Scene from "mayfliesfast"
a play by Lee Shackleford
Index / About this script / Read a sample / Get the script / Performance rights
Alex defends her point of view to Gregorio
GREGORIO
No, wait, so we’re born wanting to be fed when we’re hungry -- what’s wrong with that?
ALEX
When we’re born, we demand what we want -- we scream for it! Because our fundamental programming informs us that we are entitled to what we want! THAT’S total selfishness, THAT’S our nature, THAT’S the bottom-line essence of the HUMAN ANIMAL!
GREGORIO
Okay -- don’t -- don’t --
ALEX
I’m not! I’m just explaining to Pollyanna here that being a cute chubby li’l baby doesn’t make you an angel.
MARIA
I just don’t think it’s right to use that ... that theory as an excuse to say “everybody’s evil.”
ALEX
And nobody’s asking you!
GREGORIO
Alex!
MARIA
No, let me ask y’all-- do any of y’all really care about these things they’re asking about? Because I thought --
ALEX
Oh, this should be fascinating. What did you think?
MARIA
I thought the point of this whole thing was to get together the smartest people in one of the best schools and have a -- an intelligent exchange of ideas about the big questions of life and come up with some ANSWERS!
FRANK
Maria -- these are questions that have been pondered for centuries. No one has answers to them.
MARIA
So maybe you’ll be the ones who --
ALEX
No! The contest is not being judged by professors from the philosophy department! These are corporate headhunters! These are guys from -- Frank, did you not tell her ANY of this?
FRANK
I did. I’m not certain she --
MARIA
I understood it, I just ... I thought what you really wanted was to answer the questions.
FRANK
These judges represent the biggest and most powerful corporate entities in the world. And they use the university Scholar’s Challenge events to find exceptional people capable of innovation and persuasion --
GREGORIO
Is that what they’re after?
ALEX
Yes!
GREGORIO
No wonder I’ve been losing every day.
ALEX
That is the TRUTH, Greg! You have not applied your considerable gifts to this at all. If you put forth one ... scintilla of the effort required --
GREGORIO
Wait, doesn’t a scintilla have real soft fur like a mink? I think my grandma had a coat made of scintilla.
MARIA
So Greg wasn’t kidding. This whole thing really is just one big giant huge job interview.
ALEX
Oh my God. Somebody please --
FRANK
Maria -- go wait in the car.
MARIA
Wh -- are we leaving?
FRANK
Shortly. Meanwhile -- go to the car. Please.
Maria leaves.
GREGORIO
Wow, and she just goes? Just like that? I mean, I know it is absolutely no business of mine, but, man --
ALEX
Gregorio. Go to your room.
GREGORIO
Oh. Right. Thanks, sweetie. Thanks for backing me up on this.