Editor’s Note: Contributor Jonathan Albert is a professor of theatre at Union College in Schenectady, NY where he teaches acting and playwriting. He will be contributing his original self-contained scenes, as well as scenes from longer form plays, and other contributions to Planet Arthur. Full disclosure; He is also the Owner of Putnam Den, a sponsor of Daily Planet Arthur. These contributions are not part of their sponsorship – it is just excellent writing!
Jordan sits staring off into space. Mia enters, looks at Jordan, goes into the kitchen and pours a cup of coffee. She looks at Jordan’s full cup sitting on the counter. She pours a little milk and stirs her coffee. She takes Jordan his cup- holds it out for him. He shakes his head to shake off his thought and takes his coffee.
Jordan: I forgot it.
Mia: You okay?
Jordan: I…. What? Yeah… I think I’m uh… sad… but I don’t know why.
Mia: What can I do?
Jordan: I don’t think there is anything to do.
Mia: I’m sorry.
Jordan: It’s not your fault. At least I don’t think it’s your fault.
Mia: So there’s a question as to whether it is?
Jordan: It’s not. Don’t make it about you. Please.
Mia: What am I supposed to say?
Jordan: You can’t say anything.
Mia: I can say a lot of things…
Jordan: I don’t want you to say anything. I don’t want you to do anything! I don’t want… I’m sorry…
Pause
Jordan: I’m sorry.
Mia: I’m gonna go.
Jordan: Please don’t.
Mia: It sounds like you want to be alone.
Jordan: I don’t. I want… I don’t know what I want.
Mia gets up to go.
Mia: When you figure it out- gimme a call.
Jordan: And what’s that supposed to mean?
Mia: Ugh… It doesn’t mean anything. Don’t blow this out of proportion.
Jordan: I’m not-
Mia: I have to go.
Calling after her.
Jordan: I won’t call.
Mia: What?
Jordan: I’m not going to call you.
Mia: You’re not going to call because you’re not going to call or because you aren’t going to figure out what you want?
Jordan: I’m not going to call.
Mia: Got it. Good talk.
Mia waits at the door for Jordan to say something. Anything…
Nothing. She goes.
After the door shuts, Jordan walks slowly toward the door. He places his hand on the door. When he does there is a sound cue- a crack of a radiator. The scene starts to play in reverse. Jordan begins to back up in the path that he approached the door. Mia walks back in. The two actors physically play out the entire scene silently in reverse until they are in the exact places they started the scene with Jordan lost in thought.
Jordan: I forgot it.
Mia: Are you okay?
Jordan: People would be so much better off if they would just say what they mean… if they could say… I could really use a hug right now… or… don’t go… or… I don’t want to talk but I really don’t want to be alone right now… or… or… Words are like sharp serrated scissors singeing skin.
They stare at each other. Wordless.
Blackout.
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