Don’t say that name!!
Future Self – He’s my brother too, and do you know why he killed himself?
Character – Don’t talk about him like that.
Future Self – It’s a simple question- do you want to know why he killed himself…?
Character – (Tears swelling in his eyes) He was just really sad. The world wasn’t meant for one as beautiful as-
Future Self – Cut the bullshit! Stop it! There was nothing beautiful about his death. And there was nothing beautiful about him. He killed himself and gave a big ‘Fuck You’ to the family because he was weak. And afraid. And selfish. End of story.
Character – Shut up! He wasn’t weak! He wasn’t afraid or selfish at all! He was just really, really sad.
Future Self – You know, in your heart, that he was. You do. But you know what else- you’re not him, and you’re not weak. WE are not weak.
Character – (Crying) I am weak. I am…
Future Self – Your future holds so many possibilities, so many people you could become. Do you know why I’m the only future self here?
Character – Because I become you?
Future Self – No. Because I’m the only one who survives.
Character – What do you mean?
Future Self – Your other future selves- the millions upon millions of them; they jumped off bridges and stepped in front of trains. They ate bullets. Ingested poison and sleeping pills. They followed our big brother. They were weak, all of them. But YOU made me strong. And I’m happy now, I’m in such a good place. There’s no more worry here. No more fear or reason to hide. Everything is beautiful.
(The lights fade to black, and then return, illuminating the entire room. All the people on stage are staring at the character, silently. The Character looks around at all of them, at the millionaires, the mistresses, the other servers and his Future Self. He then looks to Steve and speaks.)
Character – My name is… Brian.
– THANK YOU FOR READING –
Thanks so much for reading. If you enjoyed any of these chapters that didn’t quite make the cut, please consider taking a look at the original book, and all the chapters that DID make it in!
If you have any comments or questions for the author, please check out his website.
Thanks again for reading, we hope you enjoyed it!
– ABOUT THE AUTHOR –
Julian Benabides is an alumnus from San Francisco State University, where he studied creative writing. He has, at one time or another, called many different cities home, including San Francisco, Tokyo, Seoul, and Prague. Most recently he has been working in Korea, where he is putting the finishing touches on his next novel. Among the Fallen will be coming out in the summer of 2014.
Bloody Hands, Heartless Editors: 7 Deleted Chapters from The First Boy who was Broken Page 4