The Chit Chat _____________ A Play in Two Acts ScreenWriter:JN Editor/Co-writers:RP,GA
1
Characters: GA Petruchio: A narcissistic man who firmly believes in the idea that women should be below men, and tries to convince Helmer RP Helmer: A character that has problems with his wife and tries to ask Petruchio for advice. Is also somewhat narcissistic and has a fun banter with Petruchio. JN David: A man who overhears the conversation of the first two characters, and is furious by the end. He is open to the idea of women being equal and forms a disagreement between his fellow peers.
Setting: Private Kitchen and Dining area in Building Time: Modern Day, 2018 2 1535 N Dayton Chicago, Il, 60642 email:jneiza@gcelabschool.org
(It starts with a man, David, walking through a kitchen, when he sees a shadow the behind a sheet. Confused, he walks towards the sheet, getting closer to see what it was doing. David, curious, pulls down the curtain in a furious and dramatic matter to see who is talking. He is at first blinded by the light with his hands covering his face. it's when the lights are two off by Petruchio that the dialogue begins) Petruchio: (Petruchio, looks at David while in the dark. He onlys looks intensely to check his name tag) Ah, hello there dear pal, chum, buddy….. David, I believe. (David, confused, lowers his arms and begins to question. He pauses for a second.) David: Ok, first of all, could you please lower the light, I can’t see anything. (Helmer, from a side view, grabs the light and turns it off. David begins to lower his arms, and notices the clothing of the two gentlemen. The first one wearing elegant old fashion wear, and the second wearing clothes from father beyond. After examining the two characters carefully, David stands upright, and begins to talk.) David: Guessing that you do not know the rules, I would like to inform you that this area of the building is prohibited from the public. And you must leave immediately or else I must inform security. (Petruchio, already sitting down, chuckles once, before standing and walking casually. He heavily puts his hands on David’s shoulder and begins to talk in a cheerful and merry manner.) 3 1535 N Dayton Chicago, Il, 60642 email:jneiza@gcelabschool.org
Petruchio: Thou shan't be so alarm. We are merely impersonators in the midst of conversation. We are sharpening our skills for the room ahead, for their will be a great theatre for the pitiful workers to live through. Helmer: Yes, and there’s nothing to be worrying about. We’re going to leave anyway, so there is no need for force. But just to give you more clarity, my name is Torvald Helmer, and his is Petruchio. If you need anything, we’ll not be in your way. (David, at first not believing the two, begins to scan the two for certainty in their character. He soon lets go of his hesitients as he walks away from the two in order to get a snack) David: Well.. alright then. I guess I could allow you two to stay. When the clock stands twelve, you’re out of here. (David creates a hand movement when empathizing the last four words) Petruchio: Certainly, and thou shall not hearth a peep from thy two. Only mere mockery of the language in battle of speech. Besides no need to worry all be off soon enough my alluring Kate awaits my lust. Helmer: Yes, definitely. Though, in all honesty we all know who’s going to be the victor.
Petruchio: HAHA so humorous, forgive my friend Helmer's bleeding heart, it is as soft as his fist’s.
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(Helmer, hearing the insult, wisk his head with a grin and smiles with his hand on his side of his face. He stares directly towards Petruchio with intensity.) (As the two begin to talk, David goes to the kitchen table, and begins to prepare a meal. He tries to ignore the conversation, but his mannerism seem to show him in the interest. As the two actors begin to talk, David listens carefully, as he gradually reacts to the conversation with surprise, disgust, and anger.) ACT II Helmer: So as I was saying before, my spendthrift has been showing restraint lately. She has become cold and needy, and I don’t have a clue why. She even pleaded with to keep a subordinate, and belittle me in doing so. I mean, I love her, but I feel like now she show no respect for me. Petruchio: I, Petruchio, once had a shrew for a wife, a terrible one too. For she would scream like a child, and throw a fuss the same. Yet by the guidance of the rightly inherited heaven's grace, she received an epiphany, “She is my house, my household stuff, my field, my barn, my horse, my ox, my ass, my anything.” Helmer: What do you mean?! Petruchio: What I mean is that a damsel who shares no strength must not mean she shouldn’t be disciplined. She must learn her place, for it God who put her there. After all, you preach on religion, and you know it is to be true. Forgive her, and then punish her the same. Hold her close and don’t let go!! (each word Petruchio pound on the table with clarity in a fist) Only then will she give in, and truly see her place, being rescued by a man of honor. Do you wish for that, Helmer?
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(Helmer is paused for a second as he looks down to the ground in order to think. He slowly shakes his head in agreement and begins to look at Petruchio in a confident look)
Helmer: Why, you make much sense Petruchio. She would be nothing without me. My little skylark needs her knight to follow. She must be corrected so she won’t be rustling within the cold night. After all, she who has no religion will be led to a dangerous path. My children, my honor, and my sweet little skylark must be simply be protected. Petruchio: Great! Though you know the lesson I exhort, my good friend Helmer you must not forget. A king's death in chess plainly ends the game But that of a queen’s power fights to die but surely. (David, irritated, immediately turns around and stares directly at the two actors. No longer being an observer, Walks two steps to the actors, and eagerly interrupts the conversation) David: Um, I’m sorry, but if I could be so bold to speak. Helmer: May... David: I just hear your conversation a bit... unfathomable. I mean, I know your actors and such, but your conversation sounds so real, so true, that it cannot be ignored. It gives me.. So much fear and anger to hear a speech like this to ever be made. If you are planning to show this, believe me when I say no-one would want to listen at all. (David puts emphasis on the last two words. Helmer puts his hand on his chin. He speaks)
(Helmer moves his hand away from his face, and rebuttals immediately in a prideful tone.) 6 1535 N Dayton Chicago, Il, 60642 email:jneiza@gcelabschool.org
Helmer: Well, play or no play, the conversation still holds, my friend David. You can’t have a woman acting superior to you. It would be an emotional train wreck followed by another emotional train wreck. So on and so forth. (David, mad, moves forward and tries to do certain hand movements representing his emotions. His face turns more sour and begins to shout.) David: You..cannot be serious on this. You can’t just talk about these things as if it was complete truths. Helmer: Why should we change our truths because of yours? Petruchio and I have known our truths since we were young and will keep knowing this until we are old. Thousands of years of patriarchy, up until this sudden shift. What changed?! (Petruchio comes into the conversation, with irritation in his voice)
Yes, sex. job, what
Petruchio: Helmer is correct. There are so many problems with the different Do you wish to be runned over, and be robbed by any position, or home from women who don’t even know what do with it. Is that you wish?!
David: Yes, because I don’t believe in backwards thoughts!!. Helmer: Backwards, it’s nothing but!! David: No, It’s immoral, and wrong. But as long as people truly know the world around them, tolerance shall prevail over the ignorant voice.
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(David walks away in an angered march. The two are left dumbfounded, as they don’t know what to say. The, Petruchio, in a normal voice, talks as a normal.)
Petruchio: Hmm, Drama Queen Helmer: Tell me about it. Too much consternation.
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