Two Stop Pop
Directed by Emily Ludlow
With Sara Luebke & Jess Thomas
Characters Cindy: Super Berkeley eccentric. Top shelf social justice hipster. She’s unafraid to explain the reality to anyone no matter how uncomfortable the situation or topic, but always sickeningly patient and positive.
Train Operator: Voice Over (I can provide if needed) A real hater and representational of the system and those that work within it.
Mick: A White Dad from the Midwest with screaming baby, definitely not in the social justice world, or really all that hip. But he does his best to be considerate and kind. He’s not studied or fully conscious of social theories and racial barriers but willing to give his opinion and stand his ground and personal ethics.
Bart Officer: very few lines
Setting:
I imagined the train car to be played in the aisle way of the audience. And then use the stage as the platform. But it’s supposed to be on a train and at 12th St. Station Oakland.
Train Operator: This is a Millbrae train, a Millbrae bound train. Watch behind you the doors are closing. (The beeping of the BART train doors closing begins) Next stop MacArthur Station.
Enter Cindy, she’s got her headphones on and is singing as she enters the train. She should be singing something obnoxiously positive. As the song continues Cindy begins to get into it and interacting/ singing to audience members as if they’re other passengers on the train. After a moment of this the
Train Operator cuts Cindy off.
Train Operator: Now approaching MacArthur Station. This is MacArthur Station. And this is a friendly reminder that there is no fun- I’m sorry, there is no singing or dancing allowed on any BART train or platform. Any offenders will be fined up to $250 and potentially tazered in the back. Thank you.
Cindy walks to one of the ends of the train and pushes a button.
Train Operator: Operator.
Cindy: They were enjoying it.
Train Operator: Mam, there is no singing or dancing allowed on any BART train or platform. Any offenders will receive a $250 dollar fine. (As if they think they turned the microphone off) I don’t know who this lady thinks she is- you’re gonna get yourself tazed.
Cindy: I can hear you.
Train Operator: Shi- This is a Millbrae train, a Millbrae bound train. The doors are closing. Turn you- (Audible cut out. The beeps of the door closing).
Mick comes running onstage and, as quickly as he can, up the first few steps in the audience. Mick has a crying baby strapped to the front of him (A doll and a blue tooth speaker?), is wearing a backpack, carrying a diaper bag in one hand and a stroller in the other. He is obviously struggling. The struggle should last a moment and is exacerbated by a pacifier that springs to the floor. Meanwhile, Cindy continues to sing and dance in the aisle way. Eventually she notices Mick really struggling to pick it up and becoming frustrated.
Cindy: Can I help you?
Mick: It’s fine I can get it. (As he continues to fumble for it and the baby continues to cry)
Cindy: Obviously not. It’s okay to ask for help- even from a woman. (putting the pacifier into the baby’s mouth) My name is Cindy.
Mick: Thank you, Cindy. (Taking the pacifier and putting it straight into his pocket) I wasn’t insinuating I didn’t need help from a woman. I just- you know, I’m used to have to figuring it out on my own.
Cindy: Sure. If that’s what you say.
Mick: Yes. That’s what I say. Because it’s the truth.
Cindy: Why didn’t you give them the pacifier? That’s why I picked it up.
Mick: He’s actually in need of a change I don’t think it’s going to help.
Cindy: I think it would.
Mick: I gotta wash it.
Cindy: Let me see it. I was a Nanny before I started performing. (He gives her the pacifier. She puts it in her mouth and then dries it off on her shirt) There you go.
Mick: Thanks. (He puts it straight into his pocket again)
Cindy: I just cleaned it!
Mick: With your mouth! I don’t know where your mouth has been?
Cindy: Oh, so now I’m some sort of sex worker? Are you always this sexist?
Mick: What? No! I’m saying you’re a stranger, I can’t just-
Cindy: Have you tried singing to them?