The Expectations of the Misunderstood (play version)

From 2011: This is a revision of the original collegiate story, retold as a play, with extended scenes, and additional character insights, focused on two strangers on a bus...

The Expectations of the Misunderstood

(Originally a short story)

Main Cast

KELLI MEYERS (1^ST WOMAN) – An older woman in her early 30s. She is well put together, dressed in a nice suit because she is clearly a rather successful and renowned person in her career field. Her overall success does illustrate somewhat of a superiority complex she has, however is extremely caring of her family.

ANDREA (2^ND WOMAN) – A rather illusive and mysterious girl in her late teens / early 20s. She wears patchy jeans, a somewhat ragged shirt, and a puffy black jacket. She speaks very confidently and words are filled with certainty, but there is something rather off about her…

with XAVIER THE BUS DRIVER – A gluttonous, stubborn, controlling man, who is also armed with a bag of potato chips and a carton of cigarettes. A concretely smug expression is always spread across his greedy face. He has a thin mustache across his face.

and CHILD – Young, appears to be 6 years old. The gender is unidentifiable. Is silent throughout the play, however the CHILD has very expressive and observation facial features (which are very central to the character).

Supporting Cast - TEAGUE MEYERS, CASSIE MEYERS, JESSIE MEYERS, NERD, BARISTA, TEACHER

Sets

The Curb – A street curb with a “Bus Stop” sign set up on stage. The stage is setup such that the sidewalk and the “Bus Stop” sign is downstage and the actual street is upstage. Most of the street isn’t light, because that is where “The Bus” set should be.

The Bus Interior – Stage right, there should be about eight chairs facing the audience. These chairs should be angled such that they are facing downstage right. All of these chairs are on a raised platform, with three stairs leading down to the actual floor of the stage. On the floor, there is an aisle with two rows of chair (at the same angle as the chairs on the raised platform). The downstage row only has three rows with two pairs of chairs, while the upstage row has five pairs of chairs. Directly in front of the upstage row of chairs, there is a larger seat for XAVIER THE BUS DRIVER.

(Scene – Pitch-black. All characters are unseen. The 1^ST WOMAN’s breathing is all that can initially be heard. It’s rhythmic, heavy, and frightened.)

2^ND WOMAN

So, let’s just be finished with this. (1^st WOMAN’s heavy gasping is silenced by the cocking of a gun) Fire the gun. (The 1^ST WOMAN’s heavy gasping resumes and quickens. The 2^ND WOMAN speaks slower and louder now) Fire the gun.