FIRST AND ONLY SCENE
At RISE: ST DAVID’S PARK. Liam (confident but sensitive; 20s) and Steph (plain-spoken and blunt; 20s) are sitting on a bench. They’re having a serious conversation.
STEPH I really don’t think it’s going to get better.
LIAM Maybe not.
STEPH (Annoyed) You’re not going to fight for me?
LIAM You just said it’s not going to get better.
STEPH You could’ve said something like, “Can’t we try and fix things?”
Liam doesn’t say anything.
STEPH (con’d) Fuck it.
Steph stands up.
STEPH (con’d) I’m staying at Mum’s tonight. I want your shit out of the house before I get home tomorrow.
LIAM Steph, please, give me one more chance.
Steph ignores him. She storms off.
Liam hangs his head.
LIAM (con’d) (Under his breath) Fucking hell.
He starts crying. He pulls out a pocket knife and holds the blade’s point to his wrist.
A young woman (self-assured and bubbly; 20s) walks up to him. She is Zoe.
ZOE Liam?
Liam looks up at her. He hides the pocket knife, but Zoe has already seen it.
LIAM Zoe?
ZOE That’s me.
LIAM Oh my God, I haven’t seen you in ages!
ZOE Yeah, long time, no see.
LIAM Yeah.
ZOE You okay?
LIAM (Sad) Do you mind sitting down with me for a while?
Zoe sits down.
ZOE (Concerned) What’s up?
LIAM My girlfriend and I just broke up.
ZOE I’m really sorry to hear that. (Pause) What caused it? If you don’t mind me asking.
LIAM We lost our spark. There wasn’t any love between us anymore. She wanted to try and fix things, but I knew it was no use.
ZOE I’m really sorry.
Liam smiles sadly.
A beat.
ZOE (con’d) How’re you feeling?
LIAM Shattered. That normal?
ZOE Yeah, of course it is.
LIAM Personal question, and feel free not to tell me: Have you broken up with someone before?
ZOE (Shifting uncomfortably) Yeah.
LIAM Did you end it? Or did he?
Zoe hesitates.
ZOE I did. He tried to kill himself over something. Can’t remember what it was now, but it wasn’t important enough to kill yourself over. So, I decided to leave. I wasn’t ready for that sort of thing to keep happening.
LIAM That’s sad. (Pause) Is he still alive?
ZOE Don’t know. If I knew, then breaking up with him did me no good. I’ve always tried to avoid that sort of heartbreak.
LIAM Yeah, I think I’d avoid it too.
A beat.
Zoe checks the time on her phone.
ZOE I’m really sorry, but I need to go.
LIAM No worries. Thanks for talking to me.
ZOE Of course. Any time. I want you to promise me something.
LIAM Yeah?
ZOE Meet me for a movie tonight.
LIAM Sure. I’d like that.
ZOE Sweet! Want to swap numbers?
LIAM Yeah.
They swap numbers.
ZOE Take care of yourself, okay?
LIAM Will do.
Zoe gets up.
ZOE See ya.
LIAM Bye!
Zoe walks off.
THE END
If you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. For immediate assistance, call 000.
About the author
Callum J. Jones studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania. He has written fiction and non-fiction for The Tasmanian Times since 2018. He can be traced by the smell of fresh coffee.
Follow him on Twitter (@Callum_Jones_10) and Facebook (@callum.j.jones.creative).
