Malayalam Monoact | Script

A slow, humid Monday afternoon. [Script begins] CHANDRAN (sitting, adjusting his glasses, staring at a file) "File number 124/23... Regarding the shifting of a bench from the east side of the veranda to the west side." (laughs dryly) ഇതിന് രണ്ടു വർഷമായി. Two years. This bench hasn't moved. But the file has travelled—section to section, table to table. Like a pilgrim. A bench pilgrim.

(He picks up the phone, dials, speaks in a monotone) "Sir, bench shift file... athu... yes. Waiting for your approval. Hm? Hm. Hm. Yes, sir." (keeps the phone down) He said, "Do the needful." What need? Whose need? The bench doesn't need to move. The bench is happy. I am not. malayalam monoact script

(Gets up, walks to the front of the stage) I am Chandran. Fifty-three years. Twenty-nine years, seven months, and eleven days in this department. My only promotion: from 'bench-sitter' to 'bench-file-handler'. A slow, humid Monday afternoon

(Blackout.) Would you like a shorter version, a comedy version, or a female monologue adaptation of this? Two years

(He laughs. Then silence.) എനിക്കൊരു വിളംബരമുണ്ട്. (clears throat, stands straight) "I, Chandran, clerk, do hereby announce—I am shifting myself. From this desk. To life."

(He picks up his bag, looks at the phone once, then at the files. Smiles. Walks slowly towards the exit.) Bench file... still pending.

(Sits back down. Opens a file. Reads.) "Action initiated. Pending further action." (closes file slowly) My autobiography. Same title.