PLAY SYNOPSIS

Love, Guilt, Despair; (The unwanted fairytale)

By Virnabe T. Pelias

OVERVIEW: The story centers on James, the boy-next-door; Samantha, the girl-next-door turned damsel in distress and Arthur, the best friend and closet gay. It mirrors the real dramatic situation that the new generation of young people faces in the midst of contradictions from family and the society. But the ending is an exaggeration of what intense emotions and intrapersonal battle could do to an individual. It proves that family acceptance is very important. And at the end of the day, love turns out to be powerful and limitless.

ACT I Setting: Park Arthur and James, two college guys and best of friends since childhood, attend photography class every Saturday held at the Park. Samantha is the assistant of the instructor. At first, she liked Arthurs nerdy look and simplicity. He is also a gentleman; a quality that she wanted the most in guys. On the other hand, she did not liked James laidback and outgoing personality. When Arthur was absent once, James took the opportunity to get closer to Sam. But she kept on ignoring him. Yet when he saw his soft side, playing with the kids and helping an old woman carries her things, Sam was mesmerized. The next day, both guys seem to be in competition for

her attention. Then, James confronted Arthur that he has already fell for Sam and asked the latter if he feel the same for her. He was silenced for a while and then answered a blunt No. James courted Sam and they then became a couple. ACT II Setting: Dormitory- Living Area Arthurs family, his parents and two sisters, visited him. His father did not like that some of his sons dorm mates were gay. James and Sam arrived at the scene and Arthur watched at the background with jealousy. His younger sister, Marge, comforted him. When his family has left, he talked to someone over the phone. The sight of the couples sweetness caused so much pain that Arthur decided to leave the scene. One night, he went home late and drunk with two guys with him. Thus, this reveals that he is gay. James waited up for him and scolded him. Arthur almost revealed his admit that he is gay but kept his real feelings for his best friend. He then moved out of his shared room with James and stayed with his gay dorm mates. After a week, the leader of the fraternity where Arthur and James were members revealed to the latter that they have terminated Arthur as a member after knowing that he is gay. Their friends in the cell group, especially the leader, expressed their concern. On the other hand, Arthur found acceptance in his newfound circle of friends- the homosexuals. His father found out about all this and he rushed to the dorm to chase his son with a rifle. James was able to calm his friends raging father by promising to talked sense to Arthur. But the talk ensued to a heated argument with Arthur revealing his true feelings to James. Sam cant believe with what she has heard. She and James had a serious talk about it. Arthur still continued his late night adventures. James did not bother to stop him for he has promised Sam that he will not have anything to do with him anymore. But he was alarmed when Arthur was starting to show symptoms of an HIV positive.

As Arthurs health started to decline, James cant help but be concern for his friend. Arthurs father maintained his cold distance and did not dare to visit his son except for his wife and daughters who have understood the weight of the situation. On the other hand, James could not explain why he started to feel something deeper than friendship every time Arthur pushed him away. Sam started to notice the change in James behavior and unusual type of concern for his friend. But he was so defensive and this resulted to an intense disagreement between them.

ACT III Setting: Boys Dormitory (Arthurs room) Arthur, believing that theres no hope, planned his suicide and wrote letters to his loved ones, including James. He convinced them in his letters that what he did was a type of euthanasia. James was astounded. He then realized that he has loved Arthur more than a best friend and recollected all the reasons why. She confessed it all to Sam who was the only bystander at that time. Arthur then planned to kill himself with a knife, but Sam prevented him and accidentally killed herself instead.

ACT IV Setting: Asylum Arthur has gone insane.

Possible other titles: Heart in Chains Passion of the Sane; (Lies and Truths of Love)