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& Scripts Home ![]() THE BOAT © 1993
Set: A boat (see diagram). Some yellow leaves on the "water" surface. No horizon to speak of. Cast: Rower 1, Rower 2 (either two men or two women). THE BOAT (Both rowing continuously and furiously; beads of sweat on faces; shirt armpits soaked.) Rower 2: I am thirsty. (After 18-20 sec, louder.) Rower 2: I am thirsty. Can one drink this water? Rower 1: Yes and no. But we can't stop. He is catching up. [She, if two women are the rowers.] Rower 2: He is not! Rower 1: He is. Rower 2: I can't even see him. Rower 1: That is the point. (Both increase tempo.) Rower 2: I am thirsty. Rower 1: You are not doing your part. Rower 2: I ache all over. Rower 1: He will catch us... Rower 2: It hurts. Rower 1: ...and take us there. Rower 2: There? (frightened) No! Rower 1: Where do you think if not there? Rower 2: I can't see him. Rower 1: 1 do. Rower 2: Does he... Rower 1: I see parts of him. Rower 2: (frightened) Tentacles? Rower 1: Extremities. (After 9-10 sec.) And I smell his breath. (Both increase tempo; more sweat visible.) Rower 2: Let's stop for a moment. Rower 1: We should not. Rower 2: (Leans over, right hand momentarily outside of boat.) Just a sip of water? Rower 1: You should not. Rower 2: (Does not drink, resumes rowing with both hands on oar.) Is it bad? Rower 1: It will make you worse. Rower 2: It's not healthy? Rower 1: It is not and it is. Rower 2: In what sense? Rower 1: His sense. Rower 2: I don't see him. Rower 1: He is catching up. (Both further increase the tempo of rowing.) Rower 2: I can't do it much more. Rower 1: Do what? Rower 2: (loud) This! Rower 1: You are not even doing it. Not properly. Rower 2: We've been doing it for... Rower 1: It is your choice. Rower 2: Would you throw me over? Rower 1: You have not earned it. To quench thirst. And sink. Rower 2: You win keep me on... Rower 1: In... Rower 2: ...the boat? Rower 1: ...my view. (After 1 1-12 sec, yells) Faster! (They both increase the tempo. More sweat and panting.) Rower 2: But why... Rower 1: ...don't you see him? Rower 2: Y... Rower 1: Because he is too close. Rower 2: (After 4 sec.) I'm bleeding! Rower 1: Where? Rower 2: My palms! Rower 1: Good. Rower 2: Good?! Rower 1: An ancient sign. (After 4 sec.) Of him. Rower 2: (Yells.) Of him?! Rower 1: (Nods head, grunts.) Rower 2: (Screams.) Answer me! Rower 1: (Calmly.) He is catching up. Rower 2: He's not! And... Rower 1: (Calmly.) ...to hell with me? Rower 2: Yes. Rower 1: With me. (After 2 sec.) Faster you. Rower 2: (Sarcastically.) ...humanoid? Rower 1: You said ...noid? Rower 2: Noid. (They row faster.) Rower 1: How dare you? Rower 2: I am thirsty and... Rower 1: ...bleeding. Rower 2: I must... Rower 1: ...drink your blood. Rower 2: (Plaintively.) Without stopping... Rower 1: ...the oars. How dare you? Rower 2: Defi... Rower 1: Define... (After 2-3 sec.) ...yourself. Rower 2: You bast...the blisters are openi... Rower 1: They should. (They increase the rate.) Rower 2: (In great pain, screaming, but rowing as fast as Rower 1, as he has done throughout.) Rower 1: Seep? (After 8-1 0 sec.) Ooze? Rower 2: (Screaming.) I'll read Moby Di... Rower 1: ...but ooze. (Pause.) Faster! (Pause.) And bleed. [Suddenly, Rower 1 jumps out of the boat to his right and stands on the water surface, calmly watching Rower 2. Since Rower 2 obliviously keeps on rowing (2-3 more strokes), the boat spins anti-clockwise 1 and 1 /2 times and stops. Rower 2 is now facing the audience. He is bewildered, utterly exhausted, bleeding from the palms. At this point. Rower 1 carries out an action, or a brief set of actions, which somehow communicates that he is probably god, devil, or death (the director may choose) and that all along he has been inducing Rower 2 toward his redemption, salvation, eternal suffering, or the cold, colorless pit of no-more.] |