Worth Keeping Lines

Jackie and that crazy suitcase

It’s got wheels. They’re supposed to be heavy duty.

Well…

What?

What was your name again honey?

I’m Jackie you’re Mrs…

Duplanticus.

Duplanticus. Right. My dad had you in school back in the day.

I remember him. Top of the class.

Really?

When it came to missing class…he was the best.

That sounds like dad.

The Keepers are air-dropping food and water, so…

What? These are my essentials, Mrs. Dup… what is it again?

Now everybody calls me Nana. Everybody who’s left.

Sure, Nana, but…

A couple of changed of clothes and my wedding ring. That’s all I’m bringing.

Nana…

Four journals, right here in my backpack. Have to have them.

You know, I’m glad you all decided to travel so light.

Oof, Jackie.

It’s got wheels. Hey!

They’re not made for the road we’re going on.

I’ll drag it, then!

Jackie, you know the world has ended.

I…I know that.

So, is what’s in this suitcase something you’re trying to resurrect or…

Fine, you know what? Nana, everyone, fine. Done. You’re right. They’re costumes. Stupid me, right? Representations of a dead world. What was I thinking? I wasn’t. Let’s hit the road.

It’s pretty.

Nothing. Just another bit of nothing. Leave it.

It’s just what we’re doing now. Saying goodbye to an old life, embarking on a new one. Keep this, Jackie.

It’s not necessary.

The worst. Like this coffee.

I thought that was rancid pond water. Don’t tell me you’re writing that down.

“Rancid pond water” is a good line.

I want at least a 10% royalty on every quote of mine you use in that book you’ll eventually write.

My journals are just, you know, for me. They help.

If you say so.

Oh, I think my longest stretch was about five minutes.

No kidding.

So. We’re all awake. Nothing’s happening yet. Sounds like it’s practice time, class!

Whoops, here comes Nana, going into teacher mode.

Meaning…?

It’s true. Medical training, engineering experience, military service, you’re a shoo-in.

No more than any of you.

Dude, seriously? I’m an actor. That plus my vast experience waiting tables, does not make me a strong candidate.

Maybe they’ll need someone to help entertain people. That’s important.

Nice try Mo, but I am not a societal keepsake. I am cannon fodder.

They may have already met their quota of doctor-engineer-soldier types and be in dire need of actor-food server types.

Not likely, Nana. I remain unconvinced.

But you’re going to sing your heart out, aren’t you?

I’m thinking maybe I should do what actors are most known for.

What’s that?

Lying.

Jackie you can’t. You’ll put us all in jeopardy. The signs say…

The signs say, the signs say. Why should we trust them?

Jackie, you’re up. Let’s have it.

I was first last night.

Consistency is a virtue. Let’s have it.

Fine. My name is Jackie Goodman and I will be performing a monologue called “Jackie’s Reckoning” from the play “The World is a Giant Murderous Sandbox”. Author Unknown.

Jackie.

Yes?

You’re not really going to start like that.

I might. Hey, the Keepers are human too, right? So they might have a sense of humor. I’m sure they’re chock full of doom and gloom by now.

If you sound like you don’t care, why should they?

Okay. Phew. Greetings. Hello. Salutations. I’m Jackie Goodman. I am the person you want if you are putting on a play in the Keep. I’m an actor, a sometime director, an overall theater person. I used to have a bunch of headshots, but they all got burned up, which is a shame because I paid way too much to have them done.

I like what you said last night better.

Look, we don’t know! WE don’t know what they’re after, right?

We know they’re after useful people.

I am not a useful person!

Might be.

Might be. Might… Look, there’s going to have to be a certain level of winging it for me, okay? Trust me-I’ve prepared. I won’t lie because I know some of you are afraid that will hurt your chances. Fine, but I have to feel the room, I have to know more about the circumstances and then I will decide how to do this. I am ready. Please, just trust me. I’m ready.

Do you want to be admitted to the Keep?

What kind of…? You mean, do I want to live? Yes, Nana, I very much want to live. I will do my best. May I sit down now?

Yes.

Thank you oh-so-much.

Mo, you’re next.

Wait, wait-she’s got to record that I am sitting down at -what time is it?- approximately 6:45 AM on our final morning at the keep.

I’m willing to work. I…

Come on, you were doing great.

You'll what , Mo? What?

Okay. look, how about we go to someone else for a few minutes. I think Mo’s tapped out for the moment. How does that sound?

Thanks, Mo. I will take that under advisement.

What if, at the end, you rip open your shirt so the Keepers can see the big S on your chest?

Impressive.

Maybe not quite so many multi-syllabic words. Circumspection, fledgling, Tiresias. Because maybe the Keepers are kinda dumb, you never know.

Hup-two, hup-two, don’t forget

Your left shoe! Hey, you, the ugly one with the visor! How ‘bout getting some new material, huh?

Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Please tell me I do not recognize that voice!

You know you do, Sister! Denise!

Jackie!

Get that thing out of the way so I can give you a big old smooch.

Unh-unh. I am saving myself for my one true love.

Everybody, this is Denise. My old stage manager friend from…from the Before Times. Denise, this is Nana, Mo, Dana, and Greg, my traveling buddies.

I can’t imagine a worse fate than having to hang out with this loser for days.

Yeah, yeah, but speaking of fate…you! You! You are a sentry?

Guilty as charged.

Have I not always said it’s not what you know, but who you know?

I ascribed that quote to you a few times.

Careful what you say, D. Our resident journal meister will record it for posterity. Anyway, we have right here, in the flesh, my friends, a bona fide inside connection!

And good to meet you all, even though it’s under pretty much the worst circumstances possible.

But you can help with that.

I don’t have inside info.

Come on. You’re a sentry for the Keep. There’s got to be some sort of scoop for us. Something.

That was quite the coincidence.

Don’t believe in them. That right there, me running into Denise, of all people…that is a sign. I don’t care what she says; she is the lynchpin of our future. Watch.

Good luck, Norman.

Yeah, good luck as long as you don’t take my spot, Norman.

Jackie!

What? They’re talking a finite number right?

Thank you.

See? Who you know.

Gotta run.

Remember, D, you’re my Ace in the hole.

See you on the other side, everybody.

You’ve got this, Dana.

Deep breaths from the gut.

Do you have yoga instructor on your resume, too?

Why am I nervous for him? He’ll be fine.

If he’s not, the system is all out of whack.

We heard your name called.

How was your… how did it go?

You seem very assiduous about keeping a journal.

She’s assiduous, all right. Every little thing goes in that book.

Start.

I served in the United States Army for ten years. I reached the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged after receiving a Purple heart and Medal of Valor. Shortly thereafter, I attended college and earned a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. I graduated magna cum laude. I was recruited by several engineering firms. I turned them down, however, so I could have more time and energy to pursue my interest in medicine. I got my certification as an EMT and have worked in that capacity for about three years now. I had been accepted to medical school when…well, when the world fell apart. I am deeply interested in doing my best to help put it back together. I am here to serve in any capacity I can. On the journey here, I was able to help my fellow travelers several times with medical issues ranging from blisters to broken bones. Unfortunately we also encountered some threats of violence on the road. My military training was instrumental in those circumstances. I like to think that, while I haven’t practiced my engineering skills in a while, I could certainly be helpful in that regard as well. I have deep respect for the integrity behind this project and would be honored to make contributions to the Keep. Thank you.

Jackie, did you get yours?

By some miracle or mistake, I did.

I told you they would need actors!

And you were right, Mo.

Nobody’s seen him?

They’ve probably got him out directing traffic and suturing wounds already.

Did you really just ask the question?

We’ll catch up with him.

Everything’s got to go!

Hey, was it just me or did it strike anybody else that the whole “tell the truth, tell the truth” messaging in there was like overdone.

The signs and fliers have been saying it for months.

Yeah but…

You didn’t.

What?

What are you hiding, Jackie?

It just seemed like a bluff. So…I called it.

You lied?

I had a point to prove. To all of you. I didn’t get electrocuted; I didn’t get hauled out of here. It was complete garbage.

You endangered us all with that risk, Jackie.

No I didn’t; that’s just the point. I had a feeling they didn’t have any records of anything. How could they? So, I told them what they wanted to hear. And it got me in the Keep.

You’re not going to the Keep, Jackie.

Denise.

It’s all about who you know. You need to come with me.

Stop, come on!

The penalty for lying is clear.

D! Denise! You know me!

By rights, I could take all your vouchers.

Okay, you made a judgement call. You can make another one about me, your old friend! Just forget I ever said anything!