Stage Play / the game (Analysis)

The Game: A One Act by Christie Tondu

Cast of Characters:

James – a man’s man, 22 years old
Mark – his best friend, who is struggling to ‘come out’, also 22 years old

 

 

 

Scene: The Silverdome, at a Lion’s playoff game.

Time: Present.

At Rise:  Stage center there are 4 chairs. James and Mark, who are currently in college, are sitting in the stands, watching the game.

 

(The boys sit down as they continue cheering)

Mark
Aren’t you surprised I got tickets so close?

James
Yeah. (Pauses and looks around) Man, this is great.

Mark
Sure is. I’m glad you could come with me.

James
How could I miss this? The Lions finally get to the playoffs after like a hundred years and we get seats on the 50-yard line. How awesome is that?

Mark
Very. My partner ended up making other plans so these kinda fell into my hands.

James
Partner? (Kind of confused)

Mark
My lab partner, drew. He’s a good guy.

James
You mean that guy I saw you with the other day? I always thought he was gay.

Mark
(Laughs dryly)
So what if he is? Do you think gay guys don’t like football?

James
(Giving a slightly triumphant look)
He is?! Man, I can spot them a mile away! Anyway, I just thought they might like something not so violent, (dances his hands in the air) like ballet.

Mark
They? Ballet? Jeez man, I thought you had an open mind.

James
(Pumps hand in the air)
All right!! First down! (Turns to mark) Listen man, I'm sorry.

Mark
(Pauses)
Never mind. (Looks down at the field)

James
Man! This is a great game! (Mark ignores him, concentrating on the game) ya gotta appreciate this. (Mark still says nothing) I’m so glad I came with you.

Mark
(Sarcastically)
Me too. (Pauses) go! Go go!! Yes!

James
Come on, I know you enjoy my company.

Mark
Sometimes.

James
(Whistles as two young ladies walk by)
Hello ladies. Where have you been all my life? (Nudges mark) did you see them? Wow!

Mark
(Watching the game, not paying attention to James)
Beautiful.

James
Go go! Yeah! Man what a play!

Mark
Yup.

James
(Annoyed)
Listen, I said I was sorry. I didn’t know you felt so strongly about it.

Mark
Yes, you did. (Pauses) you always do this.

James
Do what? All I did was make an innocent comment (trails off)

Mark
Innocent? (Looks at James, outraged) My god! Sometimes I wonder why I ever stayed friends with you! (Gets up and starts to leave)

James
(Grabs marks arm)
Hey! Wait man!

Mark
(Tries to wrench his arm away)
What? So you can insult another one of my friends?

James
No! I want you to talk to me! Sit down! (Slams him into the seat, still holding his arm)

Mark
(Pulls away)
I have nothing to say to you!

James
That’s bullshit and you know it!

Mark
Yeah, whatever. I’m leaving. (Gets up again)

James
(Grabs his arm again)
You are not leaving till you tell me what’s going on! I have not been your friend for ten years for you to just drop me like nothing!

Mark
You dropped me man!

James
I know it was stupid of me, okay? I messed up. Can’t I try to make it up to you?

Mark
(Turning away)
Try all you like.

James
What are best friends for, anyway?

Mark
Best friend. (Laughs bitterly) some best friend you are.

James
What?

Mark
You barely talk to me for over six months, but as soon as I have playoff tickets, you’re my best friend again.

James
Get over yourself man. You were the one who was avoiding me.

Mark
You started it.

James
Did not.

Mark
Did too.

James
Did not.

Mark
Did…hey, forget who started it. We sound like we’re twelve again.

James
Okay. But you did start it.

Mark
Na-uh.

James
Did too.

Mark
Quit it. Now you’re just being an idiot.

James
(Smiles)
Just being myself.

Mark
Yeah, whatever. (Pauses) listen, I (trails off)

James
Yes?

Mark
I have something to tell you. Don’t get upset, ok?

James
Too late. Already there. What is it?

Mark
It’s hard to explain.

James
You can tell me.

Mark
Can I? Based on the past (trails off)

James
The past is passed. Let it go.

Mark
Let it go?! After what you did to me?! (Lowers his voice, noticing people are staring) you told everyone…everyone!..That I was still a virgin and then dropped me like a rock as soon as I wasn’t ‘cool’ anymore! You expect me to just let that go?

James
I’m sorry!!

Mark
I want to believe you.

James
Then believe me already.

Mark
I don’t think I can.

James
I’m sorry I told everyone, okay? I’m sorry I ditched you man. That was over a year and a half ago and you still don’t trust me. I apologized, why can’t you forgive me?

Mark
You bailed on me! Why did it matter so much anyway? (Moving hands in the air like he’s weighing things) best friend since you were 12, new college friends (trails off) besides, I told you that in confidence. You don’t tell secrets, is that too much to ask?

James
No! Jesus man! I was wrong, stupid..I wasn’t thinking, it came out before I could stop it. (Looking sad, speaking quieter) I’m sorry. You don’t know how sorry. Won’t you trust me again?

Mark
How do I know you can keep your mouth shut?

James
Trust me! People do learn from their mistakes you know.

Mark
I don’t know..

James
I’ve known you for ten years. Am I the same person I was when I was twelve?

Mark
(Laughs)
Sometimes I think so. But no, I guess not.

James
So tell me already.

Mark
Okay.

James
So (trails off)

Mark
Hold on, I have to figure out how to word it.

James
Take all the time you need. (Very long pause) well…

Mark
Never mind, it’s not important.

James
It seems pretty important.

Mark
No, it’s no big deal. I’ll tell you some other time.

James
I want to know now.

Mark
Some other time man, I promise.

James
You’ve got me intrigued. Tell me.

Mark
No.

James
Tell me.

Mark
Nope.

James
Come on, tell me.

Mark
n…(pauses) i'm gay.

James
(spills drink)
God dammit! What? (mark moves to help him) no, I got it man. What did you say?

Mark
I said I’m..(James interrupts)

James
Never mind, I heard you. Are you pulling my leg?

Mark
(sarcastically)
Yeah, of course. This is my idea of a good practical joke. (seriously) of course I’m telling you the truth.

James
(silence for awhile)
But..that’s impossible.

Mark
No, its not.

James
I’ve been around you almost every day of my life for the past ten years. I dated your sister. How could I have not seen it?

Mark
People hide things all the time. I’m sure there’s plenty of things I don’t know about you.

James
But (pauses) this is huge mark. I mean, what about in the locker room?

Mark
What about it? Do you think I was secretly hitting on people or something? Besides, I’m sure there are some huge things you’ve never told me.

James
Not this huge. (suddenly horrified) I slept in the same bed with you. Does that make me gay?

Mark
No, for god’s sake!

James
Do you have a boyfriend?

Mark
No.

James
Not even that drew guy?

Mark
No.

James
How long have you known?

Mark
High school.

James
I should have known.

Mark
It’s not like it was obvious.

James
I bet all those ‘alone times’ you were off with those little queers from school. Am I right?

Mark
So what if I was? We’ve been friends for ten years, it shouldn’t matter.

James
How can it not matter?

Mark
Forget I even said anything.

James
I can’t! (pauses) god damn! Are you attracted to me?

Mark
No!! you’re like my brother!

James
Do you get turned on when we play football?

Mark
No! I’m not attracted to any of my friends, least of all you.

James
Really? (surprised) why not? I’m cute.

Mark
(laughs loudly)
Leave it to you to be offended that I don’t find you attractive. If you must know, you’re too tall..and there’s the whole you being straight and my best friend thing.

James
Right. Right. (pauses) why did you lie to me though?

Mark
I never lied, just chose to leave some things out.

James
But why? You’re supposed to be able to tell me anything. I’m you’re best friend.

Mark
I know, I’m sorry. (pauses) it’s just (pauses again) it seems like you always thought (pause again) being gay was a disease or something. (long pause) I didn’t want our friendship to change, to be a disease to you.

James
You aren’t. but I’m not sure I know you anymore.

Mark
Really James? I never changed, just…grew up. I’m still the same kid who broke your arm playing football when we were sixteen, and helped you build that tree house when we were fourteen. And I’m the same person who stood up for you when everyone called you a queer because you took that dance class freshman year. Just one little thing is different.

James
Little? You’re gay.

Mark
I always was. That part never changed either. You’re just finding out a little late is all.

James
Who else knows?

Mark
Mom, Maryanne, drew, some of the guys on the hockey team, a few more.

James
All those people know and it never crossed your mind to tell ME?

Mark
I just never felt right about it. It was never the right time.

James
I’m sorry I made you feel that way.

Mark
I’m sorry too. (pauses) I should have told you sooner.

James
Its okay man. (pauses, looks back to the game) hey, who’s winning?

BLACKOUT

 

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