Adam Dechanel Written by Simon James Collier
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1 Adaptation for Audio Production This free download is provided on the understanding and agreement that the script is for personal use only and may not be copied, distributed and / or performed unless written permission is granted by Evcol Entertainment. All rights reserved by the author. Inspired by the novel by H. G. Wells Story: Adam Dechanel Written by Simon James Collier Beyond the Time Machine – Inspired by the novel by H. G. Wells Adaptation: Adam Dechanel & Simon James Collier © 2017 2 Premise: The world has become a ‘perfect’ place. No crime. No disease. No hardship. No imagination. No emotion. Sterile. Throughout the preceding years the Time Traveller has taken it upon himself to ‘correct mistakes’ made by humans throughout history and brought what remains of humanity to where it is now. However, one individual has come to fervently question this mantra; championing for human beings to evolve through the ‘natural order’ of things, and delivers a life-threatening ultimatum… Characters: The Time Traveller [Traveller] Weena the Eloi – pregnant with Traveller’s child Kyloc the Eloi – younger brother of Weena H. G. Wells – [Herb] [hologram] Set: The idea of the set is for it to be a ‘cave’ with columns and elements from past civilisations embedded into the walls, as if ‘time’ and evolution has fused them together – decayed ‘opulence’ married with nature. There are chalked ‘equations’ on the back wall of the theatre. Two columns stand either side of the back of the stage. Upstage left is a Perspex shield, which acts as the visual display for the H. G. Wells hologram to stand behind. It is lit in a pin spot, with an upplight effect. H. G. Wells is dressed in Victorian attire. The hologram [Herb] is ALWAYS turned on and ‘follows’ whoever is in the room, often merely as an observer. Mid-stage left is an ultra-modern looking couch, upon which sits Weena for a substantial amount of the play – she is about to give birth. There are two pedestals [positioning to be determined], upon which certain items can be placed, such as ‘The Time Machine’ cube. The remainder of the stage is to be left clear, isolated scenes will be highlighted in pin spots, to which Kyloc, Weena and H. G. Wells will at times inter-act with. Lighting: Clean, sharp pin spots are needed for the ‘future world’, the H. G. Wells hologram being lit separately. The general feel of the lighting in ‘future world’ is blue and variants on that. Haze also to be used, giving an ‘abstract’ and ‘unnatural’ feel. Costume: General costumes for the future should be white, or light-coloured kaftan-style ‘robes’. H. G. Wells hologram to be dressed in Victorian attire. Beyond the Time Machine – Inspired by the novel by H. G. Wells Adaptation: Adam Dechanel & Simon James Collier © 2017 3 ACT ONE As audience enter, the stage is lit low, haze [which should remain constant and consistent throughout the play] covers the floor. In a low light, we see a Perspex shield with H. G. Wells speaking in an animated fashion, but we don’t hear what he is saying. The soundscape begins and segues from the sound of volcanos, thunderstorms, lighting… then to violin music, to war and men fighting [1918], to jet planes, to machinery, to crowds, to mobile ring-tones – it then moves to more abstract sounds that reflect a ‘future’ time. The idea is to show a passage of time through sound. The sound-scape then segues again into a narrative… It is H. G. Wells narrating a section from ‘The Time Machine’ H. G. Wells [hologram] – on sound-scape ‘You must follow me carefully. I shall have to controvert one or two ideas that are almost universally accepted. The geometry, for instance, they taught you at school is founded on a misconception.’ The lights come up on The Time Traveller – Traveller – who is engaged in listening to Herb. He joins in unison with the next section The Time Traveller / Traveller – H. G. Wells on soundscape ‘Is not that rather a large thing to expect us to begin upon?’ said Filby, an argumentative person with red hair. H. G. Wells [We start the sentence with the soundscape and then the actual hologram finishes it] ‘I do not mean to ask you to accept anything without reasonable ground for it. You will soon admit as much as I need from you.’ [Hologram continues from this point] ‘You know of course that a mathematical line, a line of thickness NIL, has no real existence. They taught you that? Neither has a mathematical plane. These things are mere abstractions.’ Lights up on Weena, who is pregnant, very close to giving birth. Traveller turns to her Beyond the Time Machine – Inspired by the novel by H. G. Wells Adaptation: Adam Dechanel & Simon James Collier © 2017 4 Traveller I love listening to Herb narrating his book… such exquisite language. As the conversation with Weena and Traveller continues, the book’s narrative continues at a quieter level on the soundscape with the Wells hologram mouthing the words Wells - Hologram narrative – Wells known as ‘Herb’ ‘That is all right,’ said the Psychologist. ‘Nor, having only length, breadth, and thickness, can a cube have a real existence.’ ‘There I object,’ said Filby. ‘Of course a solid body may exist. All real things—‘ ‘So most people think. But wait a moment. Can an INSTANTANEOUS cube exist?’ ‘Don’t follow you,’ said Filby. Weena Not unlike his ‘contemporaries’… Dickens, Stoker… Stevenson even… I often wish they’d simply get to the point… so much… what was that word you told me…! Traveller ‘Exposition’! [beat, smiles] But theirs were such extraordinary stories… often published as serials… weekly papers… they had to pad it out somehow! Weena I’ve wondered on numerous occasions whether it was wise of you to, you know… [looks to him in a ‘knowing way’] Traveller What? Tell him that time travel was a reality! [beat. Traveller moves to a pedestal and handles a clear Perspex cube (the Time Machine)] There was so much fanciful thought at that time… people simply passed it off as ‘wildly imaginative…’ [beat] That’s why I chose him… he had a great mind… and that he was such a decent fellow! [beat] It was fortuitous that people didn’t question where imagination ends and truth begins! They certainly made the most out of the tale! Movies and books galore! Beyond the Time Machine – Inspired by the novel by H. G. Wells Adaptation: Adam Dechanel & Simon James Collier © 2017 5 Herb ‘There are really four dimensions, three which we call the three planes of Space, and a fourth, Time. There is, however, a tendency to draw an unreal distinction between the former three dimensions and the latter…’ As Herb utters the word ‘tendency’ Kyloc enters. He is noticed by Weena who indicates his presence to Traveller. Kyloc looks to them both and then to Herb. Traveller holds the cube tightly Kyloc [and Herb speak the following in unison] ‘…because it happens that our consciousness moves intermittently in one direction along the latter from the beginning to the end of our lives.’ Traveller mutes Herb by clapping his hands, the light upon which fades to very dim and it becomes still, but ‘follows’ their every action as if engaged with what’s going on Traveller Kyloc, to what do we owe this pleasure? Kyloc A brother cannot pay a visit on his sister? [beat] Especially as I am about to become an Uncle! Weena I thought you were going to the Guama festival with the others? [beat] Surely, you’ll be missed… Kyloc Ahhh, it is a ritual that happens twice a year, I will partake next time. Traveller But what about Malika? Kyloc [non-committal, slightly embarrassed] What of her? Beyond the Time Machine – Inspired by the novel by H. G. Wells Adaptation: Adam Dechanel & Simon James Collier © 2017 6 Weena [teasing] Oh, come brother. I have seen how you look at her… Traveller …and she at you! Weena You’re not going to convince me that there’s just ‘friendship’ there! Kyloc [smiling] I must admit that I find her special… [beat] We enjoy engaging conversations, especially when we have listened to the stories told by Herb… Herb ‘bows’ politely, as if suggesting ‘you’re welcome’ Weena So, do we see a union of the two of you soon? Kyloc Sister, you have such an imagination! [beat, slightly guarded] We shall see what happens… however, as you know [indicating to Traveller], my mind is often ‘elsewhere’, with other thoughts, and I am not sure whether I am a suitable union for her! Traveller Kyloc, as I have said previously, take it from someone who has spent most of his life ‘searching’ and ‘researching’, and then discovering that life and living are so important… [beat] One can spend their lifetime looking for answers, when often the answer is right there in front of them. Beyond the Time Machine – Inspired by the novel by H. G. Wells Adaptation: Adam Dechanel & Simon James Collier © 2017 7 Kyloc [defiant, not letting the matter rest] But from your tales you have had the benefit of such a varied life… [beat] One can say such things with your experiences… Traveller [weary] We spoke of this only yesterday… [beat] Trust me when I tell you that the life we have here is by far the most enjoyable and… peaceful, that I have ever experienced. Kyloc But people here… I mean… the way things are… [beat] What I mean is… that, well very few ‘question’… they have little desire for increasing their knowledge… they are content to ‘exist’… [beat] How will we… progress if this is what is? Traveller But what you speak of is not unique to this time and place.