THE WHORE Part One of The Three Trilogy By Lila Whelan Inspired by the Witches from Macbeth 07861 382534 lilawhelan@gmail.com THE WHORE by Lila Whelan CHARACTERS Based on the witches from MACBETH by William Shakespeare WHORE CAPTAIN SCHOLAR PATRON LOVER PUNTER 1 PUNTER 2 female, any age female, any age female, any age female, any age male, any age male, any age male, any age SETTING 11th Century NOTES Side by side dialogue from two or more characters means it should be spoken at the same time ‘/’ denotes dialogue that overlaps, i.e. the interrupting character begins speaking before the first character has finished ‘-’ denotes dialogue that starts immediately after the previous character stops speaking, with no pause or breath or space 1 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan SCENE 1: THE WHORE’S SHACK, INT. EVENING (BINAURAL SFX: A fire gently snaps and pops in front of the Listener. The door is to the left - a wind rattles the wooden door in its frame. A chicken or two cluck, by the Listener’s feet. It is calm, warm, earthy. (The WHORE sits in front of the Listener on a stool. The SCHOLAR stands behind the LISTENER to the right, the CAPTAIN stands to the left.) I suggest almost exclusively recording things in front of the head, like it’s a camera. Behind is perceivable more when used as part of a motion from front to back but even then not particularly. WHORE Welcome my love. Don’t start, there’s no reason for alarm. Sit, sit, rest thy quaking legs and warm your bones by the hearth. Can someone arrive from bad weather outside? The person can approach the space from down a small corridor (sighs) for effect in the recording. I’ll do a door in post probably or play the sound from a speaker source. Perhaps some weighty clothing or something that sounds like it might be good for whoever’s arriving to shake themselves off etc? Thou seem’st the right sort for the task, though volunteers are few and hard to lure. (laughs, then sighs) (BINAURAL SFX: the fire flames, the wind rattles the door. The conversation takes place above the Listener’s head) Vertical positioning isn’t really noticeable but doesn’t seem to be too essential to the plot here. CAPTAIN This is the sacrifice? SCHOLAR Aye, the best I could source. WHORE They’ll serve. CAPTAIN Will they be strong enough for the task of this night? (to LISTENER) Art thou strong? does thou have courage in thy heart? WHORE Hush sister. (to LISTENER, flirtatiously) pay her no mind, thou art the strongest beast e’er I laid eyes on. I’d pick at ear each, flirtatious one much closer and intimate. Breathy. This should be quite a significant effect emotionally so consider how intense you want to milk that in your performance. SCHOLAR Wilt thou proceed as I prescribed? WHORE I have my instructions. CAPTAIN And you will follow them straight? 2 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan WHORE To the letter. SCHOLAR Come now, we must leave her to perform her part in the rite - thou knowst the goddess Hecate is impatient. CAPTAIN I could stay - SCHOLAR The ritual will falter with us looking on. WHORE Go, get thee gone - trust me to my part as I shall trust you to yours. (BINAURAL SFX: the fire flares - the SCHOLAR and CAPTAIN disappear. The WHORE walks back in front of the Listener) Now now, my love, let me sit upon thy lap, so let us journey together, wrapped up like lost babes in t’wood. (BINAURAL SFX: The sound of a party can be just about heard - 11th century music in the shape of a lute, viol or harp, fire crackling, goblets clinking, quiet chatter, quiet laughing) Nice, yeah this should sound good. We should try and record the human side of this for real. Any chatter ideas or is everyone able to improvise on the day? It should be recorded separately to the rest of the dialogue. WHORE (excited) Oh! Do you hear? So the magik begins. The vision is manifest at Hecate’s command. Quake not sweet sacrifice, I’ll hold thee tight till we intertwine as one - my tongue your tongue, your ears my ears… I think this dialogue should be recorded closely in a more typical fashion for this. Perhaps with some light effects on. SCENE 2: THE WHORE’S HOME, INT. EVENING (BINAURAL SFX: The sound of a party is clearly audible 11th century music in the shape of a lute, viol or harp, fire crackling, goblets clinking, quiet chatter, quiet laughing) (The WHORE speaks directly in front of the Listener’s face - all action/sound takes place as though the Listener is the WHORE) Any extra ideas to help signpost this or is that not necessary? WHORE A lover had I, not one but six - (Binaural SFX: PUNTER 1 stands in front to the left, PUNTER 2 to the right) PUNTER 1 Madame 3 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan PUNTER 2 Mistress - WHORE Tall men, short men, strong men and more. By their graces was I kept in furs and fine wines, gifted with maids, a servant, a cook. Accommodated and pampered with silver forks and sweet meats - no mistress had I, and no master either. (Binaural SFX: the smash of a plate or the abrupt clatter of dropped cutlery) Ace, let’s do this in situ for real Yet men, as you know, are jealous and vain. Proud and clawing, they spoil the game. Here comes one. (Binaural SFX: Footsteps as PUNTER 1 approaches. PUNTER 1, speaks near the left ear) Particularly noisy clip clopy shoes will be useful. I can beef up possibly but the more it’s done for real the better. PUNTER 1 Love me here, love me there, meet me by nine upon the stair. (Binaural SFX: Footsteps as PUNTER #2 approaches) WHORE And here’s another. (Binaural SFX: PUNTER 2, speaks in the right ear) PUNTER 2 Please be careful please be quick, hide your face from the candle wick. PUNTER 1 and PUNTER 2 begin to kiss the LISTENERS neck, stroke the face, breathe heavily in the ear, rake their fingers through the LISTENER's hair This is going to be intense, basically asmr. The less touching of the head the better I imagine, don’t worry about trying to record hair being touched, I’d make this about the breathing and vocalisation/mouth sounds. WHORE Hungry men, famished, greedy for all. PUNTER 1 Don’t forget - WHORE They’d beg - PUNTER 2 To n’er turn your head - PUNTER 1 Don’t flash your eyes or smile at another - PUNTER 2 For you are mine, mine alone, forever and ever - PUNTER 1 I love thee I love thee and will always love 4 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan thee/ PUNTER 2 /Will always love thee… Promise to be true - PUNTER 1 Go on say ‘I do’… WHORE Such men. Such fools. Did they think that they were the ones making the rules? (Binaural SFX: PUNTER 1 and PUNTER 2 begin to kiss the LISTENERS neck, stroke the face, breathe heavily in the ear, rake their fingers through the LISTENER's hair) Worth staggering these somewhat rather than both kicking in simultaneously. Again, I recommend not worrying about the hair. (LAUGHING) Begone! Away! No more I say! Your time is up, here’s your bill, remove thyself before I… (BINAURAL SFX: The sound of the party stops. The sound of PUNTER 1 and PUNTER 2 stops. The LOVER stands slightly above the Listener.) Vertical rec is probs fine here, let’s try it. It might just not be an overwhelming sense they’re directly above you, will have to on the day. WHORE Then came a see lover. LOVER My soul - WHORE Different to the rest. LOVER My fire - WHORE Penniless, passionate, a peddler of poetry. Kind eyes, thick beard, and a voice syrup sweet - LOVER My heart aches - WHORE Within his arms I surrendered, full of peace and desire. I felt - LOVER I love thee - WHORE Loved. (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER and the WHORE kiss, their breathing is heavy, they sigh and groan with pleasure) This has the potential to be quite a significant experience so worth considering that in the build to it and the performance. WHORE My gut twisted, my fingers curled, my cheeks flamed, my pupils flooded and my pulse drummed, drummed out his name on the walls of my skin through the channels of my blood summoning his body and his embrace and the peace and delight 5 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan and joy and hope he promised… (SFX: Clink and clack of beaded jewellery. The PATRON stands off to the Listener’s right hand side) Some of these. Perhaps marbles might be right texturely? PATRON (Whispers) Rubies and pearls… WHORE (business-like) And yet. (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER stops kissing and disappears. The sound of the party resumes. The PATRON walks closer) PATRON Tonight? (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON throws a heavy bag of coins onto a table in front of the Listener.) There is a wooden table in the space but we need to have that prepped I guess then. WHORE (flippant) Bills to pay. PATRON And tomorrow. (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON throws a heavy bag of coins onto a table in front of the Listener.) Definitely rec in situ. WHORE Hedges to bet. PATRON And the next. (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON throws a heavy bag of coins onto a table in front of the Listener.) Definitely rec in situ. WHORE Eggs placed in one basket crack together sure enough. PATRON I’ll give thee rubies. WHORE (flirtatiously) What else? PATRON And pearls for thy neck. (BINAURAL SFX: A door slams shut, ending the sound of the party. The PATRON disappears. The LOVER stands behind the Listener) I’ll do in post LOVER (anguish) My love! WHORE What’s that? (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER walks around and stands immediately in front of the Listener) 6 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan LOVER Have you forgot me already? WHORE No! No, you are close in my heart. (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER takes the Listener’s face in his hands) Might need to over perform to get a sense of this if it works. LOVER Where do you go, every night, every day? WHORE To work my love, to feed us and clothe us - LOVER (bitterly) And does she gift you love? WHORE Of what import is that? LOVER (anguished) It is all, it is all! (SFX: Click, clack of beaded jewellery. The PATRON stands off in the distance. She throws a bag of jewels to the floor in front of the Listener) PATRON Here are the rubies, here are the pearls. LOVER I love thee… PATRON I’ll fetch more if you please. LOVER Be my wife, marry me, I give you my heart. WHORE A wife, he asked, a wife of me? (BINAURAL SFX: The voices of the LOVER and PATRON spin around the WHORE) Let’s try and capture one where you move in the rec and another when you’re static and I’ll spin you in post. PATRON Be my mistress, and mine alone, and I’ll keep thee in riches more plentiful than thy wildest dreams. WHORE A merchant am I, with private wares that will rot – for the deal of a lifetime, which sale serves best? (quietly) Hecate, forgive me. (BINAURAL SFX: Jolly, medieval music of a wedding party) I’ll do this in post. (bright) Dearly beloved, you are here assembled to learn my news of future intent. From this day ever forward, my bedroom chamber is locked 7 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan tight. For one has arisen above the rest, and her offer is one no woman could refuse. With heavy heart, but weightier purse, I leave you all to the comfort of one another. Come, here’s my patron, wrap your rubies and pearls around me close. (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE and PATRON kiss as the jolly music fades to silence) PATRON Give me thy neck, let me dress it with jewels. (BINAURAL SFX: PATRON draps the pearl necklace around the WHORE’s neck) The necklace well becomes thee. WHORE Its weight is most reassuring. Kiss me my lady. (BINAURAL SFX: PATRON and WHORE kiss) PATRON (whispers) Mine. WHORE But now for the rest of my endowment? PATRON (teasing) Can you want more than that which I have already bestowed? (BINAURAL SFX: PATRON kisses the WHORE’s neck as she speaks, knocking the pearls) WHORE (laughs teasingly) Come now, you tease - these baubles are pretty, but jewels that glint and wink in the candlelight are but a whisper of what you promised me. All that talk of your great… wealth. (BINAURAL SFX: PATRON moves the hair off the WHORE’s face, tucks it behind her ears) PATRON (laughs) Are you mine then, and mine alone? WHORE Why yes, my lady, there is no other. PATRON And shall I believe you? WHORE (impatiently) With coin exchanged throw your doubts to the past. I am a woman of my word. 8 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan PATRON And would you accept the word of a whore? WHORE (annoyed) A whore with but one customer. Come now, we agreed. PATRON My eyes are green, something pulls at my gut. WHORE Let me settle it then, I’ll fetch thee wine. (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE walks away and turns her back to the PATRON) PATRON (suspicious) Wine? WHORE From our southern-most grapes. It’s the smoothest, sweetest, warmest nectar you’ll e’er taste. (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE begins to pour wine from a jug into a cup) A bottle might sound better for the glugs? Whichever really. PATRON Smooth you say, sweet and warm? WHORE Aye my lady. (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE continues pouring) PATRON Will it help me to rest, to sleep, to dream? WHORE One sip of this nectar and you’ll dream forever. PATRON Treason! WHORE (bewildered) My lady? PATRON Treason I say – (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON grabs the WHORE) You purpose to poison me, execute me straight! (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON smacks the WHORE’s hand, the glass smashes to the ground) Can record the glass smash seperately but worth capturing at the time, just not in line with the script. WHORE (frightened) No, no! (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON grabs the pearls around the WHORE’s neck, pulling the necklace tight - the WHORE chokes. The PATRON hisses in her ear) 9 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan PATRON Liar! WHORE Nay my lady, nay! Not poison, I swear! PATRON Trickster, fraud, devilish imp with murderous intent! WHORE No, that’s false, to you I am true! PATRON You plot my death, to flee with my wealth, corrupt my body and health. Send my soul to the grave and fly far away! WHORE I beg you, let go – my throat starts to close. (BINAURAL SFX: Snarling, the PATRON releases the pearls. The WHORE gasps for air) PATRON Might need extra pearls to help sell the sound in during the rec. No death for thee, that would be too quick. A cage, aye yes, a cage is what thou deserves. Come - (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON pulls the WHORE forward) Let us replace these pearls with something more fitting. (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON clasps a neck shackle around the WHORE) Worth trying a bike lock or chunky padlock WHORE I protest my lady, I have not injured thee, I would never injure thee! (BINAURAL SFX: The click and close of a lock around the WHORE’s neck, and clanking of chains) PATRON Here shall you keep, roped captive and fixed. WHORE But my freedom my lady – you promised! PATRON Your freedom, she says, what’s that – can you find it? Grasp it about, clench it in thy hands? You’ll stay in my sight, bound to my wrist, fighting my hounds for the scraps off my plate. (BINAURAL SFX: Clanking of chains as the WHORE pulls and fights) 10 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan WHORE Help, help! Please, someone send help! (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON hits the WHORE) Hand slap, reaction in situ, slap seperately. PATRON Who would come? You threw them away. Driven by greed and lust for thy purse. Accept your fate and submit to my terms – no negotiation, no pleading, no salvation to be had. WHORE (weakly) There is one who will come – he loves me still. PATRON Aye, are you sure? Your confidence overreaches. (BINAURAL SFX: The door creaks open) Let us hear now how your love answers your entreaties. Do in post, there’s a corridor the lover can approach down (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER stumbles in) LOVER (heavily, drunk) Love… (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER stumbles closer) (heavily, drunk) What’s this…? Bound and chained? WHORE My love! You have come! PATRON Stay your tongue! (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON yanks on the chain, the WHORE yelps) LOVER Love she says. Is this my name? The description ill fits. Once I did love, I remember it now. I offered her all, a place by my side, the love from my heart, and the liberty to please herself however-so she desired. WHORE Forgive me my love – I thought all for the best. LOVER Partnership, companions, equal shares of my estate. WHORE Your estate? What estate - your poetry, your books? 11 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan LOVER My estate, my lands, my title, my treasure – all this I held back, kept hidden away. WHORE Lands and a title? LOVER All I was to bequeath you upon our wedding night. WHORE You set a trap to test my heart. LOVER And your love proved false. WHORE (to Captain) No no… my heart, my mind, my soul is with you. I love thee, I love thee! PATRON Liar, thief, slut, whore! (BINAURAL SFX: The PATRON yanks on the chain viciously, the WHORE cries out) WHORE (to Captain) Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire? LOVER I am not afraid. WHORE (weeping) Then why did you come? LOVER To give you a gift. (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER kneels on the floor, facing the WHORE) PATRON Keep your distance - LOVER Here, let me show you - (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER pulls out a vial - it clinks gently) Two vials so there’s something to clink WHORE A vial my love, is it perfume? A tonic? (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER pulls the stopper out of the vial) Can do if poss, otherwise I’ll just do it in post. LOVER (Sadly) A tonic of sorts - (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER throws the liquid from the vial at the WHORE’s face – it is acid. The WHORE screams as her flesh burns. The sizzle of acid) Might be worth making this quite abstract. 12 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan (BINAURAL SFX: Silence. The LOVER and PATRON disappear. WHORE speaks into the emptiness) WHORE If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly. There’s pain in the remembrance. Hecate's power is strong - the visions turn real. I feel her about us. Watching us close. Sweet sacrifice, let us proceed. As per earlier recommendation, perhaps we record this close. SCENE 3: LONDON, EXT., NIGHT (BINAURAL SFX: The sound of London streets can be heard rattle of wooden carts pulled by horses on mud) WHORE Alone I grieved for the injustice I bore. The sting ‘bout my face a reminder I’m a whore; a whore without business, a whore without care, a whore without mercy and a whore who would dare to right this wrong so unjustly performed. Patient I was, steadfast with intent, biding my time for my chance to repent. (BINAURAL SFX: Footsteps approach - the PATRON) Footsteps will need to be done in post as in the booth. Might need some experimentation, perhaps join the booth from an open door? PATRON Who stands in my way, cloaked in the shadows? I’ve no time for beggars. Move on now, move on. WHORE And there stands the lady, unflinching, no remorse. Her cruelty wrought upon me, her anger set on course. With three steps I approach, to argue my case, to barter and bargain and redeem my face. (BINAURAL SFX: the PATRON peers down closely at the WHORE) PATRON (laughs, cruelly) Is’t you? Can it be? I thought you wasted and gone. Are you back now for more? You’ll leave wanting and poor. WHORE It was ne’er your wages, your hoard I desired. It was the means they provided, the choice they procured. To live my own way, at the hand of none. But I learned me too late, a deal with ‘devil can’t be undone. 13 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan PATRON What do you want? I’m tired, I’m bored. BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE draws a small blade from its sheath) Record in situ. We have knives or I’ll find something appropriate. WHORE Then quick to my purpose I’ll bring you my lord. Let me sing you a song to describe my woe - my blade knows the tune, it will bring you down low. (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE grabs the PATRON and stabs her repeatedly. The PATRON gasps and groans in pain and surprise) Stab watermelon. Possibly record separate to dialogue. (grunting) Deep ‘twixt her ribs dove quick in my knife, its smooth cursed blade deep fixed in her lungs. Again and again I thrust it down and pulled out, delivering my hate with no flicker of doubt. (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE releases the PATRON, the dead body drops to the floor. The WHORE pants) WHORE (hisses) No poison this time, but steel sharp and slick. May it rot you fast, kill you fiercely and quick. (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE wipes the blade on the SCHOLAR) Yet the job’s half done, there’s one more to be tried, so I wait in the shadows, for our worlds to collide. (BINAURAL SFX: Footsteps approach from behind the WHORE the LOVER approaches the WHORE) Test rec from outside booth to inside. Probs need to overperform. LOVER I have discovered you. WHORE (quietly) Says the lamb to the lion. (to Lover) Welcome my lord. LOVER 'My lord'? This is not how you know me. WHORE Lord is the name assigned by your stature. LOVER ‘Tis true, I'll not argue. But let's talk as old friends. WHORE If ‘so pleases you, friends we shall be. 14 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan LOVER I searched for you. For twenty-score nights and forty-score days. WHORE Pride bruises easily, I hid to lick my wounds. LOVER Let me see. (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER brushes the hair off of the Whore's scarred face. The WHORE hisses in pain) Tricky to perceive this idea. Can we have some exposition? WHORE Don't. It is a sorry sight. LOVER Does it hurt still? WHORE My shame stings more. LOVER Oh my love… the shame is all mine. WHORE Call me your love? I hear you are to marry. LOVER To a girl of 15. WHORE A fine age I recall. LOVER A match made by deeds, titles and land. WHORE A good wife she'll make. LOVER I only e’r wanted but one. (BINAURAL SFX: The CAPTAIN takes the Whore's hands, kisses them) Will likely be a subtle effect and possibly not super clear to the listener, I don’t think that’s a huge bummer though. My heart yearns for you still. WHORE My heart is ice cold. LOVER Let me melt it, come close. (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER embraces the WHORE, speaks into her neck) Forgive me my love, I was young, I was foolish. The pain I caused an act of futility. I was desperate, crazed, wrought mad with rage. My mind was broke, my hand not my own. Forgive me, forgive me, I love thee still! (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER nuzzles into the WHORE’s neck) 15 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan WHORE Hush now, hush… LOVER Let me help you, love you, house you, keep you. WHORE Your mistress once more? (BINAURAL SFX: The LOVER strokes the WHORE’s hair, her face) Won’t really be perceived I’m afraid. LOVER Aye! Your bed we shall share. WHORE My bed is long gone. It went with my home. But what of your bed? Can we rest there instead? LOVER Alas no, it is filled by my bride. WHORE Then the marriage is certain? LOVER The contract’s drawn up. Here, let me hold you. I'll ne'er let you go. I so longed to find you, I'd looked all around, asked me my questions – WHORE And here I am found. LOVER Here you are, yes indeed, still beautiful still fresh. WHORE What a shame it will be to give you your death. LOVER Love, what’s this? (BINAURAL SFX: The WHORE stabs the LOVER repeatedly with the dagger - a frenzy. The CAPTAIN groans with pain, falls to the floor, dies Another watermelon massacre The Whore draws in a big breath and exhales slowly, with contentment) WHORE The power restored. The scales set straight. Mortal ties severed - I am free, I am free. SCENE 4: THE WHORE’S SHACK, INT. EVENING Let’s do this after scene 1. (BINAURAL SFX: A fire gently snaps and pops. The wind rattles the wooden door in its frame. A chicken or two cluck. It is calm, warm, earthy. The WHORE breathes deeply - slow and calm) WHORE There ends the tale. 16 THE WHORE by Lila Whelan (BINAURAL SFX: the WHORE removes the necklace from the Listener’s neck) How important is that this is ultra clear? Might need some dialogue help if it is. (BINAURAL SFX: the WHORE walks away from the Listener) Yet your part is but at its start. Two more chapters await you in turn. Be bold, be resolute and keep hid thy fear. My sisters suffer fools with torment or scorn. Walk right down corridor ending up being quite projected back to the mic. (BINAURAL SFX: The fire flares, the wind roars, the door bangs. A whooshing, sucking, straining noise. A bird caws in the distance, then huge fluttering and roaring of wings circle the Listener. Silence.) ENDS 17