US. by Douglass Pepys
US.
They ask – “Do you come here often”
You reply – “Lived here all my life”
They laugh – “Same, same. And, is it to your liking?”
You shrug – “Earth? Yeah, it’s alright”
Then.
You ask – “So, you breath its air?”
They nod – “I like it best clean and sweet.”
You chuff – “Now, that isn’t too much to ask… do you drink-?”
They interrupt – “Water? It’s kind of a must.”
A Pause.
You muse – “Just like I do. I suppose you eat too.”
They smirk – “Only as I need…one day I may even bite the dust.’
You chuckle – “You say that like it’s an option.’
They raise brows – “You say that like it’s not?’
You smile – “Touché. But, for all we know this life is all we’ve got.”
They Stop.
Turn toward you.
For the first time your gazes meet.
Them. – “Your eyes.”
You blink – “What about them?”
They stammer – “Nothing, well its… you have them”
You splutter – “Should I not?”
Think.
They reply. – “No. Well it’s just… this means you can see.”
You frown – “Obviously.”
They laugh – “Sorry, here.’
A hand extended your way.
You hesitate.
Your fingers, then palms meet.
You squirm – “What’s this?”
They hum – ‘It’s the same… though we’re different. You and I.”
You look – ‘Oh. The same… I – we both can see.’
They nod – “…So, different yet.”
You – “Just the same enough
to be able to experience the world
as a shared reality.”
Then.
The moment’s passed.
Both hands retreat.
You cough – “So, the same”
They shrug – “So, different”
You Laugh.
Executive Producers
Daniel Henson
Karolina Ristevski
Sue White
