John Sokol

 

Words

a one-act play

A man is sitting on a bench in a quiet park. He is modestly dressed and
alone. The sun is setting behind him.

Enter: A second man, who sits on the bench beside the
first man. He sits for a number of minutes before speaking.

2nd Man: What are you waiting for?
1st Man: Wading for?
2nd Man: Yes, waiting for.
1st Man: I'm not wading.
2nd Man: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were waiting.
1st Man: No.

Pause

2nd Man: What are you doing then?
1st Man: I'm waiting.
2nd Man: Waiting?
1st Man: Yes, waiting.
2nd Man: But I just asked if you were waiting.
1st Man: You did?
2nd Man: Yes, I did.
1st Man: Waiting? Oh-h-h-h-h! Waiting!
2nd Man: Yes, waiting.
1st Man: Oh, I thought you asked if I was wading. (While still
seated, he pulls up his pant legs and moves his feet like
someone wading through water). You know, wading.
W-A-D-I-N-G.
2nd Man: No, WaiTing.
1st Man: I was going to say: "Can't understand why you asked if I
was wading. Perfectly obvious I'm not wading!"
2nd Man: Well, it was probably my fault. I might not have
enunciated properly.
1st Man: No, it was my fault. I can't hear very well sometimes.
2nd Man: Well, it doesn't matter.
1st Man: That's true.

Pause

2nd Man: Well, what are you waiting for?
1st Man: I'm waiting for Words.
2nd Man: Words? What words?
1st Man: Just Words. It's a word.
2nd Man: Ah, Words is a word.
1st Man: Yes. In other words.
2nd Man: So, you're waiting for words, but words is one word.
1st Man: Yes.
2nd Man: That's weird, isn't it?
1st Man: No, Words.
2nd Man: Yes. I know. But that's weird.
1st Man: Oh, weird. I thought you were asking if "that's Word?"
2nd Man: No, I was saying that's weird.
1st Man: Sorry.
2nd Man: Looks at the audience and shakes his head.

Pause

2nd Man: I suppose you're a writer.
1st Man: Yes. How did you know?
2nd Man: I guessed.
1st Man: How?
2nd Man: Who else would wait for words?
1st Man: I don't know.
2nd Man: Well, why are you waiting for words?
1st Man: I'm waiting to see it.
2nd Man: You're waiting to see words?
1st Man: Yes . . . . . and to listen.
2nd Man: Oh, for God's sake, I'm leaving.
1st Man: No, wait!
2nd Man: Wait? Wait for what?
1st Man: For Words.
2nd Man: Look, if I'm going to wait here for words, I would like to
know what words I'm waiting for.
1st Man: You're not waiting for words, you're just waiting for one
word.
2nd Man: All right. What word am I waiting for?
1st Man: Words.
2nd Man: Oh, I get it. The one word is Words.
1st Man: Exactly.
2nd Man: No wonder I was confused.
1st Man: Yes, I guess I can see how you could be.

Pause

2nd Man: Well, you said you came here to see words.
1st Man: . . . . and to listen.
2nd Man: . . . . and to listen.
1st Man: Right.
2nd Man: Why? What is so interesting about words?
1st Man: Ah. Well. Actually, Words is a play.
2nd Man: A play?
1st Man: Yes, a play.
2nd Man: A play on words, I suppose?
1st Man: Yes, as a matter of fact.
2nd Man: Did you write it?
1st Man: Yes, I did.
2nd Man: I thought as much.
1st Man: Why?
2nd Man: I recognized the style, I guess.
1st Man: Very good.
2nd Man: So what is this play about?
1st Man: Words.
2nd Man: Screams in frustration. All right. I give up. What are you
talking about?
1st Man: It doesn't matter.
2nd Man: Look. Before, you said that words is one word.
1st Man: Yes.
2nd Man: Then you said that Words is a play. Well, how long has it
been playing?
1st Man: Not long.
2nd Man: Was it work?
1st Man: Work?
2nd Man: Yes. Was it work to write Words?
1st Man: No, it's a play.
2nd Man: Yes, I know it's a play. But was it work?
1st Man: Words?
2nd Man: Yes, your play.
1st Man: That's correct.

Pause

The first man gets up from the bench.

2nd Man: What are you doing now?
1st Man: I'm leaving.
2nd Man: But I thought you were waiting.
1st Man: I was. But now I'm leaving.
2nd Man: First you were waiting? Now you're leaving?
1st Man: Correct.
2nd Man: But what about Words?
1st Man: What words?
2nd Man: Words. Your play!
1st Man: It's over. (He exits).

 

Curtain

© by John Sokol