Title: The dream that was opium induced
by Sonya from London | in writing, fiction
John and Lewis are sailors getting ready to sleep in a cabin on a 1830s warship. Lewis (in his late teens) is reading a letter by candlelight while John (older) looks out of a porthole into the surrounding sea. The cabin contains a bunk bed and a cabinet holding a hunk of bread and a first aid kit.
John (pleased) Some day, today.
Lewis (reflective) Shame really, those junks are... (shrugs) pretty.
John Junk? You mean rubbish?
Lewis Well, we've got cannons so they were rubbish but they're called junks.
John (incredulous) What are you, a chinaman in disguise?
Lewis (defensively) Don't call them that!
John looks surprised.
Lewis (struggling) It's just...remember...before this war started. That Chinese lady always gave us food (pause). Awful decent of her really.
John (sneer) Probably scared witless of you. Remember when you touched her?
Lewis Well...perhaps they don't to shake hands over here...
John Downright confusing.
Lewis (outburst) It's unfair. We sold them opium on purpose... Hope we make up for it someday.
He pauses. John ignores him and rolls into his bunk. Lewis paces around the cabin and continues pensively.
Lewis Someday, there'll be no problems-like fighting, (takes piece of bread from a shelf and inspects it) better food, (breaks bread) religion, (eats the piece and gestures at a first aid kit and "battlefield" outside) drugs... (dreamily opens out his letter again) love!
John Dream on!
Lewis (speaks to audience, suddenly serious) Oh we will.
THE END
Synopsis: Two sailors in the British navy discuss the effects of the opium war. This is set in 1839 since at this point in history, the British and the Chinese were enemies, but this is no longer the case. This is a story of how we have moved forward in time from past conflicts, to my world as it is now, and how I hope we will continue to do so. Lewis (the protagonist) lived long ago, but his thoughts and aspirations can be applied to any war, to any country, to any young people in the world today. Although we live separated by distance, language, and culture (giving rise to faux pas), we do in fact all share the same problems (such as racism and stereotypes), hopes and dreams, and I think this is what links us together.
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