November 17&18 Black and White Ball

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NOVEMBER PLAYWRITING CHALLENGE

November 17 & 18: The Black and White Ball

PROMPT Snark: Write a story in your favorite time period

**Disclosure, I’ve had a dream of writing an immersive production based on the lives of the swans and Truman that’s happier than the recent FX series. This is me using the prompt to try and word vomit some of it. Not as much as I wanted to but November is getting busy!!**

SCENE 1

(The setting is a chic restaurant. The author Truman Capote sits with his “Swans.” The audience surrounds the table.)

TRUMAN

Well darlings, that is why I have always stuck to clear liquors, clear everything if I can, clear broths even!

BABE PALEY

Clear broth are you talking about water?

TRUMAN

Warm water with maybe a little something seeped into it. 

LEE

Well hold your hats ladies, the Boston Tea Party is going to have a resurgence but this time it will be the chicest party in town. No hideous clothes.

TRUMAN

Only those pilgrim looking shoes you always seem so fond of darling.

(They all laugh)

Oh my darlings how I’ve missed our lunches.

SLIM AARONS

Who said anything about eating. 

(she raises her glass)

Here! Here! 

(They all toast.)

TRUMAN

My darlings I am planning a ball. A ball to rival all other balls. And it’ll be in honor of all of you, my Swans.

SLIM AARONS

Shouldn’t we be the ones planning a ball, you’re not exactly…flush with cash.

TRUMAN

No it would be an honor to be able to celebrate the women who have made me who I am, made me successful. 

CZ GUEST

Oh Darling, that’s so sweet. Where shall it be?

TRUMAN

The Plaza of course, where else. There will be dinner and dancing and OH what if it were a black and white theme. Nothing but the chicest black and white gowns as far as the eye can see, it will be divine!

LEE

I don’t know if that sounds appealing to me, darling.

TRUMAN

Oh you’ll love it! All I have to do now is plan the fucker and decide who will be the the celebrant, the person that will be the honoree, the swan among the bevy.

(They all look at each other with a look of hunger, sizing each other up. They all want this.)

SCENE 2

(We are at Kay Graham’s townhouse in DC.)

TRUMAN

You should have seem him, standing there like a beautiful Adonis, drink as a skunk. He was completely naked of course and I simply did not know what to do. 

KAY

My word, of all the things I miss about New York, your stories are probably the descriptions you imbue on these men…and women. How are your swans?

TRUMAN

Oh they are always continually beautiful. They glisten they glide. I am very lucky. I’m throwing a ball you know?

KAY

(distracted)

Oh? 

TRUMAN

They’re all beside themselves waiting to hear who this party is going to celebrate? I can see them clenching their well mannered jaws. Who is it going to be?

KAY

Well…Babe I would presume.

TRUMAN

I was thinking…what if it was you?

KAY

Me? Why Me?

TRUMAN

Why my darling It’s all for you! You’ve been so introverted since Phil passed away.

KAY

You can say killed himself, don’t be like everyone else in my life and skirt around it.

TRUMAN

I was trying to spare you.

KAY

You don’t think I know that “sparing me” means that people stop talking when I enter a room. Do you really think that’s kindness?

TRUMAN

(softer)

No, I don’t suppose it is. I just want to do something to lift your spirits.


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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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