The Distance From Here by Neil Labute

Author:Neil Labute [LaBute, Neil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, War & Military, DRA000000, DRA001000
ISBN: 9781585673711
Google: eccaAAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 134066
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 2003-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

JENN

That’s plenty. More than I’ll get at home—

TIM

Right. (BEAT) Darrell’s buying ya some stuff. Don’t say nothing, though, ’cause—

JENN

I know. I won’t.

TIM

Good. Thanks.

JENN

No problem.

TIM

Anyways, I’m not gonna have nothing for you . . . (BEAT) I would, though, if I could. Maybe. Just a little thing.

JENN

Thanks, Tim.

TIM

Sure. What?

JENN studies him, then rips a piece of paper out of her notebook. Hands it and some colored pencils to TIM.

JENN

Here. Make me a card . . .

TIM looks at her, glances around the room, then hurridly takes the materials.

TIM

—’kay.

(TIM starts to draw something quickly, covering it with a hand so JENN can’t see. JENN smiles at this, then goes back to her work. After a moment, DARRELL enters and sneaks up on TIM. He makes a sudden animal roar and grabs TIM around the waist. JENN and DARRELL laugh at this.)

Awww, fucker! Stop!!

DARRELL plops down into another desk. He tries to see what JENN is working on but she pulls it away. TIM folds up his paper and jams it in a coat pocket. JENN notices this.

DARRELL

—fucking hypothalamus, huh?

TIM

Yeah.

DARRELL

What do I care my brain fucks around with my metabolic process . . . give two shits about it?

JENN

Uh-huh.

DARRELL

Come after and “clean the board.” Fuck her! Right? Who’s she think she is, anyway?

TIM

Dunno.

DARRELL

No shit, Tim, I know you “dunno.” Fuck do you know? Certainly not the answer to number three!

TIM

Yeah, I told you I wasn’t so—

DARRELL

God! Like to find her, edge of a park somewheres . . . trying to start her car, bad distributor cap, some shit like that . . . and just beat the fuck outta her, leave ’er for the grounds crew come morning! What I feel for that bitch—

JENN

Darrell, don’t be so—

TIM

—kinda cute, I think. I mean, for a teacher and all.

DARRELL

I can’t even talk to you two . . . like a fucking separate wavelength or something.

TIM

She is, though! Not more than twenty-five, looks like—

DARRELL

Shit! Any chance you’re gonna listen to me, pick up on the fuck I’m saying?! Didn’t question the twat’s look, some two-piece French cut! Not saying she wouldn’t be a primo prom choice, you in a goddamn cummerbund! Said she annoyed me, like to fuck-her-up!! Making me an ass, front of everybody—

TIM

Yeah, you did look kinda stupid up there—

(TIM and JENN giggle at this until DARRELL reacts violently, slapping TIM hard on the head.)

Oww, bastard!

DARRELL

Just watch it, man! Fuck you calling “stupid—”

JENN

Come on, Darrell!

TIM

Kidding around—

DARRELL

Watch your fucking self, that’s all.

(A momentary standoff. TIM blinks first, looking up at the clock again. DARRELL smacks his hand down loudly on the desk. He looks around.)

—fucking punitive, huh?

JENN

Yeah.

DARRELL

That’s what this is. Some kinda piece a shit police action.

JENN

It’s okay.

DARRELL

No, it isn’t! Detention is bullshit, and I don’t buy into any of that, alright, so don’t “it’s okay” me, ’cause I feel you’ve been wronged. Fucking flexing their muscles—

JENN

Darrell, ’s no big thing. (BEAT) You probably shouldn’t be in here, though—

DARRELL

—and who gave it to you? Dickers, I s’ppose.

JENN

Uh-huh. Caught me in the bathroom yesterday. Lightin’ up.

DARRELL

Yeah, taking her two o’clock dump.

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