This is an idea that I've been tossing around for awhile. Its crap right now, but I'm definitely looking into re-writes. I like the source of conflict and would like to play with it more.
34 miles
short play by Michelle Lane
A couple drives in there car late at night. They sit in relative silence. Some cool, easily recognizable music plays quietly. The man, Jeff, sits calmly driving. The woman, Penny, sits deep in thought.
A car BING BING-noise sounds.
JEFF
Shit.
PENNY
Did I do that?
JEFF
No, that one was the car. We need gas.
Jeff pushes a button or something, a small BEEP is heard.
It says we have 34 more miles til we’re out.
Penny pulls out her smart phone and beings googling
We’ll be fine.
PENNY
We better be.
JEFF
We WILL be...would you put your phone away?
PENNY
I’m googling it.
JEFF
Googling what?
PENNY
The nearest station.
JEFF
We will be fine. Don’t panic. You have me here.
JEFF attempts to hold PENNY’S hand, she nimbly shifts hers and he moves his back.
PENNY
What would you do? Push the car?
JEFF grins and kisses his muscles, or flexes, or something, shows off his MAN-lyness.
Yeah OKAY.
The song changes, the radio now plays something from the 2000’s, that screams TEEN YEARS. PENNY squeals and turns up the music.
PENNY
I LOVE THIS SONG!
JEFF
I’m aware. This was playing when...
PENNY
When what?
JEFF
You first blew me.
PENNY
You remember that.
JEFF
Yeah.
PENNY
You remember that, but not my mother’s birthday?
JEFF
Seriously!
PENNY
IT WAS ON THE DAMN CALENDAR.
JEFF
FUCK THAT CALENDAR. I’m serious Pen, I don’t think I’ve looked at that thing, not once, since you’ve bought it. I don’t check when you write shit on there. Its not even that important. Its like some $7 piece of shit you bought at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
PENNY
It’s not that hard to remember May 5th... What have we done EVERY May 5th for the 4 years we’ve been together? Going to my mom’s house and singing Happy Birthday. You didn’t mail her a card or anything. The least you could’ve done was get me there on time.
JEFF
I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was at work all day! I’m sorry that you constantly have to use me for rides cause you don’t own a damn car.
PENNY
Fuck off alright Jeff? Just fuck off.
They sit in silence. Penny beings looking at her phone again, swiping and pinching at the screen.
PENNY
Says the next station is in 30 miles.
JEFF
We’ll be fine.
PENNY
You sure about that?
JEFF
Positive.
JEFF pushes the same button as before. The same BING BING is heard.
PENNY
Can we talk about...
JEFF
About...
PENNY
The other day.
JEFF
Which day?
PENNY
You know already Jeff.
JEFF
Which day Penny.
PENNY
The day...
JEFF
Yes...
PENNY
You went limp.
JEFF
Soft.
PENNY
You were still in me.
JEFF
Maybe I finished.
PENNY
Did you?
JEFF
Maybe I was tired?
PENNY
You begged me to have sex because you had so much energy.
JEFF
I just wanted to change positions.
PENNY
I was on top, facing away, so you can stare at my ass. I had your balls cupped in my hand, and I was rubbing your leg with the other one. Its your favorite position, the one I know makes you finish, and mid sex you went soft. You went limp. Completely and utterly flat.
JEFF
I understand what “limp” means, thank you.
PENNY
What the fuck happened? It’s not like you.
JEFF
Shit just happens sometimes your dick and your brain have two separate thoughts.
PENNY
Which had the thought that you weren't into me anymore?
JEFF
My dick.
PENNY
So you don’t find me attractive anymore.
JEFF
No just my di...wait
PENNY
Just your dick. So I can’t get you up anymore.
JEFF
No its not...anything...just...it just happened.
PENNY
Right.
JEFF
Alright what do you think it is Dr. Penelope?
PENNY
I think it means you’re sick of me. I think it means that you’re bored in our relationship. Which makes you more likely to cheat on me. Which means you are more likely to leave me and if thats the case, I just want you to get it over with now.
JEFF
I’m not breaking up with you...
PENNY
I’m not the stalking type so you don’t have to be worried.
JEFF
Sometimes these things happen Penny!
PENNY
And they have meaning Jeff!
JEFF
It’s nothing! Just let it be!
PENNY
Did you have a suddent thought of your parents? Or work? Or maybe I wasn’t going hard enough? Slow enough? Because if its me, then I want you to be open and honest about it. We’re in a solid relationship and we can say these things.
JEFF
Why must you give everything deeper meaning?? Why must every tidbit of life be profound?!
PENNY
If you really think you going soft is just nothing then well...I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT TO...
JEFF
...I GOT SCARED DAMN IT.
PENNY
Scared? OF WHAT JEFF?
JEFF
BEING WITH YOU. BEING WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
I wanted to propose. I thought about proposing. I thought of rings and shit. But I cant handle the idea of being with anyone for that long. With you for that long. You who goes into deep thought over nothing. You who has to dig into my soul. I dont want to be with you forever.
A DING is heard again in the car. JEFF looks at the dash.
Says 15 miles til empty.
PENNY
And we’re 20 from the station.
JEFF
Shit.
THE END
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