Fantastic Metropolis

GENE AUTRY

You just hang in there, Pete. I’ll be right back.

(GENE AUTRY approaches HUNGRY AND THIRSTY.)

THIRSTY

Who is he?

HUNGRY

Is he all right?

GENE AUTRY

Pete somebody. I don’t know.

HUNGRY

Poor thing.

(Stepping toward Nojo.)

He’s looks like he’s starving, We’ve got some extra donuts.

GENE AUTRY

Cops are on their way.

(GENE AUTRY and THIRSTY glance at each other.)

THIRSTY (steering Hungry away)

Let’s go, dear. He’ll be taken care of.

(NOJO stands and walks to the fire barrel. HE strips off his sweatshirt. Underneath HE is wearing a gray suit coat, white shirt and conservative tie. NOJO drops the sweatshirt into the barrel. SOUND: a siren. NOJO pulls back his sleeve, glances at his wristwatch, shakes his head.)

NOJO (speaks experimentally, as if trying the name on for size)

Pete.

(Deciding.)

Good old Pete.

(NOJO extends his hand as if to shake with the audience.)

Okay, here’s the deal. Name’s Pete.

(NOJO approaches audience, hand out.)

Pleased to meet you.

(BLACKOUT)

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The first full staging of “A Swim in the Laughing Soup” was held at Theatricus in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1998 under the direction of Brett Joubert. Credit also goes to Blair Hundertmark of Portsmouth, NH as James Patrick Kelly’s dramaturg.