“Not Defeated” (drama) 3 minutes

Character: GREG
Description: Greg is about to quit acting for good.  He talks to his best friend when suddenly he received a phone call from his agent.
Gender: Male
Age:  35 

What can I say?  Been fighting for a voice in this industry since I was just a kid.  Done everything from Off-Broadway theatre to extra work to regional theatre to lead roles to t.v. shows to minor film parts and commercials and industrials and on and on and on and on and on and on and onnnn….

Where have I ended up?  You look up and realize that after twenty five years of struggling in this profession, that it really isn’t a profession.  I could have been a doctor or a lawyer or something other than this shit.  I’m dead broke man.  Tired of slaving over this stupid ass bouncing job at this stupid ass lounge.  All I do is stare at these rich guys in their ivy league suits buying expensive champagne and I open and close the door for them and never get acknowledged.

I’m not feeling sorry for myself.  It’s true.  I’ve become a nobody.  I used to have aspirations and dreams in my eyes.  Now I look at myself in the mirror and all I see is an actor that never made it.  Yeah, I’ bitter, I’m hurt and I feel…defeated….

I think by now most men would have given up, so at least I can take pride in that.  I think I’ve reached the point of no return.  There’s nothing more I can do in my life with this acting thing. 

It’s funny cause I used to think that I would change the world.  I used to imagine myself being this big movie star like Denzel Washington.  Oh man, Denzel is such a great actor man.  I fucking love that guy.  He has so much class, so much dignity about him.  You ever watch the way that man walks.  Man is he powerful.  I would give anything just to feel what he feels, just for a moment.  Than I could die a happy man. 

But seriously, I think I’m done.  Time to go back home down south.  My Uncle Rodney owns a business down in Mississippi doing insurance.  Figured I’ll just mosey on back down thatta way and he will help me out with a job.  Beats this shit and at least I will have my pride intact.  Yeah…my pride.

(pause)

…Look man, what am I supposed to do?!  You know I don’t want to quit but how can I keep living my life this way.  I want to be successful.  I want to feel like somebody damnit.  I’m getting sick inside!  At least if I quit now, I still have a chance at being something worth living.  What? (beat)

Acting is worth living but not like this man.  I’ve done everything man.  I’ve gone to California and back, I’ve auditioned God knows how many fucking times.  I’ve networked God knows how many people.  I’ve spent enough money to buy a house in order to fulfill my dreams.  LOOK AT ME!!!  LOOK AT ME!!!  I’m a fucking loser!  I’ve become a bum, living paycheck to paycheck.  This miserable fucking life I live.  This existence!!!!

I QUIT!!!!

(breaks down)

(His cellphone rings.  It’s his agent)

Hello, yeah, hi Mark.  What?  No, I’m fine.  Just rehearsing a scene.  What’s up?  What??  Wait, the audition I had playing a supporting role to Jamie Foxx?!  Are you serious?  Get out of here!  For real?!  I got the part?  I got the part Mark?!

WHEEEEEEWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

(jumps in the air)

I got the part!  I got the fucking part!  I’m going to be in a movie with Jamie Foxx!!!!!

I can’t believe this.  What happens now?  Okay, okay…sure no problem.  I’ll pack my bags in an hour.  Okay, great!  I love you man.   I love YOU!!!!  Thank You!  Okay, call you back.

(to his friend)

Bro, I gotta go home and pack.  You coming?  What?  Forget all that man?  I love acting.  I couldn’t do anything else.  Let’s go!