Scene: Low light. Quiet, almost heavy.
A small bag sits open on the bed.
Not empty. Not full.
DIRE
[Kneels beside it, placing things inside with care.]
DRUEX
[Sits on the hand-me-down, old office chair nearby, watching. Still. Attentive.]
They've been here before.
DRUEX
You're packing slower tonight
DIRE doesn't look up.
DIRE
I don't want to forget anything.
DRUEX
You say that like you're leaving
DIRE adjusts an item, then adjusts it again.
DIRE
I just wanna be prepared.
DRUEX
Prepared for what exactly?
DIRE doesn't answer.
The loud silence continues.
DRUEX
You promised you'd check in first.
DIRE
I am checking in
DIRE exhales, a little chuckle that doesn't quite land.
DIRE
You're making this bigger than it is.
DRUEX
You always say that right before it is.
DIRE finally looks up.
DIRE
I can't do another night like today.
DRUEX softens, leans forward
DRUEX
I know.
That acknowledgement stings more than resistance.
DIRE
Then let me be. Let me have this.
DRUEX
Every time you say that, you mean “just this once.”
DIRE stands, pacing.
DIRE
I mean just enough.
DRUEX
Enough never stays enough.
DIRE stops pacing.
DIRE
You don't know what it feels like when it wont shut up.
DRUEX
But I do? I hear everything.
DIRE looks at DRUEX, frustrated.
DIRE
Then why does it still hurt?
DRUEX doesn't answer right away.
DRUEX
Cause you keep trying to leave instead of staying.
DIRE returns to the bed, lying down.
DIRE
Staying hurts more.
DRUEX nods. That's the problem.
DRUEX
You're packing like this is protection.
DIRE
Isn't that what you want?
DRUEX
I want you here when it wears off.
That lands. DIRE inhales.
DIRE
That's later.
DRUEX
Later always asks for more.
DIRE reaches for the bag, pulling it closer.
DIRE
I just want it to be quiet.
DRUEX stands now, careful not to crowd.
DRUEX
Quiet isn't the same as peace.
DIRE grips the strap.
DIRE
Peace feels unrealistic.
Another silence.
DRUEX speaks more gently now.
DRUEX
You don't disappear all at once. You do it in pieces.
DIRE’s voice is small.
DIRE
I'm tired of carrying them.
DRUEX steps closer.
DRUEX
Then don't pack them away alone.
DIRE slowly zips the bag closed.
Then hesitates.
Unzips it slightly.
Just enough to breathe.
DIRE looks up at DRUEX.
DIRE
Stay.
DRUEX nods, sits back down.
The bag remains open between them.