The Dark White - SimplyScripts



The Dark White

An original short piece

By

Jon Jachimowicz

FADE IN:

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – DAY

A Pyramid with six actors (JANE RIMOSA, DR. LAWRENCE PETERSON and ALEX ARBACK at the bottom, SOCIETY 1 and SOCIETY 2 in the middle and GOD at the top) is situated on the right side of the stage. The lights are not on them but on the office. The office is a usual office with an older desk, a couple of chairs, a half-illumined desk lamp and shelves filled with books in the back. There is a sign on desk which reads “DR. LAWRENCE PETERSON – PSYCHIATRIST”.

Alex and Dr. Peterson get up from the pyramid. Peterson sits down at his desk. Alex walks into his office.

PETERSON

Welcome. My name is Dr. Lawrence Peterson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Peterson holds out his hand, but Alex doesn’t shake it.

PETERSON

Please, have a seat.

Alex sits down.

ALEX

What exactly did my father tell you?

PETERSON

What he told me is irrelevant. The most important thing is that you are here, seeking help.

ALEX

It’s just so hard right now. Everything has come crashing down on me.

PETERSON

I want you to know that it is very brave of you to come here and tell me your story.

ALEX

I don’t fell comfortable talking about it right now.

PETERSON

But Alex, it is not going to get better unless we discuss your story.

ALEX

You don’t understand what I am going through. Nothing can bring her back.

Lights out. Alex goes back to the pyramid and sits down.

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – DAY

JANE gets up from the pyramid and lies down on the COUCH in Peterson’s office.

PETERSON

Name?

JANE

Jane. Jane Rimosa.

PETERSON

You know why you’re here?

JANE

(subtle & scary) The judge sent me.

Peterson looks through his notepad finding an empty page.

PETERSON

What’s the real reason?

Jane is chewing gum uninterested and doesn’t look at Peterson.

JANE

I don’t know?

PETERSON

What are those marks on your arm?

JANE

Cat scratched me. No big deal.

PETERSON

Well, I have your file here…

SOCIETY 1 & SOCIETY 2 stand up from the pyramid and point at Jane.

SOCIETY 1

Drug Addict!

SOCIETY 2

We pay for all of your treatments!

Jane looks overburdened. She screams out loud.

PETERSON

What happened on June 10th, Jane?

Lights out, Spotlights on GOD.

GOD

All people have gone trough strife

No one lives too easy of a life

All people go trough struggles and pain

No two lives are exactly the same

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – DAY

Alex lies on Dr. Peterson’s couch.

PETERSON

Before the tragedy Alex, did you have a job?

ALEX

Yes, I worked for an insurance company.

PETERSON

For how long?

ALEX

I began working there four years ago and quit last week. I thought it was a good job. It paid well, but the hours were long which makes… used to make Jenny upset, because we didn’t spend enough time together. She would be proud that I quit.

PETERSON

How did you and Jenny meet?

Alex is clearly mourning from the pain of losing her. Short Pause.

ALEX

We were high school sweethearts, together for seven years and just two months ago… I asked her to be my wife.

Alex breaks out into tears and tantrum.

ALEX

Why, why was she taken away from me!?

SOCIETY 2

It’s not your fault. Go on, live your life.

ALEX

She was my life!

PETERSON

I understand you Alex, I know how you feel.

ALEX

How do you know how I feel? Have you ever lost something that meant as much to you, as Jenny did to me?

PETERSON

Yes, I have. We all experience loss in our lives.

Lights out.

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – DAY

Jane lies down on Peterson’s couch.

JANE

When I was twelve years old, my father and my mother were going through rough times. Dad was always quite demanding. I’ll never forget what he said to her that one night…

SOCIETY 1

Can’t you do anything right, you useless woman? Why did I marry you?

When this is said, a loud BANG is heard backstage. Jane looks away and sighs in shame.

JANE

My father abused my mother.

Dr. Peterson is shocked and circles her.

JANE

In 1998, when I was sixteen, my so-called best friend offered me something that she said would “change my life”… and it did.

SOCIETY 2

You had no choice?!?

JANE

Drugs became everything I lived for. When I was 17 my parents got divorced, and shortly after, I went to rehab.

SOCIETY 1

Just one rehab?

JANE

Multiple rehabs.

PETERSON

We all make mistakes, it’s not to late quite yet. I want to help you, Jane.

Lights out, Spotlights on GOD.

GOD

In a battle, fallen men

Let the lost live again

They may rise, or they may fall

Will I have to make that call?

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – DAY

GOD

Three months later.

PETERSON

How do you feel today, Alex?

ALEX

I feel fine. For the first time in months, I slept through the night.

PETERSON

There is something that I need to ask you and I feel that this is the right time to do so.

ALEX

Go ahead.

PETERSON

Tell me Alex, how exactly did she die? Tell me how it happened.

Alex is shaken up. He sits up and closes his eyes.

ALEX

One day… Jenny and I went into town and then…

EXT. CITY – DAY

The pyramid is gone for this scene. A sign on the stage says “JUNE 10th”. 6 people dressed in red walk around the city, chatting, pointing at showcases. The audience sees Alex holding the hand of a woman dressed in black. They are obviously having a good time, laughing and kissing. Suddenly one person in white storms in, stabs the black woman and runs away. The black woman faces the audience, falls to her knees and slowly dies. The people dressed in red also fall down, symbolizing blood. Alex holds the black woman’s head.

ALEX

Somebody help! Call the ambulance! Did you see the murderer? There, he was just here! Somebody must have seen him. Jenny… you’re going to make it. Promise me you will make it.

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – DAY

Jane lying on Peterson’s couch.

PETERSON

How are you today, Jane?

JANE

I’m ok. I haven’t been getting much sleep lately, but I got a job in the prison kitchen, which I am really enjoying. The kitchen staff is very satisfied with my work.

PETERSON

That’s great to hear Jane. I am very proud of you.

JANE

Thank you Dr. Peterson. I have noticed that every time I walk out of here, I feel much more at ease with my difficult situation and myself. I finally feel that I have someone I can trust.

PETERSON

I am glad that we can talk openly.

Let’s continue with our session.

Peterson takes out his notepad and flips to a page.

PETERSON

What did you like to do while you were growing up?

JANE

You know, the usual. Partying, spending time with friends, doing drugs, whatever was popular at that time.

SOCIETY 1

Don’t you have a mind of your own? Always doing what other tell you to do? Thinking what others want you to think?

PETERSON

What about the unusual?

JANE

I don’t understand. What are you talking about, doctor?

PETERSON

What about Brian, Jane? Would you call that usual?

JANE

I don’t want to talk about it… I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to talk about it! Please, please don’t make me.

PETERSON

Jane, it is necessary for our session that you tell me what happened with Brian.

JANE

This is confidential, right?

PETERSON

Of course it is. Your secrets are safe with me.

JANE

When I was nineteen, I met this amazing boy named Brian. We dated for seven months and it was the most incredible time of my life. There was a problem though.

PETERSON

What was the problem?

JANE

Both my parents and Brian’s were against interracial couples. They thought that blacks should be with blacks and whites should be with whites, and because of this, Brian and I had to keep our relationship secretive. We were able to do that for seven months, but then… Our secret got out.

PETERSON

Your father found out about you?

JANE

Worse then that. His parents and family found out as well. Brian and I were walking home from a friend’s house, when… His brother had found out our secret and wanted to make us pay for it. They drove by us and opened fire. The bullet that was intended for me hit him. My Brian died that night.

PETERSON

That must have been devastating.

Jane, I…

JANE

And then that one day, when I was walking downtown and saw that mixed couple, I ask myself, why can they be together, when all that was directed towards Brian and I was hatred and disgust? Why couldn’t the public just accept us how we were and let us be happy like this couple was?

SOCIETY 2

You wanted to be just like them.

JANE

I flexed my hand, I looked at her, I closed my eyes… and I stabbed.

PETERSON

Are you talking about June 10th, Jane?

SOCIETY 1

Guilty bitch, go to prison, or go to hell.

JANE

Yes, I Am Dr. Peterson. You have got to help me. You understand me, you know how I feel. Please, help me, explain to the judge! I trust you. Get me out of here.

PETERSON

I can’t help you, only you can help yourself.

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – DAY

Dr. Peterson is sitting on his chair all by himself, writing on his notepad. Alex walks in without an appointment.

ALEX

Doctor, I know I am showing up unannounced, but I had to come here to express my heartfelt gratitude. Thanks to your advice and sympathy, my life has got back on track. I have got a job, a home and a new outlook on life. And that’s all thanks to you.

Peterson seems to be very hurried. He is trying to get rid of Alex as fast as possible.

PETERSON

I am very grateful that I have been helpful to you and that you are standing on your own two feet again, but I have an appointment now, so I am going to have to ask you to leave.

KNOCKS on the door.

PETERSON

Damn! I left the door unlocked. Alex…!

As Peterson says this, Jane walks in his office. Jane and Alex look at each other for about 10 seconds. Alex seems to be shocked, Peterson is scared.

ALEX

Are you the woman who murdered Jenny? Why? Why would you do that?

PETERSON

Alex, please leave my office.

JANE

It had to be done.

SOCIETY 1 and SOCIETY 2 stand up from the pyramid. SOCIETY 1 stands behind Jane, SOCIETY 2 behind ALEX.

SOCIETY 1

You did a good thing Jane.

SOCIETY 2

That woman killed Jenny. Aren’t you mad?

ALEX

Why would you kill an innocent woman? Why? What was the reason?

PETERSON

Alex, get out of my office, now!

Peterson grabs Alex and tries to push him off-stage, but Alex pushes him instead out of his office and locks him out.

JANE

She didn’t fit in.

ALEX

Fit in to what?!

PETERSON

Open the door!!

SOCIETY 1 & 2 start chanting.

SOCIETY 1 & SOCIETY 2

Dark and White

Always Fight

It’s a sin

For Blacks to win

Once they are done, Jane hums their melody.

JANE

The world and you are better off with her gone.

ALEX

But she was my everything!

SOCIETY 1

Tell him the truth, Jane. Tell him.

JANE

I was making sure you didn’t have to go through what I did. I saved you from the harsh reality that you and Jenny would never be accepted. You should be thanking me.

SOCIETY 1

Blacks and whites don’t belong together. They never have and they never will.

PETERSON

Alex, unlock the door, let me in. Please, Jane, be reasonable… Dorothy! Call the Police!

ALEX

Who are you to decide who lives and who dies?

JANE

I did it for you, Alex. You will benefit from this.

SOCIETY 2

Don’t you want to punish her for what she has done? Kill her Alex, get your revenge.

ALEX

I will make you pay for what you have done.

SOCIETY 1

Is he any better than you Jane?

JANE

I deserve better than you.

Alex pulls out a KNIFE and walks towards Jane.

POLICE 1

This is the Police. Open the door, or we will!

PETERSON

Alex, Jane, both of you, stop!

POLICE 2

If the door isn’t open within 10 seconds, we are going to come in.

JANE

I did no wrong. God will protect me.

Alex stabs Jane.

ALEX

And where is your god now?!

As Jane is falling to the floor, she pulls the knife out of her chest and stabs Alex. They both bleed semi-dramatically beside each other.

POLICE 1 & 2

3…2…1…

A loud BOOM is heard when both policemen appear on stage. They freeze for a moment, apparently shocked by the scene. Then the cover the bodies with a black bag and carry them out. While the bodies are being taken off-stage, Peterson appears on the side of the stage.

PETERSON

What have I done?

GOD gets up and shakes his head.

GOD

Things you feel you must avenge,

There are other ways to get revenge,

If you must, do it well,

If you can’t, you’ll rot in hell.

INT. PETERSON’S OFFICE – Evening

PETERSON

Here I stand. My hands are covered in the blood of others. But isn’t it somehow my blood as well, that has been spilled? Was it my fault, that two somewhat innocent people killed each other? No saying that would not make any sense. I did my best, I helped Alex, and I got his life back on track. Jane wasn’t to be saved; her life was conquered by drugs. The murder made sense to her; it gave her life a meaning. It was just a coincidence, one that I couldn’t have prevented.

SOCIETY 1

Hi, my name is Mark Hemshire and this is News Time. Yesterday, two patients in treatment killed each other in Dr. Lawrence Peterson’s Office. The Police are investigating, whereas the current motive is linked to bad living circumstances and a psychological trauma. The guilt of the psychiatrist is also looked at controversial, as he did not intervene in the fight of his patients.

SOCIETY 2

This is CNN with Alexa Steinberg. Should an educated psychiatrist prevent a murder? 86% of poll-voters on our website say yes. We will come back with more background information.

PETERSON

What else was there that I could have done? My job was to save both of them, and I failed miserably. Everybody feels that way. I should have tried a different strategy with Jane, maybe give it a different approach, confront Alex with his fears and angers… Still, I did what I thought at that time was the right thing to do. I have no guilt inside of me.

SOCIETY 1

You were trained to solve problems like these. People put their lives into your hands, and you let them die.

SOCIETY 2

You should be ashamed of yourself.

SOCIETY 1

You are the true killer of Alex Arback and Jane Rimosa.

PETERSON

No, I am not! I was the one who made their lives better in the first place. I made a difference. I…

SOCIETY 2

Stop lying to yourself! They are dead, aren’t they?

PETERSON

Dead. Gone forever. They will never come back.

SOCIETY 1

And it was you who should have prevented it. You are the murderer.

PETERSON

I guess they’re right. I am guilty.

INT. NEWS TV SET – MORNING

SOCIETY 1

Welcome back to News Time. I’m Mark Hemshire. Today we are featuring a shocking interview with Dr. Lawrence Peterson, the accused murderer of two of his patients.

Peterson gets up from the pyramid.

SOCIETY 1

Doctor, you called News Time to tell the public your side of events of October 14th.

PETERSON

That’s correct. My reason for appearing on this show is to clarify to millions of Americans what actually happened in my office that day. Jane Rimosa and Alex Arback did kill each other that afternoon, but if I had stepped in and made my best effort to stop the fight from escalating, Alex and Jane would still be alive.

PETERSON (cont’d)

I hereby confess to the murder of Jane and Alex.

Lights off. Lights on.

SOCIETY 2

This is CNN with Alexa Steinberg amd we’ve got breaking news. Dr. Peterson, the psychiatrist charged with third degree murder has officially confessed today to the killing of Alex Arback and Jane Rimosa. The trial date has been set for November 11th. Dr. Peterson is expected to serve between five to ten years in prison without parole for his crimes.

INT. COURT – DAY

No pyramid for this scene. Prosecution (former SOCIETY 1) on the left side, Dr. Peterson on the right. Judge is the same actor as GOD. Bailiff beside Judge.

BAILIFF

All rise for the honourable Judge presiding.

Everyone stands.

BAILIFF

You may be seated.

JUDGE

This trial is the state of Louisiana vs. Dr. Lawrence Peterson. Prosecution, the opening statement.

PROSECUTION

Thank you. We believe the defendant, Dr. Lawrence Peterson, is guilty of the third degree murder of Alex Arback and Jane Rimosa. In a situation he was trained to handle, he acted irrational and let the conflict escalate. Instead of separating two highly dangerous and unstable patients, he temporarily lost control and left the room.

PETERSON

But I tried to…

JUDGE

Silence! Only speak when spoken to. Prosecution?

PROSECUTION

To put the situation in a nutshell, if the defendant had acted according to the guidelines of his own occupation, the two mentally ill patients who were under his supervision would still be alive. This leads me to the conclusion, that Dr. Peterson must be charged with murder of the third degree.

JUDGE

Defence?

PETERSON

Look, I did intervene. I did step in. I…

PROSECUTION

Objection! Not relevant.

JUDGE

Granted. Anything else, Dr. Peterson?

PETERSON

No… The defence rests.

JUDGE

Prosecution call your witness.

PROSECUTION

We call Dorothy Simmons to the stand.

Dorothy, Peterson’s secretary, walks in. She is a 45-year old skinny woman, dressed in a beige skirt, a pretty shirt and big round glasses.

PROSECUTION

Ms. Simmons, how long have you worked for Dr. Peterson?

DOROTHY

16 years, almost to the date.

PROSECUTION

Over your years working with Dr. Peterson, ho have you observed his relationships with his patients?

DOROTHY

Dr. Petersons’ patients have always responded well to him and his treatments. They have respected him and entirely trusted him. He has built intimate relationships with his patients, and because of this, he has been very successful.

PROSECUTION

How did you observe his relationship with Ms. Rimosa?

DOROTHY

At first he was indifferent to her, as he is with every other assignment patient that he has to take every month. But as soon as he learned more about her, he realised how much she needed his aid. He became obsessed with helping her.

PROSECUTION

Was Dr. Peterson’s relationship with Mr. Arback any different.

DOROTHY

Yes it was different indeed. Not only did Lawrence try to help Mr. Arback, but he accomplished him as well. Mr. Arback was one of his most successful cases this year.

PROSECUTION

What happened on October 14th, Ms. Simmons. Did Dr. Peterson make any attempt to protect the two unstable patients from each other?

DOROTHY

I believe that Lawrence did as much as he possibly could. He tried to prevent what happened from happening. He tried his best. I know he did.

PROSECUTION

If this is true, Ms. Simmons, then why didn’t he call the police when he sensed the situation was getting out of control instead of attempting to deal with it himself? Wasn’t the whole situation Dr. Peterson’s fault? Every psychiatrist knows that the door has to be locked at all times. I am asking you again: Was he able to deal with the situation himself?

DOROTHY

He tried to deal with it, because he thought he could. I believe that he felt that way, because he had dealt with many difficult situations previously and maybe thought that this was no different. When the situation between Jane and Alex escalated, it became obvious, to me at least, that it was out of control.

PROSECUTION

Ms. Simmons, answer yes or no to the following question: Is Dr. Peterson responsible for the death of two of his patients?

DOROTHY

I think that…

PROSECUTION

Yes or no, Ms. Simmons?

Dorothy looks PETERSON in the eyes and then looks down.

DOROTHY

Yes… I’m sorry Lawrence, but you gave me no choice.

PROSECUTION

Thank you Ms. Simmons. Prosecution rests.

JUDGE

Defence?

PETERSON

Dorothy, do you now also believe it was my fault? … I am guilty. The defence rests.

Lights off. Dorothy leaves off-stage. Lights on.

JUDGE

Based on these events, I do not believe we need to continue the trial. Prosecution?

PROSECUTION

I rest my case.

JUDGE

Defence?

PETERSON

I rest my case as well.

JUDGE

Dr. Lawrence Peterson, you have been found guity of murder in the third degree of Jane Rimosa and Alex Arback. You are being sentenced to 7 years in prison without parole.

BAILIFF

All rise.

Lights out.

INT. NOTHING – Day

God stands on an empty stage. After a short while, he takes of his robe and stands there in his underwear.

GOD

What you have seen today was just a play and was not based on true events. Still, events like these can and do occur in real life. I want all of you to gain something from this play. The idea that you should all think for yourselves and not let society influences your decisions or actions. Also, as you saw in the play, every action has a reaction and a consequence.

GOD (cont’d)

Jane and Alex were influenced heavily by the society in the play, as it drove them to a point where they believed killing each other was the right and only thing to do. If these two characters ignored society’s pressures and thought for themselves, they would still be alive and would have a chance to get past their problems and live a normal live.

END

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download