SCENE TWO - BACKSTAGE - DAY 1 - WED 9PM

(The janitor/handyman Duncan is sitting on his cot in a backstage storeroom behind the workshop.
He has a developmental disability and lives in the storeroom. After the committee meeting, Penny and
JJ wait outside his door)

JJ: Do we really need to tell Duncan right now? We have no idea how he might react.

PENNY: The sooner he knows the better. He needs time to process bad news.
(She knocks on his door, which is ajar) Are you there Duncan. Hello?

DUNCAN: Penny!!! (Duncan jumps up, excited to see his friends)

PENNY: Sorry to bother you, Duncan.

DUNCAN: 'S okay. Call me Doc! (His smile drops a little) Hi JJ.

JJ: Hi, Doc.

DUNCAN: Call me Duncan.

JJ: Sorry Doc - ah, Duncan. We have to tell you something.

DUNCAN: Is it important?

JJ: Yes. Very important.

DUNCAN: Penny can tell me. Not you.

PENNY: I'm afraid we've got some bad news for you, Doc. I know you don't like Bad news.

DUNCAN: Call me Duncan. (He frowns)

PENNY: I don't think you can stay here much longer. The theatre might have to close soon.

DUNCAN: I can still stay here, but. Even if it's closed?

JJ: No, Doc. I'm afraid you can't. The council said -

DUNCAN: I'm talking to Penny! (getting upset)

PENNY: (To JJ) It's okay, JJ. I got this. (To Duncan) Listen carefully. Doc. You know the
council owns the theatre? Right?

DUNCAN: Yeah? So?

PENNY: And you know that this building is very old?

DUNCAN: Yeah? So?

PENNY: Well… the council said it needs lots of fixing up.

DUNCAN: I can fix it up. It's my job. I can fix everything.

PENNY: Yes, I know, Doc. You're great. But there is just too much work to do and not enough
time.

DUNCAN: Let me fix it up. I'm the handy man. The handy man!

JJ: It will cost lots of money.

DUNCAN: I'm talking to Penny!

PENNY: JJ is right, Doc. We can't afford to fix the theatre, so we can't use it anymore.

DUNCAN: I've got money. Look! (He gets milo tin from under his bed) I find it under the seats.

PENNY: It's not enough, Doc. We need lots and lots of milo tins.

DUNCAN: (Slumps down on his cot) I don't wanna go back out THERE, Penny.

PENNY: Don't worry. You'll be all right. I promise.

DUNCAN: I don't like sleeping outside. It's scary. And cold.

JJ: We won't let that happen, buddy. Okay?

DUNCAN: I'm not Buddy. Buddy is Penny's dad. Buddy's the boss. Except Penny's the boss of
Buddy.

PENNY: Haha. Sometimes, Doc.

DUNCAN: And Dick thinks he's boss, but he's not the boss.

JJ: You're right, Doc. You don't miss much do ya?

DUNCAN: Nope. (He smiles again.) I don't miss much. I got my secrets.

PENNY: And you're good at keeping them, aren't you?

DUNCAN: I'm the main man. (Points alternatively to both) I - know - every - thing.

JJ: (Looks at Penny) What is he talking about?

PENNY: Yeah. What do you mean, Doc?

DUNCAN: Ha! I told ya. I got my secrets.

PENNY: Oh, you mean us? It's not what you think!

JJ: It's not?

PENNY: Well. It might be

DUNCAN: See? Like JJ said. I don't miss much. Good things … and bad things. (Looks at
Penny)
JJ: What bad things? What does he mean, Penny? Did something happen?

PENNY: Don't worry. It was a long time ago.

JJ: What? Here? In the theatre?

PENNY: Not now okay, JJ?

DUNCAN: Sorry Penny. I made you sad. (He stands up again)

PENNY: No, Doc. It's not your fault. You make me happy. It's me that is making you sad
tonight.

DUNCAN: Why?

JJ: The theatre, remember? It may be closing soon?

DUNCAN: Oh, right. I forgot about that. Now we're all sad.

PENNY: A little bit. But it will all be all right, okay?

DUNCAN: Okay, Penny. It will all be all right. (Pause) I gotta go to bed now.

JJ: Okay Doc. See you tomorrow okay? (JJ leaves to give the other two a moment
together)

PENNY: Good night, Duncan. (She gives him a hug) You're a good man.

DUNCAN: I look after you, Penny. It's my job too.

PENNY: Thank you, Doc.

DUNCAN: I keep you safe from the bad man. I keep all the kids safe. That's my job, too.

PENNY: That's good. You're the main man, Doc. You keep good secrets.

DUNCAN: Yeah. I just tell Teddy. No-one else. And teddy can't talk.

PENNY: That's good. (As she leaves his room) See ya tomorrow, okay?

DUNCAN: (Sits on his cot and picks up his teddy bear) What are we gonna do Teddy?