march 1, 2019 draft
68
(DUCH kind of kicks the drum kit over to the side messily) DUCH gone. (the stage management team moves the instruments/equipment to the side) DUCH that's right. there we go. my cadres. i have cadres! aren't they great? the black, it looks good on everyone! we have taken our brief pause and now we are in the hands of pol pot and the khmer rouge! our great utopian experiment is now underway. welcome to the year zero. and what does that mean, this year zero? well! (DUCH pulls out the show program, consults the long list he wrote on the back of it, puts on his glasses) DUCH no phones no pagers no photography, technology, or recording devices of any kind no artists, intellectuals, or capitalists no hospitals, no schools, no factories no banks, money, religion, or holidays no glasses —except for these— no electricity (the house lights dim) DUCH —(to the booth) thank you!— personal property? nyet! individual feelings? nein. your children are now our children. your snacks are now our snacks. and most of all: no music. (silence. ahhhhh. DUCH checks the progress on stage. where are the actors? are they in their places?) DUCH