College Halloween Party
David Brede
Him: (Upon seeing her he nods to show recognition and smiles slightly. He is standing by one of the kegs. It is loud.) Hey, when’d you get here?
Time? I bet you danced down Broadway destroying all the clocks before you came,
Or did you set some forward and some backwards,
Making sure no two were the same?
Her: We just got here actually. My friend’s just came up from home so we pre-gamed in my suite first. (She smiles, all smiles) Like my costume? (More smiles, and a little, quiet, drunken laugh. She is dressed like a crab.)
Him: (very cool, very composed, like he is when she seem him in class. He laughs a little too.) HaHa, Yea you wear it well. I had just assumed when I saw you that science had done something terribly, terribly wrong, and the crab it had done it to felt that it needed a drink.
No mask, no, No mask, could hide that beauteous shine,
And only my mask can hide that I wish it was mine.
Her: (a bigger laugh)
Her: So what are you supposed to be? (She looks at him, he is dressed in a suit)
Him: A Jehovah Witness. (Hands her a pamphlet.) Here’s some free literature.
I’d hand you over my heart in that delicate hand too,
If I wasn’t aware
How easy,
It tears.
Her: (laughs)
Him: Soooo did you start that paper yet?
Hollow words sometimes send so deep a meaning,
But do you here my obvious echo,
Or are these awkward, hollow words,
Merely intervening.
Her: Ha! Are you kidding me? Did you actually get what he was talking about in class? (She unconsciously pulls up the right shoulder of her costume. He consciously notices.)
Him: Nope.
Both: (laugh)
Him: Yea I’m going to have to go see him or something.
I knew exactly what he was talking about,
But I’d fake any doubt,
To hear you let that laugh out.
Her: Yea I hear ya I do too (her friends interrupt, saying something to her. They’re obviously more drunk than she is. He only sees other shadowy masses. Her brightness often, well always, turns other people into shadows.) Hey I’m sorry I gotta get going, but I’ll catch ya in class.
Him: Yea later man. (He watches her walk away)
Your steps should always be in wet cement,
For even though I am aware how fast
My memory dries,
Time, that bastard will come,
With a chisel in hand,
And I will have to watch
As he tries,
To pick away every
Trace of wherever,
You did stand.
(His friend notices him standing alone now. He goes up to Him and lightly punches Him in the arm.)
Friend: Hey we’re all up stairs we might be going soon. (He motions for Him to follow.)
Him: Sure. (He follows)
Back to Horizons Spring 2007 Vol. 24