BELOW THE WAIST

 

ONE-ACT FARCE

 

By Maura Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

233 Crescent Road, Burlington, Vermont  05401

802/660-7906; ibsen3000@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAST

 

Allen Dabble, Vampire

Doctor, Psychiatrist

Miss Trainer, Receptionist

 

 

SETTING

 

Doctor’s Office

 

 

 

DOCTOR is standing in the middle of the office pantomiming a golfing putt.  He is completely engrossed in this imaginary activity.  The office air conditioner is broken and he is dabbing at his forehead periodically with a handkerchief. There is a knock on the door; no response.  Finally, MISS TRAINER, his secretary, opens the door and comes in, fanning herself.

 

                        MISS TRAINER 

          Doctor...

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Sternly) 

          Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! 

 

He putts; they both follows the "ball" for a moment and then their heads makes rapid circular motions mimicking the ball spinning around and then out of the hole.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Damn! 

 

                        MISS TRAINER 

Sorry to interrupt, Doctor, but your next patient is here. (DOCTOR is still concerned about his last shot.)  And he don't look so hot.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Looking up abruptly)

          Why, is he sick?

 

                        MISS TRAINER

                        (Walking away and fanning her face) 

          No, he just don't look hot.

 

Miss Trainer exits and, after a moment, ALLEN walks in. He looks after her bewilderedly.  The DOCTOR does not look up.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Uh, um, hello.

 

DOCTOR says nothing, continues his golf game.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Um, is everything all right here?

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Looking up abruptly)

          Who let you in?

                       

                        ALLEN 

Uh, your secretary, she, uh, said that it would be...

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Oh, that's all right then. (Goes back to working.)

 

                        ALLEN 

          There seems to be something peculiar going on in the front office.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Keeps playing golf)

          How's that?

 

                        ALLEN 

Your secretary... She's leaping around the furniture.  (Looks toward door.) I think she's having some kind of attack.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Nonsense, she's signed up for our employee’s fitness program. She's playing badminton. (Continues to ignore him.)

 

                        ALLEN 

          Um, should I lie down?

 

                        DOCTOR

          Why, are you tired?

 

                        ALLEN 

          No, I just thought in a psychiatrist's office you...

                       

                        DOCTOR  

          Are you seeing a psychiatrist?

 

                        ALLEN 

          No, this is my first time ever, I just thought...

 

                        DOCTOR 

Better sit down then.  Sometimes it's traumatic. (ALLEN goes over to the couch; DOCTOR continues to play.)

 

                        ALLEN

                        (After a minute) 

          Did I come at a bad time?

 

                        Doctor

                        (Walking over to desk)

          Excuse me? Oh, how did you get in?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Um, your secretary just...

 

                        DOCTOR

The air conditioner is right in the window, there.  Been on the blink for two days.  (Begins writing something.)

 

                        ALLEN

(Looks over at the air conditioner awkwardly)

          What did you say?

 

                        DOCTOR 

Bloody stifling this weather, it's like a coffin in here.

                        ALLEN

Well, not exactly.  The heat doesn't bother me, anyway.  Um, excuse me, but I think you have me confused with someone else.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Not looking up)

          What's that?

 

                        ALLEN 

          I'm not in refrigeration.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Looking him over)

          I should say not!

 

                        ALLEN 

          I'm not a repairman.   I made an appointment to...

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Startled)

          You're not going to fix the air conditioner?

                       

                        ALLEN

          Um, no.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Well, out with you then.  A fine attitude you've got, I've waited two days for someone to come over. 

 

                        ALLEN 

I made an appointment to talk to you.  About my problems.

 

                        DOCTOR 

I've got enough problems of my own, thank you.  (Keeps working.)

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Walks over to DOCTOR)

          Are you a psychiatrist, or not?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Of course.  What do you think?

 

                        ALLEN 

I'm a patient!  I've contracted for an hour of your time!

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Exasperated)

Oh, very well, then.  Do you have any identification?

 

                        ALLEN 

          I beg your pardon? 

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Identification.  Driver's license.  Picture ID.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Taking out wallet)

          Oh, well, if you insist.

 

                        DOCTOR 

You look taller in the picture.  So, are you a minister?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Excuse me?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          That cross on your ID card.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Oh, no, no.  I work for the Red Cross.  Deliveries.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Really, and what do you deliver?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Why, blood.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          What an idea.  Please, sit down.

 

The DOCTOR walks with him to the couch; they both sit down close together, vying for the same seat.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Now, are you feeling better?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Um, not yet.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Well, maybe this will help.  (DOCTOR gets up and gets medical certificate and brings it over to Allen.)

 

                        DOCTOR 

          What do you think?

 

                        ALLEN 

          It's very nice.  Harvard Medical School.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Yes, I just finished it.

 

                        ALLEN 

          You just got out of school?

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Very pleased with himself)

No, I just made the diploma.  Now, what can I do for you?

 

                        ALLEN 

Well, I, uh... (Moves from couch to chair.) Maybe this is a bad idea.  I'd better go. (He goes over to the door and finds it locked.  Doctor is still admiring the diploma.) Um, the door seems to be locked.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Oh course.  It's always locked.  Miss Trainer locks it as a precaution.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Against what?

 

                        DOCTOR 

Salmonella.  Rampant in this heat.  Now, have a seat, Mr., uh, what did you say your name was?

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Giving up) 

          Dabble.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Do you?  In what.

 

                        ALLEN 

          No, my name is Dabble.  Allen Dabble.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Well, what can I do for you Mr. Dibble.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Dabble.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Do you?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Um... yes.  Well, I have a problem.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Concerned)

          You don't say?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Yes, well.  It's kind of personal.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Of course, I understand.  Have you read any good books lately?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Good books?

 

                        DOCTOR 

Well, we have to talk about something.  (Indicating the door.) The door's locked, you know.  Bad idea, really, in this heat. (He is mopping his head again.)

 

                        ALLEN 

Oh.  Well.  I thought maybe we could talk about my problem.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          If you're sure you don't mind.

 

                        ALLEN 

It's not easy for me.  I've never told anyone about it before.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Would it help if I closed my eyes?

 

                        ALLEN 

          I don't think so.

 

                        DOCTOR 

I've got it.  We'll play "What's My Line".  You know, the old television show.  I get to ask questions and you can just say yes or no.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Sort of like twenty questions?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          How is that played?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Okay, just ask me.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Gets out notebook and pen)

Now, this problem of yours, does it involve other people?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Definitely.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Ah ha! (Writes furiously.)  And how does it affect your relationship with your father?

 

                        ALLEN 

          I can't talk about my father.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Yes, yes, that's the usual feeling, now, does this condition worsen as the day goes on?

 

                        ALLEN 

Now that you mention it, I do feel in better control in the morning…

                       

                        DOCTOR

                        (Writing excitedly)

          I've got it. Let's try an experiment.

 

                        ALLEN

          Uh, what kind of experiment?

 

                        DOCTOR 

It's the newest thing.  Now, I'll assume a shape and you tell me the first thing that goes through your mind.

 

                        ALLEN 

          You'll assume a shape...

 

                        DOCTOR Ready?

Here we go. (Doctor goes through various contortions)

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Horrified)

          What in the world are you doing?

 

                        DOCTOR

Kind of a human ink blot, it's all the rage in England.

 

                        ALLEN

Really, Doctor, I think this is a waste of my time. I can't see what possible benefit any of this can have.

 

                        DOCTOR

Well, if you're not going to cooperate, I don't see how I can help you.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Could you ask Miss Trainer to unlock the door?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Who?

 

                        ALLEN 

Your secretary.  I assume she locked the door, can you ask her to unlock it.

 

                        DOCTOR

Not very easily.  She's at lunch.  It's lunch time.  (Looking at watch.)  By Jove, it is lunch time!  Want to split a pizza?(Gets up, pulls one out of a drawer.)  Do you like anchovies?

 

                        ALLEN

(Goes over and tries the door. Bangs on it for a minute)

          Miss Trainer!

 

                        DOCTOR

She usually runs a few laps around the office during lunch. Hot day for it, though.

 

                        ALLEN

          There's no way out of here?

 

                        DOCTOR

Course if she gets a second wind she's liable to rappel down the side of the building. (Looks out window.)

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Resigned) 

So I'm stuck here.  (Looks at watch.) It is lunch time.

 

Takes a drink box out of his jacket pocket and begins to drink.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Looking at drink box)

          Juice box?

 

                        ALLEN

Just a little snack from work. All right, damn it, I'm talking.

 

Gets up, sets drink box down on the Doctor’s desk and begins pacing

 

                        ALLEN(CONT.)

I may never get my nerve up again.  Here goes. Doctor. I've got a big, big problem.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Drinking from juice box)

God, this stuff is terrible.  Yes, Mr. Dribble.  I'm listening. You've got a big problem. Well, what is it.

 

                        ALLEN 

          I'm a... I'm a... 

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Yes, yes..

                       

                        ALLEN

                        (Back to the couch, head in hands) 

          I just can't.  I just can't.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Nothing can be that bad.  I've heard it all, Mr. Diddle.  Now, tell me something.  This problem... is it below the waist?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Um.  Well.  Partly.

 

                        DOCTOR

It usually is. There's another anchovy.  So, what's this about the way you eat.

 

                        ALLEN 

          Are you really a psychiatrist?

 

                        Doctor

          What do I look like?

 

                        ALLEN

(Looks at him a moment, and then nods)

There's something very strange about me.  I'm... I'm not like other people.  I'm not... normal.  It has to do with the way I eat... and drink.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Finishing the pizza)

          One last bite, Mr. Puddle. 

 

                        ALLEN 

Aren't you listening to anything I say?  What do I have to do to get through?  I don't eat food.  Your food.  Ever. 

 

                        DOCTOR 

Well, I was only being friendly, for God's sake, what's a little pizza for crying out loud.  (Begins unbuttoning his shirt and un-tucking his shirttails because of the heat.)

 

                        ALLEN 

I don't eat pizza.  I don't eat steak.  I don't eat French fries. I don't eat Cheerios.  None of it.  Do you hear me?  (He is on his feet.) I don't eat pasta; I don't eat tofu; I don't eat peas; I        don't eat Spam; none of it, never.  I don't even own a fork.  I've never washed a plate in my life.  I couldn't read a restaurant menu if my life depended on it.  Is there any part of this that I           need to repeat?  I am a non-eater; I abstain from food; I have never had a cavity; I am a hostess' worst nightmare!

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Slightly taken aback) 

Really!  How do you manage then?  I mean, food takes up a considerable amount of time in most people's

          lives.  Do you have any hobbies?

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Darkly) 

          I'm--a--vampire.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (After a moment)

          A what?

 

                        ALLEN 

          A vampire.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          You drink blood, then?

 

                        ALLEN 

          That's right.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Oh, that explains how you keep so trim.  Very nutritious, blood. So, what's the problem? (He pours a glass of water over his head to cool off.)

 

                        ALLEN 

          The problem is I'M A VAMPIRE!

 

                        DOCTOR 

Yes, well, you're just going to have to accept it, I suppose.  These things are permanent, I hear.  Actually, (fanning himself with a magazine, he gets up and looks out window) it's rather               early for you to be up and about, isn't it?

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Morose by this point) 

          What?  Oh, that.  Sun block.  I use it

every day.  (Vehemently.) I'll be damned if this condition is going to run my life!

 

                        DOCTOR 

That's the spirit.  Learning to live with it, that's what. Uh, you. Uh, ARE alive, aren't you?

 

                       

                        ALLEN 

Oh, yes, yes.  I have been most of my life. Good God, now I'm starting to sound like you.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Do you know any other vampires?

 

                        ALLEN 

          My father.

 

                        DOCTOR  

Nasty business these days, blood.  AIDS, God only knows what else.

 

                        ALLEN 

          You're telling me?  It's a jungle out there. 

 

DOCTOR takes his shirt completely off. 

 

                        ALLEN

Not that it's been a problem up till                recently.  I grew up in the country, you know, lots of farm animals around.  Just drank what they could spare.  (Looking directly at doctor)  I'm not a killer, Doctor!

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Wide eyed) 

          I'm relieved.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Leaning forward, hypnotic voice): 

          You have nothing to fear from me.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Mesmerized)

          Yes, master.

 

                        ALLEN 

          What?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Oh, I thought you were hypnotizing me.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Laughing morbidly, gets up)

Me?  That's a laugh.  I can't even control myself, say nothing of anybody else.

 

MISS TRAINER can be seen through the back wall windows playing tennis.

 

                       

                        MISS TRAINER 

          Touchdown!

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Must have finished her laps.

 

                        ALLEN

          Doctor, can you keep a secret?

 

                        DOCTOR

(Looks over shoulder stealthily, whispering) 

          Of course.

 

                        ALLEN 

          I'm not a normal vampire.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          You're not?

 

                        ALLEN 

I've developed some impulses... urges that just aren't right.  You might call it deviant vampire behavior.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          We're talking below the waist here?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Way below.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

 

                        ALLEN 

          You wouldn't believe how far below.

 

                        DOCTOR 

It's best to get these things out on the table. Make a clean breast of it, so to speak. (He continues to react to the heat, rolls up pant legs, mops head and underarms, and begins to take off shoes and socks.)  So, in what way are you abnormal?

 

                        ALLEN 

I'm not sure if I can... You're not taking off your shoes and socks, are you?

 

                        DOCTOR 

I thought I would.  Does it offend you?  I powder my feet every day, still in this heat (tears off sock and leans down to sniff).

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Beside himself)

Please!  You don't know what you've done!  It's not safe!(Gasping.) I can't be trusted!  That's the crux of it... (Beginning to get up and go over to the DOCTOR.)

 

                        DOCTOR 

I say, you're a bit flushed all of a sudden. (Quickly gets up and gets behind his chair.) Something setting you off?  MISS TRAINER, IT'S TIME!!!

 

                        ALLEN 

It's no use Doctor.  It's the feet.  A little peek at an ankle will sometimes do it.  I can't control it... I have to have you!

 

                        DOCTOR 

Land sake, man, I've got the ugliest feet in the city-

 

                        ALLEN 

It doesn't matter... When I get this way... There's no stopping me...  have to sink my teeth... Aaaaaaaaaaaaah! (Lunging at DOCTOR

and then crawling around trying to get his foot; DOCTOR is hopping around trying to avoid him.)

 

                        DOCTOR

(Grabbing newspaper and vaulting over the couch)

Stop it, man, have you no decency?  (Slaps him on the head with the newspaper).  What would your father have thought?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Who? What?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Your father! (Realizing this has some effect.)

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Beginning to come back to himself) 

Father...  Oh, Doctor. (Sits down.) Oh, Doctor, please forgive me.           I never intended to hurt you.   What am I going to do?  What am I       going to do?

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Still behind the couch)

          You can start by handing me my shoes and socks.

 

ALLEN does and DOCTOR stays behind couch putting them on.) 

 

                        DOCTOR(CONT.)

          You might have warned me, you know.

 

                        ALLEN 

I tried!  It's not safe to go anywhere!  I suppose it's just as well.  Now you know everything.  The shame is enough to kill me. Every other vampire I know behaves himself, you know, sleeps all          day, gets up after dark and goes to work in a convenience store. (He gets up and paces as he talks.)

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Pops head up from behind couch)

          They do?

 

                        ALLEN

And now the crowning blow. The foot thing.  The obsession.  It started about two months ago.  (Hesitates.) I was in a shoe store getting new sneakers.  The girl that was waiting on me had these beautiful ankles.  I don't know what came over me.  I guess I was staring at them and she turned to me and said, "See something you like?"  And I said, "Yeah, I'd like to take a bite out of your          foot."  (Pause.)

 

                        Doctor

                        (Mouth open)

          So, what happened?

 

                        ALLEN 

          So I did it.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Right there?

 

                        ALLEN 

          In the back room. 

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Interested) 

          Where did you say this shoe store was?

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Ignoring him) 

Doctor, this is serious.  It's turned into an obsession!  Do you realize I've bit twenty people in the last two months! 

 

                       

                        DOCTOR 

          Do you find them all in shoe stores?

 

                        ALLEN 

NO!  Some of them I have attacked!  Some of them are men!  Well, you know, I almost had you a minute ago!

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Hmmm, so you're bi-podial, it would appear.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Puzzled)

Huh?  And that's not the least of it!  Look at this! (Hands him a copy of today's newspaper.)  Read that.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Begins to read)

          "Zoo closed for repairs..."

 

                        ALLEN

          No, no, at the top, look it's the leading story.

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Reading again)

“Pervert terrorizes Mount Haven pedestrians. An unidentified male Caucasian has attacked twelve people in the last two months, sources say. The attacker chases his victims down, wrestles them     to the ground and bites their feet. The victims all report a loss of consciousness at this point, but at least one victim is certain that the attacker sucked her blood.  Police refuse to comment saying only that the case is under investigation and they       plan to make an arrest soon.”

 

                        ALLEN

          What am I going to do?

 

                        DOCTOR

          Now, now, don't despair. I'm here to help.

 

                        ALLEN 

And my teeth.  They used to look, well, like anyone else's, bit of an overbite, maybe, but now!  Look!  My incisor teeth... they're getting longer and more pointed.

 

                        DOCTOR 

Well, sharp teeth, that kind of goes with the territory.

                       

                        ALLEN

                        (More distressed)

          And my laugh.  Something's going on with my laugh.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Wrong with your laugh?

 

                        ALLEN 

It doesn't come out right anymore.  I don't recognize my own voice.  Kind of... kind of like a snarl.  Doctor (desperately),this thing is progressing!  I could always pass for human, but    soon... I'm starting to become more like my father! I've even got these little buds on my shoulders, look! (Doctor examines) Wings! I'll be a part time bat before long.  Even that I could take, but       this foot thing... it's unnatural. 

 

                        DOCTOR 

Now, calm down.  This may be a passing phase. Maybe all vampires go through it.  Have you talked to your father?

 

                        ALLEN

          I... I can't talk to him. He's... well... he's dead.

 

                        DOCTOR

          I thought vampires couldn't die?

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Clearly uncomfortable)

          I...  I killed him.

 

                        DOCTOR

          You killed your father?

                  

                        ALLEN

I didn't mean to! It was a terrible accident! (He paces.)

 

Suddenly MISS TRAINER gallops into the room riding a horse-on-a-stick..

 

                        MISS TRAINER

Doctor, the police are here. They say there's a dangerous criminal in your office.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Good God! How did they find out?

 

                        MISS TRAINER

They're threatening to break the door down if I don't let them in!

 

                        DOCTOR

          Never mind. I'll go peacefully. (Starts to exit.)

 

                        ALLEN

          They're after me!

 

                        DOCTOR

What? Why, that's an outrage! Miss Trainer, you tell them they can't come in here.

 

Loud crashes from offstage.

 

                        ALLEN

          Now what?

 

                        MISS TRAINER

Don't worry. I started them on a game of donkey basketball. I think I can stall them for a while. (She gallops off.)

 

                        DOCTOR 

          You were telling me about your father.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Looking around)

          Is there any other way out of here?

 

                        DOCTOR

          Mr. Dingbat, you've got to stop running.

 

                        ALLEN

          I do?

 

                        DOCTOR

          God has led you to my office.

 

                        ALLEN

          He has?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          We're going to conquer this thing. Together.

 

                        ALLEN 

          All right!

                  

                        DOCTOR

          Are you with me?

 

                        ALLEN

          You bet!

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Fishes something out of pocket)

          Swallow this.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Puts it in mouth)

          What is it?

 

                        DOCTOR

          Cyanide.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Spitting it across room)

          Cyanide!

 

                        DOCTOR

          Just trying to help!

 

                        ALLEN

                   (Despondent)

          It's hopeless.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Now, now. Just a little setback.

 

                        ALLEN

          But the police!

 

                        DOCTOR

They haven't even finished the first quarter. So you're having trouble with your father.

 

                        ALLEN

          The real problem is my fiancée.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Fiancée?

 

                        ALLEN

          Marguerite. The woman I love.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Vampires fall in love?

 

                        ALLEN

          And why not?

 

                        DOCTOR

Why not indeed?  So what happens when you see Marguerite's feet. Do you lose control then?

 

                        ALLEN 

          I've never seen her feet.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          You mean, her bare feet?

 

                        ALLEN 

No, I've never seen her feet.  She works in a ticket booth in a movie theater.  So, I can't very well see her feet.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Does she ever come out?

 

                        ALLEN 

She doesn't live in there!  It's just I only see her when she's working.  She works nights and I work days.  So far our schedules haven't allowed us to get together any other time.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          But you've managed to become engaged.

 

                        ALLEN 

          She's very easy to get to know, Doctor.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          So have you… (Clears his throat.)  You know.

 

                        ALLEN 

          What?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          You know. (Insinuates intimacy.)

 

                        ALLEN 

          Of course not.

 

                        DOCTOR 

          I see.  Well, can you?

 

                        ALLEN 

          Can I-  Of course!

 

                        DOCTOR 

          How do you know?

 

                        ALLEN 

          The usual way, Doctor!

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Well, I just wondered, I…  What’s it like?

 

                        ALLEN

          Doctor we're running out of time!

 

                        DOCTOR

          Your father. You said you killed him?

 

                        ALLEN

          Poor little bat.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Your father was a bat?

 

                        ALLEN

Frisky little fellow. Used to hang upside down in his cage waiting for me to feed him. How was I to know? I was only six!

 

Miss Trainer comes dashing back in.

 

                        MISS TRAINER

          Doctor! I don't think I can stall them any longer!

 

                        DOCTOR

          Game over?

 

                        MISS TRAINER

The station must have sent reinforcements. The whole building is surrounded!

 

                        DOCTOR

Good grief! This calls for desperate measures. We need a red herring. (Looks at both people.) Miss Trainer! Outside on the ledge. Quickly! Act like you're going to jump.

 

MISS TRAINER crawls through the window.

 

                        ALLEN

One day I was sick and couldn't go outside to collect bugs for him. I used to smash them up and get a nice little dropper full of juice.

 

                        DOCTOR

          So what did you do?

 

                        ALLEN

I melted some red crayons. I figured he wouldn't know the difference!  When morning came the poor little fellow was on his back. Dried crayon all over his little chest.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Are you sure that...

 

                        ALLEN

                        (Over DOCTOR’S line)

I killed him! My mother told all the neighbors he had a heart attack.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Is your mother a bat?

 

                        ALLEN

          Yeah. Biggest old bat you ever saw.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Does she sleep in a cage?

 

                        ALLEN

          What? Oh no. Four poster. Outside of Phillie.

 

                        DOCTOR

          Was your father always a bat?

 

                        ALLEN

          Just at night.

                        DOCTOR

          Good father?

 

                        ALLEN

          Terrible father. Great bat.

 

                        DOCTOR

          How did you know the bat was your father?

 

                        ALLEN

The morning he died my mother said, "The old bloodsucker kicked the bucket." It wasn't until later that I understood he was a vampire.

 

                        DOCTOR

          I think I've got this thing figured out.

 

                        ALLEN 

          What do you mean?

 

                        DOCTOR

I think I know what your problem is.  You're not a vampire.

 

                        ALLEN

          I'm not?

 

                        DOCTOR 

Neither was your father.  You've been unable to deal with the guilt of killing your pet and hating your father. You've fallen in love with Marguerite. You're anxious about hiding your past from         her.

 

                        ALLEN

          So?

 

                        DOCTOR

And your mother... does she look anything like Marguerite?

 

                        ALLEN

My mother... why, Doctor... there is something... I never thought of it before...

 

                        DOCTOR

          What! What is it!

 

                        ALLEN

          They're both buck-teethed!

 

                        DOCTOR

          Bingo!

 

                        ALLEN

          But what can it mean?

 

                        DOCTOR

          You think you killed your father...

 

                        ALLEN

          Right...

 

                        DOCTOR

          And your fiancée looks like your mother...

 

                        ALLEN

          And there's the peg leg!

 

                        DOCTOR

And you have this preoccupation with what you eat.  Your food intake, why it's so obvious, I should have guessed before.

 

                        ALLEN

          You don't mean...

 

                        DOCTOR

          You've got an EDIBLE COMPLEX!

 

                        ALLEN 

          But what about the feet?

                       

                        DOCTOR

So what's a little perversion in America? You wouldn't believe the things I hear in this office. Course, mostly talk to myself.

 

Just then MISS TRAINER crawls back in the office.

 

                        MISS TRAINER

          Now's your chance! They're playing Capture the Flag!

 

                        DOCTOR

          Good work, Miss Trainer.

 

Miss Trainer makes a grand, graceful leap as she exits.

 

                        ALLEN

          But Doctor. If I'm not a vampire...

 

                        DOCTOR

          You might want to consider adding solids.

 

                        ALLEN

I can't thank you enough. (Shakes his hand gratefully.) But what if... what if you're wrong? What will we do?

 

                        DOCTOR 

          Mr. Dumble, you've got to face your fears!

 

                        ALLEN

          Yes, you're right. Freud said that, I think.

 

                        DOCTOR

Who? Now, if you'll excuse me, (looks at watch) Miss Trainer and I have a bowling date.

 

                        ALLEN

                        (They are at the door) 

Right.  Well.  Can she open the door? (More noises outside.)

 

                        DOCTOR 

Miss Trainer? (Louder) Miss Trainer?  Hang it all, (gets keys out of his pocket and unlocks the door.) It's locked again.

 

                        ALLEN 

          But I thought you-

 

                        DOCTOR

                        (Loud crashing noise)

HIT THE DECK!  SHE'S DOING THE POLE VAULT! 

 

(They both leap in the air.  BLACK OUT.  THE END.)