Friday, March 16, 2018

The Ballad of Dagmar Dinklenobs, Scene 5


(Scene: Dinklenobs’s living room. Ted and Edna are sitting and waiting for Simeon to arrive.)

Edna
This is so exciting. Dagmar is really going to be a star.

Ted
I still don’t believe it. Just wait, this Simon fellow—

Edna
Simeon, dear. Simeon Howell.

Ted
Whatever his name is, I don’t care. This fellow, I bet, is hired by one of those candid camera shows. Just watch, they’ll give him a single and let him believe it’s being mass produced just so they can laugh at him later. Then he’ll give up on this junk and get a real job. Just like we always wanted.

Edna
(Knocking) That must be Mr. Howell. I’ll get it, dear. (Exits momentarily and returns with Simeon) Please, take a seat. Would you like anything to drink?

Simeon Howell
No thank you. I’d like to get straight to business. I want to sign your son for a single and a full CD cover. But I want to make sure you’re okay trusting me with your boy and the fame he’s going to gain.

Edna
It’s always been his dream, Mr. Howell. Of course we’re okay with it. We always knew Dagmar was destined for something great.

Simeon Howell
Mrs. Dinklenobs, if he’s going to sign, you’re going to have to stop calling him Dagmar.

Ted
She doesn’t have to do anything you say. He’s our boy, and his name is Dagmar. We’ll call him Dagmar if we want.

Simeon Howell
Mr. Dinklenobs, the studio has already decided, if he signs, they’re legally changing his name to Big Daddy D. It’s just what America wants. They don’t want a star named Dagmar. But they’ll fall in love with Big Daddy D. So you’ll have to start calling him that.

Ted
If we want to call him Dagmar we will.

Edna
Now, Ted, he is an adult now. If our little Dagmar wants to be known as Big Daddy D, we should respect his wishes.

Ted
No, Edna. We don’t have to respect anything about Dagmar. He doesn’t even pay rent. Besides, what kind of name is Big Daddy D?

Simeon Howell
An American one.

Ted
My dead body it is.

Simeon Howell
Have you heard what stars are calling their kids today?

Ted
Yeah, I have, and those aren’t names. They’re…things. America’s insane for indulging them.

Simeon Howell
Which is exactly why your son will be famous.

Edna
You hear that Ted? Famous. Our little boy, famous. He’s always dreamed about it.

Ted
He’s just lying to us, Edna. (Standing) I told you already. It’s a candid camera show. In a month, Dagmar’s gonna come home crying his eyes out when he finds out no one knows who he is. (Exits)

Edna
I’m sorry about, Ted, Mr. Howell. He’s never had much faith in Dagmar.

Simeon Howell
Big Daddy D, Mrs. Dinklenobs. But that’s fine. I’m assuming you’re okay if I give him the contract to sign, then?

Edna
Of course, Mr. Howell. Can’t he sign it now? He’s just down the hall.

Simeon Howell
That’d be just great, Mrs. Dinklenobs.

Edna
Dag—oops—Big Daddy D! Mr. Howell would like to talk with you.

Big Daddy D
(Entering, acting cool) Hey, Sim. What do you wanna talk about?

Edna
I’ll just let you two talk. (Exits)

Simeon Howell
Simeon, never Sim. Remember how I said I’d take your demo to the board? Well, they loved it.

Big Daddy D
(Hugs Simeon) Really? That’s great. When do I sign?

Simeon Howell
(Pulling a contract out of his bag) Now, right here.

Big Daddy D
This is great! (Signs contract) Thanks so much, Simeon. For everything. This is my dream.

Simeon Howell
I know, I know. (Shaking Dagmar’s hand) Welcome to the business. Now go pack. We need to be in Hollywood ASAP.

Big Daddy D
Oh, wow. Hollywood. (Exits, shouting) Mamma, I’m going to Hollywood.

Simeon Howell
(To the audience) Kids.

(Lights)

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