The Boy at the Door

A short play in one act

(Based on actual events)

Scene: A Sunday afternoon. A couple and their young baby sit on the couch in their apartment, reading. There is a knock at the door. The MAN gets up to answer it. He opens the door to find a ten-year-old BOY, slightly stocky and dressed in camouflage pajamas, looking up at him.

MAN: 

Hi there.

BOY: 

Um, uh...

The BOY looks at the MAN, then at the wall, then the floor, then shifts nervously, then looks at the MAN again, then at the wall, figets, looks back at the MAN, figets, is about to say something, hesitates, looks at the floor.

The MAN smiles patiently and says nothing. Then,

MAN: 

What can I do for you?

BOY: 

Um... uh. Um. Um... uh. Are you new here?

MAN: 

Nope.

The BOY looks at the MAN, then at the wall, then the floor, then shifts nervously, then looks at the MAN again, then at the wall, figets, looks back to the MAN, figets, is about to say something, hesitates, looks at the floor. He takes a breath, lets it out, fidgets, looks at the MAN, then the floor, the wall, the floor, the MAN, the wall, figets, is about to say something, stops, looks at the wall.

The MAN smiles patiently and says nothing.

BOY: 

Oh, um... never mind.

The BOY turns and walks away. The MAN closes the door after him and returns to the couch with his WIFE.

WIFE: 

How'd that kid get in the building?

The BABY fusses slightly. There is silence.

Blackout.

Fin.