"After..."
                    (or, A Story of Life Post-Mortem)
                          (c) Brad Smith, 1998


SCENE 1:
The stage floor is covered with fog. The backdrop is a white material
with lights shining upon it to present a sense of grandeur. A podium or
high-standing desk is at upper stage left. The SECRETARY is seated
there, busily organizing files. DAVID enters, bewildered, staggering
with amazement. At first, he doesn't notice the SECRETARY.

DAVID: Where am I?... No,  wait... who am I?? I seem to have
forgotten...

SECRETARY: Don't be alarmed, your memory should return shortly.

DAVID: <startled> Who on earth are--

SECRETARY: Wrong.

DAVID: ...Excuse me?

SECRETARY: Well you've said all of 19 words since you got here and
already you've botched it up. You're not on earth.

DAVID: What? Where am I??-- no, wait. First, who am I?

SECRETARY:  As I said, Mr. Dobbs, your memory will return shortly. It's
not unusual in cases like yours. And as for your location, you are in
sector 34b of extra-corporeal transreality midpoint #283.

DAVID: <looking around, oblivious to her> Am I in heaven?

SECRETARY: <vaguely annoyed> No, you are in sector 34b of extra-
corporeal transreality midpoint number--

DAVID: Yes, yes, yes. You already told me all that... ok, let's try
something simpler, why am I here?

SECRETARY: Simpler?? You call the ultimate question of human existence
simple?? "Why am I here?" If I knew the answer to that, do you really
think I'd still be a secretary?

DAVID: Well, what I meant to say is what am I doing in this... extra-
crispy transvestite whatever-you-call-it place...

SECRETARY: Extra-corporeal Transreality midpoint #283. And I think it's
rather obvious that you're standing here asking me silly questions.

DAVID: <defensively> Look, what's going on here??

SECRETARY: What is your name, Mr. Dobbs?

DAVID: My name? But you already know my name, you just said it, David
Dobbs.

SECRETARY: Well I have to confirm it with your records.

DAVID: My records?

SECRETARY: Just to make sure you're who we think you are. Wouldn't want
to be bringing up the wrong person, now would we?

DAVID: Well... I guess not...  Who do you think I am?

SECRETARY: <sighs and pulls out a file marked "UNOFFICIAL" on the
front>  Here we are, Name: David Dobbs,  Age: 22,  Sex: Male... well,
that much seems obvious. Marital status, single, engaged. Born, 10-7-
74, died 11-12, ninety--

DAVID: Wait a minute!... died???

SECRETARY: Yes, died.

DAVID: As in... no longer alive?

SECRETARY: Well that is what the word means, isn't it?

DAVID: But... how?

SECRETARY: As I've said, you seem to have lost a bit of short term
memory during the transition. It'll all come back in time.

DAVID: I can't believe this... I was just walking down the street and--

SECRETARY: Good! Your memory's returning faster for you than with most
others in your condition.

DAVID: Condition? You call death a "condition"??

SECRETARY:  Well, not all death, no. Amnesia is usually found in
victims of traumatic or sudden deaths. <DAVID acts like he's just been
physically hit by this news>  Now then, what else do you remember.

DAVID: Well... nothing... a sound, I think. And then...

SECRETARY: And then you were here.

DAVID: Yeah... and then I was here. But how?

SECRETARY: Well... <reading from the file again> "Died, 11-12-96,
Cause: Massive contusion due to impact of <snicker> falling coinage!

DAVID: Falling what??

SECRETARY: Coinage! <barely able to contain her amusement> It seems
that some curious youngster tossed a penny from atop the sky scraper
where you worked. The penny hurtled downwards and, by a million-to-one
chance, managed to impale you as you walked by below

DAVID: That's not funny.

SECRETARY: <Now laughing out loud> Oh I'm sorry, but it is. My, I've
seen a lot of people come through here, but yours has got to be the
most original death I've seen yet. <Finally getting ahold of herself>
You should be proud!

DAVID: Proud??? I'm dead! I can't die now, I've got a girl back home!
We were gonna get married. I... I miss her.

SECRETARY: I'm sorry, Mr. Dobbs, but there's really nothing I can do.

DAVID: But Jan!! Oh, it'll break Jan's heart! Please, please, you've
got to let me go back!! Not for me, for her. I don't know what she'd do
without me!

SECRETARY: Look, I'm sorry. There is nothing that I can do. Once you're
here, you're here. <DAVID looks heartbroken, and there is an awkward
pause> There is... one thing, perhaps.

DAVID: What?

SECRETARY: You can sign up for the visitor's list. It takes time, and
it's usually just for those who have been here for a while, but I think
I could get you in. You would be allowed to see her and check up on
her, but not speak to or touch her. Do you agree?

DAVID: Oh yes, anything, please!

SECRETARY: Very well, then. Just go into the next room and wait to have
your information processed. <shouting off right> Next! <David, still
unsatisfied with his predicament, exits to the left. TOM enters from
the right>

<TOM enters. At first he seems equally bewildered as David, but it
becomes apparent that his amazement is mixed with an expression of
sheer joy. He looks around, taking in all of his surroundings. He
notices the SECRETARY, but at first seems oblivious to her>

TOM: I... I'm here! I was right, oh hallelujah, I was right!!! <Pauses
pensively, then, to SECRETARY> ...this is heaven, isn't it?

SECRETARY: Not exactly. May I get your name, please?

TOM: Well it's not... <gestures downward> is it??

SECRETARY:  No. You are in extra-corporeal transreality midpoint #283,
sector 34b. Would you please tell me your name.

TOM: Where?

SECRETARY: Extra-corporeal-- oh look, it's a sort of waiting point.
<shuffling papers around> There's a lot of paperwork that needs to be
dealt with before we can move you people along. Now, would you please
tell me your name?

TOM: Oh... so it's definitely not <gestures downward>

SECRETARY: <Impatiently> Your name, please?

TOM: Thomas. Thomas Wellman.

SECRETARY: Mmm-hmm, and do you remember how you died, Mr. Wellman?

TOM: Oh, definitely. I had no fear of death. The doctors had said it
would happen and I was ready. I just laid on my bed, with family and
loved ones gathered around, and I went to sleep. 80 years old I was..
<noticing his youthful hands> although I don't appear to be so any
more...

SECRETARY: Regeneration. Your body has been restored to it's prime
state of youth and beauty.

TOM: A miracle!

SECRETARY: No, a dermal regeneration field, but you may call it what
you like.

TOM: Then I'll call it a miracle. Anything God does is a miracle!

SECRETARY: Whatever...

TOM: Well, don't you agree? You live and work in this... place, and you
don't think it a miracle??

SECRETARY: I don't think it a miracle because I live and work in this
place.

TOM:  I have some pity for you then. You've no idea of the overwhelming
sense of wonder that you're missing!

SECRETARY: And you have no idea of the time you're wasting. I've got
all the information I need and your memories seem to be perfectly
intact. Please just go and wait in the other room A bell will ring when
it's time for you to move on. Thank you.

TOM: Very well. Good uhhh... <looks around, not sure if it day or
night> day to you, then. <exits left and the stage darkens>

END, SCENE 1



SCENE 2:
Inside "the other room".  A table sits at stage up/left and there are
chairs scattered about. At stage left, there is a DOOR facing the
audience at a slight angle. It is closed. The curtains are parted at
center, back to make another exit and there is another entrance to the
right. DAVID is seated at the table with his head in his hands and is
thinking, worriedly, perhaps sobbing. TOM enters from the back opening.

TOM: <noticing David> Why, poor soul, what could be troubling you here?

DAVID: Who are you? Were you sent to get me for the waiting list?

TOM: No, I don't think so. I was just sent in by that secretary woman.
Perhaps you know her?

DAVID: We've met.

<there is  an awkward pause>

TOM: Ah... well, you still haven't answered my question, boy. How can
you weep under the eyes of god??

DAVID: <snapping at him> Because I don't want to be here!

TOM:  <backing off in amazement> Don't... don't want to be here? But
that's impossible! None but the most vile of souls would turn away from
eternal grace!

DAVID: Well then meet me, David Dobbs, prince of eternal darkness,
'cause I don't want to be here! <TOM cowers away a bit> I-- I'm sorry.
I'm having what you might call a bit of a bad day.

TOM: Are you alright?

DAVID: I don't know. Does it even matter? I'm stuck here regardless. At
least until that visitor's list thing comes up.

TOM: Visitor's list?

DAVID: The secretary told me about it. They'll let you go back for a
while to check up on those you left behind.

TOM: <full of wonder> Like an angel.

DAVID: Something like that, I guess.

TOM: But why? What could you possibly have down there that could
compare to this?

DAVID: Too much.

TOM: <disdainfully> Money?

DAVID: Ha! No-- a girl.

TOM: Ah.

DAVID: Yup. No greater hold on the soul of man hath any substance save
the kiss of wine or woman.

TOM: Shakespeare?

DAVID: Actually, I read it on a bathroom wall in the Bronx. <both
chuckle, and there is a pause>
So... if you weren't sent to get me, who are you? New arrival?

TOM: Yes, and I'm sorry. It was rude of me not to have introduced
myself in the first place. My name is Thomas, Thomas Wellman.

DAVID: Wellman? <thinks for a moment> As in The Wellman Foundation?
Wellman hospital??

TOM: The very same.

DAVID: Wow. You ran one of the biggest charity organizations in
America! I saw you on TV trying to raise money to help feed kids in
Ethiopia... you looked much older at the time.

TOM: One of the many miracles of almighty god. I have been returned to
a state of youthful beauty. <looks around> You know what? This is what
it was all for. This is the payoff, David! The reason for it all.

<just then, a ruckus is heard off stage, and PAT stumbles on from the
right, intoxicated and infuriated>

PAT: <shouting towards offstage, right> Get away from me! You and your
stupid files, just get the hell away from me! <eventually she half
sits, half falls down just right of center stage and begins to notice
her surroundings> Whoa.. this is too crazy... this is waaaaaay too
crazy!  <DAVID goes to her>

DAVID: Are you alright?

PAT: Hmph.. no. No, man I'm far from being alright. But don't worry.
You're all going to go away real soon. I can handle this.. I-- I just
need to go to sleep for a bit and when I wake up, everything'll have
worn off and I'll be back to normal. <she slumps over into DAVID's
arms>

TOM: Just leave her alone, David. She's hopped up on something.

DAVID: You're the last one I'd expect to hear talk so coldly.

TOM: My dear boy, it's simple reason. You can't help someone who
doesn't even think you're real. Doesn't seem to want much help in the
first place.

DAVID: Shouldn't we do something?

TOM: Like what? There's nothing to be done. You're forgetting, we're
not on earth anymore, we've been absolved of all our duties.

DAVID: <Ignoring him, talking to PAT>  C'mon now, wake up. <she begins
to come back>

PAT: What--- oh, are you still here? Man, what was in that stuff?

DAVID: <naively> What stuff?

PAT: Nevermind.

TOM: <walking to join the others at center stage> The stuff she took to
run away from reality. Looks like it did the job all too well.

PAT: Just let me sleep.

TOM: This is not a "bad trip", young lady, you are dead, and the sooner
you face up to that fact, the better.

DAVID: Leave her alone!

TOM: I'm sorry, you're right. It's just that people like her always--

PAT: What do you mean, people like me?

TOM: People who waste their lives away in a haze. People who run away
from life when they could be trying to make it better.

PAT: Life. What'd it ever do for me?... 'Sides, this isn't happening.
it's just a bad--<DAVID pinches her on the arm> Ow!

DAVID: Was that real enough for you?

<PAT begins to realize her situation and stares, dumbfounded, at DAVID>

TOM: Let's get her to a chair. <They sit her down in a chair by the
table> Now, do you remember your name?

PAT: My name? <thinks for a moment> P--pat. It hurts to think right
now.

TOM: <sarcastically> Well then--

DAVID: Then don't, we'll leave you alone for a moment.

<DAVID and TOM walk together to stage right>

DAVID: Look, even if you don't like "her kind", you could at least go
easy on the poor girl.

TOM: Yes, you're right. I really don't know why she bothers me so.

DAVID: You said yourself that she doesn't want to be helped and
besides, you can't help everyone.

TOM: Yes, again, you're right. Either way, I've earned my way into
God's grace and she's earned her way to wherever she ends up. She's in
his hands now, not mine.  <Reflects and smiles> I guess being nice is
just a tough habit to break. <PAT, meanwhile, slumps out of her chair.
DAVID and TOM  notice and go to help her back up>

PAT: It's ok, it's ok. I'm fine. Everything's coming back.

DAVID: You're name?

PAT: Huh?... Oh; Wyze, Pat Wyze.

DAVID: Dave Dobbs.

TOM: Thomas Wellman, here.

PAT: Hi.

TOM: <after a pause> You don't recognize me?

PAT: What, should I?

TOM: Oh, I just thought you might have, that's all. Perhaps you've
patronized one of my soup kitchens?

DAVID: Mr. Wellman!

PAT: Sorry, I try real hard not to learn the name of anyone who's nice
to me.

DAVID: Why's that?

PAT: Simple. 'Cause knowing a name is the first step to knowing what
they're really like. I mean,  what with there being so few apparently
nice people out there in the first place. Why would I wanna  know what
they're like for reals. <grinning, cynicaly> There'd be none left to
look up to then.

TOM: Now just what does that mean?

PAT: Forget it. If you don't understand now, I hope you never do...
<looking around again> Where did she say we are?

DAVID: Some sort of waiting room, I think.

PAT: Waiting for what?

TOM: Judgment. We're in the afterlife now.

PAT: What, you mean there's more??

<the SECRETARY peeks in from stage right>

SECRETARY: Mr. Dobbs, could you please join me in the other room?

PAT: Hey, 'scuse me, miss? could I get a beer? <The SECRETARY ignores
her>

DAVID: Is my name up?... For the waiting list?

SECRETARY: Yes, it's going faster than I expected. Now if you'll please
come this way.

DAVID: <after a pause> Wish me luck. <TOM nods and DAVID exits right>

PAT: <still trying in vain to get the SECRETARY's attention> Yeah, but
what about my-- aww. <folds arms and sits, disappointedly>

<TOM and PAT are now alone in the room. PAT is still sitting and TOM is
standing roughly behind her. He speaks like a schoolmaster trying to
understand the rebellious child>

TOM: What a sad, sad life you must have led. To have never known hope?
To have  actually avoided camaraderie?

PAT: <dismissively> I managed. I had myself for "camaraderie". I had my
drug for life. That's all I needed. What business is it of yours?

TOM: Chemicals. That's life? You can't carry life around in a syringe
or a bottle, young lady.

PAT: Well I didn't say that it was life, did I? I said it was for life.
When I was down, when nobody else was there for me, that's what I had.
Like I said, it's all I needed. It put me in touch with the one person
on this earth I could get to know inside and out without being
disgusted by what I saw, me. So listen, man, I've been lectured before.
Just leave me alone... <yelling offstage> Hey!! Can somebody get me
something to drink????

TOM: You mean to say that you never found any redeeming value in
humanity? You felt not the slightest sense of awe in all of our
accomplishments.  I find that hard to believe.

PAT: Believe it, man. Sheese, where do you get off being so proud of
humanity? It's like you could watch an A-bomb go off and say "Gee, what
a pretty new cloud we made today".

TOM: I never said we were perfect. I spent my whole life trying to set
right the wrongs done to people both by themselves and by each other,
but at least I knew I was one of the good guys. One of the group that
shows there's still some decency in the world!

PAT: Yeah yeah yeah. I never did figure you guys out. "One of the good
guys?" What the hell does that mean? And what's it matter anyway if the
good guys... have lost? Look, the next time you try to save the world,
just remember this: you run into a burning building, you get burned;
and all you gain is a nice epitaph for your troubles.

TOM: This coming from a woman I outlived by how long? 60 years?

PAT: Just because you took longer to die than me don't mean you
outlived me.

TOM: Ha! And what do you know of my life?

PAT: Nothing.

TOM: Alright, then.

PAT: So tell me. <with this sudden change of subject, she gains the
upper hand in the conversation>

TOM: What?

PAT: Well, you think that I don't understand your life, fine. What's
there to know about it? <TOM pauses, still not sure how to answer> Come
on, come on, I'd rather listen to your life-story than get preached at
some more. What's there to tell?

TOM: Well I've already told you the important part. My names Thomas
Wellman, founder of the Wellman Foundation, Wellman Children's fund,
Wellman hospital... I --

PAT: <cutting him off> Where'dya get the money for all that stuff,
anyway?

TOM: My father.

PAT: Your father? What, did he just say, "Here, son, here's a million
dollars. Go save the world"?

TOM: <irritated> No. If you must be so prying, He died. He died when I
was young and left me a large inheritance. I was twelve when he passed
on and... <stops himself>

PAT: And what?

TOM: Nothing.

PAT: You were going to say something. Just get it off your chest, it'll
do you good.

TOM: I see no reason to go soul searching for your amusement. It's not
a topic I like to discuss.

PAT: You were close to him?

TOM: I suppose. We never talked much, come to think of it.

PAT: Then it couldn't have hit you that hard.

TOM: But whether or not we got along was beside the point! He was my
father, one of the few constants in my life and when he died I remember
feeling as though I'd been... violated; betrayed by God and by the
world. I even felt guilty for a time! Here I had all this money, all
this power. And it was all due to his death. I felt as though I'd
killed him. Oh, I was an angry and bitter young man for a long, long
time after that. I could've well ended up like you, but I finally
realized that no amount of agonizing was going to change the past! All
that I could do was work to change the present and the future, so
that's what I did. I--

PAT: <Curiously. Thomas has become something of a novelty to her> Why?

TOM: What?

PAT: Well you just don't seem stupid enough to have actually thought
you could fix all that was wrong out there. Why'd you put all the
effort towards it in the first place?

TOM: <annoyed, the answer seems obvious to him> Because it was right.

PAT: Right Schmight, what the hell kinda answer is that? What made it
the right thing to do? Why'd you bother trying to do something you knew
couldn't be done?

TOM: God! He told us what was right and that those who were good on
earth would be favored by him in the next life! This! <gestures around
them> is what it was all about! Who needs a motive other than simply
this? In either case, it doesn't matter now. Soon we'll be brought
before him to be judged for our deeds, I know we will. Then I'll
receive my reward and you'll... well, you'll get what's coming to you.

PAT: What's the matter, afraid to say the H-word?

TOM: I just didn't want to rub it in.

PAT: <with a slight chuckle> My my, Tommy, that was awfully harsh! And
I thought you were such a kind, loving person.

TOM: <feeling his reputation in danger> I am. <TOM Tries to look
purposefully offstage with his back  to PAT>

PAT: Poor, poor Mr. Wellman. Always looking ahead, so anxious to get to
heaven that he doesn't even stop to enjoy purgatory <the lights dim
out> ...and what about that beer??


END, SCENE 2



SCENE 3:
Stage right stage is covered in fog. At stage left, there is a cross-
section of David's girlfriend's residence. At first, stage left is
darkened. SECRETARY and DAVID enter from the right.

SECRETARY: Now you're sure that you want to go through with this?

DAVID: Of course I am. What kind of a question is that?

SECRETARY: Well, it's just that I'm bending the rules in the first
place just getting you here, and I want to be absolutely sure that you
know what you're getting yourself into.

DAVID: What are you afraid is going to happen?

SECRETARY: Well right now you're not using this privilege as a method
to check up on those you've left behind, you're using it as one last,
desperate link to the past. <DAVID starts to object> Don't bother with
excuses. We both know that's the case and honestly I've no idea why I'm
still letting you do it. I've seen lots of people go through that
waiting room, but something about you is... different. Look, all I'm
saying is please, for my sake, make absolutely sure that when you go
down there you're ready to cope with anything. I know what you're going
through and I-- I just don't want you to get hurt, ok?

DAVID: Stop it, You're getting me paranoid. <changing the subject> How
long has it been since... you know?

SECRETARY: <coldly> Your death? Approximately one month.

DAVID: And she's just over there? <gesturing to the left>

SECRETARY: Yes. Good luck, David.

<DAVID crosses to the house as the lights go up on the right side of
the stage. His girlfriend, JAN is standing at the window, looking out
and speaking to herself, dreamily>

JAN: Dear, where are you? I need someone to be with now. Please come
back... <snapping out of the mood> Oh for crying out loud, what's
happening to me? Sitting here talking to myself. It hasn't even been
that long. <sits in a chair> But so much has happened...

DAVID:  <to SECRETARY> See? See how she misses me! <yelling towards
JAN, in vain> Jan! Jan, I'm right here! Oh please, see me!

SECRETARY: <from the left>David, you know better than that. It's
already been explained that you can in no way interact with her.

DAVID: Alright. <looks at JAN> Isn't she beautiful though? It's been a
year now since I first met her. She was on her way back from one of
those "hot spot" night clubs and sat next to me on the train. She'd
just moved into the city, had all these big ideas about how glamorous
it would be, but when she finaly got there, she'd been kind of
overwhealmed, you know? Didn't really know what to do with herself. So
she'd tried meeting people at the club, fitting in with the high life
and all that, but the bouncer hadn't been impressed and she ended up on
the subway back home. She came in and sat next to me with this sad,
dejected look on her face like you wouldn't believe. I asked her what
was the matter, she answered for some reason and after that, things
just sort of fell into place. We found out that we lived in the same
neighborhood, had some things in common and, well,  I just felt so
sorry for her that I offered to show her around town. Then we dated for
about two months and she asked me to marry her. Simple as that. <he
smiles to himself, reflectively> It's funny, you know? All my life I'd
felt as though I'd been looking for something and then the perfect
person chose the perfect time to sit in just the right place for me to
be there and start the perfect life. She needed me. I think I liked
that. <to SECRETARY> Does that kind of thing happen a lot?

SECRETARY: What kind of thing?

DAVID: You know, the perfect person being in the perfect place at the
perfect time and all that.

SECRETARY: <shrugs> depends on the mindset of the person.

DAVID: You mean it's all in your imagination?

SECRETARY: No, I mean that people have to be right for the times, not
the other way around.

DAVID: <thinks> I don't think I understand that...

<Jan stands up, impatient>

JAN: Where is he? It's been hours!

DAVID: Hours? I thought you said it'd been a month.

SECRETARY: <surprised> I did.

<there is a knock at the door>

JAN: Finally! <she crosses to the far right and opens a door. There is
a MAN standing there> Robert, I thought you'd never get here! <kisses
him> C'mon now, we'll be late for the show! <they exit, right>.

<DAVID stands there, dumbfounded>

SECRETARY: Oh, David.. I...

DAVID: You knew... you knew, didn't you?? Why didn't you tell me?!
<growing hysterical> I didn't need to see that!! Why didn't you tell me
that was going to happen??

SECRETARY: David, I didn't know! I really didn't!

DAVID: But you kept warning me like that. How could you not have known
about this if you kept warning me like that?

SECRETARY: It's like I said, I've seen lots of people come through here
and a lot of them left people behind too. Believe it or not, what
happened to you is nothing uncommon. It's called moving on, David.

DAVID: She.... she cheated on me! I can't believe this, I thought she
was in love with me and now she just... discards me for some other guy?

SECRETARY: You're doing it again, David.

DAVID: What?

SECRETARY: Forgetting that you're dead. <DAVID looks indignant> Well,
you are. Forgive me for being blunt, but your girlfriend can't remain
engaged to a corpse.

DAVID: That's a terrible thing to say!

SECRETARY: Well it's true! Look, your girlfriend has moved on in her
life. This relationship she's in now might be genuine, it might just be
an attempt to fill the gap that you left when you died. Either way,
she's trying to continue with her life even in your absence.

DAVID: But--

SECRETARY: What would you rather have her do? Keep weeping over you day
and night? She's got to go on, David -- And so do you.

DAVID: But I had so much. You don't know how much I loved her, and now
she's with some other guy! You just don't know what it's like.

SECRETARY: <Losing her composure> Don't ever say that I don't know what
it's like to be in love.

DAVID: I'm sorry. I didn't mean--

SECRETARY: It's ok. What I meant is that I know how you must be
feeling. You feel cheated and--

DAVID: I was cheated! I never asked to die! Why aren't I down there
with her instead of that... man? It's not fair! Oh please, please,
you've got to let me go back! I don't want to be dead, not even in
heaven!

SECRETARY: You're not in heaven, you are in extra-corporeal
transreality midpoint number--

DAVID: Oh shut up! I don't need to hear that again!

SECRETARY: I'm sorry, David. Look, if you were cheated by anything,
then it was a falling penny and it's hardly worthwhile to get mad at
that. <DAVID is unconvinced and turns away from her. She puts a hand on
his shoulder, trying to comfort him>. David. There are times, David,
when things just happen. No fate, no malice, no fairness or unfairness.
They just... happen, and there's nothing to be done about them. Here,
let me show you something... <she takes him by the arm and together
they exit>

END, SCENE 3



SCENE 4
Back in "the other room".  TOM and PAT start on opposite sides of the
room and pace silently back and forth. This continues for a while to
present an atmosphere of monotony and waiting.

TOM: I don't understand, isn't something supposed to happen?

PAT: <amused> Like what?

TOM: I don't know, some great pillar of white light shining down to
lead me into heaven or something?

PAT: Calm down, man.

TOM: Well it figures that you'd be in no hurry to get where you're
going.

PAT: You think I'm afraid?

TOM: Well admit it! We're obviously here, a waiting room between heaven
and hell. You've done nothing to earn your way into heaven, so how
could you possibly not be afraid of hell.

PAT: It's not that hard, Tommy boy. Where I go I go. Fear of the
inevitable is dumb. <there is a pause> Even if I was scared I wouldn't
let you know it.

TOM: Pride is the mark of a sinner.

PAT: Oh that's rich coming from mister "I'm going to heaven".

TOM: <taken aback by the accusation> Well I am! I worked hard for it. I
served my fellow man while I was on earth, I led a good life. I helped
a lot of people because I knew that it was the lord's will to do good.
And now, now that it's over and I'm here I'm ready to receive my
reward.

PAT: <suddenly seeming disgusted> Oh will you please shut up?

TOM: Excuse me?

PAT: You heard me. Did it ever occur to you that being pompous might be
just as big a sin in Heaven as it was on earth? All you ever talk about
is "my soul", "my reward". All those people you "helped", did they mean
anything to you besides a ticket into heaven?

TOM: But I didn't mean it like that!

PAT: Didn't you?

TOM: <honestly> No! I believed in helping people, I really did! But to
make it into heaven is the ultimate goal of mankind. It's why we do
what we do, all of us.

PAT: Not all of us.

TOM: Well, maybe not you. You never helped anyone in your life.

PAT: I've helped. It was a long time ago and I was a lot stupider, but
I did my part.

TOM: You spent your life inside a bottle of pills, you could never have
helped anyone.

PAT: I wasn't always on the drugs, believe it or not. There was even a
time before I knew they existed! Oh, I was a real piece of work back
then. Like you, always trying to help somebody out. I'd feel sorry for
a bum on the corner so I'd toss him some change, whatever I could
spare-- A block later I'd get mugged. Once it was even by the same guy!
But the next day I'd just do it again. Didn't take long, though, before
I started asking, I mean, if I was meant to do anything good in the
world, then the world would have let me do it, so why bother busting my
ass in the first place, huh? Maybe I did give up on life, on the world,
Mr. Wellman, but believe me, it gave up on me first. 'Sides, It's
better to have lived life my way, for a reason, for the experiences I
gained, than to have lived it your way all for some great reward on the
horizon.

TOM: But those "experiences" you gained were just chemical
hallucinations. They never did anything! How can you keep talking about
how life should be cherished when you never even lived it?

PAT: Well why should I have lived it, huh? What reason did I have? Your
dad dies, leaves you with a guilty conscience and a million bucks. My
dad dies, leaves me nothin', not jack. I was 8! Is that justice? My mom
just sat there. Hours every day, she just sat there... with that letter
in her hands. "Dear Mrs. Wyze, I have been given the sad duty of
informing you that your husband, John Wyze, has died bravely in the
service of his god and country. Enclosed are  dogtags and personal
effects". You lived life so high on the hog, you could never understand
what it was like to be me. Did you have to watch your mother waste away
after that? When you were a little kid, did you ever wonder why Mommy'd
come home after working two jobs and be angry at you? Did you have to
move from apartment to apartment when you couldn't pay the rent? Did
you? You never saw her. The way she worked and worked and worked. Every
day, I saw less and less of my mom and more and more of something that
scared me. She wasn't a woman anymore, she was a job, a robot. And
that's what your world does to people, Mr. Wellman <perhaps mocking the
"well" part of his name a bit> Reality hated me and I wasn't crazy
about it. I had every right to get away once in a while.

TOM: You coward.

PAT: What? Did you just call me a coward, church boy?

TOM: Yes, I did. You didn't get away from life, you ran away from it!
<disgustedly> Didn't you ever care for anyone? Your own mother! You saw
what happened to her and used it as an excuse to run away, scampering
off into a life of debauchery rather than trying to help. And all
because you couldn't handle what was going on around you!

PAT: Shut up!

TOM: But it's true! If you had really cared, if you had really tried to
live life, you could have made it better!  There's no excuse for
wasting your potential like that and it's people like you, who don't
want to bother with real life, that create the very world you hate!
You've failed, temporally and eternally all because you didn't have the
guts to deal with the world and face it, unfair or not! You couldn't
handle--

PAT: I could handle it fine! <unconvincingly> ...I just didn't want to.

TOM: <calmly, like a doctor giving a diagnosis> Your life was never
lived. It was all just wasted on shadows. Make no mistake, if one of us
is a hypocrite here, it's you, not me.

PAT: Or maybe us both.

TOM: No! You just won't lose, will you? Face it. I've earned my way
into heaven and you've got a ticket straight to hell. Call me a
hypocrite if you want,  I stand where I am. <stands in place for a
moment, looking purposefully off into the distance. Then, when nothing
happens, he tries to go through the DOOR, but finds it locked.
Frustratedly, he exits through the opening at back>

PAT: <yelling offstage at him>...only because you can't stand anywhere
else!  <now to herself> Huh. So this is it... I'm dead... Dead and
stuck in a waiting room. <pauses, thinking> I wonder what they'll say
to me once I uhh.. once I move on. I mean, how do you strike up
conversation at a judgment? Well, I guess there wouldn't be much
conversation, I mean, it's a judgment, right? What am I supposed to do,
just go in and say, 'Hey, God, what's up'? That probably wouldn't work
anyway. He or she or whatever the hell it is couldn't have a sense of
humor, I mean, look at what they do for fun around here! Create worlds.
Whoopee. Trees, flowers, birds and sunsets and skies... and then us.
What a crock. Square peg, round hole, 'ka-chung!' and 'have a nice day,
kids, you're on your own. There's war, famine and pestilence in the
fridge in case you get too comfortable'. <to the ceiling> Damn it, what
was the point? I tried! I really, really did try to do what you wanted,
but it's so hard! I tried to love my fellow man, but how do you love
the guy that lies to you, that beats you up and takes away all your
money? How do I love the people that killed my dad, never gave my mom a
break and made my life a living hell, huh? Can you blame me for wanting
to run away? Can you? If you do, then blame that Wellman guy too,
'cause he did the same thing! All he-- all we wanted was escape. He set
his eyes on the horizon so that he never had to look at where he was
and I-- don't even know where I set my eyes anymore. But do you hear me
up there?? Can you get what I'm saying? I'm sorry!! I tried and I
wasn't strong enough! <shouting, desperately> Do you hear me, God, I'm
sorry!!

<There is a pause, while all is silent. Then a bottle (assumedly the
beer she'd been asking for earlier) slides across the stage to her from
stage left. PAT, confused, looks at it, but then with quick
desperation, crawls over to it and begins trying to get the lid off. As
she is doing this, a PERSON enters from right, unnoticed by her. He
seems casual, almost whimsical, but still wise, mysterious and a bit
intimidating. He walks up behind her and speaks quizzically, almost
patronizingly, but not harshly>

PERSON: Why?

PAT:<startled>  Who are??--

PERSON: <putting a finger to his lips> Shhhh.  ...Why?

PAT: Why what?

PERSON: <getting up and circling around her to the other side. Then,
slowly pointing to the bottle> Why that?

PAT: What, this? I-- I wasn't going to drink it, I-- <the PERSON gives
her a questioning look> ...Ok, so I was going to drink it, so what?
Hey, who the hell are you, anyway??

PERSON: <seriously> Unimportant. I was just passing by, is all and I
could have sworn that I heard you saying, "I'm sorry"... sorry for
what?

PAT: Nothing...

PERSON: <quickly> Sorry for running away?

PAT: <reluctantly> Sorry for a lot of things. Who are--

PERSON: Then... <gestures to the bottle> why?

PAT: I don't know.. Well, I mean, why not? Yeah, I'm sorry about who I
am. I'm sorry about what the world is, and so far I'm not to crazy
about the way this place seems either, but it's the way things are.

PERSON: Is it?

PAT: <pauses, annoyed>  Yes.

PERSON:  <sighs, disappointedly> Then I suppose all is lost.... <he
rises and begins to leave>

PAT: Wait! ...What do you mean, all is lost?

PERSON: Well, you said it yourself. This is how things work, the way
they are. Nothing's going to change them, what a preposterous idea, and
so everyone is doomed to an existence as miserable as yours, it's all
so obvious now!

PAT: Well, that's how I see it, at least.

PERSON: And so you should!

PAT: Yeah, and I do, so... so I'm glad you agree with me.

PERSON: Oh, I do!

PAT: Good.

PERSON: Mmm-hmm.

<there is an awkward pause>

PAT:...well don't you disagree with me a little?

PERSON: <laughing> Now why would I want to do a thing like that? The
universe is unfair. Best that we just leave it alone and have as little
to do with it as possible...

<there is an even longer pause as the two sit together on the stage>

PAT:  ...So is this it, then?

PERSON: Shhh. You hold escape in your hands.. aren't you going to use
it?

PAT: <thinks, for a moment, then, resolutely and defiantly> No.

PERSON: Really? Why?

PAT: Because you want me to.

PERSON: Ahhh. Your infamous distrust of the world. I've changed my
mind, then. That bottle and it's contents are an abomination. It would
be wrong for you to drink it and so I order you not to do so.

PAT: What?

PERSON: You heard me. Do not drink that. <PAT does nothing,  just
stares at him> very good! You see I knew that you could be tamed.
<pauses for effect> The world has strings tied to you, Pat Wyze. And
you're led around like a puppet every day of your life and don't even
realize it.

PAT: <suddenly growing angry> Damn it, why are you doing this to me?
Everybody's out to use everybody else and you're just proving it! What
am I doing in a world like this? Why do I have to exist with people
like you? It doesn't make sense!  <frustrated, defeated> Why can't it
just all finally end?

PERSON: <mocking surprise> You would have it end?

PAT: In a second.

PERSON: Really?

PAT: <Frustratedly> Yes!

PERSON: That can be arranged.

PAT: What?

PERSON: Well, it's like I said, I agree with you completely. This whole
earth thing has been a bad idea from the beginning. I always thought
so. The way I see it, why not just flip the switch? End it all. One
word from me and then everything stops, simply ceases to exist. Think
of it! No more injustice, no more cruelty, no more wasted existences.
The perfect world, don't you think?

PAT: Yes... the perfect world.

PERSON: Then let's do it! I'll even let you do the honors! Just say the
word and-- "poof". All will be ended. What do you say?

PAT:<turning to him> I--

PERSON: Well?

PAT: It's-- well, it's just that it's a really big decision, y'know?

PERSON: You said yourself that you wanted it all to end. Go on, what
have you got to lose?

PAT: But... there's so much life--

PERSON: <quoting PAT> Life, what'd it ever do for you?

PAT: <her bitterness returning> Nothing.

PERSON: Then go ahead! End the universe! Think of all the kindnesses
you'll be doing for those who suffer! Think of all the justice you'll
be bringing upon those who inflict that suffering! It's a chance to get
back at them all! A chance to finally have revenge upon the reality you
hate and give it one good solid smack into oblivion for everything that
it did to you! How can you refuse??

PAT: <as though she is about to do it> Alright, I-- <then, not quite as
sure of herself> I-- <finally, shaking her head with almost desperate
resolution> I can't!!

PERSON: You can't?

PAT: No, I can't!

PERSON: Why not?

PAT: Because... maybe there's still hope!

PERSON: Hope? There's not hope, you were down there yourself! People
live their lives day by day either in ignorance, apathy, acceptance or
experience of the pain and suffering that goes on around them, how
could there be hope?

PAT: <struggling for an answer> I don't know... but maybe--

PERSON: Then why? I want to know, Patricia Wyze, why you can't end the
world?

PAT: Because it isn't my right! I can't just end what's going on down
there because of what happened to me! I mean, maybe, even if I couldn't
do it, maybe somebody will be able to! Maybe someday there'll be
somebody who's able to go without a single song written about her and
without a single story told in her honor and maybe she'll fix it all!
...or at least do something that's real! That's a hope! That's THE
hope, right? And isn't it enough? If I end that hope, then everything
else can't mean squat! Oh please, I can't! Don't make me do it!

PERSON: <Looks at PAT. Then, with a smile, almost of admiration, he
offers her a hand> Then perhaps all is not lost after all. <helps her
up> For the world, at least. As for you... with these thoughts inside
you, how could you have given up?

PAT: I-- I don't know. I mean, I wasn't the one. I tried!

PERSON: Once. You tried once, how many tries are worth a dream, Ms.
Wyze? How many failures worth one success? You went on one idealistic
crusade to save your world and when it came crashing down, all of your
faith that you might be the one came crashing down too, as though it
absolved you of the duty to do good. The world doesn't make things
hard, Ms  Wyze, but sometimes they are, nonetheless. That doesn't mean
that they shouldn't be done, though! Dreams are rarely easy to achieve,
but their realizations-- always worthwhile. You had a beautiful dream
down there, Pat, how could you have let it die?

PAT: I-- I'm sorry. <then, with more emphasis, almost desperate> I'm
sorry. Is there any hope left?

PERSON: That depends. Is one moment of posthumous courage, the courage
to see and face yourself as you really are, enough to make up for the
sacrifice of such a dream? Then again, Is one person who tried and
failed for the right reasons really worse than one who succeeds for all
the wrong ones? <pause> What do you think?

PAT: I don't know.

PERSON: Then hope. In the face of uncertainty, there is always room for
that. <begins to exit, upstage, left>

PAT: <quietly> ...thank you.

PERSON: No need for that. I can't save you, there is only one who can
do that. Good luck, Patricia... and goodbye.

PAT: Wait!-- Are you God?

<The PERSON opens his mouth as though to speak, but then just smiles,
enigmatically, and exits>

<lights go down, END, SCENE 4>



SCENE 5
The lights come up, fully illuminating only stage right where DAVID and
the SECRETARY are standing on a platform. The left side of the stage is
still dark, but movement can be seen and quiet, chaotic, voices can be
heard in the background.

DAVID: Is this what you brought me to see? I can't see anything!

SECRETARY: Don't look, listen:

<the dialogue in the background becomes more distinct and increases in
urgency until the commotion is cut by the cry of a baby>

DAVID: <shivers> What was that?

SECRETARY: The first sounds of a new spirit entering the world.

DAVID: <with some bitterness> My replacement?

SECRETARY:  ...not really. <the baby cries again> What does it sound
like?

DAVID: Terror. Like sheer terror.

SECRETARY: The natural reaction to being thrown into a new situation.
Is it going to stay like that?

DAVID: I hope not.

SECRETARY: It won't. It won't because it didn't. Those sounds are
yours, David. The sounds you made when you entered life cold naked and
helpless. Compared to that, death should be a picnic! <DAVID gives her
a look as if to say "this is NOT a good time for a joke"> Look, what
I'm saying is that you didn't want to live, at first, any more than you
wanted to die. Despite that, you accepted what you were forced to
accept and you adapted. You moved on, David, and that's what you've got
to do now. This is your rebirth! It's too exiting an event for you to
waste moping over a life, an event, that's passed. You've got to let
go!

DAVID: But I don't want to let go! It's too much, too much to give up
on! I spent my whole life working to make it bearable!  How can it all
be taken away now when I was just getting to like it? Is that just? Is
that the work of a loving creator? Is it??

SECRETARY: <calmly> No. It's the work of a penny. Look back at your
life and think about how much of our fortune, good and bad, is just the
result... of a penny. We always try to console ourselves by placing
blame for things, but sometimes there isn't any. We've just got to keep
on living in spite of that, in defiance of it, and try to find joy,
because otherwise there's nothing. Nothing but pain. Don't you see that
it's senseless to let what you can't control keep you from making the
best out of what you can?

DAVID: <suddenly angry, not at her, but at the everything in general>
Sense? Who cares about sense? Does any of this make sense to you?! Damn
it, just leave me alone! I don't care if it sends me straight to hell,
there's no way that I can just "let go" of it all! I can't pretend that
my life never happened, pretend that I wasn't cheated into death,
because I was! <a little more calmly> Look, I appreciate your sympathy,
I really do, but I'm tired! I'm tired of building up to the point where
I'm about to achieve what I want in life, and then having it all fall
apart. What point could there be to that? I'm sick of playing the
universe's game! If that's all that my life is, a game, a joke, then It
can't be worth living anymore. Even if I can't die, I'd just as soon
sit here for eternity than go on any longer. <sits down on the floor
and says, dejectedly and frustratedly> Just leave me alone!

SECRETARY: David, I--

DAVID: Please!

SECRETARY: <begins to argue, but realizes that he is resolute> Alright.
Goodbye, David... for now at least. Eventually, you're going to have to
leave the midpoint. There's nothing either of us can do about that, no
matter how stubborn you are. When the bell rings, everyone will meet in
the waiting room and exit this place. I won't see you after that, so
I'll wish you luck now-- Good luck, David.  <making one last appeal to
him> I was only trying to help.

<DAVID nods, but says nothing. SECRETARY  exits, sad>

END, SCENE 5.



SCENE 6
The scene is another section of the midpoint. It still has the white
and sterile look of the earlier locations, but it is distinctly
different. The white sheet in the background is a bit tattered and the
general feel is more messy than before. The area looks like it has been
forgotten about for some time. THOMAS enters:


TOM: <wanders about the stage for a short time> ...It certainly is easy
to get lost in this place. How long have I been walking? In what
direction? I don't even remember anymore. <to anyone who might hear>
Hello?? <no answer> Hello??? What am I supposed to do now? Where do I
go? <no answer>. <Searches around the stage some more> This isn't the
way it's supposed to be, is it? No white light, no pearly gates? Just
this?<to the ceiling> Where are you, God?? Why do you wait to take me
up with you? Have I not lived the righteous life?? Have I not done all
that is needed for salvation? How can I be abandoned after this?? <no
answer. THOMAS cries out> Lord, why hast thou forsaken me???  <a long
pause> ...Please, hear me! All my life, my faith has never wavered.
Even after father died and I was angry and spiteful of you, I never
once doubted that you were there! And now that I'm here, now that I
know you're real, why will you not show yourself to me? I've waited so
long for this prize! Is it fair for you to deny it me? <as if the
thought had only now occurred to him> It couldn't be, could it? That I
am unworthy of you? No! I endured life selflessly! I gave and I gave
and I gave all in anticipation of this. <Shouting, with conviction>
Lord, you MUST accept me! <after a pause, more humbly> ...please!  <no
answer> Are you angry, lord? <with bitterness> Or just ungrateful? What
am I to do if you refuse me my salvation? Was my whole life in vain?

<The PERSON enters from upstage left, behind THOMAS. He is not noticed
at first>

PERSON: Perhaps... nobody really knows, do they? In either case,
yelling at the ceiling's not going to help any.

TOM: <startled> Wha-- Who are-- Where did you come from?? I didn't see
any--

<PERSON smiles and crosses to the edge of the stage, where he sits
relaxedly>

PERSON: <pronouncing the word slowly and thoughtfully> Endured...What
an interesting word that is, don't you think?

TOM: ...Endured?

PERSON: Yes, endured. The very word that you yourself used in
describing your own life. <stopping to remember the quote accurately as
much as for effect> 'I endured life selflessly', I believe is how you
put it...

TOM: Well, yes, I... Who are you??

PERSON: Unimportant. <TOM starts to reply, but PERSON raises a hand to
stop him and smiles gently> What I want to know is-- why? Why was your
life so hum-drum that it had to be "endured" in the first place? I've
been watching you for quite some time now, Thomas, and it seems that
you had a very nice, I daresay highly endurable, life.

TOM: Well, I--

PERSON: Nice house?

TOM: Yes...

PERSON: Plenty of money? I mean, you certainly weren't starving in the
streets, were you?

TOM: Well no, but those are all material things! They don't mean
anything.

PERSON: Ah, so what you lacked, you lacked in spirituality?

TOM: <genuinely offended> No!

PERSON: Well what then? I'm so curious, Thomas I think I'm going to
burst! What then, was it that made your life such a burden that it had
to be "endured"?

TOM: Hmmph. I suppose you would have had me drop everything and just go
hang out in a pub somewhere?

PERSON: Well, maybe not in a pub. Somehow I don't think that nasty neon
lighting would bring out your eyes very well, but I mean, you could
have stopped to have a little fun once in a while, couldn't you?
Instead it was always work, work, work. Never any fun. Never
any...<trying to think of a word>

TOM: <with some scorn> Selfish indulgences?

PERSON: A-ha! Just the word I was looking for, selfish indulgences,
beautiful! Why never any of those? Why, with an entire lifetime on
earth, did you never, ever, stop to enjoy it?

TOM: Because it was unimportant! It was meaningless! <PERSON says
nothing> Life was nothing compared to this, nothing, it couldn't be! It
was my work was what was important, not life! The work was... was
right!

PERSON: <quickly> Why? What made it right?

TOM: God.

PERSON: <after a slight pause> God made it right?

TOM: Yes! It was God's will.

PERSON: "God's will"? And nothing more?

TOM: What more does one need? It was the will of God, the almighty,
that we should do the right and be favored by him on the final day.

PERSON: You mean today.

TOM: <looks around for a moment at his surroundings, then, with only a
hint of fear in his voice> I suppose so, yes.

PERSON: <walking behind THOMAS and suddenly sounding more serious> Tell
me something, Thomas, and I want you to think very, very carefully
about this: <pause> suppose, just suppose, Thomas, that this is heaven.
Suppose, Thomas, that this is also hell. Suppose that this <gestures
around them and practically whispers in his ear> ...is everything. No
God, no will, no punishment, <with emphasis> and no reward. Did all
your good deeds mean anything? Could they have meant anything without a
god to cast favor upon them? <THOMAS stares forward, silent> Could
they?? <PERSON hangs his head and sighs as Thomas continues to stare,
trembling silently>  Good for the sake of heaven, but not for the sake
of good. Oh poor, poor Thomas. Such hopes I had for you...

<PERSON turns and begins walking towards his exit @ upstage, left.
Thomas, without turning, speaks>

THOMAS: How dare you?!? How dare you attack me! <whirling to face him>
Oh I see right through you. I see right through you and your.. your
schemes to steal my faith! Get thee behind me, Satan!!  <PERSON says
nothing, but pauses and looks at THOMAS, who sinks to his knees,
crying> Oh please, please don't let it be true!! It can't be true! <to
the ceiling> Lord, where are you???? Show yourself and prove this liar
wrong, I beg of you!!! Oh please don't let it all have been in vain.

PERSON: Nothing is ever in vain but by our own allowance, Thomas.
Nothing. Perhaps your faith will save you yet... but I don't know.

<Lights go down, END, SCENE 6>



SCENE 7
The same location as Scene 5, only the stage is now bare except for the
platform at stage right.  DAVID is sitting solemnly on the ground at
center stage. At first, the only light is a spotlight that gradually
comes up on him. After a pause, this light goes down slightly and
another light comes up on the platform where the SECRETARY is sitting
at her podium/desk from Scene 1. She is sorting files of some sort. The
space between DAVID and the SECRETARY should be left dark to present a
sort of "split screen" effect. He is unaware of her side of the stage,
but we find out later that she is able to watch his. The light dims
slightly on DAVID's side as the action begins. The PERSON enters on the
SECRETARY's side. She seems annoyed by his presence. It is obvious that
she does not particularly like him. The PERSON is his usual sprightly,
mischievous self, but a little more casual with her than with the
others. He doesn't have to try and be enigmatic for the SECRETARY,
since she's a fellow "resident".

SECRETARY: <Noticing the PERSON> What are you doing here?

PERSON: Oh, just passing through. <There is a pause as the SECRETARY
waits for him to continue. He stays silent for a moment, baiting her,
but finally  gestures to DAVID> So how is that David fellow doing?

SECRETARY: Fine.

PERSON: He seems awfully... still.

SECRETARY: He's just being stubborn.

PERSON: So what now?

SECRETARY: <with a sigh> I don't know. I've tried being compassionate,
I've tried being blunt, he just doesn't understand that I'm trying to
help.

PERSON: All this time and I still don't understand you. Why is it that
every time one of these sob stories comes through here you always get
so sentimental?

SECRETARY: Because they remind me of me! When I first came through
here, I was just the way he is now. Lost. Only I didn't have anybody
there to help me through and it hurt. I want to help him, to make it
easier, but I'm running out of things to do.

PERSON: Did it ever occur to you that you can't help someone who's bent
on remaining helpless? <she gives him an icy look> You know, you're
going to have to let me see him sooner or later.

SECRETARY: I'm aware of that.

PERSON: <amused> You don't like how I do things, do you?

SECRETARY: You're cruel.

PERSON: Really? Up here, in the afterlife, everyone is judged according
to who they really are, but down there, in life, nobody even realizes
who they are, or if they do, they rarely have the courage to admit it
to themselves and do anything about it. If I wasn't here to do my job
and dare to ask them who they are deep down, then how could they
possibly stand judgment?

SECRETARY: But look what you did to Thomas Wellman! That man spent the
better part of his life trying to change the world. He did change the
world! Hungry people were fed because of him, hopeless people were
given hope because of him and yet--.

PERSON: All for the sake of himself! If the way to save his precious
soul had been to hurt those people he would have just as easily done
it, so why does he deserve thanks?

SECRETARY: Well it doesn't make him damnable.

PERSON: You don't have the authority to say that

SECRETARY: Nor do you have the authority to condemn the poor man!

PERSON: And I don't! I just come in and I do my job. Frankly I pity
whoever has to sort this bunch out. It's almost funny, you know? One
might have expected the universe to start making sense by now.
<throughout the scene, the lights have been slowly coming up on
DAVID's side of the stage and he has gotten up and begun pacing around.
The PERSON gestures towards him> Your friend seems to be getting
restless.

SECREATARY: <taking the hint> Fine, go and see him, but hurry up. These
papers are done and I'll be ringing the bell soon.

PERSON: <teasingly, perhaps hinting at her past> As you wish... M'lady.

<the SECRETARY flashes an annoyed glance at him as he leaves the
platform, grinning, and reemerges on DAVID's part of the stage,
unnoticed. Just as the PERSON is about to speak to DAVID, the SECRETARY
stabs at a button on her desk. A BELL TOLLS. He and the SECRETARY trade
glances once more and the PERSON tries to speak to DAVID again. They
are interrupted this time by a commotion from offstage, left. TOM
enters, frantic. He is frightened almost to the point of panic. No one
notices the PERSON>

TOM: No! It's time to go, they want to make me go, please, you can't
let them make me go!

DAVID: Wait, slow down, slow down! What's the problem?

TOM: I can't do it! I can't go on!

DAVID: <not quite grasping the situation> Why not?

TOM: Because I don't know! Because up until now, I always knew where I
was going, but now-- I don't know.

DAVID: What are you talking about? You're Thomas Wellman, how could you
not know where you're going?

TOM: Yes, I am, I'm Thomas Wellman, aren't I? That counts for
something, doesn't it?  But that man...

DAVID: What man?

TOM: A frightening spirit of a man, he told me that my life meant
nothing! That all that I did was wrong, selfish! <looking to DAVID for
hope> He can't be right, can he?

DAVID: <still not sure what to say> Well--

TOM: All I ever wanted was God's love. I prayed to him every night to
come and take me away, away from the world, to live with him, but he
never did. I tried to buy my way out of my guilt, drown myself in
riches, but it never worked. I didn't know what to do!

DAVID: Wait.. what guilt could you have possibly had?

TOM: The guilt of prosperity! The guilt of knowing that while I sat
there, well fed and rich, other people were suffering and dying all
around the world! Why me? What gave me the right? I had the guilt that
my father and so many other fathers would never see their children grow
up and that I couldn't do anything about it! I felt as close to hell as
one could be on earth, so I made a decision; I decided that I couldn't
live in a world that would make me feel guilty for my own success and
so I decided to change it. That's when I started the foundation. <TOM
expects some sort of reply from DAVID, but DAVID can't think of
anything to say>

DAVID: ...Go on.

TOM: Don't you see? That's it. I started the foundation, the hospital,
benefit funds left and right and still the world refused to be healed!
The suffering went on! The cruelty continued and I was helpless to stop
it! I tried to change the world, but then I realized that I couldn't do
it, couldn't fix it all. So I decided to save myself. The one,
salvageable man of goodness that I saw! I took solace in the fact that
in a world of evil, I was still good!! How can I be damned for that?

DAVID: Well, what did this 'man', say?

TOM: He said.. "Good for the sake of heaven, not for the sake of good".
He said that I was wrong to have done the right to save myself, not
simply to have done the right. Could he have been right? I screamed to
God to prove him wrong and not let my life have been in vain and he
didn't answer! What if I was wrong? I can't go on, I just can't go!!
Not after all this! I just-- <almost meekly> I'm so afraid!

DAVID: Well-- what if you were wrong? What if what you did didn't
justify your motive? Sitting here being afraid isn't going to help
anything. Maybe now, now that you've realized it, if you changed, there
could still be hope!

TOM: Change? How can I change? For so much of my life, this, <gestures
around him> the hope of my own salvation, was the cause of everything
that I did! It's too late, I've spent too much of myself on it, I can't
just drop it all now!

DAVID: Yes you can! What you were is in the past, you can't change
that, but you can <realizing what he's saying> ...you can move on if
you want to. Look, If there were nothing after this, then there'd be no
point in us being here, right? It can't simply end with heaven or hell.
How could eternity be that static? One more soul, saved at the last
minute, must be worth just as much as any other, don't you think?

TOM: I-- I don't know. <taking DAVID by the shoulders>  But I'm afraid!

DAVID: Then I'll stand with you, face judgment with you. You don't
deserve damnation. I'll vouch for that, and if you're willing to change
then I'll defy anybody who says otherwise.

TOM: You'd do that for me? What kind of man are you?

DAVID: <thinks for a moment> I have no idea. But I guess I'm going to
find out.
<The BELL tolls a second time> I think we should go <Tom nods>.

The pair exit left. The PERSON, from behind, watches DAVID
thoughtfully. He pauses, alone at center stage, then smiles and nods
with satisfaction. He exits, right.>

END, SCENE 7


SCENE 8: "The other room" again. DAVID and TOM  enter from the center.
PAT is waiting for them, already onstage.

PAT: You heard the bell?

DAVID: Yeah....So what now?

PAT: Looks like we wait.

TOM: Wait for what, though?

PAT: Whatever comes, I guess. It's kinda weird, you know?. I should be
afraid...but I'm not. All my life I've been so sure that the future had
nothing for me, but maybe.. maybe now that's all gonna change.

TOM: <about to wish her luck> I--

<He is interrupted when the SECRETARY's voice comes over an intercom
system, like someone announcing departures at the airport>

SECRETARY'S VOICE: Attention, guests of Extra-Corporeal Transreality
Midpoint, Number 283, all sectors: Your papers have been processed and
you are now ready to leave the midpoint. We hope that you have enjoyed
your stay here and wish you the best of luck in the future. Please exit
now to your left, and thank you for your patience. Goodbye.

<The DOOR at stage left opens. DAVID, TOM, and PAT all stand at center,
facing it>

DAVID: Wow... it's the beginning.

PAT: Of what?

DAVID: Another beginning, I guess.

PAT: Sure are a lot of those, aren't there?

TOM: Nothing's wrong with that-- <trying to sound hopefull> Its just
another chance to learn.

DAVID: <to TOM> Ready?

TOM: I suppose so. You?

DAVID: Yeah. Yeah, I am. I'll meet you on the other side, ok? <TOM
nods. DAVID exits>

<TOM and PAT are now alone. They look at each other for a moment, both
still hesitant about leaving>

TOM: I guess this is it then.

PAT: Yeah.

<After a moment they head for the exit simultaneously, but then notice
one another and stop, each waiting for the other to go through first.
They still speak with thinly veiled wariness about the future>

TOM: ...After you.

PAT: Oh no, after you.

TOM: <still with a hint of reluctance at leaving> Very well.
<sincerely> Good luck, Ms. Wyze. Whatever happens to us next, I-- I do
wish you the best.

PAT: <surprised> You too. <TOM exits>  I wish you the best, too. <PAT
hesitates for a moment, looks around one last time, and then exits as
well>

<Lights fade back up on the SECRETARY's desk where she sits arranging a
new batch of papers. The PERSON walks from right to left across the
stage sweeping the floor with a large pushbroom. On his way past the
door, he pauses and casually kicks it closed. The lights go out>

The End
Ende
Finis
Fin
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