The Forbidden CIty, The Insider's Way Out
A Play by Amara A.
| CHARACTERS: |
Jorge, male, 38 years old Myraa, female, 28 years old
They are each other’s other half. |
| SETTING: |
China, the Forbidden City. Very vibrant, lush trees, Bonsai
trees, every tree, shrub, flower in bloom, exposing all their radiant colors, filling the air with a sweet aroma with the evening smells of rice and teriyaki lingering in the small huts and moving through nature. As the water from the river runs through the city, smooth and calm goldfish fill its silky waters in the many sizes and colors. All kept within the walls of the Forbidden City. |
| TIME: |
Sometime in the middle of spring. 400 B.C. Around noon when the sun
is just hitting its highest point, before it starts to set. |
| AT RISE: |
Jorge is mumbling to self while making final touch-ups on
contraption. Myraa then walks on to scene. Jorge does not notice her appearance. She comes in uneasy, uncomfortable. |
MYRAA
(Hesitantly) Hey, um, so, how's it comin', you know with the thing?
JORGE
(Startled by her) Oh, hey, I didn’t see you there. You been standing there long?
MYRAA
No, sweety. I just got here. (Leans in for a hug.)
JORGE
(Blushes) Yea, it’s coming along good. In fact it looks like as soon as I go see my family, I’ll be ready to take off, ya know? I’ll finally break free of the city’s walls.
MYRAA
(Shock in voice) Really? (Now she tries to play it off with a “cool” tone in voice.) I mean, uh, yeah, well that sounds great. I’m really happy for you, it’s been a couple days since our fight. I didn’t know you were that close to finishing. (Awkward silence. Whinny.) So you’re really going, huh? Why? Jorge, why? I just don’t....
JORGE
(Interrupts) I don’t need this Myraa. I’m going and if you don’t like it you don’t have to be here when I do. There are just some things that you may never understand as much as I have tried to explain it to you. I don’t know. So just please, will you do me a favor (Pause) and go, please just go?
MYRAA
No, I’m not leaving and you’re not either. I just asked you a simple question for a simple answer and...
JORGE
That’s it, you need to just get on and leave me alone. I don’t want to be in a bad mood when I go so you need to just back up off me and please leave.
MYRAA
But if you go, who will I have? I don’t understand and I won’t let you go until I get an explanation as to why you want to leave me and your family. It’s all right here. Everything you could possibly need, it’s all right here within these walls Jorge. You’re right, maybe I don’t get it, but at least I get this much.
JORGE
You know what?
MYRAA
What?
JORGE
Nah, forget about it. Never mind.
MYRAA
No, what Jorge?...(grit of teeth) Ok, all right, Jorge. I give up. Just go. I’ll leave and get out of your way. I only want what will make you happy and if you want me to go, I’ll just go, goodbye Jorge. (A pause...then Myraa turns to go.)
JORGE
Wait. (Pause. Jorge’s nervous.) Would you just go with me? Maybe I haven’t been able to say this before, but I’m saying it now. It’s hard for me to see me with out you.
MYRAA
(Flattered) How about we go and discuss this over some nice warm sap and acorns and I’ll massage your tail.
JORGE
No, I don’t have time for that, I need to know if you are going to go with me or not.
MYRAA
As much as I want to go with you...Jorge, what about your family? Why do you want to leave them, leave me?
JORGE
It’s not about that.
MYRAA
Then what is it about?
JORGE
Lemme ask you this, don’t you ever wonder what lies beyond our city’s great walls? I want to know what is out there. I’m tired of being in one area, entrapped, I want freedom, adventure, and if I stay here my life will be simple. I already know how the future will go.
MYRAA
But you don’t really know that, to have a family is excitement in itself.
JORGE
It’s not that, I do want a family but I can’t remain here. That’s why you should go with me and share the adventure and then we can start a new and make a family.
MYRAA
But I don’t know what lies beyond those walls and either do you. Don’t you think that the city put those walls up for a reason? Maybe to protect all the creatures in its boundaries or something. Come on, think about it.
JORGE
You’re right. But I’ll never know unless I go over that wall. So if you’re coming with me, let’s go, if not I’m sorry. I love you and good-bye. (Jorge motions towards the contraption.)
MYRAA
I just want a family with you and to be that squirrel in your life and if I can have that, then yes, I would love to go with you and explore what lies behind those walls.
JORGE
(Look of sudden shock.) So you will go with me? Oh this is great, I will be able to share my adventures with someone I love.
MYRAA
(Myraa smiles and walks towards Jorge and places paw on contraption.) So are you ready, honey?
THE END
