kk Five Endings ;

(from MEN ABOUT TOWN)
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Scene One: Perry and Nick are in the midst of a fight. After admitting he has been seeing someone, Nick walks out. An ordinary opening, but what gives Five Endings its punch is watching Perry work through the five stages of accepting this loss: denial, anger, depression, bargaining and acceptance.

Scene Two (begins with the same opening lines): Perry tries to make up with Nick. Getting nowhere, he pulls out a gun (Nick: "If everyone who was ever hurt in a relationship took a gun, we'd never live to be more than ten years old.") and shoots Nick dead.

Scene Three: Perry still hopes they can get back together, but Nick has found a new boyfriend. This time, Perry turns the gun on himself.

Scene Four: The ending Perry would like best. Nick, down on his luck and rejected by his boyfriend, begs Perry for a job -- and for another chance. Perry finally takes him back, summing up his feelings to the audience: "What can I tell you? It's my play."

Scene Five: Two years have passed when the men run into each other at a party. Nick suggests getting together for a drink, but Perry is ready to moves on.

The dialogue ranges from stark drama to screwball comedy (in Scene Four) and both characters have broad arcs.

Characters

• Perry
• Nick

Setting

• Living room, restaurant, job interview and party, all suggested by the rearrangement of a table and chairs.

Running Time

• 20 minutes

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Copyright © 2005 Michael Conley. All rights reserved.