FREEZE - a play in one act.

[Ibby]

CAST
X (nameless)
NAT
CHORUS 1
CHORUS 2
CHORUS 3

Curtain.
X: I can't do it. I can't move.
NAT: Can't move?
X: No. I can't do it.
NAT: why not? Are you hurt?
X: No. Not hurt.
NAT: then why can't you move?
X: I'll die.
NAT: Die? That's a little melodramatic, isn't it?
X: No, Nat. I mean it, I'll die. Dead. All over.
NAT: Just like that?
X: Just like that.
NAT: (pauses) You're being ridiculous. I'm not gonna deal with you right now, I can't be late for work.
X: Don't leave! Stay here!
NAT: If you wanna talk to me just get up and come with me.
X:Nat!
NAT exits
X: Now what? I certainly can't move, I'm not ready to die. Wait. Can I open my eyes? (pause) Yes. Okay. Phew. But nothing else. I can't move anything else.
CHORUS enters
X: hello? Is someone there?
CHORUS: No.
X: What?
CHORUS: Nobody's here.
X: Then who are you?
CHORUS: Nobody.
CHORUS 1: It's all in your head \
CHORUS 2: You're making it up SIMULTANEOUSLY
CHORUS 3: You're dreaming. /
X: Well as long as you don't make me move.
CHORUS: You can't move. You'll die.
X: That's what I said. Nat didn't believe me. She never does.
CHORUS: Nobody ever does.
X: I get that feeling sometimes too.
CHORUS 2 and 3 exit
X: Wait! Hello? Is anyone there? Are you still there?
CHORUS 1: No.
X: Oh, good. I need the company.
CHORUS 1: nobody's here.
X: So you said. I'm not sure I'm convinced.
CHORUS 1: I wouldn't be either.
X: What was that?
CHORUS 1: We left.
X: Left? I didn't do anything.
CHORUS 1: Is your movement ever up to you?
X: Well, I guess you're right. Where are we, though, if we left?
CHORUS: The beach.
X: Really? Pity I can't enjoy the sea and sun and surf then I suppose.
CHORUS 1: You never did enjoy all that.
X: But.. everybody loves the beach.
CHORUS 1: You don't.
X: Well, I used to.
CHORUS 1: But then...
X: But then...
CHORUS 2 and 3 enter, wearing beach towels, running. They cross the stage multiple times, before stopping at center.
CHORUS 2: Hey! I'll bet I can cannonball better than you!
X:I dont know if thats such a good idea... the water's so shallow here...
CHORUS 3: I dont know if thats such a good idea... the water's so shallow here...
CHORUS 2: Worrywart!
X: Don't jump! It's too shallow, you'll hurt yourself!
CHORUS 3: Don't jump! It's too shallow, you'll hurt yourself!
CHORUS 2: I'm not a scaredy-cat like you!
CHORUS 2 jumps.
CHORUS 2 exits.
X: Mark? Marky? Where are you? Marky? Come back up Marky!
CHORUS 3: Mark? Marky? Where are you? Marky? Come back up Marky!
CHORUS 1: Poor Marky. I miss him.
X: Poor Marky. I miss him too.
CHORUS 1 and 3 exit.
X: Hello? Anyone? (pause) Where'd the beach go? (pause) Hello?
CHORUS 2 enters.
X: Is someone there?
CHORUS 2: No.
X: Well, as long as you're a talkative nobody.
CHORUS 2: You always like having somebody to talk to.
X: You know, I really think I have.
CHORUS 2: Always?
X: well, ever since....
CHORUS 2: Ever since what?
X: What was that? I felt it again.
CHORUS 2: We left again.
X: It smells bad here.
CHORUS 2: That must be the paper mill.
X: I grew up near a paper mill.
CHORUS 2: You visited it once.
X: I don't think I... No, you're right. I did.
CHORUS 2: You were scared 'cause there was a storm that day.
X: I wasn't scared of the storm. I've always liked storms.
CHORUS 2: Until...
X: Until...
CHORUS 1 and 3 enter, 1 on the stage and 3 on the floor below.
X: Help! The elevator stopped!
CHORUS 1: Help! The elevator stopped!
CHORUS 3: Is there someone in there!
X: Help!
CHORUS 1: Help!
CHORUS 3: I don't hear anyone. That's a relief.
X: No! Help!
CHORUS 1: No! Help!
CHORUS 3 exits.
CHORUS 2: It took hours, huh.
X: At least six, I think.
CHORUS 2: That's a long time for a seven year old.
X: That's a real long time for a seven year old.
CHORUS 3 returns. CHORUS 1 jumps down to the floor.
CHORUS exits.
X: all alone again huh. At least the smell's gone.
CHORUS 3 enters.
X: I hear someone. Who's there?
CHORUS 3: Nobody.
X: Oh, I thought it was you, Nat.
CHORUS 3: Who's Nat?
X: Nat's my girlfriend.
CHORUS 3: Really? For how long?
X: A month.
CHORUS 3: Just a month?
X: we've been together for almost three years really.
CHORUS 3: Then why say a month? You... had a fight?
X: We... had a fight.
CHORUS 1 and 2 enter.
X: Sometimes I think I'm crazy.
CHORUS 1: Sometimes I think I'm crazy.
CHORUS 2: Why would you think that?
X: I... see things sometimes. And hear things.
CHORUS 1: I ... see things sometimes. And hear things.
CHORUS 2: You never told me that before.
NAT enters.
X: I know I didn't. I was embarrassed.
CHORUS 1: I know I didn't. I was embarrassed.
NAT: Embarrassed about what?
CHORUS 2: Why embarrassed? I can't believe you kept this from me.
X: I didn't want you to... you know... leave.
CHORUS 1: I didn't want you to... you know... leave.
NAT: I had to go to work, silly. Have you been laying here all day?
CHORUS 2: If you're crazy you must be paranoid too. I can't believe you don't trust me.
X: No.. don't go!
CHORUS 1: No... don't go!
X sits bolt upright. CHORUS falls straight backwards. X turns to look at Nat.
X: Nat... I can move!
NAT: of course you can move, silly. Now get up. I've got a surprise for you.

Curtain