Rex's Downfall

AN: I started this script as an assignment for english, as a modernization of a passage in Oedipus Rex. I thought I would post my group's work to see what the response would be. I can't name them because of discretion in anonymity, but they do deserve credit for the parts of Tiresia, Leader, and Posse. Oedipus, and all such characters along with the original story this is based off belong to Sophocles (lol), the only things my group and I can take credit for are the translated parts, the summary, the modified names, and some stage cues.

Hope all readers enjoy!

~Ryn

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Rated T

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Summary:

Oedipus is known as Rex, Tiresias as Tiresia, Apollo as Foley, Creon as Chris, and the chorus as the Posse. Rex is trying to figure out who killed Laius and Tiresia is brought in to help so that the school can have their annual Theban High dance. Rex and Tiresia begin to argue, their anger raising steadily as time moves on. Rex walks away from her—having had enough of her insolence—at which Tiresia tries to subtly hint at the truth behind the murder of Laius. Rex doesn't believe her and tries to send her away. His first attempt is futile; Tiresia exposing the riddle that will be the key to solving the murder mystery.

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(Rex walks swiftly onstage, slamming 'postponed until further notice' signs over the signs on the wall for the annual dance. Keeping his emotions under lock and key, Rex addresses his posse.)

Rex:

Everyone is praying to the gods? Ha! I'll give you what you want. Listen up people—do what I say, it's all good. I'm telling you guys, if you saw what happened, we'd all be partying hard like we deserve! We'd know who did it, instead of worrying about who it was. Being a true Theban High king, I ask you my fellow Thebans: if anyone here knows who killed my man Laius, I want to know. We won't beat you up or call the cops, I promise, I just need to know who it was, because they need to serve their debt and transfer schools. If you let me know, I'm sure we can work out a nice reward, but don't protect the killer. Curse him, let him suffer, if he is one of my posse then curse me too. Because I will find him one way or another.

(Leader comes to stand by Rex timidly, noticing his friend's well-concealed rage)

Leader: I swear I did not kill him and I don't know who did. Foley started this search, so he should tell us who the killer is!

(Slightly startled at his sudden appearance, Rex's emotional mask slips. He addresses his loyal companion)

Rex: Sure, but I don't think forcing his 'mighty hand' will work.

Leader: Then I think the next best thing is…

Rex: Yeah…

Leader: I still think Tiresia sees things like Foley, so you will figure out the truth from her.

Rex: I've been trying to get her, but Chris has been bugging me, so I sent the posse twice, but she's been a no-show.

Leader: We need her, right now there are only rumors.

(Rex—alarmed—turns toward his friend, making eye contact.)

Rex: What rumors? I'll find out who started them.

Leader: (answers hesitantly)…That Laius was killed by the Traveler's Team.

(AN: Traveler's Team is the Theban rival, modern version of 'other nations')

(Rex disregards this as useless chatter.)

Rex: Yeah, but nobody can find the killer.

Leader: If the man is scared, he won't stay silent after hearing all about your curse.

Rex: If he didn't think about killing, there's no way words scare him.

Leader: He is the only one who knows the truth.

(Rex spots Tiresia making her way over to them)

Rex: (Yells jokingly) Hey! Tiresia, super blind master of seeing the future! We need your help. We asked Foley—my guys probably didn't tell you—he said to us "You young people can have the dance, once you find out who the murderer is." Please help us find the creep. You're our only hope.

Tiresia: (mutters darkly) How...How horrible it is to know the truth, for the truth will only hurt the ones who know.

Rex: (confused) Huh? What's with the angst?

Tiresia: (spiteful response) Just leave me alone. You bear your burdens, and I'll bear mine.

Rex: Interesting… and uncalled for… What are you hiding?

Tiresia: You don't see, it's ironic you would say that.

Rex: For the love of god, just tell us!

Tiresia: None of you know, and I won't tell these horrible secrets.

(Rex begins to lose his patience, and his temper)

Rex: Say it! Don't be a traitor.

Tiresia: I'd rather not hurt you, or me for that matter, so why are you asking useless questions?

Rex: You'd say nothing? You idiot! Just tell me!

Tiresia: Here you dislike my mannered temper, but you are unaware of your own.

Rex: Well who could stay calm listening to you?!

Tiresia: I will tell you this and only this, submit yourself to follow your own rules and don't talk to me or any of these people again, you are the reason we all suffer.

(Rex has almost lost it, becoming gradually more enraged as his companion cowers into the background)

Rex: You son of a—, you won't get away with this!

Tiresia: It's sad, you say to me what others will soon say to you.

Rex: Ha! Well you'd think so you odd little twit. I never asked for the title of "king", they gave it to me! I thought Chris would be loyal, yet he sends this gossip queen to tell me lies. I, Rex the king, stopped the sphinx from stealing the mascot, all on my own. I'm all powerful.

(Now losing her spiteful, sarcastic air, Tiresia begins to lose her composure as well)

Tiresia: There's no doubt you're popular, but I'm just as good as you. I fall under Foley and I don't need Chris to speak for me. You mock me and think I'm wrong but the irony is that you bring pain to your family. You can mock me now, but you will soon discover the truth.

Rex: (Gritting his teeth in frustration) Leave now!

Tiresia: I would not have come if you hadn't asked me to.

Rex: If I knew you would insult me, I would have never—

(Tiresia interrupts Rex, as if to make a point)

Tiresia: —I will go once I say what I came to say. The person you cursed is here, and will soon be revealed, popularity will be lost.

(She has the appearance of going into a trance-like state)

Revealed at last, brother and father both to the children he embraces, to his mother son and husband both—he sowed the loins his father sewed, spilled his father's blood.

Now go solve that riddle and if I'm wrong, denounce me as the all knowing.

(Tiresia leaves, only the slight breeze from the action lingers)

(Leader notices her disappearance—and his friend's strained features, signaling a possible headache—and comfortingly steps beside Rex, mutely offering his condolences.)

Leader: She seems mad, and you as well. We should look for the answers to this riddle.

(Rex regains his powerful aura of confidence at his friend's words)

Rex: Well, I will solve the riddle; and prove her wrong!

(Rex and his companion leave the stage, Rex rushing in front of Leader—said companion close behind him—all the while not noticing his friend's smirking features)

(Posse comes to be noticed, and looks around the stage with an air of confusion.)

Posse: Who is the killer? The horror too frightening, but his time is up and we must figure it out. We need to find this person, hunt them down and cast him out. I have no idea who could have killed Laius. Only the gods know, but could one man know the terrible truth? But for all man's sake I will never accuse our leader, Rex!

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So.... What do you think? Bad? Good? I wanna know!

Just please understand that any flames will be purposefully ignored.

Also please keep in mind that the entire thing was not made by just me, it was a school project. So please judge by those standards.