Crossed, Tossed Lines.

Act One, Scene 2

Vern and Flea noted as ‘V&F’ in the script, enter the street from left admiring the rings on Vern’s middle finger which he holds up for them to admire. The Production Director whom the cast now call ‘PD’ takes this as sign that a bad day lies ahead.

Gollum approaches stalking V&F his eyes fixated on the ring..

PD: “Gollum heck on earth ya duwin’ ‘n mah street hobbit? You’se git ta Middle Earth’s set now ‘fore me tayk dem finger nails off…Scram.”

Gollum is upset ‘cause he lost the Rummy game against the River Folks, played on Gladden Field in Middle Earth. In the game he lost the ring, the ring he loved and hated. Torn as to what to do he absently ends up on the street set and sees the rings on Vern’s upheld finger. G stalks V&F and hears PD calling his name.

Gollum pointing: “Hem got’s de ring, me ring he has on hiz finger see.”

Flea: “Wut dat hobbit ting talmbout Vern? Best not be Sweet Mary Jane hey.”

Vern retracts hand and places in pocket. Replies…

Vern: “Beats me Flea? Wanna beat hobbit some, eh!.”

Flea; “Nah. Hem bentwist‘ nuff.”

Gollum pounces, pulls Vern’s hand down to his bent frame to inspect the rings he had seen. He’s looking at Vern’s other hand. In disgust he flings Vern’s hand away. It hits Flea in the face. Gollum flees For Dor, knocks PD off feet. Vern catches Gollum who screams.

Gollum: “Dat ring-a-thing me hatin’ dat ring.”

Vern: “You’se lit’ gold digger hey, I could ring your neck now.”

Flea joins Vern and together they start dragging Gollum back to Middle Earth. At the same time the River Folk burst onto the street bubbling.

River Folk: “Wares dat Gollum hobit. Missed his cue hem did.”

V&F look at each other. ‘Wut dem talmbout ‘cue’. dunna sight ‘n cue nowheres eh!.” Disgusted they toss Gollum onto the River Folk who sweep Gollum away. V&F storm off the street leaving PD scratching his head.

PD in total dismay with the mornings events storms off the street. The script pages flutter down behind him having been tossed high over street.

All’s quiet on the street.

If there was an observer they would see at first a eye then two on a whole face, the face of Gollum peering through the cracks of the street. He had seen his ring and had not the chance to steal it back but now it was his to love and hate. Gollum did not know it had fallen through a hole in Vern’s pocket where Vern had placed it before Gollum tried to snatch it back. The observer would hear…

Gollum holding the ring in both hands: “Me Lordy, me havs de ring. Ain’t dat sumtin’.”

The street’s lights go out. A heavey dark night settles over street.

Gollum’s shriveled, gaunt body. crouches in darkness, clutching the ring close to his chest, he blinks looks around, Time passes. The ring slips from his fingers. Gollum hears the ring ting on the street, then the softest “plip” as the ring hits the sewer water.

Early the next morning PD enters street, sees Gollum lying admist script pages, wet from Gollum’s tears. PD without indicating, U turns, exits street left to follow Middle Earth.

#playing