Virtual Strangers (a Play in One Act)
Hi. I like your profile text.B&B2
Thank you. I saw yours too…
but there’s not much there,
could you tell me more about yourself?B&B1
Well I would prefer to let you get to know me gradually.
I’ll be happy to tell you more if you’ll go out with me.B&B2
Well, what do you look like?
You know I can’t really tell with that bag over your head.
B&B1
Oh, I’m really attractive, Trust me. I wouldn’t lie.
B&B2
Well, I’d like to have an idea if I’m
attracted before committing to a date.
B&B1
You’ll know that when we go out.
When we leave the boxes and bags at home.
Don’t worry. Everyone says I’m really good looking.
(hesitating)
Well…I also need to know enough about you
to feel safe going out with you.
Wow, maybe you’re being paranoid.
Don’t you want to know what I look like?
B&B1
Oh, that doesn’t matter to me.
I’m interested in what’s on the inside.
B&B2
Oh, so you can be attracted to just about anyone,
no matter what they look like?
B&B1
Pretty much.
B&B2
Then how would I ever feel special?
B&B1
Special. Well that comes from the inside.
I don’t need to see your face or your body to
know I’m attracted to you. I like the text on
your box well enough.
B&B2
Okay, but I am not physically attracted to text.
I have to be attracted physically to pursue anything
romantic, and I don’t seem to have control over who
I’m attracted to. It just happens or it doesn’t.
None of the other information matters,
if I’m not going to be attracted.
That’s why I need to see you somehow, first.
I know I am attracted to certain things,
physically, and I’d like to be able to see you,
so I can gauge that before we spend much
more time with this…Could you take the box and bag off?
B&B1
I’ve already told you I’m attractive.
If you don’t believe me, you must have trust issues.
I can’t get involved with someone who’s like that.
I deserve better.
B&B1
But I don’t know you.
I don’t know if I can believe what you say–
you’re a virtual stranger to me.
B&B2
I can see that not only do you have trust issues,
but you’re just shallow and superficial.
Now wait just a minute! That’s not fair.
You don’t even know me.
Forget it, you shallow bitch.
Jae, all of your recent posts are good, but this is especially so. Here, you are getting out of your recent funk and putting effort into creating; something you do well. And yes, in my opinion too, outside and inside both matter.