Timestop
This is my first attempt at a play. I had a great time writing this piece. The characters are unlike any I’ve written before. It's a new way to think about Family. In the end I would like the reader to decide what happens. Please let me know what you think should happen. I'm interested to hear.
Enter Stage right, Jim and Joe. Joe Holding flashlight, while Jim follows behind. Noises persist through the nearby streets as the two men approach an old wear house.
Jim
Are you fucking kidding me? I mean it Joe! Are you Fucking mental! Do you know what happens to guys like you?
Pause
They get themselves shot in the head, and are dragged off somewhere in a ditch. All of their money is stolen, and the stretch of rotting sewer gets in their nose. That’s what happens. The garbage and blood are the last things they see. I mean . . . Shit! Come on, your not just endangering yourself here. What about me! I’m twenty nine years old for Christ sake. You cabbage! Meanwhile, I’m over here I’ve got the trots. Seriously . . . slow down I’m about to chunder.
Joe
Shut your cakehole! I’m really starting to get hacked off with you. It’s not my fault your tankerd. Lest you forget it was your sorry arse that got us into this situation in the first place.
Jim
Your one to talk, have you ever read a Stephen King novel? You pansey! I should take you down myself. Blimey!
Joe
Please, that way you can spare me.
Jim
Sure, you’d like that wouldn’t you! That way you could keep all that money for yourself. Isn’t that what you want!
Joe
Stop you-
Jim
- Stop you what? That’s right . . . You stop you ninny! Shit Joe! Do you know what happens to people like us?
Joe
Yes, you just told me.
Jim
I mean, in situations like this. What the fuck have we gotten ourselves into this time. Are you sure your not completely pissed right now. I mean, I know I am, but your acting a bit dodgy, really.
Joe
Would you let me think for two seconds! Jesus do you ever-
Jim
-Wait a minute did you say something! Are you saying I’m a wanker! Your right Joe, oh your right. This nutter has completely lost the plot!
Joe
No, that’s not what I was going to say. Gees I say one thing to you and you explode. Your so dramatic. All I’m saying is that this situation isn’t my fault.
Jim
Sure it’s not. You only had us move out here in the middle of freakin’ nowhere! Then put us through this shit. Now where in deep with these fucking wankers. Who the hell are you, it seems I don’t even know you.
Joe
That’s funny, for a second there I thought I was your brother.
Silence
Joe
Were here.
Sounds as their footsteps leave grass and hit gravel. They approach wear house. Joe turns around waiting for Jim who has stopped walking for a second. Jim slowly pulls out a small object from his back pocket.
Joe
Where did you get that thing! Put it away, who do you think you are? A cowboy or something! Your not Roland from the gunslinger, ninny.
Jim
You know how things are, Joe. Things can go from bad to worse quickly, and from worse to sitting shit even faster. I figured we were already at worse, and decided we needed some collateral.
Joe
For you or for me? That shit is exactly the thing that will get us both shot! Do you want to end up with both of your guns blown off. Do you . . .Not to mention they’ll shoot me for spite.
Jim
Alright! Alright! Joe. Geese. Calm the fuck down.
Brief sounds as Jim takes gun and runs to a large rock setting the gun behind it. He the takes out a lighter and begins to flick it open.
Jim
But if we don’t have anything to defend ourselves. I’m blaming you. Hey, you got a ciggy?
Joe
Stop messing around, it’s 10:57. We have exactly three minutes to get inside that building before they blow both our bloody brains all over the wall. You remember what happened to Terry last month. You will not take me with you when they start to shoot. I’ll use you as a shield if I have to.
Jim
Please-Joe- were brothers! Your too stupid to do anything without me.
Sounds again, as both men make their way across the gravel parking lot.
Jim
Why does this place have to be in the middle of nowhere anyways . . . Shit it’s cold.
Joe
You really are a fucking out of the tree right now. Does time mean nothing to you? They’re the mob they don’t do business at the Marriot.
Joe looses footing and trips.
Jim
That’s naff! Why do you do dat to me Joe? Huh? You know I can’t stand to be insulted! God Dammit!
Joe
Shut your trap, and start moving. You tell me I’m the idiot.
Jim
Don’t speak that shit to me. I grew up in London! I know fluent Italian. You need to calm down and STOP INSULTING ME!
Joe
Yeah, well they won’t give a damn about what you speak when they blow your brains in. Now move.
Jim hesitates a moment then moves towards Joe. They both make their way to the wear house.
Blackout. Set change.
Tony, the mob boss, is sitting around a round poker table with his cronies: Renzio, Lucci, are to his right. Pacheco and Vinnie are to his left. Laughs.
Tony
That’s hysterical- I truly mean that. Where’d you get dat? We all know you’re a criminal- come on? Who’d you steal dat from?
Lucci
Picked it up somewhere dat’s for sure. I dink Id was dat guy. I shot last week.
More laughs. Followed by hard clicks. Enter stage right, Jim and Joe.
Tony
Gentleman it looks as if our European guests have arrived.
Silence Follows.
Tony
Boys, you disappoint me.
He says while shaking hair back and checking his watch.
Tony
I invest so much time and energy into this business, and you want to treat me like shit. Could it have killed you to show up on time. I mean, look at me, I’m all distraught. Look at my face it’s emotional. Right boys?
Tony looks around the table at cronies faces looking for approval. Yeah’s follow.
Tony
It tears me up inside to have to kill you. I mean dat.
Pulls gun out from under the table.
Vinnie
Shouldn’t we wait a sec boss?
Tony Stops with his hand on the trigger. Face annoyed he looks down at Vinnie.
Tony
Did you just tell me to wait? Look at this! Now I’m getting it from my own! Do you see this Renzio? Do you- see this little shit questioning me? I aught to shoot you all!
Tony Stands
Vinnie
I only meant . . . What about your money?
Tony
Oh-Oh Jesus- Sometimes, I forget about the important stuff. Vinnie, yes, thank you. What were all you other fucks doing! I should give fifty percent to Vinnie here, for watching me back.
Pause Again
Tony
Now, where was I?
Pecheco
The money, boss.
Tony
OH- right. My money. So you to babies have my money!
Pause as both Jim and Joe are unable to respond. Silence broken by Joe.
Joe
Will you let us live if we do?
Tony
Dat’s a stupidest question, but I’m feeling sympathetic, if dat helps. But the sensation will pass in the next, oh let’s say, thirty seconds. I don’t want to waste any more of my valuable time on you shit heads tonight!
Pauses again
Tony
You two better start talking or your both going to end up drowning in each other’s blood.
Joe reaches into his pocket very slowly, and pulls out a huge wad of cash. He steps forward a couple steps and throws the money on the floor.
Joe
There’s your money, take it.
Tony
Hold on a sec, no need to be jumpy. As it occurs to me now, Jim, that shit face over there, is the one who took it to begin with.
Jim backs two paces.
Joe
What does that matter! You got your money!
Tony
It means a lot. He ain’t learned a damn thing! You paid for him. It’s time for him to pay for you.
Joe
Jesus! What do you want from us?
Tony
I want you and your brother their to know- what every other person knows- that it is not alright to fuck with me! Peccicho hand me your gun.
Pause as Pechico hands gun to Tony. Tony walks around the table.
Tony
Come here Jimmy!
Jimmy Hesitates
Tony
You got ears! Get the fuck over here! NOW!
Silence as Jim walks to Tony. Tony points the gun at Joe.
Tony
You think I’m a fool!
Jim
No- I-
Tony
You piece of shit! You dink you can just walk away from this without so much as a scratch. You are fucking kidding yourself, if you think dat!
Pause as Tony empties the barrel of Pechico’s gun all bullets but one. Tony sticks his own gun to Jim’s head.
Tony
I hate people like you, Jim. I really do. People who dink they can get away with anything they want without facing consequences . . . Take this pistol.
Jim
What?
Tony
Take the damn Pistol! There’s only one shot, don’t be stupid boy!
Jim
What do you want me to do with it? Huh- kill myself?
Tony
No, that would be getting the easy way out! You are going to shoot your brother. Come closer Joe! I want to see the look in your eyes when your brother Jim here kills you!
Joe hesitates then proceeds to walk within feet of Jim and Tony.
Tony
Jim . . .
Jim
What-
Tony
It’s time for you to shoot your brother. Only then can we be square. Go on! Shoot Joe in the fucking head! We haven’t got all night!
Pause as Jim stares at gun
Tony
If you don’t kill him in the next ten seconds, I’ll shoot you both! So, which is it? Him or both of you?
Pause
Tony
Eight seconds. You have two options, but only one will save your life.
Jim
Are you a fucking nutter! How can I kill him?
Tony
It’s simple, pull the trigger back. You have used a gun before?
Jim raises the gun
Tony
SHOOT HIM!
Jim
I’m sorry! I’m Sorry! I’m SORRY!
Jim shouts and the lights go out. Audience here’s a single gunshot followed by a body falling.
The end.
Jim
Are you fucking kidding me? I mean it Joe! Are you Fucking mental! Do you know what happens to guys like you?
Pause
They get themselves shot in the head, and are dragged off somewhere in a ditch. All of their money is stolen, and the stretch of rotting sewer gets in their nose. That’s what happens. The garbage and blood are the last things they see. I mean . . . Shit! Come on, your not just endangering yourself here. What about me! I’m twenty nine years old for Christ sake. You cabbage! Meanwhile, I’m over here I’ve got the trots. Seriously . . . slow down I’m about to chunder.
Joe
Shut your cakehole! I’m really starting to get hacked off with you. It’s not my fault your tankerd. Lest you forget it was your sorry arse that got us into this situation in the first place.
Jim
Your one to talk, have you ever read a Stephen King novel? You pansey! I should take you down myself. Blimey!
Joe
Please, that way you can spare me.
Jim
Sure, you’d like that wouldn’t you! That way you could keep all that money for yourself. Isn’t that what you want!
Joe
Stop you-
Jim
- Stop you what? That’s right . . . You stop you ninny! Shit Joe! Do you know what happens to people like us?
Joe
Yes, you just told me.
Jim
I mean, in situations like this. What the fuck have we gotten ourselves into this time. Are you sure your not completely pissed right now. I mean, I know I am, but your acting a bit dodgy, really.
Joe
Would you let me think for two seconds! Jesus do you ever-
Jim
-Wait a minute did you say something! Are you saying I’m a wanker! Your right Joe, oh your right. This nutter has completely lost the plot!
Joe
No, that’s not what I was going to say. Gees I say one thing to you and you explode. Your so dramatic. All I’m saying is that this situation isn’t my fault.
Jim
Sure it’s not. You only had us move out here in the middle of freakin’ nowhere! Then put us through this shit. Now where in deep with these fucking wankers. Who the hell are you, it seems I don’t even know you.
Joe
That’s funny, for a second there I thought I was your brother.
Silence
Joe
Were here.
Sounds as their footsteps leave grass and hit gravel. They approach wear house. Joe turns around waiting for Jim who has stopped walking for a second. Jim slowly pulls out a small object from his back pocket.
Joe
Where did you get that thing! Put it away, who do you think you are? A cowboy or something! Your not Roland from the gunslinger, ninny.
Jim
You know how things are, Joe. Things can go from bad to worse quickly, and from worse to sitting shit even faster. I figured we were already at worse, and decided we needed some collateral.
Joe
For you or for me? That shit is exactly the thing that will get us both shot! Do you want to end up with both of your guns blown off. Do you . . .Not to mention they’ll shoot me for spite.
Jim
Alright! Alright! Joe. Geese. Calm the fuck down.
Brief sounds as Jim takes gun and runs to a large rock setting the gun behind it. He the takes out a lighter and begins to flick it open.
Jim
But if we don’t have anything to defend ourselves. I’m blaming you. Hey, you got a ciggy?
Joe
Stop messing around, it’s 10:57. We have exactly three minutes to get inside that building before they blow both our bloody brains all over the wall. You remember what happened to Terry last month. You will not take me with you when they start to shoot. I’ll use you as a shield if I have to.
Jim
Please-Joe- were brothers! Your too stupid to do anything without me.
Sounds again, as both men make their way across the gravel parking lot.
Jim
Why does this place have to be in the middle of nowhere anyways . . . Shit it’s cold.
Joe
You really are a fucking out of the tree right now. Does time mean nothing to you? They’re the mob they don’t do business at the Marriot.
Joe looses footing and trips.
Jim
That’s naff! Why do you do dat to me Joe? Huh? You know I can’t stand to be insulted! God Dammit!
Joe
Shut your trap, and start moving. You tell me I’m the idiot.
Jim
Don’t speak that shit to me. I grew up in London! I know fluent Italian. You need to calm down and STOP INSULTING ME!
Joe
Yeah, well they won’t give a damn about what you speak when they blow your brains in. Now move.
Jim hesitates a moment then moves towards Joe. They both make their way to the wear house.
Blackout. Set change.
Tony, the mob boss, is sitting around a round poker table with his cronies: Renzio, Lucci, are to his right. Pacheco and Vinnie are to his left. Laughs.
Tony
That’s hysterical- I truly mean that. Where’d you get dat? We all know you’re a criminal- come on? Who’d you steal dat from?
Lucci
Picked it up somewhere dat’s for sure. I dink Id was dat guy. I shot last week.
More laughs. Followed by hard clicks. Enter stage right, Jim and Joe.
Tony
Gentleman it looks as if our European guests have arrived.
Silence Follows.
Tony
Boys, you disappoint me.
He says while shaking hair back and checking his watch.
Tony
I invest so much time and energy into this business, and you want to treat me like shit. Could it have killed you to show up on time. I mean, look at me, I’m all distraught. Look at my face it’s emotional. Right boys?
Tony looks around the table at cronies faces looking for approval. Yeah’s follow.
Tony
It tears me up inside to have to kill you. I mean dat.
Pulls gun out from under the table.
Vinnie
Shouldn’t we wait a sec boss?
Tony Stops with his hand on the trigger. Face annoyed he looks down at Vinnie.
Tony
Did you just tell me to wait? Look at this! Now I’m getting it from my own! Do you see this Renzio? Do you- see this little shit questioning me? I aught to shoot you all!
Tony Stands
Vinnie
I only meant . . . What about your money?
Tony
Oh-Oh Jesus- Sometimes, I forget about the important stuff. Vinnie, yes, thank you. What were all you other fucks doing! I should give fifty percent to Vinnie here, for watching me back.
Pause Again
Tony
Now, where was I?
Pecheco
The money, boss.
Tony
OH- right. My money. So you to babies have my money!
Pause as both Jim and Joe are unable to respond. Silence broken by Joe.
Joe
Will you let us live if we do?
Tony
Dat’s a stupidest question, but I’m feeling sympathetic, if dat helps. But the sensation will pass in the next, oh let’s say, thirty seconds. I don’t want to waste any more of my valuable time on you shit heads tonight!
Pauses again
Tony
You two better start talking or your both going to end up drowning in each other’s blood.
Joe reaches into his pocket very slowly, and pulls out a huge wad of cash. He steps forward a couple steps and throws the money on the floor.
Joe
There’s your money, take it.
Tony
Hold on a sec, no need to be jumpy. As it occurs to me now, Jim, that shit face over there, is the one who took it to begin with.
Jim backs two paces.
Joe
What does that matter! You got your money!
Tony
It means a lot. He ain’t learned a damn thing! You paid for him. It’s time for him to pay for you.
Joe
Jesus! What do you want from us?
Tony
I want you and your brother their to know- what every other person knows- that it is not alright to fuck with me! Peccicho hand me your gun.
Pause as Pechico hands gun to Tony. Tony walks around the table.
Tony
Come here Jimmy!
Jimmy Hesitates
Tony
You got ears! Get the fuck over here! NOW!
Silence as Jim walks to Tony. Tony points the gun at Joe.
Tony
You think I’m a fool!
Jim
No- I-
Tony
You piece of shit! You dink you can just walk away from this without so much as a scratch. You are fucking kidding yourself, if you think dat!
Pause as Tony empties the barrel of Pechico’s gun all bullets but one. Tony sticks his own gun to Jim’s head.
Tony
I hate people like you, Jim. I really do. People who dink they can get away with anything they want without facing consequences . . . Take this pistol.
Jim
What?
Tony
Take the damn Pistol! There’s only one shot, don’t be stupid boy!
Jim
What do you want me to do with it? Huh- kill myself?
Tony
No, that would be getting the easy way out! You are going to shoot your brother. Come closer Joe! I want to see the look in your eyes when your brother Jim here kills you!
Joe hesitates then proceeds to walk within feet of Jim and Tony.
Tony
Jim . . .
Jim
What-
Tony
It’s time for you to shoot your brother. Only then can we be square. Go on! Shoot Joe in the fucking head! We haven’t got all night!
Pause as Jim stares at gun
Tony
If you don’t kill him in the next ten seconds, I’ll shoot you both! So, which is it? Him or both of you?
Pause
Tony
Eight seconds. You have two options, but only one will save your life.
Jim
Are you a fucking nutter! How can I kill him?
Tony
It’s simple, pull the trigger back. You have used a gun before?
Jim raises the gun
Tony
SHOOT HIM!
Jim
I’m sorry! I’m Sorry! I’m SORRY!
Jim shouts and the lights go out. Audience here’s a single gunshot followed by a body falling.
The end.
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