Aurora 2021 Mag

Maverick Schmidt

I wanted to find a way to tell the same story to my peers and the audience that they read as children, but update it in such a way that they found it just as riveting (and creepy) as I did as a child. I ask all who read this play to approach it with that aesthetic and goal in mind. Finally, while male pronouns are used in this piece, gender-blind casting is strongly suggested. This play cannot be produced with an all-white cast. (AT RISE: There is a thunderstorm outside the residence of DOG and CAT. The lights are off, the light of the streetlamp through the living room window and flashes from the storm are all that light the stage. DOG is snoozing on a recliner DSL across from an armchair DSR. USC sits THE BEAST, confined to its cage. THE BEAST is hunched over with its back to the audience. A blanket is thrown over its shoulders. It is still. CAT enters holding some white shriveled thing. He scans the room, his glare landing on the cage. He crosses to it and stares at the creature, raking his fingers across the cage as he mutters to himself.) CAT (He stands and crosses to the cage, still holding the shriveled thing.) Not every day does a little rat finds a comfy new home like that. Not every day does a little rat just get picked up off the street like that. (He examines THE BEAST.) What, pray tell, is so charming about you? Hm? Mangy. Hideous. I would’ve sooner ended your miserable life than brought you home. Yet here you are… (He straightens.) I’ve been watching you, you know. I’ve seen you. I’ve noticed how you pretend to sleep. You’re a faker. I’ll figure you out. (He crosses to face the creature.) I don’t know just what the hell you are, or what you’re doing, but I’m on to you. I found this. (He dangles the shriveled thing in front of its face. THE BEAST doesn’t react.) Care to explain? DOG (Waking.) Leave the poor thing be. Vermin… How quaint.

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