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The Gun

THE GUN

A Play in Two Acts
by
O. Westin

CHARACTERS

BOSS – A wealthy person
ROBOT – A golden robot

ACT 1


SETTING

(A sitting room. At rear, a fireplace, the wall above it empty. ROBOT stands next to the fireplace.)

BOSS

(Enter, look at ROBOT, look to wall above fireplace.)

You! Robot, wake! I am most vexed and wroth!

ROBOT

What is it, boss?

BOSS

My gun is gone, by troth!

ROBOT

Your gun?

BOSS

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-

ROBOT

I know I look quite dense.

BOSS

Don’t fool yourself, what glitters is not gold.
You’re cheaply made-

ROBOT

If I may be so bold?

BOSS

Be quiet! I’ll employ you: serve my whim!
Go find my gun!

(Exit)

ROBOT

(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

SETTING

(Same sitting room. BOSS paces.)

BOSS

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-

ROBOT

(Enter. Is dirty and scratched.)

It’s me!

BOSS

You’re back! You found my gun? My heart, be strong!

ROBOT

(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-

BOSS

You are fired!

ROBOT

You can’t!

BOSS

I cannot hang you on my wall!

ROBOT

So only guns can hold you in their thrall?

BOSS

My uncle asked the same and I said…

ROBOT

Yes?

BOSS

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.)

BOSS

You’re just a fancy toy.

ROBOT

I’m just a fancy toy.

FIN

Published inShort story