the rehearsal

( Lecture theatre stage set to look like a low budget production of a living room. Actor 2 is on stage playing a young man in a wheelchair with a script. On stage is an actress made up to be his mother, holding script but less dependent.)

Actor2: ( reading) "How was I supposed to know that Ollie was too drunk. I guess I was too worried about the outcome of the next game."

Mother: ( reading but acting at the same time) "I guess you were. And now your brother is dead, and your leg is broken, and you'll never play hockey again."

2: "Oh mom, I just don't know what to do. Now that my twin brother is dead, I feel like a part of me is missing."

Mother: "You didn't think did you. You didn't think about the consequences did you."

2: " No I didn't." ... Oh, sorry. ( Wheels to the other side of the stage where a cup is and throws it off the table)

Mother: You can't just throw away your responsibility. What are you going to do with your life?"

2: "What can I do with my life?"

Director: Why are you reading it like that? Do you think this is a joke? This is a tragedy.

2: Sorry I just haven't gotten much time to drill yet.

Director: Well you better. This is the best piece of modern Canadian writing in the past 20 years and I'm not going to let you screw it up.

2: Alright. But it's not really a tragedy. He learns how to walk again in like 4 more lines.

Director: Shut up. What do you know about theatre? I played Hamlet for chrissakes.

2: Ok.

Director: Get up. ( Actor 2 gets up and the director gets in the chair) Alright people, we're going from the top. ( Wheels into place)

( Director reinacts the scene hammily while scene goes on in the wings between actor 1 who is wearing a fake beard and actor 2)

2: He's a lunatic.

1: I know what you mean.

2: Of course I haven't bothered learning the script. Have you read this shit. I can't do this.

1: Hey man at least you get lines.

2: You're the lucky one. Whenever I read this I want to blow my brains out. It sounds like it was written by a fifteen year old.

1: What does he think he's doing? Who's he trying to perform for? ( Director says " What can I do with my life?") Crap that's my cue.

2: Have fun.

1: Screw you. ( Walks on stage)

Director: Oh no, it's you? You the true victim of all of this, who was struck dumb by me and my friends reckless racing. Why are you here?

1: ( Sort of gestures)

Director: You can't mean you forgive me?

1: ( Nods head. Director rolls over to him and touches his face.)

Director: You're crying. ( Focus on actor 1's face) If you have the strength to forgive me, certainly I should have the strength to walk. ( Tries to get up, falls out of wheel chair. 1 goes reluctantly to help him up. Director denies the help and slowly pulls himself up. Shot of him from behind with the spot light silhouetting him.) Yes!