"ELEVATOR"
PLOT: Two ex-colleagues cross paths in a business tower lobby, chance only permitting their time in an elevator to catch up.
(At the centre,
towards the rear of the stage, a smartly dressed man (FRANK) with a
plastic telescoping blueprint tube over his shoulder is pacing
nervously, occasionally glancing at his watch. A woman (LOUISE) with
tousled hair, carrying a large brown envelope, handbag and tote
bag runs in, stage left; walks past him. A projection behind them shows
the elevator display. This indicates what floor the elevator is at. The
elevator panel need not be a prop - it can be mimed).
FRANK: (Teasingly.) Good morning Miss Margera. Late for work?
LOUISE: Actually I don't start till... (notices him) Frank! How... what are you doing here?
FRANK. Meeting on the second floor.
LOUISE: (Flustered.) Ah, I guess you're meeting... so how are the... how's work?
FRANK: Fine, fine. And you?
(They begin walking forwards).
LOUISE: Dense apart hotel project. Neverending.
FRANK: Hate those - such a waste of time. What do you have there?
LOUISE: Competition. Remodelling of a theatre in...
FRANK: (Glances at the elevator display, cuts her off) You look different. Your hair?
SOUND: ELEVATOR OPENING "GROUND FLOOR"
LOUISE: Well it's been a long time since...
FRANK: After you.
(She steps in i.e. she takes two steps right. He follows.)
SOUND: ELEVATOR CLOSING
(LIGHTS: Overall lights are dimmed. Spotlight directly above
the two characters, pointing downwards. This is the elevator.)
LOUISE: (Hitting the elevator panel behind Frank). Your floor?
FRANK: Oh. Two. (Runs his fingers carelessly across the panel).
(Few
moments of awkward silence. She looks in the general direction of her shoes. He never removes his gaze
towards her.)
LOUISE: You know what... you wouldn't believe what I have in my bag. Remember?
FRANK: The Thornton drawings.
(Note
that in the following piece, Louise and Frank finish off each others
sentences - this should seem as a matter of coincidence and must sound
like "1998? Right. I guessed I've missed you too".)
LOUISE: Rebecca had heard about it. I haven't let anyone see this since...
SOUND: ELEVATOR OPENING
FRANK: 199...
SOUND: "EIGHTH FLOOR"
LOUISE. Eight? Right. I guess I've
missed...
FRANK:
You (inaudible:) know...
(LIGHTS: ON)
LOUISE:
Two.
(For
the first time, she looks straight into his eyes. Her expression is
sullen.)
SOUND: ELEVATOR CLOSING
LOUISE: Good seeing you, Frank...
FRANK.
Louise.
LIGHTS: BLACKOUT