PLAY. 5 min read. Written 2018-08-15. Published 2026-04-30.
See my other posts!SAM and ROSE are working on their computers, facing the audience. There is a balcony. Shadows cover the stage. Three FIGURES dressed exactly like Sam stand over his shoulder. After 15 seconds, on of them speaks.
FIGURE 1: I'm hungry.
FIGURE 2: What do you want to get for lunch? SAM: I'm pretty tired right now. I'll eat something later.
FIGURE 3: Plus, you've got that report to write.
SAM: I guess I'll get back to work then.
FIGURE 1: I'm still hungry.
SAM: I'll eat something when I feel like it.
FIGURE 1: You do feel like it!
SAM: Just shut up!
ROSE: You okay? SAM (pained): Yeah, I'm fine.
FIGURE 3: You're obviously not fine.
FIGURE 2: I think it might be because of us.
(FIGURE 4 steps out of the shadows and stands behind SAM)
FIGURE 4: Well, that's why we're here, isn't it?
ROSE: Sam, you don't seem well.
SAM: I'm fine, I just need a break. Thanks though.
FIGURE 1: Good, you need to eat something.
FIGURE 2: It might take your mind off things.
SAM: I'm going to go grab some lunch.
FIGURE 1: I saw a box of donuts earlier.
FIGURE 2: That's not very healthy...
FIGURE 3: Also, they're not ours. We shouldn't eat them.
FIGURE 4: It's not like anyone's going to care.
FIGURE 3: There is much less risk if we simply get a sandwich or something.
ROSE: Sam? Sam? SAM: Hmm? What? ROSE: You spaced out for a second. Something on your mind? SAM: No, no, I'm good.
FIGURE 4: End this quickly. She is wasting your time.
ROSE: Do you want to grab some lunch?
FIGURE 1: Say yes. She's pretty.
FIGURE 2: And smart.
FIGURE 3: I think it's for the best.
FIGURE 4 and SAM: NO.
ROSE (hurt): What?
SAM: You're only going to make things worse.
ROSE (intrigued, still hurt): Make what worse?
SAM: Just...go away.
ROSE: No! Something's obviously not right.
FIGURE 4: Everything is fine. She is the one messing you up.
SAM: No, you're wrong. You just need to leave.
ROSE: I won't leave until you tell me what's up.
SAM: You need to leave. They don't want you here.
FIGURE 4: And we're only here to help you.
ROSE: Who doesn't want me here?
SAM: Can't you hear them? Can't you see them?
ROSE: I don't understand.
FIGURE 4: You're upsetting him. Sam, do something about this.
SAM: Do what?
FIGURE 4: She is a problem. Eliminate her, and there is no more problem.
SAM: I can't just...kill her.
ROSE: What?! FIGURE 4: Well I can.
(FIGURE 4 advances on ROSE and pushes her over the balcony. ROSE falls to her death.)
SAM (enraged): That's enough bossing me around. I'm taking this into my own hands.
(SAM attacks FIGURE 4, who promptly disappears (either hologram or puppet or escape through trapdoor, clothes may be left behind). Spotlight is put on SAM.)
FIGURE 4: You have not killed me yet.
SAM: You do not belong here.
FIGURE 4: You need me. Without me, you would be dead.
SAM: Better dead than a murderer! FIGURE 4: She would have done the same if she knew what you were!
SAM: She was my friend! My only friend!
FIGURE 4: You are alone, and you will always be alone!
SAM: I AM IN CONTROL HERE! YOU ARE POWERLESS! YOU BEND TO ME!
(beat. Lights turn back on. The other FIGURES have left the stage.)
(SAM looks around, dumbfounded. After a while, he walks offstage.)