Rough Sleep – a play by Alysse Aallyn

(Perceptual Studies Student Lab at College . Enter CORSO in Burberry, cap and scarf)

CORSO

Sorry I’m late.  I’ll make it up.  Time’s our bitch, but that’s what we’re here for – get on top of it.  I see you’ve met my teaching assistant, Mr. Quinn. 

(Indicates CHASE) 

CHASE

I thought you fired me.

CORSO

But you’re so charming as my warm-up act.  Who could resist you? Consider yourself re-hired.

ZANE

(Pointing at CHASE)

Ringer! Ringer!

CORSO

(Opens a door)

Welcome to Paradise. After you.

(Lights up on  DREAM RESEARCH LAB ;  six recliners arranged in a circle – lockers to either side– students study their environment. Glittering disco ball lowers from ceiling shedding fractals. Padded floor; students step gingerly.  At center of recliners a black chalice on a tripod emits dry ice smoke)

CORSO

(Slams door aggressively)

Now you’re committed.

RAD

My folks always said I’d end up committed.

                           ZANE

And in a padded cell.

CORSO

God forbid you should fall down in your dream-throes and sue the institute that birthed your intellect.

CHASE

Where are the sensors?

CORSO

Everything’s wireless these days, poor Mr. Quinn! What are you worried about? Nobody would dare to censor you. 

KOO

(Gestures at the disco ball)

Is that a camera?

CORSO

The Eye of History.

(Claps hands)

Chop, chop, little ones – Enough rubbernecking.  Time’s a-wasting.  Male locker room there, females that-away. Discard outerwear and belongings. Let’s get going.

(As CHASE passes him, CORSO says dryly)

The old razzle dazzle?  REALLY?

(Banging of locker doors)

CHASE

We’ll see.

CORSO

We certainly will. Now, if you children would arrange yourselves male, female – thusly.

RAD

Like some antique dinner party?

CORSO

Sacred geometry.  We need all the energy we can harness. We are immersing ourselves in the flip side of reality- the Unseen. 

(JAZZ and CHASE are side by side. CORSO distributes mugs)

CORSO

Tea time!

CHASE

What is this stuff?

CORSO

Sorry, Mr. Quinn, research is not a democracy. All that’s guaranteed is, you sleep on cue without allergic overdrive.

ZANE

I’m not allergic to Nurse Howk, either. Yowza!

RAD

(Shaking his hand as if from a burn)

I know, right?

CORSO

Drink up and settle down.  I am collecting mugs so I will know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice.

JAZZ

Yuck! This stuff tastes like bark.

(RAD barks like a dog)

CORSO

Shotgun it, Miss Suzino. Knock it back. Isn’t that the college way?

.        (CORSO collects mugs, turning them upside down to be sure they’re empty)

Musical selection?  Classical or non-classical?

ZANE

Anything so long as it’s not classical.

CHASE

Anything – so long as it’s classical.

(They glare at each other. CORSO laughs)

CORSO

The bulls do clash! Ocean sounds it is!

(He conducts the music) 

Everyone hold hands and close eyes please. Let the bonding begin!

CHASE

(Muttering)

Bondage, more like.

CORSO

Mr. Quinn!  Must I gag you? That can be arranged!

(CHASE finally closes his eyes, rocking back and forth to get comfortable. Lights go down to twilight level on DREAM LAB.  CORSO ascends on TOWER LIFT, wearing earphones and holding a conductor’s baton)

CORSO

Welcome to cosmic dreaming. You will dream at such a depth your mind will burst the bonds of selfhood and explode free and untrammeled into the universe. Free from the chains of time, from identity itself, we uncover the truth the quotidian obscures;  we are one. Think on it. Think what it would means to be freed from debt, obligation, relationship, guilt, regret or loss. There are no mistakes.  Without identity you are released from suffering.  Everything you have ever wanted we can achieve together, effortlessly, and in abundance. Desires and longing are the fuel that rocket us to the stratosphere of rarest air. Once we merge in the great Oneness, we will dream uniquely and together.  

(CORSO turns a page on his music stand)

Learning to harness our dream, we will control it, uniting our powers generously to become a potent force of reckoning. Prepare yourselves for the ultimate luxury – surrender – lost in the imaginative union that has always been your birthright.  Time to claim and master your entitlement. In our relaxation mass consciousness will seize control…But you must be quick! The garden door is closing and you’ll be left behind… See, the stars are out. The world inside and the world without await your signal – longing to merge.  Only the clatter in your head prevents the natural fruition of your indissoluble longing. 

Doesn’t it feel good leaving the world behind? The universe itself is lost beneath you now.  Now flesh itself melts away as invisible imperfections open themselves to perfection. Accept the freedom you are offered. When you open your eyes, you will be gazing down at the husk of your unwelcome, banished self.  

(CORSO’S spot is extinguished, spot rises on JAZZ who stands up eyes closed, feeling out in front of her like sleepwalker.  She feels her way to the edge of the stage. No other students stir.  CORSO’s voice orates as if from space.)

CORSO

Now the room itself vanishes, your earthly fears becoming someone else’s problem. Release those worries.  Look how tiny they seem, as they disappear over the horizon. 

(JAZZ shakes head impatiently and crabwalks down the steps toward audience. 

JAZZ

Where is this place? It smells like death. The end of everything.