House Among the Red Cotton (excerpt) by Zachary Clein

House Among the Red Cotton

By Zachary Clein

Character List Jackson – 23 y/o man. Cormac’s brother. Has a soft side that’s scabbed over from years of trying to harden it.

Cormac – 26 y/o man. Jackson’s brother. Is careful and fearful of every word he says, easier to avoid some things than face them.

Adrian – 24 y/o man. Jackson’s husband. Lives life as a perpetual bridge between worlds. He’s used to it at this point.

Michael – 37 y/o man. Jackson and Cormac’s father. Believes everything he does is right and won’t let anyone tell him otherwise. If they try, well, there will be consequences.

Young Jackson – 8 y/o boy. Lives life like everything is a breath of fresh air. Or at least tries to.

Young Cormac – 11 y/o boy. Wants to grow up quicker than most kids do. What’s funny is he understands better than most kids what growing up actually means.

The Pining – 20s, male. The Pining is a creature with only one desire: to cause pain. He feeds off of pain and anger, he evens inspire more of it. He loves finding more screams to add to his symphony of horror. Considers himself an entertainer.

Backup Singer – Unknown age. Man. He’s just happy to be a part of something. No matter how twisted it is.

Accompanist – 20s/30s, male. Just done with everything. Believes every writer are self-indulgent pricks. Really good at the piano.

Note: The queer roles MUST go to queer actors. Non-negotiable.

When you get to segments that say “(Insert Character Name)/THE PINING” that does not mean the two characters speak at the same time or that their voices mix. It’s more like the two become one, characteristics of both are clear but THE PINING is always the dominating personality.

For example, if it says “JACKSON/THE PINING”, then that means the actor who portrays JACKSON also plays THE PINING for that moment. It’s like THE PINING is playing a character and can’t help but show themselves from time-to-time.

YOUNG CORMAC and YOUNG JACKSON are portrayed by the same actors who portray their older counterparts.

MICHAEL and THE PINING are portrayed by the same actor who portrays ADRIAN. BACKUP SINGER is portrayed by the actor who plays CORMAC. DIRECTOR can be the actual director of the show or a hired accompanist. As long as they can play the piano and sing then either one works.

A “/” means dialogue is overlapped by a following line of dialogue.

A “–” means a character is cut off (either by another person, themselves, or another external disturbance).

An “…” indicates the character is lost in thought and/or trying to find the proper words for their situation.

Ten Page Sample: Back-Half of Scene One

Setting

Farmhouse in the middle of the rural Mississippi Delta among a cotton field.

Time

August 2004ish then August 2019ish

CORMAC I can’t say! It was just something I had to do!

JACKSON Yeah?! You had to do it? Well good on you for doin’ what you had to do Cormac ole’ boy! I’m so proud! You feel good about it?

CORMAC I couldn’t stay! It was getting worse and worse and worse! Like what he said would happen, I… What was I supposed to do?

JACKSON Looks like you did it!

CORMAC I was eleven!

(Now up in each other’s faces) JACKSON I WAS EIGHT! (The red glow gets deeper and closer to them) CORMAC I remember. But… I couldn’t stay.

JACKSON Uh huh. That doesn’t explain how you weren’t even man enough to tell me in person.

CORMAC I(As JACKSON speaks the red glow circles them even more, almost like it’s dancing, slowly but surely engulfing them. As JACKSON’s fury grows, so does the horrifying presence they are completely unaware of) JACKSON Do you know what that was like? Wakin’ up and not even knowin’ it was gonna happen. Wakin’ up the next mornin’ and… you were gone./ No explanation. No idea what happened. Lord knows daddy wouldn’t give me anythin’ to work with! All I knew was… you were gone./ Gone for fifteen fuckin’ years. Not so much as a phone call or a letter or fuckin’ carrier pigeon or/… anythin’. At least mama had the gall to say goodbye.

CORMAC (The first interruption) Jackson.

(Second, slightly more desperate, interruption) Please listen to me!

(Third, defeated interruption) I– CORMAC (After JACKSON finishes) Jackson, I– ADRIAN (Offstage) Dinner’s ready!!!

(The red glow dissipates. All is back to normal. ADRIAN enters carrying a tray of tofu burritos.

Notices the tense situation between CORMAC and JACKSON) ADRIAN Everythin’ okay?

JACKSON Everythin’s fine.

(Goes to ADRIAN) JACKSON These look great baby. I’ll get some plates.

(Gives ADRIAN a kiss on the cheek. JACKSON exits) ADRIAN What… what was that about?

CORMAC Nothing worth saying. Umm… thanks for your hospitality Adrian. Really. Jackson is really lucky to have a guy like you in his life. I think I’m gonna go.

ADRIAN Are you sure?

CORMAC Yeah, it’s not healthy for me to be here. So… I’ll head on. See you both at the service tomorrow.

ADRIAN Okay, be careful on the road. Looks like it’s I’ foggy out there.

(CORMAC nods and grabs his suitcase to exit) ADRIAN Cormac.

(CORMAC stops) ADRIAN Give it time. These things need it.

(CORMAC wants to say something. Anything. But the words don’t come. He exits. JACKSON enters carrying two plates and two glasses) JACKSON He leave?

ADRIAN Yeah.

(JACKSON lets out a heavy breath that lifts a giant weight off his shoulders. ADRIAN gently rubs his back) JACKSON God, I’ve been holdin’ that in all night.

ADRIAN I could tell. Haven’t seen you that tense since you introduced me to your father as your boyfriend and not your study partner.

JACKSON Remember how well that went?

ADRIAN I’ll carry it with me into senility.

JACKSON You made a terrible study partner anyway. At least bein’ boyfriends meant there was a reason you were so distractin’. Daddy never really knew what went on with those “study sessions”, did he?

(ADRIAN groans and slaps him across the arm. JACKSON sets the table) JACKSON I had a feelin’ he’d leave.

ADRIAN I figured. You only brought out two sets to eat with. You’re not telepathic so I guess you were playin’ a game of chance. Weren’t you?

JACKSON Please babe, not now.

ADRIAN Jackson, I’ve held my tongue on this stuff for a long time. But I know you. And I know this has been eatin’ at you for years. You need to speak with your brother.

JACKSON Why should I? ADRIAN For one he’s probably the best chance you have of havin’ some family you can count on. There’s no good middle ground with pretty much anyone else in it. Either they’re jackasses or strangers!

JACKSON He’s a stranger too.

ADRIAN He’s also your brother.

JACKSON I still have Aunt Lou-Anne.

ADRIAN Prime example of a jackass. I mean family who won’t try turnin’ a pitcher of regular water into holy water as soon as we enter the house.

JACKSON Why now? Can’t it wait?

ADRIAN I don’t think so. Cause another thing I know about you is you love procrastinatin’. And this is somethin’ that doesn’t need that. He was tryin’ Jackson. Sure he’s an awkward fella but he was tryin’. Give him a chance.

JACKSON Adria–

ADRIAN I’m just sayin’, it might do you both some good to actually talk. At the very least it’ll give you some closure. Fifteen years is a very long time honey.

JACKSON You were listenin’?

ADRIAN Heard the tail-end of it.

JACKSON When did I fall in love with a spy?

ADRIAN The CIA really missed out.

(The two share a sweet, flirty moment) JACKSON I hear ya. And I’ll think about it. Right now I’m just focused on I’ through tomorrow. Let’s get daddy put to rest then… we can start figurin’ other stuff out.

ADRIAN Amen to that. Lord I can’t wait to put this whole chapter behind us. We can finally leave this Godforsaken town. Really start our life together.

(ADRIAN lovingly takes JACKSON’s hand but there’s something with how JACKSON is reacting to this) ADRIAN What now?

JACKSON Nothin’ I– ADRIAN Come on.

JACKSON Now’s not the time to talk about it– ADRIAN About what?

(JACKSON remains silent. ADRIAN gets a tad graver) ADRIAN Jackson, what do you have to say?

JACKSON I… I just think we should take some time before talkin’ about a big move is all.

ADRIAN Oh. Okay. Umm, what makes you say that?

JACKSON I’m… I just don’t think I’m ready. This was my home, you know? I need more time with it.

ADRIAN Okay. I… I understand.

JACKSON Really? I get it if– ADRIAN Actually, no. I don’t. I’m sorry Jackson. I’m here for you, you know that, but I can’t keep this to myself. I want to leave this place. I want to leave so bad, you have no idea. You might be comfortable stayin’ here knowin’ someone might leave a “present” on our doorstep. Maybe this time the shit will be on fire. One out of five ain’t bad, huh?

JACKSON Adrian– ADRIAN I get up every mornin’ in time to see the sun rise from beyond those fields. At first it’s pretty but then… I don’t know. It’s another reminder I’m stuck here. Playin’ some useless role just to keep people in this forsaken community happy. To avoid a fifth bag if possible. It’s not pretty anymore. It’s not even a field to me. It’s… it’s a ghost. And… nevermind. Nevermind.

JACKSON No, baby, please tell– ADRIAN Take a bite of the burrito, I wanna see if the tofu is fried enough.

(JACKSON, slightly jarred from the shift, catches up)

JACKSON You do realize fryin’ things defeats the health benefits, right?

ADRIAN It’s tofu. Doesn’t matter.

(The two fill their plates then a loud thud from outside distracts them) ADRIAN What was that?

JACKSON I don’t know.

(JACKSON grabs a fire poker and slowly moves towards the door. ADRIAN, right behind him, grabs another fire poker)

ADRIAN (Quietly) Be careful.

(Another thud, this time louder, closer) JACKSON (Quietly) Stay back.

(They get closer to the door, fire pokers raised and ready when… CORMAC bursts through the door, sweaty and dirty. They all scream) ADRIAN OH MY GOD! JACKSON Cormac?!?! What are you doin’?

CORMAC (Terrifyingly quiet) Ther- there’s something out there.

JACKSON What?

CORMAC THERE’S SOMETHIN’ OUT THERE!!!

ADRIAN (Comfortingly) Cormac calm down, everythin’s okay. Take a seat.

(ADRIAN helps the rattled CORMAC over to the couch. JACKSON peeks out the window to see if there’s anything there, doesn’t see anything. Just a thick mist) JACKSON What you say was out there?

CORMAC I… I don’t know.

(JACKSON looks out the window again. Nothing) ADRIAN (to JACKSON) See anythin’?

JACKSON It’s a little misty but nothin’ seems out of the ordinary.

(JACKSON makes a move to the door) CORMAC Don’t go outside! It’s not safe.

JACKSON Why? What happened?

CORMAC I… I don’t know how to describe it. It… it was huge! Like it was human but… also not.

(JACKSON reaches an epiphany, CORMAC’s lost it) JACKSON Oh God. (CORMAC stands up) CORMAC I know it sounds crazy but it’s true! It’s true! It was gigantic and… I was on the road when the mist got really heavy. Really thick. I couldn’t see anything, then…

ADRIAN Then what Cormac?

CORMAC It came out of nowhere. It jumped on top of the car and started ripping the roof to shreds. I tried swerving back and forth to shake it off but it wouldn’t get loose. Then… then I slammed into a tree and I guess it got scared off or something cause it… it was gone. The car wouldn’t start up so I left it and booked it back here as fast as possible.

JACKSON This is ridiculous.

CORMAC It’s true! How can you not believe me?! I was barely off the property when it happened! Didn’t you hear it?

ADRIAN We didn’t hear a thing Cormac.

CORMAC What?!

ADRIAN It’s been completely quiet. Up until you showed up that is.

CORMAC So you’re telling me you didn’t hear the crash? Or it tearing into the car? Or… any of it?!

(ADRIAN shakes his head. JACKSON remains stoic. CORMAC reels from this, he was so close, they should’ve heard) CORMAC Jackson, I… JACKSON I really don’t wanna hear it. I swear Cormac if you just wanted to stay then just fuckin’ stay! No need to go through all this bullshit.

CORMAC I’m telling the truth! Something is out there! Why would I make this up?!

JACKSON Why should we believe you?!

CORMAC I’m your brother!

JACKSON You’re a stranger!

(Dead silence. JACKSON feels a little shame but hides it. CORMAC shatters. The red glow returns deeper than ever) JACKSON You lied to us about there bein’ a hotel, why should we believe you now?

ADRIAN Jackson, please, let’s just calm down and be rational. That’s a big leap to make. So– CORMAC At least I’m tryin’ to make an effort here! It was clear the moment you stepped through that door you’ve been itchin’ for a fight. You don’t wanna talk cause talkin’ implies you’re listenin’! So just tell me what I can do to ease your fragile ego already cause whatever’s out there won’t give a shit that’s for sure!

JACKSON There is not a single fuckin’ thing you can do! You are nothin’ but a sad, lonely, COWARDLY little man and I want nothin’ to do with you!!!

(CORMAC punches JACKSON in the jaw. CORMAC tries to stand his ground. JACKSON swings back, hits CORMAC straight in the jaw as well. They lunge at each other and are full on fighting. The haunting red light engulfs everyone) ADRIAN STOP IT! (The lights flicker with the sound of faint, heavy footsteps getting closer. Closer. And closer!

ADRIAN notices this and runs to the window. JACKSON and CORMAC are still fighting.

ADRIAN looks outside and sees it, his eyes flood with fear) ADRIAN Guys.

(The steps get closer) ADRIAN GUYS! STOP!

(The footsteps get closer again) ADRIAN THER(ADRIAN runs to JACKSON and CORMAC. JACKSON has CORMAC on the floor below him and rears back for a big punch when the sound of a monstrous wail makes the lights pop and go out. There are a few more steps and then‌ the red glow returns with the silhouette of an almost humanoid creature covering the space through the window, its shadow a horrifying presence among the red light. It looks around. Releases a terrifying scream. A scream full of anguish. The anguish of losing its humanity. Or the anguish of never having humanity. A scream that is so haunting the world is lost in its pain. The men cover their ears and try to stay quiet. The TV flickers then pops. Darkness) THE PINING And‌ scene.