Shadows

1 hour till midnight! I told myself I would, and so I will! It's Friday and here comes a weekly blog post....just very late.

Yet again, this post was not written recently because time has been escaping me, but it has yet to be published, so I thought I would honor it in this post.

The only description I will give, in place of an analysis after, is that I wrote this short play, casted it, and directed it in High School, and because most of you never got to see it, here it is!

Shadows

By Cale Montoya

Published: March 22nd, 2021

The scene takes place in an underground subway train. Lights come up and reveal a set of six chairs on the left and six chairs on the right in a row perpendicular to the audience, Seven feet apart from each other. Forming a visual that looks like a train. Sounds of the subway in motion are ringing. There is a long black curtain in the back. (which will be used as the exit and entrance of the train worker) No one is on the stage and then a sound effect suggests that the train stops and doors open. (The lighting is constantly a bit dimmer than usual) A man in his late 50’s shuffles on the train fidgeting and saying things to himself. 

   Jonathan. (muttering to himself) Shut up. You shouldn’t say that. It’s not nice to judge people in the streets. (he glances around the train and doesn’t see anyone) Hello?? (A man enters from the back curtain, meeting eyes with Jonathan. Jonathan gets uncomfortable and looks somewhere else, mumbling)

   Train Worker. How you doin’ pal? (Jonathan doesn’t respond and looks around nervously) Do ya got a ticket buddy? (Jonathan digs around his pockets frantically, still muttering to himself. The train worker looks at him concerningly) Hey if you don’t got a ticket.. 

(Jonathan pulls out a small piece of paper after much struggle)

   Jonathan. Here… 

   Train Worker. (Examining the ticket) Headed to Brooklyn aye? (Jonathan just nods) Well, you be safe out there alright friend? (he taps Jonathan on the shoulder, turning to exit through the curtain. Jonathan tenses up and has an attack of some sort. The worker looks at him nervously and backs away until turning uncomfortably to exit)

(The train begins to move and the lights flicker.)

   Jonathan. (stumbling a bit, caught off guard. He makes his way to grab a hanging strap) He touched me… Why did he… He did… He did… (he starts to fidget with his bag. Then he pulls out a notebook and skims through the pages. The lights flicker again and a shaking train noise sounds loud. A little girl appears, sitting on a chair across from him, swinging her legs energetically)

   Sammy. Hi mister! 

   Jonathan. Um.. hi, I.. I.. thought I was the only one?

   Sammy. Nope! I’m Sammy! What’s your name?

   Jonathan. Jonathan. 

   Sammy. That’s boring, why is that your name?

   Jonathan. Um… I’m not sure. My mother liked the name and..

   Sammy. Well I don’t care. I’m seven years old! That’s this many. (she holds up her fingers)

   Jonathan. I’m Fifty-five… I’m on my way to Brooklyn. I.. I… have an appointment with my doctor. Are you going to Brooklyn too?

   Sammy. Yeah! Me and my daddy are going to the fair tomorrow. He said I can have cotton candy and we can ride the ponies. 

   Jonathan. B..but why are you on the subway by yourself?

   Sammy. My mommy has to work. And my daddy wanted me to come over tonight. So I thought I’d take the train. 

   Jonathan. I...I didn’t think there was a fair in Brooklyn this t....time of year. 

   Sammy. Well maybe that’s because you’re fifty-five. You’re old!

   Jonathan. T...that’s not very nice. 

   Sammy. Why are YOU on the train??

   Jonathan. (he turns to face the window and looks out) I..I... have to take the train. I wanted to ride my bicycle, b..but it looked like it was going to rain. (the train shakes and the lights flicker again. Sammy vanishes/exits) And my mom didn’t want-- (he turns back to look in her direction and realizes that she’s gone. He stares blankly for a long time) Sh..She must have walked away. (he keeps muttering and bouncing around on the train, shrugging it off. The train worker enters through the back curtains again.)

   Train Worker. (he looks around and spots Jonathan) Everything alright pal? (Jonathan flinches and nods quickly. The train worker stares at him and then exits. Jonathan sits in a chair and fidgets with the stuff in his bag, looking around and down the row of seats.)

   Jonathan. (still fidgets with his small notebook from his bag and sways back and forth nervously) Hmmm… Hmmmm… (just then, the train bumps and the lights flicker. A man dressed in police officer clothes appears)

   Bart. Howdy Stranger.

   Jonathan. (flinching and realizing that it’s somebody else) H..Hi

   Bart. What brings you on the subway this time of night?

   Jonathan. My doctor wants me to come visit tonight. He s...said there’s something important he wanted to tell me. 

   Bart. Ah, well are you keeping yourself safe out on the streets? New York can be pretty ominous at night. You never know what you’re gonna run into out there. 

   Jonathan. (stares at him confusingly) I...I don’t--

   Bart. You’re not from around here are ya? 

   Jonathan. No. I’m going back to Brooklyn. I was going to ride my bicycle.. But it looked like--

   Bart. It was going to rain?

   Jonathan. Yeah, h..how did you know?

   Bart. I saw it too. (there is a long pause) You know, I was walking to the subway to start my shift and I saw a group of teens spray painting a wall. As soon as I started to approach them, they just split off and ran. The kids these days are just delinquent.

   Jonathan. No. Y...you shouldn’t say that… It’s not nice to judge.

   Bart. Don’t worry partner, I wasn’t judging ‘em, I was just observing. That’s all. I like observing you know. In fact, I saw that notebook of yours, what’s in it?

   Jonathan. I..I.. draw pictures. My doctor says that it helps me stay focused. 

   Bart. Mind if I take a look? (Jonathan hands him the small book without responding. Bart examines it curiously) This is very interesting. It says here on the front page: “Jonathan.” Is that your name?  

   Jonathan. (nodding) Mmm hmmm.

   Bart. Well nice to meet you Jonathan, I’m Bart. I bet to most people, this book means nothing to them aye?

   Jonathan. (shaking his head no) I’ve never shown anybody. Nobody has ever asked me to see it before. 

   Bart. Well, that’s too bad Jonathan, I understand. There’s something about it that makes it unique. 

   Jonathan. Hmmm... Hmmmm… c..can I have it back? 

   Bart. Sure buddy, I was just wondering about this page? (he points to a page with scribbles on it)

   Jonathan. That’s my home. I live with my mother. She helps me come up with-- (the train bumps and the lights flicker, Bart is gone, same with the notebook. Jonathan looks around frantically) My notebook… my notebook… Hey! (he screams at the curtain and starts approaching it. Just then, the train worker exits the curtain and runs into Jonathan, who falls to the floor and goes into another attack/behavior)

   Train Worker. Hey pal, you need to calm down. What’s going on?

   Jonathan. (rocking back and forth) M...my notebook. He took it!

   Train Worker. Who took it?

   Jonathan. That man… He went in there! (points to the curtain)

   Train Worker. Listen buddy, why don’t you try to rest? (he goes to help Jonathan to his feet but Jonathan flinches) 

   Jonathan. Don’t touch me!

   Train Worker. Okay okay, I’m sorry pal. Your stop is up next, Brooklyn, right? (Jonathan nods) Okay, you sit tight. We’re almost there. (he exits. The train flickers and a female woman is sitting on the opposite side he is)

  Woman. They think you’re crazy.

   Jonathan. (looking at her and then up and down the train) W...who are you? Have you been listening?

  Woman. Oh yes, that train man doesn’t believe you. He sounds like he just wants you off the subway.

   Jonathan. Did you see the guy with my notebook?

  Woman. I did.  

   Jonathan. Where did he go? W..what did he do with it? 

   Woman. You must feel alone. Rejected. Tell me about it.

   Jonathan. I..I’m not alone! I have my mom and my bicycle and my notebook. People just

always look at me funny. Well, just because I’m different doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. My mom says that I’m just unique. And that notebook had a part of her in it. You saw him, didn’t you? Where were you that whole time?

  Woman. I’ve been here watching. It’ll be okay Jonathan.

   Jonathan. H..how did you… I didn’t… (he grabs his head and clutches it desperately. He starts to scream and hyperventilate. Sinking to the floor. During the fit, the train comes to a stop and the light flickers. The woman is gone. Jonathan screams louder and still clutches his head. Blackout all except a spotlight downstage right. A doctor and the train worker are conversing. The background sound is no longer a train. It is rain.)

   Train Worker. I thought you’d better know about the notebook and the talking.

   Doctor. Thank you for bringing him, I apologize for any rash actions my patient Jonathan may have taken.

   Train Worker. No no, it’s okay. I’m just glad he’s here safe. (The lights fade down and then slowly up to a new scene. It is a doctor’s office and it is still raining, the lights remain dim and two chairs fill the room.)

   Doctor. I’m glad you could make it tonight Jonathan. I’m sorry it’s late but this couldn’t wait. (Jonathan just nods without making eye contact) You need to understand that-- (A flash of lightning outside startles Jonathan. [sound and light react] He looks around frighteningly) I spoke with the trainman and he said you lost our little notebook. Have you looked in your bag Jonathan? 

   Jonathan. It’s not… I saw that man… B...bart… I saw him… (he pauses and looks at his bag, he decides to search it. Another flash of lightning startles him. He finds his notebook right where he left it. In his bag.) I… I.. don’t…

   Doctor. Listen Jonathan, based on your testing and reports, We think you have something called Schizophrenia. 

   Jonathan. (after a long pause) I...I’m just unique. M..my mom says… (keeps muttering)

   Doctor. Jonathan we’re going to get you help. (a flash of lightning reveals the woman from before) It’ll be okay Jonathan - (said in unison with the woman) (another flash reveals Bart as well) I understand, you’re unique. - (said in unison with Bart) (another flash reveals all three now) that’s why I wanted you to come over tonight - (said in unison with Sammy)

   Jonathan. (he stares in horror and begins to scream) Make it stop!! M...make it stop!! (The lights flicker and the sound of train brakes take the silence)

Blackout

-Cale Montoya