Stage setting ~ A grand stone staircase, wide at the start, narrowing up to the ninth step, runs along the stone textured back wall.
A figure enters the darkened area from stage left, holding a long, tapered rod, a flame flicks from the end. The figure moves to staircase, ascends step one ~ stops ~ lighting the first candle on the wall-mounted sconce. Dim lighting comes up showing, shadowing, a fully robed, hooded Monk. With robe so long, hood so full, neither feet nor nose is visible.
A chorus of whispered tones ease in, overtaking the heavy omnipresent silence. The sound could very well be the Gods themselves.
The Monk moves up to step two ~ stops ~ lights second candle. Lighting comes up a shade more.
A second Monk, as fully robed and hooded as the first, enters from stage right ~ stops ~ then moves, glides to the staircase.
Monk One moves up to step three ~ stops ~ lights third candle. Monk Two stands at foot of staircase. Monk One moves up to step four ~ stops ~ lights fourth candle. Monk Two ascends step one.
Whispered tones have grown to intense chant.
Monk One moves on to step five ~ stops ~ lights fifth candle. Vocal strains pitch to near demonic chant. Monk Two leans in to first candle's glow, chant suddenly stops ~ poopf ~ the first candle flame is gone.
Monk One affected, but unsure, moves up to step six ~ stops ~ lights sixth candle. Faint chanting begins again. Monk Two moves up to step two ~poopf ~ second flame vanishes.
Monk One cautiously turns, looks down as Monk Two moves up to step three, leans in to candles glow ~ poopf ~ flame three falls.
Chanting floods back in. Monk One moves up to step seven ~ stops ~ looks back as Monk Two moves on to step four ~ poopf ~ flame four is no more. Monk One turns back, lights candle seven.
In carbon copy unison, Monk One moves on to step eight, Monk Two up to step five. Monk One lights candle eight, Monk Two ~ poopf ~ flame five is kaput.
Music continues to grow in chanting intensity. Monk One moves on to step nine where there is no candle to light ~ stops. Monk Two to step six ~ stop ~ poopf! To step seven ~ stop ~ poopf!
Monk One turns, watches, rod shaking, flame dancing a frenzied jig. Monk Two ~ poopf ~ candle eight out. Chanting pounds a rhythmic ritual. With flaming rod flicking inches between the hoods, all chanting abruptly ceases as Monk One lets out a resounding, "Whyyyyyyyyyyyy?"
"It's my birthday." Monk Two ~ poopfs ~ Monk One's flame.
