Choochoo
August 21st, 2020
Starring: Bette (female, 80’s), Nurse Mark (male, early 30’s)
The clinic. Bette is in a room, hooked up to chemo. She stares at the clock. Nurse Mark pops his head in.
NURSE MARK
Bette.
BETTE
Marky Mark.
Let me ask you something.
Have you ever been on a train?
NURSE MARK
…
I’ve been on a subway.
BETTE
Nono, like a train train.
NURSE MARK
I…
BETTE
Never?
NURSE MARK
I don’t think so.
BETTE
Really?
...
And how old?
NURSE MARK
Am I?
BETTE
Yeah.
NURSE MARK
33.
BETTE
Huh.
NURSE MARK
You think it’s bad that I haven’t?
BETTE
No.
Just signs of the times.
…
From age seven to seventeen I took the train every month to go visit my grandfather.
Planes were around, but we didn’t have the money. So I took the train half a day North and I was there. Even for his funeral. It was just what you did then.
…
Do they even have them anymore?
NURSE MARK
Trains?
Yeah, I think there’s the one. Amtrak.
But I’ve never used it.
BETTE
Too slow now.
NURSE MARK
I heard in Europe they’re great.
BETTE
Yeah. Europe.
...
This country used to run on trains. The owners were billionaires.
There was joy in it. And purpose.
Then here comes time and things get rusty and inefficient and sooner or later it all goes belly-up.
Right?
That’s life for you.
Nurse Mark doesn’t know what to say. He gives her a pained, almost pitiful smile.
BETTE
Oh come on, don’t take this so seriously, you’re making me feel bad.
You know me, I’m just saying stuff. Passing the time.
...
NURSE MARK
For what it’s worth, it’s working. You’re fighting it.
BETTE
Yeah, whatever.
Can you stay?
NURSE MARK
Just dropping by. They need me way more in the other room.
Any water?
BETTE
Nope.
NURSE MARK
Ok.
Leaving the station.
BETTE
Choochoo.
Nurse Mark leaves, and Bette’s back alone. She stares back up at the clock.