At rise: MESSENGER walks across the stage
into a spotlight, stops, crouches down, places
the tip of his elbow on the ground with
forearm raised allowing the drums to “pass
through” him, and says the following:

MESSENGER
Hold firm the reins of my tongue, Oh ancestors;
guide my words as they come forth,
that they may follow and respect their natural order.

(He stands up and addresses the audience.)

And, if I am wrong, do not forget that, like you,
I live on a handful of millet, a mouthful of water,
and fresh air.

(He turns to exit, then turns back.)

Oh. Also.
There are many persons in the person of every person.

(Lights fade to black with a few lingering drum beats and cicadas.)

Scene: Outside. Egypt. Day. The sound of birds.

At rise: NIKAULE and ASHER lie on the
ground, chins in hands, facing each other as MESSENGER looks on, conducting their dialogue from atop a pedastal.

NIKAULE
I love you love you love you love you love you.

ASHER
I love you love you love you love you love you.

NIKAULE
You more.

ASHER
No, you.

NIKAULE
You you you you you.

ASHER
You and me.

NIKAULE
You and me.

ASHER
You and me.

NIKAULE
Look, Asher.
The sky is moving fast. The clouds are racing.
It’s going to happen tonight, isn’t it?

ASHER
What?

(They freeze.)

VOICE FROM ABOVE
(with MESSENGER mouthing along)
Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places.

MESSENGER
All these are the beginning of sorrows.

NIKAULE
We’re going to sleep in each other’s arms.

(They freeze again. MESSENGER jumps down from his pedestal.)