The Hunchback Monologue

-sits down on fountain edge and picks up chained cup and drinks from it- -pulls a disgusted face and spits it out-

Ugh! Really? They put stones in it again!

–Knocks cup away- -looks up to the sky-

Lord! What did I do to deserve this horrible fate? What did I do so wrong to anger you?

–Slumps down in defeat-

I just wanted the simple life…

-looks at birds watching him- -reaches out to it-

Here birdie, birdie, bird…

-bird fly’s away-

It’s not my fault I was born like this…deformed…ugly…they said I had no hope, said I wouldn’t live past 10 years.

So they chucked me out, my parents, that is. They showed no love. Ended up in an orphanage.

I got by, I guess, there was teasing…bullying…sometimes I just curled up and wished I could die

–looks at reflection in fountain water-

I was 16 when I finally left, I was so happy, I finally knew what it was like to be free, free as a bird

–looks up at the sky again then looks back at audience-

I got a cargo ship to Paris, I thought it would be better, I would finally be accepted…

-splashed water angrily-

How wrong was I? They spat at my feet, pushed me about

–stands up in fury, his fists curled-

Just because I’m different, I tried to work to get a job, but they either gave me false hope or sent me out in disgust. So I found this park. Here I stay…its not much but at least its somewhere…somewhere where there is food and water…where there is at least cover…

Then I met her…that one girl, beautiful, exotic, she danced through the streets, bare-footed and she sang

–sighs and sits down once more-

oh she sang, her voice was like the birds, but more sweet…how I wish for her to visit again. I saw her once, only once. I tried approaching her but the crowds we’re to big…she wouldn’t want anything to do with something like me anyway… I tried getting closer but they pushed me back…not caring about my feelings…

–hears church bells-

oh, it is nearly morning! The boys will be here soon!

–Looks up at the gothic church-

thank you, my friend, for warning me. I must go now…before they come… I wonder what it will be like to explore for once… I would love to look around that old church

–wanders off-