Lights up. A TORTOISE is hauling a stack of bricks slowly across the stage.
In time, a RAVEN appears. The RAVEN observes the TORTOISE’S labor for some time. Eventually, the RAVEN starts rearranging the bricks in a manner that seems more secure, more efficient. The RAVEN seems not quite satisfied with hits design. It removes a single brick and helps carry it Offstage. As the RAVEN returns, however, a CAT slinks onstage. The CAT is very energetic and distracting. Whether bounding about or marching in circles, the CAT’S intense focus and attention is fascinating to the RAVEN, and even distracts the TORTOISE slightly, though the TORTOISE continues to move largely in the same direction.
Eventually, the CAT’S antics knock most of the bricks off the TORTOISE’s back. The TORTOISE slowly starts gathering up the bricks as the RAVEN and CAT caw and hiss at each other, arguing furiously. Unbidden, the RAVEN starts re-stacking the bricks in a manner similar to its previous design. As the RAVEN stacks, the TORTOISE returns to slowly marching, and the CAT starts playing again. In time, the CAT decides to frustrate the RAVEN’S designs and knocks the bricks over again. Again, the RAVEN and CAT argue as the TORTOISE slowly gathers everything up.
The RAVEN, trying to demonstrate a point, takes some of the bricks and lays them out in front of the CAT in a specific design. The RAVEN points out various features of this design, presumably proving a point. The CAT is unimpressed. The CAT moves the design around. It is clearly a poor design. The RAVEN moves the bricks back into its own design. This goes on for some time. Finally, the CAT knocks over this design as well and returns to playing. The RAVEN fixes its own design, though it is frequently distracted by the CAT’S playing. It caws at the CAT occasionally, but the CAT ignores it. The TORTOISE is still gathering up the bricks that were not taken by the RAVEN.
Time goes on. The RAVEN caws. The CAT plays and spits. The TORTOISE gathers.
Realizing the CAT will not engage, the RAVEN takes its purloined bricks and returns to the TORTOISE. Again, the RAVEN gathers and stacks all the bricks in its chosen design, as the TORTOISE returns to slowly marching across the stage. Again, the CAT approaches. The CAT and RAVEN argue over the design as the TORTOISE marches. The CAT makes small alterations to the design, which incenses the RAVEN. The RAVEN moves the bricks back. They argue more. The RAVEN and CAT scuffle physically, but the CAT quickly disengages. They stare furiously. The argue some more. The CAT knocks a single brick off. The RAVEN caw furiously and knocks the whole design over. The CAT and RAVEN argue some more, as the TORTOISE slowly begins gathering the bricks again. In a huff, the RAVEN storms out. The CAT goes back to playing, occasionally knocking a brick or two about. Eventually, the CAT gets bored and leaves. The TORTOISE is left, slowly gathering all the bricks.
House lights come up. Audience is free to leave or watch the TORTOISE work.
END