\documentclass{stage}
\usepackage{tgpagella}

\title{Upright}
\address{CTY, Skidmore College\\Playwriting Workshop\\Summer, 1991}
\date{Summer, 1991}

\begin{document}
\maketitle
%\oneact
\scene

\opensd{\textsc{At rise}: Lights up on an office.  A \textsc{Scientist} is sitting at her desk;
a high-powered \textsc{Government Official} is pacing in front, occasionally
looking out the window.}

\dialog{Scientist}{They're coming today.}

\dialog{Official}{I know.}

\dialog{Scientist}{
The room's all set up.}

\dialog{Official}{
I know.}

\dialog{Scientist}{
The guards know as much as they should.  They've surrounded the
diner.  They should be moving in to round up the subjects at any moment.}

\dialog{Official}{
That's\dots good.}

\dialog{Scientist}{
Nothing can possibly go wrong.}

\dialog{Official}{
Great.}

\dialog{Scientist}{
\initsd{Stands.}
You know how important this experiment is.  We have to go ahead with it.}

\dialog{Official}{
\initsd{Looking weary.}
I know.  But\dots the press\dots Senator Franklin is up for reelection
soon.  Public opinion isn't good as is.  The last thing she needs
right now is a scandal.}

\dialog{Scientist}{
No one will know about this.}

\dialog{Official}{
But if it gets out\dots}

\stage{Long uncomfortable silence.  A staring contest begins.
  Official looks away.}

\dialog{Scientist}{
You know it won't.}

\stage{Blackout.}

\scene

\opensd{Lights up on a large, empty room.  \textsc{Two Guards}
  enter up center followed by \textsc{People}, who have been
  questioning them.  \textsc{Guards} stand on either side of the door
  and usher \textsc{People} inside.}

\dialog{Guard 1}{
I'm sorry, that's classified information.}

\dialog{Doctor}{
Can't you even tell us why we've been brought here?}

\dialog{Guard 2}{
\initsd{Exasperated.}
It's none of your business.}

\dialog{Housewife}{Please.}

\dialog{Guard 1}{\initsd{Looks at Guard 2, as if to ask, ``Can we tell
    them?''}}

\dialog{Guard 2}{\initsd{To Guard 1.} No}

\stage{Guard 2 looks around, throws a challenging stare at \textsc{People}.  He
  leaves.  Guard 1 looks apologetic and reluctantly exits.}

\stage{Blackout.}

\scene

\opensd{Lights up.  \textsc{People} have separated themselves into smaller
  groups who are conversing silently.  Down left center is one such
  unit, made up of four women.}

\dialog{Patricia}{I cannot be forced to stay here.  I have places to
go, people to see.  They even made me leave my cellular phone at the
diner when they rounded us up.}

\dialog{Jessica}{You have a cellular phone?}

\dialog{Mary}{\initsd{In a complete non sequitur.} What were you eating?}

\dialog{Patricia}{\initsd{Ignoring Mary.} Of course I have a cellular
phone.  Doesn't everybody?}

\dialog{Mitzi}{Well, I don't.  Yet.  I mean I'll have one when I'm
famous.}

\dialog{Jessica}{\initsd{Skeptically.} Famous?}

\dialog{Mary}{For what?}

\dialog{Mitzi}{I'm a stand up comedienne\dots I just haven't gotten a
job yet.  I'll have to reschedule this morning's audition as soon as
we get out of here.  Why'd they bring us here, anyway?}

\dialog{Patricia}{I don't know.  Have any jokes to make about it?}

\dialog{Mitzi}{Weeeelllllll\dots someone has no sense of humor.}

\dialog{Mary}{Let's not start arguing}

\dialog{Jessica}{That's right.  We don't know how long we'll be here.}

\dialog{Mary}{We don't even know why.}

\dialog{Patricia}{So I take it they didn't tell anyone?}

\stage{Silence.  They look at one another and shrug/}

\dialog{Mitzi}{Maybe we're all under arrest.}

\dialog{Patricia}{Don't be ridiculous.  I haven't done anything
wrong.}

\dialog{Jessica}{None of us have, I'm sure.}

\dialog{Mary}{I cheated on a test once.  In fourth grade.}

\dialog{Jessica}{\initsd{Quickly, to cover for Mary.} Let's introduce
ourselves.  I'm Jessica McClintock, and this is my sister Mary.}

\dialog{Patricia}{I'm Patricia Johnson, CEO of the Fansler
Group. \charsd{Looks as if everyone should be impressed.}}

\dialog{Mitzi}{Well, I'm Jane
Wolfenburgerschmidtenhoffheimer. \charsd{Extending her hand.}  But my
stage name is Mitzi Wolfe.  Did'y'ever hear the one about the Rabbi
and the girdle salesman?\dots}

\stage{Jessica, Mary, and Patricia move upstage, with Mitzi in hot
pursuit.}

% \scene?

\stage{As the women move upstage, a group which has been sitting
downstage right begins to converse audibly.  \textsc{Loreen}, a gossiping
hairdresser, sits filing her nails.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{\initsd{Throughout the scene, Dr.~Stuart gestures
with his pen.  To \textsc{Loreen}.} Madame, please stop that!}

\dialog{Loreen}{Fine.  If you're going to be so testy\dots}

\stage{\textsc{Loreen} puts nail file down beside her and \textsc{Derek}, a
kleptomaniac, pretends to yawn and stretch.  He picks up the file and
puts it in his pocket.}

\dialog{Sonya}{Dr.~Stuart, why are we in here?}

\dialog{Loreen}{I heard that everone in the diner was chosen to win
one of those sweepstakes, like the kind you find on the side of a
Lucky Charms box.}

\dialog{Sonya}{What is a ``sweepstake?''}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{It is a contest in which there is an extremely low
possibility of winning.}

\dialog{Loreen}{\initsd{Sotto voce.}I never give up hope.}

\dialog{Sonya}{We don't have a sweepstake in Sweden.}

\dialog{Loreen}{Then what do you do for fun?}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{We're getting off the subject.  Perhaps the
Russians attacked?}

\dialog{Sonya}{They would never do a thing like that.}

\dialog{Loreen}{Who's side are you on anyway?}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{\initsd{Puts down his pen and begins to bite his
nails.}
Maybe we were exposed to some sort of disease.}

\stage{\textsc{Derek} surreptitiously purloins the pen.}

\dialog{Loreen}{You really shouldn't bite your nails.  Let me file
them for you.  \charsd{\textsc{Loreen} looks around for her nail file.}  Hey!
Where'd my nail file go?}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{\initsd{Who has been looking for his pen, patting
his pockets, etc.}
How strange.  My pen is gone too.
\charsd{He looks towards , who has been sitting alone, writing
in a journal.  \textsc{Dr.~Stuart} makes a proclamation in an important tone of
voice.}
I believe there is a thief among us.}

\stage{\textsc{Dr.~Stuart} and his group move away from \textsc{Damien}, leaving \textsc{Peter},
\textsc{Frances}, and \textsc{Doug} the most downstage group.  \textsc{Frances} and \textsc{Doug} are
talking, \textsc{Peter} is sitting nearby, when \textsc{Ginny} walks up.}

\dialog{Ginny}{Hi, Frances.  Hi, Doug.}

\dialog{Doug}{Hi\dots}

\dialog{Frances}{Ginny.}

\stage{Uncomfortable pause.  Everyone realizes how fake they are all
being.}

\dialog{Peter}{I sense tension here. I feel a negative interplay of
forces.}

\dialog{Frances}{What are you talking about?  We've been friends for
years.}

\dialog{Ginny}{Nothing to hide here.}

\dialog{Peter}{Be calm.  Everything will be made one in the end.}

\stage{\textsc{Ginny}, \textsc{Doug}, and \textsc{Frances} look at each other, puzzled.}

\dialog{Doug}{One what?}

\stage{\textsc{Damien}, sensing the suspicion of \textsc{Dr.~Stuart}'s
group, edges away
from them and closer to the speaking group.}

\dialog{Ginny}{Who's he?}

\dialog{Peter}{I sense trouble surrounding him.}

\stage{All stare at \textsc{Peter}, then at \textsc{Damien}.}

%\scene

\stage{\textsc{Julia}, \textsc{Tricia}, and \textsc{Cleo} begin
speaking audibly.}

\dialog{Cleo}{These people kidnapped us.  I hope you know that.}

\dialog{Actually, it's called unlawful imprisonment.  They should be
sued, and will be, just as soon as we get out.}

\dialog{Tricia}{How can we worry about getting out before we know why
we're here?}

\dialog{Cleo}{Those people who brought us here didn't explain anything
at all.  I have no clothes except these, no makeup, and we're in here
with all these bizarre people.  Have you noticed that weird guy with
the notebook?}

\dialog{Tricia}{That's nothing to pick on him for.  I write in a
journal too.}

\dialog{Cleo}{He hasn't said a word to anyone.}

\dialog{Julia}{That's his right.}

\stage{\textsc{Guards} have entered and are wandering about, checking on
\textsc{People}, and receiving nasty stares.  \textsc{Guard 1} is obviously upset.}

\dialog{Guard 1}{I think I have to tell them.  No, I know I have to
tell them.}

\stage{\textsc{Guard 2} levels an icy stare at \textsc{Guard 1}, and
watches her as she relents and exits.}

%\scene

\stage{\textsc{Steven}, \textsc{Susan}, and \textsc{Angelica}, a clean looking family, are
distressed to find themselves sitting next to \textsc{Laura Jana}, a
disgusting, tobacco chewing young woman.}

\dialog{Susan}{\initsd{Watching \textsc{Laura Jane} chew tobacco revoltingly,
like a donkey.}  Would you please cease that horrid, smelly,
germ-spreading habit?  I have a frail constitution and you are
endangering my very life. \charsd{\textsc{Laura Jana} laughs, spits
repulsively into a tuna can, her portable spitoon.}
Do you mind!}

\dialog{Steven}{Now, now, my dear, calm yourself.}

\dialog{Laura Jane}{At this rate, you're in bigger danger from a heart
attack than any infectious disease.}

\dialog{Angelica}{\initsd{Mumbling embarassedly to herself.} Oh,
mother, shut UP!}

\dialog{Steven}{You just control yourself, young lady.  And stop
harassing that platypus!}

\dialog{Susan}{Why are we being forced to associate with\dots with
such scum?}

\dialog{Laura Jane}{People with frail constitutions shouldn't rile
themselves up in the company of scum.}

\dialog{Steven}{Dear, calm DOWN!}

\dialog{Damien}{\initsd{To himself, from journal.}
I don't know why I'm here.  None of us do.  The last few hours have
melted into total confusion, and I'm not quite sure what to make of
this anymore.  As usual, I sit alone while all others clump together
out of\dots necessity?  But I don't mind being excluded again.  At
least it gives me time to think.  And I believe I will need to be able
to think.}

\stage{Lights fade to black.}

\scene

\open{Lights up.  \textsc{People} are lying around the stage, apparently
asleep.  GUARD 1 suddenly bursts into the room, waking the \textsc{People}.}

\dialog{Guard 1}{Listen up, everyone, quickly!  You've been brought
here for quarantine.  The food stock at the diner was infected with a
virus.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{What virus?  What are its effects?}

\dialog{Guard 1}{We don't know yet\dots}

\dialog{Guard 2}{\initsd{Bursting in.} You told them!}

\dialog{Guard 1}{Yes.  I did.  \charsd{\textsc{Guard 2} hesitates in the
hallway, then exits again, to alert their supervisors.} Wait!
\charsd{\textsc{Guard 1} follows him out.}}

\dialog{Patricia}{\initsd{To JESSICA, MARY, and MITZI} We're all going
to die.}

\dialog{Jessica}{How do you know that?}

\dialog{Mary}{What did they mean, unknown effects?}

\dialog{Mitzi}{Good God, what an epitaph.  ``It was something she
ate.''}

\dialog{Mary}{Are those two guards the only ones keeping us here?}

\stage{The OTHERS stare at MARY.}

\stage{JULIA, CLEO, and TRICIA begin to speak audibly.}

\dialog{Julia}{I can't believe you're questioning my knowledge of the
law!}

\dialog{Cleo}{But you can't sue the guards, they're not responsible
for this.  We don't know who is.  We just don't know!  \charsd{CLEO is
becoming hysterical.}}

\dialog{Tricia}{You're so worked up.  \charsd{To JULIA.} Oh my God,
maybe she has the virus!}

\dialog{Julia}{Any of us could.}

\dialog{Cleo}{\initsd{Hyper.}No no no no no no no no no!  That's not
true that's not true it's not it's not!}

\dialog{Tricia}{Look how hyper she is!  We don't want to end up like
that.  It's probably a symptom. \charsd{Grabs JULIA's arm and tries to
pull her further away from CLEO}}

\dialog{Julia}{\initsd{Pulling her arm away from TRICIA warily.}
Yeah\dots probably.}

\stage{Focus shifts to another group.}

\dialog{Susan}{\initsd{To \textsc{Steven}, sweetly} Honey?}

\dialog{Steven}{Yes?}

\dialog{Susan}{You know how I said all these years that I was going to die?}

\dialog{Steven}{Yes?}

\dialog{Susan}{And how you told me that I was crazy for worrying?}

\dialog{Steven}{Yes?}

\dialog{Susan}{\initsd{Explodes and slaps him.} I \emph{told} you so,
but did you believe me?  No!}

\dialog{Laura Jane}{Well, he believes you this time.  Looks like we
could all die.}

\dialog{Angelica}{\initsd{To her parents, dropping her adolescent
``cool.''}
And you're not going to do anything?  You're just going to sit\dots
sit\dots sit and wait for\dots whatever?  I'm your child!}

\stage{Pause.  \textsc{Susan} moves toward \textsc{Angelica} and hugs her.}

\dialog{Steven}{We have to do something.}

\dialog{Susan}{Since when have you cared about the welfare of this
family?  You're never even home.}

\dialog{Steven}{You think I'm happy with that?  You don't even know
what I'm dealing with.}

\dialog{Susan}{What are you talking about?
\charsd{Catching on to what Steven means.}
Oh my God, Steven.}

\stage{Pause.}

\dialog{Laura Jane}{What, is he gay or something?}

\dialog{Susan}{\initsd{Viciously}YOU SHUT UP!}

\stage{In a surprise move, the focus shifts again to \textsc{Ginny}, \textsc{Peter},
\textsc{Frances}, and \textsc{Doug}.}

\dialog{Frances}{\initsd{To \textsc{Doug} and \textsc{Ginny}} Well, at least this will get you
two out of bed.}

\dialog{Ginny}{\initsd{Indignantly}I never slept with him!}

\dialog{Frances}{Hah!  I've seen those looks you give each other!}

\dialog{Ginny}{Sure I was jealous when he married you but I would
never do anything like that to you.  We're supposed to be friends.  I
can't believe you thought it was me he was sleeping with\dots}

\dialog{Doug}{Oh man.}

\dialog{Frances}{I knew there was someone else.}

\dialog{Peter}{Be calm.  You must ready your spirit for passage to
the other world.  And bring your platypus.}

\dialog{Ginny}{We're not dead yet.}

\stage{In a surprise move, \textsc{Dr.~Stuart} once again becomes the center of
attention.  What a ham.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{I cannot believe the government is being this
irrational!  Keeping us together only makes things worse.  Some of us
might not have been exposed yet.}

\dialog{Loreen}{I still can't find my nail file.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{We have to find some way out of here before the
disease spreads.}

\dialog{Sonya}{My mother told me to go to Germany, but noooooo, I had
to come to America!}

\dialog{Loreen}{I knew you were un-American}

\dialog{Derek}{Maybe we can talk to the guards---tell them not all of
us are infected.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{\initsd{Cranky}Symptoms, symptoms!  We have to
look for symptoms!}

\dialog{Loren}{Could one be crankiness?}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{\initsd{With a look towards \textsc{Damien}.} Anti-social
behavior patterns\dots}

\dialog{Derek}{Or violence\dots}

\dialog{Damien}{\initsd{Once again, in his journal, as a crowd forms
around DR.STUART}
They're all tense---frantic, like caged rats.  A little while ago, one
of the guards ``let slip'' that we're here because we've been exposed
to some new sort of virus, and now fear hangs in the air like an ugly
cloud.  I don't buy the virus story, though.  It's a wonder that
anyone does.  Why aren't we being tested?  And if it's contagious, why
have we been put together?  I am afraid, but not of the virus.  A
desperate person is dangerous.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{\initsd{Addressing the massed \textsc{People}.}
Ladies and gentlemen.  The time has come for us to take action.  This
situation has been handled in a manner which runs in direct opposition
to common sense, let alone health and well-being.  It is imperative
that we move on our own behalf.  I will not detail the entire medical
situation, but you may be assured that this situation presents an
extreme danger to each of us.  We are being kept in an unregulated,
unsafe, and unhygienic state, and we must escape.  The answer is
obvious.  It should be a simple matter for us to overcome the
guards\dots}

\dialog{Damien}{Stop!  Stop and think!  You can't always take the easy
way out.  Did it ever occur to you that just because they claim we
have a virus, it might not be true?  We're not talking about a little
struggle here.  Someone is going to get hurt.  Chances are, someone is
going to get killed.  It's too simple not to take the blame when
you're in a mob.  I don't want blood on my hands.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{I believe, sir, you will find yourself in the
minority here.  No one cares to listen to a sociophobe and a thief.}

\dialog{Patricia}{\initsd{To \textsc{Damien}.}You're not talking sense.  You
don't seem to realize what we're all facing here.  I don't know about
you, but most of us have lives worth continuing.}

\dialog{Julia}{\initsd{To \textsc{Damien}.}But you obviously don't care about
anyone but yourself.  We've been here over 24 hours and these are the
first words you've said to anyone.}

\dialog{Cleo}{I haven't liked him from the moment I set eyes on him.
He's a freak.}

\dialog{Damien}{Ok.  Point the finger at me if you want.  Find your
scapegoat.  But don't do this.  Dead.  Do you know what that means?
Do you really understand what you're about to do?  Those guards\dots
those are people out there.  Just people following orders.  Don't make
them suffer for what could damn well be a mistake.}

\dialog{Dr.~Stuart}{I say we escape, and to hell with him!}

\dialog{Steve}{Let him try to stop us\dots}

\dialog{Mitzi}{Maybe he's part of the plot to keep us here!}

\dialog{Loreen}{He's the only one who's really sick!}

\dialog{Derek}{I say he goes with the guards.}

\dialog{Laura Jane}{He stands in our way, we rip him apart.  I ain't
dyin' down here.}

\dialog{Tricia}{\initsd{Quietly at first, then shouting over the
noise}
Wait\dots Wait\dots WAIT!  If one of us is hurt, the guards have to
come in.}

\dialog{Cleo}{So\dots}

\dialog{Tricia}{So\ldots we make someone hurt.}

\stage{The \textsc{People} begin to shout in agreement, working themselves into
a frenzy of hate and blame. \textsc{Damien} is completely surrounded, upstage
center, with \textsc{People} ranged out in a semi-circle downstage.  The \textsc{People}
are closing the circle when \textsc{Damien} breaks down, and begins to shout.}

\dialog{Damien}{
The Upright Man stands straight and proud\\
He knows his mind and speaks out loud\\
His iron will, not tarnished or stained\\
But iron rusted the day it rained\\
His noble thoughts fall on deaf ears\\
Again he speaks, though no one hears.\\
Confronted by indifference, he knocks on other doors\\
And should a soul be listening, it draws back and ignores\\
He preaches words of honesty, of bravery, and fire\\
But finds himself a cast-away upon a sea of ire\\
Yet once again he shouts and screams, as angry storm clouds grow\\
Then lies there, bloody, broken, tamed, the Upright Man layed low\\
The man now lies beneath our feet\\
Trodden on, trampled, and finally beat\\
His iron soul a leaded weight\\
That sank him in a sea of hate\\
Rusted to his very core\\
The Upright Man, upright no more}

\stage{After the second to last line, the GUARDS begin to enter.  At
the beginning of the last line, \textsc{Damien} looks back at them, then
forward, and on the words ``no more'' turns and rushed them.  \textsc{People}
follow with a shout and arms flailing.  Immediate blackout.}

\scene

\open{Lights up on SCIENTIST and GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL on the opposite
sides of the stage, speaking by telephone.}

\dialog{Scientist}{Everything went as expected.}

\dialog{Official}{As expected?!  Violence was never discussed.  You
told me the experiment was perfectly safe, and we changed those people
into animals!}

\dialog{Scientist}{We changed nothing.  Human nature shouldn't come as
a surprise to you.  Look at yourself.}

\dialog{Official}{What are you talking about?  I didn't kill two people1}

\dialog{Scientist}{But you are going to cover this up.
\charsd{Pause.}
Aren't you.
\charsd{It is a statement, not a question.}
You're just as corrupt as they were.
\charsd{Pause.}
We both are.}

\stage{Blackout.  Fin.  Platypus.}
\end{document}
