'Waiting' - first scene.

SCENE 1
(THE BEEP OF A HEART MACHINE & REGULATED BREATHING. A SINGLE SPOTLIGHT ILLUMINATES JAMES LOUNGING CASUALLY ON AN ELEVATED PLATFORM ON STAGE LEFT.)
JAMES : (LOOKING BORED) I’m so tired of hanging around and waiting; killing time while everyone gets their act together. We waste so much time on our make up and the expensive costumes and fake imported smells and false smiles – the pointless, never ending chitchat. (HE STANDS. HIS PANTS ARE HANGING LOW AND HIS VEST IS OFF ONE SHOULDER AND HANGING LOOSE. HE LOOKS OUT DISDAINFULLY AT THE AUDIENCE) So much effort wasted on plastering the cracks in the insipid façades while we readjust our masks. (HE SMILES FOOLISHLY) And then just when you think everything is ready … (HE BEGINS TO STRAIGHTEN HIS CLOTHES) … There’s always that last phone call that you simply can’t miss. (HE SMILES INDULGENTLY) I’m sorry to disappoint you though, seeing that we’ve only just met but tough shit because you’re going to miss it anyway! (HE FASTENS A BOW TIE AROUND HIS NECK) In here there are no phones allowed; there’s no lifeline and nothing and nobody else to turn to. It’s just me and I’ve already lost my mind waiting for the show to begin – or is it the end?
TENOR SAX (1.) : (AN EXTRAVAGANZA, SHOWPIECE TUNE HERALDING A GRAND EVENT THAT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN)
JAMES : (GOES INTO A JAZZY DANCE ROUTINE THAT CULMINATES IN HIM DOING THE CLASSIC CHAIR-STEP MOVE, BUT HE FALLS.)
TENOR SAX (2.) : (BURSTS INTO RAUCOUS LAUGHTER AND FADES.)
JAMES : (REMAINS SEATED DEJECTEDLY AND LOOKS OUT AT THE AUDIENCE WITH A MIXTURE OF SADNESS AND INDULGENCE AS THE LAUGHTER SUBSIDES.) Why am I not surprised? One man’s misfortune is another man’s mirth. (HE STANDS AND TAKES THE CHAIR AND PLACES IT IN POSITION BEHIND THE TABLE.) One man’s suffering is another man’s profit. … My worth is your indulgence. (BOWS GRANDLY WITH SWEEPING, ALL ENCOMPASSING GESTURES.)