The End of Society
by Ben Scranton
Synopsis
When an African-American woman submits an unusual piece of original art to a show whose theme is ‘The End of Society as We Know It’ debate ensues between the white arts administrator and the artist. They navigate a treacherous maze of verbal sparring, populated with racial barbs and personal threats. The play is a satire on race relations and the role of art in society.
Characters
DORIS SMITH African-American. 65+. Pleasant. Cheerful. Up-beat.
RANDALL JONES White. 30–35. Buttoned-up. Conservative. By-the-book.
Time Present day.
Place The registration table at a municipal art show in a high school gymnasium located in a run-down part of the city.
DORIS
(Approaching the table. She carries a large bag.)
Hello. Doris Smith. Here is my fifty-dollar entry fee.
(Hands him cash.)
RANDALL
Very well. Thank you.
(Checks the registration list. Places money in a cash box. His backpack sits to one side.)
Here’s your receipt.
DORIS
Thank you. It is so nice to have the show in my neighborhood. I walked here.
RANDALL
Yes, it certainly is different. The Arts League received a grant from the state to support the underserved areas of the city. To reach out and embrace everyone.
DORIS
Is that how they put it?
RANDALL
Culture enriches every segment of society.
DORIS
I always knew I was a segment, and now I’ve been embraced. (beat) You’ve never been to this part of town, have you?
RANDALL
No, I haven’t. We aim to reach out. Our goal is to –
DORIS
Yes, I know. You received a state grant to embrace everyone.
RANDALL
Our shows are usually held in the auditorium at The Fine Arts Museum in mid-town.
DORIS
I’ve been there.
RANDALL
Yes, well uh, your art work madam?
(She opens a large bag and takes out an over-sized pair of sharp-tipped scissors which are entirely covered by black and white paint. They are professional scissors, or shears, as might be used by a tailor or a fabric cutter. They are large enough to be menacing.)
RANDALL
This? This is your entry?
DORIS
Yes. I see you’re impressed.
RANDALL
But, scissors? Madam, you understand we receive paintings at this show.
DORIS
Yes, of course. I painted the scissors.
RANDALL
I can see that. Did you email us the entry form along with photos of three examples of your work?
DORIS
I did. I’m all thumbs with the computer so my nephew helped me. I’m sure it went through.
RANDALL
Do you have a copy of the form with you?
DORIS
Certainly. (She rummages through her bag to produce the form. Hands it to him.)
RANDALL
This does seem in order. The thing is, we never received your form. If we had, we would not have accepted the –
DORIS
My name appears on your registration list.
RANDALL
Yes, that is true, however –
DORIS
(Joyful. Producing a photo from her bag,)
Take a look at this. It’s a pink flamingo in a yellow tutu. What I did here was to combine a kitschy yard ornament with the delicacy of a ballerina’s tutu.
RANDALL
That is amusing, I suppose. Now, back to the scissors.
DORIS
I call it The Lithe Pinkness of Grace.
RANDALL
Your take on Grace Kelly, is it? Princess Grace of Monaco? A flamingo in a tutu. There are so many possibilities.
(They share a laugh. His is insincere.)
DORIS
Should I change the title?
RANDALL
Oh no, keep it pink. It’s memorable. That’s what you desire isn’t it? To be memorable.
DORIS
Oh, to be remembered for my art after I’m gone. That would be something, wouldn’t it? I’m so pleased you like it and can see it’s intrinsic value as art.
RANDALL
Really? Art? Value?
DORIS
It makes a bold statement combining crass commercialism as represented by the flamingo, which appeals to one segment of society, with the delicacy of an artistic item, the tutu, which is associated with the ballet and patronized by a different segment of society. It’s oil and water.
RANDALL
Class warfare is what it is. (beat) I know what happened. This was an internal administrative error. Your form got misapplied. This piece might be considered in the absurdist show we are sponsoring next spring, but not here.
DORIS
Your internal administrative mistakes are not my concern.
RANDALL
But, madam –
DORIS
I do not wish to wait until next year.
RANDALL
I see. (beat) What does this represent? (Pointing to the scissors.)
DORIS
Oh! (thrilled) Do you record the artist’s intent here at the registration table? Will it be typed on a card and displayed next to my scissors? How wonderful. Are you a judge too?
RANDALL
No madam, I am not a judge, and I don’t take statements of any kind.
DORIS
You do have an opinion.
RANDALL
Yes, but I do not judge.
DORIS
We all judge dear. Whether it’s evident to others, well … who’s to say. Although some folks are quite transparent. What’s your name?
RANDALL
Randall.
DORIS
That’s a storied name with medieval origins derived from Randolph, meaning shield. Doris is from the Greek meaning the sea, bountiful.
RANDALL
Madam, I’m afraid –
DORIS
(Urgent.) Afraid? Are you quite well?
RANDALL
Yes, I’m fine. What I mean to say is scissors are a rather unusual choice I’m afraid.
DORIS
Oh, you are afraid. Afraid of what others might think or say in accepting my artwork, is that it? Or, is it something else? Are you afraid of me?
RANDALL
Madam, I assure you I am not afraid of you.
DORIS
About what my art, as you said earlier, represents.
RANDALL
If you wait until next spring, perhaps –
DORIS
I have no intention in waiting. I’m on borrowed time. The administrative error, as you call it, is an internal matter unrelated to me or my artwork. It is not my concern.
RANDALL
Your borrowed time, while unfortunate, is not my concern.
DORIS
I see. We obviously differ in what this show should be. Who actually gets represented here anyway? Is seems to me this is an example of, what was it, class warfare I believe you called it?
RANDALL
That was in reference to your flamingo in a tutu, not this show. Madam, your entry represents nothing. It is not acceptable.
DORIS
Oh Randall, you do judge. My entry represents the theme of the show, ‘The End of Society as We Know It.’
RANDALL
Yes, I know the theme.
DORIS
I don’t think you do or you would see that my entry is –
RANDALL
Perhaps if you went away and came back with a painting.
DORIS
I am not going away Randall. My name is on the registration list, and you have taken my payment. Now, if I may be given my lot number I’ll be on my way.
RANDALL
Madam –
DORIS
Doris.
RANDALL
Doris. The Art League will support me when I tell you, this venue is not for you.
DORIS
I’ve titled it, Black and White Scissors. It represents the shredding of society.
RANDALL
I see. How clever.
DORIS
Thank you. Are you familiar with the concept of ‘Ready-Mades’ as it relates to art?
RANDALL
Yes. I know the term.
DORIS
Ready-Mades are natural or discarded objects, often mass-produced, found by chance and held to have aesthetic value by the artist. One takes an object and creates art. It has been said Picasso was the first to utilize it in 1912 in his still life, Chair Caning. Do you know the artist Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven or Marcel Duchamp?
RANDALL
Yes. (Snarky) Do you suppose they will be here?
DORIS
(Amused) Oh no Randall. You are a sarcastic wit aren’t you. They are both dead.
RANDALL
Yes, very.
DORIS
There is a controversary that in 1917 either Baroness Elsa or Marcel Duchamp purchased a porcelain urinal from a plumbing supply warehouse in Paris turned it upside down and created the most famous of all Ready-Made art works titled Fountain.
RANDALL
Is this a joke? Are you making fun of me and this show?
DORIS
Why no dear. It’s no joke. You have a tendency to be fearful, which you fail to acknowledge. Don’t be stupid too. “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Martin Luther King.
RANDALL
You seem to know everything don’t you. Well, I can play this game too. “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance. It is the illusion of knowledge.” Stephen Hawking.
DORIS
Well done, Randall. You are a clever one. Since the scissors are not to your liking, I will open them to create two daggers. Like this.
(In a strong gesture she brings the scissors up over her head with the blades open and directed at him. In defiance, she holds this position through his next two lines.)
RANDALL
Madam, Doris, please put the scissors down.
(Agitated, growing more and more fearful.)
The review board will categorically reject the scissors and the daggers. This is not art. Put the scissors down!
DORIS
It is art. Art is an expression by the artist to make a bold and meaningful statement. Not just show pretty colors on a canvas. You would do well to acknowledge that.
(She moves closer.)
RANDALL
This is unacceptable. You are a danger. I knew we shouldn’t have come into this neighborhood. Well, I came prepared.
(He reaches into his backpack and takes out a letter opener.)
DORIS
(Lowers the scissors.)
Oh Randall, how dramatic. Is that a letter opener?
RANDALL
Yes. But not just any letter opener. It’s from the gift shop at The Fine Arts Museum. See, there is the insignia.
DORIS
Is this some form of sarcasm? Or mocking?
RANDALL
You are misguided madam. Action must be taken. Now give me those scissors.
DORIS
Now you want the scissors?
RANDALL
You have threatened me.
DORIS
This form of personalized terror is not the answer, dear. Fear creates violence. It must be confined.
RANDALL
Give me those scissors!
DORIS
There is always another way. Now put down the letter opener.
RANDALL
Not as long as you brandish that weapon. Look, I have tried to reason with you, even engaging in a discussion of art history but you fail to accept the fact that I am rejecting you.
DORIS
Oh? Rejecting me as a person, or rejecting my art?
(Silence)
I see. You are afraid of me aren’t you. Should I be afraid of you, Randall? ‘Action must be taken’ is a telling statement.
(Silence)
Very well. In that case, I have another Ready-Made object to show you.
(She reaches into her bag and takes out a letter opener.)
RANDALL
That will be another fifty-dollars.
DORIS
I don’t think so. You rejected the scissors. This replaces the scissors. Just as effective in support of the theme, don’t you think? Also, from the gift shop.
RANDALL
But those are the wooden ones. Mine are metal. I’ve got the upper hand.
DORIS
But I’ve got the letter opener and the scissors.
RANDALL
Well, I’ve got a pen too. Someplace. (beat) It seems we have a standoff.
DORIS
Yes, as ridiculous as it is, we do. Here we stand with scissors and letter openers as representatives in a long-running, historic, frequently violent, difference of opinion.
RANDALL
My opinion of you is –
DORIS
Careful Randall. Once said, not soon forgotten.
RANDALL
I will hold my opinion, and this position, for as long as necessary. Much longer than you.
DORIS
Don’t underestimate me dear. My nephew is a police officer. I’ve been trained in defensive moves. (beat) Oh Randall, “nothing is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”
RANDALL
That statement is not your own. It was said by Madam Curie. You are condescending.
DORIS
And you are unduly fearful and reckless. I’m seventy-two years old, and you are, what, thirty-something? I’m threatening your what? Your lifestyle? The city? The country? Your understanding of art?
RANDALL
Life imitates art. There is plenty of violence in art. Edvard Munch’s The Scream for example.
DORIS
That is not violence. It exhibits anxiety and alienation. What’s the entire quote? Do you know?
RANDALL
“Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life.”
DORIS
Oscar Wilde. From his 1889 essay, ‘The Decay of Lying.’
RANDALL
Why did you ask if you knew?
DORIS
To see if you knew. You are an enigma, Randall. (beat) What is it you do for a living? This?
RANDALL
No. Yes. I mean I’m part-time at the museum. I do other things too.
DORIS
What? What is it you do?
RANDALL
I’m a photographer. Mostly houses right now, for Realtor® listings. But that’s just to make some money. I’ve got other plans and other photographs too. More artistic ones.
DORIS
Oh? Tell me.
RANDALL
Well, I’m taking an arts photography class right now.
DORIS
That’s wonderful. I’d love to see some of your photographs.
RANDALL
Really?
DORIS
Yes.
RANDALL
Why?
DORIS
You’ve seen my work. (Silence) It could be wonderful.
RANDALL
Well … the instructor asked the class to vote for three photographs to be in the school exhibit. It was a secret vote. I got chosen.
DORIS
You see. It must be wonderful. What is it?
RANDALL
A black and white landscape.
DORIS
Black and white like my scissors. Oh Randall, we have something in common. Let’s see it.
RANDALL
(He sets the letter opener on the table and takes a portfolio from his backpack. He gets more and more energized as he explains the photograph to her.)
This is the one she chose. It’s a dead oak tree. It’s not dead really. It was taken in the winter, which you can see of course. So, it’s a live oak tree, I think, but looks dead. Just a bare tree with the sun and the snow. A study in light and dark.
DORIS
I should say. Look how the sun cuts through the branches right here. This is very good. It could be an Ansel Adams.
RANDALL
The instructor likes it too.
DORIS
Well, of course she would. Oh Randall, you’re an artist. Just like me.
RANDALL
What? Well, no. Really? You think? I … guess so.
DORIS
Isn’t that what you want to be?
RANDALL
(Hesitates, as if verbalizing it for the first time.)
Yes, I do. (beat) Tell you what, no promises, but I’ll ask the review board if they’ll put your scissors in the show.
DORIS
Oh Randall. That would be wonderful. You are an enigma dear, puzzling, and a challenge.
RANDALL
“The power of the artist is to show people how to live.” Another observation by Wilde
DORIS
To teach them how to live, I would add. Would you agree?
RANDALL
That’s reasonable. (beat) I’m not sure how we do that.
DORIS
We observe dear. People have been looking at art for centuries. It speaks to us. Changes us even. Look! We have put down our weapons.
(The scissors and the letter openers are on the table.)
RANDALL
Office supplies really, aren’t they.
DORIS
Yes. But in the wrong hands … well.
RANDALL
Is this the end of society as we know it?
DORIS
That is the theme after all. It’s up to us, don’t you believe?
RANDALL
Time will tell.
DORIS
How much time do you think we have?
End of play
This story originally appeared in Stonecoast Review Issue 17.
Photo by Aleksandar Živković