Rumors – Drama

A Scholarship Essay Prompt Asks Me About the Merits of Technology – Anonymous

Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel across the screen of an iPhone X. The same fingers that once delineated the Book of Genesis Now swipe through hundreds of pictures; He can see more art in an hour than in his entire first lifetime.

His old canvas fit the measurements of the Temple of Solomon, Sacrosanct and ancient. Today, his work is instead measured in pixels As Instagram is configured onto the screens of a million followers.

Half a millennium ago, he carved his masterpiece from a block of passed over stone, Still today he crafts David from imperfect materials, He reflects divinity on metal and silicon as he once did in marble.

As children, we are told what we put on the Internet stays forever. What a comfort that would be to the artist who once said, “I am a poor man and of little worth, who is laboring in that art that God has given me In order to extend my life as long as possible.”

Born again, he will see that he has been outlived five hundred years by his work. Tell me that the man who sought to put heaven on a ceiling, Would not rejoice to put that ceiling in the hands of anyone who wished to have it. Tell me that he would not see the beauty of a medium that transcends marble and canvas, I tell you that in technology he would find The potential for the eternal beauty that he spent his life chasing.

Dinner Table - Rachel Sobocinski

Sitting down at the table, we begin with prayer, Praising God for the blessing of fresh air. Whispering a joke at the pause, Eric awaits for his applause.

Slightly receiving praise, He continues with another phrase. Dad becomes tired of his antics And resumes with a lecture on semantics.

Around the table, the laughter ensues From the joke about garrulous Greg and his booze. As we enjoy our meals, Mom tells a story that puts us in our feels.

Phil shares another random fact Causing Andrew to detract. Matt discusses another day with the fish And Victoria complains about another broken dish.

Tim remains quiet throughout most of the meal, With occasional remarks on the current ordeal. One by one, my jokes receive attention, Contrary to the idea of the youngest being pretentious.

I reminisce on these days, Knowing there is always a new phase. Sometimes saddened by the constant change, I always remember we will never be strange.

Drawing by: Sara Ledyard

Rumors - Victoria Bui

Characters:

MARIA, a woman known in the town allegedly whisking away good husbands from good wives. THE JUDGE, the newcomer in town, duly just and virtuous. CAIA, a loving grandmother with a constantly burning fireplace in her home. IRENE, ASTRID, ELLISON, the grandchildren visiting their grandparents’ forest cottage. THE EXECUTIONER, loyal to the townspeople above all else. VILLAGERS, loyal to their own interests along with a status quo expected to be filled by all.

Scene 1: The Judge and the Judged

Enter MARIA, THE EXECUTIONER, and VILLAGERS. MARIA is led in by THE EXECUTIONER in chains, with VILLAGERS booing and jeering as she is bound to wooden stocks.

MARIA: Please, please, I am not what you say I am!

THE EXECUTIONER: As if there is a single person in this town who would deign to listen to you spreading your filth to the good people here.

MARIA: Is that not for the Judge to decide?

THE EXECUTIONER strikes MARIA.

THE EXECUTIONER: Do not believe yourself to be so intelligent. Remember your place.

THE JUDGE, entering: And I would expect you to assume yours. This trial is commencing.

THE EXECUTIONER: I deeply apologize. Good citizens, I present to you the honorable judge who is presiding over this case.

VILLAGERS: Finally, she will no longer tarnish our names. Look upon this! This, her crime, her wretchedness, and know!

THE JUDGE: Know what? What is there to know?

VILLAGER 1: She steals our children away when they are meant to be working!

MARIA: So that I may teach them how to read . VILLAGER 2: Though she is wed, she has yet to bear any children.

MARIA: If you saw my husband, you would not wish to tend to a potato with him, much less a child.

VILLAGER 3: She is cursed to be barren as a result of her evil doings!

VILLAGER 4: Our husbands do not even hear our voices when they see her.

MARIA: Is it truly my fault if I was blessed with beauty?

VILLAGERS: Such arrogance!

THE JUDGE: The accused may say their piece.

MARIA: They have no love for me. Believe not their words. Believe me.

THE EXECUTIONER: Quiet, fool. You will no longer cast your spells. To stoop as low as to make an attempt at enchanting such a righteous man –

MARIA: I refuse to be silenced.

THE EXECUTIONER: Then perhaps I am meant to silence you myself.

THE EXECUTIONER raises his axe.

THE JUDGE: I bid you to stop. Remember your place, and remember mine. Miss Maria, you stand before this guillotine, charged of being an adulteress by your own spouse. What say you?

MARIA: I say that these accusations are unfounded. I say that I have done no wrong in accordance with the law. What have I to say? I have much more to say, but that is all that is relevant to the innocence I myself possess.

THE JUDGE: Then why?

MARIA: “Why?”

THE JUDGE: Yes, “why?” You stand on trial. You may very well be hanged for all to see at this moment. The crowd around us wants you dead. Why?

MARIA: They say that I am a witch. That I cast spells under the cover of night, steal away their children, steal away their husbands and wives. I must ask, are you new around here?

THE JUDGE: I am, but it would only serve to make me more impartial.

MARIA: As long as I am within the confines of this town, there is no judge who could set me free and live to see another day.

Between THE JUDGE and MARIA is an understanding - guilty or not, MARIA will suffer greatly. The only difference is whether or not THE JUDGE is willing to suffer with her.

THE EXECUTIONER: And for good reason. Not a soul here wishes for you to have free reign with your potions and wicked lies.

MARIA: The only lies in my vicinity are those told about me.

THE JUDGE: Quiet, both of you! I will return with a verdict on the morrow. Take her to the jail.

VILLAGERS: You would be wise to cut her tongue all the while.

THE JUDGE: That is not for you to decide. This matter will be revisited.

THE JUDGE, revolted, exits first. He has no plans on returning before the court.

Exeunt MARIA, THE EXECUTIONER, and VILLAGERS.

Scene 2: The Cottage in the Forest

Surrounded by numerous trees stands a small home with a steady stream of smoke rising from a stone chimney. Enter CAIA, IRENE, ASTRID, and ELLISON.

IRENE: Grandmother, what kind of story was that?

ELLISON: Why would they all speak so weirdly?

CAIA: In my day, they would say that you speak weirdly.

IRENE: Now you’re just being silly!

CAIA: Hmph, as if it was not a good story. My pride has been wounded greatly, how shall I ever possibly recover?

CAIA turns away from her grandchildren to prepare a cup of tea for herself . IRENE: By telling us something interesting, that’s how! Where’s the adventure? Where’s the romance?

CAIA breaks out in a grin, unbeknownst to the grandchildren. She turns back to face them, feigning offense at their words.

ELLISON: Oh, or maybe the judge is going to run away -- no, that can’t be right... He’s too righteous for that... Or is he -- I’ve got it! I’ve cracked the code! He’s the villain sent to help the witch in order to destroy the town!

IRENE: I’m not sure that’s where the story is headed…

ASTRID: Elli, have you been listening at all?

ELLISON: I’m just saying... It’s got to have some flavor at some point!

CAIA: And you would be right on more than one thing. I will continue. Perhaps then, I will be of more entertainment value to you hungry vultures.

Exeunt CAIA, IRENE, ELLISON, and ASTRID.

Scene 3: Judgement

Night falls over the town, veiling secret dealings in shadow… Enter MARIA and THE JUDGE, divided by only steel bars in the town jail.

THE JUDGE: Truly, the overall lack of diligence in this town would be troubling, if not for its hand in my favor. The simple jailors sleep while the persecuted innocents weep.

MARIA: Who goes there? Has someone finally come to reap my soul and allow me my dignity with a quiet death?

THE JUDGE: As if a being so grim would think themselves worthy of standing before such beauty.

MARIA: And yet, it is you that stands before me. I nearly did not recognize you without your gloom, O Righteous One. Are you as righteous as they say you are? You seem to desire something from me.

The lightness of tone shifts as the air thickens. MARIA is unsure as to what to expect in the few seconds that THE JUDGE takes to ponder her question.

THE JUDGE: Are you as evil as they say you are?

MARIA: You know the answer to that as well as I do.

THE JUDGE: Then we understand one another. Though my reputation in judgement proceeds me, I am neither the epitome of sound conscience, nor am I a grossly self-serving person. That is why I will be setting you free.

MARIA, laughing bitterly: Your verdict is going to be rejected in the same instant that you voice it.

THE JUDGE: Which is why it will not be voiced, but rather, put into action.

MARIA: What are you saying? There is an implication there that I am afraid I have not quite caught.

THE JUDGE: Ah, I have yet to throw it, fair lady.

MARIA: Oh, I would rather be burned at the stake than to bear your horrid humor for even a minute longer.

THE JUDGE: At the cost of your freedom?

MARIA: My...free...dom… You cannot possibly be intending to release me wayward of the law. I would become a fugitive.

THE JUDGE: You will. Merely a slight inconvenience that can be evaded with ease.

MARIA: And what of my married state? As long as I draw breath, I am bound to my lawfully wedded husband.

THE JUDGE: Arrangements will be made. The main priority is escorting you beyond the town limits. You must cover as much ground as possible before sunrise. The farther the distance is between you and the town, the better.

MARIA: You do not wish for anything in exchange.

THE JUDGE: Nothing, except for the knowledge that I have done what I am sworn to do. Do you know which way the closest town is?

MARIA: You would wish to prolong my suffering. The neighboring town is close in distance, and also in personal connections. That will not do. I have thought of leaving this town before, but there is nothing for miles except for our sister town. Trapped! Forever will I be trapped here! Good sir, you have the best of intentions at heart, but you have a hope born out of pure naivete. Leave me here, lest you have a desire to be a slave to the whims of the townspeople.

Through the steel bars, a hand is placed on the shoulder of MARIA . THE JUDGE: At the back entrance are my two horses. You will shed your bindings, no matter how far your horse must take you.

MARIA: Even if I must go to the ends of the earth?

THE JUDGE: Especially if you must go to the ends of the earth.

The jingle of keys directs the attention of MARIA elsewhere. THE JUDGE holds the key to her escape. The door of the jail cell opens with a loud groan. MARIA steps forth from the cell. She stretches her muscles in preparation for the long night ahead. Exeunt MARIA and THE JUDGE.

Scene 4: The Bountiful Green

Enter CAIA, followed by the jubilant IRENE and ELLISON, with a reluctant ASTRID trailing behind the group down a winding trail leading to a river.

CAIA: Does it not feel liberating to be in the great outdoors?

ASTRID, scowling: The “great” outdoors? What’s so great about a buncha bugs? It smells icky out here.

ELLISON: Lighten up, little sis!

ASTRID: Don’t tell me what to do. Why are we here anyway?

CAIA: Why, for the dramatic effect, of course. Tell me, dear girl, have you ever felt connected to the earth? Straight ahead, you can see a single stream of water that provides for the whole forest. Turn your gaze upwards, and…

Up ahead, birds sing their arias for the dense mass of trees to hear. They cease their hiking to soak in their surrounding environment.

ASTRID: So what? It’s just some water and birds. Like that’s anything special.

IRENE: Stop being rude. It’s not Grandmother’s fault if you can’t handle it.

CAIA, laughing: No need for that, Irene. She inherited the love of the hearth from her grandfather. Come with me, I would think you to be a fanatic of what I have to show you.

CAIA, IRENE, ELLISON, and ASTRID walk towards a wooden structure, from which “neigh”-ing is heard. IRENE: Horses! Grandmother, I didn’t know you had horses.

CAIA: It must be even more surprising when I tell you that these codgers are older than you three. Older than your parents, even!

ELLISON: Like the two horses from your story!

CAIA: Exactly like them. Astrid, a penny for your thoughts?

ASTRID: You really think you can win me over like that?

One of the aged horses leans over its gate to place itself directly in front of ASTRID, who reaches out to the horse. ASTRID is pleased when the horse nuzzles into her hand.

ASTRID: Fine! Maybe the outdoors is kind of cool. But only the horsies! ...Grandma?

CAIA: What is it?

ASTRID: Can you please keep telling the story?

IRENE: Please do! Does Maria get to escape?

CAIA: Indeed, she does.

ELLISON: What about the Judge? Is he going to be kept prisoner?

IRENE: Oh, will he take Maria’s place to free her?

ASTRID: Of course not! He’ll run away with her and start their own town together!

CAIA: In due time, my dear grandchildren. Perhaps all of your answers are before your very eyes.

IRENE: Grandmother, please stop speaking in riddles.

CAIA: Then I eternally renounce speaking, and you are never to be able to discover the fate of Maria and the Judge.

IRENE: You can’t do that to us!

ASTRID: Oh, please, Grandma!

CAIA: ...Your pleas are satisfactory, but I will not grant you mercy for another time.

The cheers of IRENE, ELLISON, and ASTRID startle the birds as they exit. CAIA glances at the horse that had taken a liking to her granddaughter.

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