Play 22: It Exists

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 16
ELLIOT, 16

(Vincent is sitting in front of a computer screen staring blankly at it. Elliot is standing behind him looking over his shoulder.)

ELLIOT
I see you got a whole lot of writing there.

VINCENT
Ha ha, very funny.

ELLIOT
So no ideas yet?

VINCENT
Nope.

ELLIOT
That sucks.

VINCENT
Yeah. You’d think it would get easier to think of something to write once in a while, yet here I am.

ELLIOT
Just try to let it come to you, you’re thinking to hard.

VINCENT
Well, I can’t get any sleep until I finish this and I have some other shit I need to do too, so I don’t really feel like just sitting here till something “comes” to me.

ELLIOT
Wo, chill man.

VINCENT
Sorry, I just really need to get some sleep.

ELLIOT
Then just write something.

VINCENT
I’m trying.

ELLIOT
Want some help?

VINCENT
Yeah, definetly.

ELLIOT
Hmmm…

(He pauses, stroking his chin pensively.)

You could write about (beat.) I have no fucking idea.

VINCENT
Yeah. I know the feeling.

ELLIOT
Sorry.

VINCENT
Don’t worry about it.

(Pause.)

But what the fuck am I gonna write about?

ELLIOT
No idea.

(Pause.)

(Vincent starts typing.)

ELLIOT
So you got an idea?

VINCENT
Nope.

ELLIOT
Then what are you writing?

(Vincent types for another few seconds and then stops.)

VINCENT
So far I got, “Play 22:” and “CHARACTERS”

ELLIOT
Exciting.

VINCENT
Oh yes indeed.

(Pause.)

Fuck, I really need to get some sleep.

ELLIOT
Then just do it.

VINCENT
But I have to get this written.

ELLIOT
Well who cares, I mean, the whole play a day thing doesn’t have to be that strict, almost everyone doesn’t do it exactly.

VINCENT
I guess.

ELLIOT
So you’re not going to do it?

VINCENT
No, I’m still going to.

ELLIOT
Why?

(Beat.)

VINCENT
I honestly don’t know.

(He starts typing.)

ELLIOT
Got an idea finaly?

VINCENT
No.

ELLIOT
Then how are you writing the scene.

VINCENT
I’m just writing about not being able to write and wanting to go to sleep.

ELLIOT
Well, it’s an idea.

VINCENT
Not really.

ELLIOT
Yeah it is.

VINCENT
No. It’s not an idea, it’s a cop out.

ELLIOT
Who cares?

VINCENT
I do.

ELLIOT
Why?

VINCENT
No idea.

ELLIOT
That seems to be the theme of our discussion.

VINCENT
Yeah.

(He stops typing.)

Well, off to bed for me.

ELLIOT
Done with the scene?

VINCENT
Yeah.

ELLIOT
How’d it come out?

VINCENT
It exists.

ELLIOT
Well, that’s something.

VINCENT
Yeah, at least its got that going for it. See you later.

ELLIOT
Later.

(Vincent exits, Elliot goes to look at the computer screen.)

(Blackout.)