Deana VP: Theatre, #2

By Pasquale Palmieri

Inspired by one of the 12 mythological Hercules' Labours (Labors) ordered to him by the Mycenean King, the theatre (theater) script DEANA VP whisks you into an imaginary contemporary Australian Republic and the tale of a modern dysfunctional group of people confronting the dichotomies between genders, sex and power. The plot unfolds in the second act with a sequence of dramatic revelations leading to the final striking outcome.

Reading a Script is a new experience compared to a book or a short story, following the dialogue between the actors assisted by short descriptions of scene shifting. The play is in two acts with stage performance length of approx 2 hours, and it should take almost the same amount of time to read it, including a break between act one and two for fixing a drink or a toilet call, as if watching it in a real theatre (theater).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pasquale Palmieri
• Release date: Jan 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215890646

Pasquale Palmieri

Pasquale M. Palmieri Roman by birth and a citizen of the world after having lived in Europe, Canada, USA and now Australia, Pasquale Maria Palmieri (Pasquale M Palmieri) is an idealistic gypsy by definition and a researcher by devotion. He is passionate about human relationships, which are an endless source of information and inspiration for his writings. Pasquale has written several theatre plays, novels, a non-fiction about relationships and is the winner of a literary prize open to English language writers. You can find Pasquale on his website http://www.nofearjustdoit.com/

Book preview

Characters in order of appearance:

Deana VP

(Vice President)

Diana, illegitimate daughter of Jupiter, the virgin maiden Goddess of the Hunt and Nature

Latona

Leto/Letum, Diana’s mother and Titan Goddess of being unseen and evasive

Ercole

(also starring with the false name of his twin brother Fliko)

Hercules, the invincible hero Half-God, illegitimate son of Jupiter, disguised as his half brother Iphicles (Fliko) son of Amphitryon and Alcmene

Aphro

(The Sex Therapist)

Aphrodite, illegitimate daughter of Jupiter, the Goddess of Love, Beauty and Sexuality

Polo

Apollo, illegitimate son of Jupiter, Diana’s twin brother and God of Light, Music, Poetry and the Arts

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SET

Latona’s mansion.

The set is made of a random collection of artifacts, props, loose elements,

and a pretend mirror between stage and audience

ACT ONE

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PROLOGUE

Room lights off. Curtain up, all dark on stage. A dimmed red spot lights up, over a dancer at stage center, as she starts a sensual dance performed lying down. A male voice is heard through loud speakers.

VOICE Deana VP whisks you into a busy pocket of Melbourne’s high flyers living in a hypothetical Australian Republic, going from a quick snippet over a few thousand years ago, to the tale of a modern dysfunctional group of people confronting an age-old conundrum: the dichotomy between sex and power.

Not endorsed by any registered political, religious, ethnic group or association. This play is fictional and meant for recreational use only. Any resemblance to facts, political situations present or future, real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Warning: Contents may prove too intense for some viewers. Misuse by impulsive comparison to real events can be harmful. The author, director and cast are not responsible for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages.

Any discomfort may settle during viewing. If conditions persist, consult your therapist. No other warranty expressed or implied herewith.

Written and authorized by His Most Honorable Excellency the President of Australia LOL, Canberra.

Red spot off, as the dancer slowly crawls out of stage

VOICE Once upon a time women were women, and women were moms and wives... when moms were moms and wives were wives...

SCENE 1

DEANA runs on stage. She is wearing a short, Roman tunic

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DEANA No no no no no!!! ... Bullshit!!!! ... I was made a goddess... the virgin who swore never to marry

Latona, dressed in a long, Roman tunic, enters stage walking very slowly

LATONA  How’s my little one today?

DEANA Mom... I swore never to marry... Minerva and Vesta did too... when we were still in rhetor school

LATONA Yes... I know... They swore too and were also made goddesses

DEANA We were called the three maiden goddesses

LATONA Yes my sweet one, indeed you were

DEANA So, what’s this bullshit?

LATONA As you say dear... just bullshit!

Latona embraces Deana and they both slowly leave stage.

SCENE 2

A spot lights up stage left, Ercole, dressed as a commando, enters stage stopping under the spot while talking on his mobile phone

ERCOLE Yes-Sir! ... Sorry-Sir, I believed of having completed all of my twelve missions and... Yes-Sir! Sorry-Sir... You know better, of course-Sir... Never! I wouldn’t dare doubt you-Sir! ... Yes-Sir! ... Don’t worry-Sir; straight away-Sir, I’m on it! ... Yes-Sir! ... Thank you-Sir... For you and with you-Sir!

He ends the call and dials a number

ERCOLE Hi! It’s me... I just spoke to the boss... What do you mean which boss? The One, the Commander in Chief... El Pre-si-dente, damn it! ... Yes, in person! ... No, I can’t tell you what the mission is, national security. The less people know the better. Just do your job. Good! How long would it take to finalize my cover? .... No, it’s not Ok! You’ve got to do better than that, the man upstairs wants it done pronto! ... Speed up the auditions