a dream in one act

shortstorys

 

love is unarguably one of the greatest and more
destructive things ever created but does it have the power to
heal. an experiment in theme and style.

 

Love

 

He walks down the empty streets, his head bowed, hands stuck deep into the pockets of his pants.

The restaurant is half full. He orders his sundae then sits at a table. As he eats, he looks across the store at a quartet of beautiful women. They make eye contact. They giggle and his head sinks even lower.

Downtown, he walks down the sidewalk. Whispers and laughter all around him. It's about him, he knows it. They're laughing at him. Those assholes.

He looks in the mirror at his face. Dark lines under his eyes make him look even more ugly. He holds up the revolver. He sticks in one bullet then spins it round and round. Where's it gonna stop. He puts the gun to his chin. Stops. In his mouth. Hesitates. To his temple. He grits his teeth and pulls. Click.

He drives along the road. Up ahead he sees a young woman he recognizes from school. She is standing alone, next to the curb. She is beautiful. He's not going to stop. Suddenly she jumps in front of the car. Asks for a ride. He says yes. Small talk. They reach her house. She asks if she can see him again. He says maybe, gets her number.

He hesitates as his finger hovers over the last digit of her number. Finally he pushes it. The phone rings. She answers. The date is on for Saturday night.

The date is ending. All is great. They are on her front doorstep talking. Slowly, she kisses him softly on the lips. She smiles, then they kiss. They go their separate ways.

He sits on his bed, looking at the revolver, smiling happily. He puts in a bullet and spins it round and round. He puts it to his temple... then brings it down. He tosses the gun out the window and into a trash can.

The bullet is in front of the hammer.

 

Mar 10, Apr 23, Apr 30, 2000; Jan 28, 2001

 

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