Theatre of the Absurd
(What can be more absurd than for the whole world to be up in arms against an enemy so small that it is invisible? So here’s a little two-hander for our time)
Idyllic riverside setting. The sun is shining, a gentle breeze is stirring the leaves on the trees. The sky is peerless blue. Some ducks fly in and land on the water. Man, shirtless because of the heat , with a straw hat on his face, because of the sun, is reclining on his comfortable deck chair holding a line. He hums to himself and is the picture of serenity. He does not notice that someone has entered his orbit. He is dressed in arctic clothing, boots, goggles, thick leather jacket, gloves, a fur hat. He stops as he sees the man who is fishing. Gingerly he approaches him. He is Visitor. When he is within touch he coughs an ahem, gently in an attempt to attract his attention of Man. The latter responds in alarm, falling off his deck chair.
Visitor: I am sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.
Man picks himself up, blinking, and apologetic.
Man: No, not at all. My fault entirely. Bet I gave you a fright_
Visitor: No, it was I who gave you a fright, barging in one your privacy.
Man: No, absolutely not. This is common land. No privacy. I must have disconcerted you by falling off my chair. Inexcusable of me!
Visitor: May I ask? What are you doing?
Man: Fishing. Obviously.
Visitor: Ah yes. Fishing.
Man concentrates on his fishing, and Visitor just stands and stares in front of him, looking quite lost. Suddenly he takes a step towards Man, and ahems again.
Man: You’ve got a bit of a cough, I see. Eh, I mean I hear.
Visitor: No. You said you were fishing. Can I ask a question? (Man signifies that he can, by nodding). What is fishing?
Man: What is fishing? Fishing is … catching fish.
More ducks fly in and land beside the ones already foraging. Visitor seems happy with the explanation and steps back clumsily. Man continues humming and goes back to his fishing. After a whole minute, Visitor takes another step in his direction.
Visitor: Excuse me, can I ask another question? (Man nods ) What, is fish?
Man:Well, eh … how shall I put it? A fish is a living creature who lives in the water_
Visitor: (Takes out a notebook and scribbles in it, repeating what he hears) … in the water. That’s what you said. Who lives in the water.
Man: And we catch it…
Visitor: Why? Why catch it? For what purpose. Do you play with it? Do you eat it?
Man: Not always. Sometimes we eat it. Not always.
Visitor is perplexed.
Visitor: Ah, I see.
Man becomes agitated as his line begins to tighten. He is smiling happily,
Man: I have caught one now. I’ll show you.
Visitor: (Pointing at the ducks which are flying away) What do you mean? They’re flying away! The fishes are flying away.
