STAGE ONE

The camera zooms in on David and Maddie engaged in a passionate lip lock on the bed.

Off Stage Voice #1 (OSV#1): Aaanndd CUT! That’s a take people. Okay Maddie and Dave, you’re free to go to lunch. We meet back here at—

David and Maddie don’t seem to hear him.

OSV#1: Hey! Yoo-hoo! It’s break time!

OSV#2: Ah, leave ’em alone. Let ‘em be for once.

OSV#1 (pointing stage right): Well….I guess we can use them for a preview this time…

The camera pans over to Jamie, Inez, Jergenson, O’ Neill and Magillicuddy. They each wear a cowboy hat, a western shirt, jeans, boots and gun holsters. The women are attempting to twirl lassos while the men fumble with cap guns in each hand. Jergenson drops his on the wooden stage floor and the guns pop loudly.

OSV#2: Oh, all right! They’ll just have to do. Let’s go to Stage 3…this one seems to be a little occupied at the moment.

The camera pans back across the stage to David and Maddie, who are still locked in a passionate kiss.

OSV#1: Okay, you heard it. Stage 3 everyone!

Stage 1 is now deserted.

David (breaking the kiss, looking out across the stage): Okay, Maddie, they’re gone.

Maddie: Good. I didn’t want to do a preview again. Let someone else do it for a change!

David pulls her up off the bed and they walk together towards the back stage door.

David: I hear ya. I’m sure you could use a little nap right about now.

Maddie (a gleam in her eye): Only if you join me.

David: Sure, I’m a little tired myself.

Maddie: David, I feel like I’ve been sleeping for the last two and a half months. I don’t intend to sleep…I have plans for you, mister…

David (grins widely): Hmmm… now this sounds like second-trimester symptoms to me—less upchucking, fewer mood swings…more energy…more appetite…

Maddie grabs David’s hand and leads him out the door.

Maddie: Yeah…you could say that…I’m definitely hungry…

The door slams behind them.

Someone flips the lights out.

Voices are heard on Stage 3.

OSV#1: Oh, for the love of Pete! O’ Neill, put the guns in your holster and keep them there. Jamie, quit trying to lasso Jergenson, willya?

OSV#2: Let’s go people! We don’t have all day. We still have Act IV and the Epilogue. The last thing we want is to be blamed for showing a repeat next week. From the top!

Jamie and Inez roll their eyes at each other. They all gather round, hanging their thumbs through their belt loops.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Though the streams are swollen
Keep them doggies rollin'
Rawhide!
Rain and wind and weather
Hell-bent for leather
Wishin' my gal was by my side.
All the things I'm missin',
Good vittles, love, and kissin',
Are waiting at the end of my ride…….

The guys shoot their guns—POP POP POP POP POP—while the girls do one final lasso twirl. Inez’ rope falls neatly over Magillicuddy’s head.

OCV#1: It’ll have to do….wrap it!

Hope you’ll join us next Sunday, June 26, for Virtual Moonlighting Episode 5. It’s gonna be a humdinger!