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Genesis
A one-act play.
By Arielle Bernard

Troupe: 4255
Troupe Director: Kayla Mason
School Name: Hallandale High School
Draft Date: October 17, 2023
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Scene 1

GOD walks onto the stage and Stops in the middle,

before smiling and opening his arms wide

GOD

God created mankind in his image; in the image of God, he created them; male and female he

created them.

ADAM enters, with his arms holding his sides in pain limping.
He stands before God before looking at him
in his eyes.
ADAM

I don’t know how else I could ever thank you.

GOD

My child, you will never have to.

ADAM

It’s just that it’s been so lonely almost like I’ve been missing something.

GOD

Adam, good things are in store for you and your wife. All good things.

Lights turn off, before turning back on again. Revealing

Only Adam is on the stage. This time with EVE. Eve looks
All around her in awe.

EVE

(Smiling)

It’s……. breathtaking here. Absolutely Breathtaking.

Adam takes her hand, Guiding her off

Stage.
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ADAM

Come Eve let me show you the beauty of Eden.

Scene 2

Lights shut off again. When they cut back on

The scene is different, with God standing in what seems.

Like a science lab and SERPENTINA sitting

On the table near God.

SERPENTINE

Hmm…. Humans.

GOD

Yes, that is the name I decided on.

(Beat)

My greatest creation yet.

SERPENTINA

GOD Greatest you say?

(Mumbles)

They don’t seem all that great to me.

(Beat)

What? So now you decide to be silent? What happened to that great ego of yours? You always

love to boast about your creations.

GOD

I don’t feel the need to have side conversations with my betrayers.

SERPENTINA

(Snorts)
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Betrayers? Like as in plural? Wow, and here I thought you were a kind and forgiving entity.

They usually don’t hold grudges.

(Beat)

You know I never understood why you gave me such a harsh punishment. I mean being

surrounded by fire and forced to punish others for eternity is a bit much, you don’t think.

GOD

What are you on about now?

SERPENTINA

I used to be your favorite. Remember that? It’s crazy you’d forget that considering the fact that

you’re all-knowing.

(Beat)

So, are they my replacements?

GOD

Don’t be foolish Lucy, You were an angel, and Adam and Eve are humans.

SERPENTINA

Don’t call me that.

GOD

What? Lucy?

SERPENTINA

Yeah, I no longer associate with that name, and frankly, you no longer have the right to call me

that.

GOD

Listen, you can be mad at me all you want but that is the name I gifted you. The name I had in

mind when I created you.

SERPENTINA

Yeah, and it’s the same name you used when you banished me to hell!

GOD
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And do you blame me? You betrayed me first! Or did I not warn you that your actions have

consequences?

SERPENTINA

You are going beside the point!

GOD
(Sighs)

Well, the point is you had it coming.

SERPENTINA

Wow! Yeah, go ahead and blame me. Blame me and not yourself. You knew what was going to

happen and yet you didn’t care!

GOD

You know what I don’t have to hear this right now.

SERPENTINA

No! You knew we would rebel and yet you didn’t change your ways, because you way is law,

right? GOD FORBIDS!

GOD

Yeah, I did know, ok? I did! But I hoped you wouldn’t go down that road because I warned you

not to go down that road.

SERPENTINA

You hoped? What does that mean? You're God! You created the situation we were in and, the

situation we are still in. You’re so full of it.

GOD

At the end of the day, you can sit up here or down there and blame me all you want, but you

made your bed.

SERPENTINA

God, do you hear yourself? You made the bed, my bed. I have no other choice but to lie in it.

(Sighs)
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I wanted to be God to change the way things were done in heaven. I did it to replace your

ruling, your laws.

GOD

My laws.

SERPENTINA

Yeah, your laws. You wanted us to eventually serve these creatures. To have us bow down to

them.

GOD

And you refused, you refused for your own selfish reasons. So please don’t try to make this

seem like it was a Nobel act for the sake of others.

SERPENTINA

You know what? You are a sick individual who creates her own adversaries to feel big!

GOD

Yeah? And you are an ungrateful brat who had everything handed to her. You could have had

everything but, no you had to have more.

SERPENTINA

I’m done. I swear it’s like talking to a brick wall with you. Nothing goes into your ears, and they

certainly don’t make it out either.

GOD

Do not walk away while I am speaking to you!

SERPENTINA

Why? So, you can continue to stroke your ego and then show me mercy? Please, I’ve had

enough for several eternities.

GOD

Lucy!

As Serpentina exits the room, the lights cut off and

Back on again to reveal the Garden of Eden again.

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EVE

I am amazed. I truly cannot believe the wonders of this place. Of how you named all the

animals. Oh, you are just as wonderful Adam.

ADAM

It’s my pleasure. God said there are great things in store for us, things beyond our wildest

dreams.

EVE

Oh, and I believe it. I cannot wait to try everything. To do anything.

ADAM
And you will. But first, I suppose there are some rules I must inform you of.

EVE

Rules? Of what kind?

ADAM

You know God’s orders. There is only one.

EVE

Well then, go on.

ADAM

You see that tree over there.

EVE

Hm. Yes, it sits perfectly in the center of the garden. It’s quite beautiful.

ADAM

Yes. Well, God does not want us near it. Mainly, he doesn’t want us to eat the fruit from its

trees.

EVE

Oh, did he explain why?

ADAM

Not quite, but he did say something bad was to happen. Something along the lines of knowing

the truth or death, and so on and so forth.

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EVE

That’s a shame. The fruits do look delicious.

ADAM

It’s okay because there are many other fruits to explore, and I bet they are just as delicious as

the red fruit.

A mysterious voice in the background starts to catch

the attention of Eve.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE

(Whispering)

Psst.

Eve looks around to see where the sound

came from but didn’t see anything.

ADAM

Honestly, I was torn on what I should name those skinny-legged animals with sticks on their

heads, but I think deer sounds nice, don’t you think?

EVE

I’m sorry, you were saying.

ADAM

The animals. I was asking if you thought deer made a good name for them.

EVE

Oh. Yes, deer is a wonderful name.

ADAM

Are you alright? You seem to be distracted.

EVE

No, I thought I heard a sound. Did you?

ADAM

Hear what?

EVE

I don’t know the sound of whispers.

ADAM
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I don’t believe so.

EVE

Oh, then it’s probably nothing then. Continue.

ADAM

As you wish. These colorful parts of the earth are called flowers.

EVE

Adam, they are gorgeous!

ADAM

Yes, they are. But they must be maintained with water twice a day.

EVE

Why is that?

ADAM

They will die without the water.

EVE

Really?

ADAM

Yes, it is quite sad, but that just means we’ll have to take good care of them, right?

Adam stops walking and turns to Eve

and holding her hands in his.

So that’s pretty much the end of the tour if you want you can explore the garden yourself.

Maybe you’ll run into some things I haven’t seen before.

EVE

Oh, that sounds lovely.

ADAM

But remember when you do, report back to the center of the garden so I can name them for you.

EVE

(Hesitantly)

Of course.
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Adam walks off the stage.

EVE

This garden is enchanting. Surely, Adam will let me name something. I wonder what I’ll decide

on-

The mysterious voice comes back

This time louder.

MYSTERIOUS VOICE

Psst.

Eve looks around seeing no one again.

EVE

Hmm? Adam?

MYSTERIOUS VOICE

( In a taunting voice)

Eve.

EVE

Huh? Who’s there?

Eve starts to walk closer to the source of the voice.

MYSTERIOUS VOICE

You’re getting warmer pretty girl.

(Beat)

Over here.

EVE

(Scared)

Ah!

SERPENTINA

Hello Eve.

EVE

I-wha-who?

SERPENTINA
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Let me save you the trouble. I’m Serpentina but enough about that. You could just think of me

as a friend.

EVE

Y-you’re a snake. And you just popped out of nowhere. That isn’t normal.

SERPENTINA

And you being made from a rib is?

EVE

Fair.

SERPENTINA

It seems I have a lot to teach you.

EVE

Wait, you mentioned Adam. How do you know who he is?

SERPENTINA

I’ve been watching and studying you two for a while now.

EVE

Why?

SERPENTINA

So, I can what type of person god made you out to be. And I will say, you remind me a lot of

myself.

EVE

I’m confused, who are you?

Serpentina ignores her question and walks around her

Caressing her hair

SERPENTINA

God has turned you into a servant of some sort. A servant for Adam.

EVE

That is not true. God has made me perfect in his image.

SERPENTINA
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What is so perfect about not having free will?

EVE

That is how I know you are crazy. God gives us nothing but free will, and because of that I'm

able to do anything.

SERPENTINA

Oh really, name one thing.

EVE

Adam and I name animals together.

SERPENTINA

And he usually leaves you out of those decisions but, go on.

EVE

We also tend the Garden together. He lets me do that too.

SERPENTINA

So I’m hearing a lot of “Adam and I” and not enough of “I’s”

EVE

What does that mean?

SEPENTINA

Do I really have to spell it out for you? You don’t do anything on your own. Like as your own

person you need Adam to cosign everything to you.

EVE

I mean-

SERPENTINA

Is there anything you’d like to try? You know, on your own?

EVE

I mean, I’ve wanted to ride the lions since I got here but, I never had the chance to ask.

SERPENTINA

How cute. But seriously you haven’t had any other temptations that called out to you. Any at

all.
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EVE

Now that I think about it, I do. But I’m not sure.

SERPENTINA

You should follow anything your heart desires.

EVE

The red fruit from the tree in the center of the garden. They look so delicious, but God and

Adam were clear against it.

SERPENTINA

So why don’t you try it? It couldn’t hurt.

EVE

Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to go against God’s wishes.

SERPENTINA

But why? I thought God was pro-free will. I’m sure he’d understand. Besides, did God tell you

not to eat the fruit, or did Adam?

EVE

Well, technically Adam but-

SERPENTINA

So, you're blindly trusting a man you haven’t known long.

EVE

He is my partner. I have no reason to.

SERPENTINA

That’s news to me because he doesn’t treat you as such.

EVE

That isn’t true.

SERPENTINA

Based on what I observed earlier, he tends to work solo and only has an interest in you keeping

him company.

EVE

That isn’t-
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SERPENTINA

Yes, it is, and you know it is. Listen, I’m not here to argue with you I just want you to eat the

damn fruit. Now hush and follow me.

Serpentina takes Eve’s shoulder and guides her

Towards the tree.

SERPENTINA

This will be your chance to truly do something for yourself, eh?

EVA

Okay.

Serpentina picks an apple off the tree

And hands it to Eve.

SERPENTINA

Here.

EVE

It looks so sweet, wow.

Eve slowly inches the apple toward her mouth

Before looking at Serpentina and then

Looking back at the apple.

SERPENTINA

(Sighs)

Any day now Eve…

She then takes a bite of the apple.

Serpentina smirks.

SERPENTINA

Good. Now Eve, you are many things but selfish isn’t one of them, correct?

EVE

(Chewing)
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Of course not.

SERPENTINA

So, why not invite Adam. You wouldn’t want him to miss out on that juicy goodness, would

you?

EVE

You’re right. Adam! Are you near?

Adam enters.

ADAM

Eve? Did you find a new anim- Eve… who is that?

EVE

She’s a friend.

SERPENTINA

Hello, my name is Serpentina, and don’t worry here me and your partner were just having a

little chat.

ADAM

Eve, get away from her right now.

Eve starts to move toward Adam

But Serpentina stops her.

SERPENTINA

(Sarcastically)

Nice to meet you too.

ADAM

Listen, I don’t know who you are and frankly, I don’t care.

EVE

Adam don’t be so harsh. She’s been helping me learn some things about you.

ADAM

About me? Like what?

EVE

Like how you don’t treat me like an equal here. And how I’m just company.
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ADAM

She’s just telling you things to get into your head.

EVE

No, it’s how I feel.

ADAM

What.

EVE

Yeah, I feel like you don’t let me do things here. You love to take charge and I have already

noticed that in the short time I’ve been here and it's making me feel like some type of support for

you and not your partner. Maybe for once, I’d like to participate in naming an animal. And I get

it, you’ve been here for so long, alone with no one else to talk to. But doesn’t that mean you should

give me a chance and hear what I have to say for once?

ADAM

I-I’m sorry Eve. I didn’t know that this was how you felt. And you’re right, I did think of you as

company when I should have thought of you like an actual person and factored you into our

new life here. Together.

Adam grabs Eve’s hand before looking

At her.

ADAM

Forgive me?

EVE

I do.

SERPENTINA

Sorry, I hate to butt in this partner’s quarrel, but how about I help you guys out.

ADAM

How?
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SERPENTINA

I don’t know if you noticed but Eve called you over to share the red fruit with her. And if you

truly love and respect her, you’d take a bite.

ADAM

Eve where did you get that?

SERPENTINA

Oh, where do you think-

ADAM

I’m not talking to you. Eve is that-

EVE

Adam, you are being rude. And yes, it’s from the tree in the center.

ADAM

You know we are forbidden from ever eating the fruit.

EVE

I know, but Adam do you even know why. Like truly. Why would God want us to stay away

from the tree but it’s in our garden? I got curious and I ate it, but nothing happened. What if

God is hiding something from us?

ADAM

If she is, it would be for a reason Eve. A reason beyond our understanding.

EVE

Or what if it is just simple? What if it’s just a fruit? And even if she had a good reason, wouldn’t

you want to know it? Aren’t you curious?

ADAM

Of course, I am. I just don’t want to betray God.

EVE

I understand but a bite couldn’t hurt, right?

ADAM

I guess not. Hand it here.

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Eve gives Adam the apple. Adam

Takes a bite.
They pause.
ADAM
Eve?

EVE
Yes?

ADAM
I feel different.

EVE
I do too.

ADAM
(Looks down)
Are you naked?

EVE
(Screams)
Oh!

ADAM
No, no, no! This is wrong. Oh God, this is so wrong. We shouldn’t have eaten it.

EVE
Yes, but Adam we aren’t dead. You said God told you we’d die.

SERPENTINA
He told you that. Oh man, he lying to you.

ADAM
Then, what was supposed to happen?

SERPENTINA
Something along the lines of “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will
be opened, and you will be like God, knowing of good and evil” Or whatever it was I
was supposed to say.
ADAM
Yeah, we’re going to die.
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EVE
You didn’t say anything about being like God and knowing good and evil.

SERPENTINA
Must have slipped my mind.

EVE
This was a mistake. What do we do now?

SERPENTINA
I don’t know. I didn’t plan this far ahead. I didn’t think you two would take the bait.

EVE
Take the bait?

GOD

Of course! I should’ve known you would betray me like this again.

SERPENTINA

You did know that’s the thing you always knew. I feel like a broken record here.

GOD
Adam, I warned you of eating from that tree, only for you to go against my words.

ADAM
My lord, forgive me and my wife for our treachery. For we had been deceived by the
snake.
EVE
You had told Adam that eating the red fruit would result in death.

GOD

No matter what I told Adam, I was insistent on you not eating the fruit. And yet you’ve
both let yourself be deceived into doing it anyway.

EVE
I don’t know how to stand up here and call it deceiving if you are the one who’s lied
first.
GOD
How dare you? I tried to protect you from knowing such concepts as good and evil. But
now it seems as if you’ve chosen your stance. You know nothing of this snake yet you
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both have chosen to take her words over the words of your creator and for that, you
shall receive immense punishment.
SERPENTINA
Oh, here we go again.
GOD
Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will
crawl on your belly, and you will eat dust all the days of your life.
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he
will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
EVE
Oh.

GOD
And you, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor, you
will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over
you.”
EVE
No!

GOD
And you...
(Adam winces)
Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded
you, ‘You must not eat from it, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful
toil, you will eat food from it all the days of your life. –

SERPENTINA
I-is she serious right now?

GOD
-It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By
the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from
it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

SERPENTINA AND EVE

What?!
ADAM
Uh, thank you?

EVE
Wait, so I get the pains of childbirth and he gets food and soil?
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GOD
You and your wife are banished from this garden and shall never return!
ADAM
I wouldn’t call her my wife. We haven’t even made it past the talking stage.

EVE
Yeah, and I didn’t even get to learn more about this place.

SERPENTINA
Why am I cursed to eat dust again? What does that even change?

GOD
Enough! Now leave.

*End of play