Sep 15, 2015 - Tyler regards this, starts typing, thinks otherwise, puts down his phone and goes to sleep. Alia looks at
Dot Dot Dot __________________________
By Kara Cutruzzula
09.15.15
THE SETTING: Two headboards are set up back to back (or rather, headboard to headboard) in two separate bedrooms. The rooms are otherwise spare. Present day.
THE CHARACTERS: ALIA Twenties, female. TYLER Twenties, male.
SCENE ONE ALIA (20s) and TYLER (20s) sit on each of their beds in their pajamas (T-shirt for her, boxers for him). Neither will move from their respective beds for the entire play. They’re both on their phones and will read aloud what they’re typing. ALIA (typing) Hi. Wanna go to the Whitney? TYLER (after a pause, typing) No. And not just because I hate contemporary art. ALIA C’mon, you don’t hate art... (she says “dot dot dot”) Tyler regards this, starts typing, thinks otherwise, puts down his phone and goes to sleep. Alia looks at her phone. Nothing. She sleeps. A long pause. ALIA (on waking up) Have you read The Martian? Just finished and thought of you... (again, she says “dot dot dot”) TYLER (after a pause) Haven’t. Sounds good. ALIA It’s amazing. Matt Damon’s in the movie. It’s out this weekend. Do you want to go? TYLER Can’t. Crazed.
2. ALIA OK! Next weekend? Tyler looks at his phone. Goes back to sleep. A long pause. TYLER (on waking up) Just got this. Whole month was nuts. Work shit. ALIA New clients? Wanna get a drink and talk about it? Tyler looks at his phone. Goes back to sleep. A long pause. TYLER (on waking up) Just got this. I’m off drinking. ALIA (after a pause) Coffee? Tyler looks at his phone. Goes back to sleep. An extra long pause. ALIA Saw that crazy explosion in the East Village and thought of you. Everything OK?? (she says “double question mark”) Tyler sleeps. Alia looks at her phone. ALIA Hey. Any interest in the Burger Bash this weekend? I have two tickets. All you can eat sliders... (she says “dot dot dot”) Tyler sleeps.
3. Pause. Alia looks at her phone. Finally goes to sleep. An extra long pause. So long months pass. TYLER (on waking up) Hey. Alia continues sleeping. TYLER What you up to? Alia sleeps. TYLER (increasingly frantic) Read about your boss getting fired. How’s that going? Alia sleeps. Pause. Tyler goes to sleep. A long pause. TYLER (on waking up) Hey, wanna grab a drink? Alia sleeps. TYLER Or that new Fuku place? You never could resist fried chicken...dot dot dot. Alia slowly wakes. She looks at her phone. ALIA I’m vegan now.
4. TYLER (smiling, he got a response) They can hold the chicken. Grub Street said the bun’s pretty good. ALIA It’s the same as Shake Shack. TYLER Even better. (pause) Free tonight? Alia turns over and goes to sleep. A long pause. She wakes up. ALIA Just got this. Crazy night. TYLER (skeptical) Crazy huh? ALIA With a capital K. TYLER Cool...dot dot dot. ALIA Yea...dot dot dot. Both of them turn their backs and go to sleep. An extra long pause. So long years pass. TYLER (on waking up) Hey. Long time no talk. Alia sleeps. TYLER Liz told me you’re engaged. That’s great! Wanted to wish you all the best.
5. ALIA (on waking up) Thanks so much...dot dot dot...who’s this? TYLER Tyler. (pause) Did you erase my number? ALIA Tyler, hey! Yeah, oops, sorry. Preventative measures and all that. TYLER Was I that bad? ALIA Who can say. TYLER Well. Congrats anyway, stranger. ALIA Thanks. Appreciate it. TYLER But hey, there’s something else. ALIA If you’re pregnant, it’s not mine. TYLER L-O-L. ALIA What’s up? TYLER (after a pause) I should have gone to the museum. (pause) Dot. Dot. Dot. Fade to black. END OF PLAY
