1
CHARACTERS
Voice over 1
Voice over 2
Orla
Ava
Marcus
Gabby
Lacey
Cory/Max
Evan/Peter
Coleman
Righley
Minister
The way this script has been written is in a very conversational tone.
When a / is seen at the end and beginning of a line, this means they
lines should overlap each other.
The original staging of this show was a piece performed in the round
(staging in the middle audience seated around the outside) and
performed in a studio space. The piece is full of movement and
sequence, ideas have been portrayed in stage directions as to what
could happen.The original staging of this show was without an interval.
Each new scene begins on a new page.
2
SCENE 1
The audience is led into a dark black box studio. Smoke and haze fill the
space and the lights drift between dark reds and dark blues. There is
atmospheric music playing. Once the audience is seated on all sides of the
space, the music changes to something more aggressive with strong beat.
The track and house lights fade. The lights change to a fast chase of flashing
lights.
On a small square stage in the center of the space is a girl curled up the fetal
position. Footage is projected onto two of the walls. The footage shows
distorted news reports of young people committing crimes, and the actions
that need to be taken. The footage ends and four cast member enter from
each of the four corners of the room. A distorted track kicks in and the 4
characters each perform an individual routine in which the movements echo
crimes they will commit later in the story.
The lights flicker and a reversed track plays, the 4 cast member move as
though being rewound, the girl in the middle of the stage raises into a
crouched position. More cast members enter and surround the stage. A
surging electrical sound is heard and the lights return to a general wash, and
a new track begins to play with a heavy robotic beat. The cast marches in a
circular motion round the staging whilst performing movement, which
represent day-to-day tasks. Once this movement is established, another
group enters the stage and march in the opposite direction in an outer circle
while watching over the cast on the inside. This outer circle are the enforcers
who are responsible for maintaining the day to day running of the system that
people are made to live by.
As the routine is performed a voice over can be heard.
VOICE OVER 1
Good morning citizens, this is your monthly update. Congratulations.
Productivity levels are currently on target for this quarter. The health service
has reported an all time low in admissions and the economy is stable. It has
been concluded that the current system is operating well and will therefore
continue to be enforced for the next quarter. We implore your dependability
and stability. Stay in line for a secure and sustainable future.
This sequence continues until the music changes and the lights black out. The
cast freeze, after a moment four light bulbs that are hanging down from the
rig, above the staging being to flicker frantically. The four original cast
members are drawn to the lights and make their way towards them until they
are each standing directly underneath a bulb. They then perform a short
routing signifying the effect that the light is having on them, and in unison they
try to reach the light above them.
VOICE OVER
System Error. Return to your positions. System Error. Return to your
positions. Activating emergency procedure in, 5… 4… 3…
3
Everyone returns to the original routine. After a few bars the track begins to
falter and the four cast members begin to struggle, they are unable to perform
the routine correctly and get stuck in repetitive motions. In sequence the
enforcers gather round them to correct their movement.
VOICE OVER
System Error… System Error…
Footage is then projected onto two walls of the space, showing news reports
of crimes committed by young people, statistics of low achieving in schools,
politicians talking about changes that need to be make to solve these
problems etc.
MINISTER
The system is failing
COLEMAN
It is not failing!
MINISTER
Yes, it is! We can’t continue this way, sweeping the problem under the carpet
COLEMAN
That’s not what we are doing… they need more comprehensive training…
you’re rushing! This process was always going to take time
MINISTER
We don’t have any more time… if we can’t control them by now, we never will
COLEMAN
This isn’t about controlling them! This is about finding a system that everyone
can fit into! This is about protecting them… working in harmony
MINISTER
(Laughing) Harmony… you’ve fallen for the propaganda!
COLEMAN
Propaganda?
MINISTER
That’s all it is!
COLEMAN
If you don’t believe in the system we’ve built then why are you here?
MINISTER
(BECOMING MORE IRATE) Because something needs to be done!
COLEMAN
And you’re the one to do it…
4
MINISTER
If no one else is brave enough, then yes! I believe I am the one to take things
to the next step!
COLEMAN
If this next step is what I think it is… it will take us over the line, we have a
moral obligation to the people operating within our system… there not test
subjects in your experiment… they’re real people and we have a duty to take
care of them!
MINISTER
Take care of them? They’re not defenseless children…
COLEMAN
(SHOUTING) Some of them are!
MINISTER
Nonsense! Everyone we are dealing with is old enough to know the difference
between wright and wrong. They all understand the rules! Some of them just
don’t care about following them. But we can make them care!
COLEMAN
(DISGUSTED) By dishing out your own personal brand of justice?
MINISTER
As I’ve said… if that’s what it takes, then I am not afraid to do it…
COLEMAN
You’ve forgotten why you’re here…
MINISTER
I know exactly why I’m here… I think you are the one who has forgotten your
place! We have work to do… the errors is the system need fixing.
COLEMAN
You mean the people who made the errors… possibly by accident!
MINISTER
Don’t presume to tell me what I mean! If they cant fit in then they represent an
error, which we must amend, one way or another.
COLEMAN
What…
Minister exits leaving Coleman alone of stage, the lights slowly fade to black.
The casts enter the stage and begin to perform another systemized routine.
The 4 nonconformists begin to challenge the system by changing the routine.
Their version uses gestures representing vandalism such as spray painting
and violence, it has a slightly tribal feel. Four enforcers then enter the stage
and catch the four nonconformists, the rest of the cast exit. In pairs they
5
perform a routine, which represents the enforcers rehabilitating the four who
have caused the errors back into the system. They are given a new position in
the space and then the rest of the cast enters the stage. A track begins and a
new sequence involving the cast crossing the space in synchronized patterns
in pairs. As one person runs from their space, another person runs to fill it.
This sequence continues until everyone has changed position a few times
until the music changes and the sequence becomes performed in slow
motion, during the flow motion section things start to go wrong as the four
nonconformists make mistakes and run to the wrong places, eventually
everyone gravitates towards the middle of the stage and a collision happens.
Every one except the four nonconformists fall to the ground like dominoes.
The four remain standing and look at each other.
More distorted footage is shown which depicts the criminal justice system is
projected into the walls during a transition, every one exits.
6
SCENE 2
Two enforcers enter the stage, one stands on the staging, and the other is
stood on the ground at the opposite end of the space. They are each in their
own faint spotlight, the atmosphere is dark, and they seem to have met in
secret.
RIGHLEY
Minister… what’s this all about? What are we doing here?
MINISTER
I needed to talk to you, privately!
RIGHLEY
Transparency is vital! Your part of a team now Minister. No more going it
alone. It can’t work like that anymore.
MINISTER
I hired you because I thought I could trust you, because you and I believe in
the same thing.
RIGHLEY
To a point but…
MINISTER
The system is failing, the problem is getting worse! We need to implement
more effective punishments. This dream about creating a system that
everyone can be part of… its ridiculous!
RIGHLEY
Minister!
MINISTER
These offenders will continue to disregard the rules, if people don’t fit in then
we have to make them, or this cycle will repeat itself over and over again, until
everyone looses faith in the system all-together and it will fall apart.
RIGHLEY
Minister… we have discussed this matter at length, on many occasions…
MINISTER
The rehabilitation unit will work… we cant just keep trying to train them in the
normal way, they are obviously not responding! We have to knock some
sense into them. Make sure they leave their previous lives inside and come
out a new, with an attitude that supports reform. It can be done!
RIGHLEY
It’s too severe! It’s not right!
7
MINISTER
And letting them get away with it is? Allowing them to re-join our community
with the certainty that they will reoffend!
RIGHLEY
They don’t all reoffend! Sometimes the system works, and it is improving! We
are finding better training techniques every day….
MINISTER
Oh come on… have you been speaking to Coleman?
RIGHLEY
What do you mean? We’re all on the same team here… aren’t we?
MINISTER
You tell me!
RIGHLEY
This is a power trip, and nothing more…
MINISTER
This is a coherent strategy that will insure public safety
RIGHLEY
It’s immoral…
MINISTER
Refusing to conform is immoral… I will see this done!
They exit in a transition. The nonconformists enter.
8
SCENE 3
GABBY
I can’t take any more of this! They’ve got no right to treat us this way… telling
us what to do, how to live
AVA
It’s going to get better…
GABBY
How is it?
AVA
It just takes time… you can do it
GABBY
Don’t you understand you idiot… I don’t want to fit in… I don’t want to do what
they tell me… we should be able to do whatever we want!
MARCUS
She’s right… who are they to tell us what’s right and what’s wrong?
ORLA
They are trying to help us…
MARCUS
Help us?
ORLA
They’re looking after us
GABBY
(Laughing) How sweet! I bet you when you grow up you want to be an
enforcer too?
ORLA
Well… what’s wrong with that?
Lacey who has been watching the conversation from a corner of the space
begins to move closer.
GABBY
Whose side are you on?
ORLA
We’re all on the same side, we’re supposed to work together…
GABBY
Why? Because that’s what they train us to do? Like little performing
monkeys? Some one woke up one day and decided that this was the way the
9
world had to be, we have to do as they tell us, stay in line or else? Well I’m
not going to stay in line
ORLA
What are you talking about…?
GABBY
I’m not going to follow their stupid system anymore… I’ll do what I want… who
wants to join me?
MARCUS
Alright… I’m in… screw them and their rules…
GABBY
We need to show them that they can’t boss us around any more… we need to
send them a message
AVA
What sort of message? Were already in trouble as it is…
MARCUS
Exactly… we break the rules all the time, nothing ever happens, they tell us
how much trouble were in, they tell us there WILL be consequences. And then
we just get reset and off we go again… the same old cycle… no
consequences to be seen
GABBY
So what’s stopping us? They can’t touch us…
ORLA
Not yet. But it won’t be like that forever; the system is getting stronger every
day! If you don’t start playing by the rules… well you’ll be the ones that suffer
for it
GABBY
What are you saying? That I should behave myself… be a good little robot…
ORLA
No… I…
GABBY
What? (She becomes aggressive)
AVA
Gabby don’t…
GABBY
You on her side now?
10
AVA
No!
GABBY
You sure?
MARCUS
Well?
They begin to approach her aggressively
AVA
I… I’m on your side… please
GABBY
What about you… you with us? Or are you gonna’ run back to your enforcer
friends and spoil our fun?
ORLA
I’m not afraid of you Gabby… everyone else might be… but I’m not!
GABBY
You should be…
ORLA
I’m not listening to this any more… you have no idea what you’re doing,
there’s no reason for you to be like this
MARCUS
There’s every reason… they’ve got no right! Always telling us how to live, and
if we cant fit in them were not good enough! I’ve had it with people telling me
that they’re better than me because of some stupid set of rules that we have
no say in!
GABBY
She’ll never understand…
ORLA
I’m going…
GABBY
To grass us in… I don’t think so!
Orla tries to leave but Marcus and Gabby get in her way.
ORLA
Wait… what are you doing? You can’t do this… (She calls out to Lacey who is
still watching in the background) Help… hey over there… help me please…
As the others look round to see who is there, Lacey hides.
11
ORLA
Please!
A movement sequence occurs, which depicts Orla being attacked by the
group. Marcus gives Gabby a knife, Gabby stabs Orla and Ava hides her
body. This sequence is repeated on every side of the space. Lacey watches
from the sidelines. Once the sequence has ended they disperse. A transition
occurs and the cast reset into their positions for the opening sequence,
however the nonconformists and Orla are missing.
12
SCENE 4
MINISTER
What are you waiting for? It’s time to begin
PETER
We can’t…
COLEMAN
Something’s not right
MINISTER
What’s going on here? (Pacing around the space) These stations are empty…
COLEMAN
Where are they…?
MINISTER
One of you must know something!
Everyone begins to become unnerved and begins to talk amongst themselves
to try and find answers.
MINISTER
Silence!
After a moment Lacey takes a breath as if she is going to speak but then
changes her mind.
MINISTER
You! You know something…
LACEY
I… No… I don’t…
MINISTER
Yes you do! I can tell… what do you know?
LACEY
Nothing!
MINISTER
Take her away!
Coleman removes her.
MAX
What are we supposed to do?
13
RIGHLEY
Carry on with your usual tasks!
MAX
We cant… everything will be jumbled up… it wont work!
MINISTER
He’s right… they cant… this system is floored! Everyone stand down. You’ll
just have to wait! We need to find them! Something has to be done…
A transition occurs and the group who have committed a crime run onto
stage.
14
SCENE 5
AVA
What have we done?
GABBY
She had it coming…
AVA
What? No she didn’t… you shouldn’t have done that… we need to tell
someone! Maybe she’ll be ok if we get help now… we need to call someone…
GABBY
Don’t even think about it!
MARCUS
Gabby… I think she’s right
GABBY
What!?
MARCUS
We can’t keep this a secret… you went too far
GABBY
I went too far? You were right there with me? You both were!
MARCUS
I didn’t know you were gonna’ do that?
GABBY
You handed me the knife!
MARCUS
Because I thought you were gonna’ scare her! That’s all… I just thought you
were gonna’ shake her up a bit. You know… send a message! Like you
said…
GABBY
(Angrily) That was the message! She was one of them!
AVA
What are you talking about?
GABBY
You know what I’m talking about! It’s us or them! It always has been…
MARCUS
I just didn’t expect you to/
15
GABBY
/Look! She would have ruined everything… she would have gone back and
grassed us in! She wanted to see us get punished, because were different
from her!
AVA
That’s not how it was…
GABBY
Yes it is!
MARCUS
Gabby…
GABBY
Listen to me… we are never going to be part of their system… we are never
going to fit in. But that’s what makes us special… we’re better than them!
Marcus… we have to be in this together. Don’t you want a better life… don’t
you want to be able to do what you want, when you want?
MARCUS
Yeah but…
GABBY
That’s why I did it! She was going to take everything away from us… I did this
for all of us! Can’t you see that? Marcus… are you with me… or against me?
Because I thought we were in this together…
MARCUS
Of course we are… I Just…
GABBY
We did what we had to Marcus… to have our voices heard!
AVA
This isn’t right…
GABBY
Marcus, go have a look around… make sure no one saw us…
Marcus leaves
GABBY
You’re just like her aren’t you?
AVA
No…
GABBY
Listen to me… stop being such a squealing little wimp…if you even mention
turning ourselves in again I’ll do to you what I’ve just don’t to your little friend! I
16
like you Ava, and I let you be part of our group because I thought you were
clever… but if you cross me… ever! I’ll make sure everyone thinks you’re
responsible for the whole thing… and don’t think Marcus will protect you…
he’ll do whatever I tell him
AVA
I can see that…
GABBY
So are you with me… or not?
AVA
(Frightened) Of course I am… I was just… shocked. I’m scared Gabby, I’m
scared of what’s going to happen when they find out… we’re already late,
they’re going to have noticed were missing and when Orla doesn’t come back
they’ll know we had something to do with it
GABBY
Ava… we’re not going back…
AVA
What? Where will we go? What about my family?
GABBY
We’re your family now…
Marcus runs back on stage
MARCUS
There’s someone coming!
The enforcers enter the stage and the criminals try to run away from them. A
routine is performed in pairs that depict the enforcers capturing the criminals
and taking them away. A transition occurs and the criminals are brought onto
the stage and sat down by the enforcers. They are in custody.
17
SCENE 6
MARCUS
Shouldn’t there be someone else here? I’m not supposed be here on my
own… oi… do you hear me? You can’t talk to me while I’m on my own, don’t
you know anything? Are you new? You’ll get in trouble for this you know…
harassing a minor with no responsible adult. Ruin your career that sort of
thing… (Long pause) Didn’t you hear me…? I’m not answering any of your
stupid questions until my responsible adult gets here… I don’t have to talk to
you! (Pause) You can’t do this! I know what’s what! This aint’ on!
LACEY
Can I see my mum now? I want to see my mum… (Pause) Please, I didn’t do
anything
GABBY
Was it hard, getting to where you are? Bet it was… you do know your wasting
your time don’t you… your wasting your life with this crap…
AVA
Can I have a glass of water please? (Long pause) I wanna’ call some one!
You have to let me call some one…
In pairs the enforcers and the criminals perform a routine, which depicts their
being interrogated. Each pair performs the short routine in turn. The criminals
freeze and the enforcers gather at one side of the stage.
COLEMAN
We can’t carry on like this…
MINISTER
Of course we can! We continue until we get some answers!
RIGHLEY
It’s not right! We have to conduct ourselves properly… otherwise we’re just
the same as them
MINISTER
We will never be like them! We make the rules… they follow them!
The sound of a ticking clock can be heard and everyone changes places, and
swaps partners whilst performing movement to show the passing of time.
They then all perform the original interrogation routine in unison.
AVA
If I talk will you let me call some one? I just wanna’ talk to my Dad… I just
want to talk to him, so he can sort this out. (Pause) Did you hear me? If I tell
you what happened will you let me call my dad?
18
LACEY
You can’t keep me here like this… I didn’t do anything. Nothing! I promise! I
was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, that’s it! That could have happened
to any one, it could have happened to you! This isn’t fair!
MARCUS
I’m not afraid of you, you know. If you think that this will intimidate me, then
your wrong! Nothing you can do now anyway…
The sound of a ticking clock can be heard again and everyone changes
places, and swaps partners whilst performing movement to show the passing
of time. They then all perform the original interrogation routine once more but
the order is scrambled.
GABBY
All right, I can see that you’re getting desperate… I’ve got nothing to loose so
I’ll throw you a bone. I’m nice like that you see. And what do I have to loose
eh?
AVA
Alright! Enough! I can’t take it anymore…
LACEY
I didn’t say anything before because I was scared… what they did to her
MARCUS
Alright! I’ll tell you… but only to get out of this room! I can’t take it anymore!
You know, when it gets out you’ve been treating us like this, your gonna’ be in
more trouble than I am!
The four enforcers perform a few fragmented movements, and then the four
characters speak in unison
ALL
I’ll tell you what happened.
The lights fade to black, a transition then occurs. When the lights fade up
there is a large spot light encompassing the enforcers center stage.
19
SCENE 7
MINISTER
A girl is dead because of what they’ve done… its time we made a change…
surely now you agree?
RIGHLEY
Perhaps you’re right…
COLEMAN
How could they do something like this?
MINISTER
Because they have no respect… for anything…
COLEMAN
What do we do?
MINISTER
We implement Unit 5… it’s the only way forward…
The other enforcers bow their heads in reluctant agreement. A transition
occurs and scrambled footage is played featuring the criminal justice system.
The criminals are laid on stage in various positions as if unconscious. The
lights slowly fade up to a cold wash, after a few moments the criminals
suddenly wake and are confused by their surroundings.
AVA
What’s going on?
LACEY
Where are we?
VOICE OVER 2
Welcome to Unit 5. Your arrival here is a result of being found guilty of a
serious crime, you are a multiple re-offender and under the age of 18. During
your sentence you will be put you through our rigorous training and
rehabilitation regime. The length of your sentence is as yet, undetermined.
You will be released when we are certain that you are no longer a risk to the
community. We hope you find your time here, informative.
The lights begin to change to a warmer wash, projections of an idyllic setting
are projected onto the walls and gentle music begins to play.
AVA
This cant be Unit 5
MARCUS
Why not?
20
AVA
It’s too nice…
GABBY
What would you know about it?
AVA
I’ve heard of it before… its not supposed to exist
GABBY
What are you babbling on about you idiot?
AVA
Unit 5 is supposed to be the most severe correctional unit there is. But it’s not
supposed to be in use
LACEY
Who told you that?
AVA
My dad… he… he used to work at the Correctional Centre
GABBY
What?
MARCUS
You never told us that
AVA
How could I? You would have hated me
GABBY
You got that right
MARCUS
Gabby, stop it… that doesn’t matter now… Ava, what is this unit 5 place?
What’s going to happen to us?
AVA
We can’t be in Unit 5, there must have been a mistake…
GABBY
What do you mean?
AVE
We’re supposed to be being punished! Look around you… its beautiful here
GABBY
(Laughing) So we got away with it… Maybe we’re not being punished…
maybe they’ve finally got the message
21
LACEY
Message?
GABBY
That we’re not going to do what they tell us… that we don’t care about their
ridiculous system! That we can do what we want! We’re better than that…
AVA
So what? They’ve just… let us go?
GABBY
Why not… not like they can do anything else is it?
LACEY
This isn’t right… you can’t do something bad then get a reward… that’s not
how it works… it’s a trick!
MARCUS
What ever this place is… it seems to me that we’re better off than we were
before… Come on… lets look around
LACEY
I don’t know about this…
GABBY
Get lost then… who said we wanted you to come with us anyway!
AVE
Gabby… I think we should stick together… safety in numbers… we don’t
know what were going to find
GABBY
You’re such a little wimp… why did we ever make friends with you?
MARCUS
Gabby come on… she’s got a point. We’ll all go together, we cant just sit here
forever
A track begins to play which is accompanied by projections; they explore their
new surroundings, after a while the projections begin to show the passing of
time. The convicts perform a routine that represents their time spent in this
place. As the routine comes to and end they each take up a relaxed position
in the space as if they have been there for some time.
22
SCENE 8
AVA
How long do you think we’ve been here?
MARCUS
I don’t know… don’t you like it?
AVE
I love it… its just
MARCUS
What?
AVA
How long do you think we will be staying here for? No one ever said
MARCUS
I don’t know…
GABBY
I don’t care! I never want to leave. I just keep thinking about all those mugs
back home working their arses off for nothing and for no reason other than
some one else told them too! Idiots! Puts a smile on my face every time I think
about it…
LACEY
Those people aren’t doing anything wrong! I’d be there too if it wasn’t for you
and I’d be happy to be there
GABBY
Then you’re an idiot too!
LACEY
Why does wanting to live my life without hurting anyone else make me an
idiot? What’s so stupid about getting along with other people, being
productive? I think you’re the idiot!
GABBY
What!
Gabby starts getting up to confront Lacey who looks scared. Ava stands and
moves between them.
AVA
Guys that’s enough! We can’t argue like this. All we have now is each other…
please let’s try to get along…
LACEY
(Pause) Alright
23
GABBY
Fine…
Ava sits back down and seems deflated.
MARCUS
Ava… what’s wrong?
AVA
Nothing… I… It’s just
GABBY
For God sake, what?!
AVA
It doesn’t matter
A transition occurs which shows time passing, they move around the space
and end up in new positions. They are all facing away from each other and
seen agitated.
24
SCENE 9
MARCUS
I think we should go have a look around again…
GABBY
What for? There’s nothing there
MARCUS
We might have missed something… we must have! This can’t be it!
AVA
It is…
MARCUS
How do you know!
AVA
I told you… didn’t I… I told this place was too nice… I can’t take it anymore
LACEY
Ava! Calm down!
AVA
How can I? We’re stuck here with nothing to do, no one to talk to but each
other! We walked for hours when we first arrived… and nothing… it all looks
exactly the same
LACEY
She’s right… this place is a nightmare
MARCUS
No… it isn’t! We escaped... remember… Gabby! Tell them!
LACEY
This is because of you. (Staring at Gabby) We’re all in here because of you…
what you did to that girl. Did you really think you could do something like that
and just get away with it…?
GABBY
You don’t know what your on about! We sent a message! And now, were in
paradise! What have you got to complain about?
Suddenly a loud creaking and cracking noise fills the space as though the
earth beneath them is shifting. Bright lights fill the space. The projections
show the setting fragmenting and changing as if they have miraculously
moved to a new location.
AVA
What’s happening?
25
LACEY
I don’t know… something isn’t right…
Orla’s face flashes up on the screen momentarily, Only Gabby sees it.
GABBY
Orla? What’s going on?
Everything settles and they can see a new area in front of them.
MARCUS
Look… over there
LACEY
That’s impossible…
GABBY
Guys… did anyone else see… (Pause)
LACEY
See what?
GABBY
I… I don’t know… it doesn’t matter…
AVA
That wasn’t there before…
MARCUS
We must have missed it…
AVA
We didn’t… this is new…
Marcus goes over to the center of the space; he reaches out his arm as if to
touch something. The noise returns and the lights begin to pulse.
AVA
Marcus don’t…
The lights go to black. The group huddles together in the center of the
staging, projections of the new location flashes on the screen until it becomes
a solid image. The lights slowly fade up.
26
SCENE 10
LACEY
Where are we?
GABBY
Maybe they knew we were getting bored… so they moved us
AVA
I don’t think so…
The lights begin to flash again, getting gradually darker. Orla appears on
stage but only Gabby can see her, she performs a mini routine, which depicts
her pain and anger towards Gabby. Orla then leaves the stage and the lights
return to normal. Gabby looks frightened.
GABBY
Please someone tell me they saw that?
MARCUS
Saw what?
Two boys enter the stage; they don’t seem to be able to see the others. They
climb up onto the stage and the others hastily move out of their way and
crouch on the floor to watch them. The boys sit back to back on stage.
EVAN
Cory?
CORY
Yeah Evan…
EVAN
Are you happy?
CORY
I don’t know. Come on… we’ve got things to do… We need to mark the tally…
They perform a routine that depicts their day-to-day routine, they each mark
off a tally.
EVAN
What are you doing? You told me to mark the tally!
CORY
No I didn’t…
EVEN
How many times have you done that?
27
CORY
I don’t know… How many times have you done it?
EVAN
I don’t know… How are we supposed to keep track if you keep messing it up!
CORY
I didn’t mess it up! You messed it up!
EVEN
I always mark the tally! (Becoming angry) You’re the one interfering! You’re
such an idiot!
CORY
Hey! Stop yelling at me, why do you always have to be so aggressive! Every
time Evan… why can’t we just get along… (Calming down and sighing) come
on… we’ve got things to do! Have you marked the tally?
EVEN
Alright, alright!
Cory then marks off the tally in slow motion, while Evan marks off several
tally’s on the floor in chalk, he is moving as quickly as he can, they then see
what each other are doing and freeze, staring at each other.
AVA
Hey… where did you guys come from?
MARCUS
We’ve never seen this part before and we’ve been here for ages?
The boys cannot hear them.
GABBY
Oi! We’re talking to you!
Gabby tries to grab one of then by the arm, as she does everything goes into
super slow motion until everyone is frozen to the spot. Electrical noises can
be heard and projections of code can be seen on the screens. Eventually
Gabby manages to let go and everything returns to normal. The boys continue
their routine, but it changes slightly.
EVAN
Cory?
CORY
Yeah Evan?
EVAN
Are you happy?
28
CORY
No… I don’t think so…
EVAN
Why not?
CORY
I’m not sure… I can’t remember
EVEN
Where are we?
CORY
Home
EVAN
Are you sure?
CORY
No…
EVAN
This doesn’t feel like home
CORY
Well, where else would we be
EVAN
I don’t know… maybe this is home then
LACEY
NO! This is not home… you’re being punished!
AVA
They can’t hear you
LACEY
They cant even remember why there here
AVA
How long do you think they’ve been here for?
MARCUS
Long enough to forget
AVA
We have to talk to them; we have to get then to see us…
She lunges towards the boys and grabs hold of one of them.
29
AVA
Help me!
The others join her. They perform a fragmented slow motion routine, which
depicts them forcing the boys out of their cycle, the lights go to black and they
leave the stage. The enforcers enter.
30
SCENE 11
COLEMAN
Something’s gone wrong
MINISTER
No it hasn’t!
Code is projected on he screen - everything looks scrambled.
COLEMAN
Minister look at this! Something’s going on in there… we need to pull them
out, they might be in danger!
MINISTER
Don’t be ridiculous… they’re not in danger… they’re learning a lesson… that’s
what we want!
Righley spots an unusual piece of code.
RIGHLEY
Minister!
MINISTER
What?!
RIGHLEY
I need to talk to you… privately!
Minister sighs and waves the other enforcer away.
RIGHLEY
Can you explain this? (She points to the code projected onto the wall. Minister
turns away in frustration.) Don’t you turn your back on me! Is this what I think
it is? Is it?!
MINISTER
No!
RIGHLEY
What is it then...? (Minister doesn’t answer) If you don’t give me an answer
I’m going to have to report this
Coleman enters again and listens to the conversation from the shadows
MINISTER
Report it to who? I’m the top of this chain of command…
31
RIGHLEY
Not for long if you don’t sort out this mess! Don’t overestimate your position
here, there are things we can do… if necessary! I don’t want to see that
happen Minister… If that time comes, there will be no coming back from it…
you’ll be ruined!
COLEMAN
I’d say that time has come already… Righley… what do you know?
Scene change, loud music and distorted images fill the space. The group and
the two boys fill the stage and perform a routine full of contorted gestures.
They have existed within two dimensions, but now they are merging into one.
Eventually the music becomes calm and the lights and projections return to
normal.
32
SCENE 12
CORY
(Looking confused) Evan? What’s going on? Who are those people?
AVA
You can see us?
EVAN
Of course we can see you, we’re not blind!
MARCUS
You couldn’t see us before… we were right here, in front of you and you
couldn’t see us!
CORY
That’s ridiculous! What do you want? We have things to do!
GABBY
What things?
EVAN
Just things!
GABBY
You don’t do anything, you just sit here, asking each other the same
questions over and over again! What’s wrong with you?
EVAN
No we don’t… we do lots of things… we… Cory… tell then what we do here…
CORY
We…. we…
AVA
How long have you been here?
CORY + EVAN
We don’t know…
AVA
Were never getting out of here! (To Gabby) This is all your fault!
VOICE OVER 2
Inhabitants of unit 5, you have breached your area codes. Please wait as we
reboot the system. You may wish to be seated. You may experience
disorientation.
GABBY
What? What system… we’re supposed to be free!
33
LACEY
Of course we’re not free… look at this place, were in prison Gabby, your just
too stupid to see that!
AVA
I can’t carry on like this… I want to go home… please, some one, I want to go
home… I’ll do what ever it takes, just let me go now… PLEASE!
A transition occurs again, the previous video plays in reverse and the group
end up in the same place they started in. The boys have disappeared.
34
SCENE 13
LACEY
We’ve gone back to the beginning…
GABBY
How can this be happening? This is impossible…
AVA
Its not real Gabby… this place… they made it… to break us… to reset us
once and for all
MARCUS
What do you mean?
AVA
They’re playing mind games with us… We’ll go made before we make it
home… at least I will
GABBY
You’ve already cracked! You’re talking a load of rubbish! Come on Marcus…
we’re going to go and find those boys… I want some answers
AVA
You wont find them
GABBY
Don’t listen to her… she’s nuts… come on
Marcus and Gabby leave the stage.
LACEY
You don’t like her any more than I do… do you?
AVA
Of course I like her… she’s my friend
LACEY
Is she?
AVA
Yeah… she gets like this sometimes… it’ll pass… she looks after us
LACEY
You cant really believe that… its ok to be scared… of her… I am
AVA
I’m not scared of her
LACEY
I think you are… I think that’s the only reason you’re here…
35
AVA
I can’t talk about this with you… you don’t understand
LACEY
The only way we’re ever going to get out of here, is by leaving her behind… if
you had never made friends with her, you would never have ended up in this
situation! You wouldn’t have hurt that girl!
AVA
No…
LACEY
So lets loose those two… now… while we have the chance… figure
something out together!
AVA
I cant
LACEY
Yes you can! We have to be brave… we have to try and do what’s right!
AVA
And what’s that?
LACEY
I don’t know… I don’t know how to make amends for what I’ve done… but I
know why I’m here
AVA
We’re both here because of her!
LACEY
And ourselves!
AVA
What? You just said if we hadn’t have met her; this wouldn’t be happening to
us… this is all her fault! I’m never going to see my Dad again because of her!
And now I have to pretend to be her friend… forever… otherwise… who
knows what she’ll do!
LACEY
That’s what I’m trying to say… we can’t let her dictate us because we’re afraid
of her. I’m here because I was to scared to tell the truth… to scared to help…
I let it happen… because I was being selfish… that makes me as bad as her!
I’m not going to let that happen again! We have to make our own choices, the
right choices!
Electrical noises and flashing lights occur, the scene changes and Ava leaves
the stage while Lacey stays frozen on the spot, Minister Righley and Coleman
enter. The lights are dim and a spot light flashes on Lacey.
36
SCENE 14
MINISTER
It’s working! Look!
RIGHLEY
She’s right…
Coleman and Rightly go over to Lacey, she begins to fall with the shock of the
transition. They catch her.
MINISTER
Welcome back citizen!
RIGHLEY
How do you feel?
LACEY
Where am I?
MINISTER
Home! Congratulations… you passed! You’re free to return to your position
LACEY
I’m free? Why?
RIGHLEY
You’re reformed… the rehabilitation worked!
COLEMAN
This changes nothing! Come on… Lets get you out of here… (She takes
Lacey off stage)
MINISTER
This changes everything and you know it!
RIGHLEY
It might have worked this time, but it doesn’t mean that the rest will reform…
the boys… they haven’t… how long have they been in there?
MINISTER
Be quiet will you!
RIGHLEY
No I wont! I can’t allow this to happen any more… you convinced us to use
Unit 5 under false pretenses! You told us the boys had reformed! The report
says the experiment was successful! But it wasn’t! You failed!
MINISTER
It works! You jut saw it for yourself!
37
RIGHLEY
But it won’t work for every one! The boys are proof of that!
MINISTER
They were too young! As they get older, they will begin to understand!
RIGHLEY
It’s too late for that! You failed! I’m pulling them out!
MINISTER
No!
38
SCENE 15
A transition occurs and they leave the stage. Ava enters during the transition
and is staring at where Lacey disappeared. Marcus and Gabby enter.
GABBY
Where’s Lacey?
AVA
She’s gone…
GABBY
Gone where?
AVA
She just disappeared! She was talking about what we did… and then… she
just disappeared… right in front of me!
GABBY
God you really are loosing it!
AVA
No I’m not! I think they let her go…
MARCUS
Why?
AVA
Because she’s a good person… because she knew what she’d done wrong…
what we’ve all done wrong!
MARCUS
What do you mean?
AVA
Can’t you see Marcus! We can’t carry on like this… Gabby isn’t our friend!
She’s using us to get what she wants! I don’t want to be like her anymore… I
thought I wanted to be different, I thought I wanted to get away from my Dad
and all his rules… I though you were protecting me from that… but he was
trying to protect me from this! I’ve made a terrible mistake… and I’m sorry
The lights begin to flash and electrical noises are heard.
GABBY
No! You’re not going anywhere… you were just like her all along!
Gabby grabs hold of Ava, they perform a fight sequence, Marcus stands by
until the fight escalates. He tries to help Ava but it is too late. Ava falls to the
floor.
39
MARCUS
Gabby! What have you done?
GABBY
She wasn’t one of us… not really!
MARCUS
No… not again
GABBY
Marcus! You’re supposed to be on my side!
MARCUS
I can’t do this again! She was our friend! They were going to let her out… she
could have gone home!
GABBY
We don’t want to go home! Remember!
MARCUS
I do… I want to go home… I wish none of this had ever happened! (He
crouches down next to Ava) I’m sorry Ava! I’m so sorry!
GABBY
Marcus get up! (She goes to grab Marcus by the arm)
MARCUS
No! Get away form me! There’s something wrong with you! You didn’t have to
do that! None of this should have happened! Orla was right all along! We
should have listened to her!
Orla’s face begins to flash onto the screen again. The lights flash and
electrical noises are heard again.
GABBY
No! Marcus, you can’t leave me here on my own! Don’t go!
A transition occurs. Erin leaves the stage and Marcus stays frozen where he
is. The enforcers enter. Sirens sound and code appears in the screens.
40
SCENE 16
COLEMAN
Some one get this boy out of here! See that he’s looked after!
Bramley takes him off stage
COLEMAN
How do we stop this?
RIGHLEY
I don’t know!
COLEMAN
A girl has died under our protection! She was on the verge of reform and we
allowed her to die! Its time to stop protecting the Minister, I know you have
history, but none of that matters now, surely you can see that!
RIGHLEY
Of course I can! But that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t know how to shut
it down!
COLEMAN
Weren’t you part of this… the first time round!
RIGHLEY
Yes… but I was only a junior back them. I didn’t have access to classified
information! As far as we were concerned, the experiment was a success!
The boys came from a troubled background; they were the perfect test
subjects. They were sent into Unit 5, and within weeks they had successfully
reformed and were found suitable homes. Or at least that’s what the report
said! That’s what we all believed to be true until now…
COLEMAN
So why was the program rejected?
RIGHLEY
Because even though the experiment was successful it was still deemed to be
immoral, an effective method but at what cost? Once the report had been
released, and the board could see what Minister was really doing, that’s when
the restructure happened. The new system was developed… but that doesn’t
work either…
COLEMAN
So what can we do to fix this?
RIGHLEY
I don’t think we can… I think Minister has more control over this than we ever
knew…
41
COLEMAN
So she’s the only one that can shut it down?
RIGHLEY
I think so…
COLEMAN
I’m going to pull them out!
RIGHLEY
I’ve tried… there is something wrong with the code. Once they’re in… there’s
no bringing them out… they have to figure it out for themselves!
COLEMAN
Well then change the code!
RIGHLEY
I told you I cant!
COLEMAN
Well then we have to send someone in… to help them…
RIGHLEY
For the boys yes… I agree… I don’t think they will ever reform. Because I
don’t think they even know they’ve done anything wrong… or if they did they
can’t remember it now it’s been so long. But the girl… she’s not right… she’s
done too much and I don’t think she will ever change…
COLEMAN
So what? We leave her in there?
RIGHLEY
I don’t know… I’ll go for the boys… and hope that I can bring them back…
COLEMAN
What if you cant… what if you get stuck?
RIGHLEY
That’s the price I’ll have to pay… for letting this happen…
COLEMAN
And the girl?
RIGHLEY
We send Minister in…
COLEMAN
What? She wont be able to explain this to her… they’re as bad as each
other… neither of them will ever come out
42
RIGHLEY
We send Minister in…
COLEMAN
She won’t go for it
RIGHLEY
She will… because otherwise we will expose her… and she wont let that
happen… she doesn’t believe she’s done anything wrong… so she wont fear
Unit 5 like she should… this is the right thing Coleman
COLEMAN
Alright…
A transition occurs which shows time passing. Righley is sat with Evan and
Cory.
43
SCENE 17
RIGHLEY
Do you remember me?
CORY
No… do we know you?
RIGHLEY
Yes… from a long time ago
EVAN
I don’t think we do…
CORY
No… I think you’re mistaken… come on Evan we have things to do… have
you marked the tally?
RIGHLEY
What are you marking that for?
EVEN
What?
RIGHLEY
What does it mean?
CORY
It means…
RIGHLEY
You’ve forgotten… haven’t you? I’ve come here to remind you… and to
apologize
EVEN
What for?
RIGHLEY
None of us are innocent here… and we need to make amends
A longer transition occurs which shows time passing, the boys and Righley
leave the stage. Minister and Gabby enter and sit back to back.
MINISTER
Gabby?
Gabby
Yeah Minister…
44
MINISTER
Are you happy?
GABBY
I don’t know… Come on… we’ve got things to do… We need to mark the
tally…
They perform a routine that depicts their day-to-day routine, they each mark
off a tally. They sit back to back again freeze in the middle of the stage. A new
version of the opening routine begins again which has been amended to cope
with the missing people. After the routine has become established a voice
over is heard.
VOICE OVER 1
Good morning citizens, this is your monthly update. System flaws have been
reported and productivity levels have been compromised. We will therefore
cease to enforce the current system. (The music grinds to a halt leaving only
a droning bed track. Everyone stops moving and looks around in confusion)
Effective immediately.
The lights begin to dim slowly leaving a spotlight on Righley and Coleman.
They look at each other apprehensively. Music fades and the lights go to
black.
45