-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
The scene begins with me and Benny on the grass. Benny holds a gleeful smile and a new perspective on life. His wife and child are alive, that's all that matters to him. I smile at my friend, " I'm glad you're happy, Benny". He looks at me with wide eyes and a grin, " I'm a father and a husband, of course, I'm happy". Suddenly, a horn blows. He and I jump up. Simon and Red rush us, and according to the script, I'm supposed to fall, so I do.
I fall to the ground pretending to be dead. Benny fights back to my side, but he's too late. I'm already dead. He has no other option but for him to run. We've lost the war. I crawl to the sidelines to watch the rest of the play unfold.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
They scattered trash from the garage around the yard, making it seem like a destroyed village. Benny hobbled through the debris quietly shouting, " Is anyone there!", but he already knows the answer.
As he wanders through the debris, he gives off a monologue, " I've failed my people. I could've done something, but now, I'm powerless". He picked up a bundled up blanket. " I chose my child over all of theirs". Tears filled his eyes, he fell to his knees, " I've failed you. He wailed into the air.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Suddenly, Lilith runs up to him. She's holding their child. He carefully places the child into the arms of the other blanket, which is supposed to represent the mother, then runs to his wife.
He shouts, " Lilith, how did you survive!". She cries into his arms, I don't know, it must have been the work of fate!". His sadness briefly turns to joy, then back to grief. He looks her in the eye, " this is all my fault". She doesn't question her husband's madness. She merely embraces the hug. He whispers in her ear, "I'll be back my love, I must speak to the king". She nods her head, but she knows it'll be the last time they see each other.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Benny rushed to the carpet with a chair on it. Sitting on the throne, Len laughs at Benny's anger. He grabs him by the collar then throws him to the ground. They fake fight until Benny is standing directly overhead with a fist. Benny furiously shouts at him. " make me king again, so I can fix this!". Len laughs, " that's not how this works. You sacrificed your kingdom for them. That was the price". Benny's voice quivers, " I have a responsibility as King...". Len shakes his head with a laugh, " you're not the king".
Benny pleads, " I have another wish, don't I?". A twisted smile forms on Len's face. With the sudden realization, he falls to his knees in defeat. He pleads, " don't make me choose... Please". Len takes a laugh, " that's not how this works". The king has to make a choice. His wife and child or his country.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Benny stands up and begins his monologue with a sober tone. " why must I choose between the woman I love and the role fate deemed for me? How is this fair? Which is right? My happiness or my subjects? I am their king, it is my birthright to protect them, but at what cost? I could be happy, but my life does not belong to me". He drops his head in defeat.
In a quiet voice, " alright, if this is what fate wills, so be it...". With a snap of his fingers, Lilith is back on the ground pretending to be dead while Benny cries over her. Red pushed me onto the carpet. " my king, my humble liege, there has been talk of an upcoming war". We were back at scene one, but this time, Benny sighed hopelessly, "assemble the men, we ride in the morning".
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Len walked into the scene and shouted, " the end! Thank you and good night!". A round of applause swept through the makeshift stands. The play though it was nothing to look at, they loved the story and acting given by the cast. Even I can't believe the performance given by the children.
I thought Benny was just some shy kid, and my brother was just some ball of energy. I won't bore you by repeating myself, but I will say, it was a genuine surprise. The sun had begun to set, the children and I cleaned up Benny's yard, then we went our separate ways. I walked home with my little brother. He spoke non-stop about all the other games they've played. While looking at him, I knew, I needed to find my passion.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
