It’s the cross I carry through life.
In the drama scene from “Out and About” Crow shows Ian around his apartment and tries to help him get settled into the place.
IAN (looking around): Where would I sleep?
CROW: You choose. Pick a corner, we’ll set you up. I got quilts.
IAN: Quilts?
CROW: Blankets, ya know. Plenty of blankets. Found ’em all stashed in the kitchen cabinets for some reason. Strange place for blankets, but still…the cots mine; that’s my bed. In fact, I have a thing about beds. If it’s my bed, it’s my bed; nobody’s allowed on it, not you or anybody you bring over here. I’m very sanitary that way.
Ian stands.
IAN: Oh –
CROW (looking at Ian): That’s alright, you didn’t know.
IAN: Kind of dark in here. Can you turn the lights on?
CROW: You want light? Let there be light.
Crow flicks on a switch.
A lightbulb hanging from a long wire above the kitchen table turns on.
CROW: That’s all we have. I haven’t been able to wire up any others. I’ve already overloaded things once and caused a major blackout. Half the neighborhood was out! (he laughs.) Believe that? All on account of a single lightbulb.
In short, we have that one lightbulb dangling there. Nothing else.
IAN: Okay. I’ll take that corner there.
CROW: Which?
IAN: That one looks bare.
CROW: Oh yeah? That’s a good corner there. I would have picked that corner, too. The light from the windows this time of year won’t get in your eyes much. We don’t have no curtains, so…
Crow grabs a handful of blankets out from the kitchen cabinet. He hands them to Ian.
Set yourself up. I think there’s a pillow I saw somewhere in a closet. Let me check for ya.
Crow pulls out a dusty pillow from a closet and pats it down. He coughs.
Here you go. I wasn’t sure, but my memory served me correctly for once.
IAN: Thanks.
Crow watches Ian fix up his bed corner.
CROW: …We can get you a cot.
IAN: I’m alright.
CROW: No, I know where they keep ’em. Tomorrow. (Goes back to making tea.) We’ll go down to the spot there, get you a cot, alright?
IAN: If it ain’t too much trouble.
CROW: No trouble. Let these teas brew. No milk.
IAN: It’s alright.
CROW: I got them creamers. Always grab some whenever you can for us if you pass by a deli or whatever cause they come in quite handy. I usually grab a handful when I’m out and about. (He adds creamer to tea and brings it to Ian.) Should have a seat.
Ian sits down on a kitchen chair.
There you are, buddy boy.
Crow sets the tea down on the table. He watches Ian, waiting for him to take his first sip.
IAN: Oh! Okay. (Ian tries the tea and coughs)
CROW: It’s hot.
Crow walks away to get his own tea.
The tea I make is strong. Haven’t been sick in years. Burns right through. Cleans you right out like ramen. You like ramen?
IAN: Rame? Uh, ramen’s okay.
Crow joins Ian at the kitchen table, sitting in a different chair.
CROW: Okay? Just okay?
IAN: I’ll eat it, but not a huge fan.
CROW: I know a place. I’ll take you. I go on Thursday nights. I know a guy named Goro Hiroji, I just call him Tom. He’s a real laborer, alright, but he cares. Helped him out a jam way back, and he’s never forgotten. Gives me all you can eat ramen on Thursdays at eleven. Tom.
IAN: Sounds good to me.
Pause.
CROW: Who’s Janet?
IAN: Janet…
CROW: The brunette you were telling me about earlier.
IAN: She’s a really great woman.
CROW: You bringin’ her here?
IAN: Uh…I might.
CROW: Why not?
IAN: Uh…not sure if she’ll come through this way.
CROW: Why not? (coughs)
IAN: Not sure.
CROW: Right. Right. I’m a good host. Just sayin’. I know how to host. I used to DJ.
IAN: What…music?
CROW: I’ve always known how to entertain.
IAN: I bet you do.
CROW: She got any sisters?
IAN: Janet? Uh, never thought to ask her.
CROW: Find out for me. I’m interested.
IAN: Are you?
CROW: Yeah, I mean, I know I don’t look the part right now. But I know how to dress up, smell real good, and stuff. I know how to make a good impression if I want to, alright?
IAN: Incredible.
CROW: What’s incredible?
IAN: You’re incredible!
CROW: Am I incredible?
IAN: You really know things, man. You’re wicked smart. It’s a compliment.
CROW: See those books?
Ian looks over and stares at a bookcase.
I read. One thing about me is I read. Don’t sleep on my bed, and don’t touch my books. My only two rules, but you can read my books if you first ask permission is all, cause I have to keep track if something’s missing. I get upset about such things as that. Okay?
IAN: Fine by me. Hey, uh, listen, I can’t thank you enough for taking me in, helping me out.
CROW: That’s alright.
IAN: I feel blessed to have met you.
CROW: Don’t mention it. You seem good, Ian. Are you a good person?
IAN: Good person? Well, uh, I try to be, I guess.
CROW: You ever get violent?
IAN: No, I don’t believe in violence.
CROW: I get violent. All too often. It’s the cross I carry through life. Not violent in a hurt someone else sort of way, but violent in a do harm to myself sort of way.
IAN: Sounds to me like you gotta work on that.
CROW: Lifelong struggle buddy.
IAN: Damn.
CROW: I always know how to pick ’em; to bring harm to myself. I act like I know nothin’, like I’m oblivious to things, but I’m all too aware of my choices. I don’t know why… I don’t know why I bring harm to myself… punishment? I think somewhere along my way I did something that I’m none too proud of, and I keep trying to make up for it by causing myself damage. Broke my hand so many times I’ve lost count. This hand here is all metal and steel.
Crow slams his hand down on the table.
See that? I feel nothin’.
Crow gets up to demonstrate near a radiator.
See this here?
Crow slams his hand into the radiator and it makes a loud PING noise each time he does it.
Nothin’. I mean, there’s the bruising to the skin and stuff, but the real meat and potatoes aren’t there.
- To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:
In the one-act eplay, “Out and About” Crow brings a stranger over to his apartment in order to try and help him get back on his feet. Trouble looms for Crow without realizing that his good deed may get punished. 1 Woman, 2 Men. Drama.
