Eyes Open
December 28th, 2020
Starring: Cadet (late 20’s), Owner (40-60)
A specialty food shop (cheese, wine, etc), near closing. The store’s empty, with Owner restocking a wine shelf. The door opens, with a ding. Cadet enters, and Owner gets up to greet them:
OWNER
Good evening. Can I find anything for ya?
CADET
Do you have carts? Like a shopping cart?
OWNER
No, I’m sorry. Usually customers don’t purchase more than they can carry.
CADET
I was planning on doing that.
OWNER
Good to know.
Owner picks up an empty wine box from behind the counter and hands it to Cadet:
OWNER
Here’s a box, if that helps. Are you looking for something in particular?
CADET
Sausage. Salami. Cured meat.
But beef. Only beef.
OWNER
All in that fridge down there.
Cadet goes to the fridge, and starts to put pack upon pack of sealed meat into the box, nearly the whole inventory. Owner is surprised, but pretends not to take major notice by finishing their restocking. Cadet walks the box back and puts it down with a thud on the counter. Owner gets behind it and starts to scan:
OWNER
Charcuterie party?
CADET
Uh, not exactly. Intermittent waking.
OWNER
I’ve never heard those two words back-to-back.
CADET
Stay up for 36 hours, sleep for 4, stay up for 36, sleep for 4.
OWNER
Some new trend?
CADET
Something I’m messing with. I’m seeing how my body can use energy for longer periods of time.
OWNER
Are you a scientist?
CADET
Marine.
OWNER
Oh. Thank you for your service.
CADET
No need, I haven’t done any yet. I’m shipping out in a month.
OWNER
Basic training?
CADET
Afghanistan.
OWNER
Explains the beef—
CADET
Getting it while I can.
…
OWNER
I guess you’ll never know when you need to be up.
CADET
That's the thinking. And it works. It’s hell, then you get used to it. You could do it.
OWNER
In case anyone needs an aged cheddar wheel at 3am?
CADET
Bodies adapt more than we give them credit. Gotta try first.
…
OWNER
Well I just might. Sleep when we’re dead, right?
CADET
Right. Later rather than sooner...
OWNER
Of course.
I didn’t mean to—you’ll be fine.
Owner finishes scanning, ringing Cadet up:
OWNER
Your total.
...
There’s a discount—
CADET
You don’t have to—
OWNER
I insist.
Cadet resists for a second, then nods a “thank you” and pays.
OWNER
Just keep those eyes open.
CADET
You too.
Cadet takes the box of meat and goes with a door ding. Owner looks back at the near empty fridge, in awe. Suddenly, a big yawn bubbles up. Owner tries hard to stifle it. They look at the clock. Owner lightly slaps their face with both hands, then goes to the back to restock the meat.