Atwater: Fixin’ to Die

(1992) California Stage, Sacramento, 2009; Cygnet Theater, San Diego, 2006; Magic Theatre, San Francisco, 2004 (Reading); MCC Theater, NYC, 1997, directed by George Furth; Church Street Theatre, Washington, DC, 1996, with Bruce McIntosh (Helen Hayes Award Nomination, “Best Actor”); Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, 1996; Pegasus Players, directed by Gary Griffin, 1996; Tamarind Theatre, Los Angeles, 1992; West Bank Theatre, NYC, with Dylan Baker, directed by Ethan McSweeny, 1992.


 [Excerpt]

(The SOUND OF RUNNING WATER can be heard. After a few moments, lights up on LEE, now dressed in sweatpants and t-shirt. As he urinates, his back to the audience, he speaks to an UNSEEN REPORTER.)

LEE

It’s not the money that got me into this. Part of it’s the game. I love the game, as long as I win. I lost a congressional race in Texas once and I had the dry heaves for two days. I’m not ashamed of it. The other part is access. Knowing I’ve got my hand on the pulse, that I can pick up the phone and talk to the President or Sununu or anybody else. It’s important to me to have access.

(LEE turns around. His sweat pants are at his knees, and under them a pair of gym shorts. He hops forward a few steps laughing.)

How about this? You think your editor’d like this pose. (He raises his hand in salute. A camera flashes.) This’ll be great. You can call it “Lee Atwater with his pants down.” Don’t let my mama see this picture. She doesn’t know I’m in politics. She thinks I’m a piano player in a whorehouse.

(Lights fade.)