Short Dramas and Plays

To the Moon Alice

by Terry Barlow
03/08/19
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You inquire as to the welfare of our mutual friend and acquaintance, what can I tell you?
He does not die, yet neither does he live, he merely continues.
continues in his weary state of being.
In fact, I am going to see him now, please come along if you can, I need all the help I can get.
(As he approaches the facility,  the visitor contemplates how he can rouse the one he is visiting from his malaise and depression. He envisions the following entertaining exchange:
I wonder what you think of earth? As for me, aw heck, I reflect on an oft inspected, part rejected, deeply infected and disrespected speck on the deck of the sprawling universe.

Hey, (beginning to lean forward) that’s pretty good. Now, what about the moon?

Oh, well, that’s another story. Took me long enough just to verbalize the earth.

I used to like the moon.

What changed?

The moon, silly, it’s forever changing! (
laughs, becoming more animated)

I walked right into that one.

No, seriously, when man took his one small step and left his filthy footprint up there.

But that wasn’t the moon’s fault.

I know but I can’t seem to help it, that's the way I perceive it now.

Maybe it’s kind of like a scar on the skin of the moon. People that we truly love can become dearer to us by the scars they bear.  So why not the moon.

Never thought of it that way, scars like badges of honor.

Decorations or declarations of rank.

Instead of stars and stripes, scars and stripes.

Keep that in mind as you gaze at the moon tonight.

Haven’t moon gazed in a long time but…..I’m probably overdue.

(Visitor actually enters the facility now, turning toward audience, "Oh, you have chosen not to come this time.  Well, you heard how I hope it unfolds, but what we hope will be and what will be in fact are not always the same.  Perhaps when I see you again, I will tell you what really transpired.)