Ah... At long Last

A play in One Act and Four Scenes

Kenneth Lieberson

October, 2018

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Author’s Note

This is a cathartic autobiographical sketch. As much as anything, I’m making fun of myself in the character of Duke. I augment him by giving him the best aspects of one of my colleagues.

In reality, Harry has every right to be angry even though he is portrayed unsympathetically as the comic relief.

Characters

DUKE, early 60’s, former broadway actor and singer, in good physical condition. Gets hurt because he is emotionally available, vulnerable and sometimes generous. He is often gentle and submissive. The harsh treatment he invites periodically boils over into resentment and despair. He is capable of quickly getting past his hurt due to his years of journal writing which has led him to the desire to be compassionate. He is not always capable of this. Often he just can’t see the other person’s point of view no matter how wrong he is. He tries too hard, at everything. These efforts are difficult. He recognizes his young even more arrogant self in Kenny.

Duke is in love with and slightly in awe of Nicole, putting her on a pedestal. He can laugh at himself- even with Kenny because they both know it is really Duke who is desperately in love with Nicole- for years, even though Kenny makes a show, often crudely of his lust for Nicole.

Even when Duke smiles playfully he has a subtext. He is angry, hurt as well concerned when told so many months after the fact about Larry’s and Nicole’s breakup. Despite his crush on Nicole he genuinely liked Larry. Sometimes Duke goes on and on, losing track of who he’s talking to or whether they are at all interested in what he has to say. Despite Duke’s angry and paranoid streaks and general nervousness, his optimism and humor occasionally shine through making him good company.  Nicole and Duke are friends. They exchange warm smiles. At appropriate moments, she compassionately, lightly touches his arm.

KENNY, the Super, mid 20s college wasn’t good enough for him so he left after a year. Scruffy exterior hides a sensitive wannabe actor. Two-day stubble. Flannel work shirt, jeans. He has a quick temper. He’s easily set off by painful memories of his father’s negativity, competitiveness and frequent emotional abuse. He calms himself often lapsing into a dreamily nostalgic reverie.  He has a way of stopping suddenly, catching himself from being too sentimental or revealing or vulnerable. He is usually harder on the outside, his crust preventing intimacy or friendship. Kenny feels compelled to needle Duke. He knows when he’s found a hot spot. There’s more than playfulness; it’s a bit of sadism, taking out his anger as though on his father. Sometimes Kenny ignores or just doesn’t register other people’s feelings. Although he’s Mr. Tough guy with Duke, Kenny gets overwhelmed and let’s Nicole see this. He is comforted by her non-reactivity, her ‘let’s take it one step at a time’ calm professionalism.

HARRY (Harold Rodrigo Fleming), 30, his mother a world-renowned Shakespearean actor, his father a fabulously successful British financier. He is sophisticated, impeccably groomed, athletic, well-travelled.  He never speaks during the action of the play which is ironic since it is his words which have set the entire action in motion. When he is seen, it is from the window of his second floor apartment, 2B.  After his first appearance, he is always seen using the return carriage of his ancient typewriter which makes a distinctive sound. This is part of his playful side. His facial expressions and carriage returns are commentary on the action, almost like a Greek Chorus. Mostly he is a super-successful attorney specializing in mergers and acquisitions. In addition to his typewriter, he has several computers and a laptop. His phones ring and/ or blink frequently. He works 24/7. Harry speaks even more languages than Nicole. He owns more real-estate than she. He has apartments in many European cities. Even though he has no dialogue with the other characters, a few words in various languages can be heard as he answers his cell. He is polite to a fault. He has tried to be patient and neighborly but Duke can’t see beyond the end of his own vocal chords.

NICOLE, owns this and a few other buildings across the street. She is late 30’s, a self made woman on the way up. She is stunningly beautiful. Nicole dresses with style in a studied casual yet business-appropriate way. Her attire and manner put everyone instantly at ease. She is a very good listener, a problem-solver who has mastered her ego- for the most part. Nicole is an updated version of Katharine Graham. It takes a lot for her to let her guard down. Duke is one of the few people in whom she will confide although she does socialize with other friends as well.

Act 1 of 1

Scene 1

A warm October afternoon, this year.

In front of the stoop of a brownstone in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York.

Two men are standing.

KENNY Gee Tom it’s great that you quit- I, er mean resigned, oops: retired young. Well not so young. I mean retired early.

DUKE I love you too.

HARRY (spot light)

KENNY Well didn’t everybody like say ‘Gee - Gee and golly’ in your day?

DUKE I don’t know why you’re always ribbing me. I give you my theater contacts.

KENNY Yeah, but I never, almost never get decent parts.

HARRY (Seen; Clink)

DUKE I’ve offered to coach you.

KENNY (Flaring) I don’t need your help... old man... My old man...

DUKE Ah... it’s ok. Let it go.

KENNY Look, the guy in 2B wants to take you to housing court.

DUKE What?!

KENNY Yeah. He says he’s had it with your singing.

DUKE But doesn’t he violate the lease by subletting, renting it out Airbnb?

KENNY Wouldn’t know. I’m not a doorman. Not my job to check who goes in and out of whose apartments. Now come to think of it, I’ve seen some hot chicks leaving your place lately. If she weren’t my boss...

DUKE You’ve told me... Isn’t Nicole a little old for you? I don’t mean any disrespect Kenny, but she has an MBA, owns three brownstones... probably more. Nicole is a self-made woman. Paid for her education by holding down two jobs. Speaks four languages... You dropped out of college- after a year.

KENNY Are you trying to say she’s outta my league?

DUKE I’m not trying to say it, Kenny. That’s exactly what I am saying. (Both laugh.)

KENNY Who gives a flying fig? I’ve seen you looking at Nicole too- ever since your wife left you. What was that about three years ago?

DUKE None of your goddamned business... squirt.

KENNY Hey Duke, you know she broke up with Larry, what was that, about a year ago?

DUKE Did something happen when they were on vacation in Germany visiting his grandparents?

KENNY Dunno. All I heard was something about a barn being hit by lightning during a storm when they were running for cover.

DUKE Seems odd. Margherita and I used to be so close with Larry and Nicole. Now not only is Margherita gone but I never see my best friends- former I guess. I should have known: there’s no way a Duke and a  Margherita go together... I still have my kids and grandchildren. I’m grateful for family... but friends are so important too...

KENNY Yeah. Surprised you hadn’t heard. Yeah, weird. Larry’s still in Germany. Anyway, not as weird as that neighbor of yours.

DUKE No kidding.

KENNY I’m on your side. I told the guy it’s not like you sing all day.

DUKE Thanks. What did he say?

Kenny When I told the guy it’s not like you sing all day, he said... “Sure seems like it.”

Harry (Seen; Clink.)

*****

Scene 2

NICOLE (on her cell) I’ll call you back.

KENNY (running on) The water heater- the main boiler in number 1 is broken. The space heater I bought caught fire in number 2. Tenant wants to sue. Apartment 5A in number 3 has flood in kitchen. Painter won’t work because he says we have unsafe conditions in number 4. Two tenants in number 5 are behind in the rent. Tenant in number 6 has ceiling damage from unauthorized work. I’m having one of my panic attacks, that’s 7 days in a row, not that I’m counting.

NICOLE Good morning, Kenny.

*****

Scene 3

NICOLE (on her cell). Yes Mr. Fleming. You have my permission to do those renovations. Yes, I will be happy to sign your request. Just send me a PDF... It is a pleasure working with you as well. By the way, I greatly enjoyed your mother’s performance in Macbeth last night... Not at all...Salut.

(Answering texts)

(Phone rings)

Hi Ginny, good to hear your voice. I’m glad you called instead of texting. Oh it’s nothing, just stress. Yes tomorrow at 7:30, Rinaldi’s... can’t wait it’s been a long week for me too.

(To herself.) This calm, cool veneer... is there anything else in me other than loneliness and pain? I’m too young to have chest pains.

(Cell phone rings.)

KENNY (Off stage) Yes, Mrs. Watson. I will check with Nicole... Yes I will check with her immediately.

*****

Scene 4

DUKE Nicole, you know I love irony. Well here it is: I go from my Broadway career which I really loved- I lived and breathed it for years. Then worked as a TV actor, bit parts which was barely ok. Then I was a high school music teacher which started out ok but began to feel like my soul was being slowly torn out - piece by painful piece. I put in my twenty years looking forward to retiring so I can get in shape and perform a recital, maybe sing solo in “The Messiah.” Then here comes this new neighbor moves in two months after I escape from the classroom- who not only can’t stand my singing! Hey I sang in the Met Chorus - for years. I studied and performed at the Paris Conservatory. This guy won’t even talk to me. No, Mr. Big-Shot Lawyer’s got to escalate it immediately to the housing authority. He puts a note under my door saying he doesn’t find my piano playing so objectionable but has “had it” with my singing. He says he works at home. Even his white noise headphones don’t block out the noise. The NOISE! Can you believe this guy?! Says his work is important. That he shouldn’t have to put up with some damn over the hill hobbyist wannabe musician. He’s encapsulated his CV... worked for big name clients now runs his own very, very prestigious law firm... from his apartment... Isn’t that against the lease?

Rodrigo (Seen; Clink.)

DUKE (continues) Who ever heard of a high priced lawyer working from a Brooklyn brownstone using a 1940’s manual typewriter?!

His roommate- isn’t that also against the lease? She doesn’t very much like my singing either. What’s she a Sunday New York Times music critic? Doesn’t the lease say something about ‘No roommates -especially... if they are music critics.’ Neighbor Numero Uno goes on: says ‘You have to carpet and soundproof the apartment.’ Another irony. My ex wanted all the carpet taken up. Too claustrophobic... one of her conditions for staying. Ha. I take up the carpet. She leaves anyway. Guess I didn’t meet the other conditions. Sounds like I should be telling you all this over a Vodka Martini or two.  Hell, I’ve been singing in this apartment for over twenty years! Lots of  neighbors compliment me. But this guy... starts beating the ceiling with a broomstick every time I so much as start to warm up for a few seconds. A few seconds! Lots of times that’s all I plan to do. But no, he figures each note is a prelude to Gutterdämmerung... I know what I’m about to say sounds crazy, but sometimes I get so angry I feel like I’m being annihilated. Like I’m being chased down and smothered by Big Foot... or my deceased father. Where’s Freud when you need him?

NICOLE I’ll talk with him.... I’ll talk to your neighbor, that is not your deceased father. We’ll work out a schedule.

DUKE You are a good friend, Nicole.

NICOLE Duke, about that Vodka Martini- or two? I’ve missed our long talks. To phrase it like our young friend, Kenny: ‘Yeah, what’s it been? About six months? No just over a year... (She takes his arm. They walk off together as lights dim.)

(Rodrigo Clink...To Black.)

CURTAIN