Tides of Passion by Friedrich Von Drake III Copyright (c) 2000 All rights reserved This short play is a musical, which can be done with a pianist, or for a less glorious production, sung acapella. For the official sheet music, please send $9.95 to: Friedrich Von Drake III 3687 N. 870 E. Provo, UT, 84604 The cast consists of two characters: Jim and Fafner. The backgrounds and personalities of the characters are actually rather irrelevant. Jim and Fafner are merely two typical grown men, who coincidentally meet in a hospital. From the beginning till the end, they are constantly heavily sobbing, and slow of speech. The setting is in a hospital waiting room. They're anxiously awaiting the results of their girlfriends, who were both injured in auto accidents. At the present, Jim sits alone, soon to be joined by Fafner. ( ( ( Enter Fafner. He takes a seat by Jim. Fafner: You . . . don't I know you from somewhere? Jim: I don't believe I know you. Have we met? Fafner: I'm sorry, I guess not. . . . It's strange: [speaking to the world around him] everyone looks so familiar. Jim: Well I'm Jim. And you are? Fafner: Fafner. Pleased to meet you, Jim. [They shake hands.] Jim: [Trying to break the dreary silence] You know-I once had a goldfish named Fafner. Fafner: [With an interested and concerned expression] What happened? Jim: [Eyes begin to fill with tears] . . . The cat . . . Fafner: Don't tell me any more, Jim. I know . . . I know how it happened. . . . Isn't it just like life? Piano begins introduction to "the Cat Song." Between each sung phrase, it plays an interlude. Jim: [Singing] I turned my back for a moment. Fafner: [Singing] The fish was happy in his bowl. Jim: And then the cat . . . Fafner: The monstrous cat. The piano plays its last chord, leaving them in silence. Fafner: [Speaking] He ate him, Jim. . . . He's dead. A moment of silence. Jim: So, Fafner-why are you here? Fafner: It's-it's hard to believe it's actually happened. . . . A loved one-badly hurt. . . . I don't think she's going to live. Jim: Really? Me too. She was hit by a car. Fafner: So was mine. They're both heart-warmed by their shared situation. They're comforted by feeling each other's pain. Jim: What was her name? Fafner: She was my-my . . . Boopy. . . . What was yours? Jim: Rosebud. Fafner: [In understanding] Rosebud. Jim: She was my sunshine. Fafner: My only sunshine. The piano plays the "You are My Sunshine" theme-ending with a minor chord-introducing the "Tides of Passion" theme. Jim: [Singing] The tides of passion have gone to sea. Fafner: [Singing] The tides of passion have gone from me. They both stand up and begin to express their hearts to the world around them. Both: The tides of passion have gone to sea. [They face each other and slowly walk towards, joining in a hug upon the last note of their song.] The tides of passion have gone from me. While hugging, they freely sob, and use each others shirts to wipe their noses and tears. After which, they slowly walk back to their seats and sit down as the piano is freely expressing their emotions. Once sat, the piano ceases, and they resume positions of personal, dry despair, while hugging themselves-no longer sobbing. Fafner: [Glances at clock or watch.] 6:00. Finally I can see Boopy. [Walks to outside of Boopy's room.] Jim: [Watches Fafner leave.] I wonder if I can see Rosebud yet. [Walks to Fafner.] They nervously wait outside the door, mentally and physically preparing themselves. Fafner: Hello, Jim. Jim: Hello, Fafner. Fafner: Room 111: Boopy's room. Jim: 111: . . . Rosebud's room. They slowly turn and face other. Fafner: They're sharing a room? Jim: How cheap. They both slowly enter and behold the sight of their girlfriends-who turns out to be the same person-lying unconscious on her bed. Jim falls to one knee. They're both too overcome with emotion to realize the truth of the situation. Jim: Oh, look at her! Rosebud. Fafner: Oh, Boopy. My Boopy. Jim: Oh, Rosebud. Can you hear me? Fafner: [A fragment of the truth suddenly hits him, although he's too bewildered to understand the full, simple concept. He turns to Jim] . . . my Rosebud. The piano plays the "Ha-ha!" theme. Jim: [He has the same, inconclusive epiphany. He stands up and faces his friend with mixed emotions. He says, a little defensive] . . . my Boopy. The piano again plays the "Ha-ha!" theme, in a higher key. They both look down at their sleeping girl, then back at each other. The piano plays a final chord, declaring their sudden hatred towards each other. Their looks of confusion suddenly change to resentment. With lowered brows, and slightly grim eyes, they slowly turn around, leave the room, and take their seats, back in the waiting room-during which, never losing eye contact, while the piano continuously plays a low-registered trill. Once sat, they simultaneously rest one leg on top of the other, and rest their chins on their hands. Then suddenly, a horrible, last chord is played, and they look away, instantly breaking into uncontrollable tears. For a long time, they profusely sob, holding no refrains. Jim's heart begins to fail him. Jim: My heart. [He crouches and slides off his chair, onto his knees.] Fafner: [Watching his friend die] Jim. Jim: Oh, my heart. [Slowly begins to collapse.] Fafner: Oh, Jim. [The same pain suddenly hits him.] Jim-I feel your pain. [He grasps his heart, begins to lean forward, and eventually also fall off his chair.] Oh-I'm-I'm dying-of a broken-heart. Together, they slowly collapse, wither and die. They begin to sing acapella. Upon the word, "Tides," the piano joins them and accompanies them to their death, ending on a harsh, tragic chord. Both of them: [Singing] The tides of passion have gone from me. The piano sings freely, at the climax of emotion and tragedy. It gradually ends on a light note. The lights fade out. Once the applause begin to lessen, the piano starts up again, playing a jazzy, upbeat tune. The lights brighten, and the two dead bodies instantly jump to their feet, throw their arms over each other's shoulders, and bow together. (A small, jazzy dance could be fitting.) THE END