Another Day

Warning this is a saddening radio play - viewer discretion is advised, handles tough situations such as suicide.

This was written by two people myself Jack Kirwood and a good friend Jonathon Cattell

Characteristic Traits

Stan: He is suicidal.

Bob: He is a concerned friend, but he is more worried about work then her friends.

Frank: Want’s to help, but can’t.

Jeff: Big boss. He is a massive douche bag.

Extras

Announcer: Charismatic

Bystander: Waring others

NOTE: All the character’s moods are up for interpretation, the director and actors choose the mood. The dialogue will point how it would be.

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Stan: (Long sigh) There’s no point. It’s time that I just gave up and faded away.

Bob: Stan, Stan. Listen to me. Don’t jump. Please just take another pill and get down. I can help you get a job.

Stan: Work, eh. That’s all I’ve ever done. For six years I spent my life, grovelling in limbo in this office. I waited, I hoped for one day for me to become more than just another number. I hoped for a better life. And look at me now. On the precipitous, looking at my demise. I’m in a loveless life… with no legacy, no-one waiting for me at home. Not anymore. I’ll see you soon, Suzan. Good bye Bob.

Bob: Good bye Stan.

SFX: Long falling through the air followed by a large window breaking. The song "Look On Down From the Bridge” by Mazzy Star plays for 10 seconds

Silence for 3 seconds.

SFX: Party streamer, pouring drink

Stan: (fake happiness) Happy birthday me. You managed to do it again. Another year down. Woooh. (Sigh) What’s the point. Since Suzan died I just can’t even fake being happy.

Bob: Hey, come on now. Don’t think like that. We’re here and we care about you. Happy birthday Stan. Now come on chin up and pop another pill, we start work in half an hour.

Frank: We’re here for you. Now pop another pill and come on, also I heard you’re up for promotion.

Stan: Thanks guys. (Swallows pill) you’re right. Suzan would have wanted me to go to work. And not to give up on life. Even while, well, that’s what she did.

Bob: Happy face now. Come on, don’t be a downer. You wouldn’t want to go to section 18-C with the rest of the downers. Remember happiness is a choice. And Mr Jeff wouldn’t like it if he had to cancel your employment.

Stan: Okay, let’s go.

SFX: Foot-steps into office ambience

Jeff: Oh Stan, how’s life?

Stan: (faked happiness) yeah pretty good, lovely shade of overcast isn’t it.

Jeff: Most certainly, oh, and can I see you in my office, there’s something important I wanted to tell you about.

Stan: Sure thing sir, of course.

SFX: Foot-steps going away

Stan: Hey Frank, my birthday just got good.

Frank: Cool, and good luck mate.

Stan: Cheers.

Jeff: Come on now Stan, stop dilly dallying and get in here.

Stan: Of-course sir.

SFX: Foot-steps going away

Jeff: Close the door please!

Office ambience stops.

Jeff: Thank you. Please, sit. So now down to business. How would you like to be the chief editor of Jeff’s Happy Hour? I would have to scan you and look up your records to ensure there’s no mishaps… Of course.

Stan: It would be an honour sir. And I’m certain there’s nothing to pick up.

Jeff: I’m sure there isn’t, but I can’t go against bureaucracy. Oh, just to clarify you understand we have a no downer policy, right.

Stan: Of course. Everybody learns that during induction.

Jeff: Good, good. (Typing, cheery hum) Oh, oh that’s not good at all. According to this your wife and children died last month in a car crash. Well, you certainly don’t look upset, after all you didn’t die and you seem as snug as a bug on a drug.

Stan: Thank you sir, I never leave home without my Joy.

Jeff: Umm, hmm. Is there any time you are not on your Joy?

Stan: Well I try to be on it as often as possible, after all happiness is an option. Why fight against the joy?

Jeff: Oh, excellent! I was worried you would be a downer. (sigh of relief) That’s good. Okay continuing on… Da, da, da. da… da. Another, Jesus this machine. What is it with these errors. Okay let’s check your home surveillance.

Stan: You put cameras in my home?

Jeff: Well not me personally, but yes it’s routine for all employee houses to be rigged with security. Security for both you and the company. After all we take our zero-downer policy very seriously.

Stan: That seems like an invasion of my personal space.

Jeff: Oh it most certainly is but look you’re obviously not a downer, so relax. Let the joy flow through you. Only downers have things to worry about.

Stan: Okay. You’re right, as usual.

Jeff: There we go… wait, what’s this? You liar! You’re one of them. Security! Send this piece of filth to section 18-C.

Stan: Oh crap, no come on. I’m not one of them, I’m not one of them! Scan me I’m on my Joy, I’ll be good.

Jeff: (Scanning) Well you are on your joy. You’re still fired. We can’t have any liabilities here. I’m sure you can understand.

Stan: Of course, thank you sir.

Jeff: Now get out of my building you scum.

SFX: Foot-steps walking away five second pause

Stan: Sixteen days since I was fired Frank. Since then I’ve ran out of joy, ran out of money. Can’t afford rent, or any of the bills. They’re going to evict me Frank what can I do?

Frank: I don’t know mate, I don’t know.

Stan: What if I become a laddie’s man?

Frank: Sorry man, but you’re not much of a looker.

Stan: Janitor?

Frank: Need a certificate for that now. And well… that’s an investment you can’t make. I would offer for you to stay at my place, but there’s like twenty people already staying with me.

Stan: I’ll get all the money I currently have, sell everything. I’ll bring food, water and clothes. I’ll be a modern swag man.

Frank: Swag man?

Stan: Yeah you know like way back, like two thousand years ago in the 1900’s.

Frank: Well, good luck man. Oh, and hey, don’t forget to say goodbye to Bob before you go. We’re going to miss you. You always kept us sane in the office... Jeff’s constant smile and happy mood sickens me.

Stan: Cheers, oh, never go for a promotion. That’s how they get you. They can’t fire you without proof and the only time they can check your records is when you’re up for promotion. They’ll see this and the same will happen to you.

Frank: Crap man, ok.

SFX: buzzer

Frank: Damn, that’s Jeff. I’m going to be late. I got to run.

Stan: See ya… (sigh) what am I going to do.

SFX: Foot-steps going away, leading into rain.

Bob: Stan. You wanted to talk.

Stan: Yeah… do you think there’s an after-life?

Bob: Where did that come from? (Whispers) Are you off your joy? Here you can have some of mine.

Stan: Please just answer the question.

Bob: Yes… well I hope so. After all what else would happen when you die? That’s pretty damn depressing. Oh man, you’re a downer aren’t you. Crap! Don’t do anything stupid.

Stan: Stupid, no, no. For once I can see clearly, for what I am.

Bob: Well that’s good, now what was it that you wanted to tell me.

Stan: I’m leaving, and I wanted you to have the rest of my money. Where I’m going money doesn’t mean anything.

SFX: stepping upwards.

Stan: I’m finally doing something right.

By stander: (Screams) Holy crap! Get down. Code black. We got a downer. Take extra pills. Sir get down off the cliff.

Stan: Heh, I’m Stan, the standard guy. I guess I was made to be nothing special, just standard Stan.

Bob: Don’t, do it Stan.

Stan: (Long sigh) There’s no point. It’s time that I just gave up and faded away.

Bob: Stan, Stan. Listen to me. Don’t jump. Please just take another pill and get down I can help you get a job.

Stan: Work, eh. That’s all I’ve ever done. For six years I spent my life, grovelling in limbo in this office. I waited, I hoped for one day for me to become more than just another number. I hoped for a better life. And look at me now. On the precipitous, looking at my demise. I’m in a loveless life… with no legacy, no-one waiting for me at home. Not anymore. I’ll see you soon, Suzan. Good bye Bob.

Bob: Good bye Stan.

SFX: The song Cry, Cry by Mazzy Star plays

Announcer: Attention everyone do not harm yourself, your life is valuable. If someone is asking you about the afterlife and giving away valuables be suspicious. And always be there for the individual. If you have suicidal thoughts please call 13 11 14. It may save your life.