The world as myth and fiction
Plot Overview:
Awake in Bob’s dream, meet Mudra who tells him “we are here”
Ariel overhears, and tells King Prospheus, who sends Ariel to help Bob so they can end the feud between King Tweedle Shem and King Tweedle Shaun. To do this Bob must find the Stopping Water, to stop the kings with. Ariel takes Bob to see Little Giddeon, an oracle who tells them to go to the Sea of Time. There they must find the Sorcerer’s Cup (solid and liquid). He then tells them a riddle (aka 4 quartets) to find the thing that will lead them to the Stopping Water.
The riddle leads them to Miranda who is ditsy to say the least and unknowingly tells them the way to the stopping water. She becomes transfixed on Bob; they send her off on an endless errand, to get rid of her.
They find the water and carefully fill the cup. Now they make their way to the feuding kings border, where they are to meet due to a plan laid out by Ariel (or chance, I am not that sure yet). Bob sneakily puts the water in the king’s cups and they become paralyzed in their chairs. They can only move from their necks up. Bob begins to explain why they should end the feud when King Prospheus steps in and takes over in the story.
The two kings look confused as he explains that the reason they are fighting is one that is pointless, and how this terrifying war must end (yada yada…), and King Prospheus reveals that he has only heard of it through the tales he hears people telling him in his distant kingdom.
The kings laugh at him, and tell him that there is no feud, that it was a play they had performed. Telling King Prospheus that it never really happened.
(This is where I lose ideas… I don’t know how to end it, but Bob must realize that this isn’t real, he is in a dream, and that it is all fiction. Eventually waking back up somehow in the classroom, where it all started.)
Written by: Lissa Fields
Perform by: John Orsi, Kelsey Holman, Erik Howard, Bizz Browning,
Lissa, Fields, Caitlin Murphy, Zach Eggemeyer
Characters
Bob: Main guy, just named bob for easy writing. He changes his speaking, going from Gods, to hero’s, to man throughout the play, hopefully subtly. Searching for why he is there and what is important about his quest.
Ariel: Helps Bob get through the story, guiding him without getting too involved in the story. Maintaining a slightly invisible sense to him (think Cheshire cat)
King Prospheus: A mixture of the king in the alchemist, Prospero, and Morpheus. He just wants the war to end.
Mudra: Just there to incorporate Haroun.
Caliban: Lets the viewers know about the feud
Little Giddeon: Oracle / Englishman from the alchemist helps to get bob going in the right direction.
Miranda: Female figure…. Tells where the stopping water is
King Tweedle Shem: Hmm not much to tell
King Tweedle Shaun: Same here. Just kings.
THE PLAY
Begin class, we stand in front like we are going to recite a lecture. One person from our group (main character) is in a desk watching, and falls asleep. The lights flicker, a green light comes from the projector. The people standing in front of the class disappear, on the screen it says
“CLOSE YOUR EYES”
Ariel announces: Long ago in a classroom much like this, a truth was sought. Unknown to all but within everyone’s reach. To find this truth you must first awaken! Open your eyes and you shall find the truth.
Everyone opens their eyes. Scene has changed, pictures flash randomly across the screen. It is dark except for the light of the projector. The sleeping student awakens and searches the unknown. Ariel is watching from a corner, not moving. Bob asks questions in a Shakespearean style.
Bob: I know not this place I have awakened. It reminds me of home, but I know it is not. Where are my peers who were just there? My teacher he sateth there before me, is vanished. How strange be this place of unknown.
A person (Mudra) slowly opens the door in an obvious manner and spies Bob.
Bob: Hello? Hello there, can you help me? You there by the door.
Mudra gestures to his chest like “me?” no voice
Bob: Yes you, for there is no one else, canst you see?
Mud: (nods, approaching Bob with caution)
Bob: Do you know where we are?
Mud: (no answer but spreads his arms out as if to say “here”)
Bob: Speak now and tell me for I can no longer bear this unknown.
Mud: (motions like playing the guesstures game, taps arm with three fingers = 3 words)
Bob: Cannot you speak?
Mud: (shakes head)
Bob: Alright I shall interpret your words through gestures. (Somehow makes obvious gesture to audience) First word…
Mud: (gestures to himself and bob)
Bob: Me… and you… us…. We? (Mud: Enthusiastically gestures yes) We, yes we, continue.
Mud: (2nd word tap, makes a pirate hook with finger and covers an eye and such…)
Bob: Pirates? Argh? Argh.. arrrgh…. Areg… ARE!
Mud: (Sighs heavy 3rd word, spreads arms… here)
Bob: (answers randomly, finally giving up)
Mud: (stomps to chalkboard and writes “HERE”)
Bob: (frustrated) You made me guess that, just to tell me that “WE ARE HERE”?
Mud: (speaking) Yes for where else would we be? Exit through door.
Bob: How am I to know where here is if I have never been there?
Bob begins to search off stage, opposite of Ariel.
Ariel: King Prospheus, King Prospheus, He has arrived!! (Dramatically points to Bob as King enters.)
King P: Excellent, now we can finally begin to end this terrible feud. Ariel, Go to our hero and ease his way. We must ensure that he fulfills his destiny. Away now, be gone, and do my bidding.
Ariel: I am gone my King, quick as a flash, gone with the wind, I go, I go
Ariel crosses over to Bob who has his back to Ariel.
Ariel: Welcome (bows gracefully) You seem lost may I be of any assistance?
Bob: (startled) Who are you? From where did you come?
Ariel: I believe your questions may be misdirected (continues quickly) What is it that you seek my lord?
Bob: Why am I here, and where is this here?
Ariel: Ah yes, Welcome my lord to the land of Norton. (bows) As for your presence here, I fear I know naught of it. But my lord, may I lead you to my great and noble king, where we shall find food and shelter for the night?
Bob: I suppose.
(Caliban walks by muttering about the feud and how terrible it is)
Bob: What is it that the monster was speaking of?
Ariel: (turns to face Bob, with a grave look on his face) Tis between King Tweedle Shem and King Tweedle Shaun, two Kings of the greatest friendship, are now at war. It is all anyone can speak of. It was terrible; they both fell in love with a beautiful maiden who lived where their kingdoms met. Each one vied for the lady’s attention, both believing that she fancied them. Both set out to ask for her hand on the same star-crossed evening. But the heavens were against them. They arrived at the same time, each the embodiment of joy. Together they knocked on the door of their love. After some time, a weeping chambermaid opened the door, telling them of her mistress’s death. That very day, the beautiful young maiden went out to pick roses for her kings, but as she was riding back on her horse, she fell and struck her head. Mad with grief, the two kings blamed each other for her death and left with the promise that they would over throw their foes kingdom, in remembrance of their love.
Bob: Whoa
Ariel: Whoa indeed my lord. (Dramatic pause) You know my lord, my master is a very powerful wizard. Were you to end this feud, I am sure he would grant you that which you most desire.
Bob: (ponders for a moment) What must I do?
Ariel: Travel over the mountains of the Dry Salvages and journey into the cave of Little Giddeon.
Bob: Little Giddeon?
Ariel: The oracle, it is only he who can tell us what must be done. (Pause) What say you my lord?
Bob: Let’s do it!
Screen sequence of a desert, mountains, space, and other places flash by as they march in place, in front of the projector. Finally arrive at the cave, where Little Giddeon is seated, surrounded by books.
LG: Welcome my friends, excuse the mess, I am doing a bit of research.
Ariel: Little Giddeon, (pause to bow, makes Bob bow too) We have come to learn how to end the feud of the kings.
LG: You my friends, must travel far. The only way to make the kings see their wrongs is stop them.
Bob: How do we do that?
LG: You must go to the Sea of Time. It is there that you must find the Stopping Water.
Bob: Stopping Water?
LG: When the kings drink this water they shall be paralyzed, temporarily of course. So long as they drink from the Sorcerer’s Cup.
Bob: Where will we find this cup?
LG: By the Sea of Time, you will find a cave, in there you will find the Sorcerer’s Cup. But beware, you must choose the right cup or face dire consequences.
Bob: How will we know which cup it is?
LG: It is the paradox of nature, made of two opposites that work together to contain the Stopping Water. That is all I know of the cup. (Sighs heavily) The Stopping Water is difficult to find. All I can offer is this:
“You must go by a way wherein there is no ecstasy. In order to arrive at what you do not know You must go by the way of ignorance. In order to possess what you do not possess.” (P29 Eliot)
Bob: What does that mean?
LG: Only you will know. (Points to Bob) for only you have met the Sexson, and learned his ways. Have you not?
Bob: The Sexson? (Glances to Sexson with a thoughtful gaze) yes I suppose I have, but what if I fail?
LG: You won’t. (Matter-of-factly) Now go for that what you seek is ready to be found.
Ariel: Thank you Little Giddeon (backing out of cave pulling a dumbfound Bob behind.)
They continue again in front of the screen scenes. Arrive at the Sea of Time… finally spotting the cave, they run to it. Cups are lined up THE cup is hidden behind the others.
Bob: There are so many, how will we know which the Sorcerer’s Cup is?
Ariel: You should listen to your heart.
Bob: (confused) Why should I listen to my heart? (P129 Alchemist)
Ariel: Because you are the one, the one who has heard the Sexson. I trust in your choice.
Bob: It is made of two opposites, working together. (Pauses over diff. cups) There it is. (Finally grabbing the freezy cup.) The Sorcerer’s Cup!! (AMAZEMENT)
They leave the cave and pause at the sea.
Bob: How will we ever find the Stopping Water? It seems so hopeless. (Sad ) “a way by in there is no ecstasy…. There we must climb those rocks.
Picture of a very steep mountain.
Ariel: So we shall
They climb the rocks and see a thick mass of moss over a house surrounded by trees. Very fairyish
Bob: What is that?
Ariel: I fear I have no knowledge as to what this thing before us is.
Miranda appears speaking to nature in a babbling way. Bob and Ariel approach cautiously, Ariel disappears. Miranda watches Bob come, she smiles and claps, general girlyish actions. Excited to see someone
Mir: Welcome, Oh, welcome! (twirls in happiness) It has been so long since anyone has come to visit. Oh please come in and have a seat!
Miranda goes to opposite side of table and sits down, gestures to Bob’s seat then rests her head on her hand, watching Bob, with amazement.
Mir: (sighs contendedly) Do you want some tea, or food…. (Babbles on) My name is Miranda (curtsy) tell me my dear friend, what is your name?
Bob: Bob
Mir: Oh how wonderful, I have never met anyone with such a wonderfully exciting name. (she becomes serious) Tell me Bob, what has brought you to my little home? (goes to table and grabs a white rabbit and pets it thoughtfully, in a distracted manner)
Bob: I have come on a mission to fulfill my destiny.
Mir: (lights up at Destiny) Oh tell me Bob, do tell me of your destiny.
Bob: I am on a quest to end an awful war between two kings, but in order to do this, I must fill this cup (holds up the Sorcerer’s Cup) The Sorcerer’s Cup, with a mystical water.
Mir: (completely entranced by cup) How terribly exciting! I’ve known where each of the waters have been, the forward water, the stopping water, the backward water…
Bob interrupts
Bob: You know the place of the Stopping water?
Mir: Not know, knew.
Bob: How do you not know that what you’ve known?
Mir: Easily, because it was something that I had never known. (Looks at a confused Bob) To know that which you do not know, cannot be carried with you once you know again.
Bob: Can you teach me how to find the Stopping water?
Mir: (Very excited) Yes! First sit here. Now you must rid yourself of what you know, to understand that which you do not know.
Bob: But how is that possible, how can I know that which I do not know, or understand?
Mir: That’s easy, just ignore it all, and don’t think. Just exist. When you think too much, your existence begins to fade. So don’t think, just exist.
Bob: Ok?... (begins to “ohm”, “invisible” Ariel stands over Bob and casts a spell to get rid of thoughts) I know!!
Bob gets cup and moves to a small stream of water on the rocks of the cave, the source of the sea of time.
Ariel: (in a ghostly voice) Are you sure my lord?
Bob: Positive! I felt everything slip away and then I was just there, and I knew. I just knew that this was the spot. (Bob holds up the full cup with awe) The Stopping water is the source of the Sea of Time. It is only by stopping that we know that we can go forward and back. I did it!
Mir: Yay! (claps and skips)
Bob: Thank you Miranda, you have helped us so much.
Mir: Hmmm yes, I think I have. (Gasps) My roses! (goes to her flower basket and gives Bob a red and white rose, and puts them in the water) Remember me when you see these flowers, whose beauty shall be forever preserved. (she wanders away)
Bob and (a now visible) Ariel stand outside the cave
Bob: To the Kings?
Ariel: To the Kings! (in a very lord of the rings manner)
They begin walking again. Eventually spot a very green place with 2 castles in the distance, and tents in the middle like a party or a battle is about to happen.
Bob: Never have I seen such a wondrous sight such as this.
Ariel: Indeed, the land of East Coker is highly renowned for its splendid beauty. There on the left is the land of King Tweedle Shem, and on the right is that of King Tweedle Shaun.
Thoughtful pause, as they look at the tens and flags and people between the two kingdoms.
Ariel: There (points to the tents) the kings have met to fight man to man. We have come not a moment too soon. You must go my lord.
Bob: Yes. How shall we get the water to the kings?
Ariel: I fear this is the end of my journey, it is up to you now to fulfill your destiny.
Bob: What destiny, I am just doing this to get home. How can it me my destiny?
Ariel: Only the gods in the heavens can fore tell a man’s destiny, but yours seems clear to even me. For had you not come, our lands would forever be at war.
Bob: Destiny?.... (ponderings) But what if I fail, what if that is to be my destiny?
Ariel: Then so it shall be, but you are wise my lord, wise beyond your years. Recall your knowledge that you have learned from the Sexson and I know that you will not fail.
They do a shoulder clasp thing or some other manly farewell. Ariel leaves
Ariel: (Ghostly echo) Remember the Sexson, the Sexson, the Sexson…..
Bob turns to audience and delivers a monologue (self empowering monologue that sums up why he is going to do this yada yada…)
Bob:
Bob makes his way to the tents, sneaking through in the dark. (stars on projector) 2 ppl with sheets and signs are the tents. King shem, on one sigh, king shaun on other. Kings are asleep; they have cups next to them that they drink when they wake up. Bob pours water into glasses. Rooster crows, kings wake up and drink the water.
“invisible” Ariel genie blinks, lights go out and scene changes. Now the kings are sitting in chairs awake but paralyzed from necks down. They are in front of theatre curtains aka tent flaps
Kings: (Random shouts for help)
Bob: (bows) My lords, listen to my truth. This war is insane you must bring it to an end. Return to your days of friendship and allow your kingdoms to return to their former glory. Permit your hearts time to heal in a land of peace. My Kings…..
King Prospheus enters and takes over the speech in a booming voice.
KP: Fellow rulers this war was ill-started. The faults of your foes are untrue. Let not the memory of your loved one be thus sullied by the ruination of more hearts and lives!
Kings look confusedly at each other.
KP: Throughout my kingdom, tales of your unfortunate feud tell of nothing but the destruction, and tragedy of your people. Please my brothers, END THIS WAR!
Kings sit in silence then slowly begin to laugh.
KP: You find this war funny? You are not fit to rule these lands! How dare you allow….
KS1: King Prospheus, Prospheus, you’ve misunderstood…
KP: I’ve misunderstood? How can one misunderstand the horrible deaths you have caused?
KS2: Prospheus please, listen! You have misunderstood. These tales you have heard are false. My friend and I are not at war.
KP: (confused) But your encampments? Are not you preparing to fight to the death?
KS1,2: NO!
KS1: No my dear friend this tale of tragedy and destruction does not take place on our lands, but on our stages.
KP: You mean….
KS2: Yes, ‘twas all a play, a skit. A heart breaking tale imagined up by our play write, nothing more.
KP: But for months now I have heard these accounts..
KS2: It has been very popular.
KP: (pauses to take it all in) I am sorry my brothers (Bows to Kings, then KP turns to Bob) Thank you my friend, for shedding light upon the falseness of this truth. Without your knowledge and your courage, the real truth would never have been revealed
Bob: Your Welcome my lord (humble)
Bob turns to Ariel who has a mischievous smile.
Ariel: My lord, (bows exaggeratedly) It seems as though you have fulfilled your destiny.
Bob: My destiny… (Muses on this thought) If I have completed my destiny then what now lies before me in this life?
Ariel: Perhaps my lord, you should quit this life? (He gestures to KP) I have spoken with my king and he is prepared to grant your wish
Bob turns to KP
KP: You are most welcome my friend to live out your days in my kingdom, your existence will be that of a dream.
Bob: That of a dream… (Contemplates for a moment) I thank you your highness, for such a tempting offer, but I must return home. I cannot turn my back on that life, and leave my destiny there unfulfilled.
KP: (Grins) the choice is yours my friend. (Holds out his hands, red and blue m&m’s) your soul’s desire will choose the right path, select your destiny.
Bob chooses the one from the matrix (red). Thunder claps, lights flicker. Returns to original stage, with people on it. Bob gets hit with an M&M. he contemplates it. Knocks his pencil off of his desk, when he grabs it he finds the roses.
The End.
