Bartleby

(Lawyer enters the stage with papers in his hands.)

Lawyer: “Bartleby! Come over here! We’ve got to go through these papers.”

Bartleby: (He doesn’t look up from what he’s doing.)

Lawyer: “Bartleby? I don’t have all day. We have to do this.”

Bartleby: Ttakes a deep breath) “I would prefer not to.”

Lawyer: (Taken back from what he just heard, he looks around to comprehend the situation.)

Bartleby: (Still doesn’t look up.)

Lawyer: We have to examine the papers.

Bartleby: I would prefer not to.

Lawyer: (Raises his eyebrows, still appalled at what he’s hearing. He walks up to Bartleby.) “What do you mean? Are you okay? We need to compare these pages. Here, take it!” (he tries to give the papers to him.)

Bartleby: “I would prefer not to.”

Lawyer: (Stares at him.)

Bartleby: (Stares back at Lawyer for a while but returns to do what he was doing before.)

Lawyer: (Still in shock, turns to others.) Nippers! Come with me. (They both leaves the stage.)

(Stage changes. It is another day. Lawyer enters the stage again, with more papers in his head.)

Lawyer: (Talking to himself.) We have to do this today. There is no way he will do that again. (He looks back and moves his head to signal someone to come.)

(Nippers, Turkey and Ginger Nut enters the stage.)

Lawyer: (Hands them each a paper, signals them to sit on their desks.) “Bartleby! Quick! I need help!”

Bartleby: (Looking unbothered.) “What do you need help with?”

Lawyer: (His face lifts up in hope.) “The copies! I need help with the copies! We will examine them!”

Bartleby: “I would prefer not to.” (He slowly goes behind the curtain.)

Lawyer: (Pretty stunted by what just happened- again! He looks around, the others were doing what they were told. Taking a deep breath, he walks towards the curtain but doesn’t leave the stage.) “Why on earth do you refuse?!”

Bartleby: (From the other side of the curtain.) “I would prefer not to.”

Lawyer: “B-But (he stutters) these are your own copies! You did this! You’re obliged to examine your own copies, are you not? Why are you not talking? Answer me!”

Bartleby: (Still behind the curtain.) “I prefer not to.” 

Lawyer: (Visibly getting angry, his other hand that is nor holding the paper forms into a fist.) “So, you decided to not cooperate with me, even though it is what you’re required to do.”

Bartleby: (Just hums as a respond.)

Lawyer: (Turns to his other clerks.) “Turkey, what do you say? Am I not right?”

Turkey: “Yes, you are undeniably right, Sir.”

Lawyer: “Nippers? What do you think?”

Nippers: (Smiles viciously.) “Do you want me to kick him out, Sir?”

Lawyer: (Shakes his head no.) “Ginger Nut. What do you think?”

Ginger Nut: “I think he’s gone mad, Sir.” (He grins.)

Lawyer: (Turns back to the curtain.) “You heard that? Now, come out and do your job!”

(Bartleby says nothing and doesn’t come out. Lawyer, defeated once again, he proceeds without him. The curtains close as Lawyer and the other clerks examining the copies. Stage ends.)