Alone in the Dark
June 26th, 2020
Starring: Loner & Talker
A large movie theatre. Weekday, late morning. It’s empty. Loner walks in from the right entryway. They carry a box of Junior Mints and a small popcorn. They survey the empty seating banks, then head for a row slightly above-center. They sit there, waiting, occasionally glancing at the entryways. Nobody comes.
The lights dim for previews. The first begins. Loner opens the box of Junior Mints and shakes them into the popcorn, mixing them around. They are careful in their consumption, only having a small handful.
The first preview end. As the next one boots up, Talker enters from the left entryway. They carry a medium popcorn and a small slushie. Loner makes brief eye contact with Talker all the way from their seat, and deflates a little. Talker surveys the seating area, then chooses one row below Loner, to the left. Talker tries to make eye contact with Loner, but Loner’s intently watching the preview. Talker sits and drinks their slushie, which is already half-finished.
As the second preview ends, Talker turns to Loner…
TALKER
Sorry to ruin your private party.
…
LONER
Hm?
TALKER
Sorry to ruin your private party.
I wanted to see this before it closed.
Loner nods, as if to say “no problem.”
Sorry. I just felt like I should at least acknowledge the other person, you know? I feel like two is even weirder than one.
LONER
It is.
…
TALKER
It feels like we’re doing something illegal.
…
Like has this ever happened to you before?
LONER
A lot.
TALKER
It’s super strange. Kind of like the anti-experience.
For me, at least.
LONER
There’s still time.
TALKER
Hm?
LONER
For you to leave. If it’s overwhelming.
TALKER
Do you want that?
LONER
I’m just saying. Nothing’s started yet.
TALKER
That’s true.
I already kind of got all the way here though.
…
I think I’m gonna stay. If that’s cool.
But I’ll stop talking.
LONER
Got it.
TALKER
Enjoy.
The third preview ends. Loner tries to relax, but can’t. They stare over at Talker, who is silently watching now, eating snacks. As the preview finishes, Loner collects their things and walks down the aisle, out of the theatre. Talker watches this happen, then realizes they’re alone. The lights dim further. The movie begins.
Talker tries to relax, but can’t.