What’s so wrong with the outside world?

Drama scene taken from play The Man in Dark Glasses, Illy questions her awkward customer and doesn’t get the warmest response.

Featured Scene – The Man in Dark Glasses


ILLY: Have you worked it out yet?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: …Sorry?

ILLY: The problem, the equation…

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: Oh. Yes. I guess it’s been solved.

ILLY: …Why do you still seem so anxious?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: Well…(Beat.) Once a problem is fixed, another is more likely to arise soon after.

Waitress sets liquor on table before The Man in Dark Glasses.

ILLY: I’m always available, for you.

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: I know. Thank you.

ILLY: You should stay one night.

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: I can’t.

ILLY: Having trouble down there?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: I simply can’t.

ILLY: Why bother coming here?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: It’s quiet. Dim. All the characteristics of being untroubled by the outside world.

ILLY: What’s so wrong with the outside world?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: Everything.

ILLY: Give me one.

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: It’s math. We..are all math. Probability. Analysis. It is all formularized if you look close enough.

ILLY: How so?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: The same elements that justify computation are also the same elements that justify the cause of the problem.

ILLY: I don’t follow you.

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: Ah, well..it..it doesn’t matter.

He drinks.

ILLY: What matters to you?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: I think I’d like to be alone.

ILLY: Just talking, friendly conversation is all.

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: I don’t mean to be curt, but this here is the only place I like to be, other than when I’m working, and I don’t wish for it to be taken away from me.

ILLY: Oh. You’re accusing me of…? I’m interrupting you, am I?

THE MAN IN DARK GLASSES: You are, I’m afraid.

Illy rises from her chair.

ILLY: I am the owner of this establishment. I can toss you out of here in the blink of an eye, Mister. So don’t start getting catty ’round here. It won’t do you any good. I don’t bother you much, ’cause you seem strange…and I can’t see myself bothering anyone who wears dark glasses in dark places, so consider yourself lucky that you’ve been left alone. (Beat.) There is something I have noticed about you, a softness, from your demeanor, subdued. (Beat.) Whatever it is that’s paining you, it’s bigger than you…but, I’ll leave you to it.

The Man In Dark Glasses finishes his drink.

I must be off Illy. It was good to see you.

  • To read the full ePlay The Man in Dark Glasses, find purchase button below:

Scene Summary

In the one-act eplay The Man in Dark Glasses, a regular customer of a bar questions life by way of equations and pays compliment to the owner Illy for being genuine. 

  • Genre: Drama
  • Length: ~5 minute scene
  • Characters: 2 women, 1 man
  • Themes: customer
  • Best For: drama scenes

FAQ

Q: Where can I find scenes about a a man from the future?

A: On Monologue Blogger you will find a scene from the play titled The Man in Dark Glasses about a man who frequents a pub and is from the future.

Q: Where can I find dramatic monologues that are about career and profession?

A: Monologue Blogger has hundreds of drama monologues from published plays inside a hub called Work and Money Monologues.

Related Drama Scenes

Scene Source: The Man in Dark Glasses

The Man in Dark Glasses is a drama play script by Joseph Arnone, 2026.

For Further Reading

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Joseph Arnone

Joseph Arnone is a writer, actor, director and founder of Monologue Blogger. You are welcome to learn more about Joseph [here] and connect with him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.