THE ZOO STORY ‘Adaptation’
The Scene:
It was the weekend afternoon in Hyde Park. The weather was fine, but it was crowded, and the sky was clear. Charles in his early 40s, who was well-dressed, was sitting on the bench and sipping his white chocolate coffee while he was reading a book. Then, suddenly a man appeared before him who smelt very badly and began to say with a glaring glance.
Evan: Hey man! I was sitting on this bench. I went for about two minutes, and I came back.
Charles: What did you say?
Evan: I said I was sitting on this bench that you’re sitting right know.
Charles: As you can see, I’m sitting here and I’m very busy. Will you walk away? Oh, wait a second. I really remember you from somewhere. You are the person who comes here and shouts at people all the time and bullies them and finally gets their money!
Evan: How can you remember me? I don’t remember you. What I do here or whether I steal money from people is none of your business. Get up quickly from my seat! I’m not going anywhere until I sit down and watch this sea a little more.
Charles: Why are you acting like this? Are you crazy? I’ll call the police now. If you don’t get the hell out of here right now!
Evan: I’m not going anywhere. I’m not as bad as you think. I didn’t take anybody’s money by force. I asked them for some food. My yelling was just because they treated me so badly.
Charles: I don’t hear you right now. Shut up and sit down your seat now.
Evan: They could just say “no”. They didn’t say. There is no one who puts me in a human position. I had money. There was enough for myself and my family. I had a job. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Charles : —
Evan: I said I had a family! I had family. I lost everyone in my family and everything. I also had a job. I have nothing now. Sitting here, watching the sea and reading if I find a book is the only thing that calms me down.
Charles: My problem was over my head. Please go tell these lies to others. I’m not even listening to you.
Evan: You know what, you asshole. I went to the zoo the other day. I was much happier there myself than I was among these crowded people. It is much better to be friends with animals than to be friends with you people. These are the bad hearted people we are in!
-5 minutes later, when he still doesn’t get an answer. Suddenly he starts to calm down and thinks. His eyes are full of motion. Evan takes out the knife in her pocket and suddenly goes to stab his towards Charles. As soon as he turns his head right and the knife gets stuck in Evan in a way Charles never wanted. Charles is shocked, and he doesn’t know what to do. Evan is already losing blood. Evan’s last words are as follows:
Evan: Oh man. I’m seeing my child I lost in my arms at home. I’ve been waiting for a long time to see her. Didn’t even haunt my dreams (with a trembling voice and panting). I’ll get her now.
Charles: No, no. The ambulance is coming. Please hold on my friend. Forgive me! Where did that knife come from, my friend? Please live, you have a longer life.
Evan: Goodbye the guy who listens to me at least in my last minutes. Go to the zoo.
- Evan dies there and Charles’s life will never be the same again.
