The December People’s Choice goes to…….
The people have spoken… The December People’s Choice Award goes to Sam Hurwitt for his short play, TRUE MEANING, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on December 17th 2018, at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Congratulations, Sam!
Courtesy of Mr. Hurwitt, we’re pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!
True Meaning
__________________________
By Sam Hurwitt
Cast in Order of Appearance
Mazinka – Female – Age 35-60 – Any ethnicity – The kindly leader of a space caravan whose planet has destroyed itself over a religious schism.
Karvosh – Male – Age 35-50 – Any ethnicity – Hearty, friendly but religiously zealous member of one religious sect.
Karvax – Male – Age 35-50 – Any ethnicity – Slightly melancholy, amiable but religiously zealous member of the opposing religious sect.
Girl – Female – Age 8-12 – Any ethnicity – Plain-spoken narrator. Essentially Linus quoting scripture in the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
TRUE MEANING
(MAZINKA, KARVOSH and KARVAX are sitting around a table having a holiday feast.)
KARVOSH
This all smells delicious.
MAZINKA
Thank you, Karvosh. I hope you enjoy it.
KARVAX
This is an amazing feast, Mazinka. You’ve really outdone yourself. It’s very generous.
MAZINKA
I’m just grateful you both could come, Karvax. It’s been too long.
KARVOSH
I don’t know why we haven’t done this before now.
KARVAX
I do.
MAZINKA
I think we all do, Karvax. What’s important is that we’re here now.
KARVAX
Wherever here is.
KARVOSH
“Here” is our host’s quarters, to which she has been so generous as to invite us.
KARVAX
I know. And I’m grateful. I am. It’s just that I miss home.
KARVOSH
We all do, Karvax. But what’s the point of talking about it? It’s gone. We move on.
MAZINKA
We move on together.
KARVAX
It’s not that easy to forget.
MAZINKA
Together. That’s what this day is about. People coming together and celebrating their common ground.
KARVAX
Even the ground is gone, Mazinka.
MAZINKA
I know, Karvax. I know. Have some star nut.
KARVAX
But after what they did…
KARVOSH
They? They who? I didn’t come here to be…
MAZINKA
There’s no they, Karvosh. There is only we.
KARVAX
The star nut is delicious. Thank you.
KARVOSH
Oh! It’s exquisite!
MAZINKA
I hope the beast isn’t overdone. I used a new recipe for the marinade.
KARVOSH
I haven’t had the pleasure yet. Friend, could you pass me some of the beast?
KARVAX
Not all, Mazinka. It’s perfectly seared. And do I detect a note of bloodshade?
KARVOSH
Friend Karvax, if you’d be so kind?
KARVAX
Oh! I’m sorry, Karvosh. I didn’t realize you were talking to me. Of course, of course.
KARVOSH
No harm. I’m just eager to taste the beast.
KARVAX
Please. Have some.
(KARVOSH takes some, cuts it up and tastes it.)
KARVOSH
Oh! I think you toy with us, Mazinka. Surely you know that the beast is melt-in-mouth perfection.
KARVAX
Do you have any lava syrup? Just a tiny dab of that and I’d be in paradise.
KARVOSH
Lava syrup? On beast?
KARVAX
Oh, just a dab.
KARVOSH
Heresy! It’s slugwort or nothing.
KARVAX
Blasphemy! By all that is holy, I will not hear of such defilement.
MAZINKA
Enough! I will not have this in my home. We’ve already lost our planet to these obscene holy wars. This ends now.
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Join us for the Next Monday Night PlayGround of the season on Monday, January 21st, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and choose your own favorite. Click here for more info.