A Play
By Jaime James
Characters:
Alpha, age 12, a wolf, best friends with Lisa.
Lisa, age 14, a rabbit, Alpha’s best friend.
Setting: A cold winter day 9 o’clock in the morning, in the forest by the lake. This is where the treaty of wolves and rabbits is established. Tall pine trees covered in snow, six-inch deep snow, very quiet.
At rise: Alpha and Lisa are sitting down to have a conversation.
Alpha
I was thinking about making a treaty between wolves and rabbits because if you get killed, I would be devastated.
Lisa
I would be upset if you died, too. And that’s a great idea—but would your pack agree to this, and how would they act on this?
Alpha
I will make sure nothing is going to happen, so wolves and rabbits will be one.
Lisa
I have faith in you ‘cause you’re my long time friend. You didn’t have to make a treaty.
Alpha
All I want to do is rid all responsibility as pack leader because I want to explore new places for myself.
Lisa
No. I don’t want you to leave because I like you.
Alpha
Okay. That’s cool and all, but I want to leave…I want to wander the world.
Lisa
I mean—I like you in a romantic way.
Alpha
I am shocked—and I can understand that—but I can’t just throw away my happiness for someone else’s.
Lisa
But how can you leave when you have to watch over your pack?
