I posted it here over in the trollhole because, well, thats just where I post, but I didn’t think before I did it, so I’m crossposting here. This is based on real events, but I can’t really elaborate.

I’d like feedback on how to better set the mood of Stephen, and what stage directions I should be giving to better convey how I want things set up (theatre noob lol)

SO without further ado,

“The Internet: A most Solemn Endeavour” a new screenplay by Hobart Bliggity

Based on actual events

Act 1: A downtown dirty apartment. The curtain rises on our protagonist Stephen as he takes a long pull out of a beer bottle, wipes his mouth and lolls his head as he reads the screen. He begins typing. The conversation is projected onto the wall behind him.

[03:13am] Stephen: I feel horible and don’t want to admit that I’d like to kill myself

[03:14am] Stephen: and obviously instead I’d rather have attention

[03:14am] Stephen: bad night for me

[03:15am] Stephen: ok.. no one cares

[03:15am] Stephen: wipe away feelings and man up

[03:16am] Stephen: (pretend the previous never was said plz)

[03:18am] Carl: what why is Stephen’s messages blank

[03:19am] Stephen: thx. I’d rather be blocked than you knew what I said

[03:20am]Carl: huh

[03:20am]Carl: what is Stephen saying i don’t get it

The projector dims as the lights come up on Stephen. Across the stage a spotlight shines on Amanda. She answers her phone. The audience hears a one-way conversation

Amanda: “Hello? Oh hey Carl, how are you? No, I’m not on right now….who? Why is he…wait…

…

Is he really? Ugh, I guess I can, but I’m sick of…..he said what?

…

Yes. Yes I’ll be right there”

Cue 2nd projector screen as Amanda logs on to chatroom. Both Stephen and Amanda’s screens are projected on the back wall.

[03:47am] Amanda: Stephen what

[03:47am] Stephen: ?

[03:47am] Amanda: what’s wrong

[03:48am] Stephen: oh no one was here and I wanted attentiom soprry

[03:48am] Amanda: ?_?

[03:48am] Stephen: I shouldn’t have been a whiny ****. please excuse me

Stephen audibly weeps and is shaken up by Amanda’s appearance.

Amanda (said out loud): You ****ing bumhole…

(chat)

[03:49am] Stephen: are you gonna come back to me?

[03:50am] • Stephen thinks you should do it before much longer

[03:51am] Stephen: I know you never cared when I left to my vacation, but I’d like you to be in my bed again asap

[03:53am] Stephen: if you wait too long, you’re gonna seem distant from me

[03:53am] Stephen: or, maybe you just want to leave this place? it happens

[03:54am] Stephen: Amanda?

[03:54am] Stephen: please leave your bumhole guys group and come back?

[03:55am] Roger: please leave your bumhole for Stephen?

[03:56am] Stephen: yes, please

[03:56am] Amanda: probably not coming back any time soon

[03:56am] Stephen: hey Rog, I tried to get in your group

[03:56am] Amanda: I already felt too distant that’s the reason I left

[03:56am] Stephen: are you ever gonna ask me?

[03:56am] Stephen: so you don’t want to come back ‘manda?

[03:57am] Stephen: I felt alienated is why I let b4

[03:57am] Amanda: yeah that’s why I left

[03:57am] Stephen: but after a cool off period and some vital people asking me to come back, I did

[03:57am] Amanda: and I feel a lot happier talking to you at the bar or whatever with myself distanced from being so involved in your mess

[03:58am] Amanda: because everything I suggested or pointed out, you took the opposite view from me, and it got to the point where it felt like you were disagreeing with me just to disagree with me

[03:59am] Stephen: well, I as a person, who didn’t generally agree with you lots of the times, want you to know that I always listened and tried to understand your opinion and I want you back

[04:01am] Stephen: just because I disagree with you probably more than most people do, I still love you

[04:01am] Stephen: and I want that oposing side

[04:01am] Stephen: to be part of the team

[04:03am] Stephen: you never asked me to come back from my vacation, but I am personally asking you Amanda, will you please rejoin me?

[04:03am] Amanda: I’m not coming back right now sorry

[04:03am] Stephen: will you remember that I want you back?

[04:04am] Amanda: yes

[04:05am] Stephen: I know I think you’re a **** a lot, I hope that is not why you left

[04:05am]Target: ITC: sucking Am’s male reproductive organ

[04:05am]Karl: /popcorn

[04:06am] Stephen: because ****y or not, when you have an opinion, you stick to it and I like it

[04:06am] Amanda: lol

[04:06am] • Stephen gives up

[04:06am] Roger: Stephen how much have you had to drink tonight

[04:06am] Roger: also Amanda pretty much thinks what i tell her too, Kathy gave me her mind control powers

[04:06am] Roger: *to

[04:07am] Roger: drunken reaching out invites embarbumment

[04:07am] Stephen: I dunno spanish but I think it was more than whatever “mucho cervesas”” is

Chat projections dim as Amanda rises to greet friends at her apartment “door”. Stephen stumbles to the fridge, cracks another beer, and sits down back at the computer. Stage lights dim to black over the sound of Stephen typing.

FIN

I am the only one who responded to this and that must make you feel sad.

bump for literary awareness

I broke into applause twice while reading this.