Dry
February 11th, 2021
Starring: Dad (male, 35-45), Delaney (female, 9-11)
The laundromat. Dad and Delaney sit on a bench, watching the final half-minute of the washer’s spin cycle. It slows, and the door unlocks. Dad hands Delaney a laundry basket.
DAD
Catch the baby when it comes.
Delaney holds out the basket as Dad opens the washer door, pulling out a tangled mess of wet clothes. As they tumble out, Delaney catches them before they hit the floor.
DAD
You got the big muscles to take it home?
Delaney nods.
DAD
Ok, let’s go.
They head for the door. Delaney stops, staring at the other side of the room.
DELANEY
Why don’t we ever use those?
DAD
Those are the dryers.
DELANEY
Why don’t we use them?
DAD
They’re the dryers.
DELANEY
Are they too much money?
DAD
No, we could pay. But we don’t.
DELANEY
But why?
DAD
They shrink things.
DELANEY
The clothes?
DAD
The soul.
DELANEY
...how does your soul shrink?
DAD
When you don’t trust nature to do the work.
Delaney looks confused. Dad steps her closer to a working dryer:
DAD
Look. Hot air, thirty minutes, dry clothes.
Dad ushers her to the front window, pulling out a wet t-shirt from the basket. He opens the door and props it open with his foot, holding the wet t-shirt outside with one hand. With his other hand, he points to the sun, shining down onto the shirt:
DAD
Look. Hot air...sixty minutes…
He hides the wet t shirt behind his back, then tugs on the t-shirt he’s wearing:
DAD
dry clothes.
DELANEY
They’re the same.
DAD
Only one is three dollars, one is free.
See? No need to cut corners. You do it yourself, take what the world gives you, you save.
Your money, yes, but your integrity the most. Your soul.
DELANEY
Are there a lot of dryers out there?
DAD
Too many. There are job dryers, friend dryers, family dryers, place dryers, internet dryers, dryer dryers. Everywhere you look.
DELANEY
And if I see one?
DAD
Run like hell. They’re not worth it.
Dad picks up the basket and hands it back to Delaney. They start to walk out the door:
DELANEY
I’m not a dryer, am I?
Dad smiles and stifles a laugh:
DAD
Oh no. Nonono.
DELANEY
How do you know?
DAD
You couldn’t be. You’re my kid.
Delaney nods, reassured. Dad opens the door for Delaney as they step out into the sunny afternoon.