The Fill Up

Written by Deborah Boutwell, 9/10/09Set up: Old-time gas pumpCharacters: Hank, the gas attendantFred, regular customer Tom, past customer Driver going the wrong wayWoman customer, lostThe SonStage could be set with only an old gas pump, chair for Hank to rest in and a chair for thecustomers to use as their “car”, a sign over a side door for maintenance/repair and a crosson the “road”. Or the customers could have cut outs for their cars, 2-sided, one side withdings and dirt, the other side, shiny and clean.Fred “pulls up” to the gas pump. Hank comes to the car, wipes down the “windshield”.Hank:Mornin’, Fred. Got us a beautiful day today.Fred:Yes, sir we are surely blessed.Hank:What can I do for you today?Fred:Just top it off this morning.

(Hank starts to pump the gas, but it doesn’t take very long.)

Hank:I really enjoy seeing you each morning, Fred. Seems we’ve been doingthis a long time now.Fred:We have. I like to get filled up every morning. Things just seem to runsmoother when I stop each morning.Hank:I get all kinds, you know. Some stop in the morning, some at night. Theyrush so in the mornings they just don’t have time to stop by. Have you gota minute, I’d like to show you something?Fred:Sure.

(He gets out of the car and walks with Hank. Hank puts his armaround Fred’s shoulder and points off to the distance.)

Hank:Ain’t that a beautiful sunrise? Look how it turns the mountains differentcolors. Do you see the reflection of the clouds in the lake? That breeze,

just close your eyes and let it cover you.

(Fred closes his eyes and breathsdeeply, a calm look on his face.)

Fred:That’s beautiful, Hank. Thank you for showing it to me. I better get onthe way. I’ll see you soon.Hank:I’ll be thinking about you today, Fred.

(He waves as Fred “pulls off”. Hank putters around, sits down, and reads a paper. A “car” starts to passby, “sputtering”. Hank waves and the car stops.)

Hank:I thought that was you, Tom? Why, I haven’t seen you in years! Howhave you been?Tom:It’s been a while.

(Tom gets out of his “car” and dusts himself off, Hank helps with the rag in his pocket.)

Hank:Looks like you’ve been on a long journey.

(He looks at the “ car”.)

Beenon some rough roads? I know that your family has been going throughsome trials.Tom:We have, it’s been petty bad, Hank. There’s been times I wasn’t sure if we…well, if I was going to make it. I’m glad you stopped me; I could usea tune up.Hank:I’m pleased you stopped by today, Tom. You know, if you stopped byregularly, it wouldn’t get in such bad shape. The repair wouldn’t take solong with regular maintenance.Tom:I know, Hank.

(He hangs his head.)

But, it’s hard to get back here. Someone or something is always pulling me and rushing me in a differentdirection. But today, I just had to stop when I saw you here. In the pastyou’ve always took such good care of me.Hank:Let me do that again today. Let’s see, you need a fill up?

(Tom shakes hishead yes.)

A washing couldn’t hurt either, I think I see some body work that needs pounding out.

(Hank walks around the “car”.)

This tread is bare. Those roads have been rough haven’t they!Tom:Yes, sir, they have. Some of those pot holes were huge.Hank:I wish you had stopped by here first. I know a much better road you couldhave taken. There’s still time to get on it though. We just need to get youfixed back up, get some tread so you don’t slip off the road into thoseholes or ditches.

(Hank pats Tom on the back.)

Tom:I appreciate it, Hank. Do whatever you have to.

Hank:My son’s back in the shop, why don’t you pull around there and he’ll startworking on that tune up.

(Tom shakes Hank’s hand and goes into the shop. Another “car” pulls up, Fred again.)

Fred:Hey, Hank, I heard a little rattle. Can you take a quick look?Hank:Sure thing. Let’s see.

(Hank goes around to the “hood” and bends over.)

Try it now.Fred:

(Smiling and waving, Fred pulls off.)

Thanks, Hank. See you later.Hank:

(Waves and sits back down but before he can start reading the paper, a“car” pulls up fast and the driver jumps out.)

Driver:Can you help me?Hank:Sure, sure…what’s the problem?

(He waves the “dust” away and coughsover the exhaust fumes.)

Having some car trouble?Driver:No, the car’s fine, it’s my map. I think I’m lost.

(He unfolds a map for Hank to look at.)

Hank:Where you trying to get to?

(The driver points to a spot on the map.)

Well, here’s your problem, you missed the turn off. You should have took this turn right here.

(Hank points to a road back the way the driver came.)

It will take you straight there.Driver:I have to go back?Hank:Yeah, it the only way.Driver:But I think if I keep going this direction, I’ll get there. I don’t want to go back.Hank:No, this road won’t get you there. You have to go back.

(Hank tries tolead him to his car, but the driver keeps looking at the direction he was going.)

Driver:I appreciate your help, but I think I’m going to give it a try. To me thisseems the right way. Sorry to have bothered you.Hank:I’m telling you, son, you won’t never make it. The road is too rough andthere’s a big drop off. You won’t get there. Trust me on this, I know theroad. Go back.