FOR THE BIRDS

_______________

A Play in One Act

by

d dayton - Copyright 1999



Cast of Characters


TRUSH - Late-20s, attractive, charismatic.

HORRUS - Older man, opulent-rich.

BENNY - Middle-aged man, fairly heavy.

GOSSLING - Early-20s, beautiful, dainty, and blonde.

EFFEL - Middle aged woman, brooding.



Scene

The woods of a large estate in England.


Time

Preferably somewhere between Elizbethan and Victorian times.


Scene 1

SETTING: An obviously artificial forest.

AT RISE: The curtain rises the audience sees an ornamented bench placed
center stage with a spotlight upon it. The rest darkness. TRUSH
enters walking confidently. He steps over the bench then lies down.

(Note: on the use of the word 'bird,' all characters will say this with
emphasis and reverence except for TRUSH who says it normally.)


TRUSH

The world as I see it, tragedy followed by more tragedy. Ahhh, why do I
feel so trapped? Can I not see the wonder of this dull world? I live
for the birds....
(laughs)
Yet to see one.....

(TRUSH's eyes suddenly follow some unseen thing across the distance.
He jerks up.)

TRUSH(disbelief)

I see the bird upon its course, arcing beautifully over the forest edge.
Its sweeping grace in the sky. Can there ever be any that compare to
this creature? Oh, I say not for that would be beyond the very edge of
the earth, departing from this mortal realm in which we exist into what
lies ahead. And each time it soars on we know we must follow to the
very brink, the utter limit, grasping, reaching to
continue . . .
(pause, TRUSH's eyes rest on audience)
I'uhhh . . . . .
(longer pause, gasping)

(Quickly stands, knocking bench over. Turns to correct it, but
unsuccessfully. Throughout he is mumbling. Turn facing audience in
complete fluster. Bird song heard. Jumps at the sound, continues in
motion off stage left. Stage darkens.)


Scene 2

SETTING: The same scenery but less trees.

AT RISE: Lights come on with TRUSH entering from stage right. Holding in his hand a lute, slightly strumming it. His clothing are more ragged. He has lost his shoes and his shirt is open and untucked.

(TRUSH goes to the bench and sits. He notices his lack of shoes and
then his appearance. He crosses his arms in front. Looks around.)


TRUSH(staggered)

Odd this place is now, and look at me, what's happening?

(TRUSH tries to a play bird song on the lute. Enters from stage right
GOSSLING, running towards TRUSH.)

GOSSLING(tenderly)

My sweet!

TRUSH(panicked)

Whose there? Go..ga..Gossling!
(attempts to cover his chest with his knees)
Wat..wat ar..What are you doing here?

(GOSSLING notices nothing, sits close to TRUSH.)

GOSSLING

You know perfectly well why I'm here, this is our secret spot.

(GOSSLING moves closer. TRUSH moves away.)

TRUSH

Oh..oh..oh yes, our secret spot. But this isn't a good time for me.

GOSSLING

Stop being so silly.

(GOSSLING moves still closer. TRUSH falls off.)

GOSSLING

(rushing to him)
My dear! Are you all right? Are you hurt?

(TRUSH jumps to his feet and rushes behind a tree.)

TRUSH

I....I...I'm just fine.

GOSSLING

(turning away)
OK, I understand. Playing games are we?

TRUSH

Yes, yes, you know me too well.

(TRUSH tries to hide.)

GOSSLING

You silly boy. You know how to get into a woman's heart.

(GOSSLING looks yearningly at TRUSH. He hides behind the tree.
She turns away.)

GOSSLING(mysteriously)

There is talk of a new creature in the forest. A bird it is called.
Supposedly the most wonderful of creatures but truly only exists in the
tales of the gypsies.

TRUSH

I...I have heard of such a creature. But you're right, it is fantasy.

(TRUSH drops his head.)

GOSSLING

My father has taught me well of the world, of all things within it.
Bird, fluttering thing of myth. Rubbish it is, plain rubbish. The
world about us is full of such real things.

(Tree in front of TRUSH falls over. He is startled. GOSSLING does not
notice, walks to bench, and sits. TRUSH's eyes suddenly follows
something across the distance.)

TRUSH

A creature of utmost beauty and wonder the bird is, beyond all thought.
Coming from the depths of the heart and the essence of the soul. It spreads
its . . . wingas . . . foru. . . . toiiiii
(pause)

GOSSLING

Trush my love! What a world we have before us.

(GOSSLING looks out about the stage.)

(Bird calls. TRUSH awakens staggering back. Lights fade.)


Scene 3

SETTING: The setting has slightly changed as there are less trees.

AT RISE: Lights come up with HORRUS and BENNY walking on stage right,
strutting in full eloquent garb, including canes.


BENNY

Fine day for a stroll, I think.

HORRUS

Ahh, couldn't be better. Look at the bright sky before us.

(They both cock their heads back simultaneously, pause.)

HORRUS

Ah, yes. Lovely.

(They continue their stroll.)

BENNY

Fine day for the bird to be about.

HORRUS

(looks about suspiciously for bird)
The bird you say. Hmm, I have heard mention of it. Supposed to be about
these parts.

(HORRUS quickens pace, looks searchingly. BENNY copies actions. Each
provokes the other causing an increasing pace.)

BENNY

(more suspiciously)
Yes, yes, I have heard the same. But simple farce it is.

HORRUS

Surely.

(TRUSH comes on from behind one of the trees, clothing in more disarray
and dirty.)

TRUSH(startled)

(bowing deeply)
Gentlemen, Horrus, Benny, beg your pardon, did not notice you.

HORRUS

Oh, hello, Trush.

BENNY

(slightly noticing him)
Good day to you, sir.

(HORRUS and BENNY continue their search. TRUSH stands dazed in front of
the bench. Notices his clothing and attempts to hide himself.)

HORRUS

Completely ridiculous, this story of a bird is. A thing of delusion.

BENNY

Oh, totally in agreement, Horrus. No such creature could ever exist or
does.

HORRUS

Have you heard the tale of this bird, Trush?

TRUSH

I would certainly have to agree sir. Simple childish fantasies.

(TRUSH looks up, following something across the distance.)

TRUSH

Ah, a bird, a delight, a wonder of the air. A light from beyond, glory
from the realms above. What music . . . havues . . . heeaaardiii . .
. . .uhhh. . .

BENNY

(ignoring TRUSH's speech)
Nonsense all this talk about a bird.

HORRUS(fluidly)

Oh, quite right. Think I will be upon my way. Much more important
matters to attend to.

(HORRUS makes a slight motion toward stage right. Stands waiting for
BENNY to move.)

BENNY
(makes similar gesture)
I also.

HORRUS

After you, sir.

(Each bows after their statement, the bows becoming less eloquent.)

BENNY

I could not take that honor. I will follow you.

HORRUS(heated)

I insist!

BENNY(muffled anger)

I must wait for such an esteemed sir to take the first parting!

HORRUS(rage)

I will not make such a infraction upon my company, the noble
Sir Benny!

BENNY

I must insist again!

(BENNY whacks HORRUS' butt with his cane.)

HORRUS(in pain)

Ah, good sir, I think that my business can wait a bit longer, I wish to
walk a bit further!

(HORRUS whacks BENNY's shin.)

BENNY(recovering)

In that case, I too will stay!

(BENNY and HORRUS begin a mock sword fight. TRUSH is frozen. BENNY and
HORRUS approach. TRUSH awakens, staggering back. Bird calls. HORRUS
looks up, BENNY stabs under armpit.)

BENNY

Horrus you blaggard!

(Lights fade.)


Scene 4

SETTING: The setting is now only one withering tree and the bench.

AT RISE: As the lights come up upon the stage are GOSSLING, EFFEL, and
BENNY attired as before, except the clothes are worn out and dirty.
They each have a mallet of a different color and a matching ball.
There are two hoops in the ground, one on stage left the other on
stage right. The three of them are all in front of the bench, mallet
and ball in hand.


GOSSLING(excitedly)

Ooooh I love this game! Such challenge and adventure.

BENNY

That it is Gossling, a fair game of sport.

EFFEL

Now we each take our turn accordingly to when our color occurs in the
rainbow.

BENNY

You are correct my lady Effel, now we must wait for the rainbow to show
itself to begin.

(The three look off into the crowd.)

GOSSLING

Is it far off?

EFFEL

Be patient my child, it will come.

(From the audience comes TRUSH stage left, dressed only in a dirty
undergarment. He crawls onto the stage. The three do not notice him.)

GOSSLING

(getting up on her toes)
I, I think I see one!

EFFEL

I think you're right, I can just barely make it out. It seems the first
color is white.
(which is her color)

BENNY

Yes there it is. I think the next is blue.
(which is his color)

GOSSLING

I don't see it! Where's my color?

EFFEL

I'm afraid your color's last my dear.

GOSSLING

Ah drat, last again!

EFFEL

Let's begin.

(They line up in a row facing stage right, slightly pushing and shoving.
EFFEL bends over and places her ball on the ground.)

EFFEL

Ready?

GOSSLING and BENNY(impatiently)

Yes!

(EFFEL takes a swing, but right before she hits the ball she kicks it
through the hoop.)

EFFEL

That's one point for me!

(EFFEL retrieves her ball with the other two following. They then return
to center stage, now facing stage left.)

EFFEL

Now for two!

(EFFEL repeats the action. The ball passes close to TRUSH. He leaps to
his feet. They still do not notice him.)

EFFEL

I win!

GOSSLING(disgruntled)

Again! You always win.

EFFEL

I play by the rules of skill and precision that this game demands. You
must do the same to win.

BENNY

Your mother's correct Gossling. To succeed you must first make sure that
your mallet and ball are of the exact regulation size and weight. Any
variation could be disastrous.

EFFEL

Yes. And second you must study the rulebook memorizing the entire thing.

BENNY

These are the only things that will lead to success my dear in this game.

GOSSLING

I know, I know father, but what of practicing my swing and posture. I
have heard that this is important.

EFFEL

Swing and posture, HA!

BENNY

(to EFFEL)
Now Effel dear. . .
(to GOSSLING)
That is of small consequence daughter, it is always most important to know
the rules of the game and follow them to the letter.

EFFEL

Where did you hear such an idea? From that Trush fellow I would think.

GOSSLING

Yes mother, it was from him that I heard this. We have been practicing
together.

BENNY

(laughing)
Practice!! Nonsense, bird food.

(TRUSH realizes what he is wearing and does his best to cover himself.)

EFFEL

Where is that strange boy anyway Gossling?

(EFFEL looks right past TRUSH.)

GOSSLING

(saddened)
I don't know mother. I haven't seen him for some time.
(sudden change to carefree)
Probably with the birds.

(GOSSLING laughs. TRUSH suddenly sees something beyond the stage.)

TRUSH

For the birds carry us all upon our way, showing us the light of life,
allowing us . . . toooiua . . . nooessaa . . . . .liffffuii . . . . .
(pause)


BENNY

(raising his mallet to the audience and straightening his posture)
One must know the rules.

EFFEL

(raising her mallet)
And one must follow them.

GOSSLING

(doing the same)
This is how you play the game. The rest is for the birds.

(They do an army style turn to the right and begin to march. A bird
calls. TRUSH collapses. The three halt, do an army style turn left.
Salute knocking the tree behind them down, march forward. Lights
fade.)


Scene 5

SETTING: The stage is bare besides the bench.

AT RISE: TRUSH walks on from back stage over to the bench and sits.
He is wearing simple clothing and a dark cape.


TRUSH(eloquent)

I see the bird upon its course, arcing beautifully over the forest edge.
Its sweeping grace in the sky. Can there ever be any that compare to
this creature? Oh, I say not for that would be beyond the very edge of
the earth, departing from this mortal realm in which we exist into what
lies ahead. And each time it soars on we know we must follow to the
very brink, the utter limit, grasping, reaching to continue as far
beyond as within. It's all for the birds in us.

(The bench rises slowly. TRUSH looks out. Once he is mostly out of
view a few feathers fall.)



THE END.




This is the property of d dayton. Please do not copy or distribute this material without contacting the author first, thankyou. [email protected]