A Play (2013)

A PLAY

TATIANA D.

CHARACTERS:

STRONG the LIZARD, female, age 108

STRONGER the LIZARD, male, age 112

SETTING:

In Asia, the Philippines in Cebu in a jungle. There are big brown trees, grass green, tall, and wide. It spreads out all over the jungle. Flowers are yellow, thick, and small. A river, dark blue at night, light blue in the morning. House made out of bamboo. There are ladybugs, red and round with big polka dots. There are all kinds of spiders, but only bullet ants are there in the jungle. There are flies as big as a fist and they’re round.

TIME:

4:20pm on a Sunny Spring Day

AT RISE:

STRONG is walking in the jungle to meet STRONGER.

STRONG

I feel hurt and betrayed that my brother Stronger still loves his ex Rude the Mouse. He doesn’t understand how I feel. It hurts so bad to see where my alpha died. Every day I think about how it would be... if he was still alive here with me. It breaks my heart how the humans can be so cruel. To kill my alpha, his mother, and his brother! I hate how it had to be him that got stepped on. I remember that on the exact day. I couldn’t believe it until I actually saw it with my own eyes. Blood everywhere, lizards crying, I broke down in tears I couldn’t stop... I tried stopping but it got worse when I found out he wasn’t the only one who died...I found out his family dies, too. That day I started bawling more tears. I felt so hurt and betrayed! Take away my best friend and my alpha at the same time? I wanted to stop crying, I...I couldn’t. [holds back tears] I really wish he could come back to me but he can’t...he never could...life just doesn’t work that way...I didn’t want to believe it even with the proof in my hands. I feel like my heart has been torn in a million pieces. I had so many emotions coming in at once, it was too much to take in. I want to be with my brother because he reminds me of my alpha. Not the way they look but personality-wise. I really care about Stronger and love him. I feel like he doesn’t love me as a sister. Sometimes I feel like he’s a jerk towards me but I care so much...but I brush that off. I feel horrible and scared that we’re getting extinct. It worries me that I won’t find my alpha on time. Especially since my brother doesn’t like me back in that way. It annoys me about him always talking about his ex. I understand what he’s going through! But...at least she’s not dead! Or getting extinct! It’s unfair how we’re getting extinct. Time’s running out for me to find an alpha. I don’t understand how people can be so cruel and make us extinct! I mean it’s not that hard to look on the ground whenever you’re walking on the ground. I know you can’t always stare at the ground but they should at least try more to watch where they’re stepping.

(STRONGER enters.)

STRONGER

Strong, do you wanna go play rabbit soccer with me?

STRONG

Okay, but we need to find a rabbit head first! And kill the rabbit for lunch.

STRONGER

Okay.

(STRONG and STRONGER are walking together.)

STRONGER

You know I feel sad that my ex never loved me. How can you use someone for sex, I mean I understand everyone has needs but that was so rude. No wonder her name’s Rude the Mouse. I mean I understand a one night stand but we’ve been dating for a year! She’s so rude it makes me wanna cry! To think I was actually stupid enough to fall for her. And especially tell her everything. I mean it’s not easy opening my heart like that. It makes me feel more vulnerable. And I hate how you keep telling me not to see her. It’s not easy getting over her. Especially letting her go...I hate how she took my first kissand sometimes I wish I could take it back. But other times I wish I could re-live the moment.

STRONG

How? How can you still love her...I mean it’s hard but it’s a part of life.

STRONGER

See what I mean! You’re always talking smack about her!

STRONG

Well she’s a squeak of a mouse!

STRONGER

Maybe you’re right...I don’t know...I’ll be right back, I’m gonna go pee.

[Beat.]

STRONG

I’m sorry.

STRONGER

For what?

STRONG

I just got in a fight with your ex!

STRONGER

You did what!

STRONG

I got in a fight and I clawed her and bit her!

STRONGER

[Yelling] This is why you can’t find an alpha!

STRONG

I can find an alpha he just can’t get over his ex! Also he doesn’t understand how much him and alpha are alike.

STRONGER

[Curious] What do you mean?

STRONG

You never got it after so many hints...

STRONGER

Got what?!?

STRONG

See what I mean! You can’t even get how much I miss my alpha!

STRONGER

...

STRONG

I liked you...I always did!

STRONGER

I liked you too! I always did because you’re my sister.

STRONG

Not like that! I always wanted you to be my alpha, because I’m scarred and emotionally depressed, too.

STRONGER

[Backs up a little bit] But...you’re my sister...

STRONG

No I’m not! I found out a year ago we’re not even related! We found you abandoned from your pack.

STRONGER

Wait, we’re not related?!?!

STRONG

Nope! And I felt so emotional knowing this whole time knowing I could’ve found my new alpha, ever since my first alpha died. I’ve been so emotional like a roller coaster. I mean I try looking for an alpha but I feel like I can’t find anyone who’s there for me emotionally and physically. I have trauma of what happened to him and everytime I try ignoring it, I...can’t, I break down in tears crying more and more. Like I’m always there for you, though thick and thin. I’m always emotionally and physically there for you. We can bond in sports, hobbies, music and much more. We have an emotional connection and good trust. You tell me everything.

STRONGER

This makes more sense now, like why you like me and want me to be your alpha.

STRONG

So what’s it gonna be, me or your ex? Because I’m about to leave now, you’re hurting me too much and you never understand! You never understand how I need an alpha and you’re just like him...personality-wise.

STRONGER

I try to understand! I don’t kow who I want! I care about both of you!

STRONG

No! Choose now! I really love you, you remind me of my alpha... personality-wise. You just keep me waiting and wondering while we’re getting extinct.

STRONGER

Same, you remind me of my ex personality-wise, too.

STRONG

So tell me! Who do you choose! This is your last chance...I’m never coming back if you don’t answer now!

STRONGER

I...I choose...

STRONG

You choose who?

STRONGER

I choose my ex...

STRONG

[Crying] But? Why? I hate you!

STRONGER

Because I love her and though we may get extinct it was worth it. For love.

STRONG

[Still crying] All I wanted was to be loved. By you.

STRONGER

I’m sorry.

STRONG

Goodbye, Stronger.

STRONGER

Wait, don’t go!

STRONG

It’s too late, you had your chance...you obviously made up your mind.

STRONGER

But...

[STRONG walks off.]

STRONGER

[Crying] What have I done? I lost my best friend and the only person who cared about me still...

THE END.