Play 08: Quixote

by Joseph Frost

a play written for The 31 Plays in 31 Days Project

Draft August 09, 2012

Attic Scripts 4550 Normandy Dr Jackson, MS 39206 atticscripts@hotmail.com

QUIXOTE, an old man in a suit of armor sits on the stage, holds a broken lance. QUIXOTE A man has but one charge: to pursue that which must be pursued. To protect that which must be protected. To opposed that which must be opposed. No one has ever demanded that a man must be successful. He pushes the lance further away. DANIEL, a young man in modern clothes, enters. Don Quixote. Daniel. You broke your lance. Yes. That was the last one. It was. That it was. DANIEL QUIXOTE DANIEL QUIXOTE DANIEL QUIXOTE DANIEL QUIXOTE DANIEL QUIXOTE But you know that I will not stop. DANIEL Daniel picks up the lance pieces. It cannot be mended. QUIXOTE

You didnt defeat him. Certainly not. Its time. I know that. I know.

2. DANIEL Even so, we cant just leave it here. Why not. Quixote. QUIXOTE It is a monument to my failure. DANIEL

QUIXOTE It cannot be mended. I cannot defeat the foe. discontinue the attempt. You can. Which? You can stop. Oh, Daniel... You can. DANIEL QUIXOTE DANIEL Whenever you choose. QUIXOTE

And I cannot

DANIEL I promise you you can.

Ill help.

QUIXOTE If you would help, the foe could be defeated. DANIEL No. We talked about that. Im not doing this. This is your thing. I dont judge you, and I wont make fun of you. But Im not lancing a building to try to slay it. Not happening. Daniel. I dont believe in it. QUIXOTE DANIEL

QUIXOTE It does not need your belief. It needs your action. Im not doing it. DANIEL You cant defeat a foe that doesnt exist. Daniel drops the lance, crosses away. Quixote struggles to rise.

3. QUIXOTE I am sorry you feel that way, Daniel. fought. Not defeated. Fought. Quixote stands. Im not crazy. My boy. DANIEL

The foe must be

QUIXOTE The more is my pity for you. Quixote turns to go, leaves helmet and lance.

Where are you going? I am leaving.

DANIEL QUIXOTE Daniel crosses, picks up helmet.

Wait!

Your helmet.

DANIEL

QUIXOTE If I cannot fight, I have no need of it. And your lance. DANIEL

QUIXOTE The spoils of a spoiled war. Quixote turns again. DANIEL What if the foe were to be defeated? I never found out. QUIXOTE I never found out. Quixote exits. After a moment, Daniel puts on the helmet, picks up the broken lance. DANIEL A man has but one charge. To follow the charge. Lights down.