Play 28: Nothing’s Wrong

CHARACTERS
MICHAEL, 18
AARON, 17

(They’re standing in the lunch line at school waiting to buy their food.)

MICHAEL
Hey.

AARON
Hey, how’s it going?

MICHAEL
Okay. You?

AARON
Good.

(They both finish buying their food and go sit down at a table nearby in silence.)

AARON
You’re quiet.

MICHAEL
Yeah, well so are you.

AARON
I always am though.

MICHAEL
(With a discernible trace of hostility.)
Yeah, well good for you.

AARON
What’s wrong with you?

MICHAEL
Nothing.

AARON
Bullshit.

MICHAEL
Or, nothing big.

AARON
What then?

MICHAEL
(In a nonchalant manner.)
Me and Katy broke up.

AARON
Shit man.

MICHAEL
It’s not a big deal.

AARON
What’re you talking about?

MICHAEL
It’s cool, we both thought it just wasn’t going anywhere.

AARON
But yesterday you told me you thought you loved her.

MICHAEL
You must’ve misheard me.

AARON
No, I’m sure. I remember you told me and I asked you if you thought she loved you and all that, we talked about it for a bit.

MICHAEL
Oh. Yeah. Guess I forgot.

AARON
But shit man, then what happened?

MICHAEL
Nothing. I already told you. We thought it wasn’t going anywhere.

(Pause.)
AARON
She dumped you didn’t she.

MICHAEL
What the hell are you asking that for, I told you what happened!

AARON
Sorry.

(Pause.)

AARON
Look, it’s okay if you feel hurt.

MICHAEL
(angrily)
I’m fine.

(Beat.)

AARON
Yeah, I know you are. I’m just saying it would be okay if you weren’t.

MICHAEL
Gee, thanks for your permission.

(They sit eating their food in silence for a few seconds.)

(Aaron looks down at his watch.)

AARON
I should probably go do some work.

MICHAEL
Whatever.

AARON
Sorry to leave you alone like this.

MICHAEL
Whatever. It’s cool.

AARON
See you later.

MICHAEL
Yeah.

(Aaron exits.)

(Blackout.)

Play 27: Thinking

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 16
DAVID, 16

VINCENT
At least I think it’s weird to think about.

DAVID
Why?

VINCENT
Well, the only way you can really relate with other people is to assume you are on some level the same.

DAVID
What does that have to do with this?

VINCENT
Well, if you were crazy then that assumption would be a lot less true.

DAVID
True.

VINCENT
Like what if you found out you were schizophrenic? You’re entire world would be completely distorted so how the hell would you know what everyone else’s experiences are like?

DAVID
But I’m not schizophrenic.

VINCENT
I know.

DAVID
Neither are you.

VINCENT
But what if I found out I was?

DAVID
But you’re not.

VINCENT
I know, this is theoretical.

(Pause.)

DAVID
Okay.

VINCENT
I dunno, I just find it weird to think about.

DAVID
Yeah, I guess.

VINCENT
It just makes me think about like, while being schizophrenic is an extreme example, everyone’s minds are different. I mean, people like different foods, different music, does that mean they actually taste and sound different to people?

DAVID
I dunno.

VINCENT
I mean, someone could see an inverted color spectrum from you and there’d really be pretty much no way to tell.

(Pause.)

DAVID
So?

VINCENT
What do you mean so?

DAVID
So why does that matter?

VINCENT
Well if something as extreme as seeing everything literally the opposite color is possible, what else? What more subtle things? Maybe the assumption that all humans are pretty much the same is just utterly wrong and our perception of reality is completely different from everyone else’s?

DAVID
Umm, I dunno.

VINCENT
Maybe it’s just me but thinking of stuff like that just really trips me out.

(Pause.)

DAVID
You really think to much.

VINCENT
Yeah.

DAVID
No, I mean way too much.

VINCENT
I know.

(Pause.)

DAVID
That is kinda weird to think about though.

VINCENT
It is.

(Pause.)

DAVID
Shit, now you’ve got me thinking.

VINCENT
You get used to it after a while.

DAVID
That’s cold.

(Blackout.)

Play 26: if You Think About It For Too Long Your Head Explodes

CHARACTERS
1, male, 16
2, male, 16

(They sit in chairs in front of a computer.)

1
Wait, I’m not following you.

2
Okay, so you know how a single point has like no dimensions.

1
Yeah.

2
Well, you like take a point and extend it out and it becomes a line which is one dimension.

(He takes his finger and draws it in a line in the air.)

1
Okay.

2
And if you take a line and extend it it becomes a square, which is two.

(He puts his hand flat and then moves it aside to draw a square in the air.)

1
Okay.

2
And then you take a square and extend it out and you get a cube, which is three.

(He uses both hands to trace a square extending into a cube in midair.)

1
Got yah.

2
So then if you take a cube and extend it out, it becomes a hypercube.

(He starts to try to make a gesture, then stops.)

1
A what?

2
A hypercube.

1
Is that seriously the name of it?

2
Yeah.

1
Like the scientific name.

2
Yup.

1
That’s kinda funny.

2
Yeah.

1
So what is a hypercube?

2
Well, you know how every side of a cube is a square?

1
Yeah.

2
Well every side of a hypercube is a cube.

(Beat.)

1
What?

2
It’s hard to explain. Or visualize.

1
Wait, so that’s like the fourth dimension?

2
Yeah.

1
What even is it?

2
The fourth dimension?

1
Yeah.

2
Time.

1
Wait (beat.) but how does the hypercube have to do with time?

(Pause.)

2
Honestly (beat.) I have no idea.

(Pause.)

1
Wait, so what’s the fifth dimension?

2
No clue.

1
But like, would you just take a hypercube and extend it?

2
Yup, it becomes an ultracube.

1
That’s also the real name I supposed?

2
Yup.

(Pause.)

1
So how many dimensions are there?

2
I don’t think anyone’s sure really. But for String Theory to work there needs to be at least eleven.

1
Eleven?

2
Yeah.

1
What the fuck are they?

2
No clue, I’m not even sure they’ve figured it out really.

(Pause.)

1
I’m thoroughly confused.

2
Yup. Same here.

1
I think my heads starting to hurt a little from thinking of all this shit.

2
Reminds me of a line a science teacher of mine said: “If you’re studying quantum physics and you don’t feel nautious, you’re doing something wrong.” Or something like that.

1
Yeah.

2
So how the hell did this conversation start anyways?

1
No idea.

2
Me either.

1
Wait, so what’s a hypercube look like.

2
Here, one second.

(He starts typing on the keyboard.)

(They both look at the computer screen.)

(Pause.)

1
Holy fuck.

2
Yup.

1
I think I'm way more confused now.

2
Me too.

(Blackout.)

Play 25: You Got To Believe In Something

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 16
BILLY, 16

(They are sitting at a table eating lunch.)

VINCENT
I dunno, I just don’t get it.

BILLY
Yeah.

VINCENT
I mean, religion’s just been used tot justify such fucked up stuff over the years.

BILLY
Yeah.

VINCENT
I mean, homophobia, racism, and prejudice. And violence--the crusades, suicide bombings, who knows how many wars and murders through the years.

BILLY
Yeah, and all in the name of trying to better the world.

VINCENT
Exactly! They all claim to support morals and being a good person. For what, so these “better” people can go kill everyone who believes something different?

BILLY
Yeah, it’s fucked up.

VINCENT
Yeah.

(Pause)

And I dunno, besides it causing a lot of bad shit, I just don’t really get religion in general.

BILLY
What do you mean?

VINCENT
I just don’t buy the idea that there’s some old bearded white dude up in the sky watching us and everything we do.

BILLY
So god can’t be a black guy?

VINCENT
Fine then, an old bearded dude of indeterminate race watching us.

BILLY
What about a woman?

VINCENT
What?

BILLY
God can’t be a woman.

VINCENT
Fine then, some person, come on, you still get what I’m saying.

BILLY
Yeah.

VINCENT
The whole concept of god is just so, well unbelievable.

BILLY
I agree. I dunno, you don’t have to believe in god though, just something kinda.

VINCENT
You mean to be religious?

BILLY
No.

VINCENT
What you mean then?

BILLY
Just, everyone’s got to believe in something.

VINCENT
I guess. What though?

BILLY
I dunno, you can believe in the good of humanity.

VINCENT
I find the older I get he less I believe in it. I mean, every day I just see more fucked stuff people do that convinces me it’s a lot easier to believe in the bad in people than the good.

BILLY
You shouldn’t be so cynical.

VINCENT
I try not to be.

BILLY
Then why are you?

VINCENT
I said I try. (Beat.) I just fail miserably.

BILLY
Then what do you believe in?

(Pause.)

VINCENT
I guess in just trying to be a good person and doing what’s right.

BILLY
That’s definitely a good way of looking at it. As I said, everyone has to believe in something.

VINCENT
Yeah, but that belief doesn’t help me those days I feel like shit and like nothing matters.

BILLY
Yeah, guess that’s the problem with not being religious.

VINCENT
Yeah.

BILLY
Well, it’s still something though.

VINCENT
I guess.

(Pause.)

What do you believe in?

BILLY
I dunno, I guess I try to believe in the good of humanity.

VINCENT
Naive fool.

BILLY
Hey, at least it helps those days I feel like shit.

VINCENT
Yeah, well they say ignorance is bliss.

BILLY
I guess so.

VINCENT
Doesn’t mean you’re not naïve.

BILLY
True.

(Pause.)

VINCENT
You lucky bastard.

BILLY
Yup.

(Blackout.)

Play 24: You Don’t Want To Know

CHARACTERS
SCOTT, 23
NICOLE, 23
JOSHUA, 22

(They are sitting at a table eating breakfast—cereal, orange juice, etc.—at a table in the middle of what appears to be a kitchen. There are empty paper plates and cups everywhere, and trash as well. In short the rooms a mess.)

SCOTT
You sure you want to know?

NICOLE
Yeah.

SCOTT
Uh, I’m not so sure.

JOSHUA
I agree, it’s probably better that you don’t.

NICOLE
It couldn’t have been that bad.

(Pause, Scott and Joshua look to each other.)

Wait, was it?

SCOTT
I said you don’t want to know.

NICOLE
I won’t leave you alone until you tell me.

(Scott looks over to Joshua.)

JOSHUA
Maybe you just should, I mean, she says she wants to know.

SCOTT
Fine. (Beat.) Where should I start?

JOSHUA
Start with the shirt.

NICOLE
What are you talking about?

SCOTT
You, uh, you got up on one of the tables and started dancing, and in the process somehow manage to lose your shirt.

NICOLE
I did?

SCOTT
Yeah.

NICOLE
Is that it?

(Pause.)

JOSHUA
Tell her about Sam.

NICOLE
What about him?

SCOTT
You two, uh, well, you know.

NICOLE
What?

(Pause.)

JOSHUA
You had sex with him.

NICOLE
(alarmed)
What?

SCOTT
Yeah. He was bragging about it all night.

NICOLE
Come on, that’s bullshit!

SCOTT
No, I swear it’s true.

(She looks over to Joshua.)

JOSHUA
Like he said.

(Pause.)

NICOLE
Fuck.

SCOTT
Yeah.

(Pause.)

JOSHUA
Should we tell her about the goat?

NICOLE
What?!

SCOTT
Uh, maybe it’s best we don’t.

JOSHUA
You should listen to him.

NICOLE
What the fuck happened?

SCOTT
Listen Nicole, just trust me on this, you really don’t want to know.

NICOLE
You’re full of shit.

SCOTT
What? You really don’t want to know.

NICOLE
No, I mean all this stuff I did, you’re making it up!

JOSHUA
No he isn’t.

NICOLE
You seriously expect me to believe this?

SCOTT
I didn’t say that.

NICOLE
Then you’re admitting it?

SCOTT
No, I didn’t say I expected you to believe it. (Beat.) I’m juts saying it’s true.

NICOLE
Come on, all that stuff you said is nothing like me.

JOSHUA
Nothing like you sober.

NICOLE
What the hell is that supposed to mean?

JOSHUA
Guess.

(Pause.)

NICOLE
So you’re seriously not shitting me?

SCOTT AND JOSHUA
(in unison)
Nope.

(Pause.)

NICOLE
Fuck.

SCOTT
Yeah.

(Pause.)

NICOLE
Uh, I’m kinda scared to ask but

(Pause.)

The goat?

(Scott and Joshua start laughing histerically.)

NICOLE
You assholes! I fucking knew it!

(She storms out of the room.)

(Pause.)

JOSHUA
Are we going to tell her we weren’t joking?

SCOTT
Nah, as you said, it’s probably for the best she doesn’t know. Let her think we were fucking with her.

JOSHUA
Good idea.

(Pause.)

JOSHUA
But seriously man, the goat?

SCOTT
I know man, that shit was fucked up.

JOSHUA
Definetely.

(He looks down at his cereal.)

JOSHUA
Shit man, I’m not hungry anymore.

SCOTT
Neither am I.

(Blackout.)

Play 23: Breaks Are Always Too Short

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 16
TIM, 16

(They sit at a table in a crowded cafeteria eating lunch. Other people are sitting at the other tables around them, and occasionally walk by. They are all talking, but their words aren’t discernible, creating a low hum of talking in the background.)

TIM
(sarcastically)
So fun being back.

VINCENT
Oh yes.

(They sit eating in silence for a few seconds.)

TIM
How was your break?

VINCENT
Too short.

TIM
Same here.

VINCENT
Relaxing though, and much needed.

TIME
Definetely.

VINCENT
How bout yours?

TIM
Pretty much the same.

VINCENT
What you do for Thanksgiving?

TIM
Had it with some family in Boston.

VINCENT
Cool.

TIM
Not really. What you do?

VINCENT
Some family friends came over.

TIM
How was it?

VINCENT
Not bad.

TIM
That’s good at least.

VINCENT
Yeah.

(He looks around for a second.)

This sucks.

TIM
What?

VINCENT
Just…

(Pauses for a second, then gestures all around him with his hand.)

This.

TIM
You mean school?

VINCENT
Yeah, school, the noise, everyone just (beat.) this.

TIM
Yeah. Well, at least the week’s a total of (beat.) on tenth over.

VINCENT
Please don’t remind me.

TIM
Sorry.

VINCENT
And hey, after two more weeks and finals we got winter break at least.

TIM
True. That’s definitely comforting.

VINCENT
Not enough though.

TIM
Nope.

(By now almost everyone has gradually left the cafeteria.)

(Vincent looks down at his watch.)

VINCENT
Fuck!

TIM
What?

VINCENT
Class starts in two minutes!

(He starts eating his sandwich frantically.)

TIM
That sucks man.

(Vincent finishes eating his sandwich.)

VINCENT
Why aren’t you worried?

TIM
I got fifth free.

VINCENT
I hate you.

TIM
Have fun in class.

(Vincent glares at Tim and then glancing down at his watch again picks up his trash and runs out of the cafeteria.)

(Tim sits eating what’s left of his lunch, a few other people sit around the cafeteria eating and talking.)

(Blackout.)

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.)