Scene 1
CLOUD and ROCK are talking to each other while rain falls around them.
CLOUD
What a sorry excuse for a storm.
The novices are playing.
ROCK
Let them play. They do no harm.
I have been whirled into the eye of a storm.
Who are you to predict what will happen?
The eye was kind. It was the color blue.
CLOUD
Your eye is gray.
ROCK
I have no eye;
describe yourself to me.
CLOUD
I could do much better.
I could make it so no one came out.
This is a whimpering storm.
We must end the reign of umbrellas!
ROCK
You are an interesting friend. Are there more of you?
I prefer not to think so.
CLOUD
There are many more of me. I am never alone.
ROCK
CLOUD
Who are you to predict what will happen?
Scene 2
BUSH and LAMP are talking to each other while the storm continues on.
BUSH
I am refreshed.
LAMP
My lightbulb despairs.
Abandoned.
BUSH
A wonderful word.
LAMP
Then you are lost too!
BUSH
No, I know nothing of abandonment or adventure.
Who am I to predict what will happen?
I am patted on the head by children,
perched upon by birds,
tended to by weary gardeners.
LAMP
Then you have never been in a storm before?
BUSH
I am new, practically a child.
But even I know that this
is a sorry excuse for a storm.
LAMP
You are cruel.
Who are you to predict what will happen?
Already my light goes out.
I am crushed.
I am ruined.
Goodbye, self.
Who will use me now?
Am I meant to be alone?
To rot?
I am cheap plastic.
I have no name,
just like a canine tooth.
BUSH
Are you really so alone?
Who are you to predict what will happen?
Scene 3
SEAGULL perches above OCEAN and watches waves crash onto the sand.
SEAGULL
You are angry.
Caw caw.
OCEAN
I will not be manipulated
by this sorry excuse for a storm.
SEAGULL
Who are you to predict what happens?
OCEAN
I know, I know it all!
I contain so much life.
It speaks to me every day.
But it is silent now.
It is afraid, like I am afraid.
I cannot stop dancing!
SEAGULL
Shall I go perch on a car hood?
OCEAN
Stay with me.
SEAGULL
Or shall I knock on the door of a brownstone with my beak?
OCEAN
Stay with me.
SEAGULL
If I stay, I will be swept up into your depths.
OCEAN
Stay with me, hovering high if you must.
SEAGULL
I will stay to keep you happy.
OCEAN
I will still be sad.
SEAGULL
I will stay to be your friend.
OCEAN
I will still be lonely.
SEAGULL
Will you?
Who are you to predict what will happen?
Scene 4
CLOUD, ROCK, BUSH, LAMP, SEAGULL, and OCEAN are all together.
LAMP
Bush, how have you moved? You are rooted into the ground.
BUSH
I move my mind, and my bird-pecked body has no choice but to go with it.
ROCK
A sad body makes for a sad mind.
CLOUD
Who are you to predict what happens?
SEAGULL
Stop with your silly phrases!
OCEAN
A family reunion in the midst of this sorry excuse for a storm.
SEAGULL
I would shake your hands, but I have none!
(The whole party titters.)
OCEAN
Do not be sorry, for I cannot stop dancing!
LAMP
Then I shall introduce myself, and you, too.
CLOUD
No need, no need for such formalities!
ROCK
Inside life has corrupted you.
BUSH
Yes, we are natural.
LAMP
I feel the need to expel someone.
BUSH
Expel yourself, then!
CLOUD
Expel from what?
OCEAN
The sky.
ROCK
A life without sky . . .
SEAGULL
A lonely life.
ROCK
Let us dance!
OCEAN
I already do so. I have predicted what will happen. The sea creatures talk to me again.
CLOUD
I will not dance in this sorry excuse for a storm.
LAMP
We are cruel.
SEAGULL
Even together, we are nothing.
EVERYONE TOGETHER
Yes, who are we to predict what will happen?
