God's Elbow, Act 1, Scene 3

[knights_say_nih]

Last part of the first act (the lines I've drawn through it thus far are totally arbitrary, btw)


Cesar- Perhaps she got a very good lead?
Ichabod- That might be it.
Cesar- Do you think?
Ichabod- Yes.
Cesar- Do you think we should get out of the way?
Ichabod- What?
Cesar- If. If it’s following.
Ichabod- Where would we go?
Cesar- Good point.
Ichabod- And besides, I have a sort of affection for this spot.
Cesar- There’s nothing all that special about it.
Ichabod- No, but I feel as though we’ve laid claim to it.
Cesar- It’ll be gone soon, though.
Ichabod- That doesn’t matter.
Cesar- I suppose not.
Ichabod- By then, we won’t be here to know about it.
Cesar- I have a question?
Ichabod- Well, ask it, then, for heaven’s sake. I’m hardly your teacher.
Cesar- What you said about screaming for the sake of it.
Ichabod- Yes?
Cesar- Do you think that was what she was doing?
Ichabod- Erm.
Cesar- Running, for the sake of it?
Ichabod- Well, it would depend.
Cesar- On what?
Ichabod- Did you see her face?
Cesar- No.
Ichabod- If she had had an expression of adulation and liberation, then she was running for the sake of it. You see, such actions are symbolic of the destruction of the normal social mold. Liberation from daily life. Breaking free.
Cesar- And if she didn’t?
Ichabod- Well, did she have an expression of terror?
Cesar- I just told you, I didn’t see.
Ichabod- If it had been an expression of terror, then I might agree with your suggestion that we find a new location.
Cesar- Oh.

At this, the figure in dark runs through, apparently in a very delayed pursuit of the woman. The same one that threw the pennies.

Ichabod- There we are.
Cesar- Oh dear.
Ichabod- I can’t bring myself to be particularly surprised.
Cesar- I suppose not.
Ichabod- Shall we move?
Cesar- What’s the use?
Ichabod- I see what you mean.
Cesar- Unless it’s a plan?
Ichabod- What?
Cesar- I mean, some sort of organizad ring of terror?
Ichabod- There’s far too much chaos in it for that?
Cesar- Really?
Ichabod- Yes. Organized plans are quieter.
Cesar- What if it’s a bad organized plan? I mean, the sort more organized by me than by you? If I was to ever organize a plan I don’t imagine it would go smoothly at all.
Ichabod- Well, have you organized any terrible demonic plans recently?
Cesar- I don’t quite remember.
Ichabod- Then I think we’re alright.
Cesar- I think we’re in Hell.

Two more people race through the backdrop, one after the other.

Ichabod- Do you think we should put in traffic lights?
Cesar- I don’t know why everyone is in such a hurry.
Ichabod- Maybe there’s something exceptionally good to go to over there?
Cesar- I doubt it, I mean, what could it possibly be?
Ichabod- I’m sure I don’t know.
Cesar- Should we find out?
Ichabod- Absolutely not.
Cesar- Why?
Ichabod- Launching out into the abyss is not what I do.
Cesar- Well, maybe it’s what I do.
Ichabod- You’re not leaving me, though.
Cesar- That’s not fair.
Ichabod- None of this is fair, and you know it. Life isn’t fair.
Cesar- That has nothing to do with anything!
Ichabod- Stop it!

Ichabod doesn’t want to admit something. Cesar looks exasperated.
At some point while they speak, the shadowed figure enters behind them, and stands proud and unapologetic.

Cesar- Can we please think of something to do?
Ichabod- We could get some sleep?
Cesar- I don’t need to sleep!
Ichabod- We could-
Cesar- No!
Ichabod- No?
Cesar- No! Your ideas are always the same, and I’ve had enough of it.
Ichabod- Don’t leave.
Cesar- I want something to happen!
Figure- Speak of the devil.

Ichabod whirls and lets out a shout, while Cesar doesn’t turn, answering the voice without fear.

Cesar- Are you interesting?
Figure- Pardon?
Cesar- You needn’t bother about here unless you’re interesting.
Ichabod- Who are you?

Both the figure and Cesar ignore Ichabod.

Figure- That isn’t the sort of thing you get to pick and choose, I’m afraid.
Cesar- Then I’ve no use for you.
Ichabod- What’s going on?
Cesar- See?
Figure- This isn’t the sort of thing you pick and choose.
Cesar- Damn you.
Figure- Language, language.
Ichabod- Stop it!
Cesar- Go away.
Figure- I thought you were just asking for me?
Cesar- Well, I’ve simply gone and changed my mind. Go away.
Figure- Alright.

The figure exits, proud and tall, and with an air of profound amusement with the situation.

Ichabod- I don’t know what you think you were playing at, just there, but…
Cesar- It isn’t a game.
Ichabod- …but if you think you can just get into these conversations, completely over my head…
Cesar- I’m sorry.
Ichabod- …then you’re completely wrong- you are?
Cesar- Yes. Let’s go walking?
Ichabod- What?
Cesar- I want to go walking.
Ichabod- I thought we were going to sleep.
Cesar- I’m not tired, are you?
Ichabod- I thought we liked this place.
Cesar- We can find it again, if we need to.
Ichabod- This is unpardonably rash.
Cesar- It’s not, though, we’ve been here a long time now.
Ichabod- Not a long time.
Cesar- We could still go walking.
Ichabod- Are you quite certain?
Cesar- I am.
Ichabod- I don’t like it.
Cesar- I can tell.
Ichabod- I thought you were afraid?
Cesar- This whole place makes me afraid.
Ichabod- So,
Cesar- Unless you think Spring Heeled Jack really is out there…
Ichabod- No.
Cesar- Then?
Ichabod- Go without me.
Cesar- I will.
Ichabod- Really?
Cesar- Really.

Ichabod looks sick, momentarily.

Ichabod- I’d thought better of you.
Cesar- I don’t want to have to.
Ichabod- Fine.

Ichabod climbs stiffly to his feet, and takes the hand Cesar offers him.

Cesar- I’m sorry it had to be an ultimatum.
Ichabod- It doesn’t matter.
Cesar- Hey.

Both know it does.

Ichabod- Well? Are we going?
Cesar- Yes.
Ichabod- Then lets go.
Cesar- Yes.
Both exit. Lights to black.