Play 124: String Theory Hurts My Head

CHARACTERS
TEACHER, early 30s
STUDENT, 17

(They are standing in an empty classroom.)

STUDENT
So what is it exactly?

TEACHER
Well, it’s complicated.

STUDENT
Well yeah, obviously. But, just the basics I mean.

TEACHER
Well, everything is made up of these miniscule strings.

STUDENT
That would explain the name.

(The teacher laughs.)

TEACHER
Yeah.

(Beat.)

So these strings vibrate, and can at different frequencies. It’s almost like a guitar string if that helps you imagine it, they vibrate at different frequencies, and that’s what makes them different particles.

STUDENT
Wait, so everything are these string, and the only thing that makes them different is the frequency they’re vibrating at?

TEACHER
Yes. It’s not that strange to imagine, we’ve already accepted that light and radio waves and sound along with many other waves are all just the same thing really, but the frequency of them is what makes them different.

STUDENT
Okay.

(Beat.)

So, how do they know this?

TEACHER
Mean scientists?

STUDENT
Yeah.

TEACHER
Well, if it does turn out to be true it resolves a large problem.

STUDENT
What?

TEACHER
There’s a conflict between Quantum Field Theory and General Relativity.

(Beat.)

STUDENT
Wait, you said if it does turn out to be true.,

TEACHER
Yes.

STUDENT
So it hasn’t been proven?

TEACHER
Not yet, it very well might be within the next decade or so though.

STUDENT
Oh yeah, doesn’t it have something to do with those new giant particle accelerators they’re building?

TEACHER
Yes, that would provide convincing evidence for supersymmetry.

STUDENT
Supersymmetry?

TEACHER
Yes.

STUDENT
So that’s what, like a part of string theory?

TEACHER
Of superstring theory.

STUDENT
Superstring theory?

TEACHER
Yes.

STUDENT
I think my head is starting to hurt.

TEACHER
You get used to it after a while.

(The student laughs.)

(He looks down at his watch.)

STUDENT
Shit, I’m late for my next class.

TEACHER
You should get going then.

STUDENT
Yeah.

(Beat.)

Thanks for all that though.

TEACHER
No problem, any time you want to we can continue this conversation.

STUDENT
Cool, I might have to take you up on that offer. Anyways, see you later.

TEACHER
Bye.

(The student exits quickly.)

(The teacher goes and sits down at his desk.)

(Blackout.)