This'll be a short post. GOOD NEWS:

I have officially started writing my FIRST THEATRE PLAY.

Below are two little teasers. One is the very beginning of the play and is mostly set description; and the other is the beginning of a later scene with a few sentences the main character utters. Nothing too exciting; but wanted to toss those in--I really do feel excited about this thing.

1

Curtains closed. Very dim lighting. A man lying on a groundbed, sound asleep, IN FRONT OF the curtain.

Two NINJA enter. Blades drawn, they approach the sleeping man. When the NINJA are only a couple of steps away from the man, one stumbles and the sleeping man wakes up. Surprised and panicked, he reaches for his blade lying next to him; but the NINJA reach and kill him before he can rise and defend himself. They keep brutally stabbing the body for a little while even after the man is obviously dead; and then leave.

Curtains rise, lights on. The body of the murdered man is still lying on stage. Behind, a formal council. DAIMYO MIURA sits on an elaborate throne. There are two man to his left and right each, sitting on flat pillows and forming a slight crescent with DAIMYO MIURA at the very center. All four are men of dignity and importance. Behind those, standing, are a weeping woman, a boy no older than thirteen; and two other, younger men. It is obvious from their clothing and stance that these two also of noble birth and importance.

2

TAKESHI is sitting cross-legged, apparently deep in thought. He is wearing full armor and hit katana lies on his lap. Suddenly, three men enter from different sides and attack TAKESHI. After a short fighting sequence, they are defeated by the samurai, who is not breathing heavily but is uninjured. There must be blood on TAKESHI's blade. Just as he lifts his blade, lights come ON.

TAKESHI. (Inspecting the blood on his blade calmly) So...easy. To kill. To die. Blood; warm and alive and untouched--so easily taken out of the vein, so fast to dry and cool. From life, to utter lifelessness, within minutes.

And yet, I look at the blood I've spilled, I watch my opponents die before me; I feel...nothing.

***

Hopefully much more to come. Enjoy your week--I surely am enjoying mine!