FALSEHOODS

Happy Saturday, everyone! In an effort to show I still use my blog (which is by no means me procrastinating on something far more drab), I've decided to post an assignment I wrote today for my dialogue class! Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Falsehoods

JACK

Hush, poor child. It’ll be over in a mo.

HELEN

But I don’t want’ta die-

JACK

Shhh shhh shhh, fret not, my dear. It’ll be quick, painless, the prick of a pin upon your throat.

HELEN

No sir, please. I haf little ones at home. They’s be lost without me. Can you just-

JACK

No, I can’t fucking ‘just!’ I told you it’d be quick! Keep braying like fat mule and I’ll make it the most excruciating thing you’ve ever experienced!

(HELEN sobs)

HELEN

I’m sorry, sir! I’m so sorry! Please don’t hurt me!

JACK

Shut your mouth! I need to concentrate…

(HELEN whimpers. JACK takes a deep breath, then pulls a small knife from the inside of his jacket)

HELEN

Please don’t hurt me, I’ll do any’fing!

JACK

I know you would, poppet, I know. The only thing you need to do is stay still.

HELEN

Bu-but sir, you don’t understand-

JACK

Oh, I understand alright. You’re a whore, an impertinent one at that, someone unclean and in need of purging. No worries though, that’s what I’m here for.

HELEN

But I love you, sir. I love you.

JACK

What?

HELEN

I love you, sir, always haf.

JACK

No, that’s-that’s impossible.

HELEN

No it isn’t, sir, not by any means. I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you in the street. I could see the kindness in your eyes, the happiness and hope you bury under anger and hatred.

JACK

But you couldn’t… I’m not-

HELEN

I do! Oh, I do! Put that knife away and lemme prove it to ya.

(PAUSE – JACK is heavily conflicted)

JACK

Think me a fool, do you? I know your trickery. You’re no more in love with me than I am with myself. Take your falsehoods and save them for the grave. I hadn’t use for them.

HELEN

My words are not false, sir! I love you! Please, don’t do this!

JACK

It’s too late, the time for talk is over. May the fires of Hell wash your sins clean!

(JACK raises his knife and brings it down fast upon HELEN’s body, stopping short before the point makes contact)

HELEN

There he is, my boy. Took you long enough.

JACK

Sorry mother, I was…confused.

HELEN

To say the least. Remember, the whores and temptresses will say what they can to spare themselves from the knife. It’s your job to make their words fail.

JACK

I know. I’ll do better next time.

HELEN

Indeed. Go bathe yourself now, you reek of humanity.

JACK

Of course mother, right away. I shall be made clean again.

END