Excerpt from ART APPRECIATION
SYNOPSIS
A talented young woman is stuck in a rather juvenile and definitely selfish idea of what it means to be an artist, as well as what art IS. This idea has become her identity, shield and prison. Three important encounters combine to crack open her somewhat rigid persona and allow her to begin to have a more expansive view of her work, herself, and those around her.
CAST BREAKDOWN
(2M, 2F)
- EVE: Creative, determined and self-centered artist. (female, late 20s)
- VIVIAN: Eve’s older sister. Caring, smart and kind. (female, 30s)
- ELTON: Big hearted, relentless and hopelessly romantic. (male, late 20s)
- RICHARD: The model. Intelligent, fearless and altruistic. (male, late 20s)
TIME
Now.
PLACE
Eve’s basement apartment.
STYLE
Comedic drama.
EXCERPT [Page 33-42]
Act One opens with Eve and Vivian returning from an evening out in the city. Vivian is Eve’s older sister who has just arrived from out of Town to surprise Eve. Vivian met Eve earlier in the Evening at the gallery that shows her art (sculptures). Eve has essentially spent the night avoiding her boyfriend, and wannabe fiance, Elton. Eve is ashamed of her relationship with Elton for she has always claimed to her family that she lives independently and alone. Elton has picked this night for his proposal to Eve and so, stood up and out of sorts, he shows up at Eve’s apartment not long after Eve and her sister. Elton forces his proposal, which goes all wrong, and the past is dragged up between sisters. Finally, Vivian confronts Eve with the news she has come to share.
EVE
Look, let’s just take it easy for a while. I think it’s a good idea to spend some time apart.
ELTON
Oh no. No. Don’t say that to me.
EVE
Really. I’d like to take it easy. I need some time alone.
ELTON
This is your reaction to the fear. It’s the fear.
EVE
Yes. It is. I am.
ELTON
I understand that.
EVE
Good. Let’s take it easy, Elton.
ELTON
For how long? Just think about what you’re doing.
EVE
I don’t have to think about it. What has gotten into you?
ELTON
What’s gotten into me? What’s gotten into me?! Holy…! How long did I spend looking for you tonight? All the time my heart beating like “Is she okay?” It was crazy. I mean crazy. What can I do? You don’t have a phone.
EVE
I do have a phone.
ELTON
Not with you. So, I’m certain you’ve been attacked and you’re lying dead in pieces in a ditch in the park with some freak hovering over you. That’s what’s gotten into me!
EVE
I want you to leave.
ELTON
All you had to do was call me. Stop at a pay phone. Use your sister’s phone.
EVE
I’m asking you to leave. I need to be alone.
ELTON
And just what am I supposed to do in the meantime?
EVE
Nothing. Whatever.
ELTON
Just wait? Wait for you?
EVE
Leave. Now. Please.
ELTON
Okay. Sure. Fine! Okay. Let’s just call it quits altogether. Let’s just tear it up and throw it all away. What is this anyway?! Huh?! Just… We have something. You’re just scared. You’re scared. That’s all it is. You’re freaking out. But, hey! Okay! You want to throw this out? You want to do that?
EVE
Do I look afraid to you? Does this look afraid?
ELTON
Just tell me.
EVE
I told you.
ELTON
Then I guess I’ll be going.
EVE
Okay. Goodbye then.
(EVE hands ELTON his coat and scarf.)
ELTON
You need to wake up. Wake up.
EVE
I’m perfectly aware of what I’m doing.
ELTON
I’ll let you be the one to come and find me. You can be the one who tries to patch it up. You can come looking for me, come asking me to give this a chance again. Huh? Yeah. That’s right. You can be the one. When you start feeling the crunch, then you can come and try to find me… If it’s not too late!
(At the door, calling out)
Nice to meet you Vivian!
VIVIAN
Likewise!
(ELTON exits. VIVIAN enters slowly from stage left, coat in hand, dropping it on the stuffed chair.)
EVE
My God. Oh my God. I need a lobotomy.
VIVIAN
Wow.
EVE
Don’t even.
VIVIAN
Are you kidding? I think he’s adorable.
EVE
I didn’t ask your opinion.
VIVIAN
No. You guys are really cute together. I’m perfectly serious.
EVE
Don’t mess with me.
VIVIAN
He’s a nice guy. I like him. He has a heart.
EVE
Unbelievable.
VIVIAN
Why didn’t you just tell me? There’s nothing to be ashamed of, and there was no reason to hide him from me. Really.
EVE
I wasn’t hiding him. Anyway, this is none of your business.
VIVIAN
Sorry. I tried waiting outside, but it’s getting cold out there.
EVE
My God. You saw everything. You were spying.
VIVIAN
I couldn’t help it. Sorry. I guess I’m a watcher, after all.
EVE
That’s not funny.
VIVIAN
And you kicked him out in the cold.
EVE
He left on his own.
VIVIAN
I suppose he did.
EVE
It’s like you said. Men just get in the way.
VIVIAN
Sabotage your creativity.
EVE
Exactly. So, it’s better this way.
VIVIAN
Look, I know we had a few laughs about boys, but I don’t believe that at all. To tell you the truth, I think you just use men as an excuse. And then things like this happen.
EVE
You are in no position to lecture me about healthy relationships.
VIVIAN
No. I suppose not.
EVE
At all.
VIVIAN
It seems silly now, but I’m curious. Do you love him?
EVE
Love him? I don’t know. Define love.
VIVIAN
That’s ridiculous. You know what I mean.
EVE
I might. I might love him.
VIVIAN
I think you would know it.
EVE
Would I? It’s certainly not the version of love you’re looking for.
VIVIAN
How do you know what I’m looking for?
EVE
You know what I mean. I just need some space.
VIVIAN
I think you’re using him.
EVE
You think I’m what?
VIVIAN
I think you’re using him. To compensate. Because you need some comfort, with your art not being appreciated like it could be, or should be.
EVE
What kind of psycho-analytical bullshit is this?
VIVIAN
It makes sense.
EVE
It doesn’t.
VIVIAN
For security. For attention. To lean on, emotionally. You don’t love him. Do you? So, why do you keep him around, except for comfort? The man wants to marry you.
EVE
People comfort each other. That’s what people do. I tell him plainly what to expect. There’s no need to define the relationship. I make my feelings known. It is what it is. That’s the truth of it. Anything else is a lie.
VIVIAN
He doesn’t operate like you do. You need to consider that. He thinks it’s going somewhere. He has hope. You’re just leading him on.
EVE
My feelings are my feelings. I don’t have to define them or explain them, or worry about some context. I have a right to feel what I feel and be true to myself.
VIVIAN
You have the right to be mean? Isn’t that what you’re saying?
EVE
I don’t have to explain any of this to you. God. I don’t want your context, your judgments or your comparisons. It’s totally oppressive.
VIVIAN
Being true to yourself and your feelings is just the excuse that you make for using others. It’s not okay. Not to be using him. Misleading him. There’s nothing okay about that.
EVE
Whatever. He’s gone. It’s over. You saw him. Satisfied?
VIVIAN
You’re so stubborn. You won’t even consider what it is I’m saying. Just be fair to him.
EVE
What is it to you?
VIVIAN
Because I’ve been in his position, with Todd. Do you understand?
EVE
Look. He’s history. Right? It’s over. Okay?
VIVIAN
You know. It’s too bad. He was really sweet.
EVE
Oh my God. Make up your mind, Vivian. For or against?
VIVIAN
You don’t love him. Just be clear on that.
EVE
I think it’s easier. No, better… Simpler, when I’m alone.
VIVIAN
It feels awful to love and not be loved in return. Not really loved.
EVE
Please stop trying to fit my life into your perspective. We don’t operate the same way. You have no idea who I am. You never have.
VIVIAN
I can’t do all this fighting.
EVE
Then stop thinking you can relate to me.
VIVIAN
I thought we could reconnect, or just maybe for the first time. I just need a family. Todd’s… His family was at least… I don’t know. I don’t get it. People have sisters, but… You make it impossible.
EVE
There’s no common ground.
VIVIAN
We are two human beings. Is that not common ground enough?
EVE
No. Not really.
VIVIAN
I want my sister.
EVE
Some things just are not in the cards, Vivian.
VIVIAN
Mom and Dad. They’re not sick. It’s the money. It’s no longer coming in like it used to. That’s the news. Things are tight.
EVE
That’s the news?
VIVIAN
So… Just… This is awful, but I have to say it.
EVE
What? Just say it.
VIVIAN
You… You need to stop asking them for money.
EVE
What? Unbelievable. God. I don’t ask them.
VIVIAN
Stop taking it then, when they offer.
EVE
No. Okay. It happened a couple of times. This is none of your business.
VIVIAN
Actually, it is. I help them with the budgeting, and try to make it work. And I know how much and for how long. So, that’s it. That’s the news.
EVE
So holier than thou. The perfect daughter.
VIVIAN
I didn’t… Look, this wasn’t easy for me.
EVE
Are you kidding? You’re loving this.
VIVIAN
I know this may come as a shock, but I don’t envy you, okay? I just wanted to do this in person and in a respectful way. So, you could make the necessary adjustments.
EVE
God, it just doesn’t stop.
VIVIAN
So. I don’t know. Maybe you could start making the custom furniture again. That seemed to work. It was lucrative. That may be a better way to go. Anyway. Just an idea.
EVE
Hah. Ohh. Yeah. I’ll solve my own problems. You’ve accomplished your mission. Okay? I don’t need any advice. Not from you. No. I’m an artist, Vivian. I’m not here just to make furniture. I’m here to create art. You wouldn’t understand, but… I… Art makes me feel at home in this world. At home. Something pure. Do you get that? Unlike you and Mom and Dad, life is not just work to me. Life means something.
VIVIAN
That’s… Look, I’m sorry about the way Mom and Dad treated you.
EVE
Don’t… No. You were part of that. You totally sided with them. Making fun of me. Thinking that becoming an artist was silly. Asking me to get over it and behave like a normal person.
VIVIAN
That’s not who I am. Not anymore.
EVE
Sure it is. Are you kidding? You adopted their values, their attitude… Everything.
VIVIAN
Mom and Dad are responsible people. They helped you out.
EVE
Responsible to what? Work and money. Work, money and things.
VIVIAN
They’re older now. It’s not the same. This is not fair. I was trying to survive too. I had to play along. It’s all I could do.
EVE
You still play along, only now you’re their henchman. It’s time for you to leave.
VIVIAN
Fine. I’ll go. I’ll leave.
(VIVIAN grabs her coat, and prepares to leave.)
EVE
And I don’t need any help or advice. Least of all from somebody like you. Because, I’m an independent person. I know who I am.
VIVIAN
For the record, independence and individuality are not the same thing. Independence means being self-sufficient, which you are not. Individuality is just being yourself. Trust me, if you were independent, you could deal with this like a responsible person.
EVE
You need to go!
VIVIAN
And you need to find some way to feel good about yourself without using other people!
EVE
Just leave.
VIVIAN
I’m sorry that you’re so angry. I really hoped that we could spend more time together. Enjoy your plant.
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