TheMovingTeacup
05-23-2010, 11:47 PM
This was a dramatic monologue assignment I had to write for my writing class. It actually sounds better acted out than on paper, but you get the idea.
Curtain Call by Andrew Magnaye (TheMovingTeacup)
[Talk show host walks on stage]
They introduce my final show with the same song they had played for thirty years. My final show. The last of my life. I walk on, under the guise of a content old man whose life thus far has been smooth. The lights beam down on me, and I bask in it.
[Applause]
It's a two-hour special today. The producers chose the topics for today. The last topics I'll ever talk about before the world: Love and retirement.
[He sits down on a sofa] [Applause]
Speaking of love as if I've loved before. Speaking of its benefits; of my wife of thirty years; and the results of love. You can relate. You've lived before. You've loved before. Everyone simply nods. Not a single shake of the head.
[Applause]
Before the show, the producers talked about the ratings and the viewers and how it has skyrocketed. Yet... now I fall before you. They will replace me with a new face and a new name. It is youth they desire, a man of my old age would only be out of place.
It was then the second topic at the one hour point: Retirement.
I pause.
I think.
I wait.
I wish.
"Retirement." After so long, creeping up to me, moment by moment. It's here. Retirement that is. I'll go from loneliness to emptiness. From emptiness to...
[He sighs. He continues to speak about the subject yet his innermost thoughts seem to be a jumble of negative ideas]
What is retirement but the landmark marking the last few years of a man? The artificial light sears at my skin and melts me. Like Icarus, I fall.
[Breathes deeply] [The show goes on]
People always thought of me as positive, a vessel of unrelenting happiness. However, you know, an old man like me can't always be positive. Heck when am I ever?
[Talk show host shows irritation] :incazzato:
Love? You want me to talk about love? Well, I've never loved. I'm in the midst of a divorce. And you know what, they always say love is boundless, limitless, endless. However, they never told you that when you don't set limits, all it amounts to is pain, agony, and suffering.
What? Retirement? You want me to talk about that? Is that just to spite me? You know what. Fine. I'll tell you. The goal of life after retirement is simply complete nihility of the individual. Nothing more. Nothing less.
You liars. You cheats. You know, you're all wonderful beautiful people. You're the same! Unique like everyone else! Shake your head already!
The doctor always says, "a lie a day keeps insanity at bay." Well, my days are nearly up.
Today I shall have my curtain call, and you, the audience shall clap and applaud like your life depends on it!"
[The talk show host collapses on stage] :rage:
[Applause]
Curtain Call by Andrew Magnaye (TheMovingTeacup)
[Talk show host walks on stage]
They introduce my final show with the same song they had played for thirty years. My final show. The last of my life. I walk on, under the guise of a content old man whose life thus far has been smooth. The lights beam down on me, and I bask in it.
[Applause]
It's a two-hour special today. The producers chose the topics for today. The last topics I'll ever talk about before the world: Love and retirement.
[He sits down on a sofa] [Applause]
Speaking of love as if I've loved before. Speaking of its benefits; of my wife of thirty years; and the results of love. You can relate. You've lived before. You've loved before. Everyone simply nods. Not a single shake of the head.
[Applause]
Before the show, the producers talked about the ratings and the viewers and how it has skyrocketed. Yet... now I fall before you. They will replace me with a new face and a new name. It is youth they desire, a man of my old age would only be out of place.
It was then the second topic at the one hour point: Retirement.
I pause.
I think.
I wait.
I wish.
"Retirement." After so long, creeping up to me, moment by moment. It's here. Retirement that is. I'll go from loneliness to emptiness. From emptiness to...
[He sighs. He continues to speak about the subject yet his innermost thoughts seem to be a jumble of negative ideas]
What is retirement but the landmark marking the last few years of a man? The artificial light sears at my skin and melts me. Like Icarus, I fall.
[Breathes deeply] [The show goes on]
People always thought of me as positive, a vessel of unrelenting happiness. However, you know, an old man like me can't always be positive. Heck when am I ever?
[Talk show host shows irritation] :incazzato:
Love? You want me to talk about love? Well, I've never loved. I'm in the midst of a divorce. And you know what, they always say love is boundless, limitless, endless. However, they never told you that when you don't set limits, all it amounts to is pain, agony, and suffering.
What? Retirement? You want me to talk about that? Is that just to spite me? You know what. Fine. I'll tell you. The goal of life after retirement is simply complete nihility of the individual. Nothing more. Nothing less.
You liars. You cheats. You know, you're all wonderful beautiful people. You're the same! Unique like everyone else! Shake your head already!
The doctor always says, "a lie a day keeps insanity at bay." Well, my days are nearly up.
Today I shall have my curtain call, and you, the audience shall clap and applaud like your life depends on it!"
[The talk show host collapses on stage] :rage:
[Applause]