China Doll (TCG Edition)

David Mamet

• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781559365024
• eBook ISBN: 9781559368315
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: American Drama
• Index: Literature

"The finest American author of his generation."—Sunday Mail

This complex new work from celebrated playwright David Mamet revolves around a wealthy man, his young fiancée, and an airplane. The man has just bought a new plane as a wedding present for the girl. He intends to go into semiretirement and enjoy himself. While in the process of leaving his office, and giving last minute instructions to his young assistant, he takes one final phone call.

The new, widely anticipated play premieres on Broadway this fall, starring Tony and Academy Award-winning actor Al Pacino, for whom the play was written. Pacino described the role of billionaire Mickey Ross as "one of the most daunting and challenging roles I've been given to explore in the theater" and declared, "it blew me away."

David Mamet is an American playwright, director, and screenwriter whose most notable works include Glengarry Glen Ross (Pulitzer Prize for Drama), American Buffalo, Speed-the-Plow, Oleanna, November, Race, and The Anarchist. Besides the film adaptations of his plays, his major screenwriting credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Verdict, Rising Sun, Wag the Dog, and Hannibal. Over the course of his prolific career, Mamet has earned Tony Award nominations, Academy Award nominations, Drama Desk Awards, and "Screenwriter of the Year" from the London Critics Circle Film Awards.

ONE

The apartment. Evening.

Mickey Ross is seated at a table by a telephone. Beat. There is a knock at the door.

MICKEY: Come in.

(Carson enters, carrying a folded newspaper, which he extends toward Mickey.)

What is that? A newspaper. I don’t want a “newspaper.” What do I want?

CARSON: Sir?

MICKEY: . . . you come here, what the hell do you come here for? I’ve got a sheaf of letters testifying to your . . .

CARSON: . . . sir.

MICKEY: . . . your various great virtues, but I ask you to perform one simple task . . . What was that?

(Pause.)

I asked you a question.

CARSON: . . . I.

MICKEY: What did I ask you to do?

CARSON: . . . sir.

MICKEY: To find out where Ms. Pierson is.

CARSON: Ms. Pierson is in the hotel.

(Carson hands the newspaper to Mickey.)

MICKEY: I called the . . . (He bats the newspaper away) I don’t want the fucking newspaper. I want you to do what I’m paying you for. Where is Ms. Pierson?

CARSON: In Toronto, in the ho—

MICKEY: Did I tell you I just called? The plane is in Toronto, is that corr . . . ?

CARSON: That’s right.

MICKEY: Because you told me she went from the plane to where?

CARSON: The Choate Hotel.

MICKEY: She’s not there. And find me the pilot.

CARSON: His cell phone doesn’t ans—

MICKEY: Get me Flight Services. In Toronto. You have the tail number? (He checks a note) It’s CH-134.

CARSON: That’s not the . . .

MICKEY: Just . . .

CARSON: “CH” . . . that’s the Swiss registration, sir, the plane has a U.S. registration, the number is—

MICKEY: Get me Flight Services in Toronto.

(Carson makes a call on a second phone.)

And the plane does not have the U.S. registration. It has the Swiss registr . . . What the fuck am I paying you for?

CARSON (On the second phone): Yes. I’m calling about . . . tail number, November, 241 Mike Alpha. A Mark Five.

MICKEY (To Carson): That’s a U.S. registration. The plane is registered in Switzerland . . .

CARSON (Holds up a finger): I’m sorry, sir . . .

(He checks the invoice.)

MICKEY: Let’s start anew . . . the plane is in Toronto?

(Pause.)

CARSON: I . . .

MICKEY: The pilot. Closed the flight plan. I was told the plane therefore had landed in Toronto. Is that true?

CARSON (Into phone): . . . Hello . . . ?

(Mickey takes the phone from him.)

MICKEY (Into phone): Yes. Hello. Who am I speaking to? This is Mickey Ross. Yes. Mickey Ross. We do a lot of business with you folks. I’m looking for: tail number . . .

(He checks a piece of paper.)

(Into phone; reading paper) CH-134

(Pause.)

It’s the new Mark Five.

(Pause.)

Aerstar Mark Five. You’re only going to have one on the ramp.

(Pause.)

You do.

(Pause.)

Well, what is the tail number?

(Mickey writes it down.)

(Into phone) November 241 Mike Alpha. That’s the wrong num . . . I’ve got a sixty-million-dollar airplane on your ramp and it’s a Chinese fire drill up there. Do you know how much business I do with you?

(Pause.)

Let me talk to the pilot. Aerstar’s ferry pilot. Is he there?

(Pause.)

Did he leave a contact number?

(Pause.)

Please give it to me . . . It’s my plane. Call Aerstar. In Switzerland, they will verify . . . Never mind.

(Pause.)

When the pilot checks in. Tell him to call his employer. And what is your name?

(Pause. Mickey writes down the information.)

And what is your position there? . . . Thank you.

(He hangs up.)

CARSON: Mr. Ross . . .

MICKEY: You know, I can’t spend my time wondering: “Do those in my employ appreciate my desires.” You are not getting paid to do that. But to fulfill them. Which, in this case, were, to arrange for Ms. Pierson and me to . . .

CARSON: Sir.

MICKEY: . . . rendezvous in Toronto and continue on to London. On the new plane. That’s all.

CARSON: Sir.

MICKEY: And all of this nonsense about how you very much admire me; and all this bow-tied bullshit . . .

(Carson starts to speak.)

You think I’m a fool? To enjoy your deference? You want someone to praise you? Do as you’re fucking told. One thing I asked: to treat my friend with care. She is in an exposed position. What does she require of me? Protection. That’s not an empty word, Mr. Carson? Evil minds might say “she went with him for his money.” That’s correct. She did. As money means...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Production History
• Characters
• Scene
• Chapter One
• Chapter Two
• About the Author