In the Presence of Things Unseen

by William J. Meyer

Sometime after the war, the new recruit of a secretive Clinic is dismayed when she is prematurely thrust into the line of duty and forced to communicate with an ancient, extra-dimensional intelligence. The terrifying experience triggers confrontational memories of her recently deceased brother, invites the erosion of her ethics, and underscores the Clinic’s promise of power.

An Atomic Gothic sci-fi story set in...

An Atomic Gothic sci-fi story set in a fictitious nation during the 1950s.

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In the Presence of Things Unseen

Character Information

1F, 2M, 3X (or more).
'Rebekah' ought to be younger than 'Professor' to accentuate the apprentice/master dynamic.
'The TIR Machine' can be doubled or pre-recorded.
'The Intelligence' can be doubled, pre-recorded, or created through sound design.
'Technicians' can be implied, pre-recorded, removed, or played by two or more performers.

The TIR Machine

Translates for The Intelligence, speaks in a slow modulated pitch, an analog computer resembling an accordion mixed with a typewriter, worn with straps over the chest.
Calm, casual, insistent.
Can be doubled or pre-recorded.

Character Age

Any Adult Age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Any
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
The Intelligence

Ancient extra-dimensional entity, communicates in deep guttural animal sounds.
Inscrutable.
Can be doubled or pre-recorded.

Character Age

Any Adult Age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Any
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
Rebekah

Apprentice.
Curious, determined, rash.

Character Age

Young adult

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Professor

Instructor.
Smug, deceptive, warm.

Character Age

Older adult

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Jacob

Rebekah’s brother.
Troubled, eager, anxious.

Character Age

Young adult

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Leonard / Leonore

Clinic Director.
Stoic, stern, egotistic.

Character Age

Middle-aged

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Any
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s,
  
  50s
Technicians

Various support crew.
Frantic, earnest, thorough.
Can be implied, removed, or two or more performers.

Character Age

Any Adult Age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Any
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+

Development History

Type Reading, Organization Dramatists Guild End of Play Virtual Table Reading, Year 2021

Genre

drama,

horror,

period,

political,

science fiction,

tragedy

Subject Matter Keywords

bigotry,

indoctrination,

demagogue

Length

two to three hours

Cast Size

6—8

Age of Intended Audience

ages 14-17,

ages 18 and up

Supporting Materials

Script Sample

WJM_In the Presence of Things Unseen_SAMPLE.pdf