Scene Detail
"Except for loving you, being a Marine's the only thing I ever got right. It's the only thing that even comes close."
| From: The Surface of the World |
| Gender |
Age |
Character Name |
| Male |
20's |
SETH LUNDY |
Setup:
Seth is in the middle of a fight with his lover Nicholas. The two of them have known one another almost all their lives and have been together romantically since high school. (Seth’s nickname for Nicholas is Pup, short for Studpuppy.) When Nicholas’ mother died several years ago, Seth helped Nicholas through a rough time. Seth used to work in his father’s gas station. Seth has since joined the Marines, and the two years of long-distance separation and secrecy have put a strain on their relationship. Now Nicholas’ father has died. Seth has returned to help again, but also has shared the news he is thinking of re-enlisting. Seth is trying to make Nicholas understand the reasoning behind the decision to re-enlist.
(This monologue is set to be published by Smith and Kraus Publishers, Inc. in a collection of monologues for men in their 20s as part of their "Audition Arsenal - 101 Monologues By Type, 2 Minutes and Under" series in Spring 2005. More details on the publication as I receive them. Smith and Kraus can currently be found at www.smithkraus.com, with a new website www.smithandkraus.com to be unveiled in the near future)
(The full scene which includes this monologue is also available for viewing - the quote link is "You're not a light fixture! You're not a piece of furniture that's been nailed to the floor! You can walk out the door anytime you want to. And if you loved me, you would.")
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Monologuecopyright 1999 by Matthew A. Everett
(Version of the monologue set for publication by Smith and Kraus in Spring 2005 is below...)
SETH
I don't know, Pup. Before the Marines, it was just you and me. For years. Just us. And this town. I don't know, I got lost in "us" somehow. I didn't know who I was anymore. Just me. On my own. Apart from you. But I found out how strong I am. When I enlisted, I didn't know if I could do it. Even boot camp, just not being able to see you at the end of the day. I thought I'd die. But I didn't. I know who I am when I’m a Marine. I don't need to stop what I'm doing for college, to learn. I can take correspondence courses. I have. I am. But what I'm doin' right now is so important. I'm protecting the most important things on this earth -- my country, my home, and you. I'm keepin' you safe, Nick. And people respect that. I've seen the world outside this town and these other people, they see me, apart from you, and they don't see some stupid loser with smudged hands and stained overalls, smellin' like gasoline. People see me all the time now the way I used to feel only when I was alone with you -- clean and sharp and strong. Someone that matters. If the only thing I gotta do for that is learn how to write letters in code and live alone, maybe it's worth it. Except for loving you, being a Marine's the only thing I ever got right. It's the only thing that even comes close.
(pause)
I think I need this.
(Version taken directly from the text of the playscript is below...)
SETH
I don't know, Pup. Before the Marines, it was just you and me. For years. Just us. And this town. I don't know, I got lost in "us" somehow. I didn't know who I was anymore. Just me. On my own. Apart from you. But I found out how strong I am. When I enlisted, I didn't know if I could do it. Even boot camp, just not being able to see you at the end of the day. I thought I'd die. But I didn't. I know who I am when I’m a Marine. I don't need to stop what I'm doing for college, to learn. I can take correspondence courses. I have. I am. But what I'm doin' right now is so important. I'm protecting the most important things on this earth -- my country, my home, and you. I'm keepin' you safe. And people respect that. I've seen the world outside this town and these other people, they see me, apart from you, and they don't see some stupid loser with smudged hands and stained overalls, smellin' like gasoline. People see me all the time now the way I used to feel only when I was alone with you -- clean and sharp and strong. Someone that matters. If the only thing I gotta do for that is learn how to write letters in code and live alone, maybe it's worth it. Except for loving you, being a Marine's the only thing I ever got right. It's the only thing that even comes close.
(pause)
I think I need this.
copyright 1999 by Matthew A. Everett
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