Ajar, by the Door
A short play by Ernio Hernandez
LIGHTS UP.
CHARM walks on stage, stops on a mark and looks out toward the audience. TIME walks on stage slowly, stops on a mark and slowly looks out toward the audience. BOTH take a deep breath.
TIME. Good evening…
CHARM. Good evening.
(A long pause.)
TIME. Do I start?
CHARM. Do I?
TIME. I uh…
CHARM. Please, be my guest.
CHARM takes a step back and motions TIME to take the lead. TIME looks down, checks the mark, adjusts and slowly looks out at the audience again. After a long pause…
TIME. (wistfully) Ah… look at all the lone… (abruptly) No. You know what? On second thought, you go.
CHARM. What? Oh. Are you sure?
TIME. Yes, I think it best if you start.
CHARM. That’s fine.
TIME. Do you mind?
CHARM. No, not at all. Happy to, even.
TIME. I wouldn’t want to… you know…
CHARM. Want to…?
TIME. Steal your, uh… thunder or…
CHARM. Oh.
