Page 50 - Big Idea

The Big Idea – Act 2

DEFEATIST: Well, that’s true, isn’t it? But I don’t care if you mind
me or not.

WOMAN 1: Answer the question!

UTOPIAN: All right, though this is getting ahead of what I thought
we should be discussing.

HALFWIT 1: Ah! First discussing, then deciding, then meeting.

WOMAN 1: Who asked you? Why don’t you go somewhere with
more light, and count your fingers and toes?

UTOPIAN: Please, people. Let’s keep this nice and friendly. (more
muttering; WOMAN 1 shoves HALFWIT 1, who shoves back)

RIVAL 2: That did it, boss! Now they’re at each other’s throats.

UTOPIAN: Listen! If you decide to follow my suggestion, then you
won’t have any more need to consult our dear old chief; he is no
better at organizing or administering a new kind of society than any
of you. Of course, he’d prefer to keep us all in his group; we take care
of him, and he can tyrannize us with impunity. But what do you get
out of staying?

WOMAN 4: A lot of abuse.

CLOWN 1: Leftovers.

ENTREPRENEUR: Unfair seizures of property.

INTELLECTUAL: Irrationality.

DEFEATIST: The same old routine: confrontation, migration, and
starvation.

HALFWIT 1: Who is the chief?

RIVAL 2: Uh-oh.

UTOPIAN: Compare what you now give to what you get: endless
labor, suffering and uncertainty, in exchange for dubious protection
from other men and the elements. I’m proposing we put it all
together differently, so the benefits and obligations are more evenly
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