February 28 Play: LAST NIGHT OF THE OLYMPICS

59: LAST NIGHT OF THE OLYMPICS - by Ed Valentine
© February 28, 2010 * ed@edvalentine.com

LIGHTS UP: An empty stadium. 2 watching.

1: Was that –

2: No. He’ll be here soon.

1: Soon?

2: Yes, soon.

1: How do you know this?

2: You live long enough. You wait long enough, you’ll see him.

1: Are you sure?

2: Yes.

1: Are you sure you’re sure?

2: Shh.

1: What?

2: Shh?

(The sound of scraping. Skates on ice.)

-

1: Is that -

2: Just listen. Listen and watch.

(A ghostly SKATER comes by, in a ghostly light. Determined panting. Old-fashioned clothing. Skates off.)

2: He’s still searching for a medal.

1: Poor man. Poor man!

2: I don’t know. I don’t know he would’ve wanted to be anything else. Ever.

(They get up.)

1: Four years then?

2: Yes. See you in four years.

(They go separate ways. 1 lingers behind 2’s exit for just a moment. Looks at the empty ice. Exits. Lights snap out.)

END OF PLAY.