Eli- Week 2 : Speechless

18 minutes before midnight. Close but here it is in all its rushed glory. I am sure there are grammatical errors galore! I will say that I have never written anything like this before. Enjoy.

With 13 minutes left...

The Post:
http://explodingrabbits.blogspot.com/2012/03/52-week-project-week-2-speechless.html

Nothing New

            London was covered by a black blanket of people, all of them moving briskly, looking at no one, and named Irene Bardakci.  No buildings larger than two stories, save one, were left to hide the presence of millions of identical preteens dressed in countless variations of drab oversized sweaters. That one remaining tall building is where Irene Bardakci stared at her living circus mirror, at the other hers she ruled over.

            It was from this sunny balcony that Irene decided that there was no point disguising how bored she had become anymore. The new books had not shown up yet, and she doubted she’d get any enjoyment from learning a new trade that she’d never use. And even if she did want to talk to someone (a thought that was continually gnawing at the back of her mind again), what would be the difference between that and just talking to her own thoughts? The air’s chills were becoming too much for her this morning, and everything seemed in place - no smells, no noise- so she calmly walked back inside of her flat. That was when the idea struck her.

            Though it took her a while, she eventually remembered which organized pile she left the Zero in. It was safely hidden in its pouch underneath the erlenmeyers and books on robotics and casings of dust. Scanning the room and confirming that there were no other Irenes around, she grabbed a forgotten metal piece shaped like a dreidel and stationed it in the middle of the room. She opened the door to the balcony with a tight tug, letting a large beam of sunlight strike the center. Quick angle calculations were made inside of her head as she opened the white pouch halfway and pinched the thick steel of the Zero. With a balancing breath, she held up the bag between the piece and the sun, then swiftly removed the bag to reveal the large ring inside.

            She had to move quickly to put the Zero back, lest the entire building forever transform. But her timing was impeccable, and the light that went through the ring and turned grey only hit the piece. Swiftly, it grew into a peach blob, violently expanding while somehow denting itself until the world’s youngest Irene Bardakci stood straight in its place.

            This copy of Irene Bardakci was no different from the others: small, frail as glass, and with thin black hair reaching far behind her. Her new eyes scanned the room calmly as if to keep the rest of her body from shivering. She was almost too frightened to take the folded robe given to her from the lordly duplicate of herself, but eventually put it on and began to take in her surroundings.

            It was as if her greatest wishes had thrown themselves down and kissed her feet. A ceiling, domed and higher than anything she had ever seen, was encased by a magnificent bookshelf of facts, with gateways to their worlds provided by curved ladders. Though workbenches and tools surrounded her, they looked as if no human hands had touched them. Best of all, she felt the air of sanctuary here, as if no one in their busy wild workdays would ever find this treasure. But there was still the fact that she had no idea how she got here from her bed, and why another one of her was here, examining her as if she was hunting her.

            “How did I get here?” said Irene to the taller version of herself that wore baggy sweaters and colorless braces like herself. She then realized that her teeth felt less pressure than usual, and a finger to her teeth confirmed that her own braces were gone.

            “You are a copy of myself from two years ago, sans nonorganic possessions” stated the planet’s current leader.  “Other than that, you’re the same woman I was before I was given this,” she said, holding up the heavy white pouch.

            “Given?”

            “Yes. It was someone in shimmering white wearing glasses, from what I could tell. He disappeared after dropping the ring.”

            “I see.” The clone looked at her feet, not sure what to say yet.

            “I brought you here because I want to… talk to someone.”

            “Why me?”

            Irene felt as if she should have seen this coming, especially since she knew how she preferred solitude. It was now her turn to look at her feet, only she was thinking of excuses for why she would create a new life and then leave it behind.

            This gave the clone a chance to glance outside and see a London nearly leveled. Below her marched a silent parade of doppelgangers, all moving forth to destinations invisible.

            “How did… where is everybody?” The clone’s panic stopped a departing Irene in her tracks, moments before she reached the door.

            “There all like us,” she said, turning back towards her copy. “They are the only ones alive. I am their goddess.”

            The clone was at a loss for words- not for anger or despair, but only for surprise. “How did this happen?”

            “I created the first clone by accident, through a flashlight. I was able to keep it hidden and fed, and even used her when I didn’t want to talk to anyone. But then I found out we were moving again.”

            A familiar pang hit the clone’s heart, which triggered a spreading dread through her gut. Then, a new, terrible thought struck.

            “Our family is alive,” said Irene, noting the fear in the clone’s hazel eyes. “A team of my women could not bring it to themselves to harm them. We’re keeping them safe.”

            “You took over the world because you were moving?”

            “It’s more complex than that. It was while crying into the arms of my copy that I discovered how much they’ve done for me and how little they asked of me. So we ran away from home. Our life savings got us out of town, and we even found a motel room, but that didn’t stop the police from finding us. I panicked, and used Zero on them,” she softly spoke as she motioned to the white pouch. “With them gone, I realized that I would be consistently hunted and that I had ventured far beyond the point of return. I needed everyone to leave me alone.”

            “Months later, I arrived at Washington D.C. and made my way to the top of an observatory tower. The landscape was cleared within seconds, replaced by thousands of myself. Afterwards, air support was obtained, and the rest of the country fell quickly. The world quickly united against me, but they were preoccupied with slaying the building wave of preteen girls approaching them and had no idea about my secret.”

            This image caused the clone to wince slightly, but only for a moment.

            “Now, we are at peace. Zero was enough reason for my world to elect me as their ruler, but everyone carries on so well that I might as well not exist. I finally have time to learn what I want and to achieve all of my projects. But I have since grown without something to do, and no reason for pursuing other things, so I created you. All other clones were fed lies to keep them in place, whether I needed them to farm or work factories. They all trusted me since I controlled both facts and the Zero. You’re the first one I’ve ever opened myself up to.”

            The clone was at a loss of words for a little while. But then she meekly stated, “I understand.”

            “What did you say?”

            “Your actions seem reasonable to me. We’ve established world peace, brought ourselves solidarity, and created a world where we can accomplish our dreams. Whose to stop us from becoming great scientists and athletes, now that we’re free from everyone else?”

            There was a new coldness emitting from Irene. She then harshly stammered out, “I want you to leave.”

            “Why? I can…”

            In a grey flash, the old clone morphed from a blob to a blob with dents to another one of herself. Irene placed the Zero back in the pouch and straightened her posture.

            “Your dreams have come true,” she commanded. “A life of peace and quiet awaits, where you can achieve your greatest aspirations. But we need you to work in order for that to happen. Report to E-L-0000834 for further instructions. She should be on the lower floor.”

            The clone, shaking from the cold and from shock, moved quickly out the door.

            Irene kicked the side of the workbench the moment her copy left. Why on earth would I think that this time would work better than the others?  she thought.  No matter how much worse I word the story, I open up to receive the same responses, that this is something ok. Well, I can’t say how, but this is not ok, she cried as she stared at the ever-blue sky that had made her the most alone she ever could have hoped for.

CLSTG

The One True People

Setting:

A Panel Discussion on Religious Differences, a table with chairs and microphones.

At Rise:

The MC is introducing the panelists

MC

In this time of chaos, natural disasters, and unrest, there are many people who are looking for answers about what is to come. To that end, we have assembled a panel of some of the most respected religious figures to try to answer the question, “What happens at the end of time?”

Each member of the panel stands as he is introduced.

MC

First we have JOSEPH SMITH, the prophet of the Mormon people.

JOSPEH SMITH stands and then recovers his seat, haughty.

MC

And here we have Rebbe Schneerson, the last Rebbe of the Lubavicher people.

REBBE SCHNEERSON stands and nods his head at the audience, very slightly but full of respect.

MC

Thank you Rebbe, and we also have the Reverand Jerry Falwell

FALWELL doesn’t stand, just looks with loathing at his fellow panelists.

MC

And finally, we have from the Nation of Islam, The Honorable Mr. Elijah Muhammad

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD stands, gives a little bow, and speaks in a quiet yet powerful voice.

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

Thank you, I hope by attending this panel, I can help to empower the black man to overthrow his white oppressors and accept Allah as God.

JOSEPH SMITH

[Indignant and Holier than Thou]

The African will never become a priesthood holder in the one true religion. The Second book of Nephi clearly states, “And thus saith the Lord God; I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.”

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

[Anger hiding behind a forced calm]

It is because of the white devils like you that the black man has been kept from achieving his true destiny! This is what Allah and the Nation of Islam teaches the black man, to take what is rightfully his.

MC

We aren’t meant to get into a finger pointing match today Mr. Muhammad. Mr Smith? You do know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints began ordaining African Americans into the Priesthood in the late 1970’s… right?

JOSEPH SMITH

That mockery of the one True religion? Pah. Those imposters broke the covenant I made with God when Moroni gave me the plates of the Nephites.

MC

What do you mean by that Joseph? I can call you Joseph? Can’t I?

JOSEPH SMITH

Call me whatever you want. God knows my true name. And I mean that those so called members of the Mormon faith who gave up the practice of plural marriage are not members of the one true faith.

REBBE SCHNEERSON

God does not desire above all else large families. God desires his people to obtain a unity between heart and mind. Without this unity, no matter how big the family, God does not give special preference as you seem to believe.

MC

Rebbe Schneerson there are some who say that you are the Jewish messiah, what makes you different from the other Lubavich Rebbes that have come before you, and why are you the last?

REBBE SCHNEERSON

I did not seek to become the Messiah, and indeed I do not believe I am such, as for why I am the last Lubavich Rebbe, I can only assume that because such a cult of Messianism has been built up around me, they did not wish to name another Rebbe.

JERRY FALWELL

[Angry and Loud]

Now stop it right there! There is but one Messiah and his name is Jesus Christ. You and your people killed him over two thousand years ago. For you and your kind to declare another Messiah is heresy and against God! I won’t stand for it. The end of days is near, and the…

MC

Now we’re not here to call each other names.

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

Indeed, as much as I am enjoying watching the white man tear each other down, we are here are we not to discuss the after life?

MC

You are correct Mr. Muhammad. Why don’t you start? What does the Nation of Islam teach about the end of days?

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

Our God made incarnate Wallace Fard teaches that there is no life after this one, Heaven and Hell are here in this life, not places to go after death.

JOSEPH SMITH

What a sad religion that is, to not be able to be with your friends and family in eternity. God teaches us through the writings of the Angel Moroni that those who follow his word, and live according to his rules will live with him forever in the Celestial Kingdom, along with those members of our families who we are sealed to for eternity. But you and your ‘religion’ – your eternity makes me weep with sorrow. You will never know the joy of living forever in God’s presence.

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

The Devil calls me and my religion ‘sad’ – of course. The devil has always wanted to keep the black man down, to keep us from achieving our rightful greatness.

JOSEPH SMITH

It is not us keeping you and your ‘people’ down. If you are not achieving greatness, it is because the African is inferior to God’s chosen people. Even if you were to embrace the word of the Latterday Saints… you would still be inferior.

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

Every word you say is false!

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD lunges at JOSEPH SMITH, beginning a Jerry Springer-esque fist fight, including rolling around on the ground under the table. They bump into REBBE SCHNEERSON who shakily gets to his feet.

REBBE SCHNEERSON

Gentlemen, Gentlemen. Our purpose in being here is to provide a well rounded view of religion and our differences in views. Not to be school children, addressing our differences with our fists instead of words.

JERRY FALWELL snorts dismissively

JERRY FALWELL

Listen to you, trying once again to put yourself up as the Messiah, instead of the murderer that you are, you and your people killed the true Messiah! I can’t believe that you have the nerve to stand there and preach as if you aren’t descended from Christ Killers!

Chaos is ensuing, ELIJAH MUHAMMAD and JOSEPH SMITH continue fighting on the ground, yelling at eachother, incomprehensible invective. JERRY FALWELL and REBBE SCHNEERSON square off against each other, SCHNEERSON refusing to lower himself to FALWELL’s ad hominem attacks. The MC is trying to restore order when a STAGEHAND rushes onto the stage, handing the MC a piece of paper. Above the ruckus, we hear-

MC

Really? He’s really here?

The STAGEHAND nods frantically and then retreats from the stage.

MC

GENTLEMEN!

Nobody is listening or paying any attention. The MC creates feedback from her microphone, everyone stops, holding their heads.

MC (Continued)

Thank you. I just was informed that we have a special guest with us here. Can we get him to come out here?

There’s a brief black out and when the lights return, there is a man standing on the stage, dressed as a hobo, yet all of his clothes are white, and surprisingly clean looking.

MC (Continued)

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce… the one and only God!

The rest of the panelists have returned to their seats and can only stare in shock.

GOD

Thank you for welcoming me here. Yes… I am God. I understand that this … hubbub is all about who’s religion is right about the after life and the chosen people… am I correct?

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

Allah Ackbar!

JERRY FALWELL

The RAPTURE IS UPON US!

GOD

Well… I’m sorry to hear that you’ve all put so much into your own ideas… because I’m sorry to tell you that you’re all wrong.

Everyone is stunned, JERRY FALWELL falls out of his chair.

GOD

Yes… actually the Rapture has actually already occurred…

JERRY FALWELL

Was it last May? I was already dead, so I couldn’t be raptured, but I’m sure it was last May…

GOD

Jerry, you wouldn’t have been raptured anyways, even if it was last May. The chosen people were the bees.

EVERYONE (except GOD)

The BEES?

GOD

Why yes! Didn’t anyone wonder what happened to them? They all just started disappearing?

JOSEPH SMITH

We all thought that it had something to do with cell phones…

GOD

No! No, they’re building hives and making honey in heaven now.

JERRY FALWELL

But Lord, I’ve been your most loyal follower, I’ve hated all the right people…. Why not me?

GOD

The bees are the perfect people, the chosen people! They work for a common goal, the betterment of the group, without thought as to personal gain or pain… plus I really like honey.

There is another brief blackout. When the lights return, GOD is gone, and everyone is staring at where he was standing

REBBE SCHNEERSON

Well Shit.

BLACKOUT. CURTAIN.

Fatty Gets Lucky

Some people swore that the Wells house was haunted. The only one who did so consistently was Fatty Bergman, and his testimony always came after five or six drinks at Flannery’s. He pled his case every other night, but the jury of townies and barflies had long since quit hearing his appeals. Fatty’s story kept changing over the years (and beers), but the gist of it was that Larry Wells “did bad things to his kids” in that house. What exactly those bad things had been and even how many kids there were might be different each time, but Fatty always spoke every word with total conviction, serious as a judge. Nobody gave his rants much thought until that final telling.
On the night in question, Fatty came in at his usual time but stayed unusually quiet. Drew, who had tended bar at Flannery’s for years, noticed how long it took him to finish his first beer. Fatty was still nursing his second when Drew finally sidled over and asked, “You all right, Fatty?” Even though their eyes met, Drew told people afterward that Fatty seemed to be looking past him rather than at him, like he was answering somebody else.
“I still have a heart.”
“What’s that mean?”
Fatty broke out laughing. Drew frowned. Fatty shouldn’t be drunk after only two beers, but here he was, cackling like mad at something only he seemed to understand. Fatty ran his fingers through his thin gray hair, pressing the top of his head like he was trying to hold it down.
“What do you believe in?” he suddenly asked Drew. “Do you believe in what you see? Or in what’s really there?”
Drew was more confused than before. “Uh, I…”
Fatty abruptly started laughing again. He grabbed his glass and gulped down the remaining beer. Out of habit, Drew started to ask if he wanted another, but then Fatty slammed the glass down on the bar. It exploded into jagged shards, some of which sliced Drew’s right hand. Fatty jumped to his feet, toppling his barstool to the floor. Every eye in the place was on him. He scowled back at them and raised an accusing finger that was dripping with blood.
“All of you, walking so tall!” he snarled. “You think you know things? You’re all just little children lost in the dark, and if you ever came face-to-face with what’s really there, you’d fall down screaming for Mommy and Daddy! I know what’s there! I’ve seen it!”
“Fatty, what the hell are you talking about?” Drew yelled as he wrapped a towel around his wounded hand.
“The house! The Wells house! I know what’s there!”
“Shut up about that damned house, Fatty!” Drew bellowed. “Nobody cares what happened there!”
A grim smile spread over Fatty’s lips. “Little Boy makes big noise.”
“Get out before I call the cops!”
“Little Boy has help,” Fatty said. “The Sisters are with him. Lucky, too.”
“That’s it!” Drew went for the phone at the far end of the bar.
“Lucky helped get rid of Daddy. They gave Lucky their hearts. He said he’d bring Mama back, but he never did. Now they want someone new to play with.”
Drew hurriedly dialed the phone. Fatty had never been a violent drunk before, but he might not be drunk now so much as just plain crazy.
“You’ll never understand!” Fatty hissed at the stunned bar patrons. “None of you! Not until it’s too late. I’m the only one. I’m the only one.”
Fatty stormed out of the bar repeating that phrase to himself. Drew finally heard the police dispatcher pick up the phone. He stammered that Fatty Bergman had gone nuts and they better pick him up before he hurt someone. The dispatcher asked where Fatty was headed. Drew could only think of one place.
By the time the police got to the Wells house, the whole place was up in flames. Fatty Bergman lay dead on the front lawn with a lighter in his hand and an unlit Molotov cocktail by his side. It seemed he had already tossed one through the front window and was about to light another when he dropped dead of a massive coronary. The fire took the whole house and all the trees around it and nearly spread to the neighboring houses before the firefighters finally got it under control.
Everyone figured Fatty must have been drunk out of his mind before he even got to Flannery’s that night, and the fact he had Everclear for his Molotov cocktails seemed to confirm it. But then word got out that the coroner found Fatty’s blood alcohol was below the legal limit when he died; those two beers Drew served him were all that was in his system. People started to wonder about those things Fatty said about the Wells house, about something being in there, about Little Boy and the Sisters and somebody named Lucky. The word “haunted” started to creep into conversations, and some wondered whether Fatty Bergman himself might be floating around there now.
Nothing was ever the same after that.

Copyright (c) 2012 by Eric Landuyt

Eli - Week 1

Here is a link to a Ten Minute Play called "The Last Duel of Purgatory Point, NM".

http://explodingrabbits.blogspot.com/2012/03/52-week-project-week-1.html

Can't wait to hear what you guys think. For sake of ease, let's put comments on this blog in the comments section. Thanks!

Welcome to Week 1

Welcome all to week one. I can't wait to start posting and see what you got as well. If you have any trouble posting please let me know. Thanks everyone and let this long strange trip begin.