A Play in Once Act
[Act 1]
Scene: A lone man sits outside a hole-in-the-hall café in a West Coast city. He is seated on a metal chair next to a metal table. He drinks a cup of coffee out of a large, chipped mug. A bagel is on a chipped plate with garish designs. His appearance betrays a year or two of self-neglect. Unkempt head of hair, scruffy facial hair. He wears a trench coat that was once stylish and stills fits well, but is dirty and torn. Pants and shoes are in a similar condition. He is reading the newspaper.
Man reads paper. A voice recording plays in the background. A woman's voice is heard from the distance. It is clearly a memory from an event from this man's past. The voice starts of sad and confused, but rises with vigor and conviction.
Young woman's voice:
“I can't Sye, I just can't!”
“Goddammit Sye, no!”
“Sye, now think. Think.”
“Well, if that's...”
“No, no, it's..”
“Sye!”
“NO!”
“Well, fuck you too! I'm...”
“You say that one more time and I'll, I'll leave!”
“Are you serious?”
“I'm going.”
“I'm, I'm serious. I'm going!” [said with false conviction]
“...bye...” [whimpered]
Man stops reading paper. Puts it down neatly and addresses the audience. He talks in an even tempo, but his voice is weak and tired.
Man: She said those last words with a whimper, and walked out on me.
It's been ten years now, but that conversation is still ingrained inside my head. Well, that's not true. I only remember what she said. Even in my dreams, when we are back together, it ends in that night. That night years ago. And even then, even in my most lucid dreams of that evening, I can't remember. I can't even recall the context of what I said. All I can remember is that she left me, that she's gone. Gone and never to come back to me.
Until today. Until she walked right back into my life with that devil-be-damned smirk and the look of a prophet in her eyes like nothing ever changed.
Her eyes. That was the one thing I missed about her the most. Blue, clear, horrible. Like she knew exactly what was coming next. Except that night. No one could have seen it coming.
Man sits down, picks up paper, and continues reading.
ENTER Young Woman. She is dressed well, albeit unconventionally, but it is obvious she is hiding something from her countenance. Her hair is fashionably short. She wears little make-up. She walks pass the Man, recognizes him, stops, and starts staring at him until he notices her. When she finally gets his attention, he drops his paper on his lap and stares.
Young Woman: “Hello Sye.” [said evenly as she walks up to the table]
Man [addressing the audience]:
I was sitting at my favorite café in the city Le Folie. It was where I always had breakfast – a dark cup of coffee, a bagel with cream cheese, and the morning paper. I've been going to that place ever since we moved into the neighborhood. It's where I first met my friends, the journalist, and the baker, the sculptor, and the playwright. They were not with me at that time. They are never with me any more. I don't think they were ever really my friends.
[Man turns to the woman and addresses her while eating his bagel]
Man: Joanie. I...
Young Woman [interjecting with a wave of her outstretched hang]: Yes, it's been a while. [She pauses, as if to think for a split second] I've missed you.
Man [turning back to the audience]: That was a lie. I think. She looked down as she said it, at the very least. Then again, it could just be from embarrassment at my aesthetics – my seven year-old beard and even older dress shirt and jacket. My pants, however, were new. I had just picked them up the other day from the dumpster.
Man [puzzled, turning back to the Young Woman]: I've...I've got nothing to say"
Young Woman [indignant] Shut up Sye, you never had anything to say anyway [Pauses, and then gives a shrill giggle and continues slowly] I'm here to talk. You're to listen. Understand?
Man [speaking as if he had just been woken up from a dream and is still adjusting to reality]: Joanie, why are you so mean? I'm just...
Young Woman [interrupting with mock sympathy]: No Sye, you've said enough already. Now it's my turn. [Man nods in consent, finishes bage]Now I know this may surprise you, Sye. [looks at Man with a mix of gloom and sorrow. Man comically returns look] But I still love and care for you. [Man beams awe. Young Woman frowns] Now don't give me that look [Man stops, gives look of blank despair] It's not like that. We spent three great years of our life together and you'll always have a place in my heart. But - now this is a big but Sye – I never want to see you again after this. You did something horrible to me and I will never forgive you for it. However, I feel I do owe you one thing: an explanation.
Man [Addressing audience]: At the sound of those words, my eyes must have lit up something fierce, because Joanie smiled. I couldn't help it. Finally, I was going to learn the truth. After all these years, I was about to find out what it was that made Joanie leave me.
Young Woman [smiling while Man looks at her fixated]: I know from your messages you've sent me you don't remember what happened that night. I know that's a lie. Or at least a half-lie. You know exactly what I said, but what you've said escapes you. [Man raises eyebrows in surprise. Young Woman's speech begins to take a sharp edge] Now don't look so surprised. [Young Woman scoffs] I've pieced together as much from your letters. Now[Young Woman pauses and then beings talking as though she is declaring a murderer's amnesty from a crime he is obviously guilty of] Now, I cannot forget that night either. Or, at least, what I remember of it. I can recall every single word you said. Oh yes Sye, I know exactly what you said. [Man stares intently at Young Woman, still silent. Woman talks as if she were delivering a sermon] But stop looking at me like you're some kid about to open up your Christmas present early. You're not nearly so innocent, and I am no Santa Clause. It's like I'm God and you some miserable Job. You've lost everything when you lost me, and now as soon as I show up again you're as faithful as ever. [Young Woman takes out cigarette and begins to smoke] But God be damned because you sicken me. It wasn't God who caused Job to lose all that he loved, that was all fucking Job – he was just too damn passive. [Man looks down] You Sye are too damn passive. Do something besides staring at me! You shake your head, but at least that's something. I would call you pitiful, but even that's too nice. [Young Woman begins talking sympathetically] So do you know why I left you? [Man stares angrily at Young Woman] Do you know what it was that you said? Why my words betray only my spite and distaste for your presence? [Man begins to get up] Well, it's because...wait! Did I say you could leave? [Man ignore Young Woman, who begins to get frantic]
“Sye, where the fuck do you think you're going?”
“No, Sye!”
“You can't just go!” [Man Starts walking away]
“Please don't leave me!” [Young Woman is on the verge of tears]
“I need you still! I still love you!” [Man stops]
“Please. Please look at me!” [Man makes as if to turn back, but stops short and continues to walk off stage]
“I need to know Sye!”
“I need to know...what did I say?” [Young Woman collapses on table, crying]
Curtain
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