DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #23 “THE VOYEUR”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

(Peter, Eli and Pretty Boy

remain alone in the

conference room)

 

You played it nicely.

You were good.

Made Phil run away and

enraged Dick to the point

where he could not think straight.

 

And Joey and Jeff are happy as

two loons bobbing up and down,

unaware yet noisy,

on a remote lake.

 

Yes, I did. I fooled you, didn’t I?

Oh, God,

but I do love being CEO.

 

Well, Peter, CEO, liege and lord,

what happens now?

 

I’ve no idea. I know I’m winning,

and I know I’ll win,

but what the next move is…

you were scared, weren’t you?

 

No.

 

(Peter speaks to

Pretty Boy)

 

I think you were.

 

I was. You mustn’t play

with feelings, Peter.

Not with mine.

 

It wasn’t possible to lose you. I must hold

you dearer than I thought.

 

(Peter turns to Eli)

 

You’ve got your enigmatic face on.

What’s your mood, I wonder?

 

Pure delight. I’m locked up with my step-sons.

What step-mother does not dream of that?

 

(Eli moves to go, then stops)

 

One thing.

 

Yes?

May I watch you kiss him?

 

Can’t you ever stop?

 

I watch you every night.

I conjure it before I sleep.

 

Leave it there.

 

My curiosity is intellectual.

I want to see how accurate I am.

 

(Peter speaks to Pretty Boy)

 

Forget the dragon in the doorway.

 

Come. Believe I love you, for I do.

 

Believe I’m yours forever, for I am.

 

Believe in my contentment and the joy you give me.

And believe…

 

(Peter turns to Eli)

 

You want more?

 

(Peter turns back to Pretty Boy)

 

I’m an old man in an empty place.

Kiss me my dear.

 

(They kiss

as Eli stands in the doorway,

watching)

 

 

 

Tomorrow Next Post:  DAY-DREAMS, MEMORIES AND OTHER WORDS

 

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #22 “THE APPEARANCE”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

(Phil, CEO of laFrance,

enters Peter’s conference room)

 

Bill, called me,

what’s all this about?

 

(Peter speaks to Phil)

 

You’re the CEO of laFrance,

for God’s sake. Speak up.

Do something.

 

(Dick speaks to Phil)

 

Make a threat. Come on,

frighten me.

 

Dunce!

 

Am I?

 

He never meant

to have the wedding.

 

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

 

You’re good at rage.

I like the way you play it.

 

Son, don’t ever call a CEO a liar to his face.

 

I’m not your son…

 

Boy, you came here asking for a wedding

or the shares back.

By God, you don’t get either.

It’s NO to both.

 

You have a contract with laFrance!

 

Then damn the contract and damn laFrance.

It never marries, not while I’m alive.

 

Your life and never are two different times.

 

Not on my watch, boy!

 

(Philip exits the room)

 

Ha, ha, ha! Listen to the lion!

Come on,

flash a yellow tooth,

and frighten me.

 

Don’t spoil it, Richard.

Take it like a good sport.

 

How’s your bad leg?

 

Better, thank you.

 

Your bad back? You’re getting old.

You’ll fool me once too often.

 

When? I’m over fifty now.

My God, boy, I’m the oldest man I know.

I’ve got a decade on the Good Bishop here.

 

( Peter glances at the Bishop,

who nods)

 

What’s it to be? A mafia hit – – –

when I’m eighty-five?

 

I’m not a second son now.

Your father lies in

the crypt, you know.

 

I know; I visit him there.

 

I’ll have the CEO chair.

 

You’ll have what Daddy gives you.

 

I am next in line!

 

To nothing!

 

Then we’ll only have law suites now.

 

This minute?

 

No, in the courtroom!

 

So we’re at war?

 

Yes, we’re at war.

I have ten lawyers

and fifteen friends at the

Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Will they listen to you?

Call them and see who answers.

You’re as close to the SEC as you’ll get.

 

You don’t dare contest me

in court.

 

Until we’re all agreed Joey comes next,

I can and will see you in court.

You’re a CEO’s son,

so I treat you with respect.

You have the freedom to find a job

within the company.

 

The corporate promises won’t hold me.

Keep your lawyers informed.

 

(Dick exits

Joey and Jeff

speak with joy

to each other)

 

My God, I’m CEO again.

Fantastic.

Are you happy for me, Jeff?

 

I’m happy for us both.

 

(Joey and Jeff exit together.

So does the Bishop)

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  THE VOYEUR

 

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #21 “ELOPE OR COPE”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

(Peter continues hollering from his office door.

It echoes down the corporate hallways.

Eli has a wicked smirk

gracing his countenance.)

 

Joe, Dick, Jeff!

 

(Joe, Dick, Jeff and

Bill the administrative assistant

respond)

 

What’s wrong? What’s happened?

 

Dick’s getting married.

 

Getting married? Now?

He’s getting

married now?

I never cease to marvel

at the quickness of

your mind.

 

You can’t hurt me,

you bag of bile.

 

But you can, Father. Why?

 

Because I say so.

 

Peter, the bishop’s waiting

in the conference room.

 

Good. Let’s get this over with.

 

(Eli speaks to Pretty Boy)

 

You’ll make a lovely bride.

I wonder if I’ll cry.

 

You sound as if you think

it’s going to happen.

 

I do.

 

He’s only bluffing.

Can’t you tell when

Peter’s bluffing?

 

Not this time.

 

He’ll never give me up.

 

You think I won’t?

 

Because you told me so.

 

You’re not my Helen of Troy.

I won’t fight a proxy war to

save face. We’re done.

 

I don’t believe you!

 

Wait ten minutes!

 

(In the conference room)

 

Please! Dick, Dick, we’re not…

honestly, we’re not!

Please! Peter and I love each

other.

 

Come on!

 

It’s lunacy! I won’t do it! I won’t!

Lunacy! Let me go, Peter. Dick, no!

 

Come on!

 

I won’t say the words! Not one of them!

It makes no sense! Why give me up?

What do you get? What are you gaining?

 

Why, the outstanding shares, of course.

 

(Dick finally speaks up)

 

Not that again!

 

Eli gets freedom, and I get the

outstanding shares.

 

(Peter speaks to Eli)

 

That is the

proposition, isn’t it?

You did agree.

 

Of course she did. I knew it. It was

all pretense. I believed it all.

 

I meant it all.

 

No wedding.

There’ll be no wedding.

 

But, my boy, look. Sheen’s waiting.

Marry it, for my sake.

It isn’t much to ask.

 

Never!

 

But I promised Phil.

Think of my position.

 

Damn the wedding

and to hell with your position.

 

You don’t dare defy me.

 

Don’t I?

 

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  THE APPEARANCE

 

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #20 “THE OFFER”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

(Peter discusses a deal with Eli)

 

 

I have an offer for you, my dear.

 

A deal? A deal? I give the most valuable stock

on the market to Johnny for what? You tell me,

“mastermind”, for what?

 

Your freedom.

I will purchase you another loft

in any city and any country you wish.

 

Oh.

 

Once Johnny gets the shares, you’re free.

Think, on the loose in London,

winters in Paris,

impromptu trips to visit

Dick anywhere he’s raiding corporations.

All that for a signature.

 

You’re good.

 

I thought it might appeal to you. You always

fancied traveling.

 

Yes. I even made my ex take me on Christian cruse.

How’s that for blasphemy?

I dressed my friends as amazons.

I laid bare-breasted halfway to San Juan.

My ex had a seizure, and I damn near

died of windburn, but the passengers were dazzled.

 

Peter, I’m against the wall.

To be a prisoner, to remain in New York City

when you’ve traveled the world…

I’ll never know how I survived.

These ten years, Peter, have been unimaginable.

And now, you offer me the only thing I want…

if I give up… the only thing I treasure.

 

Sign the paper, and we’ll break the happy news.

The Queen is free, John gets the shares, and

Dick marries Pretty Boy.

 

Yes, let’s have it done. I’ll sign.

On one condition.

 

Name it.

 

Have the wedding now.

 

What’s that?

 

Why, I’ve surprised you. Surely it’s not sudden.

They’ve been marching down the aisle

for sixteen years, and that’s a long walk.

Johnny can be best man.

That’s a laugh.

And you can give the bride away.

I want to watch you do it.

 

Pretty Boy… I can live without it.

 

And I thought you loved her.

So I do.

 

Thank God. You frightened me.

I was afraid this wouldn’t hurt.

 

What a tragedy you are.

 

I wonder… do you ever wonder… if I slept with

your father?

 

My father?

 

It’s a lie. But there are rumors.

Don’t you ever wonder?

 

Is it fun, despising me? Is it rewarding?

 

No.

 

Then stop!

 

How? It’s what I live for.

 

I’ll show you.

By Christ, I will.

I’ll do it.

 

(Peter opens the door

to the hallway

for others to hear)

 

Where’s a priest?

Somebody dig me up a priest!

You! Bill! Fetch me Bishop Sheen!

 

Get old Spellman. He’s just down the street.

Ask him to meet us at Saint Patrick’s.

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  ELOPE OR COPE

 

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #19 “AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

(Peter is enjoying

the enclosed outdoor portion

of his penthouse,

he is interrupted

in his thoughts

by Pretty Boy)

 

Peter! But you don’t understand.

 

I would appreciate a little quiet confidence.

I’ve enough nits picking at me.

 

But you’ve promised me to Dick!

 

Good God, you don’t think I meant it?

 

So that whole scene, all you said to Joe…

 

You think I’d ever give him up when I’ve mothered

him and fathered him and babied him?

He’s all I’ve got!

How often do you people have to hear it?

Every supper?

Should we have the appetizer with

who we love and who we don’t?

 

I think you like passing me from hand to hand.

What am I to you… a collection plate? Or am

I all you’ve got, like Joe?

 

I’ve got to get the shares for Joe.

 

I talk people, and you answer back

in securities!

 

They get mixed up.

What are the shares to Eli?

They are not the world.

It’s a way to torture me.

That’s why he spent the evening

wooing Richard, wheezing on the coals.

He’ll squeeze it out of him.

My God, I’d have loved to eavesdrop.

 

(Peter imitating Eli)

 

“I taught you prancing, lamb,

and lute and flute… “

 

(Eli enters,

carrying a pile of

Christmas boxes)

 

That’s marvelous;

it’s absolutely me.

I thought

as long as I was

coming down,

I’d bring your gifts.

 

Who left you out of the loft?

Who let you in here?

 

Your administrative aid

Bill is easily corruptible – – –

brute that he is.

 

Whatever are you giving me?

 

You’re such a child: you always ask.

 

(reading from a package)

“To Henry.”

 

Eli, you spoil me.

Heavy. is it my tombstone?

 

 

I never could deny you anything.

 

Pretty Boy, don’t go.

It nettles her to see

how much I need you.

 

You need me, Henry,

like an electrician needs a

plumber’s wrench.

Oh, I know that look.

You are going to say

you love me.

 

Like my life.

 

(Pretty Boy

turns sharply

and exits)

 

I talk that way to keep his spirits up.

Well, how did you do with Dick?

Did you break his heart?

 

You think he ought

to give me back

the shares?

 

I can’t see why he shouldn’t.

After all, I’ve promised him

the CEO position.

 

The boy keeps wondering

if your promises

are any good.

 

There’s no sense asking if the air’s good when

there’s nothing else to breathe.

 

Exactly what I told him.

 

Have you got them? Will he give them back?

 

No shares for Joey.

 

I have to give him something.

Isn’t some agreement possible?

 

Love, in a world

where carpenters

get resurrected,

anything is possible.

 

You raised him, damn it.

He’s your son also!

 

Oh, heavens, yes.

For twelve years I raised him.

I recall them all.

Then you found Rosebud.

 

Why him so damn particularly?

I’ve found other men.

 

Countless others.

 

What’s your count?

Let’s have a tally of the

bed sheets you’ve spread out on.

 

The ‘Rat Pack’s’ to start with.

 

That’s a lie.

 

(Eli laughing)

I know. You still care what I do.

 

I want the shares for Joey!

I want them,

and I’ll have them.

 

Is that a threat you’re conveying?

Is it to be torture?

Will you pull out my fingernails

or set me on fire, which?

Or am I to be perforated

with an ice pick?

 

I have the contracts,

and you will sign.

 

How will you force me to?

Threats?

“Sign or I refuse to house you.”

Tears?

“Oh, sign before my heart goes crack.”

I’m like the

earth, old man;

there isn’t any way around me.

 

I adore you.

 

Save your aching groin;

that road is closed.

 

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  THE OFFER

 

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #18 “UNHOLY ALLIANCE”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

 

 

 

(Joe, Jeff and Phil

hold an evening meeting

in Jeff’s office)

 

Hello Joe.

 

Hi Jeff.

 

Hello you two.

What is this about?

Don’t waste my time.

 

Check out this business plan

I made it for Peter.

All the pieces work.

It took months. I’m not a fool.

 

I know. Now, here’s my plan.

 

I read three languages. I’ve studied law.

What plan?

 

We’ve got to make a deal

with Phil while he is here.

 

Why?

 

Because you’re out,

and Richard’s in.

 

And what kind of deal?

 

A hostile takeover.

If we three join and fight now,

we can finish Dick off.

 

You mean break up

the company?

 

Hmm – – –

Now there is a thought.

 

And get rid of

Eli also?

 

And Eli too.

Now, do we do it?

or sit on it?

 

I’ve got to think.

 

You haven’t time.

We are overhead now.

We don’t earn our keep.

You know where

executives that are overhead go?

Downsized!?

 

Well, does Joey want a war

or doesn’t he?

 

Do you Phil?

If Joe asks for

your lawyers and accountants,

will he get them?

 

If Joey wants a war,

he’s got me on his side.

 

Joe, you hear that?

 

I’m still thinking.

 

Let me help.

It’s either Dick

in the CEO chair

or you.

 

Do you think we’d win Jeff?

 

I know we would.

 

(Jeff, Joe and Philip

enjoy a celebratory

Southern Comfort Manhattan)

 

 

 

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE

 

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #18 “IN THE CORPORATE OFFICES”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

(Peter, to his executive aid,

Bill, over the intercom)

 

Bill, tell Phil I’ll see him in

my office.

 

Yes sir.

 

In half an hour.

 

Yes sir.

 

 

(Phil in another office

is attempting to intimidate Jeff

with macho posturing

and discussion)

 

Half an hour? Good.

Of course, you know there’s not

a word of truth

to Peter’s terms.

 

If that’s a warning, thank you.

What if it’s an offer?

 

“What if” is a game

for scholars?

What if

Attorney Generals were not

political appointees?

 

What if I were CEO?

 

It’s your game, Jeff.

You play it.

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  UNHOLY ALLIANCE

 

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #17 “A FAMILY DISCUSSION”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

 

 

 

(Dick and Eli continue

badgering each other)

 

 

Is that designed to hurt me?

 

What a waste.

I’ve fought with Peter over who

comes next,

whose dawn it is… and which son

gets the sunset,

and we’ll never live to see it.

Look at you.

I loved you more than Peter,

and it’s cost me everything.

 

What do you want?

 

I want us back the way we were.

 

No, that’s not it.

 

All right, then. I want the shares.

 

That’s the step-mother I remember.

 

We can win. I can get you Pretty Boy. I can make

the marriage happen, but I’ve got to have the

the shares back to do it. I must have them back.

 

It’s mine, and I’ll never give it up.

 

Shall I write my will? “to Dick, everything.”

Would you believe me then? Where’s paper?

 

Paper burns.

 

I love you as if you were

my own son.

 

You love nothing. You’re incomplete.

The human parts of you are missing. You’re as

dead as you are deadly.

 

Don’t leave me.

 

You were lovely once. I’ve seen the pictures.

 

Don’t you remember how you loved me? We were

always hand in hand. (Eli thrusting his hand in Dick’s)

Here’s how it felt.

 

As hot and coarse as that.

 

This won’t burn. I’ll scratch a will on this.

(bares his forearm, with a small knife suddenly

in his other hand, and draws the blade across the

flesh) “To Dick, everything.”

 

Eli!

 

Remember how I taught you accounting… and the

deal and negotiating? See? You do remember. I

taught you currencies, too, and languages… and

all the business I knew

and how to love profit.

Life was easier then, and we

were every day together.

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  IN THE CORPORATE OFFICES

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #16 “MEDIA”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

(Eli and Dick walk to the veranda.

They open the oversize glass door.

A warm winter breeze greets them)

 

What’s the matter, Dick?

 

Nothing.

 

It’s a heavy thing, your nothing. When I write

or send for you or speak or reach, your nothings

come, like stones.

 

Don’t play a games with me.

 

I wouldn’t if I could. I’m simpler than I used to be.

I had, at one time, many appetites.

I wanted poetry and power

and the young men who create them both.

I even wanted Peter, too, in those days.

Now I’ve only one desire left…

to see you CEO.

 

The only thing you want to see

is Peter’s vitals on a bed of kale.

You don’t care who wins as long as Peter loses.

You’d do anything.

You are Medea to the teeth, only this is one son

you won’t use for vengeance against your husband.

SO feel free to kill the other two!

 

 

How my captivity has changed you.

Peter meant to hurt me. He’s hacked you up instead.

 

(Eli touches Richard’s chin with one hand)

 

Men coveted this talon once.

Peter was twenty-eight when we met,

and I was CEO of La France, Inc.

He came up from Atlanta to New York City,

with a mind like Aristotle’s…

and a form like mortal sin.

We shattered the Commandments on the spot.

 

I spent three months divorcing,

then in May, in spring, not far from here, we married…

young Peter and his Eli. But in

three years’ time I was his Queen,

and he was CEO.

Done at twenty-one… five

years your junior.

 

I can count.

 

There was no Pretty Boy then, or Rosebud…

no rivals, only me. And then I discovered that Peter had sons.

You, and the other two blossoms in my garden.

Yes. Had I been prudent, darling, I’d be happier

today.

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:  A FAMILY DISCUSSION

 

DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL: #15 “SELF PITY”

Tags

CEO, CFO, Cheif Executive Officer, Cheif Financial Officer, Cheif Operating Officer, COO, Corporate Christmas Party, Family arguments, intrigue, jealousy, Motel on the Mountain, secrets

 

 

 

(Joe, Jeff and Dick remain behind

to talk to Eli)

 

 

Poor Joe. Who says, “poor Joe”?

Don’t everybody sob at once!

My God, if I went up in flames,

there’s not a living soul who’d

pee on me to put the fire out.

 

Let’s strike a match and see.

 

You’re everything a little brother dreams of.

You know that?

I used to dream about you all the time.

 

Oh, Joey. Grow up!

 

I’ll show you, Eli. I’ve not lost yet.

 

(Joe slams the door

as he leaves the loft)

 

Well, step-mother dearest,

if you want me, here I am.

 

Joe’s lost his Chief Financial Officer, has he?

 

And you’ve gained one.

 

It’s a bitter thing

your wicked step mother

has to say.

 

She doesn’t trust me.

 

You must know Peter isn’t through with Joe.

He’ll keep the shares till the moon goes blue from cold.

And as for Dick’s wedding day… we’ll

see the second coming of Christ before that.

The intrigue alone can last for years.

 

I know.

You know I know.

I know you know I know.

We know Peter knows,

and Peter knows we know it.

We’re a knowledgeable family.

 

Will Dick take me

for his Chief Financial Officer

or won’t he?

 

Why are you dropping Joe?

 

Because you’re going to win.

 

I haven’t yet.

 

You will, with me to help you.

I can handle Joe.

He’ll swallow anything I tell him,

and I’ll take him by the hand

and walk him into the trap you set.

 

You’re good. You’re first class, Jeff. You’d

sell Joe out to me, or me to Joe, or… you can

tell me… have you found some way of selling

everyone to everybody?

 

Not yet, Mommy Dearest, but I’m working on it.

I don’t care who’s CEO, but you and Peter do.

I want to watch the two of you

feeding on one another.

 

You have a gift for hating.

 

You’re the expert; you should know.

 

Dear Lord, you’ve loved me all these years.

 

Oh, God forgive me. I’ve upset the Queen.

 

We need you. Help us.

 

What? And miss the fun of selling you out?

 

Be Chief Financial Officer for Dick.

 

I would rot first.

 

(Geoffrey walks away.

Dick comes up to Eli)

 

Well, that’s how deals are made.

 

We’ve got him if we want him.

He’ll sell us all, you know;

but only if he thinks – – we think – – he won’t.

Why did I have to have such clever step-children?

 

 Tomorrow Next Post:   MEDEA