copyright © 2002 Scott McGee
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, we’re ready for you.
MAN
Now?
WOMAN (O.S.)
That’s correct. Now.
MAN
But didn’t we just —
WOMAN (O.S.)
It’s now, Mr. Morton. I assure you we are ready for you.
MAN
(rising) Okay, it’s just that I thought we... well, okay. Just give me a second. (begins to tie his shoe) God, I’m thirsty.
WOMAN (O.S.)
It’s your time, Mr. Morton. You have all the time in the world.
MAN
You don’t happen to have a water fountain, do you? I sure am thirsty...
MAN trails off as he sees WOMAN.
WOMAN
I’m sorry, Mr. Morton. We don’t. 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 don’t 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 don’t think she’s... important. Let’s 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, it’s 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
That’s 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, I’m thirsty.
WOMAN
What was the gift, Steve?
MAN
She didn’t 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 didn’t know she didn’t know --
WOMAN
Steve?
MAN
You don’t know you don’t know... I’m so thirsty...
WOMAN
Steve. The gift... show me.
MAN
So thirsty. Emily. Stop. I don’t want to.
WOMAN
Show me.
WOMAN touches MAN’s arm. MAN leaps at WOMAN and begins to strangle her.
MAN
EMILY!!! Stop!!! You don’t know you don’t 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
You’re free.
MAN walks back to original chair and sits.
MAN
I’m 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, we’re ready for you.
MAN
Now?
WOMAN (O.S.)
That’s correct. Now.
MAN
But didn’t we just --
WOMAN (O.S.)
It’s now, Mr. Morton. I assure you we are ready for you.
MAN
(rising) Okay, it’s just that I thought we... well, okay. Just give me a second. (begins to tie his shoe) God, I’m thirsty.
WOMAN (O.S.)
It’s 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
Library]
