Deflate
March 13th, 2021
Starring: A & B
A hot air balloon. A & B are in the basket, alone, overlooking somewhere pretty. They’ve been quiet for some time. Then:
B
So
What do you wanna talk about?
A
Um
I kind of thought we came up here not to.
B
Ok—
A
Look at the scenery—
B
Sure ok.
…
…
B
Are you cheating on me?
…
A
Am I cheating on you?
B
Yes.
…
A
Why would I do that?
B
I'm not sure.
Last week I saw you got a text from someone named “Big T,” who was “looking forward to seeing you at 2pm Thursday.”
But then 2pm Thursday at I asked where you were going and you said the grocery store so...you tell me.
A
Big T is my therapist. I started this month.
...
B
Um. I didn’t know you were—
A
You weren’t supposed to.
…
This was her idea, actually. She said we should try something adventurous together. To really get us out of our comfort zone.
B
Well
She nailed it.
…
…
Is it me?
Am I the reason you’re going to therapy?
A
No.
B
Really?
A
No. No one thing is the main reason.
...
And even if you were a reason, would that be so bad?
B
Uh...I mean it wouldn't make me feel great.
A
Worse than cheating on you?
B
No I just...who wants to be the source of someone struggling?!
If we want to get better, we have to talk about things. I love you. I don’t want you feeling like you have to hold stuff in around me.
A
Like waiting a week until we’re trapped in a basket 2,000 feet in the air to accuse me of something I’d never do?
Seems like you’re setting the right example.
…
B
Yep
It’s totally about me.
They both stand there, looking out, helplessly floating.