Dust and Delinquents: A Ten Minute Play

I have been suffering from wicked-bad writer's block brought about by writing technical articles all day.

I also had an assignment due for class.


This is what happened. Brace yourselves.

Dust and Delinquents: A Ten-Minute Post Apocalyptic Tale of Tragedy, Love, Coming of Age, Incest, Nuclear Fallout and Violence – Lots of Violence.

By Caitlin Seida

Time: Post-Apocalyptic Alternate Present Day

Characters:

JOHN – The chameleon protagonist who isn't all that he seems.
CINDY – The crass, tough, trash-talking daughter of the town's mayor.

MARK – Cindy's lecherous brother.

JENNY – Cindy's automaton of a sister.

JOSH – Cindy's other brother.

AUNT SALLY – Cindy's practical, if misguided, aunt.

UNCLE BILLY – A tactical-minded gruff figure, Cindy's uncle.

MINISTER – A public official who isn't sure he's always in the right.

TOWNSPEOLE: White, upper-middle class citizens.

LOPEZ'S MEN: People of color eeking out an existance in the destroyed town where they've been marginalized.

ACT 1 SCENE 1: The Street

A blanket lays beneath an alcove carved by the crumbling remains of a building. Mist blankets the area. Two teenagers, JOHN and CINDY, lay on the blanket. Their faces are streaked with mud, their patched, threadbare clothing splattered with gore. Guns and backpacks sit beside them.

CINDY: Just kiss me. It doesn't matter any more.

JOHN: It matters to me. (He reaches out out to touch her. She grabs him and kisses him. JOHN pulls away in shock.)

CINDY: We've lost everything – parents, friends, everything. And you're going to hold out on losing one of two things we've got left –

JOHN: What? Two things?

CINDY: Yeah, John, follow me here. Two things. Our lives and my virginity.

JOHN sits in stunned silence.

JOHN: And you want me to...

CINDY: Yeah, unless you were planning to whore me out...I'm not like the other girls, John. After the bomb struck and everything fell away, the other girls rolled over onto their backs like dogs in heat, begging for it, waiting for someone to come and claim them in hopes of protection. And now what do they have? Jessica from the pharmacy? She's dead – beaten to an inch of her life by her brand new pimp, you know, Silas from the gas station? Yeah, he thought he'd make a killing gathering up all the girls who were willing. And he did – you know, make a killing. (She pauses. John is not amused.)

CINDY: (Shouting) What I'm trying to say is this – I don't give a fuck what you want right now. I'm a grown woman by primal standards – I've had tits and been bleeding monthly for years now. I'm upset, hurt, angry and scared and all I want is a little goddamned comfort and if you won't give me that (She pauses.)
JOHN: (whispers) And what if I won't give you that?

CINDY: If you won't give me that, then I'm going to have to look elsewhere. I thought you actually gave a shit. (She stands, spits some debris from her mouth and looks around.)

NOISES rumble in the distance. A SIREN begins wailing.

CINDY: Shit! (She grabs her gun and runs off stage. JOHN follows suit.)

ACT 1 SCENE 2: The Church

JOHN and CINDY are huddled in a dimly lit, desecrated church. Broken glass, wood and holy wreckage surround them. CINDY is perched by a window. She has her gun in hand, poised to move.

JOHN: What's going on?

CINDY: I haven't got the slightest clue. Canadians, again, I guess. They started raiding the town right after we were bombed. Or the migrants – they took over after they realized all the rich white folks were dead. Lopez – your parent's former gardener – is something of a warlord now. All the women who were deemed fit were rounded up for the breeding program, you know, to repopulate the fucking planet. I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I want to live in a world populated from those bit– You should know all this. Where the fuck have you been for the past six months?

JOHN: Running away. Then you found me stuck under that building...you saved me.

CINDY: Well don't get all starry eyed on me, Johnnyboy. I'd kill you in a heartbeat if you turned on me.

TWO MEN step out of the alcoves of the church. They are covered head-to-toe in combat gear. They move toward CINDY, who is still looking out the window. They seize her.

CINDY: HEY! HEY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU--- (Her cries fall silent as one of the men knocks her over the head. He turns to JOHN.)

MAN: Thank you so much for returning our dear, darling sister to us. She's been causing so much trouble as of late.

(CINDY'S BROTHER tosses JOHN a pack of food and some coins. John lets them fall at his feet. He looks down.)

JOHN: Shit.

CURTAIN

ACT 2 SCENE 1: Cindy's Bedroom

CINDY lays on a normal looking bed in a normal looking house. Thick curtains are drawn over the windows, obscuring the world outside. CINDY is asleep, but has been cleaned up. She is now wearing a white summer sun dress. CINDY'S BROTHER sits beside her bed. He is wearing a suit and tophat, a walking cane resting beside him.

CINDY: (mumbles, tossing in her sleep.)

CINDY'S BROTHER: There, there, sister. You'll be fine soon enough. (He caresses her cheek. His hand moves lower. Cindy grabs it and bolts half upright.

CINDY: Excuse you?

CINDY'S BROTHER: (laughing, he twists his arm from her grip and smacks her across the face.) Nice to see you awake, sis. The family figured we'd have to go through with it while you were unconscious.

CINDY: The family? Mark, what the hell are you going on about? And what the hell are you wearing?

MARK: Cindy, you can't just run off and start playing renegade “Rambo-Meets-Florence-Nightengale.” We were above the rest of the town and we still are.

CINDY: You died. Mom died. Dad was killed. I saw it.... (she starts to move from the bed, but is pushed down with the tip of MARK'S cane.)

MARK: You did. Mom's dead. Dad was killed by the townspeople he was supposed to keep safe – what good is a mayor when he can't keep order? The rest of us are still very much alive, though. I scraped by, so did Jenny and Josh. Aunt Sally and Uncle Bill have been running the house since Mummy and Daddy's unfortunate end. But this town needs order.

CINDY again tries to move. MARK lunges, and is atop her.

MARK: (whispers) And the town can't have order without rulers, Cindy. You'd make an excellent one – your tactical skills are horrid, I caught you after all. But I caught you. And you're going to rule beside me.

CINDY struggles, trying to push MARK off of her. She screams. MARK kisses her.

JENNY and AUNT SALLY enter. Running to the bed, AUNT SALLY taps MARK on the back.

AUNT SALLY: Not now, Mark. You'll have time enough for that later. (She smiles endearingly at CINDY. CINDY growls.)

AUNT SALLY: Come, dear, I think we have a little bit of explaining to do.

ACT TWO SCENE TWO: The Dining Room

AUNT SALLY, JENNY and CINDY sit around a dining room table. AUNT SALLY and JENNY are drinking tea from delicate cups. CINDY has coffee in a mug and is trying to light a cigarette with trembling hands.

JENNY: You shouldn't smoke, Cin. Mom and dad would have killed you.

CINDY: (bitter) Well mom and dad aren't here, now are they? Bitch.

AUNT SALLY: You'd do well to speak less and listen more, Cindy. Things have changed around here. (She takes the cigarette away, crushing it.) And insubordination won't be tolerated.

CINDY sits in stunned silence.

AUNT SALLY: In the months since White Haven was destroyed, we've made a tidy little life here. We've kept our own safe – your cousins, your uncle Bill and myself, your sister and brothers. We've got ample food stores and we've amassed a group of supporters willing to fight for us, to restore order. But we're missing a figure-head for our movement, something that can give the remaining citizens hope. A model couple – the Kennedies of the New World Order. We can't give you white picket fences, Cindy, but you can give them that hope – a young, capable white woman, married to a strong, capable white leader. A family, a united front.

CINDY: (She sits silent for a while.) What the hell have you been smoking?

JENNY: Cindy, I married Josh. We tried to be what was needed, but it isn't going to happen. I inherited mom's hostile womb – Doctor Freidman figured that one out when I was examined. But you're strong and healthy – headstrong, just like Mark. And you're a virgin.

CINDY: (hysterical) How the hell did you know? And what the hell are you talking about? You married Josh? He's our BROTHER! And so is Mark! And I am sixteen goddamn years old, I am not squeezing out a few puppies and playing house with my own BROTHER!!!!

UNCLE BILLY enters, a gruff, imposing figure. JOHN is in tow, cleaned up and carrying a plate of food. JOHN sits the food on the table, silent. He averts his gaze.

CINDY stands and lunges for him. She is held back by JENNY.

CINDY: YOU! You little rat. You fiend. You – you – you FUCKING JUDAS!

UNCLE BILLY sets a hand on CINDY'S shoulder, pushing her back into her chair.

UNCLE BILLY: Don't blame the boy, Cindy. He was just doing what we all are doing – trying to stay alive. He's been working for us. I figured since you two were dating before the bomb struck, I'd take the lad in.

CINDY fumes, lighting up another cigarette. UNCLE BILLY plucks it from her fingers just as it reaches her lips. He puts it out in JENNY'S cup of tea.

UNCLE BILLY: It's too late to gather White Haven for the wedding. But you're going to marry Mark tomorrow, Cindy. No arguing, no complaints, no but's about it. You've got tonight to make your peace with the idea. And don't try to run....I've got eyes all over this place.

UNCLE BILLY pats JOHN'S back and EXITS.

AUNT SALLY: Escort her to her room, boy. And see that she doesn't leave.

JOHN offers his arm to CINDY. CINDY scorns it and shoves him, EXITING.

JOHN shrugs and follows.

ACT TWO SCENE THREE: Cindy's Bedroom

John sits beside CINDY's bed, where Mark had earlier. He slumps in the chair. CINDY sits cross-legged on the bed, muttering.

CINDY: (whispering) Why John? Why?

JOHN: I did what I had to, Cindy. I did what I had--

CINDY: (voice rising) You knew about all of this?

JOHN: Yes. And your brother is twice the man I'll ever be. (He buries his face in his hands)

CINDY: You're both about even in my book.

JOHN: I love you, Cindy. (his voice cracks, he's crying.)

CINDY: You sure have a funny fucking way of showing it.

JOHN: I just....When your uncle showed me how it was going to work, when he promised me it would all be better....I just want everything back to normal Cindy. Even if it means living on the shadows of your life. I just want everything to be okay.

CINDY: “Okay” and “normal” are two different things. Normal is not going to happen – not now, not ever. Not for a long time. Okay? Well...this isn't okay. I loved you, too, John. And this is so not okay.

JOHN: You, you did? Really?

CINDY: (crying) Yes. I did. It was some Romeo and Juliet style-bullshit. You want to know the difference? Romeo died before he could turn into a backstabbing, drunken asshole and Juliet offed herself instead of growing up, growing fat, popping out a few babies and bringing Romeo his nightly beer before he beat her. And if I could, I swear to the fucking God on high I would kill you right now if I had even the slightest ch--

JOHN cuts her off with a kiss.

CINDY freezes, and slaps him, but doesn't pull away.

JOHN kisses her. His hands roam her body. The lay on the bed.

A sheer curtain falls, showing only their silhouettes moving. John pulls away from CINDY for a moment.

JOHN (from behind the sheer curtian): If I make this okay, will we be okay?

CINDY: If you make this okay, we'll be fantastic.

JOHN: Then this is what we're going to do.

The curtain sets to pleasant sighs and grunts. STAGE LIGHTS dim.

JOHN WHISPERS from the darkness: Didn't think you'd be that good...

A cigarette strikes to light in the darkness.

CINDY: Didn't think you'd go off that quick. What's the plan?

JOHN (his voice fades as he speaks) I'll bring the supplies. Make sure no one helps you get ready tomorrow for the wedding. Be ready for anything we're going to...

CURTAIN

ACT THREE SCENE ONE: Cindy's Bedroom

JOHN is asleep on the chair, his hair and clothing rumpled. CINDY is asleep, similarly disheveled. MARK creeps into the room. JOHN stirs, but doesn't awaken.

MARK creeps to CINDY's side and pulls the covers away. He looks at her, grinning and rubbing his hands together.

MARK climbs into bed next to his sister. CINDY awakens with a shout. JOHN snorts and jostles awake. He turns away from the scene, not without regret.

MARK: Can't I just get a little taste of what's going to be mine, dear?

CINDY: You're creepy, Mark. But....

With a great effort and look of disgust, she kisses MARK.

MARK's hands move to touch her. CINDY pulls away.

CINDY: No more, Mark. Don't you want your bride fresh and new for her wedding? And...(she lowers her voice, trailing a finger down Mark's chest idly) after the wedding?

MARK grins and jumps out of bed. He kisses CINDY's forehead.

MARK: Until then, my little dove.

MARK EXITS, whistling.

CINDY: That was disgusting.

JOHN: You're a good actor.

CINDY: It was still disgusting.

JOHN: You'll get him back. Do you remember the plan?

CINDY nods.

JOHN: Then just stick to it. We'll make it through this.

CINDY reaches out and grasps JOHN's hand.

JOHN: Thank you.

CINDY: For what?

JOHN: For not killing me. For what I had to do...

CINDY: You're not off the hook yet. (She kisses him.)

CURTAIN

ACT THREE SCENE TWO: The Wedding

DAWN. OUTDOORS. Townspeople are gathered around the public square. All white. A gang of disheveled brigands circles, looking antsy. The “brigands” are of every race but white. The dichotomy is clear.

A wedding march sounds from a badly played flute. A minister stands at the center of the square. UNCLE BILLY enters, with CINDY on his arm. CINDY is dressed in a wedding gown, fully veiled. Her hands are clutched to her stomach. She walks stiffly.

MARK stands next to the minister.

CINDY is walked down the “aisle” and left to stand next to her brother. Her other brother stands beside MARK. JENNY stands beside CINDY.

The minister clears his throat.

MINISTER: Let's make this quick. (he pulls his collar) You can't rush God's work, but you can certainly put a rush order on it. (He motions to the brigands and nods.)

MINISTER: Do you, MARK, take CINDY to be your beloved wife? To have and to hold, to cherish and love, to protect and honor, as long or as short as you both shall live?

CINDY snorts with laughter. JENNY pats her back, mistaking it for tears.

MARK: I do. And then some. (His hands fall to CINDY's hips, pulling her close.)

MINISTER (clears his throat again): Do you, CINDY, take MARK to have and to hold, to love and cherish, to submit to and serve, as long or as short as you both shall live?

CINDY (in a shaky voice): I do.

MINISTER: And you attest that until now, you have been untouched by another? That you remain pure and good, innocent for your future husband?

CINDY: Yes.

MINISTER (pulling at his collar.): By entering into this union, you both agree, that of your own free will, you will serve as this town's leaders, protectors and progenitors. You both agree, of your own free will, that you will work to restore and replenish the lives we have lost, and in this union, create new ones for as long as you both are able?

MARK (irrtated): We do. This isn't a legal proceeding. We spend less time on hangings. Hurry up. (his hands roam CINDY's body. She stands motionless.)

MINISTER: Then by the power invested in me by the citizens of White Haven and our Lord above, I now pronounce you husband and wife. MARK, you may kiss your bride.

The TOWNSPEOLE cheer. Mark lifts CINDY's veil and kisses her, deeply. CINDY bites his lip. He pulls away in pain)

MARK: You little bitch!

He moves to strike her. CINDY pulls a knife from the stomach area of the bodice of her gown and runs him through. MARK falls to the ground, dead.

In the commotion, the townspeople are overtaken by the brigands. JOHN fights his way through the crowd. CINDY is shredding her dress, making it easier to move in. She wears combat boots beneath her gown, now sliced and hacked to bits. JOHN carries their packs and guns from earlier. He tosses CINDY her supplies.

JOHN: I told you I'd make it okay. Lopez wanted a pretty penny, but your Uncle Bill won't miss it.

CINDY: And I told you I'd kill you if you ever backstabbed me.

CINDY points the gun in JOHN'S direction, taking aim.

JOHN: But, Cindy....

CINDY lowers the gun, and pulls him in for a kiss.

CINDY: You're forgiven. Silly boy. It may not be normal, but it is okay. Be mine forever?

The scuffle is over, the citizens of White Haven having succumbed to Lopez's men. The TOWNSEOPLE lay dead and dying. LOPEZ's MEN watch, silent.

JOHN: Always.

CINDY kisses him deeply. She picks up her boquet and tosses it into the crowd of LOPEZ'S MEN. They cheer.

JOHN wraps his arm around CINDY and they EXIT, followed by the cheering band of men, some of whom are weeping.

CURTAIN

Fin.