A Play by Marcelles C.
CHARACTERS: |
Gold Eagle, His Mom, a Redwood Tree
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SETTING: |
Forest around Seattle There’s stormy harsh weather, dark clouds, cold weather 25º. Tastes rats, worms, insects, smells wet weather. Also he feels branches and wind blowing.
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TIME: |
3am |
AT RISE: |
Gold Eagle pacing back and forth wings on his head.
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GOLD EAGLE
Why am I constantly being treated like a little Eagle? I’m tired of my mom treating me like this. When will she understand that I have my own life to live? I was talking to my brother earlier about the situation. He said it was the same for him when he was younger.
(puts his wing to his temple, thinking)
Maybe that’s just the way my mom grew up. To keep her kids close to her side. I feel really irritated knowing that this is an everyday thing. I think it’s time to move on from this old life being treated like a little Eagle to this new life, growing up. My brother that I mentioned is a storm. He’s always on my mom’s side, regardless what happens. I’m always double-teamed with situations that I have to face. I wanna just move on outta Seattle and outta the country to Egypt by the Nile river where I will be relaxed, alone and feel powerful.
(the Mom comes in)
MOM
Son, how are you doing today?
GOLD EAGLE
I’m doing alright. Just got a few things on my mind.
MOM
What’s going on? Can we discuss it?
GOLD EAGLE (looks away)
Nah, I don’t want to talk about it.
MOM
Obviously there’s something you ain’t tellin me. Or, you just have an attitude.
GOLD EAGLE
I don’t have a attitude. I have somewhere to go, and my bags are packed.
MOM (confused)
What do you mean your bags are packed and you have somewhere to go?
GOLD EAGLE
Look, let me be straight-forward with it. Mom, I’m tired of being treated like this.
MOM
Like what?
GOLD EAGLE
I’m tired of the yelling and the “do this” and “do that” and you and my brother double-teaming and treating me like my enemies all the time. Stuff gets old.
MOM
Like your enemies? How? I just want you to be successful, and finish flying school, is that so hard to ask for?
GOLD EAGLE
It’s not what you’re asking for, it’s not what you want from me, it’s the way things are at home. Like the embarrassment, the joking, “why don’t you be like your brother and be successful and do what he did.”
MOM
Look Son, the way you act and the way you do things is just not the way I grew up and taught your brother. I just want you to finish school, that is my main goal for you. Because without finishing school, you won’t amount to nothin or succeed.
GOLD EAGLE
Mom, it’s just not my interest to finish school at this time right now. I wanna just go to Egypt and explore the world at this time. I feel like if I stay, it will just cause more stress and more pain on me, and I won’t ever be able to leave. So at this time I feel this would be the best thing for me.
MOM
What do you mean you’re going to Egypt? And now? You haven’t discussed anything with me.
GOLD EAGLE
Well Mom, I’m not a baby no more. I’m 18. It’s time to make my own decisions. And it’s time to go. There’s one way in and one way out. And my plane’s leaving in less than an hour.
MOM
Son, it’s just the beginning. You don’t have to leave so soon. It’s much more than just finishing school and being successful. You have a family to care for, you have a mom `to care for and a brother to care for, you can’t just leave. Don’t be like your father and walk out and leave your family.
GOLD EAGLE
Like my father? I’m nothing like my father. You shouldn’t even have brought him up. He doesn’t have anything to do with this.
MOM
Maybe Son, it’s just because you’re too young at this point. You haven’t even learned how to fly, or how to get your own food. What I’m trying to say is, Son, you can’t take care of yourself.
GOLD EAGLE
Mother. There will always be time to learn. But what I want and what I need is freedom and be free to roam and explore the world and see what’s out there. So from me to you, Mom, I would ask that you support me in my decision and hope the best for me.
MOM
Son, I feel devastated. I feel as if I wouldn’t’ve treated you like a little Eagle, none of this would’ve happened.
GOLD EAGLE
Mom, it’s not your fault. That’s just the way you were taught and the way you learn things and the way you grew up.
(MOM doesn’t know what to say)
GOLD EAGLE (continued)
So Mom, it’s about time for me to go right now. I have a plane to catch.
(he walks away)
Mom, you’re welcome to come if you want to.
(gives her a hug)
MOM
Be safe, Son. Take care. I hope the best for you.
GOLD EAGLE
Ok, thank you Mom.
(he walks away)
GOLD EAGLE (looking down)
Love you.
THE END.