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Know Yourself
02/27/2016 By
Shabaka T.
Characters: Jeremy the poetic mocking jay, male, 17
Astrid, blue jay, female, 17
Time: 3 pm
Setting: Futuristic Mars
At Rise: In Jeremy’s penthouse; he paces back and forth thinking intently; in the background is a really big window with an orange sherbet sunset with little cotton clouds floating in the distance. _________________________________________ Jeremy
(sigh) Today is nice and sunny, that’s a plus. I wonder if today is gonna be the day I convince Astrid to see the light in me instead of that fool Skyler. I mean what does he got that I don’t? Man…if only I could tell her how I really feel. (sigh) I think I might go for a fly then go smoke some worm dust with Heyman. Maybe that’s what I need to take my mind off it for a while. Damn it! That’s not gonna work either, I’m tired of running from my problems, but man that sure does sound good right now. No…No…No! (angry) I can’t think about that, it doesn’t help. I don’t know anymore. I got everything I want. Nice bird penthouse on the tree, and I’m stinky rich. It’s just not enough though. If only I could have Astrid I’d finally be completed. I’d have a family to share my wealth and have a bunch of little Jeremy’s running around. That will be a dream come true. I wouldn’t have to be lonely. (Out of nowhere in walks Astrid; Jeremy stutters) Hey Astrid, I was just going to come talk to you but you’re here so I think now is better than never. Astrid
That’s great ‘cause I also have something to tell you. (shyly) You go first.
Jeremy
I love you!
Astrid
(Tears up) I have been waiting so long for you to tell me that. I feel the same way about you. And…and the other day I overheard you writing that poem. It’s so beautiful, I never heard something like it before. Can I ask you something? Jeremy
(he nervously fiddles) Yeah, go ahead.
Astrid
(she bats her eyes) I don’t wanna sound conceited, but was that for me? Jeremy
Yeah, it was! I had you on my mind so I wrote it. It’s like when someone asks you, how you feel & you can’t answer. That’s how I felt at the time, so I wrote a poem about it, and it helped organize my feelings. Do you wanna hear it? Astrid
Yeah, I do! (then nervously looks away)
Jeremy
(looks her deeply in the eye) Like a raging ocean wave You’re as subtle as the sand Like a constellation You map my world
I want to boast
That you’re the most beautiful girl
When I look into your eyes
I can get lost forever
Like a kid on Christmas Day You’re my motivation to wake up Being with you makes life Feel that much…better
(looking into her eyes) I also have to tell you this… OK, here goes nothing! (nervously; clears throat) Astrid Graham, I love you. I love you with all my heart, and I don’t want to scare you with my feelings but it’s how I feel and it’s been bothering me so much. My heart does somersaults when you smile, and when you accidentally brush my wing my body tingles and gets this feeling like I’m complete. I never felt this way before about anyone else. I love it how when you’re mad you get this cute little look that I would pay billions for to see everyday. Astrid, I wanna be with you forever. I know you’re going out with Skyler but he’s not the right bird for you. Astrid
(tears) That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. (she hugs
Jeremy; then pulls apart) I have to tell you something. Can I be honest?
Jeremy
Yes, but first let me do something? (he pulls out a ring box & gets on his knees) Astrid Graham, will you marry me? (he holds his breath) Astrid
That’s not fair, Jeremy. (starts crying) I waited so long for you to do that.
Jeremy
(cuts her off) Astrid, why are you crying? Astrid
I… (stutters)…Just can’t…Jeremy, you’re not being fair. No, I can’t. Skyler asked me to marry him and I said yes! Jeremy
(sad) You did what?! Why? I’m so confused. I don’t know what to say. It feels like you just dropped a bomb. When did he ask you? Astrid
A while ago but I didn’t say yes till about a week ago, a week ago. I didn’t know you felt like this. Now I’m so confused. Left me like I’m tweaking, though. Jeremy
How come you never told me? I thought we can talk about anything. You’re my best friend. This makes me mad. I wanna go dumb on ‘im. Astrid
That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you cause I knew you would be mad.
Jeremy
Whatcha mean, of course I’m mad. You’re holding secrets from me.
Astrid
I love you, I really do but… Jeremy
(angrily) When are you getting married?
Astrid
3 days. But like I was saying…
Jeremy
(cuts her off & raps) I get it, I get it!
Astrid
Stop cutting me off. You’re being a jerk
Jeremy
Ha ha, I’m a jerk? Pot calling the kettle black.
Astrid
Be serious right now, Jerm. I’m sorry…I really am.
Jeremy
Save it. I don’t wanna hear it. You know what? (angrily) I’m tired of doing this! See the door? Walk out of it! (shouting) Yaw yaw, get out of my face! (Astrid runs out the door crying) Jeremy
Good riddance, wash my hands with that bird. Damn that was messed up. (he pulls out bottle of Jack Daniels nectar & drinks; slurred) Nothing’s fair and it never will be, get over it, Jerms. You gotta get a hold of yourself. (10 minutes later the door slams open & in storms Astrid)
Astrid
(steaming) What the hell gives you the right, to blow me off like that?
Jeremy
(slurred) You again, what are you doing back? Thought I told you to scat, get, “yaw yaw,” remember!? (slowly) Giddy up, horsey. (burps) Astrid
(Disgusted) Oh my god, are you drunk?
Jeremy
(Lazily) Yeah, toots, you got a problem with it? Who are you to judge me? Only God can judge me, woman! Astrid
You’re such a pig! I’m not doing this anymore!
Jeremy
Well…That’ makes 2 of us! Why did you come back? Astrid
(crying) Because I really do love you, Jeremy! Everyday since I met you I…I knew you were the one. Here, I wrote my feelings down if you don’t believe me. (she pulls out a diary) Here! (she throws it at Jeremy) Jeremy
(sputters) I don’t’ want this thing. And don’t you think it’s too late to confess your love for me? You’re getting married in 3 days! Astrid
If only you could understand, and stop being a…a…
Jeremy
(mad) A what!?
Astrid
A mother father turd licker.
Jeremy
See! Think you need to go! It’s just best.
Astrid
(softly) Don’t you understand? I’m really afraid of losing you. You were always there for me! When I was down on my luck, you always gave me some of yours. You’re polite, kind, genuine, loyal. I’m just mad that I didn’t think this through before I said yes to Skyler! I regret it so much. Jeremy
Aren’t you hearing me, it’s too late! You already agreed.
Astrid
You were here first, not him. It’s not too late, Jeremy. I’ll call it off. I’ll do it right now. Just don’t leave me! Jeremy
Now why would you do that? Don’t call it off just ‘cause of me! Besides, it’s not worth me! Astrid
Why not?
Jeremy
Look how I’m treating you. He’s a great guy, and I’m just…me. He has more to offer. Plus I wanna see you happy. And being with me would just add to your problems. He doesn’t have any any! Astrid
First off, don’t say he gots no problems, he’s scared of the dark. Come on, now! Jeremy
That’s funny but don’t try to make me feel good, ‘cause it’s working. (smiling, then serious) Your happy with him. I see it when you talk to him, about him. Me being your best friend is the best thing ever happened to me. I love you with all my heart, and I wanna be with you but I don’t think we can be more than friends, and I’m ok with that! Astrid
But I wanna…You know what? You’re right! I don’t’ wanna lose you and if just being my friend forever is what it takes, then I’m happy with that. Jeremy
Astrid, I love you. Now let’s put this behind us and move forward from now on. You’re getting married! Can I ask you something? Astrid
Anything. (smiles)
Jeremy
Can I be best man?
Astrid
Definitely! I would have to run it through Skyler, but you 2 are like best buds, I know he wouldn’t mind. Jeremy? Jeremy
Yeah?
Astrid
I love you!
Jeremy
I love you too. (they hug)
THE END |
