Page 45 - Big Idea

The Big Idea – Act 2

These leaders regularly mobilize the men
To fight with men of other groups over women,
Or territory or some supposed insult.

Thus I recognize two forces of destruction
Requiring of us a great deal of our labor
To reconstruct repeatedly what they’ve destroyed.

WOMAN 2: But it’s always been like that; isn’t it our natural
condition to be at the mercy of the elements and ill-tempered men?

CLOWN 1: All ways: is that a direction in time or space?

HALFWIT 1: Space?

CLOWN 1: No ways.

HALFWIT 1: Time?

CLOWN 1: Always.

INTELLECTUAL: Come off it, you two. Let the man say his piece.
He hasn’t earned your disrespect—yet.

UTOPIAN: Thank you.

Now, this lady has stated the objection
That somehow things never change for better or worse;
But the forces I’ve described can vary widely.

Anyone who’s old enough and can remember,
Knows there have been brief periods when living conditions
Were quite a bit more pleasant or painful than now.

I think if we can develop a clear picture
In our minds of the kind of life we want to lead,
Then together we’ll find ways of achieving it.

That common objective—I’m certain you’ll agree—
Is a campsite of maximum security,
Where disturbing factors are carefully controlled;

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