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Road Trip

Tess drove with sweating rage even in the rural town she lived in, and getting stuck behind Garrett Simpkins on 116, when his cell phone was cemented to his face, she pounded the steering wheel with her fist.

Soon, sensing malignant intent in Garrett, an unaccountable fury crowded her thoughts.  She was convinced that, to prevent her from passing him, he was drifting over; positioning oneself so on this country road effectively transformed it into a one-lane.  She turned her head in horror when, instead of joining her in her complaint, Maggie told her to calm down. But she tried to do it in a nice way, as related here:

“I mean this in a nice way—calm down.  Now that everything is set up and my stuff is waiting for me and we’re on the road, we can relax and enjoy the trip—we’ve got all week to get out there.  There’s no reason to freak out five minutes from home.”

Amanda, who was sitting in the backseat despite the fact it was her car, because had had her license suspended for too many speeding tickets, suddenly and peppily stuck her head into the front seat.

“I gotta side with Mags.  If you keep this up, you’re going to have an aneurysm before we get out of the state.  You’ve been acting like a lunatic all week.  I mean, what is your deal? You were really bitchy with Dad when we left.”

She blew her bangs out of her face with a mighty puff, for she had little room to move her arms because of all the bags and suitcases pinning her in.

“Like I said before, that is a situation that has nothing to do with you two,” Tess said with what she hoped was inarguable finality.

Editor's note: due to limitations of the publishing software used here at ChocolateForDogs.com, it'd be rather difficult to format this as plays normally are formatted. I apologize to the author for this, and hope that this does not detract from the reader's enjoyment of this excellent play. You can view the players and settings here.

Scene 1: Lamorte Ave; The scene of the accident

Broad view of a street, a young man is lying on the ground, down center stage - facing away from the audience Pedestrians are scattered about, rubbernecking. Paramedics are on the scene. An eleven year old girl is sitting on a curb, visibly shaken, and a disheveled middle-aged man is standing by the body, also visibly shaken.

Sage is standing among the rubberneckers, watching the events unfold.

(OS) Sirens from a police car are heard. The paramedics move the body onto a stretcher and carry it off stage.

BRIAN

(To himself)

Oh God! Brian, what did you do? What did you do?
Fuck, what did I do?! 

Officer Perry enters, scanning over the scene.

PERRY

(To Brian)

Can you explain to me what has happened here, Sir?

BRIAN

(Frantic and confused)

I'm not sure. I was driving, and...
One minute it was clear, and the next thing I know, he's right there. I couldn't stop fast enough. I don't think he was breathing. I'm so sorry. I fucked up - I mean - he just came out of nowh-

PERRY

Calm down, Sir. Let's see your license and registration.

(Notices something)

Is that Alcohol on your breath?

BRIAN

Umm...I...uh...

(Gets his license out of his wallet)

...here.

PERRY

(Looking at the license)

Alright, Mr. Penit. Here's the situation:
I'm going to have to administer a sobriety test. Pending the results of that, I may have to take you in. To be honest, Sir. It's not looking good for you.

BRIAN

Okay.

The sobriety test is administered while Sage speaks.

SAGE

(Talking to himself)

It's not like I thought it would be. Death, I mean. There's no white light, or anything. It's more like a switch. Like one minute the light is on, albeit, dim...but still.
Then, it's not.
I mean you're still here, at least, I am.
But you know that you’re dead.  It's all very clear, even though nothing else is.

(To the young girl)

Well, at least something good came of it.