script

“Up Late, Late At Night: Episode Two, Act Two” – a new script by Thomas Typewriter

Puppet play, scripts, Up Late, Late at Night

———–<.thom.ophi>———–

Up Late, Late At Night

an abstract on treasure versus trash in modern film

Episode 002

Act II

By Thomas Typewriter & Ophidia Typewriter-Operahouse

(c) 2026 Jason Arcand & Suzanne Arcand
———–<:type.house:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK

FADE IN

EXT. TRUCC NUTZ HIGHWAY AND ON-RAMP, DAYTIME

LS OF THE HIGHWAY AND ON-RAMP

The highway stands empty. From stage-left enters a semi-truck covered in logos for KON-SATOSHI ELECTRONICS. It drives down the highway exiting stage-right. A few moments after, from the on-ramp, quickly drive up the three souped-up street racing cars of The Tuna Sandwich No Crust Boys criminal gang. Each car bears the logo of the gang: the letters “TSNCBOIYZ” and a cartoon image of a tuna fish with thick hair on the side of its head but a bald spot across the top of its head. They speed after the semi, exiting stage-right.

TRANSITION FROM HIGHWAY TO THE OFFICE

INT. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S OFFICE, DAYTIME
A flicker goes across the frame as the image shifts to the appearance of an image on an older television.

PAN OUT

The image of the highway is now shown to be a video playing on a small television in the offices of LASER EDITOR, the editor-in-chief and publisher of “The Modern Sexy Little Miss’s Information Tabloid”. The office is lined with filing cabinets and taxidermy eagles, turkeys and one hummingbird. All the taxidermy eagles and one hummingbird are holding American Flags in their talons or beaks. The mounted turkeys are holding the Don’t Tread On Me flags. A large potted plants sits nestled between two filing cabinets. Laser Desks very solid looking desk sits over by the filing cabinets. The television sits on top of a rolling dolly. The main wall of the room contains the door and frosted windows. On the door is written in letters, in reverse to those inside the room, “LASER EDITOR – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & PUBLISHER” The Laser Editor walks across to the television and turns it off.

CUT TO LS OF THE ROOM

B-Reporter and D-HACK are sitting in chairs watching Laser Editor turn off the TV.

B-REPORTER
“Why are you turning it off? There has been a 300% increase in electronic thefts in Dieselvania county, almost entirely from shipping trucks. Additionally there has been a surge in stolen bicycles. Something is going on. This is news.”

LASER EDITOR
“No, this is boring. We need something that can sell the papers. Something modern. Something sexy. Something little.”

B-REPORTER
“Are you hearing this D-Hack. I can’t believe this. You talk me into coming to your Aunt’s paper claiming she’s changing the paper. Real reporting. A real chance to make a difference. Do you remember that? Cause it sure sounds like that was a lie.”

D-HACK
“Yes, I said that but maybe she has a good point. She always has the best ideas.”

LASER EDITOR
“Stop sucking up you spineless wimp. Why can’t you be more like your friend? She actually has a drive and purpose. Principals.”

D-HACK
“Those are good points. B-Reporter, can I borrow your notebook so I can write this down.”

B-Reporter reaches over the Laser Editor’s desk and grabs a pen and notepad. She hands it to D-Hack.

LASER EDITOR
“Oh, now you’re being petty.”

D-HACK
“Ok, what was I supposed to be more like.”

B-REPORTER
“More like me. Beautiful, charming, intelligent, talented, gifted, determined to break the big story that changes the world and uncover the true grime hidden under the stones that civilization is built upon.”

CUT TO CS OF D-HACK WRITING ON THE NOTEPAD

D-Hack is trying to write down all these notes on a notepad that is much too small. He twists and turns the thing trying to fit all the notes on it.

D-HACK
(notes to self as scribbling away) “Be more beautiful…going to need to order some facial masks maybe for that one, charming, intelligent…do they make brain pills? Need to look that up.”

CUT BACK TO MS OF LASER EDITOR

Laser Editor gets frustrated with D-Hack and grabs the pen and notepad out of his hands and throws it away.

LASER EDITOR
“Cut that out. And you, you could stand to be more like D-Hack. He has no morals, no outrage, nothing getting in the way of writing a story that will sell. And that is what we need, what you need. You think you are going to write some story about greed and corruption that is going to change everyone’s life. Well Mister Investigative Reporter, how can you do that if no one is reading the paper your story is in? Answer me that? And more importantly, how can I have a hot tub installed in my private helicopter if my paper does not sell millions and millions of issues.”

B-REPORTER
“A hot tub in a helicopter? That makes no sense. The downwash is like over sixty miles per hour. All the water would blow out of the tub. Additionally, everyone would slosh out when it makes turns.”

D-HACK
“That’s a great idea.”

LASER EDITOR
“Thank you, nephew. Now, take a look at this. Just came into my possession today. I have a contact over at the local news affiliate in Dieselvania. I may have made his quote-unquote wife disappearing potential homicide story into a giant sewer alligator eats local wife story.” 

B-REPORTER
“That is awful.”

D-HACK
“Good job Aunt. You’re always thinking of the angles. Making the smart bets.”

LASER JUDGE
“You bet I am. And it always pays off. Here, take a look at this.”

Laser Judge walks over to her desk and pulls out a videocassette from within a bottom drawer. She puts it into the TV and presses play.

ZOOM IN ON THE TELEVISION AND CUT TO…

EXT. THE LONELY DOOR IN THE WOODS, DAYTIME
A door frame sits alone in a wild and deep woods. In the distance can be heard the sounds of freeway traffic because all the forests and woods in Dieselvania are near highways and interstates. BRO-POD, an mp3 player wearing a college athletic jersey and proud member of the Omega Omega Ohm fraternity, enters the frame drinking multiple beers. His beers are a six-pack with the beer still on the plastic ring. All six are open and slosh beer into his mouth, face, and shirt when he attempts to drink. Out of the frame is Bro-Pod’s fellow fraternity brother FRAT-DECK. If he were to be seen, he would be a Tape Desk wearing a college athletic jersey similar to Bro-pod’s.

BRO-POD
“You getting this man.”

FRAT-DECK
(from off-camera) “Yeah man, I am getting this. This is going to be great.”

BRO-POD
“We’re going to be legends.”

FRAT-DECK
“Let’s do it. Misanthrope University Rules!”

BRO-POD
“I am Bro-Pod and I am going to open the lonely door in the forest. This is for all my boys at Miskatonic University. Love you guys. Screaming Nyarlathoteps forever!”

FRAT DECK
(from off-camera, shouts) “OMEGA OMEGA OHM!”

BRO-POD
(shouts) “OMEGA OMEGA OHM!”

Bro-Pod starts pushing on the door but it won’t budge.

FRAT-DECK
(from off-camera) “Come on man, open the door.”

BRO-POD
“I’m trying man.”

FRAT-DECK
(from off-camera) “You’re ruining it man.”

Then there is a loud roar from behind the door

FRAT-DECK
(from off-camera) “What was that?”

BRO-POD
“Its the door. I think I budged it.”

Just then the door explodes off the frame and flies into the camera Frat-Deck is holding. Bro-Pod can be seen knocked into the air. The door knocks over and lands on Frat-Deck. 

THE CAMERA SPINS THROUGH THE AIR AND LANDS AT AN ANGLE.

The broken door and part of Frat-Deck can be seen in front of the camera. COMBO-STEIN, a Frankenstein like monster made from a VCR/DVD combo player, in silhouette, can be seen screaming and running through the busted door and out of the frame. Bro-Pod is just visible sticking out of a shrub in the distance.

BRO-POD
“Miskatonic University…”

FRAT-DECK
“Omega Omega Ohm…”

CUT BACK

ZOOM BACK OUT OF TELEVISION TO FULL SHOT OF ROOM

The Laser Editor ejects the tape.

LASER EDITOR
“Now that is a story that will sell papers.”

B-REPORTER
“Story? How is that a story? A door fell on some dudes.”

LASER EDITOR
“Yes. A door falls in the woods and no one hears it, no story. But a door falls in the woods and two nut sacks hear it, that’s a story.”

D-HACK
“That’s a great idea aunt. Headline: Monster Rampages honor students in the woods. Are you next?”

LASER EDITOR
“Yes, yes, YES! I knew you’d get it. but you (points at B-Reporter) You are going to need a little sweetness to say yes. Get me this story and you can finally write that piece you’ve been bugging me about.”

B-REPORTER
“Wait. Are you serious? I’ll finally be able to write about how the MK Ultra program worked to brainwash everyone into thinking Inception is a nesting doll story of layered realities when in actuality it is the linear story of what happened to Jack Dawson after Rose pushed him off that door. When he sank into those frozen waters.”

D-HACK
“Really. That’s what you’re going to use your blank check on. That doesn’t even make sense. ”

B-REPORTER
“It makes perfect sense. At the end of Titanic, Jack sinks into the water and then Inception opens with him washing up on shore. The currents where the Titanic sunk would have pulled his body towards Europe with its sandy beaches, which match the sandy beach he wakes up on in Inception.”

LASER EDITOR
“Okay, well that is something.”

B-REPORTER
“Makes more sense than a hot tub in a helicopter.”

LASER EDITOR
“Don’t test me B. Now, here are your tickets and accommodations. You leave right now.”

D-HACK
“I’ll have to stop back at the apartment to pack.”

B-REPORTER
“I’ll ride with you.”

They leave the office. Laser Editor watches them leave and then goes to sit down at her desk.

CUT TO MS OF LASER EDITOR AT DESK

Opening a drawer she pulls out a bottle of alcohol and a glass. She starts to pour herself a drink when the potted plant behind her starts to wiggle. The plant moves up revealing MR. COIN, an oversized novelty coin wearing a fedora, sunglasses, and a trench coat. He looks over at Laser Editor

MR COIN
“Now, you’re not going to actually publish that article on Titanic and Inception are you. It would not do for attention to be brought to our group’s efforts to persuade the public of what is true and not true as it pertains to those particulars.”

LASER EDITOR
“Nope. I’ll tow the line.”

MR COIN
“Excellent.”

Mr. Coin lowers his head back down into the potted plant. Laser Editor drinks her glass slowly. Once done, she sets the glass down on her desk.

CUT TO CS OF THE EMPTY GLASS

FADE OUT

If you like this, or any of my other art, please consider throwing some support my way through my Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/ThomasTypewriterTypes) or Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/thomastypewriter). 

“The Great Works Project: Season Seven, Episode Five” by Thomas Typewriter – a new script

Puppet play, scripts, The Great Works Project scripts

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 07, Episode 05

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2026 Jason Arcand
———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK

From the center bottom of the frame scrolls up the following text: “07-05”. It scrolls up to the center of the frame, pauses, then continues scrolling. It exits the frame in the top center. Across the dark screen drifts the sound of TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICK CLACKING.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

LS OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE

THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE appears in the black void.

PAN IN ON MID-STAGE TILL PROPERLY FRAMING IT

MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED

The Mid-stage curtains part and the stage-lights turn on to the sound of A LIGHTSWITCH CLICKING ON revealing…

MID-STAGE: INT. PENCIL CHICKS STUDIO, DAYTIME
A long desk spreads across the stage. It has a monitor, keyboard, mouse and scanner on the desk. A stack of papers sits next to the scanner. Behind the long desk is a drawing table with an animator’s lightbox at an angle to the desk. The long desk has a simple office chair while the drawing desk has a padded high stool. A doorway sits to the stage-left side of the desk. OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE sits at the animator’s lightbox, furiously drawing animation cells. THOMAS TYPEWRITER enters from stage-left. He hangs up his coat and then walks over to Ophidia. He places a hand on her shoulder.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Hi.”

Ophidia stops bopping, pulls down her headphones, and smiles at Thomas.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Hey, good looking.”

Ophidia points to her lips. Thomas takes the hint and kisses her.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“You’re sure in a good mood.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Oh yeah. I love how it feels to animate.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Have you been working long?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Maybe. Probably. I came home from dinner and could not sleep. So I started working.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“So, you never went to bed?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Nope. I am full of electricity.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Okay electric girl, is there anything I can do to help?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Could you get me some fresh coffee?”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Sure. Are your parents okay with me being in the kitchen.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Oh, it’ll be fine. They love you.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Okay. Fresh coffee coming right up.”

Thomas Typewriter exits stage-left. Ophidia puts back on her headphones and starts bopping to the music.

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE

THE CAMERA DISCONNECTS FROM PROPERLY FRAMING THE MID-STAGE. IT PANS UPWARD GLIDING OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS TO THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS BEHIND. THE SETS DISAPPEAR OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME AS THE CAMERA ASCENDS. IT GLIDES UP AND UP, OVER THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS. SOON, THE HIGH-STAGE AND NARRATOR’S DOOR AT THE TOP OF THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS SLIDES INTO VIEW. THE CAMERA SLOWS AND MOVES INTO PROPERLY FRAMING THE HIGH-STAGE.

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
From behind the curtain, the sounds of A BAND PLAYING MUSIC leak. The High-Stage curtains open and the stage-lights turn on to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING UP revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: INT. OBSERVATION DECK OF THE FLUTE MEDICALSHIP, DAYTIME
A large curve window runs across the back of the stage, showing the sparkle of the sparks drifting through space. Some components of the Flute are visible in the periphery of the window. A long curved couch runs under the window curving around a circular rug. Additional couches wrap around the circle coming out of stage-left and stage-right. The center of the observation area is free of couches, being the main entry point for those wishing to sit in the observation lounge. The entire area is decorated in yellow, amber, and beige. The rug is a contrasting red. A group is currently assembled playing music to practice and get in tune. LUCIDO OBSIDIAN, in his Medi-pod stands in the front of center on the carpet playing guitar. Behind him, CEDAR WAXWINGS plays drums. On the stage left side of the carpet CARRO, in their Medi-pod, plays keyboards. To the stage-right side of the carpet MINTHRIL MOUSTACHE plays trumpet. Next to him, ELDER GRIM plays the upright bass. The group is currently not doing very well playing in harmony. Meanwhile, PANACIA FLAUTO sits on one of the Observation decks couches listening. 
HYGENNIA FLAUTO and two ORDERLI-BOTS enter from stage-right. Hygennia walks over to Panacia and sits down with her. They start to chit-chat. The ORDERLI-BOTS clean the couches. The musicians start to musically line up. They can play longer stretches of harmonious music before hitting discordant notes. IASA FLAUTO enters from stage-right holding a tray filled with three simple coffees from the ship commissary. She hears the music and starts to softly sway to the music. She waves to the musicians and they wave back. Their music clicks even further, lining up to the rhythm of Iasa. She walks over to Hygenia and Panacia. Hygenia takes the coffees. Iasa pulls Panacia up from the couch and starts to get her to dance along with her. Hygenia laughs and takes a coffee and starts to sip. The Orderli-Bots stop cleaning and watch the music and dancing. Panacea and Iasa laugh. Hygenia smiles and joins in.

FINNOCHIO and his sister BALLERIA enter stage-left clapping enthusiastically along with the music. They are followed by some REPAIR-BOTS, lulled up from the Maintenance Tunnels by the sweet tunes, sway to the music. The music goes louder as does the crowd’s response. On each of the Medi-pods the three top lights turn to green over the course of playing. When the third light turns green, the Medi-pod beeps. Carro, Cedar, and Lucido’s robotic arms go limp. They fall out of the melody. The Medi-Pods crack open along a low seem like an egg cracking open. Out pours the fully repaired Lucido, Cedar and Carro, coated in fluid and sliding across the floor. Carro now has a robotic body after the Medi-pod process, where in the earlier episodes he was just a face on a view screen.

As the three slide out of their Medi-pods, Elder and Minthril abruptly stop playing. Iasa, Panacia, and Hygenia swiftly rush to the newly emerged bodies and start to run medical checks. The stage-lights turn off to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF. The High-stage curtains close.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE

THE CAMERA UNCOUPLES FROM PROPERLY FRAMING THE HIGH-STAGE AND PANS DOWNWARD. IT GLIDES OVER AND ACROSS THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS. DOWN AND DOWN IT PANS. EVENTUALLY THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE SETS SLIDE UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME AS THE CAMERA HAS REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS AND THE MID-STAGE. IT PANS DOWN LOCKING INTO PLACE PROPERLY FRAMING THE MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: INT. PENCIL CHICKS STUDIO, DAYTIME
A long desk spreads across the stage. It has a monitor, keyboard, mouse and scanner on the desk. A stack of papers sits next to the scanner. Behind the long desk is a drawing table with an animator’s lightbox at an angle to the desk. The long desk has a simple office chair while the drawing desk has a padded high stool. A doorway sits to the stage-left side of the desk. OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE sits at the animator’s light box, slumped over, asleep.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(off-stage) “I’ve got your coffee.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER enters from stage-left, carrying a tray with a coffee cup and a carafe of coffee. There is also a glass of water on the tray. He enters backwards to navigate the door, balancing the tray best as he can.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Sorry it took as long as it did for me to get the coffee. Your Mom came out and we had a nice talk. She asked if I could make her some tea so I did. Let me know if you want any and I’ll go get you a glass. Your Mom asked me if we set a date for the wedding, which is the funniest thing because my Grandma was just asking me the same thing this morning.”

Thomas places down the tray. 

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Isn’t that the craziest thing? Are they sharing a wavelength?”

He picks up the coffee cup and turns to give it to Ophidia.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“And you’re asleep.”

Thomas straightens looking at Ophidia. He shrugs and takes a sip of the coffee. He spits it back out into the cup.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Ugh, yuck. How does anyone like that?”

Thomas sets the cup back onto the tray. He then exits Stage-left returning with a blanket. He places the blanket over Ophidia. He gently kisses her on top of her head.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“You get your rest, you deserve it. I’ll be over here reading.”

Thomas moves to the chair to the side and pulls out a copy of “Pandora’s Star” by Peter F. Hamilton.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(to self) “Thank goodness I have one of Hamilton’s space operas. This will definitely keep me busy.”

Thomas props his feet up on the desk and relaxes into a comfortable reading position. He starts to read, briskly moving through pages then slowing down. He turns back two pages and rereads what he had read. He thinks a moment and then starts to read at a brisk pace. As he is reading he starts to fidget, starting with turning his body left and right. Then he switches to gently swinging his feet left-right. The Mid-Stage stage lights turn off to the sound of A LIGHTSWITCH CLICKING OFF. The Mid-stage curtains close.

FADE OUT

today in the studio: June 6th, 2026

today in the studio

The Great Works Project: Season Seven, Episode Four” by Thomas Typewriter – a new script

Uncategorized

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 07, Episode 04

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2026 Jason Arcand
———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK


From the center bottom of the frame scrolls up the following text: “07-04”. It scrolls up to the center of the frame, pauses, then continues scrolling. It exits the frame in the top center. Across the dark screen drifts the sound of TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICK CLACKING.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE, ANYTIME

Fade in to the TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE getting ready to present a new episode.

MS OF THE TYPEWRITER PUPPET STAGE

The Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage’s main curtain slowly opens.

PAN IN TO PROPERLY FRAME THE MID-STAGE

MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The stage lights turn on with the sound of A LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING ON revealing…

MID-STAGE: INT. SLICE O’PIE RESTAURANT, EVENING
Three booths run across the stage left to right. Along the back of the stage is a soft pastel colored wooden panel wall. Various size photos of fruits, vegetables, and slices of pie hang on the wall. One frame in particular has a still from the Patterson Bigfoot footage. The photo has been altered so that Bigfoot is holding a slice of pie. The booths are currently empty. From stage-right enters THE HOSTESS followed by THOMAS TYPEWRITER and OPHIDIA OPERA HOUSE. The Hostess is carrying two menus. She gestures to the middle booth.

THE HOSTESS
“Here is your booth.”

Thomas Typewriter sits on one side while OPHIDIA sits on the other. The Hostess hands both menus to Thomas who then passes one to Ophidia .

THE HOSTESS
“Your server will be with you shortly.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Thank you.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
(avoiding direct eye contact with the Hostess) “Yes, thank you.”

THE HOSTESS
“You’re welcome.”

The Hostess exits stage-right.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Been a long time since I’ve been to a Slice O’Pie.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
(Jokingly) “Bad memories, eh.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Something like that.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Oh! I was only kidding. I am so sorry. We can always leave if it is too much. We don’t have to eat here.”

Thomas looks around taking a deep breath.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“No, no. Today is your day, your celebration. I’ll be fine.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Good, cause I really want some pie.”

Thomas Typewriter opens his menu.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“So what are you going to order?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“I don’t know. There are so many choices.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“Take all the time you need. I am just glad to be here with you.”

Thomas reaches across the table and grips Ophidia’s hand. She squeezes it in return. They release their hands and return to reading the menus.

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE.

THE CAMERA DETACHES FROM THE MID-STAGE AND PANS UPWARD. IT GLIDES OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS, ACROSS THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS LINING THE BACK OF MID-STAGE AND UP TO THE HIGH-STAGE. IT STOPS WHEN PROPERLY FRAMING HIGH-STAGE.

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The High-Stage curtains open. The stage lights turn on to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING ON revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: INT. OBSERVATION DECK OF THE FLUTE MEDICALSHIP, MORNING
A large curved window lines the back of the stage. Through it we can see outside the ship to space, the twinkling of sparks drifts by. In the distance, some of the lights from the nine bio-habitat Hills, and even glimmers from the tops of the multi-fold towers of the Palace of Stars, can be seen. In the distance the twinkle of the two torches of the dual door entrances to The Mounds. The room itself is decorated in deep reds and oranges. A variety of musical instruments, microphones, amps and speakers are spread out across the open area of the Observation lounge. From stage-left to stage-right there are: A set of keyboards, a drum kit, a microphone with a bass guitar, a microphone and trumpet in a stand, and lastly ELDER GRIM tuning up his upright bass. LUCIDO OBSIDIAN, in a Medi-pod, enters from stage-right.

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“Morning.”

ELDER GRIM
“Morning.”

Lucido rolls over to the front most microphone stand and starts putting on the bass guitar. CARRO, in a Medi-pod, rolls in from stage-left.

CARRO
“Morning gentlemen.”

LUCID OBSIDIAN
“Morning.”

ELDER GRIM
“Morning.”

Carro rolls over to the keyboards. They start to turn on the keyboards and testing the notes, making adjustments as they go along. Lucido is struggling with his guitar. Elder sets his upright bass in its stand and walks over to help. As he holds up the guitar for Lucido to grip, MINTHRIL MOUSTACHE rolls in from the stage-right in his wheelchair. 

MINTHRIL MOUSTACHE
“Morning gentlemen. Ready to blow the cobwebs off this place.”

They grunt yes, most of their concentration focused on preparing their instruments. Minthril rolls over to the stage-right. He picks up his trumpet and starts getting it ready. CEDAR WAXWINGS, in his Medi-Pod, and PANACEA FLAUTO enter from stage-right. They are holding hands.

MINTHRIL MOUSTACHE
“The lovebirds have arrived. Glad you could join us Cedar.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Morning everyone.”

PANACIA FLAUTO
“Morning everyone. Is it okay if I sit and listen.”

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“I’m fine with that.”

ELDER GRIM
“Sure.”

MINTHRIL MOUSTACHE
“Sure.”

CARRO
“Fine with me.”

Cedar rolls to behind the drum kit. Having finished helping Lucido put on his guitar, Elder returns to his upright bass.

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“Everyone ready.”

CARRO
“Ready.”

MINTHRIL MOUSTACHE
“Ready.”

ELDER GRIM
“Ready.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Ready.”

LUCIDO OBSIDIAN
“Cedar, count it down.”

CEDAR WAXWINGS
“Okay everyone lets do this. (starts hitting drumsticks together) A ONE. A ONE TWO. A ONE TWO THREE!

The stage-lights turn off to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF. The High-stage curtains close.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE

THE CAMERA UNCOUPLES FROM HIGH-STAGE AND PANS DOWNWARD. IT DESCENDS ONTO THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS BELOW THE HIGH-STAGE. IT GLIDES DOWN AND DOWN. SOON THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE SETS ROLL UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. THE CAMERA CONTINUES PANNING DOWNWARD UNTIL PROPERLY FRAMING THE MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: INT. SLICE O’PIE RESTAURANT, EVENING
Three booths run across the stage left to right. Along the back of the stage is a soft pastel colored wooden panel wall. Various size photos of fruits, vegetables, and slices of pie hang on the wall. One frame in particular has a still from the Patterson Bigfoot footage. The photo has been altered so that Bigfoot is holding a slice of pie. OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE sits to one side of the center booth. THOMAS TYPEWRITER sits on the opposite side of the central booth. The two other booths are currently unoccupied.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE 
“Really, years?”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER 
“Yup. Years since I have been in a Slice O’Pie, eaten here. How about you?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE 
“I tried to take a break after waitressing.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“What do you mean by tried?”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“My mom loves this place. It is her ideal idea of casual fast food, so I kept getting dragged back.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER 
“Sure it is casual, but is not exactly fast.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE 
“Well, she went to a lot of tea rooms growing up, so figure what you will. Something I recall about this place, and I don’t know if it was the same where you grew up, but when I was a teenager, this was the hangout spot.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER 
“Oh yeah. Same where I grew up. It had two qualities a certain group of teens desired: open 24 hours and allowed smoking. All the quote-unquote interesting kids flocked there.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE 
“I know those kids.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER 
“I bet you were one of those kids.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE 
“Me? If anyone here was one of those kids, it was you.”

THOMAS TYPEWRITER 
“Well, maybe. More likely interesting adjacent.”

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE
“Hah.”

Ophidia takes a few bites of her food. Thomas picks up his sandwich and takes small bites. He finishes chewing and looks over at Ophidia as he sips from his straw. His face lights up as he stares at Ophidia. She notices and becomes self-conscious.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE 
“What?”

Thomas wiggles his eyebrows. Ophidia giggles.

OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE 
“Interesting adjacent my butt.”

Thomas wiggles his eyebrows some more. Ophidia giggles. He sits back up and starts to eat his sandwich. Ophidia, beaming, cuts a bite of sirloin and takes a bite. They continue eating, happy in each other’s presence. The Mid-Stage stage-lights turn off to the sound of A LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING OFF. The Mid-Stage curtains close.

FADE-OUT

“Up Late, Late at Night: Episode Two, Act One” by Thomas Typewriter and Ophidia Typewriter-Operahouse – a new script

Puppet play, scripts, Up Late, Late at Night

———–<.thom.ophi>———–

Up Late, Late At Night

an abstract on treasure versus trash in modern film

Episode 002

Act I

By Thomas Typewriter & Ophidia Typewriter-Operahouse

(c) 2026 Jason Arcand & Suzanne Arcand


———–<:type.house:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK

FADE IN


EXT. THE TRASHIPELIGO ISLANDS, EVENING

LS OF A MODEL OF THE ISLAND.

Looking upon the garbage covered isles we hear the sounds of slumber and someone murmuring in his sleep.

CUT TO…

INT. THE TRASH HOLE. NIGHT
A large cavern in the base of the Trashipeligo Island’s dormant volcano, Mount Trashuvius finds T-RASH THE TRASH GOD sleeping. His large abstract mask-like face floats over a smoking pool of sludge and magma. Surrounding him are piles of trash. T-RASH’S eyes are dimmed as he sleeps trapped in a nightmare.

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
(murmuring to self) “No, no, no, what do you mean there is no more oil? What are we going to make plastic out of? What about the plastic? What about the plastic!”

T-Rash shakes awake.

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
“Oh, man what a nightmare. A world without plastic, what a horror show. Thankfully that will never happen. 

T-Rash looks around the room.

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
“Well, since I am up, I might as well have a late night snack. A nice tall glass of trash juice should put me right back asleep. (Shouting out) B-MAX! D-VID! Get me a glass of trash juice!”

T-Rash waits and waits. 

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
“B-MAX! D-VID! Get in here! You’re god grows impatient!”

From the bottom of one of the trashpiles crawls out THE SORE MOUSE. An anthropomorphic computer mouse slicked with various oils, greases, and mystery juices, it looks over at T’rash.

THE SORE MOUSE
“Hey, keep it down. Some of us are trying to have a tea party.”

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
“Sorry. Hey, have you seen my two assistants?”

THE SORE MOUSE
“No. Hold on. (Shouts back into the trash pile he crawled out of) Hey, Parched Hare! Muddy Hatter! You guys seen those two helpers to T-Rash.”

THE PARCHED HARE
(off-camera) “The interns?”

THE MUDDY HATTER
(off-camera) “Didn’t they get electrocuted? Hey, see if he has any wine.”

THE SORE MOUSE
(to T-Rash) “No. They got electrocuted. Do you have any wine?”

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
“There is some toilet wine two mounds of trash over.”

The Sore mouse waves goodbye and wiggles back into the trash pile.

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
“Electrocuted? I don’t recall them getting…”

INSERT MS OF THE TELEVISION

CUT BACK

T-RASH THE TRASH GOD
“Oh, yeah, they did didn’t they. Just like in that one John Ritter movie or that one Lou Jacobi movie or that one episode of Amazing Stories, or that other episode of Amazing Stories. (to self) What was going on in the Eighties. (out-loud) Oh, well. I wonder what they are up to right now.”

T-Rash picks up the remote for his TV and presses on.

CUT TO THE TELEVISION

MS OF THE TELEVISION

A large cathode ray television sits in the midst of piles of trashbags and clutter. An extra antenna has been ad-hoc added onto the back of the television. The Television flicks on with an audible POP and HUM. A bright dot appears in the center of the television’s screen.

PAN IN ON THE TELEVISION SCREEN

The dot grows to fill the whole screen. A faint image of a highway with an on and off ramp flickers across the screen.

The Great Works Project: Season 07, Episode 03 by Thomas Typewriter – a new script

scripts, The Great Works Project scripts

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 07, Episode 03

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2026 Jason Arcand
———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK

From the center bottom of the frame scrolls up the following text: “07-03”. It scrolls up to the center of the frame, pauses, then continues scrolling. It exits the frame in the top center. Across the dark screen drifts the sound of TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICK CLACKING.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE, ANYTIME

FADE IN TO THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE GETTING READY TO PRESENT A NEW EPISODE.

MS OF THE TYPEWRITER PUPPET STAGE

The Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage’s main curtain slowly opens.

PAN IN TO PROPERLY FRAME THE MID-STAGE

MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The stage lights turn on with the sound of A LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING ON revealing…

MID-STAGE: INT. TWIGTOWN CHURCH OF THE GOOD FAITH CHAPEL, EVENING.
Along the back of the stage runs a wooden panel wall. The overall design is minimal. A large wooden cross is mounted in the center of the wall. The cross is not attached directly to the wall, but out from the wall by way of metal rods. This is to allow lights installed on the back of the cross to create a halo-like illumination on the wall behind the cross. The remainder of the stage is decorated with six sets of wooden pews. Three on stage left and three on stage right leaving a small aisle in the center. The pews are orientated facing towards the cross. There is a soft lighting in the room, with the brightest light coming from the lights on the back of cross. THOMAS TEENAGER, dressed in a boy scout uniform, enters from stage-left and sits in the second row of pews, near the aisle. He looks up at the cross in silent contemplation for a few moments before letting out a SOB.

TRANSITION FROM MID-STAGE TO HIGH-STAGE

THE CAMERA DETACHES FROM FRAMING MID-STAGE AND PANS UPWARD. IT GLIDES OVER THE TOP OF THE MID-STAGE SETS. IT CONTINUES UPWARD MOVING ONTO AND OVER THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS LINING THE BACK OF THE MID-STAGE. IT PANS HIGHER AND HIGHER. AT THE TOP OF THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS IT REACHES THE HIGH-STAGE. THE CAMERA LOCKS IN TO PROPERLY FRAMING THE HIGH-STAGE.

HIGH-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The High-Stage curtains part and the stage lights turn on to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING ON revealing…

HIGH-STAGE: INT. OBSERVATION DECK OF THE FLUTE MEDICALSHIP, MORNING
A large curved window lines the back of the stage. Through it we can see outside the ship to space, the twinkling of sparks drifts by. In the distance, some of the lights from the nine bio-habitat Hills, and even glimmers from the tops of the multi-fold towers of the Palace of Stars, can be seen. In the distance the twinkle of the two torches of the dual door entrances to The Mounds. The room itself is decorated in deep reds and oranges. The lounge has a circular shape. ELDER GRIM enters from stage-right pushing a stack of amphora-crates on a wheeled dolly. He rolls them to the side. He exits and returns with a new stack. Ultimately he rolls five amorphous-crates into the lounge. He leaves and returns then rolls a taller stack of speakers, amps, and sound equipment. In his mouth, he is holding a paper bag while in his left hand he holds a coffee cup. Rolling the sound equipment to the back far corner, he reaches up and takes the paper bag out of his mouth. Sitting down near the window, Elder opens the paper bag. He pulls out a bagel and lox with extra dill. Slowly eating the bagel and sipping the coffee, Elder takes the opportunity to look out the window. 

ELDER GRIM
“Reassuring to see the world still has moments of wonder.”

Elder finishes his coffee and bagel. He stands, picks up his trash, and moves off-frame to throw it away. He returns and moves to the amorpha-crate closest to the front of the stage. He opens it and starts to remove the contents, which consist of a guitar stand and a skeletal bass guitar. As he sets up the stand and guitar, the stage-lights turn off to the sound of A COMPUTER BOOTING OFF. The High-Stage curtains close.

TRANSITION FROM HIGH-STAGE TO MID-STAGE

THE CAMERA DETACHES FROM FRAMING HIGH-STAGE AND PANS DOWNWARD. IT MOVES ONTO THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS. GLIDING DOWNWARD ACROSS IT, SOON THE TOPS OF THE MID-STAGE CURTAINS COME INTO VIEW. THE CAMERA CONTINUES PANNING DOWNWARD OVER THE MID-STAGE SETS UNTIL PROPERLY FRAMING THE MID-STAGE.

MID-STAGE: INT. TWIGTOWN CHURCH OF THE GOOD FAITH CHAPEL, EVENING.
THOMAS TEENAGER sits in a middle pew near the aisle, softly sobbing. He looks up to the illuminated cross.

THOMAS TEENAGER
“Hello God. I hope you’re listening. Other people tell me you are. They say to me if you have a problem, turn it over to God. Goodness, what does that even mean. I think I have a problem, but how do I turn it over to you when I am the problem. I am broken structurally, something is wrong with me. I keep making mistakes and can not stop. Disappointing everyone around me, everyone who cares. My parents. I got into another argument with them. I don’t mean to upset them but I do. Not on purpose. But eventually I will forget something or screw up. It seems to be happening more lately. The forgetting. The arguments. It hurts so much to see the disappointment in their faces. The anger. Physical pain, like knives in my throat. They say they are trying to help me reach my potential. My teachers talk about my potential. Everyone has a comment on how much I am not living up to it. Yet no one has any answer about how I can live up this supposed potential. What am I suppose to do. No one knows. I thought I was a nice person. Why isn’t that enough. God, if you are there, please tell me why. Why do I hurt? Why do I keep making mistakes? Why am I not good enough?”

Thomas starts to cry but swallows it down. He sits in silence for a few moments. A voice beckons from off-stage.

SCOUT
(off-stage) “Hey Thomas, you coming. Glen is about to cut his cake.”

Thomas hastily wipes his eyes.

THOMAS TEENAGER
“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

He stands and exits stage-left. The stage-lights, and cross lights, turn off to the sound of A LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING OFF. The Mid-Stage curtains close.

FADE-OUT

today in the studio: Feb 28th, 2026

today in the studio

“The Great Works Project: Season Seven, Episode One” by Thomas Typewriter – a new script

Puppet play, scripts, The Great Works Project scripts

———–<.thom.>———–

THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT

a puppet play in many parts

Season 07, Episode 01

a prologue

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2026 Jason Arcand

———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN TO BLACK

From the bottom of the screen scrolls up the following text: “07-01”. It moves upwards, pausing a moment in the center of the frame, then continues upward, exiting the frame at the top edge. Immediately following that text’s exit, up scrolls “a prologue” from the bottom of the frame. It scrolls upward pausing in the center of the frame before continuing up and out of the top of the frame.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

EXT. SWORDPOINT HILLS, AFTERNOON
THE OUTER ONE and GRIGIO COLORI stand on one of the hills overlooking Swordpoint Hills. They are near the crest and looking down at the crowds. The Swordpoint, at the center of the hills, is a large stone slab with small stairs. There are five stones on the tableau. Each stone has a beam of light shining upward towards the sky. Surrounding the tableau and snaking out into the hills are multiple lines of people waiting in queue. Small covered stalls can be seen dotted around the hills, each with gate guarded by a muscular bouncer.

CS OF THE TEXT AT THE END OF SEASON 06 FROM THE GREAT WORKS PROJECT COMPLETE SCRIPTBOOK.

GRIGIO COLORI
(Voice-over) “Okay so that is where season six ends. Should I go on?”

THE OUTER ONE
(Voice-over) “No, that’s probably as good a stopping point as any. You should put that away, we have more pressing concerns.”

The scriptbook closes.

CUT TO MS OF THE OUTER ONE AND GRIGIO

GRIGIO COLORI
“Like what.”

THE OUTER ONE
“Getting here was the easy part. Now comes the hard part – the line.”

The Outer One takes a step forward and looks downward. Grigio watches and copies the action.

PAN TO AN AERIAL LS OF SWORDPOINT. 

The multiple long lines of the crowd snake through the hills.

GRIGIO COLORI
“I see what you mean. So where do we start.”

THE OUTER ONE
“We go see a man about credit, but first lets take a break. I am feeling a bit tired.”

GRIGIO COLORI
“Is your wrist bothering you.”

THE OUTER ONE
“Unfortunately, I think it is. A little rest and I should be fine.”

MS OF GRIGIO AND COLORI

They sit down on the grass. The Outer One flops onto his back and takes three deep breaths. As the Outer One lays on the ground his shirt rides up , revealing that the glitching has spread even further. The side of his neck, his entire right arm, and the right side of his chest show signs of the glitching scrolling abstract text.


THE OUTER ONE
“It is going to take me a minute longer than I anticipated to get my wind back. Maybe you should continue reading the scriptbook.”


GRIGIO COLORI
“Sure. Lets see, where was I. Season Seven, Episode One. We open on the Typewriter Abstract Puppet Stage. We start at a long shot and move in closer.”

FADE OUT TO

INT. THE UNROOM NOT.SEVEN

LS OF THE UNROOM FROM THE ENTRYWAY

SLOWLY PAN THROUGH THE ROOM TO THE WOODEN STAGE. THE PAN FOLLOWS A MEANDERING OR SNAKING PATH.

The Unroom Not.Seven is a large space so cavernous that the ceiling and far walls are lost in darkness. A tile floor is decorated with a short wooden stage. Grey carpet squares are arraigned in rows around the stage. Long power cords snake through the squares to spindle like floor lamps at the ends of rows. From the darkness of the ceiling emerge long chains adorned with pendulum lamps. The soft light from the hanging lamps and floor lamps is not enough to fully pierce the darkness of the room. What is visible is seen with a soft light. THE SOUND OF TYPEWRITER KEYS CLICK CLACKING rings out. Unseen lamps above the wooden stage flip on. In their beams of light, THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE appears.

LS OF THE TYPEWRITER ABSTRACT PUPPET STAGE

PAN IN ON THE MID-STAGE AREA

MID-STAGE: CURTAINS CLOSED
The Mid-Stage Curtains part revealing that the Mid-Stage is empty and unilluminated.

PAN PAST THE EDGE OF THE MID-STAGE CURTAIN AND THROUGH THE MID-STAGE TOWARDS THE CURTAIN OF CLOUDS

The Curtain of Clouds along the back of the Mid-Stage parts revealing the Back-Stage.

PAN IN UNTIL PROPERLY FRAMING THE BACK-STAGE

BACK-STAGE: THE CONCURRENT DISTANCES, BETWIXTLIGHT
A soft fog rolls across the bottom of the stage while DREAM-BUBBLES drift across the stage. They enter stage-right and exit stage-left. They are not all moving at the same speed, so one may pass another. A soft light starts to be cast from off-stage stage-left. The light grows brighter and brighter until the source of the light, THE LAMPSTICK, enters stage-left. It appears as a bipedal post with a hanging lamp. The post and legs have a rough construction appearance whereas the lamp appears finely crafted. It moves to the center of the stage with a dancing rhythm. Following closely behind are ONDE, AVEN, NETTE, and HERON THE AELIOPHILE.

AVEN
(to Nette) “You sure that thing knows where it is going?”

NETTE
“Yes. There is a magic to the things we make together, and that magic is going to help us find her.”

The Lampstick pauses just off center-stage. It freezes mid-motion.

AVEN
“Now what?”

ONDE
“I don’t know anymore.”

NETTE
“Give it a moment.”

The Lampstick slowly moves it’s lamp left and then right. It jumps up and starts walking, exiting stage-left. Nette follows the Lampstick and exits stage-left. Aven also exits.

ONDE
“Come along Heron.”

Heron runs over to her side and they leave stage-left together. The stage goes dark for a moment and when the lights come back the fog at the bottom of the stage is thicker. Additionally, the quantity and pace of Dream-Bubbles flowing across the top of the stage has increased. A bright light approaches from off-stage stage-left, casting a brighter and brighter light on the fog and dream bubbles. The Lampstick enters stage-left followed by Aven, Nette, Onde, and Heron the Aeliophile. The Lampstick stops mid-stage and starts to blink its light. Aven, Nette and Onde fan out attempting to look for something.

AVEN
“Can any of you see her? Is it sure she is here?”

NETTE
“Yes. But I can’t see her either. The fog is too thick. How did she ever find her way through here.” 

ONDE
“I have an idea. Heron could you help us clear the fog?”

Heron starts to whirl his steam pipes blowing away the fog. On the ground, passed out, lays THE MOTHER. Her hair has changed to all silver and she is now THE CRONE. 

AVEN, NETTE, AND ONDE
(in unison) “Mother!”

They rush over to her. Aven and Onde lift her up. Nette touches her face trying to wake her.

NETTE
“Wake-up. Wake-up mother. It is okay, we are here now.”

ONDE
“Is she okay?”

AVEN
“I don’t know.”

NETTE
“She’s not waking up.”

AVEN
“We need to get her home.” (turns to the Lampstick) “Could you lead us back home?”

The Lampstick nods yes. It slowly looks left and then right. It hops and starts off exiting stage-left. Onde stands carrying the Crone.

NETTE
“You going to be okay carrying her.”

ONDE
“Yeah, she is surprisingly light.”

Aven exits stage-left. Onde, carrying the Crone, follows her. Nette walks over to Heron and pats him on top.

NETTE
“Good job. Now lets go home.”

Nette and Heron exit stage-left.

FADE OUT

“The Not So Puppet Show #1 – Sing a New Song Chorus Verse” by Thomas Typewriter – a new script

Puppet play, scripts, The Not So Puppet Show, Uncategorized

———–<.thom.>———–

THE NOT SO PUPPET SHOW

An asymmetry without apologies

Episode #1

“Sing a New Song Chorus Verse”

By Thomas Typewriter

(c) 2026 jason arcand

———–<:type:>———–

FADE IN

The Not So Puppet Show’s short title sequence plays.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

INT. THE MUSIC HALL OF FRANCIS SPEAKS TO FRANCIS UNIVERSITY, AFTERNOON
The Music Hall is built on a bisecting stage¹. The rear plates will be the Stage. It is a raised concert stage made of dark polished wood with a curved front. A conductor’s podium has been placed at the front of the curve. The back of the stage has no curtain but instead decorative panels made of a similar dark wood, each with a small light built into the design of the top. Curved rows of chairs and music stands have been set up for the musicians. The front plates will be the Seats. It has three rows of chairs. Each row goes from stage-left to stage-right across the stage. The individual chairs are of a simple kind that hinges down with minimal padding.

LS OF SEATS AND STAGE

The first row and second row are already filled with guests. Concertgoer #1-#6 in the first row. Concertgoer #7-#12 in the second row. THOMAS THEATREMANAGER enters from stage-right and walks down the third row of the Seats. He will sit on the chair to the stage-right side of the bisection. OPHIDIA OPERAHOUSE-TYPEWRITER, PRIMO OPERAHOUSE-TYPEWRITER, and SECONDO OPERAHOUSE-TYPEWRITER follow behind him. They walk to the center of the row and sit down.

PAN IN TO MS OF THOMAS

The members of the City of Champions City Symphony start setting up on the stage. Violinist #1, Violinist #2, Violinist #3, Cellist #1, Cellist #2, and Cellist #3 enter stage-left. They filter out to the front row of chairs on the Stage. Trumpeter #1, Trumpeter #2, Trombonist #1, Frenchhorn #1, Flutist #1, Timpani #1 and Marimba #1 enter from stage-left and take up the seats in the second row of chairs on stage. All of the Audience, except Thomas, stand and applaud for the musicians. Thomas turns in his seat and faces the camera.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“I am here at Francis Speaks to Francis University with the family, attempting to hear to the City of Champion’s Symphony’s fall concert. It is a Sunday and I do not have to work. Primo and Secondo are now teenagers, and my time with them grows short. A limited window to show them this can be a world of wonders. And an even smaller window of funding to showcase these wonders due to my recent financial irresponsibility. I need to be creative. Thankfully, I have always been.”

Thomas turns to face the stage. The rows of chairs split in the middle, with the chairs on stage-right sliding to the stage-right. The chairs on the stage-left sliding to the left.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“Let me explain.”

In the newly opened area a giant brain made of building blocks is brought onto the stage by a pair of glowing hands. It is held together by the pressure of the two hands.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“Growing up I always felt broken. Like in the kind of way where my mind was all these different pieces barely being held together. That my parts were constantly slipping apart. Especially once my plurality attempted to be a singularity. Still, we were, sorry, (to self) I am Thomas and I accept these feelings and emotions are part of myself. (to camera) Sorry about that. As I was saying, I was far from perfect at holding it together. I often failed, but managed to pull it back together.”

Then the building block brain falls apart. As the parts are being reassembled, hear the HAMMERING OF A HAMMER ON AN ANVIL. Once the brain is reassembled, the sound of diminishes. The building block brain and hands pull backwards, leaving the visible are, as the two sides of the auditorium slide back into place.

SECONDO TYPEWRITER-OPERAHOUSE
(off-screen) “Dad…”

Thomas turns from looking at the audience and at Secondo in the chairs on the other side of the center.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“Yes.”

SECONDO TYPEWRITER-OPERAHOUSE
“I hope this starts soon.”

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“Me too. It shouldn’t be long now.”

SECONDO TYPEWRITER-OPERAHOUSE
“Good.”

Thomas swivels in his seat, so as to be looking behind him and out at the camera.

CUT TO CS OF THOMAS

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“These feelings of being on the edge, of being broken, persisted throughout my childhood. Persisted into adulthood, to today. But back then I thought school with its routines would be a stabilizing force but alas no. Often they amplified these feelings…”

CUT BACK

The auditorium splits in the middle again. The left side slides to the left while the right side slides to the right. From the back of the stage, a small classroom slides forward into the area between the orchestra. The small classroom is set-up as a side view of a sixth grade classroom. Two rows of three chairs go across the space with a teacher’s desk and small television on a rolling platform off to the stage-right side. MR. MYSELF&I stands next to the television. THOMAS TEENAGER sits in a center chair. OTHER STUDENT sits in one of the chairs in front of Thomas.

MR MYSELF&I
“Okay class, we are a little ahead in our lessons. Good job. Since we have some free time now, we are going to put on this video.”

Mr. MySelf&I pulls out a VHS tape from the shelf of the rolling cart the television is sitting on. He places the video in the VCR, waits for it to load, and then presses play. He exits stage-left and the lights in the classroom dim. A bright light throws out from the television bathing everyone in cathode light. Thomas gets a fearful look on his face. The Lady, THE LAD, AND THE LOCH appear in the desks next to Thomas. The Loch rolls itself into a bristle. Thomas moves in the exact same fashion. The Loch then starts to bark and growl at the screen. Thomas is frozen in panic.

THE LADY
“This is horrible.”

THE LAD
“Let’s get out of here. I do not want to watch anymore of this.”

The Lance raises his arm up at which time Thomas also moves his arm up in exact mimicry. In the background can be heard the sound of A HAMMER STRIKING METAL ON AN ANVIL. Thomas’ arm slacken as he is distracted by the sound. He looks around for its source. The Lad frustrated by Thomas’s loosing focus raises his arm up even more strongly. Thomas’s arm goes back to being fully raised and his head snaps forward.

MR. MYSELF&I
(off-stage) “Yes, Thomas?”

OTHER STUDENT
“Here goes Thomas going to say or do something weird again.”

THE LADY
(snapping head to look at Other Student) “That bitch. How dare they.”

The Lady returns her gaze to the front of the classroom. When she speaks Thomas also speaks at the same time, as if he is her puppet.

THE LADY & THOMAS TEENAGER
“Sorry Mr. MySelf&I, but would there be time for me to use the bathroom.”

OTHER STUDENT
“Oh, that wasn’t weird.”

THE LADY
(to self) “Fuck her. Saying Thomas is weird. What does she know.”

MR. MYSELF&I
“Yes. Make sure to grab the hallpass and you can go.”

THE LADY & THOMAS TEENAGER
“Thank you.”

The Lance stands and Thomas also stands at the same time and in the same way. The Lady also stands, slapping the Loch on the back of it’s head where it then stands. The small classroom is pulled off the stage. The zones of the stage slide back together. Thomas lifts his arm and puts it across the seat to the side of him allowing him to pivot and face the camera.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“I don’t know why, but through all the cracks in my life, the cracks in my personality, the cracks in my mind, cracks in words when their letters moved and changed, you get the idea, a sense of a blacksmith hammering at a forge slipped through. Red hair, orange fire, sparks of starlight. Slips and glimpses. A face beautiful but also scarred. So it is no surprise to me that I ended up worshiping that marvelous lady of the forge, Brighid. She has always been there in my life, in the background. I thought she was my sole muse. Little did I know.”

The City of Champions Orchestra comes onto the stage. The musicians sit down and tune their instruments as THE CONDUCTOR enters stage-right.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“And the great show begins.”

Thomas turns around to watch the stage. Meanwhile the Conductor walks to the podium in the center of the orchestra and bows to the musicians. He then turns and faces the auditorium chairs and the audience thereby contained. He bows. When he straightens back up he addresses the audience.

THE CONDUCTOR
“Thank you everyone for joining us today. This is our second concert of our season, so we are glad to have you out. Today’s program is called Pictures. We will start with Elar’s Serenade for Strings in e minor, then move into Lizt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 in c minor, Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante defunte before ending our concert with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.”

The Conductor turns to face the musicians. He picks up his baton and taps on the music stand. The musicians raise their instruments to the ready position. He signals to start and the City of Champions Orchestra starts to play Serenade in Strings in e minor. Thomas turns to face the camera.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“And through the first song, I found it nice. Not exactly the kind of music that revs my brain, but pretty nonetheless. It gave me time and spare mental bandwidth to appreciate the musicians. They were really skilled and all of this was done on a volunteer basis. Like how amazing was it that they lived complete lives and still somehow made time to ALSO do this. How amazing is that.”

The orchestra begins to play in fast forward.

THOMAS TYPEWRITER
“ Inspired by the talent and dedication on display, I decided to look with my quote-unquote mystic eye. Brighid was there spreading her energies across the musicians. And it was what happened next that is interesting.”

The sets slide apart from the middle again. Though this time the audience slides fully left and right, while the orchestra only slide half as far left-and right. There needs to be enough space between the two sides of the orchestra to allow a figure to approach but also allow the orchestra to still be seen. From the back shadows of the center space out walks BRIGHID THE BLESSED. She is a tall muscular female with fiery red hair. One side of her face is fair while the other is covered in scars and burns. She wears a simple leggings under a blacksmith’s apron. She is wearing a shawl that trails out to long ribbons and streamers so that when she moves and swings there is a flowing undulation to the movements. She moves along the musicians sweeping her streamers across them as they play. Every musician she touches becomes more focused and confident in the manner they play. The orchestra plays even faster, quickly reaching the end of the song. They bring their instruments to pause as the Conductor looks around. He then signals for the ready, and they raise their instruments to the ready position. He signals and they start playing Lizt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 in c minor. As they play, Brighid the Blessed dances among them, inspiring each. As the song picks up tempo, hidden behind the musicians, AHN’PHERA THE SURPRISE AND THE JOY emerges. They are a thin and tall androgynous figure, dressed in shiny black tap shoes, tan oversized khaki pants held up with black suspenders over a white button up cotton long-sleeve shirt. They have a short haircut with a side part and long bangs swooping over to cover their face. They are bouncing a yellow ball. They move through the back of the musicians, staying hidden, but taking sudden acrobatic or dance moves when a loud note is hit and then sinking into the background. They will also be bouncing the ball around the stage as they move.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“It was then I noticed a second spirit of inspiration. Moving in the background, I could catch fleeting views. Small details. Androgynous. Dressed like a dancer. Moving like some cross of Gene Kelly and Charley Chaplin. They were hypnotic. Then when the song goes into the second section and surprises me, they leap out.”

As the orchestra shifts to playing the friska portion of the piece, Ahn’Phera jumps out to the center of the stage. They dance and clown around Brighid the Blessed, pointing to each of the elements that jumps in unexpectedly.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“I said who is this, and I instantly knew. This was Ahn’Phera, the muse and goddess of surprises in art. They are working through all the artists proving that unexpected element that makes the work interesting and vibrant. Surprises not only for the audience, but also the artist.”

Brighid and Ahn’Phera’s dancing becomes more energetic and lively as the song reaches its crescendo. The piece ends, the two deities pause. Ahn’Phera throws the yellow ball off-stage over the musicians’ heads and silently back flips out of view. Brighid glides out of view. The Audience claps in applause. The two sides of the stage slide back together. The audience members all stand and continue to clap. Thomas slows his clap and rotates to talk to the camera.

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“And in the days that would follow, I would ponder what I had seen here. Here was a new muse, but where this was my first full viewing of them, their fingerprints spread across my whole life. The films I did not expect to be good and then turned out great. The song that comes on the radio that you stop what you are doing and have to sing along to. A quick glimpse of something beautiful as you are commuting. That time you accidentally get bumped and end up in the right spot to see angles and ornamentation of the buildings line up. That time the story took a left turn. Hell, anytime any art takes a sudden turn. The world has Bridghit looking over all artists and helping them, among her many duties, but it also has Ahn’Phera dancing in and out ensuring that art has surprises and interesting texture. That is a world I can believe in. A world I can have hope that I can find joy. Blessed be Brighid. Blessed be Ahn’Phera.”

Thomas nods his head in a short prayer then turns back to his family.

THOMAS THEATREMANGER
“Wow. Was that something or was it not? I am so glad I came out with all of you.”

SECONDO OPERAHOUSE-TYPEWRITER
“Thanks Dad. Glad to be here too.”

PRIMO OPERAHOUSE-TYPEWRITER
“I wonder what will be next?”

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“That is the question, isn’t it.”

SECONDO OPERAHOUSE-TYPEWRITER
“What ever it is, I’m sure it will be great.”

THOMAS THEATREMANAGER
“I bet you’re right. Now lets quiet down and listen. They are about to start the next song.”

PAN OUT

FADE OUT

¹A Bisecting Stage is a specially constructed and laid out stage. It will be constructed in a way that the stage will be divided in four sections. The front and rear of the stage will be separated. Then the front and rear will also be divided into left and right sections. Each section will be built on a movable plate. This will require four plates. The plates will allow the front part of the stage to be pulled apart followed by the rear part of the stage to be pulled apart. This will allow a third area of the stage to opened up that will be referred to as the Imaginary Section.

today in the studio: Oct. 8th, 2025

today in the studio