The Mad Scientist's Ball...love bites a script by Donna Waylene Moore ©1999with apologies to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, James Whale, Tchaikovsky, Bob Dylan and Ian Anderson. |
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PART I |
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Act I
The stage is dark. We see Igor enter. He goes to
the center of the stage and begins lighting candles and starts sweeping
up the lab. There is music, the dance of the SUGAR PLUM FAERIES
from The Nutcracker. Slowly, one by one the sugar plum fairies begin
to appear from their various hiding places in the lab. They are the
only color—wearing geisha masks. They begin dancing to the music
as soon as they enter. For a while Igor ignores them, until one takes
his hand and he begins dancing as well. They end their dance in a "chorus
line" at the center of the stage. A door opens, pouring light into the lab. The fairies
return quickly to their hiding places. Igor reaches for his broom as
Dr. Pretorius enters. All the actors are wearing white face. Dr. Pretorius: I am looking for the good doctor. Is he here? Igor: No sir, Frankenstein retired hours ago, and cannot be disturbed. Dr. Pretorius: (removing his hat and coat and taking a seat at the table that is center stage) From what I understand, the good man is nothing, if not "disturbed," Please summon him, I have news of the utmost importance, that simply cannot wait for tomorrow. Be a dear and wake him. I shall wait for him here. Igor: The Missus won't like it' Dr. Pretorius: Tsk, tsk, my good man, if the progress of Science was based on "what women liked" we'd hardly be more than savages now would we? Summon the doctor and lets not discuss it. I shall wait for him here. Igor leaves reluctantly, looking back at the doctor, and literally dragging one foot. The SUGAR PLUM FAERIES peek out of their hiding places and look quizzically at each other. Once Igor has exited the stage, the doctor stands excitedly, and the SUGAR PLUM FAERIES quickly hide their faces. Dr. Pretorius: [in a loud whisper] Clyde! Clyde! Are you there?
Show yourself, my good man. You are about to witness history in the
making—the seminal germ. The creation of a new generation. A generation
that I, your humble genius, shall bring to fruition! During the doctor’s tirade, a young man, dressed in too tight
of a suit, and carrying a stenographers pad, enters the stage opposite
the exit Igor has made. He looks about in a bewildered fashion and makes
his way to the table where Dr. Pretorius is seated, obviously frightened.
He is wearing a hat with a card saying "press." He says not
a word, but scribbles on his pad periodically. The doctor continues to pontificate… Dr. Pretorius: My good man, be absolutely certain to take down every word. History must be preserved and it falls on yr shoulders to be the man to see that it is done. The door opens loudly and we hear high heels approaching quickly. Clyde looks nervously about for a place to hide. Dr. Pretorius: Quickly, quickly—this way The doctor takes Clyde’s shoulders and pushes him to the back
of the stage, and as he turns to face the oncoming footsteps, we see
Clyde surprised to find a SUGAR PLUM FAERIES who leans out her head,
takes him by the lapel, kisses him square on the mouth and pulls him
into her hiding place. Mrs. Frankenstein, wearing a white, feather-trimmed peignoir and
heels enters angrily and approaches the doctor, arms folded over her
chest. As the conversation between them progresses, we see Clyde’s and the SUGAR PLUM FAERIES things start to fly out. Mrs. Frankenstein: It is you, Dr. Pretorius. How many times do I have to tell you that you are not welcome here. My husband has had a terrible experience, that I daresay you have had your part in. He is not well and he cannot and will not see you. Dr. Pretorius: And how many times must I tell you, Mrs. Frankenstein, that pretty pink undies and lace stockings cannot impede the progress of the Sciences? Mrs. Frankenstein: [quite angry, she stands on one hip, which exposes one of her thighs] Really, doctor. You go too far! Dr. Pretorius: I think not, Mrs. Frankenstein. I have barely begun to scratch the surface, and I need your husband's assistance to complete my project. You may have temporarily intoxicated him with your perfumes and your soft thighs, which I may add are quite fine, but his mind must return to the pursuit of his life's work. I am afraid there is nothing you can do to prevent this. Mrs. Frankenstein: We'll see about that. My husband and I are leaving for Saskatchewan tomorrow and we shall not return here. So please take yourself and your lewd comments and leave my house! Slowly, as if in a daze, we see Dr. Frankenstein enter the stage, wringing his hands and still wearing his night clothes. He is disheveled. His wife turns and takes one of his hands and begins stroking him like a child. Mrs. Frankenstein: Oh, my poor dear. We've awakened you. There is nothing here. The doctor was just leaving. Please come back to bed. Frankenstein: Is that you, Dr. Pretorius? My old teacher? We see Clyde, on his hands and knees, exit his hiding place, gather his clothes and steno pad and attempt to write a few words as he seeks out a new hiding place. Just as he is about to, a second SUGAR PLUM FAERIE leans out grabs his arm and pulls him in. Again we see his articles begin to fly out. Dr. Pretorius: Why, yes it is, and I have come here on a matter of the utmost importance. Have a seat and we shall discuss it straightway. Mrs. Frankenstein: No, darling, you must rest. You've had a bad experience and this will only remind you of it. Frankenstein: But we mustn't be rude to our guest. Go back to bed, darling, I will join you there shortly. Dr. Pretorius: Yes, my dear. I shan't keep him long and will return him to your enchanting spells in no time at all. Reluctantly Mrs. Frankenstein is encouraged towards the exit by her husband, until finally she gathers her robe about her and with one last glaring look at Dr. Pretorius marches out. Dr. Pretorius: Well, thank God that's done, she's a charming girl but really, her attitude towards Science is nothing but superstition, and twice told tales. Frankenstein: You mustn't be so hard on her, Dr. Pretorius, she is concerned for my health, and she fears the dark influences of my... uh... recent experiences. Dr. Pretorius: Oh, come my boy. I know all about your recent experiences… Let’s not pretend otherwise—I know was you created the creature now roaming the countryside—and I know you did it, from the corpses of men… Dr. Frankenstein gasps as if to object, and then falls back weakly… Frankenstein: Yes… it was me… but however did you guess? Dr. Pretorius: Oh, come, my dear pupil, does the teacher not understand the student? Did you not imagine I would know in what direction your questions would lead you, the reasons for your curiosity? Frankenstein: All the same, I don't wish to speak of it. This experiment has not been what I thought it would be. Dr. Pretorius: And what did you think it would be, my dear boy? Are you so naive to think of usurping God, and paying no price? Frankenstein: I cannot help but believe that God knew more of the consequence of his actions. I thought no more than to create a life. who could have guessed what it would be? [growing more serious] professes—love for me…I dare to say—it loves me…worships me—as a God… Dr. Pretorius: [incredulous] And this displeases you! You have created a life.. a life that exalts you as the master of all being—and you are not enthralled with this power? Frankenstein: It isn't what you think… it is not a power.
The creature has its own will… it does not take my command—it
has its own mind… and it is impetuous.. Dr. Pretorius: Clearly you do not know how to wield your own
sword. I find it hard to believe that you cannot control your own creation. But this is why I have come, to assist you in these endeavors. In many
ways I am not the scientist you are… my studies are more…intellectual,
more analytical. Where I have learned to control, you have learned to create… Frankenstein: No, no. This is something I must give up. Indeed should never have begun. It has nearly destroyed my life—and to be honest I pray for news that the monster has been discovered and destroyed. I shall not have a peaceful night until I hear this… Dr. Pretorius: You are not thinking clearly… Frankenstein: I am thinking quite clearly—this experiment
has been a tragedy. I shall not repeat it, nor tempt further disfavor
with God by sharing knowledge of it with any such as yourself. It is true I have tremendous respect for you as a scientist—but
it is your teaching that has led me on this path… I will not condemn you to the fate you inspired in me… You must leave my house and not return. I myself am leaving, before the tragedy completes its painfully slow progress and leaves my life in complete ruin… Dr. Pretorius: I must beg you to reconsider. You have not had the time to… Frankenstein: I have had all the time I require, and while I
have no wish to be rude, truly you must leave. The hour grows late,
and I must to bed. Igor! Come here! Igor: Yes, Master. Frankenstein: I am returning to bed. Show the good doctor out… Dr. Pretorius: Please… allow me to return tomorrow—with more time for discussion… Frankenstein: The subject is closed and needs no further discussion. Please, Dr. Pretorius, allow us to remain friends and colleagues and leave my home. Dr. Frankenstein exits abruptly, leaving Dr. Pretorius alone with Igor. Igor: This way, Doctor… Dr. Pretorius: I need a moment more… Igor: As you wish…
Igor shuffles off, singing lines from Aqualung loudly as he goes Clyde emerges from the dark recesses of the doctor's lab, gathering his hat and his articles of clothing and the loose sheets from his steno pad.
Dr. Pretorius:(not noticing any of Clyde’s difficulties)
did you get all of that, Clyde? That was the very sort of thing that
must be preserved… his ardor, his reluctance… his admission of his success…not to mention my impassioned plea
for the continued progress of Science! I trust you missed not a word?
Dr. Pretorius grabs Clyde’s steno pad, shuffles thru it quickly, then begins pacing thru the lab, looking at each of the objects there with tremendous curiosity. Clyde continues to adjust his clothing, and tries to retrieve his steno pad, narrowly averting the doctors sweeping arm gestures as he pontificates….
Dr. Pretorius: I hope you have made notation of each of the fascinating objects in this room—who is to say that the secret is not held in one of these experiments…
Together Clyde and Pretorius explore the laboratory. They hear Igor returning to the lab and Clyde attempts to hide behind Dr. Pretorius, which is ridiculous. Igor ignores him entirely.
Igor: It is time to go, Doctor. Dr. Pretorius: Very well… but I shall be back… I know my way out—please do not bother…
Dr. Pretorius and Clyde make a clumsy exit and the SUGAR PLUM FAERIES emerge from their hiding places in the lab, adjusting their disheveled clothes. They surround Igor, clutching their breasts, concerned at what they have heard.
Igor: Oh, come now… I know you are upset… but really—everything will be fine. Perhaps this Pretorius fellow will bring the good doctor back to us, in a way… The SUGAR PLUM FAERIES shake their heads and express objection in pantomime. Igor: Perhaps you are right—why don’t you follow them and report back. It is a good idea to keep an eye on those two. The SUGAR PLUM FAERIES make their way in the direction of the doctor and Clyde's exit, leaving Igor alone on the stage. |