This blog series chronicles the writing and progress of Cross Creek Players’ fall 2011 production: an original play in the fairy tale tradition!
SCENE: 4
In a busy Panera on a sunny, warm, summer’s weeknight. There are people coming and going, eating, laughing and relaxing.
ROB
Hello and welcome to Panera! I’m Rob and I’m here with Matt! Matt? Matt?
Rob looks around to find Matt, eventually following the eyes of all patrons to find Matt down at the end of the building, dancing.
MATT
(singing)
La-de-dah…de-dah…de-dah…
ROB
Matt? Come back here, buddy! I know you’re excited, but we’ve got work to do!
MATT
(returning to the table)
Sorry, Rob. I’m just so excited, I can hardly contain myself!
ROB
Folks, forgive Matt, for he’s just really happy tonight. (ASIDE) I think Matt’s been drinking coffee again… we really need to keep him from doing that.
MATT
Aren’t you excited, too, Rob? You should be! (ASIDE) I think Rob could use some extra coffee… I’ll have to see if I can get him some.
ROB
Oh, I’m really excited, Matt.
MATT
(starts Irish step dancing around the table)
Well, then, dance with me!
ROB
Matt, Matt, Matt… maybe we should tell everyone why we’re dancing.
MATT
Oh. You didn’t tell them yet?
ROB
No, I’ve been busy getting you under control, man.
MATT
(sitting down)
I’m calm. I’m calm.
ROB
Well, then, I’ll jump right to it. Ahem. Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today so that Matt and I can announce-
MATT
(interrupting)
The first draft is done! The first draft is done!
Matt begins dancing on the table, garnering glares and comments from Panera staff.
ROB
That’s right! The first complete draft of “The Good Old Days” is complete and we are in the midst of initial edits and modifications.
MATT
But the first draft is done!
ROB
Yes, Matt. Yes, it is. Maybe we should tell these fine people about the script.
MATT
Good idea! You start. I’m too excited.
ROB
Well, there’s a diaper in there. It gets thrown.
MATT
There’s an homage to a prior Cross Creek Players production, too.
ROB
The first draft is 118 pages long.
MATT
On average, that translates to just under two hours of show time.
ROB
Act 1 has 6 scenes, Act 2 has 5 scenes.
MATT
There are currently 21 different speakers with at least one line in the script.
ROB
Now, keep in mind, this is a first draft. By the time you’re reading this post, at least some of the above will have changed.
MATT
I hope we keep the diaper throwing.
ROB
Me, too, Matt. Me, too…
MATT
In the meantime, we hope you’re as excited as we are.
ROB
I think we do need to celebrate.
Rob reaches into a bag, pulls out and proceeds to put on a coconut bra, grass skirt and blonde wig.
MATT
Let’s dance! Conga line anyone? We should put a conga line into the script, Rob. People like conga lines.
ROB
(leading the Conga line)
Don’t worry folks. There won’t be a Conga line in The Good Old Days. Well, I’m pretty sure there won’t be one. I’m not committing about the presence or absence of a coconut bra, though.
Exit Rob, Matt and all patrons and Panera employees in a massive conga line.
