"SEEDS" - the Continuing Story of Pigeons and Friendship

Slowly adding more material to the play, "Seeds: the Story of Pigeons and Friendship." I'm about at the half-way point, which always presents a challenge. Still, I plod on. Meanwhile, here's another snippet. Comments always welcome. Format is cut-and-paste strictly to make it an easier read.

SYLVIA, the ultimate pigeon lover, has left JULIE's apartment, having heard a phone message left by the park supervisor, who has his own agenda in finding Sylvia.

SETTING:  PARK. EVERYTHING IS SNOW-COVERED

AT RISE: A WORRIED JULIE SEARCHES FOR SYLVIA
 

                                     SFX: COOING PIGEONS

JULIE

Where there’s pigeons, Sylvia and Mr. B can’t be far away. Oh fer – now she’s got me believing. ‘Sylvia! Where are you!’

JULIE spots SYLVIA distributing pieces of bagel to pigeons

Thank goodness. I’ve been worried sick thinking I’d find you huddled somewhere, frozen to death. How nice they appreciate my bagels meant for you.

SYLVIA

Enough for everyone…

JULIE

Except you. Do you at least have one for yourself?

SYLVIA

I ate a few bites

SYLVIA opens a bag and distributes nuts to the birds

JULIE

Excuse me? Those nuts don’t come cheap! Let them peck for acorns under the snow! ‘Users!’

JULIE rushes in the direction of the pigeons and they scatter

                                SFX: SOUND OF BIRD WINGS

                                   

SYLVIA

What are you doing? They’re my friends – my only friends! ‘I’m here for you, my flock!’

JULIE

Believe me – they’ll be back, especially when foods around

SYLVIA

What did they ever do to you?

JULIE

My care package wasn't meant for them. Pigeons can make out on their own

SYLVIA

How could you be so callous?

JULIE

You call caring more about you than – them, callous?

SYLVIA

I'm so naive. Here's me thinking you were my friend and understood our predicament. Obviously, I was wrong

JULIE

My only motive is your welfare. The fact that I opened up my apartment to you should tell you that

SYLVIA

(TURNS HER HEAD TO THE SIDE) “You’re right. They just don’t get it, but she seemed so sincere - different from the others…”

JULIE

Please - let’s get past this. Blame it on a momentary lapse of judgement. Look – they’ve all re-grouped.

JULIE bows and addresses pigeons

‘Sorry birds. Didn’t mean to separate you from your free food source’ Okay? I apologized. We started out so well and I don’t want to jeopardize our relationship. I shouldn’t have put any conditions on your bagels and seeds care package. If you wanna share it with - them – you go right ahead. Perhaps I haven’t gotten to know them all well enough, yet. I mean, doubt whether I’ll ever call them by name, but I’m willing to try. That should mean something. Feels like there’s a cold wind moving in. How ‘bout I go get us some nice hot coffees?

SYLVIA

I’m okay
 

JULIE

Before I forget, I've got boots for you. At least wear them as a personal favor so I can sleep nights

SYLVIA

 

(TURNS HER HEAD TO THE SIDE) “That’s true – I’ll ask”

 

Mr. Bird is wondering if possibly you might have an extra pair for him, too? He’s not getting any younger and feels the cold these days

JULIE

I’m not sure how I would go about this or even if it's possible. If I could talk – or see - Mr. Bird to get an idea of his foot size. I’ve never given any thought about foot wear for birds. Cats, dogs - yes - but birds no. What size would he take?

SYLVIA

Well – I would say, this big

SYLVIA uses her hands to indicate a large size

Does that help?

JULIE

Really big. Doubt whether a pet store carries outfits for pigeons and even if they do, Mr. B has one set of huge feet

SYLVIA

See what I mean? Prejudice. Forget that I asked

JULIE

Lemme at least, try. Meanwhile, try on these boots while I check out pet shops on my cell phone. (to herself) What next - boots for an invisible bird. How and why did I get myself into this? (Speaking on cell phone) ‘Hi there. I’m just wondering – you may think this a little unusual – can’t believe I’m asking this - but do you carry boots for pigeons? Hello?’ They disconnected. Can’t say I blame them…

SYLVIA

Perhaps we should all go in person. I’ve always found that personal contact works best

(TURNS HER HEAD TO THE SIDE): “Of course you can come! How are you going to make sure they’re the right size?”

JULIE

Like I said, I’m not sure they keep pigeon boots in stock. Then, there's the issue of Mr. Bird’s gigantic size and the possibility he could injure his feet along the way without proper covering. How 'bout I call the pet store so they can prepare for - so they can check their stock

SYLVIA

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Mr. Bird has to try them on in person. What happens if they don’t fit and the pet store won’t take them back?

JULIE

A few phone calls before-hand will save time

SYLVIA

No – we must shop in person
 

(TURNS HER HEAD TO THE SIDE:) “You’re right – it will be an adventure for us!”

SYLVIA cont’d: Mr. Bird is very excited. He’s never worn anything on his feet before

JULIE

It’ll be an experience for sure, for all of us

                                       FX. BIRD WINGS



As they start to leave, they are followed by the rustling of pigeon wings. JULIE whips around in response

Hang on a dog-gone minute! They’re not joining us 

SYLVIA

But they’ll want a pair too

JULIE

I am not walking down the street with a flock of pigeons following behind, and no way are they coming inside the pet shop with us
 

SYLVIA

You’re prejudice and really don’t care about the plight of those who must depend on life’s food rejections to sustain themselves

JULIE

It’s not that I don’t sympathize, somewhat, with the plight of pigeons but there are people living on our planet, who are starving to death and like your friends, have no shelter, living from hand-to-mouth, going through trash cans to stay alive

SYLVIA

So which shoe stores should we start? This is such a new experience for all of us. We’re very excited

A snippet of "Pigeon Feed" - the play

Been adding dialogue and fleshing out the characters in the extended version of "Pigeon Feed" a.k.a. For the Birds. Always amazed while in the writing process, how some plays (few and far between) write themselves and the characters almost dictate the direction they should take.

Meanwhile, here is a snippet from the opening of the play. The best way to describe it would be a comedy/drama in that as in life, there are elements of comedy mixed with drama. Formatting is strictly to share this excerpt from the play.

PIGEON FEED

 

 

SETTING:  CITY PARK

 

AT RISE:  Early afternoon. SYLVIA, dressed in a non-descript, thread-bare raincoat, sits alone on a park bench, feeding pigeons out of a paper bag.

 

JULIE jogs by SYLVIA, stops, turns around and approaches slowly, still jogging. Talking in short spurts,

 she attempts to catch her breath

 

 

SOUNDS: Cooing pigeons. Children at play

 

JULIE

(speaking in spurts)

'Scuse me...but do...you...happen...to have the time? The battery on my watch died on me for a change. I'm like...so...out...of...breath. Strong...wind! Then again, could be 'cause I gained weight. Neh! Probably just a strong wind

 

(examines watch, taps watch face, slides watch off her wrist Shakes and hits it repeatedly against her hand)

 

My former boyfriend gave me this watch for my last birthday, the cheap jerk. Junk is junk is junk. Told me it was a Gucci original. Yeah - sure! Originally for suckers like me who date losers like him. Really cold out! You can smell winter coming, don't you find? (takes tissue from her jacket pocket and wipes nose) The wind is making my nose run. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to jump in and say, 'so go catch it!' (laughs and snorts)  My feeble attempt at humor. Obviously very feeble. Guess I'll be running along. Get it? Running along and I'm jogging? Maybe not that funny. Anywaaaay - that's exactly what I'm gonna do now... Just...run...along...

 

(Takes a few steps. Stops. Turns around and walks back to Sylvia)

 

Better t'rest for a while. Don't wanna have a heart attack or anything. I mean, go know if anyone passing by would know CPR. A friend of mine? Well...she took a course in CPR and would you believe, one day she hadda save someone having a heart attack. Oh Gawd! Imagine putting your lips on a stranger's lips! Who knows where they've been, if you get my drift. Still, a life's a life and she had a moral and legal obligation. Anyway... D'ya mind if I share this bench with you? If it's a problem I can sit at one end and you can sit at the other. We don't have to talk to each other. Some people are weird about speaking to strangers but not me. Uh-uh! I enjoy the give and taking of sharing ideas with new people. Are you a people person?

 

(Takes out a package from her jacket pocket)

 

Here - have some. Not a nut lover, huh? Then wha'cha doin' talkin' to me? (laughs out loud and snorts) Another attempt at humor. You allergic? That it? I absolutely love sunflower seeds and this brand is the best. So where was I now... Anyway, my friend saved the stranger's life but along the way, she somehow broke a few of his ribs. I mean, she's never done real CPR before other than when she took the course, so it's understandable. Right? Had the full media treatment and was treated like a hero. A complete stranger giving the gift of life and all. A month or so later, she receives a lawyer's letter. Would you believe the guy whose life she saved was suing her for breaking his ribs? How's that for gratitude? The guy could have died had she not been there at that right time and place and he sues her!

SOUNDS: Pigeons cooing, flutter of wings

Duck! We're being attacked by pigeon poo! (laughs and snorts) Know what? There's a whole family of pigeons living inside the letters 'B' and 'P' at the supermarket, where I shop. They moved in like the squatters they are Takers - the whole world is full of takers. My finger tips are absolutely numb with cold. Yours?

(Shakes her hands and rubs them together)

I'm Julie, by the way and your name is ? Being that we just met, I should respect your right to privacy. How 'bout this. Let me guess your name and you can tell me if I'm right - only if you want, of course. You look to be a Vicky or maybe Sue-Ann? How about Cheryl? A Constance perhaps? Feel free to speak whenever the urge overcomes you. Sorry - didn't mean to come across sarcastic.

(Sylvia stops feeding pigeons momentarily)

I'm gonna call you, Amy, if that's alright? People should call each other by whatever name they think suits the person and you definitely strike me as an Amy type.

SYLVIA
Sylvia. My name is Sylvia.

JULIE
Seriously? You're a Sylvia? Go figure! Had an aunt Sylvia. Family hated her guts - miserable battle-axe that she was. When she croaked she left us five thousand big one's each. We liked Aunt Sylvia a whole lot better when she was dead (laughs and snorts) C'mon - take some. Share and share alike, I always say

SYLVIA
Maybe later...not now

JULIE
No problem-o. Plenty more where this came from

SYLVIA
(excited)
You...you have a source for seeds? Where? Is it far away?

JULIE
It's called a su-per-mar-ket. Sorry - I tend to over-dose on jokes when I have an audience. So - like - you come here every day to feed...them?

SYLVIA
Pigeons never forget who their friends are. They always come back

JULIE
Think so, huh? As long as they get hand outs, they will. Don't get me wrong 'cause I'm a bird liker - well at least I don't hate pigeons but the way I see it, pigeons are flying rats with wings. Their friendship will last as long as the food in your hand. I insist we share these

SYLVIA
I don't want any but my feathered friends, here, do

JULIE
Listen - nothing personal but let 'em find their own food supply, 'kay?

SYLVIA
(makes pigeon sounds)
Brrrrrppp. Brrrppp They're so beautiful, don't you find?

JULIE
Just...darling little things. Not everyone can speak pigeon-eeze. It's a gift for sure