,,,(set: $CERAAWARENESS to "0")
(if:visits is 1)[ (set: $TEA to "1")
IF RED:
IF BLUE:
BOTH:
ROSALIA LEAVES TO GET CERA'S CAKE.
KRIS AND ETHAN TALK.
ROSALIA IS LEAVING TO GET THE CAKE FOR CERA'S PARTY. SHE WANTS IT GO WO WELL.
IDRECTORS WHITE BOX IS SAID LATER TO BE CAKE IT IS EITHER IS OR ISN'T THSI IS A REFENCE TO THE CAKE IS A IIE
ROSALAIA IS RELIVED, SINCE SHE COULDN'T GET THE
ROSALIA ENTERS THE HOUSE, MAKES
WAKE / SLEEP IN NOT OCOFFREE OR TEA
ROSALIA ENTERS, HAS CONVERSATION ABOUT BIRTHDAY.
SHE ASKS ABOUT HIM, AND IS SUSPICOUS OF HIS BACKGROUND. SHE IS WILLING TO PROTECT HER FRIENDS FROM DANGER, AND HAS HEARD KRIS SPEAK OF ETHAN'S TROUBLES. ETHAN: GAME NIGHT?
ROSALIA: YEAH. I THOUGHT YOU COUD INVITE SOME FRIENDS OR SOMETHING. SEEING AS I HAVE ONLY... MAYBE TWO. OR ONE.
ETHAN: OR ONE?
ROSLAIA: WELL ALL KRIS DOES IS WORK, HE DOESN'T
ETHAN: OH YOU KNOW HE'S NOT JUST WORKING. HE'S DEFINITELY RECHARGING LIKE SOME SORT OF ROBOT. I GUARANTEE IT.
ROSLAIA: "ANYWAY, WILL YOU CALL SOME FRIENDS? WHAT ABOUT xxxx AND xxxx? THEY WERE FUN AT CERA'S SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION DAY AT TELIGENT.
ETHAN: "THEY REALLY MISSED WITH THE SPELLING OF INTELLIGENT.
WAIT, WHY WERE YOU THERE?
ROSALIA: (QUEITLY, AS IF TO HERSELF) "I SHOULD DRINK MY TEA."
ETHAN: IF ONLY THE HOUSE WOULD PLAY LAUGH TRACKS AFTER I SPOKE THEN MAYBE PEOPLE WOULD LAUGH AT MY JOKES.
FROM A SPEAKER ONSTAGE, A LAUGH TRACK SOUNDS.
ROSALIA: "DID YOU... PLAY THAT AFTER YOUR OWN JOKE?
ETHAN: "WHAT? OF COURSE NOT! DO YOU GUYS LIVE IN A SMART HOUSE OR SOMETHING? LIKE A ARLEXA? ARLEXA, STOP LAUGHING.
KRIS ENTERS FROM HIS ROOM.
KRIS: "WHAT COINCIDENTAL TIMING. MY APOLOGIES, I WAS WATCHING A VIDEO CALLED 'TRY NOT TO LAUGH CHALLENGE VOLUME ONE". I DID NOT SUCCEED IN THE CHALLENGE.
ETHAN: "DISSAPOINTING."
KRIS: "NOT AT ALL. I WILL RE-ATTEMPT IT AT A LATER TIME."
ROSALIA: "
*******
(if:$COFFEE is 1)[ROSALIA MOVES TO THE KITCHEN, SEARCHING FOR. COFFEE.
ROSALIA ENTERS, NOTICES ETHAN'S FRUSTRATED APPEARANCE.
SEARCHES FOR COFFEE TO MAKE FOR ETHAN. SHE SEARCHES FOR HER TEA.
ROSALIA: "OH, IS THERE ANY COFFEE LEFT, ETHAN?"
ETHAN: "CERA MADE IT, I DON'T KNOW."
ROSALIA: OH, ETHAN, IS THERE ANY COFFEE LEFT?
ETHAN: I DON'T KNOW, CERA MADE IT.
ROSALIA: OH. WELL, YOU KNOW IT'S HARD FOR KRIS TO WAKE UP WITHOUT IT. YOU KNOW HOW IT IS.
ETHAN: (FACING THE TV) RIGHT.]
ROSLAIA: "WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE TV OVER THERE?"
ROSALIA CALLS A REPAIR TECHNITION FOR THE TV. ROSALIA THEN MAKES KRIS COFFEE. ]
[[DRINK]]
[[DON'T DRINK]]
(if:$PILLS is 2)[ COFFEE OR TEA, WITH NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. ETHAN POURS HIS OWN DRINK, AND SITS SIPPING IT. CERA DOES NOT ENTER, OR IS SEEN DURING CURTAIN CALL OR FOR ANY POST SHOW INTERACTIONS. END.]
'DIRECTOR' ENTERS FROM AUDIENCE SEATING AND HEADS FRONT STAGE WITH THE CONFIDENCE AND SHOWMANSHIP OF AN EXPERIENCED MANAGER. HE WELCOMES THE AUDIENCE AND INTRODUCES THEM TO THE VOTING SYSTEM OF THE PERFORMANCE. HE PRESENTS THEM WITH THEIR FIRST CHOICE, COFFEE OR TEA. THE AUDIENCE HAS A SET AMOUNT OF TIME TO CHOOSE (15s). DURING THIS TIME, OMINOUS MUSIC BEGINS TO THE SOUND OF A TICKING MARKING THE PASSAGE OF TIME.
IF PASSAGE VISITS ARE GREATER THAN 1, LINK TO DOORBELL RINGING.
ETHAN ASSURES KRIS, AND OPENS THE DOOR. THE TECHNICIANS COME INTO THE HOME.
THE ORDERLIES KNOCK ON THE DOOR, ENTERING FOR CERA'S PARTY.
(if:$ROSALIA is "ABSENT")[ROSALIA + CERA COME TO DOOR. CERA VENTS ABOUT HER SENSATION OF BEING WATCHED OR FEAR OF INVADERS IN THE HOME.
CERA: I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO JUST BE HOME AND-
ROSALIA: UH-HUH...
CERA ENTERS QUICKLY]
THEY HAVE A BOX WITH THEM. THEY PLACE IT ON THE COFFEE TABLE. IT INSIDE AND IT IS REVEALED LATER TO BE CAKE.
[[THE BIRTHDAY PARTY]]
(if:$SOMETHING is "SOMETHING")[KRIS WARNS ETHAN OF THE DOOR, TELLING HIM THAT HE DOES NOT WANT IT TO BE OPENED, AND HE WOULD HAVE A 'BAD FEELING' ABOUT IT, AN EXPRESSION ETHAN HAD USED BEFORE AS THE CONSEQUENCE OF CHOOSING KRIS NOT TO DRINK HIS COFFEEE. !!!!!!
A CONSEQUENCE OF CHOSING COFFEEE, SINCE KRIS IS "OUT" SINCE ETHAN DRANK THE LAST CUP. ONCE ETHAN DRINKS THE LAST CUP, KRIS WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HAVING THE LAST CUP STOLEN. KRIS WILL SIMPLY CONSIDER KRIS FOR A MOMENT, DECIDING NOT TO MAKE IT A BIG DEAL. IF ROSALIA IS IN THE ROOM, SHE WILL NOTICE THIS, AND POINT IT OUT TO ETHAN. THIS DISRUPTS THE COMMUNICATION AND HARMONY IN THE ROOM, CAUSING ANOTHER SURPRESSION OF KRIS'S LATER COMMUNICATION THAT SOMETHING BAD WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN AT THE DOOR AND HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO OPEN IT.
[[THE BIRTHDAY PARTY]]
KRIS GOES STOIC, AND ATTACKS ETHAN AS HE LOCKS THE DOOR. ETHAN AND KRIS ENGAGE IN A STRUGGLE. ETHAN IS SURPRISED BY KRIS'S STRENGTH AND AGILITY. KRIS DELIVERS A SWITFT KICK TO ETHAN WHO IS QUICKLY KNOCKED TO THE FLOOR. ETHAN IS STUNNED, LYING ON THE FLOOR GASPING FOR BREATH. A RED WASH BLINKS IN ALTERNATING MOTIONS. KRIS ALLOWS THE TWO ORDERLIES IN. TECHNICIAN APPRAOCHES KRIS, OPERATING A CIRCULAR INTERFACE ON ETHAN'S LEFT TEMPLE. IT BLINKS IN ERROR.
(set: $DRINK to "TEA")
A RED WASH BLANKETS THE LIVING ROOM.
ETHAN ENTERS FROM HIS ROOM WITH A TEA KETTLE. HIS FACE IS STILL AND MOVEMENTS STOIC AND CALCUALTED. HE SETS THE KETTLE ON THE KITCHEN TABLE, AND EXITS TO HIS ROOM.
RED
- ETHAN TOOK THE DRUG, RESULTING IN A LESSENING OF HIS WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS AND AN INCREASE IN HIS AWARENESS.
- THE BLUE CUP SHATTERS
- ETHAN AND CERA HAVE A POSITIVE INTERACTION.
- ROSALIA ENTERS, DISCUSSION ON BIRTHDAY WITH ETHAN- SHE IS SKEPTICAL OF HIM, KNOWING HIS PAST.
-KRIS ENTERS
- ETHAN DID NOT TAKE THE DRUG. HE IS EXPEREINCING WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS AND IRRITIABILTIY.
- CERA DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD INTERACTION WITH ETHAN. SHE LEAVES ANNOYED AT ETHAN.
- KRIS ENTERS FIRST, SCARES ETHAN, WHO DROPS THE CUP. KRIS ASKS ETHAN HOW LONG ITS BEEN. ETHAN PLAYS COY AT FIRST, BUT ULTIMATELY ADMITS IT'S ONLY BEEN A WEEK. THEY TALK BREIFLY ABOUT THE DRUG.
- ROSALIA ENTERS SECOND, READY TO LEAVE TO GET THE CAKE. AFTER THIS, ETHAN ASKS KRIS FOR ADVICE. HE WANTS TO MAKE UP FOR HIM BEING A JERK TO CERAH ON HER BIRTHDAY. KRIS UNDERSTANDS, AND AGREES TO HELP HIM.
CERA ENTERS LIVING ROOM FROM HER BEDROOM, HABITUALLY APPRAOCHING THE KITCHEN TABLE. SHE POURS THE TEA INTO THE BLUE MUG IN A CABINENT THAT FACES AWAY FROM THE AUDIENCE. SHE WALKS TO ETHAN WITH THE CUP, OFFERING IT TO HIM.
CERA ENTERS THE ROOM FROM HER ROOM, HABITUALLY APPRAOCHING THE KITCHEN TABLE. CERA SEEMS IN A HURRY. SHE IS DRESSED IN PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE, HER HAIR MADE UP AND FACE IN HASTILY BUT WELL-PRACTICED MAKEUP. SHE POURS THE BEVERAGE KRIS LEFT ON THE TABLE EARLIER.
ETHAN: ROUGH MORNING?
CERA IS STARLTED BY HIS PRESENCE. SHE GASPS IN SURPRISE, ACCIDENTLY DROPPING THE BLUE CUP. IT SHATTERS ON THE GROUND.
(SIMULTENOUSLY)
CERA: DON'T WORRY, I'LL GET IT
ETHAN: I'LL CLEAN IT, I'M SORRY
BOTH CHUCKLE POLITELY FOR A MOMENT. ETHAN KNEELS, PICKING UP THE SHARDS OF THE MUG. THEY TALK AS CERA CROSSES TO THE KITCHEN TO GET A CLEAN TOWELL, BROOM, AND DUSTPAN.
ETHAN: YOU LOOK ALL DRESSED UP FOR WORK, I DON'T WANNA MAKE YOU LATE OR ANYTHING.
CERA: THAT'S NICE OF YOU, I AM RUNNING A LITTLE BEHIND. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I'M SO SORRY, I GUESS I JUST FORGOT YOU'RE STAYING HERE. (PLACING THE BROOM + DUSTPAN LEANING AGAINST THE TABLE.
ETHAN: (SHRUGGING) I'M TOLD BEING FORGETTABLE IS MY BEST ATTRIBUTE.
CERA: OH, NOT AT ALL... (HOLDING OUT THE TOWELL) I'M SORRY- NATHAN?
ETHAN: ETHAN.
CERA: RIGHT, ETHAN. SORRY. I'M CERA.
ETHAN: YOU DON'T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE, I JUST APPRECIATE YOU GUYS LETTING ME STAY. IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU, KRIS HAS TOLD ME ALL ABOUT YOU, SO....
CERA: DID HE?
CERA: WELL, I CAN'T BE LATE.
ETHAN: I GOTTA FRESHEN UP ANYWAY.
ETHAN LEAVES TO FRESHEN UP.
]
[[DRINK / DON'T DRINK]] THIS ACTION REPLCES
ETHAN RUSHES FOR THE GUN. HE KEEPS IT POINTED TOWARD KRIS AS HE MOVES BACKWARDS TOWARD THE DOOR, LOCKING IT. THE ORDERLIES RESPOND TO THIS BREIFLY BEFORE LEAVING ALTOGHETER. ETHAN AND KRIS STAND STILL. THE LIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR FADES, LEAVING THE TWO ALONE. KRIS REACTS TO THE SITUATION WITH NO SURPRISE, BUT KEEPS HIS FOCUS ON KRIS. HIS HANDS ARE HELD UP MEEKLY, OFFERING NO RESISTANCE. HE SPEAKS CALMLY.
KRIS: "JUDING FROM YOUR STANCE, IT WOULD SEEM YOU DO NOT TRUST ME AND VIEW ME AS SOME SORT OF THREAT. MAY I ASK WHY?"
ETHAN: "I'M NOT SURE YET."
THEY ARE SILENT FOR A MOMENT.
KRIS: "MAY I OFFER A SUGGESTION?"
ETHAN: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"
KRIS: "IT WOULD PROBABLY BE WITHIN YOUR BEST INTERSTS TO ANSWER THE PHONE."
SUDDENLY THE PHONE RINGS. ETHAN DOES NOT MOVE. THE CHOICE SHOWS ON SCREEN.
ETHAN: "WHO'S CALLING? IS IT THEM?"
KRIS: "IT IS MOST LIKELY ROSALIA."
ETHAN: "BUT HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY-"
ETHAN IS INTERUPPTED BY THE PHONE'S RING FOR A MOMENT. HE SIGHS, FRUSTRATED. KRIS CONTINUES.
KRIS: "IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF KNOWING. RATHER, IT IS MERELY PROBABLY FOR ROSALIA TO BE CALLING ABOUT CERA. BY THIS TIME, IT IS LIKELY FOR HER TO HAVE FOUND CERA BY NOW."
ETHAN: "HOW CAN YOU CALCULATE SOMETHING LIKE-"
(if:$COFFEE is 1)[
ETHAN: "HOW CAN YOU CALCULATE SOMETHING LIKE-"
ETHAN IS INTERRUPTED BY THE PHONE AGAIN. KRIS, STOIC, ANSWERS HIS QUESTION AS THE RING FADES.
KRIS: THIS MORNING ROSALIA MENTIONED SHE WOULD CALL LATER AFTERING FINDING CERA.
ETHAN: I SUPPOSE SHE COULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
KRIS: ROSALIA IS LIKELY TO BE UNDER THE ASSUMPTION YOU WOULD REMEMBER SHE WOULD CALL, AND WOULD LIKELY BE UPSET IF YOU DON'T-
ETHAN: OKAY, KRIS, YOU GOT ME.]
phone call
ROSALIA PHONE CONVERSATION BY CERA AND NURSE ORDERLY. CERA IS MANIC, MENTIONING EYES WATCHING HER AND REFUSING TO TAKE MEDICATION. CERA WANTS TO GO HOME, BUT THE NURSE WOULD RATHER HER STAY FOR 'OBSERVATION'. DISTURBED, ROSALIA ASKS ETHAN WHAT HE THINKS SHOULD BE DONE. ETHAN CAN REPLY COME HOME OR STAY THERE.
ROSALIA ON A CELL PHONE
ROSALIA: "CERA WANTS TO LEAVE, SHE DOESN'T EVEN WANT TO LOOK AT THE NURSE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO."
KRIS: "WE ALL HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE."
KRIS'S QUESTION IS INTERUPPTED BY THE LOUD SOUND. HE WAITS FOR THE NEXT MOMENT.
KRIS: "PERHAPS THE MACHINE CAN GET IT?
ETHAN SAYS NOTHING, KEEPING THE GUN STEADY.
(set: $DRINK to "COFFEE")
A BLUE WASH BLANKETS THE LIVING ROOM.
KRIS ENTERS FROM HIS ROOM WITH A COFFEE POT AND A RED MUG. HIS FACE IS STILL AND MOVEMENTS STOIC AND CALCUALTED. HE SETS THE POT ON THE TABLE, AND EXITS TO HIS ROOM.
CERA: ROUGH NIGHT?
ETHAN: MORE LIKE EARLY MORNING.
CERA: I DIDN'T HAVE THE BEST MORNING EITHER.
SHE POURS THE COFFEE INTO THE RED MUG.
SHE WALKS TO ETHAN WITH THE RED MUG, OFFERING IT TO HIM. HE DRINKS IT.
"I'M ABOUT TO HEAD OUT TO WORK, BUT WOULD YOU LIKE SOME TEA?
ETHAN IN BAD MOOD AND IS ASKS ABOUT BATTERIES INSTEAD OF HER CONVERSATION.
(SIMULTENOUSLY)
KRIS: DON'T WORRY, I'LL CLEAN IT UP
ETHAN: I'LL GET IT, I'M SORRY
ETHAN BENDS DOWN TO START CLEANING UP THE MESS.
KRIS: (CHUCKLES) YOU SEEM A LITTLE ON EDGE. YOU DOING OKAY?
ETHAN: YEAH, JUST
ETHAN: "I'M NOT REALLY INTO THAT HERBAL STUFF."
ROSALIA: "NOT HARDCORE ENOUGH FOR YOU?"
ETHAN: "
ROSALIA FEARS THE RED DRUG BECAUSE CERA'S LIFE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO IT
CERA: THEY'RE FOR ANXIETY. YOU KNOW I HAVE SEVERE ANXIETY.
ETHAN: THAT'S WHAT MINE WERE FOR TOO.
CERA: (FRUSTRATED SIGH) "WELL, I'M LEAVING, I DON'T WANT TO BE LATE.
(set: $AWARENESS_CERA to 1)
ETHAN: SANDRA, RIGHT?
CERA: CLOSE, I'M CERA.
ETHAN: THAT'S RIGHT. MY BAD. I'M TERRIBLE WITH NAMES.
CERA:
[[DRINK / DON'T DRINK]]
- ETHAN DID NOT TAKE THE DRUG. HE IS EXPEREINCING WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS AND IRRITIABILTIY.
- CERA DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD INTERACTION WITH ETHAN. SHE LEAVES ANNOYED AT ETHAN.
- KRIS ENTERS FIRST, SCARES ETHAN, WHO DROPS THE CUP. KRIS ASKS ETHAN HOW LONG ITS BEEN. ETHAN PLAYS COY AT FIRST, BUT ULTIMATELY ADMITS IT'S ONLY BEEN A WEEK. THEY TALK BREIFLY ABOUT THE DRUG.
- ROSALIA ENTERS SECOND, READY TO LEAVE TO GET THE CAKE. AFTER THIS, ETHAN ASKS KRIS FOR ADVICE. HE WANTS TO MAKE UP FOR HIM BEING A JERK TO CERAH ON HER BIRTHDAY. KRIS UNDERSTANDS, AND AGREES TO HELP HIM.
KRIS IS SHOT BY ETHAE, REVEALIEG HE IS AE AEDROID
(set: $KRIS to "SHOT")
[[SWALLOW PILLS]]
[[HIDE PILLS]]
(set: $CERA to "SHOT")
DIRECTOR IPLORES ETHAN TO HEED THE ORDERLIES WARNING. SHE CLAIMS CERA IS PSYCHOTIC AND HAS BEEN POISONING ETHAN'S (TEA IF TEA; COFFEE IF COFFEE) DRINK OF CHOICE EARLIER IN THE SHOW.
ESCALATION TO TENSION DUE TO CERA AND ROSALIA'S PRESENCE.
BLACKOUT: SOUND OF GUN. ''OMINOUS MUSIC BEGINS''. CERA EXITS OFFSTAGE IN THE DARKNESS.
FULL BLUE WASH ONSTAGE. IN SHOCK, ETHAN STAGGERS TOWARDS THE LIVING ROOM COUCH. IN THE BACKGROUND, THE ORDERLY ENSEBLE STARTED EFFICIENTLY RESTORING THE STAGE TO ITS FIRST APPEARANCE DURING THE "COFFEE OR TEA" SCENARIO. IN A REHEASED FASHION RESTORING EVERYTHING ONSTAGE TO THE WAY IT WAS AT THE "TEA OR COFFEE" SCENARIO.
THE NURSE ORDERLY APPRAOCHES ETHAN AND GUIDES HIM GENTLY TOWARD THE LIVING ROOM. FROM HER WHITE COAT, SHE BRINGS OUT A RED PERSCRIPTION CONTAINER FILLED WITH BLUE PILLS, SHE WITHDRAWS TWO FROM THE CONTAINER THEN OFFERS THEM TO ETHAN. SHE MOUTHES THE WORDS "PLEASE TAKE THESE SIR. THEY WILL HELP WITH THE SHOCK."
SHE PLACES THE PILLS IN ETHAN'S HAND. THE DIRECTOR ORDERLY AT THIS MOMENT BRINGS A GLASS OF WATER TO ETHAN. ETHAN IS HOLDING TWO BLUE PILLS, OFFERING THEM PLACES THE VIAL BACK IN HER POCKET.
THE DIRECTOR ALSO SPEAKS, BUT NO WORDS CAN BEA HEARD. "IT'S TIME TO TAKE THESE, ETHAN.
[[SWALLOW PILLS]]
[[HIDE PILLS]]
(set: $AWARENESS_ROSALIA to 1)
[[DOORBELL RINGS]]
(set: $COFFEE to 1)
[[DOORBELL RINGS]]
PLEASE NOTE THE DIRECTOR'S SPEECH MAY BE ALTERED TO MATCH TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE VOTING MECHANISM. THIS SPEECH IS DESIGNED TO BOTH NOD AT DIRECTOR INTRODUCTIONS TO A SHOW AND IMPEDE THE ABILITY FOR THE AUDIENCE TO LISTEN TO ETHAN'S RESPONSES TO THE PHONE.
KRIS: (POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE 'CHRIS') IS A ROLE NOT BOUND TO GENDER. KRIS'S RELATIONSHIP TOWARD ETHAN WILL BE INFLUENCED BY CAST AND DIRECTORIAL DECISIONS WHEREAS ETHAN'S CONNECTION TO THE OTHER CHARACTERS ONSTAGE IS INFLUENCED LARGELY BY THE AUDIENCE. AS KRIS IS ULTIMATELY REVEALED TO BE AN INSTRUMENT OF THE 'AGENCY' AND DESIGNED TO MAKE ETHAN'S REALITY MORE REALISTIC. THE AUDIENCE CAN DECIDE AT WHAT POINTS ETHAN IS FRIENDLY TOWARD KRIS, BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT OF THIER EXISTING CAPACITY KRIS COMMUNICATES WITH ETHAN. FOR EXAMPLE, KRIS CAN PLAY THE ROLE OF A LOYAL FRIEND, OR ONE OF RIVARLY OR DETESTMENT. THIS ALL DEPENDS ON THE PERSONALITY KRIS COMMUNICATES TOWARDS ETHAN AND THE AUDIENCE CONTROLLING ETHAN'S DECISIONS.
NOTES: LACK OF AUDIENCE INPUT
IF, AT ANY POINT, THE AUDIENCE DOES PROVIDE ANY CHOICE INPUT, THE SHOW WILL RESET, AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE SCRIPT MECHANICS, INCREASE THE "RESET" VARIBLE BY 1.
SCRIPT NOTES
IF RESET = 1, THE "LOCK DOOR" OPTION IS REPLACED WITH A MAGENTA OPTION, "GET GUN".
GROUP CHARACTER WORKSHOPPING IS HIGHLY RECCOMENDED FOR THE CAST.
TECH NOTES:
LED LIGHT BULBS FOR
-LAMP
KRIS'S INTERFCE
- LINK1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
AUDIENCE SEATING
"DIRECTOR" WEARS A WHITE DRESS WITH A BLACK SCARF, A BLUE ACCESSORY
"AUTHOR" MANAGER : WEARS A BLACK SUIT WITH A WHITE TIE, A RED ACCESSORY
ORDERLIES IN BLACK AND REPRESENT THE BACKSTAGE AND THE LITERARY PLOT AND SERVE THE DIRECTOR.
AGENTS IN WHITE REPRESENT THE AGENCY AND THE SIMULATED PLOT.PHONE CALL: THE PERSON FROM THE PRELUDE.
ETHAN TAKES THE PILLS, SWALLOWING THEM DOWN WITH WATER WITH CONTINUED STOICISM. HE MOVES TO LAY ON THE BED, AND THE TECHNICIAN ORDERLY TURNS ON THE TELEVISON TO A SCENE WITH BLUE OCEAN WATER. THE SOUND OF OCEAN TIDE BECOMES EVIDENT. HE LAYS DOWN, AND FALLS ASLEEP.
[[CURTAIN CALL]][[CURTAIN CALL]]ETHAN IS QUICKLY CONTAINED BY THE DIRECTOR WITH A BLUE INJECTION TO HIS NECK. THE STAGE WASHES IN BLUE, AND ETHAN IS MOVED TO THE COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM, WHERE HE SLEEPS.
THE ANDROID TECHNICIAN RESET KRIS WITH HIS REMOTE, WHO TAKES ETHAN TO THE COUCH FOR HIM TO AWAKEN. WITH THE HELP OF THE ANDROID TECH, KRIS TAKES THE FALLEN CERA OFFSTAGE ON A STRECHER THE NURSE AND OTHER ORDERLY BRING IN. THE NURSE DELEIVERS BLUE PILLS TO ROSALIA, WHO IS SHOCK AND PANIC TAKES THEM, UNABLE TO KEEP HER EYES AWAY FROM CERA. THE NURSE MOVES ROSALIA TO HER ROOM, WHO IS UNABLE TO RESIST. CERA IS CARRIED OFF THE STAGE WITH A STRECHER. ALL OF THIS OCCURS AS ETHAN AWAKENS, GROGGY, AS HE DID AT THE START OF THE SHOW, AND THE AUDIENCE ANSWER THE "COFFEE OR TEA" CHOICE. ETHAN CHOOSES WHAT THE AUDIENCE DESIRES.
(if:$EAWARENESS is 1)[]
(if:$EWARENESS is 0)[Your Text Here]
(if:$ETHANMENTAL is "BAD")[[[CONTINUE->INJECTION END]]]
ETHAN: "WHO IS IT?"
(if:$COFFEE is 1)[ROSALIA CALLS. SHE IS VERY CONCERNED. A PRERECORDED MESSAGE.
ROSALIA: "CERA IS FREAKING OUT. SHE'S TALKING ABOUT HOW EYES ARE WATCHING HER AND SOMETIMES SHE CAN SEE THEM. IS HER MEDICATION IN THE MEDICINE CABIENET?
ETHAN: I DON'T KNOW, I CAN LOOK." (ETHAN KEEPS THE GUN IN KRIS'S DIRECTION. IS CERA THERE? CAN I TALK TO HER?
THE RECORDING ]
(if:visits is 1)[
[[SHOOT KRIS]]
[[SHOOT CERA]]
]
(if:visits is 1)[
[[SHOOT KRIS]]
[[SHOOT DIRECTOR]]
]
(if:$COFFEE is 1)[
RECORDING R : ROSALIA CALLS. SHE IS VERY CONCERNED. A PRERECORDED MESSAGE.
ROSALIA: "CERA IS FREAKING OUT. SHE'S TALKING ABOUT HOW EYES ARE WATCHING HER AND SOMETIMES SHE CAN SEE THEM. IS HER MEDICATION IN THE MEDICINE CABIENET?
ETHAN: I DON'T KNOW, I CAN LOOK." (ETHAN KEEPS THE GUN IN KRIS'S DIRECTION. IS CERA THERE? CAN I TALK TO HER?
]
(if:$TEA is "1")[ ]
[[SHOOT KRIS]]
[[SHOOT CERA]]
THIS IS AN OPTIONAL ROUTE THAT WILL RESTIRCT THE TIME OF THE PLAY. DEPENDING ON WHAT CHOICES THE AUDIENCE HAS MADE, ETHAN WILL ASK CERTAIN CHARACTERS FOR THEIR INSIGHT BEFORE PRESENTING THE AUDIENCE DECISION ON WEATHER OR NOT TO TURN THE HOURGLASS- AM ONIMNOUS CENTERPIECE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM. IF TURNED, THE HOURGLASS WILL ALLOW THE CHARACTERS TO CONTINUE THEIR STORY. THIS EVENT CAN END THE PLAY OR ALLOW THE CONTINUANCE OF IT.
PRELUDE MODIFICATION:
'DIRECTOR' ENTERS FROM AUDIENCE SEATING AND HEADS FRONT STAGE WITH THE CONFIDENCE AND SHOWMANSHIP OF AN EXPERIENCED MANAGER. HE WELCOMES THE AUDIENCE AND INTRODUCES THEM TO THE VOTING SYSTEM OF THE PERFORMANCE. HE PRESENTS THEM WITH THEIR FIRST CHOICE, COFFEE OR TEA. THE AUDIENCE HAS TEN SECONDS TO MAKE THIS CHOICE. DURING THIS TIME, OMINOUS MUSIC BEGINS TO THE SOUND OF A TICKING MARKING THE PASSAGE OF TIME. FINALLY, THE DIRECTOR TURNS THE HOURGLASS, OBSERVING THE FIRST GRANULES OF SAND TO FALLING BEFORE RETURNING TO HIS SEAT IN THE AUDIENCE.
IF HOUR IS AT 1, THE DIRECTOR AND HER ORDERLIES WILL EITHER INVADE THE HOME AND FORCE THE (INJECTION ENDING) OR STHEALITY FORCE THE (INJTECTION ENDING) IF THEY ARE IN THE HOUSE.
(if:$HOUR is 1)[CERA TELLS ETHAN NOT TO LET THE HOURGLASS RUN OUT. SHE IS AFRAID OF THE HOURGLASS. SHE TRIES TO CONVINCE ETHAN TO TURN IT.
(if:$AWARENESS_ROSALIA > 1)[
ETHAN: DO YOU THINK CERA IS CRAZY?
ROSALIA:
ROSLAIA OFFERS AFFIRMATION IN CERA'S OPINIONS AND IS LOYAL TO HER FRIEND.
]
(if:$AWARENESS_CERA > 1)[CERA CONVINCES ETHAN TO LOOK OUT INTO THE AUDIENCE AND LOWER THE LIGHTS. ETHAN SLOWLY LOOKS OVERHEAD THE AUDIENCE, FEELING OMINOUS.
CERA: ]
((if:$AWARENESS_KRIS > 1)[KRIS PROVIDES HIS OWN OPINION ]
Your Text Here
[[TURN HOURGLASS]]
[[LEAVE HOURGLASS]]
]
PRAYED:
IF FRIENDSHIP IS 1
FIRENDSHIP AND AWARENES AS DIFFERENT CONCEPTS
Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.
MAGENTA: SHOOT DIRECTOR. ETHAN POINTS THE GUN TO THE FRONT ROW OF THE AUDIENCE AT THE DIRECTOR. THE DIRECTOR STANDS TO LEAVE. ETHAN FIRES THE GUN, AND THE DIRECTOR FALLS TO THE FLOOR WITH A MAGENTA WASH OVERFLOWING THE STAGE. THIS SHOULD BE A REALISTIC EFFECT, WITH A GUN SOUND EFFECT.
RESET: SET TO MAGENTA
ROSALIA AND CERA WILL LEAVE THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY
CERA WILL TRY TO CONVINCE ETHAN OF THE EYES
[[TRUST KRIS]]
[[IGNORE PHONE]]
[[TRUST KRIS]]
[[IGNORE PHONE]]plot
- FRIENDS ARRIVE
- THEY DECORATE: ETHAN GETS A PHONE CALL
- ROSEBED
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
THE ORDERLIES KNOCK ON THE DOOR, ENTERING FOR CERA'S PARTY. THEY ARE HERE AS A SURPRISE. THEY HAVE BROUGHT WITH THEM BOXES OF DECORATION, FOOD, AND A GIFT FOR CERA.
THEY HAVE A BOX WITH THEM. THEY PLACE IT ON THE COFFEE TABLE. IT INSIDE AND IT IS REVEALED LATER TO BE CAKE.
ROSALIA + CERA COME TO DOOR. CERA VENTS ABOUT HER SENSATION OF BEING WATCHED OR FEAR OF INVADERS IN THE HOME.
CERA: I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO JUST BE HOME AND-
ROSALIA: UH-HUH...
CERA ENTERS QUICKLY
CERA: I FEEL LIKE I'M POINTING A GUN BETWEEN TWO VERSIONS OF MYSELF AND I CAN'T PULL THE TRIGGER OR DROP THE GUN.
ETHAN: YOU HAVE CAMERAS IN THE HOUSE?
KRIS: CERA INSISTED. I INSTALLED THEM TO WHERE THEY WOULD BE HIDDEN SO SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO SEE THEM.
ETHAN: OH GOOD, THAT WAY SHE CAN FOCUS ON ALL THE CAMERAS THAT AREN'T WATCHING HER.
KRIS AND ETHAN SPY ON AN ODERLY WHO HAS LEFT THE HOUSE. THEY WATCH AS HE COMMUNICATES. THE DIRECTOR FROM THE AUDIENCE STANDS AND EXITS THE HOUSE.
ETHAN: SURE IS COLD NOT TO BRING HIS JACKET TO TAKE A CALL.
KRIS: PERHAPS.
ETHAN: IS THERE NO AUDIO?
KRIS: THERE IS. HE IS SPEAKING NOTHING.
ETHAN: HE'S JUST MOVING HIS MOUTH? WHY WOUOLD HE BE DOING THAT ON THE PHONE.
KRIS: PERHAPS HE IS PRETENDING.
ETHAN: I'VE SEEN BETTER ACTORS ON THE WEATHER CHANNEL.
LATER, ROSALIA OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE DIRECTOR, WHO HAS CHANGED INTO CASUAL CLOTHES. SHE IS HOLDING A WHITE BOX.
ETHAN FIRST GOT TO PICK LEFT OR RIGHT. HE HAS A 50/50 PERCENT CHANCE OF GETTING CIVILLIAN OR AGENT.
JUST AS EVERYONE DRAWS A DEEP BREATH TO SING AND SINGS THE FIRST NOTE OF THE TYPICAL BIRTHDAY SONG, THE DOORBELL RINGS. THEY ARE ALL SILENT FOR A MOMENT WHILE KRIS GOES IMMEDIATELY TO ANSWER THE DOOR, UNFAZED BY THE UNORTHODOX TIMING. AS HE OPENS THE DOOR, FROM THE DARKNESS ENTERS THE DIRECTOR HOLDING A WHITE BOX.
DIRECTOR: GOOD EVENING EVERYONE! I HOPE I'M NOT MISSING ANYTHING EXCITING!
DIRECTOR: "I BROUGHT A GAME I'M SURE YOU WILL FIND... EXCITING." (SHE OPENS THE BOX, PULLING OUT A PISTOL."
SARA: I... (SEEING THE GUN) APPRECIATE THAT.
DIRECTOR: OH DON'T WORRY, THEY'RE QUITE HARMLESS, I ASSURE YOU. IF EVERYONE IS READY TO PLAY, EVERYONE GRAB A GUN. THERE'S A WONDERFUL PRIZE FOR THE WINNER.
ORDERLY:
CERA: (POLITELY) OH, IT'S ALRIGHT, I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY. HOW DOES IT WORK?
(FROM THE WHITE BOX, SHE
ORDERLY: "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU PLAYED."
DIRECTOR: "NOTHING WRONG WITH TRYING NEW THINGS."
DIRECTOR: "WONDERFUL, LET'S BEGIN."
[[ETHAN'S CELL PHONE]]
THE CURTAIN CALL MUST TAKE PLACE DIRECTLY BEHIND THE GRAND DRAPE.
THE STAGE LIGHTS ALL FULL GLOW, SHINING ON AN ENSEMBLE OF THE ORDERLIES (EXCEPT THE DIRECTOR ORDERLY). THE SOUND OF AN AUDIENCE APPLAUDING PLAYS TO THE BACKGROUND OF AN OMINOUS PEICE OF MUSIC THAT DOES NOT MATCH THE TONE OF THE PERFORMERS AT ALL. THEY CROSS IN PAIRS FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE STAGE, MEETING TOGETHER UPCENTERSTAGE REACHING FOR EACH OTHER'S HANDS IN REHEASED FASHION; ALL SMILING AND BOWING VERY QUICKLY. IMMEDIATELY ROSALIA (ENT. STAGE LEFT) AND CERA (ENT. STAGE RIGHT) JOIN CENTER STAGE AND DO THE SAME. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY //KRIS ENTERING FROM STAGE LEFT// AND //ETHAN ENTERING FROM STAGE RIGHT//. KRIS MOVES AT A REHEASED AND CALCULATED PACE TO REACH UPSTAGE QUICKLY, WHILE ETHAN WALKS SLOWLY AND DELIBERATELY. KRIS WAITS A FEW MOMENTS FOR ETHAN TO CATCH UP- A NOTICABLE PAUSE IN FLOW. AS ETHAN FINALLY APPRAOCHES, KRIS OFFERS OUT HIS HAND, SMILING POLITELY TOWARD THE AUDIENCE. ETHAN DOES NOT TAKE IT. HE STARES DOWN AT THE HAND. THE HOUSE LIGHTS DIM, AND THE STAGE LIGHTS FADE TO A MAGENTA WASH OVER ETHAN. CUT OFF CLAPPING QUE. ANY APPLAUSE TRICKED AUDIENCE MEMBERS MAY HAVE ENGAGED IN SHOULD HAVE FADED BY THIS TIME. WHEN THERE IS NO APPLAUSE, ETHAN TURNS HIS HEAD TO KRIS. AT THAT MOMENT, A MAGENTA WASH FLOODS THE STAGE. THE REST OF THE CAST IS ALSO STILL. ETHAN STARES AT KRIS FOR A MOMENT, THEN FACES THE AUDIENCE. HE MAKES EYE CONTACT WITH SOME OF THEM, LOOKING OUT AT THEM. THE MUSIC ESCALATES AS ETHAN WALKS PAST THE AUDIENCE TO EXIT THE THEATRE. AS HE WALKS, THE GRAND DRAPE CLOSES PAST THE CAST ONSTAGE. THEY REMAIN FROZEN UNTIL THE DRAPE IS CLOSED. THE PLAY ENDS.
ETHAN AND THE DIRECTOR IS NOWHWERE TO BE FOUND.THROUGH OUT THIS SCENE, THE AUTHOR INTERACTS WITH SYMBOLS OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS.
ETHAN: "THEN HOW AM I HERE?"
AUTHOR: "YOU ARE NOT. YOU KNOW SCHORDINGER'S CAT? IT'S KIND OF LIKE THAT. JUST A MESSY WESTERN INTERPRETATION OF IT."
AUTHR: I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT REALLY. HOW DOES A MUSICAL SOUND? LAUGHS AT SLEF. I MIGHT HAVE COMPOSED A NUMBER OR TWO FOR YOU TO SING IF I MYSELF HAD ANY MUSICAL COMPREHESION WHATSOEVER. ALAS, NOT THAT KIND OF ARTIST.
ETHAN: IS THIS FUNNY TO YOU?
AUTHOR: I'M NOT SURE, DO YOU THINK ANYONE WILL LAUGH AT IT? IF THEY DO I WOULD SAY IT'S FUNNY. IF NOT, WELL THEN THEY'RE CONFUSED, NOT EASILY HUMORED, OR NONE OF THIS IS FUNNY AND I'M WASTING MY TIME.
- THE AUTHOR IMMEDIATELY BACK TO HIS DESK. HE BACKSPECES A LARGE SECTION OF TEXT ON HIS SCREEN. WHITEBOARD OF STICKY NOTES BEHIND HIM.
AUTHOR: "I DON'T UNDERSTAND MODERN HUMOR AT ALL."
AUTHOR: "IN A SYMBOLIC SENSE, ALL THESE THINGS DID HAPPEN TO YOU. YOU THINK REALITY IS BASED ON OUR PERCEPTION? NOTHING REVOLVES AROUND US, NO MORE THAN THE SUN EVER ORBITED THE EARTH. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? DID YOU KNOW THE HUMAN BRAIN STILL EXPERIENCES DREAMS? IT'S NOT JUST A MOVIE PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND. YOUR MIND IS . WELL, NOT YOUR MIND- UNLESS I WROTE A DREAM FOR YOU TO REMEMBER. OH- EVER HEARD OF MIRROR NEURONS?
ETHAN: YOU'RE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE.
AUTHOR: WELL, OF COURSE NOT. NOT TO YOU. YOU WEREN'T DESIGNED TO MAKE ANY SENSE OF IT. YOU EVER THINK ABOUT WHY YOU, OFF ALL PEOPLE, HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH ADDICTION? ISN'T THERE A DRAMATIC IRONY ABOUT YOUR EXISTENCE AMONG THE MERCY OF YOUR ROOMATES. HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW THEM AGAIN?
ETHAN: THEY TOOK ME IN AFTER REHAB.
AUTHOR: OF COURSE THEY DID, THEY'RE THE SUPPORTING CAST! THAT'S THEIR JOB, TO SUPPORT THE PROTAGONIST DURING HIS TIME OF STRUGGLE.
IF YOU OPEN THE DOOR, IT'S A GROUP OF FRIENDS WHO
IF YOU LOCK THE DOOR, IT IS A SHADY GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR ETHAN. LATER, WHEN THIS CONVERSATION IS REPEATED FOR THIS CHOICE AT THE START, THE AUDIENCE CAN BETTER PAY ATTENTION TO THE RESPONSES.
ETHAN WILL SAY THE SAME RESPONSES BUT WITH MORE INTESNITY.
''ETHAN APPRAOCHES THE DOOR. IF HE OPENS IT, IT IS CERA'S FRIENDS''
''IF ETHAN LOCKS IT, IT IS THE 'DIRECTOR/LEADER OR CERA COUNTERPART' FROM ETHAN'S PAST. SHE HAS A WHITE BOX WITH HER. INSIDE IS EITHER ETHAN'S OLD DRUG PROPOGANDAOR OR SOMETHING ELSE. THEN HER COUNTERPART WILL COME ONSTAGE COMING HOME FROM EITHER WORK OR AN EMOTIONAL BREADKWON BECAUSE OF ETHAN. IF ROSALIA HAS A BREAKDOWN, SHE RETURNS HOME. CERA IS FINE, AND AT WORK.
IF CERA HAS A BAD MORNING, NO AWARENESS, SHE GOES
IF CERA HAS A GOOD MORNING, HER AWARENESS WILL NOT INCREASE AND
BLUE/RED
: HERE'S ALL YOUR.... STUFF. I HAD TO PUT IT ALL IN THIS BOX. I WORE GLOVES.
ETHAN: THAKS.
; I NEVER WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN
ETHAN: YOU WONT. OBIVOUSLY.
: RIGHT.
* ROSALIA ENTERS, AND INTRODUCTION CHICE HAPPENS
[OLD FRIEND]
- AFFIRMS NORMALCY
[EX-COWORKER]
- AFFIRMS SUSPICION
)PLACES IT ON TABLE.)
''
[[
ROSALIA IS LEAVING TO GET THE CAKE FOR CERA'S PARTY. SHE WANTS IT GO WO WELL.
IDRECTORS WHITE BOX IS SAID LATER TO BE CAKE IT IS EITHER IS OR ISN'T THSI IS A REFENCE TO THE CAKE IS A IIE
ROSALAIA IS RELIVED, SINCE SHE COULDN'T GET THE
ROSALIA ENTERS THE HOUSE, MAKES
WAKE / SLEEP IN NOT OCOFFREE OR TEA
CERA TELLS ETHAN TO BE CAREFUL, HE ENDS UP FALLING AND KNOCKING DOWN A WHITE BOX OF CAKE. CERA TRIES TO CLEAN IT UP, AND THEY BOTH REALIZE ITS A CAKE FOR HER BIRTHDAY.
"YOU LIED ABOUT THE CAKE?"
IF HE CHOSE TEA, ETHAN ??
"THOUGHT SHE LEFT TO GO TO WORK?
ROSLAIA WILL ASK FI HE WILL WATER HER PLANTS WHILE SHE IS GONE?
YES/NO
(if:$EAWARENESS is 1)[I SHOULD CLEAN] (IF HE HAS PAID ATTENTION TO CERA AND ROSALIA AND THE GIFT).
(if:$EAWARENESS is 0)["DO YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE? (IF HE HASN'T PAID ATTENTION).]
"DON'T OPEN
IF YOU POINT THE GUN AT KRIS:
"WHO ARE THEY?"
IF YOU DON'T TRUST KRIS.
ETHAN APPRACOHES KRIS, WHO IS IN HIS ROOM. HIS CLOSET IS FILLED WITH CLOTHES OF ALL THE SAME COLOR. IT IS CLEAN AND NEAT, BUT THE MANY MINITORS AND COMPUTER ACCESSORIES MAKE ETHAN NERVOUS.
[[OPEN DOOR]]
[[LOCK DOOR]](if:visits is 1)[
ETHAN EXITS STAGE RIGHT DOOR TO ROSEBED. AS HE OPENS THE DOOR, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE ROSEBED, WHICH SEEMS COULD USE SOME WATERING. HE APPRAOCHES THEM AS HE SPEAKS ON AN OLD FLIP PHONE IN A QUIET TONE.
ETHAN: (ON EDGE) HEY, NOW'S NOT THE BEST TIME.... JUST VISITING SOME FRIENDS FOR A WHILE. AFTER EVERYTHING... YOU KNOW. YOU NEED SOMETHING? ... NOT REALLY.... I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT... OUT OF TOWN.... LOOK, I'M NOT IN THE SCENE RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST CLEARING MY HEAD.... WELL, HOW IS THAT MY PROBLEM?.... I DON'T GET WHY YOU'RE SO INTO THIS.... JUST ASK ONE OF THE GUYS, I'M NOT DEALING WITH THIS."
ETHAN ENDS THE CALL, PUTTING THE PHONE IN HIS BACK POCKET. HE
ETHAN ENDS THE CALL. HE QUIETLY REENTERS THE HOUSE AND LIES ON THE COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM, TURNING ON THE TV WITH A REMOTE BEFORE HE FALLS ASLEEP.
//AS ALL THIS IS HAPPENING (AS SOON AS ETHAN APPRAOCHES THE ROSEBED)// 'DIRECTOR' ENTERS FROM AUDIENCE SEATING AND HEADS CENTER-FRONT STAGE WITH THE CONFIDENCE AND SHOWMANSHIP OF AN EXPERIENCED MANAGER.
DIRECTOR: GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE! (EXPLAINS CHARISMATICALLY HOW TO VOTE AND THE FIRST CHOICE. THIS CONTINUES AS ETHAN SPEAKS.) NOW... A FUN QUESTION JUST TO TEST THINGS OUT.
DIRECTOR: TWO CHOICES: BLUE OR RED. DONES'T MATTER WHICH, IT WON'T AFFECT YOUR EXPERIENCE. JUST TO GET A FEEL FOR HOW VOTING WORKS....
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE DIRECTOR'S SPEECH PRESENTS THEM WITH THEIR FIRST CHOICE. THE AUDIENCE HAS A SET AMOUNT OF TIME TO CHOOSE (15s). DURING THIS TIME, OMINOUS MUSIC BEGINS TO THE SOUND OF A TICKING MARKING THE PASSAGE OF TIME. THE DIRECTOR GIVES INSTRUCTION UNTIL TIME IS UP.
DIRECTOR: WELL DONE, EVERYONE! IT LOOKS LIKE OF THE XX AUDIENCE MEMBERS TONIGHT, X PERCENT OF YOU CHOSE BLUE, X PERCENT CHOSE RED, AND X PERCENT CHOOSE NEITHER. PERHAPS THEY PREFER MAGENTA.
IF RED: ETHAN TAKES THE RED DRUG, SPASING OUT
IF BLUE: ETHAN ABSTAINS
DIRECTOR: IN ANY CASE, IF YOU ARE EXPERINCING TECHNICAL ISSUES, SIMPLY RAISE YOUR HAND AND WE CAN HELP YOU OUT/APPRAOCH TECH HELP AREA DEDICATED TO HELPING AUDIENCE MEMBERS. (IF ANY TIME IS NEEDED TO HELP AUDIENCE MEMBERS WITH THE VOTING, IT CAN BE DONE NOW BY HOWEVER MEANS THE THEATRE FEELS ADEQUEATE. THIS PREVIOUS INSTRUCTION BY DIRECTOR IS OPTIONAL.) ENJOY THE SHOW!
AT THIS POINT, ETHAN IS LYING ON THE COUCH ASLEEP. THE TV IS ON, BUT SILENT.
[[BLUE]]
[[RED]]
]
(if:visits is >1)[ETHAN ANSWERS PHONE IN DULL STATE. HE ANSWERS THE QUESTION: RED OR BLUE IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE PHONE CALL.
VOICE:
(if:$ROSE is "???")[DURING THE CONVERSATION, ETHAN COMPLETELY IGNORES THE WATERING CAN.
(if:$RAWARENESS is 1)[ETHAN WATERS THE ROSE ]
]
]ETHAN: WAIT-
KRIS TURNS TO HIM.
WHAT IS IT?
ETHAN
KRIS: (WALKS INTO ROOM)
ARE YOU OK?
ETHAN: AM I OK? I'M OK, BUT ARE YOU OK?
KRIS: I AM OKAY. BUT ARE YOU?
ETHAN: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, KRIS? YOUR THE ONE WEARING THAT... STRAP.
KRIS: IT'S A STRAIGTENER FOR MY BACK.
ETHAN: SINCE WHEN DID YOU HAVE SCOLIOSIS?
KRIS: YOU ALWAYS JOKE ABOUT MY POSTURE.
ETHAN: BUT MY BACK IS FINE
KRIS: W
ETHAN: YOUR NOT THAT MUCH OLDER THAN ME.
KRIS: RIGHT. WELL I'M GOING TO-
ETHAN: WHAT IF THEY THINK YOUR CRAZY, LOOK AT YOU. GO PUT ON SOMETHING HUMAN. ILL HANDLE IT.
KRIS: WELL, OK. (KRIS LEAVES TO HIS ROOM.)
Double-click this passage to edit it.(if:$CERA is "SHOT")[CERA DOES NOT APPEAR, KRIS POURS ETHAN'S TEA.
IF KRIS SHOT?]
the hendlan's razor
- it is likely not malice
- later: but... never rule out malice
can you believe our government actions are so dumb, they produce the opposite result of what they want to. the RP respons would be no take the red pill and notice that the actions of the state are doing exactly what they are trying to. these negative conequeses are exactly the desired goal. look at lockdown policy.
- ethan goes outside to water the roses, and they maintain a six feet distance from the repair tech.
- this is when kris shuts the down
red pill: standing up in plato's cave and ealizing there are shodws on the wall.
what do we do?
we can get up
we can walk out
we can see the pupetters
we can contront them
we can leave
we can lose
we can go back in
we can chose not to go back in
we an pursue the ultimate good
go back in,
join the manipualters
or go ty to free people (morpheous)
from the illusion.
all of these are different options
plato : once you take the red pill, the blue pill perspective feels innane and silly.
red pill people are thus 'weird' and conpiracy theorists.
once you realize it wrong you can
- try to find truth
- buY into conspiracy
noticing that thre reality is presented to you is a lie and participating in a lie. - BUT it doesn't have to be malice.
- razor applies to the magenta perspective
reality is stepping behind the narrative. even if true, we still have to search for why it is true.
we have to have the prudence in aristotle's terms to have both recognize deceoption but be content with our own realties
- later a policeman arrives to break up the gathering.
ENDINGS:
THERE ARE TWO CORE ROUTES THE SHOW CAN RUN. THE FIRST IS THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, WHERE THE AUDIENCE MUST DIRECT ETHAN TO DEDUCE AN IMPOSTER WITHIN THE GROUP. THE SECOND IS THE AGENCY CONSPIRACY, WHERE THE HOME IS INFILTRATED BY AGENTS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR 'IFRIT'.
INFILTRATING THE BLUE SUPPLY WITH THE RED DRUG FROM ETHAN'S PAST?
CHARACTER NOTES
BOTH PLOTLINE ANTGONISTS ARE SEARCHING FOR THE RED DRUG.
ETHAN, WITH THE HELP OF HIS BEST FRIEND KRIS, IS ON RECOVERY FROM SEVERE ADDICTION TO A STIMULANT THAT PRODUCES A SENSE OF SURREALITY AND HYPER AWARENESS. AS HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE DRUG ESCALDED, HE
KRIS :
ROSALIA: 'MOTHER' ; CAR CRASH THEME
CERA : SUFFERS FROM AN ONGOING SENSE OF PARANOIA, NOT TOO UNLIKE ETHAN'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE DRUG.
IF THE BIRTHDAY PARTY IS CHOSEN, THE ENSEMBLE BECOMES A GROUP OF 'FRIENDS' DRESSED IN CASUAL PARTY ATTIRE. IF THE AGENCY STORYLINE IS CHOSEN, THEY BECOME AGENTS.
ROSE AGENT /
WHITE AGENT /
BLACK AGENT /
DIRECTOR / ETHAN MUST DEAL WITH HIS SECOND PHONE WITHOUT LETTING THE OTHERS SEE.
THEIR CONVERSATION CAN BE SEEN ON SCREEN.
ETHAN CAN CHOOSE TO
[[REPLY]] : "I TOLD YOU I'M NOT DEALING WITH THIS"
[[IGNORE]] :
[[COME HOME]]
[[STAY THERE]]
CERA TELLS ETHAN TO BE CAREFUL, HE ENDS UP FALLING AND KNOCKING DOWN A WHITE BOX OF CAKE. CERA TRIES TO CLEAN IT UP, AND THEY BOTH REALIZE ITS A CAKE FOR HER BIRTHDAY.
"YOU LIED ABOUT THE CAKE?"
IF HE CHOSE TEA, ETHAN ??
"THOUGHT SHE LEFT TO GO TO WORK?
********************************************
Rosalia calls CERA, who does NOT immediately ANSWER. This worries Rosalia, AND she leaves to go FIND her.
(if:$RESET is 1)[END]
ETHAN: I THOUGHT HER FAVORITE PASTTIME WAS RANTING ABOUT HER DELUSIONS.
KRIS: THAT IS A RATHER INSENSITIVE SENTIMENT.
KRIS: YOU SHOULD WRITE HER SOMETHING. IN HER SPARE TIME, SHE ENJOYES READING.
ETHAN: YOU THINK I'M A POET? I HAVEN'T READ A BOOK SINCE... WELL A VERY LONG TIME. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT STUFF SHE READS.
KRIS: I BELIEVE YOU ARE CAPABLE OF MUCH MORE THAN YOU DO.
ETHAN: I DIDN'T MEAN TO GO DEEP HERE, I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO GIVE HER.
ETHAN: CAN'T YOU JUST WRITE HER SOMETHING FOR ME? YOU USE WORDS LIKE THAT, JUST HELP ME OUT. I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I WANT TO SAY IF YOU MAKE IT FANCY, I WON'T HAVE TIME TO MAKE IT ANYWAY DECENT BEFORE THE PARTY TONGIHT. PLEASE?
ETHAN CAN LATER WRITE A NEW POEM ABOUT EYES TO AFFIRM HER SUSPICIONS AT THE PARTY AND CAUSE CHAOS OR ETHAN CAN GIVE THE POEM KRIS HELPED WRITE.
KRIS: I THINK YOUR GIFT WOULD BE MORE MEANINGFUL TO HER COMING SOLELY FROM YOU.
ETHAN: HAVE YOU GOTTEN HER ANYTHING? WE CAN MAKE IT A JOINT GIFT.
KRIS: I WROTE MY GIFT FOR HER A MONTH AGO.
ETHAN: YOU WROTE?
KRIS: YES, A POEM.
ETHAN: AHH, I CAN'T GET HER THE SAME THING YOU DO!
ROSALIA: WHY BECAUSE YOU THINK SHE'S PARANOID?
ETHAN: NO, BECAUSE SHE WORKS ALL THE TIME. OF COURSE SHE WOULD KNOW.
ROSALIA: I WORK TOO, YOU KNOW.
ETHAN: SO DO I.
ROSALIA: SELLING THE CHEAP STUFF YOU GOT AT OTHER PEOPLE'S GARAGE SALES AND POSTING THEM ONLINE FOR THREE TIMES THE PRICE ISN'T A JOB.
ETHAN: I PROBABLY MAKE MORE THAN YOU DO.
ROSALIA: I DON'T DOUBT THAT.
ETHAN HIS SURPRISED BY THE FACT IS IT 9:00
ETHAN CAN CHOOSE TO TAKE A RED PILL OR A BLUE PILL.
ROSALIA: YOU HAVEN'T BEEN....
ETHAN: NO, I HAVEN'T BEEN. I GUESS I JUST SLEPT LATER THAN I MEANT TO. IM NOT CRAZY! (REFERENCE TO PILL CHOICE ERLIER PERHPAS? )
ROSALIA: I KNOW YOUR NOT CRAZY, THAT'S WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT.
ETHAN: YOU CAN ASK KRIS, I HAVEN'T USED SINCE I GOT HERE.
ROSALIA: I JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO REGRESS.
ETHAN: YOU SOUND LIKE MY THERAPIST.
ROSALIA: YOU SEE A THERAPIST?
ETHAN: ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS.
ROSALIA: AND WHO IS THE ONE WHO KEEPS UP WITH TIME AROUND HERE AGAIN?
ETHAN: TELL ME SOMETHING, KRIS, YOU KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS?
KRIS: IT IS (CERA'S BRITHDAY).
ROSALIA: IT COULD BE WORSE.
********************************************************
IDRECTORS WHITE BOX IS SAID LATER TO BE CAKE IT IS EITHER IS OR ISN'T THSI IS A REFENCE TO THE CAKE IS A IIE
ROSALAIA IS RELIVED, SINCE SHE COULDN'T GET THE
ROSALIA ENTERS THE HOUSE, MAKES
WAKE / SLEEP IN NOT OCOFFREE OR TEA
*********
TRASH??
ETHAN: GAME NIGHT?
ROSALIA: YEAH. I THOUGHT YOU COUD INVITE SOME FRIENDS OR SOMETHING. SEEING AS I HAVE ONLY... MAYBE TWO. OR ONE.
ETHAN: OR ONE?
ROSLAIA: WELL ALL KRIS DOES IS WORK, HE DOESN'T
ETHAN: OH YOU KNOW HE'S NOT JUST WORKING. HE'S DEFINITELY RECHARGING LIKE SOME SORT OF ROBOT. I GUARANTEE IT.
ROSLAIA: "ANYWAY, WILL YOU CALL SOME FRIENDS? WHAT ABOUT xxxx AND xxxx? THEY WERE FUN AT CERA'S SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION DAY AT TELIGENT.
ETHAN: "THEY REALLY MISSED WITH THE SPELLING OF INTELLIGENT.
WAIT, WHY WERE YOU THERE?
ROSALIA: (QUEITLY, AS IF TO HERSELF) "I SHOULD DRINK MY TEA."
ETHAN: IF ONLY THE HOUSE WOULD PLAY LAUGH TRACKS AFTER I SPOKE THEN MAYBE PEOPLE WOULD LAUGH AT MY JOKES.
FROM A SPEAKER ONSTAGE, A LAUGH TRACK SOUNDS.
ROSALIA: "DID YOU... PLAY THAT AFTER YOUR OWN JOKE?
ETHAN: "WHAT? OF COURSE NOT! DO YOU GUYS LIVE IN A SMART HOUSE OR SOMETHING? LIKE A ARLEXA? ARLEXA, STOP LAUGHING.
KRIS ENTERS FROM HIS ROOM.
KRIS: "WHAT COINCIDENTAL TIMING. MY APOLOGIES, I WAS WATCHING A VIDEO CALLED 'TRY NOT TO LAUGH CHALLENGE VOLUME ONE". I DID NOT SUCCEED IN THE CHALLENGE.
ETHAN: "DISSAPOINTING."
KRIS: "NOT AT ALL. I WILL RE-ATTEMPT IT AT A LATER TIME."
ROSALIA: "
*******
(if:$COFFEE is 1)[ROSALIA MOVES TO THE KITCHEN, SEARCHING FOR. COFFEE.
ROSALIA ENTERS, NOTICES ETHAN'S FRUSTRATED APPEARANCE.
SEARCHES FOR COFFEE TO MAKE FOR ETHAN. SHE SEARCHES FOR HER TEA.
ROSALIA: "OH, IS THERE ANY COFFEE LEFT, ETHAN?"
ETHAN: "CERA MADE IT, I DON'T KNOW."
ROSALIA: OH, ETHAN, IS THERE ANY COFFEE LEFT?
ETHAN: I DON'T KNOW, CERA MADE IT.
ROSALIA: OH. WELL, YOU KNOW IT'S HARD FOR KRIS TO WAKE UP WITHOUT IT. YOU KNOW HOW IT IS.
ETHAN: (FACING THE TV) RIGHT.]
ROSLAIA: "WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE TV OVER THERE?"
ROSALIA CALLS A REPAIR TECHNITION FOR THE TV. ROSALIA THEN MAKES KRIS COFFEE. ]
ROSALIA IS LEAVING TO GET THE CAKE FOR CERA'S PARTY. SHE WANTS IT GO WO WELL.
IDRECTORS WHITE BOX IS SAID LATER TO BE CAKE IT IS EITHER IS OR ISN'T THSI IS A REFENCE TO THE CAKE IS A IIE
ROSALAIA IS RELIVED, SINCE SHE COULDN'T GET THE
ROSALIA ENTERS THE HOUSE, MAKES
WAKE / SLEEP IN NOT OCOFFREE OR TEA
CERA ARRIVES:
IF : CERAH IS NOT ABDUCTED
IF: CERAH ABDUCTED
CERA'S EXITS THE HOUSE, CLOSING THE FRONT DOOR BEHIND HER. SHE TAKES SEVERAL STEPS FORWARD, STILL ADJUSTING THE MASK ON HER FACE. JUST AS SHE IS ABOUT TO FINISH, SHE STOPS ABRUPTLY. SHE STARES OUT INTO THE AUDIENCE, AS IF REALISING FOR THE FIRST TIME SHE IS BEING WATCHED BY PEOPLE IN ROWS OF SEATS. SHE STANDS, SHOCKED, HER FACE HIDDEN BY THE MASK BUT HER EYEBROWS RAISED IN FEAR. SHE SLOWLY REACHES FOR THE DOOR BEHIND HER, BUT IT IS LOCKED. LONG AND AWKWARD PAUSE, A SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON HER. CERA SHIELDS HER EYES WITH HER HANDS WITH A GASP. CERA STARTS TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE LIGHT, BUT IT FOLLOWS HER TIMID STEPS ACROSS STAGE LEFT. SHE TRIES TO MOVE FASTER, BUT SHE IS SEIZED BY TWO INDIVIDAULS IN WHITE COATS. CERA'S SCREAM OF HORROR IS SUPRESSED BY A SEDATIVE. AND SHE COLLAPSES INTO THEM AS THEY CARRY HER AWAY FROM THE STAGE, PAST THE AUIDENCE, EXITING AT THE BACK OF THE THEATRE.Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.
↶↷
ETHAN EXITS STAGE RIGHT DOOR TO ROSEBED. AS HE OPENS THE DOOR, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE ROSEBED, WHICH SEEMS COULD USE SOME WATERING. HE APPRAOCHES THEM AS HE SPEAKS ON AN OLD FLIP PHONE IN A QUIET TONE.
ETHAN: (ON EDGE) HEY, NOW'S NOT THE BEST TIME.... JUST VISITING SOME FRIENDS FOR A WHILE. AFTER EVERYTHING... YOU KNOW. YOU NEED SOMETHING? ... NOT REALLY.... I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT... OUT OF TOWN.... LOOK, I'M NOT IN THE SCENE RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST CLEARING MY HEAD.... WELL, HOW IS THAT MY PROBLEM?.... I DON'T GET WHY YOU'RE SO INTO THIS.... JUST ASK ONE OF THE GUYS, I'M NOT DEALING WITH THIS."
ETHAN ENDS THE CALL, PUTTING THE PHONE IN HIS BACK POCKET. HE
ETHAN ENDS THE CALL. HE QUIETLY REENTERS THE HOUSE AND LIES ON THE COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM, TURNING ON THE TV WITH A REMOTE BEFORE HE FALLS ASLEEP.
AS ALL THIS IS HAPPENING (AS SOON AS ETHAN APPRAOCHES THE ROSEBED) 'DIRECTOR' ENTERS FROM AUDIENCE SEATING AND HEADS CENTER-FRONT STAGE WITH THE CONFIDENCE AND SHOWMANSHIP OF AN EXPERIENCED MANAGER.
DIRECTOR: GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE! (EXPLAINS CHARISMATICALLY HOW TO VOTE AND THE FIRST CHOICE. THIS CONTINUES AS ETHAN SPEAKS.) NOW... A FUN QUESTION JUST TO TEST THINGS OUT.
DIRECTOR: TWO CHOICES: BLUE OR RED. DONES'T MATTER WHICH, IT WON'T AFFECT YOUR EXPERIENCE. JUST TO GET A FEEL FOR HOW VOTING WORKS....
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE DIRECTOR'S SPEECH PRESENTS THEM WITH THEIR FIRST CHOICE. THE AUDIENCE HAS A SET AMOUNT OF TIME TO CHOOSE (15s). DURING THIS TIME, OMINOUS MUSIC BEGINS TO THE SOUND OF A TICKING MARKING THE PASSAGE OF TIME. THE DIRECTOR GIVES INSTRUCTION UNTIL TIME IS UP.
DIRECTOR: WELL DONE, EVERYONE! IT LOOKS LIKE OF THE XX AUDIENCE MEMBERS TONIGHT, X PERCENT OF YOU CHOSE BLUE, X PERCENT CHOSE RED, AND X PERCENT CHOOSE NEITHER. PERHAPS THEY PREFER MAGENTA.
IF RED: ETHAN TAKES THE RED DRUG, SPASING OUT
IF BLUE: ETHAN ABSTAINS
DIRECTOR: IN ANY CASE, IF YOU ARE EXPERINCING TECHNICAL ISSUES, SIMPLY RAISE YOUR HAND AND WE CAN HELP YOU OUT/APPRAOCH TECH HELP AREA DEDICATED TO HELPING AUDIENCE MEMBERS. (IF ANY TIME IS NEEDED TO HELP AUDIENCE MEMBERS WITH THE VOTING, IT CAN BE DONE NOW BY HOWEVER MEANS THE THEATRE FEELS ADEQUEATE. THIS PREVIOUS INSTRUCTION BY DIRECTOR IS OPTIONAL.) ENJOY THE SHOW!
AT THIS POINT, ETHAN IS LYING ON THE COUCH ASLEEP. THE TV IS ON, BUT SILENT.
BLUE
RED