FOLLOWER

SIDE KICK TO THE GUT

ROBERT is the shy sidekick to the loudest kid in school. But the act is getting old.

I don’t understand you. Did you not get enough attention as a child? How come you always have to be the center of attention? It gets really boring. I am starting to hate being around you. It’s too much … I don’t know. Just too much. No one ever looks at me. No one ever sees me. You make sure of that. Why can’t I ever be the one that people talk to? Why do you always have to be so loud? God forbid anyone actually is interested in me. You always see that it doesn’t last long.

It’s not your personality. You force it. You don’t have to try so hard. Being the life of the party doesn’t mean talking over everyone and laughing the loudest. Well, maybe it does. But I don’t have to listen to it anymore! I’m sick of being your sidekick all the time. I want to be seen, too. If you can’t let me be … visible, then I guess we just shouldn’t be around each other anymore.

 

ONE MOMENT

ANDREA wants very much to fit in with a new crowd. She is faced with a critical decision.

Are you sure you’re feeling OK? I don’t know, TJ. Maybe we should call someone to drive us. I’m just saying you had a lot to drink. I’m not judging you. I don’t care how much you drink. That’s your right. I’m just saying maybe you shouldn’t drive. I know you feel OK, but maybe you’re not.

What if we get into an accident? What if we get hurt or if you hurt someone else? I’m not being melodramatic! These things happen.

Lots of time. You’ve done this lots of times. So? I wasn’t in the car those times. You know what, if you want to risk your life, fine. But don’t risk mine.

So you’re going to leave me here alone? You’re just going to drive away? You can’t! TJ! OK, fine, fine! I’ll get in the car with you. Just be careful, OK?