Humanity in Confined Spaces - play
November 26, 2016
When the elevators in a big building suddenly shut down, the people inside are trapped in a range of increasingly awkward situations. Damon just aced his job interview, but now he's stuck with his future boss. Simone just found out her boyfriend is cheating, with Alex, who is also in the elevator. And April and Tyler are complete strangers, but one of them is severely claustrophobic.
Written and directed by Tahnee Jones
Script extract
Eric: So that’s it? You’re giving up? After everything we’ve been through, you’re giving up?
Simone: I am not giving up Eric, I am admitting defeat. How can I trust you when you can’t be honest with me?
Eric: I am being honest with you Simone.
Alex: Only because you got caught.
Eric: (to Simone) I was going to tell you tonight anyway.
Simone: Then why did you lie to me when I caught you?
Alex: And why did you make plans with me tonight?
Simone: (to Alex, supportive) Good one.
Alex: Thanks.
Eric: So you guys are a team now? You’re ganging up on me?
Alex: So what if we are?
Simone: (advancing) It’s over, Eric –
Simone and Alex start moving forward, Eric starts backing up.
Alex: Totally over.
Simone: And I don’t give a crap how ‘fair’ you think it is-
Alex: Don’t care about fair.
Simone: -because the way you treated me –
Alex: And me.
Simone: - was anything but fair –
Alex: Yeah!
Simone: -so you just be thankful that this is the worst you’ll get –
Alex: Mmm-hmm!
Simone: -because if you ever contact me again, I’m not holding back-
Alex: Me neither!
Simone: -and if you think journalists are ruthless, just wait til you see how cruel I can be-
Alex: Totally.
Simone: -so I suggest, Eric, that you stop thinking of us as people you can have your way with, and start thinking of us as your judge, jury and executioners.
Alex: (smug) And hell has no jury like a woman scorned.
Simone smirks at Alex.
Simone: (quietly) That’s not the phrase.
Alex: (quietly) What?
Simone: Never mind.
Eric rolls his eyes and turns away.