"Leaving Home" (2 person scene)

Leaving Home (Inspired by: "The Glass Menagerie") 

Characters:

Dan- 12-year old energetic playful little boy who is short with blonde hair, blue eyes and full of Imagination.

Toby- Cute little dog who is a very loveable Chihuahua that needs lots of love and care..

Setting: Dan's room, the young boy



Dan is packing clothes and other necessities in a suitcase while his dog, Toby is chilling in his bed.

Toby: Do you wanna know something?

Dan: Hello??… Who’s there??

Toby: (sarcastically) Uhh, your dog, Gringo, right here (raises paw) who you’ve raised since you were 4-years-old.

Dan: (looks around room in confusion) What??

Toby:  Oh my goodness! (Sarcastically) And they say dogs are stupid. What an Idiot.

Dan: (Jumps back and looks at dog in amaze) Whoa?! (Stands there frozen in shock)

Toby: (Climbs up on suitcase in front of Dan and snaps his paw) Hello?! Helloooo?!  Any one there? Oh well I’m gonna go get something to eat.

Dan: (Snaps out of it) No wait! Where are you going?

Toby: You’re asking me that?

Dan: So you… you… (Speechless)  can t…tal…talk?

Toby: Uh… Yeah. Duh! ...Speaking of which;
what I was trying to say earlier. I have a bone to pick with you! (picks up his toy bone)

Dan: Okay I’m really freaked out right now.

Toby: Can you let me finish?   …    Thank you
So, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted… How long have you known me?

Dan: Ummm… I don’t know. It’s been like forever.

Toby: And how much haven’t we went through together?

Dan: …(beat)

Toby: We went through everything together. Your first bully, who is still in the hospital with bite marks all over his face… Your first girlfriend who unfortunately is in the bed right next to him. Yeah…about that… Sorry. I’ve always had jealousy problems. When you lost your first tooth… You actually thought the tooth fairy took it until you found it in my poop the next day. Oh yeah and how about that time I pooped in your shoe and the next day when you stepped into your shoes it got all over your foot. (laughs) That was hilarious.

Dan: (laughs) Yeah and I had to stay home all day trying to get rid of that awful God forsaken smell.

Toby:  Hey you wouldn’t feed me so I had to get you back somehow.

Hahaha and how about that other time I tore up your brand new baseball that was signed by Babe Ruth.

Dan: (gasps) So that’s what happened to my favorite baseball.

Toby: Uhh… Uuhh… No… no… not at all. What are you talking about? I was talking about someone else’s baseball. You had a baseball that was signed by Babe Ruth too? (Sarcastically laughs) Well… that’s weird. What are the odds of that.
Anyhow…. That’s beside the point. What I’m trying to say that is that we went through all of that together and look at you now. Getting ready to throw it all away. Packing all of your stuff to leave me here just so you can go to some dumb Summer Camp.

Dan: (stops paying attention due to the amazement of the fact that he can talk) (puts hand towards Gringo’s mouth to try to feel it due to his curiosity)

Toby: (Hits his hand away) Can you stop and pay attention to what I’m saying here.
So as I was saying. Unfortunately we dogs are born with these useless things right here (raises paws) and we can’t do much for ourselves so us dogs need extra help. I need someone to take care of me and love me.

Dan: (Gets lost by his amazement and puts hand towards the dog’s face again.)

Toby: (stops talking) Boy if you don’t get that grimy hand out of my face! (Bites his hand)

Dan: (snaps out of it)Ooowww! What was that for?!

Toby: Pay attention!
Again as I was saying your annoying mother doesn’t even like me and she’s never home, She’s always at work. But I understand. I guess if you really don’t love me, if you really hate me go right ahead leave me all alone by myself. It’s your choice.

Dan: No it’s not that…

Toby: (put’s his back towards Dan) No! Don’t talk to me. I don’t wanna hear it.

Dan: It’s just that I really wanna go to Summer Camp and this is the first time mom is going to let me go.

Toby: But who’s going to feed me, take me for walks, love me, and take care of me. Please don’t go I beg you.

Dan: I wish I could stay but this is the only chance I’m going to get, to get away from mom.

Toby: I see how it is. You know what? It’s cool, You go. You can go and have fun with your friends. Just remember this. All the stuff I’ve ever done for you.

Dan: like what!? Name one thing that you’ve ever done for me besides tearing all of my stuff up.

Toby: Well uhhh…. Theres ummm… that one time I peed on your new shirt.

Dan: How is that helping me?

Toby:  Trust me I was doing you a favor. That was the ugliest shirt I’ve ever seen. You would’ve gotten made fun of so bad.

Dan: Well I have to go I’m sorry.

Toby: No please don’t go. Don’t leave me.
Don’t make me do it. I will.

Dan: Do what?

Toby:  (Starts to give Dan puppy dog eyes)

Dan: No not the puppy dog eyes! (Tightly closes eyes and puts hand on his face) I’m not looking so it’s not working … (Slowly puts hand down to see if Gringo stopped but he didn’t) Oh my goodness. Aaaawwwww… I’m so sorry

Curtain closes

Opens back up

Dan: (wakes up from sleeping in bed) looks at Toby who is peacefully sleeping in his bed (realizes it was just a dream) Don’t worry I’m not going to go to Summer Camp.

"The Glass Menagerie" Connection Paragraph

            I believe that my scene, “Leaving Home”, connects to The Glass Menagerie because at the end of the play Tom left his home and Laura, his handicap sister, for selfish reasons because he wanted freedom and to be adventurous and to get away from his annoying mom. The only difference is that I made Tom a 12-year old boy named Dan who leaves his dog, named Gringo at home for selfish reasons as well. Tom’s reason is because of freedom and because of his annoying mom. Dan’s reason is because of fun at Summer Camp and his annoying mom. I made Laura a dog because she is handicap and may have needed extra help here and there. So I thought that it would be interesting to make her a dog who needs a bit more extra help. Just like Laura and tom had a great relationship so does Dan and Gringo. But Dan walks out on Gringo just like Tom walks out on Laura.

"Fighting for Justice" (Michael Vick monologue)

Fighting for Justice

Character Description:
Name – Spike
Age – 5 yrs. old (35 in human years)
Appearance – A big scary and intimidating black and white spotted pit bull with a spiked collar.   
Personality- Surprisingly very friendly, kind-hearted, and determined pit bull that is very depressed and angry due to his past and the treatment he’s given. He acts gangster and is pretty ghetto but has no fear to fight for what is right.
Setting- He’s in a dingy, dirty, hut of some sort that’s cluttered with all kind of junk and is in the backyard of a bigger property. He’s stuck inside a hot, cramped, and smelly cage with no space to move. Can’t really see much but can hear the other dogs in the other cages whimpering.
Audience- He’s thinking in his head or praying to Artemis, the God of animals, but he’s really talking to us, the readers or the audience members (If performed).

Lights fade, and curtains open to reveal a pitch dark stage. Spotlight zooms in on one big cage center-stage.

Spike:

             Well… my name WAS spike before I came HERE, to this raggedy old dump. This place is a Hell-hole!! I hate it here!!! I just wish I could go back ho… (Stops abruptly) (Pause, deep in thought)… I miss it so much… It’s been so long but I can remember it like it was just yesterday… (Really emotional) His name was Andy. He was the best owner a dog could have! He would always take me for a walk first thing when he came home from school every day, sneak food under the table for me when mom wasn’t looking, and most of all I remember he would sneak me into his room every night to sleep next to him on his bed even though mom never allowed me on the furniture… (Pause)…       

          That was my home… and they were my family, but now… I’m here!!... In THIS pathetic excuse for a home! (Pouts) It’s hot, and smelly, and I’m stuck in this small cage with the crap no one cared to clean up this morning because, of course, no one takes me for a walk either!! They treat us like dogs here!! … Well… We are! … But still, it’s not fair! … Oh yeah! And not to mention, I’m starving!! They haven’t fed me all day!! And it’s probably because of the fight. Cuz for some reason they never feed me during the day of a fight. But they should be taking me out pretty soon because cuz today’s the day, the day of the big fight. I can’t get it off my mind… Today’s the day I’ll finally be able to seek my revenge!

          See… me and my opponent, Big Ace… we go way back… When I first came here I was a loner, I didn’t know anyone and I was just a lost puppy… literally! But see… Big Ace and my old buddy Blaze, introduced me to the place and showed me how things worked around here! Eventually the three of us became the bestest of friends. We were as tight as my dog collar! ... Inseparable!

           But then one day the big door opened. See when that door opens and the daylight of the outdoors pour in, you do only one of two things: … Hope and pray your going outside for a walk, or fear and dread that you’re going into the arena for another fight… So when the door slammed open and the boss, Michael Vick is his name, and his crew walked down the row of cages, they stopped at Big Ace’s. I knew something was wrong because they never come in at that time. Ever since that I haven’t seen him since. But it took only two weeks later when Blaze was up for another fight. Next thing he knew he was staring Big Ace straight in the eye in the middle of the Arena. He stood no chance against Big Ace.  See now Big Ace was the toughest, most fiercest pit bull you’d ever meet! He was a bigger and better fighter than the rest of us that’s why he was moved. He betrayed us! He had no hesitation to fight his used-to-be best friend! Things didn’t go well in that ring for Blaze. Big Ace messed him up pretty bad!

              By the time Blaze came back it wasn’t a pretty sight. Big Ace did some pretty good damage. Good enough I wasn’t sure Blaze would be able to go back in the ring for a while… if ever! And I don’t know what happens to dogs that are unable to fight but… let’s just say I’ve never seen one return. I still don’t know till this day exactly what the hell happened that night, but I know one thing for sure! … It couldn’t have been good! After the boss, Vick, took him out I’ve never seen him again. Some say they drown them, other’s say they hang ‘em but whatever it is I’m going out there tonight with bravery and determination and I’m gunna fight for a cause! (Looks at the dog tag on his collar) Sorry I left you Andy … (Light fills the filthy room as the big door opens and Vick walks to his cage and kneels down) but I promise you, I’ll find a way back!!

"The Guessing Game" (Monologue)

The Guessing Game

(Nervously) “Oh that? Haha! That? That’s nothing really, I uhh just… uhh… hit my head on the corner of my bed when I woke up this morning”

(Disappointed) See… that was my first time, so I didn’t really have any experience yet. But I’ve actually gotten pretty good at it… Now I can fool just about anyone (jokingly). It’s all about eye contact, because if there’s no eye contact you’ll cave and you’ll just become this piece of glass that they’ll be able to see right through. See… that’s the thing, people aren’t dumb; they’re actually pretty smart nowadays. It’s almost as if they already know, and they’re just toying with you. Like you’re suddenly in this interrogation room and they’re prying information out of you. Sometimes it even feels like they’re really just gripping me up, and shaking me, and at the top of their lungs screaming right into my face “JUST SPIT IT OUT, ALREADY!!!” …But you can’t let them do that, you can’t fall for that, you can’t let them inside your head, because than… if you do that, they can read you like a book.

(Satisfactorily Reflecting) But, after awhile… you get kind of used to it… It’s kind of like getting into a hot shower. See, no one ever just fully jumps into a shower without first testing the waters. Instead you first get in and you might just stick your toe in to see how it feels and to begin with it might seem scolding hot and you might even jump back, but… as you inch your way in and as you continue to submerge your body more into the water, it’s as if your body just seems to adapt, and you don’t even feel it anymore, but in reality the temperature of the water never actually changed. But then again, maybe it just depends on how sensitive you are because than there are the times when you can just stick your hand in and not even feel a thing but as soon as you stick your foot or ankle in, the water seems to get a hundred times hotter.

(Firmly Formally Informative) Cause see… there are a couple rules one must follow, or more so, boundaries you absolutely can NOT break and lines you simply just never cross, when playing this game. (Casually) I like to call it a game, because it’s become like an art or skill that I’ve mastered.  Like… for instance… NEVER ever… I repeat you must NEVER stutter, stammer, or even trip up on your words because that automatically puts up a red flag in their head, that you’re not telling the whole truth or just making it up on the spot. It instantly reveals a lack of confidence in your speech. It is extremely important that you prepare in advance and plan ahead for each mark, because than you start to forget which lie you told what person, and you can risk the chance of telling the same person 2 different stories or telling 2 different stories for the same mark. And, ALWAYS REMEMBER to keep eye contact and remain staring at them, and keep an eye on any nervous twitches, or anything really that might show you’re uncomfortable or agitated. Mainly, any sign that you might be hiding something.

(Inevitably Angry) And… I know you might be thinking to yourself and asking WHY? Why do I put up with it? I’ll give you the answer right now! I’ll tell you what I can tell you! I can tell you that NO!... It’s not because I’m just so blind in love, and I’m this weak helpless wreck that constantly blames myself for everything and just thinks everything is my fault. You’re WRONG!!! Cause I’ll tell you what! I might be helpless but I’m sure not hopeless! Why you ask? I guess… maybe it’s just a matter of pride… self dignity. This constant obligation and pressure to live up to this perfect picture of this ideal relationship we don’t actually have. I guess… you can say it’s a mixture of not wanting to put my burdens on others, like I can’t handle my own problems and the slightest hope that maybe, just maybe… THIS…. is the last time. The desire to shut-up the people who doubted us in the first place… The attacking words of those who knew the entire time… “I TOLD YOU SO!”

(Surprisingly Sadly Upset) Cause… you see… it’s no longer the physical pain. The physical pain isn’t the problem. See, the physical pain is just a hot shower. You grow accustomed to that… But now… it’s the mental and emotional pain… it’s your inner heart and your inner feelings that are now hurting. It’s like you’ve been completely gutted out and there is absolutely nothing left inside of you… It’s this constant feeling of defeat… Because it’s no longer just a hit… or a smack… or a punch… It’s more than that, it’s the mere lost of your rights or having anything to live for… Every hit is like he rips my heart out into a million pieces, throws it on the floor and stomps on it!... Again… and again… You no longer feel like a human, you feel like you don’t even own yourself, like you belong to someone else… Like a piece of property at his total dispense… Like a used plate and not even one of those nice glass ones anymore… that you can wash and re-use again… But a paper plate that you wrinkle up and throw out… You feel like a used piece of trash!... And see… Nor is it the fact that you’ve just been crumpled up and are now sitting rock-bottom in a trash can… … … But the exact fact that he did all of that without even the slightest or least bit of thought, care, or even sympathy for your feelings. (Starts crying) But… you must ALWAYS REMEMBER… the key is eye contact… You gotta look him dead in the eye without showing the smallest  wince of the throbbing pain, hurt, and anguish stirring inside of you… because then… if you’ve done that… Then you’ve really given up everything… Then you have nothing to stand for… Then is when you’ve lost all hope… Then… is when you have handed him the victory… and… than… That is when you have really lost the game.

"The Daring Davy" English Ballad

The “Daring” Davy

It all started in about eighteen thirty-five
When Davy began his journey against pride
Few were lucky enough to survive
But our dignity they were unable to deprive

As Mexican troops continued to march forward
Davy Crockett hid like a coward
A so-called courageous man
Fighting for this vast land of sand

Davy Crockett alone he stood
Hiding behind a bed of wood
They pulled him out by his hair
Embarrassed him and did not care
Threw him down in the noon-day sun
Mocking him in front of everyone

Well respected around the country-side
He did not think of this as he cried
Kneeling down on a carpet of dust
“Set me free!” he cried “You must!”

CHORUS
Davy, Davy Crockett King of the wild frontier
This American folk hero, now trembled in fear
The air now filled with screams of pain
How can his legacy remain?

Terribly trembling in The Texas war for independence
Why we call him a hero does not make sense
He was no hero, as a matter of fact
How did he make such an impact
when bravery was a quality he lacked

Unable to avoid his bloody execution
He was now a victim of the Texas Revolution
This American legend has been slain
Along with his unforgettable fame
Because on that date of devastate
His fate could no longer wait

Tears are no longer shed
As his legacy lies on his deathbed
All that has been said
Is now laying face-down dead
                                                                                                                                                                                    -Daniel Gehm

"El Cuento de La Amistad"

“El Cuento de La Amistad”

Once upon a time
In eighteen thirty-nine
A cargo ship filled with African slaves
Sailed its way through the Atlantic Waves
Captured by slave traders from Spain
The boat fought its way through thunder and rain
Each slave, bound by a chain
Endured endless amounts of suffering and pain
That ended up making them go insane

But one young man in particular
Decided he could no longer suffer
Having endured the most abuse
He was determined to break himself loose
This young man, by the name of Cinque
Along with all the others was Mende
But he alone was most determined to find a way

With the ship still at sail
He scratched at the floor with his bloody nail
And with determination to prevail
From one wooden plank he removed a metal nail
The ship being shoved around by the waves of the sea
He used this nail as a new-found key
To break him and all the others free
After having picked the lock
Their captors were in for an unbelievable shock
Immediately grabbing weapons and supplies
They seeked revenge for all their endless cries

Continuing on through the harsh conditions of the Atlantic
Everything on board the ship suddenly went frantic
Being captured more than twice
The throats of their captors they sliced
Fighting for their lawful rights
And seeking revenge for their many unbearable nights

Unable to handle any more
They fought a long violent war
After this horrendous battle of blood and gore
They cleaned up the dead bodies that remained on the floor
But now that all their fears and worries had vanished
They kept hostage the two leaders of the Spanish

Now that they ruled the ship alone
Their only wish was to go back home
Day by day the floors of the ship they roamed
Wanting to go back to their homeland of Sierra Leone
The name of the ship where these slaves trod
Is known as “La Amistad”

After the victorious attack
They knew one thing for a fact
They really needed to find a way back
Because of the supplies and food they lacked
But even though they won the fight
They were headed for a gruesome night

The hostages they spared at battle
Ended up being the two to tattle
Finding themselves on an unknown shore
They fought for their freedom once more
Chains again around their neck and hand
They felt helpless in this foreign land


Putting their hope in a man of law
A bit of hope they eventually saw
Overcoming their past hysteria
They would find justice in America                                                                                    

Because they were sold illegally
America ended up setting them free
Finding their freedom again at last
They hoped to put behind their horrid past


Now that the story has come to an end
Their courage and bravery we must commend
It was their freedom they fought to defend
But it was on God they had to depend
Porque el cuento de “La Amistad”
Had to be, in the hands of God

By, Daniel Gehm

"Am I the Only One?" CW poem

Am I the only one? 

Let’s not make an excuse
It’s the most common form of abuse
The cruel are crude with the courteous
But the courteous are kind to the cruel
We want what we don’t have
but don’t want what we do have
We don’t push the button we’re supposed to push
But push the button that says ‘don’t push’
 Whoever stopped to think that we bully the bullied
Because the bullies are bullied
We are the ones who lied
When we said the grass is always greener on the other side
Ones man trash is another man’s treasure
But one man’s treasure is another man’s trash
The lovers are hated
but the haters are loved
 Don’t get me wrong
I’m the writer of every love song
I am a train on railroad tracks
But It’s time we face the facts.
We have no control over where we go
Or whether or not we move fast or slow
 If we’re all headed in the same direction
Why do we hide our affection?
If we’re all looking for the same thing
Why are we paralyzed when it’s there for the taking?
If people think love is a form of freedom
Then why is someone always left bleedin’?
If love is what we’re longing for
Why is it the one thing we always ignore?
Why do we pretend not to care
When this feeling is something we all share?
Why am I looked at as if I’m from another planet,
Just because I don’t take love for granite?
Why are we ashamed of the right
And brag about the wrong
 Let’s not take advantage of the daughter without a dad
Spending her life trying to make up for what she never had.
Let’s not take the prostitute to bed
But put a roof over her head.
Befriend the kid who always sits alone
Because his dad just left his mom on her own.
 We could do what we should
If we would do what we could
If you walk around with a mirror
this’ll all become much clearer
Do unto others as you would have done unto you
Because what others do to you, you will do too

Society is us and, you are society
So changing ourselves is the first priority
We begin at the end
And end at the beginning
Let’s not make an excuse,
It’s the most common form of abuse.
 
                                                                                                                                                                       -Daniel Gehm

"The Enfuriating Flames of Enraging Anger"

The Enfuriating Flames of Enraging Anger                                                       

Anger is a burning flame,

Incapable of being tamed.

As soon as I have engaged

In it’s never-ending rage

There is no final Stage.

A book with no last page.

Anger is a burning coal

That dwells within the depths of my soul

The pain will dwell deep within my chest

As if there is no rest from this eternal stress.

The flames of this on-going fire

Only seem to grow higher.

Throughout your veins it will flow

As animosity continues to grow.

This flame of hatred will bombard your brain

It makes the merry go insane

It consumes your body and your mind

It’s bright light will make you go blind

And you loose all ability to be kind

Inner affection eventually deteriorates

Generous tenderness of others infuriates

Revenge and resentment we begin to desire

As the flames of this furious fire grow higher

Thoughts become impossible to sustain

Actions you can no longer refrain

Emotions begin to stir,

And your conscious becomes a blur

Your stomach will churn,

Your face will burn

Others will show concern

But it’s isolaytion you yearn

A tumbling snow ball

That grow bigger as it continues to fall

With zero control

Over where it might roll.

An uncontrollable, infuriating wrath,

Destroying any obstacle that is in it’s path

But if back to reality is where we wanna return,

Self-control is the value we must learn,

Because aggravation and agitation

Will not lead to regeneration.

Only cooperation

Can bring real recuperation.

                                                                                                                                  -Daniel Gehm