Play 83: Months

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 17
BRAD, 17

(They are sitting around a table late at night. Vincent’s head is resting on his crossed arms on the table, he looks exhausted. Brad is sitting across from him.)

BRAD
You look like shit.

VINCENT
I know. The bags under my eyes are so big I could hide a car in them.

BRAD
No kidding.

VINCENT
My eyes sting. Normally even when your tired they only sting for a bit after you wake up. I’ve been up sixteen hours.

BRAD
That can’t be good.

VINCENT
No.

(Beat.)

BRAD
Go to sleep.

VINCENT
Yeah, I will soon.

BRAD
You should now.

VINCENT
I know.

(Beat.)

It’s okay though, tomorrow I can finally sleep in.

BRAD
That’s good, you need it.

VINCENT
Yeah. And I can sleep in Sunday too.

BRAD
Nice.

VINCENT
Yeah, I haven’t slept enough two days in a row in

(Beat.)

Shit, months.

BRAD
Seriously?

VINCENT
Yeah.

BRAD
Fuck.

VINCENT
I know.

(Beat.)

BRAD
That’s really bad.

VINCENT
Trust me, I know.

(Beat.)

BRAD
Have you ever considered that maybe you just have felt like shit in general lately cause you’re not getting enough sleep ever?

VINCENT
Yeah.

BRAD
Then why don’t you sleep more?

VINCENT
I’m not sure what’s the cause and what’s the effect.

BRAD
What?

VINCENT
Am I miserable because I’m not sleeping enough or am I not sleeping enough because I’m miserable?

BRAD
Who knows, but either way not sleeping enough just makes it work.

VINCENT
Yeah, I know.

(Pause, his eyes start to close more and more with each second.)

BRAD
You should go to sleep.

VINCENT
Just a few more minutes.

(His eyes close.)

(Pause.)

BRAD
Vincent?

(Pause.)

(He smiles.)

BRAD
Good, he’s finally tired enough he can’t even stay up when he wants to.

(He exits.)

(Vincent remains sleeping sitting up leaned over on the table.)

(Fade out.)