During the 2015-2016 school year, I took a series of dramatic writing classes. One of our exercises was to write seven plays in seven days, in the spirit of Suzan-Lori Parks' 365 Days / 365 Plays.
I accepted the challenge, and wrote what I call a 'micro-play' every day for a week. This is the first:
1. Fine Time for Philosophy
Tom Suppose I don’t chase you.
Jerry Imagine that.
Tom Suppose you don’t run.
Jerry Fat chance.
Tom It’s nature versus nurture.
We don’t have to be
enemies.
Jerry We have been all this time.
That’s nature plus nurture.
Tom We could be friends.
Jerry Upon what basis of trust?
Tom I’m speaking hypothetically.
(shift, meaning a distinct pause in which the players
make an internal transition)
Jerry Alright. Upon what basis of
trust, hypothetically?
Tom Something could be different.
You’ve seen The Fox
and the Hound?
Jerry It’s a movie.
Tom It’s a symbol.
Jerry Ok. It’s a symbol.
Was that nature or nurture?
Tom Too convoluted to tell.
Jerry (Gestures as if to say, ‘Then
why bring it up?’)
(leisurely shift)
Tom I wonder…
Jerry Are there only two choices?* Tom Is there another choice?*
(surprise)
Tom What would be the third choice?
Jerry Nothing. There is no third.
(shift)
Jerry Unless you allow for miracle.
Tom What?
Jerry Miracle.
Tom So… Nature, nurture … and
miracle?
Jerry The lion and the lamb.
Tom Hm.
Jerry Problem?
Tom Nature equals the base.
Jerry Nurture equals the variables of
circumstance.
Tom Miracle…
Jerry Miracle equals the supernatural
element.
(shift)
Tom I can’t think of another third.
Jerry There is no other third.
Tom Nature is against us.
Nurture is against us.
Jerry Miracle is what could be
different.
Tom Then I guess you’d better run.
Jerry Huh?
Tom I don’t
believe in God.*spoken simultaneously
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