Chief in an Arcade (Alex, David, Harry)

Mona Meets the Chief

Alex, David, Harry

Scene:

(Chief walks into arcade; door swings shut behind him. He’s surrounded by flashing signs floating across brightly pixelated screens. So many colors, light coming from every side, it’s so bright - but it’s not cold like the light from the Ward, energetic and blinding and colorful and vibrant)

Chief: (Speaking to himself) What is this place?

(Mona, sitting nearby, watching the boys play various games hears the Chief and responds without turning)

Mona: (sardonically) It’s an arcade. You play games: it’s fun.

(the Chief approaches and peers over Mona’s shoulder at the group of teenagers and the game they’re playing - Pac-man. He easily towers above them. Mona turns and is startled by his unexpected, intimidating size)

Chief: How do you play? What happens if you win?

Mona: You don’t win; you keep playing. See the yellow circle? That’s pacman and he can’t touch the ghosts.

Chief: Is it a maze? But there are exits on the side?

(A loud tone signals that the boy playing has lost- laughter ensues.)

Mona: The exits just connect back to each other - you can’t actually leave the game.

(The Chief asks to play, and Mona lends him a quarter. The Chief plays a few rounds, failing at first but getting better near the end. The same tone plays again, signalling that the Chief lost)

Chief: This is pointless: there’s no way out. The game just keeps going on and on until you can’t win. That’s not a game, that’s impossible.

Mona: That’s the point! It doesn’t end so you can keep playing. That’s what makes it addicting. It’s just a game anyway.

(Mona sighs and looks back towards the boys, ignoring the Chief. The Chief stands, watching a while longer then leaves. It is raining outside)

Chief: (looking at the drab buildings and sky) At least it’s real.

end scene