I am underwater.
That’s bullshit. Stop complaining.
I am a machine, a mule.
You can’t be both. Pick one.
I am floating pig iron.
Pig iron does not float.
I know you think this is nonsense.
I do.
Make amends with the dead before they stop breathing.
How is that possible?
Hold hands with a cadaver.
No thanks.
Suck the last heave from their lungs, deep.
I’ll pass.
At the grave, sit, whistle, and listen.
What exactly for?
Are you happy?
This again.
I’m shackled to our memories.
Literally?
I can’t walk or run from you.
Are your legs broken?
Love is my crime.
Ok, I pardon you.
We always bury the living.
What the fuck are you talking about?
Ten feet under, they are still kicking.
I’ve never seen or heard of that happening.
It’s a lesson for the living.
I need to get out of here.
EB and his wife, Lynette, sit in the idle quiet. Doctor Forrest is running a few minutes late they are told.
Sorry about that, says Dr. Forrest busting into his office. I had to take care of an issue on the ward.
Nothing serious, I hope, says EB.
No, we handled it, says Dr. Forrest. Lynette takes note of how the doctor says the word handled.
Dr. Forrest reads from his fat file; So, we’re seeing good progress with Gerald, He’s eating, sleeping, and generally getting on well with the staff and the other residents.
Well, that’s good, EB says.
Yes, it is but something else has cropped up, Dr. Forrest says. He’s begun to talk to himself incessantly. We see that as progress. We’re going to toy with his medication to see if we can increase this internal dialogue if you will.
Lynette takes note of how the doctor says the word dialogue.
He’s already on a pharmacy of medication, Lynette says. She poses it like a statement and question. It’s an odd and appropriate choice.
He’s in good hands here, Dr. Forrest assures. He shows the couple his hands for effect. We’ll get him on the right track. It’ll take time and patience. We can go see him when we’re done here. He’s in the solarium. What other questions do you have?
We need to reconnect the wires.
But I can’t think.
We must scale sheer rock walls.
I’m not sure I can hang on.
It won’t be easy. It’ll take patience and time.
I am underwater.
You told me that was bullshit when I said it earlier.
See that mirror over there?
Yes.
We can smash it.
And put an end to all of this?
And put an end to all of this.
Dr. Forrest picks up his ringing phone.
What? When? His eyes lift to EB and Lynette. Don’t do anything until I get there.
Sorry but I need to step out, he says, placing the receiver back into its cradle.
EB and his wife, Lynette, again sit in the idle quiet.
Waiting for Dr. Forrest.
And news of Gerald.