NEVER ALONE
written by Tobie Abad

JEFF, College student. Decent and good looking. Well built frame.
TELEPHONE, High tech design. One of the later touch-tone models. Very open- minded and has a tendency to talk much.
COMPUTER, seductive and mysterious. Hates older "brother", TELEVISION. Very bigheaded. Sees herself as above others in the house.
TELEVISION, older "brother" of Computer. Very idealistic. Still black and white.
RIA, JEFF�s girlfriend.
DOCTOR, extra. No lines.

Lights fade in to reveal TELEPHONE, COMPUTER and TELEVISION in the room. The place is quite messy: pieces of paper scattered here and there, dirty clothes on the floor, books lying around, magazines piled all over. A window indicates its night-time. The COMPUTER is left on, a screensaver showing on the monitor.

TELEVISION: (groaning in annoyance) Looks like he hasn�t fixed the place until now.

TELEPHONE: Oh, give him a break, Teev. It is not like he has to fix the place up, you know.

TELEVISION: Not fix the place up?

TELEPHONE: Fer crying out loud, Teev, its HIS house. If he�s comfortable with all that mess around him, then I�d say just let him be! Who�re you to mess the way he lives his life anyway, huh? You aren�t even HUMAN.

TELEVISION: That�s not the point and you know it.

TELEPHONE: You know, the problem with you is that you�re old. You were BUILT at a time when there were too many irrelevant and unnecessary things being practiced. Like proper grooming, for one.

TELEVISION: Proper grooming?

TELEPHONE: Yes, proper grooming. During your days, which happened quite a great number of years ago if I may add, men were required to walk about wearing barongs and the like. Men were asked to keep their hair short. What was that again, behind the ears and not past the eyebrows? But that isn�t the way things are any more.

TELEVISION: No way.

TELEPHONE: Yup. Guys nowadays go about wearing hair longer that their girlfriends!

TELEVISION: No� really?

TELEPHONE: (trying to keep from laughing) Uh huh. Ask my younger cousin, CELL. She was lucky enough to be carried along with JEFF when he went out on a double date!

TELEVISION: Double date?

TELEPHONE: Yeah, you know. When two guys are out on a date with two girls. That way the lovers can meet and yet still hang around with their friends.

TELEVISION: I am confused. I�m too old for all this.

TELEPHONE: Naw. You�re just old. You know, the way I see it-

Gets interrupted as a call comes through. TELEPHONE begins to shake as he rings.

JEFF: (off stage) Coming!

JEFF enters the stage. He is wearing a pair of slacks but no shirt on. He looks as if he�s getting ready for a formal occasion of some sort. He walks to the TELEPHONE then picks it up.

TELEVISION: (whispering) Who is it?

TELEPHONE: (unable to answer, beings to grunt and show expressions that he can�t talk)

TELEVISION: (still whispering but a bit more determined) Who???

TELEPHONE: (grunts again, trying to get the message across that he can�t talk)

TELEVISION: (confused) What�s wrong? Who is it? Is it bad news?

JEFF could be seen having a very serious discussion. He paces too and fro.

COMPUTER: (very annoyed) Oh will you stop bugging TeePee. He�s obviously occupied. Can�t you see he�s being used?

TELEVISION: Oh yeah (reflective, then amused) Nice to see you awake, sis.

COMPUTER: Will you please quit calling me that. And for your information, you interactively-challenged black and white limited reception device� I am generations AWAY from you. We are not, nor have we even been siblings.

TELEVISION: (buffed) Fine.

COMPUTER: And the name is� (pausing, screen flickers, drives read) DIABLO???

JEFF says goodbye and puts the phone down. As he walks out of the stage, COMPUTER reverts to her screensaver. TELEVISION remains as he was.

TELEPHONE: Awwwwww, that was soo sweet!

COMPUTER: What happened to Tomb Raider? Why, I liked it better when he called me LARA CROFT.

TELEVISION: (ignoring COMPUTER) Who was it?

TELEPHONE: (seeing COMPUTER�s screen flashing) What�s with her?

COMPUTER: (traumatic scream) Augh! DIABLO? Sounds like some demon from the depths of deletion! Or perhaps some horrendous graphic act of sexual gratification! I cannot abide by this!

TELEVISION: Uh, don�t mind her. Identity problems again I think. You know her. Whatever JEFF last used tends to remain in her memory.

TELEPHONE: Well, its was RIA, his girlfriend. She called off their date for tomorrow night. She says she has to go to her aunt�s place. Its her aunt�s birthday today it seems.

TELEVISION: But he didn�t seem to look that sad when he placed YOU down.

TELEPHONE: Well, that�s just it! He offered to be the one to bring her there! Isn�t that so nice!

TELEVISION: Very!

COMPUTER suddenly gives another scream which grabs the attention of the two. TELEPHONE shakes his head while TELEVISION looks on. Very concerned.

COMPUTER: (searing with anger) Do.. you� have� any idea� what this DIABLO is supposed to look like?

TELEPHONE and TELEVISION: (simultaneously) NO and we don�t give a damn.

COMPUTER: (sulking) Hmmmmph� Well at least some of us here are still JEFF�s favorite.

TELEPHONE: Hey wait a minute!

COMPUTER: What�s wrong? Can�t take the truth? Unlike you (motions to TELEPHONE) I get to be JEFF�s focus of attentions at least ONCE A DAY. While you on the other hand, well� what was his term? IN COMING CALLS ONLY!

TELEPHONE: (struggling to get closer but unable to) Why you!

COMPUTER: (motions to TELEVISION) And you, my surprisingly undeparted ancestor� when was the last time JEFF or anyone before him noticed you?

TELEVISION: (shrugging it off) It does not matter. I served very well in my time-

COMPUTER: (interrupting) and now you still do. Of course, as a piece of decoration.

TELEVISION snarls. TELEPHONE looks at COMPUTER with a shocked expression.

COMPUTER: An extra table if the need emerges� which doesn�t!

TELEVISION shaking to come closer but like TELEPHONE is unable to. TELEPHONE looking at COMPUTER as if trying to say "SHUT UP!"

COMPUTER :Or worse� dare it say it?

TELEVISION: Just try�

COMPUTER: (triumph in her voice) An Antique!

TELEVISION buckles and reaches as far as he could for COMPUTER but of course fails to move even an inch closer. TELEPHONE looks away in fear of what might happen. COMPUTER simply laughs horribly pleased with annoying TELEVISION.

COMPUTER: The times have changed, my dearie. You are yesterday�s news.

TELEVISION breaks into tears. TELEPHONE reaches out to comfort him but fails.

TELEVISION: Is it true�

TELEPHONE: Oh, ignore the artificial intelligence. She doesn�t know anything.

COMPUTER: I don�t? Do I?

TELEPHONE: She�s just like that. She just loves-

TELEPHONE is interrupted once more when a phone call comes in. COMPUTER blips back her screensaver. TELEVISION grumbles a bit then closes his eyes to stop the tears. TELEPHONE gives COMPUTER one last glance and sticks his tongue out.

TELEPHONE: Used only once my ass!

JEFF arrives again, fully dressed now. He picks up the phone, smiles then begins to walk a bit again. As the discussion moves, he gets more and more agitated.

COMPUTER: Well, I wonder who it is and what it could be about?

TELEVISION: Quit bothering us, DIABLO. Oh, and come to think of it� the name DOES fit.

COMPUTER: (sneers) At least it isn�t Antique.

TELEPHONE: Guys, hush up. This sounds very serious.

COMPUTER: Oh come on! TeePee, I wouldn�t be surprised if you simply love listening in other people�s conversations! Why, I wouldn�t be surprised if you�re simply obsessed with eavesdropping!

TELEVISION: It�s his job fer crying out loud! (an afterthought) Come to think of it, why is it we never hear what JEFF says?

COMPUTER: Its all in the frequencies, Neanderthal of my wires. Unlike you or me, TeePee here has a microphone built it. It allows him to pick up JEFF�s voice and converts it into the language we know. That also explains why JEFF can never hear us.

TELEVISION: Never?

TELEPHONE: (tense) Shhhh!

COMPUTER: Never. And I have no idea why TeePee here is telling us to shut up. Its not like JEFF can hear us anyway.

TELEPHONE: Shhhh!

TELEVISION: (whispering) What�s going on?

JEFF closes the phone, drops to the floor then kicks about a bit. He stands, slamming a fist on the TELEPHONE (who doesn�t react a hint of pain) then grabs his hair and closes his eyes tight. He looks very pissed. Very very pissed. TELEPHONE is very shocked. COMPUTER and TELEVISION almost simultaneously turn to face TELEPHONE.

TELEVISION: Well, what? Who was it.

COMPUTER: Tell us, you primitive device!

TELEPHONE: (slyly looking at COMPUTER) I�m not telling.

COMPUTER: Oh for Rust�s sake, tell us!

TELEPHONE: (to COMPUTER) Nah, you wouldn�t be interested. (then to TELEVISION) It was RIA again. She just told him that he could keep the CD game.

TELEVISION: CD game?

COMPUTER: Well now that would be the thing in me� (hesitates, looks a bit embarrassed) I mean, the thing JEFF uses to play with me� (pauses again) I mean�

TELEVISION: That�s it? That�s all she called for?

TELEPHONE: No� not really�

COMPUTER: (shocked expression again) Waitaminute! JEFF is keeping DIABLO? But but� that�ll mean my name isn�t going to change anytime soon!

TELEPHONE: RIA was also upset about something.

TELEVISION: Upset? What?

COMPUTER: Oh no� what should I do? I can�t stand this! I can�t! I deserve a better name!

TELEPHONE: Well, it seems she isn�t really going to her Aunt�s place.

TELEVISION: She isn�t?

COMPUTER: Aren�t any of you two listening to me? I shall be cursed with a name such as DIABLO forever! How in the world will I attract a MODEM? Am I doomed to live a single and unconnected life?

TELEVISION: Will you shut up? This is serious here.

COMPUTER: For your information, I�m-

COMPUTER goes silent as JEFF suddenly enters the room. He looks bad, his hair a mess, his clothes pulled and crumbled. His eyes swollen. He turns on the COMPUTER and begins to open a program. He grabs a sheet of paper and places it on the printer, then takes hold of the keyboard and starts typing.

TELEVISION: Thank Rust for JEFF. He sure silenced Diablo.

TELEPHONE: I�m not so sure about that.

TELEVISION: What do you mean?

COMPUTER: (triumphant) Hah!

TELEVISION: (groans) How?

COMPUTER: MULTI-TASKING!

TELEPHONE: Told you. (pauses to look at the gloating COMPUTER then ignores her) Anyway, it seems RIA was trying to find a way to break JEFF the news.

TELEVISION: Oh damn�

COMPUTER: Boys! Check it out! JEFF just loves running his fingers on my keys, pressing all the right buttons! Love the way each finger just drops the right amount of weight each time! Oh yes� JEFF is just sooo good! And the Mouse? Wouldn�t you like to know how he holds it? But.. sorry boys, I�m not telling you that! Look at how he stares at my monitor! (to TELEVISION) Something YOU will never experience again!

TELEPHONE: (to COMPUTER) Cut that out. (to TELEVISION) Well, that�s not the last of it. JEFF tried to talk to RIA out of her decision. They kinda tossed some words back and forth.

TELEVISION: So? They had fights before right?

COMPUTER: (suddenly worried) Oh Rust�

TELEPHONE: No, you don�t understand, this time its final.

TELEVISION: Final? Kinda like when shows come to an end and they stop giving them airtime? That kind of final?

COMPUTER: You have no idea how final it is.

JEFF stands up, grabs the print-out, then walks off stage.

COMPUTER: My Rust! It was a SUICIDE note!

TELEVISION: No!

TELEPHONE: What can we do?

COMPUTER: (very frantic) I don�t want to become Antique with the name DIABLO! No! No! No! I don�t want to�

TELEVISION: Wait! It�s not too late� we just have to think of what we can do!

TELEPHONE: But what can we do?

COMPUTER: Wait!

TELEPHONE and TELEVISION look at her simultaneously expecting a great idea.

COMPUTER: I�m no longer DIABLO! I�m MsWORD now! Cooky name but at least not that bad sounding!

TELEVISION: Diablo-

COMPUTER: Its MsWord. Miss Word!

TELEVISION: Ms Word, then! We�re serious here! JEFF might kill himself! And we better stop him!

TELEPHONE: Stop him? Like how? We can�t even move!

TELEVISION: Hmmm� wait, I think I got an idea.

LIGHTS OUT.

LIGHTS FADE IN half of stage to reveal JEFF standing alone. In his hands is a vial of tablets. He begins to unscrew the jar.

LIGHTS FADE IN other half to reveal TELEVISION, COMPUTER and TELEPHONE.

TELEVISION: TeePee can�t redial RIA�s number since it was she who called and not him. We have to contact� Miss Word! The phone number of RIA. It might be in JEFF�s files.

COMPUTER: Got it! 8425637!

TELEPHONE: Dialling! But I can�t speak Human! Neither can any of us!

TELEVISION: YOU can! I know you can! Translate our language to theirs!

LIGHTS FADE IN WHOLE STAGE to reveal RIA standing in center. She picks up a phone.

RIA: Hello?

TELEPHONE: Hello� uh�

RIA: Hello? Who is this?

TELEPHONE: Uh, what� what do I�

TELEVISION: Tell her JEFF is gonna kill himself!

TELEPHONE: Jeff is gonna kill himself.

RIA: (tense) What? Is this some kind of a joke?

COMPUTER: What about me?

TELEVISION: (to computer) Look for the number of the hospital or something like that. Any useful phone number.

RIA: What�s going on here? Is this you, JEFF? Is it?

TELEPHONE: Uh.. no.. this is.. his neighbor. You better come quick. He�s swallowed some tablets I think. And you better call the doctors and whoever else can help. Now�

RIA: Who is this?

COMPUTER: Found it!

TELEVISION: Hang up! TeePee hang up! We need to contact the doctors now!

TELEPHONE: (to RIA) I�m really sorry RIA but please come� JEFF needs you.

RIA: How did you know my-

TELEPHONE hangs up. RIA looks at the audience, makes the sign of the cross, then shakes her head. She prepares to sleep. Then she stops. She looks at the phone again then rises and goes OFF STAGE.

TELEPHONE: Hello? We need help. Our friend just drank a lot of tablets. Please come quick.

LIGHTS FADE OUT.

LIGHTS FADE IN to show JEFF in bed. TELEPHONE, TELEVISION and COMPUTER all quietly watch from the door. A DOCTOR checks his eyes, his breathing and his pulse then nods to RIA. He goes to the door. Stops and glances at the three objects feeling something watching him, then goes OFF STAGE. RIA comes close, sits beside JEFF.

JEFF: I�m sorry-

RIA: Shh� the doctor told me you should rest. Good thing they came in time. (pauses) You shouldn�t have tried to kill yourself.

JEFF unable to answer.

RIA: Why did you do it?

JEFF: I was alone. Well, I felt alone. When you told me you were leaving me, I just couldn�t take it. I don�t want to be alone. I�d rather die than live being alone.

RIA: JEFF�

JEFF: I�m sorry.

The two hug. TELEPHONE, TELEVISION and COMPUTER all show some mushy reactions as well.

RIA: Good thing your neighbor was able to call.

JEFF: (confused) My neighbor?

RIA: Yeah. He told me that you were committing suicide.

JEFF: Uh, RIA� They can�t see into this house. The drapes were down.

RIA: (very puzzled) Then how?

LIGHT FADE OUT in their area.

TELEPHONE, TELEVISION and COMPUTER look at each other and give an "okay" sign.

LIGHTS ALL FADE OUT.