Name

– Rabiul Islam

 

[He wakes up in the middle of the stage, sits down, rubs his eyes and yawns. A wanderer comes in from the right and stops upon seeing the sleepy man.]

 

Wanderer: Who are you?

 

Person: I’m .. (fumbles and tries to recollect widening mouth and scratching his head.

 

Wanderer: Don’t you know who you are?

 

Person: It seems, (gulps for a moment) given the situation here, that .. (stammers), that I must know my name, and as a rule (coughs) I must produce it instantly (coughing continues).

Wanderer: Yes, and what might that be?

 

Person: Um, (Takes a few seconds). Flesh.

 

Wanderer: What! Are you out of your mind?

 

Person: Are you?

 

Wanderer: No, that’s why I asked you. Who named you Flesh?

 

Person: I named myself. What’s your name? (Bows his head and yawns) And why are you asking for my identity?

Wanderer: I woke up and found you on my way to work. I’m a barber, and people call me Nag.

 

Person: Hm. Certainly. I guess it’s time to answer to the gravitational forces (farts). Would you mind? (Starts unbuttoning his pants and holds zipper).

 

Wanderer: Oh, no no no no. You can’t do that here! (Point index finger to his pants)

 

Person: Why not? Of course, I can. (Unzips and pulls his pants down).

 

Wanderer: Hey! Goddamn you! Go by the pool you prick, and wash up! Nonsense! (Walks off, and exits to the left).

 

[Pulls his pants up, buttons up and zips. Tries to contemplate looking at the fingers, dangles and waves them, and again concentrates. Opens his bag and takes out a stone. Sucks it and again puts it in the bag. Another wanderer comes in and observes.]

 

2nd Wanderer: Hey, what are you doing?

 

Person: Breakfast (without looking up).

 

2nd Wanderer: With a rock? Who are you?

 

Person: (Dreamily looks at the questioner and yawns).

 

2nd Wanderer:  I said, who are you? (Curves his brows and approaches closer, then squeezes his nose) You piece of dirt! What are these in your bag?

 

Person: (Opens his bag and takes out another stone and offers it to the wanderer).

 

2nd Wanderer: (Backing two steps promptly holding his nose with contempt and disgust) I don’t want a rock, take it back!

 

Person: (Puts the stone inside the bag).

 

2nd Wanderer: You didn’t say what your name was. What’s your name?

 

Person: Let’s see. (Taps his chin with his right-hand index finger). I, (fumbles and tries to recollect again). 2nd Wanderer: Are you mad?

 

Person: Bones.

 

2nd Wanderer: Nonsense!

 

Person: It is still better than Flesh. (Caresses his left and right hand).

 

2nd Wanderer: What? Preposterous! (Spits and paces towards the left exit.

 

[First wanderer comes in from left and stops after looking at the man still sitting there.]

 

1st Wanderer: Did you clean yourself? (Says harshly keeping distance).

 

Person: Did I? Who are you? (Shuts his eyes and sways from left and to the right).

 

1st Wanderer: I’m Nag, and I told you when I left from here. Are you meditating? (Comes closer and examines, then backs off in the previous place with disgust).

 

Person: Hm. (Says dreamily closing his eyes).

 

1st Wanderer: Do you want something? Like food or anything?

 

Person: (Opens his eyes slowly and looks for the wanderer. Slightly jerks himself after seeing him.) You look just as I’ve thought.

 

1st Wanderer: Curse you, you saw me going from here and we talked. So, tell me, do you or do you not need anything? If yes, then maybe I can bring it to you when I get back.

 

Person: (Shuts his eyes again, begins to sway and reopens) You are and yet you are not. I’m your creator! (Says happily).

 

1st Wanderer: Dumb ass! (Walks off promptly to the right exit).

 

[Opens his bag and brings out a sharp-edged stone. Makes rashes in his left hand and caresses it with his fingers. A dog’s bark catches him off guard. The stone edge leaves a wound from where he starts to bleed. He tries to moisten the cut with his saliva and the 2nd wanderer enters from the left.]

 

2nd Wanderer: Still not done with breakfast?

 

Person: (Doesn’t make eye contact with wanderer and continues caressing the scar.)

 

2nd Wanderer: Did you remember your name, you ass?

 

Person: (Takes a deep breath and tries to find the speaker. Looks at him and blinks slowly).

 

2nd Wanderer: (Starts to walk off to the right exit and stops hearing a sudden answer from the man).

 

Person: It’s Blood.

 

2nd Wanderer: What? (Looks back at him with a frown).

 

Person: My name.