Page 43 - Big Idea

The Big Idea – Act 2

UTOPIAN: (approaches from rear of stage) Ah, my friend! I am glad
to see you here today. I didn’t know if you would come to something
so, well, how can I put it?—political.

INTELLECTUAL: Indeed, it is not my intent to get personally
involved with your schemes; certainly not, if I judge them to be
founded upon faulty assumptions about the nature of things, human
and otherwise.

UTOPIAN: Well put, as always. I cannot understand your lack of
enthusiasm, but you haven’t heard my plan yet. After you perceive
the beauty of it, you may turn into one of its most ardent supporters.

INTELLECTUAL: What can I say? I am ready to hear it all.

UTOPIAN: And I am ready to tell it all. (he leaps up on rock
platform, stage right) Attention, everyone! It seems as though
everyone is here who was willing and able to attend, so I may as well
begin. Here is what I want to do: first I will present a proposal to
you; then we can all discuss it for a while; then, finally, we can decide
if we want to act upon that proposal. I promise you it won’t take
long; I know you all have things to do back down by the river.

WOMAN 1: You would, too, if you had a woman. (others laugh)

ENTREPRENEUR: Yes, yes, let’s get on with it. I have some very
valuable merchandise that needs my personal attention.

WOMAN 3: He means his mud is drying out. (others laugh)

RIVAL 2: (to RIVAL 1; both on edge of group, stage left) Look,
they’re all laughing. Nobody’s going to take him seriously.

RIVAL 1: Don’t be so sure. If they weren’t in a good mood, they
wouldn’t listen to him at all.

UTOPIAN: Now here is what I want to say:

Some of you may find me lazy or a dreamer:
But what in fact is going on inside my head
Is a search for easier ways of doing things.

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