ACT I

  The setting for the play is behind the curtain of a                                performance.  In the background there hangs a velvet                                   red curtain.  The stage looks as if it is ready for a                                   rehearsal. Lights are down.  There is a spotlight on the stage, it
is not on the main character.  There can be seen two                                 "typical" clowns.  The clowns are throwing a ball
across the stage.  One walks away as the ball rolls across
the stage.  

                                   ABEL
            Where are you going?

                                   KANE
            To get ready.

                                   ABEL
            Ready for what?

                                   KANE
            It's getting late.

                                   PAUSE

                                   KANE
            I don't have time for this today.

                                   ABEL
            You're a clown.

                                   KANE
            It's not all fun and games.

                                   ABEL
            The circus has changed my friend, all the children are gone.

                                   PAUSE

                                   ABEL
            Catch

                                   KANE
            I'm tired of this game.

                                   ABEL
            There is a loot tradition attached to this game.

                                   KANE
            We're playing with a ball.

                                   ABEL
           It’s a Greek tragedy

                                   KANE
            A what?

                                   ABEL
            The ancient Greeks loved to play this game, they called it Gracolli.
                                   KANE
            You're wasting time.

                                   ABEL
            We're playing a game.

                                   ABEL (CONT'D)
                          (throws the ball again)
            What's wrong?

                                   KANE
                          (Not attempting to catch the ball,
                           frustrated)
            You're still out of costume.

                                   ABEL
            I live in costume.  

                                   KANE
            Is that right?

                                   PAUSE

                                   KANE
            You live in a your own little world, a world with four padded walls    		and your own private nurse.  

                                   ABEL
            It's comfortable.

                                   KANE
            For who?

                                   ABEL
            I'll go get a rope.

                                   KANE
            What do you want a rope for?

                                   ABEL
            I thought I'd have a skip.

                                   KANE
            I'm not skipping rope.

                                   ABEL
            Why not?  You're good with ropes.

                                   KANE
            What do you mean I’m good with ropes.  Good with ropes? 
.  

                                   PAUSE
            You're mad.

ABEL
            Practice is what it's all about.  You know I can juggle five pins, 		and when I started I could only juggle three.  That's two pins more,  		I have increased my worth by two pins.  
                                   KANE
            Maybe you should talk to someone.

                                   ABEL
            What I need to do is somehow quantify the extra value that the two 		pins should earn me.  There is no use just giving it away you know.  		I'll contact the university and ask one of those ivory tower types.  

                                   KANE
            I'm not qualified for this.

                                   ABEL
            How many pins can you juggle?

                                   KANE
            Five maybe six.

                                   ABEL
            You've got talent.  Their taking advantage of you.  They are taking 		advantage of you my friend.  

                                   KANE
            I've got a headache.

                                   ABEL
            Six pins eh?  What about a unicycle? Can you ride a unicycle?  I've 		never seen you ride one, but that doesn't mean you can't.

                                   KANE
            I've never been on one.

           		                     ABEL
Well then, that can be your goal.  The sky would be the limit for a Clown who could juggle six pins on a unicycle. Now how about some        Greecolli. 

                                   KANE
I just want to get ready, and all you keep going on about is nothing, you talk and talk of nothing.   All week I've been listening to nothing. How can you just stand there and talk about nothing. Haven't you anything to say.  Must you always fill the air, the space, the quiet.  It's all just nervous nothingness.  

                                   ABEL
            All week?

                                   KANE
Yes all week, you have been  talking rubbish all week  It's getting old.  I'm getting old.  Youre  aging  me.  

                                   ABEL
            You haven't aged a day.

                                   KANE
            Yes I have, look at me I’m old.  And how would you know anyway?

 ABEL
            I live with you.

                                   KANE
            You work with me.

                                   ABEL
            It's the same thing.  

                                   KANE
            It's not the same thing.

                                   ABEL
            Doesn't seem like a week.

                                   KANE
            At least a week.

                                   ABEL
            It seems like a day.   

                                   KANE
How would you know anything about time.  You spend your day wasting   it.  You throw it away. All this talk of unicycles and juggling is making me mad.  I'm supposed to be happy, and you are intent on making me mad.  

                                   ABEL

It is not my intention to make you mad, It is not my intention to make you happy.   In fact I have no intention.  I have no opinion.  I have nothing of anything.

Kane:

Your wasting my time

Abel
I wonder what happened to the time.  It just slipped away. 
Vanished,  like a whisper.  A whisper spoken by a mad man in a tavern run by a fool who serves only performers from plays without endings.

KANE
            I think you've vanished.

                                   ABEL
            That's not in the script.  
                                   KANE
            What script?

                                   ABEL
This script.

                                   KANE
            Haven't you said enough?

                                   ABEL
            Do you know who wrote it?  Have you met him?

                                   KANE
            Who?

                                   ABEL
            The Playwright.

                                   KANE
            No I haven't met him.  He's probably dead.

                                   ABEL
            You think so.  

                                   KANE
            I don't know, how I would know. ?

                                   ABEL
Wouldn't it be nice to meet him.  Assuming of course it is a him.  You never know do you, him her, her him.  One can never be sure.  Imagine being able to meet the person responsible  for your thoughts. 
                                   KANE
            No.

                                   ABEL
            Why not?

                                   KANE
            What does it matter?

                                   ABEL
            We could buy him a drink.  Grab our unicycles and go out on the 			town.  We could play some Greekoli.

                                   PAUSE
I’ve read his other work you know.  The themes are all the same.  .  He wrote a play about a man raping a young woman, but the catch was the audience was in the place of the woman.  So for the entire play this man, this rapist is raping the audience.  The people have to sit there and watch and feel what it’s like to be captive, to be held against their will.  Can you imagine that?  Think about it, people paying money to be hurt.  People paying money to endure.  Why would someone pay money to be hurt? This fellow thinks he’s clever, but let me tell you something, audiences don’t like clever.  

           KANE
Quit then.

                                   ABEL
            I can't

                                   KANE
            Why not?

                                   ABEL
            I need the money.

                                   KANE
            Is that so?  

                                   ABEL
            I have expenses.

                                   KANE
            You do?

                                   ABEL
            You would be surprised.

                                   KANE
            You don't say. 

                                   ABEL
            Have you seen the price of noses lately.

                                   KANE
            Gone up have they?

                                   ABEL
            Inflation effects everyone.

                                   KANE
            Is that right?

                                   ABEL
            There oil based, have you been to the pump lately?

                                   KANE
            Well I guess I'll go then.

                                   ABEL
            But we're not finished.

                                   KANE
            I am.

                                   ABEL
            I should have done more.

                                   KANE
            More what?

                                   ABEL
            If the last week only seems like a day than it only goes to reason I 		could have accomplished more in the same time I accomplished nothing 		in.

                                   KANE
            What?

                                   ABEL
            I mean that.    

                                   KANE
            You do.

                                   ABEL
            I don't know what I mean.

                                   KANE
            Now you're making sense.

                                   ABEL
            I just let the time slip away.  You know I can even remember being 		bored.  I  accomplished nothing, and yet I was bored.  Does that 			make any sense ?

                                   KANE
            No, but nothing about you these days makes sense.  

                                   PAUSE
            Did you get Rachel to fix your costume for the final act?

                                   ABEL
            I was bored and yet I chose to accomplish nothing.  And now I'm 			disappointed. Bored and disappointed.    And they said I would never 		amount to anything.

                                   KANE
            You haven't. 

                                   ABEL
            That's right I amounted to nothing.  But that's something.

                                   KANE
            It's beginning to make sense.

                                   ABEL
            It makes absolutely no sense.  That's the point.

                                   KANE
            Thanks for pointing that out, I wasn't following.  

                                   ABEL
            You're in the same situation as me.

                                   KANE
            Am I?

                                   ABEL
            Look at the way you're dressed.

                                   KANE
            What's wrong with the way I'm dressed.

                                   ABEL
            Well it's not very dignified. 

                                   KANE
            I'm an actor.

                                   ABEL
            Your an actor?

                                   KANE
            That's what it says on my passport.

                                   ABEL
            You don't have a passport. 

                                   KANE
            How would you know?

						ABEL
            Why would you need a passport? You've never been anywhere.

                                   KANE
            Is this important?

                                   ABEL
            I don't have a passport.  Maybe I should get one.  Are they 			expensive? … I could go to Greece.  They would love me in Greece.  

                                   KANE
You could play Dumboli.
Abel
Greekoli.
Kane
Isn’t that what I said?  
Abel
You said Dumboli.
Kane
Well I meant Greekoli.  
Abel
Are you making fun of me.
Kane
Yes I am.
Abel

So I’ll get a passport
Kane
            They don't issue them to nutters. 

                                   ABEL
            They gave one to you.

                                   KANE
            Apply then, order the forms.  

                                   ABEL
            Oh I don't know, I'm not much of a traveller.  

                                   KANE
            You could always start.  It's never too late to begin a journey. 

                                   ABEL
            No not today, I'm not really feeling myself today.

                                   KANE
            Is that right?

                                   ABEL
            I can't seem to shake theses blues. I think I’m a little depressed.    		
Pause
This isn't really a job, it's a sentence.  

                                   KANE
            It's all how you perceive it.

                                   ABEL
            Is my perception that far removed from the truth?

                                   KANE
            Your truth changes daily.

                                   ABEL
            Unlike anything else on this stage?  It's becoming like we're 			characters in a never ending play. 

                                   KANE
            You're not well.

                                   ABEL
            Who is?

                                   KANE
            The show must go on.

  						ABEL
How ironic.  The show must go on, and we pretend that we go right along with it.  Where is my development, those great soliloquies, the tragedy, the comedy?  Laughing  children, and the  frantic mothers who can't	find them. 

                                   KANE
            Those mothers that can't find their children are probably worried 		about the grown men that dress up like clowns.

                                   A young girl enters.  She appears to be in 					     her late thirties she is beautiful.  She is 					     beautiful.  She carries a book and there                       					     is a pencil in her other hand.  When Abel 						     notices her he straightens himself up.  Kane 					     remains the same.

                                   RACHEL
            Show is on in less than an hour.  

                                   ABEL
            Isn't it exciting.

                                   RACHEL
            I suppose it is.

                                   ABEL
            I can't contain myself, I’m bursting.  

                                   KANE
                          (Interrupting)
            Hey Rachel could you please fetch Abel some extra face make-up?

                                   RACHEL
            Sure thing.  I'll be right back.  

                                   Rachel leaves.  

                                   ABEL
            She still believes the show must go on.

                                   KANE
            Shouldn't it?

                                   ABEL
            I'm not sure.

                                   KANE
            That's it, every night.  Every single night. 

                                   ABEL
            It's the same every day.

                                   KANE
            It's supposed to be.

                                   ABEL
            It is?

                                   KANE
            It's why we rehearse. 

                                   ABEL
            This is different.

                                   KANE
            With you it’s always different.

                                   ABEL
            It never changes.

                                   KANE
            Could you please just....

                                   ABEL
            Could I what?

                                   KANE
            Change.  Could you just change.  You're never ready.

                                   ABEL
            I know.

                                   KANE
            You do?

                                   ABEL
            I've never been ready.  Not once in my life have I been ready.

                                   KANE
            You’re an odd man.

                                   ABEL
            My whole life I haven't been prepared.  

                                   PAUSE
            I'm not just talking about the shoes, the noses and the rubber ears.  		I'm talking about everything I've ever done.

						Kane
            It's in your head.

                                   RACHEL
                          (Enters)
            Here you go (Hands make-up to Abel) right where you left it.

                                   KANE
            Thanks.

                                   RACHEL
            Anything else?

                                   KANE
            Can't think of anything.

                                   ABEL
            A better final act.

                                   RACHEL
            I'll see what I can do. 

                                   KANE
            What a kidder he is.

                                   RACHEL
            Good luck tonight.

                                   Rachel Leaves

                                   ABEL
            It's all coming apart isn't it?  You want to know something old boy, 		you want to hear something really interesting ? Do you?

                                    KANE
            No.

                                   ABEL
            It's fear, that's all it is.  It's not this stage, or this costume.  		It's just good old fashioned fear.

                                   PAUSE

                                   ABEL 
You want to know something else?  The fear will never go away.  It traps us.  Holds us, pins us to our beds, it hangs around our ankles as we try to run.  It's real, you can touch it, or better yet it can touch you.  It sits with you on the bus and laughs at you while it peeks into the old lady's bags beside you.  It's a jester and a priest.  You try to rationalize with it, ask for its  forgivingness, ask it to go away, but here it sits staring into her groceries and all the while looking over at you.  Slyly nodding. Look she's incontinent she has these nappies, shall I show you.  Oh here we go special toothpaste, here take a look, she won't mind, she's old.  She can barely see.  Oh don't be like that.  Don't be such a
baby.  Don’t be so bloody afraid. Have a laugh, we all need a laugh, she’s old she can’t see you.  
                                   PAUSE
            And your trapped too.  

                                   KANE
I would like you to stop this.

                                   ABEL
            Your just as scared and as trapped as me.

                                   KANE
            Is that right?

                                   ABEL
            That's right.

                                   KANE
            What makes you so sure?

                                   ABEL
            Well you're still here.

                                   KANE
            I work here.

						 ABEL
            You don't work here.

                                   KANE
            I don't?

                                   ABEL
            You live here.

                                   KANE
            Will you just get ready?

                                   PAUSE
            The only thing I'm afraid of is you not getting ready for the show.

                                   ABEL
                        (Ignoring Kane)
You see this fear is collective.  Without it we would be lost.  It would be like not having eyes.  It laughs at us, but it also binds              us , it controls us and comforts us. 

                                   KANE
            Where  do you get this stuff?

                                   ABEL
                          (trailing off)
            Although there was once a man who only saw the truth when he had 			lost his eyes. Only then did he see the mistakes he had made.  			Ironic isn't it, he could only see when he had lost his eyes.  I 			think in a way our fear is like that.  

                                   KANE
            You don't say?

                                   ABEL
            I think so.

                                   Rachel enters.  

                                   KANE
            Rachel?

                                   RACHEL
            Yes Kane.

                                   KANE
            Did you forget something?

                                   RACHEL
            No I just thought I'd put this stuff in order.  You can never be too 		careful.

                                   ABEL
            You've done a wonderful job. 

                                   RACHEL
            You would be surprised.

                                   ABEL
            Has something happened ?

						 RACHEL
            No. Why?

                                   ABEL
            No reason.  How's my makeup?  

                                   RACHEL
            It looks like your lines are developing.  

                                   The director can be heard from behind the 						     stage.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Has anyone seen the stage girl?  That cute little number...

                                   RACHEL
            I have to go.

                                   ABEL
            Are you sure?

                                   Rachel leaves.  

                                   ABEL (CONT'D)
            Here we go.  

                                   KANE
            Let's just behave
                                   ABEL
            Is that what he's been doing?

                                   KANE
            That doesn't concern you.

                                   ABEL
            Are you sure of that?

                                   KANE
            Can we just get ready?

                                   ABEL
            Is that what you believe.  Only involve yourself when it concerns 		you.

                                   KANE
            That’s what I believe.

                                   ABEL
            You can't mean that.  Where would that kind of thinking leave us?

                                   KANE
            It takes a village to raise an idiot.

ABEL
            Who was that fellow that discovered the cure for Polio?

                                   KANE
            What?

                                   ABEL
            What was his name?

                                   KANE
            What has this got to do with anything?

                                   ABEL
            Everything.  

                                   KANE
            Really?  Everything?  

                                   ABEL
            He discovered a cure. 

                                   KANE
            So.

                                   ABEL
            Did he have the disease?

                                   KANE
            I have no idea.

                                   ABEL
            But he discovered the cure.

                                   KANE
            It was his job.

                                   ABEL
            Was it?

                                   KANE
            That's why he got paid.

                                   ABEL
            Sure he got paid, but he also discovered the cure. 

                                   KANE
            Have you applied for that passport yet?

                                   ABEL
            Would it be fair to say that he exceeded his expectations?

                                   KANE
            I suppose it would.

                                   ABEL
            Have we?

                                   KANE
            How would I know?  Are you asking me if I've discovered a cure?

 ABEL
            No.

                                   PAUSE

                                   ABEL
            He stood out, he made a difference.  

						 KANE
            Did he?

                                   ABEL
            You just can't see it can you?

                                   KANE
Look the world only needed one cure.   After that it becomes duplication.  There would be no need. It wouldn’t be necessary.  Same thing over and over.

                                   ABEL
            Like this play?

                                   KANE
            Without this play we don't exist.  Don't you understand that? Can't 		you just accept that?  

                                   ABEL
            Do we exist within this play ?

                                   KANE
            The people who didn't invent the cure.  They still exist.  They 			don't sit around asking themselves why they didn't invent the cure. 		They get on with their lives.  They move onto new challenges.  They 		learn to ride unicycles, they go on to live very successful
            lives.  

                                   ABEL
            People don't get on with it.  They spend their lives in regret, and 		accomplish nothing.  

                                   KANE
            How do you know that?

                                   ABEL
            Well look at me?

                                   KANE
            You're different.

                                   ABEL
            What do you mean?

                                   KANE
            You never get on with it.  Why this? Why that?

                                   ABEL
            I can't help it.

                                   KANE
            Have you tried?  Have you honestly tried?

                                   ABEL
            I suppose I have.

                                   KANE
            Will you please just put on the  make-up?  

                                   ABEL
            I don't think we're finished.

                                   KANE
            What do you mean we're not finished.  I'm finished.  

                                   ABEL
            We're on to something here.  This polio thing, it's important.  

                                   KANE
            There is no more polio.

                                   ABEL
I know.  Tell me this.  Is the person who discovered the cure still   alive ?

                                   KANE
            I don't think so.

                                   ABEL
            But his works alive.  

                                   KANE
            So.

                                   ABEL
            So he contributed.  He made a difference.

                                   KANE
            So what.

                                   ABEL
            So have you ?

                                   KANE
            Is this about me ?

                                   ABEL
            Have I ?

                                   KANE
            You're asking me ?

                                   ABEL
            Your the only one here ?

                                    KANE
            I'm not interested.

                                   ABEL
            Why do you think we're here?

    KANE
            Here we go.

                                   ABEL
Do really believe we're suppose to spend our working lives dressed like this? 

                                   KANE
            I wouldn't know.

                                   ABEL
When is the last time you were proud to be clown?  When is the last   time you stood up and shouted , hey look at me I'm a clown?

                                   KANE
            Pride is not a good quality in a clown.

                                   ABEL
            I don't even like clowns.  They scare me.  

                                   KANE
            What do you mean they scare you?

                                   ABEL
            They scare me, ever since I was a kid I've been afraid of them.

                                    KANE
            Is that right?

                                   ABEL
            I never wanted to be a clown.  Who the hell would want to be clown ?

                                   KANE
            Why are you telling me this?

                                   ABEL
Who in their right mind would hire a complete stranger, dressed in a costume to hand out balloons at their kids party.  It makes no sense.    

                                   KANE
            You think to much.

 ABEL
And why would anyone want me to be a clown? I'm not funny.  I've never been funny.  

                                   PAUSE

                                   ABEL
In fact I'm down right miserable.  I always have been.  And your not funny.  Your not a funny clown.

                                   KANE
            I'm funny.

                                   ABEL
            Your not funny.   You don't even like kids. 

                                   KANE
            How would you know?

                                   ABEL
            You've never touched one.  

                                   KANE
            You're not suppose to touch them

                                   ABEL
            Yes you are.

                                   KANE
            No you're not.  

                                   ABEL
            You're a clown, it's your job.

                                   KANE
Are you mad?  I'm on stage, how the hell am I suppose to touch a kid from up here?  

                                   ABEL
            Say something funny.

                                   KANE
            Stop talking.

                                   ABEL
            Go on, say something funny.

                                   KANE
            You say something funny.

                                   ABEL
            Something's  not right.

                                   KANE
            That's not funny.

                                   ABEL
            I'm not funny.

                                   KANE
            You're just not trying.

                                   ABEL
Do you ever get the feeling you don't know who you are? That you're not in control.  

                                   KANE
            What about a pirate?

                                   ABEL
            A what?

                                   KANE
A pirate, you could be a pirate.  They don't need to be funny.  Who wants to see a funny pirate?

                                   ABEL
            What has any of this got to do with pirates?  

                                   KANE
Well pirates don't need to be  funny.  We could get you a parrot.  Do you like parrots?

                                   ABEL
            No.

                                   KANE
Well how about a wooden leg  then, you would look good in a wooden leg.

                                   ABEL
            I don't think so. 

                                   KANE
A  patch then, you could be blind like that guy you admire,  you     could be blind like him.  

                                   ABEL
            I don't want to be a pirate.

                                   KANE
            Don't be so hasty, you get to carry a sword.

                                   ABEL
            I'm tired.

                                   KANE
            Maybe you should go back to your cabin.

                                   ABEL
            My cabin?

                                   KANE
            All pirates have cabins.

                                   ABEL
            I can't sleep.

                                   KANE
            Why not?

                ABEL
            Bad dreams.

                                   KANE
            Someone throwing pies at you?  Can't find your nose ?

                                   ABEL
            I dream of people laughing at me.

                                   KANE
            Me too. 

                                   ABEL
I'm standing on a stage and there laughing at me, I'm just standing there.  I can't move. It's like I'm paralyzed.  

                                   KANE
            You're over tired that's all.  

                                   ABEL
 No, there's more to it, the boy's in the dream.  He's always in the dream.

                                   KANE
            Are you handing out balloons at a party.

                                   ABEL
            The boy.

                                   KANE
            Why are you bringing that up? That's in the past.

                                   ABEL
            There is no past.  It's with me everyday.  

                                   KANE
            Here put on your make-up.

 Abel
These dreams are in real time , their happening right now.  Like a tape that keeps rewinding, keeps playing. But I'm not pressing play.  I'm trying to stop it, rip it out of the machine.  But I can't.  It just keeps playing and playing. It just keep rewinding over and over....  I'm lying there watching it play over and over.  I can't move, I cant move I tell you.  I'm lying there screaming but I'm not making any sounds.

                                   KANE
Look, we  have a show in less than an hour.  The audience will be here soon.

                                   ABEL
            That's something else.   There's nobody here.

                                   KANE
            What are you talking about?

                                   ABEL
            There's nobody here.  

                                   KANE
            Nobody where?

                                   ABEL
            Out there.

                                   PAUSE
            When is the last time we had an audience?

                                   KANE
            What are you talking about?

                                   ABEL
            The place is empty.  

                                   KANE
            Empty?  People  just haven't arrived yet.

                                   ABEL
            They never arrive. Can't you see that?

                                   KANE
            The doors aren't open

                                   ABEL
            I'm telling you, there is nobody here.  It's like...

                                   KANE
            It's like what?

                                   ABEL
            We're on  a stage.

                                   KANE
            Is that right?

                                   ABEL
            It's like this stage is on a bridge.  I know that makes no sense, 		but I get this feeling sometimes.  It's a bridge and were stuck 			right in the middle.  

                                   KANE
            A bridge?

                                   ABEL
            You can't see it can you?

                                   KANE
            I'm in the dark.

                                   LIGHTS DOWN

                                   THE DIRECTOR ABRUPTLY ENTERS.  HE IS
                                   DRESSED IN A SUIT THAT IS IN COMPLETE
                                   CONTRAST TO THE CLOWNS.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            Well has anyone seen her ?  Goddamn it.  

                                   KANE
            Seen who?

                                   DIRECTOR
The stage girl, my assistant.  She's late. Why do I put up with this?  Give someone the opportunity and you see what happens?  Goddamn liberties that's what happens.  

                                   KANE
            She was just here.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Well where did she go?

                                   KANE
            I have no idea, ask Abel.

                                   DIRECTOR
                          (Ignoring Abel)
If you see her again, tell her I need to see her. Just do me that favour OK.

                                   KANE
            If that’s what you want.

                                   DIRECTOR
There's a big crowd out there tonight.  Have you worked out that small issue in the final act yet?

                                   KANE
            It was just a question of timing, we've been rehearsing it all day.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Good. ( Turning towards Abel) How are you?  Any problems today?

                                   ABEL
            What crowd are you talking about?

                                   DIRECTOR
That's the spirit.  This business isn't getting any easier you know.   Money's tight, costs are up, numbers are down.  It's a tough racket. It's good to see we're all on the same page.

                                   ABEL
            What page are we on?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Fantastic, well let me know how that bit in the third act works out.

                                   ABEL
            What page are we on?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Take care fellas.

Lights fade.  Lights up. Rachel on stage with Kane and Abel.

                                   RACHEL
            Was he here ?

                                   ABEL
            Briefly. 

                                   RACHEL
            What did he want ?

                                   ABEL
            He was looking for you.

                                   RACHEL
He was looking for me?  He knows where I am. He always knows where I am.  

                                   KANE
            We really should be getting this show on the road.

                                   RACHEL
            What did he say?

                                   ABEL
            He said something about crowds.

                                   RACHEL
            That's all.

                                   ABEL
            More or less.  

                                   PAUSE
            You look a little drawn.

                                   RACHEL
            Maybe I should use some of your make-up.

                                   KANE
            Some one should put it on.

                                   RACHEL
            I’ve never looked good in make-up.  It hides the truth.  

                                   Rachel leaves.  

                                   ABEL
            She doesn't look good.

                                   KANE
            What would you know about looking good.  

                                   ABEL
            Something is wrong.

                                   KANE
            With you something is always wrong.

                                   ABEL
            She just seemed ...  I don't know.   She just wasn't herself.     

                                   KANE
            Now you're making sense.

  ABEL
            I'm not making any sense.

                                   KANE
            You're making perfect sense to me.

Director re-enters.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Was she just here?

                                   ABEL
            She just left.

  DIRECTOR
Look fellows, this doesn't really concern you, but I think that it's time this company thought about hiring a new assistant.  The present one just isn't working out.  Always late.  How long has she been with us anyway ?  Seems like a  godamnn eternity.

                                   KANE
            It's your decision.

                                   ABEL
            Is this what happens when we don't meet company standards,  we get          left behind.  We die at the side of the road if we can’t keep up with the invading army.  Is that it?  Like soldiers being led by butchers into war.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            How's the third act coming?

                                   ABEL
            Just toss her away.  Another one for the heap.

                                   DIRECTOR
I think we need to get the lighting guy down here, it's too Goddamn dark.

                                   The director leaves.

                                   ABEL (CONT'D)
            What is with you ?

                                   KANE
            What ?

                                   ABEL
            You just stood there.

                                   KANE
            It doesn't concern us.  

                                   ABEL
            You're wrong about that, it concerns us all.

                                   KANE
            How does what happens to Rachel concern me.  She made her bed.

                                   ABEL
            Do you really believe that?  Do you honestly believe that crap.

                                   KANE
            Watch the language big top.  

                                   ABEL
            Why must everything up here remind me of a past I can't remember?

                                   KANE
            Now what are you talking about?

                                   ABEL
            It's like I have all these souvenirs from a trip that I never took.

                                   KANE
            Well get a passport.

                                   ABEL
            I have memories that I can't remember having.

                                   KANE
            I see.

                                   ABEL
            I remember things that aren't there.  That have never been there.    

                                   KANE
            Makes sense.

                                   ABEL
            How can that make sense?

                                   KANE
            Perfect sense.

                                   ABEL
            What are you talking about.

                                   KANE
            A day at the races.

                                   ABEL
            What.

                                   KANE
            I don't know.

                                   ABEL
            A day at the races?

                                   KANE
            Sure.

                                   ABEL
            We were talking about Rachel.

                                   KANE
            Were we?

                                   ABEL
            She's in trouble.

                                   KANE
            How do you know that?

                                   ABEL
            It's in my nature.

                                   KANE
Your nature? You’ve never been outside.  You don’t have a nature.  Where are my shoes?
Abel
What?
Kane
            Do you care about her ?

                                   ABEL
            You know I do.

                                   KANE
            And I don't, is that what you think?

                                   ABEL
            You just stood there.  

                                   KANE
            I couldn't care less, is that what you think?

                                   ABEL
            Those are you're words.

                                   KANE
            Well where is she now?

                                   ABEL
            What?  

                                   KANE
            Where is she? 

                                   ABEL
            She's gone.

                                   KANE
            That's right, she's gone.

                                   ABEL
            She had to leave.

                                   KANE
            Why?

                                   ABEL
            I don't know.

                                   KANE
            You have no idea.

                                   ABEL
            What? I stood up for her.  I just didn't send her away.  

                                   KANE
            You made no difference.  

                                   ABEL
I stood up for her.  I just didn't stand there and shake my head.  I said something.  I understood her. 

                                  KANE
You’re so bloody dramatic.   What did you accomplish then?  When is the last time anyone has listened to you ?  He’s certainly never listened to you, he doesn’t even know your in the room.    No one is afraid of a man who won’t act.  Of a clown who can’t act.  

 Act II
.  
The room is essentially the same.  There is now a directors desk on it sits a  lamp. The stage seems smaller.  The lighting has cut off the corners of the room,.  Rachel  sits in the chair.  Director enters.

                                   DIRECTOR
There you are, I've been looking all over for you.  You shouldn't just disappear like that.

                                   RACHEL
            I had to get away.

                                   DIRECTOR
            You're not in the way....  Here, let me put you in the way.

                                   RACHEL
            I've been trying to keep to my self.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Come over here.

                                   RACHEL
            I just need some time. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            You look great.

                                   RACHEL
            Is that right?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Well you do, you know I would tell you if you didn't.

                                   RACHEL
            I need to open a window.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Have you eaten yet?

  RACHEL
            I'm not hungry.

                                   DIRECTOR
            How about fixing me one of you're famous turkey sandwiches.

                                   RACHEL
            Fix it yourself.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Why are you being like that?

RACHEL
            I need to be alone.

 DIRECTOR
            No one needs to be alone.

                                   RACHEL
            What?

                                   DIRECTOR
You'll never get anywhere in life by being alone.  Surround yourself with positive people, that's the secret. Losers spend their time alone.  Losers in little dark rooms, with little dark thoughts.  Misfits, Godammn misfits.  This world doesn’t need more misfits, or  thinkers, or  caring people.  This people needs people like us, leaders.   

                                   RACHEL
            I need time to think.

                                   DIRECTOR
Well I hope you don't to much thinking, it's not you're job.  We can't pay you any more.  (Trailing off)  This stage is full of Goddamn thinkers we sure don't need any more. We need actors, Doers and achievers.  That’s what we need.  What we need is a complete overhaul.  I’m going to start with that clown.  I’ve always hated that clown.

                                   RACHEL
            I've been thinking about us.

                                   DIRECTOR
            So have I.

                                   RACHEL
            This is over.

                                   DIRECTOR
Listen the guys are just getting into their costumes, lets talk about this later.

                                   RACHEL
            I don't...

   DIRECTOR
                          (Interrupting)
Come on, lets do something to get our minds off this business of yours.  I'm the one who should be worrying.  Let me shoulder the responsibility.  It’s an ugly world baby, just put your trust in daddy.

The director puts his arm around Rachel, she pulls away.  The director at first seems angry, then quickly                                collects himself and smiles.

                                   DIRECTOR (CONT'D)
Could we please not do this right now.  I've got a production to put on in less than an hour, and that clown Gabel is going through another one of his melodramas. Have you noticed anything peculiar about him lately ?

                                   RACHEL
            No.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Well I think he's bad for morale.  

RACHEL
            You do?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Who would have thought a clown could be bad for morale?

                                   RACHEL
            He's just an actor.

                                   DIRECTOR
            He's not an actor.

                                   PAUSE
Why are we talking about him.  I’ll get rid of him.  There’s something about him.  He’s creepy.  He’s a creepy clown. I never liked him.  Now where were we?   

                                   RACHEL
            Not right now.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Believe me this is a good time.  

                                   RACHEL
            Not for me.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Well I could use a little distraction.

                                   RACHEL
            Distraction?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Affection.  I could use a little affection.

                                   RACHEL
            Not now.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'll get the lights.

                                   RACHEL
            Not right now.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'll do all the work.  You just lay back.

                                   RACHEL
  Open your eyes. For one second out of this endless day open your  eyes and accept that I can't live like this. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            Where are those Goddamn lights?

                                   Lights out.

            SPOTLIGHT ON KANE AND ABLE.  THE ARE IN SILOUETTE.  THE
            CONTRAST SHOULD BE TWO CLOWNS DOING NOTHING, AND A YOUNG
            WOMEN IN TROUBLE.  THEY ARE CLOSE, THEY CHOOSE NOT TO ACT.

            BREAK SILOUETEE.

                                   ABEL
            Maybe you're right, maybe I have to relax.  Just get on with it.  

                                   KANE
            It could be a lot worst.  You could be out of work.  

                                   ABEL
Can you imagine that? A clown out of work.  I mean people need to laugh.

                                   Lights out.

            RACHEL AND THE DIRECTOR ALONE AFTER LIGHTS OUT.

                                          RACHEL AND THE DIRECTOR ARE
                                          STILL ALONE.  RACHEL IS SITTING
                                            ON THE BED.  SHE IS MAKING A
                                            HAPHAZARD ATTEMPT TO GET
                                                              DRESSED.

                                   RACHEL
            Why didn't you stop?

                                   DIRECTOR
            When have we ever stopped?

                                   RACHEL
            You disgust me.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            I love you.

                                   RACHEL
            Fucking me is not loving me.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What are you talking about?  You weren't complaining at the time.

                                   RACHEL
It's hard to complain when I  can't get from under the weight of this  mattress I'm always carrying around.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            Rachel.

                                   RACHEL
            Goddamn you.

                                   MAN
            I'm going to grab a shower

                                   RACHEL
            That's right go grab a shower.    

                                   RACHEL
            I told you to stop.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Look it’s been a long day.

                                   RACHEL
            What do you think,? what do you honestly think?  

                                   DIRECTOR
            I thought it was part of the game. 

                                   RACHEL
            Get away from me. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            Be  fair.

                                   RACHEL
            Looks who's demanding that something be fair.  Fair?  When have you ever been fair.

                                   DIRECTOR
What are you saying, that I forced you?  That this has been against your will?

                                   RACHEL
            Your damn right it was against my will.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Come on,  no-one here is forcing anyone.

                                   RACHEL
Do you really believe that.  Do you really think that it was... what did you call it... a game?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Now honey

  RACHEL
            You’re a  bastard.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Lets just relax.
                                   RACHEL
            Get away from me

                                   DIRECTOR
            You're not being fair.

                                   RACHEL
            You son of a bitch.

                                   PAUSE
            This is ending right now, do you here me, right now.      

                                   DIRECTOR
            OK, OK.  Just settle down.

                                   RACHEL
            Settle down?  Why, so you can keep me down?

DIRECTOR
            Yesterday all this was fine. Yesterday everything was fine.

                                   RACHEL
Open your eyes.  This has never been fine. Get away from me.  Why did I come back here? Why do I keep punishing myself like this?  I can't think straight. I can't sleep.  Christ when is the last time I slept.  

                                   PAUSE
I have to get away from here.  What are you doing, I told you to… stay away from me.  It’s all gone. …..Stop touching me, get away from me. 
                                   DIRECTOR
            What’s gone?
                                   RACHEL
Everything is gone.  Look how old I am.  I feel so old. I’m a young women.  But I feel so old, so tired.    
                                                      
                                  PAUSE (CONT'D)
            It's just no use.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Don't be like this.  

                                   RACHEL
            I see his face .

                                   DIRECTOR
            Whose face?

                                   RACHEL
            He keeps looking at me. 

                                   PAUSE
            Asking me for help.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            What are you talking about?

                                   RACHEL
            He's always crying.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Rachel.

                                   RACHEL
            He won't let me go.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Leave that in the past.

                                   RACHEL
In the past? There is no past.  The past is an illusion.  There is nothing behind us, can’t you see that?  Everything we’ve ever done is placed in front of us, like a king’s feast we can’t touch.  Like a glass of wine that we can never drink..   Don’t you understand that.  Can’t you see that we’re not capable of leaving it behind us.  I live with it every day.  It never goes away.  Every night I wake to the sounds, the cries. My God what did we do?  

                                   DIRECTOR
            Where is this coming from? It does no good to keep bringing this up.
                                   RACHEL
            There is no good.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            Please sit down.

                                   RACHEL
            Don't touch me.  I told you not to touch me.

                                   PAUSE
            Sarah..  Your were right.  All along you knew.

                                    DIRECTOR
            Who's Sarah?

                                   RACHEL
            My Aunt.

                                   DIRECTOR
            You have an Aunt Sarah?

          RACHEL
            You never met.

                                   DIRECTOR
                          (Trying to change the topic)
            Maybe we should visit.

RACHEL
            That's not possible.

                                   PAUSE

                                   RACHEL
                          (Interrupting, speaking almost in a dream
                           state.  She is walking away from the
                           director)
She was supposed to marry a man from New York, a lawyer.  The whole family was excited, because not only was my Aunt getting married, she was marrying an important man from the coast.  Preparations were made and she was to have a beautiful spring wedding.  (laughing)  My mother was to be the maid of honour. Patterns were picked, flowers were ordered....

                                   DIRECTOR
            Rachel.

                                   RACHEL
He had an accident, nobody expected him to live, but he hung on.   When my aunt heard she rushed to his side and demanded that they be married in that room.  Of course both families urged her to wait, but she had a strong will  and in they end she took his ring... She sat with him for two more days and watched him die.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            Why are you telling me this?

                                   RACHEL
            She never remarried.

                                   RACHEL (CONT'D)
You might think it's a sad story, but it has a happy ending.  Sarah would often say that even though she was only been married for a  very brief time, at least she had  been married to her one true love. She would say that her love was pure, and that it
            had never been corrupted by hurt, anger , abuse or loss.

                                   DIRECTOR
I think  you're getting a little carried away.  Your Aunt did a very noble thing, but lets not forget she lived a life alone.

                                   RACHEL
            Alone?

                                   DIRECTOR
Yes alone.  She only had her memories to keep her warm, and memories fade pretty darn quick in a world that marches on.  It must have been a great comfort to your Aunt to see all her friends building their lives, while she clung to the memories of a  stainless steel hospital room.  Do you honestly believe that she had a full life?

                                   RACHEL
            A little girl I once knew did.

                                   DIRECTOR
Well little girls and little boys grow up quick.  They learn that life is hard, and the only way to win is to keep on going. Keep building.

                                   RACHEL
Little boys grow and put there trust in adults.  That's what little boys do.  Their trust and there faith, because little boys don't know any better.  Because their little, their just little....

                                   DIRECTOR
            That's unfair.

                                   RACHEL
            Is it?    

                                   DIRECTOR
We're building a life together, can't you see that?  You seem to always be working against me, tearing it down.  

                                   RACHEL
You're accusing me of tearing it down, after what you did, after  what happened. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            Jesus Christ, can't you let it go?

                                   RACHEL
It won't let me go.  It has this grip on me.  I can't get free.  I can't get away from  him. He follows me into my dreams.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            I love you Rachel I always will.  

                                   RACHEL
You love me?  Do you honestly think that I love you?  Is that what you think.  I  can’t love you.  You’ve stolen everything I’ve ever had.  I’m not saying I was ever innocent.. innocent what does that mean?   No I was never that.. not that.  But I was young.  Goddamn it  I was young.  I was that wasn’t I , we were all at least  that.  
                                   PAUSE
Your the uncle that used to drink too much at the family  Christmas parties and insist that he tuck me in.  That's who you are.....  Nothing more.  Remember him.  Dad’s best friend.  He always wore a smile, and he always had a dollar in his pocket.  Come here kid, go get yourself some chocolates, pretty little thing like you.  You look just like your mother.  Pretty little broken thing.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            That's not fair, that's not bloody fair.

                                   RACHEL
            It's the truth.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Just what do mean by that?  What the hell does that mean?

                                   RACHEL
This needs to end, it's wrong and it hurts.  It's driving me to a place I don't want to go. It's killing me.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What are you talking about?

                                   RACHEL
            Don't pretend.. Just stop you’re goddamn pretending.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            What do you want me to do?  

                                   RACHEL
There's nothing you can do.  Nothing will change what happened that night..  Nothing will bring that boy  back.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            We have to move on.  

                                   RACHEL
            We have nowhere to go. Can't you see that.  We have no where to go.  

                                   DIRECTOR
That happened a long time ago.  There is nothing we can say or do to change it now. We need to get on with our lives.  

                                   RACHEL
            Our lives?  I haven't been alive in years. 

                                   DIRECTOR
What are you saying?  You're standing right there.  Of course you're alive.  You're beautiful, you’re so beautiful. Please believe me, believe that you’re beautiful.  You were once so happy....

                                   RACHEL
            Say his name.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What?

                                   RACHEL
            Say his name.
DIRECTOR
            What are you talking about?

                                   RACHEL
            Say his name.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What good will that do?

                                   RACHEL
            You're a coward.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm no coward.

                                   RACHEL
Then open your mouth and say the words that you have always been afraid to say. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            I've got work to do.

                                   RACHEL
To you that boy doesn't exist.  You never met,   and you  sure as Christ never turned your back on him.  

   DIRECTOR
Let it go.  Life is not about the past.  It’s what’s in front of you of you that matters.  The past is gone. 
                                   RACHEL
            If it were only that easy, if it were only that simple.  

                                   There is a knock heard.

                                   	DIRECTOR
            Who is it?

A man dressed as a sweeper enters, his clothes are very plain and he carries a mop and pail.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Who are you?

                                   SWEEPER
            I clean up around here.

                                   DIRECTOR
Now?

                                   SWEEPER
I've been asked to let you know that there is problem with the props for the parade scene.  Some of the lighting has come down, I've been asked to tell you there might be a hold up.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Hold up.  How long?

                                   SWEEPER
            I don't know, they didn't say.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Who is in charge of it?

                                   SWEEPER
            I don't know.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Well how bad does it look?

                                   SWEEPER
            Well some of the lighting has come down.

                                   DIRECTOR
Hold on, I'll be right there.( To Rachel)  Lets talk about this later, everything will be fine.  

Director leaves, lights come down.  Rachel is left alone.  A light then comes up a silhouette of Rachel is visible.

                                   RACHEL
            You're going to be OK, it's going to be OK.

 Director returns, 

                                   DIRECTOR
I'm really going to have to get a new lighting technician.  Total incompetence.  Do you know what I pay those guys, and then this,  no lighting for the final scene.  What is with these Goddamn unions. Total incompetence.  Can you imagine no lighting for one of the most important pieces of the performance. We can’t have darkness at the end of the play.   

                                    ACT TWO
Abel is sitting on the stage only wearing the bottom half of his costume.  He is sitting staring into the audience, talking to himself.

                                   ABEL
It's a costume.  It's only a costume.  I'm going out of my mind.  I have to get out of here.  I can't hold it together.

                                   A man stands up in the audience.

                                   MAN
            Where would you go?

                                   ABEL
            Who is there?

                                   MAN
            I am

The man walks up to the stage walks up stands across form Abel.  
                                 
  MAN (CONT'D)
            Hello there.

                                   ABEL
            What?

                                   MAN
            How are you?

                                   PAUSE
            It's nice to finally meet you.  

                                   ABEL
            I don't think you should be here.

                                   MAN
            Only time will tell.

                                   ABEL
            What?

                                   PAUSE

                                   ABEL
            Who are you?

                                   MAN
            A man in need of  a new perspective.

                                   ABEL
            Perspective?

                                   MAN
            A different view.  

                                   ABEL
            You have to go.

                                   MAN
            I'm here to help.

                                   ABEL
            I don't need help, I need to sleep.

                                   MAN
            I'll still be here when you wake up.

                                   ABEL
            Is that right?

                                   MAN
            You need to relax.

                                   ABEL
            I am relaxed.

                                   MAN
            You don't look relaxed  

 ABEL
I'm about as relaxed as I'm going to get considering the circumstances.

                                   MAN
            How's your day going?

                                   ABEL
            My day?

                                   MAN
            You're day, how's it going?

                                   ABEL
            I need to get Kane.

                                   MAN
            Why do you need Kane?

                                   ABEL
            He’ll handle this.

                                   MAN
            He's not interested.

                                   ABEL
            He'll be interested in this.

                                   MAN
            He won't care, he never has.  He's indifferent. 

                                   ABEL
            What makes you so sure?

                                   MAN
I've seen every production, every rehearsal.  I've watched you practice every line.

                                   ABEL
            What's this about?

                                   MAN
            That’s up to you.
Abel
What’s up to me?
Man
Tomorrow
Abel
What are you talking about.
Man
Tomorrow is up to you.
                                   ABEL
            You’re talking in circles.  

                                   MAN
            This is about a fresh start. 

                                   ABEL
            That's not possible.

                                   MAN
            Anything is possible.

                                   ABEL
Things here are set. It's hard to explain, but there is no start, and there certainly  is no end.  There is just middle.  You wouldn't understand.  

                                   MAN
I'm here to offer you an opportunity.  I’m here to offer you a trade.

                                   ABEL
            A trade in what? 

                                   MAN
            Positions.

                                   ABEL
            I'm getting Kane.

                                   MAN
            You could take my place out there. 

                                   ABEL
            I'm not following.

                                   MAN
            That's funny.

                                   ABEL
            What?

                                   MAN
Didn't you say you wanted a fresh start? A chance to make a difference.  Well here’s your chance.  

                                   ABEL
            I need to sit down.

                                   MAN
            I know what's it like to be trapped.  

                                   ABEL
            I'm not trapped.

                                   MAN
            You're not?

                                   ABEL
I'm free to go and do as I please.  I'm an actor.  This is all pretend.

                                   MAN
            You've never acted in your life.

                                   Rachel enters 

                                   RACHEL
                          (To the man) 
            Hello.

                                   MAN
                          (To Rachel)
            Hello.

                                   RACHEL
                          (To Abel)
            You're still not ready.

                                   ABEL
            Is that important now?

                                   RACHEL
            Are you not feeling well?

                                   ABEL
            Rachel, can't you see that something is wrong here.

                                   RACHEL
            Are you undressing for him?

                                   ABEL
            He's not that attractive.

                                   RACHEL
            Suit yourself

                                   MAN 
                          (To Rachel)
            Hi there.

                                   RACHEL
            Nice to meet you .

                                   MAN
            It's nice to meet you.

                                   RACHEL
            Will you be staying with us long?

                                   MAN
            I hope so.

                                   RACHEL
            Good, we could use the change.

                                   MAN
            I've noticed.

                                   RACHEL
            You have?

                                   MAN
            I've been watching the rehearsals.

                                   RACHEL
            Really?

                                   MAN
            I've seen every one.

   RACHEL
            You must be a big fan of the theatre.

                                   MAN
            It's been good to me.  

                                   ABEL
            I don't think he can stay.

                                   RACHEL
            Why not?

                                   ABEL
            Where are you right now?  Are you here?

                                   RACHEL
Stay with us. We break the rules here all the time; we make them up as we go.  This is the stage of half-truths. The theatre of pretend.

                                   ABEL
            Where is the director?

                                   RACHEL
Why are you asking me for the director? He doesn’t even know  your on this stage.

                                   ABEL
            Maybe we should get him.

                                   RACHEL
            You need to wake up Abel.

                                   ABEL
            I'll get him.

                                   RACHEL
            Abel you’re a fool. 

                                   ABEL
            He needs to know what is going on here.

                                   RACHEL
            Does he?

                                   PAUSE
            What does it matter?

                                   ABEL
            What has gotten into you?

                                   RACHEL
                          (To the man)
Have you had anything to eat.  Let me make you a sandwich. I make a great turkey sandwich.  

                                   MAN
            No thank you.

                                   RACHEL
            Well don't be shy.

                                   MAN
            I won't. 

                                   RACHEL
            Well, I have to go.  Enjoy your stay.

                                   MAN
            I will.  Thank you.

                                   RACHEL
            The pleasure was mine.

                                   MAN

The voice of the director is heard, the three                                  characters stop to listen.  Suddenly director
appears.  He is not wearing his tie.  He appears somewhat disorganized, rushed.

                                   DIRECTOR
                          (To Rachel)
There you are, I've been looking all over for you.  (Suddenly stops, sees Man)  Who the Hell are you?  Abel who the hell is this?

                                   ABEL
            Ask Rachel.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm asking you.

                                   ABEL
            He came in from the audience.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What?

                                   ABEL
            He came in from....

                                   DIRECTOR
            You can't stay.  Abel get his coat. 

                                   ABEL
            He wasn't wearing one.

                                   DIRECTOR
            He wasn't what?

                                   ABEL
            He wasn't wearing one.  He wasn't wearing a coat.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What the Christ  is going on here? 

                                   ABEL
            He came in from the audience.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I don’t care where he came from, Abel get his coat.

MAN
I won’t be here long.  I’m just here to talk to Abel.  It doesn’t really concern you.

                                   DIRECTOR
It doesn't concern me?  Will you get a load of this guy.  It doesn't concern me he says.  The guy without a coat is telling me that it doesn't concern me.  Well then,  OK  I should go.  I wouldn't want to interfere,  wouldn't want people to think I was meddling in other peoples affairs.  Sorry I bothered you Mr. I  don't have a
Goddamn coat. (To Abel) This is you're doing isn't it.  I should have gotten rid of you years ago.  

                                   MAN
            He has nothing to do with this.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What did you say?

                                   MAN
            Give me a chance to explain.

                                   DIRECTOR
The clown doesn’t have any friends, and he has certainly never had a visitor.
                                   ABEL
            We just met.

                                   RACHEL
            I like him.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What? 

                                   RACHEL
            I don't like you.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Please this is serious.

                                   RACHEL
            Is it?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Can we not do this right now? Is this a good time for this?  

                                   RACHEL
            Busy?

                                   DIRECTOR 
            No, not really.

                                   RACHEL
            I've always admired that in you.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What's that?

                                   RACHEL
            Your calmness, you just seem so in charge.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Jesus .  

                                   RACHEL
Where are your manners?  He just arrived, we should be making him feel at home.  

                                   MAN
            I'm not here to upset you.  I just thought I might be able to help.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Help with what?

                                   MAN
            The production.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Abel give me a hand here.  
                                   ABEL
            I've tried.

                                   DIRECTOR
            We'll obviously you haven't tried hard enough

                                   RACHEL
            How hard would you like him to try?

                                   DIRECTOR
            What the hell is that supposed to mean?

                                   RACHEL
            How hard would you like him to try?

The director seems to be taken back by this, he goes to respond as Kane enters the room.

                                   KANE
                          (To Abel)
            You're still not dressed.  

                                   RACHEL
            Have you met our new friend?

                                   KANE
            Not yet.?

                                   DIRECTOR
He’s a friend of Abels, he just showed up.  Out of the blue.  Just like that.  
KANE
            Just like what?
Director
I don’t know, he just showed up.  

                                   KANE
            Your Abel's friend?
Abel
We just met.
Kane
Then who are you?
Abel
Here’s here to make a trade
Kane
I’m not getting involved.

                                   MAN
            Things aren't really as bad as he would have you believe.

                                   KANE
            There not?

                                   MAN
            No.

                                   KANE
            Look I have a show to do in less than an hour.  

                                   MAN
I’m not here to disrupt the show, I’ll let you get back to your work.
Kane
Thank you
Man
I just need to talk to Abel.
Kane
That has nothing to do with me
Man
I know

.                                   DIRECTOR
            What's he saying?

                                   KANE
            He says he needs to speak to Abel

                                   DIRECTOR
            Is that right?

                                   KANE
            That's what he says.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Does he?  He wants to speak to the clown?  

                                   MAN
                          (To Abel)
            Have you made a decision ?

                                   ABEL
            I'm not following.

                                   MAN
            Again. very funny.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What decision?

                                   ABEL
            I have no idea.

                                   DIRECTOR
                          (To Man)
            You look familiar.

                                   MAN
            We've never met.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I know you.

                                   MAN
            I don't think so.

                                   DIRECTOR
            There is something about you... 

                                   PAUSE
            We've met. I'm sure of it.

                                   MAN
                          (To Abel)
            Have you a made decision.

                                   ABEL
            No.

                                   RACHEL
            What are you talking about? Abel what is he talking about?

                                   ABEL
            Something about a trade.

                                   RACHEL
            A what?

                                   ABEL
A trade.  He wants to stay. I don't know.  How would I know?  Ask him.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Times up, you're leaving.

                                   RACHEL
Times not up. We have all the time in the world. You seem to have plenty of time for other things.  You just need to get your priorities straight.  Just because you can’t fuck him doesn’t mean he has to leave.  

                                   DIRECTOR
Someone help me, would someone please help me.  Abel who the hell is he?
                                   ABEL
            I don't know.
                                   DIRECTOR
            Don't bullshit me.  Tell me who is.  

                                   MAN
            He doesn’t know who I am.
                                   DIRECTOR
            There are no strangers allowed before the show.

                                   ABEL
            What show?

                                   DIRECTOR
What show he says. What show?  The Goddamn play, the performance. What show?  Who hired you?  What kind of a Fucking clown are you ?  I've had it up to here with you.  You're not even funny.  

                                   ABEL
            I'm not following.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Who are you kidding?

                                   ABEL
            There is no show, there's never been a show.

                                   DIRECTOR
I'm going to kill you. Is that want you want? Do want me to kill you.   Just say the word.

                                   ABEL
            I just don't ever remember putting one on, that's all.

                                   DIRECTOR
            OK Mr. Clown , now you've said it.

                                   KANE
            Look I'm going to get ready.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Where are you going? 

                                   KANE
            I'm leaving

                                   DIRECTOR
            I could use a hand here. 

                                   KANE
            There's nothing I can do.

                                   DIRECTOR
            You could give me hand.
                                   KANE
            He's never listened to me.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            You're bad for morale, you've been bad for morale
            ever since I hired you.

                                   ABEL
            When was that? 

                                   DIRECTOR
            When was what?

                                   ABEL
            When did you hire me?

RACHEL
            If he leaves, so do I.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Where would you go?

                                   PAUSE
            You have nowhere to go.

                                   RACHEL
            I don't have to leave this stage to get away. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            Is that right?

                                   RACHEL
            That's right.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Why don't you get some rest, why don’t you just go lie down.  

                                   RACHEL
            I feel like I’m just beginning to wake up.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Can't this wait?  There is a lot going on here.

                                   RACHEL
            It's about time.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Why are you pushing me?  Why are you always pushing me? 

                                   RACHEL
            How does it feel?

                                   DIRECTOR
You and the clown..... always asking questions.  How about an answer.  How about a Goddamn answer.

                                   RACHEL
            Get away from me.

                                   DIRECTOR
OK, OK.  Do what you want.  I don't care.  Are you happy I don't care.  I don't give a damn.  

                                   RACHEL
                          (To Man)
There you see, he doesn't care.  Stay as long as you want.  Make yourself at home.
                                   DIRECTOR
            I've got to lie down.  

                                   PAUSE
            Rachel can we please just talk?

                                   RACHEL
            Why would we want to start that?

                                   Lights down.

            MAN AND ABLE ARE ALONE ON STAGE

                                   The man and Able are left alone on the stage.

                                   MAN
            Well?

                                   ABEL
            Well What?

                                   MAN
            You're not very good at this are you?

                                   ABEL
            At what?

MAN
            Being decisive.  

                                   ABEL
            I've done OK.

                                   MAN
            Have you?

                                   ABEL
            I've survived.

                                   MAN
Is that how you see it?  Survival.  Is that what it's all about for you?

                                   ABEL
            It gets me through.

                                   MAN
Why just get through?  Why not make a difference, change your course.  Discover a cure.

                                   ABEL
            It's not that simple.

                                   MAN
            Believe it or not, it is.  
                                   ABEL
Life is not like that, you just don't wake up one day and change its entire course.

                                   MAN
            You can if that’s what you want.

                                   ABEL
Wanting something and getting it are two very different things.  

                                   MAN
            You're awfully unhappy for a clown.

ABEL
            It's a costume.  

                                   MAN
            When is the last time you took it off?

                                   ABEL
            That's not the point.

                                   MAN
            It isn't?

                                   ABEL
I wear it because it's my job.  People wear uniforms everyday, doctors wear white coats and chefs wear hats. What is the big deal if I wear a funny nose and a flower that squirts the occasional kid?  Why are people so intent on seeing something else?  

 MAN
Costumes and masks, our world is full of them.  The rich can afford all the masks and costumes they want, the poor are forced to wear only one.  One from which they can never escape, their own. 

                                   ABEL
Where did you really come from?  You just show up, talk about a trade, and upset the company.  You have cast a shadow on this stage. 

                                   MAN
           You can’t cast a shadow without a source of light.  

Abel
What does that mean?
Man
`          There’s only darkness here.
Abel
There are lights everywhere
Man
     You can still be in the dark when the lights are on.
Abel
You are not making any sense
Man
Maybe I should ask Kane. 

                                   ABEL
            Kane?

                                   MAN
Maybe he will be interested; maybe he will be able to make a decision.

                                   ABEL
            I can make decisions.

                                   MAN
            When is the last time you made one?

                                   ABEL
            I make them all the time.

                                   MAN
            When is the last time you made one?

 ABEL
I’m a cautious person by nature, I like to take my time, think things through.  I just don't jump into things.  

                                   PAUSE
             So tell me again, what is this proposal?  

                                   MAN
            I simply want to switch, to trade places.  

                                   ABEL
            I have a life here.  

                                   MAN
            I see.

                                   ABEL
            I have friends.
                                   MAN
            I can see that.  

                                   ABEL
            I do

                                   MAN
            I believe you.

                                   ABEL
            No you don't.

                                   MAN
            I know you have friends.

                                   ABEL
            Their important to me.

                                   MAN
            I know.

                                   ABEL
            Friendships are the measure of the man.  You can tell allot about a
person by the company he keeps.  Happiness surrounds happiness.  Look at you.  

                                   MAN
            Me?

                                   ABEL
You’re  alone.

                                   MAN
            Most people are.

                                   ABEL
I’m not alone.
Man
Your not ?

Abel
I’m surrounded by friends

Man
I’m not here to argue with you.  I’m here to help you.  
Abel

            What do you do?

                                   MAN
            What do mean do ?

                                   ABEL
            For a job, how do you earn your money?

                                   MAN
            I'm a plumber.

                                   ABEL
            Really?

                                   MAN
            Yes really.

                                   ABEL
            Do you like it?

                                   MAN
            I love it.

                                   ABEL
            You’re kidding?

                                   MAN
            Yes I'm Kidding.  

                                   PAUSE

                                   MAN
            I'm a teacher.

                                   ABEL
            A teacher?

                                   MAN
            I teach history

                                   ABEL
            Sounds interesting.

                                   MAN
            It can be.

                                   ABEL
            So why do you want to give it up?

                                   MAN
            I’m tired of the past.  

Abel
You’re tired of the past?

Man
  I’m more interested in what lies ahead.

                                   ABEL
            Is it that simple

                                   MAN
            I think so.

                                   ABEL
            				
            Are you happy out there?

                                   MAN
            Extrememly

                                   ABEL
            Really?

                                   MAN
            Yes really

                                   ABEL
            You are lucky.

                                   MAN
            No, I have not been lucky. I’ve had to work at it.

                                   ABEL
            At being happy?

                                   MAN
            In a way.

Odd that you have to work at being happy.  It's strange that it requires effort.

                                   MAN
            Everything does.

                                   ABEL
I always thought that it was the natural state. I know I’m not happy, but I just assumed it was this stage, this costume, this situation.  

                                   MAN
            Maybe it is.

                                   ABEL
            But you just said.

                                   MAN
            Well things happen, things you cannot control.  

                                   ABEL
            What happened to you?

                                   MAN
            I fell along the way.

                                   ABEL
            Will I?

                                   MAN
            I do not know.

                                   ABEL
            That is not very reassuring.

                                   MAN
            There are no guarantees, you just have to pick yourself up. 

                                   ABEL
It’s  not my strength.

                                   MAN
            I know.

                                   ABEL
            So why are you here asking me to do this?

                                   MAN
            Because it could be.  

                                   ABEL
            Why are you so concerned in my happiness?

                                   MAN
            I'm concerned with everyone on this stage.

                                   ABEL
            Why?

                                   MAN
            Because the debt has been paid.

                                   ABEL
            What?

                                   MAN
            It’s  not important.

                                   ABEL
            What debt?

                                   MAN
            Make a decision.

                                   ABEL
            What about freedom?

                                   MAN
            Freedom?

                                   ABEL
Are people free out there.  Can they do what they want to do when it suits them.  

                                   MAN
            You can grab a burger 24 hours a day.

                                   ABEL
            That's not what I mean.  

                                   MAN
            Most people are no better off than you trapped up on this stage.

                                   ABEL
            I don't believe you.

                                   MAN
            I'm afraid so.

                                   ABEL
            You said most.

                                   MAN
            Did I?

                                   ABEL
            You said most people are no better off than me.

                                   MAN
            I suppose I did.

                                   ABEL
            So there is hope.

                                   MAN
            Yes.

                                   ABEL
            Why are some free and others are not?

                                   MAN
            Why can't you make this decision?

                                   ABEL
            Answer my question.

                                   MAN
            You have answered your own question.

                                   ABEL
            I have.

                                   MAN
            Take a chance.

                                   ABEL
            Answer my question.

                                   MAN
            There are no guarantees.

                                   ABEL
            I understand that.

                                   MAN
            But you don't accept it.

                                   ABEL
            I just need.

  MAN
            You need a sure thing, and there isn't one.

                                   ABEL
            That is not what this is about.  

                                   MAN
            Yes it is.

                                   ABEL
            Look, why do some people find happiness while others don't?

                                   MAN
            You have to found the key.

                                   ABEL
            What Key?

                                   MAN
It's a key that opens the doors to life. Some rooms are filled with sadness, and some are filled with joy.  The key gives you an option, it gives you a choice.    You have to keep searching....  It's the journey.   The destination is the same for all men.  It's the
journey that gives us meaning, and allows us time to change, to laugh and ultimately to heal. 

                                   ABEL
            I've been searching my whole life.

                                   MAN
            I know.

                                   ABEL
            How would you know that?

                                   MAN
            I've seen every show.

                                   ABEL
            Impossible.

                                   MAN
            Why is that impossible?

                                   ABEL
Who would watch every show? ...I can't even remember the last time we had a show

                                   MAN
            You play every night.

                                   ABEL
            We can't.

                                   MAN
            I have to go.

                                   ABEL
            No, wait.   There's something else.

MAN
            There is?

                                   ABEL
This key, what about the people who never find it.  What happens to them? 
                               MAN
Nothing, they just live their lives.  They stand still.  They become surrounded with whatever happens to surround them.  By not making decisions, they allow others to make decisions for them.  

                                   ABEL
            But I thought.

                                   MAN
            It's no great victory to live a life.  

                                   ABEL
            It must be.  It's all there is.  

                                   MAN
            The unexamined life is not worth living.

                                   ABEL
            What makes you so sure?

                                   MAN
I fell along the way and I had to move forward. I had no choice. The past, or that stuff that was placed around me was killing me.  It wasn't mine and I had to get away from it.

                                   Pause
It's a journey, the end is not important.  It's the middle, that makes a life.  

                                   ABEL
            I still don’t understand.

                                   MAN
            I know.

                                   LIGHTS DOWN

            RACHEL IS ALONE IN THE ROOM.  SHE IS SITITNG

                                   Director pushes through the door

                                   DIRECTOR
            Can you believe that?

                                   RACHEL
            Get out.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I have to get rid of him.

                                   RACHEL
            I said get out.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I have to figure this out.

                                   RACHEL
            What are you talking about?

                                   DIRECTOR
            I am talking about the stranger. 

                                   RACHEL
            Talk about him somewhere else.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            How can you be so complacent?

                                 RACHEL
            Practice.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Why is he here?

                                   RACHEL
            He wants to be a clown.

                                   DIRECTOR
            He doesn't want to be a clown.  

                                   RACHEL
            That's what he said.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Who wants to be clown? 

                                   PAUSE
            There is something more to this, I've met him before.  

                                   RACHEL
            Ignore him like you do everyone else.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            He was different then. 

                                   PAUSE
            I am sure I know him.  

                                   RACHEL
            What are you talking about? 

                                   DIRECTOR
     He was different, he was younger and it wasn't here.  
                                   RACHEL
            Just get out.

                                   DIRECTOR
Just give me some time.

Rachel
Always wanting something
Director
 People just don’t show up out of the blue.
Rachel
He scares you.

Director
He intrigues me.
Rachel
You can’t control him like you can every thing else.
Director 
He was younger then.
Rachel
Weren’t we all.
Director.
No, that’s not possible
Rachel 
What are you talking about?
Director

No it couldn’t be, that’s impossible.  Not enough time has passed.  He would still be...   

                                   RACHEL
            Why are you still here?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Listen to me, do not leave this room.

                                   RACHEL
            You’re insane.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm trying to protect you.  

                                   RACHEL
            Don’t  make me laugh... More lies it’s just more lies.

                                   DIRECTOR
            He will hurt you.

                                   RACHEL
            I’m leaving.

                                   DIRECTOR
Who do you think he really is?

                                   RACHEL
            Who?

                                   DIRECTOR
            What do you mean who?  The Goddamn guy talking to the clown.

                                   RACHEL
            Didn't you ask him?

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm exhausted.

 RACHEL
            Then get some rest.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Why are you doing this?

                                   RACHEL
            Why are you getting so worked up?

                                   DIRECTOR
            I have to lie down.

                                   RACHEL
            It’s is a big floor.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Leave me alone.

  RACHEL
            It's good for the back

                                   DIRECTOR
            Why are you being like this?

                                   RACHEL
            I have had a good teacher.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm wasting my time.

                                   RACHEL
            Poor thing.

                                   DIRECTOR
There is a lot you don't know, there is a lot you don't want to know.

                                   RACHEL
            Is that right?

                                   DIRECTOR
I'll go talk to him, I'll see what he wants.

                                   RACHEL
            Why are you so afraid of him?

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm not afraid of anyone. Open your eyes.  

                                   RACHEL
            I sleep with them open.   

                                   DIRECTOR
            He's not a stranger.

                                   RACHEL
            You're the stranger. 

   DIRECTOR
Do you think this is easy?  Do you think I like directing the people on this stage? Have you stopped to consider, that if you, or one of your friends were capable of leading I wouldn't have to. Have you ever thought about that?  No you haven't, because to accept that, would be to accept that you're inadequate.  You are all so bloody
            inadequate.

RACHEL
Where have you led us?  Look where we are.  Great leader.  Great leaders don't hide from the past.  

                                   DIRECTOR
Here we go.  Here we fucking go.  Why are you bringing this up now? Jesus...   OK.  OK.  His name was Ben, Are you happy.  Are you fucking happy. Or was it Josh, maybe it was Steven.  Does it matter.  Does it really matter.  That’s done.    

                                   RACHEL
            How does it feel?

                                   DIRECTOR
            How does what feel?

                                   RACHEL
            To be worn out.  To be all used up.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            It is only temporary.

                                   RACHEL
            All you do is tear people apart.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm losing my....

                                   RACHEL
            You’re what.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Nothing, I'm losing nothing.

                                   RACHEL
            You have already lost.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What have I lost?

                                   RACHEL
            Everything on this stage.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I still love you.

 RACHEL
This has never been about me.  Do you really want to know what happened that night?  Do you?

                                   DIRECTOR
            No.

                                   RACHEL
It was hate, but don't flatter yourself I didn't hate you, I hated myself. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            You did nothing wrong.

RACHEL
            I did nothing all right. 

                                   Pause

                                   RACHEL (CONT'D)
I was indifferent.

Director
There was nothing anyone could have done.
Rachel
I’m haunted by his cries.  Do you know what it’s like for a women to be haunted by the cries of a child, do you.. of course you don’t.. How could you?  How could you understand? Your so fucking rational so godamn calculating.  You think that’s a strength to keep the world at bay, to keep people at bay.  To keep yourself at bay.

Director:
I do what needs to be done.

Rachel:
You do what you need to do alright.  But at what cost?  Look around , we’re alone.  There is nothing here.  A table, a lamp.  Nothing more.  There is nothing here.  The clown is right.  He somehow understands this.  No joy, no life.  Everything is gone.  Open your eyes.  There is nothing left.  

Director:
We’re here.  You and I.  We’ve survived.  

Rachel:

Survived?  Survived what?  And at what cost?  My sanity, my dreams, there is no love here.  Darkness is all that we have.  Your survival has placed you in a dark room with nothing but a godamn lamp.  You’ve survived alright.

Director:
This is temporary.  I’m going to take care of you, and I’m going to make all this alright.  Don’t you understand that.

Rachel:
Get that baby, climb into that godamn river and take him by the hand and hold him up, protect him, protect him godamn you.  The water is so cold.  Grab his little hand and hold him, place yourself in harms way.  Go on, grab his little hand, hold onto his little hand, his little fingers.  He was so small, he was so innocent.  He was a baby, a boy a  child,  He looked to us, He needed us.  But we’ve survived we got the trophy.    and the award goes to…   and here to accept the lamp is Rachel a women of strength a women of virtue.  

Director:

There is no river.  There was never a river.

Rachel:

I’m so empty, and I’m cold.  But I’ve survived. Thank God I’ve survived.  

Director:

You didn’t do anything that night.
Pause
            You didn't know, no-one knew.

                                   RACHEL
            I knew something was wrong.

                                   DIRECTOR
Stop  blaming  yourself, leave it alone.  Leave it in the past where it belongs. It no longer matters.  
                                   DIRECTOR
            Goddamn it Rachel things have not changed.

                                   RACHEL
            Do you remember I told you about my Aunt Sarah?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Yes

                                   RACHEL
            I lied.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Is this important?

                                   RACHEL
I lied when I said that she felt peace in her life.  In truth she became very bitter towards the end of her life.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Rachel.

                                   RACHEL
She hated everyone, and everything, and this hatred or bitterness consumed her.  In a perverse way it was all she had left.  No-one would visit her near the end.  She would just go on and on about the deceit of God and the fear of man.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Stop this

 RACHEL
You see what she really believed was that man was a scared little animal, no braver than a rabbit trapped in a hole.   And that GOD, had abandoned her.  This God like man,  had failed to act.

                                   DIRECTOR
God doesn't know I'm here, we've never talked. Your God doesn’t know my name. 

                                   RACHEL
                          (Not listening)
It was the Goddamn Doctor and Chaplain telling her that this somehow had meaning, and that her husband had moved on to a better place.  She knew that she would never find meaning, and yet she listened to their empty words.  They were consoling themselves, comforting themselves!  They were the ones who couldn't accept the nothingness, not my Aunt Sarah.  She use to say man was a scared little rabbit, a scared little rabbit running from hole to hole. Always afraid, always in fear of it's Goddamn precious little life.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Are you talking about me? Is that story about me?

                                   RACHEL
            Why would you think that?

                                   DIRECTOR
Bullshit.  I'm just living my life.  Day to Day.  I make the best of what was is put in front of me.  I make my own luck. I struggle and I survive.  OK, so I haven't  always been a great guy, sure I've  made mistakes.  But do I deserve this? do I deserve you? 
            All I've done, all I've worked for. 

                                   PAUSE
One day out of a life does not change a man.  Can't you see that.  Why can't you see that?  A moment in time, is only that,  a moment, a point on a line.  You have to move on.  The past is where it should be.  It is where it belongs.  It is behind us.  

                                   RACHEL
                          (very calm))
That's your problem isn't it.  You've never seen what's been happening  around you. And now it's about to change. You took it for granted.  Do you honestly believe I could ever love a coward like you.  I slept you because I didn't matter, and If I didn't
            matter either did you.

                                   DIRECTOR
            All this time you felt nothing?  

                                   RACHEL
            You still don't get it do you? I can feel when I hurt. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            Rachel.

                                   RACHEL
You may pretend to be naive, but I now know that you sensed this all along.  No you weren't there when this hatred began, no that happened a long time ago.  But you did sense it, and like a good friend you took this as a weakness, and with a weakness
            we all know their is opportunity.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I've taken nothing for granted.

                                   RACHEL
            You've taken everything that was ever put in front of you.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I would stop it if I were you.

                                   RACHEL
            What does that mean?

                                   DIRECTOR
            I would just stop it right there.

                                   RACHEL
            Is that a threat.

                                   DIRECTOR
            There's allot you don't know.

                                   RACHEL
            Enlighten me.

                                   DIRECTOR
It's not important.  What's done is done, I make no apologies.  I did what I had to do.

                                   RACHEL
            At the expense of others, always at the expense of someone else.

            KANE SITTING IN HIS ROOM QUIETLY HUMMING.

                                   Enter Sweeper.

                                   SWEEPER
            Hello.

                                   KANE
            Hello.

                                   SWEEPER
            Would you mind if I cleaned up a little?

                                   KANE
            Suit yourself.

                                   SWEEPER
            How's the show going

                                   KANE
            It's alright.

                                   SWEEPER
            That's good

                                   KANE
            I suppose.

                                   SWEEPER
            OK then.

                                   KANE
            How is the job going?

                                   SWEEPER
            It's OK, steady work.  I can't complain.

                                   KANE
            Lucky you.

                                   SWEEPER
            What's it like being a clown?

                                   KANE 
            I love it, you should consider it.

                                   SWEEPER
            I'm happy doing this.

                                   KANE
            Good benefits.

                                   SWEEPER
            Wouldn't know.

                                   KANE
            How's that?

                                   SWEEPER
            I've never been sick.

                                   KANE
            Never?

                                   SWEEPER
            Never.

                                   KANE
            Take good care of yourself eh?

                                   SWEEPER
            No, not really.

                                   KANE
            I see.

                                   SWEEPER
            Where is your friend?

                                   KANE
            You mean the other clown.

                                   SWEEPER
            He seems to be always working.

 KANE
            He's a professional.

                                   SWEEPER
            He sure is.

                                   KANE
            How long have you worked here?

                                   SWEEPER
            Long as I can remember.

                                   KANE
            That long eh?

                                   SWEEPER
            Doesn't really seem that long.

                                   KANE
            It doesn't.?

                                   SWEEPER
            No not really.

                                   KANE
            Are you married, any kids?

                                   SWEEPER
            Four.  Three boys and a girl.

                                   KANE
            You're a lucky man.

                                   SWEEPER
            The wife wanted them.

                                   KANE
            Are you stopping there?

                                   SWEEPER
            No, I've got the whole room to do.

                                   KANE
            With having children?

                                   SWEEPER
            Don't know.

                                   KANE
            Really.

                                   SWEEPER
            Who can tell.

                                   KANE
            Oh.

                                   SWEEPER
            Have you noticed it hasn't rained in a while

                                   KANE
            Pardon.

                                   SWEEPER
            It's been a while since it rained.

                                   KANE
            Really?

                                   SWEEPER
            It's been quite dry.

                                   KANE
            Do you have a garden?

                                   SWEEPER
            No.

                                   KANE
            Oh.

                                   SWEEPER
            (walking off)
            We sure could use some rain.

                                   KANE
            Do you live on a farm?

                                   SWEEPER
            (Looking back at Kane)
            No, I live in town.

                                   KANE
            Then why your interest in the rain?

                                   SWEEPER
            It cools things off.

                                   KANE
            It's only temporary.

                                   SWEEPER
            What do you mean?

                                   KANE
            Well, it doesn't last long.

                                   SWEEPER
            What doesn't?

                                   KANE
            The cooling off.

            ABEL AND MAN AT TWO OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE STAGE.

                                   Both Abel and Man are motionless.  

                                   ABEL
            Where would I live?  Could I just live anywhere I want?

                                   MAN
            For the most part, yes.

                                   ABEL
            No restrictions.

                                   MAN
            You probably wouldn't notice them.

                                   Rachel hurriedly enters.  

                                   RACHEL
                          (To Man)
            Thank God you're still here.

                                   ABEL
                          (Interrupting)
            Rachel I thought you were with...

                                   RACHEL
            I was,  Kane needs to see you.

                                   ABEL
            Can it wait?

                                   RACHEL
            He said it was  urgent.

                                   ABEL
                          (To Man)
            I'll be right back. (Abel leaves)

                                   RACHEL
                          (To Man)
            Are you staying?

                                   MAN
            Well it depends on your friend there.

                                   RACHEL
            How can that be?

                                   MAN
            Well he's the one wearing the costume.

                                   RACHEL
It isn't really a costume.  For it to be costume wouldn't he have to change out of it every once and a while.

                                   MAN
            If I stay, I'll need a part, a role.  I will require a costume.  

                                   RACHEL
            What's wrong with what you're wearing?

                                   MAN
            These are just regular clothes.

                                   RACHEL
            You could be the regular guy.

                                   MAN
            What would he do?

                                   RACHEL
            Regular things.

                                   MAN
            Sounds exciting. 

                                   RACHEL
            It could be.

                                   PAUSE
            So who are you, really?  

                                   MAN
            Just a man.

                                   RACHEL
            Well where are you from “Mr. Just a man.”

                                   MAN
            Small town middle of no-where.

                                   RACHEL
            Sounds very mysterious..

                                   MAN
            You think so?

                                   RACHEL
            Oh I don't know.  What about you're family?  Or were you an orphan?

                                   MAN
            No I'm an only child.  Dad has passed away, Mom never remarried.

                                   RACHEL
            Were you close? 

                                   MAN
To my dad?  Oh I suppose in a father and son way.  I loved him.  I still do.

                                   RACHEL
            You must miss him.

                                   MAN
Everyday.  Every single day. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him.  He was a good man. 

                                   RACHEL
            What made him a good man?

                                   MAN
He always made time for me.  I was his best friend.  We went through quite a bit me and the old boy.

                                   RACHEL
            Sounds nice.

                                   MAN
It was.  We had our moments that's for sure, but we always knew who we were.

                                   RACHEL
            What do you mean?

                                   MAN
Well,  we were father and son.  Pretty simple really, but it was important to us.

                                   RACHEL
            Doesn't sound simple.

                                   MAN
            Oh, I don't know... 

                                   RACHEL
            Do you have children?

                                   MAN
            No, I don't have kids.  I've never settled down.  

                                   RACHEL
            There's still time.

                                   MAN
I've always been a no strings attached kind of guy.  I've always been afraid of those strings. Always afraid I would get tangled in them. 

                                   RACHEL
            You can't run away from commitment your whole life.

                                   MAN
            Oh I’m not running.   

                                   RACHEL
            Tell me a story. 

                                   MAN
            What kind of story?

                                   RACHEL
            A story that has nothing to do with this stage.

                                   PAUSE
            Something I've never heard before.

                                   MAN
            I don't know many stories.

                                   RACHEL
You must, and it has to be true.  I've have enough fiction in my life.

                                   MAN
            The truth?  Are you sure?

                                   RACHEL
            I think I can handle the truth.

                                   MAN
Here's something I read.  It was written by a Russian and it's about a young boy who lives a life of poverty and despair.  He lives in a time when the people of Russia have barely enough to eat and their children go hungry.  He grows up scared of the world around him but he's a young boy and he has dreams. One day as he passes a tavern
with his father he notices an old broken down horse.  The horse is in dreadful pain. So the young boy rushes to it's side.  But his father pulls him away. As the young boy is being led away he notices a man leaving the tavern and approaching the mare. And this lifts his heart, because he believes that the man will help the horse, show it some type of compassion.  Comfort.. But the owner is drunk, and he begins to beat the horse.  He stands there and whips the poor animal.  The poor boy begins to cry, and he attempts  to run to the horse, to protect this poor animal. But his father holds
him back.  When it appears to the boy that the horse is about to collapse, the poor beast lets out a final act of courage, an act of defiance.  The horse stands firm and wails.  The horse just stands there and wails.  This  however angers the owner, so he picks up an axe from his cart and hacks the horse to death.  Crying, the boy asks his  father why he let this happen, to which the father responds because he is drunk, and it is none of our business.

                                   RACHEL
            What about the boy?

                                   MAN
            The boy?

                                   RACHEL
            What happens to the boy?

                                   MAN
            The boy grows up and murders an old women and her idiot sister.

                                   RACHEL
            That's horrible.

                                   PAUSE

                                   RACHEL
            Life is not like that.

                                   MAN
            That depends on whose life you are living.

                                   RACHEL
            What do you mean?

                                   MAN
For some the killing of a horse is a mere inconvenience, for others an unspeakable act of cruelty.

                                   RACHEL
            Inconvenience? The killing a defenceless animal, an inconvenience?  

                                   MAN
            One never knows how  man will react.

 RACHEL
            Why did you tell me that story?

                                   MAN
            It's just a story.

                                   RACHEL
            That's not a story it's a nightmare.

                                   MAN
            I thought you wanted to hear the truth.

RACHEL
Flowers growing in gardens, couples going for long winter walks, that's truth.  Not drunkards killing horses.

                                   PAUSE

                                   RACHEL
            I don't want to hear any more of your stories.

                                   MAN
            There's one more I need to tell you.

                                   RACHEL
            I'm not interested.

                                   MAN
            I'm sorry I upset you.

                                   RACHEL
            I thought you were different.

                                   MAN
            Who did you want me to be?

                                   RACHEL
            I wanted you to be the perfect stranger.

                                   MAN
            I'm far from perfect and I'm not a stranger
                                   RACHEL

            I thought you might pretend.

                                   MAN
            There's still time.

                                   RACHEL
            I have to go.

                                   Abel enters the stage.  

                                   ABEL
            What's happening here?

                                   RACHEL
                          (Interrupting)
            We've been talking.  

                                   ABEL
            About what?

                                   RACHEL
            Ask your friend.

                                   ABEL
            Have you told her?

                                   MAN
            No.

                                   RACHEL
            Told me what?

                                   ABEL
            Nothing.

                                   RACHEL
            What haven't you told me?

                                   ABEL
            Rachel, please.  This doesn't concern you.

                                   RACHEL
            Tell me what doesn't concern me?

                                   MAN
            A switch.

                                   RACHEL
            A what?

                                   MAN
I have offered him the opportunity to switch places with me, to take my place out there.

                                   RACHEL
            Is that possible?

                                   MAN
            I think so.

                                   ABEL
            Rachel it's a wonderful opportunity for everyone.

                                   RACHEL
            How does your leaving benefit me?

                                   ABEL
I'm tired Rachel.  I'm of no use to anyone on this stage.  With fresh performers the play will come alive again.  

                                   RACHEL
            You're not the only one who's tired.

                                   ABEL
Rachel I have to act everyday.  It's one big performance I can't escape. 

                                   RACHEL
            Is that right?

                                   ABEL
            I thought you would understand.

                                   RACHEL
            I'm beginning too.

                                   PAUSE
            Do you love me Abel?

                                   ABEL
            You know that I do.

                                   RACHEL
            Then let me go.

                                   ABEL
            What?

                                   RACHEL
            If you love me, and you care for me let me leave here tonight.  

                                   ABEL
            That's not possible.

                                   RACHEL
            Why isn't it possible?

                                   ABEL
            It just isn't, that's why.

                                   RACHEL
            What if it were?

                                   ABEL
                          (To Man)
            Tell her it's not possible.

                                   MAN
            Anything is possible.  

                                   ABEL
            We had a deal.

                                   MAN
            It doesn't matter..

                                   ABEL
            What are you talking about?

                                   MAN
            It was an opportunity and now it's gone.

                                   ABEL
            I needed some time.

                                   PAUSE
            Rachel why are you doing this?

                                   RACHEL
            Because I want to.

                                   ABEL
            You're not being fair.

                                   RACHEL
            I keep hearing that. You're all the same.

                                   ABEL
            What do you mean we're all the same?  

                                   RACHEL
            It's only fair when your winning.  

                                   ABEL
I've never won anything my whole life,  I've spent my whole life losing.  Giving in.

                                   RACHEL
                          (interrupting)
Listen to yourself.  Losing.  Haven't you seen what I've been going through up here. I'm sick of walking around with this mattress strapped to my back and this meter stuck to my chest.

                                   ABEL
            There's no mattress stuck to your back.

                                   RACHEL
            Don't pretend you've never noticed.  

                                   ABEL
            I've tried to help.

                                   RACHEL
Is that right? You've only helped yourself, just like everybody else.  Oh, you've been sympathetic, but how has that helped me. 
Sure it's eased your conscience, but how has it helped me.  All     you're questioning and supposed good intentions. Well here's your chance. 

                                   ABEL
            Listen to me.

                                   RACHEL
            Just make up your mind, one way or the other.

                                   ABEL
            I'm the one he asked, it's my opportunity.

                                   RACHEL
            I thought so.  You're a coward.  

                                   ABEL
            I'm not a coward.

                                   RACHEL
            You've been a coward your whole little life.

                                   ABEL
            That's not fair.

                                   RACHEL
            You're a coward today, just like you were that day years ago.  

                                   ABEL
            What are you talking about?

                                   RACHEL
            You know what I'm talking about.

                                   ABEL
            I have no idea what you talking about.

                                   RACHEL
            Don't bullshit me, you know what I’m talking about.
Abel:
I swear I don’t
Rachel
Your still hiding.
Abel
I have no idea what your talking about.   
Rachel

            You were hiding behind the door.
                                   PAUSE
            Did you think I couldn't see you?  I saw you alright.

                                   ABEL
            I have no idea what you are talking about.

                                   RACHEL
            You were both there.

                                   ABEL
            Where? Where was I?

                                   RACHEL
You and that other clown were behind the door.  I could hear you breathing. You were cowering  from behind the door. 

                                   ABEL
            Door?

                                   RACHEL
I don't remember allot from that evening, but I remember there were two grown men ... two clowns hiding behind a door.  What I can't remember is those men doing anything to protect that  little boy.

                                   ABEL
            Please stop.... 

                                   RACHEL
You make me laugh.  Please stop.  Please stop.  What a pathetic  joke you are.  IS it coming back to you now ?  You haven’t forgotten? You just choose to live in a world of denial.   

                                   ABEL
            I didn't know.

                                   RACHEL
            You didn't know what?

                                   ABEL
            I didn't know what to do... We couldn't be seen.

                                   RACHEL
Couldn't be seen.... two grown men hiding behind a door.  What were you doing behind that door?  What was so Goddamn important that you couldn't be seen.

                                   ABEL
            I would have been ruined.  My life would have been over.  

                                   RACHEL
            Been a success ever since have you?

                                   ABEL
            Why didn't you say something...Why didn't you ask for help?

                                   RACHEL
You're pathetic.  Listen to yourself, twisting it and blaming it on me. I'm supposed to ask two grown men for help.  Me and a little boy , we need to ask you for help.  

                                   ABEL
            I didn't know.

                                   RACHEL
            Your a liar.

                                   ABEL
            I didn't know..

                                   PAUSE
It happened so fast, he said he was his father.  I heard him.  I heard him say it.

                                   RACHEL
            The boy was crying, he needed your help.

                                   ABEL
            He said he was his father.

                                   RACHEL
            Well we both know that wasn't true.

                                   ABEL
            I couldn't. Can't you see.

                                   RACHEL
            Oh I see alright...  Only too well.

                                   ABEL
            I've regretted it everyday of my life.   

                                   RACHEL
            Get away from me.

                                   ABEL
            It's emptied me.  

  MAN
            Why are you hurting each other ?  

                                   RACHEL
            Looks who's talking, the man with the stories.

                                   MAN
            I need to tell you something.

                                   RACHEL
            I've already heard the one about the boy and his horse.  

                                   MAN
            This one is different.

                                   RACHEL
            I'm not interested.

                                   BEN

Director rushes onto stage, interrupting Rachel and Abel. 

                                   DIRECTOR
            Rachel we need to talk.

                                   RACHEL
            Look who it is.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What has he said to you?

                                   RACHEL
            Get away from me.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What have you told her?

                                   PAUSE
            She had nothing to do with it.  

                                   RACHEL
            Nothing to do with what?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Everyone has to go.

                                   RACHEL
            What are you talking about?

                                   DIRECTOR
            You have to leave

                                   RACHEL
            You’re mad.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I love you.

                                   RACHEL
            What are you talking about?

                                   DIRECTOR
            You should leave here.  
Rachel
I’m not going anywhere.

Director:
This is about Ben, this is about everything you have been hiding from for the lat twenty years.
                                   RACHEL
       	What are you talking about?

                                   DIRECTOR
            What do you remember?

                                   RACHEL
            I can't do this.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            What do you remember?

                                   RACHEL
            I can't do this.  Not now.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            Tell me what you remember, damn you.

                                   RACHEL
            I remember that the child was taken.  I remember nothing else.

                                   DIRECTOR
            There's more. 

                                   RACHEL
There can't be. 

Director:
I knew he wasn't the father, I knew the boy was lost; I knew he was in trouble. I knew the boy was going to be hurt, to be abused, to be taken to a dark room where there would be nothing but darkness, nothing but silence, nothing but hurt.  I knew everything.    It didn’t matter then and it doesn’t matter now.  It never will, and I can’t explain that. But I know I love you , I love you I always have. The boy meant nothing to me, he still doesn’t. Damn his innocence , damn him for losing his way. 

Pause
Now you need to leave this stage.  Before it’s too late.

                                   RACHEL
            My God.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Please Rachel.    

                                   RACHEL
            Why?

     DIRECTOR
I just wanted for the kid to go away.  We were having fun, can't you remember, we never had fun.  It was the first time we we're actually enjoying ourselves.  All those years you kept pushing me away, and finally we were laughing.  Remember it was raining, do you remember the rain.. 
                                   RACHEL
            What are you saying?

                                   DIRECTOR
I knew the man was a stranger.    

Pause

I knew that moment would ultimately destroy me. 

                                   RACHEL
            You’re a Monster.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I’m just a man.

Rachel
You’re a monster

Director
It doesn’t matter to me, it never has.    

                                   RACHEL
            You'll get no pity from me.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm not asking for forgiveness.

                                   RACHEL
            You'll burn in hell for what you've done.

                                   DIRECTOR
            What does it matter?  It doesn't matter now.

                                   RACHEL
            It has mattered everyday.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Only to you.

                                   RACHEL
            And to the child, it has mattered to that child.  

                                   DIRECTOR
There is more on this stage than you know. 

                                   RACHEL
            What don't I know?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Let it go.

                                   RACHEL
            Where are your guts?

                                   DIRECTOR
            I'm leaving. 

                                   RACHEL
            You're a coward.

  DIRECTOR
I'm not the one hiding from the past, I know what I am, and I know what I’ve done.  I have destroyed, and I’ve been destroyed.  I accept it.  In fact I find comfort in it.  It’s in the open now. You can’t get through life with out scars; a person without a scar hasn’t lived a life.  Scars are the currency of the man, the more you have the richer you are.  
                                   RACHEL
            What does that mean?

                                   DIRECTOR
You only sleep at night because you've blamed everyone else.  `You            even blame the pathetic clown. 

                                   RACHEL
            What are you saying?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Nothing.

                                   RACHEL
            What do you mean I blame others? it's you that blame others.

                                   DIRECTOR
            You can't remember the truth because you were drunk.

                                   RACHEL
            You’re a liar. 
DIRECTOR

            You were always drunk. You were so drunk, you couldn't even stand. 

                                   RACHEL (CONT'D)
            More lies from the master manipulator

                                   DIRECTOR
            Ask the clown... go on ask the Goddamn clown. 

                                   RACHEL
            I don't have to ask the clown.

                                   DIRECTOR
Who is the one that won't open their eyes now?  You just told yourself a lie so often that it became the truth.  

                                   RACHEL
            I've lied to no one.

                                   DIRECTOR
You've lied to yourself… We’re all guilty.  We all had an equal hand in the destruction of that child.  That’s why were here.  

                                   PAUSE 
This isn't a play about clowns.  It's a performance of puppets and     fools.  

                                   RACHEL
            That's not possible.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Ask him then, ask the stranger.

RACHEL
            How would he know?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Because he was there.

                                   RACHEL
            He wasn't there.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            He looked different then.  
                                   BEN
            Stop this.

                                   RACHEL
            Who are you?

                                   DIRECTOR
            Stop kidding yourself.

                                   RACHEL
            Who are you?

                                   BEN
            I'm the boy who lost his way.

                                   RACHEL
            No that's impossible.

                                   BEN
            I’ve changed since then.

                                   RACHEL
            No that's impossible.

                                   PAUSE
            This isn't happening ....... you were only a little boy.

                                   BEN
            Time has moved on.

                                   RACHEL
            But you were just a little boy.

BEN
            Time doesn't always move in a straight line.

                                   RACHEL
            You were just a little boy.

                                   BEN
            I need you to listen to me.

                                   RACHEL
            Get away from me.

                                  BEN
My name is Ben we met along time ago.  

                                   RACHEL
Please stop

                                   BEN
            I need you to listen to me.

                                   RACHEL
Christ I have nothing left.  My whole life... nothingness.    And now this, and now you.  Bullshit.  You’re not Ben, that boy died.  They found the body.  He died.  We all died that day.  Get away from me. God help me.
                                   Director
It’s ironic that you’re the one asking for help.                                    
RACHEL 

             Have mercy on my soul.

                                   BEN
            I’m not here for forgiveness.

                                   RACHEL
Stop it, you’re a stranger, the boy is gone, he died, they found him.  The papers, the papers said they found him.  Who are you?  Godamn you.

Ben
Another boy, another victim.  It wasn’t me.  
Rachel
What are you saying?
Ben
The boy they found wasn’t me.  
Rachel
That’s not true
Ben
It’s true.
Rachel
But you were a boy; you should still be a boy.  It hasn’t been 20 years.
Ben
This is a stage.  Time doesn’t exist here. 

Rachel
I don’t understand
                                   DIRECTOR
What’s there to understand, he’s become the author of your misfortune.  
Rachel
The author
Director
Yes the Author.
Rachel
I can’t take this.  
                               
    BEN
            I’m only here to let go.

                                   RACHEL
Let me go
Ben
Let go of this stage, let go of the clowns, this circus.  
Rachel:
I don’t understand

                                   BEN
I have cast my shadow on this stage.  I have created this world of hurt to relieve me of my own pain.  I have held you captive amongst these fools and tyrants.  I have placed you in a world of endless misery and hurt.  

                                   RACHEL
            That’s not possible.

                                   BEN
Anything is possible within the mind of a child.  Fairy tales and    nightmares are interchangeable.  

                                   RACHEL
            No.

                                  Pause
            What about the trade, the clown.

                                   BEN
            Indecision and excuses.  I needed to be sure.  I needed to know.  

                                   RACHEL
            You needed to know what?

                                   BEN
            That this was a circle that would never break, never end.  

 DIRECTOR
            I've heard enough.

                                   BEN
            This will soon be over.

                                   DIRECTOR
Over?  This will never be over. You can’t let this go, this can’t end. 
                                   BEN
            Your only anger.  

                                   DIRECTOR
            It's not that simple.

                                   BEN
            It has to be.

                                   DIRECTOR
            You just can't forgive and move on.

                                   BEN
            I haven't forgiven you.

                                   DIRECTOR
            I destroyed you.  
                                   BEN
I've let you go.  I have been damaged, and I can't change that.  I can’t  pretend that a man didn't hurt a boy all those years ago.  But that boy is a man now.  Those scars you talk of are not a form of currency, there not the value of a man.  A man or a boy or a child, doesn’t need your scars, doesn’t need your hurt, doesn’t need your pain.  Men are children and children are men.  They are interchangeable.  We need to understand that.  What happens to the boy effects the man, and what happens to the man affects the boy.  We are one.  And it is time for this to end.

                                   DIRECTOR
            You just can't leave us here.

                                   BEN
            I don't intend to.

                                   DIRECTOR
            Then what then?

                                   BEN
It's time for you to come off this bridge.

                                   DIRECTOR
            That's not fair.

                                   BEN
Fair.  What is fair?  Has any of this been fair?  Have I been fair? Has man ever been fair?  
                                   DIRECTOR
            You just can't leave us here...  in the dark.

                                   BEN
            There is comfort in the dark.  
Director
How would you know?
Ben
I’ve spent most of my life in the dark,  in the shadows.   Shame does that to a man. Shame  becomes your comfort, it becomes your friend.  It tricks you, it’s the devil.  It convinces you that it’s a welcome guest, something you can’t live without.  But It’s lie.  

Pause

It’s time for me to move into the sun, to clear this stage of these shadows. I need to feel love.  I need to hold someone. I don’t want to be alone anymore.  I need to touch.  I need to love.                                 
     DIRECTOR
            You’re not being fair; you're not being Goddamn fair.  

Lights down

Lights Up.

                                   EPILOGUE

                                   KANE
            I see you're still not ready.

                                   ABEL
            I've never been ready.

                                   KANE
            I found your nose. 

                                   ABEL
            My nose?

                                   KANE
            It's right here.

                                   ABEL
            I won't be needing it.

                                   KANE
            How come?

                                   ABEL
            I'm not cut out to be a clown.

                                   KANE
            Sure you are.

                                   ABEL
            No, I'm not.  I'm not funny.

                                   KANE
            Clowns don't have to be funny.

                                   ABEL
            They don't?

                                   KANE
            Not necessarily.

                                   ABEL
            Have I made any difference?

                                   KANE
            A difference?

                                   PAUSE

                                   KANE
            You make my day.

                                   ABEL
            But I'm always complaining and questioning.

                                   KANE
            It's never bothered me.

                                   ABEL
            How could it not.

                                   KANE
            Here, take your nose.

            The sweeper come across the stage and brushes the dust into the bin.

End