Note; This is for a playwriting class (adult night school) which I’m involved with. We were asked to write a Monologue.
I excerpted it from a play entitled Disorientation Day.
Manalogue
“Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” This is a quote from George S. Patton for whom our new Military Public High School has been renamed. Now you incoming students, from what was formerly Rutledge Friends,may feel some confusion, but really, how could a football team nicknamed “the Peacemakers” be expected to win many games. (strides to the front of stage) Today is a beautiful Fall Day, This Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020, a great day for marching, a great day for-My name is General Bismark Smith, by the way, but names, you will find, will be unimportant in our new way of thinking and doing. In our new way of living life., in the new ways of-I’m on loan from “Special Branches” to implement the new enriched high school curriculum, including the proper use of firearms and hand to hand combat, among many other exciting changes. (peers out) I notice some of you have questions. Please hold them towards the end, if they’re not answered in this opening statement. (steps back to center of stage) These required classes are for all genders, male, female, and uhhh fluid. Let me, if I may, add another quote from the true American hero for whom this Military Public High School is named “The object of War is not to die for your country, but to make the other poor bastard die for his country”. Seen in that light, we should all find the capacity to learn these life skills. (comes to very front of stage) I say life skills because these skills will preserve life, hopefully your own. This is learning a certain way to live, a winning way to live. (turns around and walks back to center of stage) My final quote from our revered namesake is “Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war”. Whether in the classroom or the field, you fight to win. In all of us (strides around the stage again) is an animal that needs to be focused, not tamed, not broken, to live around the house (faces the students again), not (spits) civilized but focused. When, not if, you are in the wild, you want to be the lion not the antelope, the alligator not the snake, the tiger- (buzzer goes off) (looks at clock) Our orientation is over for today. Thanks for your attention.
robertthesmall 