PROLOGUE
The date is July 16, 1999. It is a warm summer evening, the sun just beginning to set. In a small southern town, two old men sit outside on their front porch having a drink of iced tea. They are having a friendly conversation about New Years, 2000.
Joe: Have you been hearin’ about all this nonsense havin’ to do wit the computers and all?
Henry: Yip. My ol’ Martha told me just this mornin’ that they still haven’t found a fix to the problem. They were talkin’ about it on the news.
Joe: If you ask me, this is just plain pathetic. Wit the way everythin’ is hooked up to computers now a days, you’d think they’d have found a way to make the date switch over to the year 2000. Now, though, the computer’s just goin’ to start at 1900 again, thinkin’ none of these years ever happened. All the information is goin’ to be lost. God knows what’ll happen.
Henry: Yip. They tellin’ people to get bank statements ahead of time and be ready for power outages and such. Basically, anything and everything hooked up to a computer will be affected unless a fix is found by then.
The two sit silently for a moment, thinking about the topic at hand. The sun has almost disappeared for the night.
Joe: I wonder what it’s goin’ to be like when the time comes. How you think we all goin’ to handle it?
Henry: Oh, I don’t know. I should think they’ll have found an answer by then. If not, I suggest everythin’ will be all right. We’ll get through.
Joe, yawning: Yea, things’ll be fine. Everyone should stop wastin’ they’re time worryin’ about it. Those computer geniuses will think of somethin’. Now how ‘bout we go inside and play some cards before bed. I’m a gettin’ tired.
Henry: Sure thing. It’s gotten dark anyhow.
The two slowly get up and walk inside their house, letting the screen door shut gently behind them.
The date is December 16, 1999. It is early afternoon. As the curtain rises, the audience sees a city street lined with stores and buildings. People crowd the street, carrying large numbers of bags and groceries with them. Some are running frantically to get where they are going. There are long lines leading out of the doors to the supermarket and bank, filled with people pushing to get in front. In the midst of all the confusion, two middle-aged friends bump into each other on the sidewalk. They immediately begin to talk.
Mary: Can you believe all of this? It’s crazy out here!
Anne: I know! It’s as if there is no tomorrow. People are running wild to stock up on food and water.
Mary: Exactly. I was just in the grocery store and it was like a mad house. People were shoving left and right to get what they need. The shelves were almost all empty! I was lucky to get one of the last bottles of water, but I swear, it looked like one lady was going to fight me for it.
Anne: It’s just incredible. Everyone is so scared about New Years, it’s all you hear about anymore. I just heard them talking on the news today about how everyone needs to stock up on supplies and money. They are afraid the banks and markets will all be shut down. They’re even suggesting no power!
Mary: That’s why I came out today. I have a family of five to support, and who knows what’s going to happen.
A man walks up to the two women, holding a briefcase in his hand. He is about fifty, with graying hair and a tired smile. He has just returned from a trip to the bank and is exhausted and annoyed with the whole situation. Sighing, he greets his friends.
Chris: Hello there ladies. Sarcastically, How are we this fine day?
Anne: Why hello Chris. I see the excitement has gotten to you as well.
Chris: Unfortunately, yes. I don’t understand what this is all coming to, it is like we have all gone mad.
Mary: We were just discussing that. People are getting hysterical about the new millennium. We all just want to be ready for whatever is in store.
Chris: Don’t I know it. I just was at the bank, trying to withdraw my money so that I won’t have to worry about it when the computers falter. Can you believe they wouldn’t give it to me? They threw out the excuse that so many people are trying to make withdrawals, that there is a shortage of money. I can’t even get what is rightfully mine! This is absurd!
Anne: I just can’t wait until all of this hype is over and the computers are fixed. Hopefully, the problems won’t be too bad when the new year arrives.
Mary: Yea. For now, though, I am going to prepare like everybody else. You never know what will happen.
Anne: True, but I’m not too worried about it. In fact, my husband John and I are going to Times Square to view the ball drop. It’s my first time going there on New Year’s Eve and I can’t wait!
Chris: That should be exciting, just be careful. It might be dangerous with this situation and all.
Anne, casually: Oh, I’m sure we’ll be fine. Thanks for your concern though. Now unfortunately, I still have some shopping to do, so I will see you two later.
Chris: Good luck to you both with finding what you need.
Mary: Thank you, you too! Goodbye now.
The three hurriedly depart, eager once again to get what they need done. The stage goes dark as people continue to crowd the street.
It is later that night. Located in a small room with little furniture and dim lighting, a religious group holds a meeting. They sit around a rectangular table, the leader at the head. The main discussion is of New Years Day, 2000.
Leader: My friends, the end is near. Only 15 days are left before the dawn of the new millennium. We now must come face to face with time and prepare for the worst. Our judgement day is coming. As we approach the year 2000, we must anticipate what is in store for us. There will be worldwide destruction and political conspiracies. Nations will collapse. Massive earthquakes will crack the planet’s crust, causing unending volcanic eruptions. Plagues and viruses with no known causes or cures will encircle us, causing extinction and death. Unfortunately, many of our people will be killed.
Member1: What shall we do to be ready? Can we prevent this tragedy?
Leader: There is no stopping it, for it has been mentioned in every holy book. My only answer is survival of the fittest. In order for us to continue, we must destroy. We must defend the truth until time runs out.
Members of the group nod their head in understanding.
Leader: Let us now prepare.
The stage goes black and the curtain falls.
The date is December 31, 1999. It is 11:45 p.m. at Times Square in New York City. Thousands of people have gathered to watch the famous ball drop, indicating the start of a new year. Slowly, things are getting out of control. Hundreds have gotten drunk and are starting to fight in the streets. People are getting trampled as others run frantically to get away from violent areas. Religious groups have gathered and are chanting wildly about Judgement Day and the end of the world. Thousands scream hysterically, some in excitement for the new millennium, others in fear. Anne is seen tightly grasping her husband’s arm. They both seem shocked at their surroundings.
Anne: I never expected anything like this. It’s as if these people are uncivilized!
John: It seems that way. People’s expectations of the new millennium have gotten way out of hand. Everyone is convinced it is the end of the world.
Anne: Maybe coming here wasn’t such a good idea. I’m afraid something is going to happen to us.
John: Don’t worry sweetie, everything will be okay. Eventually the excitement will die down.
Anne: I hope you’re right.
Amidst the screaming, shots are heard. Immediately, there is an onrush of people, scrambling to get away. Anne and John are frantically pushed back, while others close by are knocked down and trampled over. The scene has gotten out of control and police are unable to secure the area.
Anne: John! Help, it’s gone wild!
John: I’ve got you!
A nearby religious group can be heard shouting.
Member: We must save ourselves! God protect us!
Leader: Prepare for the worst. Judgement Day has come, time is running out!
It is now 11:59 p.m. and the ball has begun to drop. The noise level increases dramatically, as people scream at the top of their lungs. Chanting and prayers take over the crowd, while fighting and violence continue. A countdown begins.
Anne: John, what is going to happen? I’m so scared!
John, frightened: I don’t know. I don’t know what to believe.
An old man standing next to the couple suddenly turns.
Man, sadly: There is one thing you can believe with no doubt. Whether it is the end of the world or not, destruction will ensue, for it seems that already man has begun the process.
Anne, looks at the man and then back at John. She is scared and confused: John? What has happened to us all?
Before he can respond, the crowd begins to count down the final ten seconds. Not knowing what else to do, the couple joins in.
All: Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, oneÖHappy New Year!
As the final shout is heard, the stage goes black. All power has been lost. Deathly screams fill the air, then silence. The curtain falls.
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