James Dean and the Devil

Script Excerpts
By Rosary Hartel O'Neill

SCENE ONE: HELP ON THE HIGHWAY OF DEATH OR MEETING MOTHER

"The Highway of Death", Cholame. CA. Sundown, chilly. A shoulder along the road. September 30, 1955. We are in the mind of James Dean during his last moments on earth. Visuals and sounds or the lack thereof saturate the stage like a stark dream.

At Rise:
(Thrum of exhaust of passing cars)

JAMES DEAN bursts in, comet like, from an unsuspected place. He is terribly battered, his red jacket torn, his jeans ripped. He looks 34, not 24. He hallucinates, talks to himself and to imaginary images he sees.

(Horrified, to self) It's got to be here. One minute I'm hugging the wheel--. Next I'm-- . . .. How can you lose a Porsche?

(Cries) Where am I? (Jokes, looks about) On the corner of Pain and Pain and Stab Me and Run?--Did someone take my car? . . .Who was I with? . . . Where are my glasses?

(Flash of headlights. He rushes about)

Stop!!!!! (Panicky) Didn't that guy see me? (Shouting after cars) Stop! Stop! (Blinking) Oh my eyes are so sharp. I see clearly without glasses. . .

(Gasping) I'm short of breath, (Jokes) Stick an I.V. in me and shoot in caffeine.

(He trips on broken glass.)

(Screams) Oooh. What's that? Ooooh. A piece of windshield? (Peers in shocked) I look so old and sick. I see everything, wrinkles, imperfections

I'll do an acting exercise. (Pause) Do an overall sensation-like being in the shower-something that makes me feel good.

. . . .Where am I?

(Eerie music like Vivaldi, Nisi Dominus.)
(A giant Red Book is projected on the scrim with words which he reads:)

(Reads, fearfully) "You've one hour to pass seven tests and be saved."

Saved from what? (Defiant) I don't believe--Says who?

(Reads another sign) "Tibetan Book of Dying. If you pass the tests you will be healed in this life or the next."

(Keels over laughing) Is this some weird death spiral--Signs can't just come in and out like that. I think someone drugged me and stole my car.

SOULS IN TORMENT (V.O.)

(Breathing heavily) Stella--Errano--Sans toi--terre aride-

JIMMY

(Scared) Who's that? Look I'm a big star, a public commodity. People are trying to consume me

(Defiant) I can't die. I'm greedy for life. I sleep an hour a night.