Ross = bored |

ignroe the few typos and left out words...

(A mother is tucking her child in at night)

Mommy:

Goodnight, pumpkin. Sleep well.

Damian:

You know I won’t.

Mommy:

Don’t say such things. It’s no wonder you get nightmares with that attitude, Anyway, daddy and I got a night light for you, and it will help you sleep. Now some rest.

Damian:

Will you stay with me, Mommy?

Mommy:

Not tonight, Damian. You’re growing up, and you’re going to have to learn to be independents of me. We’ll see how the night light works tonight. If you need me, I’ll be right down the hall.

Damian:

I always need you.

Mommy:

(Beat) get some rest. (She turns off the light and exits SL.)

Damian:

(Holding his teddy bear snuggly and cowering under the blankets.) Maybe the night light will work. (He tries to fall asleep.)

(The stage stays still for about eight seconds,
and then the door SL opens very slowly and
Mommy enters the room.)

Mommy:

I forgot to tell you that I love you. (Beat) hello? Aw. The poor little muffin must have been exhausted. Goodnight, Damian. I love you.
(She kisses him on the forehead and exits SL.
Ten seconds later the closet door SR opens a crack.)

Lady Starlight:

Oh hell. They got a light. Wretched humans, never appreciating what I do. The waste more than a third of their lives sleeping; I make that time worthwhile.

(The door opens a bit more and a baseball flies out of the closet toward the light and misses. Then a baseball glove, then a shoe hits the light and knocks it out. The stage is lit as if only by moonlight now.)

Lady Starlight:

Hello, Damian. You tried to ward me off. I don’t appreciate being warded off after all the adventures I’ve given you. All the fascinating creatures I’ve showed you. All the fortunes found and lost. Tonight show you something exceptionally dreadful.

(She waves her hands back and forth in a magical manner over his body while chanting.)

Lady Starlight:

Slither forth, oh dreary night
And show me all your powers.
Bring me something sinister
To occupy these hours.
With the downing of the sun
And the dawning of the moon,
Conjure up these nightmares to fill this boy with gloom

I, Lady Starlight, the Harlequin Dream Demon,
Mistress of the dark blue sky
And queen above the subconscious
Command you!

Damian:

(Calmly) Why do you haunt me?

Lady Starlight:

Double hell! My master is not going to be happy when he hears that I was fooled by a little child. I’ll burn for this.



Damian:

He doesn’t have to know.

Lady Starlight:

Not if I kill you.

Damian:

Are you dead? Have you died before? Is that what you are?

Lady Starlight:

What odd questions for a child your age to be asking. (sadly) yes, I’ve died before, long ago.

Damian:

How?

Lady Starlight:

Children your age should not think of death.

Damian:

I had a dog once. His name was Otis, and he was my only friend. The kids at school make fun of me. Mom says it’s because they’re jealous that I make straight A’s without having to study and because I skipped three grades. I know she’s right, but it doesn’t make me any less lonely. But Otis did. Then one day we were playing in the front yard and I threw a ball across the street for him to fetch. I didn’t see the car. I’ve been thinking about death ever since.

Lady Starlight:

It’s not so bad, well, at least, you get used to it.

Damian:

Is there a doggy heaven?

Lady Starlight:

Dogs have no soul.

Damian:

Are you going to kill me?

Lady Starlight:

I don’t want to. I like you. You’ve been a pleasure to talk to.

Damian:

But you’re going to anyway.

Lady Starlight:

I’ll make a deal with you. If you swear to never tell anyone of me, then I will bring you good dreams from now on, but if you tell anyone about me, then I will have no other choice but to kill you and all those whom have heard of me.

Damian:

I’ll keep you’re a secret.

Lady Starlight:

Goodnight Damian. Sweet dreams.

(She exits through the closet. three seconds after she does the SL door opens slowly and in comes Mommy to find Damian awake.)

Mommy:

What are you doing awake, (beat) and what happened to your nightlight?

Damian: I don’t need it anymore.

Mommy:

Are you sure?

Damian:

Yes.

(She tucks him in and says goodnight and exits.)
(Blackout) |