“The Bench Of Salvation” (drama) 2 Minutes

Monologue Description: “The Bench Of Salvation” is about going to a private spot to collect one’s thoughts.

Character Description: In this monologue, Zeek sits on top of the back rest of a bench.  He wears light blue faded out jeans, torn at the cuff, accompanied by old brown beat up construction boots.  His hands are full of a black tar like substance, which appears to stick to his skin.  He has a thin layer of gray gruff masked across his chin line with piercing beady blue eyes that can go from men to tender in half of a heart beat.  He is a broad man, a man of strength who until recent months appears to slowly fall from physical grace.  He has gray wavy hair that puffs out from carelessness and a light brown hat with a few tears in it.  One would definitely assume and take this man for a laborer.  He speaks with a grovel voice in a strong direct manner.  A golden tan bounces lightly off of his dirty white tang top.

There is another man who sits at the other end of the bench, quite much the opposite of the first.  This man wears a suit with his tie unfastened and a bottle of wine between his thighs.  He sits “proper” and appears thirty years younger with dashing black hair combed neatly to one side.  He wears a pair of glasses, thin rimmed but his glasses look more style oriented that prescription, even though they are prescribed.  A man who appears to be born in the wrong era.  He comes off older than his years by at least two decades.  He has trouble in his face as he wearily stares out to the ocean. 

Setting: This monologue takes place at a bench across the street from a boardwalk and the ocean.  Glass chips are aimlessly scattered around from broken beer bottles, glimmering from the sunlight in all shapes and colors.  One can almost find beauty with such pollution.

ZEEK:

(licks salt off of a saltine cracker.  he swishes the flavor around his gums with his tongue)

I’m crazy.  I’m used to it.  I’ve just accepted it.  Eh, you know, I like being here.  It’s a beautiful day on this park bench and I like it.  This is my bench.  This old crappy bench.  You see how the brown is faded out.  Notice the wood is so old that fragments stick out like a porcupine.  If you’re not careful, you get poked.  It’s happened to me.  One forgets and I’ve been coming here for years.  The bench of salvation. 

Alot of debate in my mind has gone on this bench.  Alot of contemplation.

(he licks another saltine cracker dry of its salt)

Yeah.  It’s a good spot because the sun beams right at ya and you can overlook the horizon, the way the light beams off the ocean.  It’s a delight and nobody ever comes here but me.  Well, you’re here but, I usually don’t see anyone else sit here.  Strange.

Some of the worst times of my life were spent sitting here.  This bench has shared deaths, break ups, crimes, wounds, debt, you name it, I’ve thought about it all right here.

This spot, this bench, it’s helped me out when I’ve been down.  Believe me.  You should think about this place for yourself whenever you’re WOUNDED.

(beat)

You looked bleary eyed but in a happy bleary eyed way.  If such things exist.  You aren’t one of those odd balls are ya?  I hope not cause I’m not crazy about wierdos. 

(zeek stares at the stranger)

You aren’t one of those pedaphile types now are ya?

(the man shakes his head no without looking at zeek)

Better not be pal. 

(zeek stares at the man long and hard)

Hey, do you mind if I take a sip of your, well, what is it you’re drinking there?  What is that, wine?  I don’t care, anything to wash down my crackers.  I’m too lazy to cross the street and drink the fountain water.  I’m tired.  Do you mind?

(drinks from the bottles of wine)

Thanks. 

(lets out a gasp)

Yeah, that’s good.

(sighs)

Alright, well, I must be going…I gotta catch the train before it’s too late.  Listen kid, you haven’t said much and that’s alright, I know what that’s like, to not want to say much…whatever it is, be it a girl, job, family or friends…screw it.  As the saying goes, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, cause it’s all small stuff.”  Take that in return for the sip of wine. 

(zeek nods and walks off)

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