A Beer In Sweden
June 4th, 2020
Starring: Citizen 1, Citizen 2 (both 30’s, with families)
Ideally performed in Swedish with English subtitles, or vice-versa.
Evening. A city bar, crowded enough. Citizen 1 and 2 sit at a bar booth.
CITIZEN 1
How is your mother doing?
CITIZEN 2
Well, presumably. Last time we talked, she was in good spirits. Reading lots of books.
CITIZEN 1
I am glad she’s playing it safe.
CITIZEN 2
Unlike us hooligans?
CITIZEN 1
Well, in comparison.
CITIZEN 2
Tell me. Do you feel this is risky?
CITIZEN 1
Not enough to say no to a friend.
This has been nice.
CITIZEN 2
It has.
A bit of calculated risk tends to get things back on track.
In moderation, of course—
CITIZEN 1
Yes, in moderation.
CITIZEN 2
And I wouldn’t say that if we weren’t farther along than so much of the world.
At least anywhere West of us...
CITIZEN 1
We are lucky in that way.
CITIZEN 2
We have also handled this better. Relative to our needs.
...
Of course, it’s terrible that people are still getting ill.
CITIZEN 1
Horrible.
CITIZEN 2
But every path has its risks. That’s why I said calculated.
CITIZEN 1
And in moderation.
CITIZEN 2
Absolutely.
…
CITIZEN 2
Would it be insensitive to change the subject?
CITIZEN 1
Not at all. I didn’t come to discuss it.
A server, wearing a mask, comes to the table with their drinks. They smile and thank him/her. They each hold up their beers:
CITIZEN 2
What should we drink to? Our jobs? Our kids?
CITIZEN 1
Our health.
CITIZEN 2
Yes!
To our health.