Wakey Wakey by Eno Will;

Author:Eno, Will;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oberon Books

LISA:Go ahead.

GUY:(He clears his throat, swallows.) Last Words are – (Swallows.) Last Words are something everyone talks about and writes books. But I hope we can… (Clears throat again.) Sorry. I was hoping we could think about First Words. “Doggie.” “Bopple.” (The following two words are said just the TINIEST bit as if he is calling out for them.) “Mommy, Daddy.” “Wabbit.” I love when little kids talk. “Skelekin.” “Choo-choo.” It’s amazing. The things we can share. The world, the worlds. (Very brief pause. With sadness but some good-natured ease.) I thought I had more time. (Brief pause.) I’m sorry. I’m not here anymore.

LISA:(Gently.) Where are you?

GUY:(Said as if he’s still in the exact same place.) I’m here.

The following is very quiet. Even LISA who is sitting close to him, cannot hear him:

(Inaudible.) I just wanted to say a few more things.

LISA:Sorry?

She leans closer and he speaks, in a very faint whisper. She leans very close to him, listens to his whisper, and then repeats what he says to the audience.

“It’s been so nice being here with you all.”

(Again, as above.) “I’ll never forget it.”

He whispers, and she can’t understand.

Sorry? I didn’t…

She leans in and he whispers again. She whispers to GUY to be sure she’s understood him correctly.

(To AUDIENCE, with the accompanying gesture.) “Thumbs up.”

He smiles, shakes his head almost imperceptibly. LISA sits back a little in her chair, looks out at us, looks around at the different faces, all very easy and gentle movements, nothing too precious. GUY’s small shake of his head, as in saying “no,” increases and changes, in the tiniest way, so that perhaps he is making tiny circles with his head, instead of going side to side. Again, these are the slightest gestures. He mouths a word or two, almost imperceptibly. He gets still. He takes in the room, with only his eyes. Very quietly, but in a regular voice with a simple delivery, NOT as a big message, but more as a simple parting thought.)

GUY:Take care of each other.

LISA:(Brief pause. Gently, to AUDIENCE.) Did you hear that?

GUY looks at us for a while. He is very close to the end. He seems scared but also exhausted and resolved. He is very still. Perhaps his breath, almost inaudible, quickens a bit. The tiniest of moments. He closes his eyes and lowers his head, as if he’s fallen asleep. His hands are resting on his thighs.

SOUND: A single “chirp” from the smoke alarm.

LISA touches his arm. She gently rolls up his cuff and checks his pulse. She looks to the audience and smiles a small, sad, but loving smile, while she’s checking. GUY has died. She rolls his cuff back down. She then stands and makes a note in her notebook, checking the time. She takes care of some other details, very gently, very quietly. She picks up the bag of fortune cookies, glances around for a trash can, and then comes to the front of the stage and hands one to an audience member.

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