A Preview of "The Poet"; A Play in 2 acts

Act I, Scene 1
Friday evening. The home of Phillip Wright and his daughter, Jennifer. Wyatt Littlejohn has come to visit his best friend, Jennifer, to share his latest poetic creation. Wyatt and Jennifer are seated on the sofa as Jennifer reads from his journal.
JEN:
And the poet, stalwart to the end
Proclaims his love in quiet measure,
Unrevealing, unrelenting,
Undenying to his grave.
Oh, Wyatt, that is so beautiful. I think it may be the best poem you’ve ever written.

WYATT:
You really think so? I mean, I thought it was okay, but the best. . .

JEN:
Absolutely! And I should know. I’ve read them all. Have you submitted it
anywhere?
WYATT:
I’m not sure it’s quite ready for that yet. It might still need a little editing.

JEN:
(Slaps him on the arm with the journal)
Are you kidding? Don’t you dare change a word of it. It’s perfect just the way it is.

WYATT:
Ok, Miss English Lit major.
(Takes journal back. Opens it)
I won’t change anything. . . Except maybe this line right here.

JEN:
Oh, you’re impossible.


WYATT:
I don’t believe in the word impossible.

JEN:
Well, look it up in the dictionary, right next to your picture.

(Doorbell rings. Jen moves to answer)

WYATT:
Expecting company?


JEN:
Other than you?

WYATT:
I’m not company.

JEN:
It’s probably Libby. She’s supposed to come over to help me with the color scheme for the wedding.

WYATT:
Ah, the wedding.

JEN:
Don’t make it sound so grim. It’s supposed to be a joyous occasion.

WYATT:
Hurray, hurray.



JEN:
(Opening the door)
Well, hey girlfriend. Don’t just stand there. Come on in.

LIBBY:
(Enters carrying a bundle. Moves toward sofa.)
Jen, you will not believe the experience I had on the way over. Wait til I tell you. Oh, hi Wyatt. I didn’t know you’d be here.

WYATT:
Libby. Nice to see you, too.


JEN:
So, tell me.

LIBBY:
Tell you what?

JEN:
Your big experience?

LIBBY:
Oh yeah. Well, I’m coming down the Parkway, you see, minding my own business, listening to Fergie on my mp3 and just chillin’, when a cop pulls me over for no reason whatsoever.

JEN:
He must have had some reason.

Libby:
He says that I changed lanes without signaling. Signaling? I say. But there was nobody behind me to signal to.

WYATT:
Except the cop.
LIBBY:
Point taken. Anyway, we chat for a while. . .

JEN:
You chat? During a traffic stop?

LIBBY:
Well, yeah. You know me, I love to chat. Besides, I think he was having a slow day. Why else would he pull me over for such a minor thing?

WYATT:
The fact that you cut him off without warning wouldn’t have had anything to do with it?

LIBBY:
Oh, hush, you silly. So, anyway, we’re talking and I find out that he’s single and, more importantly, not gay. And I’m telling him how I’m coming over to my friend’s house to talk about her wedding plans and I find out how he just loves weddings and . . .


JEN:
Oh, no.

LIBBY:
Long and short of it, I’ve got a date for the wedding. Isn’t that a hoot?

JEN:
Incredible.

LIBBY:
I know. Oh, Jen, he is sooo cute. And single. I made sure of that.

JEN:
Good for you. Can’t be too careful these days.

WYATT:
The important thing is, did you get a ticket?

LIBBY:
Just a warning. But I would have taken a ticket and been glad to get it for the way things turned out.

WYATT:
Only you, Libby, could turn a moving violation into a dating opportunity.

LIBBY:
Listen to you, Mister Master of experience. And how many dates have you had lately?

WYATT:
I don’t think that’s relevant.

LIBBY:
I can tell you how many. Zero, zilch, nada. So don’t go trying to give me advice.

WYATT:
I wouldn’t think of trying to give you advice, Libby. I think you’re way beyond that.
(Turns to Jen)
Listen, I have to go.

LIBBY:
Why? Got a hot date with the head librarian?

WYATT:
In a manner of speaking. Inventory. Looks like a couple of late nights this week.

LIBBY:
When are you going to quit that library gig and get a real job?


WYATT:
I love my job. Besides, it’s only temporary until my writing career gets off the ground.

LIBBY:
Don’t you know by now that nobody gets rich writing poetry?

WYATT:
I’m not looking to get rich; just recognized.

JEN:
Libby, leave Wyatt alone. I happen to believe in him. He’s going to be famous someday.
LIBBY:
Well, I didn’t mean . . .

WYATT:
It’s okay, Libby. I know you mean well.
(To Jen)
Listen, I’ll stop by tomorrow. I have some ideas I want to run by you.

JEN:
I’ll be here in the afternoon. Got an appointment in the morning.

WYATT:
More wedding stuff?

JEN:
More wedding stuff.



WYATT:
Okay, see ya then.
(Opens front door. Phillip Wright is there about to enter)
Hey, Mr. W. How’s it going?

PHILLIP:
Wyatt! Not leaving on my account I hope.


WYATT:
Oh, no. I gotta be someplace.

PHILLIP:
Have you heard from your folks lately?

WYATT:
Not for a couple of weeks.

PHILLIP:
They enjoying the fun and sun in Florida?

WYATT:
Living the good life. Gotta go. See ya.

PHILLIP:
Give them my best.

WYATT:
Will do.
(Exits)

PHILLIP:
It amazes me why that boy wanted to stay in Maryland when the rest of his family moved to Orlando.

JEN:
For one thing Wyatt hates hot weather.

PHILLIP:
It gets hot in Maryland.

JEN:
Not year round.

PHILLIP:
Often enough.

JEN:
Oh, Dad.

PHILLIP:
(Notices Libby)
Hey, Magpie! How’s my girl?

LIBBY:
(Jumps up and gives him a hug)
Just fine, Poppie. My, you’re looking spiffy these days. What’s your secret?

PHILLIP:
Clean living, baby girl. Clean living.

LIBBY:
I don’t know why some lucky lady hasn’t snatched you up.

PHILLIP:
It ain’t from a lack of trying. I had two ladies hit on me this week, one divorced, one a widow.

LIBBY:
Ooh, prospects. Maybe I should get in line.

PHILLIP:
Oh, Libby, if only I were twenty years younger . . .


LIBBY:
Oh, I declare, sir. How you carry on, could turn a ladies head.

PHILLIP:
Okay, Scarlet. You can turn off the charm. I gotta go change. Got a function tonight at the lodge.
(Begins his exit to the bedroom)

LIBBY:
Do you need a date for this so-called function?

JEN:
Oh stop it, Lib. You’re incorrigible.

LIBBY:
I’m not sure what that means, but I’ll take it as a compliment.

JEN:
It wasn’t meant as one.

LIBBY:
Then I’ll take it as constructive criticism. Seriously, though, your dad is so good-looking. I don’t know how he’s managed to stay single for so long.

JEN:
He hasn’t been looking. Too busy. What with running the company and all the charities he gets hooked into, who has time for relationships?

LIBBY:
It’s just sad. That’s all I’ve got to say.

JEN:
Besides, I don’t think he’s over Mom. He talks about her like she’s still here.


LIBBY:
But it’s been what? Five years now? He needs to move on.


JEN:
I agree, but it’s hard.


LIBBY:
Maybe I can fix him up with my Aunt Lula. She’s single again and she’s a real pistol.

JEN:
Is this your aunt who’s been married four times?

LIBBY:
Five if you count Uncle Herman. But that only lasted about a week. Compatibility issue, you know. Never consummated.

JEN:
I think we can pass on Aunt Lula. Besides, remember what happened when we tried to fix Pop up with your Mom.

LIBBY:
Oh yeah. Big disaster. Okay, so let’s concentrate on your wedding. I brought these swatches over. Tell me what you think about this combination of mauve and maize.

JEN:
Hate it. I was thinking more of lilac and pink.

LIBBY:
Ooh, I like that. I think I saw that somewhere in here. Do you think Roger might object to the pink though? Not very manly, and he “is” a very manly man.


JEN:
Roger will go along with anything I choose. He told me I should make all the decisions on the wedding because it’s my day.


LIBBY:
Manly and sensitive, too. I just can’t stand it. Oh, Jen, you are so lucky.

JEN:
I think so.

LIBBY:
He doesn’t have a brother at home, does he?


JEN:
Nope. All sisters from what I understand. Three of them.

LIBBY:
Any of his folks coming in from Vegas for the wedding?

JEN:
Maybe. I can’t get much out of him about his family. I don’t think they’re real close.

LIBBY:
But you gotta meet the family. I can’t imagine marrying somebody and not meeting his family. It’s like that old saying about poking a pig.

JEN:
You mean buying a pig in a poke?

LIBBY:
Yeah, that one.


JEN:
It’s not like that at all. And I’m not marrying Roger’s family, just Roger, and I already know everything I need to know about him.

LIBBY:
I don’t know, girl. They say you never really know a person until you know his origins, and that starts with family.

JEN:
I don’t know who ‘they’ are, but I know enough to realize that is a lot of bunk.

LIBBY:
Okay, but when it turns out that his sister is a modern day Lizzy Boardwalk . . .

JEN:
Borden.

LIBBY:
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.


JEN
Your concern is duly noted. Now, can we get on with this?

LIBBY:
So, it’s lavender and pink, right?

JEN:
Lilac! Lilac and pink.

LIBBY:
Got it.

(Doorbell rings as Phillip enters from the bedroom. He has changed clothes and is now wearing a suit.)

PHILLIP:
Stay where you are. I’ll get it.

Libby:
Wow! Poppie! Look at you. What are you? Some kind of quick change artist?

PHILLIP:
It’s amazing what you can do under pressure.
(Opens door. Roger is there)
Hey! Roger! How’s it going?

Roger:
Not too bad, Mr. W. Look at you, all decked out. Got a hot date?

PHILLIP:
A hot buffet line at the lodge. Listen, I’d love to stay and chat but I’m really running behind. Jen, I shouldn’t be too late.

JEN:
Okay, Pop.

PHILLIP:
See ya, Magpie.
LIBBY:
You bet, Lady Killer.

(Phillip exits as Roger enters)


JEN:
(Crossing to Roger. Gives him a quick kiss)
Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to see you until later this evening.

ROGER:
Uh, yeah, about that.

LIBBY:
Uh oh.


ROGER:
I’m afraid I have to cancel tonight. I got a call from HQ. It seems we have a bit of a crisis in New York and I have to fly out tonight. I’d ask you to come along but I’m afraid it’s gonna be all business, no time for pleasure.

JEN:
It’s okay. I understand. Your job and all that.

LIBBY:
Just exactly what is it you do again?

ROGER:
Consulting. You know, offering advice, suggesting alternatives and solutions.

LIBBY:
So, you have a consulting emergency.

ROGER:
It’s not as simple as all that, but yes. We’re involved in some heavy negotiations that, well, I can’t really go into.

LIBBY:
I see . . .
JEN:
Oh, Libby, stop it. Look, sweetheart, you go. Take care of business.

ROGER:
It’s what I do.


JEN:
When will you be back?

ROGER:
Tomorrow. Late. Maybe very late.

JEN:
Well, no matter what time it is, call me when you get back. I want to know the minute your plane touches down.

ROGER:
I can do that.

LIBBY:
Oh, Rog, while you’re here can we get your opinion on something?

Roger:
Sure, but make it snappy. Got a plane to catch.

JEN:
Oh yes, we were talking about color schemes for the wedding.

LIBBY:
What do you think about purple and pink?

JEN:
Lilac and pink.

LIBBY:
Oh yeah. Wait. Was it lilac or lavender?

JEN:
Lilac!

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: hppt://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Click here for a Free download: read my plays

I have posted all 13 of my plays online. You can download them in pdf format. Check it out. Hope you enjoy. My most recent play, "The Poet", has been submitted to the Baltimore Playwright's Festival.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: hppt://www.lulu.com/dsmartin

Wow!

Wow! I didn't realize it has has been 5 months since my last post. Since then I have completed a new play (The Poet) and submitted it to the Baltimore Playwright's Festival. I also created a new site http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/
where all of my plays can be downloaded for free. I am currently waiting to hear from the playwright's festival as to whether my play will be selected for a staged reading and further consideration for production. I also plan to submit it to Brooklyn College's Drama Department (at the suggestion of a friend, Irene Brodsky) for consideration.

My next project will either be another novel or a new collection of freeverse poetry.