Act I, Scene One
SET: A living room adorned with new-age details.
AT RISE: WENDY and LUCY sit on floor cushions with cups of tea.
LUCY
(Smiling serenely, she takes a sip of tea) I manifested it all, Wendy: the dream job, money, inner peace.
WENDY
(Doubtfully, shrugging or shaking her head.) Wow, Lucy, I wouldn’t even know where to start. I could never do any of that.
LUCY
(Reaching her hand across the table and placing it on WENDY’s)
Don’t be silly, Wendy. It takes practice, determination, and ritual.
WENDY
(Evoking fear or skepticism of the word ritual) Ritual? What do you mean?
LUCY
(Gesturing, confident) Well, you can do a daily ritual of a little prayer or meditation and making a mantra. (LUCY takes a sip of herbal tea, her bracelets jingle.)
WENDY
(Liking the idea of a mantra) Ha, a mantra, I could do that!
LUCY
(Leans in conspiratorially) But, if you really want some monumental shifts, then you should come to one of the full moon rituals we have in the Metanoia woods.
WENDY
(WENDY reacts with fear and curiosity.) Woods? At night? Are you kidding me? No way!
LUCY
(Laugh genuinely at WENDY’s fears, but with a hint of understanding.) You don’t like the woods? They’re full of magic.
WENDY
That’s what I’m afraid of.
LUCY
You’re afraid of magic?
WENDY
The woods are full of bears, coyotes, and strangers with bad intentions.
LUCY
(Laughs again and takes a deep breath.) Oh, Wendy you are overwrought with fears. The animals won’t harm you; the magic protects you. Here (placing the crystal in WENDY’s hand), take this crystal and put it underneath your pillow at night. Better yet, put it outside at night and have it cleansed by the moon.
WENDY
(Beat. Examining the crystal, skeptical of its power.) A crystal’s going to help me? (Beat) Do they help you?
LUCY
(Reassuringly) Of course, all the time. They all have different meanings.
WENDY
(Curious, skeptical) Is that how you stay so calm?
LUCY
(Laughs, all knowingly) It’s taken a long time. I’ve worked hard through ritual, meditation, and Qigong (chi gong). I used to be a bundle of nerves like you.
WENDY
(Paranoid, Self-consciously) Why? Do I come across like that? (Beat) I just thought I was extra cautious. Maybe I could use a little help.
LUCY
(Eagerly and excitedly, she can’t wait to introduce WENDY to the next level.)
Wendy, you have to come to the next full moon ritual—it’s tomorrow night! We are celebrating the Mourning Moon. (Beat) See? The Universe is leading you there. You’ll meet me at the parking lot on the corner of Hope and Fear Streets at 11:00. It will take us 20 minutes to hike through the woods to the ritual spot. Bring a light source— and an extra layer of clothing, although there will be a bonfire, and most importantly, bring something to (emph.) cleanse your thirst.
WENDY
Late at night? Deep into the woods? What if something happens? Who will hear our screams?
LUCY
Oh, Wendy, we’ll be fine. I’ve been leading these ceremonies for years. Nobody has ever been harmed (she reaches her hand out reassuringly). Here, I’ll do some Reiki on you right now.
(She raises her arms up.)
WENDY
(Gesturing LUCY to stop Reiki) No, thank you, Lucy. I actually like my anxiety. It keeps me alert and aware of any danger. If I relax, I won’t be prepared. I could be taken by surprise.
LUCY
I understand. That’s who you are. It’s in the stars. I’m not trying to change you. I’m just trying to help you.
WENDY
Thanks. So, not that I’m going, but what are these full moon rituals like, anyway?
LUCY
I’m so glad you asked! There’s singing, dancing, the moon’s energy washing over us… It’s pure magic, Wendy.
WENDY
I don’t know, Lucy… It sounds amazing, but what if something happens?
LUCY
Don’t worry, Wendy, I will help you. Meet me tomorrow night. Don’t be late!
WENDY
(Beat, thinking about it, then) OK, I will be there.
BLACKOUT
ACT I, SCENE TWO
SET: A parking lot on the edge of the woods. Street signs say Hope and Fear.
AT RISE: WENDY enters the scene with exaggerated caution, scanning her surroundings. She stands in the parking lot, her eyes wide with apprehension. She clutches her backpack, which bulges with supplies. She checks her watch nervously.
A WOLF emerges from the shadows, its movements deliberate and silent. It stops a few feet away from Wendy, its yellow eyes fixed on her.
WOLF
What’s in the bag?
(Its voice is low and resonant, vibrating through WENDY’s bones. It examines the bulging backpack. LUCY whirls around, heart pounding. Gasping, she fumbles for her knife in her backpack, but her hands are shaking too badly to grip it.)
WENDY
Who…who…who are you? Stay back!
WOLF
(Circling her slowly, keeping its gaze on her.)
You know, if I wanted to attack you, you wouldn’t be able to pull that knife off your pack. My sharp teeth would sink into you before you blink. (Beat. Generously) Of course, I only want to help you. What are you doing in the woods so late, under the Mourning Moon?
WENDY
(Voice trembling) I…I…I came to meet my friend. We’re…we’re…we’re going to a ritual.
WOLF
(The WOLF stops circling her and tilts its head slightly.) A ritual?
WENDY
(Her fear mingles with a strange sense of curiosity). Um, yes.
WOLF
A ritual of change. Of transformation. Of shedding the old skin and embracing the new.
WENDY
How did you know that?
WOLF
The Metanoia Woods whisper their secrets to those who listen. They know your fears, your doubts, your deepest desires.
WENDY
(Tears well up in her eyes) Uh…I’m not going in there! I’m not ready for that. I’m scared.
WOLF
(Nudges her gently with its snout.) The only way out is through. Embrace the fear, Wendy. Let it guide you to your true self.
WENDY
How did you know my name?
WOLF
(Deflecting) What’s in the bag?
WENDY
(Proudly) A can of beans, trail mix, a charcoal water filter, toilet paper, batteries, a blanket, a first aid kit, and my cell phone.
WOLF
(Impressed) You sound prepared.
WENDY
(Relaxing her posture and tone.) I am always prepared. You can never be too careful. Admittedly, I don’t actually know what I could do to protect myself from a wolf attack. Honestly, I didn’t think it would really happen around here.
WOLF
(With a sly grin) Don’t worry, I won’t bite you.
WENDY
(Skeptical, brave, but still guarded.) That hardly helps me feel safe. You could be tricking me. I’ve read the stories. What kind of wolf are you? (Beat) Oh, I forgot. I have a garlic bulb in my bag, too. (Beat) And a gun with a silver bullet.
WOLF
(Guiding, teaching) First, garlic is for vampires, and I’m not a werewolf.
WENDY
How do I know? You’re talking, after all.
WOLF
Ah, that’s true. I guess you wouldn’t know. (Beat, curiously) Show me your gun.
WENDY
Uh…I only pull it out on special occasions. Like, when I come to the woods late at night…with a full moon…and a wolf shows up. I might be about to make this a special occasion.
WOLF
Ah, yes, a full moon is always special. (Laughing) It’s true, the moon does rile me up.. It’s the Mourning moon tonight, the last full moon before the winter solstice.
WENDY
(She reaches her hand behind her toward her bag.)How do you know the solstice?
WOLF
All animals know about the solstices and the changing seasons. Food will be scarce soon. It’s time to fatten up. (He licks his chops.)
WENDY
(She takes two steps back slowly, finally grasping the knife.)
That sounds like a threat.
WOLF
(Introspectively) No, I’m just a little lonely. I lost my wolfpack a while ago. They said I was too much a free thinker and a dreamer. I hated them always telling me what to do, where to go, what to kill. You know, those little bunnies are cute. I mean, I always ate them, but I just liked watching them first. Those wolves were on a kill-and-go schedule. It was too efficient for me.
WENDY
(Sadly) Poor bunnies.
WOLF
So, now I hunt on my own schedule. A wolf’s got to eat after all. And I wander the woods, resting on the river’s edge watching, taking the world in. I’ve done a lot of self-discovery at the edge of the river. I’ve pondered the earth, moon, and stars. You know, the stars have conflict just like we do here.
WENDY
I don’t know much about stars, but I like looking at them.
WOLF
There’s a field in the woods where I stare at the sky. I fall asleep watching them.
WENDY
That sounds nice.
WOLF
(Pointing to Mars with a sense of shared wonder.) Look, you can see Mars just left of the moon.
WENDY
(Express a mix of awe and wonder when looking at Mars) Whoa, that’s cool.
(She puts her backpack down.)
WOLF
It’s a rare occurrence.
WENDY
(Confide in WOLF with a sense of vulnerability.) I always wondered if I should spend more time with the stars. I get so caught up in the day-to-day. Worrying about this, fretting about that. Stuck in a job I hate. Worrying, none of my friends actually like me. I need a new beginning. That’s why I came here tonight. I don’t know if I believe in this stuff but my friend Lucy swears by it.
WOLF
A full moon is more about endings than new beginnings. It is a time to let go. What can you let go of?
WENDY
(Confessing) Ha! I have a laundry list of things to let go of.
WOLF
(WOLF’s tail flicks and it smiles earnestly)
Then let go, and start a new path. Once you follow your true path, your issues will melt away. You can start big or small. I guess it depends on how strong you feel.
WENDY
(Bemused) Strong is not an attribute I use for myself.
WOLF
I can help you. You can visit me anytime.
I—
(Suddenly WOLF stops talking and quickly moves into the shadows as LUCY enters the parking lot interrupting the conversation.)
WENDY
(Toward WOLF) Wait! We weren’t finished!
LUCY
Weren’t finished with what?
(She looks around, wondering what WENDY is talking about.)
WENDY
(Quietly to herself) How will I find him?
LUCY
Who? What are you talking about, Wendy? Are you talking to someone?
(She looks back and forth between WENDY and the empty space where the WOLF was, feigning confusion and suspicion.)
WENDY
(Looking all around.) Where did he go?
LUCY
Who? Who are you talking about? Wendy, you seem different. What did I miss?
WENDY
(Focusing back on LUCY, but still looking around) Oh nothing. Nothing, it’s nothing.
LUCY
(Expressing excitement about the ritual, trying to refocus Wendy’s attention.)
OK, if you say so. Anyway, I am SOOOO glad you’re here. This night is going to be full of magic. I can just sense it’s going to be a new start for you.
WENDY
(Eager to find WOLF) I’m actually excited. Hurry, let’s go in.
LUCY
(Happily surprised) Good! Then this promises to be a good night. Let’s get going.
BLACKOUT
END OF PLAY
