DANIEL: (Looks at her.) Well my dad died when I was eight
LJ: Wasn’t his choice though was it? To leave you? He didn’t choose it. (Beat.) Did you see the memorial? On the telly? (DANIEL shakes his head.) Was awful…just…awful…all the families…wives…kids…husbands…parents…fucking…sad
DANIEL: I couldn’t watch it
LJ: I couldn’t turn it off (Beat.) They rang me today…about the compensation. They reckon I’ll get a fair bit…that truck driver works for some multi billion pound company…makes aeroplanes…that’s why the truck was full of them…toy aeroplanes. That is weird isn’t it? You’re in a bus and a truck crashes into it and the truck is full of toy aeroplanes. There is something weird about that…something…
DANIEL: Ironic
LJ: Weird (Beat.) You should have faked something…even whiplash would have got you a few thousand… (DANIEL just smiles. LJ very serious, she means it.) I’ll give you half what I get if you want
DANIEL: (Looks at her in shock.) What?
LJ: If you want it… I don’t mind… I don’t need that much
DANIEL: (Smiles.) Very funny
LJ: (Fakes a smile, puts her defences back up.) Yeah…too fucking right…think I’d give a penny away? Might buy you a pint or something
DANIEL: Cheers
LJ: Won’t know what to spend it on…won’t know what to buy
DANIEL: Sure you will…buy anything you want
LJ: Doesn’t buy you happiness though. That’s what they say isn’t it? Won’t buy you happiness
DANIEL: Buy you a nice place to live…a home of your own
LJ: (Beat.) Not a home if it’s just you. (Beat.) Just a place – (She winces in pain for a second.)
DANIEL: (Looks at her.) You alright?
LJ: Nothing…just a pain in my foot…cramp…
DANIEL: (Looks at her non existent legs.) But…
LJ: (Drinks her coffee.) I don’t know…still feel it…like when I was dancing
DANIEL: You’re a dancer?
LJ: Was…
DANIEL: What kind?
LJ: Lap dancer (DANIEL registers shock.) What’s wrong with that?
DANIEL: Nothing. What was it like?
LJ: Like dancing…for yourself…except there are people watching
DANIEL: Oh…
LJ: I was just a dancer…some of the girls did that but I didn’t…alright?
DANIEL: (Awkward beat.) Performance art
LJ: Huh?
DANIEL: (Panicking.) There are a few people who do that…explore sexuality and intimacy and…it’s really…really…
He stops talking, stares off stage.
LJ: What’s wrong?
DANIEL: (Beat.) What?
LJ: (She follows his stare.) Who is she?
DANIEL: She was there, in the hospital, after, her daughter…
LJ: (She nods.) Right…well… (Beat.)
DANIEL: Maybe we should go and say sorry
LJ: For what? (Beat.) Wasn’t our fault. Nothing we can do about it. Right?
DANIEL: We could say sorry
LJ: Sorry for what?
DANIEL: Sorry for her loss
LJ: How does that help?
DANIEL: Well it’s what people say isn’t it? It’s what people say to people when someone close to them dies. (Beat.) It’s what people said to me when my dad died.
LJ: And did it help?
DANIEL: (Beat.) No. (Beat, he looks at her.) He did choose it. (LJ looks at him.) He hung himself in a hotel room about three miles from where we lived. So he did choose to leave me.
LJ: Why?
DANIEL: We don’t know…he didn’t leave a note. (Beat, he looks at her.) I made you something (He rummages in his bag.)
LJ: (In disbelief.) What?
DANIEL: I was sitting there…trying to work, I was thinking about you and I made you something… (He takes out a silver chain with an LJ on it and hands it to her, she stares at it in wonder.) There’s a guy I know works with silver so I made you this…not the chain but the LJ… I made the LJ, I think it turned out alright…
LJ: (Finding it difficult to speak, doesn’t know how to respond.) What you go and do that for?
DANIEL: Don’t you like it?
LJ: Yeah…of course I like it but…you made it?
DANIEL: Yeah
LJ: Just like that? You just made this for me? Just like that?
DANIEL: If you don’t like it…
LJ: It’s beautiful… (She puts the chain on.) You know sometimes I think that all this happened just so you and I could meet (DANIEL isn’t listening, he is staring at the mother.) Danny?
DANNY: Huh?
LJ: (Disappointed.) Nothing I just said…thanks. (Beat.) For this. (The necklace.) I’ll never take it off
She looks at him searchingly, he looks in the direction of the mother. Lights down.
SCENE FOUR
Darkness, light up slowly on the untidy office of Dr GERRY MITCHEL, decidedly dishevelled, in his late fifties. GERRY stands staring out his window, looking at the sky through binoculars.
GERRY: I saw you…yes I did I saw you clearly…you were right there so there is no point in hiding now…you were right there (His phone rings. He looks over at his desk annoyed by the intrusion, then back through the binoculars. The phone stops. He sits at the desk and stares at it. Irritated. He picks up the phone.) I’m in the middle of something tremendously important. (He listens.) What if I don’t want to? Well it’s my choice isn’t it? You can’t force someone to say goodbye if they don’t want to. (Beat. Charming suddenly.) You know what I was thinking? I was just thinking of that time when we went over to that little Italian place and you got sauce all over your shirt and we were laughing…you remember? Laughing? (No response.) Don’t be angry with me (Beat.) You know none of this has been easy for me. (Beat, he searches for something charming to say.) What are you wearing? (Beat.) Can’t you just tell me? I mean not what…not what’s underneath…not your… (Like it’s a special word.) underclothes… I don’t want to know about your… (Like it’s a special word.) underwear…for example (Beat.) No I don’t want to say goodbye (Beat.) You always say you’re leaving but you never actually go. Of course I care (Beat.) Stay… (Beat.) Why don’t you stay and we talk about it? (Beat.) Let’s not…let’s not fight…OK? OK? Let’s…talk…let’s…why don’t you tell me something…tell me…what colour are your…underclothes? Because it helps me to know…what kind of blue? (Beat.) What colour is the sad kind? Oh, I get it. (Beat.) Can’t you just – (Beat, Michael hangs up.) Oh (He hangs up the phone. He returns to the window and is delighted at what he sees.) There you are…yes there you are… (DANIEL enters and watches him.) Beautiful…just beautiful (DANIEL clears his throat.) Where did you come from?
DANIEL: Pardon?
GERRY: How did you get in?
DANIEL: The door was open
GERRY: Why didn’t my assistant announce you?
DANIEL: Have I come at a bad time?
GERRY: I’m not taking clients
DANIEL: If you’re thinking I can’t pay I can, I have –
GERRY: I’m not taking clie –
DANIEL: (Takes out a wallet with notes stuffed into it, GERRY stares.) I have plenty of money
GERRY looks at the notes, then back at DANIEL.
GERRY: (Adopts a therapists tone.) I’m Doctor Mitchel
Extending his hand, DANIEL comes forward hesitantly and shakes it.
DANIEL: Daniel
They stand looking at each other for a moment.
GERRY: (Indicating for him to sit in either the couch or the chair.) Won’t you…?
DANIEL: (Moving towards the chair.) Thanks
GERRY: (Beat.) I hope my assistant told you my consultation fee is one hundred and fifty pounds
DANIEL: Your assistant wasn’t –
GERRY: Well either way it is, its one hundred and fifty pounds
Awkward moment, DANIEL and GERRY look at each other, GERRY doesn’t expect him to pay it.
DANIEL: (Beat.) You want me to pay you now?
GERRY: (Surprised.) Yes. If…if you like (GERRY stares at his wallet. DANIEL hands him the money.) Thanks (He takes the money and puts it in his pocket.) Good to get that out of the way I find
He looks up smiling, DANIEL is looking at him slightly confused.
Sorry…coffee? I should have asked you, would you like one?
DANIEL: Am…yes… I guess…
GERRY: (Picks up the phone and presses a button.) Michael, could you bring us some coffee thank you? (He sits back, DANIEL watches him do this with confusion.) Well then…how can I help you?
DANIEL: I’m not –
GERRY: I’m sorry, milk? Sugar?
DANIEL: J…just milk
GERRY: (Picks up phone and presses button.) Just milk in one Michael (He leans back.) Please continue…you were saying?
DANIEL: There isn’t anyone out there, there is a note on the desk
GERRY: Oh?
DANIEL: It said goodbye
GERRY: (Beat.) He’s gone? (Beat, he is shocked.) He’s actually gone?
DANIEL: Yes
GERRY: Oh (Stands moves towards the window.) What a…well…you know…it’s impossible to keep…good staff
DANIEL: Didn’t he tell you he was leaving?
GERRY: Of course (He turns back to DANIEL, looks at him for a moment before speaking.) You haven’t told me why you’re here
DANIEL: I’m aware of your work
GERRY: You are?
DANIEL: I have been for some time
GERRY: Well I’m flattered
DANIEL: David Wrixon is a hero of mine
GERRY: (Disappointed.) Oh…you mean my work as a Psychiatrist
DANIEL: Do you do other kinds of work?
GERRY: (Beat.) No
DANIEL: Basically I’m an Artist and I’ve…well I’ve been having these dreams
GERRY: (Bored already.) And you want me to tell you what they mean?
DANIEL: Well…no actually… I know what they mean
GERRY: (Patronising.) You mean you think you know what they mean…
DANIEL: No… I mean… I know what they mean…
GERRY: (Confused, he moves back to the desk.) Ah… I see…
Writes something down in his notepad.
DANIEL: I’ve been in…well I’ve been in a bad accident
GERRY: You look fine
DANIEL: I am… I’m completely fine…well… I’ve no broken bones or anything…just a few bruises
GERRY: So it wasn’t that bad an accident then?
DANIEL: It was…it was a very bad accident. (Beat.) It was the bus crash
GERRY: A bus crash… (Writing it down.) …right…when was this?
DANIEL: No…not a bus crash…the bus crash
GERRY: (Looks puzzled…looks up at him…recognises him as the penny drops, shocked.) Oh… (In awe.) oh… (Sitting back.) oh…you’re the guy… I recognise you now…from the paper…you’ve cut your hair…and you look…different. (He stares at him, DANIEL looks away.) The only one eh?
DANIEL: There’s another
GERRY: Yes but…in a wheelchair…you were lucky weren’t you? (DANIEL looks away.) What was it like?
DANIEL: (Beat, looks at him.) What do you think it was like?
GERRY: I really can’t imagine… I have that film in my head right now…you know that film? That film with that guy…that Die Hard guy?
DANIEL: ‘Unbreakable’
GERRY: Yes…yes…
DANIEL: That was the headline they used
GERRY: You’re an artist aren’t you? Didn’t you win some big award straight out of college or something?
DANIEL: (Beat, quietly.) The Keating Fellowship
GERRY: Wow…that’s big news isn’t it? That’s like…like…like a Turner Prize.
DANIEL: It recognises an above average achievement for a post graduate show
GERRY: It’s a big deal though isn’t it? A big award?
DANIEL: I guess
GERRY: What was it like getting it? Getting an award? Did you have to make a speech? I’ve always wanted to have the opportunity to make a speech. What did you say? In yours?
DANIEL: I mainly spoke about the show, the paintings
GERRY: Yes?
DANIEL: They were abstract portraits of homeless people
GERRY: Really? (Beat.)
DANIEL: I paid them, I didn’t exploit them or anything, I represented them (Anxious to get back to why he is here.) My dreams…they’re about the crash…but I don’t really remember the crash… I blanked out…completely…it’s all just darkness from the minute it happened until I woke up in the ambulance…but in the dream… I remember it all…everything (Beat.) Every piece of glass breaking and everyone screaming and…every bone breaking and people being…ripped…burned…screaming. And it’s in here (Indicates his head.) lodged in here and I’m fucking terrified…because I don’t know that I’ll make it… I think I might die with the rest of them…my chances are the same as everyone else’s…
GERRY: I was in an accident once, I was on my bike and a woman who was parked up ahead just opened her door without checking and knocked me right off, I got quite a shock
DANIEL: (Beat.) Okay (Beat.) Everytime I have one of these dreams and I wake… I have this feeling…like part of me hasn’t woken up yet…part of me is still there…hearing and seeing all those things and not knowing if I’m going to live or be crushed or burnt to death…this feeling…is devastating me…it’s affecting everything…like I’ve lost something. I’m grasping all the time…just to get by…just to eat sleep talk to people… I can’t talk to people anymore…clutching at things just to try and hang on…and I feel…sad…alone…all the time…sad…incredibly sad…and guilty…that they’re all dead and I’m not…and in the dream there’s a voice…and it calls me and I’m trying to find it because I know if I find it then I’ll be okay…that I’ll make it…so part of me hates the dream and part of me needs it (He looks at GERRY expectantly.)
GERRY: (He stands up and sits, stand up and sits, he does not know what to do.) I… I don’t think I can help you. Sorry. Do take care (He moves towards the window.)
DANIEL: But I paid you
GERRY: For a consultation and my professional opinion is that I can’t help you
DANIEL: But (Beat.) but I can’t work… I have this exhibition…and it’s the Keating exhibition…it’s…it’s where everything is supposed to take off from…it’s the beginning of my career…
GERRY: (Picking up his binoculars and looking out the window.) I can refer you to a colleague of mine who can help you
DANIEL: But I want you to help me
GERRY: But I can’t
DANIEL: You helped David Wrixon. He was an artist, he was blocked, you made him better
GERRY: He had a very particular type of schizophrenia
DANIEL: I know that I know all about what you did for him, I wrote my thesis on him. One of his pieces just sold for over four million
GERRY: I’m sure that’s a great comfort to him now that he’s dead. (Beat, DANIEL doesn’t say anything.) David was a patient of mine and a very troubled young man. His suicide was a tremendous blow to all of us (Beat.) I’m not taking on clients I’m writing a book…a sequel actually…to my very successful first book…it’s a thriller…a psychological thriller…obviously… (Looks up at him.) My last one was called Through the Forest (Looks at him waiting for a reaction.) It was a best seller
DANIEL: When?
GERRY: 1991
DANIEL: I was ten in 1991
GERRY: Well… I’ve had a lot of clients…been very busy. I’m not taking on any more right now so you’ll have to…you know…go
DANIEL: I think I’m going crazy
GERRY: You’re not going crazy
DANIEL: How do you know?
GERRY: I’m a psychiatrist, I would know if you were crazy
DANIEL: I am I am I am (He hits himself in the head.)
GERRY: Stop
that… (He does it again.) That’s not crazy that’s just stupid
DANIEL: (Beat.) Okay I’m not crazy now but I may become…crazy… I’m having crazy thoughts… I’m walking over a bridge and I want to hurl myself off… I’m chopping vegetables and I want to cut my fingers off…that’s crazy
GERRY: (Beat, looks away.) I know how you feel (Beat.) I’ve been through some tremendous pain recently and I can empathise with how you feel (Beat.) but I can’t make it better
DANIEL: Please? (GERRY walks to the window.) Please?
GERRY looks out. DANIEL hits his head off the desk suddenly, the blow is strong enough to make him fall to the floor. GERRY moves to him quickly.
GERRY: What…what did you do that for?
DANIEL: I don’t know. (Beat.) I thought it might make me feel better. (Beat.) I just want to feel better…can’t you help me? Please?
Lights down.
SCENE FIVE
DANIEL’s apartment. Night time. STEPH enters, giggling, she is drunk. KARL follows her, he’s in his late twenties, wearing glasses and a leather jacket. There is something attractive about him that isn’t immediately obvious but he has a chip on his shoulder and is insecure, this manifests itself in feigned arrogance.
KARL: (Walks in, looks around.) Bit of a fucking dump eh?
STEPH: Shh…it’s alright
KARL: Fuck sake…can’t even see where I’m going…
STEPH: I’m over here
KARL: Where?
STEPH: (Lighting a lighter.) Over here
KARL: I see you (Looks at her hard.) Come here
STEPH: (Giggles.) What for?
KARL: ’Cos I said so
STEPH: (Giggles.) Alright
STEPH moves towards him, he lunges for her, trips over a pile of clothes and falls behind the couch. She giggles.
KARL: Shut your face (Standing, STEPH still giggles.) What are you laughing at?
STEPH: You fell
KARL: So?
STEPH: So it was funny (Awkward beat.) Sorry…sorry…sorry
KARL: Could have hurt myself, could have broken my neck
STEPH: Don’t say that (STEPH goes to touch his neck and he pushes her away.) Sorry
KARL: (Beat.) Anything to drink?
STEPH: Lots…lots to drink
STEPH goes to the kitchen, KARL looks about, picks up some of the canvases and looks at them, then tosses them aside casually. STEPH re-enters with two cans of beer.
The Dark Things Page 2
