28 Years later

 28 Years Later

Setting: A small churchyard with a low Columbarium.

Characters: 

James: A Brother, now old. 

Machina: A man of similar age to James, can not be perceived by James

At Rise, you see the side of the columbarium where the various slots for loved ones are labeled in carved stone, various other burial stones are seen around the front of the stage, Machina sets the scene reading the epitaph of a tombstone that is out of the focus as James enters and goes with a purpose to the columbarium. 

[Setting flowers in the proper place, centers himself and stares at a name for a time, taking a moment before]

James; Jules learned how to ride a bike last week. She didn't even use training wheels, which just goes to show you how determined she is to be better than her brother I guess. You probably don't care about that though.

[in dim light, Machina is listening, James laughs]

James: Not that I could ever really tell if you did or not. I hope you can, I hope these have been at least a one sided conversation. Only seems fair. 

[Machina sits on a tombstone to listen, James breaks]

James: Why did you have to do it you dumb fucking idiot. I still haven't been able to forgive you and it's been 28 years Lewis, 28 years. You've been dead longer than you've been alive. And what good did that do? What good did that do. 

[Machina leans forward and rubs his eyes]

James: I don't know if its irony or something else that brings me to tears having these one sided conversations when this must be how you felt so far away. You never should have moved to California. It is so easy to forget what is far away. So why is it so hard to forget you Lew? Why? 

[Machina steps forward into a greater focus, you can see he could be related to James]

James: [a rapid and frustrated sigh] Well. [wipes face] I wanted to ask you your opinion. 

[Machina takes a few steps to also be looking at the columbarium with James]

James: Do you think that ice is lava? 

[Machina laughs, and takes a step back. James also laughs]

James: I know I really should have found a more talkative rock person by now, but i haven't yet and you always knew the answer to that sort of thing. Anyway Chris was saying that if Ice has formed naturally it is technically a mineral, which I can get behind? But that means that if naturally formed ice melts it is technically a melted mineral which is technically a melted rock so does that make it magma? 

[Machina scoffs, and places himself in view of James. James catches himself]

James: You're right, I can hear it in your tone. Magma only exists underground I know. But is ice lava though? 

[Machina chuckles and nods]

James: Oh I know I know. I just hate when Chris is right. 

[Machina, smiling, pats James as he exits the stage]

James: I love you Lew. [pause] you asshole. 

[James knocks on the plaque of his brother, and exits the stage as well. A church bell resonates out as it begins to toll the hour in slow rhythmic bassy beats. the play ends after the first chime]

[End]