Diamond in the Ruff 

By Alex R. 

Characters: 

Diamond, age 15.

Anchor, age 63.

Setting: Deep in the ground near a mine in a poor village in Africa.

Time: Present day, Summer, on a hot day.

At rise: Diamond and Anchor the worm are in the mine talking about the noise they hear coming from the miners.

Diamond 

Wow, these people are always down here making noise, what do you think they’re up to Worm?

Worm 

Who cares what they’re up to, it doesn’t concern us.

Diamond 

IDK Worm, it just seems they’re searching for something, I’m just curious.

Worm

Well, whatever they’re doing it has nothing to do with you, forget they’re even there.

Diamond

Hey worm, I might be mistaken, but I could’ve sworn I heard them say something about a diamond.

Worm

(Getting slightly mad) No, you’re wrong, why would they be talking about you, there’s nothing special about you, you shouldn’t have been listening to them, so quit it.

Diamond

(Stunned) Alright, it’s just, it seems they’re working hard and I don’t think they would do that for no reason.

Worm

It doesn’t matter to you anyway, your worthless Diamond, you can’t even do nothing. You’re in the ground and you make no difference, so what makes you think you would make a difference in the world?

Diamond

You have a point Worm, I don’t know what I was thinking, I guess you’re right.

Worm

Yeah, I care for you Diamond, I only want what’s best for you.

Diamond

Thanks worm, I appreciate what you do, but you get to go places and when you do, I’m just stuck here.

Worm

I have things to take care of down here, I have a job to do, you have no job, that’s why you stay down here.

Diamond

I just get real bored at times.

Worm

It’s OK, you’ll get used to it, don’t worry diamond. Well I gotta go do my job, but you’ll be OK. (Worm leaves to go take care of the soil)

Diamond

(Aside) Wow, at times I feel like I’m really worth more and actually do have a job. I don’t make a difference down here, Worm was right about that, but what if that means that my difference is to be made in the world and not down here (Pondering), but Worm is older and says he wants what’s best for me, so I guess he’s right.

Worm

(In another part of the mine) I don’t want diamond to leave, I want him to stay, because if he leaves, he’s going to be cared about. I do lots of things and no one cares about me, so why should it just be given to him. He doesn’t do anything, but as soon as they find him, he will be cared about and appreciated in a blink of the eye. It’s just not right, why can’t people appreciate what I do. I can’t let diamond be found, I’m just not OK with that and won’t let it happen! Let’s go see what these miners are up to. (Worm goes towards the miners, Worm hears the miners getting ready to leave the mine and hears something disturbing)

Worm

(Alarmed) Wow, the miners are finally leaving, this was the moment I was waiting for, but the miners are not only leaving, they’re also planning on destroying the mine. Which will be big and destroy everything down here. Now diamond will be stuck down here. Diamond’s my friend and as much as I don’t want Diamond to leave, he’s a lot younger than me and has his whole life to live. I told Diamond I want what’s best for him, but is leaving him down here forever really what’s best for him? (Unsure, puzzled)

(We switch over to Diamond)

Diamond

I’ve known Worm all my life down here and we’ve become real close over the years, but whenever I bring up on how I feel about being found or going to the world, he tells me that I shouldn’t want that and it’s not best for me, but I’ve always had a gut feeling, that I’m meant to be up there and not down here. Leaving the mine and going up to the rest of the world is all I used to think about and the one thing I’ve always wanted to do. When I heard the miners say something about a Diamond, my feeling about me having to be a part of the world and not down here, became stronger, but when I told Worm about it, he seemed to have gotten mad and said that I was wrong. Worm doesn’t seem to support me in leaving, he says he wants what’s best for me and I begin to believe him, but I make no difference down here and have nothing to do.  Leaving and going up is what I’ve always wanted and truly feel is where I need to be. I’m going to do it, I’m going to the top. I have to try and be found, but I can’t do this on my own, I need Worm to help me. I have to tell Worm, before it’s too late.

(Diamond and Worm are back together)

Diamond

Hey Worm, can we talk? I really need to tell you something.

Worm

Yeah Diamond, what is it? (Slightly stunned)

Diamond

I know you told me earlier that going up isn’t what’s best for me and I should stay down here, but it’s all I’ve ever wanted and I feel it’s where I should be. I’m going to do it Worm, I have to try it, but I can’t do this on my own. I need your help Worm, I can’t do this without your help Worm, please. (Emotional, pleading)

Worm

(Startled, resentful) Wow Diamond, I didn’t know how strong you felt about being found. I know I’ve always told you that going up wasn’t meant for you, but the reason why I always told you those things, is because I’ve always been jealous of you and at times I wished I was you, but me holding you back doesn’t feel right anymore. You are meant to go up, down here isn’t for you, but when I was at work I heard the miners getting ready to leave and they’re going to destroy everything down here. You have to be found before they leave, it’s your only way out. Come on let’s go, I have to take you now before it’s too late.

Diamond

(Glad) Thanks Worm. Alright, let’s go.

(Diamond and Worm head towards the miners)

Diamond

Thanks for doing this Worm. I never knew that you wanted to be me, because I’ve always looked up to you and I wanted to be you all my life.

Worm

Thanks Diamond, but you’ll love your new life. The miners plan on destroying everything down here. Anyway Diamond, your chance of leaving down here, is now or never.

Diamond

You’re the best Worm, I couldn’t have done this without you. I’ll finally have a job to do, just like you do down here…wait Worm (Alarmed) If the miners plan to destroy everything down here, what’s going to happen to you?

Worm

I’m old Diamond. My time has come, but you’re still young and have your whole life ahead of you. Your journey doesn’t end here, you have lots of good things coming to you. Live your life Diamond, this is your destiny. Looks like we’re here Diamond, once I push you past here, you’ll fall in the miners bag so they’ll find you.

Diamond

Thank you Worm, I’ll never forget this, you’ll always be in my heart.

Worm

Goodbye Diamond, don’t forget what you were always meant to be, “shine”.

(Worm pushes diamond over into miners bag, Diamond begins to move in miners bag)

Diamond

OK world, here we come, this is what’s meant for me, this is my destiny. I’ll never forget Worm and what he did for me. Thanks Worm.

(Loud explosion in the distance)

(Diamond closes his eyes and grieves)

Diamond

I’ll never stop shining just for you Worm!

The End



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