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PITY THE FOOL

by D. M. Larson

Pity the Fool by D. M. Larson from freedrama.net (cast: 2m 2w)

A man, JEORGE, hangs on the wall as a part of a modern art piece.  People walk through the gallery and look at the odd pieces of modern art.  A couple of women, SAGE and MARY stop at the man.

SAGE

What's this?

MARY

It's called "Pity the Fool."

SAGE

It's amazing.  The man looks so lifelike.

Mary

It's like he could walk right out of the painting and talk to us.

Suddenly Jeorge's eyes pop open and the women are startled.

JEORGE

Do you have any water?

His eyes close again.  Sage and Mary look at each other and then the painting again.

SAGE

You heard that right?

MARY

Yeah.

JEORGE

Water.

SAGE

I'll get some water.

Sage leaves.  Mary wants to follow and doesn't want to be left alone.

JEORGE

Wait.  Please.

Mary reluctantly stops.  She looks around but is alone.  She cautiously returns.

MARY

What?  Uh... who?  I mean...

JEORGE

Why am I here?

MARY

Sure... let's ask that question.

JEORGE

This is my self portrait.

MARY

Pity the fool?

JEORGE

Yes.

MARY

Well... it's working.  I feel sorry for you.

JEORGE

Everyone does.

MARY

Oh...

Mary looks around nervously hoping Sage will return.  Jeorge climbs down off the background and sits at the edge of the art looking very hurt and sad. Sage returns with some bottled water.

SAGE

Found some water.

Jeorge takes it from her and gives a weak smile.

JEORGE

Thank you.

Jeorge drinks and lets the water refresh him.  Mary and Sage look at each other and then at Jeorge nervously.

MARY

So uh... this is a self-portrait.

SAGE

You're the artist?

JEORGE

Yes.

SAGE

I have to say I've never seen anything like this.

JEORGE

It's a variation on the living statue idea. 

MARY

So not original?

JEORGE

Not really.

They are all quiet a moment.

SAGe

Well, I've never seen anything like it.

JEORGE

Then you haven't been out much.

SAGE

What?  Look, we're trying to be nice.

JEORGE

Because you pity me.

MARY

That's what you want isn't it?

JEORGE

How do you know what I want?!

Sage and Mary start to back away. Jeorge curls up at the bottom of his art.

SAGE

Look. I think you're a little too much of a method artist. 

Jeorge is starting to cry.

MARY

Is he crying?

SAGE

Let's get out of here before he totally flips out.

MARY

But he's so sad.

SAGE

It's some twisted performance art I think. 

Mary

You have to admit.  It's pretty original.

SAGE

Just because it is different, doesn't mean it's good.

Jeorge looks up sadly at Sage.

JEORGE

You... you don't think it's good?

SAGE

Let's go.

Sage tries to go but Mary doesn't leave.

MARY

I think it's one of the most interesting things I've ever seen.

JEORGE

You're just saying that to be nice.  You don't really feel that way.

MARY

I do.  Really.  Art is always so bland and two dimensional.  Your work is so... alive... literally.

Jeorge gives Sage a pouty look.

JEORGE

She hates it though.

Sage gives him a dirty look and Jeorge gets sad and collapses in to his art.

MARY

Say something nice to him.

SAGE

What? No.

MARY

Do it.

Sage reluctantly goes up to Jeorge.  Mary pushes her closer and Sage slaps her hand away.  Sage is next to him.

SAGE

Okay, I have to admit.  This is the most unusual... (Mary pokes her) ...different... most creative piece of art here tonight.

Jeorge says weakly:

Jeorge

Thank you.

Sage turns to Mary and pulls her away.

SAGE

Can we go now?

MARY

You go.  I'll catch up in a minute.

SAGE

Whatever.

Sage leaves.  Mary goes up to Jeorge and kneels down next to him.

MARY

What happened to you that inspired this?

Jeorge sits up slowly and looks up at his background.

JEORGE

It's a long story.  Everything you see here represents something that's happen in my life that has brought me to this point.

MARY

The images are stunning.  I've never seen a work of art with so much story to it.  I could probably sit here for hours trying to figure it all out.

JEORGE

Stay then.

MARY

I have to go... how long will you be... on display?

JEORGE

This is the last night.  I'll hopefully be showing this in other galleries though.

Mary gives him a business card.

MARY

I would like to see you... and your work again. Here's my number.  Call me when you're showing this again. 

JEORGE

I will.

MARY

I better go.  Great work on this.  It's very moving.

Jeorge gives a weak smile and waves good-bye as Mary leaves.  He climbs back up in to his original position.  Frank enters and goes up to Jeorge.

FRANK

You got another number didn't you?

JEORGE

Yup.

FRANK

There has to be an easier way to pick up women.

JEORGE

What can I say.  I'm a fool.

FRANK

Ain't that the truth.

THE END

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