DISEASED MINDS
Act 1 Scene 1
A pristine apartment flat. Two rooms seen on stage a white marbled kitchen and the living room. The carpeted living room takes up the majority of the stage while the kitchen takes up the remaining amount. In the upstage center, a large window overlooking the city that changes color depending on the moment. In the center, a leather couch and a table sit alone. A door to get in and out of the apartment is located upstage between the kitchen and a fireplace. Next to the door on the right, is a small cabinet with a large bottle of hand sanitizer. On the other side of the door is a curvy and intricate colored vase sitting inside a glass case upon a pedestal. Above the fireplace are a few books wrapped in plastic. Next to the window is a portrait of a clown that can change its emotions. Overall the apartments general look should give the vibe of a 50’s style apartment even though the time period is 2014 New years eve. The song “Lollipop” By the Chordettes plays.
“Call my baby Lollipop
Tell you why
'Cause he's sweeter than an apple pie
And when he does his shaky rockin' dance
Man I haven't got a chance
I call him Lollipop”
Lights up on a man, Oliver Nero. He is on his hands and knees
scrubbing the tiles of the kitchen. The music stops.
Oliver:(pulling out a small note pad) The kitchen floor is looking swell, check. Okay I just have to water the azaleas, wash the windows and clean the rug before...
A knock comes from the door. Oliver gets up and opens it. The man
who stands before, his younger brother Michael Nero. Michael enters
the apartment holding a box in his hands, Oliver stops him.
Oliver: Michael, you know the drill.
Michael: What are you a cop?
Oliver: No I’m your brother, now take your shoes off.
Oliver hands Michael two plastic baggies for his feet. Then he grabs a bottle of sanitizer.
Michael: You’re killing me man.
Oliver: Actually you are killing me. The SK542 virus is spreading all over Boston and I’m not going to be one who catches it. My neighbor Sara...
Michael: (sarcastically) Here we go
Oliver: Sara told me that her cousin Jenine contracted it and now her skin is changing color and her fingernails are falling out. Do you want to get that sick?
Michael: Oliver, you missed a spot
Oliver: (freaking out) WHAT? REALLY? WHERE?
He looks around for a spot, nothing. Then turns around to see Michael
chewing on his fingernails.
Oliver: (horrified) Michael, did you hear a single word I just said?
Michael: (still biting his nails) Huh?
Oliver rolls his eyes and grabs the sanitizer bottle again.
Oliver: You are so repulsive. Here take this.
Michael: That stuff doesn’t just kill the harmful bacteria, you know ?
Oliver: That old myth about sanitizer being bad for you still hasn’t been proven.
Michael: Whatever you say.
Oliver: Michael, of all the days to bother me, why did you choose this one?
Michael: Mom wanted me to bring this to you, late Christmas present or something. I had to carry it in the all the way here in the pouring rain.
Oliver: Uh what’s in it?
Michael: How the hell should I know? It could be her old Madonna cd’s. Here open it.
Oliver: Just set it on the table.
Michael: Fine, I’ll open it.
He opens the box and clumsily drops its contents on the floor,a
pie. Oliver makes a scrunched up face at Michael, then raises his
hands up into claws.
Michael: Mom never makes me pies.
Oliver: (grabbing a broom to shove Michael with) Get out! Thanks for visiting you ba.. ba...
Michael: Bastard, I believe the word you are looking for is bastard. My fiancee uses it all the time.
Oliver stares blankly at the carpet. There are no words between
them for a moment. He glares at Michael.
Michael: Look Olly, I’m sorry for dropping the damn pie on your carpet. I can fix...
Oliver: Don’t worry, I’ll clean up like I always do. (to himself) okay, I gotta water the azealia’s, wash the windows and then clean the giant stain in the carpet.
Oliver starts towards the kitchen, unaware that Michael is leaving
Michael: (disappointed) Well, it was nice seeing you again..
Oliver: Uh huh...
Michael: I have to get going anyways, I have resolutions to make. .
Michael starts to exit. Before he slips out the door bumps into the
pedestal holding the vase. Oliver sprints to stop it from falling over.
Oliver: Don’t worry, it falls over all the time.
Oliver exits off stage. Moments later he comes back with a bucket and
more sponges. He gets on his hands and knees and begins scrubbing.
The pie is almost cleaned off when a large bang comes from the
apartment next to his, followed by the sound of plates smashing and
muddled shouts. A door then slams . Oliver gets in a few more scrubs
before getting up and opening the door.
Oliver: Hey what’s going on out here? What’s all the commotion? Sara?
A woman around Oliver’s age walks up to the door, she is in tears.
Sara: I’m fine Oliver, we just had another fight. Nothing new. It’s my fault anyways.
Oliver: No don’t say that. The jerk probably deserved whatever it is you did. Come in and talk.
Sara immediately walks in, puts the bags over her shoes and
cleans her hands with
the sanitizer. She stops and looks at the pie.
Oliver: It’s nothing. Tell me what happened.
Oliver then escorts her to the couch.
Sara: It’s true though. I scolded him, you see, I scolded him because he skipped his chores to go party with his buddies. He doesn’t like it when I yell at him, he’s very sensitive.
Oliver: The kid is fifteen, he does not need to get, pardon my french, wasted. We’re adults we can drink.
Sara: Martini two Olives please.
Oliver: Yep on it.
Oliver goes back into the kitchen. He pulls a canister from under the
table and pours her
a drink.
Oliver: What happened after?
Sara: Well Adam got mad and started screaming at me. Saying I’m the worst mother in the world and that he wanted to go live with his father, the standard. Trust me, I’m not having the time of my life either. He walked out, bags packed, I don’t know when or if he’ll come back, frankly I don’t give a damn.
Oliver: He’ll come back, he’s just blowing steam off. God knows we’ve all been going a little crazy lately. It’s the darn SK542 sickness that’s doing it, I tell yah.
Sara: What do you mean?
Oliver: Adam probably just wants to “hang” with his buddies before the city really goes to hell.
Sara: Yeah, I guess, what with Jenine getting sick and all. She was in perfect health too. I don’t blame Adam for wanting to get out before it spreads. It’s New Years eve, who doesn’t like to have fun. I normally just order chinese food and watch the Twilight zone.
Oliver: Nice.
Sara: (laughing) And what are you doing on this fine New Years eve?
Oliver: Oh just a little bit of cleaning. I’m taking extra precautions this year because there’s no way Oliver Nero is going to lose his hair to a virus. Speaking of which, have you guys gotten your vaccines.
Sara: Yeah, have you?
Oliver: Unfortunately not. I’m still waiting for the bottles to come in.
Sara: Bottles? Couldn’t you go to a clinic?
Oliver: Christ, don’t you remember Brandon McCcoy incident?
Sara: I don’t believe that I do.
Oliver: Well, Brandon McCoy was that drug dealer who snuck into CDC and poisoned last years vaccines.
Sara: I think I remember that, but don’t you think it’s just a little expensive to have them shipped?
Oliver: Expensive yes, but also worth the price.
Sara: Whatever you say Oliver.
Sara places her finished drink on a coaster.
Sara: Well that was certainly a good martini
Oliver: Glad I took the online bartending class.
Sara: Yeah.
Oliver: By the way I am really sorry about your divorce and all.
Sara: Don’t be, there’s no point in crying over spilled milk. Sam and I just didn’t have the same feelings for each other anymore. He was a different man and I was a different woman, that’s all. He became an asshole but he wasn’t born one.
Oliver: Doesn’t make it any better.
Sara: Thank-you Oliver, I’m so glad you moved here.
Oliver: Yeah me too.
Sara leans closer to him.
Sara: These past few weeks have been rough for the both of us. You understand me.
You know what it’s like to be hurt. It’s strange, I’ve always dreamed of meeting someone like you.
Sara leans in so close that it is uncomfortable.
Oliver: What are you saying?
Sara hushes him.
Sara: I need a man who can cook and do the dishes... Oliver, I need you!
Oliver: Sara, this a little much.
Sara: Not for me Ollie boy, now open wide.
Sara grabs Oliver by the collar ready to kiss him. She freezes while
the sound of a church bell chimes. Sara sits up, Oliver opens his
eyes, their fling was only a dream.
Sara: What’s wrong, Oliver? Did I say something?
Oliver: (confused) What?
Sara: I was asking how your mother was, you weren’t paying attention.
Oliver: Sorry about that. My mothers fine although she slipped on some ice the other night.
Sara: Is she okay?
Oliver: She’ll be fine, trust me she’s already out and about celebrating New Year’s Eve.
Sara: Hold on you just made me think of something I forgot to do but I can’t remember what.
(pause)
I tied a string around my finger theoretically of course and I... Oh my god, my bosses New Years eve party is tonight.
I still have to get ready. I’ve never been to a New Years party before. I feel so embarrassed.
Oliver: Better get there soon before they’re all passed out.
Sara: Thank you for the drinks, I’m sorry I have to leave so early.
Oliver: You’re welcome.
Sara exits out the door. Oliver sit’s in confusion over what just
happened. Another knock comes from the door. He rushes to the
door but first stops to sanitize his hands.
Oliver: Sara, you’re back? Don’t worry I have food and it’s sterile.
He opens the door to find a pile of mail and a large yellow envelope.
He places the pile on cabinet. Then continues scrubbing the carpet.
He scrubs the carpet carefully and with rage. After a few minutes
he stops and takes the envelopes off the cabinet except the yellow
one.
Oliver: (inspecting the mail) Phone bill, Electric bill, cheese of the month subscription... god I don’t even read “The Enquirer”, jury duty notice for Michael... Dang it not a single package.
Oliver turns his head to the yellow envelope. He grabs it.
Oliver: What’s this? What is this?
Oliver tears the envelope open and pulls out a letter.
Oliver: (reading the letter) Dear Mr. Nero, although you meet our qualifications to receive the SK542 vaccination. We regret to inform you that due to a shortage of supplies in your district, we were unable to send the requested shipment. A new shipment should arrive in the next two to three weeks. (Sarcastically) Until then here are some tips on staying healthy during this season.
Oliver tears the letter to the ground, immediately all the pieces
begin to fall. He then picks them up, but he drops them again and
rushes to the sanitizer bottle. He begins to wildly pump the
sanitizer. He rubs it all over his arms, legs and face gasping for air.
Oliver: No, no, no, no, no. This has to be a mistake! They can’t do this.
Oliver locks the door. He then opens the cabinets, takes a can of
disinfectant and starts spraying the apartment wildly. Lights go
out.
SCENE 4
The lights go back on Oliver now speaking into a phone.
Oliver: Please, you have to understand. Yes. Yes. I know, but I, I can’t, I can’t afford to get sick, I write for the newspaper, do you know what it would do to my credibility?
Yes, I know you’re doing your best, but please make an exception, I beg you, I’ll do anything.
No I need that vaccination, please, please. Don’t put me on hold.
(losing his temper) Listen you! I can understand withholding a couple vaccines from the scum of Boston, but I am an important figure. I’ll write you out of a job!