Saturday, November 25, 2017

November 2017 Writing Challenge - #25 - Deaf and/or Disabled Characters

Write one of more characters that are d/Deaf and/or disabled. Not “just” a character that could be played by an actor who is d/Deaf and/or disabled—but a character that is.

Like, the subject should come up.

Some issues should come up. Heck, they could derail the play entirely… perhaps in a joyful way. Perhaps not.
But all my characters could be played by anyone!

Maybe.

Also.

It’s a bit of white washing if somehow magically in the world of your play (unlike the real world) there are no issues or problems for a person who is d/Deaf and/or disabled.  Just be aware of what issues are “important” enough to make it into your plays and what issues aren’t.

Bonus if you also work in one or more persons of color. Same rules apply.

While we’re all worthy and important individuals with unlimited capacities… the world is not set up to allow everyone to live to their full potential.  Almost everyone will have a disability before they die. The subject is universal.

************

Another challenge I want to take on, but later.
Right now, I'm still trying to fill in the blanks on material for the first draft of this love potion play.  So, another scene -

************

Everyone has gathered for the antidote.

AUGGIE is still hanging on to MICAH's hand.

SARAH has the vial with the antidote.

JEFFREY and DUNCAN are there to see if it works.

                          SARAH
OK, this is just gonna be weird.
Obviously it would have been better if we could have done this at home, or at least neutral territory.

                          AUGGIE
But I didn't want to leave Micah so -

                          SARAH
So we're doing it here.  At your place.

                          MICAH
So we're all just gonna have to roll with it.

                          JEFFREY
If it doesn't work, we'll get right back to work on the next attempt.

                          DUNCAN
And if it does -

                          AUGGIE
Then I'll leave with you and the baby.

                          SARAH
That's the plan.

                          MICAH
So we should probably say goodbye.

                          AUGGIE
I don't think I want to.

                          DUNCAN
Nobody's dying.

                          SARAH
But this is ending.  If not now, then on the second attempt or the third or whatever.

                          JEFFREY
We're not sure how you're going to feel immediately after.  It's probably going to be disorienting.

                          AUGGIE
So if I want a proper goodbye -

                          DUNCAN
Now's your shot.

                          AUGGIE
Is it wrong that I'm scared?

                          MICAH
No, I'm scared, too.

                          SARAH
We're all scared.

                          DUNCAN
Look, if we're doing this -

                          AUGGIE
Right.  OK.
I want to kiss you.

                          SARAH
Because of course you do.

                          MICAH
You really shouldn't.
We really -

                          SARAH
I'll turn my back.
But I'm not leaving the room.

                          DUNCAN
Same.

                          JEFFREY
Yeah.

SARAH, DUNCAN, and JEFFREY look away.

                          AUGGIE
Whatever happens -

                          MICAH
Yeah.

                          AUGGIE
Do you not want me to?

                          MICAH
I'm not sure whether you kissing me is gonna make it easier or more difficult but - if you feel like you need to -

AUGGIE nods.

MICAH nods back.

AUGGIE kisses MICAH.

It's not dirty, but it's deliberate and a little desperate.  He lays claim to him.  By the time AUGGIE's done, MICAH's wrecked.

MICAH tries to compose himself, clears his throat.

                          MICAH (cont'd)
OK.  Done.

SARAH takes a deep breath and turns around.

So do JEFFREY and DUNCAN.

SARAH presents AUGGIE with the antidote.

                          SARAH
Here you go.

AUGGIE takes the vial, hesitates.

                          JEFFREY
Bottoms up.
Oh.  Wow.  Sorry.  Word choice.

                          MICAH looks at AUGGIE.

                          MICAH
I'm sorry.

                          MICAH looks at SARAH.

                          MICAH (cont'd)
I'm sorry.

                          SARAH
If this works, we're just gonna leave.

                          MICAH
Understood.

                          AUGGIE
     (to MICAH)
I love you.

                          MICAH
I love you, too.

                          AUGGIE
Goodbye.

AUGGIE takes the antidote.

Everybody waits.

                          JEFFREY
How long - ?

                          MICAH
When it took hold, it was pretty quick so -

                          SARAH
Auggie?

                          AUGGIE
I'm feeling a little wobbly.

                          DUNCAN
Take a couple of deep breaths.

                          JEFFREY
We're all right here.

AUGGIE looks at SARAH.

                          AUGGIE
Sarah.

                          SARAH
I'm right here.

AUGGIE takes a couple of halting steps toward her.

                          AUGGIE
The baby.

                          SARAH
Baby's right here, too.  Give or take six months.

AUGGIE walks up to SARAH, touches her face.

Then he puts a hand on her belly.

There's a pause.

                          AUGGIE
We should probably go home.

                          SARAH
Yeah.  OK.
You don't need to do anything else here?

AUGGIE looks around at JEFFREY, DUNCAN,

and MICAH.

                          AUGGIE
No.

MICAH puts on an encouraging smile.

                          MICAH
You go on.  Everything's fine.

                          DUNCAN
Well -

                          JEFFREY
Under the circumstances.

                          DUNCAN
OK.

                          SARAH
We'll all talk again.
Later.
Auggie and I will talk.
Then we'll all talk.
I'll let you know.

AUGGIE clings to SARAH just a little.

                          SARAH (cont'd)
Could one of you get the door?

                          DUNCAN
Sure.

He does.
They stand aside as SARAH and AUGGIE head out the door.

                          SARAH
     (to DUNCAN)
Thanks for the assistance.
     (to JEFFREY)
Thanks for helping fix the mess you made.

She doesn't have anything to say to, or turn back to, MICAH.

SARAH and AUGGIE are gone.

                          JEFFREY
     (to MICAH)
You gonna be OK?

                          MICAH
That's a question I don't really have an answer for yet, but you should go.
I'll be OK.  In general terms.  Don't worry.

                          JEFFREY
I'm sorry.

                          MICAH
Things are back to normal.  -ish.
And I'm the dumbass who used the love potion.  You don't have anything to be sorry for.

                          DUNCAN
That's generous of you -

                          JEFFREY
But not entirely accurate.

                          MICAH
I did this to myself.  And Auggie.  And Sarah.  No one to blame but myself for what just happened.
But thank you, for trying to help shoulder the bunder a little with me.  You're a good friend.  Better than I've been to you.

                          JEFFREY
That's not true.

                          MICAH
     (to JEFFREY)
So, Duncan?

                          JEFFREY
     (a little sheepish)
Yeah.

                          DUNCAN
     (not at all sheepish)
Yeah.

JEFFREY is relieved when DUNCAN puts an arm around him.

                          MICAH
Good for you.

                          JEFFREY
Yeah.
I need a little assistance with the magic stuff.  Clearly.
And, you know -

                          MICAH
Yeah, I know.  Go on, you two, get out of here.
I'm good.  I'll be good.  You know, eventually.

                          JEFFREY
See you.  Soon.

                          MICAH
When Sarah convenes us all again.

                          JEFFREY
Call if you need to.  Before, or after.

                          MICAH
I've got your number.  Go, already.  Please.

                          DUNCAN
See you soon.

                          MICAH
I'll be getting a full report on you, sir.

                          DUNCAN
I don't doubt it.

                          JEFFREY
Bye.

                          MICAH
Bye.

DUNCAN and JEFFREY go.

MICAH is alone.

The room feels very empty.

He stands, not knowing what to do.
Or think. 
Or feel.



(to be continued)




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