January 17 Play: PLOW PLAY

#17: PLOW PLAY - by Ed Valentine
© January 17, 2010 * ed@edvalentine.com

LIGHTS UP: A field.  MAN 1 holds the yoke and a whip. Whips  MAN 2, who pulls the plow across the field.

MAN 1: HEE ya! HEE ya! Git on git on git on.

MAN 2: Going as fast as I can.

MAN 1: More plow, less sass. HEE ya.

(WIFE enters carefully with a precariously balanced tray of drinks. A silent CHILD stands next to her.)

WIFE: Lemonade?

(MAN 2 stops.)

MAN 2: Yes please Ma’am.

MAN 1: Did I say stop?

MAN 2: I’m thirsty. It’s hot.

MAN 1: I’ve told you for the last time!

(MAN 1 beats MAN 2 with the whip. Vicious.)

WIFE: John!

(While MAN 1 beats MAN 2, the CHILD screams a high pitched scream. Eventually, MAN 1 stops beating MAN 2. The moment he does, the CHILD stops screaming. MAN 2 lies on the ground.)

MAN 1: Git up.

MAN 2: No no. No no no.

MAN 1: Git up I say.
(Kicks MAN 2 with boot.)

MAN 2: Can’t git up no more no more.
Can’t git up no more.

ALL:  -

WIFE: You’re a damned fool, John. Who’s gonna draw the plow now?

MAN 1: -
(Gives MAN 2 a desultory kick.)
-
(Looks at WIFE.)
?
(Looks at WIFE.)
!

WIFE: Oh-ho! No, Sir! Not for all the wheat in the world. Child, come.

(She exits with CHILD. MAN 1 watches them go. Straps on yoke.)

MAN 1: HEE ya HEE ya.
(Can’t pull.)
Hee ya hee ya.  Uh.
(Can’t pull.)

(Snow begins to fall. MAN 1 looks up. MAN 2 sits up, looks at MAN 1.)

MAN 2: Weather’s coming in.

MAN 1: I don’t need a weather report.
Need an Oxman.
-
We’ll starve without. All of us.

MAN 2:
-
Alright. Just till this field is done.
(He puts on the yoke. He knows this isn’t true.)

MAN 1: Alright. Just till then.
(He knows this isn't true, either.  Takes his place behind the plow. Whips MAN 2.)
HEE ya, HEE ya.
Hee ya, hee ya.

(MAN 2 pulls the plow effortlessly, turning up dirt, as they head offstage. Lights fade)


END OF PLAY.