Play 43: Change

CHARACTERS
JAMES, 23
JASON, 22

(James is standing at the door in an apartment, his back to it, and there are bags on the floor next to him. Jason is standing a few feet away.)

JASON
Shit man.

JAMES
Yeah.

JASON
So you’re really leaving?

JAMES
Yeah.

JASON
Shit. I can’t believe it.

JAMES
Me neither. I can never process shit like this until it happens, it’ll probably hit me when I get to my new place in New York.

JASON
Yeah.

JAMES
Guess I’m just not good with change.

JASON
Same here.

(Beat.)

You sure you gotta go?

JAMES
Yeah, I wish I could stay, but this job offer’s to good to pass up.

JASON
Yeah, I understand. (Beat.) Still sucks though.

JAMES
Yeah.

JASON
Well, it’s been good being housemates, or (beat.) apartment (beat.) mates.

(They laugh.)

JAMES
Definetely.

(He reaches his hand out for a handshake.)

JASON
Come on man.

(He laughs.)

(James leans forward and they embrace.)

JASON
Well, hope the job goes well. And enjoy New York and shit.

JAMES
Thanks. Good luck with everything too.

JASON
Thanks.

(James looks down at his watch.)

JAMES
Shit, I should go, don’t want to miss my flight.

JASON
Okay. Well, take it easy.

JAMES
You too.

JASON
And keep in touch, okay?

JAMES
Yeah, of course.

JASON
I’ll hold you to it.

JAMES
Same for you.

JASON
Have a good flight.

JAMES
Thanks.

(Pause.)

JASON
Well, what are you waiting for?

JAMES
I dunno. Just hard to imagine leaving, been here forever it feels like.

JASON
Yeah, it’s gonna be weird without you around. But you’ll have a great time, you’ll have your job and I mean, shit man, it’s fucking New York!

JAMES
Yeah.

JASON
And don’t worry about me, I’ll be alright here.

JAMES
I know, you always are.

JASON
Yeah.

JAMES
Well (Beat.) See you later.

JASON
Yeah, maybe I’ll visit you out there sometime.

JAMES
Yeah, that’d be cool. (Beat.) Bye.

JASON
Bye.

(They embrace again. Jason gets the door and James picks up his bags. He exits, and Jason shuts the door behind him.)

(He pauses, and looks around the apartment for a few seconds.)

JASON
Man, change sucks.

(He walks over to the couch and flops onto it.)

(Blackout.)