The Monkeys Uncle

Characters:

SIG is a monkey that believes in things such as myths and fairy tales. MUND is a stubborn monkey twin that doesn’t believe in anything like myths and fairy tales.


Setting:
An African Jungle


SIG and MUND are in their great uncle Willy’s tree. Uncle Willy had just passed away and left everything to SIG and MUND even though they barely knew him. They’re looking through all kinds of boxes and drawers.

SIG: Hey Mund, I found Uncle Willy’s gold pocket watch!

MUND: (looks up from box he is digging through) Oh, cool. Alls I’ve found in here is a bunch of pictures of people I don’t know.

SIG: Yeah, there’s a lot of those in here too. (brief pause, then picks up a small gold coin) Hey, what’s this?

MUND: Looks like some sort of coin. Let me see it.

(SIG hands coin to MUND)

MUND: It’s probably a fake toy coin or something.

SIG: You think it’s fake? What if it’s worth a lot of money?

MUND: Oh sure, Uncle Willy have a lot of money? Since when is anyone in this family rich?

SIG: You know no one really knew Uncle Willy all that well. You never know what he could have in here!

MUND: (picks up an old piece of yellowed paper with a small tear in the side) Oh and I suppose this is a real live treasure map. (sarcastically, rolling eyes)

SIG: What’s that? (grabs it away from him and looks it over) This IS a treasure map! Look, it has trails, and an “X” and everything!

MUND: What makes you think that it’s real? I mean come on Sig. That stuff only happens in fairy tales.

SIG: No it doesn’t. This could be real! You just wait and see. Now, according to this it’s not far from here! Now, let’s get going! (jumps up and tries to pull MUND’s hand)

MUND: (pulls away) Get real Sig! If you even think for a minute that I’m going to go on your STUPID treasure hunt, you’ve got another thing coming!

SIG: Don’t you wanna find the treasure?

MUND: What treasure? (a little louder) There is no treasure, stupid!

SIG: And what if there is, and I find it? It’ll be all mine, and you’ll be down on your knees begging for it!

MUND: You’re not going to get any treasure!

SIG: Fine then, come along and keep me company. I don’t wanna go alone.

MUND: What? You scared some pirates will come get you and steal all your gold? (laughs)

SIG: No, I’m not scared. Don’t be ridiculous. I just want some company. You don’t have to do anything, just come along. (pauses) Please!

MUND: Oh, fine! But only this once. And I still know we’re not gonna find any treasure.

SIG: (with a smirk on his face) We’ll see about that.

The two monkeys head out on their journey. SIG holds the map and navigates while MUND walks alongside, complaining.

MUND: (aggravated) Just how far away is this “treasure”?

SIG: It should be right around here. (looks down at map, scratching his head)

MUND: Yeah, right. That’s what you said two hours ago. Sit down, I need a rest.

SIG: Fine, but only for a minute. We have to find this treasure!

MUND: Give up the stupid treasure thing already! Obviously there is none because we would have found it by now.

SIG: Come on. We’ve gone this far. We can’t give up now.

MUND: Well I gave up a long time ago. I’m going back. (gets up and turns around)

SIG: (shouting) No! You can’t!

MUND: Oh shut up! (shouting also) I’m sick of you trying to talk me into things. Sorry, it ain’t happen’n this time. You can find your own stupid treasure by yourself. I’m outta here.

SIG: (looks sad) Oh, I see. You don’t believe there is a treasure do you?

MUND: Well no crap Sig! You’re quick!

SIG: (even sadder) Fine. Why don’t you leave then? I don’t need you, you’re just getting on my nerves. I’ll just keep all the treasure for myself, the treasure right here in this cave. (points to big rock covering cave)

MUND: (slightly loud) Whatever! How do you know it’s in there? What are ya gonna do say open sesame?

SIG: You can see it right here on the map. Plain as day. (shows map to MUND)

MUND: All right wise guy, open it and let’s se.

SIG: Oh, and I thought you were leeeeaving? (smiles)

MUND: Since we’re already here, I might as well stay and watch.

SIG: So now you believe there’s a treasure?

MUND: No, I just wanna be able to say “I told you so”.

SIG: Mmmm hmmm. Well, I hate to say it, but I’m gonna be the one saying “I told YOU so”.

MUND: We’ll see. Open it.

SIG: (pushes against the rock, hard) I don’t think I can get it. Mund, will you help me please?

MUND: (sighs) I suppose.

(both push on rock, slowly prying it open)

Both monkeys gasp, their mouths open wide as they see before them thousands and thousands of golden bananas.

SIG: (yells) Ya hoooo! I told you so! I told you so! (jumps up and down running around cave)

MUND: (eyes wide open) hmmm.... (speechless)

SIG: I though you said this only happens in fairy tales?

MUND: (eyes still wide) Well... I guess this is a fairy tale!

Both monkeys laugh as the frolic through the cave.

Lights fade out.

Special thanks to Alan for htmlizing this play

Take me back!

Email: chris215@pilot.msu.edu