MidNight Gatherering

Scene: [In a small area of the stage, lined with four large back bases each holding a different color door. The frist on the fair right, is an old wooden door with cracks and dust, the second black metal with the words 'Quit On Set' hanging below a barred window. Third shapped like an old Grandfather clock, with mice and rusted metal where the numbers and min hands are. The fourth is flashy, with green and red, oragen cirles and purple strips, fun colors covered with red splashes, like blood.]

[Middle of the stage, a single table with four chairs all around. Spot light hits an old lady who is sitting at the table, dressed in a high neck butten up old style dress, hair twisted up in a bun, glasses on nose and a large book open in her lap. a younger man sitting across from her, tied to a wheeling chair, mouth taped shut.]


Story Teller: Now now my boy. [man muffles out a sob] Its story time. Once Upon a time, there once lived a young man. Who thought it fun to play games. One night he thought it fun, to knock upon his helpless naber's door, and run away laughing. [the man struggles mufflign out cries] Hush! I'm not done. The young man did this for servel days, laughing at the elder lady who he played games with. One night, he went to bed with a smile, thinking of a new trick to play. The next day, he was gone and his family never saw him again.[women closes book as man shakes the chair in struggle] Now, whats the moral of this story? [Man muffles out sobs] Thats right... [gets up holding a pair of rusted old scirrors, walks to man.] If your not going to play nice. [holds scirrors up to mans throat, women holds his hair, man muffles and screams.] Then dont play at all. [man screams.]

Voice: Cut! [Story Teller pauses as boy sobs] [The Director walks out, dressed in a pair of black faded dress trousers with a white linen shirt, sleeves rolled up, dust and dots of blood covering his clothes, black hair slick to the side, his hands holding his old camra in front of him, showing signs of anger]

Director: Cut! Cut Cut Cut! No! Wrong! You do not kill him that way! [rushes over taking scorriors from womens hands] Thats to simple, its been played before! [sets camra down on table grabbing boys shoulder, pulling him from table spinning him around to the middle of the stage] He should die in a way no one expects! [spins man walking away to front] Yes! I can see it now! Our young man, chained to a power fan, one that powers the AC, but bigger! Once its turned on, the chains will whine and our guest will be dragged closer, claw all you want, but you can not escape! Closer and closer, in till the blades rip him in half! Blood! Everywhere! It'll be perfect! [-spins to the scared man-] Death... is a price you must pay for a perfect flim. Lucky for you, I am willing to risk it. Come! We have much to prepair! [-takes the scared man and pushes him across the stage humming, 'You Ought to be in pictures'. Old women sits back down with her book.]

Care taker steps out from stage right, dressed in a full black suit with white shirt covered in cob webs and dust.. Hot hat and gloves. Hair gray and stright, hanging over face, face made to look like a walking zombie, stopping the Director with his hand. The sounds of a chimming grandfather clock going off]

Care Taker: His time... is not up.

Director: Says who?

Care Taker: Me. [pulls the muffled screaming man from Directors grip, wheels him back to table] This man, still has life in his veins. My watch does not thrist for his soul.

Director: I dont want his soul, I want his fear! Five mintues is what I need, it'll make my movie perfect!

Story Teller: Movies.. They rot my childrens minds. I've seen the out come. What ever happened, to a good book? [reaches out tracing the scirrors across scared mans face] What do you think? [man screams pushing chair away, Care Taker brings it back.]

Care Taker: Dont be rude. [removes hat settles on table] She asked you a question. You should answer. [rips tape off, man cries out]

Man: W-Why are you doing this, let me go! I didn't do anything!

Director: Yes..the fear.. I see it. [takes camra off table and films] Your just now getting it arn't you? Your death... is nearing.. The possiblites of how ... is endless.

Man: Get away from me!

[Sounds of a grandfather clock chimming, two helpers come out, dressed in bloody aprons and gloves laughing]

Care Taker: Oh my.. Young man. [grabs the chair] Your time, is up. [Man screams and begs to be let go as Care taker wheels him to his helpers]

Care Taker: You should feel honored. For your aboug to be giving something few rarly see. A living, breathing, autopsy.

[Sounds of a childrens toy 'Jack In the Box Plays']

[Fourth door slams open on the last note of 'Jack in the Book']

Jack: Hello there kiddies![Jack stands in door way. Dressed in a baggy large white clown outfit with red, purple and green dots, dirty and blood covered. Face painted like an evil clown with red hair.]

Story Teller: [annoied] ..Jack...

Jack: [Closes door] Ah, Story Teller. Read anything good latly? [laughs out taking her large book. Women stands up with a hiss, pointing her scirrors at him]

Jack:Hey hey! [Dangles the book in front of him] I'm just playing, get a since of humor, or is that to far for your blades to reach?


[Jack laughs a little as women takes book back. Director fusing with his camra]

Jack: Well, where is this boy? I got your memo Director and I can not wait for the fun! My blinder is itching for a new body to mix. I have one in there right now earger to met her new friend. [a short cerkit then sounds of a blinder starting with a womens screams following] Oh...Nevermind. [laughs]

Director: Care Taker took the boy to 'Preform' again. I dont like him, he wants pain. Why wont any of you see the pleasure in fear!

Story Teller: Perhaps your the only one you see's it.

Director: Old hag

Story Teller: Dont make me cut out your tounge

[man screams from the distance]

Jack: Mayeb you should have took his. [jumps on table] Why does Care Taker get to have all the fun? I want to have it for once!

StoryTeller: Then why dont you go and stop him?

[Man screams again with Care Takers voice following, 'You only need one kidney to live.']

Jack: To late. But I wil have the last laugh.

Director: Well, since tonights event is lacking. I'm going back to my studio. Alot of fresh talnet just waiting for my art.

[Sounds of Grandfather Clock going off. Care taker returns in a white apron, covered with blood.]

Jack: Messy Eater

Care Taker: [wipes hands with stain towel] Come... It is time..

Jack: Dont have to tell me twice [jumps off table happily]

[All four go to their doors, opening them. Pause, then look to each other queitly.]

Director: Same Time?

Jack: [chuckles evily clawing his door] Same place?

Story Teller: In till then Gentlemen

Care Taker: [tips his head to them] See you next Mid night.

[all four enter, and shut the door. lights dim.]