"The Tragical Ascension Of Lulu The Flower-Child" by Samson Sorluangsana
Cast of Characters:
LULU: a female model-turned-gardener, early-twenties, regarded by RAVI as the “flower-child”
RAVI: a male painter, late-sixties to early-seventies; a senile old man
BOY: a male assistant to RAVI, early-twenties, cares for a potted-plant
Place:
An untidy artist’s studio in London
Time:
An evening in the Spring, present-day
I — 1 — 1
ACT I
Scene 1
Setting:
A small, untidy art studio in the evening. Upstage center is an arbor decorated with floral embellishments which stands upon fake grass sprinkled with flower petals blue and pink. The arbor has a bench at whose ends are small flower-beds, containing peonies, that too may serve as armrests. Curtaining the arbor are strings of fairy-lights. Stage right of the arbor is a door, an entrance to the hallway. There is a skylight, which indicates the time of day.
At Rise:
Lulu is seen sitting on the grass, idly tossing flower petals in the air. After a moment, she piles together some flower petals, gathers them in her palms, then blows them, scattering them in front of her. Ravi is stage left behind an easel, idly preparing his materials for painting on the canvas. At this moment, Boy enters from the stage right door, carrying a potted-plant yet sprouted. He goes to Ravi.
BOY
Did you know: a small, rural town in Argentina was recently showered with strange poppy seeds which, along the currents of the wind, traveled miles from a neighboring poppy-growing town that had forgotten to collect the seeds because a woman of— quote—“hypnotic magnetism,” had dropped in to tour the poppy fields, then later became a tourist’s attraction herself for the poppy farmers, and too—quite jealously—by their wives. But this isn't the first time an incident like this has occurred! In fact, this same woman once toured a rose-growing facility in Shropshire where she reportedly, “commanded the hearts of those unfortunate to have been ensared by her gaze.” The biggest mystery, however, isn't the woman in discussion! But rather, the erratic pattern of these incidents occurring every couple of months with a different woman each time, or one woman more than once. It seems to be concentrated most in our area, and sparsely around the globe where peonies are grown… do you suppose peonies have anything at all to do with these women? Perhaps possessing an innate, magical quality that they pass on to compatible women which makes them so enchanting? I think we could grow some peonies ourselves. They would certainly colour our yard with spirited elegance. And come with the added benefit of a chance to make our lady-visitors hyper-alluring…
RAVI
(momentarily setting aside his materials to greet BOY)
Has it sprouted yet?
BOY
See for yourself.
(BOY hands the potted-plant to RAVI, who takes it, wandering to another area of the studio.)
I — 1 — 2
RAVI
(quietly muttering to the plant)
So shy and quiet a flower… much like my gracious model here.
(At this moment, BOY notices LULU, curiously observing the scene unfolding.)
BOY (greeting)
Hey.
LULU
Hi.
BOY
You must be Lulu.
LULU
I am.
BOY
Ravi spoke quite raptly yesterday evening while we primed the canvases. Said he found someone special: a flower child. One that would inspire fervour in the hearts of those blessed to look upon them.
LULU
I would very much like to meet this person.
BOY
Surely he meant you. This scene has every makings of a fervid dream, and here, you lie exalted: its comely subject.
LULU (flattered)
Oh!
RAVI (returning)
He is rather taken with you, I think.
BOY
Taken!
RAVI
Those are words of a man so enamoured!
BOY
They are words spoken only in earnest!
I — 1 — 3
RAVI
Words spoken in earnest can only suggest intentions fair and sweet.
BOY
(gesturing to the potted plant)
Are you done with it?
(RAVI motions for him to come. BOY goes to him.)
RAVI
It is napping. Take it to the greenhouse and lay it beneath the heat-lamp, set on low. We will relocate it to the living room windowsill when it wakes, ready to emerge from the soil.
BOY
Fertilizer?
RAVI
The same. And four ounces of water. Weekly.
(BOY begins to leave, headed for the door, but briefly lingers, a thought in mind.)
BOY
(addressing LULU)
I’m curious to know more of this flower-child, and their inherent ability to shake so the state of mind that all becomes a feverish dream. Perhaps you’ll permit me the chance to uncover for myself this mystery?
LULU (considering)
In time, perhaps.
BOY
Why that’s uncertain an answer as could be!
LULU
No more uncertain than you to me.
BOY
Do you mean to suggest something?
LULU
Persist!
(BOY begins to speak, briefly fumbling a mess of vowels and consonants, then stops, understanding. He exits through the door with the potted-plant in hand.)
I — 1 — 4
RAVI
In earnest, he said!
(then, preparing his materials again)
Have you many suitors?
LULU
A few.
RAVI
Is that modest?
LULU
In truth.
RAVI
Well, that's certainly more than most can say. I haven't got any at all.
LULU
Perhaps you'd like to meet my friend Nina? She very much likes artsy men and would welcome the chance to be courted by one of that type.
RAVI
That's quite alright. My tastes are often misunderstood.
LULU
They're all of similar flavour around here.
RAVI
Yes, well, that's trivial.
LULU
What do you mean?
RAVI
Truthfully… I haven't any interest in women.
LULU
You like men?
RAVI
(gesturing to the canvas)
This is what I like.
LULU
Is it the same?
I — 1 — 5
RAVI
I can't really say.
LULU
Ah.
RAVI
Only that painting has been one of few joys from my childhood that persist still, today. It has yet ceased to bore me, and it certainly has yet ceased to delight me.
LULU
How fascinating!
RAVI
The idea is strange, I know.
LULU
Stranger still are notions far wilder than this one, though… I don't believe I could ever experience it to the fullest extent myself.
RAVI
One must be born into it, I think. The seed planted during one's conception.
LULU
If I had been, you'd be in my place instead!
RAVI
And you, behind the easel.
LULU
How different things would be!
RAVI
The canvas would certainly lose a pretty subject.
(LULU spontaneously squeezes herself inward from flattery. By this point, RAVI has finished preparing his materials.)
RAVI
Your pose, then.
(RAVI goes to her. They momentarily work LULU's pose, then when he's satisfied with what's devised, RAVI breaks away, making micro-adjustments to the scenery surrounding her.)
I — 1 — 6
RAVI
That should suffice.
(he returns to the easel)
Be as you are for one evening, and you will be immortalized into this canvas.
LULU
Just an evening for a completed painting?
RAVI
I am quick.
LULU
Then I shall be still!
END OF SCENE
I — 2 — 7
ACT I
Scene 2
Setting:
The same.
At Rise:
Time has passed. Ravi is seen idly painting on the canvas, the sounds of his brush strokes reflecting a quick, bold—albeit unconventional—technique. Lulu remains still in her pose. A moment later, Boy returns from the greenhouse, going to Ravi.
RAVI
Is it in the greenhouse?
BOY
Beneath the heat lamp, set on low. Fertilized and watered to content.
RAVI
How does it look?
BOY
As you said. Napping still.
RAVI
It is a sleepy one…
BOY
Do you really expect it to sprout so soon?
RAVI
Before dusk.
(beat)
What is it?
BOY
I planted it ten minutes ago. It takes one week at least before a seed breaks the surface of the soil. That is, for a good seed and proper care.
RAVI
In this circumstance, you might consider the seed blessed.
BOY
Because of our facilities?
RAVI
No.
I — 2 — 8
BOY
The fertilizer is excellent…
RAVI
A family secret.
BOY
It's only bananas and manure—
RAVI (interjecting)
Shh! A secret, I said!
LULU
(joining in, her curiosity stoked)
Did he say bananas?
RAVI
It was nothing, Lulu.
LULU
Phooey?
RAVI
Just some nonsense.
BOY
How then?
RAVI
Because of her.
(BOY frowns, trying to make sense of it. He peers over at LULU in hopes of gaining any form of insight.)
RAVI
Are you looking at her?
BOY
Yes.
RAVI
What do you think?
BOY
Beautiful.
1 — 2 — 9
RAVI
Is that all?
BOY
She has an alluring aura about her.
RAVI
Why?
BOY
(searching for words)
The flowers seem to respond to her—a touch of divination.
RAVI
Say more.
BOY
The pink robes, floral crown, and fair skin suggest a sheltered youth.
(LULU by this point has become engrossed in their conversation, peering over at them, curious to understand the minds behind the art.)
RAVI
What is that?
BOY
Innocence. Purity.
RAVI
All the makings of what?
BOY
A child.
RAVI
A child!
BOY
Isn't that close?
RAVI
That is fifty-percent the answer.
I — 2 — 10
BOY
(giving it more thought)
A flower-child.
RAVI
Precisely!
BOY
Then… the flower will sprout before dusk because of her mere presence? With all due respect, Ravi, I think you're confusing art with reality.
RAVI
You confuse words in earnest.
(LULU breaks an amused grin at this comment.)
BOY
(acknowledging his point won)
Aye.
RAVI
Note what I am about to say before we take this any further. Are you listening?
BOY
Intently.
RAVI
When you've been in this profession for so long, you will happen upon a particular saying: “Art imitates life.” And yet the generations of artists before me have created such words that depict a reality transcended!
BOY
The Creation of Adam…
RAVI
Yes.
BOY
The Assumption of the Virgin…
RAVI
All transcending the ordinary world, you see.
I — 2 — 11
LULU
(curiously interjecting)
What is the truth then?
RAVI
Oh, this is different!
BOY
The very subject of your painting seeks to learn the truth for herself…
RAVI
It is fate, as I told you.
LULU
I'm only curious.
BOY
Sate her curiosity, Ravi! And mine too in the process.
(RAVI momentarily stops painting to facilitate their request.)
RAVI
Art inspires life. Doesn't it? It creates the mould in which we fill with the essence of passion unquenched—our souls. A life lived without that which enkindles it—well, isn't that a thought!—we'd be only corpses that walk about in the daylight, wouldn't we?
BOY
I haven't grasped your meaning.
RAVI
A wildfire need only a spark.
LULU (rephrasing)
A match to ignite the flame in our hearts.
RAVI (impressed)
Quite so.
(beat, making a judgement)
That's a pretty thought. She grasps it beautifully; is it becoming clearer, boy?
BOY
I've yet made the connection to art.
RAVI
The mould—it shapes the flames. Delicate, violent… every flame burns differently.
I — 2 — 12
(There is a moment of silence to allow RAVI’s spontaneous lecture to sink in.)
BOY
(breaking the silence)
All things connected, she's a piece of art…
RAVI
Is that a statement or a question?
(LULU listens intently for his answer.)
BOY
I will be bold and say it was a statement.
LULU
Your statement is well-appreciated!
RAVI
Be still, please.
LULU
Sorry.
BOY (leaving)
I'm going to find something to eat from the store. Do you want me to get you anything?
RAVI
Perhaps a jar of honey for my throat.
BOY
Lulu? Food from the store?
LULU
Fruit snacks!
BOY
Very well.
(BOY exits the scene.)
LULU
I wonder—who is he to you?
RAVI
You are quite the inquisitive person, aren't you?
I — 2 — 13
LULU
There are many things I wish to know, and that is but one of them.
RAVI
That's quite alright. Curiosity nurtures a healthy mind! And to sate yours: that boy is my dutiful assistant. He aids me in the studio and cares for the plants inside the home. The ones outside…
LULU
Mine!
RAVI
Your responsibility, yes. And you will, of course, return to your duties once this painting is completed.
LULU
Goody! Will I have the chance to see it?
RAVI
Oh, of course.
END OF SCENE
I — 3 — 14
ACT I
Scene 3
Setting:
The same.
At Rise:
More time has passed. Boy has returned from his trip to the store. He sits behind the easel, eating a sandwich and inspecting the scene painted on the canvas so far. Lulu has relaxed beneath the arbor, eating her fruit snacks. Ravi is out-of-scene, presumably to check on the potted-plant.
LULU
Do you believe it will sprout before dusk?
BOY
I'm doubtful on the matter.
LULU
(checking her smartphone)
The Sun will set in an hour.
BOY
Then in an hour, we'll get to know if Ravi's right.
LULU
What's he doing?
BOY
Checking the greenhouse. Particularly the potted-plant. He'll be some time.
LULU
(of the box of fruit snacks)
I want to share these with someone. If he doesn't return soon, I may eat the whole box myself!
BOY
Is that an issue?
LULU
No, their savoury flavour rather! They're quite addicting.
(then, adding)
Have you room for some fruit snacks?
BOY
(finishing his sandwich)
They'll serve as my dessert.
I — 3 — 15
LULU
Yay!
(BOY goes to LULU, finding a spot to sit next to her. She offers him a packet of fruit snacks, and he takes it.)
BOY
(opening the packet of fruit snacks)
Assorted.
LULU
The blue ones are my favourite!
BOY
(he eats a blue one)
It's good.
(They idly eat their fruit snacks.)
BOY
Do you foresee yourself doing this for long?
LULU
Only on the side, perhaps.
BOY
Ravi said you're a gardener.
LULU
I am.
BOY
So how did you manage to become the object of his interest?
LULU
He approached me out of the blue as I was tending to the bushes, and in a restrained sort of excitement, asked me if I would model for him. I was, at first, timid at the idea. But he spoke so fervidly of his craft that I dared not refuse!
BOY
Has it been to your liking so far?
LULU
More! It's quite fun, this… being a child of flowers. To share with them a relationship—just as you said! Even if only in art!
I — 3 — 16
BOY
The saying goes, “Art imitates life.” Yet here we are, in the reverse, imitating a fictional scene straight out of a book.
LULU
(twiddling with the fairy lights)
It's almost the real thing…
BOY
Ravi believes that to be true. That you're a real flower-child.
LULU
Well, I suppose all the people in my profession can be called children of the flowers. Naturally, we have a disposition towards them.
BOY
He certainly has a disposition towards you.
LULU
And you don't?
BOY
That's… another matter entirely!
LULU
I'm only teasing!
BOY
Well, that aside… you haven't objections to any of it at all? About being hailed a flower-child? By a painter who I worry may be nearing the edge of delusion?
LULU
None at all, actually!
BOY
Really?
LULU
I like to be open-minded to all sorts of ideas! Though I will say there are crazy ones which I find difficult to fathom at times. I think he's just passionate, that Ravi. And his insistence of my being a child of flowers is flattering, if I may so admit!
BOY
I hope to flatter people by mere passion too, someday.
I — 3 — 17
LULU
What are you passionate about?
(BOY does not immediately answer, having scarcely in his life given the question meaningful thought. He struggles to find an apt answer.)
BOY
Things…
LULU (amused)
Of what kind?
BOY
(forcing the answer)
The floral variety.
LULU
Is that honest?
BOY
As near to it, I think.
LULU
Goody! Then you can be a gardener like me!
(BOY, though sincerely trying, does not reciprocate her enthusiasm. Perhaps his answer wasn't as honest as he said—LULU wasn't at all convinced.)
LULU
That's a fair thought, isn't it?
BOY
Yes. A rather soothing occupation, I imagine.
LULU (affirming)
It is.
(then, adding)
Comforting!
BOY
Yes. Gives you a sense of security, doesn't it? To know what you're passionate about…
(then, evading)
To be candid, I haven't an idea at all! I just live from one day to the next.
I — 3 — 18
LULU
Is that anything to be ashamed of?
BOY
I suppose not.
LULU
Flowers are the same, and they're always merry!
BOY
Well that's certainly an interesting perspective. Perhaps I've not looked at my reflection deeply enough to see any petals growing behind my ears.
LULU
Oh, that just means you need a little nourishment!
(she offers him another packet of fruit snacks)
Here! Fertilizer!
(BOY takes the packet of fruit snacks.)
BOY
What kind of flower do you suppose I'd be?
LULU
You haven't sprouted yet.
BOY
No?
LULU
Nope! But if I had to guess, my intuition tells me dahlia. The summer rain variety. Want to see a picture?
(she takes out her smartphone and navigates to a saved picture of a summer rain dahlia, then scoots near him to show)
See how the petals are shaped? Delicate flames. Full of vigour. When it blossoms, it flares out like the Sun's corona!
BOY (fascinated)
It's mesmerizing.
LULU
(putting her smartphone away)
What about me? What type of flower do you think I am?
I — 3 — 19
BOY
I want to say a peony because you've pink robes.
(LULU only looks at him, containing her amusement.)
BOY
Not quite as poetic an explanation as yours, I know. Perhaps we ought to wait until the potted-flower has sprouted to discern that?
LULU
What has that to do with me?
BOY
You're a flower-child, aren't you?
LULU
I'm still uncertain as to what that means.
BOY
That you inspire fervour in the hearts of those blessed to look upon you, per account of Ravi.
LULU
And what's yours?
BOY
My account?
LULU
Yes.
(BOY shifts about, uncomfortable and reluctant to answer.)
LULU
Tell me!
BOY (deflecting)
Perhaps have a look at your reflection? I can assure you that that would offer a more accurate account than what I have to offer.
LULU
That isn't what I asked!
BOY
No?
I — 3 — 20
LULU
I'm asking for yours.
BOY
What worth has my opinion?
LULU
I could, perhaps, learn some form of insight from you into this flower-child business, if you generously shared with me your opinion!
BOY
And that would be the be-all and the end-all of this matter?
LULU
Promise!
BOY
Alright…
(he prepares to speak, then stops)
My heart is pounding—hells!
LULU
Come on!
BOY
I am!
(he takes a deep breath, then restarts)
I think you've a captivating smile. It's addicting. And your eyes hypnotic—striking.
LULU
Is that all?
BOY
You want to hear more?
LULU
Yes!
BOY
Your skin.
LULU
What of it?
I — 3 — 21
BOY
It's cool.
(then, clarifying)
How it glows under the lights, I mean.
LULU
What else?
BOY
Well, I imagine the glass would shatter beneath the weight of all of this, combined, if you looked in the mirror for too long! I don't suppose that's occurred to you before?
(LULU is quiet, but uncharacteristically so. BOY has struck a sensitive spot.)
BOY (concerned)
Lulu?
LULU
Suppose it has. What do you think it'd mean?
BOY
Has it really?
LULU
Yes.
BOY
Where? When?
LULU
In a dream I had. Last night. A dream in which I stood amid this… grand hall of mirrors, uncertain of how I came to be in that place except that I'd been. Everywhere I turned, I saw reflections on the walls, the ground, the ceiling… so many mirrors, in fact, that you could not immediately find the exit. But now that I muse, was there ever one to be found? I never did; I was so absorbed in the search for myself, in the hundreds of reflections where I should have been standing, that I'd forgotten I was lost. Forced to look for someone that did not exist; convinced that I wasn't at all real.
(LULU takes a breath before proceeding on)
They shattered, the mirrors. And I woke up fearing the shards would cut me. Woke up without ever knowing if I was—
(she trails off, searching for the words)
If I was me.
(LULU goes to BOY for comfort. BOY holds her close. He offers her a blue one from his packet of fruit snacks.)
I — 3 — 22
BOY
Blue one. Your favourite…
(LULU takes the blue one from him and eats it.)
BOY
I could open the rest of these and pile all of the blue ones together, if you'd like…
LULU
(shaking her head)
Mm-mm.
BOY
Assorted, then…
(The next moment, RAVI returns from the greenhouse, eating from a plate of sliced bananas and honey.)
RAVI
(noticing them sitting close together)
What is this sacrilege I see before my eyes…
(then, sensing the mild change about the air)
Something is amiss.
BOY
All things in condition in the greenhouse?
RAVI
Sufficiently.
BOY
The temperature?
RAVI
Twenty-six.
BOY
Too cool… has the flower sprouted?
RAVI
No, but it has roused from its slumber.
END OF SCENE
I — 4 — 23
ACT I
Scene 4
Setting:
The same.
At Rise:
Time passes. Boy is out-of-scene to fix the temperature of the greenhouse, later relocating the potted-plant to a windowsill. Lulu has returned to her pose, and Ravi to his easel. They resume their original activities, though it is clear that Lulu is not her gracious self.
RAVI
The flower will have broken the surface of the soil when this painting is finished.
(then, when she makes no response)
Are you excited for it?
LULU
Yes.
RAVI
It is by your presence that a growth so soon is possible.
LULU
Because of me?
RAVI (affirming)
A flower-child!
LULU
How can you tell?
RAVI
When one is so weary, prepared to fall on their bed for that eternal rest, they sense all of the world's life brimming around them.
LULU (shocked)
What…?
RAVI
It's common with old age, you see.
LULU
You're dying?
RAVI
I'm only sleepy, Lulu.
I — 4 — 24
LULU
(an outburst)
That's phooey!
RAVI
Why?
LULU
Because a flower-child inspires fervour in the hearts of those blessed to look upon them—you said so yourself! And if what you said is true, then you'd only be well and mad!
RAVI
Lulu—
LULU
I wish you were a plant! At least all they do is grow!
(then, adding)
Especially around a flower-child…
(RAVI holds his silence, permitting LULU a moment to release her frustrations.)
LULU
All that talk about divination… a relationship with the flowers—what's it all meant to mean anyway, huh? What's it mean to be a flower-child…
RAVI (carefully)
To hold all of the graces bestowed upon them by our Creator in their purest form. That is why nature responds to you—the flowers to your touch, our hearts to your soul—because you're the closest to the Heavens anyone will ever be.
LULU
Then what are you doing painting me?
RAVI
It's the highest form of worship I can manage, immortalizing a flower-child.
(beat)
LULU
I want you to bow before me.
RAVI
What?
I — 4 — 25
LULU
Prostrate yourself on the ground. Revere me!
RAVI
I will do no such thing.
LULU
Why not?
RAVI
The idea is absurd.
LULU
Then wilt!
(At this point, RAVI has completed the painting.)
RAVI (wearily)
There. It is done.
LULU
(relaxing from her pose)
May I see it?
RAVI
This instance?
LULU
Just a glance.
RAVI
(he deliberates for a moment)
You may.
(RAVI turns the painting toward her, who looks on, shocked. There are no markings on it; it is blank.)
RAVI
(of the painting, gesticulating)
There you are, framed center of the canvas. The posture which you assume suggests the divinity aforementioned. The light, not present, but implied rather. Just as flowers grow toward light, you sit as though light has first touched you, enrapturing you with the prospect of hope that someday, you'll break from your shell. In that moment, grace shall bloom. And you'll become as a flower at dawn. Do you see it?
I — 4 — 26
(A transformation is taking place; LULU does not at all see it.)
RAVI
(falling ill at the sight of LULU)
Oh heavens…
END OF SCENE
I — 5 — 27
ACT I
Scene 5
Setting:
The same.
At Rise:
Boy returns to the studio bearing great news: the flower has sprouted. When he enters, however, Ravi is flat on the ground, still as death. His materials have been knocked over.
BOY (entering)
There must be some old magic I've no knowledge of sparsed about the house, Ravi; the flower, as you said it would, has sprouted!
(then, noticing RAVI lying flat on the ground)
Ravi?
(he hurries over to RAVI)
Ravi! Are you alright?
(BOY shakes RAVI to no response.)
BOY
Oh no…
(he searches his pockets for a phone, but nothing)
Lulu, I need you to call the paramedics this instant…
(There is no answer. BOY finds LULU beneath the arbor still, her back turned to him. She is unfazed by what's occurred. BOY gradually begins to connect the pieces of the situation together.)
BOY
Lulu?
LULU
The canvas was blank.
(BOY, confused, goes to the easel. He takes the canvas in his hands but discovers on it a fully-painted scene.)
BOY
But it isn't…
LULU
Why can't I see it then?
(BOY momentarily pauses, still piecing together the situation: the woman in Shropshire, the peonies, her mirror dream, his fervid infatuation with her.)
I — 5 — 28
BOY
(going to her)
Because you're a flower-child.
LULU
Cannot mirrors nor paintings capture a flower-child?
BOY
Only shatter and erase from your presence.
(LULU shrugs off her robes, stripping nude. BOY watches on.)
LULU
Has the flower sprouted?
BOY
Yes.
BLACKOUT