Play 95: Conversation Resuscitation

CHARACTERS
MAN
WOMAN
DOCTOR

(The man and woman are sitting at a table in a fancy restaurant. They both have glasses of wine in front of them.)

WOMAN
(Slightly surprised.)
Really?

MAN
Yeah.

(Beat.)

But I mean, you know him, so it’s nothing new really.

WOMAN
I guess so.

(Pause, they sip on their wine.)

MAN
How was your day?

WOMAN
It was good.

MAN
Anything interesting happen?

WOMAN
Not really.

(Beat.)

Or, there was this one thing.

MAN
Oh?

WOMAN
Part of the building got flooded and—

MAN
(Interrupting her.)
And all the elevators were shut down for a little over an hour.

WOMAN
I told you that already didn’t I?

MAN
Yeah.

WOMAN
I’m sorry.

MAN
No, don’t worry about it, it’s fine.

(Pause, they sit drinking their wine for a few seconds.)

WOMAN
So…

MAN
So.

(Pause.)

(Suddenly the doctor jumps into the restaurant.)

DOCTOR
Oh no, we’re losing it!

(He runs over to the table they are sitting at.)

(They look up to him in confusion.)

DOCTOR
Quickly, there isn’t much time!

MAN
Umm, what are you talking about?

DOCTOR
It’s the conversation!

WOMAN
What?

DOCTOR
We’re losing it!

(He pulls out a defibrillator.)

MAN
Excuse me, but what are you doing?

DOCTOR
Clear!

(The doctor lunges at the man and shocks him with the defibrillator.)

(The man screams in pain and convulses and then goes limp on his chair.)

WOMAN
(Panicked.)
What are you doing?!

(She stands up.)

DOCTOR
Oh no, it’s not working! Clear!

(He shocks the man again. He convulses and then goes limp again.)

WOMAN
(Angry.)
Are you out of your mind?!

(She steps in between the doctor and the man.)

DOCTOR
Look ma’am, I’ve done all I can. It should make it, but it’s condition is still critical.

WOMAN
Get the hell out of here!

(The doctor leaves.)

(The woman places her hands on the man’s shoulders.)

WOMAN
Are you okay?

(He remains motionless.)

(She shakes him lightly.)

(He shakes slightly and regains consciousness.)

MAN
What happened?

(Blackout.)