Dead Inside

FADE IN:

ACT 1

SCENE 1: MARY & THE REVEREND ARE INSIDE..

Set in a Church, Funeral setting. Mary, Kind & Devoted

Christian & Reverend , Pompous and selfish are discussing

inside and preparing before guests arrive.

Please note : Stage will be set up with a door Stage

right which will be entrances/Exits and also be the door

in which is referred to in the play..

MARY

(Praying)…Amen

REVEREND

(In a cheery disposition) Today is the

day…The day I get to perform my first

funeral after my father retired.

MARY

Reverend. Aren’t you being a little

insensitive I mean (Points to body) She

was a mentor here and dedicated her life

to this church..and to me..

REVEREND

Oh of course…She will be missed..

MARY

Hmmm

REVEREND

Oh Mary, It’s just the church is finally

mine! Everyone will get to see me up

there. The star of the show..And more

importantly unlike my father I am going

to make profit of this place! That’s

right I am throwing away my dad’s

principles of accepting only donations

for existing members and no more giving

away wine and bread. Instead I am

charging a fee! A hefty fee too! This

place needs to be done up!

MARY

Hmmm..I am not sure how your father

would feel about this but I do agree

(looking around) the place does need

doing up a bit..I mean theres those

lights , that roof , that floor , those

chairs , oh and that door is so close to

losing its hatch. I am just waiting for

one big gust of wind to shut and for us

to be stuck in forever!

REVEREND

OKAY I get it..but I do agree, that door

is the first thing to be fixed but don’t

worry my sweet , I have a large boulder

keeping it open! And would it be so bad

to be stuck in here with me (flirting

with mary)

MARY

(Mary Blushes) Looks like people are

starting to arrive, I better go ensure

the hymn books are ready

REVEREND

Good Idea, I need to go rehearse! Wish

me luck

MARY

Umm...Break a leg

END SCENE

ACT 1

SCENE 2 – MEET HARVEY & VIOLA

Harvey a workaholic and his wife Viola, closed off and

reeling for her husband’s attention and affection Enter

from door into ‘Church’.

HARVEY

(On Phone) Yes..Okay..Make sure it is

done by today, I am out of the office

but should be able to make it back in

(Checks watch) 2 hours max. Bye.

VIOLA

Do you think you could turn that thing

off for one day..For your own mother in

laws funeral.

HARVEY

Oh sorry, It is not exactly like I ever

met her Viola. You were never close with

your mother. I paid for this thing, It

wasn’t cheap. What else do you want me

to do?

VIOLA

Yeah , I guess your right..I just feel.

HARVEY

Sorry , Just got an email *Checks phone*

What were you saying?

VIOLA

Never mind..Go take a seat over there

and do what you need to do , I am going

to view my mother.

HARVEY

Okay Boss *Winks at Viola*

END SCENE

ACT 1

SCENE 3 – VIOLA & MARY ENCOUNTER

Viola looking at mothers body..Mary close by

VIOLA

Oh Mum..

MARY

Mum? Oh you must be Viola! *Hugs Viola*

Hi , I am Mary! I grew up here at the

church, I was left on the steps as a

baby actually and your mum basically

bought me up, she did! I used to call

her mum too, Guess that makes us

sisters!

VIOLA

I didn’t know that..

MARY

Yes , well I am sure there is a lot you

don’t know I mean How long has it been?

(Patronising) you didn’t exactly ever

visit or call your poor mum now did you.

VIOLA

Well no, I didn’t. But you don’t know

everything either! My mother was not who

you saw here at the church. She was not

at all and if you knew her you would not

be sitting here allowing her to be

buried in this (Looks around) place.

MARY

(Sweetly) Oh , I was not meaning to

offend you. Sorry , Oh look our first

sibling tiff! But look I know your

mother had a rough start to life but

once she turned to God , She repented

her sins and was reborn! That is the

great thing about God – Ask for

forgiveness and he will give it to you!

*Shift in personality* Maybe you can ask

for forgiveness for being a stuck-up

brat?

VIOLA

Excuse me?

End Scene

End of Act 1

ACT 2

SCENE 1: MY MOTHERS FUNERAL

Viola & Mary begin in a full brawl pulling each other’s

hair near where the body lays.

The boys hurry over and Harvey holds Viola back as

Reverend holds Mary Back.

REVEREND

Ladies…Ladies. Ladies, this is not the

way to behave and in a place of God.

MARY:

Oh Reverend, you are completely right ,

please forgive me for my sinning

behaviour. I tried to resist the devil

within but This Aethiest just attacked

me and in your house of worship.

VIOLA:

Aethiest? What is with the judgement! Oh

but wait that is what you people do

isn’t it. You think you are so much

better but you know what you will end up

shitting and pissing yourself all the

same when you kark it.

REVEREND :

Good heavens child.

MARY :

*Gasp* Viola more like VILE ! *Turns to Harvey*

How do you live with that mouth.

HARVEY

Viola ! (Aside) Do you have to embarrass

me? They are potential clients.I want to

invest in this place.

VIOLA

It’s my bloody mothers funeral , yes

that’s right MY MOTHERS ! I will act how

ever I want.

Lights narrow down on Viola

Yes..My Mother..Oh my sweet Godly mother.If

only these people really knew what she was

like. If they saw her like I did growing up

they (Pointing to Reverend & Mary) would not be

celebrating her death nor holding her in a

place like this.

Isn’t it funny nobody else wanted to

attend..Says a lot about the person she was.

You know she was the Black sheep of the

family..She ran away couldn’t stand their

judgement and ridicule, but she told me when I

misbehaved that they stayed away from us

because they hated me for being so naughty and

horrible. I grew up feeling so terrible but it

wasn’t till I was older till I realised who the

real horrible one was.

You know that Mary better watch

herself..Scoffs..Even today I am being treated

the same way..punished for no reason..Why do I

even bother. Harvey always ridicules me too you

know..Reminds me of how mum used to make me

feel..Maybe that’s why I am with him in a sick

twisted way as he reminds me of the only family

life I am used too..

It wasn’t always like that...He used to be so

loving and sweet. But he has what I call a

green thumb..No not the plant type the money

10

type..Everything and I mean EVERYTHING , Even

my god dam mothers funeral is a money

opportunity in his eyes.

I feel I am always smiling and playing a part

and even then somehow everythings always my

fault. Think I would be used to it by now

right?

*Slams Door*

Oh to hell with it , Lets get this bloody

thing over and done with hey!

End Scene

Act 2

SCENE 2- VIOLA & MARYS RECONSCILLIATION

Reverend is performing the service , Mary , Harvey &

Viola are all seated

REVEREND

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to

heart; the devout are taken away, and no one

understands that the righteous are taken away

to be spared from evil.

Harvey’s phone begins to ring..

Sequence begins :

Harvey looks at phone

Mary looks at Viola

Viola glares at Harvey

Reverend begins to open his mouth as if to speak and

phone rings again

Repeat of sequence

HARVEY

I am sorry , I have to get

this..Hello..Hello..Horrible reception

hold on I will go outside.

Harvey is furthest away from door and makes an obvious

disruption going over the two ladies.

Viola attempts to hide her shame as Mary looks on in

disgust.

REVEREND

Those who walk uprightly enter into

peace; they find rest as they lie in

death.

HARVEY

*Realises door is locked*

Psst..Viola..Psst

REVEREND

Why on earth in the name of God are you

interrupting my service?

HARVEY

I cant get out, the door is wedged shut.

REVEREND

Oh heavens! I was meaning to get it

fixed. Who moved the boulder?

MARY

I know who did it..Little Miss Vile..I

saw her

VIOLA

How was I supposed to know that it was

broken..

*To Harvey, Light-hearted attempt at a

joke * And to think you wanted to invest

dear

HARVEY

This is not funny Viola , You are always doing

things like this.Always trying to get my

attention with your childish little games..GOD

12

VIOLA you knew how important this deal was to

me..All I needed was one phone call…Maybe if

you had a better mother you wouldn’t be so

needy all the time and look what your neediness

has cost us now hey!

MARY

How dare you speak to her like that

Harvey?

HARVEY

Me? You just called her vile?

MARY

Yes , but that was before I saw who was

really vile here. Her mother has just

died and believe it or not no matter

what anybody thinks she was a loving

kind person who loved her daughter a

lot.

VIOLA

She did?

MARY

Yes , that is why I was so excited to

meet you! She told me stories about you

almost everyday. Almost made me a little

jealous.

VIOLA

Hmm..Look I am sorry about before ,

Maybe we could start over and you can

tell me some of the stories..I would

love to hear more about her..Today is

about her afterall..

MARY

Of course I will..

13

REVEREND

Aw look , you two have reconciled and

practiced forgiveness all in my house of

God. Thank you father..Now as great as

that is , I feel the urge to point out

to you that we are stuck inside with no

way out, no food and no water oh and a

dying rotting body. FUCK ME!

MARY , VIOLA & HARVEY

*Shocked and in sync*

FATHER

End Scene

Act 3

SCENE 1 – DEATH..DEATH..DEATH..DEATH

All lined up on stage facing audience apart

Black out – Spot Lights appear on each as they speak

VIOLA MONOLOGUE –

Death is a funny thing..It makes you

look at yourself and your life and well

makes you think about what life you have

left and the value of it..Are you

fulfilled? Are you living your best

life? Will you look back and have any

regrets?

MARY MONOLOGUE

I never thought about death until now.

Oh except for Easter. You know Jesus.

Anyway the thing is I am scared of

death. What if I was wrong and there is

no afterlife and I spent my whole life

preaching something that doesn’t exist..

No , I mustn’t think like this. God is

listening. I am sorry God, I am just

confused and scared. But..What if.

HARVEY MONOLOGUE

If I died in here at least I could have

some time off work *Chuckles to self*

isn’t that sad?..Imagine..If this was

it..a life of Eat , Work and fucking

sleep day in and day out until the day

you die..

REVEREND MONOLOGUE

These people are all here in MY

church..Does that make ME responsible?

Does that make ME a murderer? God please

forgive and help ME!

End Scene

ACT 3

SCENE 2 – MARY, I LOVE YOU.

VIOLA

We need to find a way out of here...

Maybe we should smash these windows to

get out...

MARY

Oh but that could be dangerous. Glass

everywhere and what would we break it

with..

HARVEY

What if I wrap my shirt around my wrist

and punch the window?

REVEREND

No , NO , NO , No ! These windows are

not getting smashed.. I will not allow

you to cause any more harm to my sacred

house of God.

MARY

I don’t think God would mind if it meant

we all survived, Father.

REVEREND

And I don’t quite think that YOU are

entitled to tell ME what GOD thinks.

MARY

Oh and you are? You were only telling me

this morning that you want to make

profit of this place.. *Reverend looks

uneasy*…You know father , I used to

adore you. We grew up together and I

never told you but I always imagined

marrying you but now I don’t even know

who you are..You are so greedy and full

of yourself. I want the old you that I

used to know who used to care about

people and well used to care about me..

*Mary walks away to look for a way out,

Harvey & Viola follow*

REVEREND

*Silent...To self-* I am sorry, I do

care about you Mary. I love you..

ACT 3

SCENE 3 – YOU ARE MY PRIORITY

The search for a way out continues..

HARVEY

Viola. VIOLA..*Looks around*

*To Mary* Where is Viola?

MARY

Relax Harvey, she couldn’t have gotten

too far

Viola appears. Harvey is very shaken

HARVEY

*Angry*Where were you?

VIOLA

I am sorry... I was just looking

for a way out near the back. Why are you

shaking?

HARVEY

*Softens* I was scared of losing you.

I don’t know what I would do without you.

VIOLA

Who are you and what did you do with Harvey?

I didn’t even think you would notice. You never

notice when I am here.

HARVEY

Don’t say that, I am sorry Viola. I don’t know

if it’s this place or your dead mother sitting

over there, but I have realised I want to

change. You are my priority. I promise.

End Scene

Reverend appears

ACT 3

SCENE 4- COMING

Carries on immediately from last scene..

Reverend joins group..

REVEREND

How sweet, another reconciliation. I

should start charging for these moments.

*Mary glares at Reverend* But on a

serious note. We need to get out of

here, It is getting late and I don’t

know about you folk but I for one do NOT

want to spend the night here.

*Defeated*I think the best thing is to

just break the windows or whatever you

have to do to get us out of here.

Who am I kidding? This place needs to be

shut down and properly renovated. It

will cost money but that is not

important *Reaches arm out Mary joins in

his arm*

*He then grabs handle* I mean this

handle itself has been here longer than

you have been Mary.

*As he holds the door it opens easily*

They all look at Harvey confused

HARVEY

*Embarrassed* Ohh..is it a pull door? I

thought it was a push door...

They all stop and laugh...They then begin to walk off

stage..Viola stops and addresses audience..

VIOLA

Like I said…Death is a funny thing..It

makes you look at yourself and your life

and well makes you think about what life

you have left and the value of it. Are

you fulfilled? Are you living your best

life? Will you look back and have any

regrets? I think we are all leaving a

little differently than we walked in

today. It’s like we all needed to get

close to death to decide to truly start

living...

Pauses

*Laughs to self-* Who knew that all we

Needed to do was open the door and take that

first step...

HARVEY

*Calls from off stage* Viola?

VIOLA

Coming… *Walks off stage*

THE END