Theme: Marawi rising

10-Minute Bomb

CHARACTERS

Boy: in his early teens (11-13), tan skinned and with a hint of
Maranao accent

Hazel: same age as the boy, a city girl

SETTING

Somewhere in Marawi City, morning, present time.

[At rise: a single bench was positioned at the center of the stage. Newspapers and
plastic bags are scattered everywhere. Distant sounds of cars and busy streets could be
heard. In the bench, a boy is sitting. His pants and shirt are all worn out and untidy,
topped over with a black sweater and a red bandanna in his head. He is somewhat
uneasy, he keeps shaking his legs and looking around while gripping and hugging the
bag on his lap. Slowly, he opened it and peeked inside. His breathing became fast and
he once again looks around. Nervously, he enters both hands and fumbles for
something inside the bag. Without him noticing, Hazel enters humming to herself. She is
wearing a white shirt with a pink ‘Save Marawi’ written on it while waving a pink flag.
Suddenly, she was taken aback upon seeing the boy on the bench. She smiled to
herself and silently made her way towards him.]

Hazel: Hey.

Boy: [startled and scared, he fell off the bench] whoa!!

Hazel: Oh, did I startle you? I’m sorry. I’m very, very sorry. Are you okay? [She tried to
help the boy stand up and end up touching the bag]

Boy: [Angrily takes the bag away from her] No! You did not startle me and Yes! I am
okay, now go. [Returns to his seat cradling the bag then looks away from the girl.]

Hazel: Are you alone? Where are your parents? I’m Hazel by the way. [extends her
hands and smiles]

Boy: [remains silent]

Hazel: Wait, [studies the appearance of the boy] are you lost? I could help you, you
know. [The boy gave her a questioning look. She smiles and waves the flag at his face.]
You know? Save Marawi, Save Humanity.

Boy: [remains on staring at her]

Hazel: [sighs] did you not see us march around all day? We are a group of volunteers at
the other side of this building. We help rebuild Marawi and those that are in need. My
parents are one of them, you know. They can help you!

Boy: I don’t need your help! Go away! [Looks away]

Hazel: [sighs again then sits beside the boy] I know, I know. You’ve been through a lot.
These terrorists suddenly came here and bomb everything, killing your relatives and
everyone you have known all your life. Destroying the place that has been your home.
You have suffered, and witnessed others suffer. You had been hurt. And I’m very, very
sorry for all of it. Now it is time to heal your wounds and start anew. [pats the boy on his
back]

Boy: [Stands] Will you please stop? I know you don’t mean those words you just said! I
have heard you guys tell that to a lot of people! They were memorized! Scripted! Is that
what your organization tells everyone you want to fool? Because it sucks! It doesn’t help
at all.

Hazel: I’m so-

Boy: And stop saying you are sorry! Did you do all of this? Did you bomb this place?
Are you one of… of them?

Hazel: You mean the terrorists? No, but-

Boy: [shouts] then stop saying you are sorry!

[Silence]

Boy: Just… leave me alone. Please.

Hazel: [looks at her palms like she was about to cry] I just- I just wanted to help.

Boy: Then help those that deserve your helping. You don’t know me. You don’t know
the kind of help that I need.

Girl: Well, what kind of help do you need?

Boy: [sits down and looks away]

Hazel: Do you want to look for your relatives? We have some search and rescue
operation in there.

[Silence]

Hazel: We help young boys like you, you know. If you want, I could ask my parents
about your scholarship. Oh! We also help kids without families. You could choose for
yourself; do you want to get adopted? Or be in an orphanage. You can even travel to
Manila and live there! You could change your life and left everything behind. Forget
everything and start a new life!

[The boy remained silent. His expression unchanging like he was thinking about
something. He was still hugging his bag.]

Hazel: Or…not. Well, you could stay here. My dad said the government’s building and
giving away houses for the victims. That’s good, eh? Helps everyone to start anew here.
My dad also said that the schools here are being renovated too. In a matter of time,
everything will be back to its normal place.

Boy: [softly, almost to himself] I never wanted to leave this place.

Girl: Oh. That’s okay! Government and Non-Government Organizations like us are
willing to help. You know, Marawi is receiving help not just nationwide, but also
worldwide! If you’d come with me, I could Introduce you to John. He’s an Australian man
who’s fond of children. I think he’ll like you. Then there’s-

Boy: I want to go back.

Hazel: Huh?

Boy: [Buries his face into the bag he is holding.] Back…

Hazel: Uh, back to where? You know I could ask my dad if-

Boy: [Started sobbing] Home… I want to escape. I- I want to save everyone.

Hazel: Oh. Oh my, please don’t cry. Boys weren’t supposed to cry you know? We’ll find
your home. I promise I’ll help you.

Boy: No! You can’t.

Hazel: Why not?

Boy: Because my home is dying right now. One… by one. Everyone. And it will be my
turn. Soon.
Girl: No, you are not. You are not dying, and you will not die. Well, not now. Because
my dad said everyone will die in the end. But you surely will not die right now. Look!
[Holds the boy’s hand and feel his pulse.] You are very much alive. [Smiles] So stop
crying. Everything will be okay. Hmmm?

Boy: [Stops crying and raises his head, his voice is cold and calm] Stop trying so hard.

Girl: Huh?

Boy: Stop fixing everything. It’s no use.

Girl: What do you mean?

Boy: I mean what I just said. Everything you did is useless. Everything you and your
organizations fixed will crumble. So just stop.

Girl: [Stands up angrily] I know that you are angry. I know that you are hurt! But you
know what? You are too cruel to say that. My parents and their companions have been
working hard to help those that are in need! And if you don’t want help, if you are too
mean to appreciate them, then stop saying that everything we have worked hard for is
useless. Because you just crossed your line! I’m out! You’re too wicked, too nasty
anyway. I regret talking to you.

Boy: Of course you do.

[Suddenly, a loud booming noise echoed and the girl swayed at her foot as she was
walking. The boy closes his eyes and breaths deeply.]

Girl: Whoa. Was that an earthquake?

Boy: No. It was a signal.

Girl: What are you talking about again?

Boy: [stands up] Do you not get it? I don’t need your help because I am not a victim. I
am a terrorist. My family, children like me, the ones I trained with just for this day, are
out there. Like a domino, we will bomb this whole place up.

[He stood up and walk slowly towards Hazel. He raises the bag with his right hand.]

Hazel: Wh-what?! [panics] You’re a suicide bomber?

Boy: I will not live tomorrow, Hazel, and I am dying today. WE are dying today.

[He pauses. They both look at each other’s eye for a moment] Right now…

[Lights out in harmony with a loud, bomb noise]