Title

   Mind on Mind

 A Play in one act

by Mark Fasciano

Mind on Mind

 

 

 

 

 

There are three sets. Stage left is THE INSIDE OF JACK’S MIND, complete with a writing table, chair and small section of a cozy couch.

 

Center stage is DAD’S GARAGE. It is the workshop of Jack’s father, a creative and eccentric inventor. There are tools scattered all over workbenches and a SECRET INVENTION, a large contraption on wheels, covered with a white sheet.

 

Stage right is a DINER. There is a table with three chairs.

 

THE MAIN CURTAIN IS CLOSED TO BEGIN.

 

From behind the main curtain emerges the PROFESSOR. He is jotting down notes onto a clipboard. JACK, a college student, ENTERS, hesitantly.

 

JACK

Professor? Can I talk to you about the assignment?

 

PROFESSOR

Sure, Jack. What’s up?

 

JACK

(frustrated)

Well, I don’t know. I mean, I just can’t seem to get the story going. I think I have writer’s block.

 

PROFESSOR

No such thing.

 

JACK

What?

 

PROFESSOR

There’s no such thing as writer’s block. In fact, there’s no such thing as a writer. I prefer the term “creator.”

 

JACK

Well, I guess I have “creator’s block” then.

 

PROFESSOR

What exactly are you having a hard time with?

JACK

Well, I’ve got this idea about a NASA astronaut who travels to a new planet, but it’s not a new planet. It’s really an alternate universe but the aliens that live there are...

 

PROFESSOR

(interrupting)

Nope. Forget it.

 

JACK

What do you mean?

 

PROFESSOR

Jack, do you know anything about NASA? Do you know what it takes for a person to become an astronaut?

 

JACK

No...

 

PROFESSOR

I’m gonna let you in on a secret. There are three things that make good “writers” become great “creators”. First, write close to home. Write about things you know about all ready. Second, Spend time to create your characters, and let them guide the story. They will help your story find its ending.

 

JACK

You mean, the characters in my story create the plot?

 

PROFESSOR

Exactly. Their personalities and experiences will lead the way.

 

JACK

Okay, I get it. But what was the third thing?

 

PROFESSOR

The third thing is really a quote from an old college professor of mine, many years ago: “Look at the world through the eyes of a scientist, and write with the pen of a poet.”

The Professor EXITS through the main curtain. Jack contemplates the new ideas, strolling over to STAGE LEFT, where JACK’S MIND is set.

 

JACK

“Write with the pen of a poet...” “Let the characters guide the story...”

 

He sits down at the small table and begins to write. The CHARACTERS HE CREATES ENTER THE STAGE AS HE SPEAKS.

 

JACK

(thinking as he writes)

Characters...Hmmmmm...Okay. Let’s see...how about we start with a guy named...Keith. Keith is wealthy young man who wears a sport coat.

 

KEITH ENTERS through the main curtain. SPOTLIGHT is on him. He is already wearing a sport coat, and smiles.

 

JACK

Na...He’s a...a...goth! Yeah, a gothic kid who loves heavy metal.

 

Keith whips off his nice sport coat and dons a black leather jacket, messes up his own hair and stands slouched with a mean look on his face.

 

JACK

No...maybe he’s a...a...surfer dude! Yes! I like that better. He’s a surfer dude, with a ripped t-shirt and blue jeans.

 

Keith takes off the leather and puts hat on backwards. His t-shirt is old and ripped a bit.

 

JACK

...And he never wears shoes. He walks around barefooted all the time.

 

KEITH

(confused)

NEVER wears shoes??

 

JACK

(to Keith)

You’re a surfer dude. No shoes.

 

Keith reluctantly takes off his shoes and socks.

 

JACK

And Keith’s got a friend. A sidekick. Another surfer dude by the name of...

 

Another SURFER DUDE ENTERS and stands next to Keith. They bump into each other as their hello, surfer dude-like.

 

DUDE #2

How about Billy?

 

JACK

You don’t look like a Billy. You look more like a guy who just goes by a nickname. Like Sluggo. Your name is Sluggo.

 

DUDE #2/SLUGGO

(making a strange face)

Sluggo??

 

KEITH

Sluggo?

 

Both dudes contemplate their new identities, then SLAP EACH OTHER HIGH FIVES, accepting.

 

KEITH AND SLUGGO

Sluggo!

 

JACK

Okay, move over surfer dudes. We need somebody else in this story. A professional guy. Hmmmm... Maybe a doctor. Yeah, let’s try a doctor.

 

The DOCTOR ENTERS, wearing a white suit with a stethoscope around his neck.

 

JACK

That’s good. He’s a doctor of...he’s a doctor of the heart. What’s that called again?

 

DOCTOR

A cardiologist?

 

JACK

A cardiologist, right.

 

KEITH

Cool, dude! Do you like, cut people up and stuff?

 

SLUGGO

Yeah! He like, cuts people up and then puts ‘em back together. “We can rebuild him. We have the technology.”

 

Both surfer dudes laugh. The doctor is serious.

 

DOCTOR

(to Jack)

Excuse me? Why is there a cardiologist in this story?

 

JACK

I don’t know. Maybe you’re going to save someone. Remember, the characters create the story.

 

KEITH

(slaps Sluggo high five)

Dude, that’s awesome!

 

SLUGGO

Totally!

 

JACK

Okay, we need somebody else. The main character’s father. Let’s just call him Dad.

 

DAD is the next to ENTER. He smiles shyly and waves to the audience.

 

DAD

Ullo.

 

JACK

Dad is a...lemme think...He’s a mad scientist! Yeah, he’s an inventor!

 

Dad pulls out a stringy white wig and black horned rimmed glasses and puts them on.

 

 

JACK

He is a happy guy who always has something cooking in his mind.

 

SLUGGO

He’s a cook! Okay, dude, can I order a pizzaburger with fries, and...

 

DOCTOR

(to Sluggo)

You’d better watch that cholesterol intake. It can block the arteries, you know.

 

DAD

(he looks at the Dudes)

I’m not a cook. He said “mad scientist.”

 

JACK

Ah, let’s clarify: you’re an inventor.

 

DAD

Really? Am I a famous inventor? Like Albert Weinstein?

 

SLUGGO

Can he invent me a pizzaburger, please??

 

DOCTOR

Albert EINSTEIN. It’s EINSTEIN.

 

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 07.09.2020
ISBN: 978-3-7487-5678-1

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