A: "Twas always thus, and always thus shall be".
B: Hmm?
A: "But only in their dreams can man be truly free. Twas always thus, and always thus shall be".
B: ...Where did you get that from?
A: You must have read it to me sometime.
B: ...
A: ...
A: Why?
B: Why what?
A: Why must it always be "thus"?
B: Well what's "thus"?
A: "Thus" is like "this" isn't it?
B: ...
A: Isn't it?
B: I don't bloody know.
A: ...Sorry.
B: ...
A: ...
A: Say for argument's sake that we can agree that "thus" means "like this" -
B: I never agreed to have an argument in the first place.
A: Yeah, but just say-
B: Jesus alright go on.
A: I don't think I want it to be "thus" anymore.
B: ...
A: ...
A: Is that alright?
B: Not really, no.
A: Okay, but I've never wanted much, have I?
B: So?
A: So now I want something.
B: Well, what do you want to be "thus" instead then?
A: Not this.
B: Jesus Christ!
A: ...
B: ...
A: ...
B: I can't help it.
A: Why?
B: ...It's like your poem says. "Twas always thus". Always. Infinitely. I can't fix it.
A: What's stopping you?
B: "Always" is.
A: ...
B: ...
A: Can I tell you what I want "thus" to be?
B: ...okay.
A: "Thus": Clean. Warm. Full. Complete.
B: ...that's quite a lot.
A: ...do you like it?
B: ...yeah.
A: ...
B: ...I'm sorry.
A: What for?
B: For making this "thus" your "thus".
A: ...I'm not sure I follow.
B: (chuckles) You shouldn't.
A: ...
B: ...
A: ...Dead Poet's Society!
B: Hmm?
(ENTER C)
C: Are you ready?
B: ...
A: Ready for?
C: ...
B: ...
A: Well we can't answer a question we don't understand can we?
B: You're ready.
( C attempts to lead A away)
A: Am I?
C: Are you?
B: I just said you were didn't I?
A: Yeah but that doesn't mean I am.
B: You're ready.
A: ...
(A and B stare at each other)
A: I'm ready when I say I am.
B: Exactly.
A: (sighs) Alright go on then. I'm ready.
(A and C exit).
YOU ARE READING
Thus
Short StoryWhat are you on about like? A short play for class. Just trying to get into writing!