Dangerous Games

Dangerous Games
by Mary Alice Mark
copyright Mary Alice Mark 1997
 
Cast of Characters
DIANNE: A student at "City" High.
JAMES: A student at "City" High.
 
SETTING: The dining area of a some,
defined by a large table and
some chairs.
TIME: The present.
 
At RISE: DIANE studies, discovers, then
addresses the audience.
DIANNE: Oh, excuse me. I was studying. Well actually, I was
waiting for my study partner. He's- -Oh! What am I doing?
You don't even know who I am! My names Dianne Walker. I'm
from-. [She names a town near the performance site.] And I
go to [She names a school near the performance site.] Hi!
It's okay, we can talk a little now. I want to ask you
questions, and I need to hear your answers, so, lets' try an
experiment.
When I need to hear clapping I'm going to go like this.
(DIANNE claps.) When I need you to be very quiet, I'm going
to go like this. (Gestures.) Lets' try that. (She claps
until the audience claps, then gestures for quiet waiting
until it is truly quiet enough to go on. She peers off, as
though she is looking for someone.) Like I said, I'm
waiting for my study partner. He lent me his backpack. But,
he's not my boyfriend.
(To someone in the audience.) How old are you?
(Repeating the answer, she claps.) How many other people
are ___? Hold up your hands if you're ___. Oh, that's a lot
of ___. What's your name? (Repeats name.) That's a great
name. Is anyone else here, called, (repeats the name).
Oh, wait, I think there's someone at the door. (Does quiet
gesture, waits for quiet.) Let me check. (Checks "door.")
No. He isn't my boyfriend. He is kind of cute, though.
(DIANNE stares at her watch.)
DIANNE: He's very late. It's hard to make a good impression
when you're late. (As though to a question from the
audience.) Hmm? His name? His name is, James.
[JAMES cheats in.]
DIANNE: Is anyone else here called, James? (Responds, some,
none, many Jameses.) Let's here it for James! (Clapping
gesture.)
JAMES: You can do better than that! Let's here it for,- -(He
names the production site and does the clapping gesture.)
Let's hear it for Dianne! Let's hear it for the world! (To
DIANNE.) See?
[Both do the quiet gesture.]
JAMES: So, what's up?
DIANNE: You're late.
JAMES: I'm sorry.
DIANNE: (Aside, to the audience.) Don't you think he's kind of
cute?
JAMES: Aren't we supposed to study.
DIANNE: Yes. Geography, "U." "S."
JAMES: Okay.
DIANNE: State capitals.
JAMES: All right. Is the capital of Kentucky pronounced Lou-ie-
ville, or; Lou-is-ville?
DIANNE: Lou-is-ville.
JAMES: What?
DIANNE: Lou-is-ville.
JAMES: The capital of Kentucky is Frankfort.
DIANNE: Oh! You-! Is that a joke? Frankfort. I'm tired of
studying.
JAMES: We didn't start yet.
DIANNE: I feel like running around the block.
JAMES: It's raining outside.
DIANNE: Let's play charades.
JAMES: Charades.
DIANNE: Oh, you remember, you pick a person, place, or; like,
the title of a book or a movie.
JAMES: You pick a person, place, or title and-?
DIANNE: You pick a person, place, or title and, you know, act it
out. We'll see if I can guess the person place or title.
JAMES: Charades with just two people?
DIANNE: Well, a game like charades, only we talk about the
reasons for our choices.
JAMES: Oh. A psychology-kind-of game. In here?
DIANNE: There's room.
JAMES: Okay, you start, I'll guess.
DIANNE: Oh no, why don't you start. I'll guess. Over there by
the bookcase, that can be the stage.
JAMES: I feel pretty silly.
DIANNE: Why?
JAMES: Ladies and gentleman! In the center ring we have, James
Martin. Muscles of iron. Mind of sharpest, tempered steel,
heart of- -oh! what is that?
DIANNE: My Mom's gun-.
JAMES: -Does she always leave it lying around? Doesn't she put
it away?
DIANNE: It is put away. That's where we keep it.
JAMES: Here?
DIANNE: On the shelf, why? What's wrong?
JAMES: Well-.
DIANNE: -Haven't you ever seen a gun before?
JAMES: No. I mean, yes. I mean, not now.
DIANNE: Not now?
JAMES: I don't intend to see one now.
DIANNE: What is the matter with you?
JAMES: Is it loaded?
DIANNE: Of course, or what good would it be?
JAMES: Don't you have a little brother?
DIANNE: Yeah.
JAMES: -Well, he, or any of his friends-.
DIANNE: -Oh, come on, what are you so afraid of?
JAMES: Don't bring that over here!
DIANNE: Silly.
JAMES: No way. (Heads towards exit.)
DIANNE: James?
JAMES: I won't stay.
DIANNE: Come on!
JAMES: Tell your folks to put it away.
DIANNE: Just let me show you.
JAMES: No way.
DIANNE: I'll put it someplace else.
JAMES: Don't touch that gun!
DIANNE: What's your problem?
JAMES: Dianne, I'm trying to help you.
DIANNE: I don't need help.
JAMES: Right.
DIANNE: Guns don't hurt people.
JAMES: It's the bullets that really do the damage.
DIANNE: Here-.
JAMES: (Aside.) -I thought you were so cool.
DIANNE: Let me show you.
JAMES(Still headed towards the "door."): No way.
DIANNE: Well, okay, let's study. (She sits at the table.)
JAMES: I thought you were so fine, so cool, so great. (To the
audience.) Sometimes it's hard to know. I guess maybe I
didn't handle that very well.
Let me introduce myself. My name is, James. James
Martin. My last name is a first name and my first name is a
last name. Different, huh? I live one block over, and three
blocks up, with my Mother and my little brother. And, once
upon a time I had a middle brother.
I like school, math, cats, science and basketball.
I don't like guns.
And I don't have a girlfriend. I don't even have a
study partner. (HE mimes playing basketball, underlining the
rhythm of the following.)
James Martin, that's me.
I'm young. I'm free.
I like science, and doing sums.
What I don't like, you know, is guns.
Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
DIANNE: He's a clown.
JAMES: Leave 'em down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
[JAMES continues to mime basketball
as DIANNE speaks.]
DIANNE: Oh. Now I don't know what to do.
I really thought so much of you.
But, this is weird.
And now, I find, I can not quite make up my mind.
JAMES: Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down. . . . James Martin, that's my name.
I'm young and free and I'm not insane.
I like my classes and it may sound sick,
But I really do like arithmetic.
I like cats and dogs and Dianne some.
What I don't like, you know, is guns.
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: That guns protection for the three of us.
Me, my Mom and my brother, Russ.
How can he make such a fuss!?
He's a clown.
JAMES: Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
Now, I'm okay looking, don't you agree?
I wouldn't ask her to do this for me.
DIANNE: Is he a clown?
JAMES: Leave 'em down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
DIANNE: He's really nice. He's always kind.
Please help me make up my mind.
Should I let James Martin walk,
or, see if maybe he will talk?
(Goes to JAMES as though it were the audience's decision.)
Dianne Walker, I'm the same.
(Continued.)
DIANNE (Continued.): I think I heard you say my name.
You're upset, it's plain to see, and
I sure wish you'd talk to me.
JAMES: Certainly, girl, somebody should.
That gun in there!? It's just no good.
Leave 'em down. Leave 'em down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Clown.
JAMES: Down. Don't stay around 'em, 'cause I mean it, leave 'em
down.
DIANNE: So, ' you want to talk about it?
JAMES: What?
DIANNE: Whatever it is that's making you act like this.
JAMES: No.
DIANNE: Well, okay then. (Goes toward the table. Pause.)
JAMES: Dianne, I never told anyone, and, you know, I don't
really know you.
DIANNE: I see.
JAMES: How old is your little brother?
DIANNE: Russ? He's seven.
JAMES: Seven. Dianne, have you heard about anyone his age
getting shot playing with a gun?
DIANNE: Well-.
JAMES(To the audience.): -How about you? Have you ever heard of
a kid about seven years old getting shot playing with a gun?
Please stand up now, if you"ve heard about a kid getting
shot-!
DIANNE: James!
JAMES: Some of these kids get killed.
DIANNE: Why don't we go sit at the table and have a nice talk.
JAMES: No way.
DIANNE: Well, can they, [the audience], at least sit down?
JAMES: Oh, sure.
DIANNE: Please sit down now.
(PAUSE until audience is ready to go on,
"quiet gesture.")
JAMES: Thank you.
DIANNE: Now, you were saying?
JAMES: No way. I won't stay.
Tell your folks to put it away.
DIANNE: James?
JAMES: No way. I won't stay.
Tell your folks to put that gun away.
DIANNE: I know how to handle a gun.
JAMES: And, Russ, your little brother, does he know how to
handle a gun? (To the audience.) Has anyone here heard of a
kid being killed playing with a gun some grownup left laying
around? Hands up! Come on. If you have heard of a kid
getting killed playing with a grown up's gun please raise
both hands. . . . Are they all standing, Dianne?
DIANNE: Yes. Most of the are, and I do get your point. So, can
they put their hands down now?
JAMES: Yes. of course. (To the audience.) Thank you. You can
put your hands down now.
DIANNE (To the audience.): Be comfortable.
JAMES: Tell your mother-.
DIANNE: -I can't.
JAMES: Why not?
DIANNE: She's my mother.
JAMES: So? You'll be talking about your brother, Russ, her son.
DIANNE: She's my mother. Don't you see!? How?
JAMES: How? Oh, I see. How? (After a pause, to the audience.)
Maybe you can help us out here.
DIANNE: How would you talk to your mother about this?
JAMES: How would you get the grownups at your house to put away
their guns?
[JAMES and DIANNE take turns,
repeating any ideas the audience
offers.]
JAMES: They have a lot of good ideas.
DIANNE: Yes, they do. But sometimes my mom, well-.
JAMES: -I know. . . . Roll play!
DIANNE: What?
JAMES: Roll play.
DIANNE: Now?
JAMES: Yes. Sometimes it really helps when you're trying to
work something out. So, I'll be your mom.
DIANNE: And? Who will I be?
JAMES: You. And tell me how you feel about the gun.
DIANNE: I'll try. . . . "Mom, I think we should talk about your
gun."
JAMES: Yes, dear.
DIANNE: I thought you were going to be my mother.
JAMES: I'm sorry. I thought, "yes dear," was good.
DIANNE: Well, it's not realistic. My mom would say, "What?" Or,
"What now?"
JAMES: What now?
DIANNE: She works very hard.
JAMES: I know.
DIANNE: And she thinks it's protection for us.
JAMES: Would she really shoot somebody?
DIANNE: I don't know.
JAMES: Could you?
[Pause.]
DIANNE: Mom got mugged once. A couple of months ago. It scared
her, and made her very angry.
JAMES: But, she doesn't take the gun with her.
DIANNE: She's afraid now, of lots of things. But, mostly that
someone's going to break in here. You know, all kinds of
bad things happen.
JAMES: Like getting shot with your own gun.
DIANNE: She thinks it's the best thing to do.
JAMES: Do you? Does Russ? Maybe he could help. Let's practice
this role play stuff a little. Then you can practice some
with Russ and, maybe talk to your mom together. You know, a
family thing. I'll be your mother. "What now!?"
DIANNE: That's better.
JAMES: More like your mom? Good. I'll do it again and you go
on, okay? "What now?"
DIANNE: Mom, we think we should talk about that gun.
JAMES: Oh? What about it?
DIANNE: It makes me a little nervous.
JAMES: Does it make you nervous too, Russ?
DIANNE: Oh, yes ma'am, it scares me soooo much! (She strikes a
silly pose.)
JAMES (Hurt by the silliness.): Thanks a lot. (Moves toward
exit.)
DIANNE: Why don't I put it away myself?
JAMES: You shouldn't touch it.
DIANNE: Why not?
JAMES: Lot's of reasons.
DIANNE: Like-.
JAMES: -Even though you're older, you'd like to show it off-.
DIANNE: -Not really-.
JAMES: -And, Russ must want to show it off to his friends-.
DIANNE: -I don't think-.
JAMES: -And your friends must ask what it feels like-.
DIANNE: -Not really-.
JAMES: -And how heavy it is-.
DIANNE: -No-.
JAMES: -What it sounds like-.
DIANNE: -Uh uh-.
JAMES: -Then there are your mom's friends-.
DIANNE: -She-.
JAMES: -And the neighbors-.
DIANNE: -James-!
JAMES: -And the paper boy-.
DIANNE: -Really-!
JAMES: -All just curious, wanting to know-.
DIANNE: -No-.
JAMES: -And the do get fired by accident-.
DIANNE: -Not if-.
JAMES: -How often do you come in and find it there?
DIANNE: That's where we keep it.
JAMES: Then, I can't stay here. (To the audience.) Don't stay.
Don't play, 'til grownups put their guns away. (HE starts
off.)
DIANNE: Don't stay? Do you want us to leave home?
JAMES: No, of course not. But when you come home, if that gun
is lying out there, I want you to take your brother and stay
with him outside, or, in another room.
DIANNE: Why is this so important to you? Please tell me. . . .
James, I've never had a boyfriend. I don't just mean the
kind to go out with, I mean I've never had a friend who was
a boy. So, I don't know, you know, how to reach out to you.
I kind of thought, maybe- -well, I know we're supposed to be
studying, but, I thought, hoped, maybe- -I mean we will
study. Of course we'll study, but, I wanted us to be
friends. Can you trust me?
JAMES: Name's James Martin. It's a blast.
Last's a first name. First's a last.
I live one block over and three blocks passed.
When you want to come over, you can get there fast.
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Don't stay around. 
Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
I live with my mother, and
One little brother, but
Once upon a time I had a
Middle brother.
Don't stay around. Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
(Continued)
JAMES (Continued.): A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Don't stay around.
Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
Life can sometimes be uncool.
But death, my friend's is always cruel.
Don't stay around.
Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Don't stay around.
Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
It isn't because I can't trust.
Dianne, it's 'cause it hurts so much.
I'm sorry.
DIANNE: Why?
JAMES: I'm crying.
DIANNE: I've seen people do that before. Tell me about him.
JAMES: How.
DIANNE: What was his name?
JAMES: Zak.
DIANNE: How old was he?
JAMES: Seven.
DIANNE: Russ is seven. How old were you?
JAMES: Twelve.
DIANNE: And, your little brother?
JAMES: Jerry was four.
DIANNE: Four!?
JAMES: Zak was seven and all full of that seven-year-old stuff.
(Continued.)
JAMES (Continued.): So proud, you know, 'cause he could read all
by himself. And he did read. Almost every afternoon for an
hour or so. Until Mama got home.
He'd stretch out here on his bed-.
(Pause.)
DIANNE: And Jerry?
JAMES: Of, well, do you remember what Russ was like when he was
four?
DIANNE: Ugh, Yes!
JAMES: Right. Jerry's favorite thing was to take all of the
stuff he could take out of the kitchen drawers and cabinets,
even the refrigerator. He still does, really. But, in
those days, he'd get this stuff and glue it all together.
DIANNE: You mean like bananas and a can opener?
JAMES: Right, with a pot and a can of beans or something.
DIANNE: Yuck.
JAMES: Mom thinks he's going to be some great artist or
something.
DIANNE: And what do you think?
JAMES: I think it's difficult to cook at our place.
(Pause. DIANNE prods.)
DIANNE: James-?
JAMES: Mom worked late that day.
DIANNE: Uh huh.
JAMES: They were playing in the bedroom. . . . I was watching
them. I was supposed to be taking care of them. The phone
rang. I was doing my homework, like usual and the phone
(Continued.)
JAMES (Continued.): rang. So, I was tipped back, I'll never
forget it, talking on the phone. You know how the cord
wraps around when you move it around a lot, enjoying a long
talk? 
Suddenly there was a horrible bang. It was ugly and
loud, but not as big as- -you might imagine. Right then, I
knew. I didn't even hangup the phone- -just ran into the
bedroom. Jerry was screaming, "Zak! Zak! Come on, it's your
turn. Please play with me!"
But I knew, and I think somehow, Jerry knew too. Zak
wouldn't be playing anymore.
DIANNE: Zak was-?
JAMES: Stretched out on his bed with his book all right, but he
wasn't reading.
DIANNE: Is he all right now?
JAMES: He's dead.
DIANNE: Are you saying that your little brother killed your
middle brother?
JAMES: That's right. Jerry wanted to play cowboys, or, army
guys, or good guys or something like that. And he used my
mom's gun to do it.
DIANNE: Is there anything I can do?
JAMES: It was all a long time ago.
DIANNE: I mean about now.
JAMES: It eases up after a very long while, but comes creeping
back at the strangest times.
DIANNE: Sorrow.
JAMES: And anger. And guilt.
DIANNE: Guilt?
JAMES: Was it Mama's fault? Or, Jerry's. Or, mine?
DIANNE: James!
JAMES: We didn't need a gun. And Jerry was told not to play
with it. But I was supposed to be taking care of them.
DIANNE: James-.
JAMES: Mama and Jerry feel it too. Sometimes, when I look into
their eyes, I know what they must see in mine.
DIANNE: What can I do to help, now?
JAMES: Tell people. Tell them how important it is. How many
lives are ruined? How many over? 
DIANNE: I'll talk to my mom.
JAMES: Tell everybody.
DIANNE: James, I think you need to tell everybody.
JAMES: It isn't because I can't trust, Dianne, it's 'cause it
hurts so much.
DIANNE: I'll help you tell. Awhile ago you were saying, what-?
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
JAMES: Don't stay around.
DIANNE: Leave 'em down.
JAMES: Down.
DIANNE: Tell the young and tell the old.
JAMES: Tell the ones who think they're bold.
DIANNE: Don't stay around.
JAMES: Leave 'em down. Down.
DIANNE: Down.
JAMES: Now, this idea you have about you and me being friends,
would that mean that we could never go out, you know, like,
on a date, or, something?
DIANNE: We could, I guess, but I do need to ask you a favor.
JAMES: What?
DIANNE: When Russ gets home, would you talk to him?
JAMES: I can do that.
DIANNE: And, would you help us with that role play? It really
is a good idea. Sometimes mom is-.
JAMES: -I understand. Yeah, we can do that. And then, I'll
invite him to the game.
DIANNE: What game?
JAMES: The basketball game I'm taking Jerry to tomorrow. Won't
it be more fun, if we all go?
DIANNE: I think I'd like that.
JAMES: Though it's hard to trust and such.
New friend, I like you very much.
DIANNE: I'm glad you're going to be my friend.
And now, since we are at the end-
TOGETHER (To, and with the audience.): A gun's not clever. No,
a gun's not cool. It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Don't stay around. Leave 'em down. Down. Down.
A gun's not clever. No, a gun's not cool.
It's a practical, modern-day killing tool.
Don't stay around.
Leave 'em down.
Down.
Down.
 
END OF PLAY