Hit
January 12th, 2021
Starring: DJ (20-35), Mate (20-35)
A weekend afternoon. DJ’s tiny bedroom, which doubles as a studio. Twin bed. A few posters. Clustered near the antique desk: an electric keyboard, a bass guitar, and a laptop. DJ is fiddling around on the computer, plugged into headphones. They bob with the music, ever so slightly.
From the cracked door, DJ notices Mate walking down the hall. DJ calls out, a bit louder than they realize (thanks to the headphones):
DJ
Hey!
Mate stops and stands in the doorway. DJ takes off their headphones.
MATE
You alright?
DJ
I think I got it.
MATE
You got it?
DJ
Yeah.
MATE
How do you know?
DJ
It’s a sense. But a sense stops with me. That’s why I need—
MATE
—to tell you it’s a hit?
DJ
No
…
Well yeah. I want you to tell me. Not if it’s good or not, but if it’s a hit.
MATE
How do I know if it’s a hit—?
DJ
Everyone’s got something in them that knows. Like a higher consciousness. Even if you don’t like it, you’ll get it. There’ll be some sense in you that makes sense to you.
Mate walks over and put on the headphones. DJ presses play. We watch for a few minutes as Mate listens to the whole song, nodding slowly along. DJ watches Mate listen, nodding, following along with Mate.
The song ends. Mate takes off the headphones. Silence.
DJ
...so?
MATE
That was amazing.
DJ
...but did you feel—?
MATE
I—I feel something.
DJ
Something like…?
MATE
Well
I don’t know.
DJ
So no.
MATE
Hold on, I need a second to think!
DJ
You shouldn’t have to.
MATE
Can I listen again?
DJ
No.
MATE
I think it deserves a chance—
DJ
That’s not how this works. If it’s a hit, it’s a hit. You’d know.
…
MATE
I guess it’s not a hit then. But your rules, not mine.
…
It really was amazing.
DJ
Thank you.
Pause. DJ looks out the window:
DJ
I think that’s your UberEats.
MATE
Oh
Yeah I should
Is that ok?
DJ
Duh, go.
I’m fine. This is how it goes.
MATE
Yeah.
You’ll get it.
Mate leaves, shutting the door. DJ stands in the middle of the room for maybe a minute. In the blink of an eye, they punch the wall with full-force. The drywall snaps like a wafer, their hand going through. DJ pulls their hand out, knuckles bleeding. They watch the blood dribble out for a little longer, then find a towel and wrap their hand.
DJ sits back down at the computer. The headphones go on. Back to work.