Millicent Eidson - Monuments: A Ten-Minute Play

This play is dedicated to all theater lovers, in honor of the extraordinary city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, my home for twelve years. MONUMENTS: A TEN-MINUTE PLAY . Copyright 2021 by Millicent Eidson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. Published in North America by Maya Maguire Media. PO Box 1214, Burlington, Vermont 05402; drmayamaguire@gmail.com . Discover other publications at https://drmayamaguire.com FIRST EDITION ISBN: 978-1955481045 EBOOK Monuments was initially published by Synkroniciti Magazine in Vol. 2 (Spring, 2021), Katherine McDaniel, editor, and received an award: Short Play Contest Winner: Monuments by Dr. 2 (Spring, 2021), Katherine McDaniel, editor, and received an award: Short Play Contest Winner: Monuments by Dr.

Millicent Eidson synkroniciti By turns funny, poignant and eye-opening, Monuments presents us with nuanced and three-dimensional characters rather than stereotypes. Kat McDaniel, 4/29/21 Cover Photo: Brown, N.., & Brown, Nicholas (?). (n.d.). Soldiers Monument on the Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico . Photo Archives, Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe. Available at Soldiers Monument on the Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico (Computer file) [WorldCat.org]

MONUMENTS: A TEN-MINUTE PLAY C haracters Meadow (Mary) Murphy, owner of store selling Native American jewelry and art, in her 60s Rebecca (Becky) King, wife and co-owner of local ranch, in her 40s Chris Cisneros, Santa Fe Police Officer, in his 30s Setting Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Midnight, late June, 2020. Dim lights up to reveal MEADOW hurry diagonally on sidewalk through Santa Fe Plaza. She veers away from central monument after catching movement behind rose bush. She drops phone on sidewalk, then picks it up. MEADOW Oh, shit. (Inside low green metal fence around monument, REBECCA sits with thick chain circling several vertical rungs of fence and her waist.) MEADOW What are you doing? (MEADOW tries to dial number, shoves damaged phone in purse.) REBECCA Dont call the police! MEADOW Nomy son. (Inside low green metal fence around monument, REBECCA sits with thick chain circling several vertical rungs of fence and her waist.) MEADOW What are you doing? (MEADOW tries to dial number, shoves damaged phone in purse.) REBECCA Dont call the police! MEADOW Nomy son.

We live together. Most of the time, Im an annoyance, but if he cant reach me immediately, Ill pay for it later. (After a moment) You didnt answer my question. REBECCA Are you retardedwhat does it look like Im doing? MEADOW I dont appreciate your using that word. My son gets slammed with that insult a lothe has Aspergers Syndrome. REBECCA So hes one of those entitled millennials who sits on his butt playing video games.

MEADOW You dont know anything about us. And you still havent said why youre chained to the fence. The Santa Fe PD checks this area regularly since the monument was damaged earlier this week. Theyre bound to find youjust a question of time. REBECCA How would you know? MEADOW I own a store across from the Palace of the Governors. Had to work lateits hard to organize the merchandise, moving it in and out to the sidewalk with COVID.

Were in better shape than the Republican idiots in the states on either side of us. REBECCA So youre one of those libtards. Wheres your mask, snowflake? MEADOW In my pursedidnt expect to meet anyone in route to the parking garage this late. (REBECCA loudly pretends to cough.) REBECCA Better scootch on outa here. You look kinda old and fraildont want me to kill ya. MEADOW Im not worriedthis lovely New Mexico breeze will blow your cooties away.

REBECCA Dammit, you standing there is drawing attention for the police to spot me. I want the TV cameras to arrive first. (MEADOW moves closer, leans against fence.) MEADOW Well, while youre waiting, why dont we chat? Im Meadow Murphy. Moved here in 2003 from San Diego County after the Cedar forest fire. (MEADOW pulls out tissue, wipes eyes, clears throat.) MEADOW (CONT.) Worst one in the state, until others like Paradise. Climate change and drought make a tinderbox.

REBECCA A Californicator. Why does your hubby let you wander the Santa Fe streets so late? MEADOW He was killed in the fire. (MEADOW steps away from monument, wipes eyes, turns back.) MEADOW (CONT.) Whats your excuse for being out all alone? (REBECCA shakes head, runs hand through hair and over face.) REBECCA Sor-r-e-e-e-y. Sometimes, I wish I was in your boata widow, I mean. Mines drunk on the sofa after old football games on-demand. No idea what hell do to me when I get arrested.

MEADOW Are you local? Whats your name? REBECCA Rebecca King. My ranch is between Cerrillos and Madrid. What the hell kinda name is Meadow? You a hippie do-gooder, trying to save me from myself? MEADOW Youre so smart. Parents christened me Mary Margaret, but I legally made the change in college. In case the cops come before the reporters, tell me your story maybe I can pass it on for you. Im guessing you dont want them to remove the monument? REBECCA One of my ancestors was killed in the 1862 battle mentioned on the marble plaque above me.

Glorieta Pass, only thirty miles or so from here, and from my ranch. Fuckin fed up with government rewriting history. MEADOW But the vandals didnt destroy the side of the monument celebrating the Union victory. They smashed the part honoring heroes who fought with the savage Indians. The savage part was gouged out decades agothis phallic obelisk has been controversial a long time. (REBECCA shifts to kneeling position, waves arm.) REBECCA So youre fine with them spray painting RACIST on the obelisk in bright red huge letters for the world to see? Im not gonna let some damned Truth and Reconciliation Commission bulldoze a tribute to our soldiers here since 1868. (REBECCA shifts to kneeling position, waves arm.) REBECCA So youre fine with them spray painting RACIST on the obelisk in bright red huge letters for the world to see? Im not gonna let some damned Truth and Reconciliation Commission bulldoze a tribute to our soldiers here since 1868.

MEADOW They started to remove the tip, but it was too fragile. We could replace it with a beautiful gazebo, like Albuquerque and Taos, and still have plaques for heroes. REBECCA Youre clueless. They already removed the statue of Don Diego de Vargas from Cathedral Park, and monuments to Juan de Oate in Albuquerque and Alcalde. MEADOW Those are monuments to Spanish conquistadores. Why do you care? You dont look Hispanic.

REBECCA They spray painted STOLEN LAND on the Kit Carson obelisk over at the courthouse and theyre gonna make that monument disappear too. Hes a hero, he opened up the West. Wouldnt have ranches like mine without my Union army ancestor or Carson. MEADOW Rebecca, he married into a Native American family, more than once, but he also helped round up Navajos for the Long Walk. (CISNEROS walks over, wearing mask.) CISNEROS Ladies, its midnight. Im Officer Cisneros.

Maam, youre not supposed to be inside the fence. (CISNEROS shines flashlight.) REBECCA Hey, youre blinding me! CISNEROS Maam, you cant stay chained as a form of protest. Unlock yourself and get out. REBECCA Cant. Threw away the key. (MEADOW spots glint in grass from moving flashlight.) MEADOW Officer, is that what youre looking for? (MEADOW points, CISNEROS picks up key.) REBECCA Fuck. (REBECCA glares.) REBECCA (CONT.) Traitor. (CISNEROS opens gate, removes lock, unwraps chain.) CISNEROS Maam, do you have a mask? If not, I will impose a $50 fine. (REBECCA shakes her head.) MEADOW I always carry two. (REBECCA shakes her head.) MEADOW I always carry two.