Cradle (Writing Challenge Day 14)
Two men are lying on a bed, a twenty-one year old guy and a teenager. The older one is tied up.
PAOLO
You came too soon.
JOE
Sorry.
PAOLO
No plans of removing my handcuffs?
JOE
Sorry.
(unlocks Paolo’s handcuffs)
PAOLO
Learning fast though. For your age that is.
JOE
Thanks. I try.
PAOLO
Ten more minutes before we have to leave the room. You want to eat some food? Watch some TV?
JOE
I’m good. Water would be nice.
PAOLO
Ref.
JOE
Ouch. Hotel price.
PAOLO
It’s okay, kid. My treat.
JOE
I can’t. You’re always so good to me.
PAOLO
Relax. You deserve it.
JOE
You make me sound like a whore –
PAOLO
What’s wrong with that?
JOE
Still. My dad wouldn’t want that. Always pushing me to do this, to do that. Grades, college, job, the works.
PAOLO
You can always fly away, kid. Be like me.
JOE
That’s easy for you to say. You’re all grown-up, college and shit. Dad gives me a curfew. It makes it harder and harder for us to meet.
PAOLO
Speaking of harder and harder…
JOE
Again? But the time —
PAOLO
I could always extend. One call to the hotel attendant. Give the word.
JOE
I have homework.
PAOLO
And I don’t?
JOE
Plus, entrance exam for Pisay this week.
PAOLO
No big deal.
JOE
I need to get into Pisay. Dad wants me to be a scientist.
PAOLO
That’s so cute. Let me guess, after Pisay, pre-med then med?
JOE
That’s what he said.
PAOLO
Nice of him to plan out your life.
JOE
You didn’t have a plan?
PAOLO
Yeah, but life screwed it up. I also wanted to go to Pisay but I got into Ateneo. Then college, yes, UP PolSci before realizing my life’s dream was Theater.
JOE
You said you’re in Creative Writing?
PAOLO
Life’s funny that way. Can never plan it. Like us. Did you plan on meeting me?
JOE
I only wanted to see the famed Tomato Kick for the first time with my friends —
PAOLO
Exactly.
(beat)
So you’ll stay?
JOE
For a while, I have to text my dad first.
(stands up and looks at the ‘mess’ by his legs)
Shit, towel.
PAOLO
Don’t move.
(exits. offstage)
Big towel or small towel?
JOE
Anything please.
Paolo enters with a small towel and tosses it at Joe
PAOLO
Small.
JOE
I’m sorry I’m not gifted.
PAOLO
Not that but, yeah. It’s pretty average for a boy your age. It’ll get bigger.
JOE
You promise?
(beat)
My bestfriends and I compared dick sizes once. I was the biggest!
PAOLO
Good for you, then.
(lies down)
Come here, kid.
JOE
(snuggling into Paolo)
I like yours though. So long and round. I hope mine gets like that someday.
PAOLO
It’s not the size.
JOE
Let’s not stay too long tonight, Kuya Pao. Dad would get on my case if I don’t review and do my homework tonight.
PAOLO
I’ll help you with your homework. What do you have to do?
JOE
We have to answer some polynomial equations, trivial stuff.
PAOLO
Believe it or not, math was my best subject back then. Let me help.
JOE
I didn’t bring my books.
(beat)
What about you? You said you got homework.
PAOLO
Nothing as fascinating as polynomial equations. I have to read Asterix and write a paper about it.
JOE
Asterix, the comic book? Cool!
PAOLO
It’s pretty funny actually.
JOE
The older people get, the more childish their subjects.
PAOLO
Shut up, kid. You want me to spank you again?
JOE
No.
PAOLO
Really?
JOE
Okay, yes.
(beat)
Kuya Pao, are you my boyfriend?
PAOLO
No, why?
JOE
Nothing
(mopes)
PAOLO
Do you want me to be your boyfriend? But I’m your kuya, Joe.
JOE
I just thought. Nothing. Not important.
PAOLO
You’ll find the right guy out there.
JOE
Maybe.
(beat)
Do you love me, Kuya Pao?
PAOLO
Of course! I’m your kuya.
JOE
I love you, Kuya Pao.
PAOLO
Yeah, thanks, kid.
(beat)
Are you ready now?
JOE
If you say so. Who’s turn is it to be handcuffed?
PAOLO
I just finished. It’s your turn. Are you ready?
JOE
Just. Let’s just do it.
