copyright © 2002 Brian E. Rochlin

All By Myself

by Brian E. Rochlin

(set to and inspired by Eric Carmen’s "All By Myself")

 

 

 

When I was young

I never needed anyone

And makin' love was just for fun

Those days are gone

Livin' alone

I think of all the friends I've known

But when I dial the telephone

Nobody's home

 

 

All by myself

Don't wanna be

All by myself anymore

All by myself

Don't wanna live

All by myself anymore

 

Hard to be sure

Some times I feel so insecure

And love so distant and obscure

Remains the cure

 

 

 

All by myself

Don't wanna be

All by myself anymore

All by myself

Don't wanna live

All by myself anymore

 

 

FADE MUSIC.

MUSIC BEGINS

LIGHTS FADE UP

Joey is just finishing a phone call to a woman he’s dated once. He paces, lonely, wondering what to do.

He tries dialing again a couple of times, picking up the phone dialing, hanging up...

 

Finally, he calls again, leaves another message, shivers from the cold of lonliness.

 

 

From his jacket, Joey removes a monkey hand puppet.

The puppet sings along to Joey.

 

Joey joins in. They sing together.

 

 

A tender moment begins between the puppet and Joey. There’s a spark.

 

The puppet moves in for a kiss, and they begin making out.

 

Joey pushes the puppet away, and slaps it...hard. He chokes the hand and removes the puppet, putting it on the table.

He pulls pills and booze from his jacket. Downs both, and stuffs the puppet in his mouth to asphyxiate himself.

 

 

He writhes on the ground, choking, vomiting into his own mouth, twitching and dying.

He lies motionless on the ground.

 

(WITH JOEY ON THE GROUND, THE PHONE RINGS A COUPLE OF TIMES.)

(A BEEP AS THE ANSWERING MACHINE IS PICKED UP.)

A WOMAN'S VOICE

(sexy and somewhat sing-songy)

Hey Joey. It’s me, Courtney. Sorry I missed your calls. Of course I’d love to see you again. Call me back and we’ll make plans. I’m going to leave Saturday open. Love you.

(CLICK OF PHONE BEING HUNG UP)

LIGHTS FADE OUT

"All By Myself" IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED, PRINTED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR


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