The No Show
A Sketch
Two people - one should be a man, the other may be a man or a woman. They’re standing in a parking lot of a college, talking.
Calvin: (or Colleen) Man! I can’t believe you got off like that!
Dodge: Neither can I. I thought I was a goner for sure.
Calvin: Was the coach mad?
Dodge: Oh, yeah. At first, anyway. He was going to throw me off the team, fine me $200.00 and cancel my scholarship all in one blow.
Calvin: Cancel your scholarship?
Dodge: Yeah.
Calvin: But that’s the only way you can afford college.
Dodge: I know.
Calvin: He was going to do that just because you missed one game?
Dodge: (Shrugs) It would have been in his rights to do it. I am the quarterback, after all. It’s in the terms of the scholarship. They need me.
Calvin: They sure do. Logan had to sub and his knee is still dicey. It cost us the game.
Dodge: He wasn’t supposed to suit up for another week.
Calvin: So what did you tell the coach?
Dodge: The truth.
Calvin: The truth? You crazy?
Dodge: (Shrugs)
Calvin: What kind of excuse was that?
Dodge: Pretty lame, but it was the truth.
Calvin: So how come coach let you off?
Dodge: I don’t know. I guess he could see I was cut up about it.
Calvin: So he let you off.
Dodge: Yeah.
Calvin: Wow.
Dodge: Yeah. Wow.
Calvin: So why are you hanging around the parking lot now? Shouldn’t you be off celebrating?
Dodge: I’m waiting for Earl. We train together.
Calvin: I thought you did that at two. It’s now (glances at watch) 4:30.
Dodge: I know. He didn’t show today. That’s why I’m waiting here. He comes past here to get to his car after class. When I see him I’m going to give him what for. Nobody stands me up!
Calvin : (Just stands there, stunned. He can’t believe it.)
Curtain
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Leaping Off the Page: Any Time of the Year Edition Page 12