FIONN
Well if you’re done attacking me, would you mind introducing me to your leader? I have a message to share with your species, and I would like to do so as soon as possible.
TALAO
No!
FIONN
Please?
TALAO
No! I tell you what to do. Ya’ do what I want. Got it?
FIONN
I understand. What would you like for me to do?
TALAO, too confused to know what to do, sits down to think.
TALAO
Yer’ not Lumahan. Ya’…yer’…a stranger. Where ya’ from?
FIONN
I come from a race of beings that travel in space, planet to planet, and share our philosophies and sometimes our technologies.
TALAO
Space?
FIONN points to the sky.
TALAO
Up there? Ya’ come from the sky, do ya’?
FIONN
Above your sky, actually.
TALAO
Above the sky? Did ya’ fall?
FIONN
No. I came here on purpose.
TALAO
Why? Did ya’ come to eat me?
TALAO stands up and readies HER knife.
TALAO
Ya’ did, didn’t ya’?! I won’t make it easy for ya’. I know how to kill good.
FIONN
I don’t eat.
Beat.
TALAO
Liar. Everything eats, and everything eats everything else. That’s how it is.
FIONN
That’s not how it is for me.
TALAO
Liar.
FIONN
I also do not freeze, burn, bleed, or become diseased. My body is perfect.
Beat.
TALAO
Yer’ ugly.
FIONN
Beauty is subjective.
TALAO
So…what do ya’ want? Not food, then what?
FIONN
To meet with your leader.
TALAO
Daco?
FIONN
If Daco is your leader, then yes. Actually, I’ve just realized I haven’t asked for your name yet. My apologies. Again, I am named Fionn. And you are?
Beat.
TALAO
Talao. My name’s Talao.
FIONN
Talao, it’s nice to meet you.
FIONN holds HIS hand out to be shaken, but TALAO backs up, mistaking the gesture for an attack.
TALAO
Watch yourself, there! I’ll kill ya’! One way or another!
FIONN
No, I wasn’t trying to attack you. I was showing my gratitude with a gesture. I promise not to do it again. Please, come back.
Half-beat.
Please?
TALAO walks closer.
Thank you. Now, what must I do to have you show me to your leader Daco?
TALAO
[Laughs] I could take ya’ as somethin’ to eat.
FIONN
Okay.
TALAO
Ya’ want to be eaten?
FIONN
No, I don’t. However, as I’ve told you, I can suffer no damage. So this way, you’ll introduce me to your leader. Do you consider this to be a fair deal?
TALAO
Ya’ let me take you? Wont’ fight or nothin’?
FIONN
Yes.
Beat.
TALAO
Yer’ a big meal. I can’t cut yer’ neck, but I’ll find out where yer’ soft. And cut it. Yes, the tribe’ll see my prey, and like me. Thank me. Worship me.
FIONN
I don’t agree with your plan, but I’ll agree to go with you nonetheless. Agreed?
TALAO rushes up to FIONN and holds HER blade against HIS neck.
TALAO
Yer’ my prey! My food! Ya’ do what I tell ya’! Come!
TALAO holds FIONN by the arm and walks HIM away.
FIONN
You’re a very lively being.
TALAO
Shaddup!
Women’s laughter can be heard. TALAO stops and nervously looks around.
FIONN
Are you expecting someone?
TALAO
[To noise] No, no, no! It’s my catch, Angara! It’s my food! Mine, mine!
AGBAYANI enters calmly and slowly. AGBAYANI is a prehistoric predator. HE thinks of nothing else but survival and food, and HIS patience and confidence will ensure HIS survival till the endtimes. HE carries with HIM two knives.
TALAO hides FIONN behind HER.
TALAO
Agbayani, I caught it. It’s mine.
AGBAYANI switches his focus from TALAO to FIONN, not betraying a single thought with HIS emotionless face.
TALAO
Mine!
AGBAYANI
Mine, now.
Women’s laughter can be heard again, and ANGARA enters opposite of AGBAYANI. ANGARA is pure seduction laced with a devious poison. SHE is a luminous siren, and SHE attracts HER prey rather than stalk it. HER nails are long and sharp, and SHE always has them bared.
ANGARA
Silly, Talao. Always taking more than you can chew.
AGBAYANI
Tasty meat.
FIONN
It’s nice to meet more members of the Lumahan species. My name is Fionn.
ANGARA
He’s cute. Like a helpless baby.
AGBAYANI
Soft skin. Thin skin.
TALAO swipes at AGBAYANI and ANGARA.
TALAO
Back! Back off, ya’ slimy eggsacks. My prey. Mine!
GALOS enters, screaming at TALAO. GALOS has little self-confidence, but HE makes up a lack of bite for bark. HE has no problems defending HIMSELF from any foe, but HE lacks the bravery to initiate an actual attack. HE carries a long sword.
GALOS
Nothing is yours, Talao. How many times do we have to tell you? Yours is ours.
ANGARA
Ours is ours.
AGBAYANI
Yours is mine.
TALAO, surrounded by all three, realizes SHE cannot defend HERSELF and backs away from FIONN in shameful defeat. The OTHERS close in for the kill.
FIONN
I’m happy to meet more of Talao’s friends, but like him, I will inform you that I cannot be harmed, much less eaten. I apologize.
ANGARA and GALOS laugh.
ANGARA
Everything can be harmed, deary. If it bleeds, it dies.
GALOS
If it dies, we can eat it.
FIONN
I must contradict you, once again. I cannot be harmed.
ANGARA
Won’t mind if we try, will you?
FIONN
If you must, although I’m a little disappointed in your attraction towards physical confrontation.
FIONN stretches HIS arms out, waiting for the strikes.
FIONN
Strike away.
As ANGARA and GALOS size up FIONN, AGBAYANI takes out HIS weapons in a flash and attempts to cut into FIONN’s chest from behind. The LUMAHAN expect a bloodbath, but FIONN remains unharmed.
GALOS
What?!
ANGARA
His flesh is clean.
AGBAYANI
No blood?
TALAO
[Laughing] Big predators. All scary and mean. [Laughs; to AGBAYANI] Ya’ should check yer’ blades. Going dull in yer’ old age?
TALAO laughs, and angry AGBAYANI grabs TALAO’s hand (the one without the blade) and cuts it. TALAO screams, and GALOS and ANGARA laugh.
AGBAYANI
It cuts. [To FIONN] Why not you? You don’t cut. Why?
FIONN
Because I will it not to be harmed.
GALOS
Will what?
ANGARA
The “will”, sweetie. Not “will do”.
GALOS
Will do what?
AGBAYANI
[Roars to shut THEM up; Staring FIONN down] What you? Lumahan? Not Lumahan?
FIONN
You are correct. I am not a Lumahan. I’m a foreigner to your world. Umm, from above the sky.
ANGARA
You’re a star child?
GALOS
He doesn’t shine like a star.
FIONN
I’m not a star, but my spacecraft does travel between them.
AGBAYANI
A god?
FIONN
No, definitely not. Although I may have abilities which might rival your folktales, I am definitely not a god. I want to put that to rest right now.
AGBAYANI
Not god.
FIONN
No.
AGBAYANI
Predator.
FIONN
I’m not that, either.
GALOS
Prey?
FIONN
Sorry, no.
ANGARA
What are you?
TALAOS runs up to FIONN.
TALAO
He’s mine. He said so. I’m gonna give him to Daco. Daco will be my friend.
GALOS and ANGARA laugh.
TALAO
He will!
AGBAYANI throws TALAOS to the ground, and then HE puts away HIS knives.
AGBAYANI
No. I take to Daco. My prey.
FIONN
I’ll agree to that, so long as you please do not harm Talao anymore. Agreed?
AGBAYANI
No!
AGBAYANI throws down TALAO (who was trying to get back up). HE takes out HIS knives again.
AGBAYANI
My gift to Daco. Only mine!
FIONN
No!
AGBAYANI moves to strike TALAO as FIONN touches HIS chest.
SFX: a low electronic buzz.
AGBAYANI is frozen in place. TALAO, once realizing that SHE will not be struck, scurries away. GALOS and ANGARA inspect AGBAYANI.
GALOS
Is he dead?
ANGARA
A death I’ve never seen before.
FIONN
No, he is not dead.
GALOS and ANGARA moves away from FIONN in fear.
ANGARA
He does not move. He doesn’t breathe or attack. Is he real?
GALOS
He’s dead.
FIONN
No. Merely frozen in time and space. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t allow him to harm Talao on my account. I’ll return him to normal now.
FIONN touches HIS chest again.
SFX: The buzz goes away.
AGBAYANI’s blow follows through, but HE is shaken by the experience. HE backs away from FIONN, but not as far away as the OTHERS.
Beat.
FIONN
I won’t hurt you. I promise. I only want to talk to your leader. That’s all. My name is Fionn.
FIONN holds out HIS hand, and the others draw back.
FIONN
Right, right. Sorry. What are your names? Let’s start with you, please.
Half-beat.
AGBAYANI
Agbayani.
FIONN
I think I heard it before already, but I appreciate you telling it to me all the same. And you?
GALOS
My name’s Galos. You’re not going to eat us?
FIONN
No. You’re safe. And you? What’s your name?
ANGARA
I’m Angara, and you’re…unusual. I like unusual.
FIONN
So do I. Now, could you please introduce me to your leader? I’d like to talk to him as soon as possible.
Beat.
Will anyone show me the way?
AGBAYANI grabs TALAO and throws HER in front of the OTHERS.
AGBAYANI
Her.
TALAO
Me?! Guess I can. Yer’ not goin’ to kill me?
FIONN
[Exhales] I promise.
TALAO
Then…I’ll take you to Daco. [To OTHERS] My gift!
GALOS
Yes. Your gift. Not ours.
TALAO takes some pride in HER situation, but still remains cautious of FIONN.
TALAO
Ya’ follow me there. No playing tricks.
TALAO exits, and ALL exit with HER; TALAO first, FIONN second, and the OTHERS following defensively as a group.
END ACT I, SCENE I
ACT I, SCENE II
A fast paced drumbeat can be heard. A grand throne made of driftwood and/or coral is resting upstage.
YSIP (OS)
Thief!
SABACAN (OS)
Ha-ha! Lost your pa-ges! Did someone take them from you?
SABACAN scurries upon the stage, quickly turning around to see HER victim chase HER. SABACAN is greedy, small-minded, and an excellent thief. While some predators attack straight out, SABACAN moves in quickly, takes a bite, and runs away as quickly as possible and later laughs about it. SHE has a small dagger which SHE keeps in HER hands almost always.
YSIP enters, following SABACAN with a determined eye. YSIP is a deeply introspective creature of the deep waters, and HER wisdom is greatly valued by the tribe. To look into HER eyes is to see a cold, monstrous intellect birthed in darkness. SHE carries a knife and a small book at HER side.
TIGAS enters, HE is the one who’s banging on the drum, and is careful to stay far away from the fight, yet close enough to watch. TIGAS is a coward, but a well defended one. Unable to truly hunt for HIMSELF, HE has become a sort of merchant, sharpening HIS powers of persuasion and manipulation. HE carries a sack on HIS back and a small knife on HIS side.
RINGOR quietly follows, making no sudden movements to attract attention. RINGOR prefers the camouflage of darkness, for it best resembles the color of HIS spirit. HE survives by silently observing others and striking only when no one is looking. HE carries with him a long knife HE usually hides from sight.
YSIP
Give those back, or I will shred you open and feed you to scavengers!
SABACAN
You have to catch me first. And if you do, I’ll eat your pretty pictures, and you’ll never get them back.
YSIP
I’ll carve a hole in your stomach and rip them out of you!
YSIP chases SABACAN.
SABACAN
Then I’ll chew them up over and over and over and over--
DACO (OS)
SHUT UP!
TIGAS stops drumming, and ALL stand still.
DACO enters. SHE is the behemoth of these dark waters, huge in power and in size. SHE moves slowly, HER steps are like thunder, and HER temper hot as magma. Yet, SHE is also quite a lazy, tired beast. SHE carries no weapon.
Beat.
DACO sits down on HER throne.
DACO
Why make all this noise? Why wake Daco up?
Beat.
Speak!
SABACAN
[Pointing to YSIP] It was her. Her! She was yelling and screaming and fighting. Not me.
YSIP
You liar. You stole from me pages from my book. The book of the Ancients, which only I keep. I am the Storykeeper. Not you!
SABACAN
Then why do I have this?
SABACAN
Can’t catch me! Can’t catch me! Can’t catch me! Can’t catch me!
DACO has had enough of this. SHE gets up and moves into SABACAN’s way, who then runs into DACA and falls on HER back. DACO then picks up SABACAN with one hand.
DACO
Did you steal…[Takes away page from SABACAN] from YSIP?
Half-beat.
DACO
Answer Daco!
YSIP
He did. He t
ook it from me when I was hunting.
DACO drops SABACAN. SHE then sits on HER throne to think. TIGAS carefully walks up to DACO.
TIGAS
Daco, your leadership, would you like some jellies to calm your nerves? Jellies, jellies?
DACO
Yes, Tigas. Give me some jellies.
TIGAS gets out a bag full of small candy-like food and gives it to DACO. DACO begins to eat them.
TIGAS
See how nice I am to you, Daco? You’ll remember how nice I am to you later, yes?
Irritated DACO grunts at TIGAS, who quickly moves away from DACO.
DACO
You lost page, Ysip?
YSIP
It was stolen from me.
DACO
You lost it!
SABACAN
I stole it.
DACO
Shut up! [To YSIP] You lost the page, a page from book of Storykeepers. You get it back, or be Storykeeper no more.
SABACAN
What about me?
DACO
Sabacan, you kill Ysip, you are new Storykeeper.
SABACAN
You mean I get book full of pictures? [To YSIP] I took one page. I’ll take the rest now.
YSIP
Thief, you stole from me, and now I will steal your life.
DACO
Begin!
TIGAS begins drumming in a more serious and slower beat. SABACAN and YSIP take out their weapons and start circling EACH OTHER.
FIONN, AGBAYANI, TALAO, GALOS, and ANGARA enter.
FIONN
What is happening here? Some sort of ritual?
TALAO
Aw, a fight’s goin’ down here!
ANGARA
Oh, goodie. I haven’t smelt blood all day long.
FIONN
A fight? What are they fighting for?
GALOS
Who knows and who cares? One dies and one lives, and that’s the way.
FIONN
It’s a fight to the death?!
DACO
Shut up!
AGBAYANI poises HIS blades at FIONN to keep HIM silent.
SABACAN darts for YSIP, but YSIP quickly dodges and trips SABACAN. SABACAN falls to the ground. ALL laugh.
TALAO
Fall over yer’ own legs, did ya?
ANGARA
Maybe he’s lucky and fell on his knife.
SABACAN stands up.
SABACAN
You shut up, or you’ll be next!
ALL laugh. SABACAN poises for another attack, and YSIP is ready.
YSIP
Ready for another blow?
SABACAN
Dieeeeeeeeeee—
SABACAN darts one way, and then the other. This change of path allows SABACAN to cut YSIP’s side. YSIP groans, but keeps HER focus. The smell of blood tempts the LOMAHAN’s primal natures, and THEY are being worked up into frenzy.
AGBAYANI
Blood.
ANGARA
It smells so sweet.
SABACAN
I got you! I got you! Ha-ha-ha! I got you!
SABACAN looks to the OTHERS for affirmation of HER pride, and that is when YSIP strikes SABACAN across the back with the knife. SABACAN falls to the ground. ALL laugh.
YSIP
I got your back.
TIGAS
With the knife I sold her, too.
SABACAN and YSIP go back to circling EACHOTHER.
FIONN
This is monstrous.
ANGARA
It is, isn’t it?
FIONN
Will someone demand that this spectacle of brutality end?
TALAO
When one dies. And we eat the loser.
FIONN
You what?
AGBAYANI
We eat.
SABACAN rushes towards YSIP and throws strike after strike at YSIP, but hits nothing. YSIP trips SABACAN and then swipes HER over and over again with HER knife. SABACAN tries to get up, but each time YSIP strikes HER to the ground.
ALL (except FIONN and DACO)
Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!
FIONN
Someone stop this! Please!
ALL ignore FIONN and repeat THEIR chant. YSIP closes in on SABACAN, jumps on HER back, and starts choking HER.
I can’t let this happen.
FIONN moves towards the fighting duo, but AGBAYANI and GALOS each take one of FIONN’s arms.
GALOS
Can’t do your magic when you can’t move your hands, can you?
FIONN
What? Why? Why are you letting this happen? [To YSIP] Let her live!
YSIP doesn’t pay attention. Eventually, SABACAN loses consciousness and stops moving. YSIP lets go, and SABACAN’s corpse falls down dead. ALL cheer.
TIGAS
Horray for Ysip, the winner!
YSIP does not pay much attention to the cheering, but instead walks up to DACO.
YSIP
My page?
DACO chuckles, and hands over the page to YSIP, who puts it in HER book.
FIONN
He’s dead.
TALAO
Yes. And now, we eat.
ALL
[Rising in volume] Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat!
ALL except DACO, FIONN, AGBAYANI, and RINGOR (who stays in the shadows) lift the body of SABACAN and take it offstage. FIONN walks over to the location of SABACAN’s death and is lost on the brutality HE just witnessed.
FIONN
Monstrous.
DACO
Who is that? Agbayani, bring him here.
FIONN is in moral shock, and AGBAYANI pushes HIM over closer to DACO. DACO, not sure what to make of this new creature, stands up and takes in a closer look.
DACO
You’re not Lumahan.
FIONN
What?
DACO
Not Lumahan. What are you?
AGBAYANI
From sky. The stars.
DACO growls and keeps observing. FIONN walks over to the spot where SABACAN was killed.
FIONN
Why? What crime did he commit to deserve this?
DACO
He stole…and couldn’t keep his prize.
FIONN
Are you really going to eat him?
DACO
Why not eat him? His meat will rot if we don’t.
FIONN
Monstrous.
DACO looks at AGBAYANI to see if HE has more understanding of this strange creature.
DACO
Why did Agbayani let you live?
FIONN
Huh? Oh. I kept him from it.
DACO
How?
AGBAYANI
Magic.
DACO
Magic? He’s a witch?
FIONN
I suppose that’s the best way to explain it for now. I came here…I came here to give you something. A gift.
DACO
No.
FIONN
No?
DACO
I’m hungry now. Gifts later. Come. You’ll eat with us. You’ll be Daco’s guest.
FIONN
Thank you. Thank you.
Half-beat.
AGBAYANI pushes FIONN.
AGBAYANI
Move.
FIONN
Okay. Alright.
FIONN walks offstage, and DACO and AGBAYANI follow.
RIGNOR walks into the light, never moving HIS eyes away from FIONN. A cold wind can be felt in the soul.
Beat.
RINGOR exits.
END ACT I, SCENE II
ACT I, SCENE III
SFX: The sound of water boiling. A repetitive, slow chopping can be heard, but it cannot be distinguished from a knife against a board and the shutting of a toothy mouth.
The chair remains, but now it is in front of a long table surrounded by lesser chairs.
DACO
is the first to enter, followed by ALL the others. DACO waits at the head of the table as the others line up. On the right from upstage to downstage: AGBAYANI, ANGARA, RINGOR, and an empty chair for SABACAN. On the left from upstage to downstage: TIGAS, YSIP, an empty chair for GALOS, and TALAO. FIONN stands politely to the side.
DACO sits down. After a moment, the others start to sit.
DACO
No! Fionn is Daco’s guest. Guest of honor. He sits by Daco. Tigas, move.
TIGAS
Are you sure, my leader, you sure? If you move me, I might not be able to advise you as I normally do—
AGBAYANI growls at TIGAS.
TIGAS
[To YSIP] Well…move.
AGBAYANI
No! You take Sabacan’s seat.
TIGAS
But…[To DACO] My leader—
DACO
Do it!
TIGAS holds HIS head down and scurries over to the empty seat. ALL chuckle except for RINGOR and FIONN.
DACO
[To FIONN] Sit.
FIONN
Thank you.
DACO
Galos! Meat! Meat now!
GALOS (OS)
It’s coming!
FIONN
Daco, although I do appreciate your hospitality very much, I must inform you that I in good conscience can’t and will not—
GALOS (OS)
Here it is! Sabacan on a plate!
GALOS enters holding a big dish of random cooked meats. It should look more like the odds and ends rather than a well-cooked turkey. The table growls with much anticipation. GALOS is quick in dropping the dish in the middle of the table. The LUMAHAN all reach for the meat quickly, and DACO punches AGBAYANI and steals HIS meat. AGBAYANI steals from ANGARA, but before SHE can attack AGBAYANI, RINGOR throws HIS piece at HER and gets another.
FIONN watches with controlled uneasiness. TALAO notices.
TALAO
Why aren’t ya’ eating?
FIONN
Talao, as I was about to tell Daco, I cannot eat this.
TALAO
Why? You full?
FIONN
No. On the contrary, I have absolutely no need to consume any living thing.
YSIP
You don’t eat meat?
FIONN
No.
Silence. ALL stop eating.
ANGARA
And you’re alive? How?
FIONN
Science. [Half-beat] Magic, if you will. My race, my species, my…tribe? My tribe has evolved to the point where we no longer need to consume other living creatures.
YSIP
Then what do you eat?
FIONN
Nothing, actually.
Beat.
RINGOR
Then how do know who you are?
FIONN
I’m not sure I understand….I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.
RINGOR
Ringor.
FIONN
Hello, Ringor.
RINGOR
How do you know who you are?
YSIP
We define who we are by what we eat. Today, we eat Sabacan. We are the eaters of Sabacan. Our tribe’s name is Pangan. The Eaters of All.
LUMAHAN
Eaters of all! Eaters of all!
FIONN
Couldn’t you define yourselves by your individuality rather than your eating habits?
Beat.
TALAO
Is he talking crazy, or are my ears full with wax again?
YSIP
We eat. That’s who we are. It’s the Law of the Lumahan.
FIONN
Laws? You have laws?
DACO
We follow the laws, and we survive.
FIONN
Mind telling me what those laws are?
DACO thumps the table with HER fist twice.
DACO
Ysip, speak the laws.
YSIP stands up and backs away from the table. SHE takes the visage of a holy priest as SHE recites the laws.
YSIP
The Ten Laws of the Lumahan. The first law.
LUMAHAN
Eat or be Eaten.
YSIP
The second law.
LUMAHAN
Only the strongest spawn.
YSIP
The third law.
LUMAHAN
Find weakness and kill it.
YSIP
The fourth law.
LUMAHAN (except TALAO and GALOS, who have forgotten and trail behind)
Fools die alone.
YSIP
The fifth law.
LUMAHAN (except TALAO and GALOS)
Defend your territory, or lose it.
YSIP
The sixth law.
LUMAHAN (except TALAO, GALOS, and ANGARA)
The tribe must survive.
YSIP
The seventh law.
LUMAHAN (except TALAO, GALOS, ANGARA, and AGBAYANI)
Leaders must accept every challenge.
YSIP
The eight law.
RINGOR, DACO, TIGAS, and YSIP
Respect the old stories.
YSIP
The ninth law.
RINGOR, DACO, and YSIP
To flee is to be prey.
YSIP
The tenth law.
DACO thumps HER fist on the table.