Jako!

Part of 31 Plays in 31 Days.                        

            JAKO!
            By Jacob Juntunen

(WOMAN is reading. JAKO enters)

            JAKO
Hello!

            WOMAN
Oh, no, Jako. Not tonight. I have a headache.

            JAKO
I make you forget headache!

            WOMAN
I don’t want to forget my headache.

            JAKO
Is good to forget headache!

            WOMAN
Please, Jako, just leave me alone.

            JAKO
Is my birthday soon!

            WOMAN
Yes, true—

            JAKO
I get cake!

            WOMAN
Cake isn’t good for my stomach—

            JAKO
Chocolate!

            WOMAN
Too rich—

            JAKO
Is my birthday! One year ago, your daughter lose job, get divorce, and I come visit! Make cake!

            WOMAN
Cake isn’t on my diet. Doctor’s orders.

            JAKO
Is early birthday party!

            WOMAN
Okay, you know what? I’m just going to have some milk—

            JAKO
NO!

            WOMAN
Yes, a nice glass of milk—

            JAKO
Is too much base! Need acid!

            WOMAN
And maybe a pepcid. I think I have one in my purse—

            JAKO
No medicine! No medicine!

            WOMAN
I don’t want you to turn into a bleeding mass on my stomach lining, so, go away Jako.

            JAKO
I wait for you! When you eat spicy food! When you worry about your family! When you can’t sleep!

            WOMAN
Goodnight, Jako.

((WOMAN takes pill. JAKO exits)

Jacob is head of playwriting at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. 
Read his full lengths here.

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