Steven's Coat (a one-act play)

Steven’s Coat Draft Two by Paul Grandy December 2001 VANCE is standing to the side of the stage, dressed in very casual attire, and looking ruffled up as though he just had sex. He holds a small piece of paper in his hand, and is calling offstage out the unseen apartment door. VANCE: (to offstage) Thanks, I had a good time too. Hunh? Oh, yeah, I have your number (he indicates the paper). Of course I'll call. Okay, okay, bye. (he turns away from the door, pauses a moment, crumples up the piece of paper and tosses it carelessly on the floor. he picks up the phone and dials). Hey Stewart, it's Vance... oh, nothing, just finished spending some time with a hottie... what was his name? Uh... uh... either Alex, or Adam, or Andrew, I can't really remember... where'd we meet? On the internet... Yeah, he gave me his number... Yeah, I might call him (he kicks the piece of paper offstage)... Tonight? Well, James is coming over and we'll probably head out to 104... now why wouldn't I go? Oh, what, that guy from last week?... Pffft... I'm well over him... Yeah, I still have his coat. (he looks towards coat rack) I'm thinking I'll give it away if he doesn't come back for it soon... yeah... okay, well it's 6:30 now... okay, I'll see you tonight then... talk to you later... Bye. (he hangs up) VANCE moves over to the coat rack next to the door, and notices the rather posh long coat hanging on it. He looks at it, touches it for a second, then looks inside one of the outer pockets. Inside he finds an unmarked audio tape. He moves over towards the stereo and puts it on. Enya's A Day Without Rain comes on. VANCE looks around his apartment a bit, but then seems to become affected negatively by the music. He breaks down, turns off the music, and goes to the couch. He is now sitting with his head in his hands, crying. The phone rings. And rings. And rings again. The answering machine picks up and gives its traditional greeting. A woman with an irritating voice - SARA - speaks. SARA: Hello? Hello? Vance? I know you're there. I know I haven't talked to you for a few days, but I wanted to catch up and see how you are, and if you're still upset about that guy. Anyway, I just got out of a seminar on Ayn Rand's philosophy, so I'll give you a shout a bit later, or maybe come by. I'll talk to you later and, Vance... I hope you feel better. (she hangs up) Instantly there is a knock at the door, but Vance does not move. Another knock. And another. JAMES: Vance! Open up! It's James! (he knocks again while VANCE cries) Vance! Come on! How much longer are you going to do this to yourself? VANCE looks up and faces outwards. He looks around his apartment and sighs. VANCE: It's open James. JAMES enters all dressed up to go to a club, and carrying a paper grocery bag full of items. VANCE remains on the couch. JAMES: (trying to excite VANCE) All right, Club 104 here we come! We are going to party tonight! (he moves towards the counter and pours two drinks) I heard that they have a new DJ there this weekend. Apparently people were booing him last night because he was playing so much 'straight music'. (he tries to hand a drink to VANCE, but he refuses). Come on, this'll give you some energy. VANCE: I don't feel like drinking, James. JAMES: Well, all right. Ecstasy it is! (he goes to remove a pill from his pocket) VANCE: I don't feel like that either. JAMES: You don't feel like it? (he sits) You, Vance, Mr. Party Animal himself? Why the hell not? VANCE: You know why. JAMES: Oh, don't tell me you're still thinking about him? I thought you were over all that. VANCE: I thought so too. Then I put on one of the songs we listened to tpgether. JAMES: That was over a week ago. VANCE: It seems like an eternity since I saw him. JAMES: You spent less than two days together. VANCE: Twenty-nine of the most memorable hours of my life. JAMES: Vance, you were on ecstasy when you met him, remember? VANCE: It doesn't matter. JAMES: Vance, it was just some guy, just some guy you met in a club while on E. You meet people at clubs all the time, why should this be any different? You brought him home. Well, you've brought dozens of guys back here before. What was so special about him? VANCE is lost in thought and does not reply. JAMES: Vance, snap out of it. (he pats VANCE on the back and greedily swallows his entire drink) Ah! Maybe if you listen to some upbeat music for once, you'll feel better. (he moves towards the radio, but never gets to it in time to turn it on). VANCE: Steven Francis Amberg. JAMES: What? VANCE: Steven Francis Amberg. That's his name; I don't think I told you that before. Steven Francis Amberg. I never found out where he was from, but I think if I looked hard enough I could find out. JAMES: He told you his middle name, but he didn't mention where he was from? VANCE: No, he didn't, and I never asked. We talked about a lot of things, though. JAMES: (quite seriously) Talked? Who the hell talks any more? And who brings someone back from Club 104 to talk? VANCE: Until last weekend, I'd have said no one. JAMES: Vance, you need to move on. How important could this one guy be? VANCE: (slightly oblivious to James) He left his coat on the hook, though. I'm not too sure what's in it. I haven't really looked in it, except for one of the pockets. That's where I found one of his tapes. JAMES: That's odd. VANCE: What's that? JAMES: Well, to leave your coat at a stranger's apartment - VANCE: We weren't strangers. Not by the time he left, anyway. JAMES: Okay, but why did he leave his coat? VANCE: He left in a hurry. JAMES: Why? VANCE: I don't want to talk about it. JAMES: All right. Well, look at some of the goodies I brought you. (he goes to get bag but it stopped again by VANCE talking). VANCE: I thought it was strange at first. Me, taking home someone who's only bi-curious. James, he had never even been with a guy before. At first I thought we'd just have sex and go to sleep, but, then... it was odd, we started talking. His eyes, his words, his very presence... (sigh) it was so wonderful. JAMES: But what about his abs? His pecs? His ass? VANCE: (still oblivious) He said he loved classical music, and good wine. He said he'd take me to a wine tasting club some time, but I guess that won't be happening now. JAMES: (puts his hands on VANCE's shoulders from behind) You are Vance Austin! GAP model, hardcore party animal, and one hell of a dancer! Since when do you get upset about some measly one night stand? You're only twenty-two, and already you make more than both of your parents combined. Now, listen. Let's make something to eat, we'll get you all dolled up, we'll go pick up some E, and go to 104. Whatdaya say? VANCE: (pause) Well... what did you bring? JAMES: Oh, you're going to love it buddy. (he gets bag) I brought all kindsa things that I'm sure will cheer ya up. (He goes into his bag and pulls out the various items in succession, while VANCE gets more and more excited by them) Flavoured condoms, glowsticks, brand new hair gel, and last but not least - body paint! VANCE: (happy again and looking at items) Wow, you brought all of this... for me? JAMES: For you buddy. Now, what do you say I cook you dinner? VANCE: Okay. And, thanks James. I'm glad you're my friend; you know exactly what makes me happy. Oh, by the way, thanks for showing me where to buy that erotica poster. (he indicates poster) They stand. JAMES moves towards kitchen and begins to prepare dinner. JAMES: Oh, don't worry about it. When I saw it I knew you'd like it. Mind if I put on some music? VANCE: Please. I'll be right back. I'm gonna get my pasta bowl. JAMES: Okay, cool. (he sees tape that VANCE found in coat) Hey, what's this? Mind if I put it on? VANCE (now offstage): What? Sorry, I can't hear you. Just a sec. JAMES puts on tape and begins to cook happily. After about twenty seconds or so VANCE returns carrying a spaghetti strainer and various spaghetti-related tools inside. Upon hearing the music for a few seconds, VANCE emits a high-pitched wail, drops his supplies, and starts crying. JAMES rushes to turn off the music and goes to comfort his friend. JAMES: Oh god, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot! VANCE: Just go, James. I won't be going to 104 tonight. JAMES: But what will I tell everyone! You haven't missed a weekend at 104 in over a year! VANCE: Tell them... tell them I'm waiting for someone. JAMES: All right. (pause) Vance... what does he look like? Maybe I'll see him there. VANCE: You won't. JAMES: Why won't - VANCE: Because, James... you just won't. JAMES: Alright, James. (he kisses Vance on the forehead) I'll call you tomorrow. JAMES exits. VANCE gets up and looks around his now empty apartment, and sighs heavily. He looks around his apartment and spends some time playing with things. He moves towards the coat, and just as he reaches into the pocket, there is a bang on the door. SARA: Vance! Vance! Open up! It's Sara! I know you're in there! I ran into James in the hallway, he filled me in! Vaaaaaance!!! VANCE: (sighs) It's open. (he returns to the couch) SARA enters. She is a well dressed woman, with glasses and her hair up in a bun. She looks as though she just returned from working in a laboratory, minus the labcoat. She is also carrying a bottle of water. SARA: Vance, why didn’t you answer my call? VANCE: I... I've been in the shower. SARA: All day? VANCE: Yes. SARA moves next to VANCE and sniffs him. SARA: No you haven't! Now, what's going on? (VANCE indicates the coat) Him? Still? Vance, this isn't like you at all. VANCE: I know. I know. SARA: Here, do you want some E? I have some... (she reaches into her pocket) VANCE: No. (he stops her) I don't. SARA: Why not? VANCE: Steven told me that I use drugs way too often, to escape something. He said I'd never know what that was, until I stopped taking them. SARA: (she takes a pill) Oh yeah. (beat) Who's Steven? VANCE: SARA!!! (angrily points at coat) SARA: Oh, yes, sorry. (pause) VANCE: I wonder where he is now. SARA: What made him so special? I thought you stopped caring about someone the second you put your pants back on. VANCE: But we talked, Sara. We talked. (SARA shoots VANCE a look) I miss him so much. But I'm not entirely sure why. He had the most interesting hair. SARA: Was it well trimmed? VANCE: No. SARA: Dyed? VANCE: No. SARA: Highlighted? VANCE: No. SARA: What then? VANCE: I'm not sure. (beat) And he had such captivating eyes... SARA: Did he wear contacts? VANCE: No. SARA: Eye makeup? VANCE: No. SARA: Bifocals!?!? VANCE: No. (beat) He had the nicest clothes. SARA: Gap? VANCE: No. SARA: Club Monaco? VANCE: No. SARA: Old Navy? VANCE: No. (beat) Sears. SARA: Sears? Who shops at Sears any more? You went home with someone who shops at... Sears? What's happened to you? VANCE: I don't know, Sara. (he thinks) You know what? Give me one of those pills you got. One of those'll help me get over this guy. I mean, he was just a guy, right? SARA: Right. (she hands him a pill). VANCE looks at the pill for a while, thinking. SARA: You're supposed to swallow it, hun. VANCE: (recalling) 'Everything you've been living for is meaningless.' SARA: What? VANCE: That's what he said to me, before he left. 'Everything you've been living for is meaningless. Your money, your drugs, your one night stands. Everything you get up in the morning for, is nothing.' Then he touched me, right on the shoulder. (VANCE touches SARA on the shoulder.) And do you know what he said to me, Sara? SARA: 'Just kidding?' VANCE: He said, 'Love is everything'. (pause, reflection) Here, take this back. (he hands her the pill) SARA: What's gotten into you? VANCE: Love is everything. SARA: Why are you so different now? VANCE: Love is everything. SARA: What are you trying to say? VANCE: (turns slowly and looks at SARA) Love - SARA: (slightly unnerved) Is everything. I heard. VANCE: This is the first time I've thought about someone like this since... since... (he cannot recall when) a long time. My longest relationship? That implies that there've been some. (he pauses to listen to the music) You know, I've always loved classical music. I used to listen to it a lot as a teenager, but then my friends introduced me to techno and dance music and started taking me to parties. I guess I didn't really like it much at the time, but it kind of grew on me. Before I met Steven, I hadn't listened to classical music in years, but he had a few tapes on him, so we listened for a while and talked. We talked about everything. I talked about how hard it was for me to come out, about how I left home when I was seventeen, about how I managed to work my way up by working sixty hour weeks, and eventually by getting into modelling. And he talked too. He talked about never having been with a guy before, about always being curious, and about how he hated going to gay clubs. 'Everyone's the same', he said. At first I was thrilled; I was going to be the one to take away this guy's virginity! But, we started talking, and soon it was four, six, eight in the morning. We spent the entire day just sitting around here, talking and laughing. He has an amazing sense of humour, which I'll admit is something I've never cared about before. In the evening, we talked more, and cooked together. And finally, after an entire day of talking and eating and getting to know one another, we had sex. No, I wouldn't call it sex. We made love. I think it was the most amazing I've ever felt. The sights, the smells, the feelings... much more intense than ever before. Afterwards, he slept, and instead of falling asleep as I normally would, I thought. I thought for a very long time. What did I think about? I don't recall exactly, but I remember spending a long time staring at his sleeping face before I fell asleep. In the morning, just after I woke up – SARA: Hun, that’s all great. But, you know, love isn't real anyway. VANCE: What? SARA: Love is nothing more than a series of chemical reactions created by ancient tribal instincts. There's no more to it than the drugs we take. In modern societies, of course, there's no room for such foolish emotions, so the rational being will do everything she or he can to suppress her or his emotions, especially about love. VANCE: You mean simply ignore your emotions? SARA: For the time being, that's all we can do. We don't have a way to completely eliminate the irrational emotion of love. VANCE: Why can't we? SARA: We haven't found a way yet. VANCE: Should we? SARA: What a stupid question; of course we should. We'll find all the answers eventually, with enough time, and study, and the right sort of tools. Then we won't need to worry about trivial and subjective problems such as yours. VANCE: Get out. SARA: (as she speaks, VANCE gets up and walks towards the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water, or something) Vance, I'm just trying to be objective. No two people can truly connect, you know that. We're all trapped inside our own minds and bodies. No one can truly know another, share a feeling, share a thought. Vance, if you felt as though you connected with this guy, you were mistaken. VANCE slams his glass down on the floor, and does not turn back to face SARA. VANCE: GET OUT!!! SARA sits astonished for a few moments, composes herself and stands. She moves towards the door, but stops just before leaving. She turns to VANCE. SARA: You know, Vance, I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, but you’ve changed. VANCE: Have I? SARA exits. VANCE looks around for a moment, and then exits (to go to the washroom, or something). While he's offstage a woman, JOAN, VANCE's sister, knocks on the door. After recieving no answer, she enters and looks around the apartment for a second. She is a fairly upscale woman, but appears in almost no makeup. JOAN: Hello? Vance? Anyone around? JOAN looks around a bit more, and VANCE reenters. VANCE: Joan. (suddenly aware of how 'gay' his apartment is, he begins to put away things that might indicate his orientation) It's... it's been years. What are you doing here? JOAN: I know I haven't seen you in a while. Not since - VANCE: Not since… JOAN: I found your address in the phone book. Well, actually, I went to the wrong apartment first, across town. But, I found you, and here I am! VANCE: I see. (pause) So, how's mom? JOAN: Oh, she's pretty good. She's going to put out a new cookbook in the fall. She wanted to send you an early copy, actually, but she didn't know if you'd want it. VANCE: Oh, I probably wouldn't like any of her recipes. Her food was always way to sweet. JOAN: Yeah, but that never stopped you from asking for more. VANCE: Yeah, I know. (he continues to put things away) You never answered me. What are you doing here? You don't make the trip from North Bay to Toronto just to say hi. JOAN: Well, I had to come to the city anyway for a conference. VANCE: Oh. JOAN: So, I thought I'd just come by, and let you know that mom and dad's anniversary is next week. VANCE: Really? JOAN: Yeah, thirty years together next Friday. They wanted me to come and ask if you'd come to their dinner. VANCE: I don't believe they'd want me there. JOAN: They do, Vance. They do. And they said you could bring anyone you wanted to. VANCE: I'll think about it. (ackward pause) Can I get you something to drink? VANCE goes to get them each a glass of wine, while JOAN looks around the apartment some more. JOAN finds a work of art – male erotica – that VANCE had put on the floor earlier when JOAN entered. She looks at it. JOAN: I like your appartment. VANCE moves over to JOAN, hands her a glass of wine, and notices what she is looking at. VANCE: Oh. That. Don't worry about it. I bought it at some art show last month. I, I don't like it really. JOAN: Why not? VANCE: It's just too… too gay. JOAN: What does that mean? VANCE: Nevermind. I just don't like it. I think I might sell it. JOAN: But look at those guys; they're hot! VANCE: Joan! JOAN: What? I'm not allowed to talk like that in front of my little brother? VANCE: It's… it's embarrassing. JOAN: Oh, whatever. (pause) You're doing quite well. I've saw one of your Gap ads last month. VANCE: Eh, it's a living. JOAN: Well, that's good. I always wondered about you. I knew that you leaving would probably be for the best. I'm just glad you're happy, is all. VANCE: Thanks. JOAN: You are happy, aren't you? VANCE: I... (does not finish) JOAN: Dad wonders why you left too. VANCE: Wonders why I left? Why? He was the reason I did. JOAN: What happened? VANCE: He didn't tell you? JOAN: No. (pause) Vance, I know you're gay. VANCE: You do? JOAN: Of course. I've known for years. VANCE: Why didn't you ever talk to me about it? JOAN: I figured you'd come around and tell me, when you were ready. VANCE: He saw a note that someone had sent me. Some guy from school, I thought he had a crush on me, and he sent me a note which confirmed it. Dad found the note and freaked out. That's when I knew that I couldn't stay in that house if I wanted to be myself. So, I waited a week, got all my stuff together, and hopped the bus to Toronto. JOAN: Dad never said why you left. I never knew what had happened; I was so worried. VANCE: Well, things worked out well for me, so it's okay. I'm glad I left. (pause) How is dad, anyway? JOAN: Oh, he's okay. He said he sent you a card a couple of weeks ago, but you never answered. VANCE: Yeah, I saw the return address and never even opened it. JOAN: Vance, he misses you. VANCE: I have nothing to say to him. Or you. JOAN: I see. VANCE: (pause) So you know all about me? JOAN: What do you mean? VANCE: You know who I am? JOAN: Yeah. Do you? VANCE: I… (pause) I think so. JOAN: So, are you seeing anyone right now? VANCE: Well, there was one guy from last week that I thought was pretty special, but nothing's going to happen there. JOAN: Oh, why not? VANCE: Well, (pause) He pretty much decided he didn't like guys after we had sex. He left in a hurry afterwards because he was freaking out. JOAN: Well, maybe you'll find someone else. I mean, there are plenty of guys out there. VANCE: Yeah... JOAN: But? VANCE: But I'm not sure how to have a relationship. JOAN: You've never had one? VANCE: Not really. JOAN: Oh. (pause) Well, I guess you'll have to learn, just like the rest of us did. VANCE: I guess. JOAN: Who knows, maybe if you have a relationship with a guy, I could meet him some time. VANCE: Maybe. JOAN: I'd like that. VANCE: So would I. JOAN: (pause) Well, listen Vance, I should get back to the hotel. I have a meeting in the morning. But, if you decide you want to come to see mom and dad next week, give me a call on my cell phone, okay? (she takes out a pen and paper and writes down her number) VANCE: Okay. VANCE goes to get JOAN's coat, and Steven's coat falls in the process. JOAN: Oh, nice coat. Where did you get it? VANCE: If you wanna know, some guy left it here. JOAN: Some guy? VANCE: Some guy who came over for sex. JOAN: Must have left in a hurry if he forgot such a nice jacket. VANCE: Yeah... he practically ran out. JOAN: Oh? Why? VANCE: Nevermind. JOAN: Well, at least you have this lovely jacket. VANCE picks up the jacket and goes to hand it back up, but another tape falls out. JOAN picks up the tape. JOAN: What's that? VANCE: Oh, it's just another one of his tapes. He said he loved classical music. JOAN: Wow. I'm sorry he got away. He sounds like he had good taste. VANCE: So am I. JOAN: (pause) Well, think about coming next Friday, okay? And if you ever want to sell that painting, call me. VANCE: I don't think I could sell it. JOAN: Why not? VANCE: I think I like it more than I thought. JOAN: Okay Vance.Well, goodbye. VANCE: Bye Joan. (kisses JOAN's cheek) VANCE closes the door as JOAN exits. He looks around his apartment solemnly, and puts the coat back on the rack. He takes the tape and goes over to the stereo, puts the tape in and plays it. Puppet Love, the theme from Being John Malcovich, comes on, and VANCE looks around his apartment some more. He sighs sadly, puts his head in his hands, and looks up again. He picks up the phone and, looking at the number JOAN gave him, dials. VANCE: Joan, it's Vance. What time should I be there on Friday? Blackout. End.Please, don't bother rating this but make as many suggestions as you can. Thank you all. Written January 11th, 2002 © on Jan 14 2002 08:40 AM PST   0 • 8