The Race
March 3rd, 2021
Starring: Neve (female, 16ish), Andre (male, mid 40’s)
The weekend. Andre’s tidy one bedroom apartment, mid-morning. Neve sits upright in her bed (the living room couch), wrapped in a blanket, watching Andre (in full runner’s gear) whip up breakfast.
NEVE
Uncle Andre?
ANDRE
Mhhm?
NEVE
Why aren’t you married?
…
ANDRE
I don’t know. Do you think I should be?
NEVE
Maybe. Weddings are fun.
ANDRE
They are fun.
NEVE
If you haven't had one, how would you know?
ANDRE
Well, I’ve been to others. Your parents’, for instance.
NEVE
So doesn’t that make you want it more? Seeing everyone else do it?
ANDRE
Sometimes. But then I tell myself, I’m running my own race.
NEVE
Do you want to win?
ANDRE
What do you consider winning?
NEVE
Getting married.
ANDRE
Depends on who’s running around me. Maybe the right person’s on the next lap.
NEVE
Or they’ve already passed you.
ANDRE
Possibly. Hard to tell.
…
NEVE
It’s weird.
ANDRE
What?
NEVE
How okay you are. Like...have you even tried?
ANDRE
Sure I have.
NEVE
When?
ANDRE
Time existed before you were alive, you know.
NEVE
But when recently? When was the last time you really tried?
...
ANDRE
I can’t remember.
NEVE
So you’ve given up.
ANDRE
Not necessarily—
NEVE
If you haven’t tried, then you’ve given up.
ANDRE
Those are the rules?
NEVE
Yeah.
ANDRE
Alright. So per your rules, I guess I’ve given up.
NEVE
But you’re still like....cheerful. Like you shouldn’t be so happy for how single you are but...you are.
ANDRE
Well..yeah.
I don’t know what to tell you.
NEVE
Me neither. I’m just not sure if it’s cool or kind of sad.
Andre smiles and shrugs. He makes a plate of eggs, toast, and an avocado and puts it on the kitchen counter.
ANDRE
While it’s hot.
NEVE
Thanks.
Neve gets up to the counter. Andre goes towards the door:
ANDRE
If you’re all set, I’m gonna go now.
NEVE
Cool.
…
…
When you're running...like when you’re training, or doing the ultramarathons, what do you think about?
ANDRE
Maintaining the pace. One foot, then the next.
NEVE
Sounds boring.
ANDRE
It is. But that's the only way through.
…
How are the eggs?
NEVE
Husband material.
ANDRE
I’m honored.
I’ll be back before dinner. Do your homework.
NEVE
Pizza tonight?
ANDRE
Pasta. Lots of pasta.
Ciao.
Andre exits. Neve keeps eating, alone, in the bachelor pad.