This Bench is in Memoriam
This Bench is in Memoriam
By Daniel Brothers
For my brother Robby,
“I left a steady plane for worlds of uncertainty
I miss the sureness of my feet, but god…
...what wonders there are to see”
Characters
Artist: A young artist with a career choice to make
Young businessman (BM): A person giving financial advice to a friend
Lover: A now heartbroken lover, craving connection
Elderly person: Someone who has experienced life, and now sits peacefully in the park
[don’t use real birds for this show, a sound effect would do]
At rise: Lights come up on a park scene, there are benches and other places to rest arranged as they would be in a public park somewhere in the city. The four characters are in their own worlds totally separate from each other. The BM and the Lover are using smart phones, the artist feeds the birds and talks to themselves, the elderly person is reading a newspaper and sitting next to something hidden. If possible and reasonable, other nameless shapes may walk through the space as people would walk through a public park
Artist: Ok. Ok. Ok. I need to get away from that thought. What is more important, Money or happiness? Does one beget the other?If I do this am I still an artist?
BM: Yeah yeah. A Roth IRA. It will be endlessly helpful for someone young like you. Low tax rates now, uncertain future tax rates, make it certain by paying those taxes now at the lower rate. Easy peas you.
Lover: I knew it. I knew it. [receives a text, cries]
Elder: Well isn’t that a shame [reading newspaper]
Artist: If i take a full time job, I’ll be able to support myself and fund my art. I could even support my actor friends, pay for projects. Do some producing.
BM: Aside from that making sure you are actually using a budget will make a huge difference in your current predicament.
Artist: But then what will I, Who. [sighs] Keep it focused. What will I be sacrificing for that stability?
BM: The planning is the most important part. With good planning most lifestyles are perfectly obtainable. I mean you’re probably not going to be living in the penthouse on some freelancer lifestyle but you never know, smart investments go a long way.
Lover: [leaving a voicemail] I get that you don’t want to talk to me. And I’m not gonna call you again. But please text me back. I at least would like to figure out when i can get my stuff. I’ll talk to James if i need to.
Elder: Times are a changing tch tch tch.
Lover [sending a text]
BM: Well if you were better with money you wouldn’t be talking to me now would yah! [laughs]
Artist: Freedom? Flexibility? Do i need that to make art, or will i even be really losing that. Does my worry about paying the bills out way the potential loss of energy. [spills bag of seed]
Elder: Damn birds
Lover: [waves birds off]
BM: Fucking pigeons. Sorry, you were filling me in. Yeah assets yes.
Lover: [begins to look around at people, desperate sadness on their face, craving connection]
BM: Where on earth did you get fine art? Never mind. My advice there, look for a buyer. I didn’t say sell it, i said look for a buyer so that if you ever do need to sell it, you know where they are.
Artist: Right right focus. Hmm. Trust my gut, I always say that trust your gut. What’s my gut telling me. Says I’m hungry that’s what it says. Sassy internal organs. Guess that’s not a fight worth having. [gets up to go and buy a hot dog]
Lover: Excuse me
[ Artist keeps moving past ignoring the lover]
Lover: Excuse me!
[Artist is gone]
BM: Look. For every time of plenty there is gonna be a time where things get tight. It’s the nature of life! Just keep track of money, save for your future. Also, remember to keep your friends close, don’t forget who got you to where you are eh? [gets up to leave] That’s what I’m saying [begins to exit]
Lover: Excuse me I just need
BM: Here. [hands the lover some spare change and moves on]
Lover: That’s not what. That’s not what I needed. [stares at the coins]
[The lover exits staring at the coins in their hand, the elder watches them go]
Elder: It’s hard to become alone. Reminds me of someone I used to be.
Elder: [continues] I remember that feeling so well darling. Every face callous. People aren’t human when they're out in public anymore, or ever i suppose. We like to hide it. That’s what I loved about you, so open to the world. So honest and kind. Not a day goes by my love not a day goes by.
It’s these afternoons in the park that make me miss you and feel close to you all thee same.
[Picks up the photo and the rest of their belongings]
Elder: I hope someone opens up to that young lover. For all our sakes.