Lantern Review: Issue 5

Scene 4: Visiting the Grave

Kronos sits Stage Center, cross-legged in lotus position, eyes shut. The incarnations of Prometheus stand upstage, holding “bouquets.” The light onstage is concentrated on Kronos, who remains silent in lotus position throughout the entire scene; 18, 28, and 38 should be barely outside the rim of light.

18
(approaches Kronos, takes a deep breath)
Kronos, I miss you.
(beat, places flower at his lap)
I know I come like every week but
I wish you were here with me
This first semester at Cal is
really hard.
Between these really tough classes and
all these classmates with Northface jackets and Jansport backpacks
I don’t know if I can cut it.
(beat)
Kronos, you remember when you used
to chase me around through
the San Jose rose garden when we were kids?
And you were a supposed to be a cop
and I was a robber,
and you always used to let me escape
so I could feel like I won the game?

That always used to cheer me up.
I wish you could run with me now.

28
(approaches Kronos, drops off flower, and 18 returns to her original position)
Hey, bro.
I know it’s been like a year but
I thought I’d give you an update.
I’ve been a social worker last couple of years now.
It’s been . . . it’s not been easy but
I think of you all the time.
I’m dating now.
Don’t tell mom and dad, but she’s not exactly a boy.
That’ll be our little secret, okay?
laughs, beat)
Anyway, I’ve been having this dream about you
I keep . . . seeing you
you’re an old man, a teenage girl, a middle aged rape survivor
in my dreams
I wonder if . . . I could’ve saved you then
If I was who I am now.

38
(approaches Kronos, 28 returns to position. 38 drops off her flower. She looks at Kronos, remains silent for a long time. She then returns to position)