Speechless Society

{Grace is a seventeen year old girl shuffling through life with no purpose.}

 Grace: I guess I should be lucky, being able to talk and all. But when everyone else in the world can't talk back to you, it just seems pointless to live. I'm not saying that I'm going to end my life; I just don't think I can take this anymore. I remember from history text books saying that people were so absorbed with their social media and their Netflix and chill,  that people just stopped communicating with each other.

Sometimes, walking down the street is fun. I shout and scream and no one responds. Not that they don't want to; I'm sure some people would like for me to shut up, but they can't. It used to be that once upon a time people shared opinions and questioned peoples' motives. But now, downtown New York is so quiet. It's almost like a cemetery. 

{ Grace crosses the street and heads up to school. Someone bumps into her.}

Grace: Hey! Watch it! What is with these people anyways? Even though they can't talk, shouldn't they still have manners?

Charlie: Oh my God, you can talk? This is amazing. I've been trying to find people like you. You are the first one. My name's Charlie.

Grace: Wait. You're talking... This can't be real. I thought I was the only one.

Charlie: Yes, this is 100% real. And no, you aren't alone. What's your name?

Grace: I'm Grace.

Charlie:  Come with me, Grace. Let's catch up.

{Charlie and Grace go to Charlie's apartment on the Lower East Side. Grace ponders how there could be another person that has the ability to talk. Charlie wonders how Grace, the emo chick, is still able to talk. }

{They arrive at the apartment. Grace is surprised to see that the layout and style is just like hers. The only thing that stood out was the lack of technology around the apartment. He only had the basics.}

Grace: You live here? By yourself? Wow. I never would've guessed that someone like me lived so close to me.

Charlie: Yes. I guess you already noticed that my taste in electronics only go as far as the basics. And you must be wondering why, I presume?

Grace: Well yeah, why is that?

Charlie: You may not know this but technology was humanity's downfall. Technology is why people can't talk. We were so absorbed with how we looked and acted, that no one bothered to ask. Society crumbled and nature took its course. We developed into speechless beings. I've been trying to figure out how to return speech to others.

Grace:  Do you think it's possible? That we can return speech to everyone else? That seems impossible. Do you really think we can?

Charlie: Nothing's impossible. If we work together, we can figure it out. Now come on, let's go down to Times Square. I want to test out what I've been working on.

{They head down to the Square. Charlie tells Grace to stand back just in case something goes wrong.}

Grace:  Well, what are you going to do that is so dangerous that I have to stand back? I want to help you.

 Charlie: No, this is something I have to do on my own. Trust me.

{Charlie pulls out a knife and stabs himself. Grace screams. }

{Grace jolts awake covered in a cold sweat. }

Grace: What! That was all in a dream?!

{Grace runs outside and frantically looks around at the people walking down the street. She runs to one of them and starts talking to them. }

{The stranger looks up in confusion, pulls out his ear buds, and looks curiously at Grace. }

Stranger: Do I know you?

Grace:  No, but you don't know how happy I am that you can talk. I know I must sound crazy right now, but that's okay. I'm Grace.

Stranger:  Hi Grace. My name's Charlie.

                                                                                     CURTAIN

Hello everyone! I thought I would publish this short story/play we did in English class. Everyone I gave it to to read liked it, so I thought you all would like it too. Leave a vote and comment if you want. Hope you enjoy.