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See You Later
See You Later
Characters:
ADAM GREEN: Young boy suffering from chronic illness
DECLAN CLARE: Adam’s best friend, the more outgoing of the two.
ACT I
ADAM GREEN, a boy with messy brown hair and tired brown eyes, sits outside on a warm summer night. The rhythmic hum of music and voices can be heard inside the small suburban house behind him, the multicolored lights of the party scattering the wooden porch with spots of color. ADAM faced away, sat along the sidewalk, clutching an empty red soda cup in his hand loosely. He stares at the audience with a somber expression.
DECLAN appears, shutting the door behind him, and taking a seat next to Adam.
DECLAN
Thought I’d find you here.
ADAM
ADAM acknowledges Declan’s presence but keeps his eyes on the road.
That obvious, huh?
DECLAN
Nah, I just know you too well. Can’t believe you’re skipping out on my birthday. Does the party tire you out?
ADAM
Something like that.
DECLAN
Peers in the direction ADAM is looking, eyes squinted in confusion.
Watcha looking at?
ADAM
Nothing, just thinking.
They sit in silence for a moment, before ADAM coughs, and turns to DECLAN.
ADAM
Do you remember when you fell off your bike on the sidewalk over there?
DECLAN laughs
DECLAN
God, when I don't fall off that old rust bucket. Do you mean the time I lost the tooth?
ADAM
Yeah, that one. You totally ate dirt that time. I’m pretty sure the blood stain is still there.
DECLAN
My mom was so mad. She only felt bad for you because you were crying.
DECLAN shoves ADAM playfully.
ADAM
ADAM laughs weakly
Hey, I was scared! My best friend’s tooth just came out! I thought you were going to die.
DECLAN
DECLAN laughs
Me? No, I’m immortal.
ADAM
Oh yeah? So you’ll attend my funeral?
As he speaks, his voice breaks slightly.
DECLAN
Only if I get an invitation. You’ll have to send it to my million-dollar immortality mansion.
ADAM
What would you say?
DECLAN
DECLAN pauses.
What do you mean?
ADAM
At my funeral. What would you say?
DECLAN
Like seriously? That’s a bit of a weird question.
ADAM
I just want to know. I need to peer edit my eulogy.
DECLAN
Kind of putting me on the spot here. Can’t you just ask me when we’re older?
ADAM
Just tell me.
DECLAN sighs, thinking through an answer.
DECLAN
Well, I suppose I’d say that I’ve been best friends with Adam Green since kindergarten. He likes soccer and drawing on his shoes… animals, especially dogs, the marvel universe, rain, the sound of fresh popcorn popping, playing arcade games, falling asleep during movie nights, and his best friend, Declan Clare. He has always been there for me. Like when I had to get my wisdom teeth removed and he stayed with me.
ADAM
Yeah, to record you on sleeping drugs.
DECLAN
Hey, no critiques yet! Let me finish. It’s always been you and me. Ever since kindergarten, it's always been Adam and Declan. We’ve always been a package deal. Even when your chronic illness acted up we’d always be with each other, helping each other through the best and worst parts of our lives. And I don’t know what I would do without you there.
ADAM
ADAM wipes his eyes quickly to hide his tears.
I like that. And to be fair, you would be okay without me.
DECLAN
No, I don’t think so. I’d be a mess.
ADAM
I need you to promise that you’d be okay without me.
DECLAN
Why?
ADAM
Just promise me. Promise me that no matter what happens to me, you’ll be okay.
DECLAN
DECLAN sighs.
Okay. I promise I’ll be okay.
ADAM
ADAM smiles weakly.
Good. That’s good.
A car horn is heard down the street.
ADAM
I think that’s my mom.
DECLAN
Aww boo. Do you have to go already?
ADAM
Yeah, I think I have to go now. It’s time.
DECLAN
Not if you can’t move!
DECLAN wraps his arms around ADAM, holding him in place, and lifting him up. ADAM laughs, struggling in DECLAN’s hold.
DECLAN
Damn, you’re light. We need another popcorn movie night and stuff you with candy.
ADAM
Put me down!
DECLAN
Nope, you’re stuck here. We have morphed into one being.
A car horn is heard again.
ADAM
I really need to go now.
DECLAN
Fine, I guess I can let you go.
DECLAN sets ADAM down, and ADAM looks to the faint headlights upstage right. He looks up to DECLAN.
ADAM
I wish I didn’t have to go.
DECLAN
Yeah, but we’ll see each other on Monday, yeah?
ADAM
Tell your little brother I said hello okay? And that he’s the best Mario Kart champion in the world.
DECLAN
I’ll pass on the message. I swear he likes you more than he likes me.
ADAM
ADAM smiles.
He’s a good kid.
ADAM coughs again, this time more painfully.
DECLAN
That sounds like it hurts. Your lungs aren’t getting bad again, are they?
ADAM
Can we not talk about COPD tonight? I just want to enjoy this moment.
DECLAN
DECLAN frowns
Okay… Okay.
They make it to the car, and ADAM goes to open the door, but hesitates, turning back to DECLAN.
ADAM
Everything you said… about us always being there for each other. I want you to know that it's the same for me.
DECLAN
What do you mean?
ADAM
Through everything, you’ve been there for me. Through every doctor’s visit, every surgery, every problem I’ve ever had, you’ve always been there. You’re the one constant in my crazy life. Thank you.
DECLAN
You’re acting really weird tonight. Are you alright?
ADAM
I’m okay. Just feeling reminiscent.
He goes to open the door again, but once again hesitates.
ADAM
Tell your mom I said thank you, for the party, I mean. And literally everything she’s ever done for me, even wiping my tears after your bike crashed. Your mom’s an angel.
DECLAN
Sure, any other messages since I’m apparently your new postman?
ADAM
ADAM’s voice shakes as he speaks.
Tell your dad that he makes the best lasagna and that I’m sorry for never understanding his football references. Oh, and tell Nellie that she’s the bestest fluffiest dog ever.
DECLAN
Done and done. Anything else?
ADAM pauses, lip quivering, before he slams into DECLAN, hugging him tightly and burying his face in DECLAN’s shoulder.
ADAM
Tell Declan that he’s the best person I’ve ever met, that I miss every second I’m not with him, and that I’m sorry he’ll have to say my eulogy.
DECLAN frowns, not quite understanding. Still, he wraps his arms around ADAM tightly, as if his body understands something his mind doesn’t. They stay like this for a long moment, ADAM not wanting to let go. With a deep breath, ADAM lets go slowly, holding DECLAN’s hand as he opens the car door.
ADAM
Take care of yourself for me, yeah? You’ll be okay. You promised me you’d be alright.
DECLAN
I’ll be alright Adam. Don’t worry your little head over me.
ADAM
You know I always do.
He pauses, seemingly having many things he wishes to say, but cannot.
Goodbye, Declan. Thank you for being my best friend.
DECLAN
Hey, this isn’t goodbye. This is a “see you later”.
ADAM
Declan I-
DECLAN smiles, and answers with a firm voice, like some part of him understands what is really going on.
DECLAN
I’ll see you later Adam.
ADAM prepares to argue, but instead sighs, and smiles sadly.
ADAM
I’ll see you later Declan.
ADAM steps into the car and shuts the door with a soft click. DECLAN walks off the stage, ADAM still smiling as he watches him leave. Stage lights fade to black.
ACT I: End
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This play was written as a prompt for a creative writing exercise. The prompt was to tell a story of someone who needs to say goodbye to someone close to them, but they have a hard time doing so. I decided to tell the story of Adam, a young boy who suffers from severe Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a chronic lung disease that can lead to early death. Adam, who knows he doesn't have much time left, has a hard time telling his best friend, Declan, that he must say goodbye.