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 intentlyin 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, thats 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 thats what I need to take my mind off it for a

while. Damn it! Thats not gonna work either, I’m tired of running from my problems, but man that sure does sound good right now. NoNoNo! (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.


Its 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. Andand the other day I overheard you writing that poem. Its 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. Its 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 its 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’tJeremy, 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 sorryI 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 II 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 its too late to confess your love for me? You’re getting married in 3 days!

Astrid

 

 

If only you could understand, and stop being aa

 

 

Jeremy

 

 

(mad) A what!?

 

 

Astrid

 

 

A mother father turd licker.

 

 

Jeremy

 

 

See! Think you need to go! Its 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, its too late! You already agreed.

 

 

Astrid

 

 

You were here first, not him. Its 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, its not worth me!

Astrid

 

 

Why not?

 

 

Jeremy

 

 

Look how I’m treating you. He’s a great guy, and I’m justme. 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 wannaYou 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 lets 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



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