“Al: I woke up in a Los Angeles. And life is beautiful!” – David Ives, The Philadelphia
Great line for an opening, no? The quote above comes from Allen Chase, a character in the short play titled The Philadelphia written by David Ives. Not to go into too much detail concerning the production, but the play basically revolves around two main characters (Al and Mark) and one supporting actress (Waitress) that are dealing with unique metaphysical states of being. The particular metaphysical states are manifested through characteristics associated with certain American cities. Al, for example, is in a Los Angeles. He lost his job, loves the hole in the ozone layer, and his girlfriend left him that very morning. Because of his metaphysical state he doesn’t even care about these things, water under the bridge. Al, “You know Susie packed up and left me this morning. And frankly, Scarlett, I don’t give a shit. I say go, God bless, and may your dating pool be Olympic-sized.” He has lost his job, which according to Mark was “his life.” Yet Al says he’ll simply turn it into a movie script, pitch it to a few production companies, and let the chips fall where they may. Nothing can stop Al from having a great day. Mark, on the other hand, cannot figure out what’s going on with his day. Anything he asks for or wants, he “can’t get.” Al reveals to him that he is in a Philadelphia and proceeds to explain that “…inside of what we know as reality are these pockets, these black holes called Philadelphias… and physically you’re in [enter whatever town or city where you live]. But metaphysically, Mark, you are in a Philadelphia.” Near the end of the production the Waitress reveals that she is also in a metaphysical state known as a Cleveland. This is much worse than Mark’s state because in a Cleveland “it’s like death, without the advantages.”
Now, many of you may be wondering what this play has to do with anything in life. Well, in my humble opinion, the idea of existing in a metaphysical or emotional state of mind can be expressed through the idealistic qualities associated with specific cities within the U.S. And yes, I have the data to prove it… was that a gasp I just heard from all of you wonderful readers? I of course Googled “most depressing cities in the United States” and found some interesting data. Number one on the list… wait for it… wait… okay, Cleveland. That’s right people, how crazy is that? I probably shouldn’t ask you all, seeing as you must be quite crazy to read anything that I post… but I digress. According to a poll conducted in 2010, “Cleveland [is] deemed [the] most miserable city in the USA” (Reuters). Further research provides support that other cities in the U.S. are deemed the happiest cities and, gasp again, Californian cities topped the list.
I, like Al, woke up in a Los Angles this morning after having been in a Cleveland nearly all week. My metaphysical state of mind today prompted me to pose a question to my family and friends in this interactive blog. Ready for it? No, wait… that wasn’t the question, although it is a question, it’s not THE question… this is the question: what city state of mind are you in and why? Below I’ve listed the four cities mentioned in The Philadelphia, but I’d love to hear more and will provide more myself over time. I bid you all adieu from my “cosmic beach.”
Los Angeles: relaxed, happy, no worries, life is good.
Philadelphia: anxious, tense, can’t get what you want, everything is the complete opposite.
Baltimore: practically the same as Philadelphia without everything being opposite.
Cleveland: depressing, sad, like death without the advantages.
To clear a few things up, yes I played Mark in a production of this play and yes I have converted it into a screen play to be filmed in the future.
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