LYDIA & THE TROLL (excerpt) by Justin Huertas

LYDIA

& THE TROLL Book, Music, and Lyrics by Justin Huertas Co-Created and Directed by Ameenah Kaplan

Commissioned by Seattle Rep Workshopped in The Other Season, Seattle Rep, November 2017 Workshopped with Seattle Rep, June 2018 Table Read in Cleveland, OH, with Seattle Rep, July 2019 Workshopped with Seattle Rep, December 2019

REHEARSAL DRAFT: 3/8/2020

CURRENT CONTACT: Justin Huertas Playwright, Composer-Lyricist 425-293-6448 justinwritesmusicals@gmail.com

LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

LIST OF CHARACTERS LYDIA, Black, singer-songwriter, with a wistful hope that combats her resignation PETE, white, Lydia’s boyfriend, an executive assistant at Amazon, tightly wound JANE, any race, singer-songwriter, a cool and seductive stranger

SETTING Present Day Seattle neighborhoods, Mostly Fremont, but also Tractor Tavern in Ballard and then Columbia City Theatre in Columbia City.

NOTES FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT (SO FAR) As of June 2018, shadow puppetry and projection screens may be used to tell more fantastical story elements such as troll-human transformations. For now, stage directions will reflect the story being told not the mode by which the story will be told.

Musical arrangements and orchestrations will be created by Steven Tran. When vocal arrangements are solidified, the text will reflect those arrangements.

Dashes and “/” are indications of pace.

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LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

1.

SONG: “I’ve Been Watching Lydia” (The stage is decorated with set pieces that double as screens that may be backlit for shadow puppetry. The TROLL is voiced by all three actors. Perhaps they create a massive Shadow Troll, or perhaps they’re silhouetted as individuals.)

TROLL. I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA FOR WEEKS NOW I DON’T THINK IT’LL TAKE MUCH TO TAKE HER DOWN ALL I FOUND IS THE PERFECT SHELL TO CAST MY SPELL UPON AND NO ONE WILL EVER EVEN KNOW SHE’S GONE I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA FOR WEEKS NOW STUDIED CLOSE AND A LITTLE TOO CAREFULLY WHILE I KNOW WHEN I GO AND BECOME HER IT’LL BE SUBLIME I KNOW I’M ALMOST OUT OF TIME I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA FOR WEEKS I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA FOR WEEKS (Some shadows and screens disperse and JANE is revealed to be the TROLL of this song. Perhaps we see LYDIA going about her day and JANE watches from a distance.)

JANE. ANY OTHER TIME, I’D HAVE SEEN THE CLOCK TICK IN BETWEEN USUALLY, I AM PATIENTLY WATCHING THE DAYS AND THE MONTHS AND THE YEARS GO BY BUT I SEE THAT I’VE LET TIME SLIP I’VE LOST MY GRIP, BUT I’LL KEEP STEADY TODAY IS THE LAST DAY I CAN HIDE IT’S BEEN TWENTY YEARS WALKING IN THIS SHELL PRETTY GIRL WITH PURPLE HAIR AS FAR AS THEY CAN TELL AT THE END OF TWENTY YEARS, I’LL CHANGE BEFORE THEIR EYES I HAVE ONLY NOW UNTIL THE NEXT SUNRISE BEFORE THIS BODY GOES AWAY THEN I’M BACK TO THE MONSTER I WAS BACK TO THE MONSTER I AM BUT I’LL NEVER LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN

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LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

TROLL (ALL THREE).

ALL IT TAKES IS ONE LITTLE SECRET THROW HER HOPE ON THE END OF A FISHING LINE ALL I NEED IS A THING FROM THE DEPTHS OF HER SOUL ONE CONFESSION FROM HER GUTS JUST THAT AND A TOUCH, AND THEN EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE THEN MY DEADLINE TRANSFERS TO LYDIA THEN MY FACE LOOKS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER, THEN ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL, OTHER THAN LYDIA THE TROLL LYDIA, POOR SOUL SHE’LL NEVER SEE IT COMING ‘CAUSE SHE NEVER HAD CONTROL I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA FOR WEEKS NOW I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA FOR WEEKS I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA I’VE BEEN WATCHING LYDIA— (Lights snap and transition us to…)

2.

(LYDIA sits in front of a “mirror.” Her notebook lays open with a pen resting beside it.

LYDIA’s natural hair is tied down. She has a collection of wigs and hair pieces in front of her. She speaks to them by name.)

LYDIA. Yes, Millie. You look good. Hard Maybe. (pretends to hear “Millie” respond) Don’t give me attitude. The last time I wore you was Tasha’s wedding, and we all remember how that went down. Okay, stop distracting me, I feel like I’m close to a melody.

(She picks up her pen. She hums a bit of “a hundred songs for me to sing” from “Imagine a Life.” And her eyes drift to another wig.

She puts down her pen.)

Kendra. Could I wear you to the final round? (she considers) You know I want to. But I think I need to do straight hair for this. (hears “Millie” again) Yeah, I know, Millie, but this is a huge deal. They haven’t seen me yet. I got through round one on my songs and my voice, and the final round is a live performance.

(She puts down “Kendra” and picks up her pen and sings the melody of “a hundred songs.”)

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LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

LYDIA. LA DA DA DA DA ME AND YOU AND NOW I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO… (She rolls her eyes and then finds one more wig.)

Elle. My girl. You might be it. (She puts it on) Oh, yes, honey. This is she. (hears “Millie” again) Yeah, Millie, I have one more song to write. But I got nine out of ten, so I’m close! (hears “Millie” again) Millie, my notebook is not blank! … Well, that particular page is blank, but the page before has a lot of ideas for songs (hears “Millie” again) interrupt me one more time Millie. You’re going in the box.

(She looks over at her notebook.)

I can do this. I just have to make up a scenario. Tell a story. Imagine.

SONG: “Imagine a Life” I can do this. Right? How did I used to do this?

IMAGINE A LIFE A WOMAN WHO IS FREE TO ROAM ACROSS THE DIVIDE AND MAYBE SHE’S A SINGER WHO PLAYS SHOWS IN THE NIGHT AND WAKES UP IN A DIFFERENT CITY EVERY DAY IMAGINE A LIFE A WOMAN WHOSE ONLY BAGGAGE IS WHAT IS IN SIGHT IT’S JUST A DUFFLE FILLED WITH CLOTHES AND MAYBE A BITE WHATEVER SHE MIGHT NEED UNTIL THE NEXT GIG SHE PLAYS SHE’LL STAY, SHE’LL SING, SHE’LL GO SHE’LL DRIVE, GET HIGH, LAY LOW UNTIL ANOTHER SHOW SHE’LL SEE THE SIGHTS AND LIVE HER LIFE AND SHE’LL WRITE (The stage starts to swirl into LYDIA’s fantasy world, touring and entertaining crowds of people in concert.)

IMAGINE A LIFE A WOMAN WHO’S WRITTEN AND RECORDED AN LP LIKE MAYBE WITH THE GRANT THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED TO ME WITH TEN SONGS AND AN ALBUM AND A NATIONAL TOUR IMAGINE A LIFE NOT WORRYING ABOUT HOW I WILL PAY OFF MY LOANS 5

LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

IT IS MY DESTINY ‘CAUSE I FEEL IT MY BONES AND EVERY TIME I PLAY I KNOW THAT I’M MEANT FOR MORE I’LL STAY, I’LL SING, I’LL GO I’LL LIVE BEYOND CONTROL I’LL DRIVE PAST WHAT I KNOW ACCUMULATE THE STORIES I WANT TO WRITE AND THEN I’LL WRITE A HUNDRED SONGS FOR ME TO SING I’VE GOT A HUNDRED SONGS AT LEAST BUT SOMETHING’S BLOCKING THE WAY THE WORDS ARE ON A DELAY A HUNDRED SONGS THAT SEEM SO CLEAR AT LEAST A HUNDRED THAT I HEAR WHAT CAN DO TO ADAPT OR IS THE MUSIC TRAPPED INSIDE OF ME IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE I’M NOT IN COMPETITION WITH EVERY GIRL WHERE I’M NOT HERE OBSESSING OVER STRAIGHTENED OR CURLED AND PRESSURE TO DELIVER WOULD NOT TURN ME TO STONE BUT IF I WERE ALONE I’D HAVE ALL THE SPACE IN MY HEAD TO FACE THE UNKNOWN I’D WORK IT AND INTERPRET ALL MY THOUGHTS INTO TONES AND MELODIES WOULD CONSTANTLY POUR FROM ME WITH EASE LIKE THE STEADIEST BREEZE AND ALL THE VOICES WOULD CEASE IT’D BE AS EASY AS BREATHING (The fantasy melts away and LYDIA is back in her apartment with the wigs.)

A HUNDRED SONGS FOR ME TO SING I’VE GOT A HUNDRED SONGS AT LEAST BUT SOMETHING’S BLOCKING THE WAY THE WORDS ARE ON A DELAY A HUNDRED SONGS THAT SEEM SO CLEAR AT LEAST A HUNDRED THAT I HEAR IS THERE A WAY TO ADAPT OR AM I TRAPPED…?

(She checks her phone and notices the time.)

LYDIA. (with a sigh) No, no, no, no, I’m late.

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LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

(She starts off and catches herself in the mirror. She’s still wearing “Elle.” She considers for a moment taking it off—she really wants to take it off—then rolls her eyes and grabs the car keys.)

LYDIA. Nope. I can’t. I’m late.

3.

(PETE is waiting outside the community center for LYDIA. Maybe he’s having a cigarette.)

PETE. You’re late.

LYDIA. I know, I’m sorry.

PETE. Twenty-five minutes.

LYDIA. I know. I have a clock. I was working. How was the meeting?

PETE. Um, yeah, it was, uh, good.

LYDIA. Same crowd as last week?

PETE. Um. There were two people my age this time. One looked scary with sharp black nails and one looked normal. Like he works in an office. Did you even write?

LYDIA. I said I was working—yes, I wrote.

PETE. Anything stick?

LYDIA. It’s more complicated / than that.

PETE. So, no, that means no. Next time, maybe let me have the car for the day? Next time, only keep the car if you’re going to use / the car?

LYDIA. This is my work, this is how it is, / Pete.

PETE. Coincidentally, I talked about how stressful it is to work through eighty-hour weeks to pay rent while my girlfriend works through writer’s block.

LYDIA. That same girlfriend who’s been sober longer than you because you relapse every month?

PETE. I’ve been sober for three months.

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LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

LYDIA. Then what are you complaining about?

(A beat.)

LYDIA. I would like a do-over.

PETE. Which part?

LYDIA. The beginning.

(They both make a “rewind” sound. Maybe, there is some kind of silly backwards motion with it. This is a weird, agreed-upon lifeline. Once they’ve reset, LYDIA opens her arms for a hug.

PETE hugs her.)

LYDIA. I love you.

PETE. I love you too.

(They kiss.)

LYDIA. I’m sorry I was late.

PETE. It’s chill, we’re chill.

LYDIA. Do you want me to drive?

PETE. I’m chill. I love driving this stupid car. Your hair…

LYDIA. I left in a rush, I was trying it on.

PETE. Oh. I like it.

LYDIA. Thanks, babe.

PETE. How close are you to being done?

LYDIA. One more song.

PETE. And you have to sing them tomorrow night?

LYDIA. Yeah, all ten. Live in front of the judges.

PETE. And they’ve never seen you before?

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LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

LYDIA. Supposedly. I mean, they could probably find me on Instagram, but they asked that I don’t attach links other than my demos. I was trying this hair, because I don’t know how I want to look yet.

PETE. Doesn’t matter what you look like if you don’t finish writing your songs.

(LYDIA shoots him a look.)

PETE. Do-over.

(They make the “rewind” sound. A beat.)

PETE. Are we going to bed when we get home?

LYDIA. I wanted to head to the late open-mic and try some stuff out. Have, like, a dry run before tomorrow night.

PETE. (disappointed) Awesome. Can I at least come?

LYDIA. You know I don’t like you seeing my work in progress. Plus, it’s at a bar, so.

PETE. Yeah. Did you think about Saturday?

LYDIA. Saturday…

PETE. Babe. My family’s coming up? Remember? I told you this a million times. You haven’t thought of dinner, have you?

LYDIA. Next question.

PETE. Lyd. LYDIA. Sorry! I’ve been distracted!

PETE. This is our turn to host, and I want it to be awesome. Robert always has a plan, and Mom’s always like, “You’re such a good planner,” but it’s like she saying it at me. You know?

Like to him but at me.

LYDIA. That’s paranoid. You’re talking like a crazy person.

PETE. Maybe it’s because someone’s making me crazy!

LYDIA. Do-over!

PETE. You already used yours!

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LYDIA AND THE TROLL | Justin Huertas Draft: 3/8/2020

LYDIA. I have a show tomorrow night! I can’t make all the plans!

PETE. You’re not making all the plans, you’re making the plans for Saturday!

LYDIA. Maybe, you should just do Saturday without me.

PETE. The point of Saturday is that it’s a family day. My parents, my brother, his wife, their kids, you and me.

LYDIA. It’d probably be more fun without me.

PETE. No, Lyd, you have to be there.

LYDIA. Why, are you gonna propose or something?

PETE. What?

LYDIA. (realizing) Pete, no. You’re not proposing, are you?

(Silence.)

LYDIA. Oh, Pete, oh my god, that’s not a good idea.

PETE. Lyd, stop.

LYDIA. Pete, seriously?

PETE. We’ve been together for two years, we live together— LYDIA. That doesn’t mean / that we— PETE. Yes, it does. This is a totally normal length of time for this.

LYDIA. Do they all think you’re gonna propose to me Saturday?

PETE. Yeah.

(Silence.)

LYDIA. Maybe we should take a little break.

PETE. No, no, no.

LYDIA. Hear me out.

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