JOHN (Very brief pause): No, I know who you are— your name is spelled “Bob.” (He says “Bob” and does not spell it out)

BOB (He stands, happening to hold the screwdriver in a relaxed way, by his side): Don’t be an idiot.

JOHN: That’s great advice. And, sorry, just have to check, it’s my natural curiosity, again— are you brandishing a screwdriver at me?

JENNIFER: Bob, would you not— don’t brandish the screwdriver.

BOB: I’m just standing here.

JOHN: Are you going to gouge my eyes out?

BOB: Do you want me to?

JOHN: Not saying you should, not saying you shouldn’t— you just follow your heart.

JENNIFER: Come on, this is ridiculous. Bob, put the screwdriver down.

BOB: I’m not . . . it happened to be in my hand. (He puts the screwdriver down. To John) Just stop being an idiot.

JENNIFER: Nobody’s being an idiot.

JOHN: I am. I thought that’s what this was all about.

JENNIFER: Let’s just all calm down.

JOHN (To Jennifer): More good advice. You guys know everything! Ooh, I just noticed, I like your hair like that.

JENNIFER: I know why you’re acting like this.

JOHN: Yeah?

JENNIFER: You’re just confused. I know you’re a good person.

JOHN (Sarcastically): Aww, isn’t that sweet. (Brief pause. Sincerely) That actually is very sweet— thank you. It’s really . . . God. (Moment of frustration and pain in his head, perhaps an almost subliminal sound cue, a low hum or droning sound) Did anyone else feel that? (Very brief pause) The world is about to end. (He stands, with slight difficulty. Brief pause, as he waits to see if the world ends. It doesn’t. The subliminal sound cue fades) Nope. Wrong again. Sometimes, I don’t know why I even try. (Brief pause) Pony? Any thoughts?

PONY: Yes.

JOHN (Vulnerably): Oh, sweetie. Don’t look at me like that.

PONY: How am I supposed to look at you? I don’t know what’s going on with you.

JOHN: I . . . yeah. I’m upset.

PONY: I don’t know if you are. I’ve seen you upset. Remember?

JOHN: You’re right. Sorry. I’m not being very g-g-gray-graysh. (Brief pause. He’s had a neurological episode. He struggles to remember how a sentence works) Th-th-the . . . That sounds weird. “The.” I’m going to . . . Sorry. (Begins to exit)

PONY: John.

JOHN: Hi. (Exits)

JENNIFER (Brief pause. To Pony): You should go make sure he’s all right.

PONY (Quietly, gravely): Don’t . . . I know. (She exits)

BOB (Brief pause): I’m sorry, but the whole thing was not what—

JENNIFER (Interrupting): Do not even start. (Brief pause) I’m waiting.

BOB: It was kid’s stuff. It was getting through the day. I was just kind of managing things.