Retrograde
Write and perform in a short play
For Moon Experiences we are looking for incredible young writers to write and perform in short plays! These plays will be performed throughout the festivals in Leicester, Newcastle and Southampton. We asked actor, writer and performance artist Mika Onyx Johnson to write an example of a short play that could be included in our festival. He has written ‘Retrograde’ in response to the Carnival brief of Moon Experiences.
Retrograde
By Mika Onyx Johnson
Characters
MOON
Werewolf
Homo (sapien)
Notes
… indicates space between the words, so they can breathe.
Werewolf hasn’t been able to shift for a while due to MOON going through some shit.
Tonight MOON is meant to be full. They finally meet with Werewolf at the local ritual ground.
Homo (sapien) has been dating Werewolf for a minute now and has decided to tag on for the ride.
We meet them mid argument.
MOON
I’ve been busy!
Werewolf
Oh.
…
I’m sorry
…
Busy doing what exactly?
…
I’m fucking losing my shit here mate.
MOON
Well.
…
What do you want me to say?
Werewolf
How about sorry?
…
My bad.
…
Let me make it up to you.
MOON
The world don’t revolve around you.
…
Or should I say
...
the MOON don’t revolve around you.
Homo (Sapien)
Can I interject?
MOON
Who the fuck is that?
Werewolf
That’s my person.
MOON
You're sick!
Werewolf
No no!
…
I’m not going to eat her
as in my person
...
as in we fuck sometimes.
…
she’s really curious about you.
MOON
Of course she is.
Homo (Sapien)
yeah, I'm a huge fan.
…
I’m exploring MOON magic/
MOON
of course you are.
Werewolf
Don’t be a dick.
MOON
Sorry.
Homo (Sapien)
I’m quite an empathic person
I’m sensing blocked chakras
…
Are you in retrograde right now?
MOON
(reluctant)
Yes
…
Yes I am.
Homo (Sapien)
I KNEW IT!
(to Werewolf)
That’s why you can’t shift babe!
…
I’m so connected!
Werewolf
Retrograde?
Homo (Sapien)
Are you being serious?
…
are you sure your queer?
cuz this feels homophobic.
MOON
Look i’m here innit so let's just get this done …
get this done so I can leave.
Werewolf
No!
…
I wanna know
…
WTF is retrograde.
Homo (Sapien)
Well
…
MOON is moving backwards
…
Changed direction.
MOON
Basically i’m depressed
…
going through some shit
…
It’ll pass
…
It always does.
Werewolf
What?
…
You're the fucking MOON!
what do you mean depressed
…
Come on man!
Homo (Sapien)
No babe it’s real
I’m really going through it too.
MOON
The world is on fire!
…
You self centred oversized dog!
Werewolf
Ay fuck you MOON!
(Homo (sapien) watches on in amusement)
MOON
FUCK YOU!
(Werewolf & MOON start tussling, lights flash, strobe like. As they tussle, the Werewolf starts to shift into an actual Werewolf. They howl in Werewolf style, everything stops suddenly.)
Homo (Sapien)
Ok.
…
…
(The vibe is intense, Werewolf and MOON pant hard and stare at each other.)
MOON
Happy now?
Werewolf
(hungry)
Nope.
(Werewolf attacks MOON, ripping, tearing through it’s flesh, it’s pretty fucking grim, MOON laughs throughout being eaten.)
Werewolf
What the fuck are you laughing at?
…
You're crazy!
MOON
You’ll never shift again bitch!
You're done!
Homo (Sapien)
I’m sorry babe but I don’t think
…
me and you will work out
…
I’m ending this
…
this is too much for me.
MOON
(to Werewolf)
How do you feel?
Werewolf
I feel fucking invincible
…
…
I FEEL/
(Werewolf EXPLODES, MOON laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs, Homo (Sapien) just looks very uncomfortable.)
End.