The Liftin Case

This is my pride and joy. Don't get me wrong, I need all the critique I can get, and I'd love if people can read this, but I've been working on this for about a half a year, re-written many scenes, made 2 outlines of each scene, 3 plot summaries, and now I'm on the last steps. After more critique from here, and of course some critique from some others, I plan to look for a stage to get it performed. Thank you for reading this, I suppose. Enjoy!

Act 1

Scene 1
Office
(Phil’s reading at desk, Richard comes in and sits down)
Phil: Um…hello?
(Richard is silent)
Phil: Do you have an appointment?
(Richard is silent, pulls out a cigar and starts smoking)
Phil: There’s no smoking-
Richard: -Last Thursday, son James had a bit of a situation.
Phil: Alright, (pulls out a clipboard and writes along) what sort of situation?
Richard: Well, he went, without my knowing, on a ride in our family jet.
Phil: Was he flying the plane?
Richard: No we have a paid pilot.
Phil: Makes sense.
Richard: After the plane was in the air, he tried to open the door and jump out.
Phil: Whoa, (really surprised) did he?
Richard: No. Thankfully there was a lock on the door that set off an alarm when he tried to open it. Then the…uh…
Phil: Pilot?
Richard: Yeah, the pilot. He called his mother and brought him back home.
Phil: And is he alright?
Richard: No. From what I understand, he’s mostly just locking himself in his room and listening to some sort of, rock and roll garbage. My wife decided it’d be best to see someone, like a…uh…
Phil: Psychiatrist?
Richard: Yes, and we figured you seemed to have some good credentials.
Phil: How would you know?
Richard: I found a way.
Phil: So, the first thing I’d like to do is organize an appointment with you, your wife, and of course, your son. When’s a good time for you?
Richard: Good time for what?
Phil: The appointment I just described.
Richard: Oh right. You name the time.
Phil: OK, how about tomorrow at 4?
Richard: Yeah I’m busy then.
Phil: 2 days from now?
Richard: Busy.
Phil: Well it’s still morning, how about, an hour from now. You don’t seem to be busy today.
Richard: Alright, sure, why not. Seeya then.
(Richard leaves before Phil can say goodbye. Phil starts to recline when Rick makes a loud entrance through the door, startling Phil nearly to death. He paces while he talks.)
Rick: Hey brother!
Phil: Hey, Rick, what’re you doing-?
Rick: Why was he in?
Rick points at the door
Phil: That’s none of your business and you know it.
Rick: Hey, it’s not everyday I see the richest man in town go into a psychiatrist’s office, let alone my own brother’s.
Phil: Rick, for the-wait, what did you say he was?
Rick: You didn’t know? That’s Richard Liftin, a ridiculously rich casino owner. He’s got a mansion in town, three kids, and a helluva wife
Phil: Rick, please don’t describe people to me like that.
Rick: What? That aint inappropriate! Look, I’m just saying you’ve got something crazy in your hands.
Phil: Please leave Rick, I’ve got appointments.
Rick: Fine, fine. Seeya Rick!
(Rick leaves out the door speedily. Phil pulls out a clipboard and a pen when Richard, Susan, and James come in the door and sit on the couch (In the order of the previously noted names). Richard is playing around on a little blackberry, and doesn’t key in on any of the meeting. James is looking a bit pissed off and is sitting back. Susan has her arm(s) linked around one of James’ arms.)
Phil: Thank you all for coming. I trust James knows why he’s here.
Susan: Of course, I told him what was going to happen as soon as Richard came back home from the meeting you had with him. Isn’t that right Richard?
Richard is still on the blackberry
Susan: RICHARD! Susan stomps on Richard’s foot.
Richard: Ah! Yes, right, right.
Phil: Good (Phil says nervously.) Now I’d like to just start with a few medical and ‘histories of illness’ questions.
Susan: Alright.
Phil: Has James ever needed any medications?
Susan: Not one.
Phil: Has anyone in your family had any mental health concerns?
Susan: No.
Phil: Has James seen any other psychiatrist for a different reason, or the current?
Susan: No, he’s always seemed fine until now.
Phil: I see. Susan, Richard, would you mind leaving James and I for a moment while I talk to him in private.
Susan: Certainly.
(Susan grabs Richard’s arm and walks him out the door.)
Phil: So James, do you, have any siblings?
(James is silent)
Phil: How do you do in school?
(James is silent)
Phil: Any hobbies?
(James is silent)
Phil: What do you have to lose by answering my questions?
(James quietly thinks about that question for a second.)
James: I’ve got twin sisters, 90% average, and I like to read.
Phil: There you go. You don’t really care to talk with me, now, do you?
James: Not really, no.
Phil: Alright, so how about this. I’ll have you come bye a few more times, just for a little bit, and instead of doing my job with just you, I’ll go and do a bit more. I’ll go out and talk to your family and friends, find out about you from them, and you don’t have to say a word if you don’t want to. It’s my job to talk to you, but you only need to listen.
James: Alright, sure. But I want to know something.
Phil: Go right ahead.
James: What are you trying to accomplish with me coming here?
Phil: Just now? To get you talking. The more I’ll see you, the more I’ll be able to accomplish.
(James is left speechless on the couch. Phil gets up and leans through the door and calls the parents back. They come in and everybody takes their original spot.)
Phil: Alright, so I’d like to start by making an appointment just for James, say, tomorrow at 2?
Susan: He’ll be there.
Phil: Good. Have a good day.
Susan: Goodbye.
(The family leaves out the door.)
Scene End

Scene 2
Office
(Phil walks into his office with the lights off. He turns them on and Rick is at his desk. Phil screams as though scared.)
Rick: Mornin’ Phil
Phil: Dear god, what are you doing here? It’s 9 in the morning!
Rick: Better to congratulate you sooner than later.
Phil: Congratulate?
Rick: Yeah! On the Liftin Case!
Phil: The what case?
Rick: The Liftin Case? Do you ever watch the news?
Phil: No, I don’t, what’s going on, what the hell is this case.
Rick: It’s what everyone’s calling it.
Phil: What’s it?!?
Rick: The new patient you have. Remember when I told you about how Richard was the richest guy in town the other day?
Phil: Yeah…
Rick: Well, of course, his kid is the richest kid in town.
Phil: What’s that have to do with me?
Rick: Well the media goes nuts for the rich, and when one of them tries to kill himself, once it got out the media went insane and want to know everything about you, James, and your meetings here.
Phil: Insane? You’ve got to be exaggerating.
Rick: Nuh-uh. What time is it?
Phil: 9:15, why?
Rick: They get on work now.
(Rick opens the front door to have 2-3 reporters holding out microphones and asking questions at the same time, like a media circus. Phil closes the door after a few moments.)
Phil: Fine, you’re right. But why are you congratulating me for this nightmare?
Rick: Because it’s a goldmine. You sell the notes from the meetings you’ll have with him, and can retire early.
Phil: I’ve said it again and again Rick, my work is private. I’m under oath at this job to always keep what I talk about with my patient private. I have to keep it a secret, upon my own blood if I need to.
Rick: My blood is your blood.
Phil: (Facepalm.) Oh god, you just want these notes for yourself don’t you?
Rick: It’s not the worst thing you could do.
Phil: Yes, yes it is.
Rick: Think about it. I can write stories and send them to the papers and get rich from those. I don’t need to sell the notes, just have a copy of my own. I’ll write them using not too much information, and for the most part it’ll all be fine for both of you. Besides, I could really use the money.
Phil: No way. I have a reputation as a good psychiatrist and want to keep it.
Rick: Reputation to who?
Phil: Myself. Just get going, would you Rick?
Rick: Alright fine. Just think about it would you? I could use the money, and I’d cut it with you!
Phil: Rick, now.
Rick: Fine, fine. Seeya.
(Rick leaves out the door. Phil sits in his desk, facepalms again and sighs. Phil starts waiting at his desk, and gets rid of his dismay. James opens the door and angrily marches in with reporters asking questions as he enters.)
James: GET LOST YOU PARASITES!!!
(James slams the door and sits down, acting extremely angry.)
Phil: Not to big about the press either?
James: Please. You’re not the one who was born into the media’s craziest family.
Phil: I’m also not the one born with a fence around my home.
(James takes an angry seat on the couch.)
Phil: Again, if you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to. Wouldn’t hurt if you did, but if you still think it will, you don’t have to.
James: Fine. Ask away.
Phil: Alright. So let’s start with a rundown. Who’s in your family?
James: Well, let’s think. There’s my mom, my dad, and my sisters Wendy and Winona
Phil: Sounds pretty big.
James: Not really. Everyone’s usually off doing their own thing in the monster we live in.
Phil: Monster?
James: Mansion, sorry. Not much of a difference.
Phil: Oh?
James: It’s huge and is surrounded by a giant metal fence. It’s insane. I still get lost at night, and I’ve lived there all my life.
Phil: And where in the, monster, is the rest of your family.
James: Well, during school, my mom’s alone bossing her maid around, and after school my sisters get a party with a bunch of strangers. I just sit in my room and do work, if I don’t have plans.
Phil: And what sort of plans are these.
James: I don’t know. Going out with my girlfriend, seeing my best friend, not much. Just some stuff that gets me out of the house.
Phil: And where’s your dad in all this?
James: He’s never home. He visits his closest casino every night, except on weekends when he’s off to the east of the country.
Phil: He loves to work, I’ll assume.
James: Yeah, that’s about right. What was your first clue?
Phil: Well, he hasn’t seemed focused the 2 times he’s been in here. He’s always seemed to have something else on his mind.
James: Never thought about it.
Phil: Try it. You’ll be glad you did.
James: Try what?
Phil: Thinking. It’s good for you.
James: Um…ok…times up, so can I get going?
Phil: Sure.
(James starts going to the door cautiously.)
Phil: Hold up! I know a way you can get past those press.
James: I’m listening.
Phil: Back door. It’s painted the same as the wall and leads to the back of the building. Nobody tends to notice it.
James: Huh. Thanks.
Phil: Don’t mention it. Seeya Tuesday.
(James leaves out the back door without saying goodbye. Rick walks through the back door, passing James, and then he starts pacing in Phil’s office.)
Rick: Thanks for letting me in!
Phil: Did you walk around the whole building?
Rick: Maybe. Thought I’d wait for your meeting to be done.
Phil: Were you standing behind the door the whole time?
Rick: You saw me there, I passed James. I wasn’t out there the whole time. Besides, it’s soundproof out there. Here, I’ll show ya.
(Rick walks out the back door and closes it. There’s dead silence for a little while, then he knocks.)
Rick: You see these brouses? I have to knock really damn hard for you to hear it.
Phil: I don’t care. You can’t come in through there anymore.
Rick: Why not? Ya scared?
Phil: Yes, to death.
Rick: Aw, grow a pair already.
Phil: What do you want, Rick?
Rick: I got an idea for you.
Phil: I don’t want to hear it.
Rick: Hear me out; I know this investigator.
Phil: No.
Rick: He’ll go down and talk to the kid’s friends. He’ll find out everything, and your job will be twice as easy. All you have to do is let him see a copy of the notes. Here’s his number.
(Rick gives Phil a small slip of paper. Phil looks at it for a moment.)
Phil: This is your phone number.
Rick: I’ll give you a family discount.
Phil: Just get out, Rick.
Rick: Please?
Phil: Out.
Rick: I could really use the money.
Phil: Now.
Rick: Fine. Seeya later.
(Rick walks out the door without closing it. Phil leans his head out the door.)
Phil: Next time, call first!
(Phil closes the door and annoyingly sighs.)

Scene 3
Casino
(Richard is sitting at a small bar table when Phil comes in and sits down next to Richard.)
Phil: Hello again Richard.
Richard: Um…who are you again?
Phil: I’m Phil Kayble?
Richard: Hmm…
Phil: I’m the psychiatrist your son is seeing?
Richard: Yeah…of course…
(Richard still appears confused.)
Phil: Do you spend most of your time here?
Richard: Why do you ask?
Phil: No reason, I just want to know a little bit about you.
Richard: Well if you must know, not really. I’m usually out at my other casinos here in the west and the one in Victoria.
Phil: Wow, so you’re always travelling.
Richard: Yeah, I suppose so.
(Richard acts somewhat cockily.)
Phil: Do you ever bring your family with you on these trips?
Richard: Why would I bring my family to casinos?
Phil: You go to all these different cities and you don’t do anything else?
Richard: Like what?
Phil: Oh I don’t know. See the sights, go to a museum, when’s the last time you had a meal with your family.
Richard: I suppose it has been a while, but I’m happy with what I do.
Phil: So you can’t be happy doing something else too?
(Richard slams the cards in disgust.)
Richard: Look, I love my wife, Wendy, Winona and Jason, but-
Phil: You mean James.
(Richard starts acting a bit ignorant.)
Richard: What?
Phil: You said Jason, you meant James.
Richard: Did I? I hadn’t noticed.
Phil: I’ve gotta go.
Richard: Not going to even finish our game here?
(Phil sighs and walks off the stage.)
Scene End

Scene 4
Office
(James comes lazily in through the back door while Phil is reading a book at his desk. James lies down on the couch and calms down.)
Phil: Tough day?
James: A lot of homework.
Phil: Where do you go to school again?
James: King Alexander.
Phil: Huh. I went there and didn’t remember so much.
James: I tend to work a little extra on the little things. Beats the rest of the crap going on at home. Besides, it makes my parents happy.
Phil: What about your sisters? If they have friends over as frequently as you say, I wouldn’t expect them to be the brightest kids.
James: You guess correctly.
(James sits up.)
James: The only reason they’ve never gotten in trouble for not knowing the plural of mouse is mice is because they bought their grades.
Phil: Bought?
James: My parents started bribing the school board for those 2 to get the grades they need after they failed the 2nd grade.
Phil: Since second grade and your sisters are 13… they’ve been bribing the school board for 5 or 6 years?
James: Yup. They’ve only learned how to make investments. With their allowance, they’re set for a life in retirement right after high school.
Phil: So why don’t you take advantage of this.
James: I don’t know. I guess I enjoy school, and don’t want to buy my way through life. It just doesn’t make sense to me what’s right about it.
Phil: That’s very mature of you.
James: Thank you. James cockily says with a little laugh afterwards.
Phil: Well, looks like you’re free to go.
James: Good. These meetings last way too long.
Phil: At least you don’t have to be in more of them for the next 4 hours.
James: Fair enough. Seeya.
(James leaves out the back door. Phil’s picks up a book and tries to start reading at his desk when Wendy and Winona open the door and walk in backwards, while waving to the reporters.)
W&W: Thank you, thank you.
Wendy: We just want to help our brother.
Winona: It’s no trouble at all to us.
Wendy: We’re just being…
W&W: Who we are.
(W&W close the door and have a seat with perfect posture, smiling super sweetly.)
Wendy: So what do you want to ask?
Phil: Well let’s think… I know one. Who are you?
W&W: We’re Wendy and Winona Liftin.
Phil: Ah, so you must be James’ younger sisters.
Winona: Yup.
Wendy: 13 and growing.
Phil: And what, might I ask, are you 2 doing here?
W&W: We wanna help James.
Phil: Huh?
Wendy: We heard you were talking to daddy about James.
Winona: So we decided to help out too.
Phil: How did you hear I was talking to your father?
W&W: The news.
Phil: Travels fast I suppose.
Wendy: What?
Phil: Never mind. So fine, you want to talk, that’s good I suppose. It can help. But I should say that this normally works with me talking with you one at a time.
Winona: No need.
Wendy: We have no secrets.
Winona: We do everything together.
Wendy: We practically are one person.
Phil: Alright then.
(Phil pulls out a pen and starts writing.)
Winona: What are you writing?
Phil: It’s just a few notes.
Wendy: About what?
(Phil ignores Wendy.)
Phil: So what’s a normal day in the life of Wendy and Winona?
Wendy: Well let’s see…
Winona: Definitely not school.
Wendy: Oh yeah, not school.
Phil: You don’t go to school?
Wendy: Oh we go.
Winona: But we don’t do class.
Wendy: We go and meet some people and bring them back home and goof around.
Phil: Don’t you ever think you’ll need to go to school.
Winona: Naa.
Wendy: We invested money early and we’re set for life.
Phil: Do you ever bring James into the fun?
Winona: Oh god no.
Wendy: Never.
Phil: Why not?
Wendy: He’s boring.
Winona: He’s always at school doing work, or home doing work, or leaving the funhouse we live in.
Phil: Maybe he’s just never getting a chance because you kick him out.
Wendy: Yeah, right.
Winona: Oh, Wendy, we’ve gotta go.
Wendy: Good.
(Wendy whispers something to Winona and they giggle. They get up and walk out the door and greet the reporters. Phil facepalms.)
Scene End

Scene 5
Office
(Phil’s at his desk waiting when James comes in through the back door and has a seat.)
James: What’s today’s plan?
(Phil is mildly surprised.)
Phil: I wanted to ask a bit about your friends.
James: Shoot.
Phil: Alright! So who do you consider your best friend?
James: That’d have to be Neil. I met him in the 4th grade and we’ve been buddies since some school camping trip in the 5th.
Phil: So why do you consider him your friend?
James: We have a similar music preference of some rock musicians, and that’s always been something we like to talk about daily.
Phil: Such as?
James: Just some usual guys. Tom Petty, Queens of the Stone Age, guys like that.
Phil: Ah. So do you have many more friends like that?
James: Not really. There’s my girlfriend, I guess she’d also count. But I see her as different from a best friend.
Phil: Friends can be parts of relationships too. Why don’t you think so?
James: I don’t know. I guess the connection just feels a bit…different than a regular friend.
Phil: Makes sense. And that’s all?
James: Yeah, I hang around with Neil down at the farmer’s market weekends, and I’m out with Jen almost every night I can.
Phil: You’ve gotta have at least one more. I mean, I’m not judging you if you don’t, but there’s always someone people forget they know.
James: Well let me think. Oh, I know! The maid, Annie!
Phil: Oh?
James: Well, not distinct friends, but she thinks I’m the only normal one in my family and likes to soundboard her problems off me when I’m around the house.
Phil: Do you ever “soundboard” off her?
James: Not really. I don’t actually run into a lot of problems, so I don’t have anything I feel I need to say. But I’m always happy to listen to her.
Phil: Well, it’s looking like the time’s up.
James: Huh. Well, seeya later.
Phil: Seeya.
(James leaves out the back. Phil starts reading at his desk when his cell phone rings and he answers.)
Phil: Oh, hello Rick. Sure you can come by. When?
(Rick comes in the front door much slower and more depressed than usual. He grabs a seat on the couch.)
Rick: Alright, so I’ve gotta apologize.
Phil: What for?
Rick: For pestering you, of course. I feel terrible.
Phil: So then you can just give it a rest. It’s just a bit of money, you can live without it.
Rick: Well, you see, that’s why I’ve been bugging you.
Phil: What’s going on?
Rick: You remember when I used to go to that casino and you told me to stop going there or I’m going to lose more than I gain?
Phil: Yeah, what was that, a year ago?
Rick: Well I kept going, and you were more right than I thought you’d be. I ended up with a bit of debt from these guys to pay off the casino.
Phil: Oh my god, really?
Rick: Why would I lie? Basically they say they can’t kill me, but if I can’t pay the debt in 2 weeks they’re putting me in the big house.
Phil: They can do that?
Rick: Yeah, I was surprised too.
Phil: So how much do you need.
Rick: That’s not important. More than you can afford. Simply enough, the money from the stories I could sell with the notes would pay it off, and then enough so that I’ll never get into this trouble again.
Phil: Look, I told you I’m not supposed too give anyone else my files.
Rick: No you don’t get it; I’m not here to force you. It’s your choice. I just hope you make the right one.
(Rick starts going back to the door.)
Rick: Oh, one more thing. I know you didn’t want anymore of my schemes, but I do have someone else you can talk to that’ll help you out.
Phil: What makes you think I’m talking to other people for this?
Rick: You talked to the richest man in town and the twin princesses and thought nobody knew? You gotta read the papers more often.
Phil: Alright, then who?
Rick: My girlfriend Annie. She works as the maid for the Liftin family. Here’s her cell. I talked to her, she’s happy to talk free of charge for, for you or her.
(Rick gives Phil a business card.)
Phil: Wow. Thanks, I actually think this could help.
Rick: Don’t mention it. I’ll try and stop bugging you. Have a good day.
(Rick leaves and Phil looks at the card with consideration. He starts dialing his phone and the lights fade.)
Scene End

Act 2

Scene 7
Office
(Phil's waiting at his desk. Annie comes in the door, ignoring the reporters, and takes a seat on the couch.)
Annie: Hey.
Phil: Um…hey.
Annie: So, whatya wanna know?
Phil: I just want to ask a little about what your usual day is like.
Annie: You’re sure? I got these recordings and anything you wanna know about James.
Phil: Rick told you to spy on him, didn’t you?
Annie: Not in those words, but yeah, basically. Alright, so my day. Hmm. Well it fucking sucks to start.
Phil: Alright, that works. What part sucks about it?
Annie: Well, for one, Witchy and Bitchy have some party every day that I have to set up and clean up, then I get to listen to crappy pop stars all day while I clean the rest of the house.
Phil: Not a fan of the twins I take it?
Annie: Are you kidding? They’re lazy-ass, complaining “tweenage” whores. Well, I can’t be certain on whores, but that’s my guess.
Phil: Alright, and is that the only thing that bugs you? Seems like plenty.
Annie: Yeah, well it’s still a mouthful of shit afterwards.
Phil: Why so?
Annie: That mother of theirs. As if I don’t have enough work to do, she’s on my back telling me exactly what to do and where.
Phil: Have you thought that maybe you’re just not doing as much work as you can?
Annie: The hotel I was a maid for didn’t have a problem and was easier, but with a smaller pay. I’m fine at my job. That bitch and those little runts are just picky and retarded.
Phil: All of them?
Annie: Well of course not James. He’s cool. He lets me talk his problems off to him and it helps me cool down. And he makes it easy on my job by cleaning up after himself.
Phil: Well, that’ll do. Thanks for stopping by.
Annie: Sure, whatever.
(Annie leaves through the front door. James quietly comes in from the back door and sits down on the couch.)
Phil: Do you mind if I ask one or two… mandatory questions?
James: Sure, I guess.
Phil: Do you or have you done any drugs, smoke…
James: To my surprise, never.
Phil: Surprise?
James: Well, about 2 years ago my buddy Neil really got into pot. It’s why I don’t get together with him as much anymore. He’s always off getting money for it or skipping out on plans we make.
Phil: And, as cliché as it is for me to say this, how does that make you feel.
James: I’ve never had a problem with it. We all change when we grow up, and he chose to change with pot. His choice. He wants to be busy getting high, he can go ahead. It just gives me plenty of time to be with Jen.
Phil: I suppose I should hear a little more about her, shouldn’t I?
James: We met about a year ago. We have a bunch of classes together and we’re both about ace students. I figured she was smart, beautiful, and wanted to go out with her. I thought, “What do I have to lose?” and asked her out. She said yes, and I’ve been with her ever since.
Phil: I’m hoping you two like each other.
James: Yeah, there hasn’t been much of a bumpy road since…well, since the reason I’m here every few days.
Phil: She’s thinking differently of you for it?
James: No, she just is feeling way too upset and worried about me. I just don’t know how a solution.
Phil: Well, give it time is all I can say for the moment. People worry and forget. Well I’ll see you when I see you, but I need you to get going a little early, I have some family plans in a little bit.
James: Sure. Seeya.
(James leaves out the back door. Phil’s waiting at his desk when Rick comes in as his original speedy self and paces about the room.)
Rick: I’m so, so, so, sorry.
Phil: You used your girlfriend as a spy.
Rick: That’s not what I told her to do.
Phil: She seemed to think so.
Rick: Well she thought wrong. People make mistakes.
Phil: Well who’s was it then?
(Dead silence.)
Rick: Alright fine it was mine.
Phil: Look, I get that you need the money, but this is no way to earn it.
Rick: Fine. It’s the only way I can convince you I need it and don’t just want it cheaply, but fine. You want me out of your hair?
Phil: Yes. Let me do my job. You said it yourself; you’re not going to force me.
Rick: I’m not forcing you; I’m just trying to make you guilty.
Phil: Aha!
Rick: Dammit. Fine. I’ll go. Call me if you decide to help me. If you don’t want to, just don’t call. If you don’t want to, I’ll make my one phone call to let you know. Bye.
(Rick leaves angrily out the door.)
Scene End

Scene 8
Farmer’s Market
(Neil is at a center table smoking something when Phil comes up behind him.)
Phil: Hello?
Neil: Who’re you?
Phil: My name’s Phil Kayble. Is you name Neil?
Neil: What’s it to you?
Phil: Well if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to just ask a little bit about you.
Neil: Now I remember you. You’re that voodoo guy trying to mess with James.
Phil: I’m just trying to help him.
Neil: Yeah, well he can help himself. Let him be.
Phil: That’s not how I’d talk about my best friend.
Neil: God, he told you that kiddie bullshit? Christ…
Phil: You don’t consider James your friend?
Neil: Well I don’t have a reason to. He’s too big a baby to do whatever I do and he’s always out with that girlfriend of his.
Phil: Seems to me you’re a bit jealous.
Neil: What, are you callin’ me gay?
(Neil pulls out a switchblade.)
Phil: No, no, not at all. I’m just saying you miss spending time with your friend, and obviously his girlfriend is in the way of that.
Neil: Fine.
(Neil puts the blade back.)
Neil: Maybe I am. But if he doesn’t want to hang around with me, that’s his choice. Why should I give a shit?
Phil: Because not all good friends have to see each other often.
(Dead silence. Neil thinks a little bit.)
Neil: Look, if you want to know about James, talk to Jen. Here’s her number.
(Neil writes on a small shred of paper and gives it to Phil. Neil walks off. Phil looks at it and dials a number. The lights fade in and out and Jen is sitting sadly where Neil was sitting, showing time has passed.)
Phil: Thanks again, Jen, for meeting me on such short notice.
Jen: It’s *sniff* no trouble.
Phil: So I-
(Jen starts crying loudly.)
Phil: Hey, hey, don’t cry, what’s the matter?
Jen: I’m sorry *sniff*. It’s just that I really want James to be ok. I’m just so worried.
Phil: You really like him, don’t you?
Jen: Yes *sniff*.
Phil: Why do you think that is?
Jen: For one, he’s nice. Nicer after meet see his family. They’re monsters.
Phil: Does James’ family like you?
Jen: I can’t speak for everyone. I’ve only ever met his mom. Although I’ve heard the dad isn’t around much and the sisters are preoccupied.
Phil: Yeah, that’s what I’ve understood too. So what does she think of you?
Jen: She hates me. Full out hates me. My house’s on the way to most of the places we go, so I head down and meet James at his house.
Phil: What makes you think she hates you?
Jen: Because although she doesn’t say it to my face, I hear his mom through the door telling James he could do much better, and to stop wasting his time with me.
Phil: So she may not like you as her son’s girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean she hates you.
Jen: No, but I can tell.
Phil: How?
Jen: Body language, tone of voice, I have a bit of a knack. She’s always pretending to be nice when she talks to me.
Phil: Well I can’t be certain whether you’re right or wrong, but there’s always a chance of both.
Jen: I’m pretty sure I’m right.
Phil: Well, thanks for talking with me.
Jen: Will James be ok?
Phil: I’ll do my thanks. Bye.
Jen: Bye.
(Phil gets up with his coffee cup and leaves.)
Scene End

Scene 9
Office/Front Door/Office
(James comes in from the back and sits down. Phil is waiting at his desk.)
Phil: And how’s your day going
James: Can’t complain. So what’s today gonna be about?
Phil: Well, I’d like to ask you, who do you think your role model is?
James: Huh.
Phil: Huh?
James: I never really thought on that. I guess I’d have to say my mom.
Phil: And what makes you say that?
James: She’s always been around and told me what I should do, where to go, what’s in my future if I do what’s right…
Phil: And you think she’s always right about it?
James: I’ve always taken her word for it.
Phil: She couldn’t always know what’s right for you. There’s got to be some sort of difference between you two.
James: Well… there is… oh god.
Phil: What?
James: I know why I tried.
Phil: Tried what?
James: Why I tried to jump.
Phil: Well do you want to keep me in the dark?
James: Look, a while back, Jen came and stopped by my house before we were going to go off to the movies…
(The light fades, and the set changes to the front door. A doorbell rings, and Susan goes to answer the door to see Jen.)
Susan: Oh, it’s you.
Jen: Evening Mrs. Liftin.
Susan: You’re still seeing my son?
Jen: Yes?
(James runs over to the door from off stage.)
James: Hey, Jen.
Susan: James, can I have a word with you?
James: Sure.
(Susan slams the door and raises her voice tone at James.)
Susan: I told you not to see her again!
James: But why not?
Susan: I’ve been over this with you. She’s a disgrace, she’s going to end up a hobo, and she’s going to bring you down to the same.
James: I can see whoever I want. You’re over exaggerating.
Susan: No I’m not! She’s making you look bad, not to mention me.
James: How is this making you worse?
Susan: The media. The world finds things out. You’d be better off dead!
(James is shocked for a second, and then goes to the door.)
James: Sorry, I’m busy tonight. We’re going to have to hold off tonight.
Jen: Is everything ok?
James: Yeah.
(James closes the door. The door is moved back and James takes his seat again.)
(Phil and James pick up the office scene, as if James was telling a story (Which he was))
James: Then about a day later, I called for a ride to the airport.
Phil: Well from what I can understand, you take what people say really serious.
James: At least mom. She taught me about everything.
Phil: But thinking on what you’ve told me, is your mom always right about how you should be?
James: No. No, I guess she isn’t.
Phil: Exactly. Why should what someone else think change who you want to be?
James: Thanks. I’ve gotta go. Thank you very much.
Phil: No problem.
(James leaves.)
Scene End

Scene 10
Office
(Phil is reading in his office when Susan comes storming in.)
Susan: Well I hope you’re happy!
Phil: Umm...
Susan: What do you mean “um”? You know what I’m talking about! Whatever you said to him is ruining him?
Phil: How so?
Susan: He’s always out with that bitch he calls a girlfriend, his grades have dropped 5 percent, and when he is home he just listens to his awful metal music.
Phil: First off, he can go out with whoever he wants. Second, 5 percent from 90 is nothing. Lastly, he can listen to what music he wants.
Susan: He’s ruining himself!
Phil: Is he happy?
Susan: I don’t know. How could he be?
Phil: He’s doing what he wants. Do you want your son to be happy?
(Susan calms down and has a seat on the couch.)
Susan: All my life I wanted to raise a perfect child, someone to show how good a parent I could be.
Phil: Who do you want to prove it to?
Susan: I don’t know anymore.
Phil: Well think about it. That’s what I see is a successful child. Your daughters seem happy, and you’ve never been bugging them.
Susan: I only went easy on them because I see people like Richard ruling the world. Men. I let Wendy and Winona be, because I already started with one that could succeed perfectly.
Phil: If you ask me, those two are happy. If that’s all your son wants, I don’t see why he shouldn’t get it.
Susan: I’m sorry for barging in on you. I’ll show myself out.
(Susan leaves out the door. Lights fade in and out to show time passing. Phil’s reading at his desk when James comes in the front door.)
Phil: James? What’re you doing here? Our meeting isn’t until tomorrow.
James: I know. I figured I’d come by to cancel it. Are you busy now?
Phil: Not at all, come in, have a seat.
James: I’m not going to explain everything, but my mom had a change of heart. She says she’s fine with me doing what I want, and was only doing what she thought was best for me. I said I’ll do my best with what I can, but still want my own freedoms. She agreed and it was over and done with.
Phil: Well that’s good to hear.
James: So I figured I’d come by to say that at this point, I’m good. I’m feeling much better. Thanks for all the help. I just have to ask, why did you talk to other people? You never brought anything up about that to me. It was as if you never talked to them.
Phil: Well James, my job isn’t to help people. My job is to understand people. Whoever people meet, they change to be a little like the other person. Friends, family, everybody you meet becomes a little different because they know you. Talking to people let me understand who you are from those other people’s eyes. I can’t understand a stranger.
James: Wow. Well, goodbye.
Phil: Goodbye.
James: Oh, one more thing. Thanks for keeping the media away from what’s been happening. They can say what they want, and I’ve grown to ignore them, but it is annoying to have your life told to everybody in the world.
Phil: No problem. Goodbye James.
James: Bye.
(James leaves out the front door. Phil gets up and brings the file on his desk to the filing cabinet. He opens the cabinet.)
Phil: Sorry Rick. I can’t break my promise, even for family.
(Phil puts the file in the cabinet and closes it.)
Scene End

Scene 11
Visitor’s Center
(Rick is in his prisoner outfit at the table. Annie runs in and gives Rick a kiss, with Phil walking behind her. They both sit down with, Annie right next to Rick and Phil sitting across from him.)
Rick: Good to see you guys came by.
Phil: So, how’s it like in the big house.
Rick: It’s not too bad. They make it look scarier on TV. Although granted, it’s still scary as hell.
Annie: When are you getting out?
Rick: They say about 2 years. I guess it was the best those gamblers could give me.
Annie: And I can visit you anytime?
Rick: Any visiting hours. You guys’ll visit again, right?
Annie: Every time possible.
Phil: When I can. I do work remember.
Rick: Right. About that. Annie, could you leave for a moment?
Annie: Sure.
(Annie steps back after giving another kiss to Rick.)
Phil: Look, I’m sorry I got you in here.
Rick: Don’t be. It’s my fault. I could’ve gotten money a different way and shouldn’t have gambled with what I had. I didn’t have any reason to bug you or put you into that predicament.
Phil: Well, thanks, but I still feel a bit guilty.
Rick: Oh you’ll forget it sooner or later. Annie, you can get back here.
(Annie goes and takes her original seat.)
Rick: Thanks for coming. Hours should be up in a minute. You may as well get going.
Annie: Bye.
Phil: Seeya Rick.
(Annie gives Rick one last kiss, then Phil and Annie leave. Lights fade.)
The End

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