Symphony Of Snores

“Symphony of Snores”

...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Copyright (C) 2012, All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Dear reader, future producer or maybe actor in this play …

This beautiful play is written by an inspired John F. Mason – as he would say “the play kinda wrote itself”. It is published in its current free format to let you determine the value it has for you …May your kind donations help John and others through this coming winter …

- a friend You can donate here

2 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Gentle Reader, The creation of this play has been a labor of love. Inspired by a stay at a small town Men’s homeless shelter, it was written with the intention of sharing it with community theater groups, to be performed as a fundraising event for local shelters. In that capacity it is offered here online to determine its value to any who would consider putting it on stage While enjoying this work, I encourage you to keep in mind that it was written in the form of an opera. Most of the poems are soliloquies, action is minimal and dialogue is used to segway between poems.

You might envision a bare-bone set with a lit center stage and dark wings into which characters can disappear, when not in the action. Please remember that it is meant to be heard as well as read, so you might try reading it out loud. Voice brings a new depth to the words on the page, making them more meaningful … So, happy reading!

Special thanks to Buddha, Krishna, Erik, Stan, and all of Taos …

- John Mason

3 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Act 1 - Scene 1: EXT. Parking Lot, Men's Shelter – Evening (6:00PM) BILL sits slouched over in a folding chair in front of the main door of the Taos Men's Shelter. He is obviously drunk.

FRED shuffles down the center aisle, mumbling to himself, and sits in a second folding chair.

BILL nods in greeting.

BILL (drunkenly) How you doin', Fred? How's the head?

FRED (mumbling) I'm awright.

Enter BUDDY and TOM, aisle stage right, deep in conversation.

BUDDY Man, the old lady was a softy. Gave us donuts and coffee.

Twice, real nice...Paid good, too. How 'bout that?

LIGHTING CUE: THE SUN SLOWLY SETS TOM The guy at the laundromat though he was real funny; gave me some shit but he laid out the money BUDDY Way to go, shovelin' snow TOM In the cold...Hey guys, Yo! FRED (Mumbles) BILL To cold for me, man, I'm gonna' freeze, hands are all numb, weak in the knees.

I'm tired of this cold, it's gettin' kinda old. All I want is a warm bed, a safe place to lay my head... I'm so tired of this shit, man, I am really over it, man.

Enter BOB, BRIAN, and SONNY down separate aisles, alone, greeting all around BRIAN (to Chuck) Where ya been, dude?

CHUCK I been around BRIAN (fives SONNY) Hey dudes, I'm ready for some food. Lookin' for work is work...

I need a meal that's the deal, I'm ready for some food, dude BRIAN Beats the chair like drum.

4 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

BOB, BUDDY, SONNY, TOM (in unison, picking up rhythm) Food, food, food, food food, food, food, food!

BRIAN Food, brothers, is what I need.

I hope somebody brings some feed CHORUS (in unison) Food, food, food, food, food, food, food, food!

BRIAN I had some coffee, don't need that. Didn't have any money for lunch. No money for beer, or any pot. What I need is food! A whole big bunch of food, dude!

Enter VATOS, They join in CHORUS. CHORUS (in unison) Food, food, food, food, food, food, food, food!

BRIAN Comida dude, some dinner man, cold cuts pasta, a salad, soup. Peanut butter and jelly, anything. I hope tonight somebody brings us...

CHOIR Food, food, food, food, food, food, food, food!

Enter Couple – (two short haired, middle aged looking women, possibly gay) First woman – Hey fella’s, how you doing, we have some dinner for you … lasagna, minestrone, garlic bread and salad too ..

Ens. – (pick up chant again, slowly) Food, food, food, food Food, food, food, food Second woman – We read about you in the paper, we decided it was time to share, so we cooked up some this afternoon, would anybody care for some …

Ens. – Food, food, food, food Food, food, food, food BRIAN Hey lady, this is really nice, cause we're almost out. This is great. One of the guys will get that pot. Can I help you with that big old plate of...

CHORUS (Fading slowly as they line up) Food, food, food, food, food, food, food, food!

5 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

BOB (to the couple, slowly, sincerely) Out of the wind, thank you.

For the food, thank you.

Warm shower...

Thank you, thank you.

Not an easy thing to say.

Thank you, thank you.

Just the thing that must be said.

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you people, kindly folks.

Thank you, thank you.

Blessed be for giving.

Thank you, thank you.

Enter Chas (as he steps up, unlocks doors) Evening gentlemen, sorry I’m late, the truck needed a jump, you know how it is … c’mon in, it’s warm inside.

First woman – Well guys, enjoy the food, we’ll be back next week, you be careful …

Second woman (to Bob, standing nearby) – There’s a sale on fresh hams, I might do one up, with corn and peas and mashed potatoes …

Bob – Thanks again, bless you ma’am …

Ens. – Thank you ladies, thank you so much …

Couple – (looking at each other, laugh, and say together) Please don’t call us ladies, we’re women!

Couple exits as group files into shelter

6 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Act 1- Scene 2: INT. Common Room Men's Shelter (MEALTIME – Sunset (7:00PM) GUYS line up at food table, start loading plates.

BRIAN Dude, I’m sick of this weather; I'm going to Hawaii, my buddy's there, and he said you can sleep on the beach for free, and there's still jobs there, if you wanna work.

Dude, surfin and sleepin' on the beach, warm nights.

BOB sets up chess board...

BUDDY and TOM in cooler station with each other on couch.

BRIAN talks loudly about flying to Hawaii, gettin' out of here.

JOSE and UNO listen, make comments.

BILL sits, worrying his loose tooth.

FRED lays down.

Enter JOE JOE Hey guys, how's it going?

BUDDY (to TOM - thick NY accent) So 'dis guy is waitin for his taxes, he's gonna have the money, then it look like a couple weeks solid but it don't start 'til he gets the check JOSE 'Mano, the lady was real nice, all sweet and flirty, told me to stop by Friday night...

CHAS Hey, Joe, eat some food, good Lasagna tonight. What's up?

JOE (scowling) Jerks told me to take a walk, called me a f-ing gringo, stupid spics …

CHAS Hey, you should know we don't want any racism here, Bro.... we're all in this together JOE (scowling, turns away) Yeah... right...

CHAS (to BILL, who is worrying a sore tooth) You alright, Bill?

BILL It's this damn tooth; it's at the stage where the root is moving around. It's ready to come out...

I'll probably pull it tonight...

CHAS Ouch!

7 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

BILL Yeah, but it's gotta' be done, and you know I can't afford a dentist. I've done it before; it actually is a relief when it's pulled.

BILL goes to the bathroom CHAS Alright guys, you know the drill, check weapons and any meds you got. Gotta stick to our agreements...

By the way, the city counsel hearing is tonight, and it's on the radio. I'm sure you want to know the outcome...

ENSEMBLE unloads a huge amount of weapons and drugs.

JOSE My toothpick JACK My Bowie BOB My Buck UNO My machete BILL My Swiss Army TOM Those are cooking tools, and since I'm a cook, my knife is my life BUDDY So am I, my knife is my wife Enter JACK. He produces large hunting knife, two smaller folding knives, pill bottle.

Fixes himself a plate, sits down CHAS (To BILL) Your move... (then, to JACK) How's your day, Bro? JACK wolfs down food. JACK Man, I worked out hard today; the regimen is difficult but these abs (slaps belly) are tightening up CHAS rises, absent-mindedly picks up pen off desk, taps his palm. Turns on TV. CHAS News time boys, lets see what's happening.

CHAS resumes tapping as TV news comes on...

8 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Male Anchor (V/O - over radio) Good Evening, this is what's happening...

Complete economic collapse world-wide has brought people to their knees. Folks are starving everywhere, losing their homes, being shot at by large government forces.

Small children are fighting in wars and being abused by desperate parents, while corporate interests continue to exploit people and resources with absolute disregard for long-term consequences. Earthquakes are up. Hurricanes, too.

Smog is worse than ever, everywhere, and terrorists are in your backyard, ready to bomb your car. On the local scene, more politicians are being indicted for corruption.

Businesses are are closing, and crime and traffic jams are rampant...

But enough of this shit... In sports... Overpaid, undereducated hormone bundles still help keep people down by selling a corporate life-style based on sexual insecurity and projected values, reflected as over priced clothing and disguised as fashion, sponsoring a false sense of identification...

And the Lions lost again... ...

CHUCK (watching news, shaking head) What a crock.

JACK Yeah, you right. It's the same old shit.

JACK taps things as he paces around ...___...___ ENSEMBLE picks up the beat, using spoons, mops, toilet brush to accompany JACK's tapping.

JACK (tapping pencil in time: SOS) ... ___ ... ..._ _ _ ... (pencil tapping on desk) Save our ship from this same old shit.

At each other's throats again...

Rewrite the story, once more.

9 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Just change the names this month.

Variations on a theme of time.

It doesn't matter who fires the gun in the name of whatever god or cause, the same old shit again... ..._ _ _ ... ..._ _ _ ...

Mr. Blue Suit smiles as he reads off copy, and the weather will change, of that we can be sure: Ms.Perky Blond with an interest story about something we don't need to know...

Might as well take a snooze, watching the Same Old Stuff. Enough! ..._ _ _ ... ..._ _ _ ...

Where's the real news?

About the digitalization of life?

About who is behind the strife?

About who is ripping us off, taking all the money to build a more efficient police state?

Real news, not the Same Old Shit ..._ _ _... ..._ _ _...

Oatmeal of the airwaves, blather bother of temporal mode, frosting on a rather boring cake, a cover for the eyes... Don't look at that new windmill, buy a nothing from Wal-Mart, and remember not to think anything but the Same Old Shit ..._ _ _...

CHAS (to BOB) Your move SONNY (slapping JACK's back) Right on! For once we agree on something!

JACK pushes SONNY away.

10 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

JACK Fuck off Kid. Dont' touch the goods.

JOSE Yo, Mano!

UNO nods in agreement. The others cheer, raise fists CHAS Alright guys, remember, John is gonna’ be at the counsel meeting, arguing for us, and it's on the public radio. (cont. to BOB) Your move. (to BRIAN) Hey Brian, how's the job search?

BRIAN Dude, I...

SFX: BILL screams once loudly in bathroom. BILL enters common room rubbing jaw BILL (to group. tooth in hand) Anybody got any pain killers?

ENSEMBLE (everyone but BOB) digs into pockets, pulls out something, commiserating) JOSE Ouch, Mano!

JOE (shaking his head) Oooh!

SONNY Man, that must of hurt.

CHAS We got asprin BUDDY I got some Tylenol Threes BOB TO CHAS) Your move.

UNO (To BILL) Is not easy, to pull tooth...

BILL Easy? Easy? No....

11 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

I don’t think there’s a painless way to pull your own tooth It isn’t easy losing the last symbols of your youth One by one they’re coming out, I gotta’ face the truth I’m gonna’ need some dentures soon, maturity, for sooth …

Uh! takes fistful of pills) CHAS (returning to chess game) Who's move?

BOB Your move Enter CHUCK (who just waves and starts eating) CHAS (Makes move, looks up) CHAS Hey Brian, how's the job search?

BRIAN I tried to find a job today, man, two restaurants and a grocery store, but nobody was hirin'... Matter of fact, at one place they said, you gotta be kiddin', we're firin'!

ANDY I went to the machine shop 'cause I can fix anything.

Said they might have some work in the spring JOE I got all the tools to build a house, but there ain't no jobs out there BRIAN It's all the fucking economy, then they bail out the crooks, screw the little guy just trying to get by. We can't even find some work, I tell ya. Any job, man, don't even put me on the books.

I'll work for half of what I used to make. I'll do anything, whatever it takes BUDDY Same here brother! Yo! I'm still lookin' too. I need money, and something to do...

BRIAN It's a real drag, killing fucking time, no money for gas, no pot, no wine.

I'll wash dishes, cars, do all the dirty work, need a job, man, a fucking job, man as a stocker or a clerk; at Wal-Mart, even BUDDY Whoa, bro', those are fightin' words they screwed me bad...

BRIAN I don't care, I ain't lazy, but dude, I'm goin' crazy if I don't find something soon, don't know what I'm gonna do... I need a job, man JOSE We cut some wood for my cousin, but that was last week..,

12 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

UNO We been looking', there ain't nothin.'

And no money for a drink BUDDY I got a bachelors in psychology what good is it doing me?

BILL At least you can work.

Man, since the accident, I can't.

JOE My truck needs work, and so do I I do whatever to survive, but it's-JACK --pretty thin out there.

CHUCK They don't hire ya' cause you look broke, I tell ya', it's a fucking joke BUDDY This snow ain't gonna' last. We need some work and fast TOM Yeah CHAS Alright guys, keep on trying. You need any help, we got a phone and a computer to use. I'll help with resumes and references, too. We gotta get you out of here, That's the whole idea...

JOE You can say that again!

CHAS That's the whole idea... Alright, gentlemen, everybody picks from the job jar; if you have to take a shower, do it now, not in the morning, and no short loads in the washer, fill it up...

Bill you want to do the honors?

BILL Passes job jar around.

BILL Take 'em 'til they're gone...

CHUCK Fuck, the toilet again!

SONNY That's easier than the shower.

BOB I got the freezer.

JOSE I got the fridge.

UNO You guys get paid by the hour?

ENSEMBLE goes about doing chores.

13 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

FRED (In a dream state) Back on the line, same six bolts every minute, foreman on our ass all the time... lights flicker, and the line slows down, stops. We are all standing around, talking shop, union pay and we are on the clock...

Shop boss is freaking out, yells at us because we ain't working. But we can't do anything 'til the line starts up again...

JOE (mopping floor, mumbling to himself) Fucking nigger work...

CHAS Joe, I told you, enough of that... We don't use those terms around here... we all bleed red, Bro... no matter what color we are on the outside.... Your move JOSE Yo, 'Mano... It's a color thing, but it's not a "white thing, a black thing, a yellow thing, a brown thing" (he points to his own skin as he says "brown", then points at JOE) It's a green thing, brother I'm sure you understand the only color problem in the eyes of the man Black, white, yellow, brown, that ain't the issue now As long as we are strapped in behind the big guy's plow Looks like we won the race war equality attained political correctness don't call nobody names A black man in the white house woman secretary of state To sex and racial parity I'm sure you can relate All we gotta do is work pay our taxes to the man It's a green thing, brother I'm sure you understand Lip service to ecology While burning up the oil and financing Armageddon with all our sweat and toil Big brother wears a three piece suit and he don't care where you're from Long as you're within the budget

14 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

and beneath his big green thumb We're all equal, in his grey eyes just tryin' to make it man It's a green thing brother I'm sure you understand BILL (rubbing jaw) You're right about that bro...

BOB Your move ENSEMBLE makes remarks about work from Job Search... trailing off into a pregnant pause.

CHAS Your move, Bro...

(Enter FRANK - shaking off back, nods to CHAS and group) CHAS Hey, Bro, come on in... You need a bunk for the night? We got one...

FRANK (taking in scene) That would be very cool... or should I say warm? (smiling) CHAS There's lasagna, if you're hungry, take a shower when you can. Do a load of laundry... You play chess?

FRANK Sure CHAS Then maybe we can push one later. We need to do a little paper work if you stay, though. It's just info we need for our records; it's confidential; (to Bob) Let him sit there for a minute, Bro. while we do the paper work...

It's uh... your move FRANK (sitting down) What do you need to know?

CHAS Just some personal information for our records. You don't even have to use your real name, if you don't want. Age, occupation, stuff like that. Also, any medical problems we might need to know about; diabetes, epilepsy, any psychological conditions...

FRANK (sits back, smiles real big, chuckles, softly shaking his head) You ask me my condition. I don't think it has a name.

I'm not on medication for behavior or for pain.

I'm kinda deaf in both ears. My left hand's a little lame.

Probably, I'm best described as stark raving sane

15 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

I didn't drop my brother out the window when I could.

My fights were all with bullies that were runnin' in the hood.

My parents didn't spank me 'less I screwed up real good.

(I) don't even have an attitude 'bout crap I really should.

I don't hate women, or beat dogs. My attention span is fine.

I feel empathy for others, try to help folks all the time.

I might resist authority as a mild iconoclast, (but) I drive just like Gramma did, always safe and not too fast.

Depression's pushed me to sing blues, but I wouldn't call it manic.

And when I watch the evening news, I don't go into a panic.

No aliens from the future are plannin' to abduct me The government knows where I'm at; I don't think they're out to fuck me More than anyone else it seems trying to tell us what to dream puttin' the picture on the screen so we can cop the big machine The culture's nuts, it isn't us I been around enough to see a riot in slow motion shots that they might want us to be You ask me my condition I don't thin it has a name Maybe it's intelligence that I see through the stupid game?

Or maybe it's my two deaf ears tellin' me my left's a bit lame Probably I'm best described As stark raving sane...

CHAS Well put, bro, welcome news, never heard it put that way before...

FRANK (rising) Thanks, bro. And I'll take you up on the chess game. Thanks BOB (sits back down. To CHAS: Who's move?

CHAS Your move (moving piece) BILL (guitar and Spare a Dime)

16 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Act 1- Scene 3: INT. Common Room Men's Shelter AFTER MEAL-Bonding Issues) Evening (8:00PM) ENSEMBLE in Common room. CHAS at desk playing chess with BOB , "Jeopardy" in background. Guys sitting on sofa chairs... JACK stands, struts, tosses hair back. SONNY peers closely at notebook, draws cartoon characters, in his own little world...)

CHAS (to BOB) Mate!

BOB YEAH (knocks over own king) That was coming, you hit me hard, right there...

CHAS (cocking eyebrows to FRANK ) Next?

FRANK Sure... (they start setting up chess pieces....)

CHAS Your move...

FRANK All right.

ENTER ANDY ( looks at CHAS , shakes off jacket) Hey, how...

CHAS (to ANDY) Hey bro, good to see you. Haven't seen you for a while. Are you alright? Where you been bro, where you been?

ANDY Well... (glances around suspiciously - to CHAS conspiratorially) I been ‌ Under the radar 'n out of sight.

That's where we try to keep the flight.

Past the arroyo, veer to the right.

Keep on going by the red light.

Watch on the left--the landing site is under the radar 'n out of sight.

Keep the nose clean avoiding the cops.

Don't even give 'em a reason to stop the vehicle for a tail light that's crapping out on a Tuesday night.

Don't want to spend no time in the shop.

Under the radar 'n out of sight Not really hiding; being aware.

The man don't see you, the man don't care.

Stretching the rules as much as you can. constantly watching out for the man.

17 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Cover you tracks, just do it right.

Under the radar 'n out of sight.

Maybe just enought to not pay taxes, and try to avoid hitching to Texas.

Peddle that weed, but do it discreet.

Keep your eyes open, out on the street.

Dress kind of neat, don't get in fights.

Stay under the radar 'n out of sight.

Don't get too drunk out in public.

Know when to stop, it's really the trick.

Pay attention to what other's say if you want to keep on in the play.

They come up behind--pull off on the right.

Under the radar 'n out of sight.

CHAS (to FRANK) Your move... Hey, Andy grab some food. It's good tonight...

ANDY loads up a plate.

JACK (to Andy, slapping shoulder) Yeah, I know what you mean, it's the paranoia ‌ Paranoia, such a joy 'ta See you nearer, in my mirror Coming up with lights behind me Hoping that you'll never find me Pull it over to the shoulder Siren screaming, wind blows colder Pass me by, speed down the road My fear subsides, and I feel old Thirty-some years watching my back Took a left off the beaten track Only to pay, daily basis For this self-assumed oasis Not even far outside the laws Enough to dread the snapping jaws A gram of weed, illegal car One drink too many at the bar

18 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Is all they need to put you down A sad excuse to go downtown A situation ever near A culture based on constant fear Pass me by, oh county mounty Don't extract from me a bounty Not upon such a pretty day I'd like to use my cash to play Paranoia, such a joy 'ta See you nearer, in my mirror Coming up with lights behind me Hoping that you'll never find me CHAS (to FRANK) Your move FRANK (to CHAS) Aye, it is...

PETER enters, looks around furtively PETER H-Hi guys....

CHAS (to PETER) Peter, Good to see you, you alright, bro?

PETER Yeah, I'm just k-kind of h-hungry...

CHAS Well, eat, man, glad you're here..., (to FRANK) Your move...

PETER fixes food BRIAN Yeah, dude, talk about paranoia. Like when my car broke down last week...

There was a thwup, thwup, thwup, and it died, out of the blue we glided to a stop no power brakes in neutral. oh shit...

But it started up again albeit a new knocking when it's cold We got along for a week the new knock became familiar

19 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Then, on Sunday morning did it again Thwup thwup thwup Died on Blueberry Hill started once, died for good A final gliding stop off to the side all locked up A friend passed by bought me home groceries and all Towed it in the morning the garage guys nodding, knowingly told 'em to check it out but probably it's finally dead Frozen block from busted rod to the phone Fixer-upper friend with a five hundred dollar car better milage warms up quicker Another dent in budget Dude, I had some pot, and the plates weren't legal anyway, no insurance...

I was freakin', dude; so when we got to my buddy's, we smoked all the weed, just to mellow out...

JACK (sneering, posing) So did you get mellow?

BRIAN Well, it helped...

CHAS (to FRANK) Your move...

JACK (to BRIAN, shaking head) Then maybe there's some hope for you... (laughs loud) Hope for the mellow can you hear me?

Hello?

20 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Hope for the mellow to hell with red jello it's baklava for you, kid Hope for the mellow no more soft yellow orange and blue are stealing the show Hope for the mellow listen here, fellow extremity's in my friend playing it hard again So maybe there's hope for the mellow Can you hear me? Hello!?

FRANK (to CHAS) Your move...

CHAS OK, bro... (looks at clock) Hey guys, the City Counsel meeting's on the radio in a minute. John is speaking for the shelter. Let's hope he does a good job, they could shut us down...

COP#1 and COP#2 enter with MAURICE COP#1 Hey, Chas, how's it going?

CHAS Good, bro, what's up?

COP#2 We found this joker pokin' in a dumpster, you got room tonight?

CHAS We got a cot COP #1 He's pretty scattered, but we think he's harmless...(they sit down around desk, as FRANK rises to make room.)

MAURICE fumbles through pack, pulls out wallet, notebooks, tissue etc, dropping stuff all around. Finally spills pack MAURICE (distractedly) I'm just looking for my ID. I know it's in here somewhere CHUCK Man, if it weren’t for assholes, the whole world would be full of shit (shaking head as he watches Maurice fumble with stuff) JACK walks over to radio, turns it on.

21 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

RADIO (V/O voice of woman citizen) We are worried about our children, our property values, our safety. We don't want a bunch of strange losers hanging around, ex-cons and vagrants in our neighborhood...

RADIO (clapping, cheering of other citizens) CHUCK Tight Asses JOE Straight our of the suburbs; assholes...

RADIO (V/O) The next speaker is... John Mason...

Hi, my name is John Mason, and I have been staying at the shelter recently.

I'm fifty-five, had to move out of an apartment when the work ran out, lived in my vehicle until the weather got really cold... The shelter, frankly, has kept me from starvation this winter...

One of the guys is a disabled Vet, all kinds of health problems A couple are SSI, a little crazy, but harmless.

One is epileptic, no insurance.

One kid lives out on the Mesa, no money for wood, or propane, or food.

One fella drinks too much and won't admit it, but he's a nice guy, good guitarist.

There's a couple guys who need to crash when there are family problems, a few who have just found jobs but don't have enough for an apartment yet... and a couple who sleep in a camper they can barely afford gas for...

We can best be described as a bunch of men who are down on their luck in a depression. And, though we may not be shining examples of success, neither are we demons... We are, also, quite aware of the precariousness of our situation, perhaps more so than others more comfortable...

22 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

We know we need to be good neighbors; we are not out to trash anywhere, or sleep on lawns, or bother anyone. That wouldn't be good for any of us, as it would jeopardize the shelter itself. The shelter is an asset to the community at large, as well as being an excellent example of government working with the private sector to meet social needs. It is a good thing, unique to Taos, as it is financed mainly with contributions from the community, contributions from your neighbors...

I think it would be an act of good government to enable the shelter to continue to provide a necessary service, one which has saved everyone a lot of grief this winter. I urge you to act in the interest of the greater community and allow the shelter to operate on the proposed site ‌ ENSEMBLE Good 'Mano! Alright! (Group cheers high fives, claps backs) JACK (to SONNY, who has just slapped his back) I told you. Watch it, you little queer. Hands off the goods!

SONNY (Adamantly) I am not a queer. I am an artist.

COP#1 rise, shakes CHAS's hand.

COP#1 OK, thanks Chas COP#2 Any more beds, or do we get to bust 'em (smiling) kidding (winking at group) CHAS Bring 'em on, we'll put 'em on the floor if we have to.

COPS exit.

BUDDY Man, I hate cops, they give me the creeps MAURICE (Looking up from pile) Can pigs smell themselves?

JOE That's 'cause you're probably holding all the time, huh? (chuckles)

23 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

JOSE pokes JOE and laughs Jose 'Mano BUDDY Now. even when I'm clean, they just freak me out, Big Brother in person...

Big brother wears a mustache he wears it nice and cropped big brother wears a mustache even though he's a cop Sometimes he wears baggies sometimes business suits he's always looking bad as he gets down to your roots He can out-smoke any hippie he can out-dance any queen he can make you feel so good as he gets down on your scene There's a notebook in his pocket For the taking down of names and the pistol on his hip calls the end to any games He's everywhere and nowhere a modern day Kilroy and he doesn't do it for the bread he does it for the joy.

He's bought the whole role now hook, line and sinker he knows that all the people think he's just another stinker So he trods his justice path thinks himself a new-age knight hating all the shit he sees while looking for a fight With radios and computers he works against the crimes that are deemed by others wrong at another place and time

24 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

But he can't stop the real crime he knows that all along cause the real thieves sign his pay check so he just sings their song...

JOSE You are right, 'Mano. But it is still good to take a little toke!

ENSEMBLE laughs and agrees.

BRIAN Yeah, and everything else that feels good... really trippin's the best CHAS (to FRANK) Your move...

BRIAN Hallucinations are great, dude, acid , mushrooms, peyote SONNY I never had one yet JACK I tried it a couple times. My friends freaked out, but I didn't feel that different, just kind of edgy JOE It's been twenty years since I did any MAURICE pulls hemp out.

MAURICE (looking around) Hey, Wanna buy some hippy jewelry?

TOM The last stuff we had was old, I think PETER (stammering) I'll tell you about hallucinations. I never ate acid and I have them all the time It's not hard to hallucinate when you're tripping all the time The Hindus call it Maya, just the workings of the mind The table top is spinning and the birds are screaming yes!

And all I've had is coffee and a couple cigarettes No longer do I need to do exotic kinds of spacey drugs To hear a willow weeping or feel the crawling of the bugs The art just keeps on coming with the breathing of the air

25 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Creative juices flowing thru the ringlets of my hair The current runs forever over rocks within the stream And gazing at that motion is like living in a dream But living in a dream is an illusion, don't you know The Maya comes on back and you're still thinkin' of the show An edge to hang the real on a piece of the old rock Is more illusion than you think sit back and feel the shock When what you do shapes where you are in unexpected ways The playing field then calls the game and keeps track of the plays To swim in this grand soup a job we volunteered for, shit We might as well then seek to know what is the meaning of it Because the Maya was correct and we could see it all along So using inspiration we include it in the song...

CHAS Is that what it's really like for you. Peter?

PETER Y-Y-Yeah, kinda (looks away, shyly) CHUCK Guy's trippin'...

MAURICE Really, it's good to have a crystal cause when the millenium hits they'll be like psychic antennas; and look, the cord is organic hemp...

CHAS Your move...

FRANK (to MAURICE) So what will these antennas tune us into? (to CHAS). Your move. MAURICE moves piece.

26 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

MAURICE The subtle vibrations emanating from the cosmic mind, they are what tie us, as a planet, to the rest of the galaxy. There are others out there, and we must tune into them to get instructionm it's the way, we can't save the planet without those instructions, and crystals are the best way to tune in...

CHAS(to FRANK) Your move JOE Bunch of bullshit.

JACK New Agism, again BOB It's not what the bible says, it says we should be our brothers keeper.

CHAS (laughs loudly) Brother, I am your keeper tonight ‌ BRIAN (holds up necklace) How much is this one?

SONNY You're trippin', man FRANK (winks to CHAS)and what, (to MAURICE) pray tell, do you call this philosophy of yours? (moves piece) Your move...

MAURICE It's a blend of all philosophies... I call it 'Global Harmonism' FRANK (in downtown hardcore Detroit accent) Naw ‌.

You can save the air, mutha' fucka' with your sunday soapbox rap I got birds and wind to listen to instead of some bullshit crap Just leave Jesus in the bible, dude leave Mohammed in the Koran, too Mayan-Millenium balderdash New Age dreamland. Wat' you gon'do?

Rappin absolutes and ultimates you just stuck in your little rant Tellin' me it's gotta be a certain way with yo "Onlys" and yo "musts" and yo "Can'ts" You like ET's hop on a ship to space and please get out of my fuckin' face Paranoid conspiracy theorem my ass stupid viewpoints all over the place

27 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

See, the air keeps comin' wi' the wind and a spiral unrolls from within Them electrons don't sit still for shit I ain't seen anything permanent Time don't stop on your opinion, yo! and things ain't just "are" they is "is" From real close up to the galaxy constant change in flux, that's the biz You can climb on down from the pulpit save your breath and give us some peace New-Age-Jesus-karma-conspiracy theorem don't sound like no release 'stead of go with the flow, flow with the go and keep yo' isms to you fuckin self Take yo' ultimate and yo' absolutes and stick 'em back on the god-damn shelf FRANK (moves piece) Your move.

JACK What do you get when you play New Age Music backwards?

SONNY What JACK New Age Music!

TOM Brother, you can only fool yourself...

It was gonna' be a revolution a change reflecting evolution MLK and Angela, H. Rap Brown and Eldridge Cleaver...

We were gonna' overcome Get us out from under thumb Hoses and dogs in Selma night sticks and tear-gas in Grant Park we were tryin' to light the spark under their war-monger asses so they'd listen to the masses shootin' for a new age, wound up in the New Cage They killed us off, one by one "Panthers, S.D.S., so we'd know what chances were against the man with four kids dead in Ohio we were carrying that freedom Flame

28 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

make Uh-merica admit it's shame Our voices stopped the war in Nam we got the vote for the people too Bent the gender question in the news Earth Day changed all the old views We were trying to make it right.

Almost won the philosophic fight But we got out flanked by the man as Big Brother bought Uncle Sam dumped all kinds of drugs on us so we spaced out, got on the bus burned the gasoline from his wars thinking we were opening doors Doors were opened, that's for sure but to what we didn't see Thought we had a social cure underground felt good, felt free trippin' into our own new age we walked right into their New Cage Hey man, let me introduce you to the new cage with my pistol Oops, I mean the new age with my crystal, hey you wanna buy some hippie jewelry? It's hemp and I made it all myself...

We're a bunch of stupid suckers to a pack of Mother-Fuckers who are calling all the shots and manipulating thoughts through the media they throw our way because they've got the final say Your cell phone's got a little chip to track it if you take a trip a sales job, it ain't even funny when you pay for it with hard earned money So now we're all equally broke the techno-revolution is a joke Big Brother's brave new world is all about capitalism's real biz

29 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

make some money just to spend we're all cyphers in the end the less we get paid, bottom line a global third world, over time Just fine for the man in the silken tie who's eating his piece of pie-in-the-sky Big Bro's got the deed to his very soul he's stuck like we all are in a role Big Brother is watching from every lens, the one who makes bombs for a living, friend So sit down, watch a football game go buy everything they advertise Drink a beer, smoke a joint, it's all the same as it was before we glazed out eyes Don't tell me about some New Age when you're sitting in that New Cage Hey, man, you wanna buy some hippie jewelry?

MAURICE Brother, you gotta have faith, get as high as you can and tune in man...

CHAS (to FRANK) So, what's your take on it, bro? (smiles, winks, moves piece) Your move...

FRANK My take on what?

CHAS Getting high MAURICE Anybody got a lighter?

FRANK Well... it's like this... (moves) Your move It seems I been confusin' the pathway I been choosin' with the drugs that I been usin' I don't know what it is that keeps me in the biz the answer to my quiz

30 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

They make me feel fine the hashish pipe and wine but I might have missed a sign Back there upon the road some ancient debt still owed For some illegal load It could be just a doubt a kink I will work out it's nothing I need shout But the tingle of cocain when racing thru my brain does not erase the pain' Nor gentle smoke of weed Fill me with what I need from worry to be freed And when it is I'm boozin' I find that I am loosin' the capacity for choosin' Just what is best to do you'd think I'd find a clue the question's hardly new To live for here and now to love it all somehow Enjoy and take a bow Or moderate and age 'til I'm a glad old sage who's lived out all his rage This question I debate plays hell with any fate I've happened on of late I still cannot decide enough of them I've tried some people think I'm fried

31 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

But all those I admire are tryin' to get higher on sex or drugs or fire Away from earthly blues so they can hear the news at altitudes they choose...

Too proclaim a decision I might as well go fishin' if answers I am wishin' So here's to the debate puts food upon your plate it never is too late To find a path to run remember to have fun you'll know when it is done...

ENSEMBLE (Raises glasses, agreements all around, 'Mano etc) JACK (to MAURICE) Hey, guy, is your space ship out in the lot? Wanna show it to me?

How you travelin', dude?...

MAURICE (straitens back proudly) I am a member of the anarchist car pool...

SONNY The what?

MAURICE The Anarchist Car Pool JOE What the hell is that?

MAURICE Hitchhiking, brother, like Going my way...

Going my way...

Going my way ...

Traveling with the anarchist car-pool, thumb out on the side of the road...

The guy stops, on his way to work Going my way? Regular transport to high-school, three times a week...

It's free, it's there, and everywhere...

32 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

the old anarchist car-pool...

Outside of Lake Tahoe, two musicians, pros, all the way to Illinois...

Going my way?

She stops in a snowstorm, infant on her lap, says, "You look like you need a place to stay" Welcome to Taos...

No rules, but don't get caught, you are not even on the screen, thumb out in the wind...

The anarchist car-pool has no membership fee, it's free in more ways than one...

Texas Ranger looks at my Michigan license, says "you a yankee?"

"Sir, I have rebelled against every form of authority that's ever presented itself to me, I'm from Michigan" Going my way?

The car pulls over, you look at the driver, who is usually smiling, you say "thanks"... Establish the destination...Off we go...

The anarchist car-pool comes with it's etiquette, too... Karma, (car-ma) of course... The road rules, gentle, kind...

Strangers in the same world, and thus honest, showing colors not seen by others, telling truths that can't be told...

"Yeah," he said in the middle of Missouri, "I drive this route every thursday night ", dropped me off near Independence...

A cold night in Western Colorado the mists of the Oregon coast bugs in Northern Florida a columbian sewing machine in a jeep...

Thumbs to noses right at the man who drives by looking for trouble, smile as if you built

33 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

the road and out-shine 'em, the anarchist car-pool will, on it's own, get there; even though it only exists in space; there is transport available...

Going my way?

MAURICE and ENSEMBLE (Standing in the round, pantomiming hitchhiking as drivers appear, stop and pick up individual characters as they finish their lines, Maurice being the last one to get picked up ‌ lights fade

34 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Act 2 -Scene 3: INT. Common Room Men's Shelter (Guitar Jam- Historic Effects of Poverty) Evening (9:00PM) CHAS and FRANK are still playing chess. Others sit on sofa, watch TV, read.

SONNY draws. JACK stands, paces FRED snoring... coughs... stirs, sits up in dream state.

LIGHTING CUE: Spotlight on FRED Black dog howls praising the moon Howl, mutha fucka’ Howl, Maroooooned!

So true, you, blue, walked into the room Howl, mother fucker Howl, Maroooooned Sing the great cost of deep throated croon Howl mother fucker Howl Maroooooned Sadly speak soulfull in light of the moon Howl, mutha fucka’ Howl Maroooooned!

FRED coughs some more. lays back down.

CHAS (to FRANK) So, what's your story, bro, where ya from. where y'at?

FRANK Detroit, Chicago; spent a lotta' time down in New Orleans (a la CCR) Where am I at? Right here, with you, in a state of hypocrisy or Hip-oh-crazy, if that's the way to put it. Been writing a lot of poetry, lately, want to hear one?

MAURICE (confused) Hip-o-crazy, Hip-o-crazy?

CHAS Sure! (moves piece, smiles) Your move...

FRANK ...

While drifting through the winter night among the streetlights shining bright There walks a slim wool-hatted night Who'd care to unleash hooded light

35 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Dark creases in his worried brow as he explores the why's and hows Of what his body acts out now within time-frame, behind the plow The furrow deeper through the snow as alley pathways pull his flow Into the heart of darkness go emerging later on to know That there is one way to the goal around which he can rock and roll Demanding is the path of the soul which has not any formal toll Yet still he pays the mid-night price of time's own tag, against advice He does not ever look back twice to wind blown forms of snow and ice...

CHAS Well, I guess that answers both questions BILL rises from couch.

BILL Well, gentlemen. me and my issues with my knees, liver (burps) and my ex-wife, and sleep. (to FRANK) Nice poem, brother. Nite' y'all. (Goes to bed) (GROUP say goodnight) FRANK Your move.

CHAS (Answers phone) Shelter, how can I help? (Listening) Do you want to talk to him?

OK I'll tell him, thanks... (hangs up) Hey Jose, Uno,, good news, brothers, that was Mr. Smith... he says show up at 8:00 for the fence job, said it was about eight days work...

JOSE Mano! Work! Trabajo! Bueno!

UNO Si, si, is good, is good!

ENSEMBLE (Congratulations all around) JOSE ...then, they issue money. That is my kind of issue...

JACK Man, I hate that term, issues...

Issues, I got issues I got issues with your issues Issues with women, with dairy, cat fur, with smoke

36 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Most over-used word in the language of late, it's a joke.

Issues my ass, you got problems, or developments or maybe government issues Issues, I got issues with obscure references politicly correct verbiage, or gentling the edges into oat-meal mellow Issues, yeah, which issues you want to use to excuse yourself out of responsibility for issues with your issues Let's call a spade a spade and a hole that you've dug for yourself just that Preconceived paradigms projected, issues of Life and Time, and U.S. News and World Report; Issues, I got issues with milk-toast avoidance Let's keep it on the track we haven't any issues, here we got problems, Jack...

CHUCK Damn strait CHAS Call it what you want, everybody's got things they have to deal with... Who's move?

FRANK Your move CHUCK Yeah, ya' know how some stupid stuff comes up, and it fucking bugs you for a while, and then something happens , and it's over, it just goes away? You know Crazy Benny CHAS Sure CHUCK He's been following me around for a fucking week now, he's like a Pac-Man...

The energy leach, Fucking fool with no direction, sits down next to you, looking for anything to tie into, doesn't even know he's nothing but a psychic vacuum , a black hole with no light escaping, a gurgling drain in the landscape...

What's-in-it-for-me eyes, checkin’ out the scene, like a pac-man, gobbling up anything as it comes around the

37 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

corner, mindless of value, or, the world around him, oblivious to anything but the next to latch on to, give him a ride...

His dark little cloud hovers behind a vapid grin, joyless sucking eyes mirror a hollow soul... at best, a mediocre guitarist, too. Nothing but sad songs to sing... I'd feel sorry for the guy if he wasn't such a jerk (turns back to TV, scowls...)

CHAS Yeah, he's like that... I'll tell him to back off if he shows up, OK, bro?

CHUCK (unenthusiastically) Cool JOE (staring at TV) TV "This has been brought to you by the American Dairy Association..."

MAURICE Is there any milk here?

JOE (still staring at TV, talking softly) It was the whole milk thing. It was like this...Mom would buy one gallon of whole milk and three big boxes of powdered milk, and add the whole milk in a cup at a time..."To add to the flavor," she said... But we knew better, we knew we were poor compared to the neighbors...

Ten mouths to feed on one pay check.

"Budgeting," she called it, but the cornflakes just didn't taste the same, the whole milk thing...

Mom was a wizard on the sewing machine, got paid for that... Dad worked all the time, odd jobs for neighbors, too...

We shoveled snow, raked lawns, delivered papers, baby-sat...knowing there was no allowance coming

38 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Patches were a fashion, they had to be just right...

I'm talking mid-sixties, baby boom and all.

Civil rights and Viet-Nam, not Grandma's Great Depression.

But the milkman stopped showing up at the door twice a week...

That whole milk thing, that middleclass dream, work hard, do what you're told, fit into a mold and succeed succeed succeed...

While the black-edged pennants whop up in the neighbor's window and the inner city burns...

The whole milk thing, a watered down substitute for the real, like television news, spooned lout pablum served as a banquet, doesn't hit the spot, and, as studies have shown, it isn't even good for you, that whole milk thing...

MAURICE (looking up from pile of clothes and notebooks, etc) The doctors say I have issues with my attention span... Did anybody see my address book? (looking up, then rummaging thru junk again JOSE (tapping Uno's shoulder) Go to sleep soon, 'Mano, tomorrow we work UNO S Si, si, soon, no problem...

(JOSE) goes to bed) (good nights ensemble) SONNY My issues are mostly from living with my mom; I'm gonna miss her, but, I gotta hit the road. Seven years since Dad took off, she struggles all the time, just keeping me in clothes. I'm gonna miss her, but I gotta hit the road. Granma lives in Spokane, said she'll take me in. Mom is worried but. I gotta hit the road. I guess my issue now is separation, huh? I'm gonna miss her, but I gotta hit the road... I'm going down; the bus leaves at 9:15 CHAS (to SONNY, winking) Hey bro, I heard you got laid last weekend...

JACK What? You got laid?

39 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

SONNY (Petulant) I told you I wasn't queer (to CHAS) how did you hear?

CHAS My daughter's girlfriend's older sister heard it in the coffee-house, Bro (emphasis on Bro) JACK (slaps SONNY'S back har enough to nearly knock him over) The kid got laid! Lost his cherry; congrats, kid, now you're a man... You gonna miss her butt too? (kiddingly) SONNY (blushing) She said it was a going-away present...

ENSEMBLE (Congratulate SONNY, high fives etc) CHAS (to FRANK) Check FRANK (looking at board) Ouch! Didn't see that, good move...

CHAS No insurance, man... like most of the drivers around here... it's the first thing people drop, when it gets tough... Your move... So, (whimsically) who's your insurance company?

FRANK (moves piece) Guard!...

I have an Open Door Policy with white-light international How the hell am I to cope with something so irrational As prayers upon the door step instead of lock and key and yet it always seems to work how can this function be?

Of course I lock my door at night but I open it to all and coffee's there for all who care to make a social call but how the hell am I to cope with something so irrational as an open-door policy from white-light international?

I think I'd have to just give up my strings to all the things that bind my soul to my own role and then just keep on being

40 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Of course I've met the Dharma Bums I've lived upon the road and I've received a lot of gifts to karma's action owed but how the heck am I to cope with something so irrational as an open door policy from white-light international.

And now the coin has flipped again I'm on the giving side and this exchange will never end on that we can rely so, yes, I’ll sign that policy that covers me this time.

As well, it covers you and yours from paranoia's grind, but tell me, how the hell are we to cope with something so irrational as an open door policy from white-light international CHAS Nice move, bro... (meaning poem) LIGHTING CUE: Fade-out common room. Spot up on FRED FRED (Coughs, rises, goes to bathroom. Pissing sounds) Milt and Roe was out uptown Sat-i-day night he was lookin' to get lucky she was lookin' to de-light So they dressed up fine just to show them folk a little bit of liquor a couple hits of smoke Milt's Zoot was sportin' a big purple brim Roe's push-up showin' almost everythin'

41 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Hit the floor full boogie with a shimmy shimmy shake while the jazz was blarin' Liten' up the whole damn place So when Roe touched on Milt little southward of the belt it was ooh, mama mama what the old man felt That's when it really started you could see the sparks fly Milt's shoes was just a blur and the look in Roe's eye When they strutted off the dance-floor lookin' for some darker spot Milt was more than soldier-ready Roe was really really hot Well, excuse me, y'all I gotta bring it to a stop to describe it any further would be goin' over the top Milt and Roe was out uptown Sat-i-day night he was looking to get lucky she was lookin' to de-light CHAS and FRANK talk over chess board.

MAURICE (rises from pile, looks around.

MAURICE What's happenin' brother?

FRANK (chuckles) Everything! All the time! Everywhere!

MAURICE (straitening up, looks around, turns away, confused) Oh... (scratches head) CHAS (chuckling) Your move...

JACK (to SONNY) Hey kid, you gotta know this, like learning how to drink, you gotta learn it some time, your pecker don't think...

42 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

If your love life is lousy you've only you to blame.

The coffee house is played out and the bars are all the same remember words from bikers with whom you used to drink: "You got to keep it in your head yer' pecker don't think..."

If tenderness you seldom find just ain't the real thing your date last night was one big bust your thoughts dance in a ring desire oozes out like sweat your nerves are on the blink consider lately heard advice yer' pecker don't think If desperation drives you to share that little gram you get laid in the process and you know it's all a sham so now you're out a hundred bucks flushed down mental sink 'cause you forgot that good advice: "Yer' pecker don't think..."

SONNY (to JACK) Gimme a break, man, I wore a rubber; gimmee a break man, I don't know the score; just gimmee a break man, get off my ass; gimmee a break man, go blow some gas...

CHAS Your move JOE (to SONNY) Hey kid, it's like this, Not a half of the joy there is to feel not a half of what is truly real not an inkling to what could be if they'd just get off their act and see...

To think that I've been suffering o'er the pains and joys my love life brings when this other fucker can't even think of a woman without wondering What she might be like

43 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

in the heat of bed does she know the moves can she give good head?

I'm glad my journey's way has lead me to drop those thoughts I conceive with dread, 'cause I see these fuckers in such a mess can they get out of that wilderness of emotion ladened thick with stress that they use to line their comfy nest Cause their comfort or security is a grand illusion, there to see instead of what might really be such as woman, strong, alive and free So to all you fuckers with dorks in your head if you'd really like to enjoy the bed clean your closets out to get out the lead realize that for you she has always bled Take it easy dude, if you want to get what you ego still depends on yet only fools would ever place the bet if they didn't think the game was set You get half the joy there is to feel and you won't find anything more real than the love you cannot buy or steal and there ain't no trades baby, that's the deal that being said, I am off to bed... (exits) FRANK (moves piece) I don't think I'm gonna get out of this one...

CHAS (moves) Check! (to FRANK) So, who are you missing, Frank? Everybody's got somebody...

FRANK My kids okay, big grown up girl now, and my ex'es are all why's, at this point... couple good old friends, we keep in touch... couple of lovers... (looks down, remembering.. whispers) Annie, Annie (looking down) CHAS Who's Annie?

FRANK (lays King down, smiling a memory-filled smile, shakes head softly)

44 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

You may talk of wine and cheese, drinkin' imports, shootin' breeze while you're waitin' on the pie that's in the oven.

But when girl runs into boy, you start seekin' out new joy, and you find it in the act of sacred lovin' In New Orlean's steamy clime where I used to spend my time a-sittin' in the market every day Of all them lovely girls, the finest in the world was green-eyed and red-headed Annie Mae It was Mae, Mae, Mae, you wondrous piece of beauty, Annie Mae you would take me any hour giving up the soft pink flower For a scepter filled with power, Annie Mae We're there sittin' on the bar-stools, actin' like we were in high school, drinkin' cognac, playin' footsie with our toes When up to us walks this nerd looks a little bit absurd with the bottoms of coke bottles on his nose So he asks about our shoes acts as if it is some news that those sandals are a fashion on the street Annie giggles thru her nose his hand reaching for her toes and pulls her little foot away, discreet It was Mae, Mae, Mae, you gorgeous in your knowledge, Annie Mae you can twinkle all their eyes as you're sittin' on the prize there's no luckier than pries miss Annie Mae

45 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Holdin' hands on down the streets rollin' underneath the sheets we could find eternity in half an hour Licking those and rubbing this we would seal it with a kiss as magenta waves of light swept through the bower Then in gentle after-time laying cuddled and sublime having heated up the house from under covers Playing footsie in the warm Finding shelter from the storm as you spoke to me of varied other lovers It was Mae, Mae, Mae Insatiable and willing Annie Mae you could love all of God's creatures and regardless of their features you would be the sexy teacher, Annie Mae Dancing at the Jazzy Fest where the music is the best checking out the folk arrayed in all their finest Swaying in the pulsing mob give each other a hand job and then lick our finger just to taste the highness Later on in the hot eve as down streets that we would weave in the light that only comes from above Tease each other with our eyes find the joy in soft surprise but we'd never ever ever talk of love It was Mae, Mae, Mae You have smiled in soft delight in the middle of the night but you never said you loved me, Annie Mae

46 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

It was on that fateful morn when the doubt and fear were born as you took the other chair behind the table told me of the black cohosh how you're trying it to quash the new being we've created, if you're able First the rage, and then the sadness with a little bit of madness longing as I did to love you even still But you gave me not a choice wouldn't listen to my voice and I saw that I would never bend your will It was Mae, Mae, Mae, Adventurous and willful, Annie Mae Overwhelming me with your passion in your wild erotic fashion 'twas my heart that you were trashin, Annie Mae Two months later in the season as some customers I'm pleasin' when you showed up at the table once again Saying that you were with child by some Thai guy, tribal, wild and your guru told you just to keep it in It was then and there I knew that whatever I could do it just wouldn't be sufficient in the long run So I shuttered my surprise kissed you once on your third eye and I said to you, "you know then, it is done" It was Mae, Mae, Mae you wondrous piece of beauty, Annie Mae Tho' I've loved you and I've laid you by the livin' God that made you you're a tougher soul than I am, Annie Mae CHAS Hey, bro... thanks for the game...

47 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

FRANK My pleasure...

MAURICE (to no one in particular) Does the bus stop here?

CHAS (chuckling) Sure it does! Alright gentlemen, lights out in the dorm shower now, not in the morning. You stay up a little, keep it down...

ENSEMBLE (moves around back packs, makes beds, in and out of bathroom. TV news comes on, medium volume ignored by all.

UNO Manana, be better Manana we work. we put in fence post, Mano Work real hard, then get paid, drink some tequila after.

Manana be better Manana be better for sure.

Couldn't get much worse El Presidente will fix make a cure Manana better for sure Manana be better.

Tonight we eat, sleep in warm bed, dreams in head, safe, secure no dogs or cops Manana be better for sure Manana be better so dream, Mano, dream Lay down on that cloud And dream in those colors Brilliant and pure, Manana be better, be better for sure ‌ FRED (snoring loudly)

48 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Act FOUR: CHAS and FRANK sit at desk, deep in conversation. MAURICE rummages, paces around. SONNY and BOB play a game of chess. ANDY and CHUCK sit on the sofa and talk.

FRED slowly sits up.

LIGHTING CUE: Spotlight on FRED FRED ... Yeah It's the creak in the bunk don't get me wrong not like it's an unfamiliar song the same creak I heard back in Viet Nam right before the rockets hit doin' time on the ground A strange sound, back in prison and the guy in the next cell beat off all night, the nut drove us craze 'til we beat him up doin' time in the joint...

Snores in the dark lots of farts and coughs as the jerks try to be quiet it's a riot no control, it's what it is now, doin' time, somehow in the shelter, helter skelter Time to smoke a cigarette stare at the sunset worry a bit, where's the next meal, man?

Time on my hands?

What's gonna happen with time on my hands?

Sittin' in the sun a book in hand tobacco stains on my fingersan old ring brings memories of earlier times,

49 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

time well spent 'cause it can't be killed Man, the old man just don't stop carrying that staff with a big blade on it, must be a bitch to have time on you hands Lay down in that cloud and dream in those colors brilliant and pure Manana be better be better for sure...

FRED lays back down and starts snoring.

MAURICE peers intently into crystal.

MAURICE Man, I been movin' around a lot lately; the cities just give me the creeps...

MAURICE shudders and turns back to the crystal.

CHUCK They all suck! LA is the worst...

ANDY Shit, Albuquerque is like a police state...

CHAS (to FRANK) You one of those displaced New Orleans people?

FRANK I was out on the road, doing jewelry shows when the storm hit. Tree fell on the house, nothing to go back to... I haven't been back, but I hear it's a mess...

CHAS Didn't you say Detroit, too FRANK Bro, I was back there for a funeral a couple years ago... (shakes head, then lifts it...) I'll tell you what, living in Detroit is like..

You walk past buildings burnt and wasted thinking of the death you've tasted staring at the weeds in bloom which grow up o'er those parts of doom The rubble of long failing systems showing all the lack of wisdom used in dealing with our challenge of attaining any balance

50 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Hostile strangers across the street glaring at you, they complete the scene of war upon your mind the tearing pain, the moral bind A sheep stampede of urban blight it wants to pull you into fight but you resist the tug of madness bounce it off with waves of gladness Conscious of your dangerous spot and knowing that it's all you've got You weave your web of silver light around you and your friends so tight That any problem you might find is supported, friends in kind And comfort, with it's gentle stroke War Zone life style comes upon you and all the other people too Who to survive you shape your life around that knowledge ripe of strife That tribal union will be the means of social function in between The current time of urban blight and the not too future land of light So hang together, friends of ming and we will know the world as fine And all we dream will come about that's one thing you should never doubt It's by our dreams and your fantasies the world gets shaped, and soon we'll see The thoughts that we project right now come back to us sometime, somehow.

SONNY I lived in Orlando... we called it Disneyland...

ANDY Houston's a mess too...

MAURICE If the world falls apart, where does it fall too?

ENSEMBLE (laughter all around)

51 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

JOE (screams from bunk room) Uuh! Uuh! mmmmm (large gasp) CHAS (to FRANK) You know how to use breathing apparatus? (to BOB) call E.M.S. (grabs oxygen bottle, e-?? kit) FRANK Yeah (BOB picks up phone) CHAS Joe's got epilepsy, this sounds like a bad one.

CHAS and FRANK go into dorm. JOE is in the throes of a Grand Mal seisure; back arched, teeth grinding. They quickly pry JOE's mouth open, depress his swallowed tongue, and administer oxygen.

ENSEMBLE wakes to noise, clears cots, complains, watches action.

JOE's seisure slowly subsides to quivering, shakes. His eyes are open but glazed.

CHAS Bob, make a call to the hospital too, let 'em know he's coming, the rest of you guys just stand back, please ‌ SFX: E. M. S. siren in distance Enter E.M.S. with gurney. The E.M.S. pack JOE on the gurney and start rolling him out FEM. E.M.S. (to CHAS) This the fifth one?

CHAS In five weeks...

F. E.M.S. This is the worst , too...

The E.M.S. look knowingly at each other) E.M.S. exits with JOE. SONNY Shit, I never saw that before...

BOB (to SONNY) It's why he's like he is, he's looking death in the face.

CHUCK Man, what a bitch of a way to go...

CHAS OK, guys. lets put the place back together, lights out, party's over FRANK Some party...

52 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

CHAS Never a dull moment, here at the shelter (cheerfully)... hey, you want to hear a poem I found on the net?

FRANK Sure CHAS Well, a hobo sat underneath a bridge on a patch of tufted grass He listened to the water flow as the winter closed in fast When a big old carp in rusty scales splashed with a plop and a wiggle Climbed up the bank so that he could hail this bum with his Fishy giggle Hey, hobo, he said, I can see your bed is just a bunch of old news rags I'm a magic fish, I would grant your wish if you ask for a sleeping bag "It's a deal", said the bum, but he thought meal as he tried to grab the fish "What the hell, damn Fish, how can you say anything, much less grant my wish?"

Well the fish slipped back into the flow with a great big splash left the old hobo Who grinned later on as he'd rehash how he found a sleeping bag in the trash ...

FRANK Who's that by?

CHAS A guy named Frank Loftus...

FRANK Never heard of him...

SONNY (to Bob) Mate!

BOB (dumbfounded) Wow! Good move, kid. I didn't see that at all!

CHAS Andy, could you turn that off? (to ENSEMBLE) Lights out in ten minutes, gentlemen MAURICE What's out in that field?

JACK Your mind, Man CHAS Cool it.

53 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

BOB (to SONNY) Did you save the game?

SONNY Yeah. Who’s move?

BOB Your move SONNY (to FRANK) Hey Frank...

FRANK Yeah...

SONNY What did you study in college?

FRANK (laughs) Geology and Economics, not that it's doing me any good now...

SONNY So you know science, right?

FRANK I'm not a specialist, but I do know how science works...

SONNY How does it work? My Mom could never tell me that...

FRANK (long pause) The science of science, subjective in the end, gives us solar panels microchips, efficient cars and multiple nuclear warheads Measuring distance, weighing micrograms, gauging amperages Allowing us to build things without explaining the "why?"

Show me an inch: I dare you the width of some regent's thumb?

Agreed upon standard, just that only describes those things we use But it cannot tell us why such things are there, the meaning of concurrent realities interacting in the now Its agreement, consensus a judgement call at best Works on a mundane level as long as it's within specks Specifications aren't for form

54 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

matter is in constant change electrons don't wait for yardsticks gravity is inconsistent Lacking any absolute here we make do with our explanation Repeated results validate use giving us something to work with If you could show me an inch of hope hand me a half-gram of love I might then accept your science 'til then though, I must take it on faith SONNY Wow... I don't know what to think about it...

FRANK I suggest Einstein's Relativity Theory for a start...

SONNY Thanks, Frank FRANK No problem, bro (pokes SONNY shoulder as SONNY blushes, shies) CHAS Alright; good night; no bed-bugs here to bite; lights out guys...

MAURICE When is sunrise?

ENSEMBLE lay down in dim light, good nights all around FRED snores loudly in the darkness JOSE rises, goes into bathroom, pisses loudly, as FRED snores. Various farts and coughs from dorm. JOSE enters common room, gets drink of water JOSE Ah! Mijo! Just what I needed... (gets idea, raises finger) Ah! Mijo! (looks around, sees guitar, picks it up, strums lightly, listens for tone, nods. Starts playing softly) JOSE (softly)...

Ah! Mijo! long has the music played birds trilling along in the wind soaring, flitting, each with a song unique, of love, of longing, of warning, of joy

55 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Breath! Mijo! the tasty food of the sky fill yourself with it's essence surrounding you ever, ever in waves, invisible but known as present as falling snow Feel! Mijo! it swirl around in time warm in the summer's light cold with the moon's soft glow caressing without caring in it's constant changing breezes Si! Mijo!

Old and cracked is my skin yes have I stood in the tempest weathering before snow and rain.

Lightning bolts and icy storms have yet to cow my growing Ah! Mijo! long have I stood on this rock spinning in space the great void filling itself with dust of stars giving us fodder to build the bones which form our very being Hear! Mijo! the signs of the solid stones song of earth's constant hum chanting her birthing paibs as we, dancing in wind, create ourselfes, so to take part You! Mijo! are her child, composed of carbon and iron, minerals from great depths, being the stuff of being, knowing her intimately, sand and rock between your toes

56 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Yes! Mijo! my roots are deep, I have loved her long and have found I am here, finding myself in those spaces, still reaching for the subtle food I am make of Ah! Mijo!

Long have I drunk the sweet rain which ripples in vibrant motion filling my core as it flows, ever in different tempo, it's changing a constant re-newal, felt Feel! Mijo! the trickle that runs down your skin as snowflakes settle on limbs clinging in cold morning sunlight to melt as the day becomes warmer feeding streams rising higher Watch! Mijo!

See flowers emerge in spring, leaves uncurl when waters flow upward rising in defiance of gravity's laws, drawn by heat and springs becoming, calling beasts to drink Oh! Mijo! many springs have flowed through me dry summers have withered at times replenishment renewing hope, springing eternal in change ever a flow to be known Ah! Mijo!

Long has the heat that is in me roared as it raises it's tongue stirring me to changes profound choosing, yes, to seek the goals of altitude, heights, fruition Know! Mijo! choosing growth, stir the embers which glow in the darkness, mother and father of flames consuming

57 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

the present, creating new-ness in the cloak of destruction Stand! Mijo! the flames dancing in and out side, are the partners you will have in your growing,m glowing to illumination, enlighten a darkness not to be feared Lo! Mijo! often the fire has raged, scarred and charred do I stand, and doing that I am saying, fear neither the darkness nor light, they are nothing less than birthright Ah! Mijo! long have I grown in this place surrounded by every other, while watching winds blow water over singing stones and jumping flames, that are one Grow! Mijo! sink your roots into crevasses moistened in dew, spread your limbs and in sunlight and fire renew with those fallen leaves and flowers the nurturing soil Toil! Mijo! work wonder in breath, drink fire, burn death, spread roots to break stone, standing with, not alone, together all being witness, seeing Ah! Mijo! old is my visage, mossy beard nested, twisted my limbs, deep the roots sunken in stone, yet I breathe the breeze, warm the sap to run.. it is done... it is done...

58 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

(finishes, snores. farts, coughs in background. Looks at guitar, shrugs, chuckles to himself, puts guitar down, belches, climbs back into top bunk, which creaks loudly, farts, etc, continue as) FRED (sits up in bed - spotlight) Some folks brought this lasagna And a big bowl of salad, too.

Real stuff, with ricotta cheese Just enough to feed the whole crew.

The whole world falls apart again As we watch the evening news.

It's guitars after Jeopardy.

All the minstrels sing their blues.

Pass around a tobacco tin; we All roll a bunch of final smokes, Tease each other in the parking Tell a couple of new jokes.

Time for lights out in the dorm room Bedtime, children, it's ten o'clock Just like grade school. Once again Nightly News comes on, what a crock.

Peel off layers in the darkened room.

Take a dump, brush teeth, settle in.

Lay there thinking in the dim light, as the Symphony of Snores begins...

Well, the asthma section kicks it off with alto-vibrato wheezing noise, Like tremolo on some violins.

You feel sorry for the boys.

Think about the cold going round while hearing the cacophony, As the squeaky cot adds a sound like a triangle rung 'tinkelly.

There's a baritone from the coughs As the guys clear phlegmy throats.

A conversation whispered soft, The First Movement's closing notes...

59 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

(Second Movement) To open the second movement find the flugel-horns lead the way, with cellos coming right behind droning baritones softly play.

Yet vibration carries through the din when the early sleeper start to snore as wind from the heater kick in compliment slamming bathroom door the pipes chime in with soprano tones while puppies outside yap and yip you can feel it in your very bones tell ya, friend, it's a crazy trip...

Then the fellas with the chain saws rev up for movement number three...

Breaking music's established laws with inconsistent harmony.

Horns kick in from the lower end adding base-blasts of fragrant air that'll send your senses round the bend with odor that can curl your hair.

Air is cut with a groaning cry the epileptic with another fit, as the EMS truck drives away grand crescendo has been hit...

In the fourth, with lights down low gentle wheeze in the darkening couple barks from the dogs outside might inspire one to sing but sleep comes on as they show ends couple yawns, couple coughs be heard Forgivenness for other men in the morn, not a griping word The news comes on at 6 AM ceiling lights get turned on bright a race to the bathroom once again and the end of another night... (lays back down) (lights dim, multiple snores, etc)

60 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

(Common Room, lights come on) CHAS Good morning gentlemen! Rise and shine... we have a beautiful day out there, a balmy 25, with a even mile an hour wind. Breakfast is on the table...

ENSEMBLE grumbles, comments. Guys start dressing, making beds, lining up for toilet, making cold cereal, etc., MAURICE (to no one in particular) How do you get to the library from here?

JACK Walking might work, jerk...

CHAS Jack, lighten up...

JACK (raises arms) Alright, alright! (guys mill around, coffee, cereal) FRED (mumbling, leaving) See y'all...

MAURICE Does the bus stop here?

CHAS Yeah, you got thirty five minutes (reaches under desk, dumps weapons on desk) Tool time!

ENSEMBLE (pocketing various weapons) ANDY I feel naked without my knife...

BILL I feel lonely without my wife (after huffing) SONNY I feel like I'm about to start my life...

MAURICE I can't find my flash light FRANK You guys are alright JACK (putting the big knife away) Under the Radar!....

ENSEMBLE And out of sight!!!

CHAS Meds next (parcels out meds, as phone rings) Good morning, Men's shelter...

61 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Well, alllllright! Thanks! (hangs up) Gentlemen, good news! The counsel voted to let us stay open, as long as we don't blow it with the neighbors, and the will be watching...

But, yes! That's the word!

ENSEMBLE (Cheers, etc) CHAS (answering phone) Hello - Men's Shelter, uh-huh, when? Okay, I'll tell him. Hey Brian that cooking job on the north end, the diner? They're short order guy ran off with the manager's girlfriend... They want you to show up at eight if you want the job.

BRIAN Yes! Dude! and that means free food... Yes! Yes! SONNY My Mom taught me a bunch of different words for yes …

BRIAN Say that again dude...

SONNY Aye, oui, si, da, hai, ja, yes Ens – (picking up chant) Aye oui si da hai ja yes Aye, we see the high jah yes JACK yes like a snake in the growing grass FRANK yes of the stream that rushes past BRIAN yes when you’ve taken out the trash ANDY yes when what clung releases grasp Aye oui si da hai ja yes Aye, we see the high jah yes ANDY yes is when anything gets done By a crowd comprised of more than one FRANK Yes is our ticket to great fun As we join in on this time-path run Aye oui si da hai ja yes Aye, we see the high jah yes BRIAN Yes I agree, yes I can Yes I will, yes I am JACK Yes I rehearse, yes I play Yes you attend and hear me say Aye oui si da hai ja yes

62 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

Aye, we see the high jah yes ANDY When we all agree, it’s reality And it’s theatre to the max FRANK By our own consent do we come to see What we once thought now are facts Aye oui si da hai ja yes Aye, we see the high jah yes ANDY Yes, when decision’s finally made FRANK We sip lemonade in the cool, cool shade JACK After working in our yes-born trade BRIAN ‘neath the old trees sighing, Yes ….

THE END: SYMPHONY OF SNORES

63 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

CHARACTER SKETCHES: 1. FRED An old bum, scraggily white hair and beard, but clear eyes. Clean, but obviously worn down. Walks with a slow shuffle, mumbles to himself, doesn't speak much, but is clear-minded and thoughtful. Very deliberate, never excited. Ageless, wise to the world. Drab without being grungy.

VOICE: Long southern drawl.

2. CHAS 40ish,easygoing, clean cut, energetic. "Nice Guy" type leader. Manager of the shelter, dedicated father. Also very tough, professional forest fire crew leader. In a very delicate position because of shelter controversy, and dealing with a constantly changing group of twelve (or so) men every night. A born politician, he approaches problems pro-actively, takes his job seriously, does it well.

VOICE: baritone, slightly western accent.

3. SONNY Eighteen-year-old kid with thick glasses, a punky haircut, big clumsy feet. Raised by hippies, home schooled. Intelligent, thinks he knows more than he does; has seen a lot, but hasn't integrated it all. Stubborn, as a defense mechanism. Recently moved away from neurotic mother, soon to hit the road on his own. Just lost his cherry--to a woman his Mom's age... Growing up into his own.

VOICE: alto, girlish,breaking 4. BILL Fifty-ish, gray pony tail, white mustache, balding. Bad knees, walks gingerly,in pain; can't work anymore. Kids grew up, wife divorced him, losthis land.

Depressed, drinks too much, Nice guy, tells great stories,plays guitar well, sings bluesy old Folk songs, when he's not drunk.

VOICE: soft western drawl 5. BRIAN 35-ish, long red dreads. Eager and enthusiastic. Fiery personality, loud spoken, smiles a lot; obvious pot-head party boy, has followed rock shows doing lots of acid for years. Uses 'dude' a lot. Works hard, plays hard, lives hard. Adventurous, takes risks. will try anything once, wants to surf in Hawaii as his current dream.

VOICE: raspy, loud, fast talking 6. BUDDY 30-ish,Voice long black hair and beard, bushy black eyebrows, ruddy complexion, deep voice. Grungy but clean, safety pins and bad stitching on patches. New Jersey accent, a rainbow warrior, on the road; headed to the next gathering, head full of theories about ET's, the millennium, the government, etc.

VOICE: deep, thick, New Joisy accent 7. TOM 30-ish. Small punky short Mohawk, deep-set eyes, skinny. Traveling with Buddy, grungy but clean. Co-dependent with Buddy, (Gay?). Quiet, soft spoken. New Jersey accent; runs a Rainbow kitchen, proud of his cooking. Seems spaced out but isn't. takes himself seriously, sees significance in odd circumstance.

VOICE: higher than Buddy. Soft NJ accent

64 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

8. JOSE 55-ish. Short dark hair, heavy-set latino. Big smile, drinking but sober, can hold a lot. Wise eyes with a twinkle, experienced ex-con, veteran; has seen the world, lived life hard, enjoys it when he can, endures it when he has to, friendly to all: "Mano". Excellent guitarist.

VOICE: mid-range, slight Spanish accent 9. UNO 40-ish. Shorter than his pal Jose, latino. Side-kick type personality, more drunk than Jose, stumbling on words, speaks quietly, as if trying to figure out what to say as he says it. Thick spanish accent, slurred drunken speech.

VOICE: soft slow, thick Spanish accent 10. FRANK 55-ish urban black. Neat short afro, goatee. Medium build; clean clothes, piercing eyes, speaks perfect english, no accent. Inner-city sophisticate, ex-teacher, expolitical activist, poet, writer. Currently on a self-styled spiritual journey. Stuck with no money or work.

VOICE: baritone crisp, no accent 11. JACK 30-ish. Tall, well built, long haired "rocker" with attitude; big ego, vain, loud voice, opinionated about everything. Thinks he knows it all. Carries large heavy pack. Thinks of himself as a survivalist. Always preening, posing. Bully.

VOICE: mid-range brash, no accent 12. ANDY 40-ish. Short, slight, mussed hair under hat. Greasy over-alls with pockets full of tools; local guy down on his luck, can fix anything, can't find work. Soft spoken.

Always takes a 'practical' viewpoint. Looks like a victim but isn't. Tough, resilient.

VOICE: high western twang 13. JOE 55-ish, big, long white pony tail. Clean-shaven ex-Texas oil field worker. Can't work now because of epilepsy, works odd jobs to survive. Quiet, keeps to himself.

Cynical, burned-out, hates everything. Sexist, racist, jaded, but keeps it to himself.

VOICE: Texas twang 14. CHUCK 35-ish. Dirty, long unkempt hair, scruffy beard. Smells bad, dirty clothes, carries the same nasty attitude. Swears every other word. Cynical, rude. Shunned by 15. others and prefers it that way... Ugly personality.

VOICE: Chicago clip 16. MAURICE 35-ish. Small. Long dark hair, thick glasses, big eyebrows. Hyperactive, manic, interrupts, always looking for something; opinionated, loud, speaks with authority about everything, lives vicariously in his own dream. Believes he''s sane.

VOICE: mid-range,no accent 17. PETER 48-ish. Medium tall, skinny; short hair badly cut. Intense eyes, always staring;

65 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason

Symphony of Snores ...A Day in the Life of the Taos Men's Shelter...

shattered attention span. Intelligent enough to know he's crazy, but it's a chemical imbalance. On meds (which don't work). Insightful, when he says anything.

VOICE: medium-high, stutter 18. DONOR#1 Description pending.

VOICE: sweet,ooomphy 19. DONOR#2 Description pending VOICE clear professional baritone 20. COP#1 Senior to COP #2 *see below). Tall, glasses, direct bearing. Sure of himself.

VOICE: clear,authoritative 21. COP#2 Smaller, clear sharp eyes. Sly smile. Joker in uniform.

VOICE mid-range,softly spoken 22. EMS#1 TEXT HERE 23. EMS#1 TEXT HERE 24. BOB Clean cut, cell phone junky, medium build; Christian, but not pushy about it.

Small bible in pocket. Well spoken, polite. Listens well, watches everything, subdued. Suspected of being narc, squirrelly,4 darting eyes. Chess player.

VOICE: medium range,slight western drawl

66 Copyright (C) 2012 , All Rights Reserved, John F. Mason