Mark angelo D.

Mamaril

“Death Takes the Train”

A train car is empty. Groups of people shuffle in and settle in to seats to the right. People are talking
about their trips and their destinations and how tired or hungry they are. Then after a pause, the Grim
Reaper walks on to the train and sits alone at the left side of the train car.

MEL:

Is that who I think it is?

MITCH:

I think so.

MEL:

What’s he doing on this train?

TINA:

How do you know it’s a he?

MEL:

Death is always a guy.

TINA:

Always?

MEL:

I think so.

TINA:

But he’s wearing a dress.

MITCH:

Or is more of a moo-moo.

MEL:

Robe… it’s a robe. Guys can wear robes.

TINA:

After a shower.
MITCH:

Or if they are some kind of judge.

TINA:

Death is a like a judge.

MEL:

True… I see what you mean.

TINA:

A justice of the peace?

MITCH:

A justice of rest in peace.

TINA:

Nice one.

MITCH:

Thanks.
TINA:

You’re welcome.

MITCH:

So what’s he doing here?

TINA:

He’s got a client I guess.

MEL:

One of us?

TINA:

No, he’s probably on his way somewhere.

MITCH:

Why is death taking the train?

MEL:

His winged horse o’ death didn’t have the guts to go there… get it… because it’s a skeleton horse… no
guts…

TINA:

Please don’t explain the joke. It’s not funny if you have to explain it.

MEL:

Geez… I’ll just let Mitch make all the jokes then.

TINA:

Thank you.

MITCH:

You’re welcome.

TINA:

Death taking the train doesn’t make any sense. Doesn’t that take too long? Wouldn’t death be in more
of a hurry?

MITCH:

Maybe not… modern medicine is keeping people alive longer. Maybe he’s not in a hurry anymore.
MEL:

Maybe he’s on a tight budget like the rest of us. The bad economy is even affecting life and death.

TINA:

I like Mitch’s theory better.

MEL:

Of course you do.

TINA:

Mitch has a point. People aren’t dying as quick as they used to or as often. Modern medicine can keep
people alive for years beyond what normally would kill them.

MEL:

So Death saves money and takes the train.

MITCH:

And he’s being very environmentally aware too. Trains burn much less energy than planes and cars.
Death is doing his part to help the Earth.

MEL:
Wouldn’t Death like pollution?

TINA:

Not necessarily. Maybe he likes the natural order of things. Maybe he’s doing what he can to help
restore the balance that people offset through technological advancements.

MITCH:

Well said.

TINA: