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The Elevator
By Bridgette Burton M: 0403663445 Email: bridgetteb@e1c.net

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Characters: Vanessa early 40's Lulu early 30's Setting: A box of light approximately the size of a small elevator sits on the stage. A woman in a business suit (Vanessa) enters the elevator. She stands poised and pushes a button. As she does the elevator moves and the music starts. The music is terrible. The elevator pings open and a second woman in a business suit (Lulu) enters. She presses the button and the elevator starts again. The music becomes perceptibly sexier and more exotic. Lulu: Vanessa. Vanessa: Lulu Lulu: Your presentation was good. Vanessa: Thank you. The door opens and Lulu steps out Lulu: Nice talking with you. The doors shut and Vanessa is left alone. The music swells slightly and settles back into being awful. The elevator goes dark. The elevator lights up again and Lulu is already standing in it, the music is bland. The doors open Ping. Vanessa sees Lulu and enters. Lulu: Good Morning Vanessa: Lulu Pause. The music begins to throb softly. Vanessa: How was your weekend? Lulu: Quiet. Didn't get up to much. You? Vanessa: I can't remember. Lulu: It's funny how that happens. Vanessa: Yes Lulu: You spend two days off work and the very next day you return you can't remember

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a thing. It's as if we cease to exist when we aren't at work. Vanessa: Or when we are. Lulu: I wanted to tell you how much I admire your work here. It's really great to have a woman executive manager. Vanessa: Thank you. This is my stop. The doors open and Vanessa leaves. Lulu: Bye. The doors close. The music is sinuous and strong and Lulu runs her hand across her forehead to check if she is sweating. Lulu: I wanted to tell you how much I admire your work here. It's really great to have a woman executive manager. Nothing wrong with that. Friendly without being too familiar, deferential but positive, without fawning. The lights in the elevator go out. The lights in the elevator come up and both women are standing side by side. The music is innocuous. Lulu: ...So I would love to pick your brains sometime. Over a coffee. Vanessa: Maybe we could make it a phone call, I am very busy. Lulu: A phone call is fine! Vanessa: What do you want to talk about? Boys and cars? Lulu: Ha! No... just stuff about working here and some tips on surviving in the business. Vanessa: Of course. That's fine. Perhaps tonight. Lulu: Tonight! Tonight is good. Shall I call you? On your mobile number? Vanessa: Sure, call around 10. Lulu: 10! Vanessa: Too late?
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Lulu: No, that's fine. I appreciate it very much. Vanessa steps out. Vanessa: Till 10. Lulu: Yes, great, thanks. Vanessa leaves. Lulu is elated and excited. The lights in the elevator go out. Two areas on the stage light up, one on the left and one on the right. The left is Vanessa's personal space and the right is Lulu's personal space. The two women have a chair each, Vanessa also has a coffee table book and Lulu has a lava lamp. Lulu: And I said, It's as if you cease to exist when you aren't at work...and you said Vanessa: Or when you are. Lulu: That is PROFOUND. I wanted to repeat it the minute you said it! Do you mean that work is nothing? Vanessa: Isn't it? Lulu: I don't know. You love your job. Vanessa: I am my job, it's different. Lulu: It's interesting how working life is different for a career woman. Vanessa: In what way? Lulu: The company is full of fat men and thin women. Vanessa: Competition makes us thin. Lulu: Why are the men fat? Vanessa: They aren't competing. Lulu: What are they doing? Vanessa: Enjoying succession. Lulu: The company would be lost without you. Those men would all be lost...

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Vanessa: Thank you. I agree. You are talented also. Lulu: Thank you. Vanessa: With your looks and drive you could really go a long way. Lulu: To the top! Vanessa: That's possible. Lulu: Are you having a glass of wine? Vanessa: Yes, are you? Lulu: This is my third! I hate to be gushy, but I've kind of dreamed about this. Us talking like this, really listening to each other. Vanessa: Except in your dream I'm usually naked, right? Lulu: Sorry? Vanessa: What else happens in your dreams about me. Lulu: I... Vanessa: No need to be shy Lulu, it's 10.30 at night, anything can happen. You can tell me Lulu: The dreams are private. Vanessa: Private things happen. Lulu: That's not what I meant. Vanessa is silent. Lulu: Are you there. Vanessa: Oh yes. Lulu: Private things happen in my dreams. Vanessa: What sort of things?

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Lulu: Intimate things. Vanessa: Between you and I? Lulu: Yes. Vanessa: Sorry, I couldn't hear you... Lulu: Yes. Vanessa: I'd like to hear what happens in your dreams Lulu. Lulu: Really? Vanessa: Yes, really. What do I wear? Lulu: Ah, well mostly you don't wear anything. Vanessa: I'm naked? Would you like me to get undressed now? Lulu: Yes please. Vanessa begins to disrobe and the lights go down on her. Lulu is left standing and looking towards where Vanessa was... she is mesmerized. Slowly Lulu's light goes down. The elevator light comes up. Vanessa steps in, she has an overcoat on and has an umbrella with her. The music is low and bland. She presses the button and then sees Lulu, she holds the door open. As Lulu enters the elevator the music heightens and becomes seductive. Lulu: Thanks. Vanessa: My pleasure. Lulu: Did you have a nice night? Vanessa: Yes, thank you. Lulu: What did you get up to? Vanessa: Just stayed in, read a book, chatted on the phone. Did you finish the report for Evan? Lulu: Almost. The elevator stops.
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Vanessa: What's this? The lights go out. The music continues on. From the darkness... Lulu: Oh. This is... Vanessa: Inconvenient. Lulu: I wish it wasn't so dark Vanessa: Are you scared of the dark Lulu? Lulu: A little bit. Vanessa: You can take my hand if you like. Lulu: Really? Vanessa: If it helps... Lulu: Thanks. Your skin is soft. Vanessa: Baby oil. The lights come back on abruptly and both women are in light holding hands. The music is full and throbbing. They look at each other and Lulu slowly leans over and kisses Vanessa on the mouth, it is a full kiss, Vanessa does not overtly respond but she does not pull away. Lulu leans back slightly. Vanessa lets go of her hand. The music stops. Vanessa: I think you have the wrong idea. Lulu steps slowly back from Vanessa, facing her. The elevator pings open. Lulu turns and slowly walks out, crushed. The elevator closes and Vanessa stands looking at the doors. The music starts up again. It is Girl from Ipanema. Vanessa rearranges her clothes, she reapplies her lipstick and the doors open with a ping. Vanessa smiles. The lights go down. The end.

The elevator 2.0 2006 Bridgette Burton