Fiction
Scene takes place in the school cafeteria.
Michael: John Green huh?
Riley: Ya. He’s my favorite author.
Michael: Really? Takes a seat across from her at the table. I see you more as a classic literature girl.
Riley: John Green is classic. Or he will be someday. You know when Dickens came out he wasn’t a classic. He was the most popular writer.
Michael: He still is.
Riley: Sure. Takes a sip of her coffee. You know I prefer Emily Bronte to Charles Dickens any day.
Michael: We could this discuss all day, but that’s not why I’m here.
Riley: Oh. Well if we’re not going to discuss books I might as well keep reading mine.
Michael: That’s actually why I came to talk to you. You see. I love books, I want to write someday, but I think you love books too much. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m just saying you would rather read than actually interact with people.
Riley: Michael, tell me. Would you rather be friends with Ron Weasley or with Wesley over there who doesn’t have a thought in his head? Would you rather date Jo March an amazingly intelligent and independent woman or one of the blondes in our school who only like to talk about their hair? Fiction is so much better than reality.
Michael: Okay. Not everybody is who I would like to hang out with, but there are some people who are interesting and fun. Like Julie, she’s fun. She’s also not absorbed in herself and she’s really nice.
Riley: Not everyone can be like Julie.
Michael: That’s the beauty in life, Riley. Everyone has their own personality and little quirks. And you can experience those every day and find new ones once in a while.
Riley: Okay. What are yours?
Michael: What do you mean?
Riley: What are your quirks? How do you contribute to the beauty of life?
Michael: Umm, well. I only like to eat cereal with chocolate milk. I umm, I like to mainly read classic books. I take my coffee black.
Riley: Okay. Those are interesting features,but other people have them as well.
Michael: Not many I’ve met. A character in a book can flat sometimes. They’re two dimensional. People are three.
Riley: Characters can become three dimensional.
Michael: Can you physically brush your hand against your favorite book character like this? Can you take their hand and hold it in yours?
Riley pulls her hand from Michael’s hold
Riley: No.
Michael: Don’t you think then that people are more three dimensional that fictional characters?
Riley: Books have so much more adventure though.
Michael: The actual world can present you with adventures. You could be offered a trip to Europe someday, you could bump into a celebrity one day. Some adventures are as simple as a walk home from school.
Riley: You planned for this conversation didn’t you.
Michael: No. I’m just good at arguments and putting the words in the right places.
Riley: Sure.
Michael: Well I was expecting some, most arguments from you.
Riley: That’s what I thought.
Michael: You shouldn’t be so predictable then.
Riley: Maybe that’s one of my quirks.
Michael: You see? Human interaction can be bearable.
Riley: Not all interaction.
Michael: Then surround yourself with people you can bear.
Riley: Okay. Who do you hang out with?
Michael: Well you right now. He leans in even closer.
Riley: sighing, Michael, I like you. I really do. But as a friend.
Michael: Oh. Well you know what? Just forget what I told you. Live your life in fiction and don’t connect with anyone.
Riley: I didn’t mean to hurt you. Michael you’re a really sweet guy, but I’m not looking for romance right now.
Michael: Just keep reading. I think I see Julie over there.
Michael exits off stage
