specimen uva coat daya. Brown and furry. Now do I heara dolla. Just one dolla folks is all I’m askin. I know ya gotta dolla. Do I hear one dolla. . . .

Fade.

End of play.