The Race

The Race

A one-page play

Greg Romero

developed with loving care by

r m 1 2 0

t h e a t r e

a sponsored project of Austin Circle of Theaters

rm 120 theatre
PO Box 300165
Austin TX 78703
(512) 481-8366
rm120theatre@aol.com

The Race

AT RISE: Center stage spot reveals a DOG onstage, curled up on the ground. The DOG is asleep and dreaming of chasing a rabbit. We watch DOG for some time as he sleeps and dreams.

Stage right spot reveals MAN. His speech presumably began before we hear him.

MAN …following closely behind is Lamppost. Lamppost gaining on Toaster, Toaster looking ahead, running hard. A strong third is Kool-Aid. Kool-Aid’s run this track before, finishing third in last year’s playoff. Toaster now putting some distance between her and Lamppost, Lamppost beginning to look a little stiff, Kool-Aid gaining on Lamppost. Closing the pack is Irish Tea. Irish Tea in last but making ground on the pack.

(Stage left spot reveals WOMAN. She looks impatient in nature and a bit harried this particular day–as if she is running late for something).

WOMAN (calling for her dog) Turk? (pauses to wait for response–there is none) Turk? (pause) Here boy. Turk? (pause) Din-Din!

From this point on, MAN and WOMAN’s speech should overlap each other.

MAN/(WOMAN) What’s this? Folks, it looks like a dog has entered the race. Yes, that’s right. That’s (Turk) Turk–second place finisher from last year’s main event. (Turk) Turk has entered the race and is closing in on Irish Tea. Irish Tea looks behind him and sees (Turk) Turk with a full head of steam. (Turk) passes Irish Tea and is closing in on (Din-Din). Folks, he sure looks impressive and is gaining on Kool-Aid, Lamppost and Toaster. (Turk) has almost caught up with Kool-Aid and is gaining every second. (Goddamnit!) Goddamnit that’s a fast dog. (Turk!) Turk! Look at him go–he has caught Kool-Aid and is closing in on Lamppost. (Jesus Christ!) Jesus Christ! He’s passed Lammpost and is only a couple lengths from Toaster. (Turk!) Turk is really pushing hard, he must have last year’s heartbreaking second place finish on his mind. Ladies and gentlemen, as they turn the last curve, they enter the final straightaway almost neck and neck with Lamppost just a hair ahead of (Turk!) Turk. They are closing in on the finish and (Jesus Christ!) Jesus Christ this is a close race. This is such a (fucking shit!) fucking shit close race! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s (Turk!) Turk! (Turk!) Turk has won the race! (Turk!) Turk coming from nowhere has won the 4^th annual backyard pet race, claiming the gold medal! (Goddamnit!) Goddamnit!

Lights fade on MAN and WOMAN to leave DOG as the only thing onstage. DOG wakes up leisurely and stretches. He sits up and after a short pause, lets out a very satisfied sounding bark.

Lights down.
"The Race" IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED, PRINTED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR

PRODUCTION HISTORY

The Race was produced as a reading (under the previous title To Shannon from rm 120 theatre) on Saturday, November 3, 2001 at No Shame Theatre in Austin, TX, with the following cast: DOG, Timothy J. Verret; MAN, Greg Romero; WOMAN, Ann Taylor.

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