THE GUN
by
O. Westin
CHARACTERS
BOSS – A wealthy person
ROBOT – A golden robot
ACT 1
(A sitting room. At rear, a fireplace, the wall above it empty. ROBOT stands next to the fireplace.)
(Enter, look at ROBOT, look to wall above fireplace.)
You! Robot, wake! I am most vexed and wroth!
What is it, boss?
My gun is gone, by troth!
Your gun?
Oh, yes, you are but newly built
From random parts, from scrap, debris, and gilt.
My uncle wrought you, just this morrow, hence
You don’t know much-
I know I look quite dense.
Don’t fool yourself, what glitters is not gold.
You’re cheaply made-
If I may be so bold?
Be quiet! I’ll employ you: serve my whim!
Go find my gun!
(Exit)
(Looks at golden limbs.)
I’m bright, yet now feel dim.
Is this my lot, is this why I was wrought?
I’ll do this task, and give my life some thought.
(Exit)
ACT 2
(Same sitting room. BOSS paces.)
Where is that robot? It’s been gone for days!
My wall is bare, denuded in my gaze,
And such a nude will ever boring be.
It can’t allure, it won’t call out-
(Enter. Is dirty and scratched.)
It’s me!
You’re back! You found my gun? My heart, be strong!
(Open chest panel, gun barrel emerges.)
I found it was inside me all along.
The gun is me, into my heart it’s wired,
I found myself, and with that-
You are fired!
You can’t!
I cannot hang you on my wall!
So only guns can hold you in their thrall?
My uncle asked the same and I said…
Yes?
I did, and now his scheme we both can guess.
So be my guest, but not in my employ.
Cause I don’t think…
(Last lines spoken in unison by both.)
You’re just a fancy toy.
I’m just a fancy toy.