Six Foundations of Life II

Cast

Professor Heineken- Old professor in his 50’s. Has white hair and is about 5’ 7” tall.
Alex Packard- Alex is known for his absurd arguments and is very opinionated. He is about 6’ 9” tall, has an athletic look, and brown hair.
Daniel Stern- Daniel is a mediocre debater; he is about 5’11” tall, has a dark appearance, black hair, and has glasses.
Josh Guinness- Josh has blond hair, blue eyes; he is a jock, and has a strong upper body appearance. He is respected for his football talents and is always trying to be the class clown.

Act I
Scene 1

Setting: The college auditorium was lit with a fine yellow glow. It’s dark outside the windows, so dark that night would say it has blessed the moon by concealing its identity. In the front of the auditorium stands a middle aged professor. In front of him sits many college students, girls and boys alike. There is a faint old spice smell in the room.

Professor: Derived from ancient culture, the Bible was written at more than one point in time. It was believed to be the work that of many writers, and it spoke of battles and wars that had been fought for many years. To this day, we have no solid evidence that these battles have occurred, but in many ways, some still believe. Many years ago a stone was found that was believed to foretell a battle between the ancient gods. Zeus and Hades had fought until every person that lay in their wake was killed, and they were the only two left. The first time that Zeus cleverly slipped into the underworld, he was caught, and was sent to the prison of the Devils. Today-----.

(Bell rings and all of the students pick up their book bags and prepare to exit the college auditorium)

Professor: Wait just a second, your reading is on pages 105 to 221, and be prepared for a quiz on the six foundations of life. You must know these six foundations thoroughly, and be prepared orally for this, there maybe an oral quiz. Let me remind you that this is only the beginning, and you will surmise much more information about the ancient wars than I have given already. Please. Don’t forget your books, and bring your utensils. Once again, be prepared, and have a safe night. Don’t forget to recycle!
(Students flee the auditorium. The professor walks over to his desk. He picks up his brief case and spills his coffee accidentally onto his uncorrected papers.)
The Professor: [wipes his hands, picks up the coffee cup, and walks over to the sink. He then thoroughly washes out the cup so that it looks clean enough to satisfying his need to be able to recycle.] Things went well today. I am curious to see how they go tomorrow. Maybe I will find the one person who truly cares about my teachings!
(Curtains Close)

Act II
Scene I

Setting: it’s 6:45 in the mourning. The auditorium is filled with laughter, as Professor Heineken walks in. Suddenly the laughter stops, and there is this serious tension arousing the students of the auditorium. The professor sets his briefcase on his desk that sits 5 feet from the first student. He then turns towards the chalkboard, starts to chisel with his hands faint pleasure, and he writes, “If believing is seeing, and seeing is believing, how did we even get this far?” A hand is raised. The Professor starts to turn around to face class.

Alex, quickly pulls his hand back down, “Professor, Professor, as your former predecessor, I believe that you should quit this job!”

Professor Heineken: Boy, what are you thinking? You don’t even know your proper English to be in college. Your vocabulary shows your wits. Shut up and keep to yourself unless spoken to otherwise.

(Two second chatter erupts through the auditorium and then is quickly quieted.)
Alex: Yes sir.


Professor Heineken, reaches over to his desk and picks up his coffee, tastes it, and then he points over to a young man: As I have said, you all will be quizzed today on the six foundations of life. Daniel Stern, you shall state and describe the first foundation our society is based on.

Daniel: The mind is tainted if led to believe I possess such an answer. Perhaps per say, maybe, it is that we humans base our society on industrialization?

Professor Heineken: Go On, complete it, you can.

Daniel: I do not know.

Professor Heineken: Of course you do. Didn’t you study?

Daniel: I did, but it must have slipped my mind.

Professor Heineken: Ok, Josh Guinness, what are the six foundations of life?
Josh: The need for industrialization, the need to make war, the need to—(Looks at his arm searching for the other four foundations)

Professor Heineken: Don’t bother, child, you will not figure it out. At least you got the first two. I do not respect you writing the answers on your bare arms. Luckily today this oral quiz will not count against you, it will raise your grade though.

Daniel: Let me try, I think I can get it.

Alex: No, let me answer the question.
Other Students, collectively, No, don’t let them answer it. Let us, let us answer it, because we know the answer.

Professor Heineken: Ok well it sounds like the majority of you all of a sudden want to answer this question. Perhaps you know the answer. Why do you now choose to speak?

Alex: We have no choice; we see your face, it is getting older and older by the day. We cannot keep you waiting. All of this talk about god. You want to see god?

[The students get up like drones]

Well you will. Oh, to mention one more foundation of life: Destruction.

Professor Heineken, shocked, faints to the ground, clenches his head; his skin is getting older and older, his hair whiter and whiter: Stop this, stop this now. You are taking everything I have taught far too literal. That’s the problem. Everyday people take life’s teachings far too literal. Not that they shouldn’t.

The Students [collectively]: We cannot stop. One life must come to an end. You told us that yourself. The third foundation of life; death leads to new upbringings which lead to other----------.

(The curtain closes)