"Rando in Hollywood"
by Mike Rothschild
LIGHTS UP
UGLY VIC, a porn producer, sits at a desk. There is a chair opposite him. He is reading a porno magazine.
There's a KNOCK at his door.
ugly vic
Yo.
RANDO enters, wearing his white toga.
rando
Um, hi.
UGLY VIC
What can I do to you?
RANDO
I've got a 3 PM audition. I was answering your ad in the paper. Are you Ugly Vic?
UGLY VIC
It ain't Ugly Vic Productions cuz I'm so pretty. So you wanna be in a movie?
He waves for him to come in, and Rando walks in and sits.
uGLY VIC (CONT'D)
I didn't say sit.
Surprised, Rando starts to stand up.
rANDO
Oh, I'm sorry...
UGLY VIC
I'm pullin' your chain, kid.
RANDO
I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous.
UGLY VIC
Happens to everyone I audition. You'll do fine. Just relax and be yourself.
RANDO
I've just never done anything like this.
UGLY VIC
Like what?
RANDO
A film like this. A porno.
UGLY VIC
I don't do porn. I do adult publishing.
RANDO
Then why did the ad say you needed a young stud for a porno film?
uGLY VIC
You got me there. But you won't complain when you get the nice, fat check with your name on it.
RANDO
True. And I really need the cash.
UGLY VIC
You came to the right guy. A good looking kid can make a lot of money working with me. OK, What's your full name?
RANDO
Rando. That's it. Just Rando.
UGLY VIC
OK, whatev. What's your occupation?
RANDO
Until recently, I was Greek God of Puddings. But I was let go in a cost-cutting move. Now I'm unemployed.
UGLY VIC
Greek God, huh? I've seen weirder. You ever around Hollywood Boulevard at night, I mean real late? Fuckin' weirdos. Fat fuckin' pale goth chicks poured into tight-ass black tutus. And don't get me started on the Jesus pushers.
RANDO
Ha, yeah. Jesus put me out of a job.
UGLY VIC
No shit? I need your medical history.
RANDO
I'm pretty old, do you need it all?
UGLY VIC
Any penetration scene requires complete medical clearance and an AIDS test.
RANDO
The last time I had sex, AIDS didn't exist.
UGLY VIC
How old did you say you were?
RANDO
6,000 years. Give or take a few weeks.
UGLY VIC
I usually don't do granny porn. But you got a nice face. So how long has it been since you got some ass?
RANDO
I guess you need to know. 700 years.
UGLY VIC
You got all the pieces in place, right?
RANDO
Oh yeah. Just not much luck. Nobody wants to sleep with someone who doesn't have a job and or a future, even if he is a god.
UGLY VIC
Well, we're gonna change that.
RANDO
That's why I'm doing this. And I need the money.
UGLY VIC
It's good money.
RANDO
I know. But I want the sex, too. Who doesn't want to get paid to have sex?
UGLY VIC
You'd be surprised.
RANDO
Let them walk in my sandals for a while. Hey, I got a stage name all picked out.
UGLY VIC
Let's hear it.
RANDO
I know everyone who does these movies has a fake name, so I wanted to call myself "Mynuts Ack" You know, like...you know.
UGLY VIC
Kid, I gotta be honest with you.
RANDO
Yeah, ok.
UGLY VIC
I don't see this happening. I like you, you got a nice face. But you're not exactly a stud, and nobody watches these movies to see someone uglier than them.
RANDO
OK.
UGLY VIC
I don't mean you're ugly. And the Greek God angle is funny, but your name on a box ain't gonna be worth 29.99.
RANDO
I really need this. I haven't had a job since I got kicked off Olympus. I can't pay my rent, I'm totally broke. I just need money. Whatever it takes, it's done.
UGLY VIC
OK, what the hell. I'm impressed. We've got an role in "Choad Of The Rings Part 12". I can give you a hundred bucks, and another hundred if it looks good.
RANDO
That's great.
UGLY VIC
Of that, you kick thirty percent to me as a finders fee, and another 15 out of everything you make after that. Plus you pay your own parking and meals.
Pause.
RANDO
OK. That's...that's fine.
UGLY VIC
Good. Now, I'm supposed to test you for AIDS but I'm on a deadline. I need the movie totally finished by next Thursday, so we'll shoot your scene now. You ready?
RANDO
Yeah. Hell yeah.
UGLY VIC
You want to meet your partner for the scene?
RANDO
Sure, yeah.
UGLY VIC
Thought so. Hey, Sugar, come on in!
SUGAR, a huge, menacing man walks in and stands in the back.
RANDO
I don't get it. I thought this was, you know...a porno.
UGLY VIC
It is. All male. It's a bigger market.
RANDO
You never told me that.
UGLY VIC
The ad said lookin' for a stud. Straight men don't watch porno for studs.
RANDO
Vic, I'm not gay.
UGLY VIC
Hey, Sugar's bi.
RANDO
I'm serious, I can't do this. I've never been with a man. I don't know if I could. Can I think about it?
UGLY VIC
Kid, there's fifty other assholes just like you I could call who'd eat their own shit for a role in one of my movies, but I thought I'd give you a break. Now get in the studio or get the fuck out.
Pause. Rando looks at both of them.
RANDO
Yeah, ok.
UGLY VIC
Good. Sugar, let's pick you out a staff
Ugly Vic leads Sugar off. They are gone. Rando stands in the office, looking pained.
uGLY VIC (O.S.) (CONT'D)
You comin'?
Rando follows them.
LIGHTS OUT
"Rando in Hollywood" debuted January 10, 2003, performed by Mike Rothschild, Anthony Backman, Nic de Armendi.