LITR 3731: Creative Writing
Student Drama Submission 2003

Will Frith

A Society of Individualists

Concept: A variety of bored students contemplate their respective escapes from class.  A nervous student wonders how everyone can keep their composure with such difficult subjects.  The teacher lectures on, unaware of his students’ concerns, but somehow gets the last word.

Cast:

Craig- nervous wreck, student
Robert- fan of melodrama, student
Jason- surfer, student
David- teacher, activist
Laurie- elitist, student
Travis- space cadet, student
Jennifer- financial disaster, student
Enrique- condescending commentator, student

Scene: while students wait for class to begin, David walks in toward podium, sets down notes/books, and greets the class.  Craig is visibly nervous while his classmates couldn’t care less.

* * * *

Robert: Hmm…if I can leave early, I’ll make it home by noon—just in time for All My Children.  OK, I’ll leave at the break, and no one will notice.  Or, maybe, if I tell Dr. Moore that I have to leave at break, it’ll seem legit.  OK.  Yeah.  That’s it. [walks to podium, mumbles to David] I have to leave early today.  I hope it won’t be a problem.

[David nods his head and Robert walks back to seat, David  writes on board: “Power, Politics, Economy,” “Social Darwinism” “Pecuniary Emulation” “New Historicism.”]

Jason- [while David writes] Moore is so lucky the water’s flat right now, or he’d be minus one student.  Maybe I’ll go to Australia this winter.  Bob’s been trying to get me to go for years.  Good surf.  Relaxation.  Good food, great beer, and lots of people to chill with.  I can’t concentrate on this crap now.  The class is half-asleep anyway. [packs up, leaves. David, unaware, is still writing on board]

David: Good morning, class.

Class: [unenthusiastically] G’morning.

David: There’s a lot to go over today, so we should just jump right into this.  Any Questions?  OK.  In the grab for power, types of motives can be exposed, including greed [begins fading out] megalomania, and opportunism…

Laurie: His lessons are so biased!  If he’d only incite a reductionist platform, everyone could grasp it.  He’s operating in a pre-cold war mode.  I should say something…but, if I do, he might not let me do those extra projects this winter break and I’ll be forced to tutor all my class mates…and then I might as well teach the class…[takes deep breath, sighs] just wait it out.  Two weeks to go and I won’t have to see these imbeciles again. [taps pencil on notepad incessantly]

Craig: [nervously] how can everyone be getting this?  Jason leaves before the lesson even begins…he must’ve read ahead…Laurie looks bored…what is megalomania?

David: now, there are certain attempted justifications for such a ruthless economic model, such as Social Darwinism [points to board, voice fading] in which the proponent incites Darwinian…

Travis: [deviously excited]…if the asteroid was poised as the direct threat to A2065Z, it would be too obvious.  BUT!  If the Sardinians were at the controls of the asteroid, the plot would be great! [basking in glory] you’re a freakin’ genius!  Wait until you’re finally discovered and no one can deny your greatness!  So many ideas…I can’t sit here much longer like this.  I’ll leave at the break.  What could I name the asteroid…

Laurie: [looking at Craig] THIS guy seems out of place.  Lower on the food chain, I guess…How has he lasted THIS long?

Craig: Darwin?  Isn’t this political science?  I’m lost!  Have I been in the wrong class the whole time?

David: There are a few definitive traits of a consumer society, like pecuniary emulation. [fading out] this means that…

Jennifer: Twelve hundred for rent…seven for car and insurance…that leaves a little more than enough for the rest, and, I can use coupons for groceries…the credit cards can wait until next month…[excitedly] and I can get those shoes and that sweater from J. Crew!

David: Culturally, this ties into the concept of rugged individualism.  A familiar depiction would be John Wayne.  But, it doesn’t stop with pop icons.  It filters into academia, with political philosophers, who were, historically, collectivists.  Taking on this mindset [fading out] most recently, New Historicists are following right along…

Travis: I could name it after a philosopher…like Kierkegaard…Spinoza…

Craig: [panicked] New Historicists!?!  We never discussed the OLD ones!  I need some water…when’s break?

Travis: Confucius.

Enrique: [looking at Craig] God!  What’s this guy’s problem?  He hasn’t been still since class started… [looking at Travis, who is staring off into space, blissfully]  What’s he smirking about? [looking back at Craig]  Such a space cadet!  Hello? Anyone home?  He seems so out of place.  There’s sweat dripping from his chin!  What a wreck!

Craig: Break…break…break…

David: I’ve noticed that a number of you are leaving at the break lately.  This isn’t fair to you or to your comrades in the classroom.  So, as incentive to stay for the entire time, and in order to keep the collective mindset together, I’ll be giving quizzes, at the end of the class, about the lecture.

Laurie: I bet they’re all shrinking in fear…

Craig: Quiz!?!  I’m finished.

Jennifer: Blue.  No.  Tan?  Should I get suede or patent leather?

David: They will count as one point toward your final grade, zero points if you get the questions wrong, and negative one point if you’re not here to take it.

Travis: Kafka.  That’s it.  Kafka.

Craig: I’ll be here, just let me go now.  Break…is…near…

David: Now, are there any questions before we break?

Robert: Who can tape this for me?  Eva tried to kill herself last episode…damn, I’ve got to call someone.

David: We’ll pick up after break with Opportunity Cost…

END

Theme: In a society of individualists, few, if any, notice the possible solutions to their problems--much less the actual problems--and the many ironies of day-to-day interaction with other individualists—all while ignoring the potential effects of authority figures, who do, indeed, have the last word.