The Middle
July 9th, 2020
Starring: Explorer 1, Explorer 2
A lush, green, steep hill. Explorer 1 & 2 reach the top, huffing and puffing. Explorer 1 holds an old map. Explorer 2 holds a heavy wooden sign, which they plunge into the ground.
EXPLORER 2
How’s that?
Explorer 1 consults the map.
EXPLORER 1
Good.
No wait, take it out.
Explorer 2 follows the directions:
EXPLORER 1
A little to your right.
Actually, that’s too far. Back left.
Now a little right.
And a half step back.
Ok a little forward.
Stop.
There.
Now flip it ‘round.
Explorer 2 flips the sign. We see it reads “PRIME MERIDIAN.”
Explorer 2, feeling weightless, straddles their legs on land on both sides of the sign.
EXPLORER 2
Guess what I am?
EXPLORER 1
What?
EXPLORER 2
I’m East side and I’m West side. Pretty cool, huh?
EXPLORER 1
Do you know what’s even cooler?
EXPLORER 2
What?
Explorer 1 stands in line with the sign.
EXPLORER 1
Being on no side.
EXPLORER 2
No side...holy smokes.
Explorer 2 joins Explorer 1 on the line.
EXPLORER 2
This is way cooler.
I feel hidden. Undefinable!
EXPLORER 1
But now we know exactly where we are. Everyone will.
It’s a powerful thing to know where you stand.
EXPLORER 2
Location, location, location. Hope we’re not wrong.
EXPLORER 1
Might be. If we are, they can find our mistake.
EXPLORER 2
Yes. A jumping off point.
…
Want to roll down?
Come on, let’s celebrate.
EXPLORER 1
After you.
Explorer 2 rolls down the hill. Explorer 1 follows. The sign remains.