Play 87: Tickets part III

CHARACTERS
MAN
MYSTERIOUS MAN
TICKET SALESMEN

(In the back of the stage is a booth with the sign “Tickets” over it. The ticket salesmen is in it.)

(The mysterious man enters and starts walking towards the booth.)

(The man other man enters quickly, almost at a run, and slows down once he catches up with him.)

MAN
Where are we going?

MM
Look.

(He points to the booth.)

(The man looks at it.)

MAN
Thank god.

(Beat.)

And thanks for showing me where it was.

MM
You’re welcome.

(The man starts to head over to the ticket booth, then pauses and turns back to him.)

MAN
Wait, if this is the ticket booth then why were you so cryptic in what you were saying?

MM
I think you should speak with him

(He points to the man in the ticket booth.)

Before you ask me that question.

MAN
(confused.)
What are you talking about, are they really expensive or something?

MM
I’m sorry, but I have to leave. I’ve gotten you here, you should be able to figure it out for yourself now.

(Beat.)

MAN
(Even more confused after hearing the mysterious man’s last statement.)
Yeah, I’m sure I can get the tickets. I mean, how hard can it be?

(The mysterious man exits without answering.)

(Beat.)

(The man walks over to the booth.)

MAN
Hi.

TS
Hello.

MAN
May I have tickets for the next train to—

TS
(Cutting the man off.)
No need to say your destination, there is only one.

MAN
What?

TS
We don’t bother with multiple train lines here.

MAN
But then how can everyone get where they want to, not everyone’s going to the same place.

TS
Yes they are.

MAN
What?

TS
They’re all heading for wherever it is vitally important that they get to.

MAN
(Thoroughly confused.)
Well, yeah, but (beat.) that’s not a place.

TS
Why not?

MAN
Because

(He is so flustered he has to pause for a few seconds.)

Because where everyone wants to go is different, how can it be one place?

TS
You are thinking too narrowly.

MAN
But, it just doesn’t work that way.

(The ticket salesmen looks confused as well now.)

TS
Sir, I’m sorry, but I do not follow your train of logic.

MAN
Wait, you don’t follow my logic?

TS
I assure you I do not.

(Beat, the man looks very confused.)

MAN
Look, just, will the train take me to San Francisco?

TS
That is where it is of vital importance that you go?

MAN
Yeah.

TS
Then yes.

MAN
So it’ll take me to San Francisco.

TS
Yes.

MAN
Okay.

(Beat.)

So can I get a ticket then?

TS
If you can pay for it.

MAN
Of course, how much?

TS
How much are you willing to pay?

MAN
Well, I have fifty dollars on me, I’m sure that’s a lot more than it costs.

TS
I’m sorry, but that will not suffice.

MAN
That’s ridiculous!

(Beat.)

Fine, I’ll give you all fifty, just give me the ticket, I need to leave.

TS
That’s not what I meant.

MAN
What?

TS
I didn’t mean you needed to pay more money.

MAN
So how much is it, ten, twenty?

TS
Why are you so intent on paying in money?

MAN
What do you want then?

TS
What are you willing to give?

(Pause, the man stands in confused silence.)

(He opens his mouth to start to say something.)

(Blackout.)