Activity #2: The Spoken Word (TURN IN REPORT)
Klym9
ScriptExample_BYRDSBOY.docx
BYRD’S BOY
By Bruce J. Robinson
CHARACTERS
Birdie McCauley…………. thirty-something years old, African-American woman
Byrd…………………………sixty-eight, Caucasian
The offstage voice can be either the stage manager or recorded.
The play takes place in Baltimore—in a waterfront warehouse and a small office.
It’s 1988.
BYRD’S BOY
By Bruce J. Robinson
SCENE ONE
(It’s dark.)
(We hear a mournful cry in the distance.)
(We’re in a warehouse. It’s empty save for a pile of boxes left, a small
box right, and a large closet on its side. This is center.)
(Up right is the entrance to the warehouse. Above the door and
stretching across the top of the wall is a bank of dirty windows.)
(A man who seems to be in his late-60’s is standing on the door looking
to the horizon with old binoculars.)
(He’s grizzled, wild-eyed in tattered clothes and hat. He has a brown box
mounted on a belt that’s over his shoulder.)
(He takes the binoculars from his eyes. He looks confused, passionate,
ominous, and haunted.)
BYRD
Now!
(he beats rhythmically on the box. He listens for a response. There is
none. Once more, he beats.)
Now!!! Reporting for duty, sir!! (saluting)
Primed to pioneer! Poised to shoulder the load! Whatever that load might be…sir!
I’m here awaiting orders. This, time, you can count on me. Just tell me…tell me.
Why am I here? Dark. It’s dark. But though it’s dark, I shall guide us truly home.
(as he salutes, he grabs his head in agony)
Now!!!
(The last word echoes.)
(The old man lifts a lid on top of the closet and gets in.)
(There’s a moment of silence.)
A MAN’S VOICE (offstage)
An hour late!!
A WOMAN’S VOICE (offstage)
Sorry, sir.
A MAN’S VOICE
Sorry!! I’ll make you sorry! You’re hear ten years!?
A WOMAN’S VOICE
Twelve, sir.
A MAN’S VOICE
Wanna stay another ten!?
A WOMAN’S VOICE
Yessir.
A MAN’S VOICE
I don’t believe you.
A WOMAN’s VOICE
Yessir, Mr. Stewgill
A MAN’S VOICE
Then don’t make trouble for me! Uncerstand?
A WOMAN’S VOICE
Yessir.
A MAN’S VOICE
You’re the night-watchman, Birdie! You stop trouble! Your sitter don’t show, the kid stays alone. You people want it all on a silver platter! You want this job?!
(A car starts.)
A WOMAN’S VOICE
Very much, sir.
(The car roars off. The warehouse door violently swings open.)
(The woman is Birdie McCauley. She’s a 30-ish African-American woman.)
(As a flashlight beam bathes a bunch of boxes)
Stewgill…take this job and…and…too-bad I’m a God-fearing Christian or I’d tell you what to do with it! Jeez-muh-
(flicking on light)
knees…take that, Stewgill! (kicking a box) That’s what I shoulda done. Do nothing! Say nothing! Miss Birdie McCauley say nothing. Shoulda said, “Listen Stewgill: I don’t need your fat butt! I leave you, Punk! I move out to LA-LA Land to brother Willie! He asked me! I been asked! Who needs you!? I’m goin’. I’m…I’m…”
(recessive—grabbing stomach)
Shoot. Wouldn’t you know this’d happen on a day I’m retaining more water than the Hoover Dam? Men!
(From her flask, she takes a slug.)
Yessss. Now I can breathe again. Stewgill! Stewgill!
(mocking herself)
No! “I’m sorry, Mister Stewgill Boss-man. Take me! Buy me! Brand me!
(smashing down flask on box)
“Bend me over! Bend me over! Bend me--!
(But she stops herself.)
(Contemplates flask-crossing to light.)
Five bucks. K-Mart. That reality That’s a fine flask.
(She switches off the light.)
(Her flashlight darts around the dark stage.)
(She exits.)
(Silence.)
(We hear what sounds like a cough. The door flies open)
Whozat!? Anyone here…anyone! Best be warned. I got a gun! I got a gun!
(to herself)
…back in the office.
(yelling)
Anyone here?
(to herself)
What if someone say “no?”
(She wades into the room.)
Nobody here but us rodents, right? Now listen here….all rats, and mice and rodents…I like you. You quiet-like. But I catch you running around here. I carve off your hairy keisters with a carving knife.
(She turns to go. Turns back.)
I trust we understand each other.
(She turns again, just as Byrd darts out of sight.)
(She turns on MARVIN GAYE’s “Precious Love” on the boom box that she has
been carrying with her.)
(She exits through the warehouse door. “Precious Love” fades into the distance.)
END OF SCENE
