February 7 Play: THE BEST BREAD

38: THE BEST BREAD - by Ed Valentine
© February 7, 2010 * ed@edvalentine.com

LIGHTS UP: A BAKER in a flour-covered apron. A POOR CUSTOMER in burlap stands across the counter. Baker holds a rustic loaf of bread.

POOR CUSTOMER: What’s that?

BAKER: It’s bread.

POOR CUSTOMER: Is it good bread?

BAKER: The best bread. Baked most lovingly, tenderly. It was born just this morning, just a little lump of yeasty dough, until I popped him in the oven and let him grow. See? The light crust is his skin. See? The raisins are his eyes.

POOR CUSTOMER: I’ll take it!
(Bites into the loaf.)
OW!

BAKER: He bites back.
He bites back.

(POOR CUSTOMER sinks to ground. Spits out teeth. BAKER watches.)

END OF PLAY.