Male 20+. 214 Words. Chris: "The noose caboose" From: Into the River.

By Paul Pasulka

Bradley, I believe you are a coward. You can’t even say it. It’s Su-i (begins to say suicide) ----immin’ in the cyanide tide. Cheatin’ the reaper. Swinging on the noose caboose. (Singing) “Adieu. Adieu. To you and you and you.” But what if I was - am - trying to kill myself? You’re like, what? The catcher in the rye? Clarence? (Theatrically) Help me, Clarence, please. I want to live again. Please God, let me live again. And again. And again.

He reaches in his pocket.

Oh! Zhu-zhu’s petals!

So you’re my angel? Brad, you gotta give. Cause you stopped me and that makes me your responsibility. You an angel? Braa-aad… Really? You been to heaven? Just ain’t got your wings yet, hunh? Who knows, maybe I am your ticket. Cause if not, what the fuck is it to you what I do? (Beat.) You got nothin? You got nothin.

Okay, I can do this all night, and one time - it only takes one brief lapse of attention - you will not be able to stop me. But for some reason, my life is important to you, so if you want to earn your wings, you’d better talk. (Beat.) Really, I got nothing else to do. Well, not vitally important anyway. And you have more than a common interest in me. Why?