Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Impulse

Male: HOW, in the name of all things good and holy, DID I GET HERE?
Female: All will be revealed if you're patient.
M: WILL BE?? WILL BE?? I WANT ANSWERS NOW!! The last thing I knew I was climbing into my bed, in my apartment, and then this man came out of the shadows, scaring the CRUD outta me - by the way - and said, 'Your life is about to chance for the better.' WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!
F: You were brought here for a reason. This is the way it was meant to be.
M: You can't just SIT there and tell me this is how its supposed to be!!! I've never been here before, it looks like I'm in one of those HORRIBLE Jane Austen books, and believe me, that is the last place in the universe, heaven earth or hell for that matter, that I want to be. If you can't tell me why, then tell me HOW!!
F: They summoned your soul, just like mine.
M: Oh great, so now I have a soul . . . wait, does that mean I am just a soul right now? You mean to tell me that my girlfriend will come in tomorrow morning and just find my unconscious body laying there? I do NOT want to wake up in the ER!
F: No, your body was dissolved when you were called.
M: I - I - DISSOLVED?!?!!? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET BACK? Can I go back to waking up in the ER? Wait - did you say that you were 'called' here too?
F: You'll go back when you're ready, no you can't wake up in the ER, and yes I was called too.
M: So we're in the same boat?
F: Unfortunately.
M: Well - I *sits down next to her* I - didn't mean to explode at you - I didn't realize . . .
F: Save your breath, you're just the same as everyone else who has come.
M: There were more? *F nods* Suckers . . . anyway, how come they're gone? Shouldn't you have been the first in line to leave? You're not a criminal are you? Talking to you won't endanger my life will it?
F: *exasperated* Yes, there were more, and it was their time to move on. No, it doesn't work like that. No, last time I checked I was not a criminal, and the answer to that question depends on if you manage to piss me off or not.
M: *gulp* So noted . . . so if this isn't resolved by order, how do I get out of here?
F: It's something you have to figure out for yourself.
M: You seem to have it down.
F: I've been here for a century at least, if I didn't have it figured out I'd be an insult to the stupidest of our race.
M: A CENTURY? I can't be here that long! I have a girlfriend, and a steady job -
F: We both know that that 'girlfriend' is just as fictional as you seem to think this place is, besides, you despise your job.
M: How do you know that?
F: I know how it works, they're always different, but they're never involved with someone, and they usually hate their life.
M: I had a great life, I lov- *cuts off at a pointed look from F* . . Yeah, you're right my life sucks.
F: And that's why you're here.
M: I don't get it.
F:You have to figure it out for yourself.
M: Wouldn't me asking you to educate me count as finding out for myself?
F: *looks directly into M's eyes, he leans back, surprised* Valid point.
M: Well then, why don't you tell me why - Woah . . .
F: What?
M: Your eyes are gorgeous. I didn't notice until just now, but they're beautiful. Just like the morning sky but with st- *smacks hand over his mouth, she just stares at him expectantly*
F: You were saying?
M:I don't know - I was about to ask you why we're here, and then I really saw your eyes for the first time, my mouth got away from me, I'm sorry.
F: No - no, continue, we're actually getting somewhere.
M: So I'm just supposed to sit here and tell you how your eyes reflect the sky, with every star, and how your hair is so smooth and full of luster, how your beautiful skin seems to glow, and how- *smacks hand over mouth, yet again* sorry, you're just - well, beautiful. I've never met anyone quite like you. *hits himself on head* I'm sorry I don't EVER think like this let alone speak about it.
F: *shakes head* No, no, that's the point! We're here to find our other halves.
M: *looks down at himself* Last time I checked, I was never cut into halves.
F: No, like soul mates. Our one and only TRUE match.
M: I got whisked across the universe to some fairy princess land that I've never even dreamt about, find out that my body has been dissolved, to find my soul mate? Haven't you guys heard of those Internet dating sites?
F: Hey, I'm not the one running this operation, that's just how it is.
M: Well, you think they would have found yours sooner. Its been a full century hasn't it?
F: *eyes shining* Yeah, but I always knew someone would come along. They don't just pull us out for no reason . . .
M: You know? I think I love you.
F: I -
M: I honestly meant everything I said, I'd help you adjust to this century perfectly!
F: I -
M: You could live with me in my apartment, I've got a job -
F: I -
M: - money for food -
F: I -
M: - and we can go from there, and - *F clams hand over his mouth*
F: You really need to learn to shut up, you know? *smiles* I love you too.
*They dissolve into faded out lines, floating off in the mists surrounding them, to wake up in his apartment, hand in hand, ready for a completely new life*
Fantasy or Not?

3 comments:

M said...

This is the most unique response I think I've read. It is so cool. I like how you had the man rambling on and on as opposed to the woman, very original.

Nelson said...

I loved reading this in class. I said it then and I'll say it again: probably the best scene I've read.

I'll also repeat this: it's long. You have to remember that when you're posting things for this class. If you want other students to read your work, you have to shorten your posts. Kids these days have short attention spans.

Genevive Louise Noette said...

Ms. Kathleen,
I think you did a MARVELOUS job on this piece. I disagree--though it's long, it has such a gripping first few lines that the reader just wants to keep on going, to find out what happens. Great work! I think that anything lesser in length would not have been as satisfying for the reader.
Sincerely,
Genevive Louise Noette