Play 89: Tickets part IV

CHARACTERS
MAN
TICKET SALESMAN

(A train station. There is a ticket booth, the ticket salesmen is inside it and the man is standing outside talking to him.)

TS
What are you willing to give?

(Pause, the man stands in confused silence.)

MAN
How about my watch?

(He undoes the clasp on his watch.)

TS
No.

MAN
What, I swear, it’s worth a lot.

(He starts pulling the watch off.)

TS
You aren’t understanding me, I said no money.

(He stops pulling the watch off.)

MAN
It’s not money.

TS
What’s the difference?

MAN
Well, one’s a watch and one’s money.

TS
It is the same thing.

MAN
If you say so.

(He puts his watch back in place and closes the clasp.)

MAN
Then what do you want?

TS
As I said, whatever you’re willing to give.

(The man runs his hand through his hair, he appears to be deep in thought.)

MAN
I can’t think of anything.

TS
Whatever is important to you.

MAN
(Frustrated.)
How about my computer? I’m on it constantly, but fuck do I need to get on this train!

TS
To get what you want you need to truly sacrifice.

MAN
Exactly!

TS
If that is all you have to offer than I am afraid this conversation is pointless.

MAN
(Worried.)
No! I’ll give…

(His voice trails off.)

TS
What?

MAN
I’ll give up my job, just please, let me on the train!

TS
You're getting closer.

MAN
(Angry.)
What? That’s not enough.

TS
Maybe if your job meant more to you, if it was more important to you, if it defined who you are in your mind.

MAN
How do you know it doesn’t.

TS
Don’t try that with me, I do not appreciate lies.

MAN
How do you know I don’t like my job?

TS
I could see it since you stepped in my sight.

MAN
Well maybe you’re wrong.

TS
Never.

MAN
(Frustrated.)
Look, if you’re not going to accept anything I offer, then can you just tell me what you want me to say so you’ll give me the tickets?

TS
I’m sorry, but I cannot.

MAN
Not even a hint of the kind of thing you want?

TS
No.

MAN
Fine then.

(Beat.)

MAN
This is harder than I thought it would be.

TS
It always is.

(Blackout.)