A Play by Steve L.
| CHARACTERS: |
Mamba the Monkey, Male, Age 19 Chubaka the Lion. Female, Age 19, Mamba’s Sister.
|
| SETTING: |
Mamba’s cage in the zoo. We see the cage with all the monkeys and a guard watching the gate. It smells like boo-boo.
|
| TIME: |
11:00pm on a Summer Night. |
| AT RISE: |
On a late night, Chubaka walks through the forest on her way to the zoo. She sneaks and watches her little brother and the other monkeys in the zoo.
|
Mamba
(shocked to see her)
What’s up Chubaka? What are you doing here?
Chubaka
Whats up? I came here to talk to you about my plan.
Mamba
What plan Chubaka? Where you been all this time? I haven’t seen you in all these years. You just disappeared.
Chubaka
I ran from the Zoo. I couldn’t take it here. I left my first year, when we we’re split up. I’ve been in the wild ever since.
Mamba
Why haven’t you come back for us? Why have you come back after all these years?
Chubaka
I don’t know Mamba. I just feel something is missing. I need to have all my family together. And don’t put it all on me, you guys didn’t search for me either.
Mamba
You disappeared. We didn’t have no where to look. But I missed you.
Chubaka
I know. Me too. Let’s not argue. I have a plan where we’ll all be together again.
Mamba
I have a plan to tell you too. Let me go first. I want to get the family together_____
Chubaka
(cutting him off)
That’s my plan too. That’s the same thing!
Mamba
Wait let me finish. I have a key to an abandoned cage in the back. I’m going to get the rest of the family Tomorrow.
Chubakas
No!!! Mamba I want to get the family together too, but I want us all to be in the wild and be free.
Mamba
Come on Chubaka, This is all me and the rest of the family knows. We’ll get killed in the wild.
Chubaka
No you won’t. I have everything set up for us in a forest a couple miles from here. I’ll protect you guys.
Mamba
Mom and dad are old. They don’t need to be traveling miles. They could die. You have to stop being selfish and think about the family.
Chubaka
Mom and dad are strong, they’ll make it. But Mamba whether you like it or not, I ‘m going to get the family tonight. Right now. You need to come.
Mamba
No Chubaka. Leave the family alone. We’re not going anywhere. (To himself) I have to do something. I can’t let Chubaka take the family out of the zoo. I need to get the family tonight. I’m waking up the monkeys up to distract the guards. Then I’m going to get the family in the cage in the back.(To Chubaka) Chubaka just come with us. Stay here in the zoo with the family. We all need to be together. That’s all I want.
Chubaka
If that’s all you want, you shouldn’t have a problem with the family being together in the wild.
Mamba
The family will be together and safe here. The rest of us have been here all our lives.
Chubaka
How do you think I feel that I haven’t seen my family in all these years? I think about us being together everyday. That’s why I’ve been coming back to watch you guys and make sure you’re safe.
Mamba
You’ve been watching us? Why didn’t you ever say anything?
Chubaka
I was waiting until I had everything set up for the family. It’s ready now, so I’m taking you all tonight!
Mamba
No you’re not!
Chubaka
(To herself) What am I gonna do? I’m going to get my family. I haven’t been around them since I was born. I haven’t felt complete without them. I just didn’t feel good without them. I feel really lonely and now I have to be with them. (to Mamba) Mamba we both have the same dreams. We just want our family to be together. We shouldn’t be arguing. We need to do something fast.
Mamba
I know. They’re sending the family to another zoo tomorrow.
Chubaka
We really need to hurry up. I can’t be in the light. I only come out in the dark time.
Mamba
Why?
Chubaka
This is how I’ve lived for the past 19 years because I almost got killed by a group of lions in the daytime. If I’m seen by lions I’ll get killed.
Mamba
So now you hide and come out at night?
Chubaka
Yeah. That’s how I’ve learned to survive in the wild. Every time I’m in the light I have flashbacks about being attacked and almost dying.
Mamba
I don’t know.(to himself) We have a couple of hours to get the family and Chubaka has even less hours to help and be with us. She has to leave at night. I really want my family to be together. I feel empty without my family. I have to be with them, to show them that I love them, and to know they love me.
Chubaka
Mamba it’s not like I’m being picky. I can’t live in the zoo. If I’m in a cage I’ll be in the light. I can’t be in the light Mamba.
Mamba
Why can’t you be in a cage and in the light? Other lions are in the light everyday.
Chubaka
Well, I’m scared of the light Mamba. The light creeps me out. I can’t take it.
Mamba
Chubaka, I have did all this work to get this set up!
Chubaka
What work?
Mamba
I found a key to the abandoned cage. I sold bananas to other monkeys so they’ll help me. I have it all set up.
Chubaka
I have it all set up for us too.
Mamba
It’s not that easy.
Chubaka
It is. It will make everyone happy. Our house is in a tunnel. And the rest of you guys have a big field and mountains to explore. We have banana trees for you.
Mamba
You can’t buy me with banana trees.
Chubaka
It’s all set up for the family. I need to have us all together.
Mamba
Okay Chubaka, how many hours do you have before the sun comes up.
Chubaka
Not that long. We have to go now and get to the wild. Are you coming with me Mamba?
Mamba
Yeah. Let’s go get our family together.
Chubaka
How about you go get mom and dad.
Mamba
Okay.
Chubaka
I’ll get our brother and we’ll meet at the exit. We have to hurry. We don’t have much time.
Mamba
Chubaka, you’re lucky you’re my sister and I want our family together just as bad. I really love the zoo.
Chubaka
I know you do. I’m sorry but we have to hurry.
Mamba
I wish we could all stay but we can’t. Let’s go get the rest of the family and leave.
(END PLAY)
