The Photo

A Quick Scene by Ivy Dillinger



An old man takes a seat on a park bench next to a teenage boy. He sighs and speaks...

OLD MAN
I remember a time when people cared about what I thought.

TEENAGER
Oh yeah?

OLD MAN
People hung on my every word. They looked forward to what I had to say.

TEENAGER
Whoa. Wow.

OLD MAN
I miss that time.

TEENAGER
Not surprising.

OLD MAN
I'm Ted, by the way.

TEENAGER
Reggie.

TED
Nice to meet you, Reggie.

REGGIE
Can't say the same.

TED
I don't have much to live for anymore.

REGGIE
Really? That's interesting.

TED
I find it hard to get out of bed in the morning.

REGGIE
Sleep 'til noon then.

TED
Noon?

REGGIE
Yeah. Then you don't have to get out of bed in the morning.

TED
I think I like the way you think.

REGGIE
I love the way I think. I'm awesome.

TED
Can we be friends?

REGGIE
Absolutely not.

TED
Can I introduce you to my granddaughter?

REGGIE
Is she shy and polite and caring?

TED
Yes.

REGGIE
Then no.

[pause]

TED
Well... nice chatting with you.

REGGIE
Naturally.

Ted leaves, but not before gently placing a photo of his granddaughter on the bench. A few moments pass. Reggie finally glances at the photo, and vaguely regrets his decision.