Seeing Beyond with Maya Fantasma

By D. M. Larson

 

Copyright (c) 2005

 

 

 

CAST OF CHARACTERS

 

MAYA: The psychic who can talk to the dead.

FELICITY: The dead person who needs to talk her brother TOM.

TOM: FELICITY's brother.

BECKY: The person FELICITY wants to warn TOM about.

 

ANNOUNCER (can be prerecorded)

 

 

 

SCENE 1

 

 

(The stage is simple with a chair and a backdrop. The backdrop is a large display with professional looking writing on it saying Seeing Beyond with Maya Fantasma. The lights show dimly on the backdrop giving it an eerie appearance. TOM and BECKY are in the audience sitting near the DR corner of the stage. The light suddenly gets very bright then a blackout)

 

 

ANNOUNCER

(On a recording. The voice is ghostly. Spooky music plays softly in the background. The whole thing is meant to be as serious as possible and not all silly. This is all done in darkness and MAYA enters during this. FELICITY enters and stands near TOM)

Welcome to Seeing Beyond with Maya Fantasma. All you are about to see is real. There are no tricks, no games, no acting involved. Maya Fantasma can really speak with the dead.

 

MAYA

(Lights slowly come on. She is in her seat, ready)

Hello, I'm Maya Fantasma. It's a pleasure to be in Falling Rock, New Mexico tonight. The spiritual activity here is intense. If there are times when I appear to be strained or overwhelmed please bare with me. Occasionally, the spirits are anxious to speak and their essences overpower me. Tonight will be one of those nights.

(She stands dramatically)

Let's get started.

 

(She goes up to one audience member DL)

I feel drawn here. Something has brought me to you. I see someone about your height, though slightly shorter, wishing to talk to you. He has the same color hair as you.

(Waves her hand at audience member)

No, don't interrupt. Let me finish. I must not disrupt the connection.

(She closes her eyes a moment and touches the audience members head)

He died from a blackening of the chest, could be a heart attack� could be a disease, it's hard to see

(She backs away)

Wait. He wishes to speak. The dead speak in pictures, so I must interpret them for you. He says you always didn�t get along but he still loves you. He says he is sorry about the time he put superglue on the toilet seat.

(Looks at audience member)

Could this be your brother or cousin or something?

(The audience member says no most likely)

Maybe your father? Grandfather? Uncle?

(No positive response. She quickly moves on to another audience member DC. As she heads to another, she sees FELICITY near TOM. FELICITY points at TOM excitedly. MAYA tries to ignore her and continues)

I sense another presence. She wishes to speak to you. She has gray hair and is slightly shorter. She died peacefully, but you were worried she didn't. She

(FELICITY giggles. MAYA gives her a dirty look. TOM and BECKY don't notice FELICITY)

She wants you to know she is near you always. She watches over your children as well.

 

FELICITY

Where does she come up with this stuff?

 

MAYA

(Gives MAYA a dirty look then moves on)

So many spirits trying to speak

 

FELICITY

(Jumps up excitedly and points to TOM)

Me next! Over here!

 

MAYA

I sense another spirit.

(She goes L again)

 

FELICITY

No, this way. Come on.

 

MAYA

Someone over here has lost a loved one nearly two years ago and has come to speak with him. I am being drawn

 

FELICITY

That wrong way over here!

 

MAYA

(To audience member)

You, you lost a pet recently.

 

FELICITY

A pet?! Oh come on. Let's channel some people please.

 

MAYA

(On the verge of screaming at FELICITY but controls herself)

Within the last ten years you lost this family pet? Twenty maybe? Thirty?

(Keeps going until she gets a positive response. If not, go to a person nearby and try again)

The pet wishes to let you know that she is okay and is waiting for you.

 

FELICITY

Maybe if I meow or bark or something

(Waves)

Come on, over here.

 

MAYA

I must

(Terrified of FELICITY)

I must, go.

(Returns to stage)

 

FELICITY

What are you scared of, lady? Come one. Do your thing.

 

MAYA

Excuse me. The spirits grow to strong. I must break and meditate.

(Backs to exit)

I will return in a moment.

 

FELICITY

She�s acts she saw a ghost or something.

(TOM and BECKY stand)

 

TOM

(Shakes head)

That was totally weird.

 

BECKY

This is ridiculous. Let�s go. She's obviously a fake.

 

TOM

I don�t know. This is going to sound strange, but I feel like something happened.

 

FELICITY

You bet it did, buddy.

(Pokes his arm)

 

TOM

(Grabs where FELICITY touched him)

Ah! What was that?

 

BECKY

(Looks nervously at audience)

Tom, shhhh People are looking.

 

TOM
But I felt something poke me.

 

BECKY

(Looks through FELICITY)

But there's nobody there.

 

TOM

I felt it, I really did

 

BECKY

It's all in your mind. It�s just the power of suggestion. This lady says she's seeing ghosts, you think you�re seeing ghosts too. If she wasn�t convincing she wouldn't be doing shows like this.

 

FELICITY

Some help she was though. How am I going to, Hey, Tom. Tom, can you hear me?

(Pokes him again)

 

TOM

It just happened again.

(Looks around but doesn�t see FELICITY)

This time I thought I heard something.

 

BECKY

Now, you're starting to freak me out. Let's go before I start believing in it too.

 

TOM

But I swear

 

FELICITY

Tom? Tom? I wish you could hear me.

(Screams)

Tom?!

 

TOM
Did you hear that? Sounds like someone said my name.

 

BECKY

I�m leaving. Are you coming?

 

TOM

Yeah, I getting really creeped out.

 

FELICITY

No, wait. Tom! I have to talk to you!

 

TOM
Okay, grab your purse. Let's go.

FELICITY

Oh, no, you don't.

(Dives under chair and hides it under an audience members chair)

 

BECKY

It's gone!

 

TOM

What?

 

BECKY

My purse it gone.

 

TOM

Maybe you left it in the bathroom.

(They exit)

 

FELICITY

(To audience as she retrieves purse and places it in BECKY's chair)

Have you ever looked all over the house and tired to find your purse or your car keys? Then suddenly you find them in plain sight. Now you know how this happens.

(MAYA peeks out, sees FELICITY and disappears again)

That's it. I'm going to get her back out here.

(Runs up and back to where MAYA is. FELICITY chases MAYA back out on stage)

 

MAYA

Please, no. Leave me alone.

 

FELICITY

Look, I came here because I heard you're the best. Everyone tells me if anyone can help me you can.

 

MAYA

Please, no. Be gone, spirit.

 

FELICITY

The audience is staring.

 

MAYA

Please, let me off the stage. Don't let them see me like this.

 

FELICITY

Like what? This is your chance to shine. Those people want a ghost. Let's give them one.

 

MAYA

But I haven't

(Lowers voice)

I haven't seen a ghost in ten years. I've lost it.

 

FELICITY

Obviously you haven't. I'm here aren't I?

 

MAYA

Yes, yes you are.

 

FELICITY

Then let's give them what they want.

(Sees TOM and BECKY returning)

Here they are. Let�s do it.

 

BECKY

There's my purse. How did I miss that?

 

TOM

Sh, honey, the show

 

BECKY

Let�s go. This is terrible.

 

MAYA

Halt!

 

BECKY

Halt?

 

TOM

Are you talking to us?

 

FELICITY

How perceptive little brother.

 

MAYA

There is someone here who wishes to speak to you.

 

BECKY

Look, lady. I'm tired of the parlor tricks okay. We're leaving.

 

FELICITY

Tell Tom it's his sister, Felicity.

 

MAYA

Tom.

 

TOM

(Stops BECKY)

She knows my name.

 

BECKY

She got off our reservations I'm sure.

 

MAYA

Your sister wishes to speak to you.

 

TOM

My sister? How does she know my sister's dead?

 

BECKY

Lucky guess.

 

TOM

That's quite a guess.

 

BECKY

I'm out of here.

 

FELICITY

Come on, Maya. Say my name. Don't let them go.

 

MAYA

Her name is Felicity.

 

TOM

She's right, Becky.

 

BECKY

I know she's right.

 

TOM

Felicity, are you here?

 

FELICITY

Yes, Tom. I am.

 

MAYA

She says yes she is. She says hello to your wife as well.

 

BECKY

She wouldn't do that. She hates my guts.

 

FELICITY

(Same time as BECKY)

I wouldn't do that. I hate her guts.

 

BECKY

She's making it up. She checked into your family history or something. I'll bet she has a whole team of researchers who look into people before they come to the show.

 

TOM

Tell me something only Felicity would know.

 

FELICITY

Tell him about the time I broke his two front teeth. We were playing cowboys and Indians

 

MAYA

She says she broke your two front teeth.

 

TOM

Becky, she's right. Felicity did. How could Maya Fantasma know that?

 

MAYA

Dental records.

 

FELICITY

Oh, I could just kill Becky.

 

MAYA

She says she wants to kill you.

 

BECKY

Now that sounds like Felicity.

 

TOM

So you believe her?

 

BECKY

No, and I can't believe you do either.

 

FELICITY

I know.

(To MAYA)

Tell them that Becky wasn't Tom's first time.

 

MAYA

Now, this is a family show.

 

FELICITY

Then tell the kids in the audience to plus their ears.

 

TOM

What did she say now?

 

BECKY
Something obscene no doubt.

(FELICITY sticks her tongue out at BECKY)

 

TOM

Tell me what she said.

 

MAYA

She said that Becky wasn't your first time.

 

BECKY

That's not true.

(TOM looks sheepish)

Is it Tom? Tom?

 

TOM

Well,

 

BECKY

I wasn�t?! You lied to me?!

 

FELICITY

Oh, this is good.

 

MAYA

Please, please. I'm not here to cause problems.

 

BECKY

All these years I thought I was the only one. What else have you lied to me about?

 

TOM

Nothing, honest.

 

FELICITY

Well, there was that time you lost her favorite ring. Remember that one her grandmother gave her

 

MAYA

I don't think that's going to help, Felicity.

 

TOM

What did she say?

 

MAYA

You don't want to know.

 

BECKY

Something else about me, no doubt.

 

FELICITY

Bingo! Maybe she should be a psychic.

 

BECKY

Okay, time out.

(To MAYA)

Let's pretend a minute she's really here. What does she want? Did she come here to ruin our marriage?

 

FELICITY

If only I could

 

MAYA

Wait. Please come up on stage. There is much she wants to tell you.

(Calls to prop boy)

More chairs please.

(Prop boy brings out chairs. Looks shyly at audience)

 

FELICITY

One for me, too.

 

MAYA

Bring one for Felicity as well.

(Prop boy shrugs and does)

 

FELICITY

(Follows prop boy. She tickles his ear as he walks. He swats at ear like a bug is there)

This is fun.

 

MAYA

(Holds out her hand and FELICITY runs into her)

Stop!

 

FELICITY

Wow. How did you do that?

 

MAYA

All of you, please sit.

 

FELICITY

She can touch me. The other spirits were right. She is good.

 

MAYA

(To audience)

Let me introduce, Tom and Becky

 

FELICITY

Clemens.

 

MAYA

Tom and Becky Clemens.

 

TOM

She knows our last name.

(BECKY gives him a dirty look)

I know, I know. From the reservations.

(Drags BECKY up)

Come on, this is getting interesting.

(TOM sits and BECKY stands)

Please. Do this for me.

(BECKY finally sits)

 

FELICITY

Way to go, Tom. Don�t let that idiotic Becky ruin this for us.

 

TOM

Please, tell me everything she says.

 

MAYA

She says don't let that idiot

 

FELICITY

(Hits MAYA who feels it)

Don't tell her that.

 

MAYA

Forgive me. There are some things better left unsaid.

 

BECKY

(Stands)

I�m not about to sit here and be insulted.

 

MAYA

I will be sure to filter out the negative vibes�

 

BECKY

You better or I'll give you a few negative vibes of my own.

(She sits)

 

FELICITY

You should have let her go. She�s only going to make this harder.

 

MAYA

What do you mean?

 

TOM

What is she saying?

 

FELICITY

(Gets serious)

Tell Tom I've come to warm him.

 

MAYA

She says she has come to warn you.

 

TOM

Warn me?

 

BECKY

About what?

 

FELICITY

(Sounding ominous)

He's in terrible danger.

 

MAYA

You're in terrible danger.

 

TOM

Danger? From what?

 

FELICITY

From Becky.

 

MAYA

Oh, be serious, Felicity.

 

FELICITY

Oh, must I be? This is so fun.

 

TOM

What did she say?

 

BECKY

I can guess.

 

FELICITY

Seriously, I just came to see how my little brother is doing.

 

MAYA

You went to all this trouble just to drop by and say hello!

(Angry)

I can believe this. This is such a waste of my talent. I use my talent to bring comfort to people, not torment them.

(Waves hand at FELICITY)

Spirit, be gone!

 

TOM

No, wait. I must talk to her. Don't send her away.

 

MAYA

She only wishes to cause mischief. Send her away now or suffer the consequences.

 

TOM

No, that can't be.

 

BECKY

Please, Tom, let it go.

 

MAYA

Away foul spirit.

 

FELICITY

Foul? You calling me foul?

 

TOM

Please, don't go, Felicity. Please, I must see you.

 

FELICITY

Oh, Tom. Don't worry. I'll never leave you.

(She hugs TOM)

 

TOM

(Shivers)

Oh, my gosh. What was that?

(Then he sees FELICITY. He is dumbfounded)

 

MAYA

She has left her mark upon you. Now you must remain tied to her forever.

 

BECKY

Oh, please. Give it up already. You're just a two bit fortune teller who should never have taken some acting classes.

 

MAYA

Fine. I'll go then. I can see that I'm not wanted.

 

BECKY

Good. Don't let the portal to the spiritual world hit you on the butt.

 

MAYA

And you can explain to the manager of this fine establishment why these people won't be getting a show tonight.

 

BECKY

What?

 

MAYA

(Stops and holds her hand to her forehead dramatically)

I predict everyone will demand a full refund and you'll have pay for it out of your own pocket.

(Exits)

 

BECKY

The audience wouldn't do that, would they?

 

FELICITY

(TOM has been staring at FELICITY)

Tom? Tom, are you okay?

 

TOM

Becky?

 

BECKY

(Pulls at his sleeve. Forces smile at audience)

Tom? I think we better go.

 

TOM

Can you see her?

 

BECKY

See who?

 

FELICITY

Tom? Can you see me now?

 

BECKY

Are you okay?

 

TOM
I, I can see her. I can see Felicity.

 

BECKY

You're scaring me. Please stop.

 

TOM

But, I, she's really

 

FELICITY

It must have been the hug.

 

TOM

And I can hear her too.

 

BECKY

I'm sorry, folks. My husband seems to be going nuts before our very eyes.

 

TOM

Maybe I am going crazy.

 

FELICITY

No, Tom. You're not. I'm really here.

 

TOM

But how? How can you be here?

 

BECKY

Is there a psychologist in the house?

 

TOM

Becky, I know this seems off the wall, but I'm really seeing her. She's talking to me and everything.

 

BECKY

Is there an exorcist in the house?

 

FELICITY

I just wanted so badly to see you, Tom. I�ve been worried about you from the moment I left.

 

TOM

Worried about me? Why?

 

FELICITY

Because of her.

(Points at BECKY)

She's the reason I can't move on. She's the reason I

 

BECKY

Tom, we're leaving this instant. You can come willingly or you can leave in a little white coat that ties in the back.

 

TOM

But,

 

BECKY

Now!

(Drags TOM out)

 

FELICITY

This isn't over Becky. This is far from over.

 

END OF SCENE

 

Hey students!

 

Write your own scene 2 for this play and send it to www.freedrama.com at pocolocoplayers@yahoo.com

 

The best scene will be published on the website and the student will be given co-author credits on the play.