two of the same; too different
Ralin is doing his best to support his nephew, but he has his own secrets to keep.
Author's Notes
Another piece from my Writing for the Stage class, this time meant to be a piece that includes a secret that the audience knows before at least one character in the scene does.
RALIN enters from behind a curtain, meant to be the doorway to his bathroom. His hair is still wet and he has a towel around his waist. He crosses the stage to the dresser and takes clothing out of it before heading behind a folding screen to get changed. He hums as he goes but his movements are somewhat jerky and nervous. When he comes out from behind the screen, his nervousness is palpable; it’s as though he is missing something.
Why’d I leave everything across the room? I need- I just don’t wanna feel it again—
RALIN whirls on the dresser and everything on top of it skitters to the ground.
No!!!
His expression changes to one of panic as he dives for the chunky jewelry that fell.
Shit, shit, shit.
He grasps a necklace and puts it on quickly, breathing a sigh of relief. He fumbles for more of the jewelry as he desperately tries to calm down.
I can’t- I can’t let anyone know about this. Magic like mine only ends badly.
He slips some bracelets on and another necklace, really piling it on.
I just wish it didn’t take so much to suppress it anymore.
GANY enters, oblivious to the hectic scene he’s barging into. He’s gesturing excitedly and his line begins before he’s quite visible on stage.
Ralin! There you are!
RALIN shoves rings onto his fingers as he clumsily tries to get up as nonchalantly as possible. He waves at GANY in greeting.
RALIN:
Gany! You’re here early.
GANY:
Am I? Maybe you just lost track of time.
RALIN shrugs awkwardly.
GANY:
Or maybe I’m just excited!
RALIN:
Maybe. Either way, it’s good to see you. We’ve needed to catch up, anyway.
GANY:
Definitely! Look, look, I’m so pumped to tell you about what’s been going on. I’ve learned so much lately! Do you wanna hear about it? It’s like as soon as I awakened to this power, everything just clicked. And now- now it’s going super quickly. I’ve learned a ton already!!
RALIN fiddles with one of his rings and tries to hide any visible distress- he’s only moderately successful.
RALIN:
That’s- that’s really great.
GANY:
Oh, come on- even my parents were more excited than that.
RALIN:
I’m excited! I just don’t want you to get hurt.
GANY dramatically rolls his eyes.
GANY:
I’m not gonna get hurt. Magic’s perfectly safe—
RALIN: You don’t know that—
GANY:
Yeah, and you do? It’s not like you have any magic anyways.
RALIN visibly shudders.
RALIN:
I can still know it’s dangerous.
GANY:
Overbearing much? I thought we were friends, but you’re just another overbearing uncle.
RALIN:
Gany—
GANY:
What.
RALIN:
I’m just trying to look out for you.
GANY sighs, crossing his arms.
Can you do that and still be excited for me?
RALIN looks over at the dresser and down at what’s still littering the ground around it. He looks back at GANY, schooling his expression into something more supportive.
RALIN:
Yeah. Sorry, Gany- I want to see you do well.
GANY:
Well, I’m doing more than well! I’ll fill you in.