MANIAC

MANIAC

Scene 1

(Deepak is tied up – Hands, Leg and Mouth… He’s still drowsy from the chloroform the killer used to kidnap him… He slowly wakes up hearing the scraping of metal on the ground shakes his head trying to wave away the splitting headache. In enters the KILLER)

(BGM Starts)

(Deepak gains enough consciousness to sense he is in desperate need of help but then realizes he has his hands mouth and legs tied. So he tries to wiggle his way out of the ropes that ties him but all in vain)

(The killer walks over to the table across the room that has different types of torture instruments and a radio. He slowly turns on the radio)

Girl on the Radio: Flash News! Another girl’s murder matches the MO of the heinous killer who has been terrorizing our city for past few months. This has been the 15th murder so far. Sources have updated his crime profile of him wearing a black hoodie and a mask to hide his identity. The father of the girl was asked to come to the kidnapper’s place and she was killed in front of her father’s eyes. Psychiatrists have confirmed he is a mentally unstable serial killer who feeds off parent’s pain and cries… he-” (Killer hits hard on the table and the radio stops… He then walks over to Deepak and removes the cloth which tied his mouth and walks back to his table again!)

(Killer continues doing random stuff with random objects that he could find, completely ignoring Deepak. Deepak, listening to the Radio and sensing he would be the 16th murder)

Deepak: (Scared) Sir... SIR!!!.... Are you that killer… the one on the radio??... Are you going to kill me??? Sir??.... Please…. Please… Could you let me go??? Let me go…

D: (Breaks completely) Sir… Do talk... This silence… this silence is consuming me… It’s so overwhelming sir… I feel so alone! (P Flinches on hearing the word “Alone”) (D cries) I understand why you don’t want to talk to me! It’s completely fine… but can you do me a favour? I have no idea how long I’ve been kidnapped… But could you promise me one thing… This might sound crazy but… I don’t wanna go back to my dad or my place, pretty much basically my whole life! (D face brightens up suddenly) Maybe… Maybe I’ll be your servant of sorts. (Cries harder) But… Please don’t let me go back to my old life!!!!

(K has heard enough… He turns but some difference in his attitude is seen. He walks over slowly towards D and stares at him… he then pops open his Button Knife/ D is scared to death/ K traces the edge of the knife slowly on the cheeks of D and slowly goes all the way down to his hands and cuts off the rope that tied his hands/ D is a bit confused of K’s behavior/ K walks to the other table across the room, takes the water bottle and throws it at D)

K: Drink!

D nods a slight no!

K: I SAID DRINK!!!!

D opens the bottle hurriedly and gulps down the whole bottle. P goes back to his table!

D: So…

K: (Growls) So - WHAT????

D: W-Will… Will you help me???

K (Hates being interrupted in his work): WHYYYYYY!!

D: (Gulping) The feeling of loneliness sir… Where ever I go… Even at home, I feel alone sir…

K (Completely irritated): You talk such strong words… Drama…. (Screams all of a sudden) DRAMA!!!! YOU FEEL (Mockingly) LONELINESS, HUH? (Walks over to D) DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT PAIN IS? YOU ARE JUST SIXTEEN, YOU FREAKING IMBECILE (Slaps D)

D (Screams): WHY DO ALL YOU ADULTS KEEP SAYING THAT??? “JUST SIXTEEN”? DON’T YOU HAVE BRAINS, IDIOT! JUST BECAUSE I BLEED LESS DOEN’T MEAN I FEEL NO PAIN! YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS TO JUDGE!

K is pushed off the edge but surprisingly doesn’t react violently!

D (Realizing): So… So… Sorry…. Sorry sir… It was a mistake… shouting at you like that… Every time when someone says, “You’re too young… your pain is nothing… you are being overdramatic” it hurts… and that bubbled up so badly today! I’m really sorry sir!

K laughs… So damn Hard! It’s kind of a psychotic Laugh!

K: Pity… But why?

D: It’s a long sad story sir… What choice do I have? You got irritated by my “Drama”, right sir? You really don’t know the HELL I’ve been through!

(SCENE 1 ENDS)

 

Scene 2

Flashback -1

Dm (Deepak Mind voice): Everything was happy. The trees were greener, the days were brighter and the nights were cozier. I had everything… a roof over my head, food in my belly, jingling pennies in my pocket, a ginormous smile on my face and my lovely spec of universe – My family… A sister – Annoying yet caring, Strict yet supporting father but most of all, my Best gift from god, my Ma… Ever since my little eyelids opened, she is my backbone, my pillar of support, my best friend… simply my world! It was not much, but this was enough! Until that one day…

(Scene Setting: Dining table) (Character: Dad, mom, Rhea)

(Mom dad and Rhea are sitting in the dining table, eating their breakfast…. Rhea is having a book in her left hand while eating whereas mom is serving the food halfway thru her breakfast. Dad is dressed for his work and is hurriedly eating staring at the watch from time to time…)

Dad: Where is Deepak?

Mom: He has that finals he has been buzzing about the whole week. Gods I had to listen to him going bananas over how he gets his opportunity to play for the state team. I mean, he is just 14! Just see the zest in him!

Dad: When will he wake up and smell the coffee? He and his wildest fantasies!

Rhea: He’s a budding dreamer dad. At least let “HIM” do what he likes instead of getting caged up by books and marks and other whatnots!

Dad (Angry): Oh! So you are indirectly accusing me, are you? Marks are what that will fill up your plate not cricket or your “DREAMS”. Be practical! (Rhea throws an angry stare)

Mom: Lay it off! Eat, you two! (Dad Grunts)

(Deepak shouts, “Ma! Pa! Rhea!”)

Dad: Here comes our Dreamer!

(Deepak enters… he’s super excited)

D: Dad! Dad! Oh wow! All of you are here! Look at your champion peeps! Drum Rolls please! (Bows to the audience and throws waves etc.)

Dad: So what? Not much of a big deal!

Mom: Don’t be so hard on him!

Rhea: Trophies are not marks, right Dad?

Mom: Rhea! Stop it! Deepak! Show him your trophy!

(Deepak is hesitant yet he gives the trophy to Dad)

Dad (Looking at it): Hmmm! Districts, huh? (Gives a slight nod and hands over the trophy to Deepak again)

Mom: That’s it? Just a nod? At lease a simple “Good” would suffice!

Sistaa: Mom, again… Trophies are not marks!

Deepak (Shouts!): Would you just shut it Rhea!

Rhea: I’m not the one who brought up marks here!

Dad: RHEA! Enough is enough! Go and prepare for your boards now!

Rhea: Yeah Deepak! Listen to your dad! Be the bookworm! You just have 2 years to prepare for your boards!

Mom: RHEA!!!

Rhea: Fine… Fine… I’m not here! I’m busy “Preparing for my boards”!

Dad: Such Attitude! Teens nowadays… (Stares at watch) Okay… It’s time! (Looking at MOM) Take care! (Dad Leaves)

(Deepak is heartbroken, but tries to put on a fake smile and sits on dad’s chair staring at the trophy)

Mom: Deepak! Come here…

Deepak: Why? So that u could also laugh at me just like dad and rhea!

Mom: Oh Deepak! (Walks over to Deepak and pulls the chair beside him)

Deepak: Mom! It’s alright! It’s just cricket!

Mom: Are you out of your mind? This is not just cricket… this was your aspiration… your dream… your life…

D: Just don’t say it for my sake!

Mom: No Deepak… I’m serious. You’re 14… and playing for the state team is a big deal! And I’m proud that you are playing for the state… but more than that, I’m super proud that you are my son!

D: Are you? Proud of me?

Mom: Of course son… why wouldn’t I be? You are the champion!

D: You know what!! I am!! MOM! Look at this (Shows the trophy to Mom)

Mom (Coughs – Blood on kerchief to be shown) (Gets the trophy)

D: You know what happened? The match was out of our hands. We never thought we could get back in the match. And that’s when the miracle happened. And you know the reason for the miracle?! (Dusts his shoulders off) Your son! Last over… 10 runs required off 1 wicket! The first ball flew for a six! The crowd started booing us and to be honest I thought we had almost lost. With little hopes left, I bowled the next ball and that hit him in the pads! We all screamed Howwzzaaaatttttt… and as the umpire moved his hands upward, I’ve never felt so alive! That adrenaline surge in my veins… the high that it gave me… See… my hands are still shaking!

Mom (A bit dull but faking excitement): Oh relax boy! Calm down! I knew you could do it. Deep Breath Just… make sure you go on with your life no matter what. Even when life knocks you down, u decide whether or not to get back up! This spirit in you must never die out! Life is going to be rough… you have some tough roads ahead. But use that as your northern stars to guide you to your destiny. I know you’ve been dependent on me all through your life. But see you are an achiever… Try learning to stand alone, with your head held high. We were not there with u today at the ground when u bowled the last over. And you said your first ball went for a six. Yet you held your ground and broke through the cloud of doubts on your shoulders. That’s life son… Not dad, not Rhea… Not even I will be there with you all the time… EVEN WHEN NO ONE ELSE BELIEVE’S IN YOU, YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND NEVER GIVE UP!

D: You sound so dramatic at times, you know that mom? (Laughs) Why should I be alone when I have you? And why would I be sad in life? You will always be there with me, won’t you mom?

(Look down in utter sadness but fakes a nod and a smile)

D: Now you had a dream of seeing love’s wonder of the world. I really don’t know what you see in those huge chunks of white marbles. But you know what… I’m gonna make your dream come true. I’m in the state team now. We’ll be going around the country playing matches. So it’ll be your country tour mom… free of cost! (Mom dies) You talked about following my dreams… Now it’s time to make your dream come true! And this golden ticket is just because of you! You deserve this trophy more than me. So mom… here… for being the BEST MOM in the world! (Turns around) Mom? Mom? Ma???

Ma... Look at me ma… This is no time for power naps (Nervous laughter) here mom… it’s your trophy… its yours ma… get it… (Shoves the trophy in her hands… No response) Open your eyes… look at me… (Pats at the cheek… Kerchief Drops… D notices blood… shows to audience) No this is not happening. Ma I know you are fine, I know… talk to me… Please… Please don’t leave me... Don’t leave me alone… MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

*(Scene 2 Ends)*

Scene 3

Flashback 2

Dm: And I saw the whole world crumble right in front of my eyes! They burnt my mom’s body. I did not cry… but I could feel every inch of my skin scorching. I felt the soul being sucked out of me right there. For the first time in forever, I felt something different… something negative for the first time. My tiny spec of universe was crushed. Though I was standing with my dad and Rhea, a chill ran up my spine. An eerie feeling dug its way into my brain. Was that loneliness? I didn’t have time to reason that out. But that was when my life turned upside down.

All I could blame was fate. The cold hands of fate had thrust my entire life into darkness. It was just as the dominos game. All it took was just one push of the first tile… one by one the others started to fall… I started failing in exams… lost my spot in State cricket team for a string of very poor performances, started goofing around with… let’s just say someone whom I shouldn’t hang out with. Though I was swarmed by bad influences, my soul’s connection with mom was what that made me stay in my limits. Dad and Rhea were so caught up with their pain and work that they didn’t give a rat’s butt about me. But the existence of a so called “Family” kept me going. At least that what I thought…

(F1, F2 are with D in D’s room. F1 is smoking and F2 is drinking. D is there with them)

F1: Hey Homie… Check out this hot girl! (Shows his phone to D)

D: Nah, its fine!

F2: Bruhh! Show it here!

D: (Hesitant)

F2: Doood! Are you out of your mind! Look u gotta loosen up! U really are a disgrace bruv! You gotta go out in the real world, smoke stuff, drink, get high, and hang out with gals… I even have the Charlie on me if you want!

D: Uh! No… I promised my mom-

F1: And there he starts about his mom again! “DEPRESSION”… Bleh, Bleh, Bleh! You really suck out the happiness in this world, you know that? (Points to a corner) Go… Go cry over there, u giant girl baby! Be the mama’s boy!

(D is really hurt now… He hears footsteps)

D: Guys! GUYS! Someone’s here! Quick! Hide those stuff… and could you please behave properly?

(F1 and F2 not willing to cooperate as they are pretty high)

D: GUYS Please!! Do as I say!

(D starts cleaning the table when Rhea enters… Rhea spots the bottle and the powder on the table. Then she finds the cigarette on F1’s hand)

R: What the…? EVERYONE… OUT! NOW!!!

F1: Oops… sorry D… Peace out bruv…

F2: Deepak’s dead meat! Bye Rhea! (Rhea frowns)

(F1 and F2 exits) (D is fidgeting with his hands)

D: R-Rh-Rhea!

(Rhea doesn’t respond)

D: Come on Rhea talk to me!

R: Don’t you dare talk to me Deepak!

D: Why? What did I do?

R: What did you do? Srsly… you ask me what did you do? I’ve never been so disappointed in you Deepak!

D: But Rhea-

R: You have no rights to even breathe my name Deepak. (Pause) You know what! I’ve had enough! ENOUGH! You have become the burden I have to carry every day every minute every second. I’ve been taking the hits for you from the first Deepak. When you lost your spot in the cricket team, you cried for days. Who was there for you? Me! I made sure you didn’t crack. Then you started failing… failing so bad you had to get detained. Who was there in the Principal’s office begging to offer you another chance? Me!! Then your bullies thrashed you so bad that you laid there unconscious in our garden, bleeding! Who carried you all the way to the hospital in the middle of the night? ME!! And then you do this? Drugs… Drinks… Srsly Deepak. What else are you going to hit me with?

D: I didn’t do it Rhea. I accept I am with these spoilt brats. But that doesn’t mean I am spoilt too… Please listen to me!

R: Don’t speak Deepak! Look how messed up you are right now. You are my responsibility Deepak… MINE! And you know what? All you’ve done was being selfish! Especially after Mom! It’s not just you who lost your mom. She was my world too. U really know how desperate I am for her scent and her comforting hugs and her forehead kisses… the reality has been so hard! I just was hoping for a breather, a moment of peace, a small taste of happiness. But all I have now is you… a sick degenerate whom I am forced to take care of just because we share the same bloodline. It’s so sickening to even call you my brother.

D: Rhea! Don’t bring mom into this!

R (Very Furious): SHUT IT DEEPAK! Do you really think you would make mom proud if she sees you now? Her poor soul would be shredded on seeing her son go down this path. Thank God she isn’t alive to see all these nonsense. You know what? Gimme that… gimme that bottle… and all the drugs that you have stacked somewhere. I’ll drink ‘em… drink them all and die. Just like mom. Cuz that’s what I deserve… for failing you… on having such a spoilt punk as a brother!

D: Rhea! Please… I understand your rage… but if you please give me a chance to explain –

R: You know what Deepak… I just wish you were dead instead of Mom!

(D is shattered)

D: Rhea… (Voice shaking) You know why I am alive today? I had completely given up on life. And I didn’t want to be the anchor dragging down you or dad or any other soul in life. Especially you, Rhea. I saw you struggle so hard for me. So I didn’t fight those bullies back even when I could. But then it happened. I was there in a pool of blood, half dazed. I could still remember that moment Rhea… You rushed towards me threw away your bag and carried me in your arms and ran four blocks away all alone to the hospital. You tried so hard to wipe away your tears shoulders (laughs) and it was hard with me in your arms, and you put up that ever cherishing smile of yours on your face and said, “Don’t worry Deepak. You are not alone… I will be there for you. We’ll get through this together!” That love you portrayed… those words you said… that still rings in my ears. And you know what! That was the moment I started believing mom was not dead. She was right there in you… in your heart… And that, Rhea, kept me going –

(Dad Enters)

Dad (Looks around and finds the bottle on the table): YOU FILTHY LITTLE PRICK!

(And starts hitting Deepak! Rhea just stands there perplexed still trying to reason out what Deepak has said!) (Deepak Throws in “Dad Stop! Listen to me etc, etc, etc)

Dad: You are a freaking disgrace to my name. You are grounded! GROUNDED! You’ll go without food for 3 days straight and you have to stay locked up in this room for a week, you get me!! At least that’ll drive some sense into that empty brain of yours! Blame it on your mom! She didn’t know how to raise you. She –

D: DON’T BRING MOM INTO THIS!!!!

Dad: HOW DARE YOU RAISE YOUR VOICE-

R: Dad! He has had enough for one day! Let’s go!

Dad: You are not going to get away with this!

(Dad and Rhea off stage) (Deepak starts to cry… Really hard!)

D: Mom! Why? Why did you leave me? Leave me in this crazy world? I can’t take it mom! The pressure’s too much. I feel so alone! Please Mom… Come back… Come back to me… I know that’s impossible… Maybe… That’s it… I’ll come to you! Then we can be happy together where ever you are. Mom, accept me though this will be a sin.

(Dance Drama Choreo)

(MOM BACKGROUND SOUND) (D puts down the knife and cries)

***Scene 3 Closes***

Scene 4

Present

D: Now you tell me sir… haven’t I gone through enough? Does these justify my “Drama”?

K: You know what’s funny here? I’m here… 2 yards apart… ready pull your soul out through your throat… I’m your doom and you open up… To me!!! 

D: Cuz you are the only one who has listened to me sir. You were the one who asked me the question of why. No one has ever lend their ears to my side of the story sir. And I am the one in pain. That’s why… all my emotions are bleeding through my words. You know how hard it is to get locked up in your own mind? All your thoughts get you spiraling down and ultimately excruciatingly tortures you… And then… you die… slowly… slowly… slowly…

(Dad and Rhea Shout “Deepak! Deepak!”)

K: Deepak, huh! Tik Tok Tik Tok!

Dad and Rhea Enter

Dad: Deepakk!!! Sir… Sir… Please sir… Please leave my son sir… Please…

K: It’s a fine line between my knife and his throat and all you plead is “Sir please leave my son”?

Rhea: You heartless animal… Why the hell did you kidnap my brother? Kidnap me instead!

K: Ha ha! Sacrificial Play! Not enough!

Dad: Sir! I’ll give you whatever you want… Money… Diamonds… Power… Anything… Just let my son go sir!

K: (Looks at Deepak) See… your dad is fixing a price for your soul! Okay Sir! Tell me… How much will you give me for your son’s life? 500K? 1M?

R: Dad! The police will be here any minute. You don’t have to plead to this cheap!

Dad: RHEA!!! Can’t you see the knife on Deepak’s throat! Sir! Deepak is our life sir! Please sir! Let him Go sir!

K: Oh! Deepak! This is getting boring! Why don’t I start killing you!

Deepak Starts Screaming

R: DEEEPAAAKKK!!!!! Charges towards K

K: Stay Back! I SAID STAY BACK! K starts Laughing

Dad: Rhea! Come back! Sir I’m sorry! She’s a kid… She’s so protective of her brother sir. Deepak is a motherless child sir! He can’t handle the pain!

K: Who is Deepak to you?

R: My brother…

K: And to you?

Dad: My son…

K: Sorry??? Your??

Dad: MY SON!

K slits Deepak’s Throat!!

K (Casually): OOPS! Not anymore! (D gasps)

Dad and Rhea shouts DEEEPAAAAAKKKKKKKK!!!! Deepak Drops dead!

Psycho… does psychotic stuff! Sub Acting Max!!!

R: Why????? Why did you kill him? Look at my baby brother! How did you even get the heart to kill him? You rot in hell you stupid psycho! (Spits) Don’t have the guts to even show your real face! Coward! COWARD!! Rhea Slaps K 3 times uttering COWARD!

K (Monolog): “I want to reignite my soul but it’s damp from unshed tears. I always knew it had pain inside, but now it’s visible on my face. I wish it would go away. It is just a gift I never wanted. Every ounce of my pain screams to find the nerve to take a gun, place the cold metal down the throat, pulling my trigger, shooting away my pain. Maybe that’s what I ought to do. I’m sorry dad,” My son’s last words.

Why the mask you asked? Beneath this mask there’s flesh… hiding a guilty, ripped up soul… A soul that should have been to his son’s aid… A soul that should have said, “I’m there for you son,” and should have proved it… But it’s just a soul that let his son bleed emotionally to death. And I find my sick soul mirrored in you two.

You told I killed him… Did I? (Laughs) I just put a walking corpse to rest. He was just a soulless empty vessel lingering on this earth! Who really murdered his soul? Me?! (Scoffs) No, No, No… YOU! AND YOU! You failed as a father… you failed as a sister… you didn’t help… you didn’t listen… you didn’t embrace his pain… you didn’t let him heal… There is a difference between Living and Not Dying. You were the ones who tore his soul apart, bit by bit, and bludgeoned him to death with your ignorance. THIS ONE’S ON YOU! Every drop of his Blood is on your hands not MINE! Good luck washing away your guilt!

Dad: (Looks at hand) No! No!!! I did not kill my son! Deepak!! No Deepak! (Runs towards Deepak, keeps him on his lap) Tell me I didn’t kill you… Son tell this psycho I didn’t kill you! DEEEEEPAAAAKKKK!!!!

Rhea: Dad! Dad! Dad! (Crying)

FREEEEEZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Outro: A killer with a past… A mistrusting dad… An insecure sister… A ruthless Society… Now tell me… Who is the real Psycho????

 *****END OF STORY*****