Matt's note: This one is intended to be part of a summer camp horror play.
GO (any gender, mid teens to mid twenties)
Tracey, no.
I need to be alone. It's a private call. East coast, I wanna make sure I get Jordan before bed. Jordan's a night owl but it's going on 1am there.
I need to talk to someone. Not you. Not now. I don't need you coming over and giving me another one of your pep talks: "Aw, Cameron, those guys aren't really that bad, if you just get to know them a little better."
I don't want to get to know them better. I gave it my best shot tonight and they humiliated me. They don't like me, Tracey. They don't like me because I don't like them... why hide it? They spend all day lounging around, teaching the campers absolutely nothing, then they get together at night, get drunk and trash our boss. Why? Because he thinks they could do better and tells them that? Oooo the nerve! God, if I were in charge would have fired everyone by now- no.
Not you Tracey. I'm sorry. No. Look at me.You're a talented teacher, a talented counselor, I love y- I love working with you.
And I'm can say that without any effort, I'm not pretending to be positive. When we're co-teaching, it's like I'm not even working. It's like we're- but forget it. Really.
I'm not going to drag you down, Tracey. You deserve to have a good summer. Have your friends. Have fun. I need to take care of myself. I'm going to call someone who probably won't make me feel like a jerk for wanting out of here. So go, okay? I'm letting you go. Just GO.
[pause]
Tracey, for God's sake, what is it?
Copyright 2016 by Matt Haynes.
If you would like to use this piece, please credit: "Courtesy of Matt Haynes and The Pulp Stage"