Red Riding Hood

Scene 11

(Scene fades to the river near Mason's corner of the forest. A deer is seen approaching the river; it leans down to the water and starts casually drinking. However, Mason is seen hiding in a bush further away and stalking the deer with his knife in one hand)

Mason: (whispers) Almost there. (licks his lips and stalks closer to the deer, trying to keep out of sight. He hides behind a large tree behind the deer and readies his knife. He steps closer to the animal as quietly as possible... until his stomach grumbles very loudly, which catches the deer's attention. Before Mason could even strike it with his knife, the deer runs off into the trees and Mason falls into the river face first with a loud splash. After a few moments, he emerges from the water, gasping and wheezing for air. He shouts in aggravation) Not again! (slams his fist in the river water) That's the twenty-seventh time! (groans in frustration and stands back up, dripping wet)

(Scene cuts to a few minutes later. Mason is seen sitting down on the ground and drying himself off while his coat is hanging on a branch to dry. He throws the towel to the side and growls in anger)

Mason: I cannot believe this. It's been two weeks since I started living out here and I haven't been able to catch anything for at least one decent meal. (sheathes his knife and tosses it to the side) Even though I did manage to snatch up a few little morsels here and there, they weren't enough. They were all too small, tough, or gamey for my tastes. I want more meat, I NEED more. (stands up and sighs) But it's not me, it can't be. I'm a good hunter; I'm one of the best. But you've gotta have something to hunt! (angrily grabs a large branch of another tree, rips it off of the tree, and throws the branch to the other side of the river. He then looks down at his body and lifts up his shirt to reveal a very thin build with his ribs slightly protruding through his skin) Ugh, so thin and pale. Talk about pathetic. (looks at himself in the nearby mirror while still holding his shirt) Look at these dark circles under my eyes, and my cheeks are getting hollow! I'm already looking so gaunt. (hears his stomach loudly growl again and he moans in frustration as he lets his shirt go) Look at me! I'm so hungry I'm practically falling apart! I swear the next thing that comes down that path, I don't care if it's got two, four, or NINE legs! I'll... I'll jump on it and rip its head off! Then I'll drag it through the dirt in a circle, chewing and chewing, and by the time I'm through with it, there won't be ONE SCRAP LEFT FOR THE SCAVENGERS! Nothing, I'll eat it all! (pauses and looks around) Oh, who am I kidding?! I'M A WRECK! (collapses on his back onto a stump and breathes heavily. He grips his stomach with one hand and sits up straight) Is this really what my life has resorted to? I used to be somebody, I used to be respected, I used to eat my fill every day! (screams in anger) And look at me now! Failing to catch a single morsel, withering away to skin and bone with the empty ache in my belly growing stronger and stronger by the day, and practically digging through garbage for scraps! (sighs and runs a hand through his hair) I'm losing my edge... and my mind. (his stomach growls again and he grimaces in anger) And as for YOU... (looks down at his stomach and points a finger at it) ...you'd better pipe down or we'll never get anything to eat. It's your fault that my prey always gets away. (pauses, then facepalms) Ugh, what am I doing? I'm talking to my own stomach... which appears to be talking back. (hits his stomach with his fist) Ow. (snarls in annoyance)

Rachel (singing): (in the distance) Day-o, is a day-o

Daylight come and we want go home

Mason: And now I'm hearing things! I really am losing it! I'm so desperate, even my imagination is hungry! (pauses) Wait a second... (sniffs the air and listens closely as his ear transforms into a wolf's ear)

Rachel (singing): (in the distance) Day-o, is a day-o

Daylight come and we want go home