Model by: Matthew Buttrey
A decaying, three-story concrete structure. Red metal stairs at left and right lead to identical, vertically stacked loggias, covered in black graffiti.
And Charlie Was Just Laughing At Me
By Jeanmarie Higgins
Two men. On a (different) bus.
SYD
. . . and Charlie was just laughing at me. He said “This is what everywhere in this country looks like. This is America. All of it.” Like I’m some sort of, I don’t know, some--
JIM
--Where were you?
SYD
99.
JIM
Oof.
SYD
On the 358.
JIM
The Crazy Bus.
SYD
So we’re stopped. And there’s that motel. And Charlie's like “I love that sign.” Like he was saying “99 is beautiful.” Or you know, “99 is a wasteland, but wastelands are beautiful.”
JIM
Oh I know which motel you mean now.
SYD
“Vintage.” Fuck him.
JIM
I know that one, yeah.
SYD
Looking out the window like it’s the establishing shot of some movie.
JIM
They always start with water. You ever notice that?
SYD
Because there’s this sex worker, and they’re inside one of those shitty rooms. Their whole life unfolds in one of those shitty rooms. And at like 6 in the morning, there they are, staring up at the ceiling, and their eyes trace back and forth back and forth until their eyes . . . rest . . . into the corner of that ceiling, and the plaster is just . . . it’s falling down. And so in addition to whatever their night was like, now they have to worry about whether some disgusting crumbly plaster concrete whatever is going to land, slowly, in their hair, all day.
JIM
While they sleep.
SYD
Exactly. Who could sleep like that? Not Charlie, that’s all I’m saying.
. . .
JIM
But so he can’t like the sign, though?
SYD
Hmm?
JIM
And still feel for that person on their back looking at the ceiling? It can’t be both?
. . .
SYD
No, man. I think you have to choose.
Audio Recording
SYD: Steven Rimke
JIM: Malcolm Womack
Directed by Sebastian Trainor
Jeanmarie Higgins
Jeanmarie Higgins is an associate professor of theatre at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. She’s the editor of Teaching Critical Performance Theory in Today’s Theatre Classroom, Studio, and Communities (Routledge 2020) and the dramaturg for #HereToo, a theatre for social change project that amplifies youth activists’ voices.
Matthew Buttrey
Matthew Buttrey is a New York based scenic & environmental designer who loves to create worlds for imaginations to explore.
Upcoming Projects: Associate Scenic Designer The Cher Show 1st National Tour ( Directed by Jason Moore. Designed by Christine Jones, Brett Banakis); The Notebook pre-broadway (Directed by Michael Greif. Designed by David Zinn, Brett Banakis).
Assistant Art Director Credits: Sesame Street 50th Season (Emmy Nominated Art Direction Team), Sisters (NBC), The Village (NBC),
Other Associate/Assistant Scenic Design: Cabaret, Designer: Marion Williams (Guthrie Theatre, MN); Milagro, Designer: Neil Patel (Houston Grand Opera), David Gallo: Studio Assistant, David Korins: Studio Assistant, Daniel Conway Scenic Studio: Operations Manager, Scenic Assistant; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: Macbeth; The Rio Las Vegas: Penn & Teller; Mosaic Theatre Company DC: Charm; Olney Theatre: Guys and Dolls ; The Muny St. Louis, MO.
