“Smoke” (drama) 1-2 Minutes

Monologue Description: “Smoke” is a piece about looking at the beauty of things without taking them for granted.  There is beauty in life all around us, all we need to do is stop, acknowledge it and take it in.

Character Description: In this monologue, Martini Van Haggard is an adventurer, writer and photographer.  He travels the world in order to study the world and partake in all cultures.  He thinks of himself in a similar fashion to Indiana Jones, but this is of course an exaggerated version of how he sees himself.  Sometimes we can take ourselves to seriously and Martini Van Haggard is no exception. 

There is sophistication in him and an amazing knowledge of life based on the travels he has made around the world.  In this monologue, Martini stops and considers how something as simple as smoke does not take a back seat to the beauty he has witnessed in the world.  He expresses his point of view to his dear friend Walter, another man of high sophistication, an intellectual who has written dozens of books about the human condition.  

Setting:  This monologue scene takes place in Martini’s private study.  An old fashioned study with polished wooden bookshelves and framed maps hanging from the walls, a giant globe positioned grandly on the floor, near a window at the corner of the room.  Hand crafted sheepskin chairs sit on top of an Egyptian rug, 24 karat gold wine drinking glasses from Spain sit on a coffee table hand made in Florence, Italy.   

MARTINI VAN HAGGARD:

Smoke moves like the clouds on a sunny afternoon in view.  Light reflects itself through this wisp of smoke.  Reminiscent of the time I spent studying and traveling through sand dunes.  This smoke coils like that of a surreal Salvador Dali painting or better yet, a Van Gogh.  Yes.  A painting that doesn’t keep its shape, in constant flux, reforming itself into further beauty, captivating my eyes.

Who knew smoke could be so beautiful?  When one thinks of smoke, one thinks of fire or tobacco but if one were to look upon smoke for smoke’s sake, there could be wonder to the imagination.

I reach my hand out to this ghostly figure in order to touch it’s simplicity and yet it motions away at my attempt.  Fascinating, as if I am not aloud to be part of its creation.  I am only an onlooker, a watcher, an observer of this element.

This is just smoke but it is not just, JUST.  There is no JUST in anything my good friend.  There is always more.  My travels around this world have taught me that.  I have explored the Amazon, backpacked through Europe, experienced Mount Everest, lived with Tribal communities that people here in America don’t know exist.  I have written books in Fiji where I lived for one year, I have explored the various species of woman from all walks of life, have tasted the culture of Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Israel and in tiny villages that barely make it on the maps that hang on these walls.   I speak 12 languages and have read all the great works of literature, science, psychology, physiology, business, religion, theatre and more…

Yet…yet I am fascinated by a wisp of smoke blown out from my mouth into a beam of light and I remain sullen from it’s form.

(beat)

That’s the miracle.