"Sinister Vain...or; Water, Wine and Words. A Poetical Play of 
Purgation in 33 Steps." by Mark S.P. Turvin
Copyright 1989, 1993-Mark S.P. Turvin and Goldfish Publishers

Characters:
	Michael Vincent Ferrelli-A senior Creative Writing major at 
	 N.Y.U.
	Ingrid Christiansen-A sophomore Education major at N.Y.U.
	Deborah Ann Donnari-A sophomore Acting major at N.Y.U.
	The Maitre de.
	The Matron.

Place:
	In and around New York University, Greenwich Village, and 
Bellvue.

Time:
	A year in the eighties.

Setting:
	UC there is a bed with straps, and hanging over it is a white 
satin sheet hung as a projection screen. SL, there is a chair with 
chains, and a camera on a tripod facing it. SR there is a table 
for two with a white starched table cloth, a glass with 
breadsticks, a single red rose in a crystal vase, a white candle 
stuck into and dripping wax down the sides of a Chianti bottle, 
and two beautiful crystal wine glasses.


Pre-Show Music-Billy Joel's "Matter of Trust"


THE CURTAIN RISES as the stage is bathed in red light, and 
strapped to the bed is Mike, who wears a grey oxford and jeans. He 
is thrashing around wildly while pictures of shadowy forms-full 
figure, head shots-of a woman appear on the screen. He speaks 
during this.


Step I


ONSCREEN-"Withdrawal"

			Mike

I'm sweating in the bed of my former passions, now my hollow 
wants, trying to pin a face onto the used-to-be-you that lies 
spread-eagled next to me.

	(Pause)

It is a plastic pipe dream which has come to me in a plain brown 
wrapper.

	(Pause)

And it's less than satisfying straining at this once-upon-a-time 
that is artificially warmed by the ironically named Southern 
Comfort in search of former heat

	(Beat)

searing heat

	(Beat)

suffocating heat that is as suffocating as the cold chill of "I 
have to go now; you're better off without me anyway."

	(Pause, calmer)

The tepid aftermath of the barely warm satisfaction that I nearly 
receive from the used-to-be-you that lies with its back to me, 
slowly fading into the wall, stands for something, I'm sure, but I 
have no more energy to try and figure out the moral as I slide 
greatfully into a restless sleep

	(Pause)

alone.

	(He lies still for a few seconds, then lets out a sigh)


Step II


ONSCREEN-"Mike's Haiku"

The eloquent man

	(Short pause)

will squander wine and water

	(Short pause)

to fill empty words.

	(Pause)

Ingrid!  Ingrid, please!?

	(Lights switch to white, a blonde woman in a dark blue 
	 leotard enters from SL)

Let me loose, please?

	(She stands there)

Please?

	(She loosens the straps)

Help me tell it again?  Please?

	(She stands)

Please help me?

ONSCREEN-"Ingrid's Haiku"

Silence on the lake

	(Short pause)

deceives the listener into

	(Short pause)

simple assumptions.

	(She moves to the chair, he puts the chains about her, he 
	 moves over to the camera on the tripod when he is done with 
	 her chains; he takes a picture of her, there is an intense 
	 flash. He then flips a switch on the camera, saunters over, 
	 takes her face gently into his hands. She looks up into his 
	 eyes, then kisses him passionately. He breaks off to pose 
	 for the camera-three quick flashes of light)

Stasis.

	(Pause, he quickly jumps up)

Suddenly!


Step III


ONSCREEN-"The Wine Glass"

	(He stops, retrieves a glass from SR, returns CS, Music 
	 behind-Talking Head's "And She Was" plays softly)

I was going down for the third time.

	(Toasts, pause)

My struggles were growing less and less, and all I kept thinking 
of was how I'd finally be able to rest.

	(Pause, motions to Ingrid)

She was dragging me under, and I, kicking and screaming at first, 
soon, simply sneering, eventually saw no reason to hold out.

	(Pause)

That is, until I was going down for the third time.

	(Pause)

While sliding under still waters, I happened to catch sight of 
you.

	(Pause)

Your face,

	(Pause)

your smile,

	(Pause)

your figure,

	(Pause)

showed me that thinking had ceased being a luxury, and become a 
need.

	(Pause)

It was then that I knew I should break free of the anchor that she 
represented.

	(Pause)

I couldn't, and wouldn't accept second best.

	(Pause)

With you as my intoxicant, I found the strength to kick her in the 
teeth, and break free of her strangle hold.

	(Pause, smiles)

I'm here now. I'm ready to be drowned.

	(Music sudden cut, he dips his fingers into the wine glass 
	 and flicks them offstage right. There is a flash of light, 
	 and Debby appears where he has flicked:  she is wearing a 
	 deep red leotard)

			Debby

	(Softly)

Michael.

			Mike

	(Softly)

Debby.

	(The lights change from normal to the dark-room red as at
	 start. They both slowly start to raise their hands to each 
	 other-music, Police, "Every Breath You Take". They begin to 
	 move to each other)

Wait.

	(He snaps, stopping her movement and the music. The lights
	 change back to normal. He moves over to Ingrid, releases 
	 her, but she doesn't move)

Please?  Just for now?  Please?

	(She gets up, goes off SL, as he calls after her happily)

Thanks!

	(He snaps again, restarting music, Debby. They move together,
	 fingertips touching)


Step IV


ONSCREEN-"Debby's Haiku"

			Debby

	(To Mike)

The fire in red wine

	(Short pause)

sets ablaze the dark forest

	(Short pause)

of man's desire.

	(She leads him around the bed once, he abruptly sits at the 
	 table, then semi-rises when she sits. The Maitre de enters,
	 lights the candle, pours wine into the two glasses from the
	 red wine bottle he has brought. He then stands, not leaving.
	 Mike clears his throat, then pushes the Maitre de slightly.
	 Maitre de exits)

			Mike

Friends?

			Debby

Friends.

	(He sips his wine, she drains her glass. He follows suit. 
	 Quickly, he helps her up. They dance, closer than before. 
	 They stop CS, he behind her, and she places his hands at her 
	 side, then moves them to her stomach. He then moves them to 
	 her breasts; she slumps back on him)

			Mike

	(Softly, into her left ear)

More?

			Debby

	(Hungrily)

More.

	(He takes hold of her, gently moves her so that they are
	 facing each other. He then starts a dance that is a modified
	 type of ballroom dancing-after a bit of this, he sends her
	 into a whirl. She stops, posed. He disengages his hand)

ONSCREEN-A picture of them as a couple.

			Mike

Happy?

			Debby

Desperately.

			Mike

And she was. The world of our relationship is perfect. Untouched, 
perfection can be achieved. A gyroscope. The perpetual motion 
machine.

	(He motions to her, and they move together once more in
	 his style of dance, Mike controlling the dips and spirals)

We fit so well together.

	(They continue on for a little longer. The lights return to
	 normal, and he slides her into the chair SL, where she sits
	 willingly. He does not chain her, but merely give her the 
	 chains to hold. From behind)

Three days later.


Step V


ONSCREEN-"Edited Material"

	(He snaps, and the lights turn red. The Maitre de enters with
	 a clapperboard, which he holds out)

			Maitre de

Five, four.

	(He holds his fingers out for 3, 2, then snaps the board 
	 crisply and exits quickly. Ingrid comes in, seductively lies 
	 on the bed.Mike joins her and throughout the following, 
	 there are six flashes of light while Debby watches and pulls 
	 the chains onto herself,locking herself down)

			Mike

	(Read without much emotion, as though reading from a script)

Fade in framed photograph Man and Woman hugging, dimly lit by 
window.

	(Short pause)

Man, whispers breathily.

	(Short pause, then, said with emotion; he is playing the 
	 role)

Oh, God. Oh, God, I love you.

	(Pause, returns to emotionless script reading voice)

Slow pan downward, passing bedboard. Close Up of man in 
photographs face.

	(Pause)

Man, still whispering.

	(Short pause, returns to playing the role)

Oh, yes. Yes, I do.

	(Short pause, Debby begins locking chains onto herself. Mike
	 returns to script reading voice)

Back of head of woman comes into view at left. Woman stifles moan.

	(Short pause)

			Debby

	(A script reading voice with an edge)

Slow pan away from scene. Across cluttered desk, through wall, 
into hallway.

			Mike

Man, climactic.

	(Role playing)

Oh, God.

			Debby

	(Short pause)

Slow pan downward. Close Up of tearstreamed face of the woman in 
the photograph with ear pressed against the door.

			Mike and Debby

	(Simultaneously)

Man and Women, simultaneously. Oh, God.

			Mike

	(Short pause)

Fade out.

	(Flings Ingrid off bed just as true climax is about to occur.
	 She exits SR)

Debby!


Step VI


ONSCREEN-"Coitus Interruptus"

	(He rushes over to her, concerned, then drops to knees and
	 says next deadpan)

I'm so sorry, I don't know how I could have done this terrible 
thing to you.

			Debby

	(Looks him in the eye)

Why?

			Mike

I'm so sorry, I don't know how I could have done this terrible 
thing to you.

			Debby

	(Snarling)

I love you.

			Mike

	(Echoing)

Love?

			Debby

I've made love with you.

			Mike

	(Echoing)

Love?

			Debby

I thought you loved me.

			Mike

	(Emphasis on the "ed")

Loved?  IŠI didn't knowŠnot for sure.


Step VII


ONSCREEN-"passive passion"


			Debby

I screamed with your orgasm

	(Short pause)

and doubled over

	(Short pause)

insides ripping

	(Short pause)

with the sounds of your traitorous sloppy-secrecy.

	(Mike winces, he then starts pacing around the chair, bobbing 
	 up and down slowly; spiraling, trying to take in every angle 
	 and perspective before he speaks. He slides to his knees)



Step VIII


ONSCREEN-"Excuses"


			Mike

Stasis. Stabilize. Say something.

	(Pause)

So many-too many times,

	(He stops behind her, stands, begins to check the chains to 
see
	 that they are secure)

people have told me that they love me. I believed. Desperately.

	(Short pause)

I've had so many-too many bad experiences with love. I was told 
that I had been given my lovers' heart, but one day would awaken 
to find that she'd fled with my own.

	(Lowers his head and silently moves his hand to her shoulder)

I'm sorry, I know I should trust you, but...the past...the others.

			Debby

I'm not the others, I'm me. I'd never do that to you.

			Mike

I know-rationally, I know. But bad blood always remains, poisoning 
our relationships.

			Debby

Please try to trust me. I'll be different.

			Mike

	(With his hand, he snaps one last lock shut loudly)

I know. I'll try.

	(He drops behind her, kneeling, and hugs her)


Step IX


Dinner?

			Debby

If you wish.

			Mike

Good.

	(He lifts her up, chair and all, and carries her to the table 
	 where he puts her down. He sits opposite her-Music, Billy 
	 Joel's "Honesty")

ONSCREEN-"The Fine Print"

There have been things it has been difficult for me to do, and 
opening up to someone is one of them. I want you to know me. 
Everything. I want you to know that you can trust me

	(Beat)

really trust me now.

	(He snaps, and the Maitre de comes out SR and takes his place
	 at the table. The Maitre de then proceeds to mumble 
	 inarticulate things to Debby while Mike circles the table 
	 three times, watching)

God, I'm not really bullshitting. I want to tell her everything. 
I'm so attracted to her. Even now, I really can't imagine what my 
life will be like without her. She's so forgiving, eager. I've 
never seen someone who wants so much to understand.

	(Short pause, skip in record starts. Ingrid peeks out and 
	 starts to cross the stage to SL)

Except for Ingrid.

	(Ingrid stops at the mention of her name)

Well, maybe notŠ

	(She resumes moving)

yeah, yeah, Ingrid. Well, it's close.

	(Short pause, Ingrid exits, skip in recording soon stops)

Anyway, she's taking it all in. It's all truth-well, ninety 
percent of it. Maybe more. Around that much. I can see her trying 
to get past what has happened.

	(Sighs)

I'm even rooting for her. I want her to win. To beat me out. To 
wait me out.

	(He taps the Maitre de, who stops. Mike shoves him off, 
	 replacing him. He exits. Debby nods in understanding)

Now do you see where I'm coming from?  What's made me?


Step X


	(She is just about to speak when suddenly there is a sharp 
crack,
	 and Ingrid appears SL-a spot light snaps on Mike's face at 
the
	 same time as another crack. There is a third crack, in which
	 Debby looks quickly behind her, a spot light hitting her 
	 face at that moment. Another cracking sound as she does a 
	 quick take at Mike. The stage lighting turns red)

ONSCREEN-"table talk"

			Debby

The look in his eyes, a glance to a table across from us

	(Short silence)

jolts

	(Short silence)

and for a grain of time, as he might be desiring, or simply 
curious

	(Pause)

I fill to the warning line

	(Pause)

imperceptibly shake, but then

	(Ingrid moves slowly off, Mike looks back at her and smiles.
	 The red lights fade back to normal)

his smile balms, and these thoughts all

	(Beat)

just

	(Beat, losing her anger)

disappear.

			Mike

I love you.

			Debby

	(Shakes her head softly)

I love you, too.

TO BE CONTINUED...