THIRST
LIGHTS UP ON MAN
MAN sits in chair. He seems agitated and makes motions indicating he is perhaps thirsty.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Mr. Morton, were ready for you.
MAN
Now?
WOMAN (O.S.)
Thats correct. Now.
MAN
But didnt we just
WOMAN (O.S.)
Its now, Mr. Morton. I assure you we are ready for you.
MAN
(rising) Okay, its just that I thought we... well, okay. Just give me a second. (begins to tie his shoe) God, Im thirsty.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Its your time, Mr. Morton. You have all the time in the world.
MAN
You dont happen to have a water fountain, do you? I sure am thirsty...
MAN trails off as he sees WOMAN.
WOMAN
Im sorry, Mr. Morton. We dont. Please, have a seat.
MAN
You look just like
WOMAN
Mr. Morton, I think it would be best if we just started right away.
MAN
What? Oh, yeah. Sure. You just... yeah, okay. Sure. (sits)
WOMAN
Why dont we start where we left off, alright?
MAN
Begin at the beginning. (laughs weakly) Begin the Beguine. (clears throat) Because you said... not really... the beginning I guess... Could I have some water.
WOMAN
No. Now tell me about Emily.
MAN
Oh, I dont think shes... important. Lets talk about something
WOMAN
You told me that you gave her a gift.
MAN
Yeah, that was, um, a while ago. It was not that ... I hate to keep bringing it up, but I sure am thirsty. Could I just get a small glass of water.
WOMAN
Mr. Morton, its important that we continue, and that we do so now. I need to know about Emily.
MAN
She was ... my world. She was beautiful. Striking from a distance. Heavenly up close. Graceful in all ways, and tender hearted beyond measure. One look and my breath would catch inside my throat. She quenched every desire I ever had.
WOMAN
And the gift?
MAN
It was nothing.
WOMAN
Thats not true. It was something.
MAN
It was something.
WOMAN
Something you had given to others.
MAN
Many others.
WOMAN
How many?
MAN
Too many. God, Im thirsty.
WOMAN
What was the gift, Steve?
MAN
She didnt realize what she did to me... she never knew how it made me feel... to trap me inside with her beauty with her heart... she didnt know she didnt know --
WOMAN
Steve?
MAN
You dont know you dont know... Im so thirsty...
WOMAN
Steve. The gift... show me.
MAN
So thirsty. Emily. Stop. I dont want to.
WOMAN
Show me.
WOMAN touches MANs arm. MAN leaps at WOMAN and begins to strangle her.
MAN
EMILY!!! Stop!!! You dont know you dont know! I have to release you! No more! No mooooore!!! Stoooop!!!
MAN releases WOMAN who does not move. He backs up and looks at her.
MAN
Youre free.
MAN walks back to original chair and sits.
MAN
Im free.
MAN becomes agitated and begins to make motions indicating that he is perhaps thirsty. (exact motions from start of play)
WOMAN (O.S.)
Mr. Morton, were ready for you.
MAN
Now?
WOMAN (O.S.)
Thats correct. Now.
MAN
But didnt we just --
WOMAN (O.S.)
Its now, Mr. Morton. I assure you we are ready for you.
MAN
(rising) Okay, its just that I thought we... well, okay. Just give me a second. (begins to tie his shoe) God, Im thirsty.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Its your time, Mr. Morton. You have all the time in the world.
LIGHTS FADE OUT
END OF PLAY
Copyright ã 2002 Scott McGee
"Thirst" IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED, PRINTED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
"Thirst" debuted November 1, 2002, with the following cast:
MAN: Brian Anderson
WOMAN: Tory Seiter