14 July 2015

PROMPT:  Big Trouble in Little China tells the story of a sidekick (Jack Burton) who thinks he's the hero. Retell a heroic narrative from a minor character's perspective. 

Andy Johnson, writer/educator

Adam, 155 years old and in the prime of life, and Eve, 154 years old and still beautiful, eat a picnic in the woods.  Seth, 25, enters.
SETH
S’up, folks?
ADAM
(holding up fried chicken leg)
Just having a little picnic.
SETH
You, mom, and the colonel.
EVE
We bought this from some... sailor.  He had these huge forearms and an anchor tattooed on one of them.
ADAM
Chicken’s okay, but the biscuits are great.
SETH
It’s all about the biscuit, ain’t it, pops.
ADAM
You got that right, Seth.
Seth sits down.
SETH
I knew I’d find you out here.
EVE
(sad)
Fourteenth of July.
Silence.
ADAM
We wanted to be near our boy.
EVE
Since Cain disappeared...
Silence.
SETH
I could never replace Abel could I.
EVE
Seth...
SETH
It’s okay, mom.  He was your favorite.
Silence.
EVE
We love you, Seth.
SETH
I know, mom.
ADAM
He was our first...
SETH
I know, dad.
EVE
He was such a gentle boy.  He really didn’t understand what the world was like.
SETH
Dog eat dog.
EVE
He loved plants, and flowers, and small animals.
ADAM
Not like Cain.
EVE
(with anger)
Cain!  All he loved was killing, killing, KILLING!
Eve starts crying and leans into Adam who comforts her.
Seth stands.
SETH
I’m sorry, mother.
EVE
(through tears)
It’s alright.  It’s not your fault.
SETH
I’m going to find my brother.
EVE
No!
Adam stands and goes to Seth.
ADAM
Are you sure that’s the right thing to do?
SETH
No... But as much as I wanted to be Abel for you both, the truth is... I don’t want to plant seeds and pick vegetables.   I want to hunt... and kill.
Seth turns.
Eve stands and goes to Seth.  Seth does not turn back to her.
EVE
Wait, Seth, wait.
SETH
(without turning)
Yes, mother.
EVE
I... I need your help.  I want to...
(she looks at Adam)
... I want to go back to the Garden.
ADAM
No!  I forbid it!
EVE
(glaring at Adam)
I am going back to the Garden.
ADAM
Eve!?  You know what...
(indicating heaven tentatively)
... He said.
EVE
He didn’t say positively.
ADAM
He doesn’t have to say positively!
EVE
I’m going and I could use a... a warrior to escort me.
Eve lays a hand on Seth’s arm.
SETH
I’m not a warrior, mother.  Cain is a warrior.  I’m a hunter.
EVE
Alright, then I need a hunter.  Someone to protect me from wild beasts.
Silence.
SETH
(to Adam)
Pops?
ADAM
Clearly, she has her mind set on this.
SETH
Alright, mother, but when we get back, I’m going to go find Cain.
EVE
They’ll be plenty of time to talk about that when we get back.
Eve smiles at Seth.
Eve sits back down at the picnic.
EVE
Chicken.
Seth smiles.
SETH
Sure.
End of play.