Getting seedy - another snippet of "Seeds" - the play in the making

"Seeds", the play, is coming along although there is always the escalation of anxiety while approaching the half-way point that the story line will lose direction and it will end up in storage, along with too many other plays-in-the-making. I become infatuated with the dialogue and wit being uttered by the characters (IMO at least) without working out the direction the play is taking. Hopefully, it'll all work out in the end...

Sharing another snippet of dialogue - can't really call it a play, yet. The scene is Julie's apartment with Sylvia and the mysterious Mr. Bird discussing their living conditions while waiting to eat bagels. Comments always welcome.

JULIE

Something to drink? Coffee…tea…soft drink?

SYLVIA

Water is fine

          Starts nibbling on bagel, caressing the side

 So…seedy. I might want another one - or maybe two.

          Lifts up glass of water to eye level

This water is really clear. We’re used to it being cloudy with things floating around, being that we get it from the park pond

JULIE

You drink pond water? Why not from the fountain?

SYLVIA

The park workers turned it off after people complained about my feathered friends using it. I mean, where do they expect them to go? They like to cool off in summer like everyone else

JULIE

Not everyone would agree with you on that. Wouldn’t include me, of course. Please don’t take this the wrong way but now that I feel we’ve become friends, I‘d like to get to know more about you…

SYLVIA

…good news. Mr. Bird is back.

JULIE

How long have you – and Mr. Bird of course - been living in the park?

SYLVIA

Don't remember but a while. I don’t live there all the time, only between… Not all the time

JULIE

So you do live indoors on occasion. Relatives, friends…?

SYLVIA

When it’s stormy, we take refuge in buildings ‘til someone discovers us. During that big rain last year, we slept under the park administration steps

 (turns head to the side)‘Were they ever surprised when they found us! Remember?’ (laughs)

JULIE

You could have froze to death -

SYLVIA

- but we didn’t. We’re survivers, me and Mr. B. There’s a van that travels the streets and park offering food and clothing. We take the food but I’m okay with what I’m wearing

JULIE

You’re not serious – at least you could use a new coat –and a real pair of shoes, not sandals. Aren’t you worried about diseases the birds could carry?

SYLVIA

Careful how you talk about my friends. At least they don’t stare and make mean comments like park visitors. “Look at the filthy birds” they say and “don’t touch them – they carry disease”. Mean stuff like that. They think I don’t hear but Mr. Bird has the best hearing around

JULIE

Perhaps…Mr. Bird misinterprets their comments. I mean, it’s possible

SYLVIA

We know what we hear. Can’t get enough of these bagels

SYLVIA grabs two more and places them on her plate

 It’s so rare to find bagels with so many seeds. You wouldn’t happen to have any peanut butter? There’s always peanut butter on the table back at the… Anyway, it’s my favorite

 

JULIE

I just might. Have to check the date though. Not sure how old it is

SYLVIA

We’re not fussy about those things. Take your time

JULIE EXITS. SYLVIA grabs the bagels and stuffs them in the pockets of her raincoat

JULIE re-enters

JULIE

There’s still a week left on it… Didn’t I bring out more bagels?

SYLVIA

We ate them. Mr. Bird prefers the seeds more than the bagel

JULIE

Do tell. He's a super light eater for sure. Here - enjoy the peanut butter

SYLVIA

The park flock will love it. Expiry dates don’t matter to them

JULIE

I’ll make a going away package for when you leave. Would Mr. B prefer one pillow or two?

SYLVIA

(turns her head to the side)’Don’t be judgmental. She doesn’t understand our needs.’

 Actually, Mr. Bird doesn’t like being indoors, him being a free spirit and all. Finds it too confining, as do I

JULIE

Take a look at what’s going on outside. Wind is building  - looks like the skies are going to open up. Stay for the night, at least? Why don’t you consult with Mr. B?

SYLVIA

Thing is…he travels back and forth during the night to keep an eye on the flock. Lots of stray cats and other beasts around. Sometimes he even sings the birds to sleep

JULIE

(laughs)

What song does he sing to them? Lullaby of Birdland, perhaps

SYLVIA

I’m not familiar with that song but I’ll suggest it to him

JULIE

So whad’ya say?

SYLVIA

Maybe…we wouldn’t want you to think we aren’t grateful for your hospitality and all…

(turns head to the side) “Everything okay? Errol’s missing, again? It’s not the first time he hasn’t checked in…You know he likes to wander around at night…  ”

JULIE

Something wrong?

SYLVIA

Seems that Errol hasn’t been seen for a day. Always flying off somewhere without telling anyone

JULIE

And Errol would be one of those…a flock regular?

SYLVIA

Gets the urge to roam before trash pickup day. Too many good pickings. No need to go look for him. He’ll be back

A change of direction for "Seeds" - Mr. Bird fades in

Been adding to "Seeds" although not as often as I like or should. Progress is dependent upon sudden brain storms or those rare but very welcome "eureka!" moments that give clarification to the story line.

Somehow, and after reading over what currently exists, there seems to be - at least in my mind - that the direction the play is taking is too predictable bordering on blech.
The subject, an accidental meeting of two people in a park, one of whom seems to have what could be best described as an unusual gravitation to pigeons, is interesting. However - as mentioned numerous times in this blog, it's always the 'howevers' in life that get you - it's too ordinary and needed a shake-up. So...

A new character has been added. Elwood P. Dowd had his rabbit, Harvey, and now Sylvia Perkins has joined his league with her friend of a feather, Mr. Bird, a pigeon.

Following yet another run in with Hal, a  park supervisor, who wants to maintain cleanliness and limit the appearance of pigeon poo in his territory, Julie feels a moral responsibility to help Sylvia. The two return to Julie's apartment and at the mention of the word "bath" and a failed attempt to remove Sylvia's weather-worn rain coat, Mr. Bird suddenly puts in an appearance, in a manner of speaking.  Maybe it'll work and maybe it won't - hav'ta see where this will take me, if anywhere. If not, it'll be yet another return to the drawing/re-writing board.

Yet another snippet of dialogue from "Seeds." Julie attempts to convince Sylvia to stay for supper and warm up. When 'speaking' with Mr. Bird, Sylvia turns her head to the side

JULIE

How about a plain, old American cheese sandwich and a coffee? Indulge me as your new friend. Look – it’s snowing out so why not wait until morning. This couch opens up into a bed and at least you'll have a full stomach and a night's sleep. It's better than a park bench

SYLVIA

You’re very kind but I can’t possibly stay. It’s getting late and my friends will be wondering where I am

(Turns her head to the side) ‘I know, Mr. Bird. I’m trying to explain our need to leave…’

JULIE

Really, Mr. Bird, one night in a warm bed won’t make a difference in the scheme of things. Wouldn’t that be better than hanging out in a park or building heating ducts? This is getting more weird by the minute… I’m definitely losing it. Next I'll be talking to squirrels. Correct me if I’m wrong here, Sylvia, but there’s only two people in this room, you and me, right?

          SYLVIA Recoils in horror and backs away

SYLVIA

How could you be so cruel? You’re just like all the other humans we meet. No feelings whatsoever for those less-fortunate who have to survive living on the generosity of others and on the cusp of society. You have hurt Mr. Bird’s feelings for the last time. We are leaving (turns her head to the side) ‘I’m ready to leave if you are, Mr. B’

JULIE

Please – wait. Perhaps I’ve acted too hastily. After all, we’re still at the getting to know you, stage, and I don’t want to threaten our budding friendship with misunderstandings. How about this: you and – um – Mr. Bird stay for a bite and I’ll give you a bag of peanuts to take back. Don’t believe I’m actually making a deal that involves a…

SYLVIA

(turning her head to the side)

‘What do you think? I mean, she is trying…then there's a bag of peanuts at the end… You’re in agreement, then?’ We have accepted your apology

 

          SYLVIA starts laughing

‘That is like…so funny. Where do you pick up those funny gems? 

JULIE

Am I missing something?

SYLVIA

(continuing to laugh hysterically)

It’s Mr. Bird – he has such a weird sense of humor and especially adroit telling jokes. He wants me to pass along one he heard in the park: you can never lose a homing pigeon. If he doesn’t come back, what you’ve lost is a pigeon

          (SYLVIA laughs uproariously)

 

You are such a joker, Mr. Bird!’ Mr. Bird wants to know what you think of his joke. It’s one of his best

JULIE

Humor is subjective, especially bird humor. Weird – don’t recall you introducing Mr. Bird when we first met

SYLVIA

He’s a free spirit. Comes and goes when the mood hits him. He’s really taken to you. Usually he only hangs around for a few minutes