Play 235: Advice Is Easier Given Than Taken

CHARACTERS
1
2

(1 and 2 sit in the middle of the stage, both facing the audience.)

(1 lights up a cigarette.)

2
You shouldn’t.

1
Shouldn’t what?

2
Smoke.

1
I know.

(He takes a drag.)

(2 shakes his head.)

(1 continues smoking for a bit, then puts it out in an ashtray next to him.)

(Beat.)

(2 takes out a book and starts reading.)

(1 takes out a flask of whiskey.)

(2 looks over.)

2
You know, you really shouldn’t—

1
I know.

(He takes a swig from the flask.)

(2 shakes his head.)

(1 takes another swig, then puts the flask down next to the ashtray.)

(2 yawns and puts his book away.)

(1 lights up another cigarette. He proceeds to alternate drags from his cigarette with sips from the flask.)

(2 looks up from his book over at 1.)

1
What?

2
You’re pathetic.

1
Whatever.

(Beat.)

(2 takes out a long piece of cloth, and rolls up his sleeve.)

(1 looks over slightly confused, then goes back to smoking and drinking.)

(2 ties the cloth around his upper left arm, using his teeth to tighten it. He turns his left forearm up, and slaps it just below the cloth repeatedly.)

(1 looks over.)

2
What?

(1 gives him a hostile look.)

(Beat.)

2
I know, I know.

(2 takes out a syringe, and squirts the first bit of it into the air.)

(1 shakes his head.)

(Blackout.)