The Matter of Time (2007)
A Play by Michael M.
CHARACTERS:
MONTANA, the Lion, age 4, GOD, the Lion, age 10, Montana’s father
SETTING:
4:15 in the afternoon on Friday, September 31.
TIME: In the jungle in Puerto Rico
AT RISE:
Jungle. Montana is playing with a lioness and God walks in
Log Cabin Ranch, December 2007
GOD
I need to tell Montana that I am dying in a year or weeks. But what if he’s not
ready to be king? Other than king how will he take that I am dying. I never think
about how he will take it. It’s his dad that is dying, so he will not take it that good.
How did you feel when your dad and mom got killed? You was mad, so you
better let him know that you are dying.
(MONTANA walks to his dad)
MONTANA
It looks like you have something on your mind Dad, do you want to talk?
GOD
That’s nice son, but I am ok.
MONTANA
You don’t look ok. Tell me what’s on your mind.
GOD
Did you think about being king?
MONTANTA
That’s on your mind? Come on Dad, you been telling me for two weeks already,
Get off my bump Dad.
GOD
It’s not that I am on your bumper, whatever you lions call it. You just need to be
ready.
MONTANA
I need to be ready. I have until I get your age. Do I have to be king now?
GOD
You will know sooner than you think.
MONTANA
(to himself) Sooner than you think? (To GOD) What do you mean sooner than I think? You just want to not have a lot of things to do and put it all on me.
GOD
I want to put it on you? You little cub, you better watch your mouth to me.
MONTANA
Look Dad, it’s my time to talk and you need to listen to me. I am not ready to be
king and you need to look how I feel about that.
GOD
Look Son, you have to be king and that’s it. Ok?
MONTANA
I can’t keep it in no more. I don’t care what you want; it’s my life and not yours.
So let me be, you weak king.
GOD
Forget that. You’re my son and you are going to do what I say before I do
something that I don’t want to do. You hear me Montana?
MONTANA
I ain’t a kid anymore. I would like if you put your hands on me. We will be going
at it.
GOD
(He starts to breathe heavy) Look you cub, I am not playing games with you.
I have a problem with me.
MONTANA
Is that why you mad, that I don’t want to be king? Is that the problem Dad?
GOD
Look Son… Look, it’s time that I tell you. I can’t keep it in no more. Have a seat.
MONTANA
(Montana has a seat) Look Dad, what’s on your mind? You can tell me.
GOD
I don’t know how to put it to you.
MONTANA
Put what to me? Dad, you making me sad.
GOD
I went to the vet and she told me some bad news, Son.
MONTANA
It can’t be that bad, you look ok.
GOD
I am dying Son.
MONTANA
Stop playing Dad.
GOD
I am not playing. She told me that I have a year or weeks to live.
MONTANA
(puts his hands on his head and starts weeping) Dad, don’t tell me that.
We are going to get through it together. Do you hear me Dad, it’s going
To be ok.
GOD
I love you Son, that’s why you have to be king.
MONTANA
Don’t say that Dad. You will make it, you hear me? That can’t happen to you.
You are a good lion and a good king.
GOD
Look Son, you have to be ready.
MONTANA
Stop Dad. Forget being king right now. It’s about you. I love you and king ain’t
going nowhere. So don’t think about that right now.
GOD
You got it Son. Tell me something. No matter what happens to me, you will do
what’s right?
MONTANA
I get it now. When you was telling me to be king it was for my own good. I
thought you was putting it on me so you could have fun. But the whole time I
thought you didn’t know where I was coming from. And that made me not feel
wanted. Little did I know you loved me.
GOD
Man, Son. I didn’t know you was going through that. I am glad that you told me
that. I always loved you and don’t you forget that. Even when I am gone. You
made me a happy dad and I know that you are going to be a good king.
MONTANA
You will always be in my heart and in my mind. I love you Dad.
GOD
I know you will Son. You are ready. I love you.
(THE END)