copyright © 2003 Michael Rothschild

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

"Rando in Hollywood" debuted January 10, 2003, performed by Mike Rothschild, Anthony Backman, Nic de Armendi.

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