Our Beloved Park. By Ben Gavarré.

 

Our Beloved Park

 

By Ben Gavarré

This work has been published for free and open dissemination, although all intellectual property rights are reserved. The public use of this work requires the author's permission and in order to obtain the corresponding authorization contact bengavarre@gmail.com or gavarreunam@gmail.com (Reg. Prop. Int. Expte. Inbox)

 

Characters:

• DYLAN: A 17-year-old high schooler, a bit awkward, insecure, and nervous. Nothing serious, just a typical teen.
• VICTORIA: Dylan's mom, a philosophy teacher with an eccentric sense of humor.
• MARTY: An 18-year-old with a free spirit and a passion for dance.
• BRUNO: Marty's dad, eccentric with a love for comedy.
• PETRA: Marty's mom, devoutly religious, but with a touch of inner liberation.
• THE DUDE: His name is Orestes, but that's revealed at the end. A mysterious, scary character who turns out to be a "clochard"—someone who has chosen to abandon the structured world.
• DELIVERY GUY/THIEF: Likes easy money and isn't totally dumb, but doesn't handle the unexpected very well.

Setting: A neighborhood park in Los Angeles.

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SCENE 1: The First Move

Place: Two chess tables in a park.

(On the right side of the stage, Dylan and Victoria are at a chess table, moving pieces. On the other side, Bruno is stretching exaggeratedly on the ground, making groaning sounds, while Marty watches him, visibly bored. Petra reads a huge, well-worn Bible.)

DYLAN (Moves one of his pawns.) Mom, if you had to make a first move… an opening move in a relationship… what would you do?

VICTORIA (Looks at the board with concentration.) Me?... A slow and strategic game? Or an aggressive one. Either one works.

DYLAN (Moves pieces aimlessly.) No, Mom. It's not a game. It’s a person. Dammit, you're not paying attention to me.

VICTORIA (Sighs, not looking at him.) Don't worry, honey. There's a strategy for everything. You just have to think two or three moves ahead. I'm gonna take your Queen.

DYLAN I’m not talking about that! I don’t want a strategy. I don't know how… how to make the first move.

(The conversation is interrupted when a man arrives, wearing a once-nice but now old and dirty cashmere suit, a hat, and a stern look. He is pale as a corpse, and his appearance is captivating because it's authentic. He sits down and pulls some chess pieces from his pocket. The silence is heavy.)

DYLAN (Speaks to his mom in an audible whisper.) Look at that dude. He’s got a face… I think he’s a killer. (He does a comic muahahaha voice.) The permanence of evil… like you say.

VICTORIA (Whispers back.) Dylan, he's just a guy.

(The Dude, without lifting his head, slams a piece on the board, as if killing a cockroach. He stays motionless.)

DYLAN No, Mom. It’s something else; he's watching us… He wants to kill us!

VICTORIA (Smiles at the man.) Shut up, will you?

(The Dude slowly stands up, without taking his eyes off the board. His movements are robotic, sometimes spastic and sometimes very calm, almost motionless. He walks toward the table of the terrified Dylan and Victoria, but halfway there, he stops abruptly. He lets out a deep, guttural laugh. The two look at each other in a panic. The man changes direction and leaves, abandoning his chess pieces on the table.)

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SCENE 2: Everything's Unexpected

Place: A typical park bench.

(Bruno is struggling to touch his toes, with a look of intense pain on his face. He's on the ground, near where Marty and Petra are sitting. Petra suddenly looks at him with disapproval but prefers to read her Bible.)

BRUNO Come on, MARTY, get into it! Just some sit-ups. Gotta get a strong body… Like an oak tree!

MARTY (Making it clear he doesn't believe a word his "sturdy" dad says.) Dad… I’m not gonna hurt my back. I’d rather do something more rhythmic… move my body with joy… Just letting the music take over.

BRUNO (Stands up with difficulty.) Nonsense! I’m already getting in shape… Listen… If it doesn’t hurt… (He bends over a little in pain.) … it’s not working.

MARTY (Stands up and does a few choreographed steps.) I’d rather dance… move my hips. Dance! If it doesn’t hurt… you’re gonna love it, ha ha…

PETRA (Finally expresses her disapproval.) Did you say hips?... BRUNO, leave your son alone with those devilish exercises. Look what he’s saying. The true path is with my father… with my daddy God. He protects me from the devil and his temptations… Moving your hips leads straight to one of the gravest capital sins… Lust.

(The Dude approaches with a limping, spastic gait. He sits on the bench and everyone stays seated for a few moments, but then they get up, clearly uncomfortable. Petra takes a deep breath and greets him with an exaggerated gesture. The man doesn't respond; he simply picks up one of the pamphlets Petra had dropped. He examines the pamphlet with his spastic movements, turning it, crumpling it, uncrumpling it, with a stony expression. Petra watches him, terrified but convinced she has a mission, feeling this is her golden opportunity, and breaks the silence.)

PETRA …You have to put your trust in God. God is the cure. You have to live under His shelter. The creation of the cosmos is His work. There's no doubt that when we look at the sky in all its marvelous light, we realize the miracle it is to be alive and… and you have to put your trust in God, you know?

(The man ignores her. Petra insists, convinced she's about to save a soul. Bruno and Marty are behind Petra, trying to get her to slowly leave with them, as if they were facing a wild animal.)

PETRA In these days of temptation, we have to get closer to our father… to our father, daddy God… the father of us all…

(The man looks at her sideways. His face is a mask. The silence is tense. The man squeezes the pamphlet he was looking at, compressing it into a ball. And finally, he throws it behind him.)

PETRA (Trembles, but continues.) I don't care if you ignore me. I know that somewhere in your soul, there’s the light of God. There's a reckoning coming, judgment day is near… You have to be careful because…

(Just then, a food delivery guy on a bike arrives, with a huge helmet and a thermal box on his back. He approaches them, confused.)

DELIVERY GUY Excuse me… did one of you order a PFK?

(They all look at each other. Bruno and Marty gesture that "no one" ordered it. The Dude, in an unexpected move, growls. The delivery guy is startled.)

DELIVERY GUY Oh… I think it’s for… you, sir? (He points to the Dude. The Dude growls again, and the delivery guy gets scared.) Hey! I’m just a delivery guy, don't hurt me, please.

MARTY (To the delivery guy.) Chill. Just leave it and run.

(The delivery guy leaves the box on the ground and takes off at full speed. It's understood the order is already paid for. The Dude confirms something on his phone, then grabs the box, holds a piece of crispy chicken in his dirty hands and, with unexpected delicacy, enjoys it. He sits down to eat, but not without looking at the "intruders" with disgust. It looks like he's going to offer them a bit of "the secret recipe," but he changes his mind and eats another piece, comically, now like a hungry beast. Petra covers her mouth with her hands. She’s terrified, but with a "What a hopeless case, this guy" expression.)

PETRA This man is a lost cause… He's the very expression of all sins!

(Finally, Petra agrees to be led away by Marty and Bruno… They stumble away, but not before Petra yells with all her might.)

PETRA He's the devil! The devil himself is among us!

(Once Petra and the boys have left the stage, the man picks up another pamphlet. He scrutinizes it and smiles, and then growls. He gets up and slowly walks in the same direction as the family.)

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SCENE 3: Bruno and The Dude

(Bruno arrives at the park bench. He starts to exercise, comically raising his legs, then pulling them in and stretching them out… He gets up… and finally lies down on the bench. The Dude arrives and just stares at him.)

BRUNO Don’t get mad, man. I took your spot, didn’t I? Your spot is really the whole park… That’s a beautiful thing… I don’t know why… you just have a good time… You wake up whenever you want and say… This is all mine… this is my park. It's my freedom. Hey, can you talk or not really… What’s your name?... (It looks like THE DUDE is about to say something, but he just makes a strange, long, guttural sound.) You’re mad now. (THE DUDE raises an arm and it looks like he’s going to do something to the scared Bruno who prepares to leave.) Alright, alright, I get it… And I’m leaving. (In slow motion, Bruno walks backward and THE DUDE walks toward him, comically raising his arms in a parody of a threat. Finally, BRUNO exits the stage and THE DUDE exits after him, making strange but comical sounds.)

(Blackout.)

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SCENE 4: Dylan, Marty, and Their Liberated Moms

Place: The same park.

(The stage lights up. Dylan and Marty mark a makeshift field with their backpacks and sweaters. Then they start playing with a ball, something like soccer. They look comfortable, their friendship already established. They laugh at their failed passes.)

DYLAN No, no! That’s not how you do it, you gotta hit it with the instep, not the tip of your foot. Don’t be a meathead, Marty.

MARTY (Laughs.) Sorry, Maradona. I just want the ball to do what I want, I don’t care how.

DYLAN That’s life, right? Sometimes you just want things to go where you want them to, no matter how. And no, no. Life doesn’t obey you. Like my mom says… You gotta live day by day… and each day brings its new surprises.

MARTY (He stares at him. He stops.) You okay?

DYLAN (Stares back, but jokes.) I’m perfectly fine. It’s just a philosopher's thought. Runs in the family.

MARTY Oh, check it out… I gotta say I like philosophy, and I also like to dance… They don’t clash, do they?

DYLAN Of course not. But not if you mix everything together, not if you mix them at the same time. You know what I mean?

MARTY No, I really don't. Hahaha.

(They keep passing the ball. Then they sit and talk in silence. Victoria and Petra are seen walking down the path. The focus of the action is now on them. They are laughing loudly. Petra isn't carrying her Bible, but a handbag. They both stop near a bench.)

VICTORIA I swear to you, Petra! He was one of those toxic guys, you know… I don’t know how we managed to have such a wonderful son. Can you believe it, he told me not to talk about philosophy! That philosophy was useless. That I looked down on him for being a pathetic taxi driver, that he felt I was humiliating him even though he made more than me… Me, so educated… with my master's and a half-doctorate… I felt so distant from him. I don’t know how at one point I even loved him, and I have to admit, I liked him a lot… Dylan is very much like him… But… I won’t stop talking, will I, and I shouldn’t tell you all my troubles. You have your own problems, but you have your Bible, that's for sure.

PETRA (Smiles, serene and composed for the first time.) The Bible is a weight I’ve been carrying through life… literally… ha ha… But today I left it on my nightstand. No Bible or magic book can help me put up with my husband.

VICTORIA (With a smile.) No one should have to put up with anything.

PETRA Yeah, no… It doesn’t make sense for us to be together anymore. And you know… we don’t do anything anymore… I mean… (VICTORIA nods empathetically.) You can imagine, of course. We don’t even talk anymore. And I have to put up with his manias and his neurotic habits… You know what I’m talking about, right?

VICTORIA No. Not really, but I’m intrigued, tell me all the details…

(Victoria and Petra stand up and walk, feeling liberated, until they get closer to Dylan and Marty, who are still sitting and talking. They all sit on the same bench, as if they were a family gathered together.)

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SCENE 5: The Soup Without Salt

Place: The same park.

(Bruno arrives and sits on the bench. He's wearing a long, worn-out, dirty coat, as well as ripped jeans and big, clunky black boots. He's unrecognizable or could be mistaken for the Dude. He spends a moment alone. He turns to where his family is, but they don't recognize him, and he smiles about it. The Dude arrives and stands in a visible spot for Bruno and the audience. He takes light turns in a circle and has his cell phone in his hand. Suddenly, he also tries to squash something with his foot or compulsively checks his cell phone. Bruno gets up and approaches him, cautiously. The Dude opens his eyes wide but doesn't turn to look at his new clone.)

BRUNO (Speaks in a low voice, with admiration in his tone.) Sir! I’ve been watching you. You… you are an example of freedom. You don't need anything. You live every day in this park with the rain, the cold, the sun… You’ve known how to find peace. Not like me.

(The Dude looks at him sideways. Bruno keeps talking.)

BRUNO I’m a loser… I don't mean I’m a bad guy, but my life is a disaster. My life is so predictable… My wife doesn’t pay attention to me… I’m not a role model for my son. My life… is a soup without salt. It would be a total change if I just freed myself from everything and lived like you, free as a bird.

(The Dude makes a motion and a face of immense annoyance… He growls, but doesn't say a word, and tries to slowly leave, but Bruno follows him with admiration. Suddenly, a masked man approaches the spot where the two mothers and two boys are. It’s the same delivery guy, but this time with a knife and a desperate expression. He demands all their money.)

THIEF Give me everything! All your money, your cell phones, everything!

(The two boys, Dylan and Marty, are stunned. Victoria and Petra look at each other, scared. The Dude and Bruno react to defend them.)

BRUNO (Puts himself in front of the others, with his arms outstretched, and looks at the thief.) Stop right there, man! That guy and I are at peace! You’re not gonna take what we don't have!

THIEF (Looks at Bruno, then at the Dude, then at the others, confused. It's clear he doesn’t understand a thing.) What the hell are you talking about? What guy?

BRUNO That guy. By the way, what’s your name…?

THE DUDE (In a voice that seems to come from beyond the grave.) My name is Orestes, but no one says it anymore.

BRUNO Oh, how nice, how poetic… I want to be like you…

THE THIEF Hey! You know this is a robbery, right?

BRUNO That's an attack. It's like war and I want to talk about peace. I want to find peace! The redemption that peace gives! The peace you find in a park! This man, whom no one names and who is called Orestes… and me, who will change my name and be called… Theodosius… we are free! We have nothing! Not a wallet! Not a cell phone! Not a… a… a…!

(Orestes grabs the thief by the neck with unexpected force and drags him away. The thief is being dragged and uselessly threatens everyone with his eyes. The two mothers, Victoria and Petra, and the two boys, Dylan and Marty, are amazed and relieved. Bruno approaches them, with a huge smile on his face.)

BRUNO (In a solemn voice.) Hey… (He raises his hands.) I am Theodosius. And I am Orestes’s friend. I have decided, officially, to come live in the park. (He laughs.)

(Victoria looks at him with tenderness. Petra looks at him, relieved. Dylan and Marty smile and nod in approval. The Dude, Orestes, arrives and stands beside Bruno without saying a word, but puts a hand on his shoulder.)

BRUNO (With a smile, he raises his hand and says goodbye.) Well, family! You know where I live now. You can come visit me!

(Bruno and the Dude walk away, very friendly. Victoria and Petra hug each other. They look happy.)

VICTORIA A big change. And without the help of the Bible.

PETRA (Laughs heartily and holds up her handbag.) The Bible, it’s going to stay put in a drawer. I still have a lot to learn.

VICTORIA (Looking at the boys) They look happy... (with a strange sense of humor) You wouldn’t want to live outdoors, wouldn’t you… there are a lot more parks, you know?

(Both women say goodbye to their children with a knowing smile. Now alone, Dylan and Marty look at each other as if they could talk telepathically. Marty takes out his cell phone and orders some food for delivery.)

MARTY I’d like to go party. Dance until we drop. I feel like a new man. And I have a feeling someone’s gonna bring us sushi.

DYLAN (Smiles) I’m confused. Those are two different things, aren’t they?

MARTY For sure. Let’s go party, you down?

DYLAN I’m down. But on one condition.

MARTY What’s that?

DYLAN That you walk me home.

MARTY You don't say “Will you walk me home?”

DYLAN (Answers with a doubtful look and a simultaneous smile, he no longer understands anything.) Right. I don’t get it anymore, but I never do. Let’s go… (He stops.) Hey, and the sushi that was a surprise…? Is that happening? Or not so much.

(Marty laughs with a "you'll see" gesture. The two walk away together, playing with the ball. The scene goes dark.)