CONTEST FOR A RESPECTABLE GOVERNMENT

 

 

Ideas from text inspired by Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau (1849).

 

  1. taps pen to internal rhythm, nervously at times, indicating the time constraints. Other times the pen clicks, snaps, or taps slowly, as if unconscious of external sounds; thinks.
  2. assures that 3 is always transcribing notes correctly; dreams.
  3. transcribes; declares.

 

It is imperative that the three people playing these roles do not play them as characters or consider acting these roles. They must consider speaking these lines as if they thought of them themselves, and hear what they are saying as it is being said.

 

It is also imperative that the rhythms of the three people are held tight: when one speaks fast, the next speaks slowly; when one meanders, the next declares. The rhythms of the three people are always changing: one must never be always fast, but attentive to the constantly changing rhythms of the other two. Let there not only be two rhythms (e.g. fast/slow) but explore all rhythms within each line and within each relation to the othersÕ lines.

 

The scene takes place in an office room. The room is indistinguishable as any certain room, except that it contains a table and three chairs. There is possibly a timer in the room, but we do not hear it tick.

 

**

 

1          donÕt the strongest rule?

2          I thought it was the one with the most morals

3          doesnÕt the government rule?

2          is the government moral?

1          shouldnÕt the people rule?

3          I got it- itÕs the majority rule.

2          what happens to the minority?

3          the minorityÕs morals?

1          isnÕt morality subjective?

3          subjective to the majority?

2          the minority is subjective?

3          morality..

1          subjective toÉ

2          the strongest?

3          when the people have the power, the majority are permitted to make the rules.

2          youÕre denying the minority.

3          no, itÕs the average

1          what individual is average?

3          weÕve got to come up with it somehow

2          when the majority rules, it is because they are strongest- not because they are average or most right.

3          then who?

2          the majority has no concern for justice.

3          the minority does?

1          there must be some concern for conscience.

2          whatÕs the difference..

1          justice is subjective to conscience

2          and visa versa

3          morality again.

1          the only obligation that I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.

2          you may think itÕs right to defend your home against break-ins, but a detective who has reason to assume your home is a place of illegal activity, and finds the only right way to investigate is to break in-

3          Assumptions! Defense! Detectives! Is this what weÕre building on?!

1          we are working it out. Lets not call it-

2          government

3          or power, yes weÕve covered it: what not to do

1          laws?

3          weÕll be here forever.

2          laws? laws never made men more just.

1          laws keep people in line

3          in lines? waiting? tapping their toes?

2          laws make wars.

3          thatÕs a graver assumption than the one about the detective.

2          unjust and unprompted laws lead to unjust and unprompted actions; people excuse their actions with morals of unjust laws.

3          so there it is- letÕs base our concern on not making unjust laws. something at least.

1          who makes them? how to assureÉ

3          justice? Expediency?

2          itÕs about time you mentioned expediency.

3          expediency takes time to figure out.. just like any social change takes time toÉ

1          yes, change takes time

2          time takes change.

3          talking about time is futile now.

1          weÕve got the time

2          2:45. no we donÕt. weÕre going to lose.

3          okay. we wonÕt call it government, or power. laws will be justified: justified with conscience- so, if the majority must rule, may they have a conscience.

2          people have conscience. not some esoteric mass.

3          letÕs keep moving forward. no time to digress now.

2          okayÉ we had a right to resist when it was a government somewhere else. but when it is our own-

1          it is treason.

3          it is just an exercise in expanding our thinking-

2          but how many prosecutionsÉ

1          there are times when it is not disgraceful for honest men to rebel and revolutionize

3          like..

1          the war on Mexico, or Vietnam, or-

3          war time.

1          yes, I thinkÉ

3          okay, lets outlaw war.

2          does that outlaw rebellion too?

3          no, just reduces the need for it.

1          what replaces it?

3          what replaces war?

1          of course

3          improvement. Not treatiesÉ pacts?

1          who wins?

3          we will.

1          no, not that- when, at times, that we have earlier justified war, like when agricultureÉand commerceÉare more of an immediate concern thanÉhumanity-

2          humanity should be our first concern. A respect for mankind as a whole, working together for a common cause. That would outlaw the need for rebellion, and war, and slavery and-

3          okay, okay. humanity.

2          humanity first.

3          yes. now what. Humanity. justified laws by being conscience of humanity. okay..

2          what about voting?

1          I vote.

2          no, now. Voting is a betting game of morals. I leave out my personal concern for morality and trust that the morality of the majority will prevail.

3          mmmÉ

2          we shouldnÕt leave our rights to the mercy of chance.

1          donÕt we all have a say?

2          when, after voting, do you not feel like crossing your fingers?

1          so?

2          So, when people vote to rid themselves of something unjust, it is because they have become indifferent to it.

3          youÕre jumping around again. unjust and indifferent in the same sentence?

1          we canÕt afford inconsistency.

2          the slaves didnÕt get a chance to vote on the eradication of slavery.

3          okay- every one who is affected directly should be able to vote directly on the issues at hand.

1          even children? and criminals?

3          children yes. criminals? that depends.

1          Consistency!

2          should criminals vote on how long their terms should be? should children be able to vote on the school system? We would have parties in prison, and children would run wild without ever learning-

3          what we expect them to?

2          okay, direct vote. so the majority rules?

3          better than the minority telling the majority what they believe- more freedom.

1          but with parameters. Lets change the age, to say, puberty. 15? 16? And with concern for humanity, there will be less criminals, so yes, they can vote too. Or maybe not felons.

2          this is off track again. there isnÕt enough time for careful details.

1          ours will be the best regardless.

2          lets hear the list.

3          humanity first. direct voting, so the majority rules, with a conscience for humanity in all acts of justice. Lower the voting age so more people are responsible for their opinions and therefore take on a more active role in society. Pause. It should be the first right of passage.

2          voting?

3          yes

1          I thought it was humanity first.

3          Humanity is not a right of passage.

1          okay, continue

3          we replace war, treaties, and rebellion with humanity- but how do we enforce it?

2          enforce humanity?

3          we recognize freedom has parameters.

1          letÕs not make it a law. letÕs make it a right.

2          a right?

3          right.

2          too many connotations. how about a Éprivilege.. or a duty?

3          not, it needs to be a right. lets change right and left wing parties toÉ

2          east and west?

1          purple and orange?

3          lets leave that for later discussion. WeÕll keep it so humanity is an unalienable right. Pause.

2          lets outlaw indifference.

1          we could tryÉ

2          indifference is a crime against humanity.

3          okay. regulations: no indifference. majority rules. no war. no rebellion.

2          and assurance?

1          humanity first.

2          what about sociopaths?

3          did you just think of that?

2          there needs to be an expectation of disaster, dissonance, and revolt. Otherwise we will never be prepared.

 

A bell rings, indicating time is up.

3          I told you, expediency first. ItÕs up there with humanity.

1          will it be enough?

2          well, change takes time.

 

They all get up, gather their things, and leave the room.