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Part of the original cast of Jubilation, Mississippi, Dennis Gagomiros and Kendall Rileigh perform at The Drilling Company Theatre in New York City.

 Jubilation, Mississippi

A 15-Minute Play

(An ode to Twilight Zone.)

Suitable for a High School Audience

By Stephen Bittrich


(Please note that there is a
licensing fee due if you want to perform
this play before any size audience.)

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E-mail:
SBittrich@aol.com
(646) 245-4507 

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                                   "JUBILATION, MISSISSIPPI"
                                   BY STEPHEN BITTRICH
                                    

            SETTING:

                                   Jubilation, Mississippi.  Although the
                                   play is set in the present, the feel of
                                   this sleepy little town is decidedly
                                   mid-1950's.  Various settings -- a gas
                                   station, a roadside diner, a clearing
                                   in the woods, a taxi-cab.  All these
                                   areas will be represented by minimal
                                   set and shifting pools of light.  It
                                   should feel less like a black out
                                   between the little scenes and more like
                                   a shift.  The colors should ideally be
                                   shades of gray like an old black and
                                   white television show.

            AT RISE:

                                   CHUCK McDEAN enters the pool of light
                                   down-left, followed by Jim, the local
                                   mechanic and owner of "JIM'S GAS AND
                                   AUTO REPAIR."  JIM (and all of the
                                   inhabitants we meet of Jubilation,
                                   Mississippi) have a preternatural
                                   tendency to smile or laugh...well, a
                                   tendency towards jubilation. 

                                   MCDEAN
            So can you fix it?

                                   JIM
                          (smiling)
            Yes sir, I think I can, but I guess I won't really know the
            full extent of to 'til I get up under the hood.  Run her
            through her paces.

                                   MCDEAN
            What's with the goofy grin, pal?

                                   JIM
            What? 

                                   MCDEAN
            What's so funny about my car being dead? 

                                   JIM
            Oh, she ain't dead.  She's just ill.  

                                   MCDEAN
            Listen, the sign says "Jim's Gas and Auto Repair." You got a
            name tag that says Jim. 

                                   JIM
            Yeah, that's me, Jim. 

                                   MCDEAN
            And this is your place? 

                                   JIM
            Yes sir.

                                   MCDEAN
            So I'm counting on you to fix my car.  You know what you're
            doing right?  
                          (JIM stifles a laugh)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            What's so funny? 

                                   JIM
            Nothing.  I'm just exultified ta be working on your car. 

                                   MCDEAN
            Exultified.  Fantastic.  Jim, I suppose you're the only
            mechanic in this town, aren't you? 

                                   JIM
            Oh yeah.  No need for two mechanics here.  Town's too small.

                                   MCDEAN
            Where can I get a bite to eat around here? 

                                   JIM
            Charlie has a diner up the road a piece. 

                                   MCDEAN
            And about how far is "a piece"? 

                                   JIM
            You see up there where that sign says "arlie's iner"? 

                                   MCDEAN
            Yeah...oh I get it.  He's got some letters missing. 

                                   JIM
            A "chuh" and a "duh." 

                                   MCDEAN
            Okay then, Jim.  I'll be at the diner.  Call me when the car
            is ready. 

                                   JIM
            Call you on the diner phone? 

                                   MCDEAN
            No on the cell phone!  On the number I gave you. 

                                   JIM
            Oh, I thought that was yer home number! 

                                   MCDEAN
            No, that's my cell...smiling again.  

                                   JIM
            Smiling makes ya feel good.

                                   MCDEAN
            Okay, I'll take your word for it.  Just call me on that
            number when you got an idea of what's going on with my car.

                                   JIM
            I'll take good care of her, sir.
			
                          (HE chuckles and walks out of
                           the light.  McDEAN moves over
                           to the pool of light for the
                           diner center-right.  HE's
                           looking at a folding map in
                           his hand.  As HE sits HE's
                           greeted by CHARLIE himself, a
                           large, jolly man sporting a
                           big ole grin)

                                   CHARLIE
            Welcome to Charlie's diner, sir.

                                   MCDEAN
            Huh?  Oh thanks.

                                   CHARLIE
            I'm Charlie.
                          (MCDEAN checks out his name
                           tag)

                                   MCDEAN
            Hey, you found your "C."
			
                          (CHARLIE laughs his heartily)

                                   CHARLIE
            I did, I did!  I lost it offa that sign outside and foundt-it
            on ma name tag!  Ha ha!

                                   MCDEAN
            All right then.  All right.  

                                   CHARLIE
            Mr. McDean, you are a laugh and a half!

                                   MCDEAN
            News travels fast around here.  You already know my name.

                                   CHARLIE
            Oh, Jim jes called me and said you was on yer way over. 
            Stella, your waitress, will be right over to take your order. 
            Can I pour you some water?

                                   MCDEAN
            Yeah, hit me.
			
                          (CHARLIE pours water)

                                   CHARLIE
            Passing through?

                                   MCDEAN
            Yes, sir.

                                   CHARLIE
            Where from?

                                   MCDEAN
            Chicago.

                                   CHARLIE
            Oh boy, that's a big city indeed.

                                   MCDEAN
            Indeed.

                                   CHARLIE
            Well, enjoy your meal, Mr. McDean.  Enjoy your water.  Let me
            know if I can get anything for you.

                                   MCDEAN
            I will let you know, "Arlie." 
			
                          (CHARLIE laughs and shakes his
                           finger at McDEAN like he's a
                           naughty boy.  McDEAN pours
                           over a map. 
                           HE is reaching for his water,
                           when STELLA arrives and knocks
                           it over, spilling it partially
                           on his shirt and lap)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            What the hell--?

                                   STELLA
            Oh!  I'm sorry, sir.  I'm sure sorry.
			
                          (McDEAN forgives her in an
                           instant.  She is an enchanting woman)

                                   MCDEAN
            Er, that's all right.

                                   STELLA
            I'm Stella.

                                   MCDEAN
            Yes, you are.

                                   STELLA
            Passing through?

                                   MCDEAN
            Yep, from Chicago.

                                   STELLA
            Boy...

                                   MCDEAN
            It's a big city.

                                   STELLA
            I'll say.  And far away from this place.

                                   MCDEAN
            Not so far. 

                                   STELLA
            What's your name?

                                   MCDEAN
            Chuck...McDean.  My friends call me McDean.

                                   STELLA
            Okay, that's what I'll call you. 

                                   MCDEAN
            Stella, maybe you can help me out.

                                   STELLA
            I hope I can. 

                                   MCDEAN
            Why isn't this town on the map?

                                   STELLA 
            Oh, it's too small for any map.

                                   MCDEAN
            That right?  And the town is actually called Jubilation like
            the sign?

                                   STELLA
            Yep, that's us.  Just like on the sign.  Home of Jubilation
            Springs.

                                   MCDEAN
            That's perfect.

                                   STELLA
            Perfect?

                                   MCDEAN
            Oh, it's just amazingly fortuitous, Stella, because I'm a
            reporter.  Doing a story on the happiest places to live in
            America.  I'm driving around the country and reporting it all
            on a blog for the newspaper I work for.

                                   STELLA
            Blog?

                                   MCDEAN
            Yeah, that's right.  And I have been woefully remiss in my
            reporting thus far.

                                   STELLA
            I like how you talk.

                                   MCDEAN
            I like how you listen.  I think I just found my first story. 
            Is this a happy place, Stella?
			
                          (Beat, SHE doesn't answer. 
                           Looks suddenly uncomfortable)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
                          (listing)
            Jim at the auto repair, your boss, slap happy "Arlie," Mr.
            Kincade at the general store who sold me this map since my
            GPS is all wacky -- all happy as clams.  Where's your
            Cheshire Cat grin?
                              
                          (CHARLIE shoots over -- a bit
                           frenetic -- but still VERY
                           cheerful)

                                   CHARLIE
            Everything all right here, Mr. McDean?  Did you need a menu? 
            Oh Stella, darling, what happened to Mr. McDean's water?  

                                   MCDEAN
            I spilled it.  I'm clumsy that way.
			
                          (STELLA and CHARLIE laugh)

                                   CHARLIE
            Oh, that's not a problem.  We can just sop that right up.
			
                          (HE pulls a dish cloth from his
                           apron and begins dabbing the
                           water, STELLA dabs on her side
                           as well)

                                   CHARLIE (cont'd)
            Did Stella tell ya 'bout our specials?

                                   STELLA
            I was about to.

                                   MCDEAN
            Is there something in the water around here?
			
                          (CHARLIES loses his smile for
                           one moment but quickly regains
                           his composure)

                                   CHARLIE
            What did you say?

                                   MCDEAN
            Everybody seems awful chipper around here, and I was just
            wondering what the secret is.  

                                   CHARLIE
            Well, I don't know what the secret is, but I can tell you
            this, Mr. McDean. 
            I can make your diner experience the best you ever had in
            your whole entire life.  I can bring you a piece of pure
            heaven for a mere 55 cents.

                                   MCDEAN
            Is that so?

                                   CHARLIE
            Yes sir.  A piece of Jubilation's famous apple pie.  A glass
            of pure spring water.  Make ya smile from ear ta ear.  Even a
            big city boy like you.  Idn't that right, Stella?

                                   STELLA
            Yes, that's true.  Best around.

                                   MCDEAN
            All right then.  Bring me a piece of that pie and a cup of...
            coffee.
                          (THEY laugh)

                                   CHARLIE
            Yes sir!  And Stella, get Mr. McDean another glass of water.

                                   STELLA
            Yes sir.
                          (STELLA exits)

                                   CHARLIE
            Planning to stay over night in Jubilation, sir?

                                   MCDEAN
            I guess that would depend on my car.

                                   CHARLIE
            Yes, sir.  Yes it would.

                                   MCDEAN
            Does Jim know what he's doing?

                                   CHARLIE
            Oh he surely does.  Best mechanic in town.

                                   MCDEAN
            He's the only mechnic in town!
			
                          (CHARLIE laughs, slaps his
                           knee)

                                   CHARLIE
            Yes sir, that he is!

                                   MCDEAN 
            He just seemed maybe a little slow to me. 

                                   CHARLIE
            Slow?

                                   MCDEAN
            Never mind.  I'm sure it's fine.

                                   CHARLIE
            Well, if you do need to stay in town a spell, if you go just
            a bit further down the road, you'll come to the hotel run by
            Mr. Frank Wiley.  

                                   MCDEAN
            Just down the road... a piece.

                                   CHARLIE
            Yes sir.  Maybe a quarter mile.  Same side of the road. 
            Can't miss it.

                                   MCDEAN
            Does it say "Otel"?
			
                          (CHARLIE laughs)

                                   CHARLIE
            No, no, he ain't got no lit sign.  It's jes a painted sign
            says "Frank's Hotel."

                                   MCDEAN
            Of course it does.

                                   CHARLIE
                          (calling over his shoulder)
            Stella, honey, how about that water for Mr. McDean?
			
                          (STELLA re-enters with the pie
                           and coffee)

                                   STELLA
            Coming right up.

                                   CHARLIE
            Well, you enjoy your little slice of heaven, Mr. McDean.
			
                          (CHARLIE exits.  STELLA looks
                           to see if HE's gone, then
                           slips the bill on McDEAN's
                           table)

                                   STELLA
            My shift is almost over.  Do you mind if I leave this bill
            with you?

                                   MCDEAN
            Sure.  Let me pay you now.
			
                          (MCDEAN picks up the bill. 
                           Reads it and looks strangely
                           at her.  SHE places the pie
                           and coffee on the table,
                           though oddly not in front of
                           him and exits.  CHARLIE
                           reenters as McDEAN produces
                           his wallet)

                                   CHARLIE
            So what's the verdict, Mr. McDean?  Oh you haven't even
            touched it yet.

                                   MCDEAN
            I'm sorry, Charlie.  I just got a call from Mr. Jim.  My car
            is ready.  I gotta run on down there.

                                   CHARLIE
            I don't think he called here.

                                   MCDEAN
            He called me on my cell.

                                   CHARLIE
            Cell?

                                   MCDEAN
            Tell you what, let's just wrap that up to go.  Ten dollars
            ought to cover it, right?

                                   CHARLIE
            Oh that's more than enough, Mr. McDean.
			
                          (STELLA returns with a bag and
                           plastic container)

                                   STELLA
            I think you wanted a doggy bag?

                                   MCDEAN
            Why yes.  Yes, I did.
			
                          (STELLA quickly wraps up pie)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            Thank you Stella.  Thank you, Charlie.
			
                          (CHARLIE looks a little
                           bewildered but takes the tip,
                           smiles and exits)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            Y'all have a nice night.
			
                          (HE exits.  HE walks into the
                           next pool of light which is
                           center stage.  The woods.  HE
                           looks at his watch.  HE looks
                           in his doggy bag.  STELLA soon
                           arrives to meet him)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            Well, well, well.  Nice little spot here.  "Lovers Lookout." 
            That's a sweet name.

                                   STELLA
            You came.

                                   MCDEAN
            Hell yes.  How could I resist your mysterious note.

                                   STELLA
            I was afraid you'd just run away.

                                   MCDEAN
            Well, I don't have a working car.  That'd be a trick.

                                   STELLA
            I have a car.

                                   MCDEAN
            Do you?

                                   STELLA
            Yes.  It could go anywhere.  Anywhere the roads take you.

                                   MCDEAN
            So what's this all about, Darlin'? 

                                   STELLA
            It's hard to explain.

                                   MCDEAN
            People explain things to me that are hard to explain all the
            time.  And somehow I make sense of it all.  That's what I do.

                                   STELLA
            This town has nobody like you, that's for sure.  

                                   MCDEAN
            I can believe that.

                                   STELLA
            All the men here are close to idiots, doting idiots...Jim,
            Charlie, Frank Wiley at the hotel, Sam Kincade....

                                   MCDEAN
            I have a feeling you'd bring out the doting idiot in men
            whereever you lived.

                                   STELLA
            What's Chicago like?

                                   MCDEAN
            Windy.

                                   STELLA
            That all?

                                   MCDEAN
            It's amazing.  You should come sometime.

                                   STELLA
            Could I stay with you?

                                   MCDEAN
            Honey, you can come visit me any time.

                                   STELLA
            I wish it were that easy...to leave here.
			
                          (HE slides in behind her and
                           takes her wrists and puts her
                           hands on an imaginary wheel)

                                   MCDEAN
            It is easy.  Just hop in your car, start your engine, and you
            drive.  Just drive.  
                          (beat)
            So you want to explain your note?  Why should I not eat or
            drink anything?

                                   STELLA
            Cause if you did, maybe you wouldn't feel much like leaving
            Jubilation.

                                   MCDEAN
            Pie's that good?

                                   STELLA
            It's that good...and maybe you'd turn into some kinda idiot
            too.

                                   MCDEAN
            Not likely.  Though I might dote over you.

                                   STELLA
            This place is not what it seems.  People here ... they look
            happy ... but...
                          (HE runs a finger down her arm)

                                   MCDEAN
            What are you going on about?

                                   STELLA
            Would you take me with you?  

                                   MCDEAN
            What?

                                   STELLA
            Take care of me?

                                   MCDEAN
            I might think about that.  But maybe we should get to know
            each other better.

                                   STELLA
            I need someone.  I can't stand it here...all the men...

                                   MCDEAN
            That why you asked me to meet you out here?

                                   STELLA
            Yes.

                                   MCDEAN
            Nobody here understands you.  They're all a little too nice?

                                   STELLA
            Yes.

                                   MCDEAN
            Maybe you want someone who ain't so nice.

                                   STELLA
            Maybe.

                                   MCDEAN
            Well, I think you mighta found him.
			
                          (HE leans in to kiss her, but
                           SHE wriggles away)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            What's the matter?

                                   STELLA
            Could you love me forever?

                                   MCDEAN
            Darlin' I don't even know you--yet.

                                   STELLA
            I need help.  I need someone to love me for me.

                                   MCDEAN
            That's what we all need.  I'd need to kiss you right now. 
            That's what I'd need.

                                   STELLA
            Don't you understand?

                                   MCDEAN
            Explain it to me.

                                   STELLA
            I need your...

                                   MCDEAN
            What?

                                   STELLA
            Can't you...?

                                   MCDEAN
            Look, Darlin', we gonna do this or not?  Or I can go back
            over to the hotel, eat my pie and watch me some TV.  Your
            call.

                                   STELLA
            You don't think you could be happy with me?  Just me?

                                   MCDEAN
            Sure, baby, sure.  Maybe if you’re real nice to me,
			if you know what I mean...

                                   STELLA
            When you talked so nice before, I thought maybe you were
            different.

                                   MCDEAN 
            It is what it is.
			
                          (Beat)

                                   STELLA
            I tried to help you.

                                   MCDEAN
            You did?  Well, thanks for tryin'.
                          (Beat)
            Okay, I gotta go.  Been nice knowing you, Sweetheart.
			
                          (HE starts to go)

                                   STELLA
            Wait!

                                   MCDEAN
            Yeah?

                                   STELLA
            Wanna know the secret to happiness?  

                                   MCDEAN
            Sure.

                                   STELLA
            I lied before.  

                                   MCDEAN 
            That right?

                                   STELLA
            It's got nothin' ta do with the water.

                                   MCDEAN
            Good ta know.

                                   STELLA
            Kiss me before you go.

                                   MCDEAN 
            Now yer talkin'.
			
                          (HE takes two swift steps over
                           to her, grabs her face and
                           kisses her, at first
                           passionately.  Something like
                           an electrical jolt passes
                           through him.  Then slowly his
                           body changes and becomes less
                           rigid and more pliant.  HE
                           releases the kiss, and a HUGE
                           goofy smile creeps onto his
                           face.  The light shifts again
                           to upstage-left, four chairs
                           representing a taxi-cab. 
                           McDEAN, now the proud owner of
                           his own permanent shit-eating
                           grin, enters the driver's seat
                           chair.  A STRANGER PASSING
                           THROUGH gets in to the "car"
                           and sits in the back)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            Evening, sir.  You call for a taxi?

                                   STRANGER
            Yeah.  Just take me, uh--

                                   MCDEAN
            --up the road a piece to the hotel?

                                   STRANGER
            Yeah, that's right.  

                                   MCDEAN
            Yes sir.

                                   STRANGER
            So you can make a living driving a taxi in this rinky dink
            town?

                                   MCDEAN
            Well, I make due, sir.  But I mostly do errands for people
            who don't have a car.  Not too many out-of-towners passing
            through.  I used to write for a newspaper, but I don't like
            bad news!

                                   STRANGER
            That's about the only kind there is.

                                   MCDEAN
            Seems that way sometimes.  Depends on how you look at things. 
            Lotta good news in Jubilation.
			
                          (The STRANGER takes out a bill
                           from the diner and reads it. 
                           McDEAN notices this in the
                           rear view)

                                   MCDEAN (cont'd)
            Did you have a good meal, sir?

                                   STRANGER
            Quite friendly, people around here.

                                   MCDEAN
            Yes sir.

                                   STRANGER 
            Hey, let me ask you something...

                                   MCDEAN
            Yes sir?

                                   STRANGER
            You know about a spot up the road called "Lover's Lookout"?

                                   MCDEAN
            Yes sir.  I believe I do.

                                   STRANGER
            Forget the hotel.  Take me there.

                                   MCDEAN
            Yes sir.
                          (beat)
            So you think you might stay a while?

                                   STRANGER
            Nope.  Just passing through.  

                                   MCDEAN
            Passing through.  Well, I hope you enjoy all Jubilation has
            to offer before you go.

                                   STRANGER
            Oh, I will.  You can count on that.

                                    
                          (McDEAN flashes a big smile,
                           almost maniacal, lights
                           suddenly pop up from floor
                           level, lighting him at an
                           upward angle.  Then lights
                           fade to black)

(END OF PLAY)
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.

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