140: Intense Over Incense

140/365
4/30/2010

Characters:

Fire Marshall
College Kid

Setting:

An Enclosed Space; Anytime

- – - – -

The room is dimly lit.  A spark of light is seen from off stage.  After three beats, College Kid comes into the scene and walks around the room with a stick of incense, cleansing the space.  The College Kid moves all about the room in a slow, controlled, flowing movement, going from corner to corner of the room.

After Kid cleanses the first three corners, the Fire Marshall lets themselves in and looks around before noticing College Kid.  The Fire Marshall walks in behind the Kid and when close enough, Marshall stops, takes a breath, and speaks.

Marshall:        Excuse me.

Startles Kid.

Kid:                Excuse me?

Marshall:        Hey there.

Kid:                 How did you-

Marshall:        What do you think you’re doing?

Kid:                 I’m cleansing my-

Marshall:        Why would you cleanse this place with that?

Kid:                 Well, the bad vibes are taken with the smoke and-

Marshall:        That’s the stupidest shit I’ve heard in a long time.

Kid:                 But-

Marshall:        So, do you have a permit for that?

Kid:                 The incense?

Marshall:        The fire dipship.

Kid:                 It’s not burning.

Marshall:        Smoldering’s still a fire.  You got a permit for-

Kid:                 No.

Marhsall:        No?

Kid:                 … No.

Marshall:        Well then.

Marshall takes a step towards the Kid.  Kid slightly steps aback.  Marshall reaches out and puts out the smoldering with his pointer finger and thumb.  He holds the pinch on the incense for two beats as he looks into Kid’s eyes; somewhat intense, somewhat intimidating.  Marshall releases the stick and pulls back his hand, putting it next to his side.

Kid:                 Is this really neces-

Marshall:        I’m a protector of the public and next time you better have a fucking fire permit for this theatre or I’m going to come down on your ass so fast-

Kid:                 That’s what she said.

Marshall tightens knuckles and releases.

Marshall:        Not in my city.  Not in my city.

Marshall turns around to leave.

Marshall:        One more thing…

Awkward pause.  Kid realizes Marshall’s waiting for him to say something.

Kid:                 Oh; yeah?

Marshall:        What scent is that?  It’s pleasant.

Kid:                 This?  It’s ‘suck my dick you fire narc’; also know as ‘Farc.’  Now please leave, thank you.

Marshall:        Just don’t do anything stupid, kid… or I’ll be back.

Marshall leaves.  Door closes.  Kdi throws incense at the door behind him.

Kid:                 Damn, that’s a ju-ju kill.

Kid exits space.