A Play by Phil M.
| CHARACTERS: |
FEARLESS the POLAR BEAR, male, 17 years old
FEARLESS, JR. the POLAR BEAR, male, 1 year old
|
| SETTING: |
Lake Tahoe, in the mountain, deep, deep, in a dark cave with a lot of snow covering the cave, with water leaking through the inside the cave.
|
| TIME: |
5:30pm on a cold snowy day. |
| AT RISE: |
FEARLESS and his family are getting ready to move, while FEARLESS, JR. is asleep.
|
FEARLESS
Son, wake up. Wake up, time to go.
JR.
No, Dad, I’m still sleepy, one more hour.
FEARLESS
No, son, I told you last night to be ready. It’s time, no more 1 hour to sleep, don’t you think I’m sleepy, too?
JR.
Dad, why must we move anyway? Dad, I love it here, and plus I don’t want to leave my friends.
FEARLESS
Son, I tried so hard to find somewhere else to bring my family, even before you were born, so you and the family would not have to live in such a dangerous area. Son, you have to understand.
JR.
Dad, this is not fair. You don’t never listen to what I have to say. You don’t let me do anything, go outside, go hunting with you, nothing. I don’t think I’m ready to move with you and the family.
FEARLESS
What did you just say to me, son?
JR.
I don’t think I’m ready to move with you and the family. I wanna be by myself, Dad. And you don’t treat me like your son, you treat me like your daughter, I’m a boy, I’m ready to bring food home to the family. If you didn’t know, my claws are getting long, just like yours.
FEARLESS
Son, stop all that nonsense you are speaking.
JR.
No, Dad, you stop it. You think you know what’s best for me all the time. Why is that, huh?
FEARLESS
Because, son, I do know what’s best for you. I’m your father, I’m always going to now what’s best, believe that, son. My grandmother has always told me son, “a hard head makes a soft butt.” Remember I told you that.
JR.
We’ll see about that. Watch, I will show you, I don’t need you anymore.
FEARLESS (ASIDE)
Why is my son acting like this towards me? I didn’t do anything to him, but show him the right way. He is acting like he doesn’t love me anymore. Is it because I don’t give him any freedom, is that what happen? Whatever I did, I think I messed up for good this time, and all I wanted was to move my family to a better land, a safer one at that.
JR. (ASIDE)
My Dad is always on my back telling me what I could do and what I can’t do. What’s with that? Who does he think I am, a girl? I don’t think my father is going to let me hang with him, because he thinks I’m not ready. I’m going to show him I’m the real Fearless the Polar bear.
FEARLESS
Son, don’t be angry with me, because I’m doing what’s best for us here, don’t you think?
JR.
Dad, you are not doing what’s best for us. You are doing what’s best for you, not me, you.
FEARLESS
Son, don’t you just want to see how it is, at least?
JR.
No, Dad, no, I don’t just want to see how it is. You don’t care if I don’t wanna leave my friends, huh? I love it here and if I leave my friends wouldn’t like me anymore.
FEARLESS
You know what son, it’s time to go, whether you like it or not, you hear me? Do you see your mother, she ready to go, your Auntie and your scary Uncle is ready, but you are the only one holding us back. What is wrong with you?
JR.
I don’t care. Do you think I care, huh? I’m my own polar bear, you can’t make me do anything, Dad.
FEARLESS (LAUGHING)
Son!
JR.
What’s so funny?
FEARLESS
You sound just like me when I was your age, you know that? Do you think this is cute, what you are doing, huh? Keep talking like that and watch what I come over there and do to you, you lil’ smarty pants.
JR.
Wow, Dad, I’m really scared.
FEARLESS
OK, that’s it! Boy, you think you got a answer for everything. If you want to stay, bye.
JR.
Bye, I don’t need you guys, I’m grown.
FEARLESS
Okay, if you think that, come on baby it’s time to go. Let’s go sister and brother, tell your nephew goodbye. He is not coming, let’s go. I want to make it to the new home before it gets dark and before another family get it. If that was to happen it will be ugly for our living situation. Let’s go, I want to arrive before sunset. Babe, give your son a hug and kiss before we go. Son, just remember I love you, you are always welcome, you hear me?
JR.
Thanks, Dad. I think I can manage. I hope you guys make it there safe.
(The family exits.)
JR. (CONT’D ASIDE)
Yes! Yes! Finally I’m the Fearless Polar bear with my own cave. It feels so good. The only one out of my friends that owns his own cave. I’m the man. Man, this is the life. I wish every young polar bear could live like this. No one telling me what to do, when I could go outside, no nothing. I’m my own man, you know. But on the other hand, I also miss my mother and father showing me love, playing with me, giving me morning baths, the comfort, the love of a mother father friendship. I can never get that from anyone else. Man, living in this lonely old cave is boring without my family. What did I do by letting my family walk out on me? I messed up, I didn’t know what I had ‘til it was gone, for real. By thinking I knew everything when I didn’t know nothing. What did I do? I really want to go be with my family, I’m so lonely here with no food. I’m cold, I miss my father and mother.
(FEARLESS returns to the cave.)
FEARLESS
Son, where are you?
JR.
Dad, I’m right here. I’m so happy to see you. I though you will never come back for me. I was scared.
FEARLESS
Son, are you alright? Are you hurt in anyway?
JR.
No, Dad. I’m just hungry and cold and missing my family.
FEARLESS
I’m happy to hear that. I had to come back for you.
JR.
For real, Dad, I’m ready, let’s go.
FEARLESS
Wait one minute, son. What have you learned living by yourself, huh?
JR.
That it is not what’s up. It is hard work, It is something a child have no business doing. I swear, Dad, I love you.
FEARLESS
I love you, too, son. Let’s go home. You mother is waiting on us.
(They exit.)
END OF PLAY
