Synopsis:

A collection of one act plays, each tied to the next through no more than a vague relationship to the word "underground." In "Three Blue Lights," three soldiers who lie isolated in a World War One trench must decide if the war is over when all of the shooting suddenly stops. "The Great River Below" is the story of three recently dead who arrive on the banks of the river Styx. There they confront Charon the Boatman who will give safe passage to the afterlife, but nothing comes for free. Finally, "Kalki" is a monologue by the Hindu god Vishnu as he awaits his rebirth and 10th return to Earth.

The Cast:

Links:

Quotes:

(propping himself up) I don't like this.

Would you prefer to have gunshots and explosions? What's not to like about the silence? At least while it's quiet, there's a chance it's over.

I've been here for ... (a pained groan as he shifts position in the mud) 7 months. I've never heard it like this. You really think it's over?

I've been saving bullets...

A saved bullet is a useless bullet.

Nothin' is useless out here.

I can't even hear anyone moving out there.

(touching the tip of the shell) Each bullet is so perfect. Here. (hands them each a few)

How's your wound doing?

My head hurts.

(taking the bullets) Just look like more metal to me. I'm already carrying too much of it in my stomach.

My eye sees silver now.

I think I'm bleeding more.

Or is that the sun? Or moon?

I should probably see if I can find a medic somewhere ...

Get down.

Maybe it's a shell. Or a flare ... (huddles down; groaning loudly)

We won't wake up from this.

For Christ's sake, that hurts!

Are we dead?

Like my pop always told me, if it hurts when you do that, don't do it. No, somehow I think death would be more lively.

Look!

What is it? I can't see ...

Ghosts carry guns.

(grabs his gun) So do the living.

(to soldier 1) I think he's losing it.

I'm losing nothing. I've killed as many as you.

Nobody has lost anything here. As far as we know, we've won.

It was easy.

The ghosts ... they must be coming for me.

Sight , lock, squeeze.

(to himself) They must know something I don't.

Just relax you two. No ghost is coming for us.

There won't be any "after" for us.

(frantically grabs 1) Am I dyin'? Look at this! (pulls up his shirt) Am I dying?

No, the world is dying and we are alive.

Just take it easy, I'll get you a medic soon.

I'm not gonna make it, I know it.

Are you a doctor?

You shoot at those ghosts and I'll be lost out there.

You've got to shut up!!

They're coming to help me make it home!

(strikes him) Shut up!

Hey! Knock that off!

(starts to whimper to himself)

You did not come here to live. Any fool can live. Load these shells and we'll see if anyone comes to get them.

Nobody is loading anything until we know if we have anything left to deal with.

(no movement; just sobbing)

You are a coward. (a pause) So are you.

I'm a dead man.

A coward hides behind a gun when he's afraid. Someone who's brave faces his fear with eyes open, without losing control of his wits.

God hides behind the stars.

Well, good for God; but God isn't here right now.

You fool.

It's just us now, and we have to do the best with what we've got, and right now that's ourselves.

No words, just bullets. I'm going toward that silence. (gets out of the trench)

(looking at his stomach) There's so much blood ... Those ghosts know I'm here ... Where are you going? Where is he going!?

I have no idea, but I'm very dangerous when I'm scared.

He's gone crazy; let him go. There's nothing waiting for him in here, so let him find what he seeks in the silence.

Listen ...

(dejected) There's nothing there.

(runs away) The silence is louder over this way!

I hear sobbing, but I think it's just my own.

Don't worry. We'll be ok.

I never noticed how cold it was before all the noise stopped ... I thought I was shivering from fear.

Here, take my jacket. I'm going to peek around, see if I can find someone ... or something ... (slowly gets out of the trench) If you need me, just give me a yell. I won't go far. It's ironic really... how lonely it is now, after all the masses that were once here. Like a single star on a cloudy night... How long until the cloud covers it as well? [looks around] what was the point of all this anyway? Did the slaughter of many tell us who was right? I forgot why I was fighting some time ago... (sighs) another cold night ... is it the beginning or the end of this day? (gets back in the trench) I couldn't find anything ... (checks soldier 2's pulse)

(A blank stare. There's no breath.)

I see ... So the spirits came then ... I don't know if I can weep anymore ...

End

(Staring at the river Styx) I started my life on the mortal coil. One wrong step, upon a sea urchin to be exact, landed me this job. My foot swelled larger than the womb of a cow birthing triplets. A messenger came to me from Hades; he was beautiful. He said that Lord Hades would end my suffering. He would grant me eternal life and all I had to do was take a little side job for him. (Charon spits into the River.) What a sonuvabitch. (Pulls gondola up to the side of the River for newcomers) Bienvenue, welcome, howdoyoudo.

Here Cerberus ... Heeere boy ...

I wouldn't tempt the dog, Sir.

I have a nice Milkbone for you ...

The last man lost more than his hand and his manhood; he lost his sanity. How many will it be today?

I died with money for my passage. Can you make change?

(steps into the boat)

Money? I've been collecting coins since I started this job. I need no money.

All I have is a twenty.

Some other boon you could grant me, perhaps?

After all, what is money in a world without trade?

Touché.

(Sits down. Leans over the rail of the gondola and trails her fingers into the blue river)

(steps on the boat) Sturdy, crafted very well.

It's seen plenty of passengers.

Look at all the souls waiting ... Lost ...

I hear music. Is that music?

They were not granted the proper burial rights. Thus, they have no way to pay for their voyage to Elysium.

Quite the tragedy. What was it they did?

Some died of carelessness. Others of ennui. Some died for love and others died without reason.

Some got ripped off on burial plots.

This too is true. Samirah, you lovely child, what can you give me for your passage across? (he touches her cheek with a gnarled hand)

I cannot be dead. I'm in love, and I'll give you a song.

You can be dead and in love; and I'd love a song.

(starts singing)
I must confess.
I have felt hunger for a reason.
I would gladly feel again.
And, uproot myself from under ground.
In the blue light of summer season.

If I had tears to cry, I would give them to you, my lady.

(removes her veil)

I grant you safe passage. You sir, what is your name?

Me?

No, the other sulking one. I will deal with you later.

In my life, I was called Wade. I suppose that shall be fitting for the after.

Well, Wade (Charon snickers), what will you give me?

What is it you could take from me that I have not already surrendered?

Have you a dream? A story?

Ah, a dream ... I once dreamt of being a paladin. Though holy, I did not fight for a god. My spirit came from within and brought light to the shadows. And I would die, only to save the life of a stranger ... I suppose I woke up here before that ever happened.

Your dream has satisfied me. I grant you safe passage as well. (turning his attention to Adrian) Now, you sir, you've offered me money.

Yes.

Which in the underworld does me about as much good as a pedicure. What else might you offer?

I thought that was the custom.

As I said before, I need no more money.

I brought water skis.

And you think I have a great demand for those here? Perhaps you could tell me the final moments of your life.

Hmmmm. Well, I kind of killed us.

Adrian, why are we here? I am starting to remember.

We were out in my boat. I kind of had no life jackets when I ran us into a rock.

Thus killing our innocent lifeguarding friend ... Wade, how ironic ... a lifeguard.

This is Milo, my dachshund, by the way .... He was with us.

Woof.

Adrian, I've many more to escort across the river this day.

Ask for a raise.

My mother, Nyx, taught me that time is of the essence and I must shove off. (puts his pole in the water) Oh, I almost forgot ...

I thought time would become inconsequential here ...

I thought thyme was a herb ... I guess it's an essence.

Here, Milo ... Here, boy! (Milo boards the boat) That's a good dog. Goodbye, Adrian.

Hey ... Wait!

These three shall taste the sweet waters of forgetfulness while you shall remember your sins forever. My apologies for the inconvience.

Thats no attitude!

Maybe if you repent, Hades will take pity on your soul. Ha ha ha ha ...

I ask only for a clean place to sit and that my spirits be kept up by the splendor of the day.

And you shall have it, my lady, in all the splendor of the Elysian Fields.

Would there be any way for me to help him aboard?

You could, but I would just knock him in with my stick. (Charon whistles a melancholy tune to himself as they disappear into the fog.)

(Tapping a spirit on shoulder) What time is the next ferry?

Rebirth?
Nine times I have done this;
yet I am not tired.
Completer, I am.
Savior, I am.
I have balanced everything on a tortoise.
I have retrieved everything from the depths.
I am not bitter at this return.
The world is a hard world;
but beautiful.
A thousand white serpents entwine them there.
Here is what I will say:
Renunciation is not necessary.
The bee does not renounce the flower.
Faith is not necessary.
Does the flower have faith in the sun?
It simply leans toward it.
Knowledge is certainly not necessary.
Does a cloud philosophize?
I have stood toe to claw with devils
and what I know about them is they are not from around here.
I have sent them home to darkness.
I wish they could drink me
and that I was a clear stream.
Clearer than devils.
The people evolved from lizards so ...
they must not think like lizards.
However that is.
I will become mortal
and die
and not die.
I will manifest myself in ice and storm.
I will kiss the world with a billion seasons
and the secrets of completion are ...
ineffable.
My world is a sweet world, after all.
This I will teach them;
if teach them, I can.
I am ready
to be born
again ...