Clothed, Shirt, Theater, Eye of the Beholder, Crutches
DAVID 304
SCENE TWO
(THE MEN'S LOCKER ROOM LATE AT NIGHT. JOSH IS ALONE AND IS CLEANING OUT HIS LOCKER. HE DOES IT SLOWLY AND HESITANTLY. FINALLY, THE LAST OF HIS BELONGINGS ARE IN HIS GYM BAG. HE CLOSES THE LOCKER AND GENTLY BANGS HIS HEAD AGAINST IT, RESTING IN THAT LEANING POSITION. HE IS DESPONDENT. HE TURNS TO FACE HIS SHOES WHICH ARE ON THE FLOOR NEAR A BENCH. HE DOES NOT WANT TO PUT THEM ON BECAUSE THEN HIS TASK WILL BE FINISHED.)
JOSH: (Sighs)
(ENTER DAVID STAGE RIGHT. HE IS STARTLED TO SEE JOSH.)
DAVID: Hey! You're here late! It's almost closing time.
JOSH: Hi. (Looks sadly at David)
DAVID: What's wrong? Your dad forgot to pick you up?
JOSH: No. Just the opposite.
(DAVID SEES THAT JOSH IS VERY TROUBLED. HE COMES CLOSER AND BENDS DOWN TO LOOK INTO JOSH'S FACE.)
DAVID: He brought you back?
JOSH: (Nods) So I could get most of my stuff.
DAVID: But why?
JOSH: We're gonna send it...to...somewhere.
DAVID: Where?
JOSH: I can just bring what I need with me for the next month.
DAVID: The next month?
JOSH: (Nods and looks up at David) My dad's sending me to a military school.
DAVID: What?! When?
JOSH: In a month.
DAVID: Where?
JOSH: New Jersey.
DAVID: Why? Why? You're making such good progress here! Why would he do something like that?
JOSH: Cuz I'm a puny dweeb.
DAVID: Awww. No you're not.
JOSH: Yes. I am.
DAVID: You don't want to go?
JOSH: No! I want to stay here with you.
DAVID: Can't you tell him that you don't want to go?
JOSH: (Shakes head) I did. You know how he is.
DAVID: (Sighs) Yeah. I'm afraid I do. And I also know that nothing I say is going to change his mind. In fact, it might just make him dig his heels in more!
JOSH: (Chin trembling) I.....I don't want to go!
DAVID: (Sits down and hugs Josh) Awww. Now, wait. Let's just think this through first.
JOSH: He's always telling me what to do! How can I do what he wants if I can't even walk?
DAVID: Exactly.
JOSH: What?
DAVID: Tell me about this military school.
JOSH: Well, it's not exactly military, but it's very regimented. We even have to wear uniforms. They specialize in young adults with rehabilitational disabilities. Especially polio. But I'm just tired of doing everything he says. He's got everything all planned out for me. Even where I'm gonna live and who I'm going to marry.
DAVID: Your father is a very organized man.
JOSH: (Laughs through his tears) Yeah!
DAVID: What about you? You have any ideas where you want to go? What you want to do? I know you do.
JOSH: Well.....it's nothing my father would like....but.....
DAVID: Yes?
JOSH: Well......I....I thought it might be nice to help people...you know. Kind of like you do.
DAVID: Trainer? Physical therapist?
JOSH: No.
DAVID: Doctor? Counselor?
JOSH: No.
DAVID: What.
JOSH: Well, I thought....well....I always liked coming here because you could make me laugh. And you could make all the machines feel like toys. I didn't want to get off of them. I didn't mind coming here. It was fun.
DAVID: Comedian?
JOSH: No. (Smiles) Not a comedian. I just thought...I just thought that it would be nice to make people, you know, feel happy, because there are so many things that steal fun. Sometimes I see my brothers, and I guess they're having a good time doing their sports and everything. But they never got to play. You know. Just play. Whenever we'd go to the playground, dad would always make things into a competition. Who could swing the highest. Who could jump the farthest. Who could climb the fastest. So I think it would be nice to remind people that playing is important, and if they can't play, then...well...it's like something's being stolen from them. It's wrong. And I'd like to make it right.
DAVID: And how would you go about doing that?
JOSH: Aww. It's a dumb idea. And you can't make any money at it. At least I don't think so.
DAVID: Okay. I'll decide if it's a dumb idea. Tell me.
JOSH: Don't laugh.
DAVID: I promise not to laugh.
JOSH: Well....I have a lot of ideas. And I think it would be fun to.......um........
DAVID: (Waits)
JOSH: ...to....to design......toys.
DAVID: Toys?
JOSH: (Nods)
DAVID: That's a wonderful idea! What are you talking about? That's a great idea.
JOSH: But when will I ever get around to doing that? I can't even walk.
DAVID: You don't need to walk to design--
JOSH: I know. But....
DAVID: Listen to me. (Stands) I don't know what kind of therapy they have at that academy, but I'm not so sure it's going to work if they don't strengthen a very basic element.
JOSH: What's that?
DAVID: Listen. If I give you one more exercise to do, can you promise me that you'll do it?
JOSH: Okay.
DAVID: I'm hesitating whether to tell you or not. It's very hard. But I think if you can do it consistently, things might fall into place with your recovery.
JOSH: What is it?
DAVID: It's hard! Some people can't even start it!
JOSH: What is it?
DAVID: It hurts sometimes too. Well, maybe not "hurt" exactly. But you sure have to psych yourself up for it. Big time.
JOSH: I can do that! I'm good at that! Remember?
DAVID: That's why I'm thinking you might be able to do it. But Josh, I gotta warn you....it's hard. I uh...I hope I don't scare you off, but some people just don't have the fortitude to even begin, much less be consistent.
JOSH: But I do! I do! Remember?
DAVID: I remember. You know why I call you that?
JOSH: Cuz I stand stiff like a soldier.
DAVID: No. Because you're brave. And you keep going.
JOSH: I'm not brave. I'm scared!
DAVID: Brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It's being scared and doing the right thing anyway. This thing you've got kills people! But you come in here day after day after day, rain or shine, hurtin' and tired, smacking away at it like a man hammering at a glacier. Now if that's not bein' brave, I don't know what is. (Lifts Josh's chin) So you might just show those cadets a thing or two. Especially if you can do this exercise I'm about to give you.
JOSH: Do I need any special equipment?
DAVID: Nope.
JOSH: Is it a resistance exercise or an endurance exercise?
DAVID: Both.
JOSH: Both?
DAVID: Will you at least try? Try very hard?
JOSH: Yes! I'll do it for you! So you'll be proud of me.
DAVID: Okay. What you do is....
JOSH: (Listens attentively)
DAVID: Stand real tall...center your weight...take a medium breath...clear your mind...
JOSH: This is just like diving into the pool!
DAVID: It really is. Okay, now once you've done that...
JOSH: Yes?
DAVID: You clear your mind, and you stop waiting for your dad to say he's proud of you.
JOSH: What?
DAVID: I told you it was hard.
JOSH: That's not an exercise!
DAVID: Oh yes it is. Harder than any squat with a barbell on your back or pumpin' a ton of iron.
JOSH: But--
DAVID: And the reason you should stop waiting is because he might never say it, just to keep you hoping and doing what he wants you to do. But you know Josh, just because he doesn't say it, doesn't mean you aren't something to be very proud of. It just means he sees with his eyes too much.
JOSH: But--
DAVID: Now I know you have that strength inside you. You don't, but I do. Now it's time to use it.
JOSH: But I don't! You're the one that helps me. You're the one I lean on.
DAVID: And you always can. And you will for the next month. But that's the exercise that's really gonna make a difference. I don't know if you can start it now, but I'll tell you this: If you wait for a day when it looks easier, it'll never come. So just take a breath...clear your mind...just like jumping off the diving board.
JOSH: Just like jumping off the diving board.
DAVID: You remember that?
JOSH: Yeah (Smiles)
DAVID: I was right there, ready and waiting right there below you in case anything went wrong. But you had to do the jump.
JOSH: Yeah. I remember.
DAVID: You remember what you did?
JOSH: Yeah. I closed my eyes, and I took a breath, and then just breathed, and I tried not to push myself. I just waited.
DAVID: And then the moment came.
JOSH: And I scooted my butt off the edge of the diving board. Boy was that fun!
DAVID: Well maybe New Jersey will be like scooting off the diving board.
JOSH: But you won't be there!
DAVID: No. I'll be here.......thinking of you there. Now that, I promise.
JOSH: Well....okay. Then I promise to do the exercise. But you gotta make me one more promise!
DAVID: What's that?
JOSH: You gotta come visit me. Please? Please? They say it's really pretty in the Spring.
DAVID: But Josh, I...I don't know when I'll be able to afford a trip clear across the--
JOSH: Please? If I know you're coming, I'll have something to look forward to. Please promise me. I'll send you money.
DAVID: Aw you don't have to go sending me any money.
JOSH: I'll save up my allowance and sell stuff I don't need!
DAVID: No. Now that's your money. Don't you--
JOSH: Then I can do whatever I want with it, right?
DAVID: (Sighs)(Scratches head) I just have some big bills comin' up and.....might have some bigger ones on the horizon. But......
JOSH: Please?
DAVID: Oh all right. Even if I have to ride on top of the bus....I promise.
JOSH: Yay!
DAVID: Listen to me. I don't know when, but as soon as I can, I'll come. Okay?
JOSH: Yes.
DAVID: Oh! And another thing. Did you know that every year they have what is just about the biggest toy convention in the world right there in New York City?
JOSH: They do?
DAVID: Yep.
JOSH: That's just an hour away from the school!
DAVID: And I was thinkin'.......your dad will be three thousand miles away.
JOSH: (Stops to think) Yeah! Oh yeah that's right!
DAVID: Hmm. Hmmmmm?
JOSH: (Laughs) I can do a lot of things!
DAVID: Yep, including your plans to become the Toy Avenger.
JOSH: (Laughs)
DAVID: Now you think of some more and then tell me on Monday while we do the treadmill, okay?
JOSH: Okay.
DAVID: Well I gotta help Gina close up the joint. You gonna be ok getting out of here?
JOSH: Yeah.
DAVID: If you can wait half an hour, you can walk out with me and Gina.
JOSH: It's okay. My dad's waiting in the car.
DAVID: Okay then. I'll see you Monday?
JOSH: Yes!
DAVID: Have a good night.
JOSH: You too.
(EXIT DAVID STAGE RIGHT)
(CUE ORCHESTRA: A PERFECT WORLD)
(JOSH FINISHES PACKING HIS BELONGINGS. HE ZIPS HIS GYM BAG SHUT AND HANGS IT ON ONE OF THE HANDLES OF HIS CRUTCHES. HE IS ABOUT TO SHUT THE LOCKER, BUT THEN HE HESITATES. HE UNZIPS HIS GYM BAG AND PULLS OUT A SMALL TOWEL. HE LOOKS AT THE OPEN LOCKER FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN PLACES THE TOWEL INSIDE AND SHUTS THE LOCKER DOOR.)
JOSH: (sighs)
(JOSH BEGINS HIS SONG WITH A SWEET, QUIET VOICE ACCOMPANIED BY ONLY THE STRINGS SECTION OF THE ORCHESTRA)
A PERFECT WORLD
JOSH
When I close my eyes
and I kneel and pray
I can see a world of smiles waiting for me.
Without any doubt
I can safely say
that my perfect world is where I want so much to be.
In that perfect world, I am strong and fearless.
In my perfect world, I am proud of me
But that perfect place
I long to embrace......
...is a world of happiness that's only fantasy.
(THE ENTIRE ORCHESTRA PLAYS. JOSH'S VOICE BECOMES MORE VIBRANT AND STRONG)
I want strength like his
to help me be me,
an unyielding courage in a endless supply.
With a noble soul
and with chivalry
I would fight injustice like a knight of days gone by.
I'll need arms like those, oh but wrapped around me.
I'll need eyes like his, smiling down at me
It can't be so wrong
to be big and strong......
when that strength is gentle there's a world of good to see.
For to love what you are meant to be's a greater art
than whatever wisdom others might impart.
The most perfect strength is not for moving iron,
After all this time, I can finally see.
I can face my fear.
Now the way is clear.......
for I think that perfect strength is right inside of me.
(JOSH'S VOICE IS NOW POWERFUL AND FULL OF JOY. TRIUMPHANTLY, HE HOLDS THE LAST NOTE OF HIS SONG FOR AN AMAZINGLY LONG TIME, THROUGHOUT THE ORCHESTRA'S THUNDEROUS CRESCENDO WHICH FEATURES THE HORN SECTION BLASTING OUT A LONG, ELABORATE FANFARE FIT FOR A HERO
I will face my fear!
For my way is clear......
and I know that perfect strength is now...in-...side... of...me!
(END: A PERFECT WORLD)
(APPLAUSE)
END SCENE TWO
2007