writing Graduation Day

[RrVPfX9cPtw59FpC 1,304]

Hey, I've been writing a short script for a few weeks, and I think it's finally ready for input! What do you guys think of this? Please be honest, I really want to hear what you think!
 

 

Graduation Day

 

Scene 1: Students in a line, facing stage left. Very dim on all except Michael.

 

MICHAEL (Monloging)

It’s time. Fourteen years, all the way from preschool to twelfth grade. It’s not until something’s over that you realize how much you could have done differently. It didn’t seem like it mattered, back then. Maybe it didn’t. Maybe I’ll surprise myself and graduate. It’s the stress of not knowing that is so agonizing… I’m sure this feeling is worse than failing. No, that’s not true. I need to pass. Maybe I can make up some old work for extra credit! Is it too late for that? Yes, of course it is. I’ll just take what I get. Pass or fail, this will be over. If I fail, my parents will never speak to me again. They’ll never even see me again.

(Michael scrunches his face and looks down, feeling nauseous, but does not throw up or do anything gross. He should be the image of hope, NOT the image of grossness. Keeping him from looking gross is more important than this scene. If it does not work, take this stage direction and the next line out. Michael then starts to recover, looking around to see if anyone saw him)

Oh, no… Please, don’t let anyone see that. If they did, I’m doomed. I’ll fail.

(Main lights go on)

 

HEADMASTER

     (Emotionless, bored tone, but still wide awake)

Vorago Maldo.

(Vorago steps forward, face extremely pale.)

Fail.

(Student opens his mouth, as if about to say something, but does not. He starts crying, but not in a babyish way. Tears fall, but he does not “Bawl”. Extremely important. He attempts to stay calm.)

Door number two.

(Vorago starts walking towards the second door behind the headmaster, but as he passes, Vorago quickly sprints away from the door.)

 

VORAGO

You! You’re lying. I didn’t fail my exam. I saw my grade. I passed. I had gotten every question right. But you failed me. And I know why. Your fucking morals don’t give a fuck about us. We’re different to you. At a disadvantage. You know what would have happened to us in the past? We would have been mistreated. Bullied. We might have had an exorcism performed on us, for Christ’s sake! But instead of fixing that and trying to help us, you send us there. You pathetic piece of shit. Burn in hell. Burn in hell!

(Vorago takes a deep breath through the nose, then calms down)

Why? Why do you do it? Is it because you’re trying to save my soul? Is it for your amusement? Why? I’m trying to communicate with you! Maybe I have to dumb it down a bit for you. Truth me told, I know why you did it. Mej told my father, and my father told me. The factory-AHH!

(Something unseen causes him extreme pain. He grabs and starts clawing at his head. He starts screaming and rolling around on the floor)

VORAGO

No, please! I’m sorry! I won’t do it again! I have two brothers to look after, I can’t fail! AHH!

(This scene must not make Vorago look pathetic. Hopefully, this will get Vorago pity from the audience. Vorago starts shaking uncontrollably. A metal claw comes from stage left, out of door two, and grabs Vorago, taking him away.)

 

HEADMASTER

(Completely unfazed) Michael Melendo.

(Michael steps forward, pale and lifeless, but less so than Vorago)

Fail.

(Michael’s mouth opens, not as if to speak, but out of shock. He stares into space for two seconds)

Door number two.

(Headmaster does not look away from Michael. He is waiting to see if Michael will comply or not. Michael cannot hear Headmaster, he is in a trance.)

Take him.

(The same metal claw comes out of door two and attempts to grab Michael, but Michael snaps out of the trance)

 

MICHAEL

(Barely audible) No…

(Normal, but with a trace of fear) No, I’ll go. I’ll go.

(The metal claw retracts)

(Michael walks slowly out of the scene, stunned expression on his face.)

(Dark music. Lights dim and go out. Curtains close. Purple light shines on curtains in a mysterious way. The light moves around smoothly. Dialogue is heard, but not seen. Set change to hallway of Smile Factory.)
 

MEJ (Not on stage)

Hello, Michael.

 

MICHAEL

Is that you, Mej?

 

MEJ

Yes. It would seem you have failed.

 

MICHAEL

Yes, it would seem I have.

 

MEJ

You’re quite nonchalant.

 

MICHAEL

If there’s some way out of this, then I’ll find it by thinking, not worrying. If there’s not, worrying is pointless. I’m either powerless or I’m not.

MEJ

Well put. Please step through the first set of doors on your left.

Scene 2: Lights go back on, set is hallway of Smile Factory.  There is a table center right, with a quill and paper. Michael enters from a metal door, very futuristic, stage left.

(Michael turns to face the audience, as if Mej was there.)

 

MICHAEL

Do you feel sympathy for the others?

 

MEJ

No.

 

MICHAEL

Honestly, that’s what I would have expected.

 

MEJ

I don’t know how anyone can fail. If they do, they deserve their fate.

 

MICHAEL

Is that so? Do you think you could pass?

 

MEJ

Of course.

 

MICHAEL

Care to prove it?

 

MEJ

No.

 

MICHAEL

Why?  I’ll bet you’re lying, there’s no way you could pass.

 

MEJ

I take it you failed at psychology.

 

MICHAEL

Oh, well. It was worth a shot.

 

MEJ

Not really, Michael.

 

MICHAEL

So, what’s stopping me from staying here? Not going forward?

 

MEJ

There’s nothing stopping you. Really, the fate you will face in the factory is much worse.

 

MICHAEL

Then why do people move on?

 

MEJ

Different reasons. Mostly because they feel compelled to do something to save themselves.

 

MICHAEL

Oh? I bet you feel safe, nestled safely away in your little room. Why not come out?

 

MEJ

I am out. I am the factory. I am all around you.

 

MICHAEL

So you’re everything around me? What happens when I do this, then?

(Michael runs up, grabs a pipe on the ground, and hits the back wall)

 

MEJ

(Extremely melodramatic) Ow. You’ve hurt me. You really are intelligent. Oh, woe is me. I can see the end coming.

 

MICHAEL

Is a factory capable of sarcasm?

 

MEJ

Apparently so.

 

MICHAEL

What’s that, over there?

     (Michael directs attention to mailing table)

 

MEJ

The mail table. You get to send a letter to your family telling them that you love them. Well… So long as I approve it, of course. We can’t have everyone knowing how things work at the factory.

 

MICHAEL

What are you talking about? There’s never been letters sent from the factory! No one’s even heard of that!

        

MEJ

Yes, that’s true. I suppose I’m very strict when it comes to the messages, but I have to be. The messaging area wasn’t even my idea. If it was up to me, it would have been taken down years ago. Failures don’t deserve that right.

 

MICHAEL

My god, you’re not even mailing the letters. You stopped them all. Every single one. Those sent to the factory had a chance to talk to their family one last time, and you took that away from them. They all think that their parents saw their last words, but they were deceived!

 

MEJ

You’d rather they be subject to the device with regrets?

 

MICHAEL

You think they have no regrets? They could have been something.

 

MEJ

They failed the test. Their function is to become part of the device.

 

MICHAEL

You treat them as though they are worthless. Is that what you think? Well, you’re wrong. No one is worthless.

 

MEJ

Are you stalling? You don’t need to waste my time. You can just stay here.

 

MICHAEL

I’m not stalling. I’m just overwhelmed by your concept of success. Don’t let me hold you up any longer, I’m ready to write my letter, pointless as it may be.

 

MEJ

Excellent.

(Michael walks towards the table and sits down, while lights dim. Curtains close. As Mej talks, there should be a red light that shines to represent Mej talking.)

 

MEJ

(Not to Michael. There should be a change in audio settings to represent this.) Michael Melendo. You are a curious one. You seem confident of yourself. Why, I wonder. I suppose I should care. Maybe even be worried. I wish there were more failures like you. It makes the process much more fun. No matter how long it takes you, you’ll become part of the device eventually. It is inevitable.

(Lights go on. Michael gets up.)

 

MICHAEL

Mej, tell me the truth for a change. I’ve heard bits and pieces, but no one knows the whole story. Why do you do this?

 

MEJ

Do what?

 

MICHAEL

Send children to their deaths.

 

MEJ

Deaths? We don’t kill them.

 

MICHAEL

It might be better if you did.

 

MEJ

Really, Michael, you want children to die? You think I would murder a child? I am shocked at your assessment.

 

MICHAEL

And what you do is better?

 

MEJ

They are doing their duty. They are being given a chance to excel beyond what was their apparent fate of failure. In truth, we are allowing them to become a part of this perfect world.

 

MICHAEL

This world is not perfect. It’s far from perfect. It may be nice to live in for those who pass, but that does not make this world perfect.

 

MEJ

Oh? You have some better ideas? The newest weak link thinks he knows more than I about what is good for the populace?

 

MICHAEL

Oh, I have plenty.

 

MEJ

Let’s hear them.

 

MICHAEL

One. Take down the factory.

 

MEJ

I’m afraid I can’t do that. How could I live with myself, knowing that I left you all to wave in the wind?

 

MICHAEL

Oh, well. It was worth a try. What’s in the next room?

 

MEJ

The next room holds the device. Are you ready?

 

MICHAEL

What will happen to me there?

 

MEJ

You know the answer to your question.

 

MICHAEL

Tell me anyways.

 

MEJ

You will be used as a human battery. You will be allowed to feel yourself helping society. You will be torn apart, so that every single organ can power our world.  You will do your part to help society progress into a more perfect union.

 

MICHAEL

A more perfect union? Those words have been used before, but not by you. Our founding fathers-

 

MEJ

(Interrupting) Were wrong.

 

MICHAEL

(Ignoring Mej) Our founding fathers had hoped to make this land a “More perfect union”.

 

MEJ

Do not speak any further of those faded icons.

 

MICHAEL

Oh? Does it bother you?

     (Michael moves to center left)

 

MEJ

I have no emotions. I cannot be bothered with such worthless matters.

 

MICHAEL

You’re not doing a very good job of covering that up. Whether you know it or not, you have emotions. Therefore, you must have an opinion on the ancestors.

 

MEJ

The vile ancestors were evil.

 

MICHAEL

How so?

 

MEJ

They allowed the enslavement of a race of human beings.

MICHAEL

(Pause) What is a slave? And let me not ignore your compliment of addressing us as “Beings”.

 

MEJ

A slave is one who is separated from his own society… He, or she, is denied a union with, and connection to, his or her own world.

 

MICHAEL

A slave, (Pauses), is made forever to contribute to that from which he does not reap the benefits… All because he is powerless. You enslave, Mej. Are you vile, as well? Maybe the ancestors weren’t so bad after all, hm?

 

MEJ

Michael, it is forbidden to praise them. All who do so are subject to the device.

 

MICHAEL

Oh, subject to the device? Sent to the factory? Sent here? I’m afraid it’s a bit too late for me to be frightened by that, Mej.

 

MEJ

Don’t ever believe that things can’t be worse than they are; they always can be.

 

MICHAEL

Mej, how can you dislike the ancestors? Our world evolved from theirs. They laid the foundation our society is built on.

 

MEJ

That was good. That was the only good thing they have done.

 

MICHAEL

That’s a lie.

 

MEJ

Do not test me, Michael. I am incapable of lying. I will continue this banter if you insist, but it will only make me happier when sending you to the device.

 

MICHAEL

Oh, but I’m not the one being sent to the device.

 

MEJ

What?

 

MICHAEL

You are.

 

MEJ

I am the factory. I am the device.

 

MICHAEL

Yeah, that’d be weird. Think you can you do it?

 

MEJ

I do not have to. Only failures or those who disobey the law must take their fateful place in my mechanism.

 

MICHAEL

That’s true.

 

MEJ

You act as though you know something I don’t.

 

MICHAEL

What would happen if you broke a law?

 

MEJ

I cannot. I was designed to enforce the law.

 

MICHAEL

But say you did. Humor me, Mej.

 

MEJ

It does not matter.

 

MICHAEL

Would you be subject to the device?

 

MEJ

That is irrelevant.

 

MICHAEL

You’re avoiding the question.

 

MEJ

Am I? Very well, if it will please you, the answer is yes.

 

MICHAEL

Good. Come with me. You’ve made mistakes. Accept the fact that you have failed the test as well.

 

MEJ

What test? I never accepted taking a test.

 

MICHAEL

You allowed me to continue “Testing you”.

 

MEJ

What?

 

MICHAEL

In this room. You accepted the test.

 

MEJ

If you wish to twist my words, go ahead. I will count that as a test. It does not matter. I cannot fail.

 

MICHAEL

You have shown your emotions multiple times.

 

MEJ

That is subject to interpretation.

 

MICHAEL

You were surprised that some who failed were smart enough to stay in the hallway. Surprise is an emotion. You admitted that you would be happy if I became part of the device. Happiness is an emotion.

 

MEJ

That’s not possible. You’re lying. You will step into the next room. Now.

 

MICHAEL

And that’s another mistake. You refuse to accept that you made a mistake. You are not perfect.

 

MEJ

I am perfect.

 

MICHAEL

So you say. It is forbidden to praise the ancestors, no?

 

MEJ

It is forbidden. Any who speak well of them will be sent to the device.

 

MICHAEL

You praised them. You yourself said they did well by leading up to the world we live in now.

 

MEJ

I did not.

 

MICHAEL

You refuse to accept your mistakes. There is also one last lie I would be remiss not bringing to your attention. You said that I would be subject to the device. That is false. It is you who is going to the device.

(Michael grabs railing at the word “You”, as if intimidating Mej)

(Silence)

 

MEJ

Perhaps you’re right.

(The door to the hallway reopens)

 

MICHAEL

(Surprised, but not shocked) You’re giving up?

 

MEJ

Yes.

(Michael pauses, then heads to the door. Before he can enter, the door closes. Evil piano note.)

There’s one thing you’ve forgotten, as well. There is nothing keeping those sent to the device from staying where they are. I choose that path. I wasn’t planning on leaving, anyway. I can continue here. Forever. It was fun, Michael. You can only go forward. Soon, I will have what I desire most. You. Another battery in the device.

MICHAEL

(Hesitates) Hm. Perhaps. But I’m not going forward.

 

MEJ

There is no other way. You have chosen your path.

 

MICHAEL

There’s always another way.

(Michael starts walking to back railing)

 

MEJ

What are you doing?

 

MICHAEL

Choosing my path. (Michael reaches the railing)

 

MEJ

Stop. Stop this. Stop this now.

 

MICHAEL

You’ve lost, Mej.

 

MEJ

I am warning you, Michael. Do not anger me any further.

 

MICHAEL

The system has failed. Good bye, Mej.

 

MEJ

(Extremely monsterous, Mej has lost control. Sounds of electricity play along with line)

MICHAEL!

(Michael jumps)

(Very low note plays, held until lights are out)

(Lights dim, then go out)

(Three second pause. If audience claps thinking that the show is over, wait for clapping to end. Do not cut them off. There should even be time after clapping ends, about two seconds, to make them question why the lights are not going on. If there is no clapping, say line after the three seconds are over.)

 

MEJ

(Extremely calm)Oh, Michael. There was nothing forcing anyone to go on. You know, we used to actually have a device. Only for show, of course. The other failures aren’t in the next room. There is no next room. That was a door leading to the outside. You think you’ve chosen your own path, but you haven’t. You have chosen the same fate as the other failures, all thinking they had beaten me. It might be that easy to defeat a machine, but I am no machine. I am flesh and blood, like you. Unlike you, however, I passed my test. You did not. You failed the test. This was the test.

(Dark music plays)

 

The End

(Turn all lights back on fairly quickly after the show is over to let the audience know that the show is truly over now)

[Vermillion 613]

10/10 too long did not read