Supernova
Cast:
Rich
Betsy
Setting: Bare stage
(Enter Betsy, Rich is staring straight upward, center stage, his body gives away his excitement)
Rich: (still looking up) Who's there?
Betsy: It's me, Rich.
R: Oh hey, Betsy! Sorry I'm not looking at you, but there is supposed to be a visible supernova tonight!
B: Yeah... ummm...
R: So, I'm keeping my eye on that star up there, that's the one!
B: Rich.
R: Like a blinding flash and then the star will look a lot wider.
B: Right.
R: It's never been visible to the human eye before!
B: Yes, I know...
R: I mean... oohh! Was that it?
B: No.
R: It kinda sparked a little.
B: No, that wasn't it, Rich.
R: You sure, 'cause I saw like a flash and then...
B: I'm sure, Rich.
R: Well, when did you become the professional astronomer?
B: I'm not, Rich, it's just...
R: I've read up about this; so I think I know what to expect.
B: I'm not implying that you don't, Rich, but...
R: So let me watch for it.
B: You can't, Rich.
R: Course I can.
B: No. It already happened.
R: What? No!
B: Yeah, about a half hour ago.
R: No, tonight at about 11:30...
B: 10:30.
R: 10:30? Really?
B: Yeah. 10:30?
R: So that? (pointing at what he had been looking at)
B: Is a lighting instrument. You're in a theater, Rich.
R: Well, this is where the stars are!
B: Except this is a community theater, Rich.
R: So, you mean...
B: You at least have to be outside to see an astronomical event with the naked eye.
R: (finally looking down) My neck's sore.
B: Yeah.
R: My ego hurts a little too.
B: Don't worry about it.
(long pause)
R: Betsy?
B: Yeah, Rich?
R: What was it like?
B: The supernova?
R: Yeah.
B: It was... sorta... like watching a play that flashed for a moment, then had no real ending.
R: Yeah.
B: Just didn't know where to stop.
R: Yeah.
B: Now, everyone has stiff necks and cold butts from sitting on the ground.
R: Yeah.
B: And there's a brighter star in the sky.
R: Right.
B: But, it's not going anywhere.
R: Right.
B: It's just kind of standing on the stage.
R: Yeah.
B: With no real purpose anymore.
R: Right.
B: Better to burn out than fade away.
R: Right.
B: I... gotta go, Rich.
(B leaves, long pause, R turns his head upward again, long pause, lights start fading, then when they are halfway down they flare massively, electric crackling sounds, explosion, angelic music, then lights out immediately)
R: (beat) Awesome.
(end)
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