The dumbest so far:
November Writing Challenge #3
Scene: If I knew how to do sets, I’d have some kind of backdrop that makes the pinhead (spotlight) look like it starts out the size of a real pinhead. But I have no idea how this could happen.
Cast:
two scholars, in doctoral robes
Angels—dancers—enough to fill a spotlight that covers the whole stage
Lighting guy—barely visible above the stage until the end, when he/she is spotlit him/herself
The scholars stand stage right.
Scholar One: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
Scholar Two: I have no idea. Has anyone ever asked them?
Scholar One: I don’t think so. Hm. Shall we try? pulls a pin from hat and holds it up
Both Scholars (shouting): How many of you can dance on this?
The shout echoes and echoes while the lights go out and the Scholars exit. A small silver-white spotlight appears on the stage. Dim lighting elsewhere. The angels enter, stage right, in a line. One moves into the spotlight and dances. The light is just a little bit too big—clearly two angels could dance in it. The next angel in line is invited into the spot and the dance goes on—in a tight formation. This continues until the spot extends to the edge of the stage. The angels waiting in line should be like anybody waiting in line: checking fingernails, stretching, texting, talking on phones, whatever. When the stage is full—and the angels are all fairly annoyed:
Voice of a Scholar, loud and echoing from the wings: So, how many of you can dance on the head of a pin?
An angel: (shouting toward the ceiling) How big is the damned pinhead?
Lighting guy: How big do you want it?
Curtain.
