FIVE MINUTES OF SILENCE IN THAMEL
Setting: Thamel, Kathmandu. A small, usually bustling courtyard or rooftop. Dawn, just before the city fully awakens. (SOUND of distant, almost imperceptible temple bells, a dog barking once, far off. The predominant sound is a profound, almost heavy silence, punctuated by the following internal monologues and fragmented sounds.) MIND 1 (The overwhelmed tourist, trying to find peace ): (Whispering, a little frantic) "Okay. Five minutes. Just five. Breathe. In… out. Silence. Just… silence. Why is it so hard? I can still hear the motorbikes, even when there aren't any. That guy yesterday, 'Hashish, my friend?' No, thank you. The flutes. Always the flutes. Is that a real flute or just a recording? How many times did I say 'no thank you' yesterday? Did I remember to lock the door? Did I turn off the fan? What time is that yoga class? I should really get up for that yoga class. But this bed… so soft. Too soft? Is it too soft? What if it's too soft and I g...