THE SETUP
Vincent calls his girlfriend Gabby’s answering machine from a pay phone in the hallway of the local hospital, where their friend Byron is gravely ill.
“…after wiping spit off Byron and listening to his relatives and doctors all day, I’m not sure I’d know how to speak to a real person anymore.”
VINCENT
Hey Gab. I’d call you at the bar but after wiping spit off Byron and listening to his relatives and doctors all day, I’m not sure I’d know how to speak to a real person anymore. Reason I’m calling is — do you know what the hell’s happened to Cian? I talk to his machine two, three times a day at least, nothing. I call him at the bookstore, other people always answer, always say he’s with a customer, they’ll give him the message, nothing. I don’t have time for hide and seek. Neither does Byron. Where the fuck is he? No, fuck that, I don’t really care about any other places. Why the fuck isn’t he here? Sorry, look — I’m sorry, it’s just — I’m just a little — Could you please tell my little “missing-in-action”, “candidate-for-the-back-of-a-milk-carton” brother that if he’s ever planning on visiting, the doctors say it better be soon. Thanks. And sorry. I just don’t know if Byron’s gonna — I gotta get back. Bye.
(photo: 1997-1998 production by The Subterranean Theatre Company; Tom Sonnek as Vincent, Tania Gutsche as Gabby, Mark Vanslow as Byron)
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