4.17.2007: I Can Give You No Other Answer

The Guy sits on the stage floor, holding in his arms the complete text as it currently stands – 200 pages worth of writing.

This is a pretty big deal. 200 pages is a lot for a play.

And this play is different, because it isn’t just a play – it’s his life. he’s holding in his hands three months of a life lived, and each day (some little piece of each day) is documented.

You can flip through and see how far away things like The Redneck Intellectual have gotten from him.

You can turn a page and remember exactly what a random Tuesday in February felt like.

There’s something a little lovely about this.

Maybe not for you. But for The Guy.

The Uncertain Future appears.

THE GUY
I haven’t seen you in a while.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
I know. What are you doing?

THE GUY
Holding three months in my hands.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Impressive.

THE GUY
I wonder how heavy a year will be.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Imagine a decade.

THE GUY
Three.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Five.

THE GUY
Imagine the last day.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
That could be any day.

This is the first time The Guy’s ever considered this.

THE GUY
I don’t want to end without anything to show for it.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
So you continue.

THE GUY
So I continue.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
No other reason?

THE GUY
I can give no other answer. No.

The lights go down.