#26: A SAFE DISTANCE

Written by
Joseph Frost
Draft
8/28/16
written for the 2016 31 Plays in 31 Days project

Joseph Frost, 2016

4550 Normandy Dr
Jackson, MS 39206
FrostJosephD@gmail.com
* member, Dramatists Guild of America

Night.
SUSAN sits on a grassy hill, on a blanket and next to a
telescope.
Susan looks for a moment, then writes in a notebook.
She looks again.
Quietly, DARAH comes in behind Susan.
Darah watches her for a moment.
Susan writes a note.
SUSAN
You might as well sit down, Darah. Unless you want to stand there all night.
DARAH
How did you hear me?
SUSAN
Theres no noise pollution out here.
DARAH
Youre a freak.
SUSAN
Perhaps. Have a seat.
DARAH
I dont want to sit, Susan.
(beat)
You know why Ive come out here.
SUSAN
Because this is where I am. If you went somewhere else to get me, youd be very
disappointed.
DARAH
We dont have a lot of time.
SUSAN
Im not going anywhere.

2.
DARAH
We have to go.
SUSAN
(points to sky)
Theres a meteor shower tonight.
DARAH
Theres a meteor shower almost every night.
SUSAN
Thats an overstatement.
DARAH
No it isnt.
SUSAN
There wont be this one every night.
DARAH
You told him youd be there.
SUSAN
I told him Id try.
DARAH
And?
SUSAN
I tried.
DARAH
Susan.
SUSAN
I drove by there on my way here.
DARAH
You missed.
SUSAN
I just didnt stop.
Darah takes a step toward Susan.

3.
DARAH
Pack up. Were going.
SUSAN
Do not touch anything. The telescope. Me. My blanket.
DARAH
You said I could sit down.
SUSAN
I take it back. Just stand there.
A moment.
DARAH
He doesnt have much time.
SUSAN
You say that like its new information.
DARAH
Im repeating. For emphasis.
SUSAN
(mocking)
Im repeating. For emphasis.
DARAH
Grow up.
SUSAN
Im as up as Im getting. This is my job, Darah. I have to do this.
DARAH
You want to do this.
SUSAN
I love my job.
DARAH
Do you love him?
A long moment.

4.
SUSAN
Do you love him?
DARAH
I love you. I love you enough to not let you be like this. Youll regret it. I know you will.
And I know you know it too.
SUSAN
You know so much then why am I here?
DARAH
Because its hard. Its hard to be there for him right now. When hes let you down, when
he hasnt loved you. I dont want to do it either, but we dont get to pick the time. We dont
get to pick how this happens. He gets cancer half way through a divorce. What kind of
garbage is that?
SUSAN
You think he deserves this from us?
DARAH
Absolutely not. No.
SUSAN
Then why do we do it?
DARAH
Because were better than that.
A moment.
SUSAN
Meteors tonight.
DARAH
A broken asteroid plummets into the atmosphere.
SUSAN
Burning up on its way.
DARAH
Lighting up the night, if you can only get close enough to see it.
SUSAN
If you were actually close, youd be killed. Gotta use a telescope. Keep a safe distance.

5.
DARAH
A safe distance. Its not exactly the same experience, then, is it?
SUSAN
I guess its not.
DARAH
Its not.
SUSAN
Its not.
Susan stands. She goes to Darah and embraces her.
Susan walks past Darah and goes to exit.
SUSAN (CONTD)
Keys in the car?
DARAH
Mhm. Should I...
SUSAN
No. Its dangerous to get too close.
(nods to the telescope)
Keep a safe distance.
Darah sits.
Susan exits.
Darah looks into the telescope. She takes in a deep breath,
then exhales.
Lights down.
End