The King is in the Field: An Adaptation of Waiting for Godot
Natalie Frank has a Ph.D. in Clinical psychology. She specializes in Pediatric Psychology and Behavioral Medicine.
This adaptation is based on the ideas of the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (also known as the Alter Rebbe), regarding the Hebrew month of Elul, the month that immediately precedes Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. He believed that during the month before these important holidays, there was a strengthening of the bond between God and the Jewish people that occured. This was initiated by God, the Alter Rebbe said, as during this time God becomes more accessible and waiting in what is said to be the “field” of daily life, to be greated. In his work Likkutei Torah, the Alter Rebbe presents this idea through the following parable
“Before a king enters his city, its inhabitants go out to greet him and receive him in the field. At that time, anyone who so desires is granted permission and can approach him and greet him. He receives them all pleasantly, and shows a smiling countenance to all . . .”
Re’eh 32b (English translation: Sichos In English, 5750)
Cast of Characters
Ezra
Vofsi
Glucka – wife
Peleg- husband
A boy
A Dozen Extras (7 males, 5 females):
Scene
A large fenced dirt area with a few trees and a large rock set stage left. In the distance, a large palace is just visible.
Time
The present, sunrise
Act I
Scene 1
SETTING: A large fenced area, a dozen people inside, some sitting, some standing, some leaning on the fence looking over it as if waiting. Sunrise. A large rock sits stage left on which EZRA sits.
AT RISE: EZRA sits on it alone trying to knot a wrinkled tie. He has on a wrinkled jacket and pants which don’t match, an old white button down shirt and black hat. Several minutes go by and he still is unable to knot his tie. He gives up, lays back against the rock, sits back up and tries again. Enter VOFSKI, Stage Left. He opens the gate, enters the area, and carefully closes and latches the gate behind him.
EZRA
Forget it, it’s no use.
VOFSKY
I’m starting to think you’re right about that.
(He starts to work on Ezra’s tie)
EZRA
Right?
VOFSKY
Right.
EZRA
They why are ya working on my tie?
VOFSKY
Someone has to. I’m glad you’re here.
EZRA
Where else would I be?
VOFSKY
(motions vaguely with one hand out towards the fence)
Out there somewhere, I suppose.
EZRA
Out there?
VOFSKY
They say some are.
EZRA
Where were you?
VOFSKY
When?
EZRA
Last night.
VOFSKY
Oh, I wasn’t out there, I was just, right out there
(he motions to indicate somewhere near the fence.)
EZRA
Why?
VOFSKY
Why was I right out there, or why are some out there?
EZRA
Yes.
VOFSKY
Well, I was right out there in case they are a little bit right, and they are out there because they are convinced they are completely right.
EZRA
Right about what?
VOFSKY
(He finishes tying Ezra’s tie and sits at the base of the rock)
Oh, the waiting. The not waiting. Did you ever read the Five Books of Moses?
EZRA
I’m sure I did. At some point. Must of. Why?
VOFSKY
No reason really. Just makes a man think. All that wandering around they did. They were always wandering about. Almost never just sat there waiting.
Before Ezra can respond, there a commotion offstage and GLUCKA and PELEG enter Stage Right, yelling at each other. He has tight hold on her arm and she is fighting to get loose. She carries a suitcase which she tries to swing at PELEG but he blocks it. EZRA AND VOFSKY look on with little interest, some of the others in the enclosure glance at the couple. PELEG gets GLUCKA to the gate, open it while trapping her against the fence with his body, muscles her through and follows. One of the men gets up and shuts and latches the gate. PELEG keeps tight hold of GLUCKA's arm.
PELEG
Where here now. You might as well stop your fighting.
GLUCKA
Then you can let go of me.
PELEG
(slight laugh, bitter) Not a chance. You’re not heading off God knows where to find your bliss.
VOFSKY
(Stands up, facing them)
You’re not the King, by chance, are you, sir?
PELEG
Don’t be ridiculous. I am PELEG. (He stands as if waiting for recognition. When there is no response, he takes a step closer to VOFSKY and loudly says:)
PELEG.
(VOFSKY turns back to look at EZRA who shrugs, then faces back to PELEG. PELEG steps forward again and says as if a question:)
PELEG? The great PELEG? Known far and wide, that PELEG?
GLUCKA
(rolls her eyes and sighs)
The great PELEG, the mighty PELEG, the renowned PELEG, PELEG who is known far and wide. Well, here we are oh, mighty one, in your own backyard and no one’s ever heard of you.
PELEG
(Jerks GLUCKA’S arm and she stumbles forward still holding her suitcase)
You thought I was the King, did you?
VOFSKY
Not so much, no.
PELEG
So why’d ya ask me if I was the King then?
VOFSKY
Just something to say, really.
EZRA
He asks that of everyone who comes. Even the women.
PELEG
(Scowls)
Then you must know the King to speak such to me, as if I’m nobody.
VOFSK
No.
PELEG
But you know what he looks like, wouldn’t miss him if you saw him.
VOFSKY
Kingly, I suppose.
PELEG
You don’t even know what he looks like?
VOFSKY
No
PELEG
So how will you know when he gets here?
VOFSKY
Just will I suppose.
PELEG
You’re as bad as those nomads, out wandering the country side, looking for him.
(He makes his voice Falsetto then says)
“The King is in the Field,” The King is in the Field”. A bunch of morons, ya ask me. He’s a King for God’s sake. Why’d he be out wandering the fields hoping his subjects will just bump into him?
GLUCKA
Maybe because he’s the King and he won’t bump into them any other way?
PELEG
(To GLUCKA)
Shut it.
(To VOFSKY)
She was ready to go off searching with those idiots. Didn’t want to just wait for the King to come like a normal person. Wanted to waste all that time and energy searching high and low, she did. Can ya, think of anything more stupid?
GLUCKA (under her breath)
. . . should do something
VOFKSY
(leans forward as if to hear her better)
Pardon?
GLUCKA
I said we should do something. He’s the King. And here we just waiting. Does anyone know for sure he’s coming?
EZRA
Of course. Of course he’s coming. VOFSKY says he is, don’t ya VOFSKY. (VOFSKY doesn’t reply.)
A boy with a bag enters stage right. He approaches the enclosure and leans over taking something form his sack. He begins to toss a few at a time over the fence.
PELEG
Hey there, boy. Hey there. What do you think you’re doing? Stop that before you hit someone. What are you throwing?
VOFSKY
(Walks to over to one of the objects and picks it up while PELEG is speaking. He looks at the boy and asks,)
Candles?
EZRA
(Parrots VOFSK)
Candles?
BOY
It gets dark earlier now.
VOFSKY
(confused)
Dark? But it’s just after sunup.
BOY
But you’re waitin aren’t ya?
VOFSKY
Yes, but he’ll . . .
BOY
(Before he can finish the BOY says,)
Then you’ll need em. Gets dark earlier now.
PELEG
(approaches the boy)
See here, child. We’ll not be waiting around all night. Take your candles and go home.
BOY
Not going home, going afield.
PELEG
Oh, of all things Holy. What idiot parents would let a child follow after the dimwitted?
(Walks away, pulling at GLUCKA who tries to look back at the boy. As they move to the backstage edge of the fence, VOFSKY approaches the boy who’s still, tossing candles over the fence).
VOFSKY
We appreciate your concern I’m sure, but really, he’ll be here long before sundown.
BOY
He’s not coming.
VOFSKY
Excuse me?
BOY
He’s not. Coming I mean. I work up there usually, (he gestures toward the palace) with my folks. See him sometimes. Yesterday he told me to deliver the message.
VOFSKY
Message?
BOY
That he’s not comin. Oh and to give out lots of candles. “A little light dispels a great deal of darkness,” he said. “And boy do those folks got a world full of darkness to fight.”
(He tosses out one last candle and runs off, Stage Left.)
(VOFSKY looks in the direction the boy exited then goes back to the rock.)
EZRAH
Well?
VOFSKY
He’s not coming.
EZRAH
Not coming? Are you sure?
VORSKY
BOY is. Says he works for him. Told the boy himself. If you listen to the BOY.
EZRAH
We’re still waiting though, aren’t we?
VOFSKY
Seems best, I think.
(He settles down with his back against the rock, then hands the candle to Ezrah. He reclines against the rock and tilts his hat over his eyes to cover them. )
VORSKY
Seems best (he repeats).
(FADE TO BLACK)
(END OF SCENE)
© 2018 Natalie Frank