47: Not to perform ov

The Book of Knowledge
Laws of Idolatry and Paganism
Not to perform ov (medium) (Lev. 19:31)

            a group of people sit in a semi-circle of chairs

            they all sit upright and completely still

            their faces blank

            they appear to have almost no energy

            a large clock hangs over them with strange symbols instead of numbers

            a high-pitched tone plays

            LADY IN EVENING WEAR stands with no urgency

            waits for a moment

            and then she momentarily comes alive

LADY IN EVENING WEAR
            slow and spooky
under the mantle
            beat
UNDER THE MANTLE

            she drops out

            returns to neutral

            sits down

            waits

            a high-pitched tone plays

            a TEENAGER WITH A PARASOL stands

            waits

            then comes alive

TEENAGER WITH A PARASOL
Tommy Dilman killed me

            she drops out

            returns to neutral

            sits

            waits

            a high-pitched tone plays

            ELDERLY BARITONE stands

            waits

            then comes alive

ELDERLY BARITONE
            singing
largo al factotum della citta

            he drops out

            returns to neutral

            sits

            waits

            a high-pitched tone

            a KINDLY GRANDPA stands

            waits

            then comes alive

KINDLY GRANDPA
            heartfelt, anguished
i… forgive you

            he drops out

            returns to neutral

            sits down

            waits

            a high-pitched tone

            TEENAGER WITH A PARASOL stands

            waits

            then comes alive

TEENAGER WITH A PARASOL
Tommy
in the barn
and now i am free

            drops out

            sits

            waits

            high-pitched tone

            TEENAGER stands

TEENAGER WITH A PARASOL
Tommy Dilman
he wanted to go steady
i said no
please let me rest now

            drops out

            sits

            waits

            high-pitched tone

            TEENAGER stands

            but before she can speak

            the clock above them begins ringing

            it’s the end of the workday

            one by one each of the dead file out

            with no urgency or anguish

            just another day at the office

            TENNAGER WITH A PARASOL is the last to leave

            she kicks a chair on her way out

            but otherwise is completely numb in her affect

            she exits

            lights go out

            END OF PLAY