| Somebody to Lean On |
| "Somebody to Lean On" is the story of two long-time friends, who are both facing confusing times in life, that have forgotten just how much friendship can mean. Though an argument, they discover how their friendship has changed with their lives, but also realize how much they need to hang on to it. (Setting: a small clearing in the woods with a small pond on edge right. Brianne enters from left, crosses, and kneels far right, facing right, looking out over the water. Silent tears begin to fall down her face as Sean enters behind her.) Sean: (Crossing to her) What's wrong? Brianne: (Wipes eyes and quickly recovers herself) Nothing. I'm fine. Sean: You came out here. That means something must be up. Brianne: Well, if that's true, then why are you here? Sean: I.. I followed you. Now, come on, what's up? Tell me. Brianne: I told you. nothing. I just came out here to think, that's all. Sean: What about? Brianne: Not much. Just... stuff. Sean: Like what? Brianne: Just... ugh, none of your business. Sean: You're my friend. It is my business. Come on, we always talk about everything. Brianne: There's nothing to talk about. Sean: Fine. We'll just... Sit here, then. Brianne: Fine. (Long pause) Sean: Brianne, just talk to me! I care about you. I can't just sit here and watch you like this. Brianne: Why should it matter to you? And, anyway, you had better go. I'm sure Tori's probably looking for you. (She says this with contempt for the name of Sean's girlfriend) Sean: Is that what this is about? You've got some issue with my girlfriend? (This idea hurts him immensely) Brianne: No, it's got nothing to do with that. (It does, but that's not the whole issue) It's just... I don't even know what it is any more. Sean: Look, I want to help you. And if you need me, then I want to be here. but I can't give you what you need if you won't tell me what that is. Brianne: (She has turned her back to him for the duration of this dialogue. She whirls around, finally finding the words to express what's been building up inside her.) You know what I need, Sean? I need somebody, anybody, to have a little Godforsaken time for me, because I sure as hell don't have any for myself! (This line crescendos in intensity but not necessarily in volume; by the end she is practically in tears. She again turns away from him, ashamed of how much she has lost control) Sean: (Pause. Coaxing.) Brianne... Talk to me. I don't understand. Brianne: No, you don't. So why don't you just go? Sean: Because... What kind of a friend would I be if I just left you here to cry? Brianne: Look, you want to know how I feel? Fine. I'll tell you. I'm lonely. I'm lost. I'm sad and hurt and... and overwhelmed and I'm absolutely losing my mind. Do you feel any better now that you've heard all that? Because I don't. Sean: (Quietly) Yes, actually, I do feel better now. Brianne: (Faces him) What? Why? Sean: Because now I know that if you stopped to listen, you would understand perfectly everything I'm feeling right now. Brianne: What are you talking about? Sean: Brianne... I didn't really follow you out here. I was coming to be alone, for the same reasons you were... To think. To cry. Brianne: Why? Sean: I've been at the hospital since two this morning. Last night, on her way home from work, Tori was in an accident. She... She died a few hours ago. (This is hard for him to say, as though saying it out loud makes it true.) Brianne: Oh my God... I'm so sorry... I... I didn't know... Sean: You couldn't have. Brianne: What I said, earlier... I didn't mean it. Tori--she was a really great girl. Sean: You don't have to tell me that. I know. (She crosses to him and hugs him; he returns it) Brianne: Oh God... I'm so sorry... Here I am being petty and miserable and cruel over my own stupid problems, and falling aparat for no reason, and you've got every reason to, but you didn't, you just tried to help me, and... Oh my God, I am so sorry. Sean: Hey, hey, Brianne, calm down. You didn't know. You couldn't have. Brianne: But I know now... Sean, there is no way you can be as okay as you look. Sean: (Pause. He is holding back tears.) I'm... I'm not. God, she can't be gone. She just can't. She was so... Brianne: (Moves to put her arms around him, stabilize him and support him, because he seems as though he will shortly need it to stand) I know... It's okay... It's okay to cry for her... (Pulls away slightly to look him in the eye) Sean... I can't bring her back. As much as I wish I could, I can't just... Wave a magic wand and make all the pain go away. But when you need me... I'm here. I'll always be here. Because that's what friends do. Always. (Scene) |