| “PROBATION!” ________________ by Craig Abernethy Copyright 2010 Cast of Characters Caroline Early twenties: wears a blue khaki work jacket over a modest blouse and skirt. Marcella Older and tougher: wears a white lab-coat, blouse and skirt. Gracie Marcella’s age: wears a lab-coat, blouse, and skirt. SETTING: A pool of bright light sets the limits of an oppressive office work station." Industrial noises are occasionally heard and lights may flicker or dim correspondingly. AT RISE: Caroline waits apprehensively and after a moment... MARCELLA (Enters) Hello, hello! You’re…? CAROLINE “Caroline.” MARCELLA Yes?” CAROLINE The new worker? MARCELLA I’m “Marcella," and I will train you regarding the DF2-07-A/B from “One,” through the rarely used, but sometimes significant, “Fifty-two B.” Questions? CAROLINE The “D-2…?” No. No questions. MARCELLA Good. (A door is heard opening) GRACIE (Entering cheerfully) Hello! MARCELLA Right. GRACIE Hello. You must be “Caroline” and I am “Gracie," of the "Sunshine Club?” May I informally welcome you, and perhaps take a moment…? MARCELLA (Yells) Not now! GRACIE (Yells) Hello! MARCELLA Later! We’re training. This is about the DF2-07-A/B! GRACIE Our “Magnum Opus!” You did get a copy? CAROLINE (Takes a folded form from inside jacket) Yes, I’ve been looking it… MARCELLA Quite a challenge. CAROLINE …over and familiar… GRACIE Quite a challenge. MARCELLA Quiet! GRACIE “Helping!” MARCELLA First “Orientation,” then the DF2-07-A/B, then a “Break” and then we can consider… “extra- curricular...” GRACIE “Extra-cur...!?” MARCELLA At best. GRACIE I’d say the Sunshine Club… MARCELLA Not now! “Now” is “Orientation.” I am Katherine's Trainer. (To Caroline) You’re a “Worker:” Workers work from seven a.m. to noon and lunch until noon-thirty, work from noon-thirty-one to three-thirty-one, and leave. You are paid at the posted rate with paid earnings every other Friday. You receive a Health Card, paid… GRACIE Mostly why we’re here, huh? MARCELLA Please. A Health Card, paid holidays, and vacation assuming you successfully complete “Probation.” Questions? CAROLINE (After a moment) No. MARCELLA On to the DF2-07-A/B! (Clears throat) The DF2-07-A/B transitions gathered data: from available choices you distill gathered data inserting as needed onto the DF2-07-A/B, providing Users what we need so we may, as Users, use! GRACIE All the Users started as Workers! MARCELLA Beginning! Number One: “Name.” Simple enough so far? CAROLINE I sort of get the gist. MARCELLA Do you? CAROLINE The form asks a question. I find the answer and put it on the form. It’s you know... MARCELLA “Know?” CAROLINE I’ve filled out forms… I went to college, and… GRACIE Went to college! MARCELLA That’ll be a big help. GRACIE Big help. MARCELLA We didn’t. GRACIE No. MARCELLA Started… GRACIE As workers. MARCELLA With the F-1-D/A. MARCELLA and GRACIE (Together admiringly) The F-1-D/A! (End of sample) Complete scripts can be obtained by e-mailing Craig here |
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