Play 163: Same Time, Same Place

CHARACTERS
BEN, 17

(The stage is empty. He enters and walks up to the front.)

BEN
Hi everyone.

(Beat.)

So, I thought I would address one of the recent trends of my scenes I’ve been writing.

(He nervously rubs his hands together.)

I mean, how I’ve been writing almost completely cop-outs. Well, I don’t have much to say, but, I’m tired from lack of sleep and burned out from school, and, you have no idea how hard it is to think of ideas.

(Beat.)

So, anyways, I just want to apologize for all of that…and, I swear, I’ll have some new and interesting ones coming up soon, or I hope so at least.

(Beat.)

And, some of you may say, but Ben, haven’t you always had a lot of cop-outs, not just recently? And to you I say…

(His voice trails off. Beat.)

I say…

(He runs one of his hands through his hair.)

Umm…

(He starts backing up slowly.)

(Suddenly he screams, and whips out a gun, which he starts pointing back and forth in the general direction of the audience.)

BEN
Stay back! All of you!

(He keeps backing away.)

(Suddenly a horrified look comes across his face. He puts the gun back away.)

BEN
Umm, I mean, I would say...

(Beat.)

Yes, that is a good point, but…

(Beat.)

Oh fuck it, yes, I’ve had a lot of cop-outs, deal with it.

(Beat.)

I mean, look at this scene, what the hell is this?

(He laughs.)

I mean, I just fucking pulled out a gun for absolutely no reason.

(Beat.)

Anyways, that’s all I got for now, see you tomorrow, same time, same place.

(He walks offstage slowly.)

(Blackout.)