Bums.
Another interest of mine: alcoholic bums.
Have a great day.
Characters: Small Bean, Miroslav, and dog.
Setting: Wet, dirty alleyway. Both men are dressed shabbily seated on wooden crates around a small fire. It is night. The dog is white but is dirty and appears to be light brown. It is seated beside Small Bean. Miroslav is holding a large wine bottle in his right hand and a sandwich in his left.
Small Bean: So, you’ve found a home? (Looks from Miroslav to the dog at his side and strokes the dog’s head.)
Miroslav: Yes. (He says this looking at Small Bean then quickly looks away. He takes a bite of the sandwich and a sip from the bottle.)
Small Bean: It will be sad to have you gone. (Miroslav hands him the bottle. He takes a gulp.) I’ve grown accustomed to you.
Miroslav: (Accepting the bottle from Small Bean.) I’ve gotten used to you as well. (Pauses.) And him. (He points to and continues to stare at the dog.)
Dog: (Stares at Miroslav.)
Miroslav: I will miss you, too. (He says to the dog and takes a sip of the wine.)
Small Bean: Why now? (Mirolsav hands him the bottle, he drinks.)
Miroslav: (Still looking at the dog.) I always told you I’d be leaving. (Takes a bite of his sandwich and offers it to Small Bean who refuses.)
Small Bean: Yes. (Pauses and stares into the fire, his hand resting on the dog’s head.) I guess I just didn’t think you ever would.
Miroslav: It’s for the best. (Sips from the bottle and passes it to Small Bean.) This will make me happiest.
Small Bean: (Drinks from the bottle.) Are you not happy here? (Pauses.) Do you have to go?
Miroslav: (Shaking head.) I’m not happy. (Sighs and looks at Small Bean.) I need to go.
Dog: (The men are silent and the dog looks back and forth from Miroslav to Small Bean.)
Small Bean: Is it so much better than here? (Takes another gulp from the bottle and hands it to Miroslav.)
Miroslav: It is bright. (Pauses.) And warm. And safe. (Pauses.) And tidy. (He takes a bite from the sandwich and holds the last bite out to the dog.)
Dog: (Stands and comes toward Miroslav. Takes food into his mouth and looks at Miroslav.)
Small Bean: May I come with you.
Miroslav: No. (Hands the bottle to Small Bean.)
Small Bean: (Drinks.) I don’t really understand. (Pauses to take another drink.) Are we not friends?
Miroslav: That’s not what we’re speaking about.
Small Bean: I don’t really understand. (Drinks from the bottle again and passes it to Miroslav.)
Dog: (Comes to lie down on Small Bean’s feet.)
Small Bean: (Picks up some sticks from beside him and tosses them onto the fire.) Will we still see each other?
Miroslav: Of course. (Sips from the bottle.) I hope we do.
Small Bean: Couldn’t you just stay? (Leans down to rub the dog’s side.) We could see each other much more easily then.
Miroslav: I want to go. (Gulps from the bottle and looks into the fire. Passes the bottle to Small Bean.)
Small Bean: (Drinks wine and holds bottle up to the firelight, notices it’s low.) Maybe we could have one more bottle before you leave? (Passes the bottle to Miroslav.)
Miroslav: I should go.
Small Bean: I will not do so well without you. (Stares at the fire then at the dog.) Neither will he. (Gestures towards the dog.)
Miroslav: This is not the last time I will see you.
Small Bean: It will be different.
Miroslav: We will just have to see.
Small Bean: I don’t like this.
Miroslav: I know. (Tips the bottle back, finishing it off, and tosses it into the fire.)
Dog: (The men are silent for some time, both staring into the fire. Stands and walks to Miroslav who rubs his ears.)
Small Bean: One more bottle for old time’s sake.
Miroslav: But I should go.
Small Bean: It won’t be this way tomorrow.
Miroslav: No.
Small Bean: One last bottle. (Pauses.) Between friends.
Miroslav: But there is someone waiting for me.
Small Bean: (Surprised.) Oh. (Looks into the fire.) Then we can have that bottle another day.
Dog: (Stands and walks into the shadows, nosing about for food. Miroslav and Small Bean sit in silence.)
Small Bean: So, are you leaving now?
Miroslav: (Sighs and kicks some trash into the fire.) I’d like a bit more to drink before I go.
Small Bean: (Looks up at Miroslav smiling.) It couldn’t hurt, right?
Dog: (Rejoins the two, chewing on something, and sits beside Small Bean.)
Miroslav: No. (Pauses.) It will be nice.
Last 5 posts by andrewjones
- Nasty. - February 21st, 2008
- Something stupid. - February 20th, 2008
- Dog Gondola. - February 19th, 2008
- St. Petersbored. - February 15th, 2008
- Hungry Cat. - February 14th, 2008