exploding teeth on the courthouse lawn
Annabelle meanders down the street.
One hand is in her pocket.
She passes Jorge, sitting in his van.
She loiters.
He puts on big, black nerdy glasses, gets out of his van, walks to a bench and takes out a notebook.
Looks around carefully, begins to write.
Annabelle meanders over near him, watches - he doesn't see her.
Annabelle begins to whistle. Jorge looks annoyed.
He takes out his false teeth, picks a piece of lettuce out of them, puts them back in. Looks around furtively.
Annabelle stops whistling.
Long silence.
Suddenly, there is a loud siren.
Jorge jumps up, takes off his glasses, throws his notebook in the bushes, and begins to run.
Annabelle: Hey!
Jorge turns.
Annabelle: Stop!
Jorge takes out his false teeth and throws them on the ground.
Jorge: 10, 9, 8, 7 -
Annabelle: No! (begins to run)
Jorge: Stop. (calm)
Susan (stepping out of guard's booth): Stop.
Jorge: 6, 5, 4 -
Annabelle: No! / Susan: Stop. / Jorge: 3, 2 -
Jorge's teeth explode. Annabelle keels over (dead?)
Susan: What were you trying to do?
Jorge: Stop.
Susan You need to keep her away from me.
Jorge: I tried
Susan: But not kill her. She's carrying the code.
Jorge: What?
Susan: The code.
Jorge: Check her pockets.
They creep close to Annabelle, begin cautiously checking her pockets. Then frantically checking her pockets.
Annabelle rolls over. Jorge and Susan scream.
Annabelle pulls a wad of paper from her mouth.
Annabelle: Is this what you're looking for? (looks like she's going to destroy it)
Jorge: Stop!
Susan: Stop!
They reach for Annabelle. She drags herself up and throws the paper at them, then falls back down.
Jorge and Susan grab the paper.
Jorge: We - Her - Han - nia - (can't really speak because his teeth are out - just for this line?)
Susan: Stop.
Jorge: Why?
Susan: I can't understand you. Let me. (reads)
"West Virginia" has gone to sleep. She is waiting until 3:00, when she will meet you in the cornfield. you will know her by the tulip in her hand. Whistle to wake her up. Then follow this map (they study it) to the ocean, where a boat will take you to safety.
Susan and Jorge run out, following the map.
Annabelle: Stop!
(pulls a tulip out of her pocket)
I'm not there yet!
(dies)
The courthouse clock chimes 12.
END