LITR 3731: Creative Writing
Student Drama Submission 2003

Enrique Canales

“Underground”

(Viva la Revolución)

The setting:  The classroom during break

The players:

Jennifer, Grand Commander.
Laurie, Leader of the Opposition.
Corrie, French Double Agent
Enrique, UN Diplomat
Reani, Lackey.
Dr. White, Despotic Tyrant?

Concept Sentence:  A group of students in Creative writing plot to bring down the tyranny of the instructor. They do so in the fashion of a parody and resembling a revolutionary meeting.

Intro: (At the beginning of the scene, Dr. White is making final comments before class break. All players are present at the time, calmly listening to him. All, except for one, Jennifer, she is sitting at her desk looking inpatient and anxious. She is seen whispering to Laurie as if trying to make her listen to something important. Laurie seems annoyed with Jennifer and keeps looking away from her discretely hoping the break will come soon. Enrique is sitting next to Corrie directing a look of frustration towards the two.

 Jennifer’s attempts to get Laurie’s attention must be obvious to everyone since they provide the cue for the start of dialogue).

Dr. White: (He begins talking while pointing to the daily class schedule of activities with a piece of chalk) …and that is what we’ll do when we return. (He now turns to look at Jennifer with a smirk on his face). I hope by then everyone is ready to get be here with us. (He then lets lose a small chuckle).

(Class breaks and some students begin filing out the room. [An exit is not required for the presentation; the simple sound of books being packed will suffice] Dr. White motions to leave [proceeds to the back of the room for simplicity].  From this point on the players will act as if the professor has left the room. As soon as he reaches the back of the room Jennifer will leap to the front of the room quickly, as if her life depended on it. She motions to Reani who quickly moves to the door and remains standing with half her body outside and the other inside looking nervously down the hall. Jennifer stands at the front of the room with one foot on a chair, her hands closed in a fist and resting on her hips. She brings to address the remaining students with an air of confidence and urgency, as if pleading for her life. [She will plead with urgency but no beg. Instead she must remain somewhat aloof and distant, looking just above the students’ heads, to the horizon]).

Jennifer: (In an oratory voice, [think Bill Pullman in Independence Day, or any politician]). We must not let this travesty continue. We must be strong, swift and decisive. I will not stand idle while I witness the suffering of my fellow students nor will I allow tyranny reign unchecked. We must…

Laurie:  (Interrupting Jennifer and speaking with deep frustration). Give it a rest Presidente. (Emphasizing the last vowel on “Presidente”). Who the heck made you crusader of the oppressed? You need to sit down, shut up and start doing your homework on time. “WE” (Mocking Jennifer’s use of the word) need to calm down and trust the only person here with more years of experience than must of us have been alive! We must trust those in power for they are wise. (From this point until her next dialogue she remains astonished, on the brink of storming out and constantly making noises of disapproval at Jennifer).

Jennifer: (Insulted) Infidel! Traitor!

Enrique: Now, now, let’s all take a deep breath and politely talk about this. The route of peaceful dialogue is yet open to us.

 Jennifer: Ha! Deep breath, calm down! (Mocking the clichéd expressions). The sad words for losers and all of who silently accept abuse. (Now speaking with severe pauses and with the tone of uttering a promise) I say thee nay! I will stride confident against the torrent of fear and bring you all to triumph.

Corrie: (Deeply confused and raising her voice above all) Wait a minute, weren’t we simply going to discuss ideas in how to improve the class? Since when did this turn into Revolution? And when do I get to show off my subtle ability to sweet talk a professor? I demand satisfaction! I cannot help anybody who isn’t helping me. (Ends with an angry nod to Jennifer).

Jennifer:  Reani!

Reani: (Rapidly looking in and out of the room, making sure two or three times the Dr. White isn’t coming). Coast is clear, no, wait, (checks again). YEAH! (Now calmly announcing with a look of pride in her face) The coast… is clear. I’m gooooooooood. (Flashing two thumbs up and a big smile to Jennifer).

Jennifer: (Looking to the ceiling, sighing) How beautiful are the faithful.

Laurie: (In disbelief). You got to be kidding me

Jennifer: (Coming back from her reverie) Anyway, as I was saying. (Coming back to her tone of command). The time has come… (Speaks over Laurie’s dialogue)

Laurie: (Over Jennifer’s dialogue) Fussball!

Jennifer: (Ignoring Laurie’s words but slowly getting closer to her)… to bring down the tyrant, to recover our self-respect… (Again, over Laurie’s dialogue)

Laurie: (Over Jennifer’s dialogue) Looney!

Jennifer: … (Now about a meter away from Laurie) and to asset ourselves as dignified human beings.

Laurie: Dork!

(The two growl at each other. After staring at each other for a few seconds, Laurie fakes a bite at Jennifer who reels back from Laurie with wide eyes).

Enrique: Hey! Hey! Hey! Delegates! Order, order, we mustn’t let our emotions dictate our curse of action.

Jennifer: (Narrowing her eyes at Laurie). (With contempt). You know nothing, you poor diluted soul. You hold your dear Dr. White in such high regard that you become blind to his tyranny. Come to me, I will enlighten you.

Laurie: Pfffttt!

Corrie: Look Jennifer, we don’t care what you think about Professor White (In a Machiavellian tone). Just tell us the juicy stuff. How do we profit from your scheming? Or at least, how do we get back at him without me looking bad in front of him?

Enrique: Listen up, (In desperation). I’m sure we can find a nice middle ground solution with which everyone will be happy. A commission must be formed to ascertain the gravity of issue. Action must for certainty.

Laurie: Middle ground my…

Enrique: Whoa! (Winking at Laurie) Hold it, there are still ladies present!

Reani: (Excited) Can we hang him boss, can we?

Jennifer: (Appalled). We shall have none of that! (Muttering) least not till I am satisfied.

Laurie: (Rolling her eyes). There is nothing to discuss. Facts are simple. We chose to come to college to learn and we put ourselves willingly on the hands of professionals who have both the experience and knowledge to guide us to a successful education. How can you cast any doubts on the structure of the class, a subject you know nothing about? There is virtue in peaceful subjugation.

Jennifer: Oooohhh, but it isn’t about class structure, it’s about ignorance, and it’s about the people! You speak about Dr. White’s knowledge. (Defiantly) But I say what knowledge? Last time I checked there was no great American novel by Dr. White. So there, he can’t teach writing if he doesn’t write himself. (Again places her closed hands on her waist and smiles triumphantly at Laurie).

Laurie: I’ve had enough. I’m telling! (Starts walking to the door).

Reani: (blocking Laurie’s exit. Reani looks at Laurie and smiling) No, no, no, no telling! (Making a “No” motion with her finger. Laurie loses strength on her legs and begins to walk back slowly, sinking on the floor).

Jennifer: (With a manic look of triumph). Justice will be served.

Laurie: But, but, our great leader Dr. White is good to us! He may not write with us, but that doesn’t mean he is no good to teach. Being a writer isn’t necessarily a requisite to be a good teacher! How can you hate him? (Looking to the ceiling sighing) Why, with his long pretty locks, his cute converse shoes and the vest! (Looking at Jennifer with sad eyes).  How can you not love that man?

Enrique: (Pleading). We can’t allow our emotions get the best of us. Let us discuss the issues thoroughly before deciding on a course of action. Besides, the whole thing isn’t very clear to anybody yet. An inspector must be appointed, yes, that’s good, an inspector to analyze the threat! (Triumphant)

Jennifer: (Worried). (To Enrique). You will have us continue suffering while your little inspector takes the whole semester deciding whether or not we are in trouble.

(Chanting to the class). Swift action! Swift action! Swift action!

Laurie: (Decisively). I will fight you to the bitter end! 

Jennifer: (Decisively). I will fight the Dr. to the bitter end

Enrique: (Decisively). I will not let violence prevail!

Corrie: (Decisively). I will profit somehow!

Reani: (Decisively). I will tell you the professor is already here!

(The players scurry back to their seats).

(Instructor returns to the classroom oblivious to the happenings).

Dr. White: (At board). Today’s the last day of fiction… (Trails off into Dr. White’s drama scene).

Theme Sentence: The clash of personalities greatly influences the outcome of a discussion. When a group of people work together to solve a conflict, it is necessary to overcome each other’s personalities before tackling on the problem.