THE FALLOUT
By
Jerimond H.
BENNY What are you doing out so late?
KENNY [Jumps and looks back with big eyes] Whoa man, you scared?
BENNY You should be at home right now. I hope you not doing what I think you is.
KENNY No, I’m just getting some air. [KENNY wipes his beak with his wing.]
BENNY [Raising his voice] I knew you was out here pecking that dang sugar.
KENNY [Yelling back] So what? I’m tired of you thinking you my father.
BENNY I’m your big cousin and I know what’s best for you. That sugar is going to get you killed.
KENNY So it ain’t your life. You sound worse than that Mitch the female dog.
BENNY [More anger] You’re turning into a sugar fiend.
KENNY No I’m not. I could quit if I want to.
BENNY That’s what they all say.
KENNY Well I’m not them I’m KENNY not your flocking son!!!
BENNY [More anger] I’m your big cousin, not one of your flocking friends. Don’t talk to me like that.
KENNY That’s your problem now, BENNY. You think you’re the boss of everybody, always trying to run something. [KENNY bites into the sugar.] That’s why your big brother is gone now. Don’t know how to mind his business.
BENNY [Through clenched teeth] Don’t ever bring up my brother in this. I’m just going to ignore that. That’s just the sugar talking.
KENNY No, it’s the truth. That’s why he’s dead. Always want to feel like he’s in charge of someone.
BENNY [Deep breath] This isn’t about him, it’s about you, the choices
BENNY (cont.) you making. You’ll end up dead or picked up by Bird Catchers.
KENNY If that’s where I’m going, well flock it. Let me live my life.
BENNY I don’t want to see you overdose on sugar cane. I can’t lose another family member.
[KENNY takes another bite out of the sugar cane.]
BENNY [Disappointment on his face] Come on man, right in front of me?
KENNY I’m not hiding it from you or anybody else. I love sugar cane.
BENNY You sound like one of those fiends over there. You’re going to end up just like a seagull.
KENNY And you’re going to end up like your deernass brother.
BENNY Well before I do I’m going to help you change and fix our flocked up community.
KENNY You just need to let everybody be. You starting to sound like Singy the Bird, remember what happen to him?
BENNY As long as I help you before that day, that’s fine. I just want you to leave that sugar cane alone. You…you…you just not yourself. Look at that crazy look in your face.
KENNY You just don’t quit. You just need to leave me alone. Go catch a kitty cat.
BENNY [Frustrated] You just don’t learn. When you end up in a box or in the birdcage you’re going to wish you listened to me.
KENNY [Shrugs his wings] It is what it is.
BENNY [Takes another deep breath] I don’t want to see you laying in the street. I can’t lose another loved one. I just can’t…take another loss.
KENNY [“I don’t care” tone] Everybody got to go one day.
BENNY I can’t get through to you. But at least I could say I tried.
[KENNY takes another bite out of the sugar cane.]
BENNY [Shaking his head] You’re going to end up like your father.
KENNY [Gets angry] If that’s what destiny got planned for me then hey, crawk it. At least I could say I lived a fun life, unlike you. Always worrying about what other birds doing.
BENNY I tried. But you just going to have to learn the hard way.
KENNY That’s fine with me. At least I don’t have to kill you. Haha! Just playing.
BENNY That’s you’re problem, take everything as a joke.
KENNY If you say so. If that’s the way you feel, just let me be.
BENNY OK. You dead to me. As long as I live, don’t ask me anything or say a word to me. I love you, but this is going to be the best for both of us. I could focus on my goals. And you could live your life.
KENNY That sounds good. … … That’s alright with me. Love you too, cuz. Always will.
THE END. |