Play #17

Plausible Deniability

__________________________

A short play

By Joseph Frost

Originally written as a part of

31 Plays in 31 Days

August 24, 2021

Contact:
710 Newland Dr
Jackson MS 39211
FrostJosephD@gmail.com
*member, Dramatists Guild
 Two chairs at a small cafe table with a light in
the middle.

LOU V sits at the table, facing out.

In comes ARCHIE, who sits at the table, facing

Lou V.

ARCHIE
It is done.

LOU V
All?

ARCHIE
All three of them.

LOU V
Three?

ARCHIE
One was already done before.

LOU V
One and three makes four. I’m glad it’s done.

ARCHIE
Now what?

LOU V
It won’t take long. Be patient.

ARCHIE
You know me. I’m patient.

LOU V
Time will come.

ARCHIE
I’d like to be ready.

LOU V
You did your job, now you must wait.
 2.

ARCHIE
I am waiting. That is all I ever do.

LOU V
You have a grievance you wanna say?

ARCHIE
Why can’t I ever see the big picture, Lou?

LOU V
Why can’t you?

ARCHIE
You know.

LOU V
Whatta I know?

ARCHIE
You only tell me about the essential details.

LOU V
And that is wrong?

ARCHIE
I don’t know what’s going on.

LOU V
You’re welcome.

ARCHIE
Can’t see the entire picture.

LOU V
It’s called plausible deniability.

ARCHIE
I wanna see.

LOU V
You really don’t.

ARCHIE
If I know the picture, I can anticipate.
 3.

LOU V
Don’t want that.

ARCHIE
I do.

LOU V
Look me in the eye. Think again.

ARCHIE
I want to do more. I can do more.

LOU V
(threatening)
If you do, you’re dead.

Archie is taken aback.

LOU V
You understand?

ARCHIE
I’m only trying to help Mister V.

LOU V
Help’s what I don’t need. Follow orders.

ARCHIE
I wanna do better.

LOU V
Don’t.

ARCHIE
You think i’m not smart enough to understanding anything.

LOU V
That’s not what I’m saying to you.

ARCHIE
No.

LOU V
The best you can do is--
 4.

ARCHIE
See that’s what I mean. I’m more than muscle.

LOU V
Are you now.

ARCHIE
I get that these three were in the way--

LOU V
Don’t say another word about it, I’m telling you.

ARCHIE
Of the business.

LOU V
Shut your fat mouth you stupid little--

ARCHIE
(slams hands on table)
That’s what I mean, Tommy!

LOU V
Tommy?

Lou slaps Archie across the face.

LOU V
My name is not... Tommy.

ARCHIE
That was your name back in the neighborhood.

LOU V
No more.

A silence.

ARCHIE
If you’re not Tommy, you’re not my friend anymore.

LOU V
Don’t say stuff will get you killed.
 5.

Archie stands.

ARCHIE
Goodbye Mister V.

LOU V
Big picture. You can’t see three feet in front--

Archie draws a pistol and shoots Lou.

ARCHIE
And goodby to Tommy.

Archie holsters his pistol. Exits.

Lights down.