This

Time Around By Ricky Diaz

Characters:

Marvin (74): An old man from Philadelphia. Served in the Navy for 20 years after high school before starting a family. Hes kind, humble, layed-back, genuine, and very respectful of others. He meets Keira in the Soul Reassignment Office waiting room and is shocked to see someone so young there. He died of old age. Keira (20s): A young psychologist from Los Angeles. She is a serial killer that murdered twelve of her patients before being shot by police in Detroit. Shes extremely intelligent, charming, deceptive, and misleading. She meets Marvin in the Soul Reassignment Office waiting room. She chats him up to gain his trust because she enjoys deceiving people. Setting: The Soul Reassignment Office waiting room. Time: Present

1. SCENE 1: FORMS Lights fade up on a waiting room. MARVIN and KEIRA sit on opposite ends of a line of waiting rooms chairs. Each of them is filling out forms on a clipboard. The sounds of phones ringing and cheesy waiting room music hang subtly in the background. MARVIN shifts uncomfortably in his chair for a few beats glancing over at KEIRA every so often. She seems oblivious to his presence. MARVIN Um... Excuse me, miss? KEIRA ignores him. MARVIN clears his throat to get KEIRAs attention. Excuse me, miss? KEIRA answers without looking up from her own forms. KEIRA Huh? MARVIN Miss, could I perhaps trouble you for a question? KEIRA What do you want? MARVIN Im very sorry to bother you, but have you gotten to number six yet? KEIRA Why? MARVIN Im having a little trouble understanding what theyre asking me exactly. KEIRA What are you simple or something? MARVIN No, just old and tired. KEIRA final takes her eyes off of her forms and looks over at MARVIN.

2. Oh, Im sorry, sir. MARVIN Oh, its fine dont worry about me. As you get older you learn not to fret about the small stuff. KEIRA Thats really good advice. [Beat.] So, what seems to be the problem? MARVIN The problem is that these kinds of forms are always so confusing with the way they arrange the questions and what not. I cant for the life of me figure out what the devils theyre asking. KEIRA Well, lets take a look. KEIRA looks at her form and begins reading what question six says. Has the aforementioned inbound party as formally verified by his/her personal signature ever knowingly or unbeknownst to him/her engaged in any previously enumerated acts that hitherto are verboten under the ordinances of the dictating outlying third party as referenced in edicts 2, 5, and 12 of the pamphlet that was specified as the ultimate, final edition of the most recently designated third party bylaws? MARVIN Yep, thats the one. KEIRA Youre right thats pretty confusing. MARVIN So, what does it mean? KEIRA To put it simply, its asking if the aforementioned inbound party as formally verified by his/her personal signature ever knowingly or unbeknownst to him/her engaged in any previously enumerated acts that hitherto are verboten under the ordinances of the dictating outlying third party as referenced in edicts 2, 5, and 12 of the pamphlet that was specified as the ultimate, final edition of the most recently designated third party bylaws? KEIRA

3. Oh, is that all? MARVIN

KEIRA Im kidding. MARVIN and KEIRA share a laugh. Basically, its asking you if you have ever purposely or accidentally violated any of the rules they listed in that long pamphlet we had to read before we came in here. MARVIN Oh! Got it! Thank you very much young lady. KEIRA Oh, it no problem at all... MARVIN Marvin. Marvin Goldman. KEIRA stands up and sits back down one seat away from MARVIN. KEIRA Keira Fairfax. KEIRA extends her hand and MARVIN shakes it. MARVIN What a kind, vibrant young woman! KEIRA Thank you! [Beat.] So whats your story Marvin? MARVIN Well you know, this and that. KEIRA Please, tell me more. MARVIN Aw cmon, my stories nothing to gawk at. KEIRA Why dont you leave that for me to decide?

4. MARVIN Well, okay. I was born in 1938 and raised in Philadelphia. Went straight into the Navy right after I graduated high school. KEIRA Whatd you do in the Navy? MARVIN Oh, nothing too fancy. I was just a line cook on one of the ships. [Beat.] But that didnt stop me from experiencing everything the Navy had to offer. Served for 20 years, you know? KEIRA Wow, 20 years! You must have seen so many things! MARVIN I did. Some amazingly beautiful youd almost think you eyes were telling you tall tales, and other you wish you could un-see. [Beat.] But thats life in a nutshell right there. KEIRA What about after you got out of the Navy? MARVIN Got old. Got married. Had some kids. Got even older. MARVIN laughs hard. KEIRA laughs with him. KEIRA What were youre kids names? MARVIN Michael, Leslie, and Forrest. KEIRA And your wife? MARVIN Willow. She should be coming along here pretty soon. KEIRA That sounds like quite a life.

5. MARVIN I got everything I could out of it I guess. KEIRA You fascinate me, Marvin. You humbleness is so refreshing. MARVIN What about you? KEIRA My storys a long road with way too many twists and turns to go into right now. MARVIN Long? But youre so young. How much could a woman of your age possibly experienced? KEIRA More than youll ever know, Marvin. MARVIN Husband? KEIRA No. MARVIN Kids? KEIRA Not that Im aware of. MARVIN Well, you must have had a job. KEIRA I was a psychologist. [Beat.] But enough about me. I want to hear more about you. MARVIN Why do you what to hear about the life of a boring old man like me? KEIRA Force of habit I guess.

6. MARVIN Alright, Im wise enough to know when a young person doesnt want to talk about something. I understand, I was young once. KEIRA Its not that, I just dont think nows the best time to talk about it. [Beat.] Id much rather learn more about you. MARVIN Oh, Im just a frail old man. Theres not much more to say. KEIRA There is one more thing we can talk about. [Beat.] What bring you here? MARVIN Sky diving. KEIRA Really?! MARVIN No. MARVIN and KEIRA share a laugh. Its the old age that got me. When its your time, its your time. I led a happy, long... MARVIN looks ashamed about what he said. Im so sorry. I didnt mean to-- KEIRA Marvin, forget it. Its fine! KEIRA laughs at MARVINs embarrassment. Its a little late to be concerned with that stuff. MARVIN Its a shame though. To have such a beautiful, charming youth cut down in the prime of its life. KEIRA Like you said, when its your time, its your time.

7. MARVIN Yeah, but I didnt expect it to be like this. KEIRA What did you expect? Pearly gates and fire and brimstone? MARVIN No. But I didnt expect a waiting room either. KEIRA Oh well, dont fret about the small stuff, right? MARVIN Right! [Beat.] You have a maturity way beyond your years Ms. Fairfax. A voice is projected saying, "Keira Fairfax to the Soul Reassignment Room please. Keira Fairfax to Soul Reassignment." KEIRA I guess this is it. Im going back. I wonder who Ill be. MARVIN It will be hard to beat the wonderful women you already are. KEIRA Thats very sweet Marvin, but I have my reservations. KEIRA stands up from her chair. It was great getting to know you Marvin! Maybe well see each other on the other side. [Beat.] Actually, I guess we wont! KEIRA laughs. MARVIN stands up from his chair and gives KEIRA a hug. MARVIN Good luck darling. It was my pleasure. MARVIN kisses KEIRAs hand. KEIRA begins to exit, before she does MARVIN calls out to her. Wait! Just tell me how it happened. KEIRA hesitates for a moment. Then she gives MARVIN a big, confident smile.

8. KEIRA I was gunned down by police in Detroit because I fled the state after I killed twelve of my patients in Los Angeles. MARVIN is baffled by this answer. Thanks again for everything Marvin. Ill certainly take your advice heart and apply it... this time around. KEIRA blows MARVIN a kiss and then she exits. MARVIN is still in shock. He slowly slinks back into his chair. After a few beats, lights fade to black. END OF PLAY