Alison Frost, director/educator
Bucky, 28, lean forward in a chair center stage, a video game controller in his hands. He looks sad, but intense, staring unblinkingly out at the audience, mashing buttons on the controller. Ruby, 25, enters. She sees Bucky and shakes her head and silently tsk-tsk’s Bucky.
BUCKY
(not turning from what he stares at)
I hear ya.
RUBY
I didn’t say a word.
BUCKY
I can hear the rocks rattlin’ around in your head as you shake it in disgust at me.
RUBY
Is that all you’re gonna do today?
BUCKY
Don’t you mean is that all you’re gonna do for the rest of your life?
Silence.
RUBY
Okay.
BUCKY
Yea. This is all I’m gonna do.
Silence.
RUBY
Have you considered getting help?
Silence.
BUCKY
Hi, my name is Bucky and I’m addicted to video games.
Silence.
RUBY
The games are not your problem.
BUCKY
(mocking)
They are but a symptom of my problem.
RUBY
Being an asshole is your problem.
Silence.
BUCKY
(sad, quiet)
I know.
RUBY
You’re not an asshole.
Silence.
RUBY
You’re just depressed.
Silence.
Bucky hits a button on the controller, sits back, and looks at Ruby.
BUCKY
I know.
RUBY
It doesn’t have to be this way forever.
Silence.
BUCKY
I... I want to believe you, but...
RUBY
You’re right. I’m lying to you. You were born like this, you’re going to die like this.
Silence.
BUCKY
That’s not very nice.
RUBY
That’s because my problem is that I’m an asshole.
BUCKY
You’re not an asshole.
RUBY
Nothing ever changes. The world goes round and round and then you die, lonely, depressed, unhappy...
BUCKY
Stop!
Silence.
BUCKY
What do I have to do?
RUBY
You don’t have to do anything. You can sit there on that couch killing imaginary enemy until you... you...
BUCKY
Ruby, what...
(confused)
what... what...?
Bucky leans forward and drops the controller on the floor. His hands go to his face. Ruby watches, moved, but unwilling to give in.
RUBY
(finally)
The first part is the hard part.
BUCKY
(taking a deep breath)
What?
RUBY
Stand up.
Bucky slowly stands.
End of play.
No comments:
Post a Comment