Today I quit my job (aka Season of Sandinista)

An: This is dedicated to the girl with Kryptonite (crypt-on-ite) like eyes. Who worked at a local department store for a whileonly tolater leave mysteriously.

CHARACTERS

HEAVY WOMAN - Weightymiddle aged female.

KRYPTONITE-EYES - Young female. Wears a bandanna at work. Uniformed in sky and dark blue.

SANDINO or (SANDY) - Young Male. Shaved head. Latin American. Uniformed in sky, and dark blue. When he works his shirt is partially open revealing his vest underneath.

CROWD - Mainly working class. Sporting jewellery their wages couldn’t cater.

STORE WORKERS - Fully uniformed men and women.

EN SPECTRE - A dark figure. Dressed mainly in a long trench coat that really hangs. His mouth is partially covered by his turtle neck sweater. He wears a hat, and a white glove. Picture a human size ‘little oracle’ the sidekick in He-man masters of the universe.

SETTING OF PLAY

It is afternoon. A weekday, Tuesday. We are looking through the wall size windows of a local department store building, one floor. There is a patient queue waiting outside, looking working class on average. Above them there is a “slashed sales” closing down sign. Some of them appear to be wearing too much jewellery. The light of the stage side scroll across the tills from left the entrance to right, there are twelve tills, and we stop at till number seven.

All the workers are wearing uniform.

From the entrance of the shop to the left far down is a fair skin girl with Egyptian appearance by till seven. There is no expression on her face, and her features are rather rare, she has greenish crystal or kryptonite eyes. She wears a black bandanna over her head. From the outside you can only see her profile, sitting, looks down at the counter like she is studying it, and then takes a violent swing around her seat. Another worker, a man Sandino can be seen approaching from outside. He seems to be carrying a crate on his shoulders. He bumps into the cue, in front of Sandino is another worker squinting his face, fast paced. He is carrying nothing.

FIRST ACT

A WOKRER: Excuse me, scuse me, let me in folks! Em-uh…(hesitant) I need to get in.

MAN: well eh, so do we, Cant you see? (signals to people behind him)

A WORKER: heh.(pointing to badge), I – I work here. This is my job. Get it? (pause) can I get through? (they let him go)

Thank-you. (Pause. He turns around) Yeah everybody make way for this guy. (he gestures to Sandino to approach).

A heavy woman approaches the till seven. With her head held high. She drops everything in her carton patiently on the sliding till mat. Everything has a half priced sticker attached to it, and so its all in twos. She has another trolley full of bottled liquor.

HEAVY WOMAN: Hellooooo… world (pause)

(Kryptonite-eyes rubs her nose shabbily. Heavy woman smiles).

Kryptonite-eyes draws the biggest bag in sight as if to swallow the woman, she ruffles it hard

Starts to work mechanically.

The till starts to ding! Ding! And Ding!

HEAVY WOMAN: Lovely girl,(blushes, pause)how long have you been working here? (pause) No seriously…, shouldn’t you be in school or what not? There’s plenty of opportunities out there for your age range, like that black comedian said; the worlds at your fingertips. (Looking to the day outside)

(Kryptonite-eyes shows arranges her drinks so they all gather according to sort. She takes her finger and starts to point at them)

HEAVY WOMAN: Yes, big Al my hubby tells me not to overdo it, but you know sometimes when you got the urge, go with it.

KRYPTONITE-EYES: Gonna pay in cash? (Holds out hand).

HEAVY WOMAN: No, put it on my card. (pause). Really, you should be making something of yourself though? (concerned). Look what you put yourself through.

KRYPTONITE-EYES: (no eye contact) Nope – not really, my manager might see.(packs bags)

HEAVY WOMAN: Well it was nice talking to you… (pause) em ok, Thank God you don’t rely on tips ok., think about what I said ok? Think about, (shocked) oh my … can you see that?

Kryptonite eyes turns to where the woman is for a moment her body pauses then her head extends over her shoulder and past her Sandino approaches. Holding crates side by side he almost loses his balance and then like Michael Jackson quickly bends his knees like nothing happened, looking onwards. Passing her.

Kryptonite eyes looks on, (talking to her self) her voice echoes in a dreamy way.

KRYPTONITE-EYES: (internal thoughts) Yeah…… My last day. What do you think Sandy? Cant eh? Can. Think. Huh?

What?

Almost lost it there did you?

What would have happened? What would have happened if you did? A couple of bottles broken.

Who are you impressing? Not me. Not a word, work here, mop here but not a word, Ive seen him around. He’s not so great. How many years now, and no connection, I could break him, if he left an opening. Too guarded, what’s the harm? Wheres he going now? Behind those doors, what’s so special in there?

Sandino signals to the security to let someone in.

He holds his arm out like a General would. Kryptonite-eyes looks astonished at this silently watching him.

KRYPTONITE-EYES: (as before) Em eh…where was I?

For a moment it is as if Sandino seems to look in the direction of the tills past her, his eyes pause as if he caught something from behind. He shakes himself off, and heads to the other end.

KRYPTONITE-EYES: (as before) yeah I’ve seen him around, hes not so great, unless…

Then her phone rings, in synch as Sandy walks, shirt open sleeves rolled up, white vest showing. Tucked out. And the ring tone is ascending in pitch.

He violently throws down two empty crates as if bowling, they slam into the push-in store-room doors. The two boxes get in, and you here a yell from afar. The audience outside still look calm and unknowing.

He rubs his nose, and heads to the door, krypton eyes follow him there.

HEAVY WOMAN Hey! Ya not deaf too? (coyly)

KRYPTONITE-EYES: Huh…unless

HEAVY WOMAN : What? (blinks. deflating)

KRYPTONITE-EYES: Un-less…

HEAVY WOMAN : (mustering strength) What are you looking at? (Pause. Breathes) Just asked if you saw all those people outside, I swear the people have doubled over the past few minutes, and barely a face do I know. (hand on heart. Breathes). What gives? Waiting to come in here. time is a precious comm-on-ditty dear, just look at them… waiting to come in. (Kryptonite-eyes hands her, her receipt, THE WOMAN takes it and walks off)

Kryptonite-eyes separates arms and slides them across grocery rubber mat

The stage light is on her and her alone now. She looks up. All is silent.

Her phone rings. She wakes, and signals to someone far off to take her place. She then sighs as another customer approaches into the light with pretty much the same goods as the woman before.

She pulls her bandanna over her eyes.

Ding! Kryptonite-eyes startled lifts her bandanna to see the customer waiting.

CUSTOMER: Howdy! (courteously)

She adjusts her bandanna perfectly looking forward past the other tills she signals as a General would. Customer puzzled at this.

Sandino comes out of the store room. Stays by the door. He can see the whole shop. His arms on his waist eyes looking wayward. Some other worker passes by and says something to him.

SANDINO: Huh? (to other worker)

-What?

-Yeah?

The other worker walks off.

Sandino walks over to his right, far end where the drinks are kept. Stops. Sees a misplaced bottle. Wags head. Picks it up to put to it right. Walks further into lane a wall separating two rack mounds of alcoholic drinks. Turns. Walks back facing the second rack. Whistling the tune on Kryptonite-eyes mobile. Stops. Turns to first rack. Sees the same bottle misplaced again.

Slaps head with right hand. Light illuminates at the wall behind him Enter En-spectre. Unseen to Sandino.

EN SPECTRE:
(folding arms. whispering) Hey boy! Want to make a killing?

(Sandino shaken, turns) Want to make a killing bro? (pause) come. (Gestures with hand)

Sandino looks around the shop, and to the wall between the racks. En Spectre is gone.

EN SPECTRE: Come (sticking head out from rack)

Sandino walks up to him.

-Come (can only see hand)

Sandino walks to where he anticipates the figure will be. he is not there

Turns around. He is at the top of the ladder by the racks.

EN SPECTRE: So boy…want to make a killing? (smiling)

(Sandino pointing to himself).

-Big money, you know? Money?

SANDINO: Yeah. (hesitantly)

En-spectre smiles with chin on hand his ragged shirtsleeve falls revealing some jewellery. He stays unmoved, but has Sandino’s attention.

EN SPECTRE: (more confidently) So as I was saying, (pause) take a look at yourself, and look at me. I know how you can make money. (pause) What do you want to buy boy, anything? Money can buy you out or into anything cant it?

SANDINO: Ye-ah (almost possessed)

EN SPECTRE: Good. (coming down the ladder) Of course if I tell you this you’ll say a prayer for me, wont ya boy? (Sandino doesn’t respond). Ok well. Hand me some of that Jonnies over there. (Looks around) got any cheese crackers? (Sandino looks around timidly) Ah your boss. Your boss nothing! I could be your boss. Do you even know how your boss looks like?

EN SPECTRE: So as I was saying. (Pause. Takes a bite) This cheese is fake! (face in disgust. Pause. Rubbing hands) So as I was saying. Listen to me! Let me ask you. What will you be doing say in a month from now? (silence) Do you know where you’ll be? Not here, this place is packing off, as you know.

(getting animated) What would you say if I tell you that today I know ten people, yes ten other people, workers like yourself, who will be making a twenty times what you are making now, and for a fraction of the time. (silence) Still there? But what if I said out of the ten you are the first? (breathes)

Yes. You. Make some money, but you don’t have to die trying. Shall I tell you how boy? (Sandino signals for him to continue)

You see that blue light opposite this building? (gesturing across) No dummy don’t look now, I mean at night. There’s a blue light up high opposite this building. You can see it from yards away outside. It shines from the cark park to the entrance leading here. You’d think you were having an odyssey to Pluto looking at it. You don’t know? How long have you worked here, yet you know nothing about this place? Me I’m just a passer-by. I tell you. One night like this what time I am not aware, (pause) I say deep into the night, as I was walking along the dark streets up this end when I saw from a far, a blue light. ‘My Days’ I thought what can that be, me being a little on the bottle that night (takes a sip) I thought my eyes were playing tricky, so I go closer (creeps)

I see nothing, and I hit my head hard on a brick wall, and then unload my tank

(Swaggers an arm between his legs bending down) While I’m leaning I see to my sides far off something like flies on fire. Fire? Flies! I thought at night? Where am I? I look see that its mobile phones lighting up from below.

I come down the bridge, and slip and fall a little bit. My coat is a bit dirty now. I am on the ground now. I see the stores nearby and there all closed. But there is still blue light. When I reach the car park to this light I smell the air full of cherry champagne and crispy bacon. I wonder, and I hear Mexican guitars, you know like that “Apache” anthem. To my surprise the park is full of BMW’s and Benzes like you’ll never get here. I think I saw a limo drive off. (reclining on a wall looking elsewhere)

I heard the sounds and chants of women as if they were having a hen party, or so I get curious. And you know the funniest part? This very shop you are standing in now was closed right? I tell you there was no light on, but the doors were open I say. What was going on, I don’t know. But it was funny business. I was about to approach this store even though I be frightened you know, when my heart jump and I see coming out of the opposite building a badly dressed half drunk Londoner. (straightens up)

He was rolling down the stairs to the ground you know. I say, let me go over, and talk with him. Maybe he will tell me what’s happening. I say ‘alright mate?’

He looks at me, and says (pointing to Sandino) ‘lucky you, you are on your way’

I say ‘what you are talking about?’ He says ‘yeah, yeah.’ Then he stumbles. ‘I was this close. My friend this close, but that’s life you win some and lose some don’t ya? Well what are you waiting for get in there?’ He told me. ‘Actually mate, could you do me a favour?’ he say. I say ‘what can I do for you?’

‘Can I have your coat?’ Then he fell backwards into a large dust bin.

This dirty thing. (pointing to his coat) I never laughed so hard in my life. (flashing his jewellery deliberately) This jacket, what do you need it for?Then hesays to me with his head in the bin (muffling his voice) ‘Well you see I’m kind of under it as they say, ive got nothing to play this night. Please! I’m begging you. I flip a coin at him, it hits the bin so you can hear it on the whole street. He comes tumbling over trash bags to take the coin. He is thanking me. As happy as a fruitcake, as they say in America. (pause) At this point the door to that building across this store right behind this badly dressed 'geezer' opened slightly under the blue light, I thought I saw a man dressed as if he was 007 himself. He waves over to me. I stay put. The other guy rushes in instantly the doors close behind them. Not a second passes and the other guy comes flying out again, now hes crying. I’m just standing thinking to myself what is this? When the door opens again. And this time I see a head, no face but a head of a man. He says to me to come. (signals with hand) so I be brave. In all my 36 years of wondering these streets at that moment not knowing where I was going, I walk up the steps to this blue light shining through the windows, and door. I go inside.

And like that I get lost into the night. It was my night. And now look what I’ve got here, look at this fine thing. It could be yours too, the opportunity is around you and you don’t know it. but now you know it, because I tell you. I tell you for free (wipes his mouth) Don’t worry about that. Its not everyday you here this sort of thing now is it? (Sandino laughs) You think this is funny. I come here to tell you your life.

There is silence around them. En spectre now takes a deep breath and approaches Sandino who is now sitting on a stool.

EN SPECTRE: Thanks for the processed cheese boy. (patting his back) do you know what they make that stuff with? Ah well not in my mix. I’m going now, take this. (gives him a gold watch from his pocket)

If you don’t quit this job by the weekend, sell this. You might need it soon boy. Entertain your girl or something. (watches Sandino investigating watch) Yes look at it pure carat gold, you wont find it on any high street. (Sandino puts watch into pocket as if to investigate later) Do you want some more, then be the first in line. Follow me! (sighs) ah, you hesitate. (gestures to go, looks back at Sandino)

Who’s your boss? Follow me. (pause)

At this point Sandino rises. And the noise of the store resumes. Customers in the shop are approaching where he is. He is on his guard.

EN SPECTRE: Fine stay here. Watch this place go under. It’s your loss. (Turns to leave, sneaks a look behind sees Sandino behind him. Smiles)

That’s more like it.

Sandy follows behind the Spectre, they are about to go the rear exit, when a voice yells at him

VOICE OF A WORKER: (yelling) Eh where are you going? Get back. Look at your watch, and get busy. Get on.

Sandino turns his head trying to keep his eyes on En Spectre, Trying not to turn his head

VOICE OF A WORKER: (as before)You! Sandy?

He turns his head. Heads to his till. At the end till 12. Turns to look at En Spectre. He is gone. He lets out a sigh.

ACT 2

Sandino is busy reading a magazine by till twelve. All the other tills are empty, and the shop has barely any customers inside. Outside still the people wait. Its deep in the evening and a worker approaches yells out to Sandino.

WORKER: Yeah, we should be leaving in fifteen so wind up.

Suddenly a whole load of DVD’s Lost Highway, Twin Peaks, Twilight Zone, Wild at Heart, Mudhulland Dr, and Strange Days, Donnie Darko, Usual Suspects, and other unknown late-night type of films drop on the till mat. They seem in good condition but have no slashed half price sticker on them. Sandino raises his head and sees a girl with green crystal krypton eyes. She is dressed in causal wear, with her hair down.

He investigates the film titles. Folds his magazine, grabs the shop’s scanner, then stops. He looks at them.

SANDINO: Em… madam where did you…

KRYPTONITE-EYES: I dreamed them. (shoves till. smiles) Wanna watch? I bet you haven’t seen a single one. One was on TV last night, no one I know around here knowsare into these stuff thoughI especially like the one where a guy gets a second chance to fix things up. I think I can relate to that. It’s a shame that house kept blowing up though. (sighs. smiles) what a mind f-- eh?

SANDINO: Woman, you know nothing about me! (scratches head) Anyway, the house kept blowing up in that film because no matter how many times the fellow tried he couldn’t reverse the results his nature has brought. (looks at his own watch)

KRYPTONITE-EYES: Well, well (impressed) Anyway let me tell you something wicked. (pointing to shopping bags) pack these for me. You know that abandoned buildingacross the road? (silence)

SANDINO: Where do I know you? (finger on lips)

KRYPTONITE-EYES : (looks to ceiling) Do you call work a living? (looks at his name tag) Sandino eh? I’ve heard of a Sandino before. In school , some revolutionary from Latin America. Sandinista I think. Never mind.

You could say I work-lived quite close to this area, yeah I’ve spent a lot of time here. You don’t know much of this area do you?

A WORKER approaches their till. Looks oddly at her, and enviously at Sandino.

WORKER: (reluctantly) Sandy, come to the back when you are done yeah?

SANDINO: (to Kryptonite-eyes) Ive got to…

KRYPTONITE-EYES : (sensing his thoughts) Yeah? Not for me though. I just quit my job. (she jumps jubilantly). Yep just today. No word nothing. Just put uniform into a rubbish bin. I just quit. (spinning bag like a chopper). I guess Im going.

Sandino looks confused. SANDINO looks at the empty till seven and to her again. She shows him a bracelet in gold. It shines under the lights.

KRYPTONITE-EYES : Look at this. (showing him) Just got it today. Some pauper gave it to me today, and now for some reason I feel lucky.

She slowly draws back. He arises after like he is following her, but as she reaches the exit he heads to the storage room ignoring the staff room ‘the back’ where the other workers are.

She looks at him from the exit. Storage room doors close behind him. Storage room doors open. He emerges with coat. Looks to the empty exit.

He comes out. No one by the exit. He side scrolls the whole shop window. Tries to look over the crowd who now are turning their backs one by one to the shop. Facing the opposite building in anticipation. Sandino is called from the inside.

WORKERS: (from the shop)Sandy! Sandy!

He ignores them tries to race out but is blocked by the people who are now murming amongst themselves. He persists through the crowd. He is yanked out of the line.

KRYPTONITE-EYES: Good things come for those who wait. (she has no bag) we’ve waited to be available for now.

SANDINO: You!

KRYPTONITE-EYES: Hey. Well this is it. this is where we wait.

SANDINO: Till what?

Sandino looks to the shop and the lights are off. The doors closed and the workers in it are leaving to their cars. He doesnt try to approcah them.

Kryptonite-eyes is looking forward, silent. Her eyes are glowing, and she is in a general’s stance poised, one arm pointing out to the building.

He draws away from her. Draws away from crowd. Heading towards building door. Clicks it open slightly as he climbs stairs. Blue light seeps through.

VOICE FROM DOOR: Come!

END