There’s something about the eyes… on one end of spectrum there is the innocence and obedience of a submissive friend that needs to love and be loved. At times an almost completely selfless creature. But if you stare long enough and observe him in the right light, really truly look upon him. You can see the shadow of the animal.
Woman: Love is lie that keep us alive.
The woman and man lay in bed. Bodies naked, entwined.
Man: It can’t be no lie... If it were, then what is this?
The woman sits up.
Woman: Oh. Well... this isn’t love.
The man retracts, pulling on his clothes.
Man: That’s okay. But love it ain’t no lie. It just don’t exist between us.
The man exits.
It’s hard to be ashamed when hurting her feels so right. The movement of her body is erratic and sharp, my hands rung tight against her skin.
She wants it to stop. But could I if I tried? I pause... Overlooking the mangled flesh into her eyes.
There it is, I can see it now. Mine own reflection.
It stirs me and ignites the monster... I couldn’t possibly stop now.
She screams and cries, and cries and begs to stop.
He is young, but old enough to know that Santa didn’t come. He notices the empty tree and scratches his head. Why didn’t Santa come? What had he done wrong?
He sighs and wipes nose. The boy pulls up his ragged blanket, coughs and lays his head down.
Maybe next year... he thinks to himself.
You open the front door to see a layer of fresh snow, with foot prints leading out your house... but you haven’t been outside yet... there’s no time to get a proper coat or even shoes. As your feet touch the snow you wince, it’s beyond freezing but you can’t stop here, you have to catch him. The gun in your hand begins to chill, making it hard to hold the cold steel.
The footsteps weave and slide towards the barn and from here you can see the gate left open, he’s in there.
You pause. Even breathing hurts, the air entering and exiting in great plumes. The door swings open and illuminates the man, he is holding his reddened feet, moaning.
Man: Please! I-
You raise the pistol and discharge the barrel, the man’s head bobbing backwards in a sharp motion. As the body thumps to the ground it begins to drizzle and drool all about. The colors are vibrant and hot, steaming as it trails its way to the heavens, maybe it’s his soul.
It’s not your fault he got himself killed. He should’ve listened, kept silent.
They walk into the gas station, the automated doors sounding a polite ping.
Jerry: Imma take a piss man, be back.
Mark nods and walks to the snacks, he lifts the bag of chips and examines the price: three dollars and twenty-nine cents. Mark: (whispers) damn.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out forty-five cents. He shakes the change around in his hand, the empty feeling rattling his head.
He takes a glance around and lowers the chips into his pocket.
Jerry: (whispered) The hell you doin? Put that shit back.
Mark jumps slightly, startled by Jerry’s abrupt appearance.
Man: Shut up man.
Mark begins to walk away, Jerry reaches out and grabs marks shoulder.
Jerry: Muthafucka! You. Just. Got. Out!
Mark shrugs him off and continues to walk out.
Jerry: Mark, don’t walk away man.
Mark exits through the door, leaving Jerry alone with the clerk.
Clerk: Everything alright?
Jerry looks at the clerk. Opens his wallet and stares at his last few dollars.
Jerry: Yeah, ring me up on just this... (sighs in frustration) And some chips.
The clerk nods, and takes the man’s money.
Clerk: He’s a bit old to be stealing.
Jerry: You saw?
The clerk nods and hands Jerry his change. It’s takes Jerry a minute to catch up with Mark.
Jerry: Mark what was that?
Mark: I was hungry... Aint nothin more to it.
Jerry: If your hungry, tell me! You can’t just take whatever you want, you gotta pay for it.
Mark shakes his head and gets close to Jerry’s face.
Mark: With what, huh? (Mark pulls out his change) forty-five cent can’t even pay the laundromat!
Mark throws the change at Jerry, the coins ringing on the ground.
Jerry: Lifting shit that ain’t yours... that’s what got you in there.
Mark: So what!
Jerry: What do you mean ‘so what’? You can’t keep this up! You been stealing your whole life! It’s caught you once and if you keep going it’s gonna catch you again.
Mark throws the bag of chips at Jerry.
Mark: I can’t fix things... I’m too old... (he sighs and sits down in the gutter) too old to change and too broke to do things right.
The man stares at the woman. He sighs.
Man: I ought to smack you.
Woman: Why don’t you?
Man: I don’t know.
The man slides his ring off. Sets it on the table.
Man: Why did you have to go about it... like this?
The man nods at her naked body, she pulls the bed sheet up to cover her. She is scared, her movements cautious and delicate.
Woman: I... I’m sorry.
The man lights a cigarette. Sits down.
Woman: I was gonna tell you!
Man: (the man laughs) ...’Was gonna.’ Lie, if I ever heard one
Woman: I wasn’t lyin none! I didn’t mean for it to happen!
Man: But it did.
The woman stares at his ring on the table.
Man: (aggressive) What was it the sex, money?... or is it the power! You still holding that shit against me!
The woman is unsettled.
Woman: I just wanted someone who-
Man: -‘WHO WAS THERE FOR ME’
Woman: Don’t mock me! That’s how I feel!
Man: And I wasn’t there for you? I WASNT a man to lean on?
The man dusts his nose in irritation.
Woman: (voice cracked) You are always at work!
Man: THATS RIGHT. Say it again. (the woman looks away her eyes tearing up) I never lied or tried to swindle my time, I was right where I always said I was. Breaking this body and doin my piece to pay for OUR house, pay for the car, put some bread on the table... all this shit... (the man’s arm spread out as he refers to the house)
Woman: IM SORRY
Man: Yeah I’m sorry too... for doin everything right and still getting screwed over.
The man stands up and approaches the woman, she retracts and crouches low. She squeals as the man grabs the lower portion of her jaw, forcing her to look at him.
Woman: You’re hurting me!
Man: GET OUT.
