Play 48: Now?

CHARACTERS
BEN, 17
SEAN, 17

(They sit around a coffee table playing cards. There is a notebook with a pencil on it resting to the side.)

SEAN
So no luck with today’s scene?

BEN
Nope.

SEAN
Don’t have any ideas?

BEN
Do I ever?

SEAN
Sometimes.

(Beat.)

(Ben nods his head.)

BEN
Sometimes. (Beat.) And, it’s just been hard to write since I don’t have any free time.

SEAN
That’s too bad.

BEN
Yeah. I’m busy all day going all around Morocco, I mean it’s really cool and all, just taxing.

SEAN
I know what you mean. (beat.) Wait, Morocco?

BEN
Yeah.

SEAN
I thought you were in Senegal.

BEN
I will be, I’m in Morocco a few days first.

SEAN
Okay (beat.) Wait a minute, if I’m here talking to you, how do I not know where you are?

BEN
Umm…

SEAN
And you realize this is the third straight “play” where you’re the main character.

BEN
I know.

SEAN
I mean, you’re not even pulling that weird Vincent thing, you’re just straight up being the main character.

BEN
As I said, I’ve been busy.

SEAN
Nice excuse.

(Ben starts reaching into his coat.)

SEAN
And don’t even think of trying to shank me.

(Ben’s hand stops mid-path and moves away from the coat.)

SEAN
Come on, like you could really fool me? I kow you better than that.

BEN
I know.

SEAN
And what the hell kind of character am I? I have no personality, I’m just your negative thoughts and stuff.

BEN
Tell me something I don’t know.

(Pause.)

SEAN
So if you’re not going to shank me, how are you gonna end this?

BEN
No idea.

SEAN
Well you have to think of something.

BEN
What if I just end it now?

SEAN
Now?

BEN
Yeah.
(Beat.)
Why not?

SEAN
There’s no sense of closure or any reason to make it end now.

BEN
So?

SEAN
I dunno, seems like there should be.

BEN
Maybe.

SEAN
So are you gonna end it?

BEN
Now?

SEAN
Now.

BEN
Yup.

SEAN
Really?

BEN
Yeah.

(Blackout.)