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EXCERPTS
Full-length Play
Scenes From the Dakota
A Fantasy Play by William Fowkes.
Available for performance or publication
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DESCRIPTION: New York's fabled apartment building provides the setting for a tale about possibilities in and out of the closet and between generations.
EXCERPT:
SCENE TWO
The Scene: An evening about a week later. Earl Mumford’s living room at the Dakota. Earl and Mark have been drinking. Earl is offstage refreshing their drinks in mid-conversation.
EARL
(From offstage) Yes, I knew them all! Leonard Bernstein, of course. Jack Palance—he lived here, too.
MARK
He played bad guys, right?
EARL
(Entering with drinks in hand) That’s right. And Jose Ferrer and Rosemary Clooney—they were married, you know. (Handing Mark his drink) Oh, the list goes on and on.
MARK
And they all knew about you? I mean about you and Arthur? I mean, that you weren’t really just roommates?
EARL
(Harshly) Oh, please!
MARK
(Annoyed) Well, I don’t know about... I’ve never...
EARL
Let’s change the topic! Let’s talk about your situation. I’ve been thinking about it since our last visit—almost obsessing about it, really. I have to find out more about how you manage.
MARK
(Snapping) What do you mean—“my situation”?
EARL
To be, you know—gay, but married and in the closet. I’ve got so many questions, I feel like an anthropologist—or maybe an investigative reporter on Sixty Minutes? You ever watch that one? (Mark ignores the question) You see, Mark, as I said last week, I had no idea this sort of thing was still going on.
MARK
(Snapping) I’m not a freak!
EARL
No, no, of course you’re not. My goodness—I seem to be annoying you this evening.
MARK
It’s OK.
EARL
You agreed to come back tonight.
MARK
(Said loudly) You kept e-mailing me!
EARL
I can be persistent. Besides, I didn’t want to spend my birthday alone.
MARK
(Softening) It’s your birthday?
EARL
Yes. I’m finally old enough to drink.
MARK
Happy Birthday, Earl! I’m sorry I didn’t know.
EARL
Well, I’m sorry I upset you.
MARK
It’s OK. It’s just the way you keep referring to me... It’s just a little... Weren’t there any closeted married men around in your day?
EARL
Well, sure. Many of the men I knew back then were married—and in the closet. Why . . . (Looks away)
MARK
Is something wrong?
EARL
No—I’m just trying to remember where I put his photo.
MARK
Who?
EARL
Just—someone. He was married. Broke my heart before Arthur ever came along. As much as he loved me—at least I thought he loved me—he didn’t love me enough to leave his wife. So he stayed happily married, but still attended all our parties and slept with half our friends. God, it still hurts to think about him!
MARK
You don’t have to talk about it.
EARL
It was such a different time. Marriage—with women, I mean—was just taken for granted. And many people didn’t even believe gay men existed—oh, they knew about the ancient Greeks and Oscar Wilde, of course, and they had their suspicions about Liberace, I’m sure, but when it came to the men around them—or the women, for that matter—no, the very idea was absurd. Even my mother kept asking when I was going to settle down and marry a nice girl, even though she knew all about my relationship with Arthur.
MARK
Mothers are programmed to want grandchildren.
EARL
It was all very simple back then—men got married because society told them they should and then stayed married because there was no real alternative.
MARK
I’m not so sure about all that. There were two guys living together in the town where I grew up. They owned an antiques shop. Everyone knew about them.
EARL
Well, of course there were the exceptions. Arthur and I were exceptions. But people like us were rare—we were like members of an underground secret society. Anyway, I didn’t invite you back to lecture you. This evening’s supposed to be about you. Why in the world did you ever get married in the first place?
MARK
(Staring down at his drink) I don’t know, really. I just did, that’s all. I realize my situation’s not ideal, but what can I do about it now?
EARL
Why not fix it? You made your bed—if you don’t want to lie down in it, why not change beds?
MARK
(Annoyed) Is that why you invited me back here tonight—to break up my marriage?
EARL
No, no! I’m just trying to understand you, that’s all. In my day, I knew so many married men living painful lives, trying to pass for straight. If they were around today, why—I’m sure they’d jump at the chance to fix all that, to be themselves. Here, let me refresh your drink. (Mark drains the remainder of his drink in one swallow before handing the glass over to Earl. Earl exits.)
MARK
(Looks around—frustrated and fuming, beginning to show signs of having drunk too much. Calling out to the other room.) So, Earl! If it’s so easy and wonderful to live an openly gay life, why are so many famous people in my shoes? You know, people who could live any way they wanted, but choose to get married and make the best of things.
EARL
(Appears suddenly and hands Mark his drink, smiling devilishly) Who are these people? Do tell, my friend! I want names!
MARK
You probably know the names as well as I do.
EARL
Humor me, please! I haven’t been in circulation for a while.
...
...
...
MARK
Didn’t you ever consider getting married yourself? To a woman, I mean?
EARL
I thought I was the investigative reporter here.
MARK
Do you have something to hide?
EARL
No, no. (Evasively) I just don’t like talking about this.
MARK
So you like to keep some things private, too!
EARL
It’s not that. It’s just—when you reach my age, you get to be selective about your past. I’ve lived so many lives, I find it’s better to focus on the one that makes sense, the one that helps me sleep at night.
MARK
Which life are you trying to hide?
EARL
The one where I spend my life alone—alone and down on my knees in the bushes in the park.
MARK
Oh, I’ve run into guys like that! I didn’t realize you were one of them.
EARL
I’m not! But I had a terrible fear of winding up like that—so back before I ever met Arthur, I went to see a therapist. He told me not to act on my “feelings”—you know, my attraction to men. He had no idea I was acting on them every single day. I tried to tell him, but he was clearly disgusted by my stories. So, I stopped talking about it. Then one day I told him I wanted to get married. I wasn’t dating anyone; I just thought marriage might be the solution.
MARK
Yeah, lots of people have that thought.
EARL
He liked that. But when I said I worried that no woman would ever want to marry a man like me, he said nobody had to know about my feelings—said they’re my private business. He told me to go get married and start a family before it was too late. He said my feelings would eventually catch up with me. Now, I know that sounds absurd—today he’d probably be sued for malpractice—but back then it’s just the way things were done.
MARK
(Sullenly) I guess it’s still the way things are done—my therapist gave me the same advice.
EARL
So that’s why you got married?
MARK
It’s not as simple as that. I couldn’t bear the thought of being gay. Mind you, I loved having sex with men—couldn’t get enough of that, even then! But I refused to think of myself as gay. I thought all those encounters were just a bad habit I could break if I really put my mind to it.
EARL
Like smoking cigarettes or sucking your thumb?
MARK
(Annoyed) Let me finish!
EARL
Sorry. Go ahead.
MARK
It’s OK. Now that you mention it, I was a major thumb-sucker, too. When I turned ten, I told myself, “That’s enough! You’re too old for this!” All it took was a little willpower. So I thought that’s all I’d need to stop doing things with men. But when I couldn’t stop, I decided it was time for professional help. My therapist told me she didn’t think my episodes with men meant I was gay, just that I had a block when it came to women. So, we worked on that block, and after two years, I graduated from therapy by getting married. And then, to prove the point to everyone in my family—because you have no idea how homophobic Connecticut Yankees can be—we had kids, the ultimate proof of heterosexuality. So now I’m not gay, at least not in the state of Connecticut.
EARL
Don’t they have AOL in Connecticut?
MARK
(Stares at Earl, annoyed) Very funny! I was just trying to help you understand. You said you wanted to understand!
EARL
I do! Please—go on.
MARK
No, that’s enough. (Changing topics, obviously uncomfortable) What about you? Sounds like we reached the same point in therapy. So, where’s Mrs. Mumford?
EARL
She escaped in the nick of time, thank God. Let me show you. (He goes to get a picture and shows it to Mark.)
MARK
That’s your wife?
EARL
Maybe that’s for me to know and you to find out.
MARK
I don’t need to know.
EARL
I met a nice girl, just as the good doctor hoped, and we got engaged. (Studying the photo, perhaps) Her name was Marjorie—awfully sweet. I think we genuinely loved each other. And she would have made a magnificent wife—but she was no dupe. So when she caught me in bed with a nice young lawyer, she decided not to embark on a life that was bound to lead to disaster.
MARK
So who’s the fool now?
EARL
I never suggested you were a...
MARK
(Cutting him off.) How could you let yourself get caught? It’s not hard to keep something like that hidden, for Christ’s sake! Lots of guys do it. I’ve got it down to a science. (Suddenly self-conscious) I’m sorry—I’m being rude.
EARL
(Indicating the photo of Arthur) This is how! I met Arthur in Riverside Park one afternoon, and I couldn’t help myself—he simply took my breath away—always did, right up to the very end. While I stood there staring at him from across the promenade, not sure what to do—knowing what I wanted to do—he approached me and invited me back to his apartment. I guess I thought of it as one last fling before tying the knot. But it turned into more than a fling when I fell in love with him, God help me!
MARK
That’s why the steam room makes more sense!
EARL
I knew I’d be miserable the rest of my life if I didn’t have him. So we got caught, the wedding was canceled, and Arthur and I lived happily ever after. And I honestly don’t know if Marjorie ever forgave me, because we never spoke again. (Pause) Does all that make me a fool?
MARK
I don’t know—I’m in no position... It’s sad, that’s all. You and Arthur obviously loved each other. Maybe you made the right decision—for you. Still, it’s sad to hurt people.
EARL
You mean, just as you’re hurting your wife?
MARK
(Sharply) I’m not hurting her, damn it! She doesn’t know anything about what I do! Sorry. Anyway, my situation’s completely different from yours. It’s too late for me! I’d destroy my wife if I ever told her the truth.
EARL
So you’re happy keeping up the façade and having your little encounters at the gym and meeting people like me on-line?
MARK
(Angrily) It’s not ideal, but it works.
EARL
(Warmly) But is it enough for you, Mark?
MARK
(Screaming) Yes, it’s enough!! Are you happy? And I’ve had enough—enough of this! I didn’t come here to be...persecuted! I don’t know what your game is, but I’m getting outta here! I got what I wanted. I got to see the Dakota—twice now. Big deal! You can go f—screw yourself! (Starts to exit, pausing at the door. Perhaps Earl gets up and starts to straighten things up. Mark returns.) I’m sorry. All right, Earl—you’ve been honest with me. I owe you at least that much. Who else can I talk to anyway? The truth is, it’s not enough. I thought it would be—and for years it was—but it’s not anymore. Things are starting to crack. I need to be with men—that thought’s with me all the time. It’s bigger than my job; it’s bigger than my wife and family. I need to hold them and sleep with them. Without that, I couldn’t go on. (Suddenly excited) If I told you something, you wouldn’t tell anyone, right?
EARL
You’re safe with me, Mark.
...
...
[End of excerpt]
PRODUCTION NOTE: This fantasy play explores life in and out of the closet—asking what if things had happened differently. What if Earl Mumford had married Marjorie and stayed in the closet? What if Mark Mayfield had ended his marriage early and come out of the closet? And what if Earl and Mark had met under different circumstances? There are many possibilities, but only two scenarios are presented here. Scenes 1, 2, and 6 present one possibility; scenes 3, 4, and 5 present another.
SCENE FOUR
The Scene: The same evening. The bedroom of Mark Mayfield’s apartment at the Mayfair Towers, next door to the Dakota. Mark and Tony are getting dressed.
TONY
That was hot, man! When can we do that again?
MARK
Oh, I don’t know about that. I’ve got a partner.
TONY
Is that the guy with you in all the pictures?
MARK
Yeah
TONY
So, where is he? We coulda had a three-way.
MARK
He’s out of town.
TONY
So you fool around when he’s away? That’s cool. Let me know when he’s outta town again, and I’ll be right over.
MARK
Sorry, house rule—no repeats.
TONY
His rule or yours?
MARK
He doesn’t know. That’s how I live with myself. I stick to the rules—my own private rules.
TONY
That’s cool. (Looks around the room. Goes up to the window and points outside.) Hey, is that the Dakota right next door?
MARK
Yeah.
TONY
Man, you can see right into some of the apartments! You ever use binoculars?
MARK
What are you talking about?
TONY
Come here and look! (Mark walks up next to Tony. Tony grabs him and tries to drag him back to the bed.)
MARK
Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?
TONY
If this is my only shot with you, we better make the most of it.
MARK
(Pushing him off) No, I don’t want this! (Re-considering) Then again—maybe you would be worth another shot—no, I’ve got my principles!
TONY
But this still counts as the same time.
MARK
I know, but I’m not really in the mood anymore. And I’ve got things to do.
TONY
How long you guys been together?
MARK
10 years.
TONY
Man, that’s practically a marriage! No wonder you fool around.
MARK
No, trust me—it’s not like a marriage. I was married once.
TONY
To a woman?
MARK
That’s right—a long time ago. Just for a year. I did it to get my family off my back. But I could see it wasn’t going to work—and I’m sure I’m not the first gay Connecticut Yankee the world’s ever seen. So I put an end to it. She remarried. She’s got lots of kids now. It’s all fine.
TONY
I always thought I’d like to get married. I still wanna have kids some day.
MARK
Kids? No way! Too much responsibility. I couldn’t even handle a dog. All that walking and poop-scooping.
TONY
Oh, I love dogs! I wish I had a boyfriend—you’re so lucky!
MARK
I guess so
TONY
Sure—it means there’s someone that loves you. He loves you, right? And you love him.
MARK
Sure. He’s my man. We make a great team.
TONY
Does he go out of town a lot?
MARK
A fair amount.
TONY
So you get lonely, right? That’s why you pick up guys and bring ’em home—to take his place.
MARK
No—I pick up guys for sex. And it’s not just when he’s out of town. There are plenty of places to have sex in this city.
TONY
But you have a boyfriend! Why do you need to do that?
MARK
Because I love sex! Don’t you?
TONY
Well, sure—but I like the holding part the best.
MARK
So maybe you should get a dog.
TONY
I had a dog. Well—he belonged to my last boyfriend. I lost him when we broke up.
MARK
So maybe I was just a replacement for your dog—you were just using me, too!
TONY
No, man! You’re hot! You were the hottest guy at the bar. All right—I admit it! I like sex, too. Especially with hot guys like you. I’m just sayin’.
MARK
You’re just sayin’ . . .
TONY
Boyfriends are nice. You’re lucky. You should be thankful. And you should be careful. What’s his name?
MARK
Who?
TONY
Your boyfriend.
MARK
Darryl.
TONY
Darryl—I like that. Unusual. I bet he’s nice.
MARK
(Picks up a photo of Darryl and looks at it briefly) Yeah—he’s a great guy. He really is my better half.
TONY
So you better be careful you don’t do something stupid and lose Darryl. That would be a big loss. Especially after 10 years.
MARK
You’re so young! You have no idea how little sex and love have to do with each other. No one man could possibly satisfy me sexually. I’m a man. We’re animals!
TONY
So it’s all right if Darryl sneaks around, too?
MARK
He doesn’t do that.
TONY
How do you know?
MARK
I know him. He doesn’t need to
TONY
And you need to?
MARK
(Defensively) Look, I get these urges—they’re beyond my control. Believe me, Darryl couldn’t begin to satisfy that. So I do what I’ve got to do. Especially after I work out at the gym. Sometimes I get so pumped up—God, I gotta get it right there and then!
TONY
Are you one of those guys I see hanging around the steam room looking like you’re about to pounce?
MARK
I don’t know. Maybe. Look, it’s no big deal. It’s just sex. Darryl doesn’t know; he doesn’t need to know. And he probably wouldn’t even mind if he did. I’ve got it down to a science. No one’s getting hurt. We’re all getting what we need.
TONY
You know, I dated this guy like you for a while. He was really hot, too. But he was always on the make, too. I tried to be cool about it. I tried to keep up with him and sleep around, too. Sometimes we had three-ways. Pretended I didn’t care. And you know what happened?
MARK
You opened up a sex club together and lived happily ever after.
TONY
No—he ended up in a 12-step program.
MARK
Oh, a drinker, too.
TONY
No—a sexual compulsive. That’s what they call it. They’ve got meetings down at the Gay Center in the Village.
MARK
Is that what you think I am?
TONY
No, I’m just sayin’.
MARK
What are you sayin’?!
TONY
That you’re lucky, that’s all. Don’t blow it!
MARK
(Approaching Tony, touching him, maybe unbuttoning his shirt) You know, all this talk about sex is making me horny again. Maybe you’re right—maybe we should make the most of our time together since we’ll never see each other again.
TONY
I don’t know.
MARK
Oh, c’mon—you said you thought I was hot. You said you wanted to.
TONY.
Well, OK. Maybe since it won’t ever happen again. But when we’re done, can we just hold each other for a while—I mean, take our time?
MARK
Sure. (They start to take off their shirts and go back down onto the bed, kissing and hugging. We hear the sound of keys unlocking the front door.) Oh, shit!
TONY
What’s the matter?
MARK
I hear the front door. I think it’s Darryl!
TONY
You said he was out of town.
MARK
He was. He shouldn’t be here. You’ve got to get out of here or hide or something!
TONY
You said he probably wouldn’t mind if he ever found out.
MARK
Yeah—I say a lot of things.
BLACKOUT.
[End of excerpt]
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