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Chapter One.
We hear "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy on the darkened stage.
The lights come up on a Fellinian sea. Three sad men are sitting in a tiny boat. Martin is a good-looking man in his mid-thirties; Lomar is tall
and strong in his thirties; Hall is a grumpy guy in his early to mid-forties.
(A moment with them sailing. Then, as the classical song fades out…)
LOMAR
(Wailing.)
We're gonna die!
(Silence.)
LOMAR
We're gonna die!
HALL
It's what happens with everyone that's living.
LOMAR
I don't wanna die.
HALL
Everybody will.
LOMAR
But not on the sea.
MARTIN
(Mocking.)
I think many people die under the sea, mostly when they drown.
LOMAR
Why?
HALL
(To Lomar.)
Serious?
LOMAR
My question is more philosophic.
HALL
(Scornfully.)
Oh boy!... We've a philosopher here.
LOMAR
Shut up!
HALL
Don't fuck with me dude or I'll fuck you.
LOMAR
Damn you!
MARTIN
Hey! Hey! Calm down, fellas!
LOMAR
He started this crap.
HALL
Don't disturb me!
MARTIN
(Firmly.)
Let's stop that shit, huh?
(Silence. A moment later.)
LOMAR
That's okay.
HALL
Anyway, we're going to die because... 'cause... our body... it's organic... one day it will rot.
LOMAR
We're gonna die because this shit will sink. We'll be shark food.
HALL
If we got luck, maybe it could happen.
LOMAR
Luck? I wonder if there's a better way to die.
MARTIN
It is our destiny.
LOMAR
I agree!
MARTIN
Someone has been writing our destiny.
LOMAR
God.
HALL
I don't believe in God.
MARTIN
I think God doesn't believe in you.
HALL
Are you a funny-man by chance?
LOMAR
Hey, dude! What's your problem? Where's your sense of humour?
HALL
It went away into the toilet.
MARTIN
Sounds like we have two comedians here, huh?
HALL
(To Martin.)
Don't fuck with me, cowboy!... My patience is vanishing...
MARTIN
And what happens after that?
HALL
I don't know... I never lost it completely... I'm a controlled man.
(The two stare at each other. Then...)
LOMAR
(Seeing something.)
Hey!... Look there!
MARTIN
What?
LOMAR
There! I think it's an island!
MARTIN
I don't know, it seems... too small… yes, it's an island!
HALL
What are you talking about?
MARTIN
The island.
HALL
Where?
LOMAR
(To Hall.)
Can't you see?
HALL
No...I just see the sea.
LOMAR
Hall... look in this direction.
HALL
I don't see any island.
LOMAR
Are you kidding? C'mon, man!
HALL
I think that both of you, I don't know, I mean, you two are seeing a mirage.
MARTIN
What? Mirage is a thing from one's mind. I never see a joint mirage.
LOMAR
It's a small island... and we're seeing it.
HALL
You two are crazy!
LOMAR
Martin, it explains everything.
MARTIN
(To Lomar.)
What're you talking about?
LOMAR
(To Martin.)
It's Hall... he doesn't believe in God.
HALL
And?
LOMAR
(To Hall.)
And you don't get to see the island.
HALL
Oh, boy! Here we go!
LOMAR
The island is a sign of God.
HALL
I-I don't… I don't care. I'm sick of all that crap.
MARTIN
Hall, it's serious. Listen to him...
HALL
Alright. Can you see God?
MARTIN
Of course not!
HALL
But you can see the island...?
MARTIN
Yeah.
HALL
So...?
LOMAR
So... what?
HALL
(Sarcastic.)
I need to explain?
LOMAR
What do you mean?
MARTIN
I don't get it.
HALL
Oh, man, please stop it. You two are getting crazy.
LOMAR
We can see the island, therefore, we can feel God.
HALL
(Breathes impatiently.)
Well, well, well. Forget about it all. I-I don't know, you know, I lost my thought... I forgot completely my argument... But... but... Lemme say to
you… there's no island.
MARTIN
So...?
HALL
The game's over, fellas!
LOMAR
No, no, no!... What you don't know is the game never ends.
MARTIN
Faith, dude! Just faith.
HALL
I give up! Let's forget all that. I don't believe in God and neither on the island.
LOMAR
You're a poor soul.
MARTIN
You still didn't understand that God is the island?
HALL
Get out!
LOMAR
God is leading us to the island.
HALL
Okay! Okay! If that happens... I promise you I'm going to thank God.
MARTIN
But it's not fair. We believe in God... you don't.
HALL
(Mocking.)
It means that I don't deserve to live? Only both of you? What the kind of Christian are you?
LOMAR
Unfair. You will be saved because of our creed.
MARTIN
Exactly.
HALL
(Scornful.)
It's all right... if we get to the island... I'll be grateful to your faith, too.
(Silence.)
(A moment later.)
HALL
(Aware.)
Listen to that!
MARTIN
What?
HALL
Shhhh! I think it's an airplane!
MARTIN
I don't hear anything.
LOMAR
Neither I.
HALL
Shut up! It's a plane. It is real. We've a chance.
MARTIN
I don't get to...
LOMAR
Just you… just you're listening to that.
HALL
Are you kidding? Haven't you heard the sound?
LOMAR
Of course not.
MARTIN
You didn't see the island, we didn't hear the airplane's sound.
LOMAR
It's your faith against ours.
HALL
Bullshit! We've to make a sign to them.
MARTIN
(To Lomar.)
He lost his mind!
LOMAR
We haven't any red flare.
HALL
(Angrily.)
Shut up! We've to wait for them. They'll see us down here!
LOMAR
The sky is cloudy, by the way.
MARTIN
The man who doesn't believe… now is believing.
LOMAR
Where's the plane?
HALL
(Shouting.)
Silent, please!
(The three waiting, anxiously.)
(Blackout.)
TO BE CONTINUED
Next chapter: The Story of Hall
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