Tuesday, March 13, 2018

The Ballad of Dagmar Dinklenobs, Scenes 3 and 4


(Lights on scene: The street again. Dagmar is trying a new approach, singing Ricky Martin songs to attract attention, but his singing and playing are still dreadfully out of tune. A producer, Simeon Howell, is listening to him.)

Big Daddy D
She’ll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain. She’ll make you live her crazy life but she’ll take away your pain, like a bullet to your brain. Come on! Upside, inside out. She’s livin’ la vida loca. She’ll push and pull you out, livin’ la vida loca. (Ad lib with random words and phrases.)

Simeon Howell
Did you forget the words?

Big Daddy D
(Still strumming) Of course not. I wrote the song. Ricky Martin forgot the words man.

Simeon Howell
Ricky Martin also made a fortune “forgetting the words.”

Big Daddy D
Exactly. I do the hard work, those guys screw up, and they keep all the money for it.

Simeon Howell
(Drops a twenty into the case) What else can you sing?

Big Daddy D
(Stares at the bill for a moment) I can sing anything by Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, or Ricky Martin. Plus some of my own stuff.

Simeon Howell
(Crossing arms) Very well then, woo me with a ballad.

Big Daddy D
A ballad? That’s tight. Um…( Strums a different chord, sings) She was my once in a lifetime happy ending come true. Oh, I guess I should have told her, but I thought she knew. She said I took her for granted, last thing I would do. Oh, I’ll never understand it, cuz I thought she knew…

Simeon Howell
(Clapping) I want you to record a demo for me.

Big Daddy D
What? Really? You mean it? I already have lots of demos. Oh, boy, wait ‘til I tell Mamma about this.

Simeon Howell
I think you have a very…unique talent.

Big Daddy D
Man, you’re awesome. (To self) Finally. I finally got my break!

Simeon Howell
(Reaching out to shake hands) Simeon Howell.

Big Daddy D
(Shakes) Big Daddy D. You have no idea how much this means to me.

Simeon Howell
I can imagine. You said you already have some demos?

Big Daddy D
Well, of course. I told you it was my dream.

Simeon Howell
Perfect. I’ll need you to bring me one so I can take it to the board.

Big Daddy D
The board? Is that in Hollywood? Cuz I told Mamma I wouldn’t take anything that wasn’t in Hollywood.

Simeon Howell
It’s in Hollywood. But, look, be here tomorrow with the demo (hands him a business card), and we’ll see what kind of deal I can get for you. (Exits)

Big Daddy D
Oh man oh man oh man. Wait ‘til I tell, Dad. He’ll regret ever making fun of me.

(Lights)



(Lights on scene: The board room. Simeon Howell stands at the front of the stage facing the audience. At his side is a CD player. The audience is the board.)

Simeon Howell
Ladies and gentlemen of the board, I’ve found the next big thing. This kid will make all of us rich. Just listen to him.

(Simeon starts the demo. Dagmar’s horrible voice is heard singing his original creation, “Big Daddy D”. The board members are not impressed.)

Simeon Howell
(Stopping the music) So what do you think? You don’t have to answer. I know you’re thinking he can’t sing, right? Well, that doesn’t matter. The one thing books and movies have over music is the underdog. America loves underdogs. We love people who don’t have any real talents, but still come out on top. Now, before you ask, America won’t love him because he can sing…he obviously can’t. They’ll love him because he’s an average Joe who made it. It’s inspiring. You’ll give all the kiddies and washed up folks hope they can make it, too. They’ll support him because he’s bad…and he’s pretty funny. There are a lot of people in America. Most of them can’t carry a tune in an iPod. He’s perfect. So what do you say? Do we sign him and make millions? (Someone from the audience says, “Okay.”) Fantastic! (Shakes hands of board members.) It’s been great doing business with you all. (Exits.)

(Lights)

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