Play 200: Interview III

CHARACTERS
BEN, 17
MAN, middle-aged

(They sit on chairs facing each other on an otherwise empty stage, a small round table resting between them with two cups on it.)

MAN
So 200?

BEN
I know.

MAN
Congratulations.

BEN
Thanks.

MAN
How do you feel about the whole project at this stage?

BEN
Same as ever—just happy to still be going.

MAN
Any different from the last time we talked?

BEN
Not too much really.

(Beat.)

MAN
Last time you commented that you wanted to do less cop-outs and try to push yourself more. Do you think you’ve done this in the last 100 scenes?

BEN
I don’t know, I guess to some degree.

MAN
How so?

BEN
Well, I think I’ve done more serious scenes, which I think is good for me.

MAN
What’s wrong with comedy?

BEN
Nothing, I just tend to fall back on that crutch too often.

MAN
So comedic scenes are easier for you?

BEN
Definitely.

MAN
Why do you think that is?

BEN
I’m not sure, I guess it’s just easier to throw in a punch line and make a completely random and not well thought out scene funny to some degree at least. It’s harder to do a serious scene I think, or a good one at least, because you have to have a better idea of the characters and their relationship and the situation and all of those kind of things.

MAN
So you’re happy with how the last 100 have gone?

BEN
Somewhat. I’ve done more serious scenes, but I’ve still done too many cop-outs.

MAN
Are you looking to change that?

BEN
Yeah, for sure. So, hopefully I’ll manage to do at least a bit less.

MAN
But you think you’ve pushed yourself more this time?

BEN
At least a little, and I’ve had a few stretches where I think I’ve done a good job with it. But, I still have a long way to go obviously, so I’m just going to try to keep working at it.

(Beat.)

MAN
You said last time that it’s been very hard for you to think of ideas of what to write. Is that still the case?

BEN
Yeah, just as much as it ever was.

MAN
So it hasn’t gotten easier?

BEN
No, you’d expect it to, but it hasn’t really. I’m still up just as late staring at the screen trying to think of something even remotely interesting to write about.

MAN
That is strange.

BEN
Yeah.

MAN
Have you been surprised by anything about the process so far?

(Ben pauses, looking pensively.)

BEN
I guess, just how hard it is to think of ideas, and how easy it is to write once you’ve thought of one.

(Beat.)

I mean, I’ve always been like that, but I literally am pretty sure I spend around three or four times more time trying to think of what to write than actually writing.

MAN
Nothing else?

BEN
I’m still surprised just that I’ve kept it up I guess, but beyond that, no, nothing else.

MAN
Is there anything else you want to say?

BEN
No, not really.

(Beat.)

Oh, but sorry for the incident last time.

MAN
It’s alright.

BEN
Is your arm okay?

MAN
Yes, I spent a few days in the hospital, but the wound has fully healed.

BEN
I’m glad to hear that.

MAN
Thank you.

BEN
Your welcome.

(Beat.)

MAN
Well, that’s all I have, so I guess that concludes our interview.

BEN
Great.

MAN
As always, it was great talking to you.

BEN
You too.

(The man extends his hand, Ben reaches his out and shakes it. In the middle, the man whips out a sharpened toothbrush from a pocket of his, and yanking Ben towards him with the hand that is already grasping Ben’s, proceeds to shank Ben in the chest. Ben gasps, falls out of his chair, and collapses onto the ground clutching his wounded chest.)

(The man stands up.)

MAN
Thought I’d just let it go did you?

(Ben starts crawling away from him, still clutching the wound.)

MAN
Now we’re even.

(He walks off.)

(Ben drags himself a few feet, then collapses on the floor, appearing to have passed out.)

(Black out.)