Alex Goldberg is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and director. His play It Is Done has been published and produced multiple times, recently winning four Stage Scene L.A. Awards for a production at Theatre40 in Beverly Hills. His one-act plays Annexing the Palisades and The Six Pianos of Miradero were commissioned by Antaeus Theater Company and available as radio plays. Seventeen of his plays have been produced across the country and on three continents. He lives with his wife, actress Catia Ojeda, and their sons, in Burbank, California.
ABOUT THE PLAY
This play emerged as a very dark fantasy, a "what if" that would alter our political climate. As a citizen of the United States, I have been frustrated by what seems to be one faction of people who play by the rules while another group repeatedly breaks the law to achieve their needs. The side playing by the rules is currently losing... so what if they became the rulebreakers as well?
This play emerged as a very dark fantasy, a "what if" that would alter our political climate. As a citizen of the United States, I have been frustrated by what seems to be one faction of people who play by the rules while another group repeatedly breaks the law to achieve their needs. The side playing by the rules is currently losing... so what if they became the rulebreakers as well?
~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.
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DR. JACKSONYou have a lot of anger.PATIENTI’m dying! And I don’t have a lot of anger, just some anger... directed in a very specificdirection.DR. JACKSONI think channeling anger is healthy. Especially at the end of life. There might be something we can do to help you channel your anger.
She picks up the phone and talks into it.
DR. JACKSONYes, send him in. And-(to Patient)Would you like a coffee?PATIENTSure. Sweet and Low. Ah screw it, what does that matter anymore? Two sugars.DR. JACKSON(on phone)Coffee. Two sugars. Thank you.She hangs up the phone.
PATIENTI... if you are thinking therapy, I’m good. I’ve gone through that process and it’s helpful, but I’m not going to waste any more of my remaining time talking about how I feel.DR. JACKSONI’m not recommending therapy.
The door opens and SMITH (male, any age)enters, carrying a coffee and a briefcase.
DR. JACKSONI’d like to introduce you to Mr. Smith.
SMITHGood morning! Your coffee-
Smiling, he hands her the coffee.
PATIENTThank you.SMITHMy pleasure.DR. JACKSONMr. Smith is a specialist.PATIENT
I’m not interested in seeing any other doctors, thank you.SMITH
I’m not a doctor. I’m more of an end of life consultant.PATIENTAssisted suicide?SMITHThat is illegal in this state.PATIENT
I don’t follow. What do you consult about?DR. JACKSON
I’m going to leave you two to talk confidentially.
PATIENTI thought everything happening in this room is confidential. What’s going on?DR. JACKSONI need to see another patient. I’ll be back.She opens the door and exits.
PATIENTBut-
The door closes. Smith leans against the desk and smiles at Patient.
SMITHStage four.PATIENTI’m not interested in more treatment.
SMITHSix to eight weeks.PATIENT(sarcastically)Gonna be a great party.SMITHHave you considered your legacy?PATIENTAw man, are you trying to get me to leave what little money I have left to the hospital, or the cancer center? You think my limited savings is going to help cure cancer in someone else? You guys have no shame.SMITHI’m not looking for your money. I’m talking about your legacy. How you will be remembered.PATIENTI have no family, only an estranged sibling. I’ll be leaving my job. I have no pets. There will be very few to remember me, thanks for the reminder.SMITHBut that can change. If you want it.PATIENTI don’t follow.SMITHNaturally, you have some anger. Or else Dr. Jackson wouldn’t have called for me.PATIENT
Not much anger. Just anger at a few certain individuals.
SMITHA certain political figure?PATIENTDon’t tell me you’re MAGA. I didn’t think this day could get worse.SMITH
Oh, certainly not. I dislike him intensely.
PATIENTWell, that’s something, at least.
Smith unlocks the briefcase and opens it, givingPatient (but not the audience) a clear view of the interior. Patient looks in, and blinks.
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