The fountain of youth

By

Roxana Radulescu

 

 

 

 

 

Characters:

Child-C

Old child- MrF

Grandfather-G

Mother-M

Girl- MsF

 

 

Act I

In garden.

A Child is running around a tree trying to catch a butterfly. Catches it and takes it to his grandfather.

G: Oh, how nice, but if you hold it to tight it’s wings will be crushed. Let it free.

Child opens hands and butterfly is dead.

Suddenly a cold breeze comes. The Grandfather holds his chest in pain. A shadow approaches and takes his grandfather.

                G: I am ready.

The grandfather smiles. The child runs scared.

 

At the funeral.

Mother goes to child.

                M: Sweetie, don’t be sad. You know, grandfather is in a better place now. This is something that happens to everyone, there is no need to fear it.

Mother smiles.

                C: No, I will never die. I will find a way.

 

Act 2

(Child is now a 24 year-old scientist/explorer= Mr F)

In laboratory, sitting in chair.

MrF is reading the myth of ‘The fountain of youth’. Posters with a touristic  add for Africa in background.  A female scientist comes and brings him coffee. She spills it on his book. He looks at her angrily. She looks back afraid. He falls in love. He puts the book down and helps her up.

 

He puts a map on a table and shows her Africa. She smiles at him.

 

In jungle.

They are walking. They are looking at a view of a volcano (2 butterflies fly through the air) and are happy.

They find an old fountain/spring. A breeze goes through the air. He is happy. He takes some water in a cup.

And earthquake starts. A dark shadow appears. He quickly drinks the water. Gives her the cup. She looks at the shadow in fear. Lightning strikes and a tree branch falls.

He gets up and is happy he’s still alive. Looks at death.

                MrF: Ha, I’ve beat you!

Death looks through him. MrF looks back. The girl is dying. He goes to her.

                MrF: Here drink.

                MsF: No…

                MrF: you can still say NO. We can live forever. It’s our dream.

                MsF: I am happy with my time. It’s my wish.

She dies. He is sad.

 

Act 3

In the laboratory, now dusty.

He is sitting in the same chair. MrF is old. His beard touches the ground. A dark shadow is sitting behind him.

He looks outside, through a hole where the poster was. Sees a view of a futuristic world, cars moving fast.

A butterfly comes through the hole. Sits on the floor in the dust, next to his chair.

He looks down. Picks up a framed photo. Smudges the dust away with his beard. It is a photo of him and the girl in jungle. He is sad.

Lays on the floor, looking up. (View of him rotated head down)

                MrF: I am ready.

He closes his eyes and smiles.

A gentle breeze moves the dust and the butterfly flies away.