Play #5

The Pretender

__________________________

A short play

By Joseph Frost

Originally written as a part of

31 Plays in 31 Days

August 7, 2021

Contact:
710 Newland Dr
Jackson MS 39211
FrostJosephD@gmail.com
*member, Dramatists Guild
 Two sit across from one another.

There is no table between them.

AA
It is your turn?

BB
I think it is.

AA
It’s mine.

BB
One or the other.

AA
Why don’t you start.

BB
I can.

AA
Please.

BB
All right.

AA
When you’re ready.

A moment.

BB
You were nearby, then.

AA
Is that what I said?

BB
Is that what you’re saying now?

AA
I was never there.
 2.

BB
Never.

AA
That’s what I’m saying.

BB
Would it shock you if I told you I had seen you there?

AA
Had you?

BB
Would you be shocked?

AA
I might be.

BB
You might be.

AA
You’d have to tell me for me to know if I’d be shocked.

BB
You were out of town the weekend before.

AA
Is that what my diary says?

BB
That’s what your doorman says.

AA
He’s reliable.

BB
Is he?

AA
If he says so.

BB
If? Then what?
 3.

AA
Then I would not be shocked.

BB rises.

BB
You were close?

AA
The doorman and I? Somewhat.

BB
That’s not what I mean.

AA
On the one hand, I would say that we were, and matter of fact, that we are close. On the
other hand, I don’t know his first name.

BB
James.

AA
What?

BB
His first name.

AA
That can’t be.

BB
It is.

AA
His last name is James.

BB
It isn’t. James is his first name.

AA
Hm. I guess I did know his first name.

A moment.
 4.

BB
The body was found in your apartment.

AA
That’s where we live.
(beat)
Lived.

BB
Lived?

AA
My roommate is no longer living. Or so you told me.

BB
You still live there.

AA
I doubt I’ll stay. Though I haven’t listed it yet, or anything. It’s been a busy... few hours.

BB
You didn’t know your roommate was gone?

AA
Not until you told me.

BB
Must have been a shock.

AA
You know what? It was. Truly.

BB
You don’t look shocked.

AA
That was several hours ago.

BB
It was. It was.

A moment.
 5.

AA
Ok. My turn.

BB
Already?

AA
From the beginning to then.

BB
You sure?

AA
I am.

BB
If you want.

AA
I do.

BB
When you’re ready.

A moment.

AA
You were nearby, then.

BB
Is that what I said?

AA
Is that what you’re saying now?

BB
I was never there.

AA
Never.

BB
That’s what I’m saying.

AA
Would it shock you if I told you I had seen you there?
 6.

BB
Had you?

AA
Would you be shocked?

BB
I might be.

AA
You might be.

BB
You’d have to tell me for me to know if I’d be shocked.

AA
You were out of town the weekend before.

BB
Is that what my diary says?

AA
That’s what your doorman says.

BB
He’s reliable.

AA
Is he?

BB
If he says so.

AA
If? Then what?

BB
Then I would not be shocked.

AA rises.

AA
You were close?

BB
The doorman and I? Somewhat.
 7.

AA
That’s not what I mean.

BB
On the one hand, I would say that we were, and matter of fact, that we are close. On the
other hand, I don’t know his first name.

AA
James.

BB
What?

AA
His first name.

BB
That can’t be.

AA
It is.

BB
His last name is James.

AA
It isn’t. James is his first name.

BB
Hm. I guess I did know his first name.

A moment.

AA
The body was found in your apartment.

BB
That’s where we live.
(beat)
Lived.

AA
Lived?

BB
My roommate is no longer living. Or so you told me.
 8.

AA
You still live there.

BB
I doubt I’ll stay. Though I haven’t listed it yet, or anything. It’s been a busy... few hours.

AA
You didn’t know your roommate was gone?

BB
Not until you told me.

AA
Must have been a shock.

BB
You know what? It was. Truly.

AA
You don’t look shocked.

BB
That was several hours ago.

AA
It was. It was.

A moment.

BB
Good.

AA
Was it?

BB
Yes.

AA
I felt like it got sloppy in the middle.

BB
If it’s too clean it doesn’t look real.

AA
I suppose that’s true.
 9.

BB
Trust me.

AA
I do.

BB goes and picks up a bag.

BB
All right.

AA
You’ll remember to stay away all weekend.

BB
Of course.

BB goes to the door.

AA
Tell James goodbye.
(beat)
It’ll be from me, but don’t say that.

BB
I will.

AA
Goodbye.

BB
Good bye.

BB exits.

AA pulls out a pistol.

Sets it on the other chair.

Sits on own previous chair.

Lights to dim.

Then out.