(A dark stage, painted black. The paint...

(A dark stage, painted black. The paint job was clearly rushed, and there are points of color poking out, revealing a bright, colorful past. The space is immaculately clean, almost sterile. There is a single, large mirror on the back wall. To one side, there are two benches and an ottoman, covered by black plastic sheets. The leg of one of the benches is poking out, and is bright purple.

In the center of the stage, a young woman, Grace, stands in a form fitting black outfit. It is criss-crossed by white, plastic lines, and her face is covered in dots. She looks down at the floor. After a moment of silence, “Grande Allegro 1” from Diana and Actaeon begins to play. Grace dances a perfect dance to the tune, not missing a beat - expect for a few moments where she seems to lightly cough.

She finishes the dance in a beautiful seated position. The song ends. Silence, for a moment.)

VOICE: Once again, please.

(Grace pauses, unsure.)

GRACE: Can I see it?

VOICE: It's nowhere near ready. Once again, please.

(Grace nods, stands, returns to one. The song begins again. She performs the dance, again flawlessly. At the mid point, where the music crescendos, she coughs. Just once, lightly, into her hand. Immediately, the music stops. She looks up above the audience, at the source of the voice, confused.

A machine appears from out of the darkness of the wings. It is a long, curved arm, at the end of which is a dispenser.)

VOICE: Please sanitize your hand.

GRACE: You can't stop me in the middle like that. I don't know how many -

VOICE: Please sanitize your hand.

GRACE: There's no one here.

VOICE: Please sanitize your hand.

(Grace looks back to the center of the stage, longingly. She ignores the machine.)

GRACE: Can I at least see what you have so far?

VOICE: It is too early. Please -

GRACE: All right, all right. That thing is just a little creepy.

VOICE: It is perfectly safe.

(Grace walks over to the machine, and holds out her hand. It dispenses a dollop of soap. She begins to scrub.)

VOICE: 1...2...3...4...

GRACE: I know how to wash my hands.

VOICE: 5...6...7...8...9...10...

GRACE: You don't need to count. Twenty seconds, I know.

VOICE: 11...12...13...14...

GRACE: Look. I get the necessity, ok? Just, stop counting.

VOICE: 15...16...17...18...

GRACE AND VOICE: 19...20

GRACE: Twenty, yes, twenty. Are we done?

(The machine opens on the side, and slides out a towel. Grace rolls her eyes, and dries her hands. She returns it to the compartment on the machine.)

VOICE: Once again, please.

(Grace returns to center stage. She takes the starting pose for the dance. The music begins to play again, and she begins to dance. On the third turn, she nearly runs into the machine.)

GRACE: Oh!

(She stops dancing.)

VOICE: Once again, please.

GRACE: That thing can't be there.

VOICE: It is necessary for the sanitization.

GRACE: It is also in the middle of the choreography. I need it moved.

(Beat.)

VOICE: Where would be a preferable location?

GRACE: Off stage? Please?

VOICE: This is not possible. It is necessary for the sanitization.

GRACE: I can't just...adjust the choreography to make way for a hand washing machine. Please move it off stage.

VOICE: This is not possible. It is necessary -

GRACE: All right, we need to have a talk.

(Grace moves to the edge of the stage and sits.)

VOICE: Once again, please.

GRACE: No no, we're talking now.

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