Play 91: Tickets part VI

CHARACTERS
MAN
TICKET SALESMEN

MAN
You’ve shot down every idea of mine, I’m not going to just keep guessing.

TS
Do you have a choice?

MAN
You have to have something in mind.

TS
I do not.

(Beat.)

MAN
Nothing?

TS
No.

(Beat.)

TS
Well, there might be one thing.

MAN
Tell me.

TS
I doubt you will be willing to do it though.

MAN
You don’t understand how badly I need to get on this train. If I miss it (beat.) I don’t think I could ever forgive myself.

TS
It will mean losing everything.

MAN
Just tell me.

TS
We switch places.

MAN
What?

TS
I take your life and you take mine.

MAN
That doesn’t even make sense! You can’t just switch places!

TS
We can.

MAN
I mean, everyone could tell it’s some other person and not you!

TS
They won’t.

MAN
They will.

TS
You underestimate the entirety of the switch.

MAN
What?

TS
Just trust me, not a soul will notice.

MAN
But if you’re me and I’m you then won’t it be you who goes on the train?

TS
No, of course my proposition will not take effect until after you return.

(Beat.)

MAN
You’re serious about this aren’t you?

TS
Completely.

MAN
I’ll need to think about this.

TS
It is to be expected.

(Beat.)

MAN
So after I come back, I’m you?

TS
And I’m you.

MAN
For how long?

TS
This is not a temporary exchange.

MAN
It’s for good?

TS
Yes.

(Pause, the man stands still in deep thought, he looks extremely conflicted.)

MAN
(Distraught.)
Is there any other way I can get on this train?

TS
It appears you have nothing worthy to give up.

MAN
So no?

TS
No. I should not even be allowing you on this train, only those who have sacrificed in the truest meaning of the word are allowed on, I am making an exception.

MAN
Why?

TS
It cannot be explained, but if you agree one day you may come to know.

MAN
What is that supposed to mean?

TS
This conversation has gone on long enough—do you accept my offer or not?

(Pause.)

MAN
I’ll do it.

TS
Are you sure.

MAN
Yes.

TS
There is no going back.

MAN
I know.

(The ticket salesmen reaches down into somewhere in the ticket booth. He pulls out a ticket.)

TS
Here you are.

(He hands him the ticket. He takes it.)

MAN
Thanks.

TS
It has been my pleasure.

MAN
So where’s the train.

TS
On track eight.

(He points to a set of stairs off to the side.)

MAN
So I can leave?

TS
Yes. When are you planning on coming back?

MAN
In a few days.

TS
I’ll be here waiting.

MAN
Okay.

(He walks down the stairs the ticket salesmen had pointed to.)

(Blackout.)