Little Box Lost

Little Box Lost
A play in one act
� David Koran

Dramatis Personae
BLUE � A very disaffected individual, a bit flighty and overly confident. Doesn't pay much attention when anyone else speaks and displays obvious egocentrism. Must whistle.
Female (any age)
BLACK � Young dreamer, a bit emotional and prone to childish outbursts. Doesn't understand things all the time but has a very questioning nature.
Female (under 30)

Scene
An empty stage with enough space for a light struggle and a thrown prop. Lights up on Black, picking up the box from center stage. She tries to open it, to no avail. Blue enters.

Blue: Whatcha got there?

Black: (Holding up a small box) The universe.

Blue: Yeah? What's it do?

Black: I dunno.

Blue: Then why do you have it?

Black: I thought if I carried it around, I might figure it out.

Blue: Did it come with instructions?

Black: Nope. Just the box.

Blue: Did you look inside?

Black: It doesn't open.

Blue: How do you know what it is?

Black: It says it on top. The universe.

Blue: Where'd it come from?

Black: It was here when I showed up.

Blue: Oh, maybe it belongs to someone.

Black: Maybe.

Blue: Shouldn't you try to return it then?

Black: How would I do that?

Blue: Well... I... I guess I don't know.

Black: It's kinda pretty, actually. I might keep it if no one comes.

Blue: I don't think you should.

Black: Why not? It's not my fault someone dropped it.

Blue: But what if they come looking for it?

Black: (surprised) I'd give it back! I'm not a thief.

Blue: (contemplative) I'm sure they'll be sad when they can't find it though.

Black: Whoever had it first, they can probably get another.

Blue: But what if it was their favoritest thing in the whole wide world?

Black: Then they should have been more careful.

Blue: That's not very nice to say.

Black: It's true, isn't it? It could have been broken or lost somewhere. At least I found it.

Blue: (pause) What are you going to do with it?

Black: I dunno. Maybe put it on my nightstand. (Inspecting it lovingly) It sure is pretty.

Blue: Can I see?

Black: Ehh... I don't think so. You're too concerned about who owns it.

Blue: Don't be mean. I just want to look.

Black: Ok, well; look, but don't touch.

Blue: (Examining closely - suddenly snatches it and steps away) Mine!

Black: Give it back!

Blue: Give what back?

Black: My universe.

Blue: It isn't yours. It belongs to whoever made it.

Black: But it got left behind. Sitting here all alone in the dark.

Blue: Maybe some one will come back for it.

Black: No one's coming back!

Blue: He's probably an artist, you know. (Inspecting it decisively) It sure is pretty.

Black: How do you know it's a he?

Blue: (Thoughtfully) I bet he's just as pretty as this box he made.

Black: All right, you got to see it. Now give.

Blue: I'm going to hang on to it, I think.

Black: But I found it!

Blue: But you're not going to give it back to him.

Black: Neither are you!

Blue: Sure I am. When he comes for it, I'll give it back.

Black: So would I! How come you get to keep it?

Blue: I'm going to use it. I'm going to show it to a lot of people so maybe I can find out who made it.

Black: No one's going to know.

Blue: Someone might. I'll tell everyone what it is and how it works, and maybe someone might.

Black: But you don't know how it works...

Blue: Sure I do. It's locked, so it must hold a secret. And it's small, so it must be something precious.

Black: But you don't KNOW. You're just guessing!

Blue: Nuh-uh!

Black: No one's going to believe you; you don't know anything about it!

Blue: I do so. And I'm going to write all about it, so other people can know.

Black: Know what?

Blue: How precious this gift is.

Black: Gift?! It was left alone in the dark.

Blue: Just waiting for me to find it.

Black: You stole it from me!

Blue: It was supposed to find me. It's my reward.

Black: It's just a little universe!

Blue: (Startlingly firm w/ raised voice) NO. It's His universe.

Black: But you don't even know him.

Blue: Yes, I do. Better than you ever will. And that makes me so deeply sad.

Black: You're crazy. Give it back.

Blue: It isn't yours.

Black: It isn't yours either! I found it, and I want it!

Blue: You'd just waste it.

Black: So will you! You don't even care about it! You're just thinking about some handsome boy you made up.

Blue: You're being cruel.

Black: You're being delusional.

Blue: I'm going to take care of it.

Black: (making a grab for the box) It's mine!

Blue: It's His!

Black: I found it!

Blue: I deserve it.

(The box flies wildly from their hands and breaks against the stage floor. The lights immediately go out and come back up at half power, with a flicker if possible.)

Black: (Picking up the broken pieces) Oh no� look. It's broken.

Blue: Oh well. Anything inside?

Black: It doesn't matter! You broke it!

Blue: No, you broke it.

Black: You should have given it back.

Blue: Whatever. It was an ugly universe anyway.

Black: It was not! It was beautiful.

Blue: It didn't do anything special. It just sat there, all locked up. That's probably why He left it behind.

Black: Shut up about him!

Blue: You should have come with me. We could have found him together.

Black: Leave me alone.

Blue: Fine, stay here with your stupid broken box. I'll go find Him myself.

(Blue leaves the stage, whistling "He's got the whole world in His hands" while exiting)

Black: What a waste. It sure was pretty though. (pauses - pulls a paper wad from inside the pieces) There's something... what's in... (Unwrapping it; reading) "Use this." (Holds up small bottle) Glue? (After a dramatic pause, deeply emphasized) Huh...

Fade to Black

END

Reviews

[nightriter]

It was a curious play, I really enjoyed it. I feel I know Blue . ;)