Play 146: Boredom

CHARACTERS
BEN, 17
BOREDOM

(Ben sprawled out on a couch staring blankly at a TV. Boredom is sitting on a chair off to the side.)

BEN
(His voice is partially muffled as his face is buried in the couch.)
Why won’t you leave?

BOREDOM
Don’t want to.

BEN
Don’t you have anything better to do?

BOREDOM
Nope.

(Beat.)

Neither do you.

BEN
I know.

(Beat.)

I mean, why do you think you’re here?

BOREDOM
What’s your point?

BEN
Why do I have to have a point?

BOREDOM
Because—

BEN
Look, just let me watch TV.

BOREDOM
Fine.

BEN
Good.

(Pause.)

BOREDOM
You know, I think I’m going to leave.

BEN
Finally.

BOREDOM
I feel loved.

BEN
(Flatly.)
Hooray for you.

(Boredom starts to leave.)

BEN
Hey, can you tell Tiredness to come?

BOREDOM
Sure.

(Beat.)

Oh, I just remembered something.

BEN
What?

BOREDOM
He said he won’t be here for at least another hour or two.

BEN
Seriously?

BOREDOM
Yeah.

BEN
Fuck, I need to get up early tomorrow.

BOREDOM
Tough luck.

(He leaves.)

(Ben buries his face further in the couch.)

BEN
(Mostly muffled.)
Fuck.

(Blackout.)