April 11 Play: 25 ¢ A LOOK

X: 25 ¢ A LOOK - by Ed Valentine
© April 11, 2010 * ed@edvalentine.com

LIGHTS UP: Grey sky. A windswept prairie. In the middle of it, a small tent with a colored (but faded) banner in front of it: an old-timey painted banner depicting a pair of two female conjoined twins. A sign that says, “25 ¢ a Look.” Two women outside of the tent dressed in clothes of the 1920’s.)

SELMA: What do you think?

BLANCHE: It’s shameful. Shameful.

SELMA: I think so too.
-
Still.

BLANCHE: Don’t get any ideas.

SELMA: Ideas? Like what kind of ideas?

BLANCHE: Everyone would talk.

(They both look around ostentatiously.)

SELMA: I don’t see the harm.

BLANCHE: But you’d know. I’D know.

SELMA: I suppose you’re right.
-
(Digs in her purse.)

BLANCHE: What are you up to, Selma?

SELMA: Here. A quarter.

BLANCHE: Damn fool, wasting your money like that.

SELMA: It’s not a waste if it’s worth a look.
Look out, I’m a-comin’ in!

(She goes into the tent.)

BLANCHE: Selma! Selma! Selma!
(Silence. Whispered or hissed:)
Selma?

-

(SELMA re-enters from the tent, stricken.)

BLANCHE: Well? Was it worth every penny of your hard-earned money?

-

SELMA: How right you were, Blanche. How right you were.

(She shudders. A wind kicks up, blows some debris about. The two women go off, looking back over their shoulders at the tent.)

(A voice from inside the tent. Two hands come out, beckoning.)

TWO VOICES: Next?

BLACKOUT. END OF PLAY.