Disintegration

The following short one act play/story contains language of an explicit nature.  Read on if strong dialogue won't offend.  It's nothing too drastic.  Just the talk of a group of friends that find themselves in an unforgettable situation.

“DISINTEGRATION”

 By: Myles L. Gullette 

A group of friends (Sean, Rebecca, Dan, Brenda,Brad) at Sean’s suggestion, go to Rick’s hotel room after a night of clubbing to surprise him.   Rick and Sean were best friends.  But, Rick has secretly lied to and used the group to further his needs and is now keeping a low profile.  Rick came out from the mid-west to become an actor the year before but, became dissillusioned after losing all his money and hopes for success.  He is emotionally, financially, and spiritually bankrupt.  It has led him to taking drugs, selling his body, and living at the Bently Arms Residence Hotel.Sean has brought everyone to Rick’s to bring the truth out into the open.  During the months leading up to this night, Rick had sex with Rebecca, Brenda, and Brad at different parties and get togethers.  Everyone involved has kept the encounters completely secret and to themselves, until tonight.  Sean knows about Rick’s escapades because he eavesdropped on several of them, including one with Rebecca, Sean’s fiance. 

Upon arriving, the group finds Rick high on pot and crack which makes him extremely talkative and nervous.  Sean persuades the group to play truth or dare.  During the game, the truth comes out, leading to disastrous results for the entire group.

DISINTEGRATION

 A One Act Play 

A room at the Bently Arms Residence Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles during the hottest night of the summer.  2 am.   Half full boxes of clothes and personal belongings clutter the the moderate space.  60's music seeps out of a crappy boombox in the corner.  A poster of Quentin Tarantino hangs on a wall over a desk with a computer on it.  A half made bed is against the other wall.  A shotgun is propped in the corner behind the bed.  A raggedy sofa sits in the middle of the room.  Beer cans, drug paraphanelia, a bottle of whiskey, and trash litter the coffee table.  Rick sits on the sofa with a crack pipe in hand.  He is in the midst of smoking when someone knocks on the front door.  Rick continues to smoke, ignoring the knock.  He takes a big hit and holds it as another knock comes at the door.  He angrily blows the hit out. 

RICK.  Yeah!  Who the fuck is it? 

SEAN. Open up Rick.  It’s Sean! 

He begins to take another hit and stops.  He stands up. 

RICK.  What do you want? 

SEAN. Open up.  I came by to see how you’re doing? 

Rick looks around at his cluttered room and drugs. 

RICK.  Are you alone? 

SEAN. Uh, yeah.  I’m alone. 

Rick walks towards the door. 

REBECCA.  Don’t lie to him Sean. 

RICK.  (stopping)  Who was that? 

SEAN.  Just open the fucking door, will ya? 

Rick dumps the contents of the pipe in an ashtray, pockets the pipe, and slowly opens the front door.  His ex-best friend Sean pushes past him and enters the room. He turns to the others;  his fiance Rebecca, Brenda, her boyfriend Dan, and Brad. 

SEAN.  Come on in everybody. 

RICK.  What the fuck, man! 

SEAN.  Lighten up Rick.   You’ll live longer. 

RICK.  I’ve gotta sit down. 

Rick sits on the sofa, pours himself a shot of whiskey and downs it. 

RICK.  What do you guys want? 

SEAN. Is that any way to greet us?  Come on in everybody. 

DAN.  Are you sure it’s okay? 

SEAN.  Of course it’s okay.  Isn’t it Rick.    

RICK.  Yeah.  Sure.  Whatever. 

Everyone enters the room, looking around at the condition of the surroundings.     

RICK.  You guys can sit wherever you want. 

REBECCA. Thanks.  Your place is nice. 

RICK.  Yeah right.  It’s a piece of shit, but it works. 

BRAD. (points to poster) I take it you like Tarantino? 

RICK.  Fuck yeah!  He’s the reason I came out here to make it.  If a high school dropout like him can make it to the top of Hollywood, I sure as fuck can. 

SEAN.  Not doing drugs you won’t. 

RICK.  I don’t have a problem with drugs. 

SEAN.  Give me a break.   What do you think I’m stupid or something? 

RICK.  Who asked you? 

SEAN.  I did! 

BRENDA.  C’mon guys.   Knock it off. 

BRAD.  (to Rick)  You think it’s that simple? 

RICK.  What? 

BRAD.  To be the next Tarantino? 

RICK.  Why not?   

BRAD.  I guess it’s good to think positive. 

RICK.  Don’t you?  

BRAD.  I’ve lived here too long.  I’ve forgotten what that word means. 

SEAN.  Looking around at your place Rick, it looks like you’ve forgotten what positive means too. 

REBECCA.  Give it a rest Sean. 

SEAN.  Was I talking to you? 

Rebecca moves to the other side of the room and sits down.  Rick stands up and goes to the kitchenette, almost falling in the process. 

SEAN.  Don’t trip now. 

RICK.  All I’ve got is beer everybody.  Is that cool? 

DAN.  It’s cool with me. 

SEAN.  What about that whiskey on the coffee table? 

RICK.  That’s for me. 

SEAN.  Not anymore. 

Sean reaches over and grabs the bottle.  He opens it and takes a drink. 

SEAN.  (to Rick)  You got a problem with that? 

RICK.  Yeah.  As a matter of fact, I do. 

BRENDA. (relieving the tension) I’ll take a beer. 

DAN.  Me too. 

RICK.  What about you Rebecca? 

REBECCA.  Yeah.  Sure. 

Rick smiles at her.  They exchange a look.  Sean takes notice of the situation. 

SEAN.  Rebecca. 

REBECCA. (turns to SEAN) Yeah? 

Sean pats the seat next to him on the bed.  She joins him. 

SEAN.  Rick. 

RICK. (arms full of beer) Yeah. 

SEAN.  Need some help? 

RICK.  No.  I got it. 

REBECCA. (to SEAN) Are you okay? 

SEAN. (smiles) Oh, I’m fine.  Couldn’t be better.  

Rick passes beer to everyone and sits on the edge of the sofa. 

SEAN.  Let’s make a toast. 

RICK.  (nervously)  To what? 

SEAN. Friends. 

Sean chuckles to himself. 

RICK.  What? 

SEAN.  Nothing.   

Everyone toasts and drinks.  Rick is nervous.  Sean notices but says nothing. 

BRAD.  Let’s do something. 

RICK.  As long as it’s not gay. 

BRENDA.  Rick. 

RICK.  Hey, it’s just a joke. 

BRENDA.  That’s not cool. 

RICK. (to BRAD) Sorry. 

BRAD.  Don’t worry about it. 

SEAN.  Alrighty then.   How about lightening the mood with a game? 

BRENDA.  Like what?  

DAN.  A drinking game maybe? 

BRAD.  That sounds good. 

RICK.  You just wanna get the guys drunk right? 

REBECCA.  Rick.   

RICK.  I’m joking. 

REBECCA.  It’s not funny anymore. 

Tension fills the air as everyone sits in silence, looking at one another. 

DAN.  How about some cards? 

Everyone turns and looks at him. 

DAN.  What? 

SEAN.  I don’t want to play cards. 

RICK.  What then? 

SEAN. (stares at RICK) Truth or dare. 

RICK.  I don’t know. 

SEAN.  Why not? 

RICK. (nervously) I’ve never played. 

BRAD.  Did you ever see the Madonna movie, “Truth or Dare”? 

RICK.  Um... 

BRAD.  Remember the scene with the Evian bottle? 

RICK.  Oh Yeah.  I remember. 

DAN.  When I saw that scene, I wanted to be that Evian bottle so bad.  

Brenda nudges him in the side. 

BRENDA.  You’re a pig. 

SEAN.  C’mon everybody.  Let’s play. 

Everyone agrees except Rick who sits drinking his beer. 

DAN.  Just say yes Rick. 

RICK.  Okay.  Yes. 

SEAN.  Good boy. 

Rick and Sean have a moment between them.  Rick shifts nervously on the sofa’s edge. 

REBECCA.  Who’s gonna start? 

SEAN.  Go ahead.  You can.       

REBECCA.  Okay.  Brenda.  Truth or dare? 

BRENDA.  Dare. 

REBECCA.  I dare you to show everyone your breasts. 

DAN.  Wait a minute!   Do we have to start with sex? 

BRENDA.  (to DAN) Calm down.   I happen to like the sex. 

DAN.  That’s a first. 

Brenda elbows him again.  She stands up, unbuttons her shirt and opens her bra, revealing her breasts to everyone.  The men applaud her efforts.  She closes her bra and sits back down. 

BRENDA.  That was easy. (to DAN) Wasn’t it? 

DAN.  No.  As a matter of fact, it wasn’t. 

BRENDA.  Oh well.  Life’s a bitch. 

DAN.  And then you date one. 

Brenda eyes Dan angrily and moves towards him. 

SEAN.  Hey, you guys!   Knock it off!  Brenda, it’s your turn. 

BRENDA.  Alright.   

She takes a drink of her beer and studies everyone.  She turns her attention to Dan. 

BRENDA.  Dan. 

DAN.  Pick someone else. 

BRENDA.  No.  Truth or dare? 

DAN.  Pick someone else.   I’m serious. 

SEAN.  She’s got every right to pick you Dan.   

DAN.  And, I’ve got every right to say no. 

SEAN.  Not if you wanna play you don’t. 

DAN.  Alright. (to BRENDA) Dare.   

BRENDA.  I dare you to drop your pants and show everyone your family jewels. 

DAN.  My what? 

BRENDA.  Your cock. 

DAN.  Okay.  Damn.  Let's get right to the point, shall we? 

BRENDA.  That's the whole idea. 

DAN.  Can I pass? 

SEAN.  I wish you could, because I don't have a magnifying glass.

DAN.   You're funny.    

Dan looks around at everyone.  They all smile at him.   

DAN.  (to BRENDA) You’re gonna pay for this later. 

BRENDA.  Oooh.  I’m so scared. 

Dan gets up and unbuckles his pants.  The women scream and applaud with delight which further embarrasses him. 

DAN.  Hey hey!  Hold your horses damnit! 

Dan drops his pants.  He leaves his underwear on and lifts his shirt, showing his crotch to everyone.   He pulls his pants back up. 

BRENDA.  Wait a minute.   You didn’t show it. 

DAN.  Yeah I did.  Didn’t you see it behind the underwear?  

BRENDA.  No. 

DAN.  You did see a bulge right? 

REBECCA.  Yeah.  And? 

DAN.  That was my willie. 

BRAD.  That’s not fair. 

DAN.  Who asked you? 

REBECCA.  He’s right Dan. 

DAN.  She didn’t say to drop my underwear.  Only my pants.   Right? 

BRENDA.  Right. 

DAN.  Okay then. 

Dan sits down.  The women hiss and boo at him. 

SEAN.  Nice job Dan. 

DAN.  Thanks. 

Rick notices that some need another beer.  He gets up and goes to the refrigerator. 

SEAN.  Where are you going? 

RICK.  To get more beers.   Do you mind? 

SEAN.  No.   

DAN.  Brad.  Truth or dare? 

BRAD.  I’m gonna stay away from dares for now.  Truth. 

DAN.  Go in to detail about your first sexual experience. 

BRAD.  Oh.  Um.  Do I have to be honest? 

SEAN.  Of course.  Why wouldn’t you be? 

Brad hands out beers.  He offers a beer to Sean who refuses.  Rick sits and opens one for himself. 

BRAD.  My first experience was with my sister. 

DAN.  What? 

SEAN.  You’ve got to be joking? 

BRAD.  I’m not joking.  You did want the truth didn’t you? 

REBECCA.  I don’t know if we want that much truth. 

DAN.  Yes we do.  Go on Brad.  Explain yourself. 

BRAD.  I was nine.  She was twelve.   She was babysitting me.  Um, we were kind of bored and she brought up the idea of playing a game.   

DAN.  What kind of game? 

BRAD.  Feeling each others private parts.  I put my hand in her underwear and she put hers in mine. 

RICK.  No way. 

BRAD.  Way. 

DAN.  What happened? 

BRAD.  I ended up playing with her a bit, sticking my fingers inside her and everything.  At the same time, she played with me. 

BRENDA.  You mean, she jacked you off? 

BRAD.  Kind of.   

SEAN.  What do you mean kind of?  You either came or you didn’t. 

BRAD.  I came as much as any nine year old can.  One thing’s for sure though.  I know she came. 

RICK.  How do you know? 

BRAD.  She practically ripped my dick off in ecstacy, that’s how.  Plus, she couldn’t stop shaking. 

DAN.  Oh my God. 

BRAD.  What? 

DAN.  That’s sick. 

BRAD.  No.  That’s experimentation. 

RICK.  (laughs)  Experimentation? 

REBECCA.  Wait.  Wait.  What happened then? 

BRAD.  She got embarrassed and ran out of the room. 

REBECCA.  I don’t blame her.  I would have too. 

Brad chugs his beer, finishing it. 

BRAD. (to RICK) You got another one of these? 

RICK.  Uh...Yeah, sure.   Anybody else want one? 

No one answers him.  He gets up and goes to the fridge for more beer.   

SEAN. (to BRAD) It’s your turn to pick someone. 

Brad nods, lights a cigarette, and looks around the room.   Rick hands him a beer and sits back down. 

BRAD.  Rick.  Truth or dare. 

RICK.  Dare. 

BRAD.  I dare you to come sit on my lap and kiss me with the tongue. 

Rick stares at Brad in surprised silence. 

SEAN.  Brad, you can’t dare someone to do something to you personally.  It has to be someone else. 

BRAD.  Says who? 

SEAN.  It’s the rules of the game. 

BRAD.  Okay, whatever. (pause) Rick, I want you to stand up and hump the edge of the sofa you’re sitting on. 

RICK.  What? 

BRAD.  Hump the sofa. 

RICK.  You’ve got to be shitting me. 

BRAD.  Afraid not. 

Rick stands up and adjusts his crotch. 

RICK.  No problem. 

He turns, with beer in hand, and prepares to hump the sofa.   He turns around to the group. 

RICK.  Do I have to? 

BRAD.  I’m afraid so. 

Rick laughs, turns around, and slowly humps the sofa. 

BRAD.  Faster. 

RICK.  (stops and turns to BRAD) Fuck you. 

Rick sits back on the sofa’s edge and drinks his beer. 

BRAD.  (in gay tone) Watch your mouth or I’ll have to come over and kiss it. 

The group laughs.  Rick just looks at Brad in disbelief. 

BRAD. (in a gay tone) I don’t know about everybody else, but Rick’s humping is making me horny. 

RICK.  (to everyone) See how he provokes me? 

REBECCA. Oohh.  Poor baby. 

The group laughs.  Rick begins laughing himself.  He turns back to Brad. 

RICK.  Okay Brad.  Truth or dare? 

The laughter subsides. 

BRAD.  Dare. 

RICK.  I dare you to go sit on Sean’s lap and kiss him on the lips, with tongue. 

SEAN. (gets up) No way!  Fuck that! 

REBECCA.  Sit down!  (pause) What’s the problem? 

SEAN.  He’s not gonna kiss me! 

RICK.  What?  You got a problem with gays? 

SEAN.  No.  I just don’t make it a habit of french kissing men, that’s all. 

BRAD. (to RICK) Can you ease up with the dare shit? 

RICK.  Why should I? 

BRAD.  Sean doesn’t want me to kiss him. 

RICK.  Is that my problem?   Do it!  What’s the big deal? 

BRAD.  You’re an asshole! 

SEAN.  No offense Brad, but you’re not touching me. 

BRAD.  Fine by me.  You’re not my type anyway. 

REBECCA.  If you guys don’t play along, you’ll have to quit. 

SEAN.  I quit then. 

BRAD.  Me too. 

BRENDA.  C’mon guys.   Quit acting like little boys. 

SEAN.  If you’re so mature, why don’t you go over and kiss Liz on the lips?