Stuck in Glass; part one

ACT TWO, SCENE ONE

The little boy NICHOLAS is sitting on the curb in front of ARIS's home, shoulders rising and falling with his every sobbing hiccup, like a pendulum swinging back and forth. He's hugging himself tightly, not because of the wind, but rather to comfort himself. He's leaning his back against a streetlight for support. Meanwhile, trying to walk home, Aris is walking on the same curb and rapidly approaching Nicholas. Upon noticing the poor boy, Aris begins chewing his lip in concern and begins to slow down. In the background, Aris's home is a simple apartment with a grass lawn and a pair of short pine trees growing opposite of it.

ARIS: Why the tears?

NICHOLAS: Th-the...he...he didn't let me in!

Nicholas's bottom lip begins to buffer while he remains focused on his closed palm.

ARIS: Didn't let you in? The bus?

Nicholas wines. Aris remains patient yet concerned.

NICHOLAS (whimpering): No...

ARIS: Can you open your hand for me? Are you hurt? Why is it red?

NICHOLAS: Will you get the big eyes?

ARIS: (both disturbed and confused): Son, it's alright. I'll take a couple steps back.Once Aris does so, Nicholas opens his hand, revealing an unsheathed, bloody pocketknife sleeping in the mattress of his palm.

ARIS: Whoa, slow down! You can't be holding the knife like that, you'll hurt yourself!

Nicholas drops the blade and looks to Aris, the gleam in his eyes attempting to beckon Aris towards him. Nevertheless, Aris remains put. The sound of blade on pavement echoes loudly throughout the street jungle, stunning his ears.

Alright, there you go. What's your name?

NICHOLAS: Nicholas!

ARIS: Okay, Nicholas. I'm Aris! Was the knife already red like that before you picked it up?

NICHOLAS (suddenly standing up and then giddily jumping in circles around the streetlight): I think so. I don't know! Can you show me how to use it? Please?

ARIS: I don't know, Nicholas, I --

Nicholas drops to his knees, snatches the knife from the ground and then crawls away.

Hey!

NICHOLAS (earnestly, almost angrily): Teach me!

ARIS: I'll show you how to be safe with it, Nicholas, I don't want you hurting yourself. I can't have you running away being a threat to yourself, you get me, Nicholas? Alright.

NICHOLAS (standing up gleefully): You'll show me how to use a knife!

A dark shadow suddenly overwhelms Nicholas's face. He grimaces darkly.

I'll finally be able to protect my sisters.

Aris somberly frowns and then stressfully places his forehead in his hand for a brief moment.

ARIS (genuinely): Strength and courage be with you.

NICHOLAS (sniffling): Okay.

A pause of silence ensues.

Do you have sisters? Or brothers?

ARIS: I do. One brother and eleven sisters.

NICHOLAS (mood swinging drastically, his jaw now unhinged): That's so many sisters! Wow! Wow! Big family! Are any of them twenty-two and...sixteen, I think?