The continuing story about life among the plastic people
SCENE: BARBIE and her entourage, KEN and GI JOE, arrive at the Olympics. Ken is in charge of carrying suitcases
BARBIE
Like...bring me my cosmetic case, Ken. I have to beautify myself for the press. Stop dragging your feet!
KEN
(crawling on his knees)
I can't help it, beach babe. Your luggage is weighing me down
BARBIE
Oh plleeze! You're always making excuses to get out of work and stop calling me beach babe!
GI JOE
Yeah sissy boy! Real men don't talk like that. A hundred push-ups will take care of your shoulder problem, soldier. Down on your knees and start pumping
KEN
Did you have something special in mind for you and me?
BARBIE
Did I tell you to leave your stupid surf board back in Malibu, Ken?
KEN
No can do. Me and my board here are close buds. Where I go - he goes. Right, Shane?
(KEN caresses his surf board)
(Cont'd. Ken)
...mmmmmm.....
BARBIE
You gave your board a name? Like...that is so...like...really sick and lame
GI JOE
We should'a lost him at the airport, babe. What good is he if he can't even carry suitcases?
BARBIE
The world knows us as Barbie and Ken. We're always gonna be together even when we break up. Barbie and Ken...Barbie and Ken... 'Oh look - Barbie and Ken have a new fashion line.' I'm sick of it! I mean, of course, it's sickening how close we are
KEN
...I love you, Shane...
GI JOE
All you gottta do is give the word and Ken and his wooden friend will surf the waves forever, if you get my drift.
KEN
Somebody say surf's up?
(cups his hand behind his ear)
BARBIE
What are you doing, Ken?
KEN
Surf's up! I can smell it! Time to hang ten off the top!
BARBIE
Like...put your clothes back on. There are no waves here
KEN
Must be the smell of the salt water taffy that's confusing me
BARBIE
Or all that water that's gone to your brain. Oh no! What are they doing here?
(The BRATZ approach)
BARBIE
What are YOU pathetic pieces of plastic doing here?
YASMINE
We were invited.
JADE
Yeah...we have an official invitation.
(extends invitation to show BARBIE)
(cont'd) Where's yours, Barbie
BARBIE
Like...um...well... Oh look, Ken! Our taxi has arrived
KEN
(waxing his surfboard)
Just a sec - I gotta shine my board. Never know when I'm gonna need it...gotta be surfing-ready
JADE
You bought...him, along?
BARBIE
You know he's my one and only! Like...we're together forever!
GI JOE
Hey! What about me?
BARBIE
GI Joe here guards by body. It's insured for five million dollars, y'know
GI JOE
That's not all I do for her, right babe?
(unknown to BARBIE, reporters are standing behind the group, taking notes. They all get on their cell phones upon hearing GI JOE's statement)
REPORTER
I just got a big scoop right here at the Olympics games. Not new medals. GI Joe and Barbie are testing mattresses again.
The exhilaration, exultation, expectations and experiences of writing plays and getting a play produced or noticed.
Showing posts with label Barbie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barbie. Show all posts
Friday, February 14, 2014
Friday, November 23, 2012
Barbie goes Christmas shopping at the mall
BARBIE, KEN, G.I. JOE AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
A continuing saga of life among the plastic people
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT THE MALL
SCENE: BARBIE'S MANSION. BARBIE is absorbed in writing her Christmas/holiday gift list. The ever-present, GI Joe hovers nearby, hiding behind furniture
BARBIE
(her body in a semi up-right position, accross a chair)
So hard to write up my Christmas gift list like this. If only I was more flexible...
G.I. JOE
(darting out from behind the couch)
You're flexible where it counts, babe
BARBIE
Will you stop hiding behind furniture, Joe, and put down your stupid weapon. Bend me at the waist, please?
(Joe bends BARBIE at the waist)
(BARBIE cont'd) Now, just move my arm up a little and bend my wrist slightly...
(G.I. Joe attempts to move BARBIE's arm and it comes out of its socket)
G.I. JOE
Whoops...don't know my own strength
BARBIE
You've done it again! Now push it back in the arm pit hole...gently now... Joe - the arm is upside down now...
G.I. JOE
Holes are my specialty, y'know!
BARBIE
Don't I know it. I don't need air conditioning with all those openings you've created in my walls. You're totally uncontrollable
G.I. JOE
Thanks. I know. It ain't easy but I manage
BARBIE
So many people to buy for - so little time. Now we have to go to the mall, Joe. Like...try and act normal, 'kay? I don't want a repeat of last year's shopping disaster. Like...frisking all the sales clerks in the lingerie stores?
G.I. JOE
Can't take any chances, babe. The enemy is everywhere besides I bought some of them panty hose, didn't I? Y'know - they're real comfy-like. A little tight around the...
BARBIE
We're meeting up with the Bratz girls so I want you to be on your best behavior. Help me me stand up. It's not easy being a world-wide fashion icon with an unbendable body
G.I. JOE
Your body looks just fine to me, babe. Here - gimme your hand...
(G.I. Joe pulls BARBIE's hand and she goes flying accross the room. Her head pops out along the way)
BARBIE
Now you've really done it!
G.I. JOE
Thanks. It was nothing
BARBIE
Truly! Now gently pick up my head and place it on top of my neck. Don't push down so hard. Ohmygawd! You've messed up my beautiful, blond hair. Bend my arm so I can fix it. Is there no end to the chaos you create?
G.I. JOE
When it comes to chaos - I'm the best at that. By the way - what does chaos mean?
BARBIE
Look at the time! Go bring the jeep around
(the door bell rings)
(BARBIE cont'd.) Like...who could that be? I'm not expecting anyone. We're never going to get to the mall
G.I. JOE
(grabbing his machine gun and hiding behind the couch)
Don't worry, babe. I got'chu covered
BARBIE
Your paranoia is too much
G.I. JOE
Thanks - it ain't easy but I manage. Got it all here (he points to his head)
BARBIE
Like...really devoid of thought
(BARBIE hops to answer the door)
G.I. JOE
Thanks again
BARBIE
Ken! What are you doing here?
KEN
(holding a surf board)
Hi Barbie! It's me, Ken!
BARBIE
Like...I know who you are, Ken. What are you doing here and are you ever planning to get dressed?
KEN
Hav'ta be prepared for the big waves. I'm here to spend the holidays with you
BARBIE
Just what I need
KEN
I know. We're meant to be together
(G.I. JOE jumps out from behind the couch)
G.I. JOE
Hands up! I heard the enemy might be planning something big. Gotta frisk you, stranger...
BARBIE
Joe - it's Ken. You know Ken!
G.I. JOE
Maybe it is and maybe it ain't
KEN
Let him frisk me. I've got nothing to hide.
BARBIE
Ain't that the truth!
KEN
Did I hear you say you're going to the mall? I love the mall. Santa is at the mall. Last year I asked him for a new surf board. It's going to be such fun. The three of us, together again! Just like the old days!
BARBIE
This is going to be one fun Christmas... Um - Ken...you hav'ta leave your surf board here. It won't fit into the jeep
KEN
But...me and Charlene here - we're a pair. Where I go - she goes
BARBIE
Charlene? You...named...your surf board?
KEN
(caressing the surface of the board)
We do everything together. She even sleeps with me. "I love you, Charlene"
BARBIE
Y'know Joe - you're looking better and better.. You can come Ken but Charlene... I mean, the surf board, stays here
KEN
"I'll be back, Charlene." She's so sensitive. I hav'ta be careful how I talk to her
BARBIE
(shaking her head)
Uh-huh ...sure you do. Now I remember why we broke up
THE THREE LEAVE FOR A TRIP TO THE MALL, G.I. JOE WALKING BACKWARDS, DARTING FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE. KEN WAVING GOOD BYE TO HIS SURF BOARD. BARBIE, WEARING SUN GLASSES, WALKS IN FRONT, HER HEAD DOWN
A continuing saga of life among the plastic people
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT THE MALL
SCENE: BARBIE'S MANSION. BARBIE is absorbed in writing her Christmas/holiday gift list. The ever-present, GI Joe hovers nearby, hiding behind furniture
BARBIE
(her body in a semi up-right position, accross a chair)
So hard to write up my Christmas gift list like this. If only I was more flexible...
G.I. JOE
(darting out from behind the couch)
You're flexible where it counts, babe
BARBIE
Will you stop hiding behind furniture, Joe, and put down your stupid weapon. Bend me at the waist, please?
(Joe bends BARBIE at the waist)
(BARBIE cont'd) Now, just move my arm up a little and bend my wrist slightly...
(G.I. Joe attempts to move BARBIE's arm and it comes out of its socket)
G.I. JOE
Whoops...don't know my own strength
BARBIE
You've done it again! Now push it back in the arm pit hole...gently now... Joe - the arm is upside down now...
G.I. JOE
Holes are my specialty, y'know!
BARBIE
Don't I know it. I don't need air conditioning with all those openings you've created in my walls. You're totally uncontrollable
G.I. JOE
Thanks. I know. It ain't easy but I manage
BARBIE
So many people to buy for - so little time. Now we have to go to the mall, Joe. Like...try and act normal, 'kay? I don't want a repeat of last year's shopping disaster. Like...frisking all the sales clerks in the lingerie stores?
G.I. JOE
Can't take any chances, babe. The enemy is everywhere besides I bought some of them panty hose, didn't I? Y'know - they're real comfy-like. A little tight around the...
BARBIE
We're meeting up with the Bratz girls so I want you to be on your best behavior. Help me me stand up. It's not easy being a world-wide fashion icon with an unbendable body
G.I. JOE
Your body looks just fine to me, babe. Here - gimme your hand...
(G.I. Joe pulls BARBIE's hand and she goes flying accross the room. Her head pops out along the way)
BARBIE
Now you've really done it!
G.I. JOE
Thanks. It was nothing
BARBIE
Truly! Now gently pick up my head and place it on top of my neck. Don't push down so hard. Ohmygawd! You've messed up my beautiful, blond hair. Bend my arm so I can fix it. Is there no end to the chaos you create?
G.I. JOE
When it comes to chaos - I'm the best at that. By the way - what does chaos mean?
BARBIE
Look at the time! Go bring the jeep around
(the door bell rings)
(BARBIE cont'd.) Like...who could that be? I'm not expecting anyone. We're never going to get to the mall
G.I. JOE
(grabbing his machine gun and hiding behind the couch)
Don't worry, babe. I got'chu covered
BARBIE
Your paranoia is too much
G.I. JOE
Thanks - it ain't easy but I manage. Got it all here (he points to his head)
BARBIE
Like...really devoid of thought
(BARBIE hops to answer the door)
G.I. JOE
Thanks again
BARBIE
Ken! What are you doing here?
KEN
(holding a surf board)
Hi Barbie! It's me, Ken!
BARBIE
Like...I know who you are, Ken. What are you doing here and are you ever planning to get dressed?
KEN
Hav'ta be prepared for the big waves. I'm here to spend the holidays with you
BARBIE
Just what I need
KEN
I know. We're meant to be together
(G.I. JOE jumps out from behind the couch)
G.I. JOE
Hands up! I heard the enemy might be planning something big. Gotta frisk you, stranger...
BARBIE
Joe - it's Ken. You know Ken!
G.I. JOE
Maybe it is and maybe it ain't
KEN
Let him frisk me. I've got nothing to hide.
BARBIE
Ain't that the truth!
KEN
Did I hear you say you're going to the mall? I love the mall. Santa is at the mall. Last year I asked him for a new surf board. It's going to be such fun. The three of us, together again! Just like the old days!
BARBIE
This is going to be one fun Christmas... Um - Ken...you hav'ta leave your surf board here. It won't fit into the jeep
KEN
But...me and Charlene here - we're a pair. Where I go - she goes
BARBIE
Charlene? You...named...your surf board?
KEN
(caressing the surface of the board)
We do everything together. She even sleeps with me. "I love you, Charlene"
BARBIE
Y'know Joe - you're looking better and better.. You can come Ken but Charlene... I mean, the surf board, stays here
KEN
"I'll be back, Charlene." She's so sensitive. I hav'ta be careful how I talk to her
BARBIE
(shaking her head)
Uh-huh ...sure you do. Now I remember why we broke up
THE THREE LEAVE FOR A TRIP TO THE MALL, G.I. JOE WALKING BACKWARDS, DARTING FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE. KEN WAVING GOOD BYE TO HIS SURF BOARD. BARBIE, WEARING SUN GLASSES, WALKS IN FRONT, HER HEAD DOWN
Thursday, December 15, 2011
BARBIE THROWS A CHRISTMAS PARTY - ALONG WITH SOME FRIENDS
SCENE: THE MALIBU HOME OF BARBIE, THE WELL KNOWN BORDERING ON FAMOUS, VINYL FASHIONISTA. BARBIE, ON TIPPY-TOE, IS DECORATING HER CHRISTMAS TREE, WHILE SINGING. SHE IS INTERRUPTED BY THE SOUNDS OF MACHINE GUN FIRE OUTSIDE.
BARBIE
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...Jack Frost nipping at..." Just what I need now
(the door flings open and G.I. Joe, machine gun in hand, backs into the room)
G.I. JOE
(whirling around to face BARBIE)
Don’chu fear – G.I. is here!
BARBIE
How could I like...miss you. Can’t you just like...knock on the door or ring the bell like normal people?
G.I. JOE
How many times do I gotta tell you, babe – G.I. Joe is not like normal people
BARBIE
You are so right
G.I. JOE
Thank you, babe. A soldier’s gotta do what a soldier’s gotta do. You never got to worry about the enemy when I’m around
BARBIE
Like...that’s the problem, Joe...
G.I. JOE
(moving furtively around the room, searching)
...is it the enemy? I’ll handle it. Don’t worry...
(G.I. JOE checks up the chimney and Christmas decorations fly off the mantle as he moves out. He whirls his arms in a frenzy to remove them)
G.I. JOE
I’ve taken care of these enemy – um – tinsel thingies because – um – you can’t be too careful
BARBIE
Oh Joe – now look what you’ve done! Those were the last five hundred packages of tinsel!
G.I. JOE
Hey – they could have been – um – dangerous or something... A soldier’s gotta do what a soldier –
BARBIE
- I know. ...gotta do.. Now Joe – I’m having my Christmas party tonight and I want you to like... try and act normal, okay?
G.I. JOE
Hey! You don’t have to worry ‘bout me, babe! I’ll blend in the crowd
BARBIE
That’s what worries me! Can you, like...forget about the machine gun for one night, maybe?
G.I. JOE
No can do, babe. (caresses the machine gun) We’re never apart. We shower together, eat together. We do everything together. Hey – I even sleep with her
BARBIE
Her? You’ve given your weapon a sex?
G.I. JOE
Hey! G.I. Joe is not a prevert! We’re just...close, right sweetheart?
BARBIE
You are too much...
G.I. JOE
I know. That's why you like me around
BARBIE
And the word is “pervert”.
G.I. JOE
Prevert...covert...it’s all the same
BARBIE
Sometimes I really worry about you... You're so grammatically-challenged
G.I. JOE
Thanks, babe! I know! My teachers used to tell me the same thing!
BARBIE
So...like...all my best and closest friends will be here so try and act normal
G.I. JOE
Depends
BARBIE
What do you mean?
G.I. JOE
Who'll be here. First I hav'ta frisk them
BARBIE
Not! My friends are not the enemy, Joe! Mind you, a couple of managers... Please don't frisk them or pat them down
G.I. JOE
The Bratz girls didn't mind. I patted them down five times and they wanted more. See? Some people 'preciate Joe's extra care
(there is a knock on the door and G.I. Joe jumps up and hides behind the couch, his gun facing the door)
G.I. JOE
Pretend you’re alone, babe. I’m watching your back
BARBIE
If only you'd watch and not act
(BARBIE opens the door and KEN poses, leaning on his surf board)
KEN
It’s me! Ken! Back from...back from...gimme a sec – I’ll remember..
BARBIE
Swallowed too much water, have we?
KEN
It”s me! Your Ken! Back from –
BARBIE
- you already said that and you're not "my Ken." Remember? Why am I asking you that...
KEN
The last thing I remember was being on a beach...some dude with a funny accent was dead or something...
BARBIE
(rolling her eyes)
Um...Ken – it’s winter and like...a ton of snow on the ground. Shouldn’t you put something on over your surfer trunks?
KEN
(looking down)
I wanna be prepared in case a good wave comes ashore. Can’t be too prepared.
(KEN suddenly is distracted and looks off into the distance)
KEN
“Hi! My name is Ken! I’m a surfer dude! And what’s your name, pretty girl?”
(G.I. Joe jumps out of his hiding place and faces KEN)
G.I. JOE
Well if it isn’t the cutesy-wootsy surfer boy! Or maybe you’re pretending to be the surfer boy. Lemme frisk you to make sure...
KEN
Well – if you insist...
(G.I. JOE pats down KEN)
KEN
And who might you be? I’m Ken and I’m a surfer! Wanna ride the waves together?
BARBIE
Oh my! Look at the time! I have to go and change into one of my new five hundred outfits. The two of you like...sit down and act normal. What am I saying?
(BARBIE leaves the room. There is a knock on the door and as KEN goes to answer it, G.I. JOE springs into action, hiding behind the couch. KEN opens the door)
BLAIN
Hello! Remember me? I don't. I think I'm Blain. From Australia?
KEN
Your face does look familiar... Were you lying on sand somewhere? I’m Ken and I’m a surfer. Wanna ride the waves together? We could have so much fun!
(BARBIE hops down the stairs and rushes over to greet BLAIN)
BARBIE
Blain! Oh Blain! You made it to my party!
BLAIN
I did? Oh yeah. How did I get here? My head hurts...
(G.I. JOE springs out from his hiding place)
G.I. JOE
Cease and desist, babe! I gotta check this guy out! The enemy wears many faces and this guy talks funny
To be continued: Who else will turn up and what will happen when Blain remembers?
SCENE: THE MALIBU HOME OF BARBIE, THE WELL KNOWN BORDERING ON FAMOUS, VINYL FASHIONISTA. BARBIE, ON TIPPY-TOE, IS DECORATING HER CHRISTMAS TREE, WHILE SINGING. SHE IS INTERRUPTED BY THE SOUNDS OF MACHINE GUN FIRE OUTSIDE.
BARBIE
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...Jack Frost nipping at..." Just what I need now
(the door flings open and G.I. Joe, machine gun in hand, backs into the room)
G.I. JOE
(whirling around to face BARBIE)
Don’chu fear – G.I. is here!
BARBIE
How could I like...miss you. Can’t you just like...knock on the door or ring the bell like normal people?
G.I. JOE
How many times do I gotta tell you, babe – G.I. Joe is not like normal people
BARBIE
You are so right
G.I. JOE
Thank you, babe. A soldier’s gotta do what a soldier’s gotta do. You never got to worry about the enemy when I’m around
BARBIE
Like...that’s the problem, Joe...
G.I. JOE
(moving furtively around the room, searching)
...is it the enemy? I’ll handle it. Don’t worry...
(G.I. JOE checks up the chimney and Christmas decorations fly off the mantle as he moves out. He whirls his arms in a frenzy to remove them)
G.I. JOE
I’ve taken care of these enemy – um – tinsel thingies because – um – you can’t be too careful
BARBIE
Oh Joe – now look what you’ve done! Those were the last five hundred packages of tinsel!
G.I. JOE
Hey – they could have been – um – dangerous or something... A soldier’s gotta do what a soldier –
BARBIE
- I know. ...gotta do.. Now Joe – I’m having my Christmas party tonight and I want you to like... try and act normal, okay?
G.I. JOE
Hey! You don’t have to worry ‘bout me, babe! I’ll blend in the crowd
BARBIE
That’s what worries me! Can you, like...forget about the machine gun for one night, maybe?
G.I. JOE
No can do, babe. (caresses the machine gun) We’re never apart. We shower together, eat together. We do everything together. Hey – I even sleep with her
BARBIE
Her? You’ve given your weapon a sex?
G.I. JOE
Hey! G.I. Joe is not a prevert! We’re just...close, right sweetheart?
BARBIE
You are too much...
G.I. JOE
I know. That's why you like me around
BARBIE
And the word is “pervert”.
G.I. JOE
Prevert...covert...it’s all the same
BARBIE
Sometimes I really worry about you... You're so grammatically-challenged
G.I. JOE
Thanks, babe! I know! My teachers used to tell me the same thing!
BARBIE
So...like...all my best and closest friends will be here so try and act normal
G.I. JOE
Depends
BARBIE
What do you mean?
G.I. JOE
Who'll be here. First I hav'ta frisk them
BARBIE
Not! My friends are not the enemy, Joe! Mind you, a couple of managers... Please don't frisk them or pat them down
G.I. JOE
The Bratz girls didn't mind. I patted them down five times and they wanted more. See? Some people 'preciate Joe's extra care
(there is a knock on the door and G.I. Joe jumps up and hides behind the couch, his gun facing the door)
G.I. JOE
Pretend you’re alone, babe. I’m watching your back
BARBIE
If only you'd watch and not act
(BARBIE opens the door and KEN poses, leaning on his surf board)
KEN
It’s me! Ken! Back from...back from...gimme a sec – I’ll remember..
BARBIE
Swallowed too much water, have we?
KEN
It”s me! Your Ken! Back from –
BARBIE
- you already said that and you're not "my Ken." Remember? Why am I asking you that...
KEN
The last thing I remember was being on a beach...some dude with a funny accent was dead or something...
BARBIE
(rolling her eyes)
Um...Ken – it’s winter and like...a ton of snow on the ground. Shouldn’t you put something on over your surfer trunks?
KEN
(looking down)
I wanna be prepared in case a good wave comes ashore. Can’t be too prepared.
(KEN suddenly is distracted and looks off into the distance)
KEN
“Hi! My name is Ken! I’m a surfer dude! And what’s your name, pretty girl?”
(G.I. Joe jumps out of his hiding place and faces KEN)
G.I. JOE
Well if it isn’t the cutesy-wootsy surfer boy! Or maybe you’re pretending to be the surfer boy. Lemme frisk you to make sure...
KEN
Well – if you insist...
(G.I. JOE pats down KEN)
KEN
And who might you be? I’m Ken and I’m a surfer! Wanna ride the waves together?
BARBIE
Oh my! Look at the time! I have to go and change into one of my new five hundred outfits. The two of you like...sit down and act normal. What am I saying?
(BARBIE leaves the room. There is a knock on the door and as KEN goes to answer it, G.I. JOE springs into action, hiding behind the couch. KEN opens the door)
BLAIN
Hello! Remember me? I don't. I think I'm Blain. From Australia?
KEN
Your face does look familiar... Were you lying on sand somewhere? I’m Ken and I’m a surfer. Wanna ride the waves together? We could have so much fun!
(BARBIE hops down the stairs and rushes over to greet BLAIN)
BARBIE
Blain! Oh Blain! You made it to my party!
BLAIN
I did? Oh yeah. How did I get here? My head hurts...
(G.I. JOE springs out from his hiding place)
G.I. JOE
Cease and desist, babe! I gotta check this guy out! The enemy wears many faces and this guy talks funny
To be continued: Who else will turn up and what will happen when Blain remembers?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
THE PLASTICVILLE GANG IS PREPARING FOR THEIR CLOSEUPS!
Just finished a visit in Plasticville where Barbie, Ken and the always problematic, G.I. Joe, are back in business. The gang has gone through a lot including embarrassing social faux-pas', romantic situations, gun shots and related injuries, being relegated to boxes in a warehouse, but they have decided to forget the past and start anew.
Given the situation in which G.I. Joe refuses to reliniquish his weapon of choice, which includes taking it to bed while sharing sleeping quarters with Barbie, trouble is on the horizon. Then there's always Ken whose visit to the hearing specialist on Barbie's advice, has not proved helpful since he still hears people calling out: "surf's up!" The Australian visitor, Blain, has still not regained full consciousness and add the Bratz attempts to undermine Barbie's popularity, and you've gone some potential problems.
Never a dull momemnt in Plasticville and we'll all be there to share it.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
BARBIE, KEN & THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE: THE CONTINUING SAGA OF LIFE AMONG THE PLASTIC PEOPLE
SCENE: KEN has shown up at Barbie's beach house where BARBIE, G.I. JOE and her friends are...partying. BARBIE has convinced G.I. JOE to stay back and keep watch over the house and the party while she i.e. BARBIE, take a walk on the beach with KEN.
KEN
Wow! This is nice. Just like the old days, babe! Me...you...
BARBIE
Um...Ken... I think we should talk
KEN
...the water and our surfboards. Remember, Barbie, before HE came along?
BARBIE
I think our problems go back much further than that
KEN
...we bought matching surfboards... Remember that? Then I got a tattoo to tell the world who I love.; It's still there, Barbie - read it - and remember
BARBIE
(moving her head side-ways to read it on KEN's arm)
"I Love Bra-B"?
KEN
So the tattoo guy was dyslexic and a little hard of hearing. His heart was in the right place, though! Surf's up! I hear it!
BARBIE
Focus Ken! Try and focus!
KEN
But those were such great times! You hav'ta admit they were great times... Okay. I'm focused now
BARBIE
Listen - true we were...
KEN
Hear? Is that a bigggg wave coming in? I think it is! Why don't we go get our surfboard and...
BARBIE
Forget about the wave, 'kay? Now look into my eyes, Ken. Like...we hav'ta talk!
(BARBIE holds KEN's head between her extended plastic hands but KEN attempts to move his plastic head towards the ocean)
(cont'd BARBIE) Ken! Pay attention! Things have changed. I've changed and evolved! Like...now I have a whole new line of clothing and...I'm a big celeb
KEN
Me too! I can hang out with your gang! I use'ta be a star! Remember?
BARBIE
Like...see...that's the problem, Ken. You used to be a somebody but now you're just like...normal. Average. Blah and blech. Get it?
KEN
Um...yes... No - not really
BARBIE
Okay. Like...listen. See - I'm this really big well-known celebrity with this fantastic designer wardrobe and you - well - you're merely a guy who's in love with a surf board. Period. It just won't work!
KEN
What if I...give up surfing?
(KEN pivots as if he's on a surf board while talking to BARBIE)
BARBIE
Like...it can't be, Ken. Look at the way you dress. You've been wearing those same surfing trunks ever since we met. It's like - disgusting!
KEN
Hey - I hit the waves every day so they're always clean!
BARBIE
Ken...Ken...Ken... My poor Ken. Hit one too many times on the head with your surf board. You just don't get it, do you?
KEN
Huh? Get what? You want I should go back and get our surfboards, 'cause if that's what you want, I'll go get us twin surf boards...
BARBIE
I give up! Let's go back
KEN
Are you sure you don't wanna ride the waves? You use'ta like that
BARBIE
No Ken - I do-not-want-to-ride-the-waves with you
KEN
Are you riding the waves with somebody else 'cause if you are... I mean to say, if you is... Is there someone else? Is it G.I. Joe?
BARBIE
G.I. is just a friend, Ken, although he doesn't want to believe it.
(As they walk back, the sound of loud bangs resembling gun shots breaks the stillness of the night)
KEN
Uh-oh...I don't like the sound of that
BARBIE
Like...ohmygawd! I just hope it isn't...I pray that it isn't...
KEN
Yeah. Me too. Nothing spoils a night of surfing like a thunder storm. The last time I surfed during a storm, my board got hit with a bolt of lightning. I was unconscious for a good two minutes.
BARBIE
That would explain a lot. Uh-oh...is that G.I. Joe out there on the lawn?
(As they near BARBIE's beach house, BARBIE and KEN spot GI JOE shooting away wildly at...something)
(BARBIE cont'd) G.I. Joe! What are you doing?
G.I. JOE
It's okay, babe! Spotted an intruder and I took care of the problem. He'll never bother you again
(BARBIE, walking on tippy-toes with KEN lagging behind, rushes over and after several unsuccessful attempts at trying to get down on her knees, she bends over at the waist to see who the intruder is)
BARBIE
(gasping)
Like...omygawd! You've shot...
G.I. JOE
Yeah. No need to thank me, babe! I'm a trained sharp-shooter!
BARBIE
You...you...idiot!
G.I. JOE
Aw babe! You always say the nicest things!
BARBIE
You shot Blain, the Australian surfer dude.
G.I. JOE
He's the enemy, babe! A guy has'ta do what a guy has'ta do!
BARBIE
Ken - call the beach rescue
KEN
Uh-oh! Surf's up! Gotta go!
(KEN rushes off, leaving BARBIE and G.I. JOE alone)
G.I. JOE
No need t'thank me, babe
(BARBIE opens her Barbie carry-all purse and produces her cell phone)
BARBIE
'Hello - send an ambulance right away to Barbie's Fun'n'Famous Beach House right away!'
Question du jour: Will Barbie be able to save Blain (Australian dude and former love of her life) or is it too late? To be continued)..
"THE BREAKUP"
SCENE: KEN has shown up at Barbie's beach house where BARBIE, G.I. JOE and her friends are...partying. BARBIE has convinced G.I. JOE to stay back and keep watch over the house and the party while she i.e. BARBIE, take a walk on the beach with KEN.
KEN
Wow! This is nice. Just like the old days, babe! Me...you...
BARBIE
Um...Ken... I think we should talk
KEN
...the water and our surfboards. Remember, Barbie, before HE came along?
BARBIE
I think our problems go back much further than that
KEN
...we bought matching surfboards... Remember that? Then I got a tattoo to tell the world who I love.; It's still there, Barbie - read it - and remember
BARBIE
(moving her head side-ways to read it on KEN's arm)
"I Love Bra-B"?
KEN
So the tattoo guy was dyslexic and a little hard of hearing. His heart was in the right place, though! Surf's up! I hear it!
BARBIE
Focus Ken! Try and focus!
KEN
But those were such great times! You hav'ta admit they were great times... Okay. I'm focused now
BARBIE
Listen - true we were...
KEN
Hear? Is that a bigggg wave coming in? I think it is! Why don't we go get our surfboard and...
BARBIE
Forget about the wave, 'kay? Now look into my eyes, Ken. Like...we hav'ta talk!
(BARBIE holds KEN's head between her extended plastic hands but KEN attempts to move his plastic head towards the ocean)
(cont'd BARBIE) Ken! Pay attention! Things have changed. I've changed and evolved! Like...now I have a whole new line of clothing and...I'm a big celeb
KEN
Me too! I can hang out with your gang! I use'ta be a star! Remember?
BARBIE
Like...see...that's the problem, Ken. You used to be a somebody but now you're just like...normal. Average. Blah and blech. Get it?
KEN
Um...yes... No - not really
BARBIE
Okay. Like...listen. See - I'm this really big well-known celebrity with this fantastic designer wardrobe and you - well - you're merely a guy who's in love with a surf board. Period. It just won't work!
KEN
What if I...give up surfing?
(KEN pivots as if he's on a surf board while talking to BARBIE)
BARBIE
Like...it can't be, Ken. Look at the way you dress. You've been wearing those same surfing trunks ever since we met. It's like - disgusting!
KEN
Hey - I hit the waves every day so they're always clean!
BARBIE
Ken...Ken...Ken... My poor Ken. Hit one too many times on the head with your surf board. You just don't get it, do you?
KEN
Huh? Get what? You want I should go back and get our surfboards, 'cause if that's what you want, I'll go get us twin surf boards...
BARBIE
I give up! Let's go back
KEN
Are you sure you don't wanna ride the waves? You use'ta like that
BARBIE
No Ken - I do-not-want-to-ride-the-waves with you
KEN
Are you riding the waves with somebody else 'cause if you are... I mean to say, if you is... Is there someone else? Is it G.I. Joe?
BARBIE
G.I. is just a friend, Ken, although he doesn't want to believe it.
(As they walk back, the sound of loud bangs resembling gun shots breaks the stillness of the night)
KEN
Uh-oh...I don't like the sound of that
BARBIE
Like...ohmygawd! I just hope it isn't...I pray that it isn't...
KEN
Yeah. Me too. Nothing spoils a night of surfing like a thunder storm. The last time I surfed during a storm, my board got hit with a bolt of lightning. I was unconscious for a good two minutes.
BARBIE
That would explain a lot. Uh-oh...is that G.I. Joe out there on the lawn?
(As they near BARBIE's beach house, BARBIE and KEN spot GI JOE shooting away wildly at...something)
(BARBIE cont'd) G.I. Joe! What are you doing?
G.I. JOE
It's okay, babe! Spotted an intruder and I took care of the problem. He'll never bother you again
(BARBIE, walking on tippy-toes with KEN lagging behind, rushes over and after several unsuccessful attempts at trying to get down on her knees, she bends over at the waist to see who the intruder is)
BARBIE
(gasping)
Like...omygawd! You've shot...
G.I. JOE
Yeah. No need to thank me, babe! I'm a trained sharp-shooter!
BARBIE
You...you...idiot!
G.I. JOE
Aw babe! You always say the nicest things!
BARBIE
You shot Blain, the Australian surfer dude.
G.I. JOE
He's the enemy, babe! A guy has'ta do what a guy has'ta do!
BARBIE
Ken - call the beach rescue
KEN
Uh-oh! Surf's up! Gotta go!
(KEN rushes off, leaving BARBIE and G.I. JOE alone)
G.I. JOE
No need t'thank me, babe
(BARBIE opens her Barbie carry-all purse and produces her cell phone)
BARBIE
'Hello - send an ambulance right away to Barbie's Fun'n'Famous Beach House right away!'
Question du jour: Will Barbie be able to save Blain (Australian dude and former love of her life) or is it too late? To be continued)..
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Plasticville: Barbie, Ken & the Rest
Actually shared life in Plasticville along with other pieces years back, but it was a lot of fun to write so I'm bringing it back to share again as a personal encore from myself. Will share more depending on the interest and could just add some new follow-ups.
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE: THE CONTINUING SAGA OF LIFE AMONG THE PLASTIC SET
SCENE:A PARTY AT A MALIBU BEACH HOUSE. THERE IS MUSIC IN THE AIR AND THROUGH THE PICTURE WINDOW, WE CAN SEE BARBIE AND HER FRIENDS DANCING ITUP (on tippy-toes). A CONVERTIBLE DRIVES UP AND KEN, DRESSED IN HIS USUAL SURFING GEAR, GETS OUT AND HIDES BEHIND BUSHES AND PEERS INSIDE. SUDDENLY, GI JOE HOLDING HIS EVER-PRESENT WEAPON LOOKS OUT A HUGE PICTURE WINDOW. THE DOOR OF THE BEACH HOUSE OPENS AND GI JOE STANDS AT THE DOORWAY.
GI JOE
Who's there? Is somebody hiding 'cause if you are and I catch you, I'll blast the living daylights...
(BARBIE JOINS GI JOE)
BARBIE
Oh Joe! Just stop it right now! You are like...soooo paranoid
GI JOE
Thanks! That's what everyone tells me
BARBIE
Please come in and close the door! You're like...embarrassing me in front of my friends
GI JOE
Them Bratz babes? Lemme tell you Barbie doll - they ain't your friends! You should hear what they say about you behind your back
BARBIE
You know I can't see or hear what's going on behind my back! I can't even turn my head without help...or even scratch an itch
GI JOE
Me neither...but I hear all of them whispering
BARBIE
Oh plleeze! You see plots everywhere! I can't find any kitchen help because you insist on frisking the help every five minutes
GI JOE
Hey - me and the pool guy are close friends now
BARBIE
I heard...very close friends
GI JOE
Ssssh....hear that?
BARBIE
What? I don't hear anything
GI JOE
Well I do! I'm trained to hear. My ears are a lethal weapon
BARBIE
So is your brain
GI JOE
Thank you! Love 'ya babe! Uh-oh! There's somebody hiding somewhere!
BARBIE
It's probably just Paris Hilton's dog in heat again. The dog is always hot for my chiuahua, Mimi.
GI JOE
No - it's a human...and...it's hiding somewhere....over there!(
(GI JOE RUNS OVER TO THE BUSHES WHERE KEN IS HIDING)
GI JOE
Whoever is in there better show your face or I'm gonna shoot first and ask questions later. Wait a minute... I'm gonna ask questions and then shoot later... Something like that
(KEN SLOWLY STANDS UP)
KEN
Don't shoot! It's me, Joe! Ken! Remember? Our fun games at my beach house? I dress up like nurse and you...
GI JOE
Yeah...I remember. My soldier senses tell me that you're... an enemy! Sorry but I gotta blast you, Kenny boy
KEN
No! I swear! I'm a friend!
BARBIE
Ken? Is that you? How many more times do I have to tell you that we're through?
GI JOE
'ya want me to shoot him, babe? 'Cause I can! Just say the word!
KEN
No! You can't shoot me because...because...
Actually shared life in Plasticville along with other pieces years back, but it was a lot of fun to write so I'm bringing it back to share again as a personal encore from myself. Will share more depending on the interest and could just add some new follow-ups.
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE: THE CONTINUING SAGA OF LIFE AMONG THE PLASTIC SET
SCENE:A PARTY AT A MALIBU BEACH HOUSE. THERE IS MUSIC IN THE AIR AND THROUGH THE PICTURE WINDOW, WE CAN SEE BARBIE AND HER FRIENDS DANCING ITUP (on tippy-toes). A CONVERTIBLE DRIVES UP AND KEN, DRESSED IN HIS USUAL SURFING GEAR, GETS OUT AND HIDES BEHIND BUSHES AND PEERS INSIDE. SUDDENLY, GI JOE HOLDING HIS EVER-PRESENT WEAPON LOOKS OUT A HUGE PICTURE WINDOW. THE DOOR OF THE BEACH HOUSE OPENS AND GI JOE STANDS AT THE DOORWAY.
GI JOE
Who's there? Is somebody hiding 'cause if you are and I catch you, I'll blast the living daylights...
(BARBIE JOINS GI JOE)
BARBIE
Oh Joe! Just stop it right now! You are like...soooo paranoid
GI JOE
Thanks! That's what everyone tells me
BARBIE
Please come in and close the door! You're like...embarrassing me in front of my friends
GI JOE
Them Bratz babes? Lemme tell you Barbie doll - they ain't your friends! You should hear what they say about you behind your back
BARBIE
You know I can't see or hear what's going on behind my back! I can't even turn my head without help...or even scratch an itch
GI JOE
Me neither...but I hear all of them whispering
BARBIE
Oh plleeze! You see plots everywhere! I can't find any kitchen help because you insist on frisking the help every five minutes
GI JOE
Hey - me and the pool guy are close friends now
BARBIE
I heard...very close friends
GI JOE
Ssssh....hear that?
BARBIE
What? I don't hear anything
GI JOE
Well I do! I'm trained to hear. My ears are a lethal weapon
BARBIE
So is your brain
GI JOE
Thank you! Love 'ya babe! Uh-oh! There's somebody hiding somewhere!
BARBIE
It's probably just Paris Hilton's dog in heat again. The dog is always hot for my chiuahua, Mimi.
GI JOE
No - it's a human...and...it's hiding somewhere....over there!(
(GI JOE RUNS OVER TO THE BUSHES WHERE KEN IS HIDING)
GI JOE
Whoever is in there better show your face or I'm gonna shoot first and ask questions later. Wait a minute... I'm gonna ask questions and then shoot later... Something like that
(KEN SLOWLY STANDS UP)
KEN
Don't shoot! It's me, Joe! Ken! Remember? Our fun games at my beach house? I dress up like nurse and you...
GI JOE
Yeah...I remember. My soldier senses tell me that you're... an enemy! Sorry but I gotta blast you, Kenny boy
KEN
No! I swear! I'm a friend!
BARBIE
Ken? Is that you? How many more times do I have to tell you that we're through?
GI JOE
'ya want me to shoot him, babe? 'Cause I can! Just say the word!
KEN
No! You can't shoot me because...because...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
G.I. JOE , THE 'REAL' ONE DISCUSSES THE MOVIE WITH HIS NAME IN IT
After a stressful period of being relegated to a toy factory along with his love the fashionista of the vinyl set, BARBIE, along with her ex surfer-boyfriend KEN, the real G.I. JOE is quite upset that a movie has been made using his name as a draw. In a hastily called press conference, G.I. JOE with BARBIE by his side in his words, "wanted to clear the air."
"This is really didusting," G.I. Joe blustered, waving his trusty machine gun in the air to emphasize his emotional angst. "They've gone and used my name and they didn't even ask me if they could!"
"Didusting, G.I." the designer-dressed Barbie commented, smoothing her body-fitting dress and smiling for the photographers.
"Wha...?"
"You said, 'didusting'. There's no such word as that," Barbie emphasized, combing her blond, vinyl hair and cleaning her teeth with a bent vinyl finger. "It's disGUSTING."
"Yeah! It is! You're right on, babe! It is disbust...disrust...whatever the hell she said! This G.I. Joe movie thingie isn't even a real soldier, like me. It's a military unit! Nobody bothered to ask me, a gen-u-ine soldier if I wanted to be in it. Oh no. I would'a liked to, 'ya know!"
"Um...GI - remember you lost a foot when we busted out of the warehouse," Barbie interrupted the rant. "
"So? I could have sat at a table or something and held down the fort! Nobody would'a noticed." G.I. explained. "On top of it all, some dudes who call themselves Duke and Ripcord got jobs! But not me, G.I. Joe, the original soldier. It ain't fair!"
"I'll tell you what's not fair," Barbie intervened, "to have to walk on tippy-toes all your life, like me. Isn't that right, Ken?"
After a stressful period of being relegated to a toy factory along with his love the fashionista of the vinyl set, BARBIE, along with her ex surfer-boyfriend KEN, the real G.I. JOE is quite upset that a movie has been made using his name as a draw. In a hastily called press conference, G.I. JOE with BARBIE by his side in his words, "wanted to clear the air."
"This is really didusting," G.I. Joe blustered, waving his trusty machine gun in the air to emphasize his emotional angst. "They've gone and used my name and they didn't even ask me if they could!"
"Didusting, G.I." the designer-dressed Barbie commented, smoothing her body-fitting dress and smiling for the photographers.
"Wha...?"
"You said, 'didusting'. There's no such word as that," Barbie emphasized, combing her blond, vinyl hair and cleaning her teeth with a bent vinyl finger. "It's disGUSTING."
"Yeah! It is! You're right on, babe! It is disbust...disrust...whatever the hell she said! This G.I. Joe movie thingie isn't even a real soldier, like me. It's a military unit! Nobody bothered to ask me, a gen-u-ine soldier if I wanted to be in it. Oh no. I would'a liked to, 'ya know!"
"Um...GI - remember you lost a foot when we busted out of the warehouse," Barbie interrupted the rant. "
"So? I could have sat at a table or something and held down the fort! Nobody would'a noticed." G.I. explained. "On top of it all, some dudes who call themselves Duke and Ripcord got jobs! But not me, G.I. Joe, the original soldier. It ain't fair!"
"I'll tell you what's not fair," Barbie intervened, "to have to walk on tippy-toes all your life, like me. Isn't that right, Ken?"
"Uh-oh! Listen! Surf's up! Gotta run!" Ken said, grabbing his surfboard and running out of the room.
'Don't let the surf board hit you on the way out, Ken...you sissy-boy!' Of course you're right like always, babe. Having to walk on tippy-toes is much worse than having your leg shot off. Hey - wanna go see the movie with my name in it? I got free tickets."
Placing a crutch under one arm and leaning on Barbie with the other, the pair left the room.
"Do you have to lean on me so much?" Barbie commented. "You're crushing my hair."
http://www.gijoemovie.com/
Placing a crutch under one arm and leaning on Barbie with the other, the pair left the room.
"Do you have to lean on me so much?" Barbie commented. "You're crushing my hair."
http://www.gijoemovie.com/
Thursday, February 05, 2009
BARBIE CELEBRATES HER 50TH BIRTHDAY:
BARBIE AND KEN VISIT THE PLASTIC SURGEON
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
BARBIE AND KEN VISIT THE PLASTIC SURGEON
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
SCENE: WAITING ROOM OF PLASTIC SURGEON'S OFFICE.
BARBIE, "THE" PLASTIC FASHIONISTA, THUMBS THROUGH THE PAGES OF ELLE MAGAZINE. SHE IS WEARING LARGE SUNGLASSES THAT COVER A LARGE PORTION OF HER FACE AND A LARGE HAT COVERS HER HEAD. SITTING NEXT TO HER IS KEN, HER ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN BOYFRIEND, WHO IS DRESSED AS PER USUAL IN SURFING TRUNKS. A SURFBOARD LEANS AGAINST THE WALL BEHIND HIM.
DR. MAK. M.E. YOUNG'S NURSE
Barbie and Ken. The doctor will see you now. By the way – um - Barbie, do you have a last name for my records?
BARBIE
Like…don't you know who I am, nurse? I'm Barbie! I mean, I'm everywhere in better toy retail outlets – and of course Walmart. Everyone knows me! I don't need a last name!
DR. MAK. M.E. YOUNG'S NURSE
Everybody has a last name. You can't see the doctor until my file is complete
KEN
Tell her, Barbie! You're half a century old for crying out loud
BARBIE
Oh? Since when do you have an opinion, surfer boy? If I'm a half-century – so are you!
KEN
Am not!
BARBIE
Are too!
KEN
Fibber!
BARBIE
Surfer stupid-o!
DR. MAK. M.E. YOUNG'S NURSE
'Scuse me but I still don't have a last name. No last name- no see doctor
KEN
I've kept this secret because I love you, babe but I gotta tell someone. Her real name is Barbara Millicent Robert
BARBIE
(sobbing)
Ken – how could you?
KEN
There's nothing wrong with your name
BARBIE
It's so…plain and normal. I'm Barbie, fashionista! If the Bratz ever find out…
KEN
I hadda share… Wait a minute…I hear something… I smell water…
DR. MAK. M.E. YOUNG'S NURSE
Oh shoot! Don't tell me the toilet's running over again. I swear, plumbers these days…
KEN
(grabbing surf board and running out of waiting room)
Surf's up!
BARBIE
(composing herself)
…he promised he would keep our secret forever…
DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG'S NURSE
There…there…Ms Robert…
BARBIE
It's Barbie! Got that?
DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG'S NURSE
Whatever… Dr. Mak M.E. Young will see you now
(another patient walks in. Looks around the office and stares at Barbie)
PATIENT
Hey! Aren't you… You know… I forget her name…
BARBIE
Yes…go on… You see me everywhere…? I'm into high-fashion…?
PATIENT
Paris Hilton! Like...ohmygawd! I can't believe it's you!
(BARBIE jumps up and hops quickly on tip-toes into the doctor's office)
BARBIE
I need help!
DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG
So what can I do for you today…Miss Martin? Please sit down
BARBIE
Must I? I mean, I'd rather stand up
DR. MAK ME YOUNG
All my patients have to sit across from me because…because… Just because
BARBIE
Easier said than done… Wait a minute… Maybe if I just…
(BARBIE attempts to manoeuvre into a sitting position without success. She ends up laying on her back, across the chair)
BARBIE
I'm 50 years old, doctor! Half a century! My skin is saggy and soggy and I need to re-invent myself. Those Bratz girls are just too popular
DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG
You know the Bratz too? You should see what I did for them! They look gor-geous!
BARBIE
Whad'ya gonna do for me?
DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG
(examining her with a magnifying glass)
Well… too much sun-tanning…and too many late nights clubbing… It's wear-and-tear on your face, y'know! I keep telling you celebs to wear sun protection but do you listen?
BARBIE
I'm a fashionista… Like...I hav'ta do those things! Please! You have to help me! I mean, you are a plastic surgeon!
DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG
Let me consult with my golfing buddies… I mean, let me talk about your case with other plastic surgeons. Go home and I'll get back to you
BARBIE
Please doctor – I'm desperate. Don't wait too long
(BARBIE attempts to get up without success. Finally after several ties, she manages to get in a standing position)
I hate it when this happens… If you could just move my arms down… Now push me up on my bum…
(DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG helps her, then opens the door. He extends his hand to say goodbye)
BARBIE
Just lift my arm up a little… Remember – I'm desperate – and I pay cash!
(TO BE CONTINUED… Will BARBIE receive the plastic surgery she believes she needs? Will DR. MAK M.E. YOUNG get a hole in one? These questions will be answered in the next instalment of "BARBIE CELEBRATES HER 50TH BIRTHDAY: BARBIE AND KEN VISIT THE PLASTIC SURGEON")
Friday, August 01, 2008
BARBIE, KEN & THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE: the continuing saga of life among the plastic people
By Eleanor Tylbor
Our story so far:
BARBIE, KEN, G.I. JOE and their plastic "sisters" and "brothers" were relegated by circumstances beyond their control to live out their lives in relative obscurity, packed away in boxes in a warehouse…somewhere. At the point G.I. Joe, always the soldier was about to blast their way out of the warehouse, they were set free due to some unexpected legal proceedings and a court case. Once again, they continue to live out their lives in Plasticville.
By Eleanor Tylbor
Our story so far:
BARBIE, KEN, G.I. JOE and their plastic "sisters" and "brothers" were relegated by circumstances beyond their control to live out their lives in relative obscurity, packed away in boxes in a warehouse…somewhere. At the point G.I. Joe, always the soldier was about to blast their way out of the warehouse, they were set free due to some unexpected legal proceedings and a court case. Once again, they continue to live out their lives in Plasticville.
SCENE:
BARBIE, ever the fashionista, is in her designer bedroom filled to capacity with designer clothes, trying to decide what to wear
BARBIE
Like…I can't believe I'm actually back in my designer home again with all my designer outfits, waiting to be tried on! Bend my arms a little, Ken. That's better. Now pass me those Dolce and Gabanna outfits. No – gimme the Gucci… No – I'm in a Stella McCartney-ish mood…
(G.I. Joe and Ken rush over to grab a handful of new outfits and fight each other to be thee first to hand them to her)
G.I. JOE
Get…out'ta…my…way…surfer…stupid-o! She was talking to ME!
KEN
Stupid-o? Look who's calling me stupid-o. Mr. Soldier Boy who blew off his own foot with a grenade! I'm her favourite and always will be! Right Barb babe?
G.I. JOE
Hey! That was an unforeseen accident. Anyway, I got another one. She wants a real man and that's why I'm here!
KEN
(distracted, looking off in the distance)Is that a wave I hear? Is surf up?
BARBIE
Ken…Ken…Ken… Like - life does not begin and end with surfing! There is more to life like clothes and being seen with the right people in the right places in the right time
G.I. JOE
(laughing)
Ha! See what I mean? She's not hanging-ten on your board anymore. She wants a real man and that's why I'm here! The time is right babe for you and me! Wanna go blow up something, babe?
KEN
Oh yeah? We go back like…forever, right Barb? We always were and we always will be and there's nothing that you can do about it. We've always been boyfriend and girlfriend – always. Course there was a time when we broke up… I was like…so depressed… Didn't come out of the water for weeks… Hadda get a whole new plastic skin transplant…and the smell!
G.I. JOE
You pathetic piece of plastic! You're nothing but… Press the red button on my back, sissy-boy. My new leg replacement has molded together, again
KEN
Maybe I will…and maybe I won't. Hmmmm….let me see now…
G.I. JOE
Oh fer… Okay. Tell 'ya what. Help me out and I'll give you a ride in my jeep. Your new surfboard there would fit in the back seat just perfectly. You'll be a big hit with your surfer pretty boys. I mean friends
(KEN hops over – on tip-toes – and attempts to lift G.I. JOE's shirt but his arms won't bend)
KEN
Tough luck, soldier. No bend-o, no button push-o!
BARBIE
(laughing)
Like…you two! You're like…so-so…
G.I. JOE
…army tough?
KEN
…your best beach boy?
BARBIE
Silly guys! Weird of course! Always fighting over…moi. Didn't your mommies teach you how to share?
(Doorbell rings)
BARBIE
Now who could that be? Maybe…more designer outfits? Or perhaps an invitation to a club opening? Hmmmmm….
(BARBIE hops over to the door on tip-toe and opens it)
BARBIE
(gasping in shock)
Like…what are YOU doing here?
SASHA BRATZ
Like…hi! Like…is that the way to welcome your friends. Right girls?
(SASHA barges past BARBIE followed close behind by YASMIN, CHLOE BRATZ)
YASMIN, CHLOE
Yeah – like…is that the way to treat us? Ooooooo – new clothes! Be our best friend and let us try them on?
BARBIE
You have-got-to-be-kidding! Like…why would I, Barbie, world-famous fashionista, let you, my former best friends who stabbed me in the back, like…try on these beautiful new outfits created for ME!
SASHA
How about because we're here to tell you something very important!
BARBIE
Like…who cares?
YASMIN
You will when we tell you that…that...
BARBIE
That...what?
G.I. JOE
Want me to squeeze the truth outta her, babe? Huh? I can y'know! Just say the word
(TO BE CONTINUED. WHAT IMPORTANT INFO. DO THE BRATZ'S HAVE TO TELL BARBIE? WE'LL FIND OUT DURING OUR NEXT VISIT TO PLASTICVILLE)
Friday, July 18, 2008
JURY RULES IN FAVOR OF MATTEL. BARBIE MIFFED - KEN INDIFFERENT
by Eleanor Tylbor
"Barbie and Bratz dolls are sisters, a jury has decided in a major victory to Mattel Inc., the world's largest toymaker, in its copyright infringement lawsuit against rival MGA Entertainment Inc.
The federal jury decided Thursday that the designer of MGA's Bratz characters conceived the idea for the dolls while working for Mattel — a ruling that could mean millions of dollars for the Barbie maker when the jury considers possible damages during a separate proceeding.
"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080718/ap_on_bi_ge/mattel_bratz
Word has it that Barbie and the Bratz' do not accept the reality that they are related.
"Like - how can...they be related to someone so...so...famous like me?" Barbie was quoted as commenting after the decision. "It's just not possible, that's all I have to say. Please make sure to photograph my best side."
For their part the Bratz girls aren't surprised with the verdict.
"We knew we were Mattel," Yasmine Bratz said. "I mean, we always felt - you know - Mattel-ish. We have our own site now and you can join us at http://www.bratz.com/ for fun and games and fashion advice."
"Fashion advice! What do...they know about fashion?" Barbie interjected. "No sense of color...or style...or...""Oh yeah? Well...girlfriend, at least we have joints that bend, which is more than can be said for you! I mean, who wants to spend their entire lives walking on tip-toe!"
"That is like...so mean!" Barbie said. "Isn't that a mean thing to say, Ken?" Barbie asked and then nudged her some times significant-other."Well isn't it?" Barbie asked once again.
"Surf's up!" Ken responded, throwing down his surfboard on the ground and attempting to surf ride the waves.
At that point the press conference was over and Barbie and the Bratz girls left arm-in-arms.
"Like...how can you go out with him?" Sasha Bratz asked, shaking her head incredulously watching Ken balancing on his surfboard.
"It's the price I must pay for being a famous personality and fashionista," Barbie sighed.
"Hey - this is a good wave!" Ken yelled, his arms flaying wildly on the floor.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
BARBIE AND BRATZ GO TO COURT
Seems that things are not cozy or even chummy in Barbie's world these days since Bratz dolls have taken the market share from the fashionista. As if things weren't bad enough with the Mattel family of dolls over the past couple of years, now they have to add a legal challenge to their pot of problems. Here's the sad story so far:
The maker of Barbie dolls, Mattel, has argued that it should own the rights to Barbie's younger rivals, the popular Bratz dolls range. The toy giant argued at the start of a court case that the 10-inch characters were created by a former employee while he was still working for Mattel. It wants competitor MGA Entertainment to stop selling Bratz products. But MGA contends that Carter Bryant came up with the Bratz designs when not working for Mattel. The smaller rival says Mr Bryant first had the idea in 1998, when he had been out of Mattel's employment for eight months, and that the dolls were developed by MGA engineers in late 2000 and 2001.
Here are some doll statistics regarding the group:
June 2001: Bratz dolls launchedMain characters: Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha and Jade dressed in urban fashions
September 2004: Bratz outsell Barbie in the UK
September 2005: Bratz animated TV series airs
August 2007: Bratz online community launched
But in the opening day of evidence in California, an attorney for Mattel said Mr Bryant's sketches were done on Mattel notepaper and that he worked on the designs for a year while still working for the company.
"MGA didn't hire him straight away," said Mattel attorney John Quinn. "They polished the fashion doll design using Mattel resources and Mattel personnel."
Earlier this month, Mattel dropped its claim against designer Carter Bryant for $35m in royalties he had been paid by MGA Entertainment for his work on the Bratz dolls. MGA said Mattel's claims against it were "equally baseless" and said it intended to counter-sue for $1bn in damages at the end of the current court case. Barbie has slipped in popularity since the launch of the Bratz franchise in 2001. As well as dolls, the Bratz product range includes clothes for young girls, stationery and a feature-length movie featuring the characters.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7423435.stm
Extra: Barbie comments on the case!
In a recent interview with the newly released Barbie from her cardboard prison located in a warehouse... somewhere, the glamorous symbol of the vinyl set for her part, says that she only wants what is rightfully hers. Whatever that is once the dust settles.
"Designer shoes...designer outfits...designer purses...limos...my needs are simple," Barbie said, when asked for a reaction to what is happening, "especially compared to those Bratz girls! I hear they even got their own TV series! That's it! I'm suing!"
GI Joe who happened to be sitting next to her, came to her defence.
"Yeah - she only wants what's hers! D'ya think it was easy having to live in a cardboard box? Well I can tell 'ya - it wasn't! It was hard! Read hard! No bullets...no tanks... Nothing! No way to defend everyone from the enemy. Right babe?"
More updates as they occur.
Seems that things are not cozy or even chummy in Barbie's world these days since Bratz dolls have taken the market share from the fashionista. As if things weren't bad enough with the Mattel family of dolls over the past couple of years, now they have to add a legal challenge to their pot of problems. Here's the sad story so far:
The maker of Barbie dolls, Mattel, has argued that it should own the rights to Barbie's younger rivals, the popular Bratz dolls range. The toy giant argued at the start of a court case that the 10-inch characters were created by a former employee while he was still working for Mattel. It wants competitor MGA Entertainment to stop selling Bratz products. But MGA contends that Carter Bryant came up with the Bratz designs when not working for Mattel. The smaller rival says Mr Bryant first had the idea in 1998, when he had been out of Mattel's employment for eight months, and that the dolls were developed by MGA engineers in late 2000 and 2001.
Here are some doll statistics regarding the group:
June 2001: Bratz dolls launchedMain characters: Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha and Jade dressed in urban fashions
September 2004: Bratz outsell Barbie in the UK
September 2005: Bratz animated TV series airs
August 2007: Bratz online community launched
But in the opening day of evidence in California, an attorney for Mattel said Mr Bryant's sketches were done on Mattel notepaper and that he worked on the designs for a year while still working for the company.
"MGA didn't hire him straight away," said Mattel attorney John Quinn. "They polished the fashion doll design using Mattel resources and Mattel personnel."
Earlier this month, Mattel dropped its claim against designer Carter Bryant for $35m in royalties he had been paid by MGA Entertainment for his work on the Bratz dolls. MGA said Mattel's claims against it were "equally baseless" and said it intended to counter-sue for $1bn in damages at the end of the current court case. Barbie has slipped in popularity since the launch of the Bratz franchise in 2001. As well as dolls, the Bratz product range includes clothes for young girls, stationery and a feature-length movie featuring the characters.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7423435.stm
Extra: Barbie comments on the case!
In a recent interview with the newly released Barbie from her cardboard prison located in a warehouse... somewhere, the glamorous symbol of the vinyl set for her part, says that she only wants what is rightfully hers. Whatever that is once the dust settles.
"Designer shoes...designer outfits...designer purses...limos...my needs are simple," Barbie said, when asked for a reaction to what is happening, "especially compared to those Bratz girls! I hear they even got their own TV series! That's it! I'm suing!"
GI Joe who happened to be sitting next to her, came to her defence.
"Yeah - she only wants what's hers! D'ya think it was easy having to live in a cardboard box? Well I can tell 'ya - it wasn't! It was hard! Read hard! No bullets...no tanks... Nothing! No way to defend everyone from the enemy. Right babe?"
More updates as they occur.
WRITERS & FRIENDS
Saturday, April 12, 2008
BARBIE, KEN & THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(the continuing saga of life among the plastic people)
by Eleanor Tylbor
Our story so far:
EXILED IN A WAREHOUSE DUE TO AN UNFORESEEN PRODUCT RECALL, THE PLASTICVILLE CREW WERE UNDER SEIGE BY A DEMOLITION COMPANY, SENT TO CLEAR OUT THE WAREHOUSE
BARBIE
(struggling to lift the lid of her box)
Somehow...we've...got...to...show...that...we're...here. Can't...move...this...top. If...only my...legs...would...bend...
G.I. JOE
Stop your moaning, soldier! You're part of the proudest fighting machine in the nation! Ten-shun!
BARBIE
Earth-to-G.I. Joe! Earth-to-G.I. Joe! Knock-knock! Anybody home?
G.I. JOE
Who's there? Anybody-home-who? Love 'em knock-knock jokes! Go on - tell me the punch line
BARBIE
No Joe - it's not a knock-knock joke. It's not funny one little bit! Like...we gotta find a way to tell those people we're here or else it's curtains for us
KEN
Surf's up! I hear it and the smell of salt water!
BARBIE
Ken...Ken...Ken... What you hear is the sound of heavy equipment and the smell of gasoline. Get a grip!
G.I. JOE
Yeah - get a life soldier sissy-boy! (sniffing) I just love the smell of gasoline in the morning! Hey soldiers - I think I got me an idea. I'm not quite sure yet but I feel something happening in my head. Wait a minute... Yeah - it's definitely an idea. Sometimes it's just dandruff but this time it's an idea...
KEN
Oh Gawd! We're gonna die!
(ALL THE BARBIES', KENS' AND GI JOE'S' IN THE BOXES, ECHO KEN'S WORDS)
BARBIES, KENS, GI JOES (TOGETHER): 'We're gonna diiiiie!'
G.I. JOE
(softly)
Ssssssh - quiet - everyone! The enemy is near! They think we can't hear them but I can. I've been trained to hear enemy talk. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, every-day, plastic ears, y'know! Keep your mouths shut and for gawd's sake - youze all, stop your snivelling! I can hear them... They're saying: 'Blow this place sky high!' I gotcha, you bastards! You ain't gonna get away with it! G.I. Joe is gonna blow us all to kingdom come! I got me one last grenade and...
BARBIE
No! Please! Listen to me, Joe! Babe! Soldier boy!
KEN
We're all gonna diiiiiie! I'm too young to die. I still got a lot of surfing to do!
KEN:(sung to: "Lot of Livin' to Do")
There are waves, just right for some surfing,
And I'm gonna get me a few,
Lots of curls waitin' in Hawaii,
Oh I got a lot of surfin' to doooooo!
BARBIE
Oh Ken - I love it when you sing! I almost forgot what a good voice you have
KEN
I know. Remember when I tried out for American Idol but they wouldn't let me sing to my surf board? Damn Simon! Damn Brits! What do they know about surfing? Oh babe! If only I could touch you! Remember how we used to watch the waves from your beach house, holding hands? The tips of our plastic fingers touching each other. It was magic! Waves came in...and then went out... Came in...and went out...
BARBIE
I get the picture. That seems like centuries ago! Oh why, oh why, must we deserve this fate?
G.I. JOE
Hey! As long as I got my one leg and arm - I'm gonna save us all! And don't forget I still got my teeth
KEN
...we don't have teeth, G.I....
G.I. JOE
Oh yeah. I knew that. Well...anyway. All I haf'ta do is pull this here string with my one good toe... And... Just a minute now...I'm almost there
BARBIE
No! Stop! You'll blow us all to bits!
G.I. JOE
Almost there...I got the end... just pull...
(SUDDENLY, THERE IS A HUGE BANG AND EXPLOSION. ALL THE BOXES AND THE LIDS FLY UP IN THE AIR)
KEN
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Surf's up!
BARBIE
(in mid-air)
My-my wardrobe! It's ruined! My life as a fashion icon is over! I am no longer the fashionista that everyone looks up to... The Bratts win in the end
G.I. JOE
Told you I'd get us outta here, babe! Look - there's my jeep down there! We're as good as free, babe!
(AS THEY SLOWLY FALL TO THE GROUND, ONE CAN ONLY SPECULATE AS TO WHERE THEY WILL END UP NEXT. WILL THEY BE FREE AGAIN OR ARE THEY FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE?)
EXILED IN A WAREHOUSE DUE TO AN UNFORESEEN PRODUCT RECALL, THE PLASTICVILLE CREW WERE UNDER SEIGE BY A DEMOLITION COMPANY, SENT TO CLEAR OUT THE WAREHOUSE
BARBIE
(struggling to lift the lid of her box)
Somehow...we've...got...to...show...that...we're...here. Can't...move...this...top. If...only my...legs...would...bend...
G.I. JOE
Stop your moaning, soldier! You're part of the proudest fighting machine in the nation! Ten-shun!
BARBIE
Earth-to-G.I. Joe! Earth-to-G.I. Joe! Knock-knock! Anybody home?
G.I. JOE
Who's there? Anybody-home-who? Love 'em knock-knock jokes! Go on - tell me the punch line
BARBIE
No Joe - it's not a knock-knock joke. It's not funny one little bit! Like...we gotta find a way to tell those people we're here or else it's curtains for us
KEN
Surf's up! I hear it and the smell of salt water!
BARBIE
Ken...Ken...Ken... What you hear is the sound of heavy equipment and the smell of gasoline. Get a grip!
G.I. JOE
Yeah - get a life soldier sissy-boy! (sniffing) I just love the smell of gasoline in the morning! Hey soldiers - I think I got me an idea. I'm not quite sure yet but I feel something happening in my head. Wait a minute... Yeah - it's definitely an idea. Sometimes it's just dandruff but this time it's an idea...
KEN
Oh Gawd! We're gonna die!
(ALL THE BARBIES', KENS' AND GI JOE'S' IN THE BOXES, ECHO KEN'S WORDS)
BARBIES, KENS, GI JOES (TOGETHER): 'We're gonna diiiiie!'
G.I. JOE
(softly)
Ssssssh - quiet - everyone! The enemy is near! They think we can't hear them but I can. I've been trained to hear enemy talk. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, every-day, plastic ears, y'know! Keep your mouths shut and for gawd's sake - youze all, stop your snivelling! I can hear them... They're saying: 'Blow this place sky high!' I gotcha, you bastards! You ain't gonna get away with it! G.I. Joe is gonna blow us all to kingdom come! I got me one last grenade and...
BARBIE
No! Please! Listen to me, Joe! Babe! Soldier boy!
KEN
We're all gonna diiiiiie! I'm too young to die. I still got a lot of surfing to do!
KEN:(sung to: "Lot of Livin' to Do")
There are waves, just right for some surfing,
And I'm gonna get me a few,
Lots of curls waitin' in Hawaii,
Oh I got a lot of surfin' to doooooo!
BARBIE
Oh Ken - I love it when you sing! I almost forgot what a good voice you have
KEN
I know. Remember when I tried out for American Idol but they wouldn't let me sing to my surf board? Damn Simon! Damn Brits! What do they know about surfing? Oh babe! If only I could touch you! Remember how we used to watch the waves from your beach house, holding hands? The tips of our plastic fingers touching each other. It was magic! Waves came in...and then went out... Came in...and went out...
BARBIE
I get the picture. That seems like centuries ago! Oh why, oh why, must we deserve this fate?
G.I. JOE
Hey! As long as I got my one leg and arm - I'm gonna save us all! And don't forget I still got my teeth
KEN
...we don't have teeth, G.I....
G.I. JOE
Oh yeah. I knew that. Well...anyway. All I haf'ta do is pull this here string with my one good toe... And... Just a minute now...I'm almost there
BARBIE
No! Stop! You'll blow us all to bits!
G.I. JOE
Almost there...I got the end... just pull...
(SUDDENLY, THERE IS A HUGE BANG AND EXPLOSION. ALL THE BOXES AND THE LIDS FLY UP IN THE AIR)
KEN
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Surf's up!
BARBIE
(in mid-air)
My-my wardrobe! It's ruined! My life as a fashion icon is over! I am no longer the fashionista that everyone looks up to... The Bratts win in the end
G.I. JOE
Told you I'd get us outta here, babe! Look - there's my jeep down there! We're as good as free, babe!
(AS THEY SLOWLY FALL TO THE GROUND, ONE CAN ONLY SPECULATE AS TO WHERE THEY WILL END UP NEXT. WILL THEY BE FREE AGAIN OR ARE THEY FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE?)
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Saturday, January 19, 2008
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(the continuing saga of life among the plastic people)
by Eleanor Tylbor
(the continuing saga of life among the plastic people)
by Eleanor Tylbor
BARBIE
Stop, GI Joe! Don’t pull that whatever you do! You’ll blow us all to bits! Oh gawd! Look at these clothes! Like...I can't be photographed looking like this
G.I. JOE
They’ll know we’re here, alright! Anyway, you look pretty good to me. A little dusty but then aren't we all?
BARBIE
But...someone like you doesn't understand that I, Barbie, fashionista, can't be seen as dusty. I have a reputation!
G.I. JOE
Don't worry, babe. Nobody believes all that gossip crap they write about you in the tabloids. Almost...got...it...
BARBIE
Stop! Like…isn’t it bad enough that you already blew your foot off trying to be helpful? You don't get it – there will be pieces of us...like everywhere!
G.I. JOE
Yeah but we'll be out'ta here! Lissen – as long as I still got one good foot and two arms… Mmmm...look what I have here. A good, old cigar…
(suddenly there is a loud boom accompanied by smoke)
G.I. JOE
…make that one foot, two arms and one hand
KEN
He’s nutso! Your boyfriend is certifiable!
G.I. JOE
Thank you, sissy-boy! Nice of you to say. Uh-oh…my bullets have melted
BARBIE
He is NOT my boyfriend and those bullets aren't real, Joe! They're plastic - just like us!
KEN
Does that mean…I’m still your number one surfer dude? Do you like me more than you like that Ass-tralian surfer-boy?
G.I. JOE
...I gotta find me some new a-mu-ni-tion! Hey surfer sissy-boy! Got any spare bullets on you?
KEN
You-you’ve seen the light, right Barbie-kins, and want me back! Right?
BARBIE
How many times have I told you not to call me Barbie-kins? My name is Barbie! B-E-R-B... B-A-R-B-I-E. Sometimes, Ken, you’re so…
BLAIN
…dense? Stupid? Empty-headed?
G.I. JOE
Think I got me some spares around somewhere here…somewhere… If only I could…check my pockets… Hey Aussie dude from Astro-Austreee-Australia – you got any extra grenades around?
BLAIN
Oh yeah. I always carry around spare grenade on my body. Cheez you are such an ignoramus
G.I. JOE
Thanks! I got it all up here (points to his head with his foot). Lissen…lend me a few and I’ll pay you back
KEN
Ssssssh! Is that the sound of waves? Surf’s up! And me without my surf board
BARBIE
They’re coming to save us. I just know it! ‘Hello out there! It’s us, the Barbies and Kens and Blaines and GI Joes… Help!’
VOICE
Okay… Move in the equipment… Yeah…we got orders to empty this here warehouse…
BARBIE
Ohmygawd! Like…they’re gonna clear us out!
KEN
Don’t we want that?
BARBIE
They don’t know we’re in here! We’ve got to find a way to let them know! There has to be a way
G.I. JOE
Leave it in my hands, babe… I mean, in my hand. By the time that I’ve finished, they’ll know alright! Your G.I. is the main man! I helped Rambo get the bad guys and…
BARBIE
Oh fer… Rambo is pretend, G.I.! He’s pretend!
BLAINE
Oh? And what are we?
BARBIE
The sound…it’s getting nearer! We’ve got to do something…fast!
(QUESTIONS DU JOUR: WILL SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING TO HALT THEIR IMMINENT DESTRUCTION? WILL G.I. JOE TAKE CHARGE AND BLOW THEM ALL TO BITS? TO BE CONTINUED…)
BARBIE
We're saved! But like…how can we attract their attention?
G.I. JOE
(attempting to reach the string to a hand grenade)
…just another inch…and…we’ll…be out’ta here… This should do...the trick...babe
When we last joined Barbie, Ken, GI Joe and their vinyl/plastic “sisters and brothers” they were spending Christmas stored away in cardboard boxes located somewhere on planet Earth. At the point they thought and maybe even hopefully assumed they were being rescued, the sound of heavy equipment indicated something to the contrary was about to occur. We join them now as panic begins to set in.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
SCENE: A WAREHOUSE… SOMEWHERE. ROWS AND ROWS OF BOXES COVER THE FLOOR SPACE. HANGING LIGHT BULBS CAST SHADOWS ON THE WALLS. IT IS THE PLACE OF SOLITUDE AND EXILE FOR BARBIE, KEN, G.I. JOE AND OTHER DOLLS, WHO HAVE HAD TO ADJUST TO LIFE IN A CARDBOARD BOX
BARBIE
(muffled voice)
Hel-lo? Like…can anybody hear me?
G.I. JOE
Yeah – me babe! Your best buddy and boyfriend and love of your life, G.I. Joe, here to save and serve you! Is the enemy near? I can smell the bad guys!
BARBIE
First of all I’m not your girlfriend…why am I bothering when we’ve gone through this a zillion times, already. Like…we are friends. Just friends. Got that? Gee whiz I hate this place!
G.I. JOE
(laughing)
…just friends. Sure babe. I get it! You don’t wanna tell that douche bag, Ken, we’re shacked up. Right?
BARBIE
Say what? How can we be shacked up when we’re living in boxes?
G.I. JOE
Well…see… Uh-oh…I hear something!
BARBIE
(sighing)
You’re always hearing something…
KEN
(sobbing)
Is…that…you…Barbie? I-I’m so scared!
G.I. JOE
Ten-shun! Get a grip, sissy boy! You’re a marine!
BARBIE
Like…G.I. – it’s Ken! Think back! Ken? Surfer dude? The summer house?
G.I. JOE
Ken…Ken… I knew a Ken. Always walked around wearing underwear. A filthy pervert
BARBIE
That’s him. I mean – he’s not a pervert! He’s always prepared for the next big wave
KEN
When are they coming to get us? I’m sure surf’s up!
BARBIE
There are more important things in life than surfing, Ken!
KEN
Oh? Like what?
BARBIE
Well… like getting out of here. I’m so sick of living in a box. Like…my outfit is soooo passé and those Bratz have probably taken my place opening night clubs and everything. Ohhhhhh I’m so depressed!
G.I. JOE
Hey! I can do something ‘bout that with this here hand grenade I just happen to have on me. If I can just…get…at…it… I’ll just pull the string and blow our lids off
BARBIE
Oh fer… You do realize you’ll blow us up, too
G.I. JOE
…if I can just move my arm across here and…almost there…
(lights suddenly go on. There is the muffled sound of voices getting closer)
BARBIE
They’ve come to get us! I knew they’d find us sooner or later! Better fix myself up for the press… Hello? It’s us! Thank goodness you’re here!
VOICE
…yeah. These are them. Been here for a while now… We need the space so we better bring in the big shovels.
BARBIE
What do you mean, ‘big shovels’? You-you can’t do that…
G.I. JOE
…just a little more…I can feel the side of the grenade…the string is right on top…
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
SCENE: A WAREHOUSE… SOMEWHERE. ROWS AND ROWS OF BOXES COVER THE FLOOR SPACE. HANGING LIGHT BULBS CAST SHADOWS ON THE WALLS. IT IS THE PLACE OF SOLITUDE AND EXILE FOR BARBIE, KEN, G.I. JOE AND OTHER DOLLS, WHO HAVE HAD TO ADJUST TO LIFE IN A CARDBOARD BOX
BARBIE
(muffled voice)
Hel-lo? Like…can anybody hear me?
G.I. JOE
Yeah – me babe! Your best buddy and boyfriend and love of your life, G.I. Joe, here to save and serve you! Is the enemy near? I can smell the bad guys!
BARBIE
First of all I’m not your girlfriend…why am I bothering when we’ve gone through this a zillion times, already. Like…we are friends. Just friends. Got that? Gee whiz I hate this place!
G.I. JOE
(laughing)
…just friends. Sure babe. I get it! You don’t wanna tell that douche bag, Ken, we’re shacked up. Right?
BARBIE
Say what? How can we be shacked up when we’re living in boxes?
G.I. JOE
Well…see… Uh-oh…I hear something!
BARBIE
(sighing)
You’re always hearing something…
KEN
(sobbing)
Is…that…you…Barbie? I-I’m so scared!
G.I. JOE
Ten-shun! Get a grip, sissy boy! You’re a marine!
BARBIE
Like…G.I. – it’s Ken! Think back! Ken? Surfer dude? The summer house?
G.I. JOE
Ken…Ken… I knew a Ken. Always walked around wearing underwear. A filthy pervert
BARBIE
That’s him. I mean – he’s not a pervert! He’s always prepared for the next big wave
KEN
When are they coming to get us? I’m sure surf’s up!
BARBIE
There are more important things in life than surfing, Ken!
KEN
Oh? Like what?
BARBIE
Well… like getting out of here. I’m so sick of living in a box. Like…my outfit is soooo passé and those Bratz have probably taken my place opening night clubs and everything. Ohhhhhh I’m so depressed!
G.I. JOE
Hey! I can do something ‘bout that with this here hand grenade I just happen to have on me. If I can just…get…at…it… I’ll just pull the string and blow our lids off
BARBIE
Oh fer… You do realize you’ll blow us up, too
G.I. JOE
…if I can just move my arm across here and…almost there…
(lights suddenly go on. There is the muffled sound of voices getting closer)
BARBIE
They’ve come to get us! I knew they’d find us sooner or later! Better fix myself up for the press… Hello? It’s us! Thank goodness you’re here!
VOICE
…yeah. These are them. Been here for a while now… We need the space so we better bring in the big shovels.
BARBIE
What do you mean, ‘big shovels’? You-you can’t do that…
G.I. JOE
…just a little more…I can feel the side of the grenade…the string is right on top…
(WILL THE GANG BE RESCUED FROM THE WAREHOUSE OR WILL THEY FACE A FATAL FATE?)
TO BE CONTINUED…
Writers & Friends
Saturday, November 03, 2007
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
The continuing and sometimes funny, sad but always interesting story about life and love among the plastic people)
The story so far: Barbie, famous fashionista and media doll celebrity and cyber star of the continuing cyber soap opera, BARBIE KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE, has now been relegated to a warehouse, somewhere, along with her friends, KEN, G.I. JOE, BLAIN, the BRATZ, due to a product recall. In stark contrast to their former lives of wearing expensive high end clothes and doing the club scene, they are now in the dark in the true sense of the word, stashed away in boxes.
As we pick up the story, they are in the midst of planning a rebellion to draw attention to their plight and get free in time for the Christmas rush.
BARBIE
Okay. Can we get started? Is everyone here?
G.I. JOE
Oh I’m here babe! Big time! All I gotta do is flip the trigger on this here weapon of mass destruction and then… Boom! We’re outta here big time!
BARBIE
Joe, Joe, Joe… Get this through that thick plastic blob sitting between your shoulders…
G.I. JOE
…I love when you talk dirty like that babe…
BARBIE…whatever. Like...has it hit you yet you are lying down flat on your back in a cardboard box, unable to move?
G.I. JOE
Has what hit me? Nothing hit me! At least I didn’t feel nothing… Uh-oh - it's the enemy planning to strike and I gotta act like…fast and protect youze all! All I hav'ta do is pick up my weapon here... Arm - move! It's gonna move now... I...think...I...feel...something cold...in...my...hand...
BARBIE
(sighing)
Like...just forget about your weapon. 'Kay? Focus Joe - focus!
G.I. JOE
I'm...not sure of...what...this is... I don't remember...them...making weapons with long tails. Then again...a soldier has'ta be prepared for everything and I'm the best, y'know
BARBIE
You’re a legend in your own mind. Ken? Are you around, here, somewhere?
KEN
I-I’m scared, Barbie! It’s so…dark here. And...and I'm soooo cold... Why am I so cold, Barbie?
BARBIE
'Cause it's winter and you're wearing your surfing outfit! You don't have to be scared. I'll protect you
G.I. JOE
Hey! That’s a soldier’s job!
BARBIE
Listen G.I. – like…let me lay it on you the way things are. You are stuck in a cardboard box along with the rest of us
G.I. JOE
Hey! A soldier is never stuck! A soldier always has options!
KEN
(sobbing)
Mommy! I want my mommy!
G.I. JOE
Oh shut your trap, sissy boy! Act like a man and not a cry-baby for pete's sake! ‘I-want-my-mommy…’ This man’s army would make a man out’ta you. Ten-shun!
BARBIE
Like…how did this happen? Me, a former fashionista whose biggest problem was what outfit to wear and which club opening to be at? Look at what I’m reduced to? Can we get on with this meeting? Blain? Are you around somewhere?
BLAIN
Here! Trying…to…lift…this…top… Forgetaboutit. When I was in Australia…
G.I. JOE
There he goes again, talkin’ about that there strange soundin’ place ‘Stra-li-a! ‘Stralia this and Stralia that.’ We don’t care about your weird sounding place with a foreign name! Got that? Or maybe you need a little convincin’ with some lead…
BARBIE
Don’t listen to him, Blain. Like…his elevator don’t go to the top floor if you get my drift. Can we start now? Like…Christmas is almost here and like…we gotta be on the shelves in toy stores or we’ll never be here…forever! We hav'ta make our move, now
(sound of sobbing coming from KEN’s box)
G.I. JOE
There he goes again. ‘Wa-wa-wa!’ Be a real doll for once in your life, soldier! Ten-shun!
BARBIE
Know what’s really sad?
G.I. JOE
I’ll tell you what’s sad, babe! I could run out’ta bullets!
BARBIE
Like…I’ve been wearing the same outfit for like…months! I mean, a fashionista like me deserves better! And…and…nobody will wanna buy me because my beautiful blond hair will be flat and…and…
BLAIN
It’s okay. In my eyes, Barbie – you’ll always be the most beautiful sheila around
G.I. JOE
What’s that? Who’s Sheila? Did he make a pass at you, babe? ‘Cause if he did…
BARBIE
Oh Blain! If only…if only…we weren’t stored away in boxes and…and…we could like…reach out and touch each other…
BLAIN
We have to make a big push to get out. What if your friend, Joe, there, could shoot himself out of his box and then he could do the same for us…
BARBIE
Like…I dunno. The last time he fired his weapon, he shot his right foot off
G.I. JOE
Hey! You promised that would be our secret. Did I cry, huh? Did I? No I didn’t because I’m a real soldier! Not like sissy-boy over there… Anyway, I still got one good foot
BLAIN
Listen – we don’t have much choice, here. Um…G.I. – we need your services as a soldier!
BARBIE
Like…I dunno. I’m getting a bad feeling about this
QUESTION DU JOUR: WILL G.I. JOE BE ABLE TO FREE THEM FROM THEIR CARDBOARD PRISONS? MORE TO THE POINT, WILL THEY SURVIVE? STATE TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF “BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE”
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
The continuing and sometimes funny, sad but always interesting story about life and love among the plastic people)
The story so far: Barbie, famous fashionista and media doll celebrity and cyber star of the continuing cyber soap opera, BARBIE KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE, has now been relegated to a warehouse, somewhere, along with her friends, KEN, G.I. JOE, BLAIN, the BRATZ, due to a product recall. In stark contrast to their former lives of wearing expensive high end clothes and doing the club scene, they are now in the dark in the true sense of the word, stashed away in boxes.
As we pick up the story, they are in the midst of planning a rebellion to draw attention to their plight and get free in time for the Christmas rush.
BARBIE
Okay. Can we get started? Is everyone here?
G.I. JOE
Oh I’m here babe! Big time! All I gotta do is flip the trigger on this here weapon of mass destruction and then… Boom! We’re outta here big time!
BARBIE
Joe, Joe, Joe… Get this through that thick plastic blob sitting between your shoulders…
G.I. JOE
…I love when you talk dirty like that babe…
BARBIE…whatever. Like...has it hit you yet you are lying down flat on your back in a cardboard box, unable to move?
G.I. JOE
Has what hit me? Nothing hit me! At least I didn’t feel nothing… Uh-oh - it's the enemy planning to strike and I gotta act like…fast and protect youze all! All I hav'ta do is pick up my weapon here... Arm - move! It's gonna move now... I...think...I...feel...something cold...in...my...hand...
BARBIE
(sighing)
Like...just forget about your weapon. 'Kay? Focus Joe - focus!
G.I. JOE
I'm...not sure of...what...this is... I don't remember...them...making weapons with long tails. Then again...a soldier has'ta be prepared for everything and I'm the best, y'know
BARBIE
You’re a legend in your own mind. Ken? Are you around, here, somewhere?
KEN
I-I’m scared, Barbie! It’s so…dark here. And...and I'm soooo cold... Why am I so cold, Barbie?
BARBIE
'Cause it's winter and you're wearing your surfing outfit! You don't have to be scared. I'll protect you
G.I. JOE
Hey! That’s a soldier’s job!
BARBIE
Listen G.I. – like…let me lay it on you the way things are. You are stuck in a cardboard box along with the rest of us
G.I. JOE
Hey! A soldier is never stuck! A soldier always has options!
KEN
(sobbing)
Mommy! I want my mommy!
G.I. JOE
Oh shut your trap, sissy boy! Act like a man and not a cry-baby for pete's sake! ‘I-want-my-mommy…’ This man’s army would make a man out’ta you. Ten-shun!
BARBIE
Like…how did this happen? Me, a former fashionista whose biggest problem was what outfit to wear and which club opening to be at? Look at what I’m reduced to? Can we get on with this meeting? Blain? Are you around somewhere?
BLAIN
Here! Trying…to…lift…this…top… Forgetaboutit. When I was in Australia…
G.I. JOE
There he goes again, talkin’ about that there strange soundin’ place ‘Stra-li-a! ‘Stralia this and Stralia that.’ We don’t care about your weird sounding place with a foreign name! Got that? Or maybe you need a little convincin’ with some lead…
BARBIE
Don’t listen to him, Blain. Like…his elevator don’t go to the top floor if you get my drift. Can we start now? Like…Christmas is almost here and like…we gotta be on the shelves in toy stores or we’ll never be here…forever! We hav'ta make our move, now
(sound of sobbing coming from KEN’s box)
G.I. JOE
There he goes again. ‘Wa-wa-wa!’ Be a real doll for once in your life, soldier! Ten-shun!
BARBIE
Know what’s really sad?
G.I. JOE
I’ll tell you what’s sad, babe! I could run out’ta bullets!
BARBIE
Like…I’ve been wearing the same outfit for like…months! I mean, a fashionista like me deserves better! And…and…nobody will wanna buy me because my beautiful blond hair will be flat and…and…
BLAIN
It’s okay. In my eyes, Barbie – you’ll always be the most beautiful sheila around
G.I. JOE
What’s that? Who’s Sheila? Did he make a pass at you, babe? ‘Cause if he did…
BARBIE
Oh Blain! If only…if only…we weren’t stored away in boxes and…and…we could like…reach out and touch each other…
BLAIN
We have to make a big push to get out. What if your friend, Joe, there, could shoot himself out of his box and then he could do the same for us…
BARBIE
Like…I dunno. The last time he fired his weapon, he shot his right foot off
G.I. JOE
Hey! You promised that would be our secret. Did I cry, huh? Did I? No I didn’t because I’m a real soldier! Not like sissy-boy over there… Anyway, I still got one good foot
BLAIN
Listen – we don’t have much choice, here. Um…G.I. – we need your services as a soldier!
BARBIE
Like…I dunno. I’m getting a bad feeling about this
QUESTION DU JOUR: WILL G.I. JOE BE ABLE TO FREE THEM FROM THEIR CARDBOARD PRISONS? MORE TO THE POINT, WILL THEY SURVIVE? STATE TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF “BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE”
Friday, August 10, 2007
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(The continuing story about life and love among the plastic people)
by Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: BARBIE continues in her attempt to break up with G.I. JOE, who is not getting the message. KEN, her ex-boyfriend who took off after hearing the call of the surf, has returned, unaware of the situation. Meanwhile, the BRATZ, fresh from bad critical reviews of their first (and probably last) movie, are heading back to PLASTICVILLE, expecting to return to their former roles of fashionistas
KEN
Hey everyone! I’m back! Your Ken is back, Barbie!
BARBIE
Oh…like…just what I need right now. Ken back
G.I. JOE
(picking up a rocket launcher and pointing it at KEN)
Back from where, sissy boy? How do we know where you were? You could’a given the enemy our coordinates and they could be heading this way now. We gotta kill this guy, babe
BARBIE
Not! Like…put that thing down, G.I.! Get it through your head that we don’t have any enemies. I mean, maybe badly designed outfits and tacky clothes choices…knock-off purses. That doesn’t mean anyone has’ta die! Punished, yes. Death, no.
G.I. JOE
This sissy boy…you know him?
BARBIE
Joe – this is Ken! You remember Ken, don’t you? You and him shared a beach house for a month?
KEN
Is that really you, Joey ba-bee? It’s me, Ken, your beach bunny!
G.I. JOE
(visually uncomfortable)
Um… Well… Never saw this disgusting excuse for a soldier in my life! Turn around and put your hands on the wall
(The continuing story about life and love among the plastic people)
by Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: BARBIE continues in her attempt to break up with G.I. JOE, who is not getting the message. KEN, her ex-boyfriend who took off after hearing the call of the surf, has returned, unaware of the situation. Meanwhile, the BRATZ, fresh from bad critical reviews of their first (and probably last) movie, are heading back to PLASTICVILLE, expecting to return to their former roles of fashionistas
KEN
Hey everyone! I’m back! Your Ken is back, Barbie!
BARBIE
Oh…like…just what I need right now. Ken back
G.I. JOE
(picking up a rocket launcher and pointing it at KEN)
Back from where, sissy boy? How do we know where you were? You could’a given the enemy our coordinates and they could be heading this way now. We gotta kill this guy, babe
BARBIE
Not! Like…put that thing down, G.I.! Get it through your head that we don’t have any enemies. I mean, maybe badly designed outfits and tacky clothes choices…knock-off purses. That doesn’t mean anyone has’ta die! Punished, yes. Death, no.
G.I. JOE
This sissy boy…you know him?
BARBIE
Joe – this is Ken! You remember Ken, don’t you? You and him shared a beach house for a month?
KEN
Is that really you, Joey ba-bee? It’s me, Ken, your beach bunny!
G.I. JOE
(visually uncomfortable)
Um… Well… Never saw this disgusting excuse for a soldier in my life! Turn around and put your hands on the wall
KEN
Why?
G.I. JOE
I gotta frisk you - t’see if you got any hidden weapons
KEN
Ohhhhhh – I like that idea. Here let me help…
G.I. JOE
(frisking KEN)
Stand back, soldier! I’m armed with a weapon
KEN
Oh I can see that. Wanna frisk me again? Then I’ll frisk you…and then we’ll frisk each other…
BARBIE
Like…I don’t wanna break up your sick game but G.I. – we hav’ta talk. Now please?
(suddenly, there is the sound of a car engine and a Corvette pulls up)
Sasha! Jade! Jasmin! Cloe! The Bratz are back!
G.I. JOE
You know these dolls?
BARBIE
Never saw them before in my life!
G.I. JOE
Aha! The enemy has many faces. Okay ladies. Up against the wall and spread your legs
(G.I. JOE attempts to push the Bratz dolls against the wall and they hop along instead on their tip-toes)
(cont’d.) I said – spread ‘em!
JADE
We can’t! Like…our legs won’t move apart! God knows we've been trying for years and don't even ask about our sex lives
G.I. JOE
Don’t gimme none of your lame excuses. I said – spread ‘em!
JADE
And I’m telling you – we can’t!
SASHA
Like…hi Barbie! We’re back! Where’s the party?
BARBIE
You have some nerve! The four of you take off on me…like…a long time ago and like…you try to be movie stars and like…you sucked big time and now…like you expect me to welcome you back with open arms?
SASHA
Well…yeah. Why not?
BARBIE
Um – well – because – lemme think on that question
YASMIN
The bad movie director kept telling us to emote and like…we kept telling him we couldn’t!
BARBIE
How come?
YASMIN
We don’t know what the word means. Oh Barbie – please forgive us! We miss your parties… I mean, we’ve missed you.
BARBIE
Like…right now I got other more important problems to worry about
CLOE
What could be more important than…us?
BARBIE
Um – well – him…(gesturing to G.I. JOE who is crawling around on his stomach looking for "the enemy") and Ken…and Blaine
CLOE
Blain? Who’s Blain?
BARBIE
That Australian surfer dude laying on the ground over there
(The BRATZ dolls hop over to where BLAIN is laying, staring at him)
CLOE
Hey – he’s cute
BLAIN
(lifting his head and looking up)
Mummy? Is it time for din-dins yet?
BARBIE
See what I mean?
KEN
Hey ladies – remember me? We surfed together?
CLOE
Is he still hanging around?
G.I. JOE
Okay ladies. Hands up in the air! How do I know you’re who you say you are? Gimme some proof. They gotta gimme proof, babe, or you know what I gotta do!
BARBIE
(slapping G.I. JOE across the face after each word)
You (slap)-stop (slap)-that (slap)-talk (slap)-right (slap)-now!
Mummy? Is it time for din-dins yet?
BARBIE
See what I mean?
KEN
Hey ladies – remember me? We surfed together?
CLOE
Is he still hanging around?
G.I. JOE
Okay ladies. Hands up in the air! How do I know you’re who you say you are? Gimme some proof. They gotta gimme proof, babe, or you know what I gotta do!
BARBIE
(slapping G.I. JOE across the face after each word)
You (slap)-stop (slap)-that (slap)-talk (slap)-right (slap)-now!
Monday, July 16, 2007
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
By Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: BARBIE, worried that G.I. JOE is “losing it” and concerned that she might end up losing BLAIN, her ex-but-maybe-with-a-little luck Australian surfer boyfriend who has been rendered semi-unconscious as a result of plastic bullets to his head, has broached the subject of breaking up with G.I. JOE
BARBIE
Did you hear what I said, G.I.?
G.I. JOE
Whad’ya mean?
BARBIE
Whad’ya mean, what do I mean? I meant exactly what I told you
G.I. JOE
(deep in thought)
Uh-huh. What did you say, again?
BARBIE
Um… Let me think…
(BLAIN, gains consciousness and picks up his head)
BLAIN
She means she wants to break up with you, mate!
BARBIE
Blain! You’re back! Oh praise be!
BLAIN
Mummy? I gotta go potty!
BARBIE
Like…maybe I spoke too soon
G.I. JOE
What does he mean?
BARBIE
Silly! That’s just Australian for he hast’a pee!
G.I. JOE
Good because I thought he was saying that you wanna leave me. I mean, I don’t know what I’d do if you ever did… Leave, that is
BARBIE
(nervous)
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
By Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: BARBIE, worried that G.I. JOE is “losing it” and concerned that she might end up losing BLAIN, her ex-but-maybe-with-a-little luck Australian surfer boyfriend who has been rendered semi-unconscious as a result of plastic bullets to his head, has broached the subject of breaking up with G.I. JOE
BARBIE
Did you hear what I said, G.I.?
G.I. JOE
Whad’ya mean?
BARBIE
Whad’ya mean, what do I mean? I meant exactly what I told you
G.I. JOE
(deep in thought)
Uh-huh. What did you say, again?
BARBIE
Um… Let me think…
(BLAIN, gains consciousness and picks up his head)
BLAIN
She means she wants to break up with you, mate!
BARBIE
Blain! You’re back! Oh praise be!
BLAIN
Mummy? I gotta go potty!
BARBIE
Like…maybe I spoke too soon
G.I. JOE
What does he mean?
BARBIE
Silly! That’s just Australian for he hast’a pee!
G.I. JOE
Good because I thought he was saying that you wanna leave me. I mean, I don’t know what I’d do if you ever did… Leave, that is
BARBIE
(nervous)
Well… You know, G.I. sometimes – um – two people – um – who have been seeing each other – um – for too long… I mean, who know each other a long time, need to – um…um… Need a rest from each other. Know what I’m trying to say?
G.I. JOE
(thinking deeply)
No
BARBIE
What I’m trying to say is… Perhaps we should go our own ways for a while - but just for a while of course
G.I. JOE
Of course – I get it!
BARBIE
(relieved)
Whew! You do?
G.I. JOE
D’ya think I’m stoopid or something? Of course I understand!
BARBIE
You’ll always be a friend, G.I. and even though we may be apart, you’ll be close in my heart
G.I. JOE
You wanna go shopping by yourself. Right? I mean, I could drive you if you want but I’ll wait outside. That’s okay. I won’t go in with you and force them to serve you first if that’s what you want. I’ll just wait outside in my tank on guard ‘til you’re finished
BARBIE
(whistfully)
Oh G.I. That’s not exactly what I had in mind
G.I. JOE
So you want me to go in and help you choose clothes like always?
BARBIE
Not! Look G.I. – let me make this so you understand. Sometimes two people who’ve known each other for a long time like us…
G.I. JOE
Yeah – we been friends since we were kids and I got my first weapon. Remember? I used to walk you home and nobody would bother you when I’m around. No-one!
BARBIE
That’s exactly what I mean, G.I.!
G.I. JOE
You want me to walk you home, again? I could y’know! All you gotta do is ask! We could hold hands and skip…
BARBIE
(frustrated)
No G.I. I don’t need you to walk me home anymore! In fact I don’t need you! That’s the point!
G.I. JOE
I don’t get it
BARBIE
That’s the problem in a nutshell!
G.I. JOE
(lost in thought)
You want I should crack open some nuts for you? I mean, that’s weird but look – if my Barbie wants nuts…
BARBIE
(to herself)
…don’t finish that sentence, Barbie… Here’s it is. Plain and simple. We have to stop seeing each other
G.I. JOE
You want I should close my eyes?
BARBIE
(very frustrated)
No G.I. I want you and me to take a rest from each other!
G.I. JOE
You mean…
BARBIE
You go your way and I’ll go mine
G.I. JOE
Oh. So… It’s…him, isn’t it?
(points at the still unconscious BLAIN)
G.I. JOE
First it’s Ken and now this…this…surfer dude is trying to steal you away from me!
(BLAIN stirs and lifts his head)
BLAIN
Daddy? I wanna go surfing!
G.I. JOE
Well… He’s gonna have to fight me for you. (does karate chops in the air) My hands are a lethal weapon, y’know!
BARBIE
I know – oh how I know!
G.I. JOE
Where’s my weapon…
BARBIE
Please – no more violence. That’s the problem, G.I. That’s your way of handling everything
G.I. JOE
Hey! A soldier hast’a do what a soldier…
BARBIE
…hast’a do. I know. Go! Please leave – now –before things get out of hand, again
G.I. JOE
(pulling up BLAIN by the hair)
Hey – you! Surfer dude! You ain’t gonna get my Barbie without a fight! Got that?
(G.I. JOE drops BLAIN’s head, which falls on to the ground)
BLAIN
‘Mary had a little lamb…little lamb…little lamb…’
G.I. JOE
See Barbie? He’s a sissy, through-and-through. Who’s Mary? Your girl-friend, sissy-boy? Well – I’m off
BARBIE
That’s the truest thing you’ve said in a long time
G.I. JOE
I’m gonna prepare to defend your honor.
BARBIE
No – please! I don’t want that…
G.I. JOE
Sorry babe but a soldier has’ta…
BARBIE
…been there, heard that
(a familiar voice suddenly breaks the tension)
KEN
Hi-dee-hi-and ho-di-ho, people. Never fear - your Ken is near
BARBIE
Oh gawd! Just what I need now
(Question du Jour: With Ken’s arrival, will the situation become even more complicated than it is? Will Ken take sides and if so, who will he support: his old “friend” or a fellow surfer?)
G.I. JOE
(thinking deeply)
No
BARBIE
What I’m trying to say is… Perhaps we should go our own ways for a while - but just for a while of course
G.I. JOE
Of course – I get it!
BARBIE
(relieved)
Whew! You do?
G.I. JOE
D’ya think I’m stoopid or something? Of course I understand!
BARBIE
You’ll always be a friend, G.I. and even though we may be apart, you’ll be close in my heart
G.I. JOE
You wanna go shopping by yourself. Right? I mean, I could drive you if you want but I’ll wait outside. That’s okay. I won’t go in with you and force them to serve you first if that’s what you want. I’ll just wait outside in my tank on guard ‘til you’re finished
BARBIE
(whistfully)
Oh G.I. That’s not exactly what I had in mind
G.I. JOE
So you want me to go in and help you choose clothes like always?
BARBIE
Not! Look G.I. – let me make this so you understand. Sometimes two people who’ve known each other for a long time like us…
G.I. JOE
Yeah – we been friends since we were kids and I got my first weapon. Remember? I used to walk you home and nobody would bother you when I’m around. No-one!
BARBIE
That’s exactly what I mean, G.I.!
G.I. JOE
You want me to walk you home, again? I could y’know! All you gotta do is ask! We could hold hands and skip…
BARBIE
(frustrated)
No G.I. I don’t need you to walk me home anymore! In fact I don’t need you! That’s the point!
G.I. JOE
I don’t get it
BARBIE
That’s the problem in a nutshell!
G.I. JOE
(lost in thought)
You want I should crack open some nuts for you? I mean, that’s weird but look – if my Barbie wants nuts…
BARBIE
(to herself)
…don’t finish that sentence, Barbie… Here’s it is. Plain and simple. We have to stop seeing each other
G.I. JOE
You want I should close my eyes?
BARBIE
(very frustrated)
No G.I. I want you and me to take a rest from each other!
G.I. JOE
You mean…
BARBIE
You go your way and I’ll go mine
G.I. JOE
Oh. So… It’s…him, isn’t it?
(points at the still unconscious BLAIN)
G.I. JOE
First it’s Ken and now this…this…surfer dude is trying to steal you away from me!
(BLAIN stirs and lifts his head)
BLAIN
Daddy? I wanna go surfing!
G.I. JOE
Well… He’s gonna have to fight me for you. (does karate chops in the air) My hands are a lethal weapon, y’know!
BARBIE
I know – oh how I know!
G.I. JOE
Where’s my weapon…
BARBIE
Please – no more violence. That’s the problem, G.I. That’s your way of handling everything
G.I. JOE
Hey! A soldier hast’a do what a soldier…
BARBIE
…hast’a do. I know. Go! Please leave – now –before things get out of hand, again
G.I. JOE
(pulling up BLAIN by the hair)
Hey – you! Surfer dude! You ain’t gonna get my Barbie without a fight! Got that?
(G.I. JOE drops BLAIN’s head, which falls on to the ground)
BLAIN
‘Mary had a little lamb…little lamb…little lamb…’
G.I. JOE
See Barbie? He’s a sissy, through-and-through. Who’s Mary? Your girl-friend, sissy-boy? Well – I’m off
BARBIE
That’s the truest thing you’ve said in a long time
G.I. JOE
I’m gonna prepare to defend your honor.
BARBIE
No – please! I don’t want that…
G.I. JOE
Sorry babe but a soldier has’ta…
BARBIE
…been there, heard that
(a familiar voice suddenly breaks the tension)
KEN
Hi-dee-hi-and ho-di-ho, people. Never fear - your Ken is near
BARBIE
Oh gawd! Just what I need now
(Question du Jour: With Ken’s arrival, will the situation become even more complicated than it is? Will Ken take sides and if so, who will he support: his old “friend” or a fellow surfer?)
©Eleanor Tylbor, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
June 18, 2007
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
By Eleanor Tylbor
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
By Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: After G.I. JOE's attempt to throw BLAIN, BARBIE's ex-but-hopefully-to-be-once-again-boyfriend, over his shoulder to transport him to the hospital, they have finally reached Mercyful Hospital with G.I. JOE riding shotgun on a tank.
BARBIEPlease - like...can somebody lend a hand here?
G.I. JOE
(jumping down off his tank)
Here - lemme show you how a soldier does it
BARBIENo! I mean - you've done enough to...I mean, for us already
G.I. JOEAnything for you, babe!
BARBIE
Hello? We need a doctor - like...now!
G.I. JOEHey! Did I ever tell you that I got my first-aid badge. We don't need no doctors...
BARBIENo...thank you, G.I. Why don't we get another opinion from a real doctor?
G.I. JOEOkay but I saved my pooch, Bullet, when he got hit by a ve-hi-cle last year
BARBIEBut...you hit him, G.I.!
G.I. JOEHey - it was an accident, okay? It ain't my fault the dog fell off during manoeuvers!
BARBIEBut did you have to run over him three times?
G.I. JOEHow was I supposed t'know he wasn't an enemy pooch?
BARBIE
Why do I bother... Hello? Somebody? Anybody?
G.I. JOEHere - lemme get somebody. It takes a soldier t'get things done around here...
(G.I. JOE runs inside the hospital and exits with a doctor slung over his shoulder, screaming)
DOCTORHelp! Help! This man is a lunatic!
G.I. JOE
Aw - thank you doc! Ain't that nice of him t'say, Barbie?
BARBIEPut-him-down, G.I.! Please? For me, your Barbie?
(G.I. JOE lowers the physician to the ground)
(BARBIE cont'd.) You'll have to forgive my friend G.I. Joe. He's a little over-protective
DOCTORForgive him? Forgive him? I'm calling the cops! The man's a real danger to society. I'm gonna have him locked up...
(physician produces cell phone and starts to dial)
G.I. JOEUh-oh... We have an enemy agent here calling his bad guy friends...
(G.I. JOE whips out a sling shot from his back pocket and aims it at physician and hits him on
the cheek)
DOCTORWhat the... That hurt! This man is really dangerous!
G.I. JOE
And don't you forget it! I know your type... Pretend to be a friendly doc but inside you're really the enemy trying to take over the world. I bet you don't even work here, do you? Let everyone think you can fix boo-boos but all you really want is in-for-ma-tion.
(G.I. JOE walks over to the physician who responds by running back into the hospital)
(G.I. JOE cont'd) Ha! I showed him! Coward! He won't be botherin' you again, babe!
BARBIEOh gawd, G.I. What have you done?
G.I. JOENo need t'thank me!
BARBIEWe need a doctor, now! Blain here needs help
(BLAIN starts to stir)
BLAINMummy - is that you? I got a boo-boo that hurts bad, mommy.
(The sound of police sirens can be heard causing G.I. JOE to retreat back into his tank)
G.I. JOE
C'mon Barbie - the enemy has found us but your G.I. JOE will keep you safe from harm
BARBIEThat's the problem, G.I.
G.I. JOEWhat is?
BARBIE
Your trying to keep me safe. Perhaps we should part ways...
G.I. JOE
Whad'ya mean?
BARBIE
You know - um - separate?
G.I. JOE
I don't get it
BARBIEThat's the problem. Let me put it this way: I think we should break up
Questions du jour: How will G.I. Joe take to a possible breakup with his Barbie? Will surfer dude Blain get the help he needs? How will G.I. Joe deal with the arrival of the police?
©Eleanor Tylbor, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
By Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: Having revived BLAIN, the Australian surfer dude and love of BARBIE’s life, G.I. JOE has asked BARBIE about the geographical location of Australia
(The continuing story about life among the plastic people)
By Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: Having revived BLAIN, the Australian surfer dude and love of BARBIE’s life, G.I. JOE has asked BARBIE about the geographical location of Australia
BARBIE
What are you trying to tell me, G.I.?
G.I. JOE
Hey! Is that the place where them there giant jumping mice live? ‘Cause if it is – I can get some of my men together and we can go hunt them down and…
BARBIE
Like…pleeze, G.I.! Is that all you care about? Killing and maiming? You are so violent!
G.I. JOE
Thank you. I know. Gawd I love it when you use those big words. You’re so smart, babe!
(BARBIE attempts to cradle BLAIN’s plastic head but it continually slips out of her inflexible hands and she ends up dropping his head on the ground)
BARBIE
Like…I’m soooo sorry. Blain? Are you okay, baby?
BLAIN
(mumbling)
Wha’? Hear? Surf’s up! Where’s my board…get my board please, mummy
BARBIE
Oh Blain…honey! It’s me, your Barbie doll!
BLAIN
Mummy? I have a boo-boo on my head. It hurts baaaaad
G.I. JOE
I dunno, babe! Sounds suspish..sustik… Could be an enemy. Better frisk him…
BLAIN
(dazed)
Daddy? Is that you?
G.I. JOE
Hey! I ain’t your dad! I’m a soldier and don’t you forget it. Ten-shun!
BLAIN
I see pretty stars floating in front of my eyes. Do you see them too? Let’s catch one
G.I. JOE
Stars? Oh…you mean the stars on this here u-ni-form I’m wearing! Wanna know what they’re for? See…this here one…
BLAIN
Twinkle, twinkle little staaaarrrr…how I wonder where you arrrrre…
G.I. JOE
…is for foldin’ my clothes nicely and this here one is…
BLAIN
…high above the earth so high…
G.I. JOE
…I got for brushin’ my teeth three times a day…
BARBIE
We have to get Blain to a hospital!
G.I. JOE
Hospital? We don’t need no hospital. See this here badge? I got that for First Aid. Your G.I. Joe can fix his boo-boo, lickety-split. Even faster than that
BARBIE
Like…don’t think I don’t appreciate the offer but I think my sweetie here…I mean to say, Blain here, needs a real hospital where real doctors…
G.I. JOE
Hey! Whad’ya mean, ‘real doctors’? They don’t give these here badgers…
BARBIE
…badges…
G.I. JOE
Huh? That’s what I said
BARBIE
Like…you said, BADGERS
G.I. JOE
Yeah. Badgers.
BARBIE
They’re B-A-D-G-E-S
G.I. JOE
Badgers…badges. What’s the difference?
BARBIE
A lot. One is an animal and the other is a… Why am I bothering to explain?
(G.I. JOE checks in a pocket and produces a band aid)
G.I. JOE
(Cont’d.) Here it is! I knew I had one on me…it’s a little old but it’s still good. So where’s the cut?
BARBIE
Um… Why don’t you talk with the doctors…just to make sure of course that they know what they’re doing? Here – let’s use my cell phone to call
(KEN suddenly walks out of the woods, running towards BARBIE and G.I. JOE, holding a surf board)
KEN
Hey Barbie! Surf’s up! Grab your…
BLAIN
(groggy)
Surf…gotta surf…
G.I. JOE
At ease, soldier! You’re in no state to surf. Here – lemme put this here band aid on your boo-boo…
KEN
Oh? Who do we have here? Blain? You whale scum! Shark doo-doo…
BARBIE
Um…Ken. Can you keep that for after? G.I. Joe here, like…got a little excited and like…hit him on the head with plastic bullets
KEN
You mean…Blain here is hurt? Oh my poor ba-by boy!. I mean, the idiot. He should be in a hospital getting proper care
G.I. JOE
Hey! He is getting cared for by me! I know all about fixin’ boo-boos!
KEN
(staring at him for ten seconds)
We can transport him to a hospital on my surf board. Now you take his arms Barbie, and I’ll take his legs…
(BARBIE and KEN attempt to bend over and grasp BLAIN’s legs and arms without success. As BARBIE picks up his arms, KEN drops his legs and vice-versa)
G.I. JOE
Here – let a soldier show you how it’s done
(G.I. JOE grabs BLAIN’s arms and attempts to throw him over his soldier but misses. BLAIN is propelled over G.I. JOE’s soldier, screaming all the while)
G.I. JOE
Whooops…
(to be continued)
Question du jour: will BLAIN receive the necessary medical help he requires?
©Eleanor Tylbor, 2007
Writers & Friends
Friday, May 18, 2007
BARBIE, KEN AND THE REST IN PLASTICVILLE
The continuing story
By Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: BARBIE HAS RUSHED BACK TO HER BEACH HOUSE UPON HEARING A SOUND RESEMBLING A GUN SHOT. SHE SEES BLAIN, HER USED-TO-BE-BOYFRIEND SPRAWLED ON THE GROUND, WITH G.I. JOE CROUCHED NEARBY. AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL TRIES TO CROUCH DOWN NEXT TO HIM DUE TO HER UNYIELDING STIFF PLASTIC BODY, BARBIE DROPS ON TO THE GROUND, FACE-FIRST, HANDS IN THE AIR
The continuing story
By Eleanor Tylbor
SCENE: BARBIE HAS RUSHED BACK TO HER BEACH HOUSE UPON HEARING A SOUND RESEMBLING A GUN SHOT. SHE SEES BLAIN, HER USED-TO-BE-BOYFRIEND SPRAWLED ON THE GROUND, WITH G.I. JOE CROUCHED NEARBY. AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL TRIES TO CROUCH DOWN NEXT TO HIM DUE TO HER UNYIELDING STIFF PLASTIC BODY, BARBIE DROPS ON TO THE GROUND, FACE-FIRST, HANDS IN THE AIR
BARBIE
Like…ohmygawd! Blain – honey! Wake up. Your Barbie is here!
G.I. JOE
(walking over to her, gun aimed at BLAIN)
Don’t worry, babe. The intruder has been neutralized. Wait just a G.I. moment here! ‘Blain - honey?’ Whad’ya mean by that?
BARBIE
(flipping on to her back)
Well… I mean…like… Blain is from Australia and…like…his family owns a honey farm. Yeah – that’s it. A honey farm. Um…G.I. – would you bend me into a sitting position?
G.I. JOE
Sure. I can do that with these muscular arms. Oh so then….and I thought you were…well…y’know…talkin’ to him like he was your boyfriend or something
BARBIE
Him? My boyfriend? Ha-ha-ha-ha! Don’t be a silly soldier, G.I. Joe! Friends – we’re just friends!
G.I. JOE
Good ‘cause… you know I’m the only real man in your life, babe.
BARBIE
Do I have a choice?
(BARBIE attempts to cradle BLAIN’s head in her plastic hands but his head keeps slipping down. Finally, she drops his head on the ground)
(cont’d.) Oh the angst of being a fashionista cursed with hands that won’t bend! What did you do to him, G.I. Joe?
G.I. JOE
Like I told you – I neutralized him. Yup…he won’t be botherin’ you no more
BARBIE
Any more
G.I. JOE
Huh? What?
BARBIE
ANY more
G.I. JOE
Any more of what?
BARBIE
Sometimes G.I. Joe, you’re such an ignoramus
G.I. JOE
I know and that’s why you love me, babe! Gawd I love it when you talk like that!
BARBIE
So tell me what happened to Blain
G.I. JOE
Happened? Blain?
BARBIE
Blain? The guy who is laying here? Did you…shoot him? Tell me you didn’t shoot him! Hold on – like… you use only plastic bullets, thank goodness
G.I. JOE
Plastic bullets can make a big boo-boo, too, y’know!
BARBIE
Oh you got one big boo-boo and its sitting right on top of your neck
(G.I. JOE opens up jacket and displays two hand grenades hanging on string from around his neck)
G.I. JOE
How’d you like these babies? Ken gave them to me after you two had your talk. ‘One for you and one for Barbie’, he told me. That Ken – such a good guy t’gimme hand grenades!
BARBIE
Ken’s…all heart, alright.
(BLAIN starts to stir)
(cont’d) Blain! Oh Blain! You’re okay!
G.I. JOE
Move aside, babe. I’ll finish him off for good this time
(BARBIE rolls around and manages to throw herself on top of BLAIN)
(cont’d) Stop! He’s not the enemy, G.I. Joe!
G.I. JOE
The enemy is everywhere and wears different disguises! He may look like a surfer to you, but I know different. Oh yeah I know alright! I can smell the enemy
BARBIE
That’s …like…your new Macho Man deodorant! He’s a surfer dude! That’s all!
G.I. JOE
Bwahahahahahahaha! Silly Barbie! I found him noseying around your beach house. If he was like you say he was… What did you say he was again?
BARBIE
Blain? The Australian surfer?
G.I. JOE
Oh yeah. Right. Blain... Well he had it coming!
BARBIE
What did he ever do to you?
G.I. JOE
Well…um… He was sniffin’ around my girlfriend’s house and that’s enough for me! Sniffing around is as good as guilty
BARBIE
We really have to talk about our relationship, after.
G.I. JOE
G.I. Joe don’t talk, babe! I’m a man of action! Move away from…whoever
(BLAIN stirs)
BLAIN
I can’t breathe!
(BARBIE attempts to get into a standing position but experiencing problems with her body not bending)
BARBIE
Ken’s…all heart, alright.
(BLAIN starts to stir)
(cont’d) Blain! Oh Blain! You’re okay!
G.I. JOE
Move aside, babe. I’ll finish him off for good this time
(BARBIE rolls around and manages to throw herself on top of BLAIN)
(cont’d) Stop! He’s not the enemy, G.I. Joe!
G.I. JOE
The enemy is everywhere and wears different disguises! He may look like a surfer to you, but I know different. Oh yeah I know alright! I can smell the enemy
BARBIE
That’s …like…your new Macho Man deodorant! He’s a surfer dude! That’s all!
G.I. JOE
Bwahahahahahahaha! Silly Barbie! I found him noseying around your beach house. If he was like you say he was… What did you say he was again?
BARBIE
Blain? The Australian surfer?
G.I. JOE
Oh yeah. Right. Blain... Well he had it coming!
BARBIE
What did he ever do to you?
G.I. JOE
Well…um… He was sniffin’ around my girlfriend’s house and that’s enough for me! Sniffing around is as good as guilty
BARBIE
We really have to talk about our relationship, after.
G.I. JOE
G.I. Joe don’t talk, babe! I’m a man of action! Move away from…whoever
(BLAIN stirs)
BLAIN
I can’t breathe!
(BARBIE attempts to get into a standing position but experiencing problems with her body not bending)
BARBIE
Um…G.I. Joe – could you help me stand up?
G.I. JOE
Sure babe.
(G.I. JOE extends both his muscular arms and helps BARBIE up on her feet)
(Cont’d. G.I. JOE) Feel my arms? Full of muscle
BARBIE
Oh you’re full of more than muscle
G.I. JOE
I know. I workout every two hours. Your Austrian friend Blain there…
BARBIE
…Australian friend Blain…
G.I. JOE
Whatever…Austria…Australia… It’s almost spelled the same… A couple more or less letters… Wait a minute here. Did you say AUSTRALIA???
BARBIE
What are you telling me, G.I.?
TO BE CONTINUED…
What will G.I. Joe tell BARBIE about “the accident?”
©2007, Eleanor Tylbor
Um…G.I. Joe – could you help me stand up?
G.I. JOE
Sure babe.
(G.I. JOE extends both his muscular arms and helps BARBIE up on her feet)
(Cont’d. G.I. JOE) Feel my arms? Full of muscle
BARBIE
Oh you’re full of more than muscle
G.I. JOE
I know. I workout every two hours. Your Austrian friend Blain there…
BARBIE
…Australian friend Blain…
G.I. JOE
Whatever…Austria…Australia… It’s almost spelled the same… A couple more or less letters… Wait a minute here. Did you say AUSTRALIA???
BARBIE
What are you telling me, G.I.?
TO BE CONTINUED…
What will G.I. Joe tell BARBIE about “the accident?”
©2007, Eleanor Tylbor
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