It is Not Where You Start, But Where You Finish



Character list:

• MAJOR TAYLOR - a cycling superstar who was the first Black American to win in the UCI Track Cycling World Championship in 1899; 50 years before professional baseballer Jackie Robinson would hold that title in his sport. He is now a ghost who floats around the Indiana State Museum where his only remaining bike is kept.
• TOM BUTLER - a professional American cyclist who placed second behind Major Taylor in the 1899 UCI Track Cycling World Championship. He is also a ghost who wants a rematch with Major Taylor because he believes he’s better, even still.
• GEORGE HARPER - the founding president of the Major Taylor Cycling Club, which started in 2009. He is able to see Major Taylor and Tom Butler’s ghosts.
• JED ROMURA - the founding vice president of the Major Taylor Cycling Club. He is not able to see Major Taylor and Tom Butler’s ghost. 
• DRUNK MAN - a random person Major Taylor encounters when he first wakes up from his grave.

Most of the stage is blacked out apart from one spotlight towards the front, stage right. It illuminates a headstone above MAJOR TAYLOR’s grave. Behind the headstone is a room in a museum with a bicycle but lights are not yet on this section of the stage. A DRUNK MAN leans against the headstone with a half consumed bottle of something in his hand. He is asleep. In the blacked out part of the stage stand GEORGE and JED. They are moving around but we won’t be able to hear them initially. MAJOR TAYLOR suddenly rises from behind the headstone like a ghost. The actor will ‘glide’ around the stage as if floating, and it is clear that he is confused. 

MAJOR TAYLOR

What am I doing here? What am I wearing?

Puzzled and confused, MAJOR TAYLOR wanders around for a while.

MAJOR TAYLOR

(Reading the headstone out loud) “Major Taylor.” That’s me! (Looks down and sees the DRUNK MAN lying against his headstone) Excuse me, kind sir. What year is this?

The DRUNK MAN ignores MAJOR TAYLOR as if he doesn’t exist and keeps on sleeping.

MAJOR TAYLOR

Sir! I have asked you a question. Do not ignore me.

Still, the DRUNK MAN sleeps the sleep of the dead, ignoring MAJOR TAYLOR’s questions. MAJOR TAYLOR loses his patience and attempts to tap the DRUNK MAN on his shoulder. To the audience, it appears that his fingers go through the MAN’s body like it is air.

MAJOR TAYLOR

Why can my hand go through this person’s body? Am I a ghost? 

Lights go off and the headstone is removed from the stage. Lights back up on stage and MAJOR TAYLOR appears to have landed in a museum room. 

                                                           MAJOR TAYLOR

This is nonsense. How in the world did I become a ghost? Why have I woken up?

MAJOR TAYLOR ‘floats’ around the museum until he sees something very familiar: one of the bikes he rode during a victorious race.

MAJOR TAYLOR

Jesus Christ! How did my bike end up here? (He puts his hand onto the bike handles.) My blood is still here. This was the bike. Tom Butler had no chance against this bike.

TOM BUTLER

(From behind Major Taylor) Long time no see my friend. (beat) Why do you come here? As if being stuck next to your bike for all eternity weren’t enough, now you join me?

MAJOR TAYLOR immediately recognizes this voice. He looks back and sees whom he expects.

MAJOR TAYLOR

Well look what the cat dragged in. The one. The only. Tom Butler.

TOM BUTLER (Takes a bow)

So the late great Marshall MAJOR Taylor still remembers the little people. I have been stuck in this stupid room next to your stupid bike for a hundred years! Everyday people join here to learn about the unknown, MAJOR TAYLOR, discovering what an amazing cyclist you were. EVERY SINGLE DAY! And no mention of me. (Looking up as if to beg the heavens) AND NOW YOU BRING HIM HERE TOO?

MAJOR TAYLOR

(laughing) Well, that is unfortunate, my friend. Even though that’s hardly my fault, I suppose I should say: sorry.

TOM BUTLER

No no no. Your sorry is definitely not enough. You have no clue what kind of torture I have gone through for what feels like forever. (beat) I demand a rematch.

MAJOR TAYLOR

(Burst out laughing) A rematch? Are you out of your mind? How are we supposed to race as ghosts?

TOM BUTLER

What do I care? Logistics, specifics. Whatever. I must redeem my glory. I was supposed to be the winner, the name that went on in history. Do you think anyone remembers Tom Butler as the great cyclist? No! I am, instead, some random guy who lost to Major Taylor. (And almost saying the following to himself) Though it’s not like many people know him either! But had I won, the legacy would be known!

MAJOR TAYLOR

Tom. It’s all over. It doesn’t even matter who won. Both of our names are long gone in the past. 

TOM BUTLER

(Shouting) I have been waiting for this moment for ONE HUNDRED YEARS! You cannot deny me! Why else has the universe brought you to my purgatory?

Lights up stage left on GEORGE HARPER and JED ROMURA who walk into the museum room carrying posters. They appear to be walking towards the ghosts while chatting to each other. Lights off the ghosts now who continue their conversation but are not yet implicated in the conversation of the two new characters who have arrived.

GEORGE HARPER

Are you excited about next week’s cycling race to honor Major Taylor? Will you compete in it? (beat) I think I will.

JED ROMURA

Of course. It’s our best opportunity to tell people about the legendary Major Taylor. He went against all the odds. At a point when black people could barely race. And he won the cycling World Championship in 1899. Yet for some reason, people don’t remember. People really shouldn’t forget about this legend. 

GEORGE HARPER 

I totally agree with you, but unfortunately, we don’t have enough people signed up for this race. If we don’t get enough, we’ll have to cancel it. Let’s go put some posters up near the exhibit room of Major Taylor’s remaining bike.

Spotlight back up on MAJOR TAYLOR and TOM BUTLER as they are still arguing about who’s a better cyclist. Lights off GEORGE and JED.

TOM BUTLER

I should have been the winner. You only won because…

MAJOR TAYLOR

SHUT UP! Someone’s coming. Can you not hear? Go hide!

TOM BUTLER

I don’t care. We are ghosts. They can’t see us.

MAJOR TAYLOR

What if…

TOM BUTLER

WE ARE GHOSTS! THEY CAN’T SEE US. ARE YOU DUMB?

MAJOR TAYLOR

Calm yourself. Shhhhh. I get it. We are ghosts, and humans can’t see us.

Lights off our two ghosts and the spotlight goes back to GEORGE HARPER and JED ROMURA while they stop before the exhibit room of MAJOR TAYLOR’s bike. They are facing the opposite direction of the ghosts. The ghosts are in darkness now but they are watching their every move. The men put up posters. 

GEORGE HARPER

(He reads one poster out): I WAS A PIONEER, AND THEREFORE, HAD TO BLAZE MY OWN TRAIL FOR THE BLACK CYCLONE. Come join us next week for the annual Major Taylor Cycling Race - this year in honor of the centenary of the world championship. If interested, contact the number below for more details. 1-186-096-1358. 

They stop and turn to look at each other after they finish putting up all the posters around the bike. 

GEORGE HARPER

Woohoo. Excellent! We are done. I know this will increase our numbers. Tens of hundreds of people walk by this exhibit every day. I really hope Major Taylor can see what we are doing to tell his story. I wonder where his soul resides. 

MAJOR TAYLOR and TOM BUTLER, hearing this, turn towards the audience and smile - spotlight on them momentarily.

JED ROMURA

Yeah, I hope all this work is worth it. 

At this, MAJOR TAYLOR and TOM BUTLER start talking again. As JED and GEORGE walk towards the exit, GEORGE suddenly hears the noise of people talking from behind. He turns back and starts walking towards the source of the noise. 

JED ROMURA

Where you going?

GEORGE HARPER

I heard someone talking near where we put our posters. It’s quite strange. No one else was in there and no one just entered past us. You wanna come and check it out?

JED ROMURA

No, thanks. I’m pretty sure there’s no one there. You’ve just misheard the noise of the wind. I’m tired, and I’m leaving. Good luck with that. 

JED ROMURA exits the stage. Spotlight returns to MAJOR TAYLOR and TOM BUTLER talking. 

TOM BUTLER

Oh lord! I’m tired of this. Can’t you just get me out of this damned place? I'd rather die again than seeing people celebrating Major Taylor.

MAJOR TAYLOR

Why are they putting posters with my name on the wall? Is this some kind of ritual? 

TOM BUTLER

It’s like an annual cycling race they host to honor you. You know you only beat me because you had a better bike? I should be the one they are celebrating and hosting the annual race for.

MAJOR TAYLOR

Yeah yeah whatever you say. 

Suddenly, they hear footsteps coming from the hallway getting closer and closer. GEORGE HARPER returns to MAJOR TAYLOR’s bike and sees the ghosts this time. He stares at them with his mouth wide open, too shocked to say anything. 

MAJOR TAYLOR

Can he see us? Why does he look like that?

TOM BUTLER

Probably… not. But I’m not sure. 

MAJOR TAYLOR

What do you mean you’re not sure? I thought you said humans can’t see us.

GEORGE hesitantly walks up to the ghosts while sticking out one of his arms carefully, trying to feel the spirits. GEORGE can’t feel anything, so he yanks his arm back and falls on his butt. His eyes are filled with embarrassment. He drags himself back up and flees, exiting the stage. 

MAJOR TAYLOR

Well - guess the great Tom Butler knows nothing. Even after 100 years stalking my bike - clearly humans can see us.

TOM BUTLER

No they can not. For the time I’ve beenstuck in this stupid room, no one has seen me.

MAJOR TAYLOR

Whatever you say, buddy. I will trust you one last time. 

Our two ghosts are interrupted suddenly when we can hear the conversation between GEORGE HARPER and JED ROMURA. This is happening off stage. As it occurs, MAJOR TAYLOR and TOM BUTLER make facial expressions and point at each other, as if to say: “Crap! They know we are here.”

GEORGE HARPER (OS)

JED! Are you kidding me? What was all that? You scared the crap out of me!

JED ROMURA (OS)

What are you talking about? What did you see?

GEORGE HARPER (OS)

Stop playing with me. You know what I’m talking about. The ghosts back there. Is that one of your stupid pranks?

JED ROMURA (OS)

George, I have no idea what you are talking about. I swear I didn’t do anything. What did you see?

GEORGE HARPER (OS)

I saw ghosts! Major Taylor and Tom Butler’s ghosts! They were standing right beside the bike. I tried to touch them, but my fingers went through their bodies like nothing.

JED ROMURA (OS)

Are you out of your mind? Ghosts don’t exist; they only exist in people’s heads. I don’t believe in ghosts nor do I believe that you saw ghosts. 

GEORGE HARPER (OS)

I swear I saw them. They were right there. Only a few inches away from me. I saw them with my own eyes! I’m not joking right now. 

JED ROMURA (OS)

Show me the way. Let’s go and check it out. 

GEORGE HARPER and JED ROMURA return, walking towards the ghosts. MAJOR TAYLOR and TOM BUTLER watch them approach.

MAJOR TAYLOR

They are coming again. We are discovered. What should we do now?

TOM BUTLER

Why are you asking me? This has never happened before. They only started seeing ghosts when you came here. I should be the one asking you what we should do. 

GEORGE HARPER

 I heard them! I heard them! They are right there. Come with me. Hurry!   

GEORGE HARPER and JED ROMURA stop in front of the bike. Lights up on the whole stage.

GEORGE HARPER (points at the ghosts)

See? They are right here standing. Both of them.

JED ROMURA

You gotta be kidding me. There’s no one there. 

GEORGE HARPER

Stick out your hands. Try to feel them.

JED ROMURA

I can’t feel anything. You’re ridiculous.

GEORGE HARPER

They are right there! Are you blind? They are right in front of us!

JED ROMURA

WHERE?

GEORGE HARPER ignores JED ROMURA and turns to the ghosts. For the next section of dialogue, JED ROMURA looks concerned for GEORGE HARPER.

GEORGE HARPER 

Almighty Major Taylor and loser Tom Butler! I see you. Can you hear me?

MAJOR TAYLOR

Hello. Young man, how do you know about us? Where are we at? What year is this?

GEORGE HARPER

It’s the year 2022, and we are in the state of New Jersey. (almost thinking to himself) How do I know you guys? Well, long story short. I’m the president of the Major Taylor Cycling Club. And you, sir (turning to Major Taylor) are Major Taylor!

TOM BUTLER

(Rolls his eyes.) Oh spare me.

MAJOR TAYLOR (ignoring Tom)

Wow, it has really been a long time since I died. What is the cycling club used for exactly?

GEORGE HARPER

We encourage people to start cycling and host annual cycling events to honor you! The first black American cycling superstar! Unfortunately, not a lot of people know your name anymore, so we are trying to change that. 

MAJOR TAYLOR

Thank you, young man. I appreciate all the work you are doing. What’s your name?

GEORGE HARPER

My name is George Harper. Very nice to meet you, Major Taylor.

JED ROMURA

You are definitely going nuts. How are you talking with the air? I’m leaving. I can’t stand this. I have to find someone to help you out George. Hang on.

GEORGE HARPER

Jed!

Before GEORGE can stop him, JED flees the exhibit, exiting stage right.

GEORGE HARPER (pulls out his phone)

He’s just a little jealous that he can’t see y’all like me. Don’t worry about it.

MAJOR TAYLOR

What is that in your hands? Why can it shine?

GEORGE HARPER

It’s a phone. You can use it to search up information about all kinds of things.

TOM BUTLER (interrupts)

Can you search up my name please?

GEORGE HARPER

Sure thing!

GEORGE HARPER searches up TOM BUTLER.

GEORGE HARPER

Wikipedia only says you were born in 1878 and that you placed second behind Major Taylor in the 1899 UCI Track Cycling World Championship.

                                                           TOM BUTLER

Of course there’s nothing much about me. Go search Major Taylor up.

GEORGE HARPER

There isn’t really that much more information compared to yours, Tom Butler. There are just some basic descriptions of tournaments Major Taylor took part in. Seems like history has forgotten both of y’all.

MAJOR TAYLOR (turning to Tom Butler)

See, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter who was the better cyclist. We are both long gone in the past, so this argument is ridiculous. 

TOM BUTLER

(beat) Ok. Maybe I was wrong, Major. I think it didn’t really matter who won. Maybe you were supposed to be the winner - the first ever African American cycling superstar. 

JED ROMURA returns onto the stage alone. 

JED ROMURA

Dang it! I couldn’t find anyone to witness this absurdity with me and to help out poor George Harper. So what else did you tell the ghosts?

GEORGE HARPER

Well, they no longer argued about who’s the better cyclist since they figured out the issue is more than that.

JED ROMURA

This is nonsense. How do you manage to talk with the air for thirty minutes straight and come up with a random resolution to an argument? I’m done with all this, George. You seriously need some help. Come with me. 

The ghosts wave at JED and look at the audience as if saying, “Hey, we are not air, we are ‘real’ people.”

GEORGE HARPER

Look! They are waving at you.

JED ROMURA

What in the world? You are going crazy. I can’t do this anymore.

As JED tries to leave with GEORGE, pulling him by the arm, GEORGE pulls back the opposite direction until JED loses his grip. 

GEORGE HARPER

Look, Jed, I can explain everything. 

JED ROMURA

No, I am leaving. You are scaring me.

GEORGE HARPER (turning back to the ghosts)

Man I tried. I can’t convince this guy. He is stubborn like a bull.

JED slowly walks to the edge of the stage.

TOM BUTLER

Yeah, it is no surprise. For the past one hundred years no one had seen us except for you.

GEORGE HARPER

Well, it’s a shame, but nevermind. Our celebration will go one step towards reminding the world of a long, lost legacy that must be preserved. If no one can see you as ghosts, they’ll see you as historical heroes. Tom, we’ll bring you into this legacy too!

GEORGE nods to the ghosts and walks towards JED who has positioned himself at the front of the stage. 

GEORGE HARPER

You’re right, old friend. I saw nothing. I was playing. 

GEORGE puts his arm around JED and the two begin to walk off stage. The ghosts behind them pick up their conversation. The two men are just about off the stage when JED ROMURA hears the ghosts.

JED ROMURA (to the audience)

Wait. What was that? (turning to GEORGE) Did you hear that?

Lights down on the stage.

THE END