Play excerpt

(c) 2014 William J. Potter

A ring girl cross the stage with a card saying

"Opening Round." Bill and Kate are sitting

downstage left in two chairs. The rest of the

stage is dark. They are oblique to the

audience. Bill has a small gym bag next to

his chair.

 

Bill

Holy smokes. Can you believe this?

 

Kate

I know. Three weeks ago we thought you had a stomach virus, now it’s cancer.

 

Bill

No not that. Look at this room.

 

Kate

What do you mean?

 

Bill

It’s so beige and soothing.

 

Kate

So what’s wrong with that?

 

Bill

I don’t know. You think there’d be posters or art or something that was … I don’t know … defiant.

 

Kate

What?

 

Bill

You know like a big Sgt. Rock kind of mural with his hands around some cancer cell’s throat. (Bill changes his voice) I’ll kill you, you bastard. (Bill’s voice goes back to normal) You know, something that reeks of commitment and victory … not the good try.

 

Kate

Shut up! They’ll hear you. They’ll think you’re as crazy as you are.

 

Bill

Now, that’s not very nice.

 

Kate

You’re being insane.

 

Bill

I’m just talking… waiting until Dr. Wonderful gets here.

 

Kate

You don’t like him?

 

Bill

He’s fine. I’m just being a jerk.

 

Kate

Good, because he just might save your live.

 

Bill

If he doesn’t and I die, I want you to throw yourself on my casket at the funeral and make a scene. You know, wail about how young I was. .

 

Kate

You’re not that young.

 

Bill

If you don’t I’ll haunt you.

 

Kate

You haunt me already.

 

Bill

Good one.

 

Kate

Just shut up or I’ll cry.