Family Protection
by Benny E
Characters:
Vicious the Tiger – 60 years old Best friend of Smokey the Gorilla
Smokey the Gorilla – 40 years old Best friend of Vicious the Tiger
Setting:
The middle of the jungle in Northern Africa
Time:
The Present Day
SCENE 1
VICIOUS
I hate living in a jungle. It’s too messy, too ugly and I hate having to worry about other people for so many years. I had to protect Smokey and his family! I would rather protect myself than someone who is not even my own family. I would like to move to a discrete location where there is no worries. I want to have lots of people in my life that care about me. The only way to resolve my problem is to make peace with everyone so nobody is a predator and nobody feels like a prey, so they all work as a family and unite into one whole kingdom. It all makes me feel discouraged.
SMOKEY
(begging) Can you please protect my family, Vicious? I need you.
VICIOUS
No! I am done worrying about you. I need to worry about myself!
SMOKEY
If you don’t protect my family, I will come after you.
VICIOUS
What is that going to do to resolve this problem?
SMOKEY
It is going to resolve in you being dead!
VICIOUS
If you want to fight, let’s fight!!!
(They start to fight. Vicious grabs Smokey and slams him on the ground and pins him.)
VICIOUS
I will end it right now!!! We are brothers and best friends, not enemies. We are brothers Smokey. Let’s just work to protect ourselves and the family. (they separate) I have been saving up some materials to pay Thief, the Lion every month so he won’t bother or mess with your family.
SMOKEY
So you’re going to tell me that you have been going behind my back and paying my greatest enemy?!!!
VICIOUS
I have been doing this as long as I can remember, so one day I won’t have to protect you guys any more.
SMOKEY
I didn’t mean it when I said I have a new protector. I just didn’t feel like you were doing your job correctly.
VICIOUS
I’ve always been doing the protecting stuff. I feel like I need to put it to an end and worry about myself.
SMOKEY
My greatest wish is to be King of the Jungle but the snakes have told me that you have been secretly working for Thief the Lion.
VICIOUS
WHAT??? All this time, I was helping the lion out to protect you and now I have gotten myself into Thief’s problems and his enemies are looking for me. I gotta go now. I am getting sick.
SMOKEY
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???
VICIOUS
I’m getting too old for all this work. I’m getting mad and I have leukemia from high blood pressure and worrying about your family. I think it is better if I leave and think about myself.
SMOKEY
Vicious, I AM SO SORRY!! I never knew this was going to make you sick.
VICIOUS
Before I leave, I will help you be King of the Jungle, my friend. Good Night.
SCENE 2
The Next Day Smokey wakes up hella early.
SMOKEY
Oh, I about a be King of the Jungle! I’m about a bring Vicious to peace and he will have time to get better and come back to help me raise up the jungle.
(Vicious comes over and they have some breakfast – Gorilla O’s from Benny Banzo’s. They throw a paper leaf on a rock
and Smokey grabs a stick to write a plan)
SMOKEY
This is what we are gonna do. We need to gather all the animals in the community, tell them that they’re going to help me Smokey and take the lion out of being the King of the Jungle.
VICIOUS
That’s a great idea. While you gather the community, I’ll get the lion and influence him to get out of being King.
SMOKEY
Let’s make our move!
VICIOUS
Alright!
SMOKEY
I will go to the animals along the path to Thief’s throne and bring them with me and I will overthrow him to become KING OF THE JUNGLE!!
VICIOUS
YES! I truly believe that you should be King. I wanted to tell you something before I leave. Thief might make me do something big for him that I might not want to do in order for you to be King of the Jungle. He is going to ask for that.
SMOKEY
I understand but you should think before you act and know who you are going to affect. I don’t want him to leave on bad terms. Vicious, I am sorry for making you feel like you weren’t worth it. Whatever happens tonight, you will always be my best friend.
VICIOUS
Thank you, Smokey. All I ever wanted was for you and your family to be safe.
(They nod goodbye and Vicious goes up the mountain to confront Thief. Smokey follows and gathers the animals ; the snakes, the birds, the bears, the sheep, the hippos, and the elephants along the way. They all want Thief out of there. SMOKEY arrives at Thief’s throne. Vicious is already there.)
SMOKEY (ADDRESSING THIEF THE LION)
HELLO THIEF! I have gathered the whole community to put an end to your filthy dignity. You will no longer be King of the Jungle. (all the animals cheer!)
VICIOUS
And I am done working for you, Thief! Smokey is the best fit to govern our community!
(The animals yell and applaud. They approach the throne.)
SMOKEY
IF YOU DON’T LEAVE THE THRONE, WE WILL TAKE YOU BY FORCE! (Thief puts down his crown and leaves. Vicious picks up the crown and puts it on Smokey’s head. Smokey pounds his chest and lets out a scream.)
VICIOUS
Thank you my brother. Now you have what you want, can I have my peace and live here without taking care of everyone? (Smokey nods)
SMOKEY
Whatever you need, I’ll be here for you. You protected me and now I will protect you. (They hug)
END OF PLAY
