Poetic Justice.
The Cast:
Laertes: A collegic protective big brother.
Aristophanes: A would-be Investigative Reporter, and room-mate of Laertes.
Electra: Laertes 14-year-old sister, Junkie of MTV and BET music.
Magistrate: A corrupt Judge who plea bargains with prostitutes in private chambers.
Baliff: A guard.
The Sets: The stage may be divided into three parts, The Street stage left, the Cell stage right, and the Chambers center stage. Suggest use of multiple spot lights, one for each character at least. A lens shift and dimming of the other spots could highlight an Actor speaking in sotto voice to the audience (Indicated by parenthesised dialogue).
The Street: A street corner, dimly lit by streetlamp.
The Cell: A bare concrete cell, one wall barred with door.
The Chambers: Blackly curtained walls, large desk with foldered papers and a few handcuffs, prominant in downstage center is a crimson-covered wide couch. Door on right side, with small hallway attached.
Scene 1: Lights up on stage left, The Street. Laertes is pacing in anger. Aristophanes leans on the lightpole and watches his pantherish movements.
Laertes: The Magistrate? A scurvey knave! Attacks the weak, awards the brave. Aye I know the wicked one. Why askest thou?
Aristophanes: I'm no glib talker, your sister was mistaken for street walker. In our haste to do what is right, we sift the truth from lie.
Laertes: If my sister's virtue I would save - the Judge must die.
Aristophanes: Representative of order's might... I agree we must bring the fight. Beware tarring all with corruption's brush. You're in such a terrible rush. Attack and its YOU whom Justice's minions will crush. Your loss would make me cry.
Laertes: Swiftly hot now courses my ire. Sweet sister! Innocent, she's in lust's spire. He'd dip his baliwick to quench his fire - Avaunt! He will expire. Rushes from stage.
Aristophanes: to audience (Young blade thrust straight when wiser head, knows better to feint and parry.
I'd better be after to cool him down, his wrath will not tarry. I smell an opportunity here, a chance to make my fortune. Ill's wind that blow no good I hear, sounds notes in every bar tune.) Cut lights
Scene 2: The Cell. Lights come up on Electra checking a Swatch. She's dressed in full regalia of the singer Madonna - heavy makeup, pointy corsette, fishnet stockings, and CFMP stilleto heels. During her speech, one hand waves elegantly and dramatically presses to brow. The other cradles her crouch - she occasionally punctuations with pelvic thrusts.
Electra: (My plight you see, I'm innocent. I was only waiting for my ride. I'm chaste - most chaste - and with posthaste, these charges be denied. I'm just a gentle groupie of the most uber wicked singer, Madonna; I must find bail! Uber wicked nasty Fate my hopes has dashed, from concert to stinky jail!
All money for tickets and backstage passes, showtime commences soon. What must I plea to get me free?
Perhaps I can bargain a ticket for release? Are Rock-n-Rollers found in Police?) Cut lights
Scene 3: the Chambers. The Magistrate stands facing audience as lights rise. He wears heavy black robes with white t-shirt and polka-dot boxers under. His face should be lightly smeared with cream or lotion to give an oily reflection. Start action with a spray of cologne and self-admiration as if the audience were a mirror.
Magistrate: (Malevolent you find me? Now tar your brush and spare no pity! One dimensional not, I chose this life, using my power to reap the city. Only harlots do I use this way, yet some would say I'm wrong! Should I be damned for what I am? Justice with strong prong?)
turns to face door, dim his spotlight. Bring up lights on hallway outside door. Baliff stands there with Electra. Opens door, thrust her in. Dim spotlight on hallway, bring up Chamber lights. Dim light on Electra looking around. Magistrate eyes Electra then finishes speech to audience.
Magistrate: (A toothsome tart! I'll try her art here in my Chambers warm. On lovely flesh I'll make this quest: my hands to roam and swarm. ) Turns to Electra, bring up her spot to full. Come in my pretty; care for brandy? (this pop tart's even younger than legal bait! I'll have her once or twice I think, or prison is HER fate.)
Electra: Oh prithy Sir, o noble judge, how sweet the voice of reason! What must I do to convince you, I'm most desired of pleasin'?! If you'll purchase my ticket, The opening act is Pink. With haste we can make it together; tell me - what do you think? (An oily man, perhaps I can wheedle like my brother. listens intently. bring up faint music offstage. Is that a tune? Madonna sings soon!)
Laertes and Aristophanes arrive in hallway. Aristophanes carries a camera. He restrains Laertes through the following as they both listen.
Magistrate: (Pink the opening, yet tries to sell? A cheap tactic to try on me. She'll jack her price when dressed for vice?? Not if she longs to be free!) Come sit my dear, and cuddle near, I'm sure we can work this out. You've a serious charge, I've set the bail quite large., I might be inclined to show you mercy, if you can find a way to reemburse me...
Electra: Oh absolutely, I can hardly wait - I'm so glad that you agree. You'll not rue your pity, I'll show you a city and a wonderful show! If you like what you see, when you're dancing with me, in the pit below - I'll give you a backstage pass!
Magistrate: (Oh what a tart for one so young yet very bold? A backdoor pass, around the world - How can I not agree? My blood enflames, my one-eyed Monk wishes to worship at her shrine. we'll dance alright all through the night - and I get it all for free!) Oh my sweet, my night's complete, I'll take your backdoor pass. Frowns as Electra is straining to hear the music. Are you listening? takes Electra in his arms and they fall struggling on the couch. Her legs stick up waving widely on either side of his body. Those pouty lips glistening! There first, then your -
Laertes bursts in the door, followed by Aristophanes with camera flashing.
Lights outs.
Lights up, Aristophanes stands alone in Chamber.
Aristophanes: We came in time, to stop foul deed. Judge came not at all: spilled no seed. Young Electra and brother Laertes even concert made. The Magistrate's in prison - I hear he's the cell block's dolly. And humble me will famous be, reporting of his folly.
We hope you've enjoyed this morality play, a story of Poetic Justice. The Almost Dragonic production fees have risen to nearly bust us. So if you'll donate most generously you'll have all our gratitude. At least lend your applause and clap your hands, be gently Polite and not silenty rude.
Fade, curtain drops, rises with Aristophanes, Laertes and Electra, who take their bows. When applause begins to die, Baliff leads out the Magistrate. They bow, then entire cast bow together.
Curtain closes and house lights come up.
