copyright © 2003 Dave Ulrich
"Poor Little Fuckers"
By, Dave Ulrich
LIGHTS UP.
TEE bounds in from the center aisle.
JENNI is stage right holding a lollipop and looking
annoyed.
WENDY is near her but somewhat upstage holding
an empty box.
This is all chaotically fast.
TEE
Right okay, Jenni, suck the lollipop like it's better than
the best one you've ever had. No smart ass cock-mastering,
either, goddammit. If it's read sexual, I want it to be the
audience's own perversion -- not what we played. Wendy: pay
attention. And remember, when we get the plant, it will be
this tall --
(indicates with his hands)
So if you hold it there, we can't see your face. And Frank: I
love you, but what the fuck? We tech tomorrow, so this is it.
FRANK
Well, you can't give me twenty-five changes for one speech in
one shot and think I'm going to...
TEE
Okay, I'm going to repeat myself.
(to the house)
Tommy, note that I'm repeating myself.
(to the three on stage)
We -- tech -- tomorrow.
WENDY
(confidentially to Jenni)
After three weeks I think we can do this sleeping.
TEE
Frank. Tell me sincerely, do you know what you're doing?
FRANK nods.
TEE (CONT'D)
We could go back to table work if you want. But I think I'd
have a heart attack because we tech to-mor-row.
FRANK
(agitated)
All right Tee, can we just do it again?
TEE
Okay. Let's go. Ladies, remember what you're doing -- just
because you're not speaking doesn't mean you're not watched.
JENNI
We know, Tee.
TEE
Then let's see it this time.
TEE bounds back down the aisle into the house and
spins around, folds his arms, and watches the stage.
Without turning:
TEE
Tommy, shout "Lights up," whenever you're ready.
TOMMY
Lights up.
FRANK
(a beat)
Little Johnny was eleven when his ma died, I just 'bout took
him in myself. When his Gram came down...
TEE
(shouting)
His who? I lost it.
(beat)
Keep going.
FRANK
(louder)
When his Gram came down, I was almost a little sad, you know?
Here's this little guy gonna need to learn the street. Gonna
need to survive and his Gram...
TEE
All right, let's stop there.
JENNI
Why?
TEE
About ten beats went by and you hit about one and a half.
WENDY
Ten beats? It was, like, three sentences...
TEE
(returning to the stage)
Three sentences that weren't filled.
FRANK
(with sarcasm)
Then maybe I don't know what I'm fucking doing. What do you
want, Tee? How can I make this work for you?
TEE
Why's it so hard Frank? He's a brash bastard telling some
poor little fucker story. Turns out he's got a heart.
FRANK
If it's that simple, where are all these beats coming from?
TEE
Well, it should be from here, Frank.
He clutches his heart.
FRANK
Are you kidding me?
TEE
Do you have a problem with the play?
FRANK
It's not a play, Tee. It's three minutes long. When it's
three minutes, it's a fucking piece.
TEE
If you treat it like that you are disrespecting the work.
FRANK
The work? It's a three minute piece -- that you wrote.
TEE
If you can't handle it Frank, I'll have Jenni do it and I'll
suck the cock.
JENNI
Lollipop.
TEE
Stay out of this!
WENDY
Don't yell at her.
TOMMY
(from offstage)
And... scene.
TOMMY bounds on to the stage.
TOMMY (CONT'D)
That was good.
(to WENDY)
Gina, remember, if you're being told to keep the box lower
because the plant will be tall, you need to hold it high.
(to FRANK)
Ben: louder, faster, angrier.
(to JENNI)
Sara: You should cock master it. You're pissed -- be a smart
ass.
(to TEE)
And Cecil, that was perfect.
WENDY
And -- scene. Okay.
(to TEE)
Dick, don't forget to move toward Michelle to take the
lollipop...
(to TOMMY)
That was good, Bill, but wait a little longer before you come
in.
TOMMY
A Merchant Ivory pause or a 2001 pause?
WENDY
Bergman.
TOMMY
I don't know who that is.
LIGHTS BEGIN FADING OUT.
JENNI
And -- scene. Okay, the play within the play within the play
within the play could be clearer, but overall...
FRANK
The lights are fading out, and --
ALL
Scene.
BLACKOUT.
THE END
"Poor Little Fuckers"
debuted at No Shame Theater (Los Angeles) June 06, 2003, directed by J.J. Hickey, with the following cast:
TEE - Christopher Clarke
FRANK - Anthony Backman
WENDY - Dave Berman
JENNI - Amy Lynn Pigott
TOMMY - Aaron Cain
"Poor Little Fuckers"
IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE
DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED, PRINTED OR PERFORMED
WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
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