The Vulture and I
(Scene opens on
two characters facing each other at some distance. One is a vulture and the
other is a young man. Vulture is perched at a height. The vulture is sitting on
the parapet of a terrace of a very tall building and the young person is at
balcony of an opposite high rise. The young person is vigorously texting on his
cellphone and occasionally looking down the balcony. Earphones tucked in place.
The vulture is intently gazing at the person)
Vulture:
(shrieks; young one doesn't look up, shrieks again. Young one looks up, adjusts
some settings in his / her cellphone)
Vulture: So,
what's up?
Person: Talking
to me?
Vulture: Anyone
else around? But hold on! Do you understand my shrieks?
Person: Yeah,
that’s easy. I have an app that can translate any language.... of any species
(smiles).
Vulture
(surprised): How?? I don't believe this...
(Shrill shriek
again). Now tell me what I shrieked.
Person: This is a
family forum. I can't read this out. Cut your crap!
Vulture: (clears
its throat. looks around)
Person: Are you a
culture vulture?
Vulture: No.... I
belong to Vulture culture.... quite a strong culture we have.
Person:
Scavenging is hardly any culture! Always looking down for death.
Vulture: Oh,
that's survival. What do you look down for?
Person: Excuse
me?
Vulture: I find
all of you bipeds looking down into some small shiny thing. What for? Survival?
Person: (Pauses).
ummmm,
Vulture: We look
for food, what do you look for?
Person: For me?
Now? I am looking down for death
(checks down
balcony, as if climbing up its edge - to jump)
Vulture: Hey,
what are you trying? Have you suddenly learnt to fly?
Person: (Looks at
vulture) Wish I could! If I could, I won't be swooping down at garbage and
carcasses! I would glide away from the expectations into that vast nothingness
(spreads his / her arms, as if trying to fly). (Dejected, suddenly) I am no
good to anyone
Vulture: But as
we all know, you can't! So, if you have to jump, go to the other side of the building.
Person:
(confounded) Why?
Vulture: This
side is road. They will find you quickly. That side is an abandoned
construction site. No one will miss you. No one will find you.
Person: Why are
you so interested in where my useless life ends?
Vulture: You are
in no good to anyone when you live, Be good to me at least when you die
Person: And how's
that?
Vulture: That
side? You will not be found for days. You will decay. And I and my family will have
our food for a week. You will be useful.
Person: (closes
eyes, as if to visualise being eaten by vultures. shudders. climbs down the
ledge of balcony) (with obligation to vulture) Thank you!
Vulture:
(Disapplointed, shrugs) Fuck you!
(Blackout)
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