Brian E Turner's Plays and Novels 
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Norman


Introduction:

Norman is a naturalistic one act play of duration about 20 mintes for a cast of two males. First presented Stagecraft 1995

Cast:

Norman

Alun

Set:

Basically just blacks and a park bench.

Synopsis:

Just a couple of blokes discussing their relationship.

Start of play:

IT IS AN ALFRESCO SCENE. SOUNDS OF CHILDREN PLAYING NOT TOO FAR AWAY. THE WEATHER IS CLEAR AND QUITE WARM. NORMAN IS SEATED ON A BENCH. HE IS WAITING FOR ALUN, WHO IS LATE. SMALL IMPATIENT GESTURES, E.G. LOOKING AT WATCH. ALUN ENTERS. NORMAN IS CASUALLY DRESSED. ALUN WEARS A BUSINESS SUIT. (IT IS IMPORTANT THAT NEITHER ACTOR PORTRAY OVERT GAY MANNERISMS.)

NORMAN: So, you're here at last.

ALUN: Am I late?

NORMAN: Yes.

ALUN: Sorry. Got held up at the office.

NORMAN: Held up at the office?

ALUN: Something cropped up. Had a problem with the Bartholemew contract.

NORMAN: Oh yes?

ALUN: Batholemew's have just employed a new public relations consultant. She didn't like railway tracks.

NORMAN: What's railway tracks.....(got to do with anything?)

ALUN: In their new TV commercial. She thought railway tracks would give her company a "common" image. New girl. Wanted to make her mark. Anyway I talked her around. Satisfied her ego. Laid on the butter with a trowel.

NORMAN: You might expect something like that.

ALUN: What?

NORMAN: From a woman.

ALUN: I don't know. (PAUSE) Didn't keep you from anything did I?

NORMAN: No. Just a job interview.

ALUN: You should have told me. I could have put this off.

NORMAN: It was only a strip club that wanted someone to fiddle their accounts. I don't know if I want to be involved.

ALUN: You should take the work if you can get it.

NORMAN: Mortgage my soul?

ALUN: Why not? Faustus did. (PAUSE) Bad luck your position was made redundant.

NORMAN: Bad luck? It wasn't the position that was made redundant, it was the person.