The Pit of Zendar
Copyright 1999 by Fred588@go.com

Production Note: Note that from scene 4 through 13, everything in this screenplay is intended to be filmed as seen through the eyes of the character Cam. Cam never appears in the film except as hands and feet in scene 14. If this final scene is filmed TWICE and the voice of Cam can be acceptably dubbed in, it should be possible to inexpensively produce TWO versions of this play, one with Cam as a female and one with Cam as a male. Obviously for marketing reasons the version with Cam female is the most important, so the sound track for that version should take priority.

Please see the short story by the same title. The story there is quite a bit more elaborate than in this version.
 

Costume Notes: This story is set on a tropical island, though it is not specified if the island is in the Pacific, Indian, or Atlantic Ocean, or even on the Earth. Costumes should be appropriate for the setting. They should be brief, though not excessively so. For consistency with the story's setting in an apparently non-technological culture, costumes should not employ many bright colors or obviously synthetic materials. 

Character Notes: The character Cam plays an important role in this play, but although Cam's voice is heard, Cam never seen by the viewer. Therefore, it may be very helpful to the viewer if Cam's voice (or voices) is distinctive in some way. The character Kyla has hair at least shoulder length.

Scene 1

Set

A tropical island seen from a boat or plane. The island is lush and green, but with a volcanic mountain or two at its center.

Cast

None. The voice of the narrator is heard.

Action

We gradually get closer and closer to the island, looking at it from various angles.

Dialogue

Narrator: Zendar. A tropical paradise of warm seas, lush vegetation, gentle winds and rainfall. Zendar has plenty of food for everyone. There has not been a war here for centuries; hardly even an assault. On Zendar there is no reason for theft. The people of Zendar are friendly and generous to one another. Even illness is rare on Zendar.

(pause)

Zendar would seem to be perfect. Zendar IS perfect. Except for one thing.

 

Scene 2

Set

Aerial view of a steaming volcanic crater.

Cast

None. The voice of the narrator is heard.

Action

We pan around the crater, seeing various steam vents and other features.

Dialogue

Narrator: Zendar is a small island and is of volcanic origin. The volcano of Zendar has lain dormant for many generations. But dormant is not extinct. The sleeping mountain of Zendar might awaken at ANY TIME. When it does this tropical paradise could well be destroyed.

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Scene 3

Set

A volcanic mud pit. Various shots of bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and similar formations.

Cast

None. The voice of the narrator is heard.

Action

We look around the features of the mud pit, gradually getting closer and closer.

Dialogue

Narrator: The people of Zendar know of the threat beneath their feet. They know their paradise could be taken from them. They know that from time to time the god of the mountain may become angry. When that happens there is no choice. The god of the mountain must be appeased.

 

Note: Starting with scene 4 and running to the end of scene 13, everything is filmed using one camera and from the point of view of the character Cam. The camera is Cam’s eyes.

 

Scene 4

Set

A pathway through a friendly-looking forest or jungle. The path is in fairly open country and is well illuminated.

Cast

Cam (F/M)

Synda (F)

Mea (F)

Vila (M)

Mel (M)

Extra #1 (F/M)

Extra #2 (F/M)

Extra #3 (F/M)

Action

The cast is walking in single file down the forest path, carrying a variety of goods gathered from the forest. Vila is 1st in line, Mel 2nd, .Synda 3rd , Can 4th, and Mea 5th. Extras occupy the remaining positions.

Dialogue

Synda: (turning back to Can and Mea). "I can’t wait to see the look on Binker’s face when we tell him about those crazy monkeys."

Can: "Yeh, then tell him the really ugly monkey looked just like him."

Mea: (Coming up alongside Cam) "He did look like Binker.

All: Laughing.

Synda: "No he didn’t. He just had Binker’s ears."

All: (more laughter).

Mea: "Did you notice all the Pol berries. They should be ripe in four or five days."

Synda: "We’ll need extra baskets when we come for them. They’re best picked very early in the morning… we’ll need to start before sun rise."

Vila: (pointing to the right of the trail) "Look, the moon caps are ripening."

(Can looks at some mushrooms growing on the ground)

Vila: (to Mel) "Will you get word to the king about the moon caps. They are his by right."

Mel: "I will but it might be better if I didn’t. The old king died from too many moon caps and the present king got pretty silly last time they ripened. "

Cam: "You might be right but the law says we must report their ripening. The law must be followed."

Vila: "Maybe the law needs to be changed."

Cam: "The law is the law. The king knows best."

 

Scene 5

Set

The forest trail and its entry into the village. The village is a rough circle of huts around a central area of tables and typical village square props.

Cast

As per scene 4, plus several additional extras.

Action

The column of villagers reaches the end of the trail and enters the village compound. An earthquake occurs just as they are arriving. There is general panic.

Dialogue

Mea: "Tomorrow we really must…"

(Mea is stopped in mid-sentence by the deep rumbling and shaking of an earthquake.)

Cam: (Falling to the ground and dropping a load of produce) "Aaiiieee! "

(There are several views of goods falling to the ground, all from Cam’s eyes)

Mea: "What is it?"

Mel: "Look out! Earth shake!"

Synda: Oh no! What is happening?"

Cam (Falling a second time) "Arggh!"

Scene 6

Set

The village area.

Cast

Mel

Vila

Cam

Action

The earthquake has stopped. Villagers are milling around, looking very upset and frightened.

 

Dialogue

Mel: (to Cam and Vila) "What does it mean?"

Vila: (to Cam and Mel) "The god of the mountain is angry with us"

Cam: "We may have to make a sacrifice."

Mel: "Oh. I hope not. My grandfather attended a sacrifice when he was a young man. He said it was truly horrible to watch."

Vila: "Yes, terrible indeed! A terrible death for the one chosen."

Cam: "But its for the good of everyone else. If one must be sacrificed for the good of all the rest, then that must be done. If it has to be then it has to be."

Scene 7

Set

Another part of the village, in front of a large hut belonging to the king.

Cast

Action

The villagers have gathered in front of the king’s hut to find out what will be done to appease the god of the mountain. The king has been consulting with the Kel, a spiritual medicine man. They emerge from the king’s hut as the scene begins.

Dialogue

King: (Raising his arms for attention). He says nothing, but gestures toward the medicine man with his hand.

Medicine Man: "The god of the mountain is angry. We must appease him. There must be a sacrifice."

All: (general murmuring of alarm and heightened agitation)

Mel: "But how will we choose?"

Vila: "Oh, this is terrible."

Synda: "Why is the god of the mountain angry? What did we do?"

King: (Raising his arms for silence) "My people. My people be at ease…we have already made a selection"

All (hushed silence)

King: "Kyla, daughter of Mol has been selected. She was selected years ago when Mol tried to abolish the sacrifice ritual itself."

Cam: (turning to Mel and Vila) "Kyla, daughter of the heretic Mol, what a brilliant selection. Hr father wanted to abolish the sacrifice ritual, and now she will pay for his foolishness."

Vila: "It still seems barbaric to me."

Cam: "Hush, or you will be next in line. The sacrifice is necessary; its good. It should not be opposed."

Scene 8

Set

A path through an increasingly barren landscape leading to the volcanic mud pit. Several fumaroles and even a geyser are alongside the path and in the background.

Cast

Everyone except the king, medicine man, Kyla, and a pair of guards.

Action

The members of the procession are walking down the path toward the mud pit. They are accompanied by the regular beating of a drum as they walk.

Dialogue

Vila: (Turning back to Synda and Cam): "I knew it would be bad but I never thought it would be this terrible."

Cam: "It has to be bad to be a real sacrifice. The god of the mountain might refuse to accept the sacrifice if it wasn’t."

Synda: "I don’t know. It seems to me that sacrificing the daughter of an enemy might not be acceptable."

Cam: "Of course it will. It’s good sense. The god of the mountain does not care who likes who. He just wants blood."

Synda: "So, you’re the medicine man now, you know what the god of the mountain wants."

Cam: "No, that’s what the medicine man believes. He’s the one who selected Kyla."

Vila: "How do you know it wasn’t the king who selected. Mol was always a source of trouble for the him too you know."

Cam: "Well what difference does it make. I never liked Mol much myself. He was always questioning the way things were. Things were pretty good but he kept raising questions."

 

Scene 9

Set

A large mud pit, complete with fumaroles and bubbling clay. Near one edge of the pit there is a large wooden platform. Several yards directly behind this platform two guards stand with Kyla between them. She appears confused and unsteady, but is not showing any fear. The king and medicine man a just to one side. Our view is from across the mud put (which is 15 feet wide) quite closer to the king and medicine man and affording a very close view of the area in front of the platform.

Cast

Everyone

Action

We are waiting for the sacrifice to begin. Cam looks at Kyla, who is being held a few yards back from the edge of the mud pit, for a while before the conversation begins. Although Kyla has her hands tied behind her back she is very relaxed, even keeping time with her foot to the cadence of the drum beat as thuogh enjoying it.

Dialogue

Cam (to Vila): "Look at Kyla, she doesn’t seem to be very worried. See, its not so bad."

Vila: "She’s full of Grillo root and moon caps. They’ve given her those to keep her under control."

Synda: "The Grillo roots have weakened her muscles and made her confused. And the moon caps take away her fear.

Mel: "She probably won’t even know what is happening when it happens. Not completely anyway."

Cam: "That’s too bad. She ought to suffer a bit more for what her father did.

Synda: You’re cruel. She is completely innocent you know. She was just a child when Mol did those things. After all, she was only ten years old when he died.

`Cam: I suppose, but she might have inherited her father’s ideas." Besides, it’s a good lesson for everyone. If you raise trouble you may have to pay a heavy price.

Scene 10

Set

Same as for scene 9.

Cast

Same as for scene 9

Action

Kyla is led forward to the edge of the mud pit. On signal from the king she is pushed into the mud. She appears to enjoy its sensuousness as she sinks deeper and deeper, and does not seem to understand what is really happening. As the mud reaches her chin she appears more confused, as if some aspects of what is happening feel good to her while she is also recognizing (though not totally comprehending) that something bad is happening to her. She begins to struggle (though her hands are still tied) when the mud reaches her mouth and continues to do so until eventually she is engulfed completely. Our view of the action remains through Cam's eyes, looking at various speakers during the conversation but mainly looking at Kyla.

Dialogue

Vila: "Oh!" (as Kyla is pushed into the pit)

Mel: "I don’t like this. This can’t be what the god of the mountain wants."

Cam: "Why not? This is the way it has always been. Besides, she doesn’t seem to mind."

Vila: "She’s drunk with moon caps. She doesn’t know what is happening."

Mel: "If she doesn’t know what’s happening to her and no one likes her, then where is the sacrifice. It seems to me the king is gaining here."

Cam: "Kyla is making the sacrifice. She’s giving ujp her life for everyone else.

Mel: "No, she’s having her life taken away by everyone else. She’s not sacrificing it for us because she doesn’t know."

Vila: "I hope this never happens again."

Cam: "If people would just stop questioning things, maybe it won’t."

Mel: "So you think I should be next? Thanks a lot."

Cam: "I didn’t say that."

Vila: "Yes, you did."

(As Kyla goes from neck deep to complete submergence, there is general silence except for various exclamations of satisfaction, disgust, loathing, etc. from all those watching.

 

Scene 11

Set

Continuation of scene 10

Cast

Same as for scene 10

Action

Kyla disappears completely. After a period of stunned silence, the audience begins to move away but they are interrupted by an eclipse of the sun. Everyone is genuinely frightened by this event, which is interpreted as a sign of dissatisfaction by the god of the mountain. A second sacrifice is decided upon and carried out immediately.

Dialogue

(Our view is initially on the mudpit as Kyla’s hair disappears beneath the surface, then on other characters or events as the scene unfolds.  There is stunned silence for a moment. Then, just as everyone turns to leave, the entire scene darkens noticeably)

All: "Ooohhh! What is it? What is happening?"

(Cam looks around rapidly as several frightened villagers. Then Cam (and everyone) looks up at the sun. It is a solar eclipse). There is general pandemonium for a minute or so, then attention turns to the king and medicine man who are conferring frantically.)

King: (to the medicine man but overheard) "What can this mean? Just as the sacrifice is ended?"

Medicine Man: "Obviously, we have chosen badly. The god of the mountain has not accepted the sacrifice. He demands more."

King: But the sacrifice must be done on a day with no moon. Do we dare wait that long?"

Medicine Man: No. We must make another sacrifice. Right away. Now."

King: "But who?"

Medicine Man: (Raising his arms for attention from everyone) "The god of the mountain remains angry. There must be another sacrifice and it must be right away. The king must make a selection."

King: (to the medicine man, but again overheard) "But who?"

Medicine Man: "Just select anyone. Anyone at all."

King: (gulping) "Very well." (The king scans his gathered villagers. He looks all around the pit several times. Then suddenly he turns at points directly at Cam) "You. You will be sacrificed."

 

Scene 12

Set

Same as for scene 11

Cast

Same as for scene 11

Action

Cam is seized and brought around to the spot where Kyla was held prior to her sacrifice. Then Cam is brought to the edge of the pit. On signal from the king Cam is pushed into the pit.

Dialogue

(Cam looks around frantically at all the onlookers, seeing very little sympathy)

Cam: " No, this is a mistake. Not me. Not meee-eee." I’ve been loyal. I work hard… You can’t do this to me. No! No! No! Please, not me, no! Mea, tell them to stop. Synda, you know how good I am at finding Komba nuts. Tell them. This is wrong… Look, the sun is back. It’s all right. Please, No! No! No!" (Cam is pushed into the pit) "Ooooooo."

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Scene 13

Set

Same as for scene 12

Cast

Same as for scene 12

Action

Cam sinks slowly, but completely. Cam struggles and looks around frantically at the king, the onlookers, and at the rising mud, until being engulfed entirely. The camera films Cam’s view as Cam’s head slowly tilts back and the eyes are covered.

Dialogue

Cam continues to plead for help, to appeal to friends for intervention, and to protest that everything is a mistake. Toward the end, Cam screams that the idea of a sacrifice is wrong and that use of the mud pit for sacrifices is brutal and evil. We hear gurgling and/or gagging sounds as the mouth is covered.

Scene 14

Set Same as for scene 12

Cast: Cam’s hands and arms.

Action:

This scene is no longer filmed through Cam’s eyes. We see Cam’s arms and hands slowly sink into the mud. Several shots are cut together to prolong the final disappearance as long as possible.

Dialogue:

Narrator: (after Cam has disappeared except for the hands and arms) "And so, the god of the mountain was appeased, at least for a while. The volcano did not erupt. The king and medicine man saved the remaining people of Zendar. But a change did occur on Zendar. The people are now a little more willing to question the actions of the king and medicine man. They have seen that one who did that was punished terribly but that the god of the mountain did not approve of that punishment. They are a little less willing to follow unquestioningly. They have seen that being obedient was no protection from the wrath of the god of the mountain. "

"There has been talk on Zendar of abolishing the sacrifice ritual, but the general sentiment is to keep it. After all, the god of the mountain prevented the volcano from erupting. There are some on Zendar who even talk of conducting a sacrifice more frequently. They talk about using outsiders as victims, especially outsiders who bring valuable trade to the island when they visit. Such valuable victims would make the most genuine sacrifices, they say."