Friends Talk: Life, Work, and Love Read online



  Friends Talk: Life, Work & Love #1-11

  by Ernest Llynn Lotecka

 

  ISBN: 9781301374281

  Friends Talk: Life, Work & Love #1-11 Video Menu

  1. TO BE OR NOT Suicide Ideas vs. Life Options

  BRIDGE OVER PARKWAY: Frank and Dick meet

  and stand by wall of high bridge.

  FRANK

  Well, we finally got here, Dick. It's good to see you

  again.

  DICK

  Yeah. Frank. But I almost didn’t get here,

  FRANK

  What’s going on?

  DICK

  Nothing. Nothing really. I miss the good times we

  had and the ideas about making things better.

  FRANK

  I remember. But I’ve had to stop thinking so much,

  and work at finding what I could do and where.

  DICK

  I just keep thinking I’m a failure.

  FRANK

  What are you thinking on a good day like right now?

  DICK

  Do you want the truth?

  FRANK

  Give me a try – I’d like to hear what‘s occupying your

  mind.

  DICK

  Being out of a job, out of a relationship, and

  out of luck. So I’m thinking about not being around,

  maybe shooting myself … or jumping off this bridge!

  FRANK (moving closer)

  Hey, there’s no do-overs in those games. Would

  you let a crazed terrorist get you?

  DICK

  I’d put up some kind of fight.

  FRANK

  So not like old Hamlet, you mostly want to be and

  maybe have a life.

 

  DICK

  But my life is flatter than a TV screen with shows I care

  less about and want to turn off… What would you have

  done, if I had tried to go off this bridge?

  FRANK

  I would’ve reminded you of your needy dog, Skipper, and

  called emergency mental health if necessary.

  DICK

  You would! I don’t need to be locked up. I need getting on

  with something better.

  FRANK

  It sounds like you’re needing some new maps for living.

  DICK

  I’m low on maps about where I can do what I want to do.

  FRANK

  Your role now can be explorer of ideas, places, and people.

  DICK (looking out to sky)

  Exploring I’m good at. But I don’t know about people.

 

  FRANK

  Well, I like you as a friend and other people can really like

  you in the future. How about going to my house for dinner?

 

  DICK

  Thanks! I want to see your new games.

  FRANK

  And talk about real life games and that “it’s darkest

  before dawn, but dawn comes”.

  DICK

  So let’s go.

  They walk off in the direction Frank entered.

  2. LIKE YOUR FATHER Rage View vs. Anger Control

  FRONT OF HOUSE: Frank and Dick (with birthday hat)

  talking by front door.

  FRANK

  So Dick, here we are, outside. That really bothered Lori.

  DICK

  It was my birthday cake, Frank.

  FRANK

  Lori took time to get a good looking one. Then

  because you couldn’t have more alcohol after acting

  drunk, you put your fist in the cake.

  DICK

  She doesn’t like me anyway.

  FRANK

  Lori used to like you. But why should she, when you

  act like you don’t care?

  DICK

  Why should I? People are always getting in my way --

  bugging me.

  FRANK

  You sound like your father -- the big critic who you

  said complained and put you down.

  DICK

  That’s not half the story. It was his way or no way.

  He blew-up all the time.

  FRANK

  There’s ways we want to be like our parents, but

  not all their ways.

  DICK

  Man I sure don’t want to imitate his nasty style,

  not have real friends, and end up miserable.

  FRANK

  You mean not act like a king who’s entitled to …

  DICK

  What do you mean?

  FRANK

  Here I’ll show you. Just do what I tell you.

  DICK

  Why?

  FRANK

  Don’t make me mad. I’ll get nasty.

  DICK

  I don’t get this.

  FRANK (Loudly)

  Now you did it. (Jumping up & down)

  Ah you’re an ass. (Angry sound).

  DICK

  Oh, I get it -- you’re acting mad cause I didn’t go

  along with you.

  FRANK

  That’s the anger trigger -- of thinking people

  should -- must -- do what you want, or you

  punish them by acting bad.

  DICK

  I guess I get hot, angry if it’s not what I expect.

  FRANK

  Yeah, how about cooling it. Then discuss your

  expectations and views.

  DICK

  Maybe I should not should on people so much.

  They look at each other.

  3. CAN’T GET UP? Losing vs. Using

  BEDROOM: Dick lying down; Frank enters.

  FRANK

  Hey Dick, wake up.

  DICK

  I don’t want to hear you Frank. Go away

  FRANK

  You weren’t answering the phone. I used the key you

  gave me to get in. What’s up? Obviously, not you.

  DICK

  I’ve been down since the other night

  FRANK

  I’m sorry to hear that it’s still on your back.

  DICK

  Let me alone to maybe go back to sleep.

  FRANK

  If we lay around too much, we get weaker -- like the

  astronauts in zero gravity lose their muscles.

  DICK

  I don’t want to talk.

  FRANK

  If you don’t talk, you may get more isolated and

  alienated. Maybe lose your good mind.

  DICK

  How would I “lose my mind”?

  FRANK

  Become less able to interact with real people instead of

  imaginary ones.

  DICK

  Too bad. I’m down.

  FRANK

  Get up! That’s the first big step.

  DICK

  I’m can’t get up.

  FRANK

  Can’t or won’t.

  DICK

  You don’t understand: I’m so down, I can’t get up.

  FRANK

  Do you believe that? What if your bed was on fire?

  DICK

  Depends on whether I was already laying down.

  FRANK

  Get out. Get some help, or better, be helpful.

  DICK

  Maybe I’ll be a bum on the street.

  FRANK

  A begging bum?

  DICK

  Just a bum “bum”. I don’t know how to beg.

  FRANK <
br />
  No more working huh. Just take -- no

  give and take.

  DICK

  I thought you were going to say “use it or lose it” --

  again! Don’t say it. I’ll get up. (both laugh)

  Dick gets up.

  4. TIRED, YET AWAKE Relaxing and Sleeping

  BED WITH QUILT: Frank and Lori heads on pillow

  LORI

  Frank, honey, you seem tired lately.

  FRANK

  I am tired, but can’t sleep at night like I used to, Lori.

  LORI

  What’s keeping you awake?

  FRANK

  Gees, I’ve gotten into thinking when in bed. One idea leads

  to another, then I’m stimulated, wide awake.

  LORI

  Sounds familiar. Those mental trips can be too

  stimulating. Do you want some help stopping them?

  FRANK

  Sure, but I don’t want sleeping pill problems.

  LORI

  I could show you a the ways I put myself to sleep.

  FRANK

  What are they?.

  LORI (drawing out italicized words)

  First, make sure you are really comfortable.

  FRANK (adjusting body)

  I’m comfortable.

  LORI

  Good. And if there’s too much light, you can use your

  eyeshade.

  FRANK

  OK, I’ll put it on (gets eyeshade on)

  It’s really dark in here now.

  LORI (softer)

  Good. Then fill your mind with soothing words and

  images that help relax your body. There’s more relaxing

  words that start with a “C” besides “comfortable”.

  FRANK

  I’m thinking of being calm.

  LORI (talking slower)

  Yes calm. Think of your heart calming down.

  FRANK (relaxed)

  I’m imagining my heart beating calmer.

  LORI (slowly, softly)

  Carefree. Let your mind be clear of distractions now.

  Withdrawing.., closing off the world for awhile...

  Starting to go to sleep.

  FRANK

  Ah. Mmm.

  LORI (slowly, softly)

  Uh huh. Just hum inside. And breathe out tensions

  or thoughts very slowly. Then just let yourself breathe

  in naturally – freely, easily.

  FRANK

  Sure, slowly easily …

  LORI (slowly, softly)

  Right. Imagine a cool breeze on your head, with

  the rest of your body comfortably warm.

  FRANK (breathing deeply)

  My body is warm; my head is cool .

  LORI (very slowly)

  Good. Calm, clear, carefree. All contented in

  a peaceful completely restful state.

  FRANK (mumbling very slowly)

  Really contented, … cont …

  (rolling head back and over; quiet, then a snore)

  Lori looks over at Frank and gives him a kiss.