BIRDS
by
BRANDON
Characters:
GRIMEY, the raven, male, 14
HITTAH, the crow, male, 20
Setting:
In a zoo. In a brand new bird cage with a safari atmosphere and separated cages by bird species. Grimey and Hittah are in the same cage.
Time:
6:20 AM
At rise:
Hittah and Grimey are both pecking their feathers and making sure they have everything for their oncoming bus. They realize they are both on different bus lines so they come back to chat.
GRIMEY
Hey, bro. Where are you going? That’s the wrong bus line.
HITTAH
Grimey, I was just ‘bout to tell you the same exact thing. You know that’s the line for freedom, right.
GRIMEY
Yea, I know what line this is. This is line we want to be on brody. Why would you want to go to the big animal zoo? We just got finished in the baby zoo.
HITTAH
Why wouldn’t you want to stay, should be the real question. Are you kiddin’ me? Bro, in here we’ll be royalty in a few days. Out there we’re nothing.
GRIMEY
Are you serious? Like, listen to yourself right now. You want to go to the big animal zoo and do what, exactly? We’ve been in the baby zoo almost our whole life and now we have the option to leave. Let’s not ruin it for something we don’t want.
HITTAH
Bro, I think you’re confused. Listen to what you just said. We have no skills. We’re nothing out there. In here we’re set. No worries, no stress, and just a whole bunch of friends and food. See those nestless birds out there? They probably had the same idea as you, to flap their wings and become an eagle. But they forgot one thing. That they were ravens and once a zoo raven, always a zoo raven. You know the zoo is our home. Why fight destiny?
GRIMEY
You know what Hittah? I’ve really never thought about it like that. I know we’re set here, and don’t get me wrong, bro. I’m not saying I hate this place. I’m just thinking of a brighter future.
HITTAH
See bro, your mind is finally functioning now. You’re finally seeing things with my eyes. Now, don’t lose focus now and imagine things further down the line. Imagine our future through my eyes.
GRIMEY
I’m seeing it now. I’m finally realizing something very critical. I’ve realized we’ve been through the same things, stuck through thick and thin, and it surprises me that your thoughts are the total opposite of mine. Haven’t you thought about family? Haven’t you wanted to do something new? If we don’t start a family now we’ll never be able to start one. We’ve accomplished everything there is to accomplish in the zoo. Our lives will be pointless if we stay here. We won’t leave our print on this earth and before you know it we won’t be remembered at all. We’ll cease to exist, bro. I really would prefer to try the real world and fail or die trying, than to not try at all and always wonder what it would feel like.
HITTAH
I’m not gonna lie, G. Having a family does sound good. But, I don’t know, bro. I feel like you’re the only family I need. I also don’t want to be forgotten and I don’t think our legacy will be forgotten in here.
GRIMEY
OK, tell me this, though. How many crows or ravens have you heard of that aren’t here any more?
HITTAH
None. I only know about the ones that are still alive. I forgot the older ones already too.
GRIMEY
My point exact. What makes us any different? Birds in here live by the phrase “out of sight, out of mind.” As soon as we die, “poof” no one will remember us.
HITTAH
You know what? Although it might seem crazy, I low key understand what you’re saying. But that’s still not outweighing the fact that a happy and comfortable life is better than a life filled with struggle and pain. That’s all you’re gonna feel out there. After you complete one obstacle, two more pop up. You’re constantly going to struggle. We’re meant to fail out there so why try something when the odds are against you. I truly don’t understand why you would want to put yourself through that.
GRIMEY
Hittah, Hittah, Hittah, Hittah, just when I thought I got through that thick skull of yours, you go and say this. I honestly think that now you’re procrastinating. Freedom outweighs the zoo any day. So tell me what’s really wrong, bro.
HITTAH
OK. Ima come clean. To be honest, you’re younger than me. You know an average bird lives up to thirty years old if lucky. Me leaving the zoo would mean that I’m throwing away my whole twenty years of life. I have invested a lot into the zoo. Now you’re trying to tell me to throw all that behind and start brand new?
GRIMEY
But you don’t have to throw that away. Use what you’ve learned here and apply it on the outs. You can never throw away what you’ve been through.
HITTAH
I’m scared, bro. I really am. But look, if you’re sure about this then you know what? I’m all feathers down to do this.
GRIMEY
Thank the bird god. Honestly bro, if you would’ve held your ground and decided to stay I would’ve decided to stay too. I’m glad you finally came through.
HITTAH
Ha-ha-ha-ha. You’re a funny bird. Now let’s get on this bus to freedom before we miss it and have to get in the bus to the big animal zoo.
The end
