These are a few scenes from a play that I'm working on. This is the short version. I've been working on developing this short two scene play into a much longer piece. The working title is Creatures in honor of the music group that develop in the show. I would love to know what you all think of this short version as I'm working to develop a full length, two act play that I hope also make a musical with the funding.
SETTING
two weeks later Mr. Blackwell’s office
MR. BLACKELL leans against the desk and ISA and JOEL sit on either side.
MR. BLACKWELL
Now that the recordings are finished and in their final edits, I have a surprise.
ISA
Oh, how I love surprises.
JOEL
With Blackwell, you’re sure to love this one
MR. BLACKWELL
I’m sure the you both will. It’s finally here. I’ve bee sent to final cover art of the album you two are finalizing.
MR. BLACKWELL holds the art in his hands with cover facing himself.
ISA
So, are you going to show us?
JOEL
Hey, patience is a virtue.
ISA
So is hard work and I want to know that mine has paid off.
JOEL
Afraid you won’t get the deal if you hate the art?
ISA
You wish. I can still go anywhere. What about you? Aren’t you curious? After all this is the big promotion you’ve been dying for.
JOEL
What’s the matter you? Don’t like working with me?
ISA
(scoffs) This was a trial run and you know it. You needed a vocalist so here I am. Now can we see the cover art?
JOEL
A bit impatient for someone who doesn’t care and can go anywhere.
MR. BLACKWELL
All right, I’ve made you two wait long enough. My associate has put together a wonderful design for you.
MR. BLACKWELL turns the artwork around.
ISA
It’s…uhmm.
JOEL
What’s with the name of the band? This is a disaster.
ISA
I wouldn’t say it’s a disaster.But it’s not what we talked about either.
MR. BLACKWELL
I know the artist made some changes based on my suggestions, but still adhering to our agreement of equal promotion.
JOEL
But it’s not. It’s not even the name of the group.
MR. BLACKWELL
It doesn’t change the sound of the music people will hear. This is about marketability.People will enjoy seeing our star vocalist’s beautiful face before hearing the sound.
ISA
Star vocalist? What are you talking about?
JOEL
Yes, please explain to us.
MR. BLACKWELL reaches for papers on his desk.
MR. BLACKWELL
Congratulations Isa. You’ve earned your contract here at Under the Rose Recording Studios. Sign on the dotted line that you agree to this cover art and the band of your dreams is yours.
JOEL
Band of her dreams? Who started this? You really are the crook the media portrays you to be, looking for the next big hit and dropping others with the drop of a hat.
JOEL grabs his guitar and storms to the door.
ISA
Joel-
JOEL
Congratulations Isa. Your dream came true today. Hope it’s everything you wanted.
JOEL exits the office.
MR. BLACKWELL
We’ll find another guitarist. So, what do you say Isa?
ERIC and CHEYENNE
enter.
ERIC
Blackwell, where’s Joel going?
CHEYENNE
Isa, what happened?
MR. BLACKWELL
Joel has decided he no longer wishes to record here at Under the Rose.
CHEYENNE
What? That’s crazy. He-
ERIC
He worked for you for two years. You promised a record deal. You promised us all a record deal.
MR. BLACKWELL
And I delivered. All of your music has been recorded and is ready for release. I was merely displaying the cover art to Isa and Joel-
CHEYENNE
That’s not what we agreed on.
ERIC
Who designed that cover? Isa, tell us you’re not agreeing to this.
MR. BLACKWELL
What do you say Isa? The group name was your idea.The fame. The lights. All of this can yours.
ERIC
At Joel’s expense. He wrote the music.
ISA
I can’t.
MR. BLACKWELL
Think of what you’re throwing away. I have been rated the top producer in the industry.
ISA
And I thank-you for this opportunity to be part of the legacy, but I can’t agree to this.This was never intended to be a solo artist with a backing band. We are a band and we need to stick together.
ISA, CHEYENNE and ERIC exit. END SCENE
SCENE iv
SETTING
Out on the street.
JOEL strolls away with his guitar on his back.
ISA (OFFSTAGE)
Joel!
JOEL pauses
ISA runs toward him
JOEL
Isa, what are you doing?
ISA
What do you mean what am I doing?
JOEL
Go back to the studio.
ISA
I’m no going back.
JOEL
You got your contract. You don’t need-
ISA
There is no contract without you.
JOEL
You saw the cover art. Isa and-
ISA
Creatures.
JOEL
Right. Isa and the Creatures.
ISA
No, Creatures. That’s who we are. Come to the club where Cheyenne and I perform. We need a strong bass guitarist and they would love you there.
JOEL
I’m not coming to a club with you to represent Mr. Blackwell or Under the Rose Studios. You got the deal. You go.
ISA
Joel, we’re not Creatures without you.And I don’t represent Mr. Blackwell or Under the Rose Studios.
JOEL
Blackwell owns Isa and the Creatures.
ISA
Blackwell owns Isa and the Creatures. He doesn’t own Creatures. Come perform with me at the club.
JOEL
You turned him down?
ISA
Yes. We’re not Creatures without you. Come perform with me.
JOEL
What about your big chance at being the next big rockstar?
ISA
This is our chance to be the next big rock legend.
ERIC and CHEYENNE
enter.
ISA
Joel,come join us. We’re not complete without you.
ERIC
Come on man. We’ve fought too long to stop here.
JOEL
Well Cheyenne? Are you going to pipe in too?
CHEYENNE
I go with the band. If the band falls apart, I go back to playing at the club. We all get together now, I still play the club. Either way, my situation is the same. But it would be more fun if we band together.
JOEL
Isa, I don’t know. There’s been a lot of disappointment already.
ISA
Forget Blackwell. Forget Under the Rose Studios. Forget that stupid cover art. We can still be rock legends.
JOEL
What are we waiting for? What time do we perform?
ISA, ERIC, CHEYENNE
Yay!
ISA
Who are we?
ISA, ERIC, CHEYENNE, JOEL
Creatures!
