A Play by Jamie T.
| CHARACTERS: |
TINY the CRICKET, Age 3
BIGGY the HIPPO, Age 3
|
| SETTING: |
On the edge of the biggest pond in Africa
|
| TIME: |
7:00pm December 29, 2006
|
| AT RISE: |
TINY sitting on a leaf at the far side of the pond. Looking
up at the sky, thinking of a way to tell BIGGY she’s leaving.
|
TINY
(aside) Today’s finally the day I get to fulfill my life long dream of playing my beautiful
music outside the biggest house in Africa for a family to enjoy and listen to forever. I’ve
told my parents of my plans today and they’re very happy I’m finally going for my life
long dream, and displaying my music for someone to listen to. But I haven’t told Biggy,
the love of my life, of my plans and I don’t really know how he’s going to take it. But
I’ve been practicing for so long and I’ve waited and waited for so long, dreamt of this
day and now it’s going to happen so I have to take this———
BIGGY
(interrupting) I thought I heard your voice, Tiny. What are you doing behind this bush, talking to yourself?
TINY
Um…nothing…really…well, it is a little something, Biggy. It’s something I got to tell you.
BIGGY
Well, what is it, Tiny? You know you can tell me anything.
TINY
Well, I don’t know if I want to tell you right now. I don’t know if you’re ready. I don’t know if I’m ready.
BIGGY
Well, how about I leave and come back in an hour, then you can tell me.
TINY
NOOOO Biggy! I have to tell you now cuz in an hour it’ll be too late.
BIGGY
Too late? Oh my god, Tiny, you’re not dying are you? (starts to panic) See I knew
something was wrong. I knew I should’ve asked you to marry me sooner. I knew my life
wasn’t gonna be happy——-
TINY
(interrupting) No, Biggy, it’s not that it’s just that I…wait a minute, Biggy; did you just say that you wanted to marry me?
BIGGY
(recovering his composure) Well, yea, Tiny, I was gonna ask you after I took you out to
dinner tonight. That’s why I was looking for you earlier.
TINY
Oh my god, Biggy, you don’t know how bad I want to marry you.
BIGGY
So is that a ‘yes’ then, Tiny?
Tiny wants to say something but can’t find the right words.
BIGGY
(worried) Well, what is it, Tiny? Do you want to marry me or not?
TINY
(on the verge of crying) I’m sorry, Biggy, but I can’t marry you.
BIGGY
Well, why not Tiny? I thought you said that you want to marry me?
TINY
I do, Biggy, I love you very much and marrying you would make me so happy.
BIGGY
Well, if you love me like you say you do, then what’s the problem?
TINY
(hesitating) Well, I…I…
BIGGY
(frustrated) Just tell me, Tiny!!!
TINY
I’m leaving the pond. I’m moving away, Biggy, and I don’t think I’m ever coming back.
BIGGY
(shocked) Moving away? Tiny, why are you moving? Why are you leaving me?
TINY
Biggy, I’ve never told you before, never really told anyone accept my mom and my dad—
BIGGY
(interrupting) Told me what, Tiny? I thought we told each other everything.
TINY
Well, Biggy, I have a dream, a dream of playing my music outside the biggest house in
Africa for a family to enjoy forever.
BIGGY
Well, why haven’t you told me about your dream? I’ve told you everything and you’re holding secrets from me.
TINY
I’m sorry, Biggy. I just didn’t think you wanted to hear about my dreams.
BIGGY
Oh, come on Tiny, that’s bull. You know I love to hear about things that make you happy.
TINY
Well, Biggy, what do you want me to do? Give up on my dreams?
BIGGY
No, but what about me, Tiny, don’t you care about my feelings too?
TINY
Don’t be selfish, Biggy; of course, I care about your feelings, but what about my dreams?
BIGGY
Well, I do care about your dreams, Tiny, but I love you and I don’t want to be without you, not even for a second.
TINY
Biggy, I—-
BIGGY
(interrupting) Tiny, please don’t go! Stay with me and live with me in the biggest
pyramid on the shores of the Nile forever. Or maybe I can come with you. I can live with
you and you can play your music outside the biggest house in Africa and be my wife at the same time.
TINY
Biggy, you need a pond to live in and to eat from and where I’m going there isn’t a pond for you to live in and if you go you’ll die.
BIGGY
Well, let me die then, Tiny, at least, I’ll have you by my side for one more day.
TINY
Don’t be silly, Biggy, you don’t really mean that!
BIGGY
Yes, I do, Tiny, and I’ll prove it! When are we leaving?
TINY
No, Biggy, I can’t have you die on account of me.
BIGGY
Well, what if I find a house with a pond, a very big house so you can play your music, will you stay with me?
TINY
Well, I like the idea, Biggy, but I don’t think a place like that even exists.
BIGGY
No, Tiny, you know Dave that always sits on my back when I’m chillin’ in the pond? He
told me about such a place and we can go and live there. We can leave today if you want to.
TINY
I don’t know, Biggy, how could you be sure we can trust Dave?
BIGGY
Dave’s a great bird and he would lie about something like that.
TINY
I don’t know Biggy what if—
BIGGY
(interrupting) Come on, Tiny, please! I don’t want to lose you. All I’m asking is for you to try, and if you don’t like it you can leave, and I won’t stop you I promise.
TINY
(short pause) Biggy, I love you, and I’m gonna give your plan for us a try, but if it doesn’t work I’m gone.
BIGGY
Yes!!! I won’t let you down, Tiny.
The End
