November 15: Places in Five

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NOVEMBER PLAYWRITING CHALLENGE

November 15: Places in Five

PROMPT: Inspired by Sex and the City

SCENE

(The setting is a row of theatre seats. At the start of the scene. There is currently only one person in the row. Margaret. She gets on her cell phone.)

MARGARET

No they’re not here yet. Why am I always the first one anywhere, it’s been 10 years why won’t anyone surprise me and show up first? Thanks, love. I know you can’t wait to meet them but I need to make sure the time is right. And a dingy off off broadway theatre being made to watch “culture” under duress isn’t the time.

(Mary enters)

MARY

I’m late I’m sorry. The subways are always a mess…but that would be news to you because you take cars everywhere. 

MARGARET

Are you saying the only reason I manage to be on time is because of my socio economic status?

MARY

I’m not digging at you it’s just a fact that having to rely on the subway system puts you at a disadvantage and should mean that you can never be considered “late” again.

MARGARET

(Not buying it.)

Sure. I have to go. Hangs up phone.

MARY

(Sitting down and getting comfortable. She starts to read the playbill.)

Well here we are, another of Josi’s plays. I hope this one is better than the last one. Who were you on the phone with?

MARGARET

No one.

MARY

Well you were obviously talking to someone. Your mom? A boy? Is there a new guy in your life tell me about him!

MARGARET

No it’s not a boy, and I don’t feel comfortable talking to you about it until I know more about what any of it means. 

MARY

Cryptic.

(In enters Tristan.)

TRISTAN

I know I’m late but the show hasn’t started yet so I’m considering it a win. I can only imagine who was here first.

MARGARET

Since when is being early considered a grave offense? When did me being a responsible adult start being annoying.

TRISTAN

I guess I don’t need to know who was here first now I guess. No Margaret no one hates you for living like an amish person. The rest of us just can’t live up to your unflappable image.

MARGARET

It is hard being this perfect.

TRISTAN

So what is this one about?

MARY

In what I’ve read so far it takes place in a post apocalyptic word that which the remaining humans are procreating with robots.

TRISTAN

Sounds sexy. 

MARGARET

Can we all go and get a drink after this?

MARY

So you can tell us about your new boy?

TRISTAN

She has a new boy? Meet cute at the barn raising.

MARGARET

I’m not amish that’s not funny. Come on. I just haven’t seen my best friends in a minute and I want to catch up.

MARY

Sure kitten. We can get a drink after.

(A man approaches the group.)

MAN

Are you Tristan O’Connor? I’m such a fan of your work. Your last exhibit at the Whitney really inspired me.

TRISTAN

It’s nice to know that people still go to art exhibits, that I’m not just doing it to give my mother something to brag about when her friends ask me why I’m not married.

MAN

You’re brilliant…can I buy you a drink?

TRISTAN

Sure, we’re going out after this play can you meet us there?

MAN

Sure!

(The house lights start to fade)

I’ll catch up with you at intermission.

MARGARET

I said I wanted to catch up! Now you’ve invited that strange man to come gawk at you and we’ll get no quality time in at all!

TRISTAN

We’ll have someone pick up the drinks for us, isn’t that what being single in this city is all about?

MARY

I hate to interrupt this but I think we should pay attention to this play, if that’s what this is. 


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I would describe my style and attitude as…

A cross between Iris Apfel, Miriam Margoles, Lucille Ball. But I am a devoted maximalist through and through. Although, as another inspiration once said

Style—all who have it share one thing: originality.

Diana Vreeland

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