Sparkless Light

I sit quietly. I sit waiting.
For her...
My muse.


It's been so long
since I've bothered
to create.

I fear she has left me.

To no longer create is to no longer live.
The soul festers underneath this mortal coil.

And yet I sit.

Quietly.

Waiting.

Hoping.

Catholic Plot (Inspired by the Gunpowder Plot)

I failed to remember the fifth of November
Of Guy Fawkes and his plot.
I know a few reasons
of why his 'lil "treason"
just happened to be forgot.

When "Vendetta" came out
Anarchists could shout...
"Finally a voice for us all!"
But we have failed to see
An English Catholic was he
to blow up Westminster Hall

To assassinate King James
and restore the Catholic name
was what Fawkes intended to do.
Instead his gunpowder found
he was tortured and bound
until he fell and broke in two.

Now we call him a hero
Nothing to fear, no,
despite having many sets of class.
But still, I admit
in my Catholic-lite bit
his day is purely for being a bad-ass.

Fair Hand of Death

As her friends went on and on about how great college was, Melanie’s state of mind went in and out of consciousness as she played with a piece of paper. Somewhere between the “crazy dorm parties” and “constant paper writing”, she daydreamed about other things while folding and unfolding her paper. Despite looking exactly the same since graduation (all three girls were blessed with blonde hair and green eyes, as if sisters separated at birth), things changed.

It had only been four months since they all last saw each other, but the way the girls across from her spoke, it seemed more like four years. Melanie could hardly even keep up with pretending to be interested in what they had to say as they sat in the family diner. It wasn’t their fault: she was more exhausted from her sleepless night than bored with their pointless chatter. Surprisingly, one of them noticed Melanie’s inability to join in on the conversation.

“Melanie...hello?!?” Autumn said as she snapped her fingers in front of Melanie’s eyes.  “Are you even listening?”

She snapped back to reality and quickly returned to the conversation at hand.  “Sorry, I’ve just been out of it lately.”

“I bet” replied Amy “It’s been a tough year for you. First, you didn’t get into the same school we did and then, well…”

Melanie’s legs were instantly covered in goose bumps and she immediately jerked her body into an awkward position.

“Shut up, Amy. We said that wasn’t going to be brought up!” barked Autumn.

“What? I didn’t say anything about Daniel.”

“Just shut up, Amy!”

Hearing his name was reason enough for Melanie to leave.

“Look it was great seeing you guys again, but I have to go.” She quickly got up from the table and walked over to Amy and Autumn, giving each of them a quick hug and peck on the cheek.

“Wait, Melanie…we haven’t talked about your school!”

Melanie turned her back to the door, but was still backing up to the diner exit.

 She quickly said, “Oh you know, it’s what’s expected of Community College…less papers and closer to home. I’ll see you guys later, bye!”

She wasn’t sure if either Amy or Autumn said anything after that. Melanie quickly walked down the street and by the time she looked back to see if they were following her, the restaurant was a little over a block behind her. They hadn’t bothered to check to see if she was all right, which was fine by her. Once she realized she was alone, a big gasp of breath came over her, as if she wasn’t able to breathe the entire time she was with them.

She feared Daniel would be brought up. She feared hearing his name, because in his name revealed many torturous things to her. She wanted to forget everything and just pretend that he never meant anything in her life. As if the two years they were together never happened and nothing happened that random Saturday night in late April.

But someone knew what she did---and was willing to torture her about it.

Melanie received a note that was left in her windshield wiper last week. She found it after classes. It was typed with a simple message with no name to it:

“If you wish to lie about what happened, at least tell me the truth.”

She crumpled it up and thought nothing of it. That is, until the next day—same note, roughly around the same time, only this time she was at her house. By day four the message became more specific:

“If you wish to lie about Daniel, at least tell me what he did.”

Then yesterday, the message left on Melanie’s car, became obvious that whoever wrote it, knew:

“It was no accident. Daniel is dead because of you.”

            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            It was night. Melanie was smoking while sitting on the hood of her car. She decided to park the same spot she parked a little over six months ago. She remembered everything, but then again how could she forget it?

She came here with a guy…who wasn’t Daniel. Melanie didn’t even bother to remember his name, but she called him Kirk due to his uncanny resemblance of Kirk Cameron. He didn’t mind: he was only in it for one thing. Still, she had no real excuse as to why she did it but it happened. They came to the woods to be alone. She found this spot because of Daniel: he loved to go hiking, especially at night. Maybe that was the reason why she wanted him to park there: so she could get caught and end it.

One moment they were in the backseat, and the next Daniel was pounding on the window, screaming obscenities so harsh it quickly fogged up the window he had wiped only a minute earlier. Melanie got out, screaming, although she had no real reason to. Kirk laughed while he threw her purse out of the car, moved to the front seat and drove off. They moved further into the woods, as their fight echoed into other unknown parts of the forest. Anyone could hear all the juicy details if they just listened:

“You’re a whore.”

“You’ve never loved me.”

“I hate you.”

            That final one had Daniel lunging at Melanie. She couldn’t take his harsh words anymore, so she fought back and pushed him while he came towards her. He stumbled. He fell. She ran away and went home. She thought nothing about it. The next day the cops were at her house: they had unfortunate job to tell her the bad news:

            Daniel was found dead in the woods.

                        He apparently was hiking in the woods.

(He loved to go hiking, especially at night…)

                                    He stumbled. He fell.

(She ran away and went home…though nothing of it.)

                                                He bumped his head on a jagged rock and bled out.

            They were sorry for her loss. Everyone was. At graduation he received a five minutes of silence. During those five minutes, Melanie looked for Kirk in the stands. His younger sister was in her class, so had had to be there: but he wasn’t. Did he possibly know?

            As she waited, she went from smoking to playing with the latest message that was left on her car that day: the one she was playing with at the diner.

            “Meet me in the spot. Midnight---I promise I won’t bother you after tonight”

            She figured Kirk would be here soon. She looked at the cell phone: 12:03. Maybe he flaked out? Then she thought about it:

Not this spot, but rather that spot: The spot where Daniel died.

            She started to walk into woods.  The October air hit her spine in the wrong way. As she walked closer and closer to the spot, she swore she heard twigs snap and hoarse breathing behind her. By the time she reached the spot, she saw a figure holding something.

“Kirk?” Melanie asked.

It didn’t reply, whether it was Kirk or not she couldn’t figure it out. It stood in possibly the darkest spot of the woods. It could be a man…it could be a woman. It could be just be a tree, but then again, trees don’t turn.

It turned away from her and walked away. Melanie was scared, but slowly started to get pissed. “This was it? This…thing just wanted to screw with me?”

It walked almost out of sight, then turned back to Melanie and stopped in its tracks.

She assumed it wanted her to walk towards it. As she walked in that direction, she heard rushing water. Once she realized she was near the creek, she was a few feet away from it. As far as she could tell, it wasn’t Kirk, but she couldn’t be sure.

It was just standing there, for several minutes. There was a sense of awkwardness, but familiarity.

Finally, out of madness, she yelled, “Who the hell are you?”

In that instant, it grabbed her arm. It was trying to get her to fall in the creek: To die in the woods. Like Daniel.

“Kirk, stop! It was an accident, I swear to God! Listen to me…”

It jerked Melanie closer and it finally spoke.

“Who the fuck is Kirk?”

The jagged rock that was in its hand dashed into Melanie’s head, which made her fall into the creek. Every bump, tear and hit made her scream in pain. As she started to sink in the eighteen inches of dark water, she was unable to move The only thing she could do was  look up at the figure.

She removed her hood and let her sandy blonde hair out. She smiled as Melanie stopped screaming and slowly started to choke on both the blood and water that was filling her mouth. Melanie knew who the figure was and she knew what was to happen to her. Then, in almost perfect aim, she threw the jagged rock right onto Melanie’s head and watched as she sunk into the pitch black waters. She picked up Melanie’s purse, threw it into the creek and turned away to get back to her alibi.

Everybody's Got Something to Hide (Except Me and My Monkey Paw)

*NOTE-I wrote this during my Sophomore year at Blackburn College, hence the completely different format from Zeus and Hera. According to the saved date, it was an Assignment for a Dec. 8th, 09 class. I ended up winning 1st place in a writing contest on campus for Drama a year later...won $140 and got to see Twiztid at Pop's*


Characters

Cassandra-20 year old girl

Malcolm-Strange Man in his 50’s

Policeman #1

Policeman #2 (Alex)

 

Setting-Living Room

Time-present day, at night

 

{The scene opens up to a girl on a couch in her living room. She appears to be watching TV, as a remote is in one hand, the other propping up her head. She obviously does not like what is on, and instead flips channels to find the show to quench her boredom, but she is finding no such luck}

Cassandra-God! I am so bored. Why isn’t there anything on TV tonight?

{She clicks the remote a few times}

Cassandra-I’ve all ready seen that.

{She clicks it a few more times}

Cassandra-That movie is so stupid when it’s “edited for television.”

{She turns off the T.V.}

Cassandra-Why can’t there be anything exciting to do around here?!?

{Someone rings the doorbell. Cassandra looks at the door for a moment, sighs, gets up and walks over to the door. }

{She opens the door and sees a middle aged man with a somewhat large bag by his side}

Malcolm-Hello.

Cassandra-{uneasy} Hi…

Malcolm-I’m here to offer to you which is in itself a once in a lifetime opportunity. Interested?

Cassandra-No. {Slams the door, locks it}

{She takes one step towards the couch, but then the doorbell rings again. She turns toward the door, unlocks it and opens to the same old man}

Cassandra-{annoyed} Yes?

Malcolm-I’m here to offer to you which is in itself a once in a lifetime opportunity. Are you interested?

Cassandra-NO! {about to slam the door again, but he stops it with his foot}

Malcolm -Would you like to buy a monkey paw? Very cheap.

Cassandra-Ew, God no! Why would I want something like that? {closing her front door}

Malcolm-{stops the door from closing on his face again} Wait, wait, wait. It’s not just any monkey paw…

Cassandra-{interrupts; in a sarcastic tone}-yeah, ‘cause nowadays EVERYBODY selling monkey paws.

Malcolm-{sighs, then continues} As I was saying, this isn’t just any monkey paw; it is a wishing monkey paw.

{pause}

Cassandra-I’m sorry, what? I spaced out for a few seconds.

Malcolm-{sighs again, hand touching temple, to himself} God, how is she even able to breathe on her own? {aloud}  This, my dear, is a very special monkey paw. {He goes into his bag and pulls a monkey paw out} This is a WISHING Monkey Paw. Three wishes for whatever your heart desires.

Cassandra-So, three wishes, all for me?

Malcolm-Yes.

Cassandra-And it’s all thanks to the gross monkey hand.

Malcolm-Monkey paw, but yes.

{pause}

Cassandra-This sounds familiar.

Malcolm-{shocked} What?

Cassandra-I said, “This sounds familiar.” I think I read a story like this in school.

Malcolm-{still shocked, and a little worried} Uh…No you haven’t!

Cassandra-Yeah, I did. I remember now, well, sorta. We were reading “The Monkey’s Paw” for English class, but that was when Kelly broke up with Kyle and I had to give all my attention to her. Luckily, she told me The Simpsons did a Treehouse of Horrors episode with the story, so I just watched that. Turns out, I lucked out with it anyways. My English teacher had to cancel all her classes that week-her baby came early. But yeah, I know what you’re doing.

Malcolm-{sheepishly} You do?

Cassandra-You’re trying to get me to make wishes for myself, ‘cause I worked so hard for finals! That’s so sweet of you.

Malcolm-Uh…yeah, sure. Why not…

{Cassandra grabs the paw out of his hands}

Malcolm-Hey, you gotta pay…

{Cassandra closes and locks the door}

Malcolm-…for that!

Cassandra-Okay, what should I wish for. Hmm…

{She thinks, while playing with the monkey paw.}

Cassandra-Oh, I know! {closes her eyes} I wish I had a large cheese pizza, cooked to be crispy, but not too crispy, in a pizza box delivered to my house right now.

{doorbell rings}

Cassandra-Yay! The pizza’s here.

{Cassandra puts the monkey paw on the couch, walks to and opens the door. Malcolm’s still there, but is now holding a pizza box.}

Malcolm-You still have to pay for that paw.

Cassandra-Hey! Give me my pizza. I wished for that!

{Cassandra grabs the pizza and walks over to the couch, but leaves the door open, letting Malcolm able to come in}

Malcolm-That was your first wish? Pizza?

{Cassandra sits down, opens the box, looks in and sighs}

Cassandra-They didn’t cut it the way I like it! I wanted square pieces and I got triangle slices.

{Cassandra pouts, but shrugs it off and takes a slice and eats it}

Cassandra-That is sooo good!

Malcolm-Pizza? Are you freaking kidding me?

Cassandra-{looks to Malcolm, innocently} What? I was really hungry.

Malcolm-You do realize that this {he picks up the monkey paw from the couch} can get you ANYTHING? And when I mean anything, I mean anything! Riches, love, expensive clothes…you name it can give it to you.

Cassandra-{grabs the paw from Malcolm} I wish I had a 20 oz. bottle of Diet Coke.

{she waits a moment, gets up from the couch, and goes through Malcolm’s bag---while it’s still on his shoulder.}

Malcolm-Hey, get out of that!

{She finds her Diet Coke and finally leaves his bag alone.}

Cassandra-Ew, it’s warm. Oh well, I’ll just get a cup of ice from the kitchen.

{Cassandra leaves for the kitchen(offstage). Malcolm is getting angry}

Malcolm-{aloud}A SODA? {to himself}The girl can wish for anything in the world, and you wish for a SODA!

{He takes a slice of pizza}

Malcolm-{yelling to Cassandra in the kitchen} You know, most normal people wish for money, jewels, fame, or… {He takes a bite of the pizza} Well, this is really good pizza, I’ll give her that…

{Cassandra returns with a cup of ice}

Cassandra-YAY! Now I can enjoy my pizza.

Malcolm-Look, you got one more wish left. May I suggest World Peace? End Hunger? {watches her staring at her pizza before she eats it} at least one half of a brain? {to himself} So at least you’d have half of one instead of none at all.

Cassandra-{takes a drink} You know what? You’re right. I am going to wish for something other than myself.

Malcolm-{to himself} Finally.

Cassandra-I wish you would go away.

Malcolm-Wait, What?!?

{Then two policemen come running into the house, taking Malcolm and his bag, dragging him out the door}

Policeman #1-Alright scumbag, you’re coming with us. And trust me, with all the evidence we got piled on you, you’ll be locked up in solitary confinement for a long,long time.

Policeman #2-Yeah.

Policeman#1-{annoyed} Way to add to the conversation, Alex.

Malcolm-{screaming while being dragged} All I wanted was to sell monkey paws! {Malcolm and the Two Policemen exit out the door.}

Cassandra-Finally, some peace and quiet.

{Cassandra walks over to the door, with her pizza in hand, locks it and sits back on the couch. She takes a bite of her pizza, picks up the remote, and turns on the TV.}

Cassandra-Yay! There having a Charmed marathon! I love that show. Those girls are always getting in trouble with magic.

(LIGHTS OUT)

Zeus and Hera

Characters

Therapist

Sarah-Secretary

Zeus

Hera

Medea

Chorus

Scene Setting-Therapist’s Office

Light up. The THERAPIST is at his desk, working on papers. The intercom pops on. It’s SARAH, his secretary.

SARAH (V/O)

Sir?

THERAPIST

Yes, Kira.

SARAH (V/O)

It’s Sarah.

THERAPIST

Oh, Sorry. Yes, Sarah.

SARAH (V/O)

Your 2:30’s here.

THERAPIST

Who’s my 2:30, again?

SARAH (V/O)

Roman and Juno, sir.

THERAPIST

Great…send them in.

(Thunder crashes as the couple enters STAGE LEFT: it appears to be ZEUS and HERA completely decked out in Greek clothing. They walk side by side and gracefully sit down, looking straight at the therapist. The therapist doesn’t bother to look up from their desk.)

THERAPIST

Thank you for coming in today.

ZEUS

It is not like I had a choice.

HERA glares at him.

THERAPIST

So you are… (shuffling papers, then looks up at ZEUS, a little put off by his outfit) Roman…and (looks to HERA, confused) you must be…Juno?

HERA

Actually…

ZEUS

I am Zeus, Father of the Gods and men, and this is my Wife Goddess, Hera.

THERAPIST

Okay…is a joke from Sarah? Did she put you up to this?

HERA

No, mortal. It is no joke.              

ZEUS

We are the Gods.

(SOUND EFFECTS-Thunder.)

THERAPIST

Alright, well, I am sensing some identity issues. Tell me, who picked out the names?

ZEUS

I did.

THERAPIST

And Hera, how do you feel about that?

HERA

Well, I feel like my husband is embarrassed of me.

ZEUS

Ridiculous!

THERAPIST

Now, Zeus, we have to let Hera express herself. (to Hera) How so?

HERA

Well, let us start with this session. He didn’t want it to get out that we were seeking marriage counseling up at Mt. Olympus so he opts to see a mortal and use those dumb aliases.

ZEUS

 (Proudly) They are not dumb.

HERA

First off, instead of taking his Roman name Jupiter, he instead is entitled ‘Roman’, which is fine by me. I, for one, would hate to be called a planet. But when it’s time to pick my name, he decides to keep name the Roman name of Juno. I despise the name Juno and he knows that!

THERAPIST

Zeus, were you aware that she was displeased by that name?

ZEUS

Well, it may have slipped my mind…

HERA

Slipped?!? Ever since that movie came out about the pregnant girl who speaks the language of nonsense I refuse to be called by that name! For the summer we vacationed in Rome, everywhere we went as “Roman and Juno” I was bombarded with nonsensical phrases, like  “For shizz up the spout”, and “Geez, Banana…Shut you frigging gob!” I have watched that film on forty different occasions and still have no idea what that fertile teenager was talking about!

ZEUS

Clearly, Wife Goddess, you are over exaggerating.

THERAPIST

What is she over exaggerating about, Zeus? Please explain.

ZEUS

She acts as if I’ve known that! Hera expects me to know everything. She never tells me what is ever wrong with her. She just bottles it in and then takes her anger out on others.

HERA

Well, not to be rude, my Lord, but aren’t you the “Father of the Gods”? YOU of all people should know what is wrong with your subjects… (muttered) or at least your own wife.

ZEUS

Oh, hear she goes…

THERAPIST

What do you mean, Zeus?

ZEUS

This is the same thing she complains about every time…our martial agreements.

THERAPIST

Which was?

ZEUS

When we got married, we agreed to do it for political reason, since after all, we are… (clears throat, then mutters) related.

THERAPIST

What was that?

HERA

He said we are related. Brother and Sister…can’t you see the resemblance?

HERA motions to both her face and ZEUS’s. Since ZEUS’s face is largely covered up with a long, white, beard---the resemblance is not so much. Still, the information takes the THERAPIST back a bit.

THERAPIST

You’re…siblings?!?

ZEUS

(clearly embarrassed) Yes, well…

                HERA tries to explain the situation, and does it as if she’s explained to a thousand times before.

HERA

Look, I know it sounds bad, but all the Gods marry “in the family” so there won’t be any power alliances. Like he said…it was purely for political reasons. As one of his sisters, Zeus felt he needed to have a wife that met his match both in power and in mind. Besides… (arms akimbo, slightly pouting) he tricked me.

                ZEUS is insulted.

ZEUS

I DID NOT!

HERA

He PRETENDED to be a hurt animal, knowing that I LOVE animals, and as I mended and kissed its’ broken body back to health, POOF! He’s got me in a legally binding contract of deity matrimony for-EVER.

                The THERAPIST finally gets over the sibling shock.

THERAPIST

Uh…Zeus, is this true?

ZEUS

Okay, so I maybe tricked you into marrying me.

HERA scoffs.

ZEUS

But since we’re on the topic…if I tricked you into marrying me, then why, WIFE GODDESS, are you so hung up on me being a monogamous husband?

HERA seems hurt. Her graceful demeanor and goddess-like behavior slowly turns to a mortal woman who is just about to rip her husband a new one.

`                                                                               HERA

EXCUSE ME?

ZEUS now talks to the THERAPIST. He turns from his nobility and god-like stature to a man who’s about to start WW III.

ZEUS

If I so-called tricked her into marrying me, then why does she get upset whenever I’ve been unfaithful?

HERA

Because…oh, I don’t know, I’m the FUCKING GODDESS OF MARRIAGE AND FIDELITY!

ZEUS

AND COWS! DON’T FORGET THE GODDESS OF COWS!

HERA

FOR THEIR WIDSOM AND SOULFUL EYES, YOU ASSHOLE!

                                                                                ZEUS

Sure, about TWENTY POUND AGO!

                The THERAPIST blows an air horn, hurting both ZEUS’s and HERA’s ears.

                                                                               HERA

Jesus, Mary and Joseph--- that’s loud!

                The therapist and ZEUS look at her oddly.

THERAPIST

Um…well, we’re almost out of time. Let’s just focus on the infidelity. Zeus, how many indiscretions have you had since married to Hera?

HERA turns to ZEUS, waiting for him to say the number.

ZEUS

A few…

HERA

…hundred.

ZEUS

Give or take…

HERA

…several more hundred.

The therapist just does not believe HERA.                                                            

THERAPIST

Really? Several hundred? How can you be sure, Hera?

HERA

Well, I may not know the exact number, but I figure since he has over a hundred bastards…and he has an affinity for young men with water pitchers…the number’s up there.

                The THERAPIST is astonished and almost criticizes ZEUS with the next question.

                                                                              THERAPIST

Really? A hundred kids?

HERA

One time, he “laid down” with the Goddess of Memory for nine days, and that resulted in NINE different daughters! Then he had the nerve to make them all muses!

                                                                               ZEUS

Look, just because I helped them get jobs, it’s not like I see them a lot. Just whenever one of them wants to go to Earth…It’s purely for professional reasons.

HERA scoffs                                                                       

HERA

Right…and Heracles is named after me.

                                                                                ZEUS

HE IS!

HERA

LIKE I WANT TO BE NAMED AFTER YOUR BASTARD YOU MOTHER-

*ding*

                                                                               THERAPIST

Oh, times up!

                The THERAPIST is trying to hid is happiness as he gestures for ZEUS and HERA to get up.

                                                                               ZEUS

Wow, really?

HERA

Huh, I thought we were making real progress.

THERAPIST

Yes, well, if you wish to see me again, please let Kira—no, Sarah know and she’ll schedule you in for an appointment.

                                                                                 HERA

Thank you so much for seeing us.

ZEUS

Yes, I wasn’t happy to be here at first, but I am glad we came. Don’t you agree, Hera?

HERA looks warmly at her husband.

HERA

Yes.

THERAPIST

Yes, well, hope to see you two soon.

ZEUS and HERA exit. SOUND EFFECT-THUNDER. The THERAPIST sits back in his chair exhausted. He pops the intercom on.

THERAPIST

Sarah.

SARAH (V/O)

Yes, sir?

THERAPIST

How many appointments do I have left?

SARAH (V/O)

Just one walk-in…and she’s next.

The THERAPIST sighs in relief.

THERAPIST

Great. What her name?

SARAH (V/O)

Let me check…what’s your name, dear?

                                                                               MEDEA (V/O)

Medea. I’m here to deal with my husband’s infidelities.

CHORUS (all together) (V/O)

She wishes to kill his mistress

and pull a Casey Anthony on

her kids just to spite him.

                                                                                SARAH V/O

Oh…and who are they?

MEDEA (V/O)

You can see them too? Oh, thank ZEUS! I also wanted to talk about possibly hearing voices. These people have been following me for MONTHS!

CHORUS (all together) (V/O)

Oh, like you’re so special that

we’d follow you? It’s hard to find

work in this economy.

It was either you or Oedipus

and he has serious mommy issues.

                THERAPIST slams his head repeatedly on his desk. Lights out.