1, 2, 3 ( a new play)

1, 2, 3
by Jacob Juntunen

(A MAN lies under a white sheet on a long, narrow platform, his pants on the floor beside him. WOMAN stands behind him, watching. She holds hands with GIRL. WOMAN and GIRL take one step towards the MAN.)

WOMAN and GIRL
One.

(GIRL runs to the MAN)

GIRL
Daddy, daddy, can I have a quarter?

MAN
You’re not supposed to come in the sauna.

GIRL
Tracy said I could come in here and ask you. I’ll pay you back. Please?

MAN
You can’t just wander around the gym. Where’s your mom?

GIRL
She’s in aerobics; they got this new video game in the lobby, it’s called Pac Man and you control these ghosts that are trying to kill this yellow thing eating all the food—

MAN
Who’s watching you?

GIRL
Mom told me to go to the daycare room but I went to the lobby, and Tracy said I could come ask you—

MAN
You need to go to daycare.

GIRL
I want a quarter so I can kill that Pac Man, I can give it back to you—

MAN
Either go to the daycare or go find your mom.

GIRL
Pleaaaaaase?

MAN
Don’t make me get up.

(GIRL goes back to the WOMAN. Together, they take another step closer to the MAN)

WOMAN and GIRL
Two.

(GIRL runs on)

GIRL
Tracy’s at the front desk and she says—

MAN
Why aren’t you in daycare?

GIRL
I went back to the lobby and Tracy says she’ll watch me while I play the game. And then she’ll take me to daycare. Pleeeeeease?

MAN
A quarter’s almost enough to get a tiger’s milk bar when we leave. You sure you want to spend it killing Pac Man instead?

GIRL
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

MAN
And you’re going to pay it back?

GIRL
Duh.

MAN
I think there’s one in my pocket.

(GIRL goes through pants on the floor and finds a quarter)

MAN
You promise Tracy’s at the front desk? And that she’ll take you to daycare right after?

GIRL
Yes.

MAN
Eskimo promise.

(MAN and GIRL rub noses. GIRL runs back to the WOMAN. In unison, they take a step closer to the MAN)

WOMAN and GIRL
Three.

(GIRL slowly and dejectedly comes on)

GIRL
Daddy.

MAN
Why aren’t you in daycare?

GIRL
Tracy’s taking me. She’s right outside. She said I could come in first.

MAN
What’s wrong?

GIRL
Daddy… You’re not the ghosts in Pac Man. (near tears) You’re the Pac Man. And I wasted all three lives thinking I was the ghosts. I thought I was controlling them, but I wasn’t, and I wasted your money, and I’m so sorry—

MAN
Honey—

GIRL
I’ll still pay you back, though, I promise.

MAN
Kiddo. It’s okay. Just have Tracy take you to daycare.

GIRL
I don’t know where I’m going to get a whole quarter, but I will.

(GIRL exits. The MAN is still. The WOMAN takes a final step, alone, saying nothing, at last reaching the MAN. She takes a quarter out of her pocket and puts it on the MAN’s body, then rubs noses with him. MAN doesn’t move and WOMAN pulls the sheet up over his head.)

WOMAN
I couldn’t ever pay you back.

END OF PLAY

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