BTW, it would be helpful to record Dave's thoughts and play them back via tape...

Cast: Dave: A part-time runner
Robby: A full-time runner..

Props: Athletic apparel

Setting:
A trail (LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE. Robby is standing up there running in place.)

Robby: Hey, you slacker. Cmon, let’s go.

Dave: (comes stumbling in) Who me? Slacker?

Robby: Yeah, you!

Dave: I’m pacing myself. Give me a sec ok?

Robby: Whatever.

Dave: (START TAPE) I can’t believe this. What have I gotten myself into? It sounded so innocent when he called me and said “Let’s go out for a little jog” “You like to run right? It’ll be fun!” “We’ll just start on a small trail off of the AT.” “Sure. No problem” I said. “Sounds like a cake walk. I do this all the time. Well, I’ve been reading a lot about it…. Well, I know people who run…. Okay, I’ve heard of this thing called running…”

Robby: Come on, you ready to get moving? It’s gonna get dark soon.

Dave: Give me a minute, ok? You’re starting to sound like Alice’s drill-sergeant sister on the Brady Bunch. (voice over) Okay, who am I fooling? I knew what I getting into from the start. I went to the seminar and when they asked who was ready to start running, my hand suddenly went up. It was all so thrilling. I mean, deep in my heart, I knew that I was born to be a runner – to feel the ground beneath my feet, to feel the wind in my hair, to feel my heart beating, faster and faster…

Robby: Okay, you ready now Bruce Jenner.

Dave: Hold on there, Schwartzinegger. Give me a second. (voice over) Okay, admit it. I’m done. I’ve got nothing left. I should have never become a runner. I should have stayed on the couch, remote in one hand, Mountain dew in another. I had the good life – I think. I mean, things were kinda blah but that was ok, right? I mean, all this running to do what? Some race? Man, look at him. He’s a runner. Not me. I’ve got to tell him. I’m done.

Dave: Robby, I tell you what. You go ahead okay. I’ll get there eventually. You finish the run.

Robby: You sure?

Dave: Yeah, you go boy.

Robby: Alright, I’ll see you later.

Dave: Later. (Robby runs off and Dave stays on the stage and turns his back to the audience. Suddenly Robby comes back and starts pulling Dave up.)

Dave: What are you doing?

Robby: You’re nuts if you think I’m going to let you quit. How about we just take it a little slower. Ok?

Dave: Well…

Robby: Good! (Starts pushing him on)

Dave: Okay, okay, okay. C'mon you slacker! (They laugh as they go on)

Robby: Who's a slacker, etc...

(LIGHTS OUT SLOW)

END

(c) 2000 Dave Marsh