Houston…?
June 2nd, 2020
Starring: Otis (male, 40-60), Lorraine (female, 40-60), Rodney (male, 30-40)
Mission control. Otis and Lorraine sit on folding chairs next to a switchboard. Rodney’s voice (unseen) is heard through the intercom system:
RODNEY (Voice)
....and look, y’all, I mean it’s not what she said that I had an issue with, it’s how she said it. And that’s always the problem, you know? And with long distance, I feel like we need better communication than that. We can’t be keeping score like other people...and I’m not even saying that we’re better than other people because we’re trying to make it work long long distance, but she needs to understand that I have needs just like she needs needs, and I think she needs to validate that I need to be validated…
Rodney’s voice becomes inaudible as Lorraine turns down the volume. Rodney keeps talking, lightly underscoring what follows.
LORRAINE
I think I’ve reached my hourly limit.
Sorry. I know he’s your friend, but—
OTIS
Eh.
LORRAINE
Oh.
OTIS
I mean, he’s so full of it it’s almost humorous.
He’s alright. His kids are cute.
LORRAINE
I never got the holiday card.
OTIS
This past year, it was a picture of him in the module, and behind him they photoshopped in these alien bodies with his wife and kids’ faces on them?
LORRAINE
Oh, god.
Soon to be ex-wife, by the sound of it.
OTIS
Might be the first interstellar divorce.
LORRAINE
Ha.
I’m sure it’s hard though. The separation.
Last night, my husband and I made Coke floats.
OTIS
Oo. No root beer?
LORRAINE
It was all we had. Still other-worldly.
OTIS
M-m-m.
I’m on a diet. Low-carb.
LORRAINE
Oh yeah? Good for you.
OTIS
It’s supposed to be. It sucks.
But whenever I’m eating something bland, I always think, “hey, at least it’s not dehydrated pot roast.”
LORRAINE
Yup.
…
Is he still going?
OTIS
I think so.
LORRAINE
Jeez.
I’m gonna use the ladies’
OTIS
Go for it.
Lorraine leaves. Otis presses and holds a button. Rodney’s voice stops.
OTIS
Hey...hey Rod?
Yeah I’m still here.
Yeah sorry, you cut out for a minute. What were you saying?
Rodney’s voice starts up again, and Otis turns it back down. He pulls out a paper crossword and pen, and goes to work. Rodney continues over the intercom. The sound of a sonar blip engulfs the space.