Ball

Idea from James Knowlson’s biography of Samuel Beckett – “Damned to Fame”:

When Beckett travelled to New York to supervise the filming of “Film” (1965), he attended a baseball game with his American editor/publisher Barney Rossett. Beckett could eventually follow the game; this was the only time he visited New York and the only baseball game that he attended. Not sure which team he saw (Mets or Yankees).

I thought that it would interesting to imagine a Beckett play based on the world of baseball players. He already had the image of a half-to-fully buried figure in “Happy Days” and it was an image that haunted me as I came up with this weird tribute to that performance.

Just my feeble attempt at something:

Setting: gentle light comes up on pitcher’s mound; sound of the stadium crowd fades as the light come up (the sound is always in the background slightly). Baseball pitcher (halfway into the mound), facing the audience (sharp look). No number on his uniform. Hat (any colour), baseball glove, black paste under the eyes.

Spoken at a normal pace (not rushed):

“…Happy day, indeed. Did I remember to put on that crap? (Checks his face) Yes. One thing done. (Looks at stage left). What does he want? (Squints) Up? Down to the left? (Recognizes it) Ah, two fingers in the groin; the curve to the left. Already gave him that. The next one will be to the right. (Pause) When I’m ready. (Looks up) So hot today. A happy day? (Sings his own melody) “Sunday, Monday, Tuesday…” Great song. (Pause) Did I remember to call her? (Looks at his watch) Told me what she wanted. Eggs, milk, icing sugar; eggs, milk, icing sugar; eggs… (Squints at stage left) Again? (Looks closer) No, the right and down. Breaking ball. (Frowns) Why do we call it that? It just goes down a bit. Or up. (Pause) When it’s ready. (Pause) Eggs and what? Icing sugar… (Has realization) A cake! She’s making me a cake for my birthday! (Pause and then frown) But it’s not my birthday. Not for two months. (Pause) Her mom? No, she’d tell me. And she never makes me cake. (Squints again at stage left) Okay, I know. Another happy day. Bottom of nine and I am out of here. (Pause) Yes, sir.”

- At this point, a baseball sails gently into the air from stage left in an arc; speaker catches it; roar of the crowd; announcer states that the game is over; no expression on the face of the speaker. Lights fade out with stadium noises dying down.

End

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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