Eternal

By: Ben Fulk



1 - How much longer until all of this is done and over with?

2 - Next week.

1 - It’s gone by so fast.

2 - It really has. But, I think all of us are ready for it to be over.

1 - Yea, I know what you mean.

Silence.

1 - You know…never mind.

2 - What?

1 - Nothing, we’d better start setting things up.

2 - What were you going to say?

1 - I said it was nothing.

Silence.

2 - Is something wrong?

Pause.

2 - You can tell me, whatever it is.

1 - It’s just, everything will be better when it’s over.

2 - What do you mean by that?

1 - Do you really want to know?

2 - Yes.

1 - Why?

2 - Because I want to help you.

1 - What makes you think that I need help?

2 - I don’t know…

1 - You see, you don’t know me at all.

2 - Maybe not, but I do know the person who I have been working with the past seven weeks. And that person is not in this room.

Silence.

2 - Please.

Silence.

1 - When all of this is over, I won’t have to see you every night, all right? Are you happy now?

2 - I don’t know what you mean?

1 - Of course you don’t. You don’t want to know.

2 - Yes I do.

Silence.

1 - Every night, we have been together working to make this a hit. Every night it is the same routine. We get here, set up, go through the show, clean up, and leave. That’s it.

Pause.

2 - What else do you want?

1 - Have you ever thought of maybe, just maybe asking me how my day was? Asking me if I would like to join you and your friends sometimes? Or maybe even saying hello sometimes? Have you ever thought of that?

Pause.

2 - No, I guess not.

1 - Of course you haven’t. All you think about is yourself.

2 - That’s not true.

1 - Of course it’s true. I see it in your face, in your walk, in YOUR EYES! And you are not the only one at fault. The others are too.

2 - What have they done?

1 - EVERYTHING! All of you have your own little group. I am the youngest one here, and you know what, all I feel like is just your personal bitch. Go do this, while I talk with my friends. Go do that, while I talk about my day over there. I was not born to be that. I did not join this production to become that. I AM NOT, SOMEONES BITCH! I AM A HUMAN BEING!
I
AM
ME!

Silence.

2 - I’m sorry.

1 - It’s too late for that.

Pause.

2 - Is there anything I can do? I really want to help. I’m sorry if I did those things to you. You’re right; I should have given you more respect as a person.

1 - It’s not just that.

2 - Then what is it?

1 - I am looking forward to the days after the performance.

2 - But why? I know because you won’t be seeing me, but there has to be more of a solid reason?

1- BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!

Silence.

2 - What?

1 - Because I love you.

2 - But I thought…?

1 - What, that I was straight?

2 - Well, yes.

1 - Once again, you don’t know who I really am.

2 - But I want to.

Silence.

1 - Do you remember the first day we meet?

2 - No.

1 - I do. I had just gotten back from my meeting when I ran into you. At first, I didn’t know who you were, but then at that night’s rehearsal, I saw you again. From that moment on, I knew that I loved you.

Silence.

2 - What about…?

1 - What, the girls? There have been girls, and there have been guys. It took me years to finally figure out who I was. I knew from early on that I would most likely end up gay, but I didn’t know when. And when I found out that you were, I had this feeling inside of me that wanted to let you know right then and there. I knew that I wouldn’t be happy until I had you. That I wouldn’t, I couldn’t be happy without your love.

2 - I never knew. I never knew.

Silence.

2 - What am I supposed to do?

1 - I can’t make up your mind for you.

Silence.

2 - I…I can’t. I like you, but I already have someone. And you will find someone also.

1 - But I don’t want anyone else. I want you.

2 - You’re just confused. You need time to think things over.

1 - But I don’t need to think things over, I know what I want, and I know who I am.

2 - I’m sorry. I just can’t.

Long period of silence.

1 - Time is: too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, and too short for those who rejoice. But for those who love, time is not.

End.