Picasso
October 25th, 2020
Starring: Xavier (male, 17), Shawn (male, 13)
The boys’ room. Top bunk Xavier, bottom bunk Shawn. On top of the dresser, there’s a glass Gecko habitat, filled with rocks and vegetation. Shawn stands on his tip toes, looking through the glass. Xavier is playing a game on his phone.
SHAWN
Picasso’s not moving.
XAVIER
He’s fine.
SHAWN
I’m serious.
XAVIER
He power-naps after lunch.
SHAWN
I know but the crickets are still in there.
XAVIER
They are?
SHAWN
Yeah. See?
Xavier gets down from the bed and tries to look through the glass.
XAVIER
He was up when I put them in.
...
SHAWN
Does that me—
XAVIER
Chill out, I’m looking.
Ruler.
Shawn finds the ruler on the desk and hands it to Xavier. Xavier finds a stool and drags it near the dresser. Xavier steps up and pops off the top of the habitat, handing it to Shawn.
XAVIER
Hold this.
Shawn takes it, watching as Xavier pokes inside the habitat using the ruler, with surgeon-like precision. After a minute or two, he steps down from the stool. He stands there, looking away. He starts to break down. He’s trying to hold it together, but it’s leaking out of him. Shawn just watches, holding the top, unsure of what to do.
Xavier keeps crying for a bit. He eventually stops, wiping his face with his sleeve. He turns and looks at Shawn, who stares back at him.
SHAWN
Should I get Dad?
XAVIER
No. No I can handle it.
Are you ok?
SHAWN
I think...
…
Are you?
XAVIER
I will be.
...
It’s just
This year’s surreal.
Xavier goes to the bathroom to get a tissue. Shawn, still unsure of what to do, steps up on the stool. He tries to peek inside the habitat, but thinks twice. Instead, he slides on the top. It settles into place with a dull thunk.