picture_perfect edit.docx

7/27/2019 picture_perfect edit.docx

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PicturePerfect(Ross)-1


Prologue

Thestageisdark.Aspotlightilluminatesdownstagecenter,wherethereisaheavy-

lookingtablewithawiremeshpartitionrisingfromitsmidpoint.Achairisoneitherside

ofthe

table.

One

chair

is

occupied

by

MARCUS

MICHEAUX,

a

thirtysomething

man

in

a

sportsjacket,whositswithhishandsfoldedatopthetable.Hecheckshiswatch.Afteramoment,thereisthesoundofkeys,followedbyclankingdoorsandclinkingchains.Wearingaprisonuniform,GUNTHERCREEL,handsandfeetshackled,shufflesintothelightandslouchesintheotherchair.

MARCUSHello,Gunther.

CREEL

ForawhileIdidntthinkyouweregonnamakeit,doc.

MARCUS

Andmissyourlastdaytoreceivevisitors?

CREEL

Iexpectedyouanhourago.

MARCUS

Well,Icouldtellyousomethingcameupatworkandmademelate.

CREEL

Butthatwouldbealie,right?

MARCUS

No,itwouldbethetruth,butIfigureyoudontmuchcarehowmydaygotscrewedup.

CREEL(Chuckles)

Funnyhowalittlethinglikebeingonenightawayfromtheelectricchaircanjustsucktheurgencyoutofeverybodyelsesproblems.

(MARCUSstudiesCREEL,wholeansforward.)

CREELYouhaventaskedmeyethowImfeeling.

MARCUS

Ithinkyoulltellmeifyouwantmetoknow.

CREEL

Damnright.Givemecontroloverthelastsliverofmylife.


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MARCUS

Itmighthelpyouface

CREEL

Donttrytocomfortme!

MARCUS

Thepurposeofourtalkshasneverbeenyourcomfort,Gunther.Youknowthat.

CREEL

Herewegoagain.Therapyssupposedtomakeyouunderstandyourselfandpatchtheholesinwhoyouare.

MARCUS

Youwerelistening.CREEL

Butsincefixingmeisamootpoint,youwanttofigureouthowtokeepotherguysfrombeinglikeme.

MARCUS

Moreorless.

CREEL

Andwriteabookaboutyourconversationswithamonster.

MARCUS

Perhapsachapter,butnotawholebook.

CREELOh,Iforgot.Youdancewithallthepsychos,dontyou?

MARCUSJealousy,fromyou?

CREEL

Notreally,doc.Iguesssomebodyhastoresearchpeoplelikeme.

MARCUS

OfallthemurderersIvestudied,andthedozenorsoIveinterviewed,Icansafelysaythatalmostnooneislikeyou.

CREEL

SoIcantakeprideinsomething,huh?


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MARCUSIfyoulike.

CREEL

Whatmakesmedifferent?

MARCUS

Foreverybodyelsetheresapattern,awayoflookingatthemthatexplainswhotheyareandwhytheydidwhattheydid.

CREEL

Whatkindofpattern?

MARCUSChildabuse.Sexualabuse.Drugoralcoholdependency.Headtrauma.Braindisease...Documenteddescentsintomadness.

CREEL

(leaningbackandsmiling)Dotell.

MARCUS

Mansonsmotherswappedhimforapitcherofbeerwhenhewasababy.

CREEL

Oops!Theregoestheself-esteem.

MARCUS

AsachildDahmertorturedanimals.

CREELPracticewillgetyoutoCarnegieHall.

MARCUSHenryLeeLucassprostitutemothermadehimwearadress,andoneofhisso-calleduncleswhackedhimintheheadwithatwo-by-four.Ivefoundnothinglikethatinyourpast.

CREEL

Thenwhatmademe?

MARCUS

Thatsthepuzzle.Agoodhome.Stable,lovingparents.AfullscholarshiptostudyartatNYU.Evenbeforeyougraduated,severalofyourpaintingsweresnappedupbyleadinggalleries.


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CREELHowluckycanyouget?

MARCUS

YoucameherefromNewYorkandtaughtpaintingfortheArtInstitute.Youwere

marriedwithachildatthetimeofyourarrest.Noonenotyourparentsoryourbrothersoryourfriends,notevenyourwifehadanyideawhatyouhadbecome.

CREEL

Bundyledadoublelife,right?Hewassmarttoo.Didnthehaveapsychologydegree?

MARCUS

Justabachelors.

CREEL

ThatsallIvegot.

MARCUS

Bundysadolescencewasmarkedbyviolentoutburstsandvoyeurismandsignsofadeepeningobsessivepersonality.Butyou?Noobsessionsorcompulsionsapartfrompainting.

CREEL

ImtoldJohnWayneGacywasapainter,andsowasHitler.

MARCUS

Youwereactuallygoodatit.

CREEL

Uniquelygifted,onecriticsaid.Doesitbotheryoutheresnobodylikeme?

MARCUS

Actually,Gunther,Ineversaidtherewasnoonelikeyou.Isaidtherewasalmostnoonelikeyou.InsomewaysyouremindmeofMudgett.

CREEL

Mudgett?Didhepaint?

MARCUS

No,HermanWebsterMudgettwasadoctor.HisfavoritealiaswasH.H.Holmes.HeturnedhisChicagoboardinghouseintoatorturepalaceforthe1893WorldsFair.

CREEL

WhydoIremindyouofhim?


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MARCUSHehadahypnoticpersonalitytoo.Peopleespeciallywomenjustseemedtogravitatetowardhim,thewaytheydidtoyou.Hecouldtalkalmostanybodyintoanything.

CREELArealcharmer,eh?

MARCUS

Andhismotiveswereasvague.Maybegreedatfirsthebilkedhisvictimsoutofmoney,justasyoucleanedoutthebankaccountsofyours.Unlikeyou,however,hespentitasfastashegotit.

CREELSohediditforthemoney?

MARCUS

Withalltheimaginationheputintokilling?Trapdoorsandchutes,secretgaschambers,aspecialroomforburningpeoplealive.Thatwasmorethangreed.

CREEL

Itwasgenius.

MARCUS

Itwasalackofconsciencecoupledwithacuriosityaboutthemechanicsofdeath.Hewantedtoknowwhatitfeltliketokill.

CREEL

Whataboutme?Afteralltheseinterviews,youmusthavesomeidea.

MARCUSIknowitwasntforthemoney.Bytheway

CREELNo,IwonttellwhereIvehiddenit.Thatgoesintothegroundwithme.

MARCUS

Iwasntasking.Iwasgoingtoshareanothershrinkstheory,thatbypaintingyourvictimssobeautifullyyouwereusingcanvastoundothedamageyoudidtotheirflesh.

CREEL

Anopinionfromanothermoronwhonevertalkedtome.

MARCUS

Asifyoudhavegivenhimmoretogoon.Inanycase,Ithinkhisideasarewrong.


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CREEL

Really?

MARCUS

Isuspectthesimpletruthisyoulikedit.Youlikedcomposingthehorrortableauasmuchasyoulikedpaintingapicture.

CREEL

Afusionoftheimpulsetocreateandtheimpulsetodestroy.

MARCUS

Somethinglikethat,butIstillcantfigureoutwhattriggeredit,orwhythehypnoticpersonalitythatmakessomepeopleactorsorlawyersorteachersmadeyouakiller.

CREEL

Maybesomethingsjustpassallunderstanding.

MARCUS

Isntitprettytothinkso.

CREEL

Niceone,doc

Itsbeenfun...

MARCUS

Itwasaddictive,wasntit?

CREEL(Laughing.)

Talkingtoyou?

MARCUS

No,thesatisfactionyoufeltateachperfectkill.Evilislikethat,isntit?Sosubtleandaddictiveyouvesoldyoursoulbeforeyouknowit.


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CREEL(Suddenlyserious.)

WhatifIsaiditsmorelikeavirus?Onceyouvegotit,itchangesyouinwaysyouneverimagined.Everfeellikeyoucoulddoanything?Imeananything.Thingsthatwouldveappalledyoubefore.Noshame,noboundaries,nolimits.

MARCUS

Therearealwayslimits.

CREELThatsso...conventional.Soyou.Butrulesareforprey,notforpredators.

MARCUS

Andyoureapredator.

CREEL

Imagineacondororaneagle,agreatbigbirdthatflieswhereveritwantsandeats

whateveritwants.Nothingonearthisfreer.Putitinacageanditwillsurvive,butitwontsoaragainuntilitsletout.Onceitsout,itdoesntrememberthehandthatopenedthecagedoor.

MARCUS

Yourenotsurewhatletyououtofyourcage.

CREEL

No,Iamthecage,andtheressomethinginsidemethatneedstosoar.Byfreeingit,Ifreemyself.

(Pause.)EvenwhenImstrappedintomorrownight,Illbefreerthanyouveeverbeen.

(MARCUSsaysnothingbutcontinuestolookatCREEL.)

CREELThatsall,doc.Igottagetreadytowalkintothepagesofhistory.

(Beginstoexit.Stopsandturns.)Oh,Ileftsomethingforyouwiththeguardsoutfront.Theyresupposedtogiveittoyouonyourwayout.

MARCUS

Whatisit?

CREEL

Agifttoremembermeby.


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MARCUSIllbeintheviewingroomtomorrownight.DoyouthinkIllforgetyou?

CREEL

Solong,Marcus.Iftherereallyisahell,Illlightacandleforyou.

(Turnstogobutlooksoverhisshoulderonelasttime.)Bytheway,goodluckwithyourpromotion,andbesuretotellBeverlyIsaid,Happy

Anniversary.(Exits.)

(MARCUSstands,staresafterhimamoment,then

exits.)

(Blackout.)

ActOneScene1

Lightsriseonaspaciouslivingroom.Thefireplaceiscrackling.Abovethemantel,betweenopencurtains,isalightedportraitoftheupperbodiesofamanMARCUSandawoman.Smiling,armslinked,theylookhappytogether.Abookcaseisoneithersideofthefireplace.Infrontofthestageleftbookcasesitsalargecouchperpendiculartotheupstagewall.Infrontofthestagerightbookcasesittwoarmchairsthatmatchthecouch.Acoffeetableisinfrontofthecouch.

Alamptableisbetweenthechairs.Threefoldingchairsarearrangedinasemicirclebehindthearmchairs.Behindthecouchisasnacktableandpunchbowl.

(BEVERLYMICHEAUXentersfromstageright,

dressedforapartyandcarryingatray.Thewomaninthepainting,shecrossestothesnacktableandsetsdownthetray.Shegazesaboutasifmakingsureeverythingisready.


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(BEVERLYclicksoffandmovestothemantel,where

shesetsthephone.Shestepsbackandadmirestheportrait.Thedoorbellrings.Sheclosesthecurtains,hidingthepainting.Thensheexitsstageleft.Voices

areheardoffstage.)


10/76


BEVERLYIthoughtyouwerebringingadate,O,thenewguyyouvebeenseeing.

ORLANDO

Jeremy.Hehadtoworkatthelastminute.(Looksaround,gazesup.)Wow!Isitbigenough?Cathedralceilings!Youcouldplaysomeseriousbasketballinhere.

ORLANDO

(Walksdownstagecenter.Peersoutataudience.)BeautifulFrenchdoorsandadeckoverlookingthelake?Whatafabulousplace!


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12/76


ORLANDO

Speakingofbestsellers,youredoingwell.YourlastDanielleCastlemysterymadeafewlists.

BEVERLY

Themodestsellerlist.Tum betho, Ill get u something to drink.

ORLANDOWhats behind the curtain

BEVERLY

It is a surprise, ull get to know when everyone

come. here(offering wine)

ORLANDOAreyoutryingtotellmeyoucantdrinkwinetonight?

BEVERLY

Nooo.Imightnotbeabletodrinkwineinamonthortwo.ORLANDO

Is it what I am thinking????

BEVERLY

Ithinkweregoingtotrythisyear.

ORLANDO

Itsabouttime.Whatanniversaryisthisanyway?

BEVERLY

Seven.Youknow,theonetheytellyoutoworryabout.Marcusissupposedtoloseinterestinmeandstartscopingoutyoungerwomen.

ORLANDO

Oh,honey,letmebetheseven-yearbitch.Itdoesntsuityou.

BEVERLY

Iwouldntsayperfect,butprettyclose.WerealikeinsomanywaysitwouldntsurprisemetoseeMarcuslookingbackatmefromthemirror.Werebothquietandreflectiveand

ORLANDO

Dontforgetdriven.


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BEVERLYAllright,driven.Eachofushasalwaysbeenfiercelyindependent.Bythetimewemet,neitherofushadanyfamilyleft.Weretogetherbecausewechoosetobe.AndnowIthinkwerebothreadytoconsider... expansion.

ORLANDOIftheWinehelpsanditsaboyandyouwanttonamehimOrlando...

BEVERLY

Comeon,silly.Letmeshowyoutherestofthehouse.

(BEVERLYbeginstoleadhimoffstageright.)

ORLANDO(HUG)

(MARCUSenters

from

stage

left.

BEVERLY

and

ORLANDOstopandturn.MARCUScarriesabriefcase,whichhesetsdownbythebookcase.BEVERLYhurriestohimandthrowsherarmsaroundhim.)

MARCUS

Hi,hon

(Shesmothershisgreetingwithalongkiss.)

ORLANDO

(Sighing,lookingofftooneside,thenathiswatch,finallyatthelovers.)

Sowhosaysyoucantkeepinshapeevenintheoff-season?

(BEVERLYandMARCUSbreakthekissandseema

bitembarrassedbytheirpassion.)

MARCUS

Uh...hithere,O.Howareyou?


14/76


BEVERLY(LeadingMARCUStothecenteroftheroom)

Wanttocome,sweetie?

MARCUS

No,youtwogoahead.Ivegottogetadrink.

ORLANDO

Hearthat,Bev?Yousuckedallthejuiceoutofhim.

(MARCUSmovesdowntothesnacktable,popsa

chipintohismouth,andpoursacupofpunch.Thephonerings.Cupinhand,hegoestothemanteltoanswerit.)

MARCUS

Hello.Vishal?NeverexpectedtohearfromyouonaSaturdaynight.No,itsokay.WehavepeoplecomingoverbutIvegotaminuteortwo.Whatsup?Oh.Waitasec.Letmegetapen.

(Setshisdrinkonthemantel,bracesthephonewithhisshoulder,andtakesapenandnotebookfromapocket.)


Okay.Preliminarystatsinconsistent.Proposeddatabasemaybe... flawed?Hmm.Well,Derekscomingheretonight.Illpullhimaside.Thenwecantakealookat

everythingoverthenextweek.Really?IthoughtthereviewpanelwouldntmeetuntilOh.Allright.Tuesdaythen.OfcourseIllkeepthiscallundertheradar.Iappreciatethechanceyouretaking.Thankyousomuch.

(Clicksoffandreturnsthephonetothemantel.)Damn!

(Thedoorbellrings.Pocketinghispenandpad,

MARCUSexitsstagelefttoanswerthedoor.Voicesoffstage.)

ANNALISE

Well,ifitisntMostWantedUSAsfavoritehandsomeshrink.


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(BEVERLYandORLANDOenterfromstageright.)

BEVERLYAnnalise!

ORLANDO

IthoughtIheardmyfavoritenit-pickingeditorouthere.

BEVERLY

(Movingtoembraceher.)Imsogladyoucouldcome.

ANNALISE(EmbracingBEVERLYwithherfreearm.)

Goodtoseeyou,Bev.Here.(Handsherthepackage.)

Atokenofmyappreciation.(ToORLANDO.)

Asforyou,myfineficklefairy,thisnit-pickingeditorhashelpedyoumakeSkipDandridgethebest-sellinggaydetectiveinhistory.Soshowalittlerespect.

(Asthenextfewlinesareexchanged,BEVERLYsits

inanarmchairandbeginstounwrapthepackage.


16/76


MARCUSgetshiscupfromthemantel,refillsit,andsitsonthecouch.)

ORLANDO

(EmbracingANNALISEandkissinghercheek.)

Iloveyou,too,Annalise.

BEVERLY

(Holdingupalaptopcomputershehasjustunwrapped.)

Oh,Annalise,youshouldnthave.

ANNALISE

Yes,Idamnwellshould.Youowemeabookinamonth.

BEVERLY

(Hesitant.)

Yes,Ido.

ANNALISE

Howsitcoming?

BEVERLY

Its...coming.

ANNALISE

Good.Iwantedtomakeitpossibleforyoutoworkonitanytime,anywhere.


17/76


andsendyoudowntothelaketowrite,oroffintothewoods.Withachangeofsceneyoumightevengetthebookinbeforedeadline.

BEVERLY

(Openingthelidandrunningherfingersoverthe

keys.)Itsbeautiful.

ORLANDO

(SittinginthearmchairbesideBEVERLYs.)Younevergavemealaptop.

ANNALISE

DoyouneedonetohangfromyourChristmastree?Youreatechrat,O.YouhavemorecomputersinyourapartmentthanBillGates.

(TurnstoBEVERLY.)So,youwanttoshowmetherestofthisgrandmanor?Cantwaittoseethelovenest.

BEVERLY

(LookingatMARCUS.)Orlando,wouldyoushowAnnalisethehouse?IneedtospeaktoMarcusaminute.

ORLANDO

Sure.ThenwecandiscusswhatImgettinginsteadofalaptop.Imean,fairisfair.(Gesturingtowardthestagerightexit.)


ANNALISE(Beginningtoexit.)

Youresuchachild.

BEVERLY

(Afterwaitingtilltheyvegone.)Okay,honey,whatisit?

MARCUS

Whatswhat?

BEVERLY

Somethingsbotheringyou.Icantell.

MARCUS

Youknowmetoowell.

BEVERLY

(Settingasidethelaptopandgoingtothecouch.)Thebettertohelpyou.

(Sitsbesidehim.)


18/76

Nowwhatisit?

MARCUS

KenShaversfromtheNSFcalledafewminutesago.Theresaproblemwithourdata.WithDereksendofthings.

BEVERLY

Serious?

MARCUS

Probablynot,butanythingthatdoesntaddupcouldsinkthewholeproposal.MostlikelyitssomethingsimpleVikramcanfixinminutes.

BEVERLYSoyourenotworried?

MARCUS

Youdoknowmetoowell.(Sighs.)


(ORLANDOandANNALISEenterfromstageright.)

ORLANDO

Theyreatitagain!

(MARCUSandBEVERLYbreaktheirkiss.)

BEVERLY

Ithoughtyouwereonthegrandtour.

ORLANDOFromtheupstairswindowwecouldseeacarcomingupthatlongdriveway.

(Thedoorbellrings.)


19/76


(Thereisthesoundofvoicesingreeting.MARCUS

returns,usheringDEREKandTARAPALMERandWILLandCAROLSUMMERSintothelivingroom.Allaredressedforacasualparty,thoughDEREKissomewhatdisheveled.CAROLcarriesalargepurse.BEVERLYstandstogreetthem.TARAandDEREKcrosstoher.WILLandCAROLhangbackwithMARCUS.CAROLcovershermouth,clearlyexcitedatseeingBEVERLY.)

BEVERLY

Tara.Derek.

TARA

(EmbracingBEVERLY.)Hi,Bev.

DEREK

(Kissinghercheek.)Hullo,Beverly.

BEVERLY

SeemslikeforeversinceIveseenyoutwo.

TARA

IdontgetoutofthehospitalnearlyasmuchasIdlike.

DEREK

IseeMarcusalmosteveryday,butsinceyoumovedsofaroutofthecityhecantsurpriseyoubybringingmehomeforlunchthewayheusedto.

BEVERLY

YouremembermyfriendOrlando.(StandsasidetoletORLANDOreachuptoshakeDEREKshand.)

DEREK

Yeah,Ireadoneofyourbooks.Ienjoyedit.


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ORLANDOQueerP.I.forthestraightguy.Thatsme.

(ReleasesDEREKshandandshakesTARAs.)Loveyourhair.

TARAThankyou.Niceofyoutonotice.(ShootsalookatDEREK.)

(ANNALISEmovesclosertoBEVERLY.)

BEVERLY

Andthisismyeditor...oureditor...AnnaliseKyle.

(ANNALISEshakeshandswithTARAandDEREK.

Allthreemurmurhello.)

TARA

Andtheseareourfriends,WillandCarolSummers.

(WILLstepsforwardtoshakefirstBEVERLYshand,

thenORLANDOsandANNALISEs.Again,allmurmurhello.BEVERLYlooksatCAROLandtakes

asteptowardher,andoutstretched,butstopsbecauseCAROLremainsfrozen.)

CAROL

(SuddenlygraspingBEVERLYshandwithbothofhers)

Itsyou,BeverlyHatcher!Icantbelieveit!Itreallyisyou.Ivereadallyourbooks.IloveDanielleCastle.Ivegottobeyourbiggestfan!

(Blackout.Curtain.)

Scene2Thecurtainremainsclosed.Nightsoundsareheardcrickets,rustlings,theoccasionalowl.Softlightilluminatesthestagesapron.ANNALISEandORLANDOenterfromstageleftandmovetowarddownstagecenter.Theystopandlookoutovertheaudienceasiflookingupatstars.PicturePerfect(Ross)-26

ORLANDO

NewYorkersthinkeverybodywouldbehappierinNewYork.

ANNALISE

Becausetheressomuchtodo.


21/76

ORLANDOSomuchIdnevergetanyworkdone.SometimesIneedstillnesstothink.Besides,thisisntsuchabadarea.Itsgotmuseumsandtheaters,agoodwritersnetworkandafirstrateuniversitysurroundedbythreerespectablecolleges...

ANNALISE

Imustadmit,itspeacefulrighthere.

ORLANDOAndifIwereinManhattanIwouldneverhavemetJeremy.

ANNALISE

ThatsthethirdtimeIveheardhisnametonight.Yousoundlikeamaninlove.

ORLANDO

Couldbe.

ANNALISE

Tellmeabouthim.

ORLANDO

HestwoyearsyoungerthanIamandhasthisreallysexydancersbody.Youdneverknowhewasalawyer.Andwhenhesmiles...

(Theyexitstageright.AfteramomentTARAand

WILLenterfromstageleftandmovedownstagecenter,wheretheystopandlookouttowardtheaudience.)

WILL

Somanystars!Itskindofromantic.(Looksather.)

TARA

(Lookingaway.)PoorBeverly.Yourwifewasonherlikeafleaonadog.


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(Nuzzlesherneck.)

TARA

Will,Will,nothere!Whatifsomebodyseesus?

WILL

Imsickofnoonersincheaphotelsandsqueezingintothesupplyroomduringthirdshift.Itsso...soGeneralHospital.

TARA

Dontgogettingemotionalonme.

WILL

Whatsthatsupposedtomean?

TARA

Itsbeenthreeweeks.DontstarttalkingaboutlovingmeandleavingCarolandthekidsandwantingmetoleaveDerek.Itssuchaclich.

WILL

Butyoudontevenrespecthim.Yousaidsoyourself.Hewentintobiologyandgeneticsbecausehecouldnthackmedschool.

TARA

(Turninginhisarmsandkissinghimlightly.)Letsjustenjoythisforwhatitis,howeverlongitis.


(TARAandWILLbreakpart,lookingguilty,justas

ANNALISEre-entersfromstageright,withORLANDOtwostepsbehindher.)

ANNALISE

Disgustingthings.Oh,hello.

ORLANDO

HewasprobablyjustasscaredasOh.

WILL

Beautifulnight.

TARA(Huggingherself.)

Abitchilly,though.

WILL

Here.(DrapeshisjacketonTARAsshoulder,thensteps


23/76

away.)


ANNALISE

Letsjustgoinside,shallwe?

(ORLANDOshrugsandallfourexitstageleft.)

Scene3Thecurtainopensonthelivingroom.Thephoneisgone,andthesnacktablehasbeencleared.Thefireisstillgoing.CAROLisonthecouch,acrossfromBEVERLY,inachair,flippingthroughasheafofpapers.CAROLleansforwardexpectantly.Finally,BEVERLYlooksup.

BEVERLY

Yourwritingissmootherandmorepolishedthan... than

CAROLThanwhatyoudexpectfromahousewifewithnothingbutanUnderwoodportable?

BEVERLYNo.Iwasgoingtosaymorepolishedthanthemanuscriptshopefulauthorsusuallyaskmetoread.

CAROL

Imsorry.Idontmeantobeabother.

BEVERLY

TheSeven

Chambers

Affair.Icantpromiseitllgoanywhere,Carol,butIwillreaditassoonasIgetthechance.ThenIllgetbacktoyouwithsuggestions.

CAROL

Youwonttellanyone,willyou?Imkindofshy.MyhusbandwillthinkIvebeenneglectingthechildrenifItookthetimetowriteabook.Ihadtosneakitinhereinmypurse.


24/76


BEVERLYIwontbetheonetotellhim.

CAROL

Thankyou.

BEVERLY

Youdohaveanothercopy,dontyou?

CAROL(Shakingherhead.)

Maybeafewnotesinlonghand,butIthrewoutmostoftheroughstuffwhenIfinished.Wemustbetheonlyfamilyinthecountywithoutacomputer,butWillsmedicalschooldebtissogreat.

BEVERLY

(Standing.)

Writinglessonnumberone:alwayshaveback-upcopies.Illputthisinasafeplacetonight.TomorrowIllscanitintomyharddriveandmakeanotherback-upondisk.

(BEVERLYbeginstoexitstageright.CAROL

follows.)

CAROL

MissHatcher,Iamsograteful.

BEVERLY

Forthelasttime,Carol,pleasecallmeBeverly.

(Theyexit.AfteramomentDEREKentersfromstage

rightwithMARCUSathisheels.DEREKiscarryingtwocoffeepots.MARCUSiscarryingatraywithcups.Theysetthepotsandcupsonthetablebehindthecouch.)

DEREK

Jeez,Marcus,IsaidIdreviewallthenumbers.

MARCUS

Tuesday,Derek.

DEREK

IsaidIddoitbyTuesday.

MARCUS

No,theyhavetohaveitbyTuesday.YouvegottodoitbyMonday.


25/76


DEREK

SoIvegottospendSundaycrunchingnumbersandmakingprojections?

MARCUS

Youdontseemtobetakingthisseriously.Interdisciplinaryresearchlikethiscouldbegroundbreaking.

DEREK

True,whichmeansifNSFdoesntfundit,somebodyelsewill.

MARCUS

Damnit,Derek!Ineedthisgrant.Youvegottenure.Yourealreadyafullprofessor.Ineedthis.

(Sayingnothing,DEREKturnsaway.)

MARCUS

Thisisntlikeyou.AlltheyearsIveknownyou,youveneverbeencarelesswithyourworkbefore.Whatswrong?

DEREK

Nothing.

MARCUS

Youcantalktome.

DEREK

Dontshrinkme,man.Weveknowneachothertoolong.

(MARCUSsaysnothing.)

DEREK

Allright.IllhaveeverythingbyMondaynight.WecanfaxitonTuesday.

MARCUS

(Relieved.)Thankyou.

(ANNALISE,ORLANDO,TARA,andWILLenterfrom

stageleft.BEVERLYandCAROLenterfromstageright.Foramomentnoonespeaks.)

MARCUS

Well,everybodysjustintime.PicturePerfect(Ross)-32

ANNALISE(Underherbreath.)


26/76

Thankstothesnake.

MARCUS

(Pointing.)Therescoffeeoverthereandcreamandsugar.Getsomeandgrabaseat... fortheunveiling.

DEREK

(ExchanginglookswithTARA.)Soundssecretive.

(ORLANDOandANNALISEmovetothesnacktable

andpourcupsofcoffee.TARAlowershereyesandtakesoffWILLsjacket.AsshereturnsittoWILL,CAROLlooksatherandthenhim.)


(MARCUSandBEVERLYeachtakeholdofacurtain

andpullitbacktorevealthepainting.Thepaintingisthesame,exceptitssubjects,clearlyMARCUSandBEVERLY,nolongerhavetheirarmslinked.BEVERLYstares,puzzled.MARCUSbeamswithprideashisguestsoohandaah.)

DEREK

Itsbeautiful.

ANNALISE

(Risingtotakeacloserlook.)Beautiful?Itsexquisite.

CAROL

(StandingbehindTARA.)Itmatchesyourwallsbeautifully.

ORLANDO

Ialwayssaidyouwerethepictureperfectcouple.


27/76


TARA(RisingtoescapeCAROLsnearness.)

Itmusthavecostasmallfortune,Beverly.Whostheartist?

ANNALISE

Yes,who?Idliketocommissionhimorhertodoapaintingformyoffice.

MARCUS

Imafraidthatsimpossible.Thisisthelastthinghepaintedbeforehe... died.

CAROL

Oh,howsad!

BEVERLYNotassadasyoumightthink.

ANNALISE

Thenwhowashe?

MARCUS

GuntherCreel.

(Foramomentnoonespeaks.)

DEREK

NottheGuntherCreel.MARCUS

Thesame.

DEREK(Standing.)

MyGod,Marcus!Creel?

CAROL

WhosGuntherCreel?


28/76


WILL(Standing,puttingahandonCAROLsshoulder.)

Theyputhimtodeathrecently,honey.

ANNALISE

Thosepoorgirlswerelambstotheslaughter.

MARCUS

Iwaspresentattheexecution.

ORLANDO

Whendidyouposeforthis?

MARCUS

Wedidnt.

BEVERLY

Ineverevenmettheman.

ANNALISE

Itsureseemshemetyou.Lookatthedetailhere.Itsalmostphotographic.

BEVERLY

Butwithallofyouintheroom,somehowitlooksdifferent.


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(ORLANDOrisesandjoinsANNALISEinexamining

thepainting.Meanwhile,theothersresumetheirseats.)

DEREKIfyoudidntpose,itssafetoassumeyoudidntcommissionit.Sowhydidhepaintit?

MARCUS

Hewasanegocentriccontrolfreak.Hewantedmetorememberhimalways.

TARA

Ibetinafewyearsitllbeworthasmallfortune.

CAROL

Iwonderhowhemanagedtomatchthecolorsinyourhousesoperfectly?

ANNALISE

Marcus,doyouknowhowtofindmoreofhispaintings?

MARCUS

Thathewasuniquelygiftedasanartist.Itwasntoncanvasthathebetrayedhistruemadness.

WILL

(Standingagain.)Ithinkmaybewedbetterbegoing.Carol?

ORLANDO

Careful,Marcus.Yourescaringthenewpeople.


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BEVERLYCarol,youmustthinkwereterriblepeopletogoonlikethisaboutamonsterlikeCreel.Thetruthis,whileIwritefictionaboutsmooth,clevermurderers,Marcusinterviewstherealthing,grittyandremorselessmenwhoareterrifyingandinsane.Itspartofhiswork

asapsychologist.

ANNALISE

Hesgoingtowriteabookaboutit.

MARCUS

Maybe.Mrs.Summers...Carol,hasDerektoldyouanythingaboutourwork?

CAROL

Justthathessomekindofbiologyprofessor.

MARCUS

Hesmorethanthat.Derekspecializesingenetics.Togetherwereundertakinganunprecedentedresearchprojecttolookintothepsychobiologyofevil.

CAROL

Idontunderstand.


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MARCUS

Theimpulsetodoevilisanormalpartofhumannature.Howmanyofushaveheardthevoicethattellsustosteal,orcheat

(TARAandWILLlookawayfromeachother.)

MARCUS

orkill?Mostofusresistthatvoice,thoseimpulses.

DEREK

Becauseofastrongervoice,calledconscience...(LooksatTARA)

...ormorality.

MARCUS

Mostpeoplesuppressthoseurgesbutgiveintotheoccasionallieorincometax

evasionorevenshopliftacandybar.Someratchetthingsupafewclickstoembezzlementorinfidelity.Butafewofusembracethetrulyforbidden,likemurder,asifourcapacityforevilisswitchedonlikethelightsinthisroom.

DEREK

ThegenomeprojectwasthebestthingtocomeoutoftheReaganpresidency.Werefindingmarkersswitches,ifyouwillforallkindsoftraitsanddiseases,evenforsuchthingsastheabilitytolearnlanguage,socialbehavior,andsexualorientation.

ORLANDO

Allright,people,dontstartlookingatme.(Sitsonthecouch.)

MARCUSThroughacombinationofpsychoanalyticinvestigationandhardlaboratoryscience,DerekandIaretryingtofindtheswitch.

WILL

Theon/offswitch.

MARCUSYes.

WILL

Youintendtoturneviloff.Isthatit?PicturePerfect(Ross)-39

MARCUS

Yes.

WILL


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Doyouintendtocurepoverty,orthegreedthatcausesit?

TARA

Will

WILL

WhenImdigginga9mmbulletoutofateenagedrugdealerschestonaSaturdaynight,Iknowtheswitchthatputitthereisthefactthiskidcouldntgetajobbecause

somefatcatwhowillbeinchurchinafewhourssenthisfactoryworkoverseastotakeadvantageofpoorpeoplewillingtoworkforpennies.Canyoudosomethingaboutthat?

CAROL

Will,theresnocalltoberude.

WILL

Imsorry.Ijust...

MARCUSThatsallright,Will.Yousoundfrustratedwiththestatusquo.Iunderstandthat.Im

frustratedtoo.Idontforaminutethinkwecanendallmanifestationsofevil,anymorethanIthinkmedicinewilleradicateallcancersorretroviruses.

WILL

Evilisntaretrovirus.Ifitwere,ourspecieswouldhavebeenwipedoutlongago.

MARCUS

Funny,butjustnowIrememberedCreelsaidevilislikeavirusthatchangesyouinwaysyouneverthoughtpossible.

CAROL

Look,IknowthatinthisroomImprobablytheleastqualifiedtospeak.

BEVERLY

Nonsense,Carol.

CAROL

Imean,Imherewithtwodoctors,twoprofessors,twowriters,andabookeditor.AllIamisahighschoolgraduate,ahousewifeandmother.


CAROL

butwhatImabouttosaymightseemfoolish,butIhavetoask.Whatifevildoesntwanttobeswitchedoff?

(Blackout.Curtain.)

Scene4Lightsup.Thecurtainremainsclosed.BEVERLYentersfromstagerightandwalkstodownstagecenter,whereshefacestheaudience.


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BEVERLY

Itmayseemglamoroustothosewhodontactuallyhavetodoit,butwritingisaterriblewaytomakealiving.WhentheyfindoutImanauthor,somepeoplesmileandsay,Idliketowriteabook.Whattheymeanis,Iwouldliketohavewrittenabook.Thatis,theydliketodobooksigningsandgiveinterviewsandearnroyaltieswithoutactuallyhavingtoparktheirderrieresinachairandwrite.Yousee,writingishardwork,whichiswhymostpeoplecantdoitverylong.Somemorningsyourheadissofullofphrases

andideasswirlinginapredawnmentalstewthatyoujustcantwaittojumpoutofbedandgettowork.Otherdaysyousitforhours,staringatanemptymonitororablanksheetofpaper,waitingforwordsthatnevercome.Afterafewdaysofplayinghide-and-seekwithyourmuseyoubegintofeelnakedyourself.Youwonderifyouvereachedtheend,ifyouvefinallyexhaustedyourgift,ifyoueverevenhadagift.Ofcourse,thatCarolSummerswomandoesntknowanyofthisyet.Shestartedanovelandsawitthroughtotheend.AndTheSevenChambersAffairisremarkableforsomeoneso...sounder-prepared.Shedoesnthavetowonderyetwhatshesgoingtodoforanencore.ButIdo.

(Hesitates.)WhatamIgoingtodo?

(Exitsstageright.)

(MARCUSentersfromstageleftandwalksto

downstagecenter,wherehefacestheaudience.)

MARCUS

Sometimesyoujustgettiredoffollowingtherules.Sure,therulesarethereforareason,tokeeporderandavoidchaos.Butnowandthentheybiteintoyourskinlikehandcuffsthreeclickstootight.MaybethatshowIwasfeelingaftersomanyhoursofreworkingthegrantwithDerek.ItwasdarkwhenwefinishedandIstillhadalongdrivehome.IguessIjustneededtocutloose.Myfootgotalittleheavy,andtheneedle

swungovertowhereIhadneverseenitbefore,andthespeedfeltreallygooduntilIsawtheflashinglightsinmymirror.Iwasabouthalfwayhomethen.Ofcourse,Ishouldhavepulledoverandtakentheticket.Ishouldhavefollowedtherules.ButifIhad,theredbenostorytotell.ForreasonsIstillcantfigureout,Idecidedtorun.Irememberthinking,IfIcanoutrunthiscop,Icandoanything.SoIcutthelightsto


hidemyplateandputmyfoottothefloorandcrossedthreelanesoftraffictohitthefirstexit.IhadnoideawhereIwas,butItookarightandwhippedintothefirstdrivewayIcameto.Itwasanoldfarmhouse,withadirtdrivecurvingaroundback.Iparkedbehindthehouseandcuttheengineandstretchedoutacrossthefrontseats.Istayedlikethatalongtime,waitingforataponthewindowandaflashlightintheface.Butnobodycame,notthecop,notthefarmer,nobody.WhenIfinallystartedthecarandgotbackonthehighway,IknewIcoulddoanything.

(Exitsstageleft.Blackout.)

Scene5Thecurtainopensonthelivingroom.Itisamonthafterthedinnerparty.Thefolding

chairsandsnacktablearegoneandthereisnofire,buteverythingelseisthesame.Thepaintingscurtainisopen.Nowthemanandwomaninthepaintingareagood


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distanceapart,headsturnedslightlyasiftheyarebeginningtolookateachotherdifferently,withsuspicion.Thelaptopcomputerisopenonthecoffeetable,acoffeecupononesideandastackofpapersontheother.Injeans,shirt,andsneakers,BEVERLYisontheportablephone,pacingbeforethefireplace.

BEVERLY

Iknow,Annalise,Iknow.Justanextraweek.Twoatmost,andIllhaveafinisheddraftforyou.Well,Imtryingsomethingnew.No,no,Imnottamperingwiththeformula.Itsa

DanielleCastlemysteryallright.Imjustmovingherinaslightlydifferentdirection.Thatsall.Thetitle?Tentatively... TheSevenChambersAffair,butIthinkitsweakandIwanttochangeit.

(Movestothecoffeetable,holdsupsomeofthepapers.)

Youlikeit?Oh.Allright,youdbetterletmegetbacktowork.Okay.Bye,sweetie.(Clicksoffandsetsthepapersbackonthecoffeetable.Shemovestothemantel,thephonestillinherhand.Shelooksatthepainting.Thensheclosesitscurtain,setsdownthephone,andresumesherpacing.Thephonerings,andshepicksitup.)


(Setsphoneonmantel.Exitsstageleft.Voiceoffstage.)

Derek?

DEREK

Hi,Bev.

BEVERLY

MyGod,whathappened?Youlookterrible.

DEREK

Disqualifiedinthefirstround.

BEVERLY

Imsosorry.Iknowhowhardyouworkedonit,bothofyou.

DEREKItsmyfault.

BEVERLY

Imsurethecompetitionwasstiff,hundredsofapplicationsfromalloverthecountry.

DEREK

No,itsmyfault.

DEREK

Ijust...Ijustneed... I(Burieshisfaceinhishandsandbeginstocry.)


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BEVERLYDerek?

(Risesandgoestohim.Putsahandonhisshoulder.)Derek,whatisit?

(AtthatmomentMARCUSentersfromstageleftand

stops.BEVERLYwithdrawsherhandfromDEREKsshoulderandtakesastepback.)

BEVERLY

Marcus.Imsorryaboutthegrant.Whydidntyoucallme?

(MARCUSsaysnothingandmovestothemantelas

DEREK,wipinghiseyes,looksupathim.)

BEVERLY

Iknowthatgrantmeantalottoyou.Letmehelp.

DEREKImsorry,Marcus.

Nivedita

I know that meant a lot to u, let me help.


36/76



37/76

\

DEREK

Ireallyamsorry.

MARCUS

Bev,wouldyouleavemealonewithDerekforafewminutes.

(BEVERLYmovestowardherpapersandthelaptop.)

MARCUS

Oh,theresnoneedtotakeyourwork.Leaveit.Thislljusttakeamoment,andafterDerekgoes,Imheadingupstairstotakeanap.Youcanpickupwhereyouleftoff,righthere.Leaveit.

BEVERLY

Well...allright.Butifyouneedme...(Leansintokisshim.Stops.Exitsstageright.)

DEREK(Standing.)

Look,Marcus,Iknowyoumusthatemerightnow...

MARCUSIdonthateyou,Derek.

DEREKButthiswholegrantthingismyfault.

MARCUS

Iknowthat,butIdonthateyou.


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(Picksupafewsheetsofpaperandflipsthroughthem.)

Iknowwhyyouscrewedupthedatabase,evenafterwereviewedyourwork.

DEREK

Youdo?

MARCUS

OfcourseIdo.Youcouldntgetitrightbecauseyoucouldntthinkstraight.(Holdsuponesheet.)

TheSevenChambersAffairby... ohmy,Beverly.(Smilesandreturnsthepaperstothecoffeetable,thenturnstoDEREK.)

Itmustbeeatingyoualive.

(DEREKlooksaway.)

MARCUS

Ipityyou,Derek.

DEREK

Howlonghaveyouknown?

MARCUS

IthinkIknewtheinstantIsawthemtogether.

DEREK

ItwouldntbesobadifIdidntlovehersomuch.(Covershisfaceasheweeps.)

MARCUSButyoudoloveherandshesmakingafoolofyou.

(StandsinfrontofDEREKandgripshisshoulders.)Shesmakingafoolofyouwiththathigh-mindedDr.Summers,whohadthenervetoquestionourwork.

DEREK

Yes.

MARCUS

Whomadesuchashowofprotectinghisidiotwifewhilesleepingwithyours.

(DEREKpullsawayandgoestothemantel.He

placesbothhandsonthemantelandlowershishead.)


39/76


MARCUSSothisman,thisoneman,hasruinedyourmarriage,devastatedyourconcentration,andunderminedbothourcareers.

DEREK

Yes.

MARCUS

Andthewifeyoutrustedandlovedishisaccomplice.

DEREK

Yes,sheis.

MARCUSThequestionis,whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?

DEREK

Idontknow.Idontknowwhattodo.

MARCUS

Areyougoingtoletthemgetawaywithit?

DEREK

WhatcanIdo?Wehavenochildren.Divorcewouldbeeasier...

MARCUS

Thisisano-faultstate.

DEREK

Nofault?

MARCUS

Thefailureofthemarriageisnobodysfaultandnobodygetspunished.(Takesasteptowardhim.)

Somebodyneedstopayforwhatyouregoingthrough,dontyouthink?(Takesanothersteptowardhim.)

Whatwouldyoureallyliketodo?

DEREK

(Halfturning.)Idliketogetmyhandsonhim.Aroundhisneck.Pushmythumbsintohiswindpipe.

MARCUS

(Afterapause.)Youdleavefingerprintsonhisflesh.


40/76


DEREK

(FacingMARCUS.)What?

MARCUS

Youdleavefingerprints,bodyoils,DNA.Thereareotherways,waysyoucantakecareofthembothwithoutsacrificingyourself.Withoutincriminatingyourself.

DEREK

Whatareyoutalkingabout?

MARCUSPride.Revenge.Justice.Callitwhatyoulike,butyoudonthavetotakethisfromthem.

DEREK

Youretalkingaboutmurder.

MARCUS

InFranceitwouldntbemurder.Thecrimeofpassionlecrimepassionnelisabonafidelegaldefense,forsituationsjustlikethis.

DEREK

ButwerenotinFrance.

MARCUS

Allthemorereasonnottogetcaught.

DEREK

Ivegonetoyourtalks,wheretheaudiencetriestocomeupwiththeperfectmurderandyoutellthemhowtheyllgetcaught.Besides,Imthehusband,thefirstonetheylookat.

MARCUSTheyonlyinvestigateiftheythinktheresbeenamurder.Iftheythinktheseloversranawaytogether...

DEREKMarcus,thisiscrazy.

MARCUS

Maybeitis.Butdoyouseethemtogetherwhenyoucloseyoureyesatnight?Canyousleepbesideherwithoutwonderingwherehishandshavetouchedher,withouthearinghermoaninhisear?Ifyoucan,youreabettermanthanIam.


41/76


DEREK

Icouldntpossiblygetawaywithsomethinglike... likethis.

MARCUS

Youcouldifyouhadhelp.

DEREK

Whatdoyoumean?

MARCUS

Ifyouhadsomeonewhoknewinvestigationprocedures,forensics,howtodisposeofbodieswithoutleavingatrace.Ahomicidedetective,acriminalist... ashrinkwhosspentmorethanathousandhoursinterviewingmurderersandthedetectiveswhocatchthem.

DEREK

Catchistheoperativewordhere.

MARCUS

Iftheaveragemurdererknewhalfofwhatgoesintoahomicideinvestigation,societywouldbeathismercy.Buttheaveragemurdererisnotespeciallysmart.Weare.

DEREK

Youwoulddothisforme?

MARCUS

Myfriend,wehavejustenteredintoaconspiracy.Evenifwenevercarryouttheact,mysilenceguaranteesyoursilenceguaranteesmysilence.

DEREKAndtheycanbe...dealtwith,withoutsomeindicationacrimehadbeencommitted?

MARCUSYes.

DEREK

Andmadetodisappear...permanently?

MARCUS

Yes.

(DEREKwalkstodownstagecenterandlooksoutat

theaudienceasifgazingthroughtheFrenchdoors.)


42/76


MARCUS

Trustme,Derek.Itcanbedone.

DEREK

Howdeepisthatlake?

(Blackout.Curtain.)

Scene6Thecurtainopensonthelivingroom.Itisafewdayslater,Sundaymorning.Thenow

uncoveredpaintingdepictsthecoupleonoppositesidesoftheframe.Thewomanistowardthebackground,lookingoverhershoulderasifafraidofbeingseen.Themanisintheforeground,whisperingintotheearofahalf-hiddenface.Cladinbathrobeandpajamas,MARCUSentersfromstageright,coffeecupinonehandandportable

telephoneintheother.Hethumbsseveralbuttonsonthephoneandputsittohisearas

hestopsinfrontofthemantel.

MARCUS

Campussecurity?(Sips.)

Thankgoodness.IwasntsureanybodywouldbethereonSundaymorning.ThisisDr.Micheauxfrompsychology.Ijustreceivedthestrangestcallfromoneofmycolleaguesinbiosciences.

(Sipsagain.)Hewantsmetocometohishouse,butIthoughtitbesttoreportthecall.Iwouldhavedialed911,butIliveanhouraway,inanothertown.Ifigureyoullknowwhichpolicedepartmenttocall.Icantbesure,butifwhathetoldmeistrue,itisapolicematter.Dr.DerekPalmer,437CampbellTerrace,abouttwomilesfromcampus.Heclaimstohavekilledhiswife...andherlover.Yes,thankyou.Thankyouverymuch.

(Clicksoffandsetsthephoneonthemantel.Sipscoffeeagainandgazesatthepainting.Thenclosesthecurtainonthepainting.Exitsstageright.Blackout.Curtain.)

EndofActOne


43/76


ActTwoScene1

Thecurtainisclosed.Thestageisdark.Aspotlightilluminatesdownstagecenter,where,asintheprologue,thereisaheavy-lookingtablewithawiremeshpartition

risingfromitsmidpointandachaironeitherside.MARCUSsitsinone,handsfoldedatopthetable.Afteramoment,thereisthesoundofkeys,followedbyclankingdoors.Injailhouseclothing,DEREKentersandsitsintheemptychair.Foramomentthetwomenjuststareateachother.

DEREK

Ialmoststayedbackthereinmycell,butthenIbegantowonderwhyyoudbothertovisitme.

MARCUS

Iwantedtoseehowyouweredoing.

DEREK

Toseehowyourpuppetisholdingupwithhisstringscut?

MARCUS

Yousoundhostilerightnow.Iunderstand.Aplacelikethis

DEREK

HostiledoesntbegintodescribewhatImfeeling!

MARCUS

IfyoureangrybecauseIcalledthepolice

DEREK

(Laughsbitterly.)Becauseyoucalledthepolice?

MARCUSImsorry,butIhadnochoice.Whenyoutoldmewhatyouddone

DEREK

Yourearealpieceofwork,Marcus.Youreallyare.

MARCUS

Whatdoyoumean?.

DEREK

Andahellofanactor.Idontthinkanybodyslistening,butIdontknowforsure,sosticktotheinnocentvisitorroutine.Thatwaynobodywilleversuspecthowyousetmeup.


44/76


MARCUSSetyouup?

DEREK

(Toanunseenobserver)

AtthisratehellevenwinanOscar.

MARCUS

Imyourfriend,Derek.IwanttohelpanywayIcan.

DEREK

Myfriend?Friendsdontpushfriendsintomurderandthenleavethemstandingoverthebody.

MARCUS

Youreright.Andfriendsdontdragfriendsintomurder.WhydidntyoucallmesoI

couldtalkyououtofit?

DEREK

Becauseyouweretheonewhotalkedmeintoit!

MARCUS

Ididnosuchthing.

DEREK

What?WhataboutthatdayIcameouttoyourhouse?

MARCUS

ThedayyouweresodistraughtaboutyourwifesaffairthatyoudroveoffinaragewhenIsuggesteddivorce?

DEREK

Idontbelievethis!

MARCUS

Think,Derek.HowcouldIhavetalkedyou,atenuredfullprofessor,intosomethinglikemurder?HowdidIinfluenceyou?DidIblackmailyou?Promiseyoumoney?Seduceyou?

DEREK

Yousaidyoudhelpmedisposeofthebodies.

MARCUS

Thatsabsurd.


45/76


DEREKButthelakebyyourhouse...

MARCUS

Alakefulloffallfishermenandsummerswimmers?Gasmakesbodiesrise.

DEREK

Yousaidwecouldweightthemdown.

MARCUSThelakeistooshallow.Snorkelerswouldseethem.

DEREK

Yousaidtheycould... disappear.

MARCUS

Derek,youvebeentomylectures.Youveheardmetalkabouthowbothersomebodies

canbe.Animalsdigupforestgraves.Thesmellofdecompositionseepsthroughfloorsandwalls.Anyacidstrongenoughtodissolvebonewouldalsodissolveitsowncontainer.

DEREK

Whataboutalltheforensicsyousaidyoucouldgetaround?

MARCUS

AlltheyfoundofCrippenswifewasapatchofstomachskinwitharecognizablescar.Thejurypasseditaroundonaplate,andCrippenwashanged.Thatwas1910.Forensicsciencehasimprovedsincethen,dontyouthink?

DEREK

But

MARCUS

Therearenobuts.AreyouplanningtowalkintocourtwithyourPh.D.andsayyouweretalkedintomurderbyamanwithnothingtogain,nomotiveforwantingthevictimsdead?

(DEREKsaysnothing.)

MARCUS

Amanwholivedanhouraway?

DEREK

WhenIcalledyoutoldmetostayput.


46/76


MARCUSThesamemanwhophonedpolice?

DEREK

(Sittingupstraighter.)

Andestablishedaphonerecordalibiatthetimeofthecrime.

(Foramomenttheyjustlookateachother.)

MARCUSTobaseadefenseonsuggestibility,youwouldhavetodemonstratetheweakestwillinhistory,oryouwouldhavetobeinsane.

DEREKYouwontgetawaywiththis.

MARCUS

Areyouinsane,Derek?

DEREK

Youwontgetawaywiththis!

MARCUS

Ihaventdoneanythingtogetawaywith.You,ontheotherhand

DEREK

(Abouttocry.)Youtoldmetowaitforyou.

MARCUS

Iwanttohelp,trulyIdo

DEREK

Talktomylawyer,please.

MARCUS

butIcantimplicatemyselfinafelony.

DEREK

Please,Marcus,dontdothistome.

MARCUS

Conspiracytocommitmurder.Perjury.Obstructionofjustice.Idhavetobeinsane.

DEREK

Thisisntmyfault.


47/76


MARCUS

(Softly.)Youknowwhatyouvedone,Derek.Youknowthepainyouvecausedyourself.

DEREKImscared,Marcus

MARCUS

(Standing.)Faceuptowhatyouvedone,andyoullknowwhatyouhavetodotoendthepain..

DEREKSoscared.

MARCUS

Youknowwhatyouhavetodo.

(Exitsstageright.)

(DEREKlowershisheadtohisarmsandweeps.

Blackout.)

Scene3Thecurtainopens.Itisevening.Afirecracklesinthefireplace.Aglassofwineandanopenbottleareonthecoffeetable.ORLANDOisseatedonthecouch,readingthroughastackofpapers.Forafewsecondshereads,thenshakeshisheadandsipsfromthewineglass.Afewsecondslaterhesighsheavily,shakeshisheadagain,andtakesanothersip.Finally,hesetsthemanuscriptasideandstands,glassinhand.HewalksdownstagetolookouttheFrenchdoorsattheaudience.Finishinghiswine,heturnsbackintotheroom.Hestopsasifnoticingsomething.Thenhegoesupstagetothecoveredpaintingandopensitscurtains.Hestepsbackinsurprise,forthisisnotthepaintingheremembers.Themanandwomanarenowfarapart,castingeachother

suspicioussidelongglances.ORLANDOlooksfromthepaintingtothestagerightexitandback.Clearlyconfused,heclosesthecurtainandreturnstohisseatonthecouch.Hesetsdowntheemptywineglass,picksupapagefromthemanuscript,andlooksfromthemanuscripttothecurtainedpainting,asiftryingtoconnectthetwo.JustthenBEVERLYentersfromstagerightwithaplateofcrackersandcheese,whichshesetsonthecoffeetable.Shesitsinoneofthearmchairsoppositethecouch.Foramomentnoonespeaks.ORLANDOseemsdistracted.

BEVERLY

Thatbad,huh?


48/76


ORLANDO

Excuseme?

BEVERLY

Thebook.Yourenotsayinganythingandyoudrankyourwineprettyquickly.

ORLANDO

Itsnotbad,Beverly,notatall.Actually,itsquitegood.Itsjust... different.Imstilltryingtotakeitallin.


49/76

BEVERLYTheresnotellingwhenhellbeback.Recently,hesbeenworkinglatealot.

(RisingandmovingtodownstagecentertolookoutthroughtheFrenchdoors.)

Ihopehegetshomesoon.Theradiosaidtheredbeaheavydownpour,andthe

windingdirtroadsupherecangetkindofslick.

ORLANDO

Imstilltryingtowrapmybrainaroundthatbitofdrama.OnenightImtalkingwithpeopleinthisroomandsoontwoaredeadandathirdsinjailfortheirmurder.

BEVERLY

DontforgetCarolSummers.Thepoorthinghadanervousbreakdownafterherhusbandsfuneralandhadtobecommitted.

BEVERLY

Yes.Fortunately,shehasrelativesinSeattlewhocameandgotthem.Eventually,theylltransferhertoapsychcenteroutthere...AlltheselivesruinedbecauseDerekflippedout.

ORLANDO

IshestillsayingMarcusmadehimdoit?

BEVERLYHeclaimshewassetupforlosingtheNSFgrant.

ORLANDO

Nowtheresanoriginalrevenge.Abitoverthetop.

BEVERLY

Ridiculousiswhatitis.Marcusisntatallvindictive.

BEVERLYThepolicequestionedhimthreetimes,andhespentanafternoonwithDerekslawyer.Heneverchangedhisstory.Yes,hewasangryaboutthegrant,butDerekwashisfriend,andsowasTara.

ORLANDO

Truefriendsstabyouinthefront.

BEVERLY

Whatsthatsupposedtomean?


50/76

ORLANDOBecauseshewashavinganaffairwiththatneo-hippiedoctor?

BEVERLY

Howdoyouknow?Didyoucatchthemkissing?

ORLANDO

No.Infact,thenightAnnaliseandIsawthemoutthere...

(PointstotheFrenchdoors.)...theyweresobusynotkissingandnotstandingneareachotherthattheonlylogical

conclusionwastheywerehavinganaffair.

BEVERLY

Youreallyhavebecomecynicalinyouroldage,haventyou?

ORLANDO

Itsanaffectionatecynicism,likeTwainswhenhesaid,Manistheonlyanimalthatblushes.Orneedsto.Thesewerepeoplewhoneededtoblush,anddid.

BEVERLYEvenifshewasinvolvedwithWill,ithadnothingtodowithMarcus.


ORLANDOHeneversaidanythinglike,Ifsheweremywife... ?

BEVERLY

Absolutelynot.

ORLANDOHowdoyouknow?

BEVERLY

Iknowmyhusband.

ORLANDO

(Afterabeat.)Ofcourseyoudo.

BEVERLY

Ido.AndhehatedManson.Calledhimadangerouslittlecreepwithbadbreathand

bodyodor.

ORLANDOHowdidhefeelaboutGuntherCreel?

BEVERLY

He...hehasntsaidmuchaboutthatone.Whydoyouask?

ORLANDO

Curiosity.


51/76

BEVERLYItsastrangecuriositythattriestoconnectalovetrianglemurdertopeoplelikeMansonandCreel.

ORLANDOTellme,whatwouldyoudoifMarcuswerehavinganaffair?

BEVERLYBecauseitsaridiculousquestion.

ORLANDONo,itsnot.ItswhatIhadtofaceaboutamanIthoughtwastheloveofmylife.ItswhatDerekhadtofaceabouthiswifeandprobablywhyhekilledher.

BEVERLYNoneofthatappliestoMarcusandme.

ORLANDONo?

BEVERLY

Yousaidityourself:wehavethepictureperfectmarriage.

ORLANDO

SoIdid.Hypothetically,then,whatwouldyoudo?

BEVERLY

(Afterapause.)

IthinkIwouldwanttoknowwhatshehasthatIdont.

ORLANDO

Yourecheating,Bev.Ididntaskhowyoudfeelorwhatyoudwanttoknow.Iaskedwhatyouwoulddo.

BEVERLY

Iwouldntkillhim,ifthatswhatyourepushingmetosay.

ORLANDO

Wouldyoudivorcehim?

BEVERLY

Never.


52/76


ORLANDOWouldyouconfronthim?

BEVERLY

Maybe.Idontknow.

ORLANDO

Wouldyouconfronther?

BEVERLYIdontknow.

ORLANDO

Whynot?Shesstealingsmilesandkissesandpleasuresthatrightfullybelongtoyou.

BEVERLY

(Suddenlystanding.)

Stopit!Juststopit!

ORLANDO

(Risingandreachingforher.)Bev

BEVERLY

(Pullingaway,thenturningaway.)Dont!Dont.Idontknowwhatsgottenintoyou.

ORLANDO

MaybeIgotalittlecarriedaway.

BEVERLY(Facinghim.)

Carriedaway?Thatwasdownrightmean.

ORLANDO

Imsorry.

BEVERLYWhyareyousocruelallofasudden?

(Huggingherself.)ThethoughtofMarcuswithsomebodyelsemakesmyskincrawl.

ORLANDO

DoyouhavesomereasontothinkMarcusishavinganaffair?


53/76


BEVERLY

Ithinkyoudbetterbegoingnow.

ORLANDO

Bev

BEVERLY

Imeanit,O.Iwantyoutoleavewhilewestillhaveachancetosavethisfriendship.

(Foramomentnoonespeaks.)

ORLANDO

Allright,Illgo,butononecondition.


54/76


BEVERLYWhatcondition?

ORLANDO

(Pickingupthebookmanuscript.)

Iwantyoutotellmewhoreallywrotethisbook.

BEVERLY

What?

ORLANDO

Youheardme.

BEVERLY(Lookingaway.)

Iwroteit.

ORLANDO

Eyetells,Bev.Interrogation101.Theeyeswontliewhenthemouthwill.Lookatme.

BEVERLY

(Meetinghisgazedefiantly.)Iwrote... Iwrote...

(Looksawayandsinksintoherchair.)

ORLANDO

Youwrotepartofit.YoureworkeditandpluggedDanielleCastleintoit,butitisntyourwork.

BEVERLY

Howdoyouknow?

BEVERLY

Doyouthink...doyouthinkAnnalisewillnotice?


55/76


ORLANDO

Annaliseisonaproductionschedule.Shewontcare.Nowtellmewhowroteit.

BEVERLY

CarolSummers.

ORLANDO

Missmousywidow?

BEVERLY

Yes.

ORLANDOWhendidyougetit?Youcouldnthavereworkedallthisinthepastfourdays.

BEVERLY

Shegaveittomethenightoftheparty.

ORLANDO

Letmeguess:shewantedyouropinionandyouendedupstealingherbook.

(BEVERLYsaysnothing.)

ORLANDO

Howconsiderateofhertoloseherhusbandandhaveanervousbreakdown.(Turnsawayfromherandgoestothemantel.Helooksupatthecurtainedpainting.)

Why,Beverly?

BEVERLYIdontknow.

ORLANDOSureyoudo.Annalisewasturningthethumbscrews,butshedidntknowyourbrainwasinlockdown.Thenthiswimpylittlewifeshowsuponyourdoorstepwiththeanswertoallyourproblems.

BEVERLY

Iwas... Iwasgoingtofindawaytogivehercredit.

ORLANDO

BeverlyHatcherwithCarolSummers?

BEVERLY

Somethinglikethat.


56/76


ORLANDO

Doesntsaythatonthetitlepage,orwereyoujustplanningtoconherwithmoneyandapromisetohelphergethernextbookpublished?

BEVERLYIdontknow.

ORLANDO

TheBeverlyHatcherIknowandlovewouldneverstooptoliterarytheft,unlessshehadsuccumbedtosomeoutsideinfluence.

BEVERLY

Whatkindofinfluence?

(ORLANDOopensthecurtainhidingthepainting.

BEVERLYgazesatitforaninstant,thenlooksaway,

backtowardtheaudience.)

ORLANDO

ThisisntthepaintingIrememberfromtheparty.Notthesamepicture,butclearlythesamehand,eventhoughtheartistisdead.Whatdoyoumakeofthat?

BEVERLY

Whatdoyoumakeofit?

ORLANDO

DidGuntherCreelpaintasecondpictureforMarcus?

BEVERLY

No.

ORLANDO

Areyousure?

BEVERLY

Yes,IwatchedMarcusunwrapitwhenhebroughtithome.Therewasonlyonepainting.

ORLANDO

Couldhehaveleftthesecondoneinhiscaroroffice?

BEVERLY

No.


57/76


ORLANDOToplayajokeonyoulater?

BEVERLY

No.

ORLANDO

Howcanyoubesosure?

BEVERLY(Risingandfacinghim.)

Becausehecouldnthidethatmanypaintingsfromme!

ORLANDOThereare...more?

BEVERLY

No,theresonlyone,andIknowbecauseIveaskedmyselfthesesamequestionsathousandtimes.Butthesignaturethereisexactlythesameandthescratchinthiscornerofthecanvasneverchanges.Butthemanandwoman...MarcusandI... Wekeepchanging.Everydaywereinadifferentposition.Everysingleday,andMarcuscantbedoingittodrivememadlikethehusbandinGaslightbecausewechangeevenwhenhesnothere!

(Stepstothemantelandsnapsthepaintingscurtainsshut.Thensitsdown,shaking.)

ORLANDO

(Sittingonthecouch)Didyoueverwatchitchange?

BEVERLYItriedoneafternoon,butafterstaringatitforanhour,Ifeltmybraindrowninginitsownfluid.Isteppedoutsideaminutetoclearmyhead.WhenIcamebackthepaintinghadchanged.

ORLANDO

WhatdoesMarcussayaboutthis?

BEVERLY

Hedoesntseethedifference.HetellsmenothingschangedandleavesmetowonderifIamgoingmad.

ORLANDO

Butyourenot,sugar,becauseIseeittoo.


58/76


BEVERLYSowhatdoyoumakeofit?

ORLANDO

Therationalistinmeknowsthatthedeaddonotpaintfromthegrave.Butthewriterin

me,theimaginerofmysteriesandmacabremoralitytales,seesanotherpossibility.

BEVERLY

What?

ORLANDO

Doyoubelieveinevil?

BEVERLYNotyoutoo.CarolSummerssaidsomethingaboutevilbeinghere.

ORLANDO

Interesting.Inawaythatconfirmsmyidea.DoyourememberThePictureofDorianGray?

(BEVERLYshakesherhead.)

ORLANDO

Nomatterhowcorrupt,immoral,orhomicidalDorianGraybecomes,heneveragesorshowssignsofdisease.Buthisportraitdoes,untilthemaninthepicturelooksnothinglikehim.

BEVERLY

Howdoesitend?

ORLANDOGrayattackshispicturewiththesameknifeheusedtocommitamurder.Whenhisservantsfindhim,thepictureisperfectbutthebodyonthefloorisawitheredhuskwearingGraysrings.

BEVERLY

SoyouthinkwevegotthepictureofDorianGrayonourhands.

ORLANDO

No,thepictureofGuntherCreel.

(Foramomentneitherspeaks.Offstagethereisthe

soundofrainbeginning.)

BEVERLY

WhydoIgetthefeelingthatsworse?


59/76


ORLANDO

DorianGraysportraitwasarepository.Itswherehestoredevilsoitwouldntmanifestitselfinhisbody.GuntherCreelisalreadydead.Maybehispaintingisaconduit,somethingtochannelhisevilbutnowitsleakingout.

BEVERLY

Soitsinfluencingme?

ORLANDOInfectingyou.IthinkMarcussaidCreelcalledevilavirus.

BEVERLY

ThatswhyIstoleCarolsbook?

ORLANDO

ItsalsoinfectingMarcus.

BEVERLY

How?Heshardlyeverhereanymore.

ORLANDO

HeknewCreel.Hehungthatpainting.Andhehasntbeenhimselflately,hashe?

BEVERLY

Well,hesbeenspendingmoretimeinthewoodsthan... Thisissilly.

ORLANDO

No,itisnt.Everythingisfinallystartingtomakesense.

BEVERLYIdontunderstand.

ORLANDOYou.Marcus.Howdifferentyouvebothbecome... Beverly,weveknowneachotheralongtime.YouknowIwouldnevertrytohurtyou.

BEVERLYIknow.

ORLANDO

WhatImabouttotellyou... itsnoteasy.

BEVERLY

(Wary.)Justsayit,O.


60/76


ORLANDO

(Takingadeepbreath.)Ididplaydetective.Ifoundtheotherman.

BEVERLYWhatotherman?

ORLANDO

Jeremysotherman.ItsMarcus.Yourhusbandissleepingwithmyboyfriend.

(BeforeBEVERLYcanreact,thereisaflashof

lightning,asoundofthunder.MARCUSburstsinfromstageleftandfrombehindloopsanecktiearoundORLANDOsthroat.BEVERLYshrieksandshrinksdeeperintoherchair.ORLANDOgrabsthenecktie,

butMARCUSpullshimoverthebackofthecouchto

thefloorandstraddleshisbodyashestrangleshim.Afterabriefstruggle,ORLANDOgoeslimp.MARCUSstandsandstaresatBEVERLY,whoiscoweringinherchair.)

MARCUS

(Panting,startingtowardher.)LookslikeIgotherejustintime.

(Blackout.Curtain.Soundofthunder.)

Scene4Thereisthesoundofrainthroughout.Thecurtainopens.Everythingisthesameexceptthepainting.Nowtheonlyfigureintheframeistheman,outsideintherain,holdingashovelashestandsbyafreshmoundofearth.Inbathrobeandpajamas,BEVERLYisstretchedoutonherbackonthecouch,asifsleepingpeacefully.Alsoinrobeandpajamas,MARCUSentersfromstageright,carryinganewspaperunderonearmandamugineachhand.Hesetsonemugonthecoffeetable,thentakesaseatacrossfromthecouch.WatchingBEVERLY,hesipshisdrink.Thenheopensthenewspaperandbeginstoread.Presently,shestirs.Suddenlyshelurchesintoasittingposition,armsflailingmomentarily.Shestops,obviouslyconfused.

MARCUS

Easy,Bev.

(BEVERLYgazesblanklyatMARCUSbutsays

nothing.Sheclampsherhandsonthesidesofherheadandwincesinpain.)



61/76

MARCUS

Yourheadmustbepounding.

(BEVERLYlowersherhands,continuestostareat

him.)

MARCUS

Youvebeenoutnearlythreehours.Iwasbeginningtoworryaboutyou.

(RealizationandmemorycrowdintoBEVERLYs

face.Suddenly,shethrustsherselfagainstthebackofthecouchasifabouttoclimboverit.)

MARCUS

Nowdontgetyourselfexcited,honey.

BEVERLYGonnakillmetoo?

MARCUSImnotgoingtohurtyou.Imadeyousomehotchocolate.

MARCUS

Dontbeembarrassed.Theyllbedryinalittlewhile.

BEVERLY

Whatkindofdrugdidyougiveme?

MARCUSSomethingthatdisabledyouwhileI... tookcareofthings.

BEVERLY

WhatdidyoudotoOrlando?

MARCUSWhatIhadtodo,toinsurebothourfutures.

(BEVERLYlooksatthepainting,thenburiesherface

inherhandsandstrugglesnottocry.Afterafew

seconds,sheliftshereyesslowlytomeethisandtakesadeepbreath.)

MARCUS

Beforeyoutrysomethingsilly,Ishouldtellyoutheresnothingyoucandotonight.Ivedisabledallthetelephones,andIhavethekeystoallthecars.TomorrowatdawnIlldriveOrlandosdowntothehighwayandrollitintotheriver.Heleftduringthestorm,yousee,andlostcontrol,andhisbodywassweptaway,nevertobefound.

BEVERLY

Iknowthetruth.


62/76

MARCUSButrightnowitsrainingtoohard,anditsdarkwhichmeansyouwontberunningoffanywhereonfoot.

BEVERLYIllknowthetruthwhenthestormisover,whenhiscarisfound.

MARCUS

Bymorningyoullbehappytokeepthesecret.

(Suddenlygagging,BEVERLYclutchesherbellywith

onehandandcovershermouthwiththeother.)

MARCUS

ThatwouldbethenauseaIwarnedyouabout.


63/76


(BEVERLYrunsoffstageright.MARCUSdrinksmoreofhishotchocolate.Settingdownhismug,hepicksuphisnewspaperandresumeshisreading.Amomentlater,BEVERLYreturns,lookingweakandpattinghermouthwithacloth.)

MARCUS

Ihopeyoumadeitupstairsintime.

BEVERLYYes.

(Goestothecouchandsits.)Yes,Idid.

MARCUS

(Foldinghispaperandsettingitaside.)

Youshoulddrinkyourchocolate.

BEVERLY

No,thankyou.(Setsclothaside.)

MARCUS

Itllhelpsettleyourstomach,andyournerves.

BEVERLY

Mynervesaresettled.

MARCUS

Enoughthatwecantalk?

BEVERLY

Idontwanttotalk.

MARCUS

Yes,youdo.Youjustdontknowityet.Nowdrinkup.Theresnothinginit.

(Eyesdefiant,BEVERLYtakesasipofchocolate.)

MARCUS

Good.Youreprobablyconfusedrightnow.

BEVERLY

Notintheleast.Youreamurderer.Nothingconfusingaboutthat.


64/76


MARCUS(Rising.)

YouresadaboutOrlando.

BEVERLY

No,IhateyouforOrlando.

MARCUS

(Sittingonthedownstageendofthecouch.)Andyoureafraid.

BEVERLY

(Edgingawayfromhim.)Oneoutofthreeisntbad,Marcus.Iamafraid.

MARCUS

(Wipingatearfromhercheek.)

Theresnoneedtocry.Youremywife,andwecangetthroughthistogether.

BEVERLY

Throughwhat?Whatareyoutalkingabout?

MARCUS

Ihavetoexplainthingstoyou.Wouldyoulikethat?

BEVERLY

Pleasedo.

MARCUS

Iwantyoutounderstandwhatshappenedtome,howIvechanged

BEVERLY

Changed?Thatswhatyoucallmurderingmybestfriend?

MARCUS

becauseifyoudontunderstand,ifyourwillcontinuestoresistmine,Iwillhavetomakeyougoaway.

(BEVERLYsaysnothing.MARCUSwipesaway

anothertear.)

MARCUS

Ivedugseveralholesonmyweekendwalksinthewoods,butyoudonthavetoendupinoneofthem.


65/76


BEVERLY(Almostawhisper.)

Whatshappenedtoyou?

MARCUS

ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIfeelcompletelyfree.Idontcareaboutpromotionortenure.Colleaguesandstudentsnolongermeanathingtome.AllthatmattersiswhatIexperience.

(BEVERLYcontinuestostarestraighthim,uncomprehending.)

MARCUS

Mysensesareliketheyveneverbeenbefore.Colorshaveneverlookedsovivid.Foodhasnevertastedsogood.

(Strokingherfaceassheshudders.)

AndeverytouchItakefeelslikethefirsttimealloveragain.Istartednoticingthese

changesafewweeksago,afterIhungthepainting.(Standing.)

IbegantofeelIcoulddoanything,makeothersdoanything.Asifthepaintinghadgivenmeanextraordinarypoweroverpeople.

BEVERLY

Orlandosaiditwasthepainting.

MARCUS

(Asifhehasntheard.)Itwasnthypnosisorbrainwashingordrug-inducedmindcontrol.Itwassimplyamatterofwill.

BEVERLYHesaiditwaslikethepictureofDorianGray,onlyworse.

MARCUSOnedayeverythingwasclear.Irealizedthatamindfreeofconscienceandconcerncanimposeitselfonamoreconventionalmind.

(MovesdownstagetogazeoutFrenchdoors.)

BEVERLY

Whatdoyoumean?

MARCUS

Peoplewanttobeled.Therapy,religion,politics,fashion,warpeoplewantsomeonetotellthemwhattodo,whattowear,whattothink.


66/76


BEVERLYThatsnotcompletelytrue.

MARCUS

Ofcourseitis.Theaveragepersoncanbecontrolled,ifyoufindtherightpathinsidehis

mind.

BEVERLY

Therightpath?

MARCUS

WhobettertofinditthanapsychologisttrainedtoreadpersonalitiesaseasilyasadultsreadDr.Seuss?

(Turnstolookather.)

(MARCUSturnsbacktotheaudience.)

MARCUS

Imateacher,agoodone.Sayingnexttonothing,Igotmystudentsandseveralfacultytodislikethemostpopulargirloncampus.Afterthat,seducingJeremywaseasy.Sowaskillinghim.

(BEVERLYcovershermouthwithonehand.)

MARCUS

Derekwastheeasiestofall,whichiswhyhefinallyhangedhimselfinhiscelltoday.

(BEVERLYputshersecondhandoverherfirst.)

MARCUS

Noteveryonesuccumbed,ofcourse.YouweremoredifficultbecauseIknewyoubest.WhenIprobedyourmind,Isawmyselfblockingeachofyourdoorwaysourmarriage,thishouse,ababy.ThenIlearnedyoudstolenthatwomansbook,andIrealized

BEVERLY

Myimaginationwasgone.Iwasdesperate.

MARCUSItwasthepainting.Itworkeditswayintoyouthewayitworkeditswayintome.


67/76


(Turningtoher.)AtlastIfoundtherightpathintoyourmindandnowIhavethechancetomakeyouajuniorpartnerinthisastonishingfreedom.

BEVERLY

Idontunderstand.

MARCUS

Afreedomyouveneverknown.Thefreedomtodoanythingyouwant.Anything.Noboundaries,nolimits,norules.

BEVERLY

Dontweneedrules?

MARCUS

Rulesareforprey,notforpredators.

(Takesasteptowardher.)

Ineedapartner,Bev.Someonetosharethejoyofthehunt... thethrillofthekill.

BEVERLY

Youwantmeto... kill?

MARCUS

Carefully,cleverly,artfully.(Anotherstep.)

BEVERLY

Thoseholesinthewoods...

MARCUS

(Anotherstep.)Iwantyoutojoinmeinthecreationofamasterpiece.

BEVERLYThis...allthisisevil.

MARCUS

(Reachingthecouch.)Yes,anditsdelicious.

BEVERLY

(Tearfully.)Iloveyou,Marcus.Iloveyousomuch.


68/76


MARCUSIloveyoutoo,whichiswhyImgivingyouthechancetosharethiswithme.

BEVERLY

ItoldOrlandoIwoulddoanythingtogetyouback.

MARCUS

Thisistheonlywaytogetmeback.

BEVERLY(Shakingherheadsadly.)

Theonlyway.

MARCUSButIknowthestrengthofyourwill.

BEVERLY

(Wipingawaytears.)Youdontknowwhatyouthinkyoudo.

MARCUS

Thequestionis,canyousharethiswithmeandnottrytothwartme?

BEVERLY

(Pullingapistolfromherrobepocket,levelingitathim.)

Youtellme.

(Lightningflashes,followedbythunder.MARCUS

takesastepbackwardasBEVERLYgetstoherfeet.Armsextended,sheholdsthepistolwithbothhands.)

MARCUS

Yourfatherstargetgun.

BEVERLY

Remember,Iknowhowtoshoot.

MARCUS

Thatlittletoy?

BEVERLY

Atthisrangeitsgunenoughtodothejob.

MARCUS

Yes... yes,itis.


69/76


BEVERLY

Youwentlookingforevil,butitfoundyouinstead.(Movestowardhim.)

MARCUSYoucantshootme,Bev.(Beginningtobackaway.)

Ifoundcompletefreedom.

BEVERLY

No,wehavetoendthishere.

(MARCUSbacksdownstage.BEVERLYfollowsuntiltheyareafewfeetapart,downstagecenter.)

MARCUS

Listentome.

BEVERLY

(Crying,takinganotherstep.)Ihavetostopyou,Marcus.

(NowMARCUSbacksawayfromherupstagecenter,

betweenthecouchandchairstowardthemantel.Lightning,soundofthunder.)

MARCUS

Youcantstopme.

BEVERLYIhavetotry.

(MARCUSbacksintothemantel.ForamomentheisbesidethepictureasBEVERLY,centerstage,stillholdsthegunonhim.Heinchestowardstageright.)

BEVERLYYouwantedtofindtheswitchthatturnedeviloff.

MARCUS

(Inchingtowardthestagerightexit.)Beverly,dontdothis.

BEVERLY

Imafraidtherearetoomanyswitches,Marcus,hiddenintoomanysouls.


70/76


MARCUS

Dontdothis.

BEVERLY

Butifeveryonehadthechancetoturnoffoneswitch...

MARCUS

Youcantkillme!

BEVERLY

Justoneswitch.

MARCUSYouloveme.

BEVERLY

(Crying.)Iloveyou

(MARCUSlungestowardthestagerightexitas

BEVERLYfires,notathimbutatthepainting.MARCUSstaggers,clutchinghisbackasifshot.BEVERLYfiresagainatthepainting,andthistimeMARCUSclutcheshisabdomen.BEVERLYfiresthreemoretimes.MARCUSreactstoeachshot,staggeringclosertotheexit.)

MARCUS

Beverly...please...

(Lookingathimonce,BEVERLYfiresherlastshot

intothepainting,andMARCUSlurchesoffstagebackward,tumblingtothefloor.Hegroansforamomentandthenissilent.BEVERLYlowersthegunturnsawayfromthepainting.Facingtheaudience,sheletsthegunslipfromherfingersandburiesherfaceinherhandstocry.Foramomenttheonlysoundsarehersobbingandtherainoutside.Then,offstageright,thereisacough,followedbyascrape.BEVERLYturnstowardthesoundandseesarobedfigurestumblebackonstageandcollapseinaheap.)

BEVERLY

Marcus!


71/76


(Thefigureremainsstill.Sherushesupstagetowardhim,needingtohelpherhusband,toseeifshehasfreedhimfromhiscurse.)

BEVERLY

Pleasebefree.Please.

(Shekneelsbesidehim,toucheshim,thenrecoils

whenheturnstofaceher.Shescootsbackwardonherbehind,towarddownstagecenter,asthefigureclimbstohisfeet,andtheaudienceseesforthefirsttimethatitisnotMARCUSintherobeandpajamasbutGUNTHERCREEL.Heturnshisheadasifcrackinghisneckafteranuncomfortablesleep.)

BEVERLY

Who...who...

(Lightningflashes.)

CREEL

(Startingtowardher.)GuntherCreel,andIthoughtyoudneverpullthattrigger.

(Thunder.Blackout.BEVERLYscreams.Curtain.)


ANNALISE

Whataninterestingapproachtolife.

CREEL

Oneofthesellingpointsinthishousewasallthefurnitureleftby... Well,Iknowtheplacehasacertainnotoriety.

ANNALISE

Imjustgladitsold.Beingresponsibleforitwasdraininginwaysyoucantbegintoimagine.

CREEL

Wereyourelatedtotheowners?

ANNALISE

Iwasafriendofthewife.Speakingofwives,howdoesyoursfeelaboutlivinghere?

CREEL

(Lookingaway.)

She...shepassedaway.


72/76

ANNALISE

(Touchinghisarm)Imsorry.

CREEL

Itwasalongtimeago.Youcouldnthaveknown.

ANNALISEWhatdoyoudo,Mr.Carl?

CREEL

Well...Annalise... Imkindofretired.

ANNALISE

Yourekindofyoungtoberetired.

CREELGoodinvestmentsinmyyouth,mywifeslifeinsurance.IfImcarefulandmystocks

dontdotoobadly,Ineverneedtoworkagain.

ANNALISE

Sohowdoyouspendyourtime?


73/76


CREELReading.Traveling.Takingcourses.

ANNALISE

Youreinschool?

CREEL

No,ItakeclasseseverynowandthenbecauseIlikeknowingthings.LatelyIvebeentryingmyhandatpainting.

ANNALISE

Really?

CREELItswhyItookthishousesofarawayfromeverything.IfIcanspendafewyearsawayfrompeopleanddistractions,Icanconcentrateonmywork,seeifIcantakeittothe

nextlevel.

ANNALISE

Goingtoworkonamasterpiece,eh?

CREEL

(Staringintohereyes.)Enoughaboutme.Tellmeaboutyourself.

ANNALISE

Whatdoyouwanttoknow?

CREEL

Thelawyersaidyouweresomekindofbookpublisher.

ANNALISE

Editor.BeverlyHatcher,thewife,shewasoneofmywriters,andsowasOrlandoGaines,theothervictim.

ANNALISE(continued)(Lowershereyesandturnsawaytohidehergrief.)

Imsorry.

CREEL

(Placinghishandsonhershoulders.)Noapologynecessary.Iunderstandhowharditmustbeforyoutobehere.Butpleasedontfeeltheneedtoleavequickly.

(ANNALISEturnsinhisarmstofacehimandlooks

intohiseyes.Foramomentneitherspeaks.)


74/76


ANNALISEYoureverykind,Carl.

CREEL

Andyoureevenprettierthanthelawyersaidyouwere.

ANNALISE

YouthinkImpretty?

CREELIthinkyourebeautiful,Annalise.

(Runshisfingersoverherface.)Iwouldlovetopaintyou.

ANNALISE

Me?

CREEL

(Almostawhisper.)Yes.

ANNALISE

Nude,perhaps?

CREEL

IfyouwouldntmindhangingnakedovermyfireplaceforaslongasIlivehere.ThatwayIcouldlookatyoueveryday.

ANNALISE

(Smoothingherhairandturningaway.)Ialmostforgot.Theresalreadyapaintingabovethemantel.Idliketotakeitwithme.

(OpensthecurtaintorevealtheoriginalpaintingseeninActOne,Scene1.)

CREEL

Isthatthem,yourfriends?

ANNALISEYes.

CREEL

Nicelookingcouple.

ANNALISE

Yes,theywere.


75/76


CREELButyoulllookbetterinthatspot.

(Theycontinuestaringateachother.ANNALISE

removeshisglassesandkisseshim,throwingher

armsaroundhisneck.Afteramomentshebreaksthekissandstepsback.)

ANNALISE

(Handinghimhisglasses,whichheputson.)Imsorry.

CREEL

Imnot.

ANNALISE

I...IdontknowwhyIdidthat.

CREEL

Idontcarewhy.Ijustlookforwardtohavingyoudoitagainmaybewhenyouposeforme.

ANNALISE

Myplaneleavestonight.Ihavenoreasontocomeback.

CREEL

Changeyourflight.Letmegiveyouareasontostay.

ANNALISE

Stay?

CREEL

Atleastfortonight.NewYorkwillstillbetheretomorrow.

ANNALISE

Yes,itwill.

CREELAndaftertonight,maybeyoullhaveareasontocomebackhere.

ANNALISE

Maybe.

CREEL

Letmepaintyoubythefire,allnight.(Touchesherface.)


76/76


Yourskin,youreyes,yourfigure.(Removeshisglassesandkissesher.)

Youllmakeaperfectpicture.

(Blackout.Curtain.)

TheEndPerformancerightsmustbesecuredbeforeproduction.Forcontactinformation,please

seethePicturePerfectinformationpage(clickonyourbrowsersBackbutton,orvisithttp://singlelane.com/proplay/perfect.html )

______________________________________________________________________

PicturePerfectPaintings(Suggestthatactorsphotosbetakendigitally,convertedtopaintingmodeonaphotoprogram,andblownuptopostersize):

1.

Manand

woman

smiling,

arms

linked.

2.Manandwomansmiling,besideeachotherwiththeirarmsnotlinked.3.Manandwomanapart,lookingateachotherwithsuspicion.4.Manandwomanonoppositesidesoftheframe.Thewomanistowardthe

background,lookingoverhershoulderasifafraidofbeingseen.Themanisintheforeground,whisperingintotheearofahalf-hiddenface.

5.Themanandwomanarenowfarapart,castingeachothersuspicioussidelongglances.

6.Theman,outsideintherain,holdingashovelashestandsbyafreshmoundofearth.

PicturePerfectPropertyList:Handcuffs.Legirons.Tablewithwiremeshdivider.Postersizedpictureframewithcylindricallightandcurtain.Smalllamptable.Lamp.Snacktable.Couch.Twoarmchairs.Foldingchairs.Fireplacescreenwithsimulatedelectricfire.Trays.Cups.Mugs.Chipbowls.Coffeepotsandcups.Wineglasses.

Alargepurseandabookmanuscript.Crackersandcheeseonaplate.

Asmallclothorhandtowel.Smalltargetpistol.Newspaper.PajamasandrobeforBEVERLY,MARCUSandCREEL.Twocardboardboxes.Largeblackeyeglassframes.

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