Page 35 - Big Idea

The Big Idea – Act 2

RIVAL 1: Hm. Perhaps I have underestimated you. Remember: I
know a lot more about power and its uses than you ever will. I can
sleep with one eye open and my spies are everywhere. I trust you, but
only because it is obvious you cannot get along without my
patronage.

RIVAL 2: Hey, go easy! I am your brother-in-law, after all.

DEFEATIST: (approaches RIVALS) Do you fellows know when
this thing is going to be over?

RIVAL1: What’s the matter with you? It hasn’t even started yet.

DEFEATIST: Uh, well, it doesn’t make any difference.

RIVAL 2: Why not?

DEFEATIST: It’s all a lot of talk. And talk is just noise, a noise like
tigers growling or frogs croaking or birds chirping.

RIVAL 2: Ah, you’re crazy. You sure you’re not one of those
nitwits? (points to HALFWITS)

DEFEATIST: Who cares? They make noise, too. Just like you.

RIVAL 2: Why, I ought to knock your block off!

RIVAL 1: Hold on, there. I’ll you who to bash—and when.

DEFEATIST: Go ahead, hit me. It’s of no importance whatsoever.

RIVAL 1: What are you talking about? Why doesn’t anything have
any effect on you?

DEFEATIST: Why should I bother telling you? Nothing really
matters to anybody, even though you don’t think so.

RIVAL 1: Well, if it doesn’t matter, then why shouldn’t you tell us?

DEFEATIST: All right. There certainly isn’t anything better to do. I
used to be like you, interested in this and that, talking endlessly,
raising my hopes, getting them dashed, swinging up and down on my
emotions like a monkey on a vine. Then it slowly dawned on me that
all the other animals manage to exist without any explanation or
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