promtszz

Book Conversations

I don’t think books would have very interesting conversations. They only have the capacity to know what they already know. They wouldn’t be able or willing to learn anything. A conversation between a pile of books would probably go something like this.

Book1: “The larynx is located above the trachea”

Book2: “You’re a wizard, harry.”

Book3: “No, that is just wrong!”

Book4: “The first time I tried moon I was with Eric”

Rewind or Pause?

I would rather have a pause button. That way I could stop and enjoy a moment for as long as I want to, and then move forward.

Explain it to a rubber duck

Duck, I need to explain something to you: No matter how stressful it may be, it’s important to understand how things affect each other in order to live a meaningful and productive life.

In order for me to explain this, I have to start from the beginning. So please bear with me, duck.  

The universe is dynamic; all things are in constant flux or motion. Out of this whole come reoccurring patterns and cycles. Evolution is a good example, duck. Life is constantly evolving; “human” is a name that humans give to a particular state of evolution of a particular strand of life. The idea of “human” is the same as the idea of “puppy”. Is a puppy a thing? Or is it just a stage in the evolution of any dog in the cycle of doghood?

Humans happen to have highly evolved brains. They try to understand the nature of the world around them. It is very hard to prosper in an environment that you don’t understand. If you didn’t understand that water is potable and can quench your thirst, life would undoubtedly be harder for you. Unfortunately for humans, their brains are not readily equipped to understand the abstract nature of the flux. They create their own stories and explanations (like this one) in order to conceptualize it and use that as a basis for their actions. They may say that a god, group of gods, spirits, or energy has somehow created and maintained the flux for whatever reason, if any.

Duck, I’m going to pull back here for a second because I can tell you feel like this is irrelevant to the question. I know it may seem that way, but it isn’t. Don’t give me that look, duck; I know how this sounds, don't judge me. This flux is present in humans: in their thoughts, emotions, physiology, as well as in their actions as individuals and groups. Ever heard the phrase “history repeats itself”, duck?

If you understand how people relate to each other, how they perceive each other, how their perceptions affect the way they are perceived, and how the way the way they are perceived affects their perceptions, a whole world is opened up to you. A comprehensive understanding of something as small as that could be used to solve tons of problems in society. Now imagine with me duck, imagine if you understood how things fit together. Please remember, duck, that for the sake of brevity I am simplifying this.

Thus, if you take the time to form a solid understanding of how things are related you can work much more effectively within them. You can help treat a problem at the source rather than treat the symptoms.

Pastoral Series

Sand is not very exciting

I like this place,

it is nice,

There are some spoons,

but mostly there's just sand.

When I become old,

and slow

and boring.

Maybe I'll move here

and take up pottery

or gardening...

Actually,

scratch that,

I probably couldn't grow anything here,

because mostly there's just sand.

School

Why is everything white?

and made of synthetic materials?

and the outlets' upside down?

its not very inspiring

My desktop wallpaper is more exciting

Its a picture of a meadow and trees and a spoon

and everything is sunny and tinted yellow

I'd much rather be there

Where it is warm and beautiful and green

Than here

where it is boring and white

Coffee

Old jazz music floats through the air,

in the small, soft-lit cafe.

I could spend all of my time in there,

as quietly time drifts away.

Scents of coffee and murmuring chatter

rest my flighty mind.

Thoughts that are often chaotic and scattered

gently begin to align

Cafes are relaxing 

with their spoons and their mugs

they create for me clarity

like a bug-net stops bugs

Elegy 2.0

I remember the picture, stuck on the side of the bus;

And the big windows, with people looking out;

And how, as I walk through the folding doors, the driver asks for my money,

And he accepts it indifferently,

A whale steadily moving forward,

It's lets out noises that all around can hear.

The people watched it;

The water stepped aside in respect,

And the crustaceans breathed a sigh of relief.

Oh, when it was slow, it threw itself into hiding,

Even a GPS could have no ETA;

Avoiding passengers at bus stops,

with a "not in service" sign,

My kwalos, you are not here,

I'm waiting like white-washed walls of detention,

The fresh spring air can not console me,

Nor the distant sounds of whales.

If only I could spur you onward here to me,

My lame stallion, my beached orca.

Into the empty space I speak the words of my regret:

I, with no hand in this matter,

Wish I'd put my eggs elsewhere.

Ode

To fly beyond this spec on the map

into the whole wide world

where the sun beats down harsh rays,

and snow falls like sugar.

Firecracker feet tap the solid ground

As music wavers and leaps,

and the smell of fresh bread wafts lazily 

from the window of a nearby shop.

The murmuring drone of foreign words

Alien and intimidating

But if, by chance the code's uncovered

new ways of thought are found

And through it all, something's gained

Seeing the world through a different frame

knowing your place in a world of cavil

and that is why I like to travel

Mimic

It is not love alone doth give                                                            

    It’s wealth to those who for it, live                                  

Nor can sweet thoughts by themselves propagate             

To the hearts that with patience, them await                    

            A letter, soft scented                                                            

            A thought represented

    Though it may small and meager seem

    It doth hold inside a beautiful dream

Though to this doth thoughts misgive

Only with action may the heart live

Sole Searching

Sole Searching

____________________________________________

A full-length play

Anya Zakhour

Contact:

Anya Zakhour

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Mr Ricket, an old man who lived in the village

DALLAS, a middle-aged cobbler

TINDRA, the unmotivated, older daughter of Dallas

MITSY, the responsible, younger daughter of Dallas

ERNIE, the village president

DAVE, Tindra’s boyfriend

RABBLE, the rest of the village

SETTINGS

Dallas’s workshop

The Village Square

PRODUCTION NOTES

The play takes place in an unknown village sometime around the 1800’s.  It is a few days travel outside of a medium-sized city.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank Drew for making her write a play, and Mr Castaneda for giving her corrections, and the universe for making sure that this play will never be performed.

.

SCENE 1

An old man sits off to the side of the stage in a rocking chair. The curtains are closed behind him and the spotlight is on him while he talks.

MR RICKET

(to the audience)

Hello everybody! My name is Mr Ricket.

(Voices from children behind/in the audience reply in unenthusiastic unison: Hello Mr Ricket.)

Now. How many of you are wearing shoes tonight?

(Pause)

And how do you feel about your shoes?

(Pause)

These, my dear friends, are v e r y important things for you to be thinking about right now.  For tonight you will see a tale of joy, woe, confusion, and betrayal, that may just change the way you see the world.

Pause

Once in a land beyond time, there was a village…

Music begins to play and the curtains slowly open. The spotlight on him goes off. The scene is a cobbler shop where a man (Dallas) is working away at a shoe.

DALLAS

(shouting towards offstage)

Tindra! Can you come in here for a second?

TINDRA

(voice from offstage)

Yeah, one second dad. I just need to finish this.

                     (Pause)

DALLAS

(shouting towards offstage)

Finish what?

                     (Pause)

Tindra! Come here, I need your help

(Pause, silence)

Tindr-!!

TINDRA

(interrupting, irritated – voice from offstage)

What?!

DALLAS

(shouting towards offstage)

Don’t you “what” ME, young lady! Get your butt over here!

(Pause)

(Audible shuffling sounds, then Tindra appears from offstage.)

TINDRA

(entering)

What is it?

DALLAS

I got a call from Mr Hankins today.

TINDRA

(with attitude)

Okaaay?

DALLAS

Looks like he never got that delivery he was waiting on

                         

(Dallas glares at Tindra)

TINDRA

(annoyed)

What?! Don’t look at me. Mitsy delivered yesterday.

DALLAS

Mitsy? That was your job.

                               (Tindra coughs and clears her throat)

TINDRA

Oh, hey Mitsy!

MITSY

(entering)

Dad, I’ve got like three people on the phone right now. They’re pretty pissed off

DALLAS

(after a surprised pause)

What? What for?

(Doorbell rings)

TINDRA

(relieved)

I’ll get it!

(Tindra goes off stage)

MITSY

I don’t know, it seems like nobody got their deliveries this week.

DALLAS

What? What are you saying? You told me you had it taken care of!

MITSY

Yeah, I don’t know.  I did.

DALLAS

Don’t give me this “I don’t know”, you do know!

MITSY

Whatever. What should I tell them?

DALLAS

just… just give me a second.

(Tindra re-enters)

TINDRA

Hey, uh, dad? There are some people outside wearing tissue boxes on their feet. They want to talk to you.

MITSY

(nervous giggling)

…What?? Are you kidding right now?

TINDRA

(on the verge of laughter)

No, I swear to god. Go out there and look.

(to Dallas) But Dad you should probably go, they seem pretty upset

DALLAS

What the hell is going on!?

(Dallas stomps off stage)

MITSY

(exasperated)

Wait. Crap.  What should I tell all these people on the phones?

TINDRA

Are you asking me? How should I know? It’s not my problem

MITSY

Really?! Don’t even start with this, Tindra, you know it was your fault.

TINDRA

Um, hello? I didn’t do anything

MITSY

Exactly. Like always, I had to take the fall for you and do it myself.

TINDRA

I didn’t ask you! That was your choice, not my problem.

MITSY

(ignoring her)

And where were you?? Oh right, with your little boyfriend Dave

TINDRA

Actually, I was just at his house, he wasn’t even there most of the time.

MITSY

(relieved)

Okay. Whatever. I’ll still tell dad where you were.

TINDRA

No! oh my god. Fine.

You so owe me.

(Exits stage)

MITSY

(calling to Tindra offstage)

No I don’t!

(Mitsy looks down. After a moment she starts to bite her nails. Dallas enters with a man wearing tissue boxes for shoes. The man is wearing an orange-red knitted sweater. Mitsy, startled, jerks her hand down and stands facing them.)

DALLAS

(entering with a man)

Mister Village President, this is my daughter Mitsy. She is primarily in charge of deliveries and customer service.

VP Ernie takes a look at her and smiles a big, slightly patronizing smile.

ERNIE

(waving his hand in the air)

Oh pish posh! Call me Ernie.

MITSY

Nice to meet you, Ernie

ERNIE

(in a slow, melodic voice)

The pleasure’s all mine, my dear

(to Dallas) Dallas? You better go and deal with the rabble out there before they burn down the place

                              

(Ernie laughs exaggeratedly)

DALLAS

…Yeah

Exits

ERNIE

(turning to Mitsy)

Now then, dear. Why don’t we sit down here and talk a bit? (signals to the couch)

MITSY

(suspiciously)

o…kay (sits down)

ERNIE

(sighing and sitting)

Ah this is much better

(awkward pause, ernie stares forward and smiles)

MITSY

was there something you wanted to talk about?

ERNIE

(as if breaking a train of thought)

Oh! Yes. Indeed

Let me ask you something Mitsy: Are you familiar with the word ‘k l e p t o m a n i a c’?

MITSY

Uh.. yes?

ERNIE

(crossing his legs)

Good good good. So tell me then, Mitsay. How was your night last night?

                                   

MITSY

…fine

ERNIE

(just a bit too soon, but not quite interrupting)

Great! That’s fantastic.

MITSY

…yeah

ERNIE

(just a bit too soon, but not quite interrupting)

                         

You know what? No! This is wrong. It’s disrespectful to you, its disrespectful to me. I’m just gonna come right out and ask.

MITSY

(very confused)

..O-okay..

ERNIE

(shouting)

NO! Not okay Mitsy! Why did you do it?! What POSSESSED you to go and steal everyone’s shoes!!

MITSY

(completely taken off guard)

I-I… What?

ERNIE

Damnit Mitsy! Theres no getting through to you!

(towards offstage) Dave?! Dave! We’ve got a live one.

MITSY

(dumnfounded)

Wha- Huh?? No!

DAVE

(entering)

Mitsy, really? I would have never expected this from you.

MITSY

(growing exasperation)

Expected… Wha-What the hell is going on?!?

ERNIE

(Dramatically shoves his forehead in one hand and makes a “talk to the hand” sign towards Mitsy with the other)

Oh my GOD! shes lost it. Take her, Dave! Take her away before she infects us with her CRAZY!

(Dave grabs Mitsy and puts her in an arm lock. Then he starts to lead her out of the room)

DAVE

Come on, Mitsy, were done here.

MITSY

(regaining wits)

This is insane! I didn’t do anything!

                               (Curtains close)

SCENE 2

DAVE

(entering)

Hey, Tindy, I’m ho-ome.

                                                         (Dave looks around the room for Tindra, sees her laying on the ground)

Tindy? Tinderbox? Tintin?

TINDRA

I’m busy, go away.

DAVE

Busy? Come on, Tindra, please stop this.

TINDRA

(mimicking a telephone) Ring ring!

                              

(Tindra makes a phone sign with her hand as if picking up a phone)

Hello?

Oh hi there, how are you?

I’m just fine, thanks

(Dave moves to say something but Tindra puts her finger up to hush him)

Yeah, go ahead

Oh, oh I’m sorry. I completely understand.

(she puts the “phone” to her chest as if to muffle it)

                         

(to Dave) Dave, it’s the neighbors, they don’t like you and want you to leave

DAVE

Tindra, don’t be like this. I didn’t ask your dad to kick you out. And what’s so bad about my house anyway?

TINDRA

You call this a house? We don’t even have a bathroom!

And you didn’t have to go and arrest Mitsy just because some loon decides she stole everyone’s shoes!

DAVE

I was just doing my job, I’m sorry. I know that my house isn’t perfect but I have a plan, Tindy.

TINDRA

Oh right, I almost forgot. Your mysterious “plan” that’s gonna solve all our problems.

DAVE

Tindra, please! I’m really trying here. I love you. I’m going to fix this.

TINDRA

(rolling eyes)

Right…

DAVE

(almost pleading tone)

Look, Tindra, I know I havn’t explained it yet, but I’m doing my best. And it doesn’t help to come home to such an attitude every day.

(Tindra looks at him, deafeatedly and says nothing)

TINDRA

(changing the subject, softening up a little)

Did you see Mitsy today?

DAVE

Yes, actually, that’s what I came home to talk to you about.

TINDRA

Okay, go ahead.

DAVE

Well, the investigation’s almost over, so she is allowed to have visitors for the next few days.

TINDRA

Really? What’s the hold up then? Let’s go!

DAVE

(a little caught off guard)

What? Now?

TINDRA

Yes, now, come on!

DAVE

..Alright then

(Dave and Tindra walk to the door and put on a lot of socks – like 5 pairs – and then slip there feet into tissue boxes. They exit. Curtain falls)

SCENE 3

                               (Mitsy is sitting on a bench in a prison cage, reading a book.

MITSY

Tindra? Is that you?

TINDRA

Yeah… hey

MITSY

What the hell do you want?

TINDRA

What is the deal with this, Mitsy? What did you do?

MITSY

Screw you.

TINDRA

What was that?

MITSY

Screw. You. This wouldn’t have happened if you just did your fucking job for once.

TINDRA

How the hell is this my fault?

MITSY

Are you kidding me? I pick up your slack all the damn time! You fail your responsibilities and then I have to cover for you so that the business doesn’t go under.

TINDRA

(long pause)

Have you talked to dad at all?

MITSY

What do you think?

TINDRA

Okay, well, there’s something you should know…

The shop has gone under. Dad blames me and pretty much kicked me out.

MITSY

Hah.

TINDRA

Mitsy. Where are the shoes?

MITSY

…heh.. excuse me,“Where are the shoes?”

Where. Are. The shoes…

TINDRA

(confused)

Yes, where are they?

MITSY

(pause, eye twitches)

I don’t fucking know!! I didn’t take the damn shoes! I don’t even know how the hell that’s possible!

TINDRA

Well then who did?!!?

MITSY

I don’t know!

TINDRA

Okay okay, I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to do.

MITSY

Neither do I…

TINDRA

Wait a second, where did Dave go?

(Maniacal laughter is heard from the peripheries. Thunder sounds. The lights flash red and black and Dave runs out from the sidelines or descends from the roof with black phoenix wings.)

DAVE

AHAHAHAHA foolish mortals. I have tricked you all. It was I who stole all the shoes, and I who blamed Mitsy. Now Mitsy will be in jail and Tindra and I will go and marry.

TINDRA and MITSY

Noooooooooooo!

THE END