Through the Looking Glass
June 13th, 2020
Starring: 1 & 2 (a couple), 3 & 4 (another couple)
An apartment living room, with a window. 1 is staring through it, using binoculars. 2 is on the couch, looking at the TV.
2
Honey?
1
Yeah?
2
Do you want me to start the movie?
1
Just a minute.
They’re just sitting down to dinner now...
2
Dinner...now?
1
Yes.
2
But it’s past nine thirty...
1
Exactly.
2
Perhaps they’re just night owls.
1
The light’s always out by 10:30.
2
Maybe they work late.
1
Uh-uh. One’s back by 5, the other by 6.
2
Or it’s some particular diet?
1
No way. I’ve never seen a fruit or vegetable in their kitchen.
2
So why on Earth would they eat past nine thirty??
…
Oh.
I see why you’re intrigued now. So am I.
Can I look?
1
No. It’s my project.
2
Well at least tell me what they’re eating...something elaborate, at least.
1
From the tupperware, I’d guess leftovers. Something baked.
2
So they don’t even cook?
1
And they’re eating in front of the TV.
2
The TV?!
1
Yes, as of late.
2
But they’re not psychopaths?
1
Nah. I ruled that out a long time ago.
2
So what’s wrong with them??
1
Well…here’s my best explanation.
When they first moved in four years ago, they were eating earlier, maybe around 7:30. They’d cook more. They’d sit across the table from one another, talk about their days. Then they would clean up. One would wash, the other would dry.
2
Like we still do?
1
Yes. But less cute.
But then, in the last couple years, they started eating a little later. They would cook less, talk less. Only one of them would do the dishes, and they’d alternate nights. Much less eye contact.
2
And now…?
1
Inexcusably late dinners. Alternating cooking nights, eating leftovers. Once a week maybe, they’ll be at the table, but favor the TV so they don’t have to look at the other. And the kicker? The bathrobes.
2
Bathrobes? What does that mean??
1
They’re eating later and later going to bed earlier and earlier. Don’t you see? They’re slowly coming to the inevitable conclusion that they don’t love each other anymore!
But it’s a slow burn...a fizzling out...an ice-shelf melting into the sea.
2
And when it does?
1
I’ll be watching.
...
We’ll be watching.
…
2
I love you.
The lights go down on their apartment. The lights come up on 3 & 4’s apartment. They sit together on the couch, holding their tupperware containers, wearing bathrobes. 3 is looking out the window, transfixed by something.
4
Honey?
3
Yeah?
4
Do you want me to rewind?
3
Just a minute...
There’s a couple making out up there.
4
Making out...in the window?
3
Yeah. Clear as day.
Kind of excessively.
...
We wouldn’t do that, would we?
4
Make out?
3
For people to see? Have it be public?
4
It’s not really our style, no.
3
So why shouldn’t it be? If they get to...
4
If they’re doing it like that, do you really think they love eachother?
3
Maybe they actually do.
4
Or maybe they actually don’t.
3
That’s an assumption.
4
So’s yours.
…
3
Everyone should just get blinds.
4
We’re born with blinds. Just don’t look.
3
That won’t stop people.
4
It won’t.
…
So can we finish the movie?
3 looks out the window one last time, then turns to 4.
3
Sure.
...
Honey?
4
Yeah?
3
Do you love me?
…
4
Yes.
3
Truly?
4
Duh.
4 presses play. The movie starts back up.