Characters

Mother, Late 60's, suffering from dementia.

Daughter, Late 30's, Mother's primary caregiver. Silently resentful about it.

Setting:

The slanting deck of a sinking passenger ship. Midwinter.

Musical Numbers:

“Voluspa (with Orchestra)” by Wardruna and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Act 1

Scene 1

Setting: Bow of a sinking passenger ship on the open, frozen ocean, slipping beneath the surface.

At Rise: Mother and Daughter are holding onto a bow railing lightly, looking out at the ocean expectantly. Other passengers are frantically scrambling, screaming and terrified, as the ship slowly sinks.

Daughter

(solemnly)

Well, here we are, Mother.

Mother

(cheerfully unaware)

Why, I must be telling a story!

Daughter

(with practiced patience)

Why do we tell stories?

Mother

(cheerfully unaware)

Well, to live and to kill. Either by violence or numbness.

Daughter

(exasperated sigh)

That sounds odd.

Mother

(still cheerful)

Why, of course it is! I tell stories that can save lives, and stories that can throw one into quicksand to thrash, or into a well to drown. I tell stories of justification, of accursedness, luck, and star-crossed loves. I even tell stories clad in cynicism, wearing an elegant garment.

Daughter

(exasperated sigh)

Can these stories ever collapse?

Mother

(still cheerful)

Of course they can, dear. It is in these moments that we recognize we have been lost, or terrible, or ridiculous. Or even stuck.

Daughter

(still resigned)

How does change arrive?

Mother

(still cheery)

Sometimes, like an ambulance to save, or a supply drop to sustain.

Daughter

(still resigned)

Can sinking ships be like a story?

Mother

(still cheery)

Why yes! Many stories are like sinking ships, and many go down with them. So passionate about them, and with help all around, many choose to go down with their ship instead of reaching for help.

(Song: "Voluspa," begins crescendo.)

Daughter

(resigned with the finality of her situation. Her eyes close, freezing water rising above her feet.)

I see.

(Song: “Voluspa” reaches crescendo.)

FADE TO BLACK

CURTAIN