Earth to Arthur
by
Harvey E. Ostroff
A mime fantasy in one act
Cast
( In order of appearance)
Arthur the Astronaut: Hero type, physically alert, strong sense of dedication to duty, almost overwhelmed by his mission, agressive when threatened.
Romboliolians
Macho Preener: Totally concerned with self, doesn't listen, not much depth. Preener's movement is cocky and arrogant. He requires praise constantly and treats all objects as his own.
Slithery Cautious: Slow to come to a decision, careful and easily frightened. Slithery is the real leader of the native group. He sees all of the possible solutions to a problem.
Bouncy Curious: Rushes in and gets into trouble without thinking, must touch everything and everyone. Bouncy has an infectious personality. She is not intelligent but, like a child, knows no fear. Life for Bouncy is a joyful puzzle.
Baby Bouncy: Like her mother in every respect. She is more child-like with even greater energy.
All characters may be played by either male or female actors. It is the intent of the playwright that masks be utilized for the aliens. Since the aliens communicate telepathically, percussion instruments may be used to indicate dialogue and/or thought.
Setting: A secluded corner on the Planet of Rombolio.
Time: The future.
On the apron at stage right, a T.V. monitor is blaring. On screen is a computer laboratory setting. with actors at the monitors. Hustle is evident. Close up to: An announcer.
Announcer: At computer central in the vally of the Alleganies, a crack team of experts watch their monitors as Astronaut Arthur Amundson prepares to land his Mark four Reagan Rocketship on the planet of Rombolio in the Centaurus Galaxy. History is being made here today. Mankind has vaulted to the Stars. Our instruments have clearly indicated that there is life on Rombolio and it is likely that the atmosphere will sustain our human life forms as well.
We go now to a pretaped interview with our heroic Astronaut.
Cut to: Astronaut in street clothes.
Announcers voice:Tell the viewers how you are feeling at this moment.
Arthur: ( On-screen) I feel priveleged. I do this for God and Country. This is a great honour. I only hope that I am worthy.
The Telescreen darkens and the curtains open to the strains of Hans Holst's The Planet Suite The setting of the planet should be simple with just a few odd shaped Rocks strewn about to indicate the alien atmosphere.The lights come up on the Rocket ship at left centre. Lights are flashing and the ship, having just landed, is still steaming. Slowly, the rest of the stage fills with light.
Speaker voice: Earth to Arthur, Earth to Arthur. Air highly oxygenated but breathable. Temperature 17 degrees celcius. Landing A.O.K.. You may proceed with mission.
Arthur emerges from his Rocket ship and stands awed by the scene around him. He takes out a weapon and begins a cautious investigation. Seeing no threat, he puts the weapon away, goes into the ship and begins to set up camp. One by one, he brings out a table, rope, microscope, camera, binoculars, some tools and a food supply of candy bars and sandwiches. He eats briefly and, pleased with himself returns to the ship. He comes out with a small tent and sets it up quickly, humming " America the Beautiful" as he works. After taking one last look around, he exits right to begin his explorations.
Bouncy curious bursts onto the stage from up left looking all around. She touches, smells and even tastes the equipment. She is in constant motion. Bouncy finds a sandwich. She tries to communicate with it, bounces it and finallyseparates the sandwich from the wrapping which she eats leaving the sandwich on the ground. She then notices the tent and tries to communicate with it. After this fails, she finds the entrance and goes into the tent. Movements can be seen inside.
Enter Macho Preener from left centre. He looks around hoping that someone is watching. He then goes to the table and begins to examine the equipment. He takes a hammer from the table and finds it's use but quickly loses interest. He spies his reflection in the mirror surface of the rocket ship, stands for a moment, absolutely transfixed, and begins to preen. While this has been going on the tent is being constantly poked and prodded by Bouncy
While Macho stands at the ship, Slithery Cautious tentatively emerges from the rock behind which he has been hiding. He emrges and retreats several times before he finally decides that it is safe and goes to the table, scientifically examining the equipment and finding the proper use for each item.
Each of the native Romboliolians are represented by a different percussion instrument. This is their form of mental communication.
Slithery notices the movement in the tent and cautiously discovers that it is Bouncy. He tears Macho away from the ship and together they enter the tent.
Baby Bouncy emerges from right, looking for her mother. When she sees all of the strange equipment on the stage, she becomes overjoyed with excitement and rushes around, like a dervish, touching everything. She tries the hammer, hits her finger and sits down on the ground wailing for her mother.
Bouncy rushes from the tent, tripping on the way out and goes to her child, scolding her at first and then, melting with love for her offspring, taking her in her arms to console her. She hits the hammer and hurts herself. both of them sit on the ground and cry.
The others emerge from the tent. Macho drags Slithery to the ship to show off his reflection. Ignoring Bouncy's obvious distress, he drags her over as well. The Baby wipes her eyes and follows suit soon becoming excited once more. She gets in the way of Macho, who is trying to preen and, with a wave of his hand, he sends her tumbling away. Slithery points a finger at them and they freeze. With his finger pointed, he "drags" them over to the table and shows them the proper uses for all of the equipment.
Bouncy tries out each item and tries them with glee, handing them over to the baby. Macho tries them as well but is barely interested. He does find a "polaroid camera," takes a picture of himself and ecstatically shows it to the others. Slithery tries to show them the proper use of the hammer but Macho grabs it and teases Bouncy and her Baby, who are desperate to try it themselves, by keeping it just out of reach. Slithery points a 'magic' finger and the hammer floats out of Macho's grasp and into the waiting arms of Baby who hugs it like a doll.
At that moment, Arthur returns.........................