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[[SQUEEZE THE CUBE->Scene A]]
[[TAP THE CUBE->Scene B]]
[[DON'T TOUCH IT->IK1]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
CHARLIE
Hey, Wes? You almost finished up up here? I wanna get going.
WES
Uh - yeah. Hey, come look at this.
CHARLIE
I just have homework due in the morning that I really need to get done?
WES
This’ll only take a minute, I swear. Look what someone left on the bar.
(They brandish THE CUBE, holding it aloft, turning it this way and that.)
CHARLIE
What is that?
WES
I dunno. Some sort of cube.
CHARLIE
Someone just left it here?
WES
Yeah, on the bar, on top of a five. Weird tip.
CHARLIE
Uh. Yeah, I guess. Do you think maybe someone just forgot it?
WES
Weird thing to forget at a bar, don’t you think?
CHARLIE
Do you remember who was sitting there? Maybe we can call them or -
WES
Hey, look at this!
(Wes touches the cube. Something Happens, but it takes a second for them - and us - to figure out what it is.)
CHARLIE
What was that?
WES
Uh -
(Wes checks themself over and notices something.)
Huh. Look.
(They wave a hand in front of Charlie. Nails that were plain are now a vibrant shade of green.)
CHARLIE
What, did you paint your- oh.
That’s..weird.
WES
Like it’s, magical or something..
(They lean in to look at the cube, but don’t touch it this time. Charlie joins in after a moment’s hesitation.)
CHARLIE
We should call Muck.
WES
Muck? What, why?
CHARLIE
Weird alien, magic stuff is their thing. Maybe they’ve heard something about it!
WES
And the chance of them knowing is-
-slim to none.
CHARLIE
Hey Muck!
Are you doing anything right now? ..Sleeping, right… Hey, can you come to the bar? We found something...something weird, I don’t know, it’s like a kinda..box thing. It turned Wes’s nails green when they touched it and like- ..yeah, yeah we’re still at the bar, closing up. Can you come? ...Ok, see you in a few. Bye, Muck.
WES
Should we really... be messing around with this? I touched it and it painted my nails. Like, not that I don’t kinda dig the look, but, that’s not normal. You sure we didn’t drink something weird by accident?
CHARLIE
Yeah, you touched it and your nails turned green. Imagine what else it could do!
WES
I don’t want any other parts of me to turn green, Charlie.
I just don’t get why you had to call Muck and make it into a whole thing.
If it were me, I’d just throw the thing out and leave it.
CHARLIE
You don’t want to know more about this thing?
WES
No, I don’t.
(A knock on the door. Charlie looks at Wes for a moment, then stands to answer the door. Wes watches.)
CHARLIE
Well, that was fast. Come on in, the thing is on the bar.
(Muck enters.)
MUCK
Tell me you didn’t mess with it any more before I got here?
WES
Not like we had any time to. Did you run here?
MUCK
No.
Charlie said it turned your nails green? Let me see.
CHARLIE
So, what do you think?
WES
What could they think? It’s a weird magic box.
MUCK
Probably not magic. There’s a science to this kind of thing; it doesn’t look especially extraterrestrial, but it is possible there is some form of cloaking device or other method of making it appear more mundane than it really is - only an idiot would design a powerful object to look powerful. Or a show-off, I suppose.
WES
...Right. Okay. So, green fingernails?
CHARLIE
So you think it’s from aliens?
MUCK
I think it’s a possibility. What did you do to make it do that?
(They gesture to Wes’s nails.)
WES
Nothing! I just touched it. Like, (They mime poking the cube but pointedly do not actually touch it.) that.
MUCK
We’ll be sure not to do that again.
(After a beat they decisively pick up the cube. Wes and Charlie gasp but settle when nothing happens - yet.)
I wonder what happens if we do this.
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[[MUCK DROPS THE CUBE! ->Scene B1]]
[[MALLORY GRABS THE CUBE!->Scene B2]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(Something Happens. We’re still in the bar, but something is different.)
WES
Oh my god what did you do?
MUCK
One can only learn through doing. The first instance seemed harmless enough, I don’t see how -
(Enter Mallory.)
MALLORY
Oh. Hello.
CHARLIE
Hey! Uh - sorry, we’re just closing up now, I must have forgotten to lock the door.
MALLORY
I’ll only be a moment. I forgot something here a couple weeks ago and was wondering if you have some sort of lost and…
(She trails off, spotting the cube in Muck’s hand.)
Oh. You found it.
CHARLIE
Did you say a couple…
WES
Weeks. Yeah. She said a couple weeks.
CHARLIE
But we just found it, uhm. A few minutes ago.
MUCK
Interesting.
How did you come to own this thing?
MALLORY
Does that matter? It’s mine.
WES
Holy shit Muck you fucked with the magic cube and now we’ve just Back To The Future’d ourselves
CHARLIE
I’m sure there’s some sort of reasonable explanation for this! Right Muck?
MUCK
Again - not magic.
MALLORY
You three messed with it, didn’t you?
WES
I told them it was a bad idea!
CHARLIE
It’s gonna be fine!
MALLORY
Just give it to me, okay? So what, you lost two weeks. It’s just two weeks.
MUCK
Why would we give it to you. We don’t even know your name.
MALLORY
Mallory. There. Give it to me.
WES
Maybe it’s a good idea to just pass it over? I just, holy shit, I just want to go to bed and wake up from this weird dream.
MUCK
No way.
MALLORY
I swear to god!
(Mallory lunges for the cube. Muck lurches the cube away.)
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[[TAP THE CUBE ->Scene A1]]
[[GRAB THE CUBE->Scene A2]]
[[WAIT FOR YOUR DRINKS->IK2]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(Muck lets go of the cube in shock, but they have already moved. Wes, Charlie, and Muck have been moved in space across town, into the back of a local 24 hour diner.)
MUCK
Ok, so now we know what doing that does.
WES
We just… MOVED.
MUCK
Yes, Wes. We did.
CHARLIE
I guess the magic box wants us to go get milkshakes?
WES
We moved. Are you guys not. Are you guys not more surprised by that?!
MUCK
The object’s abilities seem to be...more complex than initially thought.
WES
No shit.
(Wes looks at their nails, shaking their head.)
CHARLIE
Milkshakes? Disco fries? Think as we eat?
MUCK
I could be...amenable to that.
WES
Yeah, ok. But I’m not paying for the fries. Emotional reparation.
CHARLIE
I thought you liked the nails!
WES
What if they never turn back, Charlie? What then?
CHARLIE
You just...you just look sick forever!
WES
When I’m ninety-three??
CHARLIE
Yeah, you’ll be the sickest grandparent ever.
WES
I sure feel sick.
CHARLIE
Whatever, I’m hungry.
WES
Fine.
(Muck picks up the cube gingerly, being sure not to manipulate anything. Muck observes it.)
MUCK
So. We are dealing with an object of presumably great power.
It can manipulate not only the physical appearance of those who touch it, but it can also transport them through space.
CHARLIE
Fucked if true.
WES
It IS true, Charlie. It is.
MUCK
So the question is: are we controlling the cube, or is it controlling us?
(The server, Mallory, walks up to the table. She looks exhausted, and initially takes no notice of the cube.)
MALLORY
Can I get you all something to drink?
CHARLIE
I’ll have a cookies and cream milkshake, please!
MUCK
A coke, thanks.
WES
Water is fine.
MALLORY
And are you guys ready to order y- oh my god.
(Mallory has noticed the cube, and she lunges towards it. Muck blocks her from the cube.)
CHARLIE
Wh-what are you doing?
MALLORY
That’s mine. That’s my- that’s mine. I’ve been looking for it.
MUCK
I find that highly unlikely.
WES
You don’t want this thing.
MALLORY
Yes, I do- it’s mine- (she takes a closer look at Charlie.) I recognize you- do you work at the bar?
CHARLIE
Uh, no-
MALLORY
Oh, how could I be so stupid. I must have left it there- (she lunges toward the cube that Muck is holding again.)
Give it to me. You can’t have it, you don’t know what it can do!
MUCK
I believe we ordered drinks?
MALLORY
Fine- I’ll be right back. And I’m taking that with me.
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[[GO TO THE CABIN->AE1]]
[[NO WAY, USE THE CUBE!->AE2]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(Muck realizes what they did instantly. It’s a little hard not to, seeing as the diner around them has suddenly changed to a completely different location; instead of being in a diner, the four are now standing in a snow drift, shivering.)
WES
Are you kidding me?
MALLORY
How did you not realize what that would do?
MUCK
Odd. We must be somewhere far further North than we began.
WES
Great! This is a mess, how are we supposed to get back?
CHARLIE
I’m sure someone will be able to help us!
(Charlie calls out through the snow.)
CHARLIE
Helloo! Is anyone out there?
MALLORY
(Mock calling back out)
No!
MUCK
Look over there! It appears to be a cabin of some sort.
WES
Oh, great! A cabin in the woods. We’re so going to get murdered. </br>
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[[SNEAK AROUND THE SPACESHIP->AE3]]
[[STAY IN THE WAREHOUSE->AE4]]
[[THROW YOUR BODY ONTO THE CUBES->IK3]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(The four appear on an alien spaceship. It is a completely foreign environment. They are in a warehouse. A shelf behind them is filled with cubes.)
WES
Again? AGAIN??
Charlie, why did you-
MALLORY
We’re on their ship.
WES
Wha- who’s ship?
MALLORY
(Mallory gestures to the cube, points at the cubes all around them on the shelves.)
Their ship.
CHARLIE
ALIENS?!
Dude, you don’t mean real aliens? Are we in SPACE?!
MUCK
(Muck is looking around, entranced, validated.)
They’re real.
They’re here and they’re real.
I was right.
I was always right.
MALLORY
Would you all shut up?!
I’ve been here before. They...took me here.
WES
Heh, did they probe you or whatever?
MUCK
That’s science fiction.
WES
And this isn’t?
MALLORY
These...aliens. The cubes belong to them. It’s, like, their way of life. All of them each have one, and they know how to use them.
CHARLIE
Are we...in danger?
MALLORY
Possibly. Probably not.
(Muck points at a screen.)
MUCK
Look at this...it looks like a computer.
With a list.
(A list of garbled numbers, each is the serial number of a cube. One is in red, but it’s flashing yellow.)
MUCK
I think it’s monitoring the objects.
WES
What if they find us?
I don’t wanna get killed by aliens and then have nobody but MUCK believe it!
(Muck walks back towards one of the shelves full of cubes. Most of the shelves in this room are full of cubes.)
MUCK
There’s so many of them...think of the power that they hold. No wonder we have so little evidence of alien encounters- they have complete control. All the cards are in their hands.
CHARLIE
What do we do now?
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[[WES PICKS THE CUBE UP->BE1]]
[[HAND MALLORY THE CUBE->IK4]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(Charlie and Wes are closing up at the bar.)
CHARLIE
Hey, Wes? You almost finished up up here? I wanna get going.
WES
Uh - yeah. Hey, come look at this.
CHARLIE
I just have homework due in the morning that I really need to get done?
WES
This’ll only take a minute, I swear. Look what someone left on the bar.
CHARLIE
What is that?
WES
I dunno. Some sort…
CHARLIE
Does this feel weird to you?
WES
Yeah. I just got the...scariest deja vu ever. It’s like I’ve done this...before…
(They look at each other, then at the cube. Wes drops it like they’ve been scalded.)
CHARLIE
Oh my god! Did it…
WES
We are not touching that thing again. No way. This is like, a blessing. We hit the magic reverse switch or something. Let’s just toss the thing and call it a night and we can absolutely just pretend there is no magic cube and that we never saw the magic cube and
CHARLIE
What about Muck? Do you think they’re back?
WES
I dunno. Holy shit let’s get rid of it please.
(Charlie isn’t listening any more, too busy fiddling with their phone. They hit Muck’s number and wait for a moment with baited breath.)
CHARLIE
Hey, uh, Muck?
Are you here? Like...sorry, this is wild, but can you give me a call back as soon as you get this?
WES
If they get it.
CHARLIE
Something weird just happened and I just want to make sure you’re okay, so just give me a call -
(The door opens - or rather, someone tries to open it. Wes moves to open the door and lets in Muck, who spots the cube and strides right past Wes to go look at it.)
WES
Well. Hi to you, too.
MUCK
Yes, hello. How interesting. It seems to have launched us back to the moment before you realized the cube has power beyond this world.
CHARLIE
Wes thinks we should throw it out.
MUCK
Why would we do that, now?
WES
Uh, maybe ‘cause I’m not looking to get, like, like that scene in Click where Adam Sandler fast forwards through his whole life and then breaks down over it? Thanks no thanks?
MUCK
Well, we ought to decide sooner rather than later. I saw Mallory heading this way as well, and she will want to get her hands on it.
CHARLIE
What’s up with her?
WES
She’s cube-crazy or something. I don’t want to be cube-crazy.
MUCK
We’d better decide now, seeing as she’s -
(The door slams open and in comes Mallory!)
MALLORY
Look, just hand it over and we can all just put this behind us, okay?
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[[HEAD TO THE STUDIO->BE3]]
[[LEAVE THE BACKLOT->BE4]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(Mallory looks around in shock. It’s 1952, and they’ve landed on a Hollywood backlot.)
MALLORY
Oh no.
WES
What just happened? Did we move again? I hate this, Charlie. I hate this shit. I feel like I’m getting motion sickness, anyone else feeling that?
CHARLIE
Lighten up, Wes! This is the most interesting thing that’s happened to us, like, ever. Don’t waste it being a fuckin’ spoilsport!
MUCK
If I’m not mistaken, we seem to have travelled in time.
WES
What! How do you know?
MALLORY
Look around. We stick out like a sore thumb.
CHARLIE
No WAY! COOL!
MUCK
Looks- mid-century? 40s, 50s? And this looks...Hollywood.
WES
Oh, cute. No cell phones, no friends, AND there’s rampant homophobia. Sounds fun!
MALLORY
Come on. We need to blend in if we want any chance of fixing this.
WES
Tell that to my neon green nails!
(Mallory gestures for them to follow.)
MUCK
I am afraid that we may cause suspicion-
MALLORY
Trust me. I got this.
(Mallory enters the warehouse. She takes the cube out from her pocket, manipulates it, seemingly focusing on a thought. After a moment, she smiles up at the only woman there, an assistant.)
MALLORY
What are all these clothes for, miss?
ASSISTANT
(The woman seems dazed, smiling too wide.)
The picture! The big one with Jane Russell, the musical. Are you in it?
CHARLIE
(whisper)
Did you just do something with the cube?
MALLORY
(whisper)
Mind manipulation. It’s what it’s best at.
CHARLIE
Yes. We are! We are in…that movie!
ASSISTANT
Wonderful! Sit here, let me find you all something to wear...it’s a party scene, in France.
(The assistant exits, humming merrily to herself.)
MUCK
Incredible...mind manipulation. Have you done this before?
MALLORY
All the time. Saves me the effort of getting to know anybody.
WES
Wait, is that why you had it with you at the bar? To score a date??
MALLORY
Yeah. And it worked.
CHARLIE
You have a magic box that can do anything and you use it to get laid?
MALLORY
Problem?
(The assistant returns, with four outfits on hangers.)
ASSISTANT
Dressing rooms are just over there! Better hurry, call is in five minutes!
(The four run to get dressed.)
ASSISTANT
Oh, aren’t you all darling! The scene is in studio E, around the corner!
CHARLIE
Well, gee, missus! Thank’ya ever so much!
WES
Never speak again.
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</html> <center>
<a href="https://youtu.be/rW4Zrzm1jNk"> ATTEND OUR LIVE PREMIERE AT 6:30 PM EST</a>
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<img src = "https://enter-the-cube.neocities.org/cube.jpeg">
[[CLICK HERE TO BEGIN->SCENE 1]]
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</center>
[[CREDITS]]<img src= "https://p1.pxfuel.com/preview/425/700/873/ladies-grandma-old-joy-headscarf-park-bench.jpg" width = 300 height = 450 /img>
Muck, Charlie, and Wes grew old in their town, living terribly normal lives with absolutely no cube involvement. After all - there can be no story if you never take any risks!
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[[Choose again->SCENE 1]]<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a_pCPoUFKKQzbdlG99rBL8VxnC4QCRh5/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
[[CHOOSE AGAIN->Scene B1]]
[[START AGAIN->SCENE 1]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>MUCK
Why should you have it?
WES
Oh my Gooood let’s not do this? We’re, like, saved right now. I don’t know about you two, but me? I’m happy here, okay? I’m totally fine not getting catapulted around in time for the rest of my life, so I vote we just hand it over.
MALLORY
Good vote.
CHARLIE
I don’t know...doesn’t she seem a little...unstable to you?
MALLORY
I’m literally right here.
CHARLIE
Sorry.
MUCK
You really think giving it to her is the best idea?
WES
Yeah! I do! In fact -
(They toss the cube to Mallory)
Here! It’s yours. Go be - Cube-crazy somewhere else.
MALLORY
Thanks.
(And she’s gone.)
CHARLIE
Wes! We should’ve voted or something! Who knows what she’s gonna do with it.
WES
Hey - as long as she does...whatever it is she wants far away from me, I’m good with it. C’mon, we gotta finish cleaning up.
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[[MALLORY TOSSES THE CUBE UP IN THE AIR->BE1.1]]
[[MALLORY TAPS THE BOTTOM OF THE CUBE->BE1.2]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>(We’ve moved in time again. Still in the bar, but now it’s very different. Dusty, a mess, missing more furniture than not. After a moment the four realize something - they’re all older.)
WES
Are you fucking kidding me?!
CHARLIE
Hey, you’re the one who touched the thing this time.
MALLORY
I think we have bigger problems than who touched the cube. If you three would stop fucking with it and just hand it to me we could all be in bed and you (She looks at Charlie) - are going grey.
CHARLIE
(Touches their hair.)
I am. Yikes.
WES
Why am I wearing a wedding ring? Oh my god who am I hitched to?
CHARLIE
Ooo, let me see!
It’s pretty.
WES
That’s so not the point.
MALLORY
You idiots shoved us forward in time. AGAIN. Give me the cube, maybe I can figure out how to get us back.
MUCK
So you know how the facets of the cube work and can manipulate them intentionally?
MALLORY
...I have the most experience with it.
CHARLIE
I’m gonna take that as a no.
WES
Do we even have a choice? Here. You try.
</span></p>
</body>
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</head>
<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(The four of them walk to the studio around the corner.)
CHARLIE
Are we gonna be in a movie? Are we gonna be FAMOUS?
MUCK
Looks like it.
WES
This may be, probably, totally all a dream, but I...I don’t hate this. Fuck it, let’s go like...party with Marilyn Monroe!
MALLORY
Why not?
(They enter the studio.)
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
You’re late. Scene 19B. France, party scene. Look drunk. You probably already are.
(He looks them over, then looks at the scene.)
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
You, tall one- back of the scene.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
You two, table over to the left there. Take drinks from props, there, on your way.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
You, miss-
MALLORY
Mallory Mae Davis.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Miss Davis. Sit at the bar.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
That’s everyone, and that’s a MINUTE past call! That is NOT happening again, you all understand?
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
I don’t care what your excuse is, it’s time to work. Everyone look happy, it’s a party! Five seconds, four, three, two, ACTION!
</span></p>
</body>
</html>
THE END.
[[Start Again->SCENE 1]]<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/19L33Ef0X99wVSPnLdSBpU3EinobPHyb6/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
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</head>
<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
MUCK
Let’s just get out of here- we’ve caused enough trouble as it is.
WES
Are you kidding? What about being in a movie?
MUCK
Think about the temporal effects!
We aren’t meant to be here as it is. If we changed the past, we could damage the future...think about it. You kiss Marilyn Monroe once at a party, then bam! Butterfly effect cascades and Steve Jobs is never born.
CHARLIE
What’s that got to do with Steve Jobs?
MUCK
It was just an example.
MALLORY
Come on, let’s just go.
CHARLIE
Can we get lunch? I never got to eat my fries.
WES
How can you think about fries in a time like this!
CHARLIE
Easily.
(They exit the backlot. Mallory takes the cube back out of her pocket.)
MALLORY
It’s a long shot, but we could try to make it back home.
MUCK
Can I try? I have a hypothesis I’d like to test out.
MALLORY
No way. Not happening. I’m not losing it again.
MUCK
I’d give it right back, I’d just like to put it under some scientific assessments, to determine if there is a pattern to the object’s abilities.
MALLORY
NO.
CHARLIE
C’mon, Muck is totally legit. I’d trust them with my life.
MUCK
You’d-
MALLORY
No. You don’t get to have this. This is mine, and you stole it, and if you messed with it and got in trouble, it’s your own fault.
WES
How were we supposed to know this was going to happen?!
When you leave your shit behind in MY bar, that’s on YOU!
As far as I’m concerned, it’s all YOUR fault!
MALLORY
Fine!
Have fun, you three.
(Mallory squeezes the cube, and disappears, leaving the trio alone in 1952.)
WES
Well, shit.
</span></p>
</body>
</html>
THE END
[[Previous Choice->Scene B2]]
[[Start over->SCENE 1]] <img src= "https://i.pinimg.com/564x/d0/ee/ea/d0eeea820df742b71f711938fab0991e.jpg" width = 700 height = 450 /img>
How did you think that was gonna go?
[[Previous Choice->Scene A2]] <iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bZ3eDJt9WnIzK0_kQ--tasxYITwKZZMx/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>WES
I hate to say this, but maybe we should just use the Cube!
CHARLIE
What happened to hating the Cube?
WES
It’s a better option than freezing out here!
MUCK
Wes is correct.
WES
Unless it takes us to the inside of a volcano or something.
MALLORY
I am not giving you time to backtrack on this. Do something!
(Charlie looks at the cube before grabbing it, hard. They are suddenly back in the diner.)
MUCK
How did you get it to take us back?
CHARLIE
...I have no idea.
MALLORY
You’re all hopeless.
WES
At least we’re not all icicles.
MALLORY
Ready to admit you don’t know what you’re doing with that thing?
MUCK
Charlie seems to have a handle on it, actually.
CHARLIE
I do? I mean - yeah, I do!
MALLORY
You’ve got to be kidding me.
WES
Is anyone else starving?
MUCK
Mallory, would you be willing to put in our orders?
MALLORY
I hate you.
CHARLIE
A burger does sound really good right now.
MALLORY
...One burger.
</span></p></body></html>
THE END
[[Start Again->SCENE 1]]<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KgOEV_8wii9lkdZpPqis94UPjrbM34K8/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>MUCK
I think we should get moving. If they are truly this powerful, we shouldn’t sit like sitting ducks.
Besides, this could be my- our one opportunity to observe real alien life!
CHARLIE
Yeah, I agree. I think Muck always has the best ideas.
MUCK
I think you have the best ideas, too.
WES
Weird. But yeah, I think that sounds smart.
MALLORY
I don’t know. We have to be really careful.
MUCK
Could we use the object to our advantage?
MALLORY
I don’t really know how to do very much with it. I mostly focused on the mind control. People are like malleable objects to me.
WES
Sketchy, thanks for sharing!
MALLORY
I can’t help but share. You can’t lie on this ship. Just try it.
CHARLIE
I ha-have a nipple piercing!
WES
What the fuck, Charlie?
CHARLIE
What? C’mon, let’s go that way.
(They exit the warehouse. They face a corridor, with two directions to go down.)
MUCK
Which way, team?
MALLORY
Left.
(They take the passage at the left. The passage seems deserted.)
CHARLIE
Nobody home?
MUCK
Unlikely.
WES
How optimistic.
(They continue walking down the corridor. An alien appears and stares at them.)
WES
Shit.
(The Alien points at them. The cube in Mallory’s hands disappears.)
MALLORY
Give that back! Please!
(The Alien stares.)
(Muck steps forward, toward the alien.)
MUCK
Hello. My name is Morgan, and these are my friends. And also this other girl. We come in peace.
(The Alien stares.)
ALIEN
Then go in peace. Forget what you have witnessed.
(The four humans are transported out of the spaceship. They wake up back in the diner, exactly where they were in the booth.)
MALLORY
Do you all want something to drink?
</span></p>
</body>
</html>
THE END
[[Start Again->SCENE 1]]<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17L5uYrum3WnPnj3NWTMvlC2qnzeVymEW/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>MUCK
Well, clearly this, (They motion to the blinking serial number on the screen.) is the cube we’re in possession of.
WES
So we put it back and like, apologize and ask nicely to just go home? How about that?
MALLORY
Like hell.
Who knows what they’d do if they found out I stole one of their...whatever these are.
MUCK
Why should we leave empty handed?
CHARLIE
Don’t you think they might hunt us down for one of these? They’re so powerful…
WES
How did you get in here in the first place?
MALLORY
None of your business.
WES
Are you kidding me? You left that thing on the bar and got us all into this mess in the first place!
MALLORY
I didn’t mean to leave it there!
WES
Well I didn’t mean to spend the night with you all freaking out about some all powerful cube-thing!
CHARLIE
Woah! I think maybe we should all, uh, take a breath or…
WES
Do not tell me to calm down, Charlie, I swear to god, I am going to absolutely lose it.
MALLORY
Like you haven’t been this whole time.
MUCK
HEY! We should be spending our time trying to figure out our next step, not squabbling with each other like children.
CHARLIE
I agree with Muck.
WES
You literally always agree with Muck.
MALLORY
You really do.
CHARLIE
Do not! Not always, just when they say something reasonable!
MUCK
Which is most of the time.
CHARLIE
Which is most of the time! Right.
WES
Riiiight. And not ‘cause you two are…
MUCK
We aren’t anything.
CHARLIE
Right! What’s - what’s that supposed to mean?
MALLORY
Are you kidding me? You two have been making eyes at each other this whole time.
CHARLIE
Making eyes?
WES
You literally have Muck’s name saved with a heart next to it in your phone.
CHARLIE
You weren’t supposed to tell anyone that!
WES
Well, what else was I supposed to do?
MUCK
You do?
CHARLIE
I mean...yeah. Shit - wait, I wanted to say no!
MALLORY
Yeah, that’s part of this whole thing, no lying. At least I can’t. It’s better to go for evasive rather than outright lies.
MUCK
A latent truth field...interesting. They must value honesty more than most.
WES
Great, so they won’t lie to us, whatever. Does that computer have, like, instructions or something? I wanna get home before they figure out we’re here.
MALLORY
It might. Budge over, let me look.
(Mallory moves towards the computer screen and looks it over.)
MUCK
So. A heart emoji?
CHARLIE
...Uhm….yeah.
MUCK
Right. Well.
CHARLIE
Oh my god just reject me already please end this.
WES
You’re both ridiculous.
MUCK
No, I - I don’t mind.
CHARLIE
You don’t...mind?
MALLORY
Fuck yeah! Here, gimmie the cube.
WES
How can we trust you? Who’s to say you don’t just, like, pop off and leave us here?
MALLORY
I won’t leave you here. Truth field, remember?
(Charlie, after a moment’s hesitation, passes over the cube. Mallory turns it over in her hands before poking at one of the panels on it. They are transported, suddenly, to the bar - exactly as it has been when they left it.)
WES
Oh oh oh thank god, Earth air again, holy shit.
MALLORY
Now I’ll be goi-
MUCK
Wait. They’ll want that back, I’m sure. You should stick around. Safety in numbers, after all.
CHARLIE
Yeah! Friends?
MALLORY
...Fine. You’re right. Safety in numbers. But this doesn’t mean we’re friends, alright?
WES
Suuuuure.
CHARLIE
We’re totally friends.
</span></p>
</body>
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THE END
[[Start Again->SCENE 1]]<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Q5pdWpa_-1eHg-LH52Y66qOaeCsSyxr/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>(...Nothing happens. They’re all still in the now-closed bar, all still ten years older, all still standing around as Mallory fiddles with the cube.)
CHARLIE
...So, definitely a no, then.
MALLORY
Shut up. Like you could do better.
WES
Who am I married to?
MUCK
(Notices a ring on their finger as well. Huh. They reach for a pocket and pull out a phone. The lock screen is a wedding picture. Double huh.)
Me.
WES
No way.
CHARLIE
You two don’t even like each other?!
MALLORY
Are you kidding? Do you even care that you’re older now?
CHARLIE
Not really. Hey - I bet I graduated! Didn’t even have to suffer through college!
WES
I told you all we were gonna get Adam Sandler’d but no, why would you listen to me?
MUCK
Maybe this isn’t the worst thing that could happen. It seems we have been moved forward in time into the bodies and lives we will have in ten years from the day we found the cube, so we don’t have to worry too much about the butterfly effect or other temporal displacements. I agree with Charlie that not having to worry about surviving through college.
WES
Oh, so now you’re a silver linings type?
MALLORY
So you’re telling me you’re okay with this?
MUCK
I’m telling you it isn’t the worst possible outcome of messing around with an unknown item with unknown power.
WES
Why do you think we got married?
MUCK
You started to find me charming?
WES
...Huh.
MALLORY
Oh my god.
CHARLIE
The fact it takes being moved to past your wedding for you to realize maybe you don’t hate Muck is a little ridiculous.
WES
Shut up. Mallory, how’s the...cube thing working?
MALLORY
...It isn’t.
WES
Maybe you uh...used up its charges? Maybe it just needs some time to recharge or something?
MALLORY
It doesn’t work like that.
MUCK
You don’t actually know how it works.
MALLORY
Shut the fuck up.
CHARLIE
Well, I think I would probably still live in town years later, right? Maybe we should just...call it a night. Go crash at mine?
WES
Do we still live here?
MUCK
By the looks of these pictures, yes.
MALLORY
Of course you three would still live here.
WES
You know, maybe Muck’s right.
CHARLIE
That’s a first.
WES
Come on. I’m just...maybe this isn’t the worst possible thing that could happen. Maybe we’re all happier here than we were back then.
MALLORY
If you three want to stay here but old, knock yourselves out.
CHARLIE
I mean...I’m cool with it.
MUCK
I am as well.
WES
...You know what. Yeah. Maybe this is the best possible outcome. Who’s to say where we’ll end up if we fuck with it again, you know? We could wind up dead - who’s to say we’d get back to before?
MALLORY
Well. Have fun, then. I’m taking this and I’m going back, somehow.
CHARLIE
Good luck.
(Mallory storms out, cube in hand. The trio look at each other for a long moment.)
WES
Shit...do you think we have kids?
</span></p></body></html>
THE END
[[Start Again->SCENE 1]]<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WiJeXtygPqLwjTM9zF3Z1yncblnwO4EF/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>(The bar is normal again. All four are back to their original ages and clothes.)
MALLORY
I told you all I know how to use this thing.
CHARLIE
Good job!
MUCK
Or you got lucky.
WES
Does it matter? We’re back! We’re fine! I’m not married anymore, thank god, we can put this whole thing to rest now, right?
MALLORY
Right. So, I’ll be keeping this and heading out, then.
CHARLIE
Wait - where did you even get the cube to start with? What are you gonna do with it? You, like...aren’t gonna try to end the world with it or anything, right?
MALLORY
One question at a time.
WES
They have a point. That thing is scary unpredictable.
MALLORY
I found it. And I’m not going to use it to end the world.
MUCK
What have you been doing with it until now, then? Why did you have it in a bar?
MALLORY
...I figured out how to make it make me seem hotter.
WES
You...You’ve been using the interdimensional magic time changing cube in order to pull dates?!
MALLORY
And skip the line at the DMV!
WES
Oh, ‘cause that’s so much better.
CHARLIE
No, no, she has a point.
MUCK
So you’re going to keep using it to get dates and not wait in line?
MALLORY
Uh, yeah? Duh?
MUCK
...Fine.
WES
Are you kidding? We can’t just let her run around the world with a cube that can do god knows what, she might like, accidentally destroy the world or something, and then it’ll be on our conscience! I don’t want that on my shoulders, and I’m sure none of you do -
CHARLIE
Well, she already left, so.
(Wes blinks. Mallory is, indeed, gone, having teleported off with the cube to god knows where in order to do god knows what.)
MUCK
Interesting. I suppose all we can do is hope she is at least a little reasonable.
WES
That’s it, then?
MUCK
Listen. It’s four am. I’m tired. This has been grand and has left me with a lot to research, but she’s gone, and she took the cube with her. I believe it’d be best if we just go home and I can do some further research on this...Cube.
CHARLIE
We can help!
WES
We?
CHARLIE
Well, you’re not gonna leave us hanging, are you?
WES
Since when are we an us?
MUCK
I do believe that would be when we traveled through time together.
WES
...Fine. You have a point. We can go and...research together, or whatever. But I am not touching anything else suspicious, okay?
CHARLIE
Okay. Let’s get outta here, before Mallory comes back or something!
MUCK
Want to go get something to eat at the diner?
WES
Yeah. That sounds good. Let’s.
</span></p></body></html>
THE END
[[Start Again->SCENE 1]]<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CP-ccC0-gXUs1vBWrtBPWkJpVNaE0Rc3/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
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</head>
<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>
(The four wait a few feet outside the simple log cabin, hesitating before going further.)
MUCK
I’ll check inside.
MALLORY
Fine by me.
CHARLIE
Be careful!!
(Muck returns from the cabin.)
MUCK
Coast is clear. The residence is decidedly unoccupied.
WES
Yeah, for now.
(The four reluctantly enter the cabin. It is simple and cold, but it has a stove, kitchen, beds, and canned food. It also looks dusty and unused.)
MALLORY
Gross.
CHARLIE
I think it’s cute! It’s like...rustic and charming.
WES
It would be way more charming if I didn’t feel like I was going to either get axe-murdered in my sleep, mauled by a bear, or freeze to death first!
MUCK
Luckily for us, I always carry my trusty scout kit- (they look in their pockets for an absurdly long time, the others watch in disbelief) -AHA! A lighter.
(Muck kneels to light the fire.)
MUCK
Much better.
CHARLIE
This is so cozy! I could get used to this!
TEXT: ONE YEAR LATER.
(A year later. The friends living in the cabin. Muck is staring at the cube.)
MUCK
Sometimes I wonder...sometimes I wonder what if-
(Wes walks through the door, holding a bundle of sticks.)
WES
Look what I got! Didn’t get mauled by a bear, or axe-murdered by an angry logger, or-
CHARLIE
-frozen to death in a blizzard?
WES
Or frozen to death in a blizzard.
MUCK
(Muck sighs, putting the cube aside.)
Better not to wonder.
Who’s cooking dinner tonight?
</span></p></body></html>
THE END
[[Start Again->SCENE 1]]<center>
THE CUBE
Written by Justine Gerace and Maeve Montague
Directed by Hannah Pederson and Maeve Montague
THE CAST:
CHARLIE
Will Rainwater
WES
Hannah Waskowitz
MUCK
Alejandro Ortiz
MALLORY
Shannon Trageser
COSTUME ASSISTANT
Zoey Jones
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Julian Mazzola
THE ALIEN
Emma Richmond
THE CUBE was produced as part of The New School for Drama's BFA Repertory Company in Fall 2020.
The Faculty Advisor for THE CUBE was Jerzy Gwiazdowski.
[[RETURN TO HOMEPAGE->START]]
<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4oY3v0jAWr4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</center><iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10oBA4oOsEJ0BZs5TVqTh_0t7G8OsMhi8/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
[[Choose again->Scene A]]
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<span class="toggleLink" onclick="toggleDisplay('elaboration_1',this)">Display Script</span> <span class="elaboration" id="elaboration_1"><br>(Mallory returns, setting down a glass.)
MALLORY
There. Drinks. Now give it to me.
WES
Yeah, uh - here -
(They reach for the Cube but are stopped by Muck)
MUCK
What do you plan to do with it?
MALLORY
Are you kidding me? We had a deal!
CHARLIE
I don’t think we made a deal?
MALLORY
I swear to GOD -
[She takes the cube, jabs a finger at a side and is gone.)
MUCK
Well. Shit.
</span></p>
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