'The Californian Fire'

The name of the Drama.

The Californian Fire

The persons of the play

Kochappan - Hero
Aniyan- Hero's friend

Mrs. Kochappan- Kochappan's wife; obviously.

Mrs. Aniyan- Aniyan's wife; obviously


ActI. sceneI.

Kerala. Kochi.

Monday.
Time: 7.30am. The scene opens in the drawing room of Aniyan's Manor.

Aniyan is seated in a chair reading 'Malayala Manorama' news paper. Mrs.Aniyan enters with a cup of hot coffee. She smiles at him and places the cup closer to his lip. Aniyan holds the cup to avoid 'a slip between the cup and the lip'. Having succeded in that he has a sip and turns to the paper. Mrs.Aniyan floats out to back stage.

The telephone rings. Aniyan reaches for it without taking his eyes off Manorama; no that's not the house maid sweeping the floor, but the morning news paper.

Aniyan's expression changes to that of great concern. He drops the paper and rushes inside, returns in trousers sporting a civilised look.

He searches for and gains possession of his automobile key.

Mrs.Aniyan. ''What happened? where are you going?''

Aniyan. ''To comfort Kochappan. He is in deep distress''

Mrs Aniyan. ''What has become of him? I beseech thee. Tell me''. Mrs Aniyan was in Shakesperian style.

Aniyan while moving away. ''It's Californian fire, USA make''.

Mrs Aniyan stands with mouth and eyes wide open.
The sound of the car starting and speeding away.

ActI. sceneII

Kochappan's Mansion surrounded by neatly pruned trees.
Sound of crickets and chirping of birds.

Mrs. Kochappan floats in and around the garden.

Sound of an automobile approaching. The automobile speeds in, comes to a screeching halt.
The door opens. Aniyan comes out and runs up the steps to the mansion and vanishes into the building.

Mrs.Kochappan watches the vanishing Aniyan with open eyes; her jaws fallen. She regains composure and reinstates her fallen jaw.

ActI. Scene III

Kochappan's chamber. Huge bed at the center and a huge wall clock with swinging pendulam facing the bed. Big oil painting of Ravi Varma adorns the wall.

Kochappan is on the Persian carpet on the floor; occasionally writhing as though in terrible pain.
Aniyan enters, bends down and sits near him on the floor.

Aniyan. ''I pray you! tell me the cause of this distress!'' Touches him. Gradually Kochappan quietens.

Aniyan helps him to his bed. Gives him nourishments.

Kochappan revives and speaks. ''I am distressed since I saw the news programme on BBC this morning''.

Aniyan. ''What could be the piece which caused this agony?''

Kochappan. ''The fire in California in US''.

Aniyan. ''Any of your relatives affected?'' in Indian English.

Kochappan. ''No. Lot of dignitaries lost their homes including Hollywood celebrities''.

How does it concern him? Aniyan thought.

Aniyan. ''Any celebrity of your aquaintance?''

Kochappan. '' Yes. Pamela Anderson''.

Aniyan lapses into thoughts. Till I mentioned about her yesterday, he never knew her. What is his concern? Aniyan keeps his stray thoughts in the oak chest near the bed because he knows that Kochappan doesnot relish anybody's thoughts straying around in his chamber unnecessarily.

Kochappan. ''You apprised me about the journey of that lady from rags to riches in Hollywood. I remember your generous appreciation for her mind and body. You mentioned about her devotion to the career in the field of dramatics; her willingness to accept the challenge of dropping the clothes at the slightest suggestion of her movie directors, even in the freezing weather of American winter. Remarkable! Remarkable !''

Aniyan listens with rapt attention. His face bears a solemn look.
Refrains of Beethovan's music flows into the stage from the background.

Kochappan (adds as if with Abacus) ''I was consumed by pity for her when BBC reported about Pamela Losing her home in the major fire which engulfed California. Many a people would have lost but Pamela's loss ... ''Kochappans voice chokes with emotion. He holds his head in his hands and bends down. Aniyan moves near him; whispers sweet nothings in his ears. Comforts him.

Aniyan. ''Please donot be concerned about Pamela. She has been quoted to be saying that she intends to divorce her latest marriage to benefit from it and to make up for her loss of home''

Kochappan. "Divorce and benefit? Pray, don't be foolish, Aniyan, my bosom friend''.

Aniyan.'' She has said that she is a good home maker because everytime she divorces she makes a home from her ex-husband. She has three homes from her three divorces and this will be her fourth one. And for her luxuries of life she will work hard and never waste time being outside her bed''

Kochappan's face lights up. Aniyan moves closer to Kochappan, embraces him and departs.

The End


This is how I had to write to you about today's incidents; because today was a day of dramatic events. I swear on God ! It was dramatic, literally!!

menon ( aniyan )