Fragments Of His Being

ACT I - SCENE IV

ACT I

SCENE IV

[Setting: In the basketball court at late noon. QUINN is making baskets as he walks about the court thinking. The trees growing around the fenced off the court had left leaves on the clay surface, and the sun was scorching hot, so much so that QUINN had to squint whenever he tried to throw a basket.]

QUINN:

[What to do, QUINN thought as his mind tried to figure out ways to turn LINDSEY down in the kindest possible way. She wasn't like most girls that had come up to him before. She'd make some noise if she was rejected.]

QUINN: (Turns towards gates as he hears them rattle.)

QUINN: (Sees CODY behind the gates.) Oh, it's you. (Smiles.)

CODY: (Returns QUINN's smile) You're here alone again.

QUINN: (Shrugs as he turns away to make a basket.)

[The ball hits the side of the rusted ring, bouncing back to QUINN who bent down to pick up the battered ball.]

QUINN: And you're still being a peeping Tom. Nothing's quite new, is it? (Laughs.)

CODY: (Smiles, before walking into the court.)

QUINN: So, do you play? (Shakes ball.)

CODY: No, but I can try.

QUINN: Okay then. (Tosses ball to CODY.)

CODY: (Misses throw.) Ah, f**k. I told you I was terrible at this. (Bends over to pick up the ball.)

QUINN: (Laughs.)

Pause.

CODY: (Throws the ball to QUINN.)

QUINN: (Catches the ball and begins to bounce it.)

[The sound of the ball bouncing on the clay floor echoed through the court.]

QUINN: So why are you always here?

CODY: (Shrugs) I don't know. I randomly left home and kind of found you guys playing basketball after a while of wandering, so I just come here to watch you guys now — Kind of to ease my boredom if that makes sense.

QUINN: Hmm.

CODY: I don't like being at home, really.

QUINN: (Frowns as he turns to CODY) Why? (Lets ball bounce one last time before holding on to it in a loose grip with his two hands.)

CODY: I don't want to talk about it.

Silence.

CODY: So, what are you doing here all by yourself today?

QUINN: (Sighs.) I came to think about something, really. I'm trying to decide on what to do.

CODY: Is it about something serious?

QUINN: (Runs a hand through his dark curls.) No, not really. There's this girl I have to let down. I'm not sure how to tell her.

CODY: (c***s head to the side.) Oh, that kind of problem.

QUINN: (Smiles.) Do you have any advice for me?

CODY: (Shakes head.) I'm not good with girls — no one thinks I'm attractive anyway, so I'm kind of lucky not to have those problems? (Laughs.)

QUINN: (Smiles lightly.)

[QUINN hated it when people made self-depreciating comments. It didn't just sit well with him — and CODY was attractive — well, to QUINN. He had that cute shy look going on for him.]

CODY: I guess you just have to be honest with her really. I'm not sure what else to say — then again, I'm not the best source of advice for this. (Laughs.)

QUINN: Yeah, that's what I'm planning to do. I don't want to be mean about it, you know?

CODY: (Smiles.) You look like a cold-hearted person, but you ooze of kindness if that makes sense. It's quite a shock.

QUINN: Oh really?

CODY: The first time you caught me looking I thought you'd come right over to punch me or something. (Laughs in a low tone.)

QUINN: Oh, do I look mean?

CODY: I'm not sure. You have a resting b***h face of some sort.

QUINN: (Laughs)

Pause.

QUINN: Why didn't you ask to join us though?

CODY: I can't play basketball. (Looks at basketball with a frown) Also, I also f**k friendships up a lot. I don't think I'm ready for any of that now.

QUINN: Is that so?

CODY: Yeah.

Pause.

QUINN: Are we friends though? I think we're friends.

CODY: (Looks at QUINN with wide eyes.) Oh.

QUINN: Don't you think we are?

CODY: Oh, okay.

[QUINN continued to talk with CODY, and he occasionally passed him the ball from time to time. After an hour or so he stopped playing and put the ball under his arm before telling CODY he had to leave.]

CODY: (Smiles.) Goodbye then.

QUINN: (Turns around sharply.) See you later peeping Tom.

CODY: (Laughs.)

QUINN exits stage.

Curtains fall.