Play 111: Work Needs to Die

CHARACTERS
VINCENT, 17
WORK

(Work enters running. He trips, and quickly jumps to his feet and stumbles forward a bit.)

(Vincent enters.)

(Work turns to face him and a look of horror comes over his face. He starts backing away slowly from Vincent.)

VINCENT
(Angry.)
I had a perfectly good break.

(Beat.)

And then you came along.

(He pulls out a gun.)

WORK
(Franticly.)
Don’t shoot!

VINCENT
Why shouldn’t I?

WORK
You’ve always been opposed to violence.

VINCENT
Well, I guess you just pushed me too far then.

WORK
You haven’t thought this through?

VINCENT
Oh really?

WORK
Yeah! Calm down before you do something you regret!

VINCENT
Why would I have any regrets?

(Pause.)

See, you got nothing.

WORK
Just please, don’t!

VINCENT
Give me one good reason.

(Beat.)

WORK
Uhh, I’m something to do?

(Beat.)

VINCENT
Are you serious?

WORK
No, no! That was a joke.

(He forces a laugh.)

Just a joke, I’ll give you the real reason.

VINCENT
I’m all ears.

(Pause.)

Well?

WORK
Just one second!

VINCENT
I’ll give you five.

(Beat.)

Five.

(Beat.)

Four.

(Beat.)

Three.

(Bet.)

Two.

(Beat.)

O—

WORK
Wait!

VINCENT
You got it?

WORK
Yeah.

(Beat.)

(Yelling.)
Holy shit what is that?!

(He points to something behind Vincent.)

VINCENT
What?

(He turns around.)

(Work runs offstage.)

VINCENT
(Turning back around.)
What the hell are you—

(He notices Work is gone.)

Oh goddamn it!

(He runs offstage after him.)

(Blackout.)