By Makayla Tyree

Note: Makayla’s award-winning play was featured in the story “The Playwright Contest” in Guide, September 18, 2010.

Characters:
(All characters wear a black jumpsuit-type uniform with a sash and belt that match the color of their eyes.)

Jak: 29, male, blue eyes, average height, looks and acts older than he is

Him/He/His: 57, male, red eyes, tall, dark-haired, slight British accent, intimidating yet very dignified

Davies: 27, male, green eyes, a bit taller than Jak, skinny, annoying, acts as though he’s still a teenager

Spy: 42, male, yellow eyes, tall, muscular, very sure of himself
Assistant: 32, male, orange eyes, same height as Jak, professional-looking

TeleImage Announcer: 26, female

Chorus: consists of four actors wearing all-black jumpsuits

Time:

A bright summer day in 2021

Places:
Jak’s living room: decorated with neutral colors, a couch and a rocking chair. The wall that has the TeleImage on it is painted red, and on another wall, there is a large blue flag that has the words, in white, Unified Nations on it.

Jak’s office: much like the living room in terms of decor—neutral, a desk and a few other pieces of furniture. A poster that reads Stop Him! is on the wall.
Sidewalk in Washington, D.C.: looks much as it does now, with flowers, trees, and buildings. In the background we can see the National Monuments, all as they are today, except for the White House, now known as the “Red House.”

The porch of the Red House: essentially the same as the White House, but painted red. There is a security retinal scanner placed beside the front door.
Inside the Red House: much like today’s White House with intricate woodwork and paintings, but with red accents throughout.

His office: a large room that resembles the Oval Office, but yet very different. In contrast to Jak’s house, His office has various posters and flags supporting the Union. There is also a wall of TeleScreens, all with video of various houses, streets, and stores of interest. And, of course, the walls are red to match His eyes.

ACT 1, SCENE 1

The four chorus members are standing in a row, flanked on either side by Jak and Him.

As the actors speak, a spotlight is shone on them.

CHORUS 1

The year was 2021, and the Third World War had just ended.

CHORUS 3

The Unified Nations had been defeated, and the Union had taken over.

CHORUS 4

The Union believed all should be equal in life, so they made everyone be the same, do the same, look the same – except for the eyes.

CHORUS 2

That was the only way to tell her from him, he from she.

Throughout the next dialogue, as the colors are said, the spotlight changes to match the color mentioned.

CHORUS 3

The leader of the Union had red eyes…

CHORUS 1

His assistants had orange…

CHORUS 4

And His spies had yellow.

CHORUS 2

They called the leader of the Union “Him….”

When He speaks a red spotlight is shown on Him.

HIM

And I believe that I am destined to rule the world, so I pre-destine everyone else to ensure that no one has the chance to take that right from me. I can also do anything I like – pass laws or start wars – without the approval of anyone. I am the ultimate totalitarian.

CHORUS 1

Many times His soldiers raided entire cites where resistance workers…

CHORUS 3

The so-called Imperfects…

CHORUS 1

Were said to be hiding, killing thousands of innocents in their often fruitless search.

CHORUS 4

His soldiers left nothing but smoldering ruins in their wake.

CHORUS 2

If any Imperfects were found, they would be sent to the Encampment…

CHORUS 3

A word that put fear into the hearts of millions who had heard the appalling stories of torture and death.

HIM

“It’s in all of our best interests,” I would say, and everyone believed me, except for the Imperfects, one of whom was Jak.

As Jak speaks a blue spotlight is used.

JAK

I’ve always hated Him, so I fought against the Union in World War III, and I was enraged when we lost. I had been hoping that I wouldn’t have to live with the pain of that loss for the rest of my life, but I’m tortured by it every day.

CHORUS 3

Jak had been shot in the leg by a Union BattleTrooper, and, due to the lack of battlefield medicine, the wound had never fully healed.

JAK

Then, after the war, I moved back to my home state of Virginia to relax on a farm.

CHORUS 1

That’s what Jak thought he was going to do, at least.

CHORUS 2

Jak never even considered that he was still fighting a war…

CHORUS 3
But he was…

CHORUS 4

And Jak’s battle ended on a bright summer day in 2021…..

Stage is lit.

Jak is sitting on a couch, with his leg propped up on a footstool, watching a “TeleImage,” a screen on the wall, essentially.

Jak’s house is very plain: neutral colors are used, but the wall that the TeleImage is on is red to symbolize that He is always there.

TELEIMAGE ANNOUNCER
(offstage, very enthusiastic)

The reports are coming in now… He has just conquered Japan!

JAK
(sighs, not at all happy)

Great, just great. Another country to be ruled by this…..

The doorbell rings. Jak gets up from the couch, starts to put weight on his right leg, but it gives out. Jak catches himself on the couch, gives a little grunt, and begins walking toward the door. Jak opens the door to find that it is one of his friends, Davies.

DAVIES
(ecstatic)

Jak! Have you heard? He just took over Japan!

JAK
(not responding to Davies happiness)

Yeah, I heard.

DAVIES
(surprised by Jak’s displeasure with the news, but still overly excited)

Why do you have to be such an (mocking, in a nice way) Imperfect? He plans to conquer Australia in the next two days and, when He does, He will rule the entire world!

JAK
(half-pretending he’s happy)

(sighs) That’s great, Davies. (opens the door to let Davies out) Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.

DAVIES
(turns and sits down on the couch, not realizing that Jak wants him to go away)

Oh, that’s all right, Jak. I’ll just watch the news.

JAK
(rolls his eyes and shakes his head in exasperation)

Make yourself comfortable.

Jak walks into his office, shuts the door, and has a bit of an emotional breakdown.

JAK
(not quite yelling, but close)

Yes, Davies, that’s great. Now the Japanese will be called “Imperfect” and wake up every morning wondering, like I have for the past five years, if today will be the day they’ll get hauled off to the Encampment! And within the next two days, the entire world will be controlled by Him!

Jak starts pacing, trying to get his mind off of Him. Jak finally sits down at his desk where he picks up some papers and begins reading them. Jak gets a look of absolute hatred on his face and tears the papers, then throws them on the floor.

JAK

(determined) I hate Him! I will fight Him! (quieter) No matter what the cost.

Jak storms out of his office, grabs a suitcase, and starts throwing things into it.

DAVIES
(questioning)

Where are you going?

JAK
(most of Jak’s anger has subsided, and has been replaced with determination)

To Headquarters.

DAVIES
(gives Jak an incredulous glance)
Union Headquarters?

JAK

That’s the place.

DAVIES
(childishly excited)

Your HoverCar or mine?
JAK
(looking somber)

(sighs) Mine, Davies. And I’m going alone.

DAVIES

But I’ve always wanted to see His house. And anyway, I have authorization to leave town. (pulls out a card and waves it around proudly) You don’t.

JAK
(smiles)

It’s not like I’ve never gotten out of town without authorization before. I’ll be fine. Trust me.

Jak puts his hand on Davies shoulder as they share a meaningful moment.

JAK
(somberly)

Good-bye, old friend.

Jak walks out the front door, while Davies turns back to the TeleImage. Davies grabs the remote and turns the volume up on the TeleImage.

TELEIMAGE ANNOUNCER
(offstage)

In other news, Union Headquarters security is being reinforced today, due to a few minor uprisings by the Imperfects……

Stage fades to black.

ACT 1, SCENE 2

Jak is walking down a street in Washington, D.C., where there is a sign that reads “Welcome to the home of Him!” Behind the sign, the White House is seen, but instead of being white, it is now painted red to match His eyes – the “Red House.”

JAK
(to himself) Do I really want to go through with this? (answering himself, more determined than before) Yes, I must. I must fight for what is right. I will fight for all the lives that He has taken away.

Jak is still walking towards the Red House when one of His spies (dressed in a yellow sash and belt) steps out in front of him. Jak is so absorbed in trying to figure out a way to stop Him that he doesn’t see the spy until it’s too late. Jak bumps into the spy, and stumbles a bit.

JAK
(flustered as he falls to one knee with head bowed in reverence)

Forgive me, His Eyes. I didn’t see you there.

SPY

(annoyed) Obviously. What are your intentions here?

JAK

(trying to act as natural as possible) Um, I’m just touring.

SPY
(suspiciously)

(nods slowly) You may remain, but I would recommend that you watch your back. (as an afterthought, in a lighter tone than before) And where you’re going.

The spy walks in the opposite direction of Jak, while Jak stands up, brushes himself off, then continues toward the Red House.

JAK
(to himself)

Was that a warning… or a threat?

Jak begins walking up to the front door of the Red House, where there is a small security scanner. Jak puts his eye to the scanner, and, after a few seconds, a loud beep sounds.

JAK
(disappointed and a bit angry)

Access denied. How am I going to get in there?

Jak looks up and sees a side entrance, curiously without a scanner, semi-covered by a bush.

JAK
(astonished)

No security panel?

Jak opens the unlocked door slowly and slips inside.

Jak finds that the Red House corridor is surprisingly empty. Jak smiles and darts into the room to his left, which is also empty. Soon after, an assistant to Him (orange eyes) walks through the door and finds an unsuspecting Jak wandering around the room.

ASSISTANT
(surprised and angry)

Hey! Who are you?

JAK
(startled at first, but then a grin starts to spread over his face)

You’re one of His assistants, aren’t you?

ASSISTANT
(suspicious)

You know that I am. Who are you?

JAK
(refusing to tell who he is)

I thought so. The eyes give you away.

ASSISTANT

As do yours. (a bit curious) Breaking in, eh? You must be one of those Imperfects I hear so much about. Who are you?

JAK
(curls his fingers into a fist and begins walking threateningly towards the assistant)

I’m no one you’ll ever meet again.

ASSISTANT
(laughs)

You mean that no one will ever meet you again.

Jak, puzzled, winds up for the swing.

Stage fades to black.

ACT 1, SCENE 3

Jak is walking up the steps, leading to a long hallway, inside the Red House. At the top he stops to adjust his sash and belt, now orange, thanks to His assistant’s unconsciousness.

JAK
(to himself)

He promised us change, but the true change begins now.

Jak looks around and notices a large double-door at the end of the hallway.

Jak begins walking towards the doors. When he reaches them, he finds that they are unlocked and opens one of them slowly, but the door lets out a loud creak and Jak flinches.

During the dialogue between Jak and Him, the four chorus members echo their conversation, almost ghostly, while slowly closing in on Jak from all sides.

HIM
(in a welcoming but slightly evil tone)

Jak, come in.

Jak, surprised at the use of his name, backs up into the hallway, rethinking his decision to confront Him. Jak straightens, smoothes his uniform out, takes a deep breath and walks through the door.

Jak is now standing in His office. He is turned with His back toward Jak, looking out a window, but from the tone of His voice, it is obvious that He is smiling.

HIM

Have a seat, my friend. I saw you coming. Would you like some tea?

JAK
(hesitant)

No, thank you. (curiously) How did you know I was coming?

HIM
(chuckles)

I know everything, Jak. Isn’t that clear to you? I know your past, your present…. and your future.

JAK
(more confidently)

But you can’t know my future. Only One knows what will happen to me.

HIM

One? (laughs) You Imperfects and your belief in that old fairy tale.

JAK

What you’re speaking of is no fairy tale.

HIM

That is what you think, my friend.

JAK

No, that is what I know. Only One can determine my purpose in life. You can’t even begin to fathom it.

HIM
(slightly annoyed)

Why must you be so stubborn? Why can’t you just believe in me like everyone else?

JAK
(a bit forcefully)

Because I’m not like everyone else. You may have made me look the same, but I’m different. I’m different from this superficial world you’ve created. I don’t believe your web of lies like the rest of humanity. I know the truth. And you can not take that away from me.

HIM
(chuckles)

Jak, my friend, have you forgotten? (slowly turning around to reveal His evil, smiling face) I can do whatever I like.

The chorus, now facing the audience, surrounds Jak as they begin the epilogue.

CHORUS 1

That was the last thing Jak heard.

CHORUS 3

Looking into His blood red eyes, Jak could see the lies behind them.

CHORUS 2

At that moment, Jak knew all too well his life’s purpose that only One could have pre-determined.

CHORUS 4

Jak’s purpose was to die knowing the truth.

CHORUS 3

The truth that He did not tolerate.

CHORUS 2

The truth that only those called Imperfect accepted.

CHORUS 1

The truth that everyone else ignored.

The chorus parts to stand on both sides of Jak, who is now wearing a vibrant gold sash and belt over his uniform. A spotlight is shown on Jak as he steps forward and pauses for a moment, looking up.

ENTIRE CHORUS

Jak embraced the One, true Him.

Stage fades to black.

THE END