Young Writers Society

Scene 1

[The stage is completely dark besides one light in the center. MAMMA walks into and waits for the crowd to settle down]

MAMMA: This is my home. My woods. My domain. Everything here belongs to me. This is my food, and these [Lights up on the rest of the stage revealing the entire cast, frozen] are my children. Every last one of them is special to me in some way, some how. This [She walks up to PETER] is Peter. Peter came to my home when he was just ten. So young…they just grow up so fast. This [She walks behind RYAN and LUCINDA] Is Ryan, Peter’s very best friend. Next to him here is Lucinda, a girl with lots of *ehem* spunk, if that’s the right word. She often needs to be reminded that you catch a lot more flies with sugar than you do with spice. [She walks over to the other side behind the children, SUMMER and ANDY] On this side of the line we have the young children, Summer and Andy. So innocent, so sweet. They’ll grow up and be big and strong one day, but for now, they must be protected and nurtured. [She stands behind the twins, BRIAR and BRYNN] These two here are the twins, Briar and Brynn. The two of them couldn’t be more different, but I’ve never seen closer sisters in all my days. And this… [She moves to TAWNY] oh, Lordy. This is Tawny, an interesting girl to say the least. She’s quite the character…quite the character indeed. [She returns center stage.] Two sides, but Mamma can only feed one. [The lights go out so only MAMMA can be seen] Oh, how it breaks my heart, but none of them have real parents of their own to love them and care for them. I am only one woman, and one woman can only handle so much. It breaks my heart, but only one side can live, and in my domain, only the strongest survive. [She walks offstage. The spotlight goes out. There is a slight pause, then the lights go back up to a battle between the cast. TAWNY and PETER fight with crude weapons center stage while BRIAR fends off LUCINDA and RYAN in order to defend her sister, BRYNN, who is guarding both of the young children, SUMMER and ANDY, from the initial fight]

TAWNY: Getting tired yet, Peter? I can see you sweating!

PETER: Not on your life.

TAWNY: My life. Please! You wish, Peter. Unfortunately for you, that’s just not going to happen.

PETER: And you’re so sure of that, why?

TAWNY: None of us are going down without a fight! Not today.

PETER: I’m stronger than you, Tawny. I’m much stronger than you. Don’t deny that.

TAWNY: Right. And whenever you decide to get over yourself, please feel free to let me know. Okay?

PETER: I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.

BRIAR: I could use some help over here!

LUCINDA: What’s the matter, baby? Nervous? Be careful, or else I’ll give you something to cry about!

RYAN: Now now, Luce. No need to get snappy. We’ll make quick work of this one.

BRIAR: Well aren’t you just hilarious!

TAWNY: What do you say, Peter? Are you just about done yet? [Rather than entertain her taunts, PETER instead gets TAWNY into a headlock and tightens his grip around her throat. Everybody else freezes, looking at them. She looks at him desperately, out of breath and terrified. They stare at each other for a few moments, unsure of how to react in the given situation. TAWNY cannot breathe. PETER finally releases the grip around her neck, and she tackles him to the ground with a spear pointing at his chest. Just as she is about to kill him, regardless of the fact that he just spared her, PETER knocks it away and scrambles to his feet.]

PETER: That’s it. This is crazy. Ryan! Lucinda! Retreat!

LUCINDA: WHAT? No! No! I’m not going anywhere!

PETER: I said RETREAT.

LUCINDA: But-!

RYAN: Don’t question it. Just go! [The three of them exit, leaving SUMMER, ANDY, BRIAR, and BRYNN, The team gives each other high fives as they go back to their base together. Tawny remains for a few moments, looking off in PETER’s direction. She mouths the words “thank you,” then catches up with the rest of her group]

[Scene]

Scene 2

[The battle has just ended. PETER and RYAN sit alone in the base on the right side of the stage. In the corner, RYAN sharpens a piece of wood into a spear while PETER attempts to start a fire. LUCINDA, who must have fallen behind at some point, enters, and she is extremely unhappy.]

LUCINDA: Would you mind telling me what the HELL I was just looking at?

PETER: Luce-

LUCINDA: Hey, you know what? Keep your mouth shut! I’m not even close to being done with you, yet. For Christ’ sake, Peter! Do you have any idea how pissed off I am at you?

PETER: Lucinda, just who do you think you’re talking to right now?

LUCINDA: A Goddamn idiot, that’s who! You had her, Peter! You could have killed her right there! If you hadn’t acted like a moron Tawny would be dead right now! Tawny would be dead and her little pets would be scrambling. Mamma would have been coming to our side with our food for our win! What’s the matter with you? What happened? Are you getting soft on me? Is that it?

PETER: Luce, calm down…

LUCINDA: Don’t tell me to calm down! [She is growing angrier and more unmanageable by the second] What’s your problem? Are you really going to let your “feelings” [air quotes] get in the way of everything we’ve worked for? Everything we continue to work for?

PETER: You know just as well as I do that it’s not like that.

LUCINDA: Please. Did I forget to cover my stupid tattoo? I wasn’t born yesterday. How dumb do you think I am?

PETER: You don’t know what you’re talking about.

LUCINDA: Sure I do. Just ask Ryan.

RYAN: Don’t bring me into this.

LUCINDA: But you agree.

RYAN: Don’t go there, Lucinda.

PETER: Seriously. You’re treading in some very dangerous waters right now.

LUCINDA: Fine. [She throws her hands up] Fine. I see how it is. I’m going to bed. Just remember that we’re not blind. Decide where your loyalties lie, Peter. [Frustrated, she leaves]

RYAN: Looks like you’ve got quite the situation on your hands there, Peter…

PETER: Shut up, Ryan.

RYAN: Alright then. Seriously, though. You’ve got to straighten this thing out before it gets out of hand.

PETER: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

RYAN: Right.

PETER: Really.

RYAN: Okay! Okay, I got it. I understand.

PETER: There’s nothing to “get” or “understand” here, Ryan.

RYAN: Whatever you say, Peter. [Laughing, he is just about to exit, but turns around one more time] Lucinda’s right, though. We’re not blind. [He exits]

[Scene]

Scene 3

[TAWNY, BRIAR, BRYNN, and the children all walk into their base, triumphant with the joy of their recent victory. MAMMA will be coming soon and the girls need to “prepare,” in a sense for her arrival.]

BRYNN: This is fantastic! First time in weeks!

BRIAR: How about that, Tawny? [She has her back turned to them. TAWNY does not answer.]

BRYNN: Tawny?

TAWNY: Start a fire. Put the kids to bed.

BRYNN: But Mamma’s gonna be here soon. They should be awake when she gets here…

TAWNY: [Turning around] I said put them to bed.

BRYNN: [Tentatively, as she gathers the kids and ushers them offstage] C’mon, kids…time to go to sleep.

SUMMER: But, Brynn! I wanna meet Mamma!

ANDY: Yes! Mamma!

BRYNN: Shhh. Come on. It’s bedtime. You two will have plenty of food to eat in the morning. Okay?

SUMMER: But…

BRIAR: Listen to Brynn, Summer.

SUMMER: Okay, Briar. [Brynn exits offstage with both children]

TAWNY: Tell your twin that she needs to learn her place. Neither of you are allowed to defy me. Ever.

BRIAR: [Hesitantly] What’s gotten into you, Tawny?

TAWNY: What’s gotten into me? How about some sense! We almost died out there, Briar! We were that close to getting torn to pieces! Lucinda would have ripped your throat out!

BRIAR: Everyone is fine, though…

TAWNY: For now, yes, and no thanks to her! Face it, Briar. She’s weak. All Brynn did was sit there and hug the kids. Mamma’s gonna bring us something to eat, and we’ll be safe for maybe a week. If that. Point is, we’ve got a problem. They’re not going to stop until we’re completely out of the picture. Peter…he could’ve…

BRIAR: Could’ve killed you. I saw. But you overpowered him.

TAWNY: No, Briar. It’s not that simple.

BRIAR: Okay. Then he could’ve what? [BRYNN re-enters after putting the children to bed]

TAWNY: Never mind. It doesn’t matter.

BRIAR: Excuse me? Doesn’t matter? Peter is the enemy, here. If you know something that we don’t and you’re not telling us, well then-

TAWNY: Look. It doesn’t matter because he didn’t. He could’ve, but he didn’t. Okay? So stay out of it, because this doesn’t concern you. Besides, you wouldn’t understand, anyway. It’s…It’s complicated. [Silence] I’m going to bed. Wait for Mamma to come, and don’t forget who’s in charge here. [She turns to leave, but glares at BRIAR one last time.] I mean it. [TAWNY exits.]

BRIAR: [Shaking her head] She’s losing it, Brynn.

BRYNN: What makes you say that?

BRIAR: I don’t know. The pressure, I guess. It’s getting to her head. She’s crazy.

BRYNN: [Waving her off] Oh hush. You’re probably just imagining things. It was a long day, we’re all tired…

BRIAR: It’s not that she’s tired, Brynn! She’s batshit!

BRYNN: Briar, don’t say that! Please! [Pause] She’s all we’ve got.

BRIAR: Brynn, hear me out. We’re twins. There’s two of us.

BRYNN: …and?

BRIAR: And there’s only one of her.

BRYNN: [Gasping] Briar! You’re not suggesting…

BRIAR: That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.

BRYNN: We can’t betray her! Are you kidding? She’d be devastated! And the kids! What would happen to Summer and Andy? Peter, Ryan, and Lucinda- ESPECIALLY that Lucinda- would slaughter us! It would be just you and me versus them! [Pause] And you know, not even me, really. Since I’m too weak to be useful in that sense. You’re proposing a suicide mission right now. Killing Tawny is like killing all of us. [Pause] We need her.

BRIAR: Until she kills all of us herself. Right?

BRYNN: But, Briar-

BRIAR: She’s gonna end up hurting somebody. [Brynn is silent] There’s only one way to stop that from happening.

BRYNN: ...fine. Do whatever you’ve got to do. I’m going to sleep. It’s your turn to keep watch tonight, anyway.

BRIAR: Right.

BRYNN: Good night, Briar.

BRIAR: Good night, Brynn. [BRYNN exits, leaving BRIAR alone to fulfill her watch duties and wait for MAMMA to come]

[Scene]

Scene 4

[PETER sits in the main room of his base alone, pondering the day’s events. RYAN enters and sits next to him, well aware that his good friend is troubled by something. The two are like brothers, and understand each other.]

RYAN: What’s up, Peter?

PETER: Get out of here.

RYAN: Nah.

PETER: What do you want?

RYAN: You never went to bed.

PETER: Yeah?

RYAN: Why not?

PETER: No reason.

RYAN: Yeah. Okay. [He picks up a cigarette from the table and strikes a match to light it]

PETER: Put that out. Those things’ll kill you.

RYAN: [Offering PETER one as well] Can you really say that you care? [PETER stares at it for a moment, then accepts the cigarette and matchbook] A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Am I right?

PETER: Sure.

RYAN: Come on. Lighten up, Peter. You’re being such a downer. Is something really that bad that you need to act like this?

PETER: It’s really none of your business.

RYAN: Is it that time of the month? [PETER glares at him] Hey, I’m just messing with you. [PETER doesn’t stop.] Alright, alright. I got it. You’re not in a good mood. That’s fine. What’s the problem? Lady issues?

PETER: Do you even hear yourself when you talk?

RYAN: Sometimes. [He laughs] But seriously. What’s going on? Is it about Taw-

PETER: If you know what’s good for you, you won’t finish that sentence.

RYAN: What, Tawny? Is that it? [PETER doesn’t answer] Please. You’re acting like it wasn’t already painfully obvious.

PETER: No. Nothing’s going on with Tawny.

RYAN: Bullshit. Listen, I know this kind of thing when I see it.

PETER: Yeah, but you really don’t get it. I don’t think anybody really “gets it”

RYAN: And why is that?

PETER: Think about the situation. [RYAN pauses for a second]

RYAN: That could present a problem.

PETER: No kidding.

RYAN: Well, I’m sorry, but I really don’t know what to tell you.

PETER: I don’t know.

RYAN: You and everybody else. [PETER sighs and takes one last drag from his cigarette before putting it out]

PETER: What’s done is done. Nobody can change anything about it, so I guess I’ll just deal with it.

RYAN: You’re giving up that easily?

PETER: Is there really any other option?

RYAN: [Nodding] Good point. [He puts out his cigarette as well and stands up] I’m going back to sleep. Are you staying up all night? [PETER hesitates]

PETER: No, I’m coming. [He gets up as well. RYAN and PETER both exit. For a few moments, their base is empty. Enter LUCINDA. For a moment, she stands there, alone, then takes a seat. She is still for a few moments, absentmindedly playing with the cigarette butts in the ash tray, then puts her head in her hands. She heard the whole thing, and looks devastated]

[Scene]

Scene 5

[Lights up. BRIAR is nervously pacing back and forth, looking upset and distraught. Enter TAWNY]

TAWNY: What’s going on?

BRIAR: She never came.

TAWNY: What?

BRIAR: Mamma. She never came last night.

TAWNY: …shit. Go wake everybody else. I’ll find her. [Briar nods and exits reluctantly. Tawny beings trekking through the woods by herself to locate MAMMA] Hello? [There comes no response] Hello? [TAWNY is armed and extremely wary of her surroundings] Mamma? … Mamma!

MAMMA: [Offstage] Child, dear? Is that you?

TAWNY: Mamma! [She runs to where Mamma’s voice was heard, but finds herself lost again] It’s Tawny, Mamma! I’m here! [Enter MAMMA with a basket full of spoils, such as fruit, bread, vegetables, and assorted baked goods.]

MAMMA: Oh, child. You’re safe! [She hugs her tightly and pulls an apple out of the basket] Eat. You need your strength. [TAWNY looks at it carefully] Go ahead. Take it. [TAWNY takes the apple and eats it, obviously starving]

TAWNY: [With her mouth full] Where were you? Briar told me that you didn’t come last night. Did you get held up?

MAMMA: I’m here now. That’s the important part. Yes?

TAWNY: Yes. I suppose so…

MAMMA: Sit. Sit. Come talk to Mamma, child.

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma. [They both sit]

MAMMA: How are you, Tawny? Is everything is going well?

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma.

MAMMA: Good, good. That’s good. I trust the twins are doing fine as well? And the children?

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma. We’re all great.

MAMMA: All of you?

TAWNY: All of us.

MAMMA: Good.

TAWNY: Why, Mamma? Is everything okay?

MAMMA: Yes! Everything is okay. [She pauses] Do you know why I didn’t come to see you last night? [TAWNY shakes her head no. MAMMA pauses and shakes her head as well] Be careful, Tawny. With everybody. They’re not as loyal as you think they are. [Tawny sits up] The twins, I mean. Briar and Brynn. Just…watch your back. Those two…they have a bit of an. agenda. Don’t trust them. [TAWNY tries to scramble to her feet, but MAMMA grabs her and hugs her] Shhh…shhh. Don’t worry! Just keep a careful watch. I would hate to see anything happen to that pretty little face.

TAWNY: [Finally calming down] Yes, Mamma.

MAMMA: Good. Now take this back to them. They must be starving.

TAWNY: Feed people that I can’t trust?

MAMMA: Now don’t be silly, Tawny. You can’t trust anyone. [She gets up to leave, but turns back] Not even yourself. [She exits. TAWNY sits there for a moment, then gets up with the food basket and leaves. Enter RYAN and LUCINDA]

LUCINDA: I hate her.

RYAN: Luce…

LUCINDA: Don’t call me that. [Pause] She has everything, Ryan. Why does she have everything?

RYAN: Is there something you’d like to share? [She glares at him]

LUCINDA: Go back and tell Peter that she has the food now. We can get it from them later. Easily. [He obeys, then turns back]

RYAN: Are you coming?

LUCINDA: I’ll catch up to you. Just go. [Ryan nods and exits. LUCINDA walks over to where TAWNY and MAMMA were sitting and picks up the unfinished apple that TAWNY had left behind] You really do have it all, don’t you? [She pauses for a moment, then throws it offstage in the direction that Tawny left in a fit of rage. Whispers:] I hate you… [Exit]

[Scene]

Scene 6

[BRIAR is in the base, waiting anxiously for her sister. BRYNN enters, looking suspicious, nervous, and extremely unsure of her intentions. They share an uneasy glance]

BRIAR: Have you got the stuff? [BRYNN nods, revealing a fistful of berries] What are those?

BRYNN: You eat these, and you’ll be history in minutes. No one would suspect a thing.

BRIAR: Are you sure?

BRYNN: Yes. [BRIAR nods and picks up the tea kettle from the fire pit. She pours three cups. In the last cup, the girls crush the berries. Enter TAWNY, to which they poorly hide the evidence very hastily]

BRIAR/BRYNN: [Together, stumbling] Oh, hi!

TAWNY: [Suspicious] Hi…

BRYNN: We found some tea left over from the last time Mamma brought food. [Offers her the poisoned cup] I made you a cup. Want some?

TAWNY: [Nodding] Yeah…sure. [BRIAR and BRYNN both sip the tea. TAWNY just stares it at carefully. BRIAR and BRYNN freeze]

MAMMA: [Offstage] You can’t trust anyone… [TAWNY notices the poorly hidden berries on the table and grabs them]

TAWNY: …what are these? [Silence] WHAT ARE THESE? Did I freaking stutter? Answer me!

BRYNN: [Stammering] Just some berries, is all.

TAWNY: No. No they aren’t. I know what these are, and so do you. [She sniffs the liquid in the cup and determines that it is tainted] These…these are poison! You were trying to kill me!

BRYNN: What? No!

BRIAR: Tawny, calm down!

TAWNY: Calm down? I thought I told you to get her in check, Briar! You see what happens when this is a free for all? Look at what’s going on here! [She turns to Brynn] You. You two-timing, double-crossing, backstabbing, unfaithful bitch!

BRYNN: I swear I wasn’t! Really, Tawny!

TAWNY: Oh. And now you have the nerve to LIE TO MY FACE! [Without thinking, TAWNY grabs the nearest spear and stabs her with it. BRYNN looks at BRIAR in disbelief]

BRYNN: Briar…? [With that, she falls over, dead]

BRIAR: BRYNN! Oh my God, Brynn! [She grabs her sister in hysterics as TAWNY looks at both of them, genuinely shocked that she actually just killed her own teammate] My sister… [Through hysteria and sobs] YOU KILLED MY SISTER! [BRIAR yanks the spear out of BRYNN and charges at her, but TAWNY is quick to snap her neck. BRIAR is dead instantly. Disturbingly emotionless, she then digs through the basket that MAMMA gave her and finds a book of matches. She lights them and throws them all into the base before leaving. Exit TAWNY]

SUMMER: [Offstage] Brynn? … Briar? … Tawny? [Frantic] Help! Somebody help! Fire! HELP! HELP! [SUMMER and ANDY let out a bloodcurdling scream. Lights.]

MAMMA: [Offstage] Not even yourself…

[Scene]

Scene 7

[PETER, LUCINDA, and RYAN all sit inside their base, planning on how they are going to steal the things that TAWNY’s team won. They have no idea that everything is up in flames.]

PETER: Okay. So Tawny goes out to hunt at sunrise every day and she leaves Briar in charge, so-

LUCINDA: How do you know that?

PETER: Excuse me?

LUCINDA: How do you know that she goes hunting at sunrise? What, are you like, watching her or something?

PETER: [Calmly] It’s my job to know where the enemy is at all times. Stop acting like a child.

LUCINDA: You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that to my face, Peter!

PETER: Lucinda. Back down. This isn’t about you right now.

RYAN: Come on, guys. Chill.

LUCINDA: No, it’s never about me. Never has been. Right? Jesus Christ, you’re clueless! So clueless! How about you open up you eyes for once?

PETER: Lucinda, what in God’s name are you going on about right now?

LUCINDA: Don’t act like you don’t know. Please. What kind of idiot do you take me for, Peter? Huh? You think that I’m some kind of moron! I’m convinced! Here you are, staring at Tawny like she’s a piece of meat when I’m right in front of you! You know after all this time- [Her rant is cut off abruptly by a spear being pierced through her side. She looks down at the spear, then at PETER, then falls down. TAWNY has infiltrated their base, and LUCINDA is the first casualty RYAN scrambles to get a weapon of his own, but it is too late. By that point, Tawny has already retrieved her spear and stabbed RYAN with it as well. He falls to his knees, dead almost instantly. Now, TAWNY is all alone with PETER. His team is dead, and that still hasn’t quite registered to him yet.]

PETER: You just…how did… [He looks at RYAN’s dead body, then LUCINDA’s, then TAWNY] Oh my… [He puts his hands on his head and stumbles. Rather than charging at him, TAWNY steadies PETER by wrapping her arms around him]

PETER: [He is still too disoriented and appalled to answer properly] Wh-what? [Without another word, she pulls him closer and rests her head on his shoulder] Tawny…

TAWNY: You have something you need to tell me. Don’t you?

PETER: Tawny, don’t- [He tries to push her away]

TAWNY: Oh, come on, Peter. Don’t be like that. [She is obviously playing with his head, and he is obviously falling for it] Don’t you have anything to say to me?

PETER: I can’t-

TAWNY: Come on. Don’t be shy. Nobody’s listening.

PETER: [The revelation hits] You knew…

TAWNY: Oh, Peter… [She slowly slips a small knife out of her sleeve and stabs it into PETER’s back.] We all knew. [PETER falls to the ground. TAWNY crouches down next to him. After a moment’s pause, she kisses her hand and puts it on the side of his face. TAWNY cracks a bit, looking genuinely upset, and whispers:] I’m sorry, Peter… [She takes his hand and puts it against her own face] I’m so, so sorry [She lets it fall and lingers for a moment, then exits]

[Scene]

Scene 8

[The stage is clear. TAWNY is all alone now with one light center stage after murdering everybody involved with the battle for MAMMA’s love and protection. She is surprisingly placid, as if the killings have hardly affected her at all. MAMMA walks out onstage and the two share a long stare. MAMMA looks concerned.]

MAMMA: Tawny, I smell smoke.

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma. There’s smoke.

MAMMA: What happened? [TAWNY does not respond. She just stares at her absently] Are they dead, Tawny? [Silence. TAWNY finally breaks down in tears. She’s completely lost her mind.]

TAWNY: [Through sobs] Yes, Mamma! They’re dead! They’re all dead! I can’t even…oh, Mamma! [She holds up her hands, covered in blood] They’ll never be clean. They’ll never be clean again! [TAWNY frantically tries to scrub it all away] This…this is Briar’s blood. And Brynn’s blood, and Summer’s blood, Andy’s blood, Ryan’s blood, Lucinda’s blood, and Peter- [She pauses, in a state of disbelief and shock] Peter’s blood. Peter… Peter…[TAWNY looks at MAMMA desperately] I killed them. I killed all of them! Oh, Mamma! All of them are DEAD!

MAMMA: [She kneels down and gathers up TAWNY in her arms] Shhh…shhh. Don’t cry. Let me wipe those tears away. It’s okay, child. It’s okay!

TAWNY: But…but Mamma…

MAMMA: No, Tawny. You did nothing wrong. The weak don’t deserve to live, Tawny. Don’t be silly.

TAWNY: …what?

MAMMA: You are the strongest. That’s why you survive. Come, let me take you inside my home. This were my woods. My domain. Everything here belonged to me. This was my food, and these [Lights up on the rest of the stage revealing the entire cast of dead characters, laying there frozen in a neat little line] were my children. Now, Tawny, all of this is yours.

TAWNY: It’s all mine?

MAMMA: All of it is yours. You’ll have children of your own some day, and it will break your heart, but you know that-

TAWNY: Only the strongest survive?

MAMMA: That’s right, Tawny. Only the strongest

Characters

Tawny

Briar

Brynn

Summer

Andy

Peter

Ryan

Lucinda

Mamma

Scene 1

[The stage is completely dark besides one light in the center. MAMMA walks into and waits for the crowd to settle down]

MAMMA: This is my home. My woods. My domain. Everything here belongs to me. This is my food, and these [Lights up on the rest of the stage revealing the entire cast, frozen] are my children. Every last one of them is special to me in some way, some how. This [She walks up to PETER] is Peter. Peter came to my home when he was just ten. So young…they just grow up so fast. This [She walks behind RYAN and LUCINDA] Is Ryan, Peter’s very best friend. Next to him here is Lucinda, a girl with lots of *ehem* spunk, if that’s the right word. She often needs to be reminded that you catch a lot more flies with sugar than you do with spice. [She walks over to the other side behind the children, SUMMER and ANDY] On this side of the line we have the young children, Summer and Andy. So innocent, so sweet. They’ll grow up and be big and strong one day, but for now, they must be protected and nurtured. [She stands behind the twins, BRIAR and BRYNN] These two here are the twins, Briar and Brynn. The two of them couldn’t be more different, but I’ve never seen closer sisters in all my days. And this… [She moves to TAWNY] oh, Lordy. This is Tawny, an interesting girl to say the least. She’s quite the character…quite the character indeed. [She returns center stage.] Two sides, but Mamma can only feed one. [The lights go out so only MAMMA can be seen] Oh, how it breaks my heart, but none of them have real parents of their own to love them and care for them. I am only one woman, and one woman can only handle so much. It breaks my heart, but only one side can live, and in my domain, only the strongest survive. [She walks offstage. The spotlight goes out. There is a slight pause, then the lights go back up to a battle between the cast. TAWNY and PETER fight with crude weapons center stage while BRIAR fends off LUCINDA and RYAN in order to defend her sister, BRYNN, who is guarding both of the young children, SUMMER and ANDY, from the initial fight]

TAWNY: Getting tired yet, Peter? I can see you sweating!

PETER: Not on your life.

TAWNY: My life. Please! You wish, Peter. Unfortunately for you, that’s just not going to happen.

PETER: And you’re so sure of that, why?

TAWNY: None of us are going down without a fight! Not today.

PETER: I’m stronger than you, Tawny. I’m much stronger than you. Don’t deny that.

TAWNY: Right. And whenever you decide to get over yourself, please feel free to let me know. Okay?

PETER: I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.

BRIAR: I could use some help over here!

LUCINDA: What’s the matter, baby? Nervous? Be careful, or else I’ll give you something to cry about!

RYAN: Now now, Luce. No need to get snappy. We’ll make quick work of this one.

BRIAR: Well aren’t you just hilarious!

TAWNY: What do you say, Peter? Are you just about done yet? [Rather than entertain her taunts, PETER instead gets TAWNY into a headlock and tightens his grip around her throat. Everybody else freezes, looking at them. She looks at him desperately, out of breath and terrified. They stare at each other for a few moments, unsure of how to react in the given situation. TAWNY cannot breathe. PETER finally releases the grip around her neck, and she tackles him to the ground with a spear pointing at his chest. Just as she is about to kill him, regardless of the fact that he just spared her, PETER knocks it away and scrambles to his feet.]

PETER: That’s it. This is crazy. Ryan! Lucinda! Retreat!

LUCINDA: WHAT? No! No! I’m not going anywhere!

PETER: I said RETREAT.

LUCINDA: But-!

RYAN: Don’t question it. Just go! [The three of them exit, leaving SUMMER, ANDY, BRIAR, and BRYNN, The team gives each other high fives as they go back to their base together. Tawny remains for a few moments, looking off in PETER’s direction. She mouths the words “thank you,” then catches up with the rest of her group]

[Scene]

Scene 2

[The battle has just ended. PETER and RYAN sit alone in the base on the right side of the stage. In the corner, RYAN sharpens a piece of wood into a spear while PETER attempts to start a fire. LUCINDA, who must have fallen behind at some point, enters, and she is extremely unhappy.]

LUCINDA: Would you mind telling me what the HELL I was just looking at?

PETER: Luce-

LUCINDA: Hey, you know what? Keep your mouth shut! I’m not even close to being done with you, yet. For Christ’ sake, Peter! Do you have any idea how pissed off I am at you?

PETER: Lucinda, just who do you think you’re talking to right now?

LUCINDA: A Goddamn idiot, that’s who! You had her, Peter! You could have killed her right there! If you hadn’t acted like a moron Tawny would be dead right now! Tawny would be dead and her little pets would be scrambling. Mamma would have been coming to our side with our food for our win! What’s the matter with you? What happened? Are you getting soft on me? Is that it?

PETER: Luce, calm down…

LUCINDA: Don’t tell me to calm down! [She is growing angrier and more unmanageable by the second] What’s your problem? Are you really going to let your “feelings” [air quotes] get in the way of everything we’ve worked for? Everything we continue to work for?

PETER: You know just as well as I do that it’s not like that.

LUCINDA: Please. Did I forget to cover my stupid tattoo? I wasn’t born yesterday. How dumb do you think I am?

PETER: You don’t know what you’re talking about.

LUCINDA: Sure I do. Just ask Ryan.

RYAN: Don’t bring me into this.

LUCINDA: But you agree.

RYAN: Don’t go there, Lucinda.

PETER: Seriously. You’re treading in some very dangerous waters right now.

LUCINDA: Fine. [She throws her hands up] Fine. I see how it is. I’m going to bed. Just remember that we’re not blind. Decide where your loyalties lie, Peter. [Frustrated, she leaves]

RYAN: Looks like you’ve got quite the situation on your hands there, Peter…

PETER: Shut up, Ryan.

RYAN: Alright then. Seriously, though. You’ve got to straighten this thing out before it gets out of hand.

PETER: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

RYAN: Right.

PETER: Really.

RYAN: Okay! Okay, I got it. I understand.

PETER: There’s nothing to “get” or “understand” here, Ryan.

RYAN: Whatever you say, Peter. [Laughing, he is just about to exit, but turns around one more time] Lucinda’s right, though. We’re not blind. [He exits]

[Scene]

Scene 3

[TAWNY, BRIAR, BRYNN, and the children all walk into their base, triumphant with the joy of their recent victory. MAMMA will be coming soon and the girls need to “prepare,” in a sense for her arrival.]

BRYNN: This is fantastic! First time in weeks!

BRIAR: How about that, Tawny? [She has her back turned to them. TAWNY does not answer.]

BRYNN: Tawny?

TAWNY: Start a fire. Put the kids to bed.

BRYNN: But Mamma’s gonna be here soon. They should be awake when she gets here…

TAWNY: [Turning around] I said put them to bed.

BRYNN: [Tentatively, as she gathers the kids and ushers them offstage] C’mon, kids…time to go to sleep.

SUMMER: But, Brynn! I wanna meet Mamma!

ANDY: Yes! Mamma!

BRYNN: Shhh. Come on. It’s bedtime. You two will have plenty of food to eat in the morning. Okay?

SUMMER: But…

BRIAR: Listen to Brynn, Summer.

SUMMER: Okay, Briar. [Brynn exits offstage with both children]

TAWNY: Tell your twin that she needs to learn her place. Neither of you are allowed to defy me. Ever.

BRIAR: [Hesitantly] What’s gotten into you, Tawny?

TAWNY: What’s gotten into me? How about some sense! We almost died out there, Briar! We were that close to getting torn to pieces! Lucinda would have ripped your throat out!

BRIAR: Everyone is fine, though…

TAWNY: For now, yes, and no thanks to her! Face it, Briar. She’s weak. All Brynn did was sit there and hug the kids. Mamma’s gonna bring us something to eat, and we’ll be safe for maybe a week. If that. Point is, we’ve got a problem. They’re not going to stop until we’re completely out of the picture. Peter…he could’ve…

BRIAR: Could’ve killed you. I saw. But you overpowered him.

TAWNY: No, Briar. It’s not that simple.

BRIAR: Okay. Then he could’ve what? [BRYNN re-enters after putting the children to bed]

TAWNY: Never mind. It doesn’t matter.

BRIAR: Excuse me? Doesn’t matter? Peter is the enemy, here. If you know something that we don’t and you’re not telling us, well then-

TAWNY: Look. It doesn’t matter because he didn’t. He could’ve, but he didn’t. Okay? So stay out of it, because this doesn’t concern you. Besides, you wouldn’t understand, anyway. It’s…It’s complicated. [Silence] I’m going to bed. Wait for Mamma to come, and don’t forget who’s in charge here. [She turns to leave, but glares at BRIAR one last time.] I mean it. [TAWNY exits.]

BRIAR: [Shaking her head] She’s losing it, Brynn.

BRYNN: What makes you say that?

BRIAR: I don’t know. The pressure, I guess. It’s getting to her head. She’s crazy.

BRYNN: [Waving her off] Oh hush. You’re probably just imagining things. It was a long day, we’re all tired…

BRIAR: It’s not that she’s tired, Brynn! She’s batshit!

BRYNN: Briar, don’t say that! Please! [Pause] She’s all we’ve got.

BRIAR: Brynn, hear me out. We’re twins. There’s two of us.

BRYNN: …and?

BRIAR: And there’s only one of her.

BRYNN: [Gasping] Briar! You’re not suggesting…

BRIAR: That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.

BRYNN: We can’t betray her! Are you kidding? She’d be devastated! And the kids! What would happen to Summer and Andy? Peter, Ryan, and Lucinda- ESPECIALLY that Lucinda- would slaughter us! It would be just you and me versus them! [Pause] And you know, not even me, really. Since I’m too weak to be useful in that sense. You’re proposing a suicide mission right now. Killing Tawny is like killing all of us. [Pause] We need her.

BRIAR: Until she kills all of us herself. Right?

BRYNN: But, Briar-

BRIAR: She’s gonna end up hurting somebody. [Brynn is silent] There’s only one way to stop that from happening.

BRYNN: ...fine. Do whatever you’ve got to do. I’m going to sleep. It’s your turn to keep watch tonight, anyway.

BRIAR: Right.

BRYNN: Good night, Briar.

BRIAR: Good night, Brynn. [BRYNN exits, leaving BRIAR alone to fulfill her watch duties and wait for MAMMA to come]

[Scene]

Scene 4

[PETER sits in the main room of his base alone, pondering the day’s events. RYAN enters and sits next to him, well aware that his good friend is troubled by something. The two are like brothers, and understand each other.]

RYAN: What’s up, Peter?

PETER: Get out of here.

RYAN: Nah.

PETER: What do you want?

RYAN: You never went to bed.

PETER: Yeah?

RYAN: Why not?

PETER: No reason.

RYAN: Yeah. Okay. [He picks up a cigarette from the table and strikes a match to light it]

PETER: Put that out. Those things’ll kill you.

RYAN: [Offering PETER one as well] Can you really say that you care? [PETER stares at it for a moment, then accepts the cigarette and matchbook] A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Am I right?

PETER: Sure.

RYAN: Come on. Lighten up, Peter. You’re being such a downer. Is something really that bad that you need to act like this?

PETER: It’s really none of your business.

RYAN: Is it that time of the month? [PETER glares at him] Hey, I’m just messing with you. [PETER doesn’t stop.] Alright, alright. I got it. You’re not in a good mood. That’s fine. What’s the problem? Lady issues?

PETER: Do you even hear yourself when you talk?

RYAN: Sometimes. [He laughs] But seriously. What’s going on? Is it about Taw-

PETER: If you know what’s good for you, you won’t finish that sentence.

RYAN: What, Tawny? Is that it? [PETER doesn’t answer] Please. You’re acting like it wasn’t already painfully obvious.

PETER: No. Nothing’s going on with Tawny.

RYAN: Bullshit. Listen, I know this kind of thing when I see it.

PETER: Yeah, but you really don’t get it. I don’t think anybody really “gets it”

RYAN: And why is that?

PETER: Think about the situation. [RYAN pauses for a second]

RYAN: That could present a problem.

PETER: No kidding.

RYAN: Well, I’m sorry, but I really don’t know what to tell you.

PETER: I don’t know.

RYAN: You and everybody else. [PETER sighs and takes one last drag from his cigarette before putting it out]

PETER: What’s done is done. Nobody can change anything about it, so I guess I’ll just deal with it.

RYAN: You’re giving up that easily?

PETER: Is there really any other option?

RYAN: [Nodding] Good point. [He puts out his cigarette as well and stands up] I’m going back to sleep. Are you staying up all night? [PETER hesitates]

PETER: No, I’m coming. [He gets up as well. RYAN and PETER both exit. For a few moments, their base is empty. Enter LUCINDA. For a moment, she stands there, alone, then takes a seat. She is still for a few moments, absentmindedly playing with the cigarette butts in the ash tray, then puts her head in her hands. She heard the whole thing, and looks devastated]

[Scene]

Scene 5

[Lights up. BRIAR is nervously pacing back and forth, looking upset and distraught. Enter TAWNY]

TAWNY: What’s going on?

BRIAR: She never came.

TAWNY: What?

BRIAR: Mamma. She never came last night.

TAWNY: …shit. Go wake everybody else. I’ll find her. [Briar nods and exits reluctantly. Tawny beings trekking through the woods by herself to locate MAMMA] Hello? [There comes no response] Hello? [TAWNY is armed and extremely wary of her surroundings] Mamma? … Mamma!

MAMMA: [Offstage] Child, dear? Is that you?

TAWNY: Mamma! [She runs to where Mamma’s voice was heard, but finds herself lost again] It’s Tawny, Mamma! I’m here! [Enter MAMMA with a basket full of spoils, such as fruit, bread, vegetables, and assorted baked goods.]

MAMMA: Oh, child. You’re safe! [She hugs her tightly and pulls an apple out of the basket] Eat. You need your strength. [TAWNY looks at it carefully] Go ahead. Take it. [TAWNY takes the apple and eats it, obviously starving]

TAWNY: [With her mouth full] Where were you? Briar told me that you didn’t come last night. Did you get held up?

MAMMA: I’m here now. That’s the important part. Yes?

TAWNY: Yes. I suppose so…

MAMMA: Sit. Sit. Come talk to Mamma, child.

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma. [They both sit]

MAMMA: How are you, Tawny? Is everything is going well?

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma.

MAMMA: Good, good. That’s good. I trust the twins are doing fine as well? And the children?

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma. We’re all great.

MAMMA: All of you?

TAWNY: All of us.

MAMMA: Good.

TAWNY: Why, Mamma? Is everything okay?

MAMMA: Yes! Everything is okay. [She pauses] Do you know why I didn’t come to see you last night? [TAWNY shakes her head no. MAMMA pauses and shakes her head as well] Be careful, Tawny. With everybody. They’re not as loyal as you think they are. [Tawny sits up] The twins, I mean. Briar and Brynn. Just…watch your back. Those two…they have a bit of an. agenda. Don’t trust them. [TAWNY tries to scramble to her feet, but MAMMA grabs her and hugs her] Shhh…shhh. Don’t worry! Just keep a careful watch. I would hate to see anything happen to that pretty little face.

TAWNY: [Finally calming down] Yes, Mamma.

MAMMA: Good. Now take this back to them. They must be starving.

TAWNY: Feed people that I can’t trust?

MAMMA: Now don’t be silly, Tawny. You can’t trust anyone. [She gets up to leave, but turns back] Not even yourself. [She exits. TAWNY sits there for a moment, then gets up with the food basket and leaves. Enter RYAN and LUCINDA]

LUCINDA: I hate her.

RYAN: Luce…

LUCINDA: Don’t call me that. [Pause] She has everything, Ryan. Why does she have everything?

RYAN: Is there something you’d like to share? [She glares at him]

LUCINDA: Go back and tell Peter that she has the food now. We can get it from them later. Easily. [He obeys, then turns back]

RYAN: Are you coming?

LUCINDA: I’ll catch up to you. Just go. [Ryan nods and exits. LUCINDA walks over to where TAWNY and MAMMA were sitting and picks up the unfinished apple that TAWNY had left behind] You really do have it all, don’t you? [She pauses for a moment, then throws it offstage in the direction that Tawny left in a fit of rage. Whispers:] I hate you… [Exit]

[Scene]

Scene 6

[BRIAR is in the base, waiting anxiously for her sister. BRYNN enters, looking suspicious, nervous, and extremely unsure of her intentions. They share an uneasy glance]

BRIAR: Have you got the stuff? [BRYNN nods, revealing a fistful of berries] What are those?

BRYNN: You eat these, and you’ll be history in minutes. No one would suspect a thing.

BRIAR: Are you sure?

BRYNN: Yes. [BRIAR nods and picks up the tea kettle from the fire pit. She pours three cups. In the last cup, the girls crush the berries. Enter TAWNY, to which they poorly hide the evidence very hastily]

BRIAR/BRYNN: [Together, stumbling] Oh, hi!

TAWNY: [Suspicious] Hi…

BRYNN: We found some tea left over from the last time Mamma brought food. [Offers her the poisoned cup] I made you a cup. Want some?

TAWNY: [Nodding] Yeah…sure. [BRIAR and BRYNN both sip the tea. TAWNY just stares it at carefully. BRIAR and BRYNN freeze]

MAMMA: [Offstage] You can’t trust anyone… [TAWNY notices the poorly hidden berries on the table and grabs them]

TAWNY: …what are these? [Silence] WHAT ARE THESE? Did I freaking stutter? Answer me!

BRYNN: [Stammering] Just some berries, is all.

TAWNY: No. No they aren’t. I know what these are, and so do you. [She sniffs the liquid in the cup and determines that it is tainted] These…these are poison! You were trying to kill me!

BRYNN: What? No!

BRIAR: Tawny, calm down!

TAWNY: Calm down? I thought I told you to get her in check, Briar! You see what happens when this is a free for all? Look at what’s going on here! [She turns to Brynn] You. You two-timing, double-crossing, backstabbing, unfaithful bitch!

BRYNN: I swear I wasn’t! Really, Tawny!

TAWNY: Oh. And now you have the nerve to LIE TO MY FACE! [Without thinking, TAWNY grabs the nearest spear and stabs her with it. BRYNN looks at BRIAR in disbelief]

BRYNN: Briar…? [With that, she falls over, dead]

BRIAR: BRYNN! Oh my God, Brynn! [She grabs her sister in hysterics as TAWNY looks at both of them, genuinely shocked that she actually just killed her own teammate] My sister… [Through hysteria and sobs] YOU KILLED MY SISTER! [BRIAR yanks the spear out of BRYNN and charges at her, but TAWNY is quick to snap her neck. BRIAR is dead instantly. Disturbingly emotionless, she then digs through the basket that MAMMA gave her and finds a book of matches. She lights them and throws them all into the base before leaving. Exit TAWNY]

SUMMER: [Offstage] Brynn? … Briar? … Tawny? [Frantic] Help! Somebody help! Fire! HELP! HELP! [SUMMER and ANDY let out a bloodcurdling scream. Lights.]

MAMMA: [Offstage] Not even yourself…

[Scene]

Scene 7

[PETER, LUCINDA, and RYAN all sit inside their base, planning on how they are going to steal the things that TAWNY’s team won. They have no idea that everything is up in flames.]

PETER: Okay. So Tawny goes out to hunt at sunrise every day and she leaves Briar in charge, so-

LUCINDA: How do you know that?

PETER: Excuse me?

LUCINDA: How do you know that she goes hunting at sunrise? What, are you like, watching her or something?

PETER: [Calmly] It’s my job to know where the enemy is at all times. Stop acting like a child.

LUCINDA: You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that to my face, Peter!

PETER: Lucinda. Back down. This isn’t about you right now.

RYAN: Come on, guys. Chill.

LUCINDA: No, it’s never about me. Never has been. Right? Jesus Christ, you’re clueless! So clueless! How about you open up you eyes for once?

PETER: Lucinda, what in God’s name are you going on about right now?

LUCINDA: Don’t act like you don’t know. Please. What kind of idiot do you take me for, Peter? Huh? You think that I’m some kind of moron! I’m convinced! Here you are, staring at Tawny like she’s a piece of meat when I’m right in front of you! You know after all this time- [Her rant is cut off abruptly by a spear being pierced through her side. She looks down at the spear, then at PETER, then falls down. TAWNY has infiltrated their base, and LUCINDA is the first casualty RYAN scrambles to get a weapon of his own, but it is too late. By that point, Tawny has already retrieved her spear and stabbed RYAN with it as well. He falls to his knees, dead almost instantly. Now, TAWNY is all alone with PETER. His team is dead, and that still hasn’t quite registered to him yet.]

PETER: You just…how did… [He looks at RYAN’s dead body, then LUCINDA’s, then TAWNY] Oh my… [He puts his hands on his head and stumbles. Rather than charging at him, TAWNY steadies PETER by wrapping her arms around him]

PETER: [He is still too disoriented and appalled to answer properly] Wh-what? [Without another word, she pulls him closer and rests her head on his shoulder] Tawny…

TAWNY: You have something you need to tell me. Don’t you?

PETER: Tawny, don’t- [He tries to push her away]

TAWNY: Oh, come on, Peter. Don’t be like that. [She is obviously playing with his head, and he is obviously falling for it] Don’t you have anything to say to me?

PETER: I can’t-

TAWNY: Come on. Don’t be shy. Nobody’s listening.

PETER: [The revelation hits] You knew…

TAWNY: Oh, Peter… [She slowly slips a small knife out of her sleeve and stabs it into PETER’s back.] We all knew. [PETER falls to the ground. TAWNY crouches down next to him. After a moment’s pause, she kisses her hand and puts it on the side of his face. TAWNY cracks a bit, looking genuinely upset, and whispers:] I’m sorry, Peter… [She takes his hand and puts it against her own face] I’m so, so sorry [She lets it fall and lingers for a moment, then exits]

[Scene]

Scene 8

[The stage is clear. TAWNY is all alone now with one light center stage after murdering everybody involved with the battle for MAMMA’s love and protection. She is surprisingly placid, as if the killings have hardly affected her at all. MAMMA walks out onstage and the two share a long stare. MAMMA looks concerned.]

MAMMA: Tawny, I smell smoke.

TAWNY: Yes, Mamma. There’s smoke.

MAMMA: What happened? [TAWNY does not respond. She just stares at her absently] Are they dead, Tawny? [Silence. TAWNY finally breaks down in tears. She’s completely lost her mind.]

TAWNY: [Through sobs] Yes, Mamma! They’re dead! They’re all dead! I can’t even…oh, Mamma! [She holds up her hands, covered in blood] They’ll never be clean. They’ll never be clean again! [TAWNY frantically tries to scrub it all away] This…this is Briar’s blood. And Brynn’s blood, and Summer’s blood, Andy’s blood, Ryan’s blood, Lucinda’s blood, and Peter- [She pauses, in a state of disbelief and shock] Peter’s blood. Peter… Peter…[TAWNY looks at MAMMA desperately] I killed them. I killed all of them! Oh, Mamma! All of them are DEAD!

MAMMA: [She kneels down and gathers up TAWNY in her arms] Shhh…shhh. Don’t cry. Let me wipe those tears away. It’s okay, child. It’s okay!

TAWNY: But…but Mamma…

MAMMA: No, Tawny. You did nothing wrong. The weak don’t deserve to live, Tawny. Don’t be silly.

TAWNY: …what?

MAMMA: You are the strongest. That’s why you survive. Come, let me take you inside my home. This were my woods. My domain. Everything here belonged to me. This was my food, and these [Lights up on the rest of the stage revealing the entire cast of dead characters, laying there frozen in a neat little line] were my children. Now, Tawny, all of this is yours.

TAWNY: It’s all mine?

MAMMA: All of it is yours. You’ll have children of your own some day, and it will break your heart, but you know that-

TAWNY: Only the strongest survive?

MAMMA: That’s right, Tawny. Only the strongest survive. [Lights]

[Fin]