I asked you about the world, not about you.
In dramatic scene from Dark Place, Jeffrey receives a visit from his friend Seamus while being tied up in a straitjacket inside an asylum.
Jeffrey enters all smiles. He wears a straitjacket and takes a seat.
JEFFREY: …You’re looking fine on this very fine evening, Seamus.
SEAMUS: You look…
JEFFREY: Sharp? (He laughs) You could say it. I’m keeping myself together. Hence, my threads?
SEAMUS: Oh.
JEFFREY: By choice, mind you. I had them tie me up. My nervous system is jittery this morning, and I thought it best I control myself by wearing this old thing. It’s calming, really. No worries, no worries. (quickly) You’re looking very well, Seamus. Have I said that already?
SEAMUS: Thank you.
JEFFREY: How’s the vortex?
SEAMUS: Vortex?
JEFFREY: The outside world.
SEAMUS: Right. Uh, it’s been going well for me.
JEFFREY: Yes, but I asked you about the world, not about you.
SEAMUS: Oh, sorry. The world…is f’d.
JEFFREY: (laughs hysterically) I see you haven’t lost your humor.
SEAMUS: It’s true.
JEFFREY: You think you’re worse off out there than you would be in here?
SEAMUS: Possibly.
JEFFREY: Tell me something…(He leans in.)
SEAMUS: Yeah?
JEFFREY: …about Angela.
SEAMUS: …Oh…Angie’s doing well, Jeff.
JEFFREY: Is she now?
SEAMUS: Yes, she’s been working steadily, which is shocking, really.
JEFFREY: Why? She’s a great actress, isn’t she?
SEAMUS: Yeah, well, you know.
JEFFREY: Growing bitter, are we?
SEAMUS: Not at all, I love Angie, you know that. I want her to do great things.
JEFFREY: As do I.
Pause.
JEFFREY: How’s the show?
SEAMUS: The show? Oh, it’s okay to talk about that?
JEFFREY: I wouldn’t have asked if it weren’t okay. Who did they get to replace me?
SEAMUS: …I was going to tell you, Jeff.
JEFFREY: Tell me, what?
SEAMUS: The producers asked me if I wanted to take on your role.
JEFFREY: Did they?
SEAMUS: They did.
JEFFREY: And what did you say?
SEAMUS: I told them, yes.
JEFFREY: Of course you did.
SEAMUS: It’s…it’s a great part, but I won’t do it if you don’t want me to do it.
JEFFREY: Don’t be silly.
SEAMUS: Honestly, I can walk away from the whole—
JEFFREY: Seamus. (pause.) Do the role. You have my blessing.
SEAMUS: Yeah?
JEFFREY: I would expect nothing less from you.
SEAMUS: There’s quite a bit of press for the premiere of the show, based on what took place. I’m a nervous wreck, to be honest.
JEFFREY: Honest. How’s Walton?
SEAMUS: Wally’s Wally, you know. He bounced back pretty quickly. Surprised he continued on. Very surprised, actually.
JEFFREY: He should have died.
Seamus moves uncomfortably in his chair.
No one thought he was going to live. Did they?
SEAMUS: It’s complicated.
JEFFREY: No, it’s complex. It’s how the world works.
SEAMUS: …We all want you to get better, Jeffrey. (beat) Walton, he’s forgiven you, it seems.
JEFFREY: I never asked for his forgiveness. I never asked for your visit, either.
SEAMUS: I’m here because I want to be here, not because I need to be.
- To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:
In this one-act play, Jeffrey resides in an asylum and receives a visitation from his actor friend.
