Play 100: Interview II (aka, Holy Shit, It’s 100!)

CHARACTERS
BEN, 17
MAN, middle-aged

(They sit on chairs facing each other on an otherwise empty stage, a small round table resting between them with two cups on it.)

MAN
So you’ve written 100 scenes?

BEN
I know.

MAN
How does it make you feel?

BEN
Really good, and, mostly just amazed—no one’s more surprised I actually have done it for this long than me.

MAN
So you didn’t think you’d make it this long?

BEN
Not really. I thought there was a chance but I wasn’t sure at all.

MAN
So how do you feel it’s gone so far?

BEN
Well…

(He takes a sip from his cup.)

I’m pretty happy with how it’s gone.

MAN
So you like what you’ve written?

BEN
Well, sometimes, I mean, at least half if not the majority of what I’ve written are cop-outs and kind of suck, but I mean, that’s the point really, so it doesn’t bother me really.

MAN
But do you like any of what you’ve written?

BEN
Yeah, definitely, I’m pretty happy with a relatively good number of them. And I don’t hate a bunch of them, which is saying a lot coming from me.

MAN
Do you think you’ve accomplished what you want to so far?

BEN
To some degree, I feel like I’ve gotten better with not feeling as overly self conscious about my writing. I mean, when you post a play online for everyone to see every day, whether it’s great or complete shit, it makes you not think about it as much.,

MAN
Do you feel you’ve done what you’ve wanted to with you scenes?

BEN
To some degree, I’m just happy I’ve written them really.

MAN
Is there anything you look to change going on from this point?

BEN
I want to try to do less cop-outs, I’ve done too many I think.

MAN
Anything more?

BEN
I feel like I need to push myself more, challenge myself and come up with new things. ‘Cause, I might come up with some bad stuff, but I might come up with some really good scenes I might never have done otherwise, and even if I don’t it forces me to change and get better and different as a writer which is a big part of why I did this I think.

MAN
Well said.

BEN
Thanks.

MAN
And what have other people thought?

BEN
Well, who cares, this is for me, not them you know?

(Pause. Awkward silence, the man stares at Ben.)

(Suddenly Ben laughs.)

BEN
I’m just kidding.

MAN
Oh, okay, I was a little surprised.

BEN
But yeah, they seem to have liked my scenes, I mean, of course they agree the cop-outs suck in general, but I mean, of course they do, they’re cop-outs, so that doesn’t bother me. And they’ve definitely liked some of mine a lot, so that’s definitely made me feel good and encouraged me to keep it up.

MAN
How hard has it been coming up with ideas for each scene?

BEN
That’s been the hardest part. Every night before I write my scenes I’m talking with friends online and am like “What the hell am I going to write?” Ask any of them, they’ll tell you it’s true.

MAN
I’m sure.

BEN
But, it’s been interesting, and it’s a great feeling when I come up with an idea I like. Even though it’s kind of rare.

(Beat.)

MAN
Well, that’s all the time we have for now, but I want to say congratulations on your 100th scene, and good luck with the 256 left to go.

BEN
Yeah, thanks.

(Beat.)

Two hundred and fifty six…

(A look of horror comes across his face.)

Wow.

MAN
Hadn’t thought of that?

BEN
Well I had, but…

MAN
Well, good luck.

(He gets out of the chair and leaves.)

BEN
Hey, get back here!

(He pulls out a sharpened toothbrush.)

You can’t just leave after that!

(He runs offstage after the man, sharpened toothbrush in hand.)

(Blackout.)