{"id":11,"date":"2008-03-06T16:56:52","date_gmt":"2008-03-07T00:56:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/?p=11"},"modified":"2008-03-13T08:14:36","modified_gmt":"2008-03-13T16:14:36","slug":"tomasovich-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/?p=11","title":{"rendered":"Tomasovich: Revolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/p>\n

Revolution\u00e2\u20ac\u201cA Play in One Act<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0by Bryan Tomasovich<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

CHARACTERS<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY STANG. Mother. 39.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM BADMAN. Father. 39.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

ENCORE. Son of Tim and Tammy. 9. Alleged perpetrator of an attack on the nation, but heard only off-stage.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(The morning after an attack on the nation. Sparse living room with a window\/curtain. The telephone is off the hook. Tammy is soaking in a birth tub, ready to give birth to their second child. A table with a large jig-saw puzzle sits next to the tub. Tim paces in a panic in her vicinity.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

(Kneeling, peeking out a window.)<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m his mother. You think, Tim, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to takes sides? Yours?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Even after something like this? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been a damn long time. That I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been waiting. To be on your side again, Tammy.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Something like this, Tim?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Yeah. You can honestly tell me that this isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t enough? Even for you? How could he do this to us?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a surprise a fuckin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 minute, you know that? He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything to you, Tim. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s way bigger than you.<\/p>\n

(Looks out window again.)<\/em><\/p>\n

God, every station is the world is here. Look, I saw that new girl last night on 13.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

13? That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we agree to stop watching the goddamn thing Tammy?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

I know, but after the police came\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

That tiny, shitty bit of evidence?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

They rummaged around in his room all afternoon, Tim. We answered their questions. THAT is news.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

There IS no evidence. The kid lived in his head.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

LIVES. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still alive. They could find him. No matter what he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s done, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only 9.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

They do, they won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find that kid\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind. Evidently we never did.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you just go make a drink? And leave me alone. You know you want to.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Am I drinking right now? I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see a drink. Where\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my drink?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s on your mind. Or in your eyes, at least.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

If I went into the station\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d kill me. People who work for me. Just for being his dad. I mean, I can understand being pissed off, and wanting to prove your point\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the way you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve always handled anything.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

And this from the person who says she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s always getting blamed for everything?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Feel good? Every since he was a baby, every time something didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go your way\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not going to let you pull this crap on me again, Tammy. People react like this where you grew up, but know what? Time\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s come to learn a few things from this country.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

What? I got to get more violent? What more do I need to learn?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Hope, to start with.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TAMMY shifts to the other side of the birth tub to the table. Rummages through small cardboard pieces.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

What are you doing now?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

My puzzle. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

To do what? Of what?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

The Plasticorp Building.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Jesus Christ Almighty. Where did THAT come from Tammy?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

I found it. Wrapped. Under my teapot.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6calculating. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6that little shit.<\/p>\n

(beat)<\/em><\/p>\n

People died in that building, Tammy. Thousands of them. I just heard one guy was ripped apart from the sharpnel of an exploding toilet, for christ\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sake.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Heard? You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been on your ham radio?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Caught out, TIM walks to the phone whistling an approximation of the Star Spangled Banner. He puts it back on the hook.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM and TAMMY look at it, waiting for it to ring).<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to go wash my hands.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM exits. TAMMY starts a mild contraction. TIM rushes back in, breathes with her a couple times, but gets distracted by the puzzle, then pushes a couple pieces around.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

(As TAMMY is completing the contraction.)<\/em><\/p>\n

TAMMY. Your puzzle. Get over here and look at this.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Tim, why would you even fuck with my puzzle? Now? When all you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve ever done is tell me it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a waste of time.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Tammy, the puzzle. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s changed all these tiny pieces so it\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s HE?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Encore, Tammy. Who else?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Tim. Listen to me. Leave the puzzle alone. And stop staring at me. I might be naked\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

(Exiting)<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to look in his room again for a clue. Get to work on the puzzle, Tammy.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM exits.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

(Screaming beyond the walls.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Get to work?<\/p>\n

(beat)<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry I ever had a child with you.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TAMMY checks the floating thermometer that measures the temperature of the water. )<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

98?! This thing is colder than a human body, Tim.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TAMMY whips the thermometer. After a moment, she reaches for a towel at the side of the tub, wraps it around herself, then sits on the rim of the tub, staring at the puzzle.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM enters whistling an approximation of the Star Spangled Banner.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Wait. That towel. You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wear that.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got of him. I found it\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Wrapped?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\fTAMMY<\/p>\n

Yes. Yeah, I did. Under my hairbrush, Tim.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Teapots. Hairbrushes. Knows you backwards and forwards, that kid. Come on, Tammy, that towel. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hideous. A souvenir towel from the Plasticorp Building? The very same building\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got. Of him. For now.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

And this puzzle. Look. Take your magnifying glass and look at the 98th<\/sup> floor. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve only found three pieces, but you can already make out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tammy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

(Eye to the magnifying glass.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah. Yeah. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s there. How?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all you can\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Oh, wait. THAT I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Exactly. For the last year, we kept asking that kid what he was making.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not been a year.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Since?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been pregnant.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Or showing. And the only thing he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d mumble was something about \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Well, now\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

I know. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s totally re-done a whole row of these pieces to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6show us\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\fTIM<\/p>\n

No more stuttering, Tammy. First, you let the kid call you by your first name, now this. Build the puzzle. And quick.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

I KNOW quick.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know how quick. Channel 13 called when you went through that big contraction. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve requested a live broadcast from our living room, Tammy. At midnight. AKA any minute now.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Your own station? You let them?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Tammy Stang and Tim Badman against America, the networks, and satellite TV here. What do you want me to do to keep them away? Arm-wrestle them on the steps?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Tim, I need protecting. I need to protect YOU. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m about ready to give birth to our child if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d fucking notice. The cops and TV cameras? They can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t treat people like gumballs, Tim. We need more time.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

I said that. Not the stuff about gumballs, but\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6time. They said it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been ALL day.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(A two-tone doorbell rings in unison with TAMMY.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

All day? All day?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Shit. The puzzle. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be dead too.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM goes to crumple it all up.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

(Stopping him.)<\/em><\/p>\n

TIM. If you say anything\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry, Tammy. THEN I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to apologize to you. And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m done with that.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Blackout, except for spotlight at puzzle table. TAMMY takes off her towel, quickly spreads it across puzzle. One second, two, then she dips back into the tub.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

(Starts to exit)<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll go out and buy some time.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Buy?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going out to demand a price.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TAMMY returns to the puzzle.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

(Entering.)<\/em><\/p>\n

What the fuck? My own assistant director just called me a drunk.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

So then what?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Not just a drunk, Tammy. She said that I was such a drunk I ought to get out of the way and go use my litter box.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not that bad, Tim.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

There are cops out there, with them. The idiot said that in front of the cops.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Oh, well, what an emergency. What do you think, Tim? Think you better call Ninny-One-One?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Ninny. All I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been through, now I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a ninny?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM pulls TAMMY up out of the tub so she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s seated on the rim of the tub, nude, to work on the puzzle. TIM starts to massage TAMMY\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S shoulders like she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a star athlete. He whistles an approximation of the Star Spangled Banner over the sound of the incessant doorbell.]<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

(Reading the puzzle over her shoulder.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tammy. Tammy. Tammy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

(Deepens the massage.)<\/em><\/p>\n

How long can this go on?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

(Poking at the puzzle.)<\/em><\/p>\n

He was born in \u00e2\u20ac\u212298. You know how he always makes a lot of that number.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Just keep working on that floor.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM begins to fall asleep on TAMMY\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S shoulders. TAMMY pokes at the puzzle. The doorbell persists.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Oh my god.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM is jolted awake.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

(Digging out a watch from his pocket.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Another contraction? Now?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

THE BASEMENT.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

What?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6down there.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Hiding?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

That, and living\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6you can do both\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6at the same time. Hiding\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a kind of\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6subset of living, right?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM stamps on the floor with his foot in a special way, like a coded message. We hear the small voice of ENCORE whistle an exact and clear Star Spangled Banner.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(The police and TV crews enter. The police appear as shadows on the walls. The TV crews are flashes on the walls. Sometimes, the shadows are erased by flashes. TIM squats next to TAMMY, still soaking in the birth tub. They squish their faces together to fit into millions of TV screens.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

(To the TV people and police.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Hey, we realize that. Believe me, we KNOW it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been the whole day. And we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sorry. Speaking as someone in the business, I know what it would have meant to you to get a live broadcast this morning. But we can make it up to you now. For free.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

CONTRACTION.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(A flash juts up the wall. TAMMY is mid-contraction.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Well, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like this. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s simply hindsight. You know how the moon looks on the horizon when it first comes up? Big, warm, wobbly? And then later in the night, when it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s high above? And it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all small and pale? Now that a whole day has gone by. Nearly. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like that for us. Always looming over my head. But smaller now, and cold.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Tim, these people haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even thought of the moon since 1969.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just in the basement playing video games.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

TIM. Tim.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Or like those kids who drop out of college and move back in with their parents. They half-remodel the basement, and paint it black. Anyway\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6you keep calling for him to come up. But he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t. You make things up to lure him. Maybe you lie and tell him dinner is ready. Or that the garbage needs taking out. But he never comes.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Except just one thing. That there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no dinner is the truth. Tim tried to make some. Looked like a litter box. I made him throw it in the garbage, instead.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Many flashes on the wall. This is newsworthy. A shadow gets wider and taller at the same time.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Then, officer, you find yourself LOOKING into the garbage a lot, too. It turned dark tonight while I was looking into the garbage.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Fact.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

After a while, the sight of it can do weird things to you. The garbage starts looking like things. All the bits gnarled and slopped together. Like a heart. Like my wife\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Many flashes on the wall.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t listen to him. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just tired. Here, me, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t point your camera at him. Me.<\/p>\n

(Looking into as many cameras as she can at once.)<\/em><\/p>\n

It makes him miss our son, this staring into the garbage. Tim used to go through the garbage can in Encore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room any chance he got. For years. Way before the bombing.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

I thought I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d find something. If not a reason, then a message\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6about why he had\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Something that would point to where he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d gone to, or with who. Even if it was just packaging.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

But by the time he was 8, the can would be empty. What we would call garbage he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d remake into all sorts of contraptions.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Tim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s incapable of giving our son credit, actually. They were really glorified machines you see on the news. They could move. It was agony.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TAMMY starts giving birth to their second child.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM stands up to the police and reporters.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

All this talk about blowing things up\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trying to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6for fuck\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sake, bring a child into the world here.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

No, Tim. Let them stay. I want them to see how a baby starts normal. Just like Encore.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\fTIM<\/p>\n

Yeah, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right, baby. Come on guys, take the footage, put it in the archive room.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Then if SHE makes the news, you can all look back.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

And see that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not guilty. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcCause with Encore, we aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the ones who are guilty, either. We might have been his parents\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(The small, high voice whistles The Star Spangled Banner again from below the floor.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

BE. We ARE his parents, Tim.<\/p>\n

(Looking into cameras on purpose.)<\/em><\/p>\n

We are his parents, everyone. But something else took hold of him.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

He was really, really attracted to what happens in this country, I admit.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Everyone. Tim. Not this country. This country on TV. It was as good as abduction.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(More whistling from below. The shadows and flashes get excited and compete. TIM taps his foot on the floor. The shadows and flashes disappear, then exit. The whistling is interrupted. There is a struggle and a capture made below. No more whistling)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Dim light. TIM kneels by the birth tub. TAMMY screams and pushes.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Sounds like they got him, love. Sorry.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

CONTRACTION.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry. Especially for you.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

Oh, Tim. I can feel her head. Get ready. Do you have the blankets? The little hat? Get it all ready. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to push. The camera?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Everything\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ready. Tammy?<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TAMMY<\/p>\n

(Really pushing.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Get in the water, Tim. I need you right now. You. Now.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Now. Now you do.<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TIM splashes and gets low to deliver.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

TIM<\/p>\n

Abduction? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what I do for a living, Tammy. It still will be when\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(TAMMY gives one last push.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

(Blackout.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

END<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Revolution\u00e2\u20ac\u201cA Play in One Act \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0by Bryan Tomasovich \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 CHARACTERS \u00c2\u00a0 TAMMY STANG. Mother. 39. \u00c2\u00a0 TIM BADMAN. Father. 39. \u00c2\u00a0 ENCORE. Son of Tim and Tammy. 9. Alleged perpetrator of an attack on the nation, but heard only off-stage. \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 (The morning after an attack on the nation. Sparse […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drama"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.emergencypress.org\/almanac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}