Plays in Search of an Ending: Provocative and Funny Sociodramas on Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas

Sociodrama

Increase Your Social and Moral Intelligence

Read a Play!

Whether read alone or enhanced by stage performance, concert reading or discussion, the underlying theme of my collection of plays is clear: every life is a play, and we, all playwrights in search of good endings.

As a retired clinical psychologist and Reform rabbi, I have thousands of case studies of interpersonal dilemmas crammed into my memory. I decided to explore some of the more challenging of them by writing eleven fictional plays, three full-length plays with controversial endings and eight short plays with no endings.

Each of the plays focuses on a major ethical issue. The full plays deal with marital infidelity and politics, the impact of the Holocaust on end of life, and religious freedom and excommunication. The short plays deal with reconciliation of enemies, gay relations, supernatural experiences, seduction, race relations, marriage for seniors, martyrdom and choice.

My plays strive to put a human face on some of today’s most intimate struggles. I have tried to do so in intriguing and humorous ways. You will judge that better than I.

Experience has convinced me that I understand others best when I put myself in their shoes. For me, plays, more than other literary forms, allow me to develop empathy for key characters in the midst of their dilemmas, and to understand points of view I never imagined. I am convinced that all of us, when we imagine ourselves, in turn, in each of the key roles, can ask, What ending do I want? Why do I want it?

And, if we decide to do so, sharing and discussing our answers with other open-minded persons can make for even more powerful experiences. No longer right or wrong, dilemmas become rational questions with reasonable choices for answers. With these goals in mind all the plays, long and short, are written as sociodramas—to provoke both individual and, especially, group reflection.

The process of learning to talk with others about controversial issues is the heart of social and moral intelligence. Frequently more important than intellectual intelligence, it enables us to live productive and harmonious lives. The book’s appendix contains discussion guidelines and an easy to follow inventory of communication behaviors for dealing with sensitive moral issues.

The full-length, two act plays are designed for the discussion to follow the first act. A trained group facilitator is best used to lead sharing-discussions held after public stage or concert performance of the plays, as well as for formal workshops or classes.

Included in the volume is award-winning and timely Spinoza, Maria and Excommunication. Benedict Spinoza is the Jewish seventeenth century philosopher who originated the doctrine of separation of church and state. The play reconstructs his personal story during the period of the excommunication trial.

This collection of plays introduces an exciting new dramatic form, designed for living room, classroom, meeting hall or Broadway: Plays in Search Theatre. Plays in Search Theatre is theatre without walls, where everyone is playwright, director, actor and audience.

FULL-LENGTH PLAYS

Affairs Of State

Affairs of State is a fictional satire on psychotherapy, sex, and power in Washington. The eighty-minute play, in two acts, requires a cast of five, three men and two women. A single unit set is adequate.

Cast of characters

In order of appearance

CONGRESSMAN THOMAS STACKTON: A distinguished presidential candidate in his early fifties

SALLY STACKTON: Congressman Stackton’s wife; a sophisticated political accomplice in her early forties

JANE: Sally’s friend and confidante; she’s brassy, sexy, and old enough to be Sally’s mother, and she would kill to get the story.

DR. BERT: A psychologist; a cross between the comedian Jackie Mason and the cowardly lion

BILLY SHARP: A private investigator; he resembles Humphrey Bogart with red suspenders.

Time: The near future

Setting: Washington, DC

Synopsis

Sally Stackton, convinced her presidential candidate husband is having an affair, enlists the services of a lecherous journalist, an inspector with an instinct for the jugular, and an unconventional psychologist. Together, after much discord and suspicion, they spring a trap. It brings the satire to a satisfying Washington climax.

Act I

Scene 1

(THE SETTING is Congressman Tom Stackton’s private office in Congress. He finishes a memo and files it in his desk. First he hesitates, then he picks up his portable phone and dials. He is seated on the edge of his desk. TOM seems to believe every word he speaks.)

TOM      Sally, sweetheart, this is Tom. Can you talk? Good. Is Jimmy in school?

(Pause)

Sally, it’s a lie. It’s a lie! It really is a dirty, obscene lie. I know you think I’m lying. I knew it was only a matter of time before you would believe them . I was scared you were too weak—I didn’t know you were sick. Sick! I don’t mean neurotic. I mean really sick! Paranoid! I never thought you would believe them. Of all the things they lied about, I never thought you would believe that! How long have you suspected me? Was it that libidinous friend of yours? I told you it’s dangerous to have a buddy who writes a daily gossip column. For a politician—that’s death by verbal injection! She needs garbage every day, and I’m the garbage! Did she feed you the lies?

(He listens for a moment and speaks gently.)

I can’t believe … and you pregnant again? How can you believe I slept with … When did I have the time? Campaigns, fundraising, speeches, investigations, dealing with lies. When did I have the time, the energy? I was crazy to go into politics. You encouraged me! You and Jane, you both encouraged me! (He listens to her response and again speaks gently.) Please come to your senses. We’ve had so many good…

(Pause)

I have no choice. Please get treatment. Please? Or, I don’t want to say it—I will leave.

(He puts the phone down slowly and looks, as if transfixed, out the window.)

Act I

Scene 2

(THE SETTING is SALLY’s kitchen. She and Jane are cleaning up after lunch. A pair of black, male dress shoes are on the kitchen floor. SALLY is slowly replacing the phone.)

JANE      Is something wrong?

SALLY      (Pause. She looks worried)

No. It’s just Tom. Nothing special.

JANE      Are you sure?

SALLY      Sure I’m sure.

JANE      OK … if you’re sure.

(Pause)

I really loved your salmon mousse. Sally, you’re a real pro in the kitchen. Hard to believe you, former head of Global College Women United, so domestic.

SALLY      Thanks Jane, I love our lunches. You give me a chance to be myself.

JANE      I can still see you up there, firing away.

SALLY      It was easy. You were writing my ammunition.

JANE      Crazy days. Wild!

SALLY      Remember the look on the Japanese policeman’s face?

JANE      How could I forget? I can still see you trying to tell him, in sign language, I need to buy Tampax.

(JANE mimes the scene.)

SALLY      The look on his face! And that note to the store manager…

JANE      I died when the manager brought out …

SALLY      A carton, wrapped in gold and light olive rice paper of...

JANE and SALLY

Japanese cigarettes!

SALLY      We were a pair.

JANE      What a change. I miss the old Sally.

SALLY      So do I. It’s not easy to be the old Sally. Particularly with Tom in Congress and running for president.

JANE      Big plans couldn’t be bigger—and you five months pregnant. How do you do it all? It would drive me bananas, especially the pregnancy part.

SALLY      It’s not easy.

(Pause)

Oh … I forgot. I have to make a call. Would you be a dear and go into the family room for a moment. It’s … personal. I’ll let you know when it’s over. There’s a copy of the latest New Yorker on the table. I’ll just be a minute.

JANE      Sure. A personal call? Hmmm? Sounds intriguing. Take as long as you need.

(She admires her figure in the mirror.)

Sally, do you think this bra is too conservative?

(Getting no reply, she exits.)

SALLY      (SALLY goes to the telephone, cautiously looks around and dials.)

Hello, Billy, Billy? This is Sally Stackton. Yes, Congressman Stackton’s wife. I’m returning your call. Sorry, I didn’t call last night. Yes. Tom was home.

(She looks around.)

Oh, you’re not free now.

(She looks around)

I’m sorry. When’s a good time? Monday, this time? OK, Monday, this time.

JANE      (JANE returns)

Is it OK to come back. Do you need more time or should I …

SALLY      Yeah, come on back in. (She talks on the phone again.) It was great talking to you. Call back soon. (She hangs up the phone.)

JANE      Who’s this Billy person?

SALLY      You were eavesdropping! Did you hear everything?

JANE      Everything? I didn’t hear anything, except the name Billy. You’re worried I heard something! Aren’t you?

SALLY      I guess I am.

JANE      That’s not like you, Sally.

(She admires herself in the mirror.) You usually don’t mind my hearing anything when you’re on the phone. This something you’re worried about?

SALLY      No, Jane. It’s just private.

JANE      Is it a secret from everybody, or from me?

SALLY      It’s personal.

JANE      I know it ain’t my business, but I can’t help wondering. You’ve been acting different lately. Worried into yourself.

SALLY      It’s just personal.

JANE      It’s none of my business? You’re my closest friend. If I were in trouble, you’d be the first, probably the only, person I’d turn to. You and Tom.

SALLY      Let me be, Jane! Let me be! I’ll … I’ll manage. OK?

JANE      So it is trouble! What is it, Sally?

SALLY      (She turns away.) Nothing!

JANE      Let me guess. Is it an affair?

SALLY      How did you … No! It’s not an affair! JANE You were gonna say How did you know? So it is an affair! With this Billy? SALLY Am I having an affair with Billy Sharp? Don’t make me laugh!

JANE      Billy Sharp! Billy Sharp? That voyeuristic creep! You mean … it’s not you? You’re thinking of hiring Sharp? To spy on Tom?

SALLY      Don’t be silly, Jane. You know Tom; he’s a straight arrow. He would never … never have an … (She hides her face in her hands.)

JANE      (She puts her arms around Sally.) Tell me if you want to. Don’t tell me if you don’t want to.

SALLY      I guess I’m not good at keeping secrets from you.

JANE     Sally, if you’re having an affair, you don’t need to tell me. If Tom is having an affair, you don’t need to tell me. Now, let’s talk about something else.

SALLY     I am not having an affair!

JANE     For God’s sake, Sally, you don’t have to tell me a thing! SALLY Now you think I’m lying! JANE No, I don’t think you’re lying. Let’s just change the subject.

SALLY     I want to talk about it! You’re the only person in this whole crazy city I can talk to. It’s awful being the wife of a congressman. Everything I say or do is public record! Sometimes I really think I am crazy, really

JANE     Like who says? Who thinks you’re crazy?

SALLY     Tom!

JANE     Why?

SALLY      You were right.

JANE      About what?

SALLY      He’s having an affair!

JANE      Tom?

SALLY      I accused Tom of having an affair.

JANE      That’s crazy, Sally. Tom? Tom having an affair?

SALLY      That’s what Tom says. He’s scared I’m crazy. He’s scared I’m paranoid. Sometimes, I think I am.

JANE      Let’s get a cup of coffee and sit down.

SALLY      I’ll get some coffee. (She gets the coffee and sets it down.) Thanks, Jane. I really am upset. I don’t know whether I need a shrink—that’s what Tom says—or a private investigator to spy on him! That’s why I called Billy Sharp … What should I do?

JANE      Sharp is a killer. He’ll go for the jugular. He’ll destroy Tom if he gets the goods on him.

SALLY      But if he can’t get the goods on him? That’s what I’m hoping for! Then I’ll know I can trust him again. I’ve heard so many rumors. I know I’m taking a chance. But I want to trust him again. What do you think?

JANE      That’s a hard question.

SALLY      I’m putting you on the spot.

JANE      That ain’t nothing. The worst part is me, Washington’s hottest columnist, sitting on the hottest story in Washington. Me! And I can’t breathe it to a soul. But … count on me!

SALLY      I know that. I’m glad you got me to level with you. Washington is a lonely place for a politician. Worse for his wife. I have to smile like a nitwit. I have to pretend all’s wonderful. God forbid I have an opinion. Sometimes I forget I have a brain. And now I’m losing it! I’m really scared I’m losing it. I’ve never felt this weird in the head before. I can’t sleep. I can’t decide. I can’t think!

JANE      You got a brain. A darn good one. Let’s get it working.

SALLY      What makes sense? You know your way around Washington. Better than anybody I know.

JANE      Except maybe your friend … Billy Sharp.

SALLY      I know his reputation. I don’t want to hire him unless I have to. What do you think?

JANE      (Pause) I have a thought … Are you ready for a speech?

SALLY      Will it be a long column?

JANE      Brace yourself. It’s going to take some listening. But it will be worth every painful minute.

SALLY      (SALLY sits down, clasps her hands, and smiles at JANE.) Ready, teacher.

JANE      Ahem, ahem. I’ve been thinking about your Should I hire a shrink or a private eye dilemma. Let me tell you what I would recommend: a shrink!

SALLY      I agree.

JANE      So quick? You must be thinking like I am. Great. I know a good shrink. Remember Doc Bert? He helped Freddie and me a lot.

SALLY      You think I’m crazy! Don’t you? You really think I’m crazy! Suspecting Tom after all these years. All of a sudden I start believing rumors and lies? I can’t get them out of my head.

JANE      You believe these rumors?

SALLY      I can’t sleep. They run through my head. And when I do sleep—nightmares. (Pause)

I lost my temper with Jimmy yesterday. He dropped the milk. I slapped him hard! I’ve never slapped Jimmy in my life. Tom’s right. I have lost it!

JANE      For God’s sake! Cool it! I didn’t say you were crazy!

SALLY      I know. You think I’m paranoid. You’re not supposed to tell paranoid people they’re paranoid. You’re treating me gently. Don’t upset the fruitcake!

JANE      It’s definitely not paranoia! What is it? What are you suffering from? I’ve been thinking about that … I’ve seen the symptoms before.

SALLY      What do you think it is?

JANE      I’ll tell you what it is. It looks and feels and smells like paranoia. But it ain’t. You’re suffering from the Washington Bug. You’ve heard of the Hong Kong flu. You’ve heard of the Jerusalem syndrome. Well this is the Washington Bug. I’m not making it up. I’ve seen it too often. It’s like encephalitis. It scrambles your brains. It scrambles your brain so you can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s fantasy, what’s true and what’s a lie. It’s not paranoia. It looks like it, but it goes away when you leave Washington. I think you and Tom got it bad.

SALLY      Strange! I’ve never seen it in my psychology books. Are you making this up? Is there a cure?

JANE      A cure? Yeah, there’s a cure. It’s simple. Talk with somebody reasonable. If you can find someone reasonable in Washington.

SALLY      I hope you’re not soft-soaping me, Jane.

JANE      Would your big mouthed Jane lie to you? Not on a stack of Bibles. So help me God.

SALLY      But who should I talk with? You’re the only person I trust. You think Doc Bert?

JANE      I think Uncle Bert will be great. Would Tom be willing to go with you?

SALLY      Is he a real shrink?

JANE      Yeah.

SALLY      Are you kidding? Tom would never go to a shrink! What if the media found out?

JANE      Sorry. Stupid question. I forgot. Symptom number one: people with the Bug are scared of shrinks.

SALLY      He would never want anybody to know he needs a psychologist.

JANE      I’ll tell you what: go by yourself. I went by myself. I asked Bert if he could help if I went alone. He put it this way: Suppose there’s a big, fat skunk in the middle of your bed. Do you need two of you to figure it out? If you figure out what’s going on with you and Tom, you’ll feel a thousand per cent better. Hey, do me a favor. If you find out he’s running around, (JANE picks up a shoe and hugs it) would you put me on his list? I wouldn’t mind one of these shoes under my bed.

SALLY      (SALLY throws a cushion from the sofa at JANE and continues to pummel her with it.) You lecherous old widow!

JANE      OK, down girl. For God’s sake. This is me, Jane. Can’t you take a joke? You know I’d rather play the merry widow than be what I am. Anyway, I didn’t say I want him in my bed. I just want his shoes under my bed.

SALLY      You lowlife. That’s not funny. I like your humor, sometimes. But this is not one of those times.

JANE      OK. Sorry. Anyway, I wouldn’t know what to do with him. I haven’t had sex with anybody since Freddie died.

(JANE suddenly stops talking. She sits down and puts her right hand to her throat. SALLY sits down next to her and places her hand on JANE’s hand. After a pause JANE places her free hand on SALLY’s hand.)

SALLY      Are you OK?           

JANE      Thanks, Sally. You’ve always been there for me. I do try not to think about Freddie. I’m the merry widow! Straight out of Pagliacci. But where was I? Oh yeah. I wouldn’t want him in my bed, I wouldn’t know what to do with him, and, anyway, I’m not gonna waste sex drive on no horny, cheating, married politician with a bad case of the Bug. OK?

SALLY      OK. Apology accepted.

JANE      Sorry. I got carried away. But, remember, I got the complex also!

(JANE struts about like a stripper getting ready to open her blouse.)

It’s not sex I’m after. It’s bragging rights. I can see the headline: Presidential Candidate’s Shoes Found under Famous Columnist’s Bed. It will knock Washington dead!

Act I

Scene 3

(THE SETTING is an office with a desk and two chairs, and an analyst’s couch. DR. BERT, seated by his desk, carefully checks all windows and drapes, clears