China Doll

by David Mamet

  CHINA DOLL

  BOOKS BY DAVID MAMET

  AVAILABLE FROM TCG

  The Anarchist

  China Doll

  Keep Your Pantheon (and School)

  Race

  China Doll is copyright © 2015 by David Mamet

  China Doll is published by Theatre Communications Group, Inc.,

  520 Eighth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10018-4156

  All rights reserved. Except for brief passages quoted in newspaper, magazine, radio or television reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that this material, being fully protected under the Copyright Laws of the United States of America and all other countries of the Berne and Universal Copyright Conventions, is subject to a royalty. All rights, including but not limited to, professional, amateur, recording, motion picture, recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio and television broadcasting, and the rights of translation into foreign languages are expressly reserved. Particular emphasis is placed on the question of readings and all uses of this book by educational institutions, permission for which must be secured from the author’s representative: Ron Gwiazda, Abrams Artists Agency, 275 Seventh Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10001, (646) 461-9325.

  The publication of China Doll by David Mamet, through TCG’s Book Program, is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

  TCG books are exclusively distributed to the book trade by Consortium Book Sales and Distribution.

  Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

  ISBN 978-1-55936-831-5 (ebook)

  Book design and composition by Lisa Govan

  Cover design by Serino/Coyne

  First Edition, November 2015

  This play is dedicated to Al Pacino

  Contents

  Production History

  Characters

  Scene

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  CHINA DOLL

  PRODUCTION HISTORY

  China Doll had its world premiere on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on November 19, 2015. It was directed by Pam MacKinnon. The scenic design was by Derek McLane, the costume design was by Jess Goldstein, the lighting design was by Russell H. Champa and the sound design was by Peter Fitzgerald. The cast was:

  MICKEY ROSS

  Al Pacino

  CARSON

  Christopher Denham

  CHARACTERS

  MICKEY ROSS, an older man

  CARSON, a younger man

  SCENE

  An apartment

  One: Evening

  Two: Morning

  She drawled so sweetly and fixed her mouth in such an odd way that he was impelled to kiss her. “You clover blossom,” he would say to her, coming over and taking her by the arms. “You sprig of cherry bloom. You Dresden china dream.”

  —THEODORE DREISER, THE TITAN

  ONE

  The apartment. Evening.

  Mickey Ross is seated at a table by a telephone. Beat. There is a knock at the door.

  MICKEY: Come in.

  (Carson enters, carrying a folded newspaper, which he extends toward Mickey.)

  What is that? A newspaper. I don’t want a “newspaper.” What do I want?

  CARSON: Sir?

  MICKEY: . . . you come here, what the hell do you come here for? I’ve got a sheaf of letters testifying to your . . .

  CARSON: . . . sir.

  MICKEY: . . . your various great virtues, but I ask you to perform one simple task . . . What was that?

  (Pause.)

  I asked you a question.

  CARSON: . . . I.

  MICKEY: What did I ask you to do?

  CARSON: . . . sir.

  MICKEY: To find out where Ms. Pierson is.

  CARSON: Ms. Pierson is in the hotel.

  (Carson hands the newspaper to Mickey.)

  MICKEY: I called the . . . (He bats the newspaper away) I don’t want the fucking newspaper. I want you to do what I’m paying you for. Where is Ms. Pierson?

  CARSON: In Toronto, in the ho—

  MICKEY: Did I tell you I just called? The plane is in Toronto, is that corr . . . ?

  CARSON: That’s right.

  MICKEY: Because you told me she went from the plane to where?

  CARSON: The Choate Hotel.

  MICKEY: She’s not there. And find me the pilot.

  CARSON: His cell phone doesn’t ans—

  MICKEY: Get me Flight Services. In Toronto. You have the tail number? (He checks a note) It’s CH-134.

  CARSON: That’s not the . . .

  MICKEY: Just . . .

  CARSON: “CH” . . . that’s the Swiss registration, sir, the plane has a U.S. registration, the number is—

  MICKEY: Get me Flight Services in Toronto.

  (Carson makes a call on a second phone.)

  And the plane does not have the U.S. registration. It has the Swiss registr . . . What the fuck am I paying you for?

  CARSON (On the second phone): Yes. I’m calling about . . . tail number, November, 241 Mike Alpha. A Mark Five.

  MICKEY (To Carson): That’s a U.S. registration. The plane is registered in Switzerland . . .

  CARSON (Holds up a finger): I’m sorry, sir . . .

  (He checks the invoice.)

  MICKEY: Let’s start anew . . . the plane is in Toronto?

  (Pause.)

  CARSON: I . . .

  MICKEY: The pilot. Closed the flight plan. I was told the plane therefore had landed in Toronto. Is that true?

  CARSON (Into phone): . . . Hello . . . ?

  (Mickey takes the phone from him.)

  MICKEY (Into phone): Yes. Hello. Who am I speaking to? This is Mickey Ross. Yes. Mickey Ross. We do a lot of business with you folks. I’m looking for: tail number . . .

  (He checks a piece of paper.)

  (Into phone; reading paper) CH-134

  (Pause.)

  It’s the new Mark Five.

  (Pause.)

  Aerstar Mark Five. You’re only going to have one on the ramp.

  (Pause.)

  You do.

  (Pause.)

  Well, what is the tail number?

  (Mickey writes it down.)

  (Into phone) November 241 Mike Alpha. That’s the wrong num . . . I’ve got a sixty-million-dollar airplane on your ramp and it’s a Chinese fire drill up there. Do you know how much business I do with you?

  (Pause.)

  Let me talk to the pilot. Aerstar’s ferry pilot. Is he there?

  (Pause.)

  Did he leave a contact number?

  (Pause.)

  Please give it to me . . . It’s my plane. Call Aerstar. In Switzerland, they will verify . . . Never mind.

  (Pause.)

  When the pilot checks in. Tell him to call his employer. And what is your name?

  (Pause. Mickey writes down the information.)

  And what is your position there? . . . Thank you.

  (He hangs up.)

  CARSON: Mr. Ross . . .

  MICKEY: You know, I can’t spend my time wondering: “Do those in my employ appreciate my desires.” You are not getting paid to do that. But to fulfill them. Which, in this case, were, to arrange for Ms. Pierson and me to . . .

  CARSON: Sir.

  MICKEY: . . . rendezvous in Toronto and continue on to London. On the new plane. That’s all.

  CARSON: Sir.

  MICKEY: And all of this nonsense about how you very much a
dmire me; and all this bow-tied bullshit . . .

  (Carson starts to speak.)

  You think I’m a fool? To enjoy your deference? You want someone to praise you? Do as you’re fucking told. One thing I asked: to treat my friend with care. She is in an exposed position. What does she require of me? Protection. That’s not an empty word, Mr. Carson? Evil minds might say “she went with him for his money.” That’s correct. She did. As money means protection, which she requires, and which I am thrilled to be able to provide. And which job I delegated to you.

  (Pause.)

  Have I treated you with anything but respect since you have worked for me? Answer me.

  (Pause.)

  CARSON: No, sir.

  (The phone rings.)

  MICKEY: But you find these errands “beneath you”?

  CARSON: I . . .

  MICKEY: With your fucking “credentials” . . . Get the phone.

  (Carson does so.)

  CARSON (Into phone): Hello . . . ? (Pause. To Mickey) It’s your attorney.

  (Mickey takes the phone.)

  MICKEY (Into phone): Yes. Henry. (Pause. To Carson) “The plane is in Toronto.” (Into phone) . . . What about the tail num . . . ? “The Swiss Changed the Tail Number.”

  (Pause.)

  Why?

  (Pause.)

  As a “courtesy”? Who said that? “Aerstar”? That’s swell. They gave it a U.S. registration, but it’s still a Swiss plane till I accept it. Isn’t that the case? Swiss registry, we keep it, based out of the country, six months, and we pay no sales tax. Isn’t that corr . . . What?

  (Pause.)

  No. We don’t owe any sales tax. What are they talking ab . . . ?

  (Pause.)

  . . . Because it touched down in state? With a U.S. registration? I’m not paying five million in sales ttt . . . Look Aerstar? The tax thing? That’s the dodge, everybody here had to tack on the vigorish, Aerstar couldn’t sell a plane. Wh . . . who’s going to spend five million dollars on sales tax if he can legally avoid it? Why? So the Kid can buy votes and play Dollhouse? We owe them no sales tax. And I sent Frankie, who, all right, is a British National, on Company Business, from Saint-Estèphe, which, you will allow, is not in the United States, to Toronto, where I am to meet her, avoiding the U.S. specifically, to be in compliance with the state tax law, and you tell that fool at Aerstar, he wants to fuck with me I’ll give ’im the plane back, and he’s going home by weeping cross. It’s a Brit expression. I got it from Frankie. Yeah, she’s full of charm.

  (Pause.)

  I think she’s well . . . She may be somewhere, in Canada . . . it seems we don’t know. (Turns to Carson, who has motioned to him) What?

  CARSON: Ms. Pierson’s in the Choate Hotel, sir.

  MICKEY: Ms. Pierson’s not in the hotel.

  CARSON: She’s registered under a false name.

  MICKEY (Into phone): Henry—I’ll call you back. (He hangs up) What?

  CARSON: Ms. Pierson is registered. At the hotel. Under a false name.

  MICKEY: Why would she do that?

  CARSON: Sir, I don’t know.

  (Pause.)

  MICKEY: She’s in the hotel in Toronto.

  CARSON: Yes.

  MICKEY: How did you find out?

  CARSON: I called the hotel concierge. And described her.

  (Pause.)

  MICKEY: And is that what you were trying to tell me?

  CARSON: Yes, sir.

  (Pause.)

  MICKEY: What name is she staying under?

  CARSON: Ann Black.

  (Pause.)

  MICKEY: Well—Look what I’ve done.

  (Pause.)

  Carson, I most humbly beg your pardon.

  CARSON: That’s all right, sir.

  MICKEY: No. It’s not. There’s no excuse for me to treat you that way.

  CARSON: Sir . . .

  MICKEY: You have a difficult job. And I am grateful to you. For doing it with discretion. For which my arrogance is cruel repayment. And I am most heartily ashamed of my behavior. Well, it has a name. The Name. For the behavior is “An Old Man’s Love.”

  (Pause.)

  Which cannot excuse, but may perhaps explain my disgraceful outburst. A beautiful woman . . .

  CARSON: Sir, you owe me no explanation.

  MICKEY: Please.

  (Pause.)

  A beautiful woman will never be alone. As she requires protection. Men pursue her, and she will accept the best current offer. She must protect herself, as all compete for her. And will plague her. Until she declares an alliance. In this competition, might I offer a preemptive bid? Yes. Is it youth or beauty? No. It’s wealth. Should I berate myself for having wealth? Should she for having beauty? Who would say so? I . . .

  CARSON: Mr. Ross . . .

  MICKEY: Allow me to perform my penance.

  (Pause.)

  I am not insensible. That some might say: the old man bought her. Fine. People may envy me, as well they should. But Ms. Pierson was going to accept someone. She could have had any man she wished. She chose me. She’s welcome to whatever I have. I only wish I could do more.

  CARSON: If I may, sir, you give her everything she wants.

  MICKEY: But I don’t give her everything I want. You understand? I love her. There it is . . . And, after a certain point. What can I offer her but thoughtfulness?

  (Pause.)

  The Old Man taught that if we are unsure of our faults, we should atone for our virtues—I pride myself on being fair. But I berated you, which was both unfair and thoughtless. And I’m truly sorry.

  CARSON: I assure you, the incident’s forgotten.

  MICKEY: I very much appreciate it, Carson. And I won’t forget it. Thank you.

  CARSON: Sir, you’re welcome.

  MICKEY: That’s an admirable trait.

  CARSON: What is?

  MICKEY: To allow someone to apologize.

  (Pause.)

  Well.

  (Pause.)

  Would you please get me the manager of the hotel in Toronto?

  (Carson dials.)

  What name is she staying under?

  CARSON (To Mickey): Ann Black. (Into phone) One moment . . .

  (Mickey gestures and Carson hands him the phone.)

  MICKEY (Into phone): Yes? I’d like to speak to a Miss Ann Black. Is she register . . . (To Carson) Thank you . . .

  CARSON: You’re wel . . .

  MICKEY (Into phone): Please put me th . . . Why not?

  (Pause.)

  Of course she has a “Do Not Dis . . .” But would you put the call through? It’s quite important . . .

  (Pause.)

  Then please give me the manager.

  (Pause. The other phone rings. Carson picks it up.)

  Yes I’ll hold.

  CARSON (Into phone): . . . Yes . . . ?

  MICKEY (To Carson): Who is it?

  CARSON (To Mickey): Your attorney.

  MICKEY (To Carson): Give it to me.

  (Carson takes the first phone from Mickey; into the other phone:)

  Henry. Hello. The tax issue? Let it ride. No, I can’t talk now. Al . . . Henry. What?

  (Pause.)

  They’re “holding” the plane? What do you mean? They? Who is “they”? The Canadians. Are “holding my plane”? Why? “Taxes . . . ?” There are no Canadian ttt . . . “The state sales tax”? Here? THE PLANE. Touched down here with a warning light. (Looks at Carson who nods; into phone) That’s why it touched down in the states. Their pilot declared an emergency.

  (Pause.)

  Well, you tell me.

  (Pause.)

  “The Pilot Had No Choice.” What is it?

  CARSON: International law.

  MICKEY: It’s an “aircraft in dist . . .”?

  (Pause.)

  Well, then, why are the Canadians holding my pl . . . A request from whom? (To Carson) Our State Franchise Tax Board—why? (Repeating Henry) “Because of the U.S. tail number.” (Pause. Into phone) How, how can
it be an “attempt to evade tax . . .” I don’t even own the plane yet. I haven’t accepted it. It’s on a delivery flight fr . . . I didn’t put the U.S. tail number on it. Aerstar did. I gave them a deposit, and I’ll cancel the order. Why in the world would the Canadians . . . “They got a request to impound my plane as a lien against taxes.” That’s, that’s absurd. I assume the request is from our governor.

  (Pause.)

  Well, where else would the request “issue” from?

  (Pause.)

  All right . . . “Taking a deep breath.” It’s a pro-forma claim, made by the state, we’ll work it out in tax court. And if the state thinks I owe the tax, let them give me a bill. Maybe I’ll pay it. And let’s get on with it. I’m going on a trip . . .

  (Pause.)

  What?

  (Pause.)

  “The plane can’t fly.”

  (Pause.)

  All right: It can’t fly until what? “Until the tax matter’s adjudicated”? That’s absurd. Where, where is that written?

  CARSON (Into second phone): One moment please for Mr. Ross. (To Mickey) James Price, manager of the Choate Hotel, Toronto.

  MICKEY (Into his phone): Henry. Work it out. They can’t hold the plane in Canada on a U.S. tax. How can they hold the plane, on a U.S. tax matter. (To Carson) Get me in touch with Aerstar. The Mark Five. What’s the salesman’s name?

  CARSON: Brandt. Aerstar, U.S.

  MICKEY: What’s the guy’s name?

  CARSON: Frederick Brandt. (Into phone) Mr. Ross will be right with you, sir. Thank you for waiting.

  MICKEY (Into his phone): Henry. It may be they’re going to want to throw their hands up. But it’s their plane. Aerstar. The state wants to stick us with the tax bill, end of the day. Let Aerstar work it out, pay it, or we’ll walk away from the deal. More importantly? Why are they picking on me? “Have I made anyone mad?”

  (Pause.)

  I’ll call you back. (Hangs up. To Carson) I need to talk to Rubenstein.

  CARSON (Referring to phone; sotto voce): The hotel manager.

  (Mickey takes the phone from Carson.)

  MICKEY (Into phone): Hello? (To Carson) Get me Dave Rubenstein. (Into phone) Mr. . . .

  (Carson hands him a card.)

  Price. This is Mickey Ross. Yes. Mickey Ross. A friend is staying in your hotel. (To Carson) What name is she under?