We liked it enough to want to go forward with production, but sadly, a lack of acting talent kept us from completing the project. Such are the problems we face, when located in such a small island (Cyprus).
Below, you will see some extracts from the play. If anyone has the resources to turn this into a short video, drop me a line.
A writer in the room
A writer in the room
By
Skevi Philippou
ACT 1 SCENE 1
The writer is alone in his/her small Spartan studio flat he/she sits alone before a laptop - its screen illuminating his/her face. He/she talks to himself/herself as he/she writes.
Writer: No, this isn’t right... Where does it mesh together? But on the other hand - should it mesh? My words flow to their own rhythm... I don’t see why I can’t mix it up a bit...I can be fluid and "in the middle"... I am not trying to influence people - to make a point that things are wrong... Or right... but it’s just.... Missing something.... Logic? If there is too much logic then there is not enough heart - if there is too much heart then there is not enough logic! I don’t know where to take this!
(The writer rests his/her head on the desk and stays silent)
(A voice can be heard from the shadows of the empty room)
Malevolent voice: What if you realise that you have nothing to say? That nothing you know is really important...
Writer: What? Who said that?
(The room remained silent)
Writer: Am I going mad?
Benevolent voice: Don't listen to it - its only trying to confuse you - send you off balance - carry on your path.... You know best...
Malevolent voice: Yes.... You know best; you feel this isn’t working - why carry on? It won’t come to any use in the real world... Give up and move on...
Writer: Who the hell is in my room?! Reveal yourselves - I am not afraid - I have nothing of value but my mind and you can’t take that!
Benevolent voice: Do not fear us; we cannot harm you. It has come to disturb you - I have followed to ensure you ignore its voice.
Writer: What are you?
Malevolent voice: I am here to help you.
Writer: But what are you?
(Question met with silence)
Writer: Reveal yourselves to me
(Two people walk out from opposite darkened corners of the room – ones appearance is powdery and bright and the other is dark and shadowy- the writer looks at them and pulls back in fright)
Writer: Benevolent? (The writer looks at the light creature as he speaks)
(The dark creature responds)
Benevolent: Yes - I am here
(The writer looks to the dark creature in surprise)
Writer: But aren’t you the Malevolent?!
Benevolent: Things aren’t always, what they seem they should be...
Malevolent: No, no it lies, I am clearly the benevolent force - see me glow pure? The dark creature lies!
Benevolent: Only a Malevolent force would choose colour as an indication of character.
Writer: Your right - that makes sense. But why have you come to me? Or has my mind been taken and you are all just illusions?
Benevolent: We are what we are. And you are what you are, writer - finish the book.
Malevolent: Yes, I am here to help you finish - do not write this book - it will only disappoint you - end your efforts; why fight in vain?
Benevolent: Your words are pure - a new century needs a new codex to follow - Do not give up - civilization needs you.
Writer: Civilization?! Hey I am just a writer, I am not a prophet - I can't help anyone. I am just writing what I feel.
Benevolent: Yes, and you feel you need to complete this. You can... All humans have the power to change things - Words are your strongest bond. You feel the injustices in the world... You know you can help people through truth. You have come so far, do no give up now.
Malevolent: Help people? Help people? Help yourself, leave this insane waste of time and do what makes you truly happy! I know you feel it - this isn’t going to make you rich or famous, because no one will see it – Imagine? A useless bunch of muddled words, no one will ever read! Delete your files and move back to your fiction which gives you joy.
Writer: It is a little muddled; I've never tried this before... I don’t think it will make sense to anyone but me....
Benevolent: Don’t say that.... Tell me, what troubles you about it?
Malevolent: You don't want to discuss it - it’s laughable - you know it is....
(The writer hesitates and looks at the dark creature)
Writer: It’s a mess... 400 pages of confused - angry words. But I do feel a sense of accomplishment in expressing my thoughts. I am just so mixed up. Within these digital pages are all that matters to me in this world. Everything that angers me, that disappoints me, that needlessly complicates this world. There is only so much we can take... Sooner or later the injustices become too much to bare. It starts to stir, deep within my core. And it all has to come out somehow. I chose to write them all down. Every day I get up from my bed and, with a blank stare I look out of this small window into the world. A beautiful world, one that can be vast and far away, or very small and closed. In any way I view the world – I see its flaws. Flaws caused by us, humans... With good intent or sinister motives we sometimes cause, complications that leave us short of what we wish our life could be. Most people have no time to be as bitter as I am, they move on with the daily rush of their lives. But I cant let them slide any more. So I document them, and I write about how I feel... That's why it is all such a mess... I don't think people will take enough time to decipher my accidentally written riddles.
Malevolent: Well then, somebody needs some rest, far away from all of this... Chaos...
Delete it and rest your soul... Do not become a laughing stock, no one will take you seriously.
Benevolent: You’re rushing, because you feel so strongly... That’s OK; just take time and separate it in stages. What is the ultimate message of your words?
Writer: Look, you don't seem to understand. I am just one person, writing what I feel. It isn't life changing, it isn't ground breaking, it isn't world saving. I just feel that if I don't write down my thoughts, they will explode out of me. They burn until I get them out.... It becomes my biggest obsession.
Malevolent: You are right, you are just a human; just one in 7,096,4390. You’re not wealthy; you’re not influential or powerful. You’re not respected or admired. Why would people care what you feel? No one cares what you write, and no one ever will. Save yourself the embarrassment and shame now.
Benevolent: There is no embarrassment and no shame in telling the world how you feel - my child, you will find that many share your thoughts and feelings. The quest is not to be a leader, but an inspirer. Give hope not directions. Share your words and allow others to find their own voice.
Malevolent: There is no hope, no inspiring people, who have moved on from this ancient notion of “love thy neighbour” and “Fight the good fight” people have evolved, smartened up, they don’t need you, any “god” or anyone to tell them what to do, or how to live. Everyone already has their own voice; people look after their own and that’s what you should do, stop this torture and start living like every one else does.
Writer: Then you believe that none of this is important?
Malevolent: Precisely, now you see my point. Nothing matters, so why go on torturing yourself? Nothing matters… It is all just an illusion…
Writer: Then why are you trying to stop me?
Malevolent: What?
Writer: You are the negative in this world, you thrive on callousness and detachment; if people continue blindly that suits you just fine. So if this isn’t going to help anyone… Why are you trying to stop me completing it?
Malevolent: Negative? Realistic. Obviously, I am trying to help you. Why put yourself through the pain of disappointment? Of Humiliation?
Writer: Why not go through it? Why not suffer anguish, pain, disappointment and humility? If we don’t – then how would we grow? How would we learn to correct, to better ourselves? If we didn't feel, then how would we learn to care?
(Benevolent can be seen smiling)
Writer continued: If we give in to our doubts, our fears – we would never accomplish anything worth completing. Perseverance is what gave human kind the understanding, the knowledge to do better, to be better people. Not perfect, we should never be perfect – but awake, understanding and beautifully inquisitive. Fear, being stuck in ignorance of uncaring, unthinking, unfeeling, unmoved – unimaginable hatred, unjustified rage against each other. That is truly humiliating. And we should never close our eyes to that again.
Malevolent: You are obviously tired and aren’t thinking straight. Rest, go to sleep, close your eyes…
Benevolent: No, their eyes are open.
Writer: Let me be, leave now… I have a book to finish.
CURTAIN
