L o w r a t e b a s t a r d

By Rosario Stefanelli

Theatre. 
Low rates stimulate leverage.Mike, a banker struck by lightning on his way to Central Park, is convinced that they could also stimulate the stupidity of many entrepreneurs.  That's why he decides to grant much higher rates than market pricing, convinced that a spread unrelated to macro logic and driven only by micro motives can act as a buffer against the risk appetite of business owners. Mr Green: "The bank has to facilitate...then when investments are in full swing, and employment increases, the bogeyman of inflation will push the central banks to raise interest rates." Mike: "That's a load of crap. We banks are not supposed to be calming inflation, we're supposed to be calming your greed. And push you into a strategic mindset of 'The low rate makes you love. The right one makes you love'"
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosario
• Release date: Jun 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9791220809979

Book preview

Single act

CHARACTERS

MIKE

DAVID, Mike's colleague

MR RYAN, boss of Mike and David

MR CLARKE, entrepreneurs

MR GREENE, entrepreneurs

NATAN

TERRY

ARCHIE

BERNIE

JULY 2024. CENTRAL PARK. MANHATTAN SKYSCRAPERS IN THE BACKGROUND. 11 P.M.

On stage is a man, in his seventies, sitting on a bench. He is staring at the moon reflected in the pond in front of him.

ARCHIE it's late he's not coming. Beautiful moon...a pity not to share it. Oh Terry you can't persist in making up for the pain. (Turning towards a very specific direction. Top right) Oh yes, you can't....

The old man gets up and leaves. A little later a man, in his fifties, arrives. Well dressed. There is a woman with him. The man takes her hands and starts talking to her

NATAN I'm sorry, Sun, but you can't ask me for any more commitment for our relationship, beyond the time budgeted and forecasted with the latest duties triggered by the short opportunities that the market forces you to look for between the cracks of the crisis. There is pulp on the horizon. I must take advantage of it. I must honour my family history

The phone rings. Man looks at mobile phone

NATAN What does this guy want....Excuse me. It's my brother I have to take this (Man answers). Hi Daniel....what's going on?....ah....ah...I'm sorry. I can't Daniel...I can't in any way. Unfortunately it's a messy time....You'd be doing me a favor if you'd take care of it..... I know, I know you're already taking care of it and always have....but I have obligations.... I know, I know. But I'm talking about business Daniel. They can't wait. They need me....of course he would too. But I can't....can't and I can't (closes mobile phone) my dad's in the hospital. The tumor's eating away at him. He doesn't have much left. 'It's everyone's fate. No use getting against it or soaking it in tears. He's tough. He doesn't melt at all. He's determined. All we have to do is imitate him in the little things. That's how you conquer the eternity never known on earth'. He used to say that to me every time he lost a loved one. To be on the ball at this time is to respect his will. Loved ones end, love ends. We remain. And while we wait, we better fight....applies to me, to you, to my father....(man looks around) look at the homeless on these benches. They've stopped fighting....let's call you a taxi..

The two walk away. Under a blanket a man is revealed. He is well dressed. In his forties. He sits down

MIKE This can't go on any longer...this mountain of cash is starting to redefine new lagers. I have to do something....devo

JULY 2024. CENTRAL PARK. MANHATTAN SKYSCRAPERS IN THE BACKGROUND. 8 A.M.

On stage are Archie and Terry. They are both old men. She is standing. He is sitting. She is about to go

ARCHIE Do you have to be Terry?

TERRY I'd like to have a look at him

ARCHIE Have you found anything yet?

TERRY He's swamped. Who's going to pick him up for a job?

ARCHIE Should he get over it?

TERRY Some things you don't get over

ARCHIE If you don't watch them...

TERRY Some things take experience. And he's young

ARCHIE You're not. You don't lack the experience to get over the sad shit.

TERRY and a little bit of self-loathing too

The woman stays and looks at the old man

TERRY Isn't that right Archie?

The old man turns his face away. In a very specific direction

TERRY have you decided to go there

ARCHIE where?

TERRY on the spot where you rest your dark circles.

ARCHIE There's nothing there anymore. That's air.

TERRY there's a plan zero. You should show yourself. Forcefully in front of the pain hole. It would only do you good

ARCHIE What for? To brood. To rot in a one-room flat sunk in with iron-cement giants that stop the heart's breath? That twist even a sigh?

TERRY Maybe...but it's not enough to just sit here and suck the oxygen out of life.

ARCHIE But what do you want from me....?

TERRY Nothing

ARCHIE I waited for you until eleven o'clock last night....

TERRY I was dead asleep....

ARCHIE there was a beautiful moon...too bad

TERRY I finished cleaning so late. There was shit up to the roof

ARCHIE what makes you do it.... He's young your nephew. He should get his act together.

TERRY You wouldn't believe what he's been through.

ARCHIE