|
The Pro: Front Material |
|
[Per Note: The title and subtitles are all in a crazy Windows font I no longer possess. In fact, I think the font's name was "Crazy."] by Rachel Lea H. [last name omitted] 4th Hour College English May, 1995 CHARACTERS [Per Note: The names in italics before every character name are what the teacher wrote in the margin. These were the students who read these parts aloud in class. Unfortunately, Mr. Cady's handwriting is poor, so I can't read all of them.] Will FISKER MARTYN "F. M." ZYNDA: a manic-depressive; a bizarre nonconformist, now temporarily institutionalized D Han [?--unreadable] DR. CONROY: psychiatrist heading the ward; dislikes his job, is stressed out all the time [Per Note: I think the notation may refer to Dan Hansen (Hanson?), a classmate.] Ryan DAVE: a patient; obsessive-compulsive, always worried about something; a compulsive hand-washer B Mick HECTOR: a paranoid schizophrenic; often loud and unruly, thinks everyone is out to get him, has a phobia about the Knights of Columbus ruling the world [Per Note: Technically, I believe that would be a delusion and not a phobia.] Jeff H EDWIN: a patient who talks to plants B Clark [?] JARVEY MESSEL: a levophobic--afraid of objects on the left side of the body; always walks with his head sideways [Per Note: Notation likely refers to a classmate named Brian (Bryan?) Clark.] Rhonda COOKIE: a patient; always has to have some part of the body in motion J Croff BILLY LOWMAN: a terminally depressed patient, favorite phrase is "We're all gonna die anyway" [Per Note: I meant "clinically depressed."] J Lyon LEONARD: a patient who always repeats the same word--"Pez" Carl M DR. LEVITICUS: a doctor intent on shutting down the institution Jem H. [?] MISCELLANEOUS: Dr. Conroy's secretary, other psychiatrists, janitors, police, other patients [Per Note: Oddly, I can't recall a classmate name that fits here. I never knew any "Jem." I don't even know if this is a male or female. Perhaps it's an abbreviation for Jeremy?--yet I can't think of any "Jeremy H." classmate, either. I knew a Jeremiah, but I believe his last name was Smith. It's possible I misinterpreted the spelling, maybe it's Jen?--I did know a Jennifer Hillesheim in elementary school, but I don't think we went to high school together.] SETTING Northampton Mental Institution in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; the present [Per Note: I utilized this same fictional location in The Scorpio Murders, Sidekicks (second draft), and True Believers.] THEME No matter how oddly someone may act, they're still a person; and everybody must be a little crazy now and then. SCENE 1: Dr. Conroy's waiting room; small, plain off-white walls, a picture or two, a mauve sofa opposite the door, gray-tan carpeting, a secretary's desk to the right of the office door, with a typewriter, pencil holder, in and out paper boxes, etc.; a window in the far wall, with a little stand upon which is a potted plant and a couple magazines; Dr. Conroy's name on a brass plate on the office door SCENE 2: A gravel driveway leading to the institution, a big white building with lots of windows and a large green lawn; some trees here and there, a creek in the distance with a copse of trees, and a road off to the other side SCENE 3: A big room; no carpeting, chairs arranged in a circle, pictures and posters with self-affirmations lining the brick walls; otherwise stark-looking, with counters with stacks of medical books and papers all around the room; several windows in the far wall, all barred SCENE 4: Dr. Leviticus's office; a small, dim room, lit only by a sleek, modern-type desk lamp; no frills anywhere, everything being precise; gray carpeting, a stark metal desk with the usual accouterments [sic], a single potted plant in the corner, a sleek cordless telephone beside the lamp, a metal file cabinet [Per Note: Mr. Cady corrected my spelling of "accoutrements."] SCENE 5: Outside on the institution lawn; the actions [sic] moves into a nearby copse of trees, then a large pond, then back past the copse SCENE 6: A hallway outside of Dr. Leviticus's office at night; a janitor's equipment leaning against the wall, several windowed doors besides; everything painted white; very dim SCENE 7: The patients' ward--a long room without carpeting, stark hospital beds lining both sides, barred windows behind them on the right side; night, with streetlights shining outside; white and antiseptic, a few books and games lying here and there, a chessboard on one of the beds SCENE 8: Different places in the institution as the action moves--the patient's [sic] ward, the group therapy room, the hallways, a stark cafeteria, and a rec room SCENE 9: Outside, the lawn, daytime; then to a nearby paved road lined with trees, and back to the lawn SCENE 1: Dr. Conroy learns of a new patient--a manic-depressive SCENE 2: F. M. is introduced to Drs. Conroy and Leviticus SCENE 3: The other patients are introduced; F. M. is situated SCENE 4: Dr. Leviticus talks on the phone to another doctor about shutting down the institution SCENE 5: F. M. gets acquainted with the other patients, taking them on a weird trip; Dr. Conroy has to bring them back SCENE 6: F. M. learns of Dr. Leviticus's plan, and formulates one of his own SCENE 7: F. M. plots with his fellow patients against Dr. Leviticus SCENE 8: The patients start acting oddly (even for them); Dr. Leviticus is brought in and tormented, and finally gives in, reveals his plan, and is arrested and taken away SCENE 9: Resolution--F. M. is declared sane enough to leave, says his goodbyes to the patients and Dr. Conroy, and is [sic] rides away on a bike--he wheels off crazily, horn honking, causing cars to stop; Dr. Conroy sighs and turns away F. M. ZYNDA: All mismatched clothing; a patched vest, mismatched socks, shoes, etc., all brightly colored, a tie-dye T-shirt underneath; a gray Confederate Civil War cap with two slightly bent peacock feathers sticking out DR. CONROY: White coat and white dress pants; sneakers DAVE: Dress pants and a dark dress sweater with a dress shirt underneath; loafers HECTOR: Loose white hospital-style robe with dark pants; slippers EDWIN: Nightgown-like robe with light pastel stripes, matching pants; slippers JARVEY MESSEL: Loose, baggy clothing, light in color; similar to but not the same as Hector's and Leonard's COOKIE: Eighties-style clothing--wild floral print blouse, neon shorts; bright, gaudy jewelry, mostly plastic--lots of necklaces, bracelets, and rings; shoulder-duster earrings; hair is teased wildly and in a sort of tail with bright gauzy ribbons BILLY LOWMAN: Dark, loose clothing; loafers LEONARD: Robe like Hector's; light pants and slippers DR. LEVITICUS: White coat and dark dress pants; shiny dark shoes, nametag; expensive watch; wire-frame glasses SECRETARY: Light floral print dress; high heels, gold bracelet, dangly earrings PSYCHIATRISTS: White coats, dress pants and shoes, nametags JANITORS: Light blue uniforms with nametags; slightly messy looking, dirty and unkempt, perhaps with a rag hanging out of a back pocket [Per Note: I find this description quite offensive by now as well.] POLICE: Michigan State Police, with dark blue police uniforms and hats OTHER PATIENTS: Robes, pants, and slippers similar to Hector's and Leonard's SCENE 1: Wall paintings, sofa, secretary's desk, typewriter, pencil holder, paper boxes, papers, clipboard, stand, potted plant, magazines SCENE 2: Trees, birdcage with finch SCENE 3: Eight chairs, wall posters, books, papers, patient file, fish tank, sinks, clock SCENE 4: Desk, desk lamp, rotating chair, potted plant, cordless telephone, file cabinet, patient file SCENE 5: Trees, pond, willow, straitjackets [Per Note: I know by now that for straitjackets to be present is outdated and highly unlikely.] SCENE 6: Janitor's bucket and mop SCENE 7: Beds, books, games, chessboard, nightstands, shoes, cups of water (on nightstands), lamps, papers, pen SCENE 8: Same as scenes 3 and 7; fake knife, round tables, food counter, salad bar, basketballs, volleyballs, volleyball net, wrestling mats, basketball hoops, potted plant, phone bills SCENE 9: Trees, potted plant, Pez dispenser, bicycle, cars |