Cursed

by: Khareen Culajara, Lymae Belle Ednalgan, Maryanne Lobaton and Maureen Devorah Ronquillo

 

CAST

Fausta

An upper-class girl who suffers a mysterious disease and tries to stop the curse that has been pervading her family for generations

TIME: An hour before midnight

PLACE: A rambling old abandoned mansion.

 

(At the attic. FAUSTA rummages through a chest of drawers but finds nothing. Exasperated, she sits on a trunk and speaks to a certain Mepi.)

Fausta: There’s got to be a way, Mepi. And you’re the only one who can help me. You were able to decipher the codes. You’re the only one who can read and understand the inscriptions. Can’t you see it? You’re a descendant of those slaves! For God’s sake, Mep. I am not insulting you. It’s the truth. It’s flowing through your veins. The diamond. The chant is inscribed there. The reverse will unravel the spell. No one exactly knows where it’s hidden now. No one except… Lola Lucy. And this house has too many rooms. How are we going to search all of them in an hour? Dammit! I don’t have any… wait a minute. Lola’s final words. Perhaps… they must have held a clue. I just have to remember it. Yes. Yes. No, I’m not talking in riddles. I can’t even recall. Come on. Come on. It’s hopeless. Now what? Of course, I know it’s cursed! What do you suppose I need you for? Your ancestors’ wrath hovers through the night. Life in recompense for adversity. My family didn’t mean to hurt them, Mep. (suddenly experiences an excruciating pain) This pain. It’s been killing me for months now. It gets more unbearable each time. It’s just… Oh my God! Could it be……? How could I be so stupid!? The sudden deaths. The mysterious disease. It’s been running in the family for centuries. Midnight will strike death. I still want to see my children grow happy and strong. Do we always have to run, Mep? Ten minutes. We’ve only got ten minutes left. I know it’s hidden here somewhere. It’s got to be here! If only I can remember…… Yeah, I know it’s stifling hot. An ice cube will be very helpful. Now, wait…… The chill of heat creates the perfect ice. That’s it! The riddle! But what does it mean? Tell me, how in the vast universe are we going to freeze water with a “cold fire”? If that’s what Lola trying to imply. We’re at the edge now, Mep. We just have to jump. What? Did you say something? Well, even a dumb one holds more sense. Sometimes. Yes… It could be… Now don’t tell me we’re going to break all those crystal glasses one by one just to find a single diamond. And there are thousands of them. It will take us a lifetime! We’ve only got a minute to go! I would’ve preferred to smash that massive mirror downstairs…… The mirror! The diamond is hidden behind the mirror!

(Beat.)

(trying to smash the mirror) Dammit! It won’t even make a crack! Mep! What are you doing?!

No! Don’t even attempt it! It’s too dangerous! I won’t allow…… NO……

(Beat.)

Mep…? We’ve got the diamond. Speak up, Mep! I didn’t mean to…… I’m so sorry…… It’s getting cold, Mep. What’s the use now?

Tags: cursed. khareen, dramatic monologue, lymae, maryanne, maureen