Paper

Characters:

STUDENT

PERSON 1

PERSON 2

PERSON 3

PERSON 4

The STUDENT walks straight across the stage, from one wing to the other, without stopping or acknowledging the audience. He (or she) is carrying a large, overstuffed backpack which is partially unzipped and full with loose papers to the point of overflowing. The STUDENT is also carrying a few notebooks and binders in his arms, which (evidently) couldn’t fit in the backpack. During his quick journey past the audience, he accidentally drops one of the papers, a blank, perfectly white sheet of paper, which lands in the center of the stage, and which he leaves behind without realizing he has dropped it.

As soon as he has left the stage, PERSONS 1-4 enter, two from each wing. They walk very, very slowly (as if with caution) raising their legs higher than one usually would when walking normally, making it look like they are dancing. They meet in the center of the stage and form a circle, seemingly accidentally. Then, they all look down and see the paper that the STUDENT has just dropped.

PERSONS 1-4: Ooooooooh! What’s this?

They speak simultaneously, with an almost musical quality to their voices. They reach down, each grabbing the paper by one corner. They hold it aloft and begin to move around as they inspect it. As he stumbles, one PERSON unintentionally pulls the paper, and a tug of war begins. They each pull on their respective corners until, eventually, the paper rips.

PERSONS 1-4: It’s broken.

Again, their simultaneous speech is eerie and musical. Now, thinking that the paper is ruined, they drop the fragments onto the floor and walk casually walk of the stage.

CURTAIN