Highlighted Writers of January- First Place Winner
Aemon B.E. Frazer (He/Him) is a queer playwright originally from Arlington, Texas. He is 21 and currently lives in Los Angeles while finishing up his academic career. He is a 4th-year theatre major with an LGBTQ studies minor at UCLA. He started writing plays in high school, which is where Nodus Tollens made its theatrical debut. When he is not writing plays or studying, Aemon spends his time working on embroidery and cross-stitch projects.
Nodus Tollens
Characters
Ethan 24, male, in the middle of a quarter life crisis
Morgan 25, non binary, Ethan’s former partner, died of cancer (most likely played by a male actor)
Georgia 28, female, Ethan’s older sister
Flint 27, male, Ethan’s best friend
Old Lady Aging, female, worried neighbor
Setting
The side of an empty road in a residential area.
Time
Very late at night.
Ethan runs up to front stage and kneels down to an empty spot. There is nothing in front of him. Behind him, 3 empty chairs are placed underneath 3 separate spot lights, none of the spotlights are lit. One chair is stage left, one is stage right, one in the center is spaced about half a foot behind the other two chairs.
ETHAN
Oh my god! I am so so sorry, I didn’t… I didn’t even see you coming. You just came out of nowhere and I— I am so sorry.
(Pause, looking the dog over.)
Do you— Do you have a collar? Are you somebody’s pet? Oh my god, you’re somebody’s pet aren’t you? Someone… there must be someone missing you right now, isn’t there? I don’t see an address on your tag. God, I can’t even return you to your owner even if I could face the thought of having to do that to a person.
(Sits behind the dog.)
I couldn’t bear having another person being disappointed in me right now, anyway. I just… I have so many inadequacies that… having to return a— a dead pet dog to some family that’s probably worried sick about you. I just… I can’t handle that right now, I—
(Pauses.)
I let so many people down lately. I don’t want to have to let someone else down too. (Takes a deep breath, as if the next thing is hard to say.)
My partner died— fiance, really, we were engaged for, for a few months. Cancer… It was cancer. Stage four when they found it, the doctors couldn't do anything for them. And I… I wasn’t there for them. I was too afraid to…
(Beat.)
I don’t know— I don’t know what I was afraid of really. But I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be there for them. They needed me the most and I just abandoned them… and— and my family. I let those guys down too. I wouldn't let them help me… I needed the help. I— I need help. But… (Sighs,)
It feels good to get this off of my chest. You know? People— People are always saying that it feels like a part of you was ripped out. But… That doesn't even come close to what I'm feeling. It's painful, like someone is squeezing my heart, and is cutting my stomach out slowly.
(Beat.)
But I'm numb. Like, I don't really feel emotion anymore. I haven't been truly happy since the day they…
(Deep breath.)
I definitely don't think I'll be able to fall in love with someone the same way again. I haven't been able to bring myself to take off my ring. I just... I miss them. Terribly.
(Laughs sadly.)
I have so many voicemails on my phone, you know, from them, and other people too. I haven't even deleted them yet.
ETHAN (cont.)
(Beat.)
Hell, I haven't even listened to some of them…
(Pause.)
I should… I should do that. Right? Yeah… Yeah. We are going to sit here, together, and I am going to listen to the voicemails. All of them.
(Pulls out phone and opens voicemail.)
OLD LADY (O.S)
(monotonous.)
You have eleven new voice messages. You have one saved message which is due for automatic deletion. Saved message, which is due for automatic deletion.
(MORGAN begins to enter from of stage.)
MORGAN
When—
(They stop.)
ETHAN
No—! Not that one! I’ll just… I’ll just re-save that one for now.
(MORGAN retreats back of stage.)
OLD LADY (O.S)
Message saved. New voice message.
(A spotlight turns on, MORGAN re-enters and walks around the space given in front of their chair.)
MORGAN
Hey, Ethan, I just wanted to call to let you know that my doctor’s appointment went fine, they took some X-rays to check up on my back pain, and a blood test too, just in case, so we’ll get the results for that tomorrow. I miss you babe, hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow, good luck with your writing, I know you’ll do great. Okay, I love you, bye.
(Spotlight turns of and MORGAN sits in the middle chair.)
ETHAN
That is— was. That was Morgan. They called me the day before we found out. The cancer had already spread to their bones at that point, I don’t know why they didn’t tell them the day they took the X-rays. I guess they just wanted to make it some sort of family affair or something… (Beat.)
Nodus Tollens Page 4
ETHAN (cont.)
What’s the next one?
OLD LADY (O.S)
New message.
(Spotlight comes on, GEORGIA enters and walks around her area, and stops by ETHAN’S side.)
GEORGIA
This is your sister, I thought I'd leave you a message because you seem to be... pretty busy, considering your play and that. But would you like me to come over? I have plenty of time on my hands, I'll be way more than happy to come visit, please just… please tell me that you’re taking your meds, okay? I know
that this playwriting can take its toll on you so… I’ll check up on you later. Love you. (Spotlight turns of and GEORGIA sits in the chair on stage right.)
ETHAN
This must have been the day after we found out. Georgia, she’s a good sister to me, a few years older than me… She loves me a lot, you know, always has. When she checked up on me, she made me something to eat and we talked for a few hours… It was nice… This is nice. I’m glad I’m finally listening to these.
OLD LADY (O.S)
New message.
(Spotlight comes on, FLINT enters.)
FLINT
Hey Ethan, you seem to have a lot of free time lately. So, I was wondering, since my friend's parents are sick and they had to leave, if maybe you'd like to help me pet sit? They've got these beautiful cocker spaniel pups. I know how much you like those, so I figured I'd ask. I could come by and get you if it helps? I guess, I hope, I'd hear from you soon, or else, maybe I should just come by and ask. Maybe my phone is being dumb again and you aren't actually getting these... Well, talk to you soon? (Spotlight turns of and FLINT sits in the chair on stage left.)
ETHAN
My best friend, Flint. I’ve known him since high school. He’s always been a big supporter of me, even when I said that I wanted to be a writer, and no one else believed in me. He did. I’m lucky that I get to call him my friend.
OLD LADY (O.S)
New Message.
(Spotlight comes on, MORGAN stands up and walks around the area in front of their chair, getting close to ETHAN, standing behind him and talking directly to him.)
MORGAN
Ethan, I know you're having a harder time getting out of the house and I know you don't like taking your meds but I miss seeing you. I need to see you right now. You haven't been around as much and people are starting to get worried. I love you to death and I will do anything to help you. That being said, you do need help. You can't hide away forever. I know… I know this whole situation can be scary,
believe me I know, but if you never leave I won't be able to see you and that's a terrifying thought. I need to see you. Please call me back ASAP. I love you.
(Spotlight turns of , MORGAN sits down.)
ETHAN
(Frowns.)
We’re starting to get to… to the part where I locked myself in my apartment and didn’t let anyone in to come see me… I didn’t want to run away from my problems, not really. I just… I just thought that if I took a moment and got myself together first that—
(Beat.)
No, that’s a lie… I’m lying. I didn’t think anything, I wasn’t thinking at all… What’s the next one?
OLD LADY (O.S)
New message.
(Spotlight comes on, GEORGIA stands and walks around stage right, standing near ETHAN and talking to him directly.)
GEORGIA
Ethan, I know that this playwriting is making getting out hard for you, we all know— this is getting difficult. Ethan, please. We need you to start showing up. Okay? We’re worried about you. Morgan is worried about you. If that’s not enough to get you to come out, then I don’t know what will be. You have adult responsibilities, now please, start acting like it. Love you.
(Spotlight comes of , GEORGIA sits down.)
ETHAN
Adult responsibilities. Oh man… I can’t remember the last time I actually took care of one of those. I’ve been neglecting them for so long that I just convinced myself that they didn’t exist. (Beat.)
Sounds like I treat all of my problems like that… Even though it obviously doesn’t work.
Nodus Tollens Page 6
OLD LADY (O.S)
New message.
(Spotlight comes on, FLINT stands and walks around the area near his chair, stands next to ETHAN and talks to him directly.)
FLINT
Hey. Look, it’s starting to get difficult here without you. We miss, you, Ethan, and I’m not gonna lie, Morgan is already starting to take a turn for the worse. I didn’t know that it was going to get this bad this fast but… I know I’m their friend too and all, but they really need to see you. I’ll get out of your hair now, but don’t be surprised if I come and check up on you later.
(Spotlight comes on.)
ETHAN
(Angrily.)
He didn’t. Come check up on me, I mean. You want to know the sad part? I’ll never even found out why he didn’t come. I guess… I guess he just couldn’t be bothered to deal with me anymore… I wouldn’t blame him.
OLD LADY (O.S)
New message.
(Spotlight comes on.)
MORGAN
Hey you—
(Cough.)
I’m really missing you right now. It’s really lonely here without you. Did Flint tell you that he dropped by the other day? We were able to catch up and have a few good laughs before the nurse kicked him out. It was like old times, but… you know, without you. Your sister came to visit too, she brought some amazing tamales. I’m sorry you had to miss out. I would have saved you one, but… She said that you were having panic attacks again. You know I know how to help you. Even like this… Please, just come see me. I love you more than anything and I just need to see you, one last time. I— (Coughs.)
I have to go rest now. I’ll see you soon… Hopefully…
(Spotlight comes of .)
ETHAN
You didn’t save me any because you knew I wasn’t going to go see you… I…
(Snifs)
Morgan I’m so sorry…
OLD LADY (O.S)
New message.
(Spotlight comes on, GEORGIA immediately walks to ETHAN with haste and yells angrily.)
GEORGIA
Ethan, come on, you need to get a grip. Take your damn meds, suck it up, and go see Morgan. I don’t care if you don’t see me or anyone else, but you need to at least go see them. Would you rather have your soulmate perish or suffer your illness for a bit? Death or panic Ethan? Make up your mind… Morgan doesn’t have that much time left.
(Spotlight turns of , GEORGIA sits down.)
ETHAN
I couldn’t! You don’t understand, I— I was too weak. I wasn’t going to help anything at all by just being there I—
(Chokes.)
OLD LADY (O.S)
New Message.
(Spotlight comes on, FLINT stands up and walks to ETHAN.)
FLINT
Look, Ethan, I love you, and of course I’m concerned about you. But this is starting to get ridiculous. I am really hoping that this is all worth it for you, because it is not for me. It’s bad enough that Morgan is actually dying, but now it’s starting to feel like you’re dead too. Pick up your phone, get your shit together, and get over here. You better hurry up. Morgan is waiting for you. Hell, we all are. (Spotlight turns of , FLINT sits down.)
ETHAN
I wasn’t dead but I felt like it. God, I just… I just couldn’t bear to— I just couldn’t. (Ethan sobs. In their chair, MORGAN hangs their head, goes limp.)
OLD LADY (O.S)
New Message
(Spotlight comes on, GEORGIA walks up to ETHAN angrily and yells.)
Nodus Tollens Page 8
GEORGIA
Ethan, you bastard! I just watched Morgan die. They were family to me Ethan, and you didn’t even have the decency to pick up your phone?! I can’t stand this anymore, I just can’t. I had to go through that funeral. Alone. I had to grieve, hell I’m still grieving! All by myself. Because of you. And for what? Because of a little adrenaline imbalance?
(Cold laughter.)
Do you understand how destroyed I feel?
(Places a hand on ETHAN’S shoulder.)
How alone? I can’t do this Ethan… I’m sorry.
(Deep breath.)
Please just… don’t bother with me anymore. I’m tired of reaching out to someone who clearly doens’t care anymore.
(GEORGIA exits. Spotlight turns of .)
ETHAN
(As she goes, Ethan looks at her and reaches for her.)
I’m sorry! Please don’t leave me. I— I don’t want to be alone either.
(Cries.)
OLD LADY (O.S)
New message.
(Spotlight comes on, FLINT stands slowly, walks to ETHAN.)
FLINT
Well, the funeral service is over. It was open casket with white lilies and everything. But guess what it was missing? You, Ethan, damn it!
(Pushes ETHAN hard.)
I can’t believe you. I know losing them was hard, but it would have been so much worse if you actually went to go see them in their suffering like I did. The way they—
(Beat.)
The way they would call out for you in their sleep, and cry for hours when we told them you couldn’t come… You’re sick. You know that? You didn’t see them the way we did, you didn’t watch them die. And yet you still couldn’t even muster up the damn courage to come to their funeral. Well, I hope you’re happy, because they’re gone now. And there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
(FLINT exits, Ethan turns to catch him but can’t. Spotlight turns of . Ethan attempts to speak, but is drowned by tears.)
OLD LADY (O.S)
Saved message.
(Spotlight turns on, MORGAN stands and walks towards ETHAN,
happily.)
MORGAN
When a cow laughs, does milk come out of its nose?
(Laughs.)
I’m sorry, I just saw that and thought that I absolutely had to tell you before I forgot it. I’m on my way home now, I’ll see you soon fiance.
(Hugs ETHAN.)
God, I just can’t believe that we are finally getting married. Okay, I’ll stop rambling now. I love you, Ethan, to the moon and back, don’t you ever forget that. Bye.
(Spotlight turns of , MORGAN stands behind ETHAN.)
OLD LADY (O.S)
There are no more messages. Goodbye.
ETHAN
(Sobs for a good few seconds before taking a deep breath.)
Morgan, I am so so sorry…
(Pause.)
Oh god… What— what is wrong with me? I’m telling all of my issues to this… This dog that I ran over and— and I can’t even get any help for myself! I just… I need to go, I need to find some way to help myself. I need someone to talk to, therapy— I need… I need to move on with my life… I need to get better.
(Sits up and pauses.)
Thank you. You really helped me out.
(Takes of his jacket and lies it on top of the dog.)
Good boy.
(Pets the top of the jacket, looks around for a moment, takes of his engagement ring, places it on top of the jacket, then exits. A pause. MORGAN takes the ring, then exits the other direction. The Old Woman enters.)
OLD WOMAN
I wonder why that young man left his jacket on the road.
(Picks up the jacket.)
There isn’t even anything underneath.
(END OF PLAY)
Congratulations Aemon, very happy for you. It is grear seeing Nodus Tollens in print and for others to experience it.
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