Disclaimer: I don't own Antigone, or any other of the Oedipus plays. I am merely writing a modern day retelling of the play.
MODERN DAY: ANTIGONECASTAntigone
Creon: Chief of Police
Sentry: Police Officer
Ismene
SECOND EPISODE[The POLICE OFFICER returns, leading ANTIGONE]
POLICE OFFICER
Here she is! I caught her red handed helping
her brother escape from his jail cell.
I've brought her here to you, boss.
She's yours now.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
How and when did you find her?
POLICE OFFICER
She was sneaking out the basement back door, with her brother. That's it.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
That's it?
POLICE OFFICER
Yes, boss. I saw her doing it.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
But exactly how did it happen?
POLICE OFFICER
Well after you had sounded the alarm that Polynieces had escaped,
We started patrolling the halls. So while I was walking around,
The lights in the basement suddenly went out.
I couldn't see a thing. But when the lights finally turned back on,
There she was. Antigone was crying and wailing,
While trying to get the locks off the door.
She got the first one done, but then I swooped in and got them.
She did not try to run and when I asked her what she'd done,
She just admitted it. I was both happy and sad:
Happy to catch the prisoners, and sad to have it be my friend.
But I'd rather she was captured than get myself fired.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
Antigone, did you or did you not commit this crime?
ANTIGONE
Yes, I did. I won't deny it.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
Ok, officer you can leave, get back to work.
[The POLICE OFFICER stands for a moment, smiles, then walks away]
Antigone, don't you know it is against the law to help an escaped prisoner?
ANTIGONE
Of course I did.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
So you just choose to ignore the law.
ANTIGONE
Of course. Since god would have never wanted my brother
In such a place just for being a good Samaritan.
He should not be kept here as a prisoner until the trial.
And if what I did will land me in prison with my brother,
Then I accept it. I'm not scared to go to jail.
What I did was the right thing to do.
I feel no regret for my actions.
And if you think I'm a fool for doing this,
Then maybe it's actually you who is the fool.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
How dare you! You think that you are above the law?
That you don't need to follow the rules like
The rest of the world? Just because you are my niece,
Don't think you will get any special treatment from me.
You've insulted me twice: first breaking into my jail,
Now second right to my face.
I will charge you and probably your sister too,
Since I'm sure she is involved with this.
I saw her car parked across the street,
I'll send some officers to fetch her.
ANTIGONE
Is there anything else you want? Or just me in jail?
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
No, that's it. That's what I want.
ANTIGONE
Why waste time then? I don't really want to talk
To you anymore. And I don't think you really enjoy
Talking to me either. You never have. But you should.
What I did was a good thing: no one believes my
Poor brother is guilty of any crime.
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
Your view is not shared by all of my officers here.
ANTIGONE
Maybe they think I'm right, but are afraid to tell you.
[ISMENE is brought in under guard]
CHIEF OF POLICE CREON
Come in, you backstabber. How could you do this to me?
I helped raise you two, and yet you rise up against me here!
I know you helped Antigone. Or are you going to try to deny it?
ISMENE
I don't deny it. If Antigone will let me, I'll share the blame with her.
ANTIGONE
She's lying. She didn't help me and I didn't want her help.
ISMENE
Antigone, I'm not afraid to take the blame with you.
ANTIGONE
God knows who really did it. Your lying won't help.
ISMENE
Antigone, stop it. I want to be part of this with you.
Let me share that blame.
ANTIGONE
No, I started this alone and I will end it alone.
ISMENE
But when you're in jail, who will I have left?
ANTIGONE
You'll still have Creon.
ISMENE
I don't need your sarcasm. It's not helping.
ANTIGONE
You're right, sorry.
ISMENE
But seriously, what can I do to help you?
ANTIGONE
Just go. You didn't do anything wrong. I'll suffer by myself.
ISMENE
Poor Antigone, I'll stay if you want me to.
ANTIGONE
No. You have to live your life.
ISMENE
I guess I came here for nothing, since you don't want to listen to me.
ANTIGONE
Don't be sad! You need to move on!
CREON
You girls are crazy!
ISMENE
When so many bad things happen to us, of course we go crazy.
CREON
Well I'm sure choosing to side with her made you even more insane.
ISMENE
You're really going to lock up your former foster son's girlfriend?
CREON
He'll find another girl.
ISMENE
I doubt he ever will love anyone again.
CREON
He shouldn't be dating a crazy criminal anyway.
ANTIGONE
You're just hurting poor Haemon!
CREON
Shut up! Officers, take both of them away and lock them up.
[ANTIGONE and ISMENE are led away. CREON stays]
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